Pov: Sōsuke Aizen

Watching my friend’s ashes scatter away while the wind howls. This hole in my abodemen finally knits itself together. My clothing is tattered, something else I’ll need to fix. All eyes are stuck on me, yet again.

“FUCK! I thought he was going to have enough willpower to keep it together and fight the umbrum's influence!” The grip I kept on the horn only grows as do my emotions. “And why can I no longer hear them? Nightmare, Kyōka Suigetsu, where are the two of you?” I get nothing back. No response at all. The sensation of my Shikai still being active is there, yet no other presences are in my mind.

A freckled orange earth pony stepped forward, between her friends and myself. Lifting her hat off she puts the stetson close to her chest. “A-Aizen, did ya really mean everything y’all had said? Bout not caring for any of us?”

Multiple ponies in the crowds try their best to pretend as though they couldn’t bear to witness this confrontation, but I know the truth. They’re all still watching me with the intent to hear the answers that they desire to hear. The false truth of the masses. I won’t give them the satisfaction, not like when I kept having to bite the bullet back home, lying to my friends, parents, loved ones. Telling them “I’m sorry”, “I apologize”, “It won’t happen again”, even if I wasn’t at fault. That world was not against me. Instead, the habitual blame of a punching bag is.

“Yes, without a doubt in my mind, I do not care for any of you. I only fight for myself and my own goals.” The resounding noise of surprise and uproar is made noticed by the sheer amount of bystanders watching the spectacle. Rarity actually fainted, not that I’m even surprised by this point. Twilight appeared as though she stopped working all together

Rainbow Dash stares at me as if I signed my own death warrant without a real purpose. “Wait dude because I don’t believe that for a second. What about all the fun we’ve had over these months, that Nightmare Night prank you pulled is still leaving me wondering what I can do to top it. Or like when you helped Twilight with her faults when Grima appeared?”

“All of that was for personal gain.” Emotions pass me by, leaving me with a controlled passive-aggressiveness.

Pinkie’s mane deflates, losing color along with it. Her happy go-lucky sensation disappears as well. “Aizen? Where did you go? Because this isn’t the you I know. The Aizen I know would do anything for a good laugh-”

I don’t let her finish. “But you don’t know me. And I’d like to keep it that way. Your ears and heart may bleed from my words but this is my truth. The reality I perceive.”

“How could you say something like that to one of your own friends? You need to cease this right now and apologize.” The captain of the royal guard demands, not that he’s in any position to do so.

“Unbelievably lucky, that’s what you are. To date and then marry a princess, to have your sister become destined for greatness, to find what looks to be an artifact of incredible power, to be graced with my existence? You know what, I think I’ll take what I desire from you.” Stepping for the heart made of crystal I nearly touch it before being pushed back by Shining Armor.

“Cadenza, get your glorified attack dog away from me before I crush him six feet under.” I calmly requested.

They received a very peaceful warning and what I got in return was a magical slap across the face, wonderful. “What is wrong with you? This is our kingdom and you threatened my husband?”

“Mister Aizen, you need to stop this right now!” Fluttershy shouts between all the voices. “My animals pull this tough act all the time whenever they’re hurting inside.”

Applejack stomps a hoof on the ground, at yet another illusion of myself. “That’s a lie if ah ever heard one, heck even Fluttershy knew that.”

They can all say anything about caring or thanking me, but I’m here to uphold part of my deal. Even if this is narrow minded of me I still have to look after myself. I go up to the heart and dig my finger into the bottom of it, Taking the edge of it off and tossing it into a Senkaimon that leads to my lab. Not that any of these ponies will notice thanks to the illusion I placed, everything will stay the same. It’s still functioning at the same capacity as it was.

Her little speech nearly made me laugh. I take my illusion’s exact place and dispel it. This time, without the crumbling purple glass plane behind me. “I’m not going to entertain ideas such as these any longer.” I tear space ajar and make a Senkaimon appear. “Good day to you all, I will report back to Canterlot.” I step through it, leaving everyone there too shocked to even move. Or so I thought, two ponies managed to leap into the portal while I was making my exit. Fluttershy and Applejack.

I stepped out, my feet hitting the air as if it were solid. Directly above in the ceiling of the throne room where a pony is standing in the middle of it with a bored Celestia sitting on her throne. Which sends Applejack flailing in through the air. Fluttershy actually remembers that she has wings, quickly latching onto Applejack‘s hoof which also drags them both down at a comfortable pace.

“What in Celestia’s name is happening right now?” A hazel colored mare in question stares up at the spectacle.

Celestia’s eyes narrow. “Simply put they are an agent of chaos. I’m sorry miss Duster but I will have to postpone this.”

“No need, I only came to say that the mission was a success and the others shall arrive a few hours from now.” So, saying my piece, I left both Fluttershy and Applejack in Canterlot’s most prized area. I Flash Step from the entrance and leave for the long halls.

“Why did I leave without saying anything else?” Ignoring that tiny thought in my head I approach the most immediate problem. I can’t hear either of my spirit’s voices.

“Please stop ignoring me…” Left, left, and right. An easy path to remember from Luna’s bedroom. I need to keep my mind focused and on task. There’s this strange urgency to get back to Nightmare. Hastening myself I prematurely arrive at Luna’s door, slamming into it. The door swung open, and I’m enveloped with a hug.

Luna's embrace felt so surprising, her soft fur wrapped around my neck. “Aizen! Thank Faust you are okay, Nightmare Moon said she could not contact you forty minutes ago. We thought something happened to you.”

idly I stood there, not bothering to return the gesture. “Today must really not be my day then. I couldn’t even sense her.”

“I was not worried if that is any consolation for you.” Nightmare commented.

My body brushes past Luna and takes my gaze directly to Nightmare Moon. “Where did you go?” Four simple words strung together to form a question, one that I need answers to.

The physical spirit appeared unpleasant with such direct questioning. “I did not go anywhere and neither did Kyōka Suigetsu. Or at least, that is what I have been told. And Sir Kyōka is requesting the knowledge of why you cut us both out from you?”

No, something like that wouldn’t be possible for someone like myself. “Cut… You two out? No I wouldn’t do something as idiotic as that.”

Luna seems to finally make what’s happening click in her brain. “Aizen, what does she mean cut off? Are you both no longer linked?”

Before I could answer, a rapid knock is heard at the door. It opens anyways without someone to answer it.

Applejack enters the room, frantically searching inside it. “Have y’all seen- what the buck is Nightmare Moon doin here with Princess Luna in the same room?” Nightmare rolls her eyes, unamused.

Fluttershy enters the door after her friend, the pegasus’s eyes are closed as she confidently walks in. “Facing this head on is the first step to solving- Eep!” And it all went down the drain, like I thought. As soon as she saw Nightmare Moon nearly all the color left her face and she hid behind Applejack who looked as if she was prepared to brawl. Nightmare Moon begins to approach the two of them, Luna tries her best to persuade her from doing so but she keeps going.

My stare nearly turns into a thousand yards but I put myself back together before that happens. “I didn’t cut off Nightmare inside, I don’t think it’s any of your business on why Nightmare Moon is here, and I can’t deal with this unproductive bickering! This entire conversation is done!” I stormed past them all, varying faces of conflict cross them all.

“W-wait, Aizen p-please come back. If we could all talk this through then I’m sure we could come to an understanding.” Fluttershy grabs the end of my torn garb. Making me stop and look at her.

“How about you understand that you all are a pestilence to me? Now I won’t tell you again, subordinate, take your hoof off of me before I severe it from your limb.” Fluttershy yanks her hoof from me, teary eyed. Nearly everyone gasps, all except for Nightmare Moon. She only gives a disappointed gaze, almost as if saying ‘How could you talk to your own comrades like that?’ And who is she to talk to me like that when I gave her life.

“Good, now you can all go on with your lives, as will I.” Instinctually I turn around, these shoes of mine make soft clacks against the floor. Dramatic exits were always his thing. Or at least, my thing now.

“Slamming the door behind me I finally have some peace and quiet, those thoughts in my head are finally gone but I need some relief, why don’t I destroy something in the meantime?”Right, usually breaking things apart would help toll my anger. And I think I know just who to break.

Traveling at top speeds I arrive in front of my destination in seconds, Canterlot’s garden. Or more specifically, Discord’s resting place.

I point my finger at him. Finally I can put this worry to permanent rest in my heart. Knowing that my plans will go just as perceived. “Don’t, not him…” Once again I shall ignore these pitiful thoughts. “Ah it’s just you and me Discord, your brand of chaos was quite doff if I do say so myself. But you need to be exterminated. Frankly you’re a threat and a freak of nature, I’m doing the world a favor-” The Hōgyoku suddenly hums… In relief? I didn’t have any desires present so what could possibly have happened. And that’s when a silver watch drops from the sky, right in front of me. Its design and pattern isn’t lost to me, something I’ve seen a long, long time ago.

“I am the one who constructs and deconstructs, the partner and protector of the moon and sun, I aid the Innocent and protect the children, If you require aid, Call my name and I will come forth, The Crimson Sage.”

“Why would the Hōgyoku manifest something such as this? I did not desire help in destroying… Of course, it was the other one. It’s his fault we’re all broken up in the first place. I shall ignore it regardless and finish my task.” I take yet another step forward, right on top of the silver alchemist watch, savoring the moment.

A flash of red lighting struck right in front of me causing me to swiftly jump back. I felt a new presence, one that felt off. The smoke dissipated and I looked to see a blond ponytailed human roughly six foot tall in a black muscle shirt and black pants shearing pink bunny slippers and munching on Cheezits.

“Who the hell are you? Don’t tell me that you’re some uppity d-” My mind goes blank for a second. I can’t sense this guy’s Reiatsu… That either means he’s on an entirely different plane than me or he’s that good at concealing it. “Play this carefully Aizen, remember how to do this properly.” Brushing my torn clothes from the dust they once had I smile and tilt my head. “Sorry sir, I believe we got off on the wrong foot. Currently I’m in a terrible mood but I believe you’re here by mistake. See you may have seen a displaced person such as me from the relative serious, you see…” I pull down my Muken collar enough to show the prized artifact. “The Hōgyoku will act on such weird desires sometimes and I believe it made your calling card, or token appear by accident.” Good, silvered tongue as always. I put my finger down and do my best to seem as welcoming as possible.

“Mmm…” the man stared at me. “If it was a mistake then you wouldn’t have made the novice mistake of tossing my token and then disrespecting me by stepping on it boy,” he glared as he made the box of food disappear into nothing. “You were thinking of playing it carefully, smile and using calm words to try and lull me into believing you meant no harm. The Hogyoku inside you is powerful and sentient. It doesn’t do things without good reasons. As to why I’m here, I simply can’t ignore such disrespect to myself so I forced my way into this world. As to why you can’t sense my power, I’ve had fifteen thousand years to learn how and hone to hide away from the world I was sent to, so hiding here even for one as powerful as yourself is no issue.”

“...You’re not… You can’t be serious, are you…” I open my mouth, trying to find the right words as panic sets in my head. “What is our FUCKING luck?! Why did you do this Xavier, you wished for something like this to happen? You wanted me outed? Well whoopidy fucking do. No… No you know what I can salvage this.” I keep my permanent smile, one that grows harder and harder to keep up as this… Thing’s passive pressure washes over me.

“Sir, I think you have everything mixed up here. I wasn’t trying to disrespect you by any means. And I apologize for doing so, and this is coming from the bottom of my heart. And fifteen thousand years? Golly you really are strong. I’m sure we could become great and amazing friends! Why don’t you tell me your name?” My best customer service voice… Dammit, can’t believe I resorted to this.

“You came out here to off Dissy mush for brains,” the man thumbed over his shoulder. “I’m a patient being so I’ll here you reason and then decide if I kill you outright or torture you for a few millennia, so best not lie to me. And my name is Edward Elric.”

Another pit drops into my stomach, it takes everything I have to not listen to my fight or flight instincts to just release everything I’ve got at him. “O-oh okay mister Edward, well um… Hey could I maybe see your token for a moment? I’m quite fawned of the design and how it looks.” Plan A, set into motion, plan for the possibility plan A fails, plan out plan B… “Unless he really does have Omniscience. Then he’ll just see right through that. I’m not giving that fucking pipsqueak back control. He doesn’t know how to share. Xavier put me off for too long.” Actually on second thought I think I’ll start by saying, yes I was here to kill Discord. But as a fellow displaced you understand the threat he could pose, and it breaks my heart that I have to do this but he’s unpredictable.” Reasoning may work.

“Just so you know, I could’ve killed you around ten times over right now,” Edward pointed at me, throwing me for a loop. “I exist on many planes of existence not to mention as soon as I enter a universe its timelines as well. As I said before, I’m a very patient being so by all means, try and come up with a plan to dissuade me.” I sat imprisoned for over two millennia total crazy to the point not even Dissy could stand being inside my head, so trust me,” he slightly tilted his head with a deadly smirk, “Try it.”

My artifact hums in utter excitement, much to my displeasure. My smile wiped clean off my face and only left with a scowl. “Okay even I know when to concede. Then I’ll just have to prey on Xavier once he boils over once again when this monster isn’t here. Be happy Xavier, enjoy these moments to go back to your friends while I rot with nothing. You need me to reach the pinnacle of soul reaper and hollow evolution.” My mind begins to spin as that severe numbness disappears, color suddenly doesn’t seem as black and white as before and my voice isn’t an echo in my own head anymore.

“Uh, first off. Let me just say that shit was utterly wild!” I pump a fist in the air with a wide smile… Huh, guess I threw all of that professionalism to the back. “Seriously, I know I’ve been repressing my mask for all these years but you take the cake. And it looks like you were getting ready for bed too! Nice to meet you, throwing displaced names to the side, I’m Xavier, Xavier Hendrix!” Okay what the fuck is going on. Why am I talking like… I wasn’t displaced in the first place. This is how I acted back home.

“Nice to meet the real you. Quite hard living with multiple persons in there isn’t it lad?” Edward smirked as he pointed at my head. “Call me Ed, and you’re the one who actually brought me here, will the reason I’m here any way. So, what’s eating you up inside so much you need a void walker like me here?”

“A void walker? That sounds really funny. But I don’t know what you mean, Aizen is like a persona to me- wait no that’s not right. He’s always been important but why am I so adamant about us being separate people?” Once again this brain of mine starts pounding like I’m off my rocker until I stop thinking about the subject all together. “I… What was I gonna say? Oh yeah, I needed your help, not just to get away from Aizen, but because my Zanpakutō’s spirits got severed from me. I don’t know if you’d know any bleach lore like that but I really hope it’s in your realm of expertise.”

“I have my own zanpakuto and version of a hollow and so do my younger brothers,” Ed shrugged. “One is an Ichigo displaced after all, and I’ve been to more than my fair share of Bleach Universes. So, you lost track of the sword’s spirit. Have you tried meditating on it?”

“I tried talking to one of them in person. But they said that I cut them off. But even before Aizen took over for that brief moment I couldn’t even use Resurrección which almost made me lose my fight against…” I reach into my pocket, feeling Sombra’s horn inside of it but decide not to take it out. “Anyways yeah, she’s my stand in hollowified spirit. Maybe I should just talk to them in the spiritual world, but I sorta left her on bad terms a few minutes ago.” I admitted.

“Hmmm…” he narrowed his eyes on me, “So, why were you carrying around such a dangerous artifact?” He lifted his hand to reveal the horn and I felt my pocket and it was indeed gone.

I shake my head repeatedly, confused by his magic trick. I didn’t feel anything out of place, I still need it though. “I-I, Sombra entrusted me with that before he died. When he was dying the Umbrum inside had left the vessel. And with his last few conscious thoughts he told me to break it from his head and to keep it. But I don’t know why. I’d appreciate it back though.”

“It's not dead,” Ed threw the horn up only for it to reappear in my pocket. “Back to you though. What’s really bothering you lad? I’ve been a father numerous times and have gotten quite good at reading when someone is bothered by something as well as listening to my sons and daughters problems.”

“Sorry I didn’t mean to be pushy with that.” Expressions on my face start changing, going neutral to somber in seconds. “I don’t know…” I clench my fist in self-disappointment. “I think it just started as soon as I got out of imprisonment. Everything about what I had did in the past still haunted me. When I wore my persona all the time, Aizen and Xavier were used interchangeably for me. Anyone could call me Aizen and anyone could call me Xavier. But now I feel so split inside myself. Like I can’t bear to look at the one who killed their own friend from their own faults. Everything started becoming little dark spots in my memory.” I go over and set on a nearby bench, uncomfortable, yes, but I’ll take what I can get. “So I subconsciously let Aizen out by default and only him.”

I cross one leg over the other, contemplative. “We might need to become whole again, or maybe we don’t. That’s why I need your help Ed.”

Ed came over and sat down with a chair appearing behind him, “To put it simply, Aizen is your default for dealing with hardships you don’t want to deal with. As of right now he isn’t exactly a split personality but neither is he a separate entity to you own. Thanks to the Hogyoku it’s more like a Siamese twin for your soul. You’re both the same but separate beings that rely on each other to survive in your own ways to deal with things the other doesn't know how to handle. I have a similar situation but mine is a bit darker. My immortality is fed by a never ending wellspring of living souls and most of them hated me for the longest time and wanted out, but if I were to let them out then they would just be replaced by another soul to fill their place, and I hated myself for that.” He held his fist up and gave a look of pure hatred. “Eventually, that hate combined and manifested into Malice. An entity that wants nothing more than to be free to kill and devour every soul in my world. With help from my family I was able to overcome most of this hatred, though Malice remained as he is a crucial part of me and my hatred of not only myself but for the human race as a whole.”

His story, that was so damn heartwarming. I start clapping my hands together, slowly as first but pick up the pace with each one. An actual tear rolls down my eyes, I’m not sure if that’s some of my emotions involuntarily released or if it was that touching. Either way that’s the first tear I’ve had in one thousand years. “That was so damn… Ugh that was amazing. And I don’t mean to just say that just to say that… It was empowering. And to hear you overcame that with your family is just like hearing an upbeat song for the first time in your life.”

“Don’t patronize me.” Ed glared again, but this time I flinched. “I nearly killed my family. I would’ve lost my wives, my children, my nieces and just about everything I have that’s worth living for!” He yelled and a flood over not just Reiatsu but magic and overall power flooded the area. “Sorry.” he took a deep breath and the wash of power quickly died down. “It’s hard to deal with other things being apart of you but also being separate, but if you can speak with others about it it helps.”

I grip my chest, my heart involuntarily stopped beating a while ago but I’m still alive. Thank goodness for the Hōgyoku yet my spiritual body nearly doubled over. “I think I just got a heart palpitation from that, I’m sorry for being so offensive. I had a lotta narc in the past that’s starting to resurface, you definitely didn’t deserve that. But with that being said, maybe I should just-” I collapsed on the floor. No warning, no cue, simple unconsciousness. The only thing remotely close to a reason is the Hōgyoku glowing so brightly that its light was visible through my chest and clothing.

“Remind me to not do drugs ever again- wait no that didn’t happen.” Lifting myself off the ground I find myself in my spiritual word, purple glass panes for flooring without beautiful moon lilies floating in water. The perpetual night is a little bigger than I remember, and now there’s stars above as well. Probably Nightmare’s influence.

“I hope Ed isn’t wondering where I just went. Kinda feel like a dick leaving him after being so sarcastic.”

“So pretty,” I heard Ed’s voice and turned to see him standing next to me. “Don’t be surprised,” he said, not even looking at me. “I have been alive for fifteen millennia and have several methods, not to mention magics that allow me to be here.”

“Well I’m glad you like it, tranquil is it not? I can only guess why I was brought here because there’s only a few reasons.” I start looking around, unsure of where everyone is. Until I find myself, or rather Aizen.

He immediately puts both his in the air before I have the chance to spear. “Yes, yes, before you say anything allow me to have one thing become as clear as day. I am not here to fight you two. That monster over there could possibly shatter me. However I did indeed bring you here.”

“Ahahahaha!” Ed laughed. “Aizen has jokes! Ahahahaha!” He got serious again while crossing his arms, “While you’re not wrong I don’t kill usually, that’s a mercy. You I would kill but you haven’t done more than annoy and tick me off a little.”

Aizen rolls his eyes out of annoyance. “Great, an ignorant one. You know I’m not all about violence, Xavier so why do you never let me out, unrestrained by ruling? You know we can be a great asset to you. I do not even know what our maximum potential is and yet you stall. Why not simply see who we could become together? Bending others to our will while still being ignorant to all that doesn’t concern us?”

“The saying goes, Ignorance is bliss but at the same time, the ignorant are the true fools as they don’t even know they’re being fooled,” Ed countered with a wave of his hand. “You call me ignorant when all I’ve said told you is the truth,” he added as a dead cold filled the space.

Aizen shook his head, putting both his hands behind his back. “But what’s the point in being an illusionist if your illusion’s aren’t as real as to even fool yourself?”

Maybe I have wax in my ears because I couldn’t believe what I just heard. “What kind of life would that be for us though? Sure it’d be a balanced one between us but that’s self-destructive.”

“A life of total control,” Ed added. “You’re not talking about merging, you’re talking about controlling Xavier in this place in an illusion created by you just for him while you go out and control the world around yourself. A life of total control is no life at all.”

Aizen suddenly takes a step forward with no hesitation. “Heck, call me Ryomen Sukuna then. At least we’d have overarching power. And once we kill Yhwach for good and steal his? We’d be able to move on to other displaced’s universes. One after the other, stealing more and more abilities. Can’t you simply accept the fact that we could be a real ally to you, if you let us of course.” Seeming proud of themselves, Aizen stops where he is, only a few feet away.

Ed raised an eyebrow, “Why would I need you as an ally?” He asked, causing Aizen to freeze. “Let me correct a few of your concepts. First, you're nothing more than a simple displaced right now and that means, you have to be summoned to other universes via a token being used by another displaced. I’ve evolved to the point that I'm no longer a mere displaced. My vessals can come and go because as they please. I’ve amassed the powers and means to do so. Second, there are beings out there in the void called void dwellers that will squash you without a second thought. Third, the me in front of you isn’t even the real Edward Elric but a mere flesh puppet I’m controlling from my home dimension in my universe. Finally, this puppet is only one of millions I’ve sent across the void to monitor other universes, and wipe out any I DEEMED needing to be destroyed.”

“Hm… I suppose I shall simply have to settle for being a nuisance until Xavier gives me what I want. I can be very patient whenever I deal with people. Whether it’s not or one hundred years from now, I will get what I want. And it’s not as though I’m asking for the world, simply put I want what I want, real power.” Aizen countered.

I step up to him until we come face to face. “What do you want though?! You’re speaking in riddles, tongues, literally anything but english! Tell me what you desire dammit! When you say power you mean completely different things.”

“It means if he sees something that interests him, he makes it his,” Ed told me. “He doesn’t need a major reason to or some overall goal. If he wants it he gets it, in some way or another he’ll get what he wants.”

Ed snapped and Aizen immediately found himself bound to the chair he’d been sealed in when he was in Muken. Six keys appeared and hovered over each of his limbs, his head and heart. Black chains shot from the ground and wrapped around Aizen as locks appeared and the keys each entered them and turned before flying over to me and embedding themselves into my body, mirroring the places the locks were on Aizen.

“You should recognize the Muken seal and for good measure I also placed a cursed seal using the Chains of Hell,” Ed explained, causing Aizen to become stumped.

I stumble back some at the sudden appearance of a structure in front of me. “Damn, that's some nice craftsmanship dude.” I get up and stare at him in the eye. He’s still unblinking, honestly thought he’d spit in my face.

“Those keys are yours to use should you want to unseal him, or temporarily draw on his power. As inefficient as the real deal would be.” Ed said. “He can be resealed as long as you don’t undo all of the six keys. Oh and one more thing,” he turned to me and rammed his hand into my chest, “This will hurt,” he said nonchalantly as felt a crunch.

“Huh what do you mean hurt- GOD THE PAIN!” Somehow this all bypassed the Hōgyoku’s numbing ability and hurt like nothing I’ve felt before.

“There you are.” Ed added as I felt him grab onto the sacred object, almost as if he tore my soul in half, then he twisted. “And lets add this one.” He said as I felt power, a very Fana or might. Ed pulled his hand from my body without a spot of blood on him. “I fused your Hogyoku with one of my own. It was quite degraded, and don’t worry, he.” Ed motioned to Aizen. “Won’t be able access any of that power as is specifically attuned to you and if he tries, let’s just say even an immortal will be extremely injured if they tried.”

I grip my chest, adrenaline pumps through my veins. “What exactly does it do?” I asked Ed.

“I can still hear you two, y’know. It’s not as though I’ve disappeared forever. And I still desire what you know I want Xavier.” Aizen quietly mumbled.

“Aww don’t pout,” Ed mocked, “Or I’ll seal your mouth, permanently.” He turned to me. “And as for what it does, it allows you access to most of your power, even without a zanpakuto or a hollowification mask. Don’t get the wrong idea though, the Hogyoku is still the Hogyoku. All I did was fuse yours with an incomplete one on mine.”

I stare down at my chest. “So now that that’s been solved I guess you can-”

“You know Nightmare Moon and Kyōka Suigetsu are refusing to talk to you for a reasonnnn~” Aizen said in a sing-song tone. “You wouldn’t want them both going rogue and leaving you forever, considering you have no friends since you killed your last one thirty minutes ago you dirty little killer. Honestly you might as well be back on Earth, you have no friends once more, the friend you did have, you pushed ‘em away. And now you’re pinning all that blame on me. Ha! And people call me the worser half.” Aizen leans forward in his Mukden seal. Laughing like a madman. “I only want us to be the best! If you aren’t going to become king then best believe I’ll make you one. All three of us want what’s best for you. You know what I really want? I want your release, so cry dammit. Every emotion you’ve stored up these thousand years, silently mourning about the SIX siblings we left behind. CRY! The hollow inside of you is begging to have their primal emotions released. Stab, kick, do anything but hold it in! I can’t believe you’re still hiding behind jokes as you once did, stop laughing like an idiot and let loose!”

“Yes,” Ed agreed, causing the madman to stop and stare at the alchemist. “You should never hold that stuff like that in. Yell, cry, scream, kick stab, what’s wrong with wanting to let your emotions flow freely, nothing that’s what,” he shrugged. “Being a king is more than what you think. You must be a leader, one who is there in front of everything and everyone to be seen, not who directs from the shadows. I’ve seen war, I’ve been a king and I am one now. I also have people around me to go to when I’m hurt, much like Xavier does in that castle right now who are concerned about him when you walked out. Just because you make a choice doesn’t mean he lost something, and the same goes for him. Killing your friend is a horrible thing to do but if it puts them at rest and is their request then it should be carried out.”

Aizen begins to silently chuckle to himself. “And to think the outsider finally understood me. In this moment of peace I have. Unaffected by personality amplification that were offset by this new addition to the Hōgyoku, I need to tell you while I’m still me, while I’m still us. Get back in touch with your emotions. You’re safe here, we aren’t separate, we will always be the two sides of a coin. Please… Being over the top as I am is slowly breaking me away, all of us. I know you’ve noticed it but you won’t admit it.”

It feels like I got hit with a truck as soon as they both agreed on something. “I-I refuse to believe that truth, there has to be something more to this than emotions. N-no this is still your fault, I know it is.” I put a hand on the Muken seal’s armrest and looked at him.

And yet he stares right back. “So… What do you see within your own reflection? Confidence, strength, wisdom?”

I end up taking a step back, accidentally falling to the floor. “No, I only see fear.” Shaking my head back and forth, I feel as though my entire body is deceiving me.

My mirrored image leans forward, as if he’s trying to leave his seal. “Then accept it, we shall both stay here for as long as it takes for the betterment of our health and those around us. Even if we begin to subconsciously amplify our personalities, deep inside yourself you will know that what I’ve said, what you saw, will be the truth and nothing but. Ms. Nightmare has been itching for you to tap into her power and hers alone, and it’s best to never keep a lady waiting.”

“You’re very good at wishing your words but for once he’s telling the truth,” Ed sighed as he held his head and then looked at me. “Before you go and make any rash choices though how about we go back to the outside and to the castle so you can apologize to your friends for your worse half’s choices. And do tell him his plan. I’ll be with you the whole time but in formal dress. I don’t want my slippers ruined. Tia would kill me a few times over.”

Nodding my head, I cautiously rise back to my own two feet and feel out my posture. I stand up straight and tall. “Right. This needs to happen. Aizen, if this means anything to you, I’m sorry, I know that for the things you’ve helped me through I have taken for granted and all this built up rage that we’ve taken on isn’t good for us. And Ed, thanks for being there despite never knowing me in the first place. I’m- no, we’re ready to go back and face this.”

“You two won’t be able to fully merge unless your souls come to a true understanding and that may never happen full but as of now you can swap mindsets for conversations, but he will have no physical control over your shared body unless you allow it, and even then he won’t have any physical power unless you undo the seals,” Ed explained to us. “The restraints are more for a peace keep to help you two stabilize. Until you reach tree common ground they will remain and can’t be undone unless Xavier allows it. I will be making regular checks to keep them intact as well,” He warned Aizen. “You’ll never know I’m here unless I want you to,” he looked at me.

Aizen turned his head away. “Yes yes, I’ve heard it all before. You do have my gratitude eldritch horror, for bringing us one step closer to true transcendence. Also, Xavier, be sure to tell Applejack you’re sorry as well as the anomaly. I care not for the other ones however. So apologizing is up to you.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, holding one arm below the other to pinch the bridges of my nose. “Do you have to be so passive aggressive all the time?”

“Yes.” He answered, that made little to no sense at all.

“It’s part of who Aizen is as a character.” Ed shrugged.

I roll my neck, finally feeling some semblance of normalcy. “Alright, I’m ready, time to say goodbye. So, goodbye.” I wave at my technical other half and actually get no resistance once I start fading in and out of the spiritual realm.

Jolting upwards, these hands of mine check my entire body for any injuries or anything wrong with myself. “Oh goodness, thank the lord. Now then I should probably listen to their advice… Why does Ed even have slippers- FOCUS!” I slap both sides of my face and turn to my left, immediately seeing Ed in my path.

“Because, I was enjoying a midnight snack when one of my new tokens suddenly disappeared to this place,” he said as he tossed me the watch, I reached out and grabbed it from the air. “It doubles a void caller to any of the displaced you’ve met in your travels as long as they too have a copy of the watch as well as a direct line to me and a small cross dimensional delivery system for small to medium size stuff. My second wife gave me those slippers and they’re very comfortable and my daughter likes to see me wearing them. Want a pair?”

“...A family, ain’t that something.” Shaking my head before I begin to daydream, I nod my head. “I’ve been looking for some comfortable wear, especially for sleeping standards. I probably won’t be getting any new clothes for a while considering what I said in front of Rarity… Anyways I guess I’ll just have to see the four other girls once they’re off their three hour train ride. I could probably intercept them but I wouldn’t want to dig myself any deeper. Unless you could teleport them within the same room to make this easier on me.”

“We can or we can see them now. Your choice,” Ed shrugged. “I can do many things and I will provide you with several sets of clothes. I just need to know what you want first. And surprised ponies always make the best listeners, its also a very good way to get slapped, kicked through a wall, or have a hole blasted through you chest and end up dangling from the chandelier in the throne room while upside down by your foot.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “You sound as though you speak from actual experience in the matter, you aren’t, right?”

“I’m one hundred present speaking from actual experience on my part,” Ed smiled as he placed a hand on his heart. “Luna and Celestia are quite fun to prank but not so fun to to startle.”

“I- you know what, we can get into that later. Yes I would really love for you to bring everyone here, Nightmare, Luna, Rarity, Pinkie, AJ, Fluttershy, Celestia, and Twilight.” I crack my knuckles, rolling my shoulders before summoning a Senkaimon in front of me, leading to a very familiar green plain. One that I’ve trained a drake in. “This place will be private enough for everyone, but if you got somewhere else I’ll be all ears. Although it would also be possible to do it here, either way I will be mending relations.”

“A mountain side hot spring with a great view of a setting sun always helps,” Ed suggested. “But I doubt moving them across dimensions would help your case. I’ve tried not to pry into your world’s privacy too much so are we dealing with ponies, anthros, or humans with ponisic features, or straight humans?”

One of my eyebrows involuntarily raises. “The heck’s an anthro? I mean, I just have normal ponies here. I thought every displaced did.” Although saying that aloud I suddenly feel a little idiotic. Infinite displaced universes could mean infinite possible pony variations.

“Nope,” Ed shook his head. “My ponies are nearly human but they have the skin
hue like the ones from the EQG but have tails, wings and or horns. Anthro is short for anthropomorphic.”

I lean forwards some and take a few steps towards Ed. “I need further elaboration. Who’s EQG first of all? Are they some sort of god of displaced or are they an afterlife for those who has perished?”

“Did you watch any of the Mlp franchise or did you have it wiped from your mind when you became a displaced?” Ed asked flat out.

I shook my head. “If it’s a franchise then I’ve never heard of it before. I do remember media however, like anime, video games, and other cool things.”

“Got it, mind wipe,” Ed waved his hand, “Anthros are humanoids versions of animals that retain animal futures sort of like catgirls but are more animal than human. Think… Hmmm That Time I got Reincarnated as A Slime or the Rising of the Shield Hero. The Therianthropes.”

I ball up my fist with an open palm underneath it before slamming the fist on it. “Ah! I see, now you’re talkin my language. One last question then before we do this thing. What does Mlp stand for?”

Ed shut gave me the biggest deadpan stare, “My little pony. EQG stands for Equestria Girls.”

Words cannot describe what I felt when I heard that. But I’ll try anyways. “That sounds so extremely girly. No wonder everything is so technicolored here. Even my two sisters wouldn’t have watched anything like that. No offense to your wives, kids, and entire lively hood by the way. Just saying what comes to mind. I think I might’ve been better off permanently never remembering that this place is something that’s probably targeted younger audiences.”

“If you’re going to continue living as a displaced you’re better off knowing the know at the least,” Ed shrugged. “Knowing what the future hold can be a big hindrance after all.’

“Ah what? So everyone just knows what’s gonna happen except for me? Screw that, I’ll bend fate then to make a miss of everything I touch. Not literally of course, just in a figurative sense.”

“I honestly don’t care,” the sage said flatly. “I literally do that all the time so yea… keep on doing it…” He cleared his throat, “Back on topic. This is for sure the place you want them brought to?”

“It holds a lot of importance to me, those few months ago I was a lot more stable… So yes, I am and I’ll wait for you on the other side.” I Flash Step through the gateway, traveling through portals instead of instant teleportation is always so relaxing.

I roll through, purposely dropping to the floor until I’m laid out on the floor. Taking a breath of fresh air, I can't help but be nervous about the entire situation. “At least I’ll have someone who understands my situation. What a story to tell others when I look back on this moment. Hopefully Fluttershy will forgive me, I should’ve never said that to her in such a threatening manner.”

“Breathe Xavier.” Ed said next to me. “Almost as nerve-wracking as when I surfed that missile into megatron's battleship armada.”

“You did what?! That’s yet another story you’ve gotta tell me at some point.” Snapping my fingers I begin to laugh without fail. “Alright bring my friends in Ed. I’ll tell ‘em and once we’re done then we can get to what some could describe as the main event.””

“it's a war story involving me, Optimus, and my Master Inferno,” Ed shrugged. “And they’re here,” he motioned with his arm and everyone appeared as he moved his arm, appearing from nothing. “Hmmmmm…… Maybe some refreshments are needed,” he snapped and several snack appeared. “Enjoy everypony.”

“How in tarnation?!” An angry farm mare looks around her surroundings as a pristine coated unicorn puts a hoof over her forehead.

“Darlings where are- who are you and why do you seem so similar to Aizen? Why is Nightmare Moon here?” She turns in the other direction to find me on the ground. Her muzzle scrunches up with distaste. Rarity starts holding her head up high. “And why are you here? Didn’t you decidedly say that you didn’t need friends? To think that I was getting used to your company.”

Nightmare Moon looked around and chuckled in amusement. “Wow, who would’ve thought I’d be teleported without even being able to resist it.”

Celestia’s horn lights up with no hesitation. “Currently I am in a terrible mood so far Aizen and this is the last straw. First you propose the idea of love slaves for the changelings, then you decide to summon Nightmare Moon of all ponies, which this is news for me, and now you have teleported us all here?! That’s it! I swear to you I will-”

A flood of power poured out causing them all to shut up immediately, “Now that I have your attention,” Ed glared at them as he reeled in his power. “My name is Edward Elric and I am the Crimson Sage. My friends call me Ed, none of you have that right except for Aizen. Don’t think about pulling anything cause I can most assuredly dispel it without effort. Like your little Rarity pointed out, I am one of Aizen’s kind, though I have been around far longer and have much more experience and power at my disposal. Ask your question as you will.”

Twilight’s hoof goes up, everyone else glances at her before doing some type of motioning in order to tell her that she has the stage. “Aizen… Why did you suddenly leave? You showed signs of having a mental breakdown when Sombra died. Even then you didn’t let us help you. Instead you insulted my sister in law and my brother.”

No matter how much I desire to keep staring up at the sky, I know that I must look at them all at some point. I guess now is as best of a start as any. “You aren’t wrong Twilight, embarrassing you and your friends wasn’t on my to-do list that day. Half-way throughout the battle it felt like I was broken apart and pulled back together. It was all my fault.”

“So since we’re apologizin, mind apologizin to Flutters over here? After what y’all said to her ya lucky she ain’t keel over. And Nightmare’s presence ain’t makin this any easier.” Applejack demanded.

Rainbow Dash immediately perks up. “Woah wait, what did he say to Fluttershy? Aw I outta kick your flank while also kickin Nightmare Moon’s around Equus for even thinking about that.” The rainbow maned pegasus flies towards me with a hoof positioned adjacent to the back of her head. I make no effort to move out of the way.

A transparent box appeared around the prismatic assaulter before she could act, “I will not allow violence young Pegasus,” Ed gave a sharp glare that caused Rainbow to settle down. “We are here because Aizen wants to give proper apologies. Each will be heard in turn, understand?” She nodded slowly and Ed deactivated his spell and Rainbow slowly sat back into place.

Fluttershy stares at Rainbow Dashes’ predicament, watching her plop back to the ground. She then focuses her attention on her country friend, taking a gentle hoof that reaches over to place itself on Applejack’s chest. “N-no Applejack, It’s o-okay. Not because he t-threatened me. He was s-scared, like a hurt animal trying to defend itself whenever it’s vulnerable. I already forgave him. And thank you mister Elric for bringing us all together like this.”

“You’re welcome dear, but that still doesn’t make what he did alright in the end young one,” Ed said softly. “Hear what he has to say.”

“Maybe that’s why I should go and give him my formal apology as well.” Rarity walks until she stands above me, reeling a hindleg back she kicks me… Right where I’d prefer not to be kicked. Yet she still ends up retracting said appendage out of pain. “Bucking, buck, Celestia that hurt like you wouldn’t believe.” The unicorn ends up having to nurse the wound which I simply place a hand on it, using Kaidō to heal the injury right away. “I deserved that, even if I couldn’t feel it in the first place.” I thought to myself

Ed immediately stood over Rarity, “When did I say violence was allowed?”

Applejack attempts to mediate the situation, even while glaring daggers at me. “Now hold up there partner, you see nothing really happened there. Regardless, Rarity is a little hot-headed like Rainbow Dash so-”

A very high-pitched voice shouts before Applejack could go any further. “Everypony stop it!” Pinkie Pie’s vocals are surprisingly loud for such a small pony. Rarity ended up quickly scrambling from underneath Ed’s stare.

Luna stares at Pinkie Pie who nods in return. “Sorry everypony, but Ms. Pie and I were both discussing the problem to come with a proper resolution. What Aizen did was wrong, yes but his situation is similar to mine. If he was struggling with his mental fortitude as Nightmare Moon told us then this could mean that going through this confrontation incorrectly could end up giving us yet another enemy.”

Pinkie pipes up again, munching in between opened snacks. Unsurprisingly she was the only one to take any. “Aizen’s trying his best out here to be so tough and strong but on the inside he’s really hurting on the inside. We gotta sort this out right now, put the frosting on the cupcake if you will.”

“Perhaps this is the time you should tell them,” Ed whispered to me, “I leave it to you.” He looked at Pinkie and Luna, “I can always count on you two to end conflict the right way. Let’s have some tea and gather ourselves while we enjoy snacks. You girls can ask me questions that you wish to know while Aizen gathers his thoughts.”

“...Okay buck it, I’ll just say it right now. How are Luna and Nightmare Moon in the same place at the same time and they aren’t fighting?” The tomboyish pegasus questions with some skepticism. “Is this another one of those illusions that Aizen used?”

“Sort of.” Ed teetered his hand. “Luna has become separated from Nightmare because Nightmare has become tied to Aizen’s power. She’s something like an inner spirit given form through his power and able to manifest thanks to his experience in projecting this power outwards.”

Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head. “I didn’t understand a single thing you just said. Twi, decipher it for me.”

Twilight Sparkle exerted a small ‘hmmm.’ “He was saying that Aizen most likely split his soul in two for Nightmare Moon and gave her a half. Although I didn’t study much in the magical branch of spiritualism.”

“This has nothing to do with magic little one.” Ed waved his finger. “You're sort of right though.” Twilight's eye twitched. “Nightmare is a piece of Aizen’s soul, or more accurately… A part of it that wishes to fight and protect the evils that seek to harm Aizen and those around him. She’s both a part of Aizen and yet a separate entity. Sort of like a reflection of a certain aspect of his personality.”

Twilight Sparkle grunts. “Well I guess if we’re allowed to ask questions then why do you keep calling us little? You don’t look so old yourself! There’s gotta be some explanation other than a superiority complex.”

“I’m an immortal that has been around for over fifteen millennia, Twilight.” Ed held up a finger causing everyone to turn and look at him, Twilight arched her head up towards Ed with yet another believable fact about this man. “I’m not looking down on you at all. I’m just that much older and more experienced than you are. Even your princesses are young to me. My own princesses are most likely about seven times their age too.”

“I personally refuse to believe that. Even Aizen isn’t older than us… Yet you possess a magical prowess that could possibly even overtake Aizen’s.” Celestia slowly puts the pieces in her head together as do I.

Instead of getting up I choose the other option of levitating my entire body, purely with Reiatsu to become upright. Standing on my two own legs I finally feel as though any shock I could throw at these ponies would be water under the bridge with all that’s happened.

“My power does indeed exceed that of yours, Luna’s, Nightmare’s, and Aizen’s combined.” Ed threw up a hand. “Originally I couldn’t even use magic when I awoke in my home world but after a hundred plus years of research I made a way using gemstones. I built stools, magic items, and artifacts. I trusted ponies, and for that I was betrayed by one so close to me and ended up beyond mad, encased in stone for over two thousand years because of them. I helped raise Celestia and Luna after their mother passed away. I taught them many things, including how to use their origins.”

“In a parallel universe, you raised me?” Celestia’s horn stops glowing. “In a parallel universe, my sister and I didn’t have to be taught solely by Starswirl…”

“You were raised more or less by your father and mother,” Ed pointed to the solar alicorn. “After Luna’s birth Faust lost much of her power and became ill. She passed away a few years later. Starswirl came along after I left on a personal journey and after your father passed away. He was blessed with great longevity but in the end he succumbed to old age, at least that’s what it was told by the sisters.”

“Tia, there’s no need to pry so deeply into Edward’s life. You know how you get whenever it comes to sentiments on what could have happened and what you could’ve done differently. I know you still blame yourself for the Nightmare Moon incident. On to the next question if you’d please.”

“No offense taken, the remark had not needed to be made in the first place. Not that I actually care what you all think.” Nightmare Moon said.

“Perhaps closure will help.” Ed said. “In my world Alicorns don’t truly die but go through a sort of reincarnation after a certain period of time. Faust was able to come back, and now greatly enjoys spending time with your other selves, though she is no longer an alicorn. Your father though was a unicorn so he was not afforded such luxury but he did deeply love you both. Next question please.”

A quiet sniffle comes from Celestia, she turns away and covers her eyes. Leaving Luna to trot over to her elder sister and extend a hoof on her shoulder. “You all may carry on while I comfort my sister… She can be quite emotional while thinking of family.” Luna charges up her horn, seemingly ready t.o comfort each other

“One more piece of advice,” Ed caught them, right before they left. “Don’t let the thoughts and opinions of others stop you from achieving what you seek especially if it is a family to call your own, even if the outcries may be that of your nation, I returned to your counterparts later and Luna and I married,” he explained, causing them to freeze. “We tried to have children to no avail but we did adopt many. After I was freed we were able to conceive and had twins. Celestia and I have a daughter together and the same goes for me and Amore. I love them all and make no distinctions, be they my wives or my children.” Celestia clearly became distressed by this. Nearly crying on the spot. Luna patted her sister of the withers, igniting her horn but her elder sister briefly slowed down the process to a full magical teleportation circle instead of its instantaneous variant.

“Dude, that was deep.” Rainbow Dash silently said. The entire time Ed was talking, Pinkie managed to get everyone, including Nightmare Moon. To sit together while watching Celestia and Luna leave.

Pinkie puts a foreleg up to her head, saluting to me in a prideful manner. “Aizen, you had something you needed to tell everypony. So I got everything nice and wrapped it up like a present.”

“The floor is yours my friend.” Ed preformed an exuberant hand motion. Allowing me to finally have everyone’s attention.

Breathe in breathe out, sunrise sunset, interwove my words with truth. “There’s someone else inside of me. Somebody that I have hid behind for far too long. They are the one that had the talents to do everything that was impossible for me. They are the source behind my strengths.”

“What you all had witnessed this day was the result of him fully gaining control of me due to this… Sloth that has been claimed as mine. Sloth manifested in the manner of never giving him the recognition, respect, and attention he deserved. I never fully gave him the time of day, and for that I am guilty.”

Nightmare Moon smirks, she opens a… Twix bar, wow, one thousand years and that’s when I see real candy again. The physical spirit starts consuming it while watching me, waiting for me to continue.

“Yet this man inside here.” I point to my chest. “Despite the threats and aura he radiates. He only wants what’s best for both of us. I am the one that has twisted him so terribly. His actions are a direct consequence of myself. However, this all stops now. I’m done running away from this problem. I’m gonna face it head on.”

Rarity begins clapping her hooves together. The dramatics on this one can be greatly exaggerated, especially now. “O-oh my, all of that? This reminds me of those novels I’ve read. The misunderstood hero holds burdens that they think nopony else understands. I’m sorry none of us ever realized this Aizen.”

Applejack slightly tilts the tip of her stetson up, grasping a better view of me. “Ah ain’t know ya was strugglin like this Sugarcube. But ya should’ve told one of us. Y’all know we’d help ya in a heartbeat, else what are friends for?”

The normally quiet goofy and erratic pony known as Pinkie Pie uses a more direct approach for the conversation. “Applejack took the words right outta my mouth. How else are we all gonna be best friends if things like that become bottled up.”

Twilight briefly walks from her friends. Staring off towards the clearish sky. No clouds or snow is in sight. “I always had faith in you Aizen. If you wanted to, you could’ve hurt my Cadance or Shining Armor when they confronted you during that episode. So if the other you inside resisted the urge to attack then they can’t be that bad.”

Sounds of wings flapping in front of me as Fluttershy wraps two hooves around my neck, pulling me in for a hug. “There there, it’s all okay now. You’ll always have us.” She tried to soothe me.

This time, I returned the hug, without any hesitation. “Somehow, some way, I’ll make it up to this lady for her kindness.”

“You ponies have a bad habit of letting your friends suffer in silence.” Ed pointed out.

Nightmare Moon rolls her neck. “Take me as a prime example if you would.” She sarcastically said in between Ed’s speech.

“Sure you care about them enough to want to ask but then back off at the moment you’re needed, only reaching out at the very last minute or worst possible times only to make things even worse for those you care about.” he explained, causing them all to look down in shame. “I’m not trying to hurt any of you but part of friendship is reaching out to one another from the start.” He looked at where Celestia and Luna had left from while they were still off in there moment gathering themselves. “Before the problem can become can become a problem.”

“Yeah… Edward’s right. I definitely would have handled the Gilda situation better if I just asked her what was wrong. I know she wouldn’t act like that for no reason.” Rainbow Dash concluded.

“Maybe we should handle friendships by nippin ‘em right in the bud instead of holdin out. That ain’t right of us to do so.” Applejack added on.

“Stubbornness,” Ed looked at Applejack, and then turned to Rainbow, “And pride are not bad traits to have but they can become walls to those around who only wish for your best.”

I release my embrace from Fluttershy who does so in turn, albeit reluctantly. “Everyone, we can all admit that we’ve made mistakes, so from this moment on let's just do better, be better, y’know?”

Rarity seems to carry my passion with her own. “As much as I’d like to disagree, Edward and Aizen are correct. Moving forward let us actually remember to react to one another’s feelings.”

“At least someone is making sense today.” Nightmare Moon mumbled underneath their breath.

“Excuse me for a minute,” Ed said as he popped out of existence and then back in. “Sorry. Chrissy couldn’t find Solar. He wasn’t in any of his usual hiding places. Again sorry….. fatherhood…”

“I’m sorry but who are you speaking about? One of your children I presume.” I stop in my normalish posture. Almost ready to clear the air.

“Yes, the younger twin. He and his sister got in a fight over a toy and he got scared and hid away after he blasted her with magic. He takes after Luna that way,” Ed held his head. “He’s very sweet but very shy. Chrissy is sort of like their big sister slash nanny when me or one of their mothers has aren;t around.”

I tilt my head to the side. “Why exactly did you need to grab them?”

“Perhaps he’s trying to share an experience with us?” Twilight attempted to deduce.

“Was it to get one of my amazing, spectacular, totally awesome Pinkie Pie patented parties?” The pink party mare asked

“Have a very cherrichanga,” Ed tossed her the pinkiest oozing burrito-thing I’ve ever seen. “And no it was because Luna is away on business and this was my nearest active puppet.”

“I want… Another.” It completely disappeared before it reached halfway through the air.

“Da- WHAT, how is that possible? Literally how? I didn’t even see her flinch.” I think I almost had a stroke because of that. How is that even possible?

“There’s an entire mountain over there now go play,” Ed pointed to a mount of pastry and that was all we saw except of a Pinkie shaped cloud of dust next to Rainbow and Rarity.

I can only pinch my nose in confusion. “For how mature she can be, Pinkie is really childish sometimes… How do other displaced people deal with this?”

“It’s just Pinkie being Pinkie,” Ed threw up a hand. “The sooner you accept that phrase the better,” he smirked and everypony just nodded in agreement.

“Well I think that might as well solve everything. Guess we can get this acceptance thing in order. Nightmare, I still can’t understand why you’ve been so silent this entire time.” I stared at my other part with confusion.

“Oh I have been speaking, but not with you. Kyōka Suigetsu is quite the talkative partner when it comes to fighting and elegance. He has been saying his piece the entire time through my mind. He also says that it is a shame that he cannot share these thoughts with you for now. Yet he is very pleased to understand that you will be the one to reattach our severed link.”

“All he had to do was ask.” Ed shrugged.

Nightmare Moon briefly stared at the sky. She spaces out before getting back to Ed. “He says that having the owner of the Zanpakutō should be the one to reestablish the spiritual link. That way they realize what is wrong, how to fix it, and simply do not break it apart once more. I could not care any less though. A deal was a deal, it is not my job to continuously uphold it.”

“I meant I could allow him to appear on his own through an empty doll to inhabit, but I won’t step in the bonds of a sword and its wielder.” Ed held up his hand and a large single-edged sword with a red shimmering tsuba, white handle wrap with a large ring pommel appeared. In the ring their appeared to be a sort of black mist with twin trails leading into it. “My own partner is a real piece of work after all.” He leaned the sword on his shoulder.

I clasp my hands together and sit down on the grassy floor in a mediative manner. “Ah so you also wield a Zanpakutō then? Heh, you did say that you knew a guy. Fine, everyone, you may want to occupy yourselves with something. Because on the outside this is gonna look like a whole lot of nothing. Ed, you can watch if you want. Honestly I don't care, but I will care if you do something detrimental which I doubt will come to fruition.” I begin to drowsily pull myself in and out of my spiritual words. Getting a good grasp on my mind, body, soul, and spirit. It feels like I’m slipping into a full blown waterbed. There’s no resistance now but now the sensation is like I’ve never done this before.

“On your feet,” I heard Ed’s voice. “Or do you need a cup of coffee or an energy drink?”

My mind felt like it briefly got cracked from the sudden interruption. This body of mine clocks in once more, jolting upright. “What?! Oh that scared everything out of me. What’d you need Ed?”

“Don’t force it like that.” he held up his sword. “I’ll lend you this, but beware… It manipulates gravity and fire.”

I nearly get up to see the blade up close but use some self control and keep my same position. “Apologizes. I’m always used to brute forcing it so I get in faster. Which is easy to accomplish due to my, or rather Aizen’s, overflowing Reiatsu. I’ll make sure to take it slow.”

“Power is something you have in spades, yes but control is something you severely lack.” Ed let go of the sword and it dropped hard into the ground with the blade becoming completely buried. “When wielding a sword it is easy to use power because it is a tool but when wielding a zanpakuto the fight becomes more of a dance as this is a living thing, your partner. Someone you're trusting your life to, and they to you as well. Learn their rhythm. Let them lead for now. Kyōka will help get you there but don’t let his world tempt you. My sword is no mere zanpakuto either, it is malice incarnate and will try and sway you with rage and force. I will be your anchor point so simply drift.”

I take in a deep breath, the earth beneath me is hardy, the brief fluttering of wind howls and practically screams out names. The sun is shining down on us all. And I can share such an important moment with friends… I have to remember not to cry, at least not right now. I briefly take my gaze upwards, seeing five mares with worried, hopeful, and bittersweet smiles on their muzzles. “Remember my happiness, and remember what I come from.” The mantra repeats itself over and over again. Instead of a slow and thankful transition that I normally get where everything feels so weird yet so normal. Everything simply happens. It’s like stepping through a portal without consequence. Normal if you would.

“My one and only inner world.” I grip onto my borrowed Zanpakutō, yet I don’t do a predetermined unsheathe of it. “Kyōka Suigetsu, stop hiding Aizen. I know you’re the one doing that. I need to talk to him.”

I hear a voice echo out with laughter. “Why should I? Aren’t you looking to tear yourself to shreds?” That can’t be good, he’s going through that routine. Well if I don’t let him get to me then everything should be fine.

“We aren’t going to do this routine Suigetsu. Just bring Aizen out here so I can help him, help us!” I reason with him before gaining a swift kick to the back. It’s not enough to make me stumble forward but it’s hard enough to really disturb me. As a natural reaction I turn around only to see nothing and be punched in my abdomen.

“Ikkotsu…” An entire hole appears in my stomach as I’m blasted away, completely covered in my own gore.

“Foolish boy,” I hear a sinister voice coming from. Ed’s sword. “The alchemist even saw it fit to loan you a bit of his power. You aren’t worth even trying to speak to…”

“Who-” I cough up blood, even while I can’t feel the horrible sensation it’s still never a pleasant one. “I don’t know w-who you think you are talking to me like that but-” I get a cut across my chest for taking too long to speak before being sent flying with another kick.

“Fuck me I shouldn’t have told Suigetsu to make every fight a street fight. He didn’t even wait for me.” I groan, getting back up with hastened movements.

“That wretched blade in your hands, did you seriously bring it along with you? You know that either way you aren’t going to win if you keep fighting like this.” Kyōka Suigetsu wipes the blood from his blade before beginning to inch closer towards me as I have no choice but to get serious right off the bat and unsheathe Ed’s blade.

Suddenly a massive amount of red Reiatsu powered out. The blade craved destruction, to cut and devour everything living and dead alike. The power coalesced into a massive red Skeleton with pointed teeth and claws with long white hair and all consuming ice blue eyes.

“SO YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO DRAW ME AFTER ALL! AHAHAHAHA!” The demonic sword spirit laughed. ‘But how long can you hold out? I will lend you the power of force and flame for a time. This should be entertaining without my warden here, hehehe..” the figure entered the blade and my body and awhile doing so I felt a surge of power but with it hate as well.

I hold the sword above my right shoulder, preparing to try something. “Tch, quiet yourself. I should be asking that to you!” This is gonna be weird. Not being able to use hypnosis is going to completely destroy my regular fighting style so I’ll have to go all out.

“Please fucking work.” I silently pray. Watching Kyōka Suigetsu Flash Step towards me, he mutters something which I cannot hear. Which annoyed me to my damn core. That was… Uncalled for but yes it was extremely annoying.

“Bladed Cero!” I swing Ed’s sword in a wide arch, producing a dark purple slash of pure destruction at my own inner spirit. Who in turn finishes their chant as well.

“Hadō #89: Kirisute. (right to strike)” A large sliding guillotine materializes at a mirrored angle of the Bladed Cero and clashes with it, distorting the space around itself as it does. It soon becomes obvious the Kidō is winning this battle.

“Damn it, maybe I should just tear them to shreds and be done with this shit.” No, I need to stop it with these thoughts. Maybe I can use this Zanpakutō’s abilities while also not being influenced.

Kyōka Suigetsu watches the display of strength, disappointedly. “Give up Xavier, me and you both know that trying to strategize against me is a foolish idea. I hold our original blade of technique and beauty while you hold one of self destruction. If I used our Bankai right now you’d be enthralled within an infinite world of pleasure and pain. You know how our Bankai works and how every foe we’ve unleashed it upon has fallen. The Zanpakutō you hold is probably more keen on destroying the two of us.”

“In all honesty I dont really care if either of you live as I'll easily consume you both. As long as the alchemsit is here and in his right state of mind while being in full control of himself I can’t really do a whole lot even if I were to possess this fool,” the spirit mocked us as red Aura leaked off the blade onto me. “But it would be nice to go on a rampage and devour any soul I came across ahahahahaha!”

Kyōka Suigetsu’s Reiatsu pulses once, but I felt nothing from it. “To think you have the gall to come here with such ill prepared tactics, if you cannot plan properly then forsake them entirely, no tricks nor excuses. That blade of the alchemist is going to rip you apart from the inside if you do not learn to stop releasing anger in quick bursts. Filter it as you do with any impurities.”

“You’re the fool here, sword,” I heard Ed. I looked over and saw him stand next to me. “If I knew Xavier couldn’t control his impulses under Malice’s influences at all I would never have lent him that spirit in the first place. Malice is, as its namesake, nothing but negativity. Simply being near it causes anyone to lose control of themselves and want to kill everything.”

“Don’t be swayed so easily gentlemen,” the spirit spoke out with a chuckle but with a slight honesty to its words. “That thing that is both my creator and wielder is no more benovlont than the zero squad. There is always a reason behind his actions and don’t let the calm face dissuade you either…. It is nothing more than a falseness that not even his dear wives know!”

Ed’s gaze sharply narrowed on the sword as it went quiet with a chuckle.

Kyōka Suigetsu pointed his blade at Ed in a threatening manner. “Not to sound uncouth, however your inner spirit sounds like a maniac, a polar opposite of me. To still function with something like it and not become detached from one another is something only someone like you could achieve.” And as quickly as he pointed it at Ed he pointed it back onto me.

“Show me that this alchemist tells no tales. Show me that you-”

He’s talking too much, they all are. I want him to SHUT UP! My arm shoots up in a mere fraction of a second, aimed at Kyōka Suigetsu. My voice feels warped, as if it came from a different source entirely.“Struck fire, direct chars, fighting light…” I wasn’t thinking properly. This incantation I’m going for… A destructive Kidō beyond what I normally use. My left arm glowed with red veins which only grew brighter as the sensation of this sword’s hate flowed through me.

“You really shouldn’t pry into my inner demon,” Ed remarked with a wave of his hand at Kyoka Suigetsu. “He’s not even a true inner spirit but the literal embodiment of mine and every soul that resides in me hate for me given conscious thought. The only thing Malice really desires is to watch everything burn.”

Kyōka Suigetsu’s breath hitched for a moment before returning to normal. Muttering a few incantations he softly manifests three familiar green shields in front of himself. “Pry into your inner demons? Heh, if you call that little hate prick of a sword demons then I suppose just about everyone is evil to you. Do you believe that anyone can actually be someone like Xavier could be of importance within a magical world like this?” Kyōka Suigetsu tilted his head underneath the enveloping green aura around him. “In any case I must knock some sense into Xavier. He’s about to use a spell over level ninety with incantations.”

“You raise a good question and being as old as I am I can give a somewhat satisfying answer.” Ed rubbed his chin. “This answer is yes they can, but only if they choose to do so. I researched and wondered for nearly seven millennia and simply lived my life as I saw fit. I married many times and fathered several times over many generations, I chose to stay quiet and for the most part that is how it was. I returned to Equestria after I’d traveled and finished what I needed. I found my darling Luna and my dear Celestia and a literal later my beautiful Amore. In that time I became the king of the Minotaurs, became a figure comparable to a Boogie Man to many in my world, married Luna and thus brokered peace for our kingdoms. Later….” He went silent and felt the sword in my hand start to shake and chuckle uncontrollably. “That is not something I permit others to know.”

Yet I felt information trickle in my mind before I could do anything. Ed begun to practically shout afterwards, I could detect some of the very same emotions from Malice inside.

“I ended up in a stone tomb for two thousand years and had my mind completely shattered not once but twice in that time as I saw my girls fight and Luna banished to the moon!” He was now holding his head. “I gave up my chance at returning to a normal human existence because I chose to live as what I was. And what I am now is so much more because of it. I chose. So the answer to your question, sword. It's a choice. It is both yes and no, or something else altogether. That’s ultimately up for the wielder to decide.”

Kyōka… Only stood there, the light in my arm only grew to my shoulders as I felt my only option was to stare at the two of them. Waiting for my chance to strike.

“... I suppose even I wouldn’t put it past you to not have a complete direct answer. If you were not the cause for bringing Xavier here then I would have most likely thought of you as if you could be someone we knew previously. A normal person from highschool we were catching up on. But consequences be damned, your choices led you up to this moment, everything you’ve done is because you felt it was right. You’re led by that instinct which separates you from the rest. Just as we’ve done the same, Xavier is standing like they know they have no more sanity left inside them, consuming themselves within your self hate. And knowing what you’ve been through? This can’t be anything new for you.”

“I didn't force the sword on him, remember.” Ed tapped his head. “This is your doing. Provoking him was on you. He became susceptible due to your insults. If you recall, I gave him the warning before coming here.”

“He’s about to fucking explode half of his body! Under normal circumstances he wouldn’t go psycho, this is your sword’s fault for pushing him so far. Insults are merely meant to be something to motivate.” Kyōka Suigetsu slicks back some of his hair, trying to regain his composure.

“I see now.” Ed smirked. “You’re afraid of what his wielding my sword is unlocking aren’t you. AFRAID OF WHAT LAYS DORMANT IN ALL SHINIGAMI! AHAHAHAHAH!” The alchemist belted out a harsh laugh that only confirmed his theory. “Then perhaps you should pay attention to your berserk opponent and make sure he doesn’t unlock his power.”

My inner spirit whips his head back at me, trying his best not to side glare the alchemist. “We’re all afraid of what power people have inside them. It’s unpredictable, unprecedented, uncontrollable at first. That’s why we were hoping to make a false version of his true awakening, as if he were Renji. But that’s out of the question now.” Kyōka Suigetsu cracked his neck, staring at my slowly igniting body. Pointing at me without even blinking preformed something I hadn’t seen before. What gall he has for such a disrespectful motion.

“[Goetia]” A huge crackle of lighting sparkles from my Zanpakutō. That spell is supposed to be the last one that was on Grima’s tome, how could he use that? A torrent of purple lighting storms on my body, forcing me to let go of my concentration of my attack, instead throwing a rudimentary version of it. A small spiral flame power rips out from my arm in a slashing motion. Completely singeing my arm in the process. But its uncontrollable manner still rips into Kyōka Suigetsu’s barrier. Only managing to stop when it comes down to the last Esculdo barrier

“Do you see why he cannot fully realize his power so soon, Alchemist? Even through that self thousand year training Xavier did inside his mind he still can’t be prepared for what lies ahead!” Kyōka reasoned.

“Is he going to keep on ignoring me? Maybe it’d be best if I had one less spirit lingering in my mind for their insolent behavior.” My legs moved on their own, the aura around Ed’s sword is increasing. Little by little, overflowing, overwhelming even. Activating Flash Step I clash blades with Kyōka. Giving him nearly no time to react.

“STOP IGNORING ME BASTARD!” My now raspy voice calls out. I still don’t understand the reasoning though. But I don’t need any for this fight.

“Yes more destroy him! Destroy the Alchemist! Destroy everything with force and fire!” Malice howled as the sword pulsed with power and I plunged the sword into the ground and slashed up send a wave of red energy and Debris at Kyōka Suigetsu “COMPRESSED SHRAPNEL!” The debris shrunk down to the size of buckshot and pelted Aizen’s sword spirit with small but heavy pellets.

Even if I couldn’t see what’s behind his worthless mask I could still tell he was narrowing his eyes. “Dammit, now they’re starting to use actual attacks.” My spirit begun to jump backwards and reach out his hand and with a flash of white formed a see through barrier. “Bakudō #81. Dankū (Airtight).”

The compressed glass and Reiatsu battered straight into the barrier. Actually managing to crack, and shatter the barrier, pelting Kyōka Suigetsu’s body who did their best to parry any of the rocks he could.

“How… How were they so fast?” Kyōka brings a hand up to his injuries and used Kaidō on them, trying to heal as fast as he could.

“That would be the gravity manipulation.” Ed said. “My sword has its own gravitational pull. You think it just fell in the ground cause it was a big sword. Even if it is on the bigger side, it wouldn’t have sunk down up to the guard just cause of that.”

Kyōka Suigetsu whipped his head at Ed as the last of his injuries faded. “Call your sword off then. It’s actively using moves I know Xavier has never thought of before because he’s never used gravity manipulation.”

“That may be the case but Malice isn’t controlling Xavier at all.” Ed said. “Yea, he’s fallen under its emotional pull for sure but it’s not controlling his mind or his actions in the slightest.”

Kyōka the damn complainer that he is. Started to point his sword at Ed. “You’re real pleasant to be around you know-” I appeared beside him and drop kicked him on his ribcage, sending him flying across the glass.

“WE FUCKING TOLD YOU TO STOP IGNORING US!” I screamed out, beginning to laugh from all this excitement. Never knew you could enjoy fighting up until now. I always took fighting seriously, even during sparring matches. “WOOO, man I’m feeling fucking perfect because of this. It’s about time that I’ve let loose!” My arms both begin rolling, stretching themselves as I sport a larger grin than I’ve had throughout my freedom.

“You’re letting the sword lead,” Ed said as I felt my mind clear. “I should’ve been a little clearer with my sword. Malice isn’t the sword’s name, that’s just the name of the spirit the sword draws its power from named itself and it is always in Bankai.”

I wave Ed’s sword playfully until I stop, staring at myself and Malice. “I felt pretty fine before… But for some reason everything looks clearer. I need to watch myself, thank you Ed.” Thinking of the unique circumstance I pause for a moment. “A spirit that’s always within its Bankai form is something I haven’t actually heard of before.”

“Neither have I until this thing was born. I’ve tried to turn it into a Shikai and sealed states but it never takes.” Ed shrugged.

Kyōka silently walks back, looks like that kick I dished out hadn’t done too much to him, I gained a better, more appropriate stance but he didn’t reciprocate.

“I’ll leave you to keep dishing it out. If the blade turns completely black then I’ll step in.” Ed said as he jumped back out of the way.

“Xavier… This may be the only time where I know I could lose if I don’t fully go in. So with this, allow me to warn you. Drop Malice, or prepare to face the consequences. If you hold it for too long who knows what your personalized Shikai and Bankai could look like.” I consider Kyōka Suigetsu’s words in full. Pausing for a good minute until I sigh and relax.

I extended Malice at Suigetsu and held it in a limp manner. “You’re right… You’re right that you’ll have to go all out because I’m not going to stop here.” I immediately slash upwards at Kyōka Suigetsu but I’m met with the clashing sound of metal.

“I warned you in full.” I watched Aizen’s inner spirit leap back and hold our original Zanpakutō in a stance I hoped I’d never see. He’s holding it above his head. The metal of the sword slowly bends into a crescent moon before dissolving in the air, creating a rainbow-like haze and reforming back onto the hilt, appearing the exact same.

“Endoresumisutoreinbōmūn (エンドレスミストレインボームーン, endless mist rainbow moon)”

“Shit.” I already know I’m in trouble from that Bankai alone.

“Normally it would be an ability to bring you to our inner world. But since we’re already here we can skip that.” Kyōka Suigetsu points at the sky and holds up one finger. “I’ll even limit myself, pick one ability I can use. I won’t judge you for what you pick either.”

I’ve got to think logically about this. The last two are an immediate no-go so I guess it’s between rainbow mist and perfect allusion… Guess I’ll pick the one that will affect me the least. “Reinbōmisuto:(レインボーミスト, Rainbow Mist), that one.” The ability to give off such distorting illusions that confuse, nauseate, and even take away the senses of someone.

“That was expected of you Xavier.” Kyōka Suigetsu only walked forward as I planned my next method of attack.

Without any further hesitation I lodge Malice over my shoulder with a smile. “Guess I can get to cutting then.” I concentrate on flowing my Reiatsu through Malice to start reinforcing it, sharpening it beyond what is known. Rushing purple circuitry through the weapon. “Trace on.”

“If only you knew this sword’s true name then we could unleash our full power.” Malcie taunted.

“It’ll come to me, just make sure to back me up. Even if you aren’t mine I will treat you with respect if you do the same.” I say with a grunt. Bringing the sword down over my head a huge amount of energy glints from Malice in a striking downwards motion coated in pure flames. “Ryōdan!” A large gnash of wind and fire blazes at Kyōka who somehow teleported out of the- oh right, Rainbow mist distorts the perception of space like Shinji’s Shikai he didn’t actually teleport, I merely missed.

“YOU KNOW MY NAME BUT I AM FORBIDDEN FROM TELLING YOU WHAT THE NAME OF THIS ACCURSED PRISON IS BY THE ALCHEMIST! YOU MUST BE ANGRY HATEFUL!” The spirit roared. “DESPISE THE SWORD DESSPISE THE ALCHEMSIT FOR KEEP THE POWER FROM YOU THAT IS RIGHTFULLY YOURS TO WIELD IN THIS FIGHT!”

“Remember what Ed told you Xavier.” I reminded myself. “Despising, distaste, and hate in elegance. All within reasoning and proper form, controlled anger. I can’t keep losing myself Malice, I shall just pave my own way.” Reverse gripping Malice in my hands I dash forward without using a movement technique at Kyōka Suigetsu.

“Flower Passage!” I tried to land the first hit of the attack but got an incredible headache right as I was about to. Earning me a direct kick to the jaw, probably dislocating it as well.

I slowly get back up and crack my jaw back into place, feeling my busted lip heal on its own. “Fuck me, why’d I pick the worst one?” I knew that wasn’t true, but it still felt like it. “Malice, I need your help with this one. Do you have anything that can do an omnidirectional attack?” Turning my eyes to my borrowed blade, I get into a more defensive position. Trying to figure out a way around this.

“Maybe I could utilize some form of Kidō in my favor, not as though there’s only a few options. Any I use would most likely end in self harm.” Observing my long haired adversary I think about what I could possibly use in this situation. “Well there’s that one thing… I’ll save it for later though.”

“Force and power.” That was all the sword said. Though, it made perfect sense to me. The one feat Aizen would always be known for was using his Reiatsu to crush people, bring down entire structures, and force beings to their knees. So I should try the same.

Concentrating on everything around me and nothing at the same time I collect my Reiatsu and force it down in a sudden burst. I feel it attempting to crush everything within its vicinity. And exactly as I planned, Rainbow Mist gets dispersed. The Kyōka Suigetsu I was watching was actually behind me, who would’ve guessed.

Either way I take the opportunity to stomp my foot and see if this works. I attempt to use Malice’s gravitational properties to pull Kyōka to me as I prepare to strike him using a Cero wrapping around Malice. And it does. I see shards of glass travel towards the sword and Kyōka’s body being gravitated to me as well but I’m hit with a sudden wave of confusion. I stopped the process and instead used the ability on nothing at all, releasing my hold.

“Damn, that really broke my concentration. But this has been proving to be quite the venture.” Guess this fight is really getting to me. I’m actually managing to enjoy it. Maybe I could even dominate this thing.

“I think you can handle the full power.” Ed said, appearing next to me as he slowly clapped his hands. “Yake-shoku (Burning Eclipse). A sword that overshadows even the sun to blacken out the entire sky. I believe it’s time for you to even the odds.”

“W-wah, did you just give me your Zanpakutō’s true name?” I dumbfoundedly ask. Even Kyōka stops in his tracks to give Ed a confused look.

“Isn’t that what I just said?” Ed said with a deadpan look on face.

I clear my throat out of embarrassment. “Right, sorry Ed.” I look at Kyōka and back at Malice. “So what was it again? Yake-shoku?” I get in a battle ready posture.

“Yake-shoku!” I shout out the sword’s full name with the utmost confidence.

The entire sword started to turn solid black as the area around me began to sink in waves, gravity around me increased. The weight of the sword grew with each stretching wave of its power. I felt a small amount of gale twisting around the sword. I looked down to the ring of the hilt and two small smokey black trails had formed leading into a black swirl. My eyes widened as I realized it was a miniature black hole.

“What the fuck? I know the true names of swords are broken but this is busted. How do you wield this on a daily basis?” I asked Ed with a giddy look.

“I don’t.” Ed said flatly as he rubbed his ear with his pinky. “I usually just keep it stashed inside my soul. Or body or whatever…”

What an inspiration, I wish I could just hide my annoying spirits elsewhere. They’re always a blessing though, every last one of them.

Kyōka grips the hilt of his sword, shaking his head. “If it wasn’t for the fact that one of us may actually kill one another. I would’ve told you all bets are off and use everything at my disposal. But instead I shall leave you with this. Until you land three attacks. If you manage to get through with three attacks then Nightmare and Aizen have agreed to just tell you your own Zanpakutō’s true name. Although you control our body you yourself are a soul and therefore a spirit. The Hōgyoku is our catalyst so it’s going to be up to you to make something new… But since Ed and Malice’s actions have influenced you in such a short amount of time, I doubt it’s what it would have been if they weren’t here.”

“Even with the extra power he has access to it won’t be easy for him to wield that sword like he did earlier.” Ed said. “When you spoke its name the sword woke up and hasn’t acknowledged you. You’ll be swinging it with your own raw physical strength, and not Malice rage induced steroid bullshit. It won’t surprise me if you can swing it but the difficulty will limit your control and the number of swings you have. Every power has a price that must be paid.”

I stare into the literal blackhole and nothing stares back, perfect. “Ed, I won’t disappoint you. You’ve given me too much to opt out now. Too much time, and too much patience with my problems, so please…” The Enhancement spell travels throughout my veins and body, temporarily strengthening them. This fight has felt as though it was going to be endless up until now. But there’s a valor welling up inside my very being and it won’t let me leave my mindscape without getting what I’ve come for. “Allow me to show you why I’m worthy of your presence.” Everything is Revolving inside my mind, primal yet controlled energy that’s following through me. Something telling my brain to battle with superiority and excitement!

Kyōka starts laughing, feeling the change in my Reiatsu. “It’s about time that you got back on the right track. Stop neglecting that feeling inside yourself. You must remember that you’re a transcendent. Both Shinigami and Hollow, put them in perfect balance. I’ll stop holding you back and being a hard ass if you do the same.” Kyōka Suigetsu spreads Reinbōmisuto (Rainbow Mist) around me which takes the effect of removing my taste, touch, smell, and sight. Leaving only my hearing.

“Cheeky bastard. But the capabilities of Yake-shoku should be good enough to work around this.” I smile, even if I can’t feel my smirk or this sword I’m still feeling confident. All I need to do is feel the air of combat and allow instinct to drive me through.

Kyōka Suigetsu stepped… Forward? I cannot truly know whether or not he is inversing my perception of auditory aid. “What do you think to do in this situation? You cannot feel whether or not the blade, if you are so brazen to call that abstract weapon a sword of any sort, is in your hands. You cannot taste blood, you will not be able to see your strikes go through, nor can you smell the iron throughout our inner world. Ultimately leaving you with the bare minimum of hearing these words travel to your ears. How will you fight, how will you defend? That matters not, for only the results! In this world only the results matter and remain.”

“If you can't see you listen, if you can not listen you feel.” Ed added. “You are not without your senses, they are just dulled, but there is one skill that all shinigami possess that can’t be suppressed without the extra help of a tool to hide. Malice is not longer clouding your mind my friend, and with that influence gone your senses have become sharper, not to mention your ability to sense the spiritual presence of others, along with the new ability to read and feel bloodlust emitted by all things as well. One of the only gifts a being of nothing but rage and hate can give you,” The alchemist explained. “Remember just because someone has good intentions doesn;t mean they can hide their intent, be that as it may you can only suppress it.”

I could hear Kyōka scoff at Ed’s notion. Though there was some, faltering in his taunting. “That will not help Xavier for long. Whether or not I want him to win or lose doesn’t matter. Just pure intent, and as much as I’d hate to say it. I proved your exact point Edward.”

There’s something weird appearing in the blissful darkness, a bright bluish purple energy in one spot. Small slithers of red also dance inside of it. There’s even a small spike that travels downwards like a sword. Despite not being able to feel if my lips are actually touching to produce noise I still hear myself speak. “Do you realize how ridiculous it’d be if I lost to you? Yeah that’s not happening, you can talk about philosophical things all you want but I can feel myself loosening up. For once in my life it’s like I’m this closeto true power. Not Kidō, Zanjutsu, or any type of spiritual energy. I’m getting close to self control, manipulating not only myself and everyone around me but manipulating the world itself in order to trick all for my self improvement. Tricking myself until it’s not a simple parlor magician’s ability anymore and becomes an actual truth. So shut up and just clash with me!”

“That’s the spirit.” I heard Ed, “But remember, you’re limited on how many strikes you can fire off with the awakened sword in your hands. I’d say you have eight, nine if you really push it.”

I look towards Ed’s silhouette and immediately turn back. What I just saw can’t be described with words and I’ll leave it at that. “Then I’ll make every fucking one count.” I heft the evolved weapon above me and grit my teeth, cutting down in a straight path towards the energy signature. Making a crushing earthquake-like blast of pressure and destruction. The see through glass of our world crackles and breaks apart as I hear it all shatter, the beautiful still ocean beneath us decorated with lilies are completely disrupted. The sound of crashing waves makes themselves more apparent.

“I won’t be caught off guard yet another time! Ryūbi no Jōmon” The energy signature that’s in the distance across from me fluctuates for a split second. Until a giant structure appears in front of him. At least that’s what I think, still blind but a weaker, bigger presence appears in front of him. One that I recognize from our battle with Sombra.

“With each swing of that sword the gravity of this area will become more distorted,” I heard Ed evilly chuckling. “That also means the footing could become heavier or lighter based on where you’re standing. Not to mention what will be dragged out from the pits of your soul.”

“Oh that’s fucking evil!” I heard Kyōka uncharacteristically shout. And while I couldn’t see exactly what type of energy was released from Ed’s sword. I do know it was stronger than whatever barrier my Zanpakutō attempted to use. The shattering of a humongous building that’s coming to crash down is almost deafening. More so than Kyōka’s pained cries.

The energy Kyōka emitted got weaker. I would’ve thought so if that type of noise is reflective of the destruction. “Fuck I still can’t see, Ed did I hit him?” I jokingly shout out. Kyōka Suigetsu still didn’t release Rainbow Mist, so I’m judging it wasn’t enough damage to incapacitate him, dammit.

“I may be lending you my sword and giving occasional advice but that doesn’t mean I’m going to outright give you a helping hand. This is a test of your will and soul to see if you are worthy of knowing your own power, remember that. Seven swings left my young friend,” Ed said. “How will you use them?”

I try to roll my eyes, but I can’t even feel myself roll them. Since I can’t feel anything. “Aw, well don’t worry, I’ll make sure to use my noggin because the reality show must go on. Oh I need to workshop these lines.” I can feel myself start grinning, genuine pride in myself and not because of an act I pulled.

There’s heavy breathing sounding throughout the area in front of me. “I can’t let you swing that damn sword again. I feel a tingling sensation inside of me. One that’s bringing heaviness I haven’t felt in a long time.” I can hear something charging up now, two balls of energy appear on both of his aura’s sides.

“Limit of the thousands hands, respectful hands, unable to touch the darkness…” I manage to hear him silently whisper, jeez my hearing is really starting to- wait is he trying to pull that?

“I wish you would finish that incantation, you’ll really end up hurting someone.” Gloves are off at this point. I’m gonna do the same then. Actually that gives me an idea.

”You’ve landed one blow, if indirectly, meaning two left.” I hear Ed whispering in my ear, “If you use the Getsuga you can land another while he’s incanting. Remember, its a simple move that only require the gathering and release of Reiatsu on the blade, with my sword’s abilities the force put out will be much more effective than just a normal one, even if it is just a simple Tensho.”

As Ed finished speaking I heard another voice speaking up, Kyōka Suigetsu’s. “ there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders. Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, gray fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired.” The energy in his hand has permanently started spiking until twelve balls of energy appear behind his aura, all of them in a darkened blood red complexion. “Thank you Ed for distracting him long enough. Couldn’t have charged this at maximum output long enough without it.”

“You think that was a distraction.” Ed chuckled as the energy began to collapse in on itself, “The gravity distortions spread very quickly and tend to be a big pain in the ass, but if you know how to utilize them.” I appeared right behind Suigetsu, purple Reiatau rippling from my loaned weapon. “Now it’s your turn to not ignore me! GETSUGA TENSHO!” A purely purple colored Getsuga Tensho hits Suigetsu point blank just as his own spell started to explode. “Bang! Though using a power move like that did eat up three of his overall remaining swings, it was worth it to deal a second blow to you sword.”

“Told him about all that talking.” My brain fluxes with new information as my other senses are suddenly regained. And I hope I’m miss seeing things because I didn’t actually think I hit him that hard. He’s on the ground with blood trickling from his mouth. “Kyōka are you okay? You’re kind of… Down, heh. But seriously are you alright?” I bend down and lean in closer to him.”

“Don’t let your guard down.” Ed warned. “Animals are at there most dangerous when wounded and cornered.”

“Ed this is one of the most intelligent and easy going spirits you’ll ever-” One moment I was talking and the next moment I was not. My reaction time wasn’t fast enough. I started to reel back in pain for a split moment. I thought everything was safe so I turned off the Hōgyoku’s numbing abilities. My eyes had both but cut and once again I could not see.

“This isn’t a fight amongst friends, little fool.” Ed crossed his arms in disappointment as i felt him shaking his head, “But a battle for dominance. You have four strikes left and are quickly running out of options not to mental you trusting nature left you open for a major attack. The distortions not only help but hinder the sword’s wielder, remember? I won’t be helping you this time around.”

I cried out in agony for a few more moments, this bastard cut into my brain dammit, this hurts more than I could’ve possibly imagined. Until the numbing abilities kicked back in along with the slowed down healing.

“Fuck!” I stagger for a bit more, disoriented as I wait for the chunks of my brain to heal so I can have normal functionality once more. “Suigetsu, it wasn't that serious! I thought we were only going until one of us had taken enough damage!”

“...” I heard no words come from his mouth before I was struck by some type of lighting spell. Yet it still had the same effectiveness as a regular spell, it should’ve been weakened but I still felt my body wracked with electricity making me hiss out in pain while still standing.

“Three strikes Xavier.” Ed mocked me while he walked behind me, “You of all people know how serious Aizen is when it comes to affairs, even if he goes about undermining things he still keeps his word. Two strikes have been dealt one is left, which means this fight either ends with that last strike against the sword or with you splayed out bleeding to death.”

“I-I know, I know I can’t draw this out any longer. I’ll put everything I’ve got into one last strike then.” I search through my mind, attempting to figure out what I could possibly do.

“There’s really only one model I could take after, one that could win me this fight.” My strength to go on revitalizes, the Hōgyoku hums in response, making itself glow immensely bright. Instantly restoring my vision allowing me to leap back. Gripping tightly onto Yake-shoku, deeping inhale and slowly exhaling as well.

“Hadō #99…” And I guess my Zanpakutō spirit is doing the same. The first time we’ve used that since Yhwach.

“Total void spiral: Decimation.” I pull back Yake-shoku and calmly but directly, thrust forward, creating a spire of some black dark energy twisting as if it were a drill towards Kyōka Suigetsu

As I finished my improvised move, Kyōka Suigetsu does as well. “Goryūtenmetsu (五龍転滅, Five Swirling Dragons of Destruction)” Five purple dragons twirl around each other to perform a collective counter drill against my own. Both energies end up colliding with one trying to out do the other. I see Kyōka Suigetsu visibly struggle at the amount of force he put into the attack and I’m no different. Both of us try and add more power and energy into our blows but it doesn't seem to be working.

“Truly a dynamic clash as I’ve ever seen,” Ed remarked with a slight smirk as he looked at me and Suigetsu. “I look forward to you entraining me a little more after this.”
9fix this
“If you can't see you listen, if you can not listen you feel.” Ed’s words ring out to me, they spark hope inside of me. They gave that same fuel, that same desire to keep on going. Even if I wanted otherwise. My wobbling arms begun to strain, the longer I held onto the spiraling energy the more I felt its weight increasing… “Just one last push.” With a final thought, when it felt as though I was going to be overtaken I yelled out in defiance. Louder than I ever have on Earth, and more than I ever would, had I stayed the same.

“I’ll make my dreams a reality, and you will help me!” Putting both hands on the guard I start to walk, step after step. Pushing my energy further and further. Gently overtaking my enemy’s attack with my own. Before very long we’re face to face. Smiling, I watch Kyōka Suigetsu’s torn clothing wave against the rapid energies. With one more thrust I pierce right through his stomach. Blood comes splurting out of his wounds as I stagger back and fall to the floor while my Zanpakutō does the same.

“That shit was too real. I’ve gotta go on a vacation once all of this is done.” I think to myself, my throat feels like shit.

“Mind your line of thinking lad,” Ed spoke to me, causing me to cough slightly. “Are you two satisfied now?” he said as he looked over his shoulder at the imprisoned Aizen and Nightmare who were standing their in silence. He held up his hand and his sword flew to it from mine before disappearing.

“It was a wondrous dance, one I would hope to never forget in my lifetime. Yes I would have to say I am satisfied with the amount of blood that has been spilled.” Nightmare moon’s voice congratulated me. And that mind reading thing Ed does will never cease to freak me out.

“Hm? Oh I can finally talk and not be silenced by the tyrant? Well then, yes I believe that this has proven his worth. Although I was surprised he did not lose. Either way, progress was made.” Aizen spouted out, dialing down on the sarcasm by a lot if I do say so myself.

“Acceptance is only the first step though,” Ed smirked as snapped and both mine and Suigetsu we covered in a green aura causing our wounds to heal, “The next part is this,” he held up his hand and asauchi appeared above his palm. “All yours kid,” he looked at me and the sword floated over hovering just above the ground.

“I think the only thing you learnt to accept is getting your ass kicked by me.” And already the humiliation started by Kyōka as he spoke through the mental link as soon as he got the chance despite becoming a donut three moments ago.

“Hush sword,” Ed warned. “Your time has passed. Or should I place you with you wielder?” He glared.

Kyōka Suigetsu had only shook his head. Knowing better at this point than to repeatedly get on Ed’s nerves. Which costed him the battle.

I, on the other hand, was overflowing with joy. I looked at Nightmare and Aizen, silently nodding to them before giving a nice bow to both Ed and Kyōka Suigetsu. “Thank you so much Ed, for the renewed hope you’ve given to me. This has taught me that maybe all people have the capacity to change. And that if you really give someone the right amount of courage and compassion they could bloom. I was lost to myself before today. And Kyōka I thank you for being an amazing spirit that could teach me how to fight.” I go up from the ground without a single ache in my bones and held the asauchi in my hands with no small amount of honor.

“Thanks to your hollow powers you also have the abilities of the fullbringers. Though I don’t have the skill to utilize this ability through pure spiritual power alone, my younger brother Asta does and can manifest his own zanpakuto without a catalyst. Once his business is done I recommend you summon him to impart some of his own knowledge on how to do so,” Ed told me. “But in the meantime, find out what their name, you’ll need to know it for the training I’m planning.”

I raise an eyebrow at the mention of his brother. “Wait hold on, I never really got this but do you mean Asta as in Black Clover Asta or is that from some really small indie game like OFF that no one has ever heard of?”

“He’s my brother by blood from our original earth,” Ed explained. “But yes, he was displaced as Asta from Black Clover, though his own training in mixed martial arts and acting as a stunt double actor vastly improved his ability far beyond the original Asta. He’s now called the Black King. Not by choice mind you,”

“Ha, being king would never be something for me. And what are the chances that you got to see your brother after you were displaced. Huh, that makes me wonder if anyone else still has family while they were displaced. It sounds like you two have had quite the journey in your newly disp- I’m sorry, I mean displaced lives. I hope I get to meet him someday, it sounds as though he’s molded into a nice, well-disciplined human being.” I chalk up the two of their bond as something that could probably transcend natural logic based on those odds of still meeting each other.

“He’s a decent person but not well defined at all,” Ed laughed. “He was only made king because he killed the previous king and prince of the territory in cold rage because Fluttershy was sold as a slave to the prince. He did try and give them a chance to live, but after they didn’t take it he literally burned the city to ash by himself.”

“Oh now that’s interesting. A coup de grace all over one pony. I can relate to such matters however… No I won’t talk about it either Kyōka, this is your fifth time asking me this month.” Nightmare Moon says, intrigued by the story.

“And why exactly couldn’t he be a goody-two shoes like the criteria of most displaced fit and simply, quote un quote ‘be the bigger person’ although I do indeed agree with his decision. Kill anyone that messes with something that belongs to you. Would’ve dealt with a lot of issues back when Celestia was ruling by herself.” Aizen manages to chuckle out after barely holding back a laugh.

“They literally kidnapped his girlfriend and was about to rape her, so yea,” Ed shrugged. “Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same, worse actually. My brother is a bit soft, lots of them die quickly. Though his rage is like I said, cold. The angrier he gets the more focused on killing his target he becomes. He won’t bat an eye at anyone or anything that stands in his way. I had a bit of trouble with him in this state not long ago. The anti-magics he wields doesn't help either.”

Kyōka Suigetsu had finally managed to get up, his clothing was repaired long ago as my body was too. “Anti-magic? Oh now that is some gift. Talent can always seek out talent. But now I’m more interested in the man behind the power and how it has affected him. What a perfect counter to someone like us, wouldn’t you say Xavier?” I silently gulped and nodded my head.

“Asta is not an opponent you are ready for,” Ed warned. “He doesn’t need antimagic to fight in a match, let alone weapons. When he enters the battlefield he sole purpose is to kill his opponents, even if its just a friendly match. He‘s actually a lot stronger than I am in my maxed out hunman form. His mentality is far different from the one Xavier knows from the show and manga. He won’t hesitate to fight either.”

“And that’s exactly why our previous foolish actions were never going to work.” I softly admitted. “Where do we go from here now that we’ve taken the first step?” I look to my friend… Yeah, my friends, for guidance.

“You keep learning and keep fighting for what it is you think is right and what you hold dear,” Ed crossed his arms. “The key to your power is literally in your hands now, how you use it is up to you and only you.”

I stare at the asauchi and back up at them all. Night flashes me a toothy grin and crosses one of her front hooves in front of the other. Kyōka readjusts his stance and walked to the side of Aizen’s chair, leaning beside it. And Aizen could only nod his head as he stared at the blank slate of a sword.

“Then, I’ll just have to believe in nature and nurture. Both will be equally important, I’ll make sure to listen to what my more responsible friends say and heed their warnings. Most of all though, I’ll strive for greatness. So that I can actually protect those I care for.” I sheath the blade on my back and grin. “And who’s ready to go back to reality?”

“See you there.” Ed laughed as his voice faded away.

“Ta-ta you tyrant.” Aizen says his own little goodbye before anyone else can. Making me glare daggers at him.

I end up laughing however, this is how things should be. And I wouldn’t change it for nothing.

The transitioning back to the real world was quick and extremely swift as well. Like a very nice

“That was quite entertaining,” Ed said as he was smiling in front of my face.

“You’re tellin- Jeez what the fuck!” I instinctively Flash Stepped backwards for the sake of self preservation. “Don’t sneak up on me like that or I might have a heart attack.” Ed deviously grinned at me as if he had not a care in the world, but I knew differently.

"Yup, wouldn't change it for anything."

Author's Note

This is part one for the crossover with The Golden Eyed Sage by the amazing Alvasa!

Aizen's behavior shall be changed from here on out to fit this new character development. Whether or not you decide that this is yet another mask is up to you. But don't worry, a lot more is to come. And I apologize for the late late late update I've been stumped with personal stuff and the likes but I hope to improve as always.