The Silver Pocket Watch

As the rest of the evening went on, Celestia had finally finished with her royal duties and returned to her room. She wrote a quick letter to Luna, to tell her the day court had ended, and that she was going to sleep. Luna, however was far too busy with some very pressing matters to notice the scroll. Edward was having a nightmare, and she was looking into it, to see if she could stop it.

But something disturbed her as she entered into Edward’s dream realm, “This is no dream… a memory, perhaps?” She looked around her, she seemed to be near some farmland, it was nighttime and there was a rather loud storm brewing. She scanned the immediate area for any sign of Ed, but soon spotted a light in a nearby barn.

Curious, Luna glided on her wings, to get a closer look. She heard to very young voices, perhaps foals of the age of ten, or so. She opened the door and slipped in quietly and unannounced. Luna was finally going to find out something from the human’s past, so she stood back, blending with the shadows and let the events in front of her play out.

She watched as two young foals, one she had assumed to be Edward, but the other she wasn't so sure of. The two boys were drawing something on the ground with chalk, and as it became larger and more elaborate, it seemed to Luna that it was some sort of rune, ‘Are they trying magic?’ she thought to herself. But that couldn't be, because Edward didn't have a magical signature when she had met him, so this is surely impossible.

She decided to continue watching for now, to see what they were up to. They had put a basin in the center of the circle, and it seemed one of them was calling off a list, “Water, 35 liters. Carbon, 20 kilograms. Ammonia, 4 liters. Lime, 1.5 kilograms. Phosphorous, 800 grams. Salt, 250 grams. Saltpeter, 100 grams. Sulfur, 80 grams. Fluorine, 7.5, Iron, 5, Silicon, 3 grams, and trace amounts of 15 other elements.”

They continued to place and pour these substances into the basin and when they were done, they talked, before turning to the circle. The two humans, now sitting on their knees, kneeling before the circle, had grins on their faces, ‘What in Equestria is going on?’ Luna thought, as she watched with interest.

The two boys placed their palms on the circle and it began to light up, there seemed to be a bright flash of lightning, and… a giant eyeball opened up in the centre of the circle. Luna was slightly horrified at the sight, but things made a turn for the worse when small hands began protruding from the… thing, and it was pulling at the presumably younger one’s body.

There was a lot of screaming, and Luna watched as the hands pulled away limbs from the younger one. She saw Edward screaming for the other, and for help, and then his leg was taken too along with the rest of the other.

Now, Ed, who was left alone without a leg let out a cry of despair, ‘This is how he lost his leg? This seems like a dark magic to me...’ Luna thought, and forced herself to continue observing, as much as it hurt her to see her new friend like this. In the center of the large rune, where the basin once was, lay a sick, and twisted creature. It was bony, and it’s skin was charred, ‘Such a pathetic looking… thing.’ she thought.

Edward lay staring, horrified at the thing in front of him. Obviously whatever it was that him and the other child were attempting, had failed. With the cost of the life of the other, and a leg of his own. Luna stared on with sympathy, there was nothing she could do about what happened. But if she could, she wouldn't of hesitated, even for a moment.

 Just when she thought it was all over, Edward began screaming again, and dragged himself over to an empty suit of armor, he drew a symbol in the neck whilst screaming about his ‘brother’, ‘So they are brothers?’

Ed clapped his hands together, and with another bright flash, similar to that of the circle, although smaller, came from his hands as he slammed his palms onto the armor. She then witnessed as Edwards arm was then taken, another look of pure horror raced across her face. How could one so young have to go through something as… evil as this!

But when she thought everything was over, the armor stood up quickly, looking around the room confused, until it saw Ed lying motionlessly, “Brother!” the dream, or rather memory ended there. Luna awoke lying in her bed, there were tears streaming down her face in shock, and sadness of what she had just witnessed.

“But, Ed’s arm… it’s not ‘automail’ like his leg! M-maybe, everything got better!” she convinced herself, ‘I must speak about these… turn of events to my sister, but she must be at rest now’ she noticed a scroll laying nearby, “Just as I thought.”

Luna had continued to lay motionlessly on her bed, still in shock of what had happened, “Oh, Edward… you must have been through so much. No wonder you are burdened with the eyes of one such as I.” Pain, and death, that was what one could see if they were to truly look into Luna’s eyes.

Morning came quickly for Edward, he had a decent sleep and he was ready face another day in the world. But what was he to do while he was here? Somehow look for a way back home? If it wasn't impossible he could do that… then again these ponies had magic, so perhaps it isn't.

“At any rate, I need to know as much about these ponies as I can. I’ll play along, and see if I can get anything out of them.” He pondered quietly sitting at the edge of his bed.

He decided to take a slow walk around the castle, and make it to the dining hall in his own time, there was no point in rushing, it’s not like he had much to do… not like the old days. So he took a stroll around the twisting corridors of the castle, admiring the architecture, and antiques which lined along the walls every now and then.

Maybe he could help the princesses, or something. He wasn't a fan of standing around and being useless. He reached the dining hall about an hour later, and the time was around ten in the morning. He walked into the large open dining hall, and saw Celestia and Luna sitting together and chatting over a coffee as Celestia read a paper.

They hadn't noticed him yet, and as he entered he caught the tail end of their conversation, “... it was a dark power, I am telling you sister.” Luna was looking at her elder sibling with an intense gaze, Celestia, however remained neutral in expression as she scanned the paper.

“Well, Luna, I am sure whatever it was is nothing for us to worry about for the time being. As we had agreed, we’ll have our guard keep an eye on him, but that is all we will do for now.” Celestia finished, and looked from her paper, “Oh, good morning, Edward, it is lovely to see you up and about!” she said happily.

Edward smiled, but was frowning on the inside… what could they have been talking about? He decided to play dumb, as if he hadn’t heard a thing, and ate his breakfast while chatting with Luna, who seemed to be a bit off, but he shrugged it off for now. They made plans to go into the city today, to let Ed get a feel for the area, and perhaps do a small bit of shopping.

It would also be a good way to introduce him to the ponies, so they do not become afraid of the human. After they finished breakfast, Luna and Edward were about to leave, when they heard a soft cough from behind, “Edward, would you like me to put your mane into a braid, like it was before?” Celestia asked, his rubber band had broken during the night, because he had left it on.

“Eheh, yeah sure… I just don’t have an elastic band.” He replied sheepishly, Celestia smiled back sweetly and beckoned him forth.

Celestia’s horn glowed, and there was a small popping sound as a black hair bobble poofed into existence. Edward’s gaze was intense, he studied the object in Celestia’s hoof, as his mind made some alchemical calculations, trying to figure how it was done.

Celestia gave a knowing smile, ‘Just as I thought...’ she just chuckled, and motioned him to turn around, so she could fix his hair.

Ed and Luna made their way down the long stairway, leading down to the Canterlot high street. They walked close by each other, as Luna held a wing around his shoulder chatting loudly with the boy. The two were laughing over stories from Luna’s childhood.

“Then our Mother came running past, and stole back the cookies, while dressed like a ninja! We chased her through the halls, and finally cornered her… that was when our Father saw her and we just could not contain our laughter!”

“Aah, it’s good to have a good laugh every now and then…” Edward looked down for a second with a frown, but he quickly covered it up with a smile, again. The two reached the bottom of the steps, and continued on in a comfortable silence until they reached the market district.

“Where shall we visit first, Ed?” Luna asked, as they scanned the area around them, ignoring the stares from the upper class ponies.

“Hmm, why don’t we have a look over there.” He pointed to a blacksmith’s, Luna gave him an odd look, but walked over to the shops entrance.

“Why would we need to come here?” Luna asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Eh, I guess I’d like to have a sword… I used to have one, but that’s long gone. I have to say I was in need of it a lot.” Ed said, in a rather distracted voice as he looked around the shop, ‘Well I guess that wasn't technicallya lie...’ he thought.

‘Why would he have been in need of a sword?’ Luna pondered quietly, and let Edward walk on ahead.

“Oh, your majesty! I certainly wasn't expecting royalty! I woulda’ cleaned th’ ol’ place up a bit more!” a cheery, middle aged stallion exclaimed from the counter.

“Oh, it is no problem, sir. I am simply showing my… strange friend around Canterlot, and he wanted to come have a look.” Luna smiled at the stallion.

“Aye, he’s a strange one. I ain’t ever seen a creature like him before!”

“Yes, quite… he is visiting from a far off land.”

The stallion smiled and nodded. Luna walked up to where Edward was examining some swords, he seemed to have found one he liked. The sword in Edward’s hand had a fairly flat handle, and the bottom of the blade seemed to curve a bit, before straightening out to shape the blade. There was a curious design on the blade itself, making it quite a beautiful, yet deadly piece.

“Ah, yes that is a rather curious piece, right there.” The stallion mused, “It was foun’ by a wee pegasus back in the days before Equestria was founded. See, the thing is… the sword can’t be wielded by anypony… ponies, griffons and heck, even dragons have tried to wield it…”

“What’s it called?” Edward asked, looking up from examining the blade.

“Ah, we’ve been callin’ it tha Sword of Pegasi, since it was found by a pegasus ‘n all.”

Edward grabbed the handle of the sword, and swung it in the air a few times, “Well I can use it just fine…” he said slowly, he looked to the stallion, who stood stock still with his jaw practically on the ground.

“B-but, it… nopony, an’ I mean nopony has ever been able to!”

“Quick question, do you actually recognize this type of sword?” Edward inquired, Luna, who stood by idly observing raised an eyebrow.

“Nah, it is one of a kind!” he replied.

“Well, I recognize this style… it looks to me like a sword that was once common in an ancient empire from… where I am from.” Edward continued to scan the sword, “Although, it’s design is certainly unique.”

“An’ where jus’ are you from, lad?” the stallion asked skeptically, shooting a questioning look in his direction.

“That is none of your concern, I am afraid, sir.” Luna stated simply, in which the stallion had no right to question. Even if his curiosity was piqued.

“Ah, no matter. So, yah lookin’ t’ buy?”

“Yeah, how much is it anyway?”

“Aye, that’d be eight thousand bits!” he said cheerily.

“I am sorry good sir, but that price is simply outrageous.” Luna stated, “Surely for a sword that nopony, but Edward, here can wield mustn't cost such a high amount?”

The stallion pondered for a moment, “Well, since he’s your guest, your majesty, I’ll lower the price to six thousand, five hundred. How’s that sound?” he gave a small smile.

Luna hesitated for a moment, it’s not like such an amount really mattered to her, but she didn't want to pay more than it was worth, “We have a deal, sir.” the two ponies shook hooves, and the stallion went behind the counter, as Luna handed him the correct amount.

“Thanks!” Edward said loudly, waving to the stallion as he and Luna left the store, “Luna, thanks a lot for the sword!” he said happily to the alicorn, who smiled and wrapped a wing around him in a hug, which he happily returned.

Edward examined the sword more, now that he was outside. He swung it around a few times, demonstrating his sword skills. To him the sword felt perfect, but something about the sword felt weird to him, although for now he decided to keep quiet about it and try figure out what secrets this piece of weaponry held at a later time.

Attaching the scabbard to his belt, and sheathing the sword, Edward took a big stretch and yawned, “So, where to next, Luna?”

“Well I believe there is a nice park to have a stroll in nearby.” Luna said with a smile, as she trotted off in a random direction, in which Edward quickly followed behind.

As they walked the cobbled streets of Canterlot, more and more ponies seemed to stop and stare at the two, many of which seemed as though they were going to speak up. It was not until they reached the entrance to the park that somepony decided to ask what was going on.

“Excuse me, if you will your majesty.” came a friendly, rather posh voice from behind the two. Luna and Edward turned their gaze around to see a white unicorn mare, with a pink mane. Her cutie mark was that of the Fleur De lis, and Luna instantly recognized her as a well known Canterlot model.

“Yes, my subject?” Luna queried, smiling at the mare.

“If I may be so bold as to ask, who… and what your… unique friend is?” the mare kept a friendly tone in her voice as she spoke.

“Ah, yes Edw—” Luna was interrupted.

“Hey, the names Edward Elric, I’m a human.” Edward said, as he put an arm out to shake her hoof, the action startled the mare a bit, and Luna looked rather offended at the interruption.

“Ah, you’re certainly friendly!” the mare laughed nervously, and shot Luna curious glance, the alicorn in turned just chuckled slightly.

The human and mare shook, hand and hoof, “I don’t suppose you could tell me where you come from, just to sate my curiosity.”

Luna intervened before Edward could blurt out an answer, “He is from a very far off land, and has arrived here under certain circumstances…” she said mysteriously, although though the unicorn left it at that, not wanting to bother her highness with her nosy questions.

“Well I have to say it has been lovely to meet you, Edward. We simply mus—” there was the sound of shouting coming from the distance, the group looked toward the source in curiosity. Up ahead, coming down the hill at high speeds was a cart, it had ponies sitting in the carriage screaming for dear life.

It seemed as if it had broken away from it’s drivers and left to roll down the hill. Edward watched as it neared them, he heard screams coming from behind him, and saw that there was a large group of foals crossing over the road. He could tell not all of them were going to make it out of the way in time, and in a moment of panic out of instinct, he clapped his hands together to try transmute.

He quickly placed his hands onto the ground, as he did there was a blue glow as lightning began to spark around the area. A chunk of concrete rose from the ground, curving around so that it pointed down a side street. The cart reached the new addition to the road, just as it finished moving. The cart seemed to take a sharp turn as it hit the curve of the concrete and the cart then flew down the side street.

Without so much of a thought, Luna quickly reached out with her magic and grabbed the cart, to stop it from then rampaging down the smaller side street.

“Edward… what did you just do?”

However, everything went black for the boy as he fell back and fainted. Caught only inches from the ground by the other white unicorns magic.