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At the end of Brotherhood, Edward sacrifices his gate in order to bring back
Al with his body. While doing so, the Truth being associated with Ed's gate
tells him:

> You've defeated me. Take everything you want!

So why didn't Ed get his leg back, when he can get everything if he sacrifices
his gate?


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fullmetal-alchemist-series fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood
Why didn't Edward Elric get his leg back?


This is probably difference in translation. In the manga it is made pretty
clear. The entire conversation is about Al only. Look at the following
transmutations and the sacrifices. Ed sacrificed his leg and Al his body for
their Mother. Ed sacrificed his hand for Al's soul. Al gave his soul for Ed's
hand. Ed gives up his transmutation gate for Al's body and soul.

I don't remember the entire conversation in the Anime, but in the Manga,
Following conversation takes place. Ref: Chapter 108 of the Manga

> **The Truth:** Come for your brother, Eh? But how do you plan to extract an
> enitre human being? How will you pay? Will you offer YOUR entire being?  
>  **Ed:** I've got your payment right here. It's really big though. [..]  
>  **The Truth:** That's the right answer Alchemist. You've beaten the truth.
> Claim your prize. All of it.

Thus to me it seemed that the bargain was Al's entire being. All of it.

Now, you could always argue that the exchange wasn't "equivalent" and Ed
should have asked for his leg back as well. We could talk about this all day!
But just touching on the very surface, its about the main themes of FMA.
Personal Responsibility and Sacrifice. Both Ed and Al are ready to sacrifice
everything for each other. But Ed wouldn't use a philospher Stone or even
Hohenheim himself to bring Al's body or his limbs back. This has been
reiterated several times. In the end Ed is satisfied with what he can get and
be normal, because he still has his friends.

**Edit:** _@Maroon also highlights the difference in translation, by
mentioning the Cantonese dub._ This further supports the differences in
translation.

> I'll also note that in the Cantonese dub of the same episode, Truth appears
> to say something more along the lines of "Take what you came to retrieve,
> then [now that you've defeated me]!" rather than "Take everything you want!"


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It's because of the Equivalent Exchange:

  1. Ed exchanged his arm for Al.
  2. Al then exchanged his soul for Ed's arm.
  3. Ed then exchanged his ability for alchemy to get Al back.

That completed the Equivalent Exchange between the brothers.

The price Ed paid for the human transmutation of their mother was his leg.
That was a different matter all together.


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In the English dubbed FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Netflix Part 5
Episode 11. The conversation between Ed and The Truth goes like this...

(After hearing the voices of all his friends)

> **Ed:** Who even needs alchemy? When I’ve got them.  
>  **The Truth:** (Smiles) You’ve done it. That’s the right answer.  
>  **Ed:** (Claps his hands)  
>  **The Truth:** Good Job. You beat me.  
>  **Ed:** (Turns around and touches the door to the Portal of Truth)  
>  **The Truth:** (Stands up) Go ahead. Take him home.  
>  **Ed:** (Transmutes his Portal of Truth)  
>  **The Truth:** (As he disappears with the door) The back door is right over
> there. (Points behind him to Alphonse) Goodbye Edward Elric.

It’s quite clear throughout the entire conversation (including dialogue not
mentioned above) that they are only talking about Alphonse. And if you look at
all the transmutations and sacrifices made by Ed and Al in the show, by the
end it’s an "equivalent exchange".

**In the beginning:**

To get their mother - Ed lost his leg and Al lost his body.

To get Al’s soul - Ed lost his arm.

**In the end:**

Al lost his soul - To get Ed’s arm.

Ed lost his alchemy (Portal of Truth) - To get Al's body and Al's soul.


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