Fullmetal Alchemist: The Magic of Alchemy

After some cleanup around town and releasing the remaining timberwolf back to everfree forest, we now find everyone back in the throne room, with the equstrians putting all of their attention towards the two amestrian brothers. (Edward used alchemy to repair his clothes)

After remaining silent for a moment, Twilight decided to speak up.

"So, what exactly is sentient transmutation?" Twilight asked.

"It's exactly what it sounds like." Edward responded, "Transmuting a creature that has sentience that's close to, or higher than that of a pony's."

"Dragon's, yaks, griffins, changelings, you name it, transmuting any of them would count as sentient transmutation." Alphonse responded.

"Wait, so your saying that somepony that can use that so called alchemy could use it to change somepony else to whatever they want?" Applejack asked, making the rest of the rest of the equstrians shudder at the thought.

"Not really." Edward responded, "Sentient transmutation mainly focuses on someone transmuting deceased creatures, namely in an attempted to bring them back to life. However, that's not the reason why sentient transmutation if forbidden amoung alchemists."

"Then why is it?" Cadence asked.

Instead of giving a straight answer, Edward asked a question of his own, "Tell me, what is it about me and Al that's missing."

Although confused about the question, the equstrians thought about it.

"...From what we saw, your missing your right forehoof and your left hind leg, and we haven't had the chance to see your brothers body yet." Princess Celestia replied she, along with the other equstrians, remembered what Alphonse said earlier.

"This armor, is my body."

"Wait, Alphonse, you claimed that armor is your body." Cadence said.

"But how can that be?" Princess Celestia asked, "The only way that could be possible is if your soul was bonded to that armor."

"It is." Edward said, getting everyone's attention, "I had to, after he lost his body."

"L-Lost his body?" Fluttershy asked in an uneven tone, "As in, Alphonse died?"

"No, because, along with my brother's hind leg, it was the cost of performing sentient transmutation." Alphonse said.

"You mean, you two actually were willing to give up parts of your bodies to perform sentient transmutation!?" Rainbow Dash asked in shock, feeling sick to her stomach at the thought.

"Like hell we did!" Edward yelled angrily, making everyone flinch at his sudden outburst, "If we even knew what the actual consequences were for performing sentient transmutation, we wouldn't of done it in the first place!"

Upon seeing all of the equstrians looking at him with worried expressions, Edward let out a sigh.

"Sorry for the sudden outburst, but what I said still stands." Edward said.

Although she was unsure if she should, Twilight said, "From what I can tell, you had to use alchemy to bond Alphonse's soul into that armor, but there's is something that I'm certain we're all thinking about."

"And what would that be?" Edward asked, already having an idea what Twilight was about to ask.

"Who exactly did you want to bring back that you both resorted to using sentient transmutation?" Twilight asked.

Upon hearing that, a pained expression formed on Edward's face, it looked as if he debated whether or not he should answer Twilight's question.

Luckily Alphonse intercepted by saying, "That's a question we'd rather not answer."

"Yeah, it's bad enough that we're talking about the one of the worst experiences we've been through." Edward said before adding, "Explaining why we did it would be like adding salt to an already terrible wound to us."

Seeing that the brothers were feeling uncomfortable, Princess Celestia decided to change the subject.

"Well then, do you care to explain what happened after the experience?" Princess Celestia asked.

After remaining quiet for a moment, Alphonse said, "Well, when I woke up, I found myself bonded to this armor Before seeing Ed clutching where his right forehoof would of connected to his torso, trying to stop the bleeding. He was on the verge of passing out from blood loss, so I quickly yet carefully placed him on my back before running to our family friends, the Rockbells."

"The Rockbells must of been some really good friends if they were the first ones you both went to for help." Twilight said.

"We might as well call them family at this point." Alphonse said happily.

"Anyways, after getting some motivation from the pain in the neck known as Colonel Mustang, I decided to become a state alchemist." Edward said, "And before anyone asks how I planned to do that, the Rockbells are automail engineers, so they were kind enough to hook me up."

"What's automail?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Answer this first, how do you think I'm standing right now?" Edward said.

It didn't take long for the equstrians to put two and two together when they heard that.

"Wait, so you're saying that automail is replacement limbs for somepony who lost a limb or two?" Shining Armor asked in shock.

"But how does that work?" Twilight asked, "Is magic applied to the metal limbs to both stick to the user and to respond to their commands?"

"Unfortunately, no." Edward responded, "How they're installed and operate is a lot more painful."

"How so?" Princess Luna asked, "I doubt it would be as horrible as losing your limbs."

"Really, you think that having the automail surgically attached to your body while your conscious isn't as bad as losing a limb or two?" Edward asked rhetorically.

Hearing this completely shocked the equstrians.

"Wait wait wait, you're telling me that those limbs are actually connected to you!?!" Shining Armor asked in shock, "As in you can't take them off!?!"

"Well, the limbs themselves can be taken off so that adjustments could be made on them, but the mechanism that's connected to me can't be removed." Edward explained.

"If you don't mind me asking, just how exactly are you able to move your metal limbs?" Cadence asked, "I doubt one could attach something to themselves and expect the object to move like a normal limb."

"That's why they make it to where automail is actually connected to one's nerves, allowing the brain to send signals to the automail like it would for normal limbs." Edward said.

Hearing that made the equstrians wince at the thought of someone doing such a thing to them.

"Moving on from how automail works, can one use the attached limbs like normal immediately after they're attached?" Princess Celestia asked.

"If only." Edward replied before explaining, "You see, you would have to get used to the automail after it's attached to your body."

"Think of it like someone after they've woken up from an incredibly long coma." Alphonse added, "They would need to go through rehab in order to use their limbs normally again. It's the same concept with automail, only the brain needs to get used to sending signals to where a limb was formally absent."

"If that's the case, how long does rehab take for those who had a limb replaced with automail?" Twilight asked.

"Normally, three years." Edward replied, "But not for me though, I did it in one."

"After hearing that, I'm not sure if that's impressive because of how you did so out of determination, or if you were too stubborn to wait the proper three years." Shining Armor said.

"Say whatever you want, but after the year of rehab, I made my way to central city, the capital of amestris, to take the certification test to become a state alchemist." Edward said.

"What exactly is a state alchemist?" Rainbow Dash asked, "We've keep hearing it, but we were never told what it meant."

"To put simply, state alchemists are alchemists who are part of the amestrian military, which means that if a superior gives an order, the state alchemist has to obey." Alphonse replied, "Although, there are some who aren't very fond of state alchemists because of this."

"Which is why state alchemists are referred to as "dogs of the military" some times." Edward said, "Anyway, as you all could tell, I passed the certification test. Some time afterwards, I was given my official state alchemist pocket watch and my official title, the Fullmetal Alchemist."

"Do all alchemists get a title when they're certified as a state alchemist?" Twilight asked.

"That's right." Edward replied before adding, "As for what their title could be, it mainly depends on either the type of alchemy they use, or their physical appearance."

"While that's interesting to hear, there's just one thing I want to know." Shining Armor spoke up.

"And what would that be?" Edward asked.

"Why did you become a state alchemist?" Shining Armor asked, "I can't really find any logic of joining the military after an incident that costed your two of your legs and your brother's whole body."

After remaining quiet for a moment, Edward replied, "I became a state alchemist, in hopes of finding the one thing that could restore me and Al's bodies, the philosopher stone."

Hearing that both shocked and confused the equstrians.

"Wait, when you mean "restore your bodies," you mean undoing what happened to both?" Shining Armor asked, unsure if he understood correctly.

"What else would it mean?" Edward asked back.

"Hold on, just how is a stone support to turn the two of you back to normal?" Rainbow Dash asked sceptically.

"The philosopher stone isn't just some run-of-the-mill stone, Rainbow Dash." Edward said before explaining, "You see, with a philosopher stone in their possession, an alchemist could bypass the law of equivalent exchange, meaning, in theory, one could perform sentient transmutation without worrying about rebound, which is what made me and Al how we are now."

"If you've been searching for it for so long, how is it you haven't found it yet." Twilight asked.

"The only thing is, the philosopher stone is considered to be a legend to many." Alphonse responded, "In fact, there are some who doubt that exists at all."

"If that's the case, why waste your time trying to find something that you're not certain even exists?" Applejack asked.

"Oh, we're certain that it exists." Edward said confidently, "You see, before we decided to come here, we encountered a cultist who possessed what a ring that had a stone that behaved exactly how the philosopher stone is believed to behave. Unfortunately, we later debunked the stone as a fake since it broke easily when I tried to take it from him. While it was a dead end in our search, it at least confirmed that the philosopher stone, or at least the knowledge to make one, is indeed out there."

"If that's the case, why come here to equestria?" Spike asked.

"Because the two of know two ponies who just might be able to help us." Edward said before turning towards Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and pointed him automail hoof towards them, "Your princesses of day and night!"

The equstrians (sans Princesses Celestia and Luna) gasped in shock upon hearing this.

"Us?" Princess Luna asked, "How would we know?"

"Don't act dumb." Edward said sternly, "Me and Al know for a fact that you two have been alive for more than a thousand years now! There's no way a normal pony could live that long, so the most logical explanation would be that you two used the philosopher stone to make yourselves immortal!"

After calming himself down, Edward said, "Sorry, it's just that me and Al have been looking for the philosopher stone for so long that we're willing to go through any lenths just to get it. And right now, asking, no, begging the two of you to give us your philosopher stone, or any knowledge you may have to make our own."

Following Edward's words, everyone remained silent, with no one daring to say a word due to the high amount of tension that was in the air.

After remaining quiet for a moment, Princess Celestia said, "While I understand your situation, I'm afraid that you're mistaken."

"What?" Edward asked, taken completely off guard by the response he was given.

"While normal ponies cannot live for as long as we have, alicorns aren't normal ponies." Princess Celestia said before explaining, "As you may already know, alicorns are a mix of all three pony tribes, which means they have the types of magic all pony tribes have. Because of that, alicorns naturally have more magic than most ponies. Because of that special combination of magic, alicorns are granted much longer life spans than the typical pony."

After processing that information for a moment, an upset expression formed on Edward's face he slammed his automail hoof to the ground as he said, "Damn!" in a very irritated tone.

"Edward?" Twilight asked in a concerned tone.

"Just when I thought we finally found a means of getting a philosopher stone, it only turned out to be another dead end!" Edward said to himself in a very irritated tone.

"I'm sorry for disappointing you, Edward." Princess Celestia said, "Had I known what your real reason to come here was-"

"It's fine." Edward said, cutting Princess Celestia off, "I probably should have figured as much from a country that has little to no alchemists in it."

"Well, what do you plan to do now?" Twilight asked.

"Well, me and Al can't go back to amestris since we just got here less than two hours ago." Edward responded, "So that means we're stuck here for about a day or two. While I doubt we'll find much, we'll go around town and see if we can get any new leads, maybe help anyone who needs it."

Upon hearing this, a thought popped in Spike's head.

"Hey Edward." Spike spoke up.

"Yeah Spike?" Edward asked.

"If it isn't too much trouble, do you think that you and Alphonse could teach me how to enhance my skills with alchemy?" Spike asked.

"'Enhance your skills?'" Edward asked rhethorically before saying, "From what I saw, you seemed skilled enough as is."

"That was mainly because I had the book for reference." Spike said, "I want to be able to perform alchemy as skillfully as you and your brother without needing the book."

Edward thought about it for a moment before replying, "While I could give you some pointers, I can't really give you anything too proper due to the fact me and Al won't be here for long."

"Actually, that shouldn't be an issue." Princess Celestia spoke up.

"How so?" Edward asked.

Instead of answering, Princess Celestia simply made a price of paper appear before handing it to Edward.

Grabbing the paper with his magic, Edward brought it to his face before reading it's contents.

To Princess Celestia,

I'm sorry to inform you that I will not be able to attend your meet and greet. However, I will be sending others in my place to act as amestris' representatives. Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and his younger brother, Alphonse Elric. For as long as those two individuals are in your land, I hereby give you permission to use them as you please. I do, however, request that they return in one months time.

From the ruler of amestris,
Fuhrer King Bradley.

"Huh, I guess that solves that little issue." Edward said once he finished reading the letter.

"What's it say brother?" Alphonse asked.

"To put it simply, the fuhrer is allowing us to stay in equestria for a month." Edward responded before turning towards Spike, "Well, I guess me and Al can become your teachers."

"Yes!" Spike exclaimed happily as he pumped his fist into the air.

"BUT, you first have to answer a question for me." Edward added.

"A question?" Spike asked.

"That's right." Edward responded, "It's nothing too big, I just want to gauge your knowledge of alchemy."

After nodding to show that he understood, Spike said, "Ask away."

"Alright then." Edward said before asking, "Tell me, what does one is all, and all is one mean?"

Hearing this confused Spike a lot.

"Huh?" Spike asked.

"One is all, and all is one, what does it mean?" Edward asked again.

Greatly confused by the question, Spike thought long and hard in hopes of grasping the answer. Unfortunately, he was unable to think of anything.

"I... can't think of anything." Spike said in a glum tone.

"Hey, don't sweat it." Edward said before patting Spike in the head, "Me and Al didn't have a clue what it meant when we were asked it, go it's nothing to be let down by."

Hearing this made Spike smile.

"Now then, what do you say we get your training started?" Edward asked.

"Let's do it!" Spike replied enthusiasticly.

The rest of the equstrians couldn't help but smile at the sight.

'Something tells me that Edward's teachings will greatly impact Spike.' Twilight happily thought to herself.

Meanwhile in an unknown location, we find three figures watching above a city.

"So, Fullmetal Colt and his brother is out of country, huh?" asked one of the figures.

"That's right, in some country called equestria." one of the other figures responded, "And, from what I heard, there's the possibility that they'll be there for a whole month."

"Is that bad?" the third figure asked.

"Unless they were find what they're looking for, which the odds of that is absolutely zero, then no, it shouldn't." the first figure replied.

"Hopefully they'll return within the month." the second figure said, "Because there's no way I'm going out of country just to fetch them."

"Hey!" a voice called out, "How did you three get in here!?"

Turning towards the source, the three figures saw a forth figure standing behind them.

The third figure smiled before turning towards the first figure and asked, "Can I eat him?"

"Wait, what?" The fourth figure asked, unsure he heard correctly.

"Go right ahead." the first figure responded, "But try not to make too much of a mess."

A large grin formed on the third figure's face as he began to make his way towards the fourth figure.

"S-Stay back!" the fourth figure yelled fearfully as began stepping back, trying to keep his distance from the third figure.

This continued for a moment before the fourth figure bumped into a wall.

Too scared to turn away, the fourth figure watched as the third figure slowly walked towards him while keeping the same creepy smile on his face.

Unable to the resist the urge to do so, the fourth figure let out a horrified scream just as the third figure lunged at him with his mouth wide open.

What followed afterwards was a horrible Splattering Noise along with the fourth figure's screaming suddenly coming to a stop.