Full metal pony

Chapters

Oops
Chapter 1: One Hand, Two Hooves
Chapter 2: A Trip Around Ponyville
Chapter 3: Sibling Rivalry
Chapter 4: Grampony Spoils
Flickers of Hope and Despair

Oops

Hi, Anime Bunns here. So my mental health decided to go down the drain while I was writing this and insted of putting this on haitus i had it under canceled which was my fault. I should say It's not canceled i was just stressing and depressing from the lost of my twin sister and school work making me feel like a peice of crap. The reason Why I just posted what I had was so you guys can read and if something like this happened, I just opened this page up today and saw it said canceled insted of haitus once again my fault :pinkiesad2: do know that Im working on new chapter and stay tuned

Chapter 1: One Hand, Two Hooves

Edward Pov:

I groaned as my senses slowly came back to me. The world around me was blurry, the colors blending like wet paint on a canvas. my body felt… wrong. There was a strange heaviness in my chest and limbs, and a dull, metallic ache ran down my arm—wait, not my arm. my legs?

“What the hell?” I muttered, wincing at the high-pitched voice that didn’t sound like mine own at all.

Forcing my eyes open fully, I was met with an explosion of colors far too vibrant for Amestris. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky above was a perfect blue. I lay sprawled out in a grassy field, the sweet scent of flowers and the gentle breeze doing nothing to settle the confusion swirling in my mind.

“Where… am I?” I blinked, trying to move my arm, but my arm wasn’t there. Instead, I saw something far stranger.

A hoof.

A cold metallic hoof.

“What the—?!” I shot up—or at least tried to, but my body wasn’t responding like it normally would. I tumbled awkwardly, scrambling to stand, only to realize I wasn’t standing on two legs anymore. I had four. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…”

my breath hitched as I looked down at Myself. My body was completely different. Instead of human limbs, I had hooves. His right foreleg was metal—my automail, but warped to fit this new form. The other three legs were covered in golden-brown fur. I felt a weight on his head, and when I reached up—slowly this time—I felt a horn. Not just any horn, but one that hummed with energy. my brain was struggling to catch up, each realization more ridiculous than the last.

I was a horse. Or rather… a pony?

“I must be hallucinating,” I muttered under my breath, but I knew better than to believe my own words. I'd seen too much to just dismiss this as a dream or illusion. Gritting my teeth, I tried to calm the storm of thoughts raging inside his mind. First things first—figure out where I was.

I took an unsteady step, then another, wobbling on four legs like a newborn foal. I cursed under my breath, finding this whole situation increasingly frustrating. my body didn’t respond the way it should, and every movement felt foreign. I hadn’t felt this weak since the early days after getting his automail surgery.

“Okay… this is fine. This is fine,” I said, more to convince himself than anything. I glanced around, taking in my surroundings. The field stretched out in all directions, bordered by a dense forest and a few hills in the distance. But what really caught my eye was the small town nestled near the horizon, its pastel-colored buildings and whimsical architecture standing out starkly against the natural landscape.

“There’s no way this is Amestris.”

With no other option but to investigate, I began to trudge forward. The sooner I got to the town, the sooner I could find answers—and hopefully figure out how the hell to get out of this pony body.

As I struggled to maintain a steady pace, a shadow passed overhead, followed by a burst of wind. I glanced up, squinting against the sunlight, and spotted something that made my heart skip a beat. Flying above me was a figure—no, not a figure. A pegasus. A blue pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane.

It zoomed through the air, circling back before landing gracefully in front of me. The pegasus folded its wings, eyeing me with suspicion.

“Well, you’re not from around here, are ya?” the pegasus said in a distinctly feminine voice.

I blinked. “Did… you just talk?”

“Uh, yeah? Why wouldn’t I?” The pegasus looked him up and down, tilting her head. “What’s with the metal leg? You a robot or something?”

I scowled. “No, I’m not a robot!” I snapped, my temper flaring. “And what the hell is going on here? Where am I?”

The pegasus raised an eyebrow. “Wow, someone’s grumpy. You’re in Equestria, if you really didn’t know.”

“Equestria?” I repeated, the word foreign on his tongue. “Never heard of it.”

“Yeah, figures. You look like you’ve been through some weird magic or something.” The pegasus hovered slightly above the ground, flapping her wings lazily. “Name’s Rainbow Dash, the fastest flier in all of Equestria.” She puffed out her chest proudly.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to make sense of it all. “Look, I don’t care who you are. I just need to know how to get back home.”

“Home? Where’s that?”

“Amestris.”

Rainbow Dash blinked. “Never heard of it.”

I sighed, already feeling the frustration building again. This was going to be a long day. Before I could say anything else, another voice cut in, much softer and more curious.

“Oh my goodness… you’re new here, aren’t you?”

I turned to see a yellow pegasus with a soft pink mane approaching cautiously. She looked far more concerned than Rainbow Dash, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and kindness.

“I’m Fluttershy,” she said gently. “Are you lost?”

I felt the tension in my shoulders ease just a bit. At least this one seemed calmer. “Yeah, you could say that,” I muttered. “I just woke up like this and—wait, hold on. You’re both talking. You’re both ponies. And I’m a pony.”

Fluttershy nodded sympathetically. “That must be very confusing for you.”

“You have no idea.”

Fluttershy exchanged a glance with Rainbow Dash. “Maybe we should take him to Twilight. She’s good with magic, and she might be able to help you.”

“Yeah, she can probably fix whatever’s going on with you,” Rainbow Dash added with a shrug. “You’re not the first weird thing to show up around here.”

I rubbed his forehead—or tried to. His hoof clanked awkwardly against my head, and I groaned. “Fine. Take me to this Twilight. Anything that’ll get me back to normal.”

With a flap of their wings, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy motioned for me to follow, leading him toward the town in the distance. As I stumbled along, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this world—Equestria—was about to throw him into something far bigger than he could have imagined.

Twilight's Point of View

I sat in the cozy confines of my library, surrounded by neatly stacked books and a few magical tomes open to various pages. I was deeply immersed in my studies when a sharp knock on the door broke my concentration.

“Coming!” I called, hastily closing my books with a flick of my magic. I trotted over to the door, already wondering what the urgency was. I wasn't expecting any visitors, and My scheduled study time was rarely interrupted—at least unless there was some kind of trouble.

As the door swung open, I blinked in surprise to see Rainbow Dash hovering outside, her wings flapping impatiently. Fluttershy was there too, standing a few feet behind with a nervous smile.

"Twilight! You’ve gotta see this!" Rainbow Dash darted inside without waiting for permission, her hooves barely touching the ground as she zipped around the library. I stepped aside just as Fluttershy timidly walked in behind her.

“See what? What’s going on, Rainbow Dash?” I asked, closing the door behind them. Rainbow Dash was always full of energy, but her excitement usually meant something interesting—or potentially dangerous—was happening.

Rainbow Dash grinned and pointed her hoof toward the door. “We found this weird new pony out in the field. He says he’s not from here—and I mean, really not from here.”

I blinked, feeling a twinge of curiosity. “Not from Equestria?”

“Yup! And get this—he’s got some kind of metal leg and horn!” Rainbow added, hovering in mid-air as she spun in a loop.

"Metal leg?" I frowned, trying to make sense of what my friend was describing. That didn’t sound like any pony I'd ever heard of before.

“He also said his name is Edward,” Fluttershy added softly. “And... he seems really confused. Maybe he’s hurt.”

my curiosity quickly shifted to concern. "Where is he now?"

“He’s outside,” Rainbow Dash said with a dismissive wave. “Probably still trying to figure out how to walk with four legs.”

My eyes widened. "Rainbow Dash! You can’t just leave him out there if he’s lost and confused!"

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “He didn’t Want help.”

Shaking my head, I hurried toward the door, nudging it open with my magic as I stepped outside. Sure enough, standing awkwardly by the edge of the path leading to my library, was a pony unlike any she had ever seen.

He wasn’t just different because of his metal leg—although that alone would have caught her attention. His entire demeanor screamed discomfort, and the scowl on his face showed he wasn’t taking his new surroundings very well.

“Edward?” I called gently, stepping closer.

The strange pony—Edward, she assumed—looked up at her with a mixture of frustration and confusion. His eyes flicked to her horn, then her wings, and back to her face. He seemed to be sizing her up as if he wasn’t sure what to make of her.

“Yeah, that’s me,” he muttered. His voice sounded... irritated, but also tired.

I studied him for a moment. The metal leg—automail, maybe?—seemed expertly crafted, though she couldn’t figure out what kind of magic or technology could have created something like that. And his horn? There was something off about the way it shimmered like it wasn’t quite aligned with Equestrian magic.

“You must be feeling really lost right now,” I said kindly, hoping to ease some of the tension she could sense coming from him.

Edward scoffed. “You think?”

Rainbow Dash landed next to them, grinning widely. “I told you, Twilight! He’s super weird, right?”

I shot Rainbow a warning look but turned my attention back to Edward. “Let’s go inside. You can tell me everything that’s going on, and maybe I can help you figure this out.”

Edward hesitated, glancing between me and the open door. His expression was guarded like he didn’t fully trust what was happening around him. But after a long pause, he nodded.

“Fine. Lead the way.”

I led him inside the library, my mind already racing with questions. Who was he? Where had he come from? And what kind of magic or alchemy could have brought him here? His body was clearly altered by more than just the form of a pony—there was something else at work.

As we settled in, I used my magic to pull a chair closer for Edward. He struggled to sit in it properly, unused to the new shape of his body, and it didn’t take long for his scowl to return.

“So, uh, where exactly did you come from?” I began, using my friendliest tone to coax some answers from him.

Edward sighed heavily, rubbing his face with one of his hooves—a gesture that seemed unnatural and awkward. “Amestris. A place that clearly isn’t whatever this is.” He gestured vaguely to the colorful world outside.

I tilted my head. “Amestris? I’ve never heard of it. Is it another realm? Or dimension?”

“You could say that,” Edward muttered under his breath. He let out another frustrated sigh before glancing at my horn again. “You... do magic, right?”

“Yes,” i said, my curiosity piqued. “I can help with that if you’re dealing with some kind of magical displacement.”

“Magical displacement, huh?” Edward huffed. “I don’t think magic is really the problem here.” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, tapping his metal hoof against the floor. “It’s alchemy. That’s what brought me here.”

My ears perked up. “Alchemy? Like transmutation?”

Edward’s eyes flicked toward her in surprise. “You know about alchemy?”

I nodded, her excitement building. “Yes! It’s an ancient form of magic, though it’s not really practiced in Equestria. Most ponies stick to spellcasting these days. But I’ve read about it! It’s fascinating stuff.”

Edward seemed to relax, if only slightly. “Then maybe you can help me get home.”

I hesitated. “I’ll do everything I can. But if it’s something as complex as alchemy, I might need to do a little research first.”

“Of course,” Edward muttered, sounding half-annoyed, half-resigned. “More research. Great.”

I stood up, already moving toward the shelves lined with books. “I’ll start looking right away! There has to be something here that can help.”

As I scanned the titles, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of excitement. I had never encountered anyone like Edward before—someone whose knowledge of alchemy could rival my own magic. Maybe together, we could figure this out.

But even as I grabbed her first stack of books, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Edward’s presence here was part of something much bigger. Something we were only just beginning to unravel.

Chapter 2: A Trip Around Ponyville

Edward Pov:

I couldn’t help but feel out of place.

As Twilight Sparkle led me through this bright and overly cheerful town called Ponyville, I could feel my temper bubbling under the surface. Not only had I been turned into a pony, but everything around me was too... colorful. Pastel houses, ponies with their wide-eyed stares, and a strange energy that seemed to hum through the air. It all made my head hurt.

“So, this is Ponyville!” Twilight chirped with an enthusiasm I could only describe as irritating. “It’s a great place to get acquainted with Equestria. You’ll find it’s not as strange as you think once you get used to it.”

Used to it? I grunted in response, barely suppressing an eye roll. “Yeah, I doubt that.”

Twilight glanced at me, probably catching the sarcasm in my voice, but she didn’t press the issue. We walked past more of the town’s strange architecture, ponies waving at her as we passed. I noticed a lot of them stealing glances at me—at my metal leg, more specifically. It reminded me of how people back in Amestris would stare when they first saw my automail. Except here, the stares weren’t hostile. They were curious, even a little excited. Weirdos.

“Alright, the first thing I should do is introduce you to some of the locals. Don’t worry—they’re really nice,” Twilight said, her voice still dripping with that annoyingly cheerful tone. “You’ve already met Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, but I want you to meet the rest of my friends.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of this weird situation pressing down on me even more. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

We hadn’t walked far before a bright pink blur zoomed out of nowhere and stopped inches in front of my face. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! I haven’t seen you before, which means you must be new, which means we need to have a ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party!”

I jumped back instinctively, nearly tripping over my hooves. Pinkie Pie, as she called herself, bounced around me like she was made of pure sugar. “What the hell—?”

Before I could finish my sentence, Pinkie was already talking a mile a minute. “Oh! You must be the new pony Twilight was talking about! What’s your name? Where are you from? Do you like cupcakes? What about balloons? Do you like parties? I *love* parties!”

I shot a desperate glance at Twilight, who smiled apologetically. “Pinkie, maybe let him breathe for a second.”

“Oh! Sorry!” Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing and stood still, but her wide grin never faltered.

“I’m Edward,” I muttered, rubbing my temple with my hoof—well, trying to. This new body still wasn’t cooperating with me.

“Edward! That’s a neat name! I’ll have to make a special cake just for you!” Pinkie said, clapping her hooves together. “A special cake for the special new pony!”

I blinked, still trying to process how this hyperactive pony was real. “Yeah, no thanks. I’m not really in the mood for... parties.”

Pinkie gasped, her eyes wide with exaggerated shock. “Not in the mood for parties? How can you not be in the mood for parties?!”

“Pinkie...” Twilight started, stepping between us.

“Okay, okay! I’ll save the party for later!” Pinkie finally backed off, but I didn’t miss the gleam in her eye. I had a feeling she wasn’t going to take no for an answer when it came to throwing some ridiculous celebration.

“Right,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Who else do I have to meet?”

Twilight seemed relieved that the encounter with Pinkie had passed without me snapping. “Come on, Rarity’s boutique is just around the corner. I think you’ll like her.”

I wasn’t sure I’d “like” anyone here, but at this point, I was just going along with it. Maybe I’d find something useful while meeting these ponies—anything that could help me figure out how to get back to Amestris.

As we continued, I took in more of Ponyville’s strange charm. The town was peaceful, and there was something unsettling about how... normal it all felt, despite how bizarre everything looked to me. Twilight kept talking, explaining bits and pieces about her friends and the town. I half-listened, my mind wandering back to what had brought me here.

Twilight's Pov:

We continued walking, the atmosphere a little less tense than before, but I could feel Edward’s eyes darting around like he was expecting something to go wrong at any moment. He was still on edge.

“So,” I began, hoping to lighten the mood, “who’s next? I know meeting everypony is probably overwhelming, but I think you’ll like Applejack. She’s not as... high-energy as Pinkie or Rarity. More down-to-earth.”

Edward let out a low grunt. “As long as she’s not as crazy as the others, I’ll manage.”

I smiled, glad he was at least willing to give it a try. “Trust me, she’s great. Let’s head over to Sweet Apple Acres.”

As we walked through Ponyville, the scenery began to change. The town’s buildings gave way to open fields and orchards. Rows upon rows of apple trees stretched out in every direction, and I could already smell the fresh, sweet scent of apples in the air.

Sweet Apple Acres was just ahead, and I spotted Applejack working in the field, bucking trees and gathering apples into baskets. She noticed us coming and waved, trotting over with a wide, friendly smile.

“Well, howdy, Twilight!” Applejack greeted me before turning to Edward. “And you must be the new fella in town. Heard about ya from Rainbow Dash.”

Edward gave a curt nod, clearly still on guard, but Applejack didn’t seem to notice. She looked him up and down, her gaze lingering on his metal leg for a moment before she smiled.

“Gotta say, partner, I ain’t ever seen a pony like you before. But I reckon you’re tough, with a leg like that.”

Edward blinked, caught off guard by her straightforward compliment. “I guess you could say that,” he mumbled, seeming unsure of how to respond.

Applejack chuckled. “Don’t be shy, sugarcube. We’re all friendly folk here. Any friend of Twilight’s is a friend of mine.”

I could see Edward relaxing just a little more, though he was still stiff. Applejack’s warm, no-nonsense attitude seemed to put him at ease, at least compared to Pinkie and Rarity. He even seemed a little curious as he glanced at the apple trees.

“So, you run this whole place?” Edward asked, gesturing toward the vast orchards.

“Sure do! Sweet Apple Acres has been in my family for generations. We grow the best apples in Equestria,” Applejack said proudly. “You like apples?”

Edward shrugged. “I guess.”

“Well, why don’t you try one of ours? I bet you’ll be a fan,” Applejack said, tossing him an apple from her basket.

Edward caught it with his hoof, staring at it for a moment before taking a cautious bite. I watched as his eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised by how good it was.

“Not bad,” he admitted, and I couldn’t help but smile.

Applejack grinned. “Knew you’d like it!”

Edward Pov:

As we left Sweet Apple Acres, I felt a heaviness settling in my limbs. It wasn’t the kind of tired you get from a long day of work or an exhausting fight—it was something else. My body was still all wrong, and even though I was getting better at walking on these stupid hooves, everything still felt... off.

I tried to shake the exhaustion creeping in, but it clung to me. My eyes drifted over the peaceful landscape as we made our way back toward Ponyville. Twilight was walking ahead, humming something under her breath, probably thinking everything had gone great today. I had to admit, Applejack wasn’t bad. Still, that didn’t change the fact that I was stuck here, far away from Amestris, and there was no telling how or when I’d get back.

The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the fields. The temperature dropped slightly, and with it, I felt my eyes starting to droop. I shook my head, trying to keep myself awake.

“Stay awake,” I muttered to myself, hoping Twilight didn’t notice. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I couldn’t handle something as simple as a walk back to town.

I focused on the dirt road in front of me, willing my legs to keep moving. But each step felt heavier than the last. My eyelids flickered, and I felt myself sway slightly.

“Edward? You okay?” Twilight’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I glanced up to see her looking over her shoulder at me.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I grumbled. “Just... tired.”

She frowned, slowing down to walk beside me. “It’s been a long day. You don’t have to push yourself, you know.”

“I’m not pushing myself,” I said stubbornly, even though I was clearly doing exactly that.

But the truth was, my legs were starting to feel like lead, and the exhaustion was getting harder to fight. I clenched my jaw, refusing to admit that I might not make it all the way back on my own. I was Edward Elric, damn it. I didn’t need help.

Except, apparently, my body had other plans. My hooves stumbled a bit, and I nearly tripped over nothing. Twilight’s concerned gaze lingered on me, and I could practically feel her thinking.

“Edward, I think you need a break,” she said gently.

I shot her a glare, but it was half-hearted. “I can walk.”

Twilight stopped, her horn glowing softly as she turned to face me. “Look, I know you’re tough, but it’s okay to ask for help sometimes. You’re still adjusting, and you’ve had a long day. Let me carry you the rest of the way.”

My pride flared up, ready to snap back at her, but before I could say anything, my body betrayed me. I swayed again, and this time my legs buckled slightly beneath me. I cursed under my breath, hating how weak I felt in this moment.

Twilight didn’t wait for me to argue. She lowered herself down in front of me, motioning for me to climb onto her back. “Come on, it’s not a big deal.”

I hesitated, staring at her with narrowed eyes. “I don’t need to be carried,” I muttered.

“I know,” she said with a small smile. “But I’m offering because you’re my friend, and friends help each other.”

Her words caught me off guard. Friend? I barely knew her, but somehow, she’d decided we were friends. I wanted to argue, to push her away like I always did when people got too close. But my body was already screaming at me to stop being stubborn.

With a frustrated sigh, I gave in. “Fine.”

I climbed onto Twilight’s back, careful not to put too much weight on her, but she seemed to handle it with ease. Her wings stretched out, and before I could question what she was doing, she took off into the air.

The sudden rush of wind surprised me, and I instinctively held on tighter. Twilight’s wings beat rhythmically, carrying us above Ponyville as the town began to shrink beneath us. Flying wasn’t something I had experienced often back in Amestris, but it was... strangely calming.

The exhaustion that had been gnawing at me before was starting to pull me under now, and the steady motion of Twilight’s flight didn’t help. The soft sounds of her wings cutting through the air, combined with the dimming light of the sunset, made it impossible to keep my eyes open any longer.

I fought it. I wasn’t some kid who needed to be carried home and tucked into bed. But no matter how much I tried to keep myself awake, the warmth of Twilight’s back and the soft breeze made me feel... safe.

“Edward?” Twilight’s voice drifted back to me, but it sounded far away now.

“Mhm?” I mumbled, barely keeping my head up.

“You don’t have to stay awake. Just rest. I’ll make sure you get home.”

Her words melted into the background as sleep finally won. My grip on her loosened, and my head rested against her soft mane as my eyelids fell shut. The last thing I remembered was the gentle rhythm of her wings, carrying me through the sky, and the strange comfort of knowing—for once—I wasn’t alone.

Chapter 3: Sibling Rivalry

Edward Pov:

I’d already spent more time than I wanted in this bizarre world, and as if things couldn’t get weirder, now I had to deal with a talking dragon.

“So, uh, you’re Twilight’s new... friend?” Spike asked, eyeing me from across the library. He stood with his arms crossed, tail flicking with obvious suspicion.

I grunted, narrowing my eyes at him. “I’m nobody’s ‘friend.’ I’m just stuck here until I figure out how to get home.”

Spike raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by my attitude. “Yeah, well, Twilight seems pretty determined to help you out. You could at least try to be a little more... grateful?”

Grateful? He didn’t know me well enough to say something like that. I clenched my jaw, refusing to rise to the bait. I wasn’t about to get into a fight with some tiny dragon, no matter how annoying he was. “I didn’t ask for help.”

“Yeah, well, you sure need it,” Spike shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I glared at him, feeling my temper flare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Spike shrugged, smirking. “Just saying. You seem like you’re always mad about something. Maybe you should relax a little. Twilight says that friendship can help with that.”

“Friendship,” I muttered under my breath, already regretting not snapping at him sooner. “I don’t need friendship to get back to Amestris.”

Spike didn’t seem fazed by my response. He leaned against the library table, casually tossing an apple between his claws. “Whatever. But Twilight’s taken you in, and that means I have to put up with you, so I guess we’re stuck with each other.”

I crossed my forelegs, trying to calm the frustration bubbling inside me. I didn’t need this kid lecturing me about friendship or how to deal with my situation. But it was clear he wasn’t going to back down, and honestly, a part of me respected his attitude. Still, I wasn’t about to let him think he could boss me around.

“Well, as long as you stay out of my way, I won’t have any reason to deal with you,” I shot back.

“Oh, you’ll have to deal with me,” Spike said with a grin. “I’m Twilight’s number one assistant. She depends on me for pretty much everything.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? ‘Cause it doesn’t look like you do much around here except take naps.”

Spike’s smirk faded, and I could see the annoyance flash in his eyes. “You think I’m lazy? You don’t know anything about me!”

“I know enough,” I replied, my voice low and challenging.

The tension between us was rising fast, and I could tell Spike was itching to prove himself. His tail flicked sharply, and his little claws tightened around the apple he was holding. I was half-expecting him to toss it at me.

“You know what?” Spike said, stepping forward. “Let’s settle this. You think I’m lazy? How about we see who can keep up with Twilight’s work better today?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the challenge. “What?”

Spike pointed a claw at me. “We’ll see who can help Twilight the most today. If you think I’m just a lazy dragon, you’ll see I pull my weight around here. And when I win, you have to admit I’m the better assistant.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “That’s ridiculous. What’s in it for me?”

“If you win,” Spike added, smirking again, “I’ll stay out of your way for the rest of the week.”

The idea of Spike leaving me alone for a few days was tempting, but the thought of him beating me at anything? No chance.

“Fine,” I said, stepping forward, meeting his gaze with a determined glare. “You’re on.”

Spike Pov:

I wasn’t about to let some newcomer, especially one as moody as Edward, waltz in and act like he could do my job better than me. Twilight depended on me for practically everything! Just because this guy had a metal leg and a scowl didn’t mean he could outdo the number one assistant.

As soon as Twilight set the books down, I jumped into action, grabbing the nearest pile. "I'll get these sorted faster than you can blink!" I said confidently, flashing Twilight a grin.

Edward was already hovering near the table, his eyes focused on the books like they were some kind of alchemy puzzle he had to solve. He didn’t say anything, just picked up a stack with his hooves and started flipping through the pages, barely glancing at me.

I scowled. "You think you're gonna beat me? I've been organizing Twilight’s library since I was knee-high to a grasshopper!"

Edward grunted, not even looking at me. "I’m just here to get the job done. If you want to make it a competition, that's your problem."

His nonchalant attitude made my claws curl into fists. How could he be so... so casual about everything? Like he was too good to care? No way was I going to let him act like he was better than me.

"Okay, tough guy," I muttered under my breath, picking up the pace. I began sorting the books by subject, author, and edition, just like Twilight had taught me. Fiction over here, reference books there, and the special magical texts in the back. I'd done this a hundred times, and I wasn’t about to let some newbie outshine me.

Twilight glanced over from her desk where she was working on her own project. "You two seem really focused today! I appreciate the extra help, but remember, it's not a race."

"Totally not racing," I said quickly, though my eyes were fixed on Edward, daring him to speed up.

"Just organizing," Edward mumbled, but his movements were fast and precise, flipping through the books like he was born to do it. His hooves worked at an unnatural speed, and I could feel my frustration growing. How was he so fast?

I picked up another stack, ignoring the tiny bead of sweat forming on my forehead. "So, where are you from again?" I asked, trying to sound casual but really just trying to distract him. Maybe if I got him talking, he’d slow down.

"Amestris," Edward replied, his eyes still glued to the book in front of him. "Far from here."

"Never heard of it," I said, flipping a book upside down in my rush. I quickly corrected it before Twilight could notice. "Sounds like a... weird place."

"You’d think this place is weird compared to Amestris," Edward shot back, and I could hear the slight edge in his voice. "At least we don’t have talking ponies and dragons."

I nearly dropped the book in my claws. "Excuse me? Did you just say ‘weird’ like it’s a bad thing?" I pointed a claw at him, but he didn’t even flinch.

"Yeah. Talking horses and dragons are pretty out there, don’t you think?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but Twilight cut in, clearly trying to keep things from escalating. "Edward, Spike’s been a great help to me for years. And Spike, Edward is... adjusting. Let’s all just focus on the work, okay?"

Edward didn’t respond, but I saw his jaw tighten a little. For a moment, I almost felt bad. Almost.

But then I remembered that he still thought he could outdo me in my own library.

I gritted my teeth and grabbed another stack of books. "Let’s just see who’s better at this then, huh?" I muttered, my eyes narrowing at Edward.

He didn’t even acknowledge me. He just kept going, stacking books faster than I thought possible. I was getting frustrated. Really frustrated.

I decided to pull out the big guns.

"Hey, Twilight," I called, trying to keep my voice as casual as possible. "Do you need anything else? Like... I dunno, maybe some tea? Or snacks? I can whip something up in the kitchen if you want!"

Twilight looked up, blinking. "Oh! That would actually be great, Spike. I could use a break."

I smirked, shooting Edward a glance. "Guess that’s something you can’t do, huh? Cook."

Edward stopped for a second, his brow furrowing. "Cooking’s not exactly something I care about."

I grinned wider. "Yeah, I figured."

But before I could enjoy my little victory, Edward muttered under his breath, "But I can try if you really want to make this about more than just books."

Wait—what?

I stared at him, my jaw hanging open slightly. This guy couldn’t be serious. "You think you can cook too?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Is there a reason I couldn’t?"

I could feel the heat rising in my face. Was he really trying to challenge me at everything? "You’re on! Kitchen showdown, let’s go!" I yelled, already storming off toward the kitchen.

I heard Twilight sigh in the background, but at this point, it was too late to stop me. I wasn’t going to let Edward show me up again.

In the kitchen, I grabbed all the ingredients I could find. I was going to make Twilight’s favorite gemstone cupcakes. It was something I’d perfected over the years, and there was no way Edward could match my skills.

He walked in after me, looking as calm as ever. "Alright, what’s the plan?"

I threw him a glance. "Simple. We both make something for Twilight, and she judges who’s better."

Edward shrugged. "Fine by me."

As we got to work, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. His hooves seemed to move just as fast in the kitchen as they had with the books. It was almost unnatural. I mean, how does a pony with hooves even know what they’re doing in a kitchen?

"How are you doing that so fast?" I asked, genuinely confused now.

Edward didn’t look up. "Years of practice. I’ve had to make do with what I had in Amestris. Cooking’s just another skill you pick up when you travel."

I grumbled, focusing back on my cupcakes. "Yeah, well, I’ve been doing this since I was hatched. You’re not going to beat me this time."

He just smiled slightly, and I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had underestimated him. But I wasn’t going to give up that easily.

I was confident—no, I was sure—that I had this in the bag. Gemstone cupcakes were my specialty. I’d been making them for Twilight for years, and she loved them. No way Edward was going to beat me at this.

But as we got deeper into the competition, I started noticing something that made my blood boil.

Edward wasn’t even trying.

He moved calmly around the kitchen, his hooves effortlessly grabbing ingredients, measuring them, and mixing things with a precision that shouldn’t be possible for someone with hooves. Every time I glanced over at him, it was like he was one step ahead of me—his batter was perfectly smooth, his utensils cleaned as he went, and his station spotless. Meanwhile, my claws were covered in flour, batter was splattering everywhere, and I was getting frustrated with every passing second.

“How the heck are you doing that?” I muttered, whisking furiously at my batter, which still had lumps in it. I was sweating, and my arms were getting sore.

Edward glanced over, barely breaking a sweat. “Doing what?”

“That!” I snapped, pointing to his pristine setup. “You’re making it look like you’ve been doing this your whole life!”

He shrugged, his expression annoyingly casual. “I’ve cooked plenty before. When you’re on the road as much as I’ve been, you learn how to make do with what you have.”

I gritted my teeth, trying to focus on the task at hand. “Well, don’t get too comfortable. Twilight loves my cupcakes.”

“Good for you,” Edward said with a slight smirk, pouring his batter into the cupcake molds with perfect precision.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re not even trying, are you?”

He didn’t answer right away, just calmly placed his tray into the oven. “I told you, Spike. I’m not here to compete with you. I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

His casual attitude made my claws curl into fists. How could he be so relaxed about this? And why was it working? I glanced over at his tray and realized that his cupcakes were already rising perfectly in the oven, while mine... well, mine were still a lumpy mess.

"How are you beating me?" I muttered under my breath, my frustration boiling over.

Edward wiped down the counter with a clean towel and gave me a sidelong glance. "I’m not trying to beat you. You’re the one turning this into a competition."

His calmness only made me angrier. "Yeah, well, you’re not going to win!" I snapped, shoving my tray into the oven with more force than necessary. I slammed the door shut and crossed my arms, glaring at the ticking timer.

Edward leaned against the counter, his expression still neutral. "You might want to turn the temperature down a bit."

I blinked, my anger flaring. "What?"

He gestured to the oven. "Your temperature’s too high. Your cupcakes are going to burn if you leave it like that."

My eyes darted to the dial on the oven, and I realized he was right. I’d set it way too high in my rush to prove myself. Growling in frustration, I quickly adjusted the temperature, but the damage was already done. Smoke started curling out from the edges of the oven.

"No, no, no!" I panicked, yanking the oven door open, only to be met with a thick cloud of smoke. My cupcakes were completely blackened on top, and the smell of burnt batter filled the kitchen. I groaned, feeling my face heat up in embarrassment.

Twilight poked her head in from the library, her nose wrinkling. "Everything okay in there?"

"Yeah, it’s fine," I muttered, trying to wave the smoke away. Edward, of course, didn’t have a single problem. His cupcakes were cooling on the counter, perfectly golden and fluffy. I wanted to scream.

Twilight walked in, eyeing the situation with a curious smile. "Wow, those smell great, Edward! What did you make?"

"Just a simple recipe," Edward replied casually, his eyes barely glancing in my direction.

Twilight looked at my tray, which was still smoking. "Uh, Spike? Are you okay?"

I clenched my fists, feeling my temper flare again. "I’m fine," I grumbled, turning my back on my ruined cupcakes.

Twilight examined Edward’s batch, her eyes lighting up as she took a bite. "These are amazing!" she exclaimed. "How did you do this so well on your first try?"

Edward just shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal. "Like I said, cooking’s just something you pick up when you have to."

I slumped against the counter, defeated. Edward had won without even trying. He wasn’t sweating, he wasn’t rushing, and he hadn’t burned a single thing. Meanwhile, my cupcakes were a disaster, and I’d been trying my hardest.

Twilight took another bite, smiling at me apologetically. "Spike, it’s okay. It’s not about who’s better. I appreciate both of you for helping."

But her words didn’t make me feel better. Edward had completely shown me up, and he hadn’t even cared about the competition. I’d been so focused on beating him that I’d forgotten how to do my job right.

Edward walked past me, giving me a brief glance. "I wasn’t trying to beat you, Spike," he said quietly. "But maybe next time, focus more on what you’re doing instead of trying to compete."

I glared at him as he left the kitchen, my frustration still boiling over. But deep down, I knew he was right. I’d been too wrapped up in proving myself to realize that Edward wasn’t even interested in beating me. He was just doing what needed to be done.

And I hated that.

Edward Pov:

Twilight had been trying to help me adjust to this new body ever since I got here, using her magic to make things easier. Normally, I’d tell her to back off—I could handle things on my own—but this place was different. Hooves weren’t exactly my strong point, and magic? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t something I could transmute my way around.

So, when she offered to use a simple levitation spell to help me practice controlling objects, I figured it was worth a shot. Maybe it’d help me figure out how this world’s weird power worked and give me a better chance of getting back to Amestris.

“Okay, Edward, just focus on the apple,” Twilight said, her voice patient as ever. The apple in front of me floated in a soft purple aura. “I’ll hold it in place while you try to pick it up with your hoof.”

I narrowed my eyes at the apple, trying to ignore the fact that I was a grown man (pony?) being taught how to pick up fruit like a kid. I reached out with my hoof, steadying myself as I concentrated on getting the stupid limb to work the way I wanted.

It was slow, but I was getting the hang of it. The apple wobbled in Twilight’s magic, and I could feel a tiny bit of satisfaction at making some progress.

That’s when Spike decided to butt in. Again.

“Hey, Twilight, why don’t you let me help Edward?” Spike said from behind me, his voice way too casual for my liking.

I tensed up, already sensing that this wasn’t going to end well. “I’ve got it,” I said through gritted teeth.

But Spike didn’t seem to care. “Nah, it’s fine. I’ve helped Twilight with stuff like this a million times. Let me show you how it’s done.”

Before I could tell him to back off, Spike hopped onto the table and grabbed the apple from Twilight’s magical grip. “See? Easy as pie!”

“Spike!” Twilight protested, her magic flickering out as Spike waved the apple in front of me, smirking.

“I don’t need your help,” I snapped, trying to grab the apple out of his claws.

Spike jumped back, holding the apple just out of reach. “What’s the matter, tough guy? Too slow?”

“Spike, stop!” Twilight’s voice was sharper now, but Spike wasn’t listening. He was too busy trying to show off, waving the apple around like it was some kind of toy.

My patience snapped. I lunged forward, reaching for the apple again, but Spike pulled back too quickly, and I stumbled. My hoof hit the edge of the table, and before I knew it, I was falling.

I hit the ground hard, my metal leg slamming against the wooden floor with a loud clang. Pain shot through my side as I tried to get up, but the awkward position of my body made it impossible to move easily. I winced, gritting my teeth against the sharp ache in my leg.

“Edward!” Twilight rushed over, her magic flaring as she tried to help me up. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t answer right away, mostly because I was too busy trying to breathe through the pain. My automail wasn’t broken, but damn if it didn’t hurt like hell.

I could hear Spike scrambling to explain himself behind me. “I was just trying to help! It’s not my fault he can’t—”

“Spike!” Twilight snapped, her voice louder than I’d ever heard it.

I looked up, wincing as I saw her standing between me and Spike. Her horn glowed with a fiery intensity, and her normally calm expression was twisted with anger. But it wasn’t just her voice that had changed. Her entire appearance seemed to shift—her eyes blazing with fury, her mane beginning to spark and glow like actual fire. Her coat had turned a pale, almost white shade, and I could feel the heat radiating off her as she glared at Spike.

“You could have really hurt him!” Twilight shouted, her voice shaking with barely controlled anger.

Spike looked up at her, wide-eyed but still defiant. “I didn’t mean to! I was just trying to—”

“That’s not an excuse!” Twilight cut him off, her mane now fully ablaze. “You weren’t listening! You were trying to show off, and now Edward’s hurt because of it!”

“I said I didn’t mean to!” Spike protested, his voice shaking but still holding a stubborn edge. “It’s not like I did it on purpose!”

Twilight’s eyes narrowed, her magical aura growing even stronger as flames licked at her mane. “That doesn’t matter, Spike! You should have known better!”

As I lay there, watching this unfold, something strange happened. For a moment, it wasn’t Twilight standing there, scolding Spike. It wasn’t the fiery-maned alicorn princess losing her temper. No—it was... her. My mother.

I blinked, my vision swimming as the image of Twilight’s fiery form overlapped with the memory of my mom, standing tall and scolding me and Alphonse when we were kids. Her voice, though stern, was always filled with concern, and the fire in her eyes when we’d done something wrong was always born out of love.

That same fire was in Twilight’s eyes now.

The room seemed to fade around me, and for just a moment, I could almost hear my mother’s voice again, reminding me to be careful, to look after myself, to look after Al.

The pain in my leg dulled as I watched Twilight, and suddenly, the anger and frustration I’d been feeling toward this whole world seemed... less important.

Twilight wasn’t angry for the sake of it. She was angry because she cared. She cared enough to stand up for me, to scold Spike for being reckless, just like my mom used to.

“I’m sorry!” Spike’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I blinked, the image of my mother fading as Twilight’s fiery form began to cool. Her mane slowly returned to normal, the glow of her magic dimming.

Twilight’s expression softened, and she took a deep breath, her coat returning to its usual purple hue. “Spike, I know you didn’t mean to, but you need to start listening. This isn’t a game.”

Spike looked down, his claws fidgeting. “I’m... I’m sorry.”

Twilight sighed, her anger fading completely. “Apologize to Edward, too.”

Spike turned toward me, his eyes still wide with guilt. “I’m sorry, Edward. I didn’t mean to mess things up.”

I nodded, still trying to process everything that had just happened. “Yeah... it’s fine,” I muttered, my mind still racing.

Twilight helped me to my hooves, her expression filled with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need to sit down?”

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice a little sharper than I intended. “Just... need a minute.”

As I limped over to the nearest chair, my thoughts were still stuck on that moment. That moment where I saw my mother in Twilight. I hadn’t thought about her in so long, and now... now I couldn’t get her out of my head.

Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.

As I sat there, trying to gather myself, I could feel something inside me starting to crack. The pain in my leg was still there, sharper now, and when I tried to move it again, the metallic sound of something grinding inside my automail made me wince. It was broken. Of course, it was broken. Because why wouldn’t it be? Everything was going wrong.

“Edward, are you okay?” Twilight’s voice was gentle, but I couldn’t meet her eyes. Not right now. I didn’t want to look at her. I didn’t want to see the concern on her face, or the guilt on Spike’s. I didn’t want to feel anything.

But I couldn’t stop it. My chest tightened, and my breath caught in my throat. Something was wrong. Something was really wrong.

I felt the burn of tears threatening to spill over. No. Not here. Not now. Not in front of them. I wasn’t going to cry. I wasn’t a kid. I wasn’t some helpless little pony. I was Edward Elric—the Fullmetal Alchemist.

But... I wasn’t, was I?

I was stuck in this small, weak body. I couldn’t even use my automail properly, and now it was broken. I couldn’t transmute, I couldn’t fix anything. I couldn’t even go back home. I was trapped here, in a place that didn’t make sense, in a body that felt wrong, and now, I couldn’t even keep my emotions in check.

I clenched my teeth, trying to fight it, trying to hold it in, but it was no use. The tears were already spilling over, blurring my vision as a sob escaped my throat.

“I... I can’t—” I choked on the words, my voice cracking in a way that made me feel even smaller, even more helpless.

Twilight was at my side in an instant. “Edward—”

“I’m not... I’m not okay!” I yelled, my voice breaking. My chest heaved as the sobs started coming harder, uncontrollable. The world around me blurred, and I could barely see through the tears streaming down my face. “I... I can’t do this. I can’t be stuck like this!”

Before I knew what was happening, I felt Twilight’s hooves gently wrap around me, pulling me close. She didn’t say anything at first. She just held me, cradling me in her forelegs like a child. Like I was nothing more than a helpless little filly.

“I... I’m supposed to be stronger than this!” I cried, my voice muffled as I buried my face into Twilight’s chest. “I can’t... I can’t even control this stupid body. I can’t fix anything! I can’t... I can’t even go home!”

Twilight’s hoof gently stroked my mane, rocking me back and forth. “It’s okay, Edward. It’s going to be okay.”

But it wasn’t okay. Nothing about this was okay. My automail was broken. I was stuck in this ridiculous body. And worst of all, I couldn’t stop the flood of emotions that were tearing through me, overwhelming me.

“I just want to go home...” I whispered, my voice barely audible through the sobs. “I just want to see my mom...”

The moment the words left my mouth, I froze. My chest tightened even more, and the pain that followed was like a knife. I hadn’t said those words in years. I hadn’t even let myself think them. But now, here I was, crying like a little kid, in the arms of someone who was barely more than a stranger, and all I could think about was how much I wanted my mom.

Twilight didn’t say anything. She just kept holding me, rocking me gently like a mother would. Her warmth surrounded me, and for just a second, I let myself forget. I let myself be small.

“It’s okay,” Twilight whispered softly, her voice soothing. “You’re not alone, Edward. We’re here for you.”

I wanted to believe her. I wanted to believe that somehow, things would be okay. But all I could think about was how broken I felt. How broken everything felt.

I shifted slightly in her arms, the sharp pain in my leg pulling me back to reality. “My automail... it’s... it’s broken.”

Twilight looked down at my leg, her expression softening even more. “We’ll fix it,” she said gently. “I promise. We’ll get it fixed, okay?”

I nodded weakly, my face still buried in her chest. I didn’t have the energy to argue. I didn’t have the strength to fight anymore. For now, I just wanted to stop feeling so lost.

Spike stood a few feet away, his face pale and his eyes wide with guilt. “I’m... I’m sorry, Edward,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to... I didn’t want to hurt you.”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. My throat felt raw, and my head was pounding. But when Twilight’s voice cut through the silence again, it wasn’t soft anymore.

“Spike, this isn’t just about what you meant,” she said, her voice firm, but not angry. “You need to understand that when you don’t listen, people get hurt. You can’t just mess around like this.”

Spike’s eyes filled with tears, but he nodded, sniffling. “I’m sorry.”

Twilight sighed softly, stroking my mane again. “I know you are, Spike. But you need to do better. Edward needs our help, and that means we all need to be more careful.”

As I lay there, cradled in Twilight’s arms, her words washed over me, and something in my chest loosened. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. Enough to remind me that, for now, I wasn’t alone.

I wasn’t in Amestris. I wasn’t with Al. But here, with Twilight and Spike... maybe I wasn’t completely lost.

Maybe, just for a little while, it was okay to let someone else carry the weight.

Chapter 4: Grampony Spoils

Twilight's Pov:

I didn’t think I’d ever get used to this.

Carrying Edward on my back had become a familiar routine over the past day, ever since his automail had broken. His leg was damaged pretty badly, and without the proper tools to fix it, I couldn’t let him walk around without support. So, until we could get the repairs done, I was more than happy to help him get around. He’d fought me on it at first, as expected, but eventually, he gave in with a resigned sigh.

As we made our way through Ponyville toward the library, Edward remained quiet, his usual stoic self. I could tell he hated this—hated being vulnerable, hated relying on me—but I wasn’t about to leave him struggling. Not after everything he’d gone through yesterday.

“There’s no need to feel embarrassed,” I said gently as I adjusted my wings to keep him balanced on my back. “I’m happy to help.”

Edward didn’t say anything, but I could feel the tension in his body as he tried to shift uncomfortably. It was clear he wasn’t used to being taken care of like this.

“I’ll fix your automail as soon as we can,” I continued, trying to keep the mood light. “In the meantime, you can just relax. I’ve got it covered.”

“Yeah... thanks,” Edward muttered, sounding more defeated than I’d ever heard him.

We reached the library sooner than I expected, and as I pushed open the door with my magic, I was greeted by the familiar scent of books and parchment. It was comforting—something I hoped would help put Edward at ease.

But before I could even get inside fully, I heard a voice I knew all too well.

“Twilight, darling!”

I froze. Oh no.

My mom, Twilight Velvet, trotted up with a bright smile, her eyes lighting up as soon as she saw me—well, as soon as she saw Edward on my back.

“Oh, sweetheart!” she cooed, rushing over. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing him along with you! Here, let me help.”

Before I could say anything, Mom was already by my side, her magic gently lifting Edward off my back and onto a nearby cushion. Edward blinked, clearly startled by the sudden attention, but he didn’t resist.

“Uh... hi?” he muttered, looking at me with wide eyes, as if silently asking for help.

I laughed nervously, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my mother was here. “Mom! What are you doing here so early?”

“Oh, darling, I just had to come see you—and your new friend, of course!” she said with a bright smile. “I heard all about what’s been going on, and I thought Edward could use some company while you take care of things. It’s not every day you meet a special pony like him.”

I glanced at Edward, who was now staring at the floor, his face a mix of confusion and discomfort. I had a feeling he wasn’t used to being doted on like this.

“Mom,” I began, trying to steer the conversation back to something normal. “Edward doesn’t need—”

“Nonsense!” Mom interrupted, waving her hoof dismissively. “He’s been through so much. Poor dear. The least I can do is keep him company while you get his leg fixed.”

I bit my lip, watching as my mom floated a basket of freshly baked treats over to Edward. “Here, darling, try some of my cinnamon rolls. They’ll make you feel right at home.”

Edward blinked, staring at the basket like it was some kind of alien object. “Uh... thanks?”

I could see the look in his eyes, the same look he’d had yesterday—caught off guard, vulnerable, unsure of how to handle the situation. And honestly, I couldn’t blame him. My mom could be a bit overwhelming when she wanted to be.

But before I could step in, she started doing something that made my heart sink into my hooves.

“Oh, and while you’re resting, I can tell you some stories about Twilight when she was your age! Did you know she was quite the adventurous little filly?”

My heart stopped. No. No, no, no.

Edward glanced at me, clearly interested now. “Really?” he asked, a small smirk forming on his lips.

Mom beamed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, absolutely! She was always getting into trouble with her magic. There was one time when she tried to summon a book from the top shelf and ended up knocking the entire bookshelf over on top of herself! Poor thing was stuck under a pile of books for hours.”

I groaned, feeling the heat rise to my face as Edward chuckled under his breath. “Mom, you don’t have to—”

“And then there was the time she accidentally turned our entire kitchen into a giant ball of bubblegum,” Mom continued, completely ignoring me. “We couldn’t get the sticky mess out for weeks!”

Edward’s smirk grew, and I could see the amusement in his eyes. “That sounds about right.”

I buried my face in my hooves, wishing I could disappear. Why, of all days, did my mom have to do this now?

“And you should’ve seen her when she first got her cutie mark,” Mom added with a laugh. “She was so excited that she ran all over the house, knocking over every vase we owned. It was adorable!”

“Mom!” I cried, my face now fully red as I tried to stop her. “That’s enough! Edward doesn’t need to hear all of this!”

Edward, on the other hoof, was enjoying every second of it. “No, no, please, continue,” he said with a grin. “This is great.”

Before Mom could launch into another embarrassing story, the door to the library opened again, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Twilight, are you here?”

I turned around, my eyes widening as Princess Celestia herself stepped into the library. Oh no. Not her, too.

“Princess!” I stammered, rushing over to greet her. “What are you doing here?”

Celestia smiled warmly, her regal presence filling the room. “I heard about your new guest, Twilight, and I wanted to meet him myself. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all,” Mom said cheerfully, trotting over to Celestia. “We were just getting acquainted! I’ve been telling Edward all about Twilight’s adventures as a filly.”

I winced, my face still burning with embarrassment. “Yes... she has.”

Edward was still smirking, clearly loving every second of my discomfort. “It’s been... informative,” he said, glancing at me with a teasing look.

I groaned again, burying my face in my hooves. This couldn’t get any worse.

But it did.

As soon as Celestia saw Edward’s broken automail, she stepped closer, her expression softening. “It looks like your leg has been damaged. I can help with repairs if you’d like.”

Edward blinked, surprised by the offer. “Uh... I think I’ve got it under control.”

“Nonsense!” Mom cut in, stepping up beside Celestia. “Princess Celestia is offering her help, Edward! You should take it.”

Celestia nodded. “I can bring in some of Canterlot’s finest craftsmen to assist you. We can have your automail fixed in no time.”

I watched as Edward’s face went from confused to overwhelmed. “I... really don’t need all this.”

But neither Mom nor Celestia seemed to hear him. They were both too busy discussing how to best help Edward, practically hovering over him with their offers of assistance.

I stood there in stunned silence, watching as my mother and my mentor both vied for Edward’s attention, each trying to outdo the other in their efforts to take care of him. Edward, meanwhile, looked like he was ready to bolt.

“I... I’m fine,” he muttered, his eye twitching as they continued to fuss over him.

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. Even Edward Elric couldn’t survive the combined forces of my mom and Princess Celestia.
Edward’s smirk grew, and I could see the amusement in his eyes. “That sounds about right.”

I buried my face in my hooves, wishing I could disappear. Why, of all days, did my mom have to do this now?

“Mom!” I cried, my face now fully red as I tried to stop her. “That’s enough! Edward doesn’t need to hear all of this!”

Edward, on the other hoof, was enjoying every second of it. “No, no, please, continue,” he said with a grin. “This is great.”

Before Mom could launch into another embarrassing story, the door to the library opened again, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Twilight, are you here?”

I turned around, my eyes widening as Princess Celestia herself stepped into the library. Oh no. Not her, too.

“Princess!” I stammered, rushing over to greet her. “What are you doing here?”

Celestia smiled warmly, her regal presence filling the room. “I heard about your new guest, Twilight, and I wanted to meet him myself. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all,” Mom said cheerfully, trotting over to Celestia. “We were just getting acquainted! I’ve been telling Edward all about Twilight’s adventures as a filly.”

I winced, my face still burning with embarrassment. “Yes... she has.”

Edward was still smirking, clearly loving every second of my discomfort. “It’s been... informative,” he said, glancing at me with a teasing look.

I groaned again, burying my face in my hooves. This couldn’t get any worse.

But it did.

As soon as Celestia saw Edward’s broken automail, she stepped closer, her expression softening. “It looks like your leg has been damaged. I can help with repairs if you’d like.”

Edward blinked, surprised by the offer. “Uh... I think I’ve got it under control.”

“Nonsense!” Mom cut in, stepping up beside Celestia. “Princess Celestia is offering her help, Edward! You should take it.”

Celestia nodded. “I can bring in some of Canterlot’s finest craftsmen to assist you. We can have your automail fixed in no time.”

I watched as Edward’s face went from confused to overwhelmed. “I... really don’t need all this.”

But neither Mom nor Celestia seemed to hear him. They were both too busy discussing how to best help Edward, practically hovering over him with their offers of assistance.

“I... I’m fine,” he muttered, his eye twitching as they continued to fuss over him.

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh. Even Edward Elric couldn’t survive the combined forces of my mom and Princess Celestia.

Edward’s Pov:

I was still trying to figure out how I’d gotten caught between the two most powerful ponies I’d ever met. One minute I was quietly working on fixing my automail, and the next thing I knew, Twilight’s mom and Princess Celestia were hovering over me, offering advice, food, and practically smothering me with attention.

The worst part was that I couldn’t even walk away—not with my automail leg broken. So, I was stuck, surrounded by two “Gramponies” trying to outdo each other in helping me.

And it wasn’t like Twilight could save me this time—she was too busy hiding in the corner, face bright red from embarrassment as her mom continued to tell stories about her fillyhood. I shot her a glance, hoping she’d step in and do something, but she just winced and mouthed “sorry.”

Great. So, I was on my own.

“I think Edward would really benefit from meeting my sister, Luna,” Celestia said suddenly, her voice calm but purposeful. “She has a special way of understanding those who are going through difficult transitions.”

Twilight Velvet blinked, clearly caught off guard by Celestia’s suggestion. “Oh! Well, I suppose Princess Luna could be helpful, but—”

Celestia’s eyes twinkled, and she gave a soft smile. “Luna’s dream-walking abilities might offer Edward a kind of comfort that not even we can provide. She can reach across worlds, you know.”

Twilight Velvet’s ears perked up, and I could see the subtle shift in her expression. This was no longer just a visit—it was now a contest. “Oh, of course, Princess Celestia. But don’t you think Edward would benefit more from a pony who’s been through similar emotional struggles? Somepony who understands the importance of family?”

The air grew thick with tension as Celestia and Twilight Velvet both turned their attention to me, each one trying to subtly outdo the other. I groaned internally. How did I end up in the middle of this?

Before either of them could make things worse, Twilight Sparkle, finally snapping out of her embarrassment, rushed forward. “Well! This has been... lovely,” she said quickly, grabbing me with her magic and gently placing me back on her back. “But we should really get going. Edward needs some rest, and we’ve got a lot to do today!”

I wasn’t going to argue with that. As soon as Twilight lifted me onto her back, I slumped in relief. Anything to get out of there.

“Thank you for everything, Princess Celestia, Mom,” Twilight said hastily as she made her way toward the door, moving faster than I’d ever seen her. “We’ll definitely visit Luna soon!”

“Oh, I’m sure Luna would love to meet him!” Celestia called after us, her voice light but with that unmistakable competitive edge.

“Yes, and make sure Edward gets plenty of rest,” Twilight Velvet added, her voice just as competitive. “You know how fragile ponies can be after such a stressful time!”

Twilight practically bolted out of the library, and I let out a small sigh of relief once we were back on the street.

“Finally,” I muttered, my head resting against her mane. “I thought I was going to suffocate in there.”

Twilight laughed nervously, her pace slowing a bit now that we were out of earshot. “Yeah, sorry about that. I don’t know what’s gotten into them today.”

As we walked through Ponyville, I started to relax. The sun was shining, and the air was cool—at least things were calmer out here.

But, of course, things didn’t stay calm for long.

“Oh, look!” A voice from nearby suddenly caught my attention, and I glanced over to see a random pony standing at a market stall, waving at us with a big grin on her face. “It’s so nice to see Princess Twilight and her little one out for a walk!”

I blinked, my brain stalling for a second. “Wait... what?”

Twilight froze, her eyes widening as she turned toward the pony. “Oh, no, no, no, he’s not my—”

But the pony kept going, completely oblivious to Twilight’s protest. “It’s so cute! You’re such a good mom, Princess Twilight!”

Twilight’s face turned red again, but this time, she didn’t try to argue. Instead, she just gave an awkward laugh and waved back, her mind clearly racing. “Haha... yeah, thanks!”

I groaned, burying my face in her mane. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Once we were far enough away, Twilight let out a deep breath, shaking her head. “I swear, some ponies will believe anything.”

“Why didn’t you correct her?” I muttered, still trying to wrap my head around what had just happened.

Twilight was quiet for a moment, her eyes narrowing in thought. “Actually... it’s not the worst idea.”

I blinked. “What?”

She kept walking, her voice thoughtful. “Think about it. If ponies thought you were under my care as, well... my ‘child,’ you’d be treated with respect, maybe even given special treatment if we ever had to travel for one of my missions. I’m a princess, after all.”

I stared at her, my mind spinning. “You’re seriously thinking about this?”

Twilight shrugged, looking at me over her shoulder. “It could make things easier for you while you’re stuck here. Being treated like royalty has its perks, you know.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but then closed it again. She had a point. If pretending I was some kind of royal kid meant I didn’t have to deal with any more awkward situations—or at least fewer of them—then maybe it wasn’t the worst idea.

“I’ll think about it,” I muttered.

Twilight smiled, her pace picking up again. “Good. And who knows? Maybe Princess Luna will have some advice when we meet her.”

We reached Canterlot that evening. Twilight had arranged for us to meet Princess Luna at her castle, and as much as I hated being dragged into yet another royal event, I was curious about Luna. From what Celestia had said, she had the ability to travel across worlds in her dreams. That... caught my attention.

When we finally entered the dark, majestic throne room, the towering figure of Princess Luna awaited us. Her starry mane billowed behind her like a curtain of the night sky, and her deep blue eyes held a calm, knowing look.

“Princess Twilight,” Luna said warmly, her voice echoing through the room. “And you must be Edward Elric.”

I nodded stiffly, unsure of how to approach this. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Luna stepped down from her throne, her gaze never leaving mine. “It is a great honor to meet you, Edward. I have... seen you before, in your world.”

I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up. “What?”

Luna smiled gently, her eyes softening. “My dream-walking abilities allow me to visit many places—many worlds. Amestris is one of them. I have visited it several times before, though I doubt you were aware of my presence.”

My heart skipped a beat. She knew about Amestris? She’d... visited it?

“What do you know about my world?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Luna’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. “I know of the pain and suffering that has plagued your land. I have seen the wars, the destruction, and the great toll it has taken on you and your people.”

I clenched my jaw, memories flashing through my mind. Amestris was no stranger to suffering.

Luna stepped closer, her voice softening. “I also know that you carry a great burden, Edward. One that weighs heavily on your heart.”

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the emotions rising in my chest. “And?”

Luna’s eyes seemed to pierce right through me, as if she could see everything I was hiding. “I want you to know that you are not alone. Not here, and not in your world. You have allies, Edward. Even in the darkest of times, there are those who will stand by your side.”

I didn’t know what to say. Part of me wanted to argue, to tell her she didn’t understand. But another part of me—the part that had been so broken just yesterday—wanted to believe her.

“I... thanks,” I muttered, unsure of what else to say.

Luna nodded, her expression gentle. “You are welcome.”

As the conversation shifted to other topics, I found myself glancing at Luna, wondering just how much she knew. If she’d visited Amestris, if she really understood what I’d been through... maybe there was more to her than I’d thought.

Maybe, just maybe, this world wasn’t as far from home as I’d feared.

Luna’s words lingered in my mind long after she spoke them. Her calm, soothing presence did nothing to quiet the storm of questions swirling inside me. How much did she know? How had she seen my world? What else was she not telling me?

I shifted uneasily, trying to make sense of it all. “What do you mean you’ve seen Amestris? You’ve been there?”

Luna nodded, her expression somber. “Yes. Through dreams, I am able to travel between worlds, and Amestris is one I have visited many times.”

That sent a chill down my spine. The idea of someone watching my world, visiting it without me knowing, left me feeling... unsettled. But at the same time, the way she spoke wasn’t threatening. There was no malice in her words—just understanding.

I clenched my jaw, feeling the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “So you know what’s happening there? Right now?”

Luna’s eyes softened, and for the first time, I noticed a hint of sadness in her expression. “Yes, Edward. I know.”

Something in her voice made my chest tighten. There was something more—something she wasn’t saying. “What... what’s going on?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Luna hesitated for a moment, then her horn glowed with a soft, ethereal light. “I can show you, if you wish. But know this—what you see may be painful.”

Painful? My heart pounded in my chest, but I couldn’t stop myself from stepping forward. “Show me.”

With a nod, Luna’s magic enveloped me, and the world around us began to shift. The walls of her castle faded away, replaced by a familiar darkness—a darkness that I hadn’t realized I’d missed until now. The skies of Amestris stretched out before me, and for a moment, I could almost feel the cold wind against my skin.

But this wasn’t the real Amestris. It was something else—something between worlds, a glimpse of what was happening while I was stuck in Equestria.

I saw my body first.

There, in a bed, in a room that looked too sterile, too quiet, was my body—my real body. I was lying there, motionless, pale, and frail. Tubes and wires connected me to machines I recognized from Amestrian hospitals, and everything about the scene made my stomach turn.

I swallowed hard, trying to fight the wave of nausea that hit me. Was this what had happened when I’d been pulled into Equestria? Was I still... still in that world, still alive but...

Just lying there.

“Why... why am I like that?” I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips.

Luna’s voice was soft, almost like a whisper in the back of my mind. “When you were pulled into this world, your physical body remained behind, suspended between life and death.”

I blinked, trying to process what she was saying. Suspended? Life and death? How...?

But before I could ask anything else, the scene in front of me shifted again. A door creaked open, and I saw him.

Alphonse.

He walked in slowly, his head hanging low, and my heart shattered at the sight of him. His face—his real face, not the metal suit of armor I had grown so used to—was streaked with tears, and his eyes were filled with a kind of pain I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Brother...” Al whispered, his voice breaking. “Please... please wake up.”

I froze, my entire body going numb. Al. He was here. He was right there in front of me, and I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak.

I was just... watching.

“Brother,” Al continued, his voice trembling. “I’m sorry. I didn’t... I didn’t mean for this to happen. I thought... I thought we could fix everything. I thought I could help. But I can’t... I can’t do this without you.”

My chest tightened, and the tears that had threatened to spill over earlier began to blur my vision. I tried to reach out—to say something, anything—but nothing happened. My hand passed through the air like I wasn’t even there. I was stuck, just watching my brother suffer.

And then... another voice.

“I’m sorry, Fullmetal.”

I turned sharply, my breath catching in my throat as I saw him. Roy Mustang. He stood at the doorway, his usual stoic expression gone. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

Roy walked forward slowly, his steps hesitant, as if he didn’t know what to say—what to do. He stopped beside Al, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

“I failed you,” Roy said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “I promised I’d watch out for you... that I’d take care of you and Al. But I failed.”

My heart twisted painfully in my chest. I wanted to scream at him—tell him he hadn’t failed, that it wasn’t his fault. But no matter how much I wanted to speak, I couldn’t. My voice was trapped in my throat, locked behind the same invisible barrier that kept me from moving.

Al sobbed quietly beside Roy, his hands trembling as he reached out to touch my motionless body. “Please, brother. I need you. I can’t lose you too.”

Roy’s voice cracked, and for the first time since I’d known him, I saw something I thought I’d never see.

Tears.

“I can’t lose you, Fullmetal,” Roy said, his voice breaking. “Not you.”

He bowed his head, his shoulders shaking as he fought back the sobs that were threatening to overtake him. And in that moment, I realized something I hadn’t fully understood before.

They needed me.

Al needed me. Roy needed me. Everyone back in Amestris—they needed me to wake up, to come back.

But I couldn’t. I was trapped here, in this strange world, watching everything fall apart from the other side of a portal I couldn’t cross.

“I... I can’t...” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I can’t do anything.”

Luna’s presence was still beside me, her magic holding the vision in place. “You cannot cross the portal,” she said softly. “Your body is trapped in your world, and your soul is bound to this one.”

My fists clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. “So what do I do? I can’t just... sit here and watch them suffer!”

“There is a way,” Luna said, her voice calm but firm. “But it will take time. And you must be prepared for the journey ahead.”

I looked at her, my chest still tight with emotion. “What journey?”

“To reunite your soul with your body,” Luna explained. “You will need to unlock the power that binds you to this world. Only then can you return to Amestris.”

The power that binds me to this world? What was she talking about? Was it the same power that had brought me here in the first place?

“How?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

Luna met my gaze, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place—pity, maybe, or understanding. “The answers lie within you, Edward. You must find them for yourself.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t know how to “unlock” anything. All I knew was that I needed to get back to my brother—to Roy, to Amestris. And I didn’t have time to waste.

But as I looked back at the vision—at Al’s tear-streaked face, at Roy’s silent grief—I realized something else.

I wasn’t ready.

Not yet.

Flickers of Hope and Despair

Roy's Pov:

The room was quiet except for the soft whirring of the machines keeping Edward alive, and yet it felt like I was surrounded by noise—the noise of failure, of guilt, of everything I hadn’t been able to do.

Edward’s body lay motionless, pale, and fragile in the hospital bed. His fire, his energy—everything that made him Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist—was gone. And I didn’t know if he’d ever come back.

I stared at him, fists clenched at my sides, my mind swirling with regret. I’d sworn to protect him and his brother, and I’d failed. Edward’s body was here, but his soul was missing—lost somewhere between worlds because of her.

Lilly.

I knew exactly who was responsible for this. Lilly had stolen Edward’s soul, ripped it away from his body, and tossed it into a portal to God knows where. She’d done it with a smile, like it was nothing more than a game.

And now, because of her, Edward was gone.

Alphonse stood next to the bed, unmoving. His metal body gave no indication of the torment I knew he was feeling inside. He couldn’t cry, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t show the world just how broken he was. But I knew. I could feel the weight of his grief pressing down on him like a lead weight, the silence between us filled with nothing but loss.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I should’ve been there,” I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists tighter. “I should’ve stopped her.”

Alphonse didn’t respond, his helmet lowered as he watched over his brother, but his silence spoke volumes.

Suddenly, I felt it. It was faint—just a flicker—but Edward’s body grew warmer. I leaned forward, my breath catching in my throat.

“Edward?” I whispered, eyes wide. “Al, did you see that?”

Alphonse’s helmet snapped up, his hollow voice echoing in the room. “What happened?”

“His body... it’s warmer,” I muttered, stepping closer. I could feel it. “And look—his hand. It moved.”

Alphonse moved to the other side of the bed, watching closely. But the flicker of hope that had stirred inside me was short-lived. Edward’s hand twitched once more, but the warmth faded as quickly as it had come. His body grew still again, cold, lifeless.

“No, no, no,” I growled, gripping the edge of the bed, willing him to move again. “Come on, Fullmetal. Don’t give up on us.”

But there was nothing. No more warmth. No more movement. Only the beeping of the machines, taunting me with their steady, indifferent rhythm.

“Damn it!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “You can’t leave us like this!”

“I wouldn’t count on him waking up anytime soon.”

The voice came from the doorway, smug and full of twisted delight. I knew that voice too well.

I whipped around, my body tense with anger as I saw her standing there—Lilly.

She leaned against the doorframe, her bright, jester-like outfit swirling with the colors of a betta fish, her smile wicked and taunting. Her vibrant, chaotic appearance stood in stark contrast to the sterile hospital room, and her eyes gleamed with amusement.

“You,” I snarled, every muscle in my body coiling with rage.

Lilly gave me a mock bow, her grin widening. “Miss me, Mustang?”

I took a step forward, fire burning in my chest. “What the hell did you do to him?”

Lilly laughed, spinning playfully in a circle. “Oh, Mustang, you should know by now—I like to have fun! Your little alchemist here was just a part of the game.”

“You stole his soul,” I growled, my hands itching to reach for my ignition gloves. “You threw him into a portal, and now you’re here, acting like this is some kind of joke?”

Lilly’s eyes sparkled, her grin never faltering. “Of course it’s a joke! It’s my joke! And poor little Fullmetal was just another piece in the puzzle.” She wiggled her fingers like she was pulling strings in the air. “And now, he’s lost somewhere between worlds.”

I stepped closer, my fists clenched at my sides. “Bring him back. Now.”

Lilly’s expression darkened, her playful demeanor shifting into something more dangerous. “Or what, Mustang? You’ll burn me alive? I don’t think you’re in any position to be making threats.”

Her words cut deep, but I wasn’t backing down. I took another step forward, my body shaking with barely controlled anger. “I’m not playing your games anymore, Lilly. Give me Edward’s soul, or I’ll make sure you regret ever stepping foot in Amestris.”

Lilly raised an eyebrow, her smile returning. “Oh, Mustang, you’re still so fun to mess with.” She snapped her fingers, and the air around her shimmered. A swirling vortex of color—blues, purples, and greens—began to form, twisting rapidly into a portal.

My heart pounded as the portal expanded, pulling at the edges of the room. I could feel its force tugging at me, threatening to drag me in.

“Mustang,” Lilly said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, “I’m afraid this is goodbye.”

I braced myself against the pull of the portal, determined not to let her get away. “You’re not going anywhere,” I growled, lunging forward.

But as I moved toward her, something went wrong. Lilly had been ready to push me into the swirling mass of chaos, but in her haste, she miscalculated.

Her grin faltered for just a second, and before she could react, the portal’s pull grabbed her instead.

“No!” she shrieked, her arms flailing as she struggled to regain control. But it was too late. The vortex sucked her in, yanking her through the swirling colors and pulling her into the void she’d created.

Her scream echoed through the room as the portal collapsed in on itself, folding up like a door slamming shut.

I stood there, breathing hard, the room falling back into silence. Lilly was gone. Swallowed by her own portal.

“Roy...” Alphonse’s voice cut through the silence, his tone filled with worry. “What just happened?”

I shook my head, trying to piece it together. Lilly was gone, but the damage had already been done. Edward’s soul was still missing, still lost somewhere in whatever twisted dimension Lilly had thrown him into.

“I don’t know,” I muttered, my fists still clenched. “But I’m going to find her. And when I do, I’ll get Edward back.”

Alphonse stood beside me, his metal form still and silent. We didn’t say anything more. We didn’t have to. The weight of our failure hung between us, heavier than before.

But now, there was something else—a new resolve burning inside me.

I was going to bring Edward back, no matter what it took.

Lilly's Pov:

I landed with a hard thud, the ground cold and unyielding beneath my claws. Pain shot through my body as I scrambled to my feet—or, rather, my talons. The remnants of the portal crackled in the air before disappearing completely, leaving me stranded.

I groaned, clutching my side as I tried to get my bearings. This was wrong. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I wasn’t supposed to be this weak.

I blinked and looked down at myself—at the claws, the feathers, and the scaly legs. The jester-like appearance I had so proudly flaunted in Amestris was gone, replaced by the awkward, hybrid form I despised so much.

A hippogriff.

“Ugh,” I spat bitterly, my beak clicking in frustration. “Of all the forms to be stuck in.”

This was a joke. I was a joke. A pitiful shadow of what I had once been in Amestris, where I wielded chaos like a master puppeteer. There, I had power. I had control. I had turned Fullmetal’s world upside down and stolen his very soul.

And now? Now I was nothing more than a washed-up hippogriff, stranded in this miserable land.

I flared my wings, trying to shake off the disorientation that clung to me like a bad dream. The air smelled of damp earth and salt—a familiar scent, one I had hoped to leave behind. I wasn’t anywhere near Ponyville; this was somewhere darker, somewhere more remote.

The sea glimmered in the distance, its churning waves crashing against the rocky shore. I was far from civilization, far from any recognizable landmarks. It was a wilderness, a place forgotten by most, which made it perfect for me to hide. But it wasn’t enough. I needed more than just hiding.

I needed power.

I reached deep within myself, searching for the chaotic magic that had once flowed through me effortlessly. But the more I reached, the more I realized just how much had been stripped away. My powers were diminished, barely a flicker of what they had been.

But I wasn’t completely powerless. No, there was something still there—small, but potent. I could still hypnotize. Not large groups of creatures like before, but I could bend the minds of a small number. That would have to be enough.

For now.

A wicked smile spread across my beak as I turned my eyes to the horizon. If I couldn’t regain my power outright, I’d just have to take it from those who had it. This world was full of creatures with strength, creatures with magic, and I knew just where to start.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the faintest flicker of magic left within me, and sent out a pulse—a searching tendril of hypnotic power that stretched across the land like a dark fog, seeking out the strongest minds, the most dangerous creatures.

And then I felt it—a sharp, twisted presence that responded to my call. A mind filled with rage, with hunger for control and power. Queen Chrysalis.

My grin widened. “Perfect.”

Chrysalis was one of the most dangerous beings in Equestria. She had the cunning and strength to be a formidable ally—or rather, a puppet under my control. I didn’t need her loyalty; I only needed her power.

But Chrysalis wasn’t the only one. As I pushed my magic further, another presence stirred, deep and dark, pulsing with raw, destructive energy. Tirek.

My heart raced with excitement. The two of them together, under my control, would be enough to start rebuilding my strength. I could form a small army, hypnotize others, and slowly regain the power I’d lost.

With Chrysalis and Tirek at my side, I wouldn’t just take control of this world—I’d use them to help me find Fullmetal. I could feel his soul, distant but present, somewhere in this world. And once I found him, I’d kill him. I’d take his soul for myself and use it to return to Amestris, more powerful than ever.

And Mustang? Alphonse? They would be nothing compared to what I’d become. The chaos I’d unleash upon Amestris would be beyond anything they’d ever imagined.

I opened my eyes, the faint glow of my hypnotic magic still lingering in the air. It was weak, but it was enough.

“I’ll start small,” I whispered to myself, my voice dripping with malice. “But soon enough, this world—and Fullmetal—will be mine.”

I stretched my wings and took off into the air, flying low over the rocky landscape. I needed to find them—Chrysalis and Tirek—and bend them to my will. And once I had them, I’d use them to rebuild my strength, to find Edward Elric and end him once and for all.

The wind rushed past me as I flew toward the dark forest where I knew Chrysalis would be hiding. She wouldn’t see me coming. By the time she realized what had happened, she would already be under my control.

And then, with her and Tirek as my tools, the rest of Equestria would fall like dominoes. And when that happened, I’d have the power to return to Amestris and pick up where I left off—terrorizing the very people who thought they could stop me.

The image of Mustang and Alphonse, broken and defeated, flashed in my mind, and I laughed. I couldn’t wait to see the look on their faces when I returned—stronger than ever, with an army at my back and Edward’s soul in my grasp.

But first, I had work to do.

Later, in the Everfree Forest

The dense canopy of trees loomed overhead as I landed softly in the clearing, my claws clicking against the cold ground. The Everfree Forest was exactly as I remembered it—wild, dangerous, and full of creatures that weren’t easily tamed. But Chrysalis? She’d be here.

I slunk through the shadows, my eyes sharp as I scanned the area. There was a faint trace of magic lingering in the air, something that felt distinctly like changeling magic. She wasn’t far.

Then I saw her—Queen Chrysalis, standing tall and regal, her wings buzzing slightly as she prowled through the underbrush. She was talking to herself, muttering about revenge, about taking back her throne from the princesses.

Pathetic.

With a sly smile, I stepped into the clearing, my eyes glowing faintly as I activated what little magic I had left. Chrysalis didn’t even notice me at first, too absorbed in her thoughts.

But when she finally turned and saw me, her eyes narrowed. “Who dares approach Queen Chrysalis?”

I laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. “I dare.”

Chrysalis hissed, baring her fangs. “You’re a fool to come here, hippogriff. I don’t know what you want, but I suggest you turn around before I—”

Her words cut off abruptly as my magic surged forward, slipping into her mind like a shadow. Her eyes glazed over, and her body stiffened as my hypnotic power took hold. She was strong, but in her weakened state, she was no match for even the small amount of magic I had left.

I stepped closer, my voice low and commanding. “You will serve me, Chrysalis.”

Her mouth opened slightly, and for a moment, she tried to resist. But it was useless. Slowly, her head nodded, and her wings buzzed in submission.

“Yes... I will serve you.”

I grinned, feeling the rush of power flood back into me. “Good. Now, we have work to do.”

The Everfree Forest was alive with the sounds of buzzing changelings, their wings humming as they worked under the command of Queen Chrysalis. She moved among them, barking orders with sharp precision, her eyes glazed over in obedience to me.

I watched from the shadows, my claws digging into the earth as a wicked smile curled across my beak. Chrysalis had been easy to take—her mind was already filled with anger and bitterness, making it weak and pliable. She was now nothing more than a puppet, a tool for me to use as I saw fit.

I reveled in the power I still held, even in this weakened form. Though my magic wasn’t as strong as it had been in Amestris, it was enough to manipulate her. And with Chrysalis on my side, I had the beginnings of an army—a force that would help me spread chaos across Equestria.

Once I found Edward’s soul, I would use it to regain my full strength and return to Amestris. But for now, I needed more. More power, more control. I wasn’t just going to wait around for Edward to stumble into my claws. No, I was going to smoke him out, force him to come to me by taking over this pathetic world one small town at a time.

“Queen Chrysalis,” I called, my voice sharp and commanding.

Chrysalis turned her head toward me, her wings buzzing lightly as she trotted over. “Yes, Mistress?”

Mistress. It had a nice ring to it.

I gave her a cold smile. “How goes the army?”

“The changelings are ready to serve, Mistress,” Chrysalis said, her voice flat, devoid of the usual malice. “We have scouts spreading across Equestria, gathering information as we speak. They will be ready to attack at your command.”

“Good,” I purred, pacing around her. “But changelings alone won’t be enough. I need more power.”

Chrysalis blinked, her eyes still clouded with my hypnotic hold. “More power?”

“Yes.” I stopped in front of her, my eyes glowing faintly as I extended my magic, sending a pulse into the distance. I could feel another presence—one just as dangerous as Chrysalis, if not more so. Tirek.

I had felt his dark energy ever since I’d arrived in Equestria, festering and growing as he bided his time in hiding. His hunger for magic and power made him the perfect candidate for my control, and with him by my side, I would have the strength to crush any resistance in my way.

“Prepare your changelings,” I ordered. “We’re going to find Tirek.”

Chrysalis bowed her head obediently. “Yes, Mistress.”

A Few Hours Later

The trek through the forest was long and treacherous, but I could feel the pull of Tirek’s energy growing stronger with every step. His power was vast, even in his weakened state, and I knew that controlling him would be no easy task. But I wasn’t afraid. I’d dealt with beings far more dangerous than him before.

Chrysalis and her changelings followed close behind, their wings humming softly as we moved through the underbrush. The air was thick with tension, but I could feel the excitement bubbling up inside me. Tirek was close. I could practically taste his power on the wind.

Finally, we reached the mouth of a dark cave, deep in the heart of the forest. The air around it buzzed with dark magic, and a low growl echoed from within.

“Stay back,” I commanded Chrysalis and the changelings. “This is something I must do myself.”

Without waiting for a response, I stepped into the cave, my talons clicking against the cold stone floor. The darkness was thick, but I didn’t need light to see where I was going. I could feel Tirek’s presence like a beacon, drawing me deeper into the cave.

And there he was.

Tirek, the centaur of legend, sat in the shadows, his massive frame hunched over as he absorbed the dark magic of the cave. His red skin glowed faintly in the dim light, and his yellow eyes flickered as he noticed my presence.

“You dare approach me?” he growled, his voice deep and dangerous.

I smiled, my eyes glowing with the faint remnants of my hypnotic magic. “I’m not here to fight you, Tirek.”

Tirek narrowed his eyes, his muscles tensing as he stood to his full height. “Then what do you want?”

“I want your power,” I said calmly, my voice smooth as silk. “And in exchange, I’ll give you something you’ve wanted for a long time.”

Tirek snorted, his eyes gleaming with interest. “And what would that be?”

“Freedom,” I replied, stepping closer. “Freedom to drain the magic of Equestria. Freedom to take down the princesses and claim the throne for yourself.”

Tirek’s lips curled into a sneer. “You think you can offer me that?”

“I don’t think,” I said, my eyes glowing brighter as I extended my magic toward him. “I know.”

Tirek hesitated for a moment, his gaze locked with mine. I could see the greed in his eyes, the hunger for more power. But just as I expected, he was no match for my magic—not in his current state.

I sent out a pulse of hypnotic energy, and Tirek’s body stiffened, his eyes glazing over as my magic slipped into his mind. He was strong, but not strong enough. His will crumbled under the weight of my control, and soon, he was mine.

His shoulders sagged, and his head bowed. “What... do you command, Mistress?”

I grinned. “Gather your strength, Tirek. You and Chrysalis will be my generals. Together, we will take Equestria by force.”

Tirek nodded slowly, his eyes still clouded with my magic. “Yes... Mistress.”

With Chrysalis and Tirek under my control, my army was nearly complete. I could already feel my strength returning, my magic growing stronger with every step I took toward domination.

Back at the Base

Chrysalis’ changelings swarmed the forest, moving with deadly precision as they prepared for my next orders. Tirek stood nearby, his muscles rippling with raw power as he began absorbing the magic of the land around us. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with, and soon, I would lead them in a march across Equestria.

My plan was simple. We would take over small towns, one by one, crushing any resistance that dared stand in our way. The princesses wouldn’t be able to stop us—not with Tirek draining their magic and Chrysalis’ changelings spreading fear and chaos across the land.

And while we sowed chaos and destruction, I would search for him.

Edward.

His soul was somewhere in this world—I could feel it. It was faint, distant, but it was here. Once I found him, I would tear his soul from whatever pathetic form it was trapped in and use it to restore my full power.

And then... then, I would return to Amestris.

I grinned to myself, pacing in front of my two new puppets. Mustang, Alphonse—they thought they had seen the last of me. They thought Edward was safe in another world, beyond my reach.

But they were wrong. So very wrong.

“Prepare the changelings,” I commanded Chrysalis. “We’re going to take the first town by dawn.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Chrysalis said, bowing her head.

Tirek stood silently beside her, his eyes glowing faintly as he absorbed more magic from the surrounding area. Soon, his power would be unstoppable, and with him leading the charge, no town would be able to resist us.

I spread my wings, feeling the thrill of power surge through me. This was only the beginning. The small towns of Equestria would fall, one by one, until I found Edward.

And when I did, nothing would stop me from taking his soul and returning to Amestris to finish what I had started.

The chaos was only beginning.