Two boys arrive in town, one apparently normal and the other in a large suit of armor.  They are Alphonse and Edward Elric.  They meet some of the locals and discover that there is a powerful man that can do many things apparently bypassing the first law of alchemy, the Law of Equivalent Exchange.  This law states: "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return.  To obtain, something of equal value must be lost."  The two go with a local girl named Rose to meet this man.  When they confront him they discover that he has the Philosopher's Stone and he is not likely to give it up.