Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood includes many moving parts, and notable characters such as Colonel Roy Mustang, hero Edward Elric and even the shadowy Pride all know which team they're playing for in the grand scheme of things. Such characters are a stable element in the story, contrasting sharply with the homunculus Greed and Solf J. Kimblee, especially.
Appearing partway through the 2009 anime series, Solf J. Kimblee was introduced as the most vicious and unpredictable state alchemist known as the Crimson Lotus Alchemist (named after the explosions he creates). While it's clear that Kimblee favors chaos, figuring out which side he's fighting for is another matter entirely.
The Rise, Fall & Return Of Solf J. Kimblee
With Kimblee's childhood a mystery, his earliest appearance was during the Ishval Civil War, where his whimsical cruelty was on full display. Even at this point, it was clear that Kimblee had no regard for the lives or needs of other people, friend or foe -- based on his actions, he might not even have a concept of friend or foe. Instead, Kimblee was most attached to his own desires, mainly the instinct to set off explosions and savor the sound of it.
Kimblee can't resist any opportunity to blow something up and watch people die. Even by Ishval Civil War standards, Kimblee was harsh, going on a rampage while only barely being on the Amestris military's side. He was in it for the fun of it, not out of duty, and Kimblee turned on his allies when he stole the Philosopher's Stone he'd been assigned and killed several officers to keep it. He was captured and imprisoned for years -- though the Stone remained hidden in his stomach.
Kimblee would fight for anyone who gave him his freedom back, and sure enough, the homunculus Envy acted on Father's behalf to free and recruit Kimblee from that Central prison. Father's plan called for an elite agent like Kimblee, and Envy even gifted him with a newer, stronger Philosopher's Stone. Kimblee had no particular love for Father or the homunculi, but this did give him a chance to hunt one of the few remaining Ishvalans: the rogue Scar.
Kimblee's Forays To Briggs, Central & Pride's Very Soul
Kimblee found Scar's trail quickly and stayed there, seeing right through the Ishvalan's clever traps and pursuing him up north, where Edward and Alphonse Elric happened to be. Kimblee lost a brief duel against Scar aboard a train but survived, and he limped his way to the imposing Fort Briggs. Once he was back in shape, Kimblee confronted Edward and demanded his aid in hunting Scar, even taking Winry Rockbell hostage to manipulate him. Kimblee's pursuit of Scar was cut short after Ed turned on him -- causing the chaotic alchemist to mercilessly use his new Philosopher's Stone, nearly killing Ed. However, Kimblee never got his hands on Scar.
Later, during the Promised Day, the massive transmutation circle around Amestris came to life, and Kimblee confronted Alphonse Elric with the aid of Pride. This was Kimblee's last stand, and once Heinkel the chimera mortally wounded him, Kimblee was helpless as Pride ate him to obtain his powers. Nevertheless, despite looking like the end for Kimblee, he managed to make one final play.
During a crucial moment, when Edward turned himself into a human Philosopher's Stone to attack Pride's soul directly, Kimblee made another surprise appearance. Despite the unbearable tempest of souls around him, Kimblee's bloodthirsty consciousness was intact, and he sabotaged Pride out of sheer contempt. Kimblee believed in the survival of the fittest, just like Olivier Armstrong, and Pride proved himself weak when he tried to steal Edward's human body as a new vessel. Thus, Pride was helpless when Edward finished him off, and a smug Kimblee vanished into the hurricane of souls inside Pride's Philosopher's Stone.
Kimblee was genuinely loyal to no person or cause, faithful only to his own desires and worldview. Solf J. Kimblee was the ultimate wild card in a world of schemes and plots, and not even Father and Pride could hope to make him their puppet.
