Ling Yao
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Ling Yao is the twelfth son of the Xingese Emperor. He is 15 years old, although he looks older because he is very tall for his age (much to the dismay of Edward). He is the Yao clan's heir to the throne. Due to the fatal illness of his father, he left his country to find the Philosopher's Stone so it could be used to stabilize Xing, as well as to obtain the key to immortality. (The emperor's desire for immortality and need to choose an heir from his many children and the various clans seems to be inspired by Genghis Khan, especially in his later years.) Although at first Ling is regarded as an annoyance by Edward (due to his habit of always making Ed pay for his meals and following him around), he shows his worth as a very skilled fighter. Despite his seeming indifference and even annoyance towards his servants, he actually does care about them, or at least Ran Fan (he sends Fu back to Xing with Maria Ross). This is also seen when he throws his sword into Envy's torso after Envy grabs Ran Fan's belt, and when he refuses to leave Ran Fan behind after she is injured by Wrath (Bradley). A deeper relationship is also hinted by the fact that Ed and other characters such as Greed has said that she is "waiting" for him when he goes into a dangerous situation (getting swallowed by Gluttony or being possessed by Greed), just like Winry is said to be "waiting" for Ed.
Afterward, Ling devises a plan with the Elrics whereby Ed and Al would lure Scar out to a battle, thus drawing out the Homunculi, who also wish to destroy Scar. Then Ling and Ran Fan would capture one and dissect it, as Ling assumes the regenerative powers of the Homunculi is pretty close to immortality. They manage to capture Gluttony, but Ran Fan loses her arm in a losing fight against Bradley. They bring Gluttony to a house on the outskirts of town, but when Gluttony sees Mustang (who killed Lust), he assumes his true form and destroys everything in his path to get Roy. Ling and the Elrics stay behind to fight Gluttony while Envy also finds his way into the fray. In the ensuing battle, Gluttony swallows Ling. However, he also swallows Ed and Envy by accident and the three are forced to declare a cease-fire in order to escape the bowels of Gluttony's stomach.
In chapter 54, the Homunculi's father, noticing Ling's remarkable up-bringing, strength, and intelligence, infuses the same Philosopher's Stone he drank from Greed's remains into Ling's body, causing Ling to become the second Greed. Ling is shown to be accepting of Greed in order to transform his body into an immortal vessel, and the two are currently co-existing in Ling's body. Greed even asked Ed to deliver a note to Ran Fan at Ling's request. However, Greed presently appears to be fully in control of Ling's body.
It has been confirmed that Ling's soul is still present in his body, and is waiting for an opportunity to take over. The first time is when Ed mentions Ran Fan, and the second time is when Führer Bradley (Wrath) insults humans, and Ling says "Shut up. Don't make light of humans." This phrase is the same phrase Ling spoke while fighting Envy before. However, it's not known if Ling will eventually regain control.
Additionally, in chapter 63, noted that because the Xingese emperor's condition is deteriorating, Ling must be brought back to Xing as soon as possible. The physical features of Greed appear to be manifesting in Ling as well, as his eyes, nose, and jawline have changed dramatically.
| Fullmetal Alchemist | |
|---|---|
| Common characters: | Edward Elric • Alphonse Elric • Roy Mustang • Maes Hughes • Winry Rockbell • Scar • Izumi Curtis • Hohenheim • Minor characters of Fullmetal Alchemist |
| Anime-only characters: | Dante • State Military • Homunculi • Minor anime characters |
| Manga-only characters: | Father • State Military • Homunculi • Ling Yao • Minor manga characters |
| Media: | Anime (Episode list • Voice casts) • Manga • OVAs • Conqueror of Shamballa • Video games (characters) • Trading cards |
| Items/Concepts: | Alchemy • Automail • Chimera • Equivalent Exchange • Gate of Alchemy • Philosopher's Stone • State Alchemist • Transmutation circle |
| Locations: | Amestris • Ishbal • Lab 5 • Lior |
