The walk back to town from the castle may as well have been a Grimm repellent with how much positive energy was surrounding us. I was annoyed that Nat wouldn’t let me try to walk on my own, but I guess it makes sense, considering I needed Lex to dress me. Gods that is embarrassing.

I guess I have some serious child instinct though, cause I barely caught myself as I started to nuzzle into Nat’s arms, a small smile on my face. I glance to my big sis, who just smiled down at me and nodded. I smile a little more and relax into my sister's arms. This, this was nice. Sure we ‘held’ each other before, but it was either in our head or when I was intangible. This, this was real.

I can’t even describe how happy I am right now. I am real! I have my own body! Though, while we were walking I found I don’t have any of Nat’s memories, only my memories. That will definitely take some getting used to, since before I could just enter Nat’s ‘memory warehouse’ as we call it, and find what memory I was looking for. I wonder if I can still do that for myself.

I guess I was more lost in thought, then I realized because I soon had to shield my eyes as we left the forest and stood on the edge of the entrance to Ponyville.

“So, what now?” Trace questions.

“We should probably find Pinkie and the girls. I know they are going to want to see Sora now that she has her own body.” This realms Twilight says.

“We won’t have to look far,” Ruby says, pointing down the road. All of us look and see this worlds AJ, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy, followed closely by the CMC, walking down the road towards Fluttershy’s house.

“Um, Nat? Can you let me down now?” I request. My big sis seems to ponder, stopping after seeing my deadpan glare at her, and gently places me down on my feet. I took a deep breath and tried to take a shaky step, and my legs gave out again.

“I gotcha.” I hear before feeling a fluffy mass beneath my arms, keeping me up. I glance at Chance who has a bemused smile on his face at my struggle.

“Yeah yeah, laugh it up. I’ll get used to it in a bit.” I say with a pout. Man, I really sound like a child.

“Guess it is going to take a bit before you can get your motor controls back.” Penny points out.

“Yeah, probably, but it kinda feels like when Nat and I broke our arm after rock climbing and couldn’t use it for a month. I guess I just need to keep trying and my muscle will get used to the daily strain.” I say, leaning on Chance and taking a couple of careful steps. I stop as I hear giggling and turn to see Ruby and Penny trying not to laugh, the Spikes in the same boat.

“What’s funny?” I ask with a raised brow. At that point, the two huntresses and dragons burst out laughing. I raise a brow and look to the others, who are equally confused.

“S-sorry Sora. I-its just ‘giggle’ you sound so mature, and it just doesn’t work with your voice!” Ruby struggles to say, falling on her back and laughing out loud.

“What?” I go wide-eyed and cover my mouth as I realized my voice was actually almost a higher pitch than Sweetie Belle, and I am sure my face turned a shade of red that would make Big Mac jealous. How am I just now noticing this!?!

“Huh, I didn’t even notice how high her voice was. She kinda sounds like you did Nat.” Adam says.

“WHAT’S FUNNY?!” All of us jump back and I end up falling as Pinkie suddenly materializes next to us. Also, I figured out I got the ‘Nyu’ response whenever I am startled. I look past her and see the rest of the girls looking around in confusion before spotting us.

“PINKIE! Don’t do that! You nearly gave us heart attacks!” Pandora says to the pink mare, her scythe on her head glowing with a charged Psycho Cut.

“Sorry. So what’s-” she cuts herself off as she finally notices me. I lock eyes with the pink mare and gulp, trying to get up, only to fall again.

“Um, can somepony help me up?” I ask sheepishly. There is an awkward silence before I hear some hoofsteps and see this world Screwball and Scootaloo. The duo carefully grab my arms and help me to my feet again.

“Thanks.” Gods this is weird. These two are taller than me now! I can only imagine how the others back home are going to react.

“So what’s….woah.” I look past the two fillies and see as the others finally make it over and notice me, Applejack stopping her sentence as her eyes widen.

“Um, hi?”

After a second, a very loud squeal sounds out and I feel like I am being stuck in a vice. I barely am able to move and see, to my shock, Fluttershy is hugging me like a teddy bear.

“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! You are so adorable!” She says pretty loudly, much to all of our shocks. I feel her nuzzling my head and blush as I am stuck between her rather generous rack.

“Hey Shy, you mind not smothering my little sister?” Adam asks with a grin. She looks to him for a second before seeing me and I am sure I was beginning to turn blue from lack of oxygen.

“Oh my!” She lets me go and I fall on my back, gasping for air.

“Why….do guys say….that is….a good way to go?!?” I yell while trying to get my breath back, the boys all laughing at my question. After a second I hear some more footsteps as Selene walks up, gently bringing me to my feet again.

“Thanks, Selene.” The Zoroark just nods and stands by me as I get back into the feel of standing on my own two feet. I take a breath and then take a step forward, followed by another….and another….and another. Before long I am walking in a small circle, everyone smiling at me.

“Alright. Looks like you got the hang of walking again.” Artemis says. I nod with a victorious smile. I carefully walk over and stand between Nat and uncle Ed.

“Way to go sis! I know we have always been fast healers, but this is very encouraging.” Nat says with a smile. I just grin and roll my eyes at her congratulatory tone.

“Now all I need to do is get used to my abilities again. At least I can summon a Vector.” I say, summoning said arm and straightening out my clothes. I hear a gasp and look to Nat who is staring at me in surprise. “What?”

“I-I can see your Vector.” I go wide-eyed and look to the others, who shake their heads no. I raise a brow and look back to Nat, shocked as I see her summon a half dozen Vectors behind her. They look like they would in the anime, transparent and like the space around them is distorted.

“Huh, guess Dicloni can see each others’ Vectors. Makes sense considering the fight between Lucy and Nana.” Nat says with a hand on her chin. I nod and retract my Vector, before glancing at my shoulder where the Ouroboros Tattoo is.

“Now I just need to figure out how to use my Homunculus powers. I really wanna shapeshift into an adult.” I say, thinking about how to use them. Unfortunately, FMA and FMAB didn’t really give much information about how the Homunculi use their powers. I know how they work, just not how to use them.

“You know you could just ask.” I turn to Ed as he says that with a grin, some red lightning sparking from his hand. I just sheepishly blush and grin as I forgot that Ed can use the powers too.

I go to ask before I hear what sounds like a quiet jackhammer behind me. Turning, I see Pinkie again, but she is vibrating so fast she looks like she is constantly in two places at once. I look past her and see that Adam and his team were giving the girls the rundown on what we have up to all morning.

“EEEEEEEEE! I can’t believe it! I get to throw a ‘Congratulations-on-getting-a-new-body-and-happy-birthday-party!’ Oh, I gotta go bye!” The next thing I know, there is a pink cloud where the mare once was that quickly dissipated.

“Oh boy here we go.” I hear Ruby mutter. I nod as I couldn’t trace the pink mare departure before the rest of the girls came up.

“Oh my! This outfit of yours is spectacular darling! Who made it?” Rarity asks, looking over my Cross Academy Uniform. I really do not like that show, but I will admit the outfits were sick.

“Actually, me and my Rarity made it. I copied the design from a story I read and drew it out for Rares, who then adapted it to fit ponies. Once Ed and Nat told me we were making a body for my sister, I had her make the uniform to fit a kid.” Lex says before reaching into a book bag she brought and taking out a sketch pad and handing it to Rarity. “These are some other outfit designs I drew a while back. If you want, you can copy them and make the outfits here.”

While those two go on about fashion, I turn to my new uncle and aunt. “So, can you explain how I use the Ultimate Shield, Spear and shapeshifting?”

“Certainly, Sora,” Ed says with a smile. “Hmmm. Where to start?”

“Where not start with the spear Ed,” added Luna while pointing to my hand.

“Good idea Luna. First things first, Sora you should know you're what I like to a superior or Alpha Homunculus. What this means is were a normal Homunculus as for greater attributes than a human you have thirty times this and more thanks to your Diclonius and faunus natures,” Ed explained as we walked. “In short in terms of raw physical power and senses you have an extreme edge over everyone else and this includes Nat except for when she’s in queen mode.”

“You’ll have to be a little more careful when you have a better motor function. I recommended you have some weight training with the royal guards and gradually work your way up,” added Luna.

“Just like any natural ability, they can be triggered by wanting to protect yourself or others. In your case, though it is activated via Seal of Sin release since your an Alpha Homunculus. You have Seal Two Greed, Seal Three Lust, and Seal Envy. They will stay activated as long as you want or until you run out of energy. All you have to do is say ‘Seal of Sin Lust release,” Ed says holding out his hand as his nails grow into long sword-like claws. “Simply say the phrase ‘Lust I bind thee’ and the seal will reactivate. If you want to extend the claws more simply think so.”

“How does Envy work?” I said as I couldn’t wait to transform.

“Envy is the trickiest of your Homunculus powers to use and maintain as it requires the most concentration to use and maintain the forms you take. But, just like any muscle in your body the more you use it,” Ed says retracting his claws.

“How long before I can use my powers?” I say a reserved.

“You can use them all now if you want to but I don’t recommend it as cause you to be in some serious pain. Even if you have a high pain tolerance it will still linger for a bit. Now, for your shield pretty much the same premises as Lust and Envy but it would be the easiest of the three to use and maintain. Greed is also the most versatile of your powers as far as combat goes. The really hard part is when you start to combine your powers but you’ll have to figure that part out on your own.” Ed said as we start to get to town.

I sigh and rub my head in slight disappointment. I really want to practice with my new powers, but I guess I should wait a bit. Maybe I can set myself up a training regiment when we get home.

I glance to the crowd with us, seeing Trace and Lex heading off with Rarity to her store, Adam and his team heading to their house for a bit, and the others just scattering to do their own things before Pinkie’s party tonight.

“I guess we should head over to townhall and grab our things. You know, it is going to be weird going back to our original world after staying in alternate ones for so long.” Dusk says, stretching her arm.

“Yeah, hopefully, things have been cool back home. I could only imagine how our Celestia, Luna, the girls, and Shining reacted after I sent that letter a couple weeks back.” Nat says.

“I don’t recommend doing that right now,” Ed says crossing his arms as he starts to head to Sugarcube Corner. “I’ll have to agree with my husband and this you two’” added Luna while smiling.

I raise a brow and look to Dusk and Nat, the duo also a little confused. I mean, we know that Pinkie is going to be throwing me a party, but wouldn’t she wait until later tonight. I know she can basically break reality, but even she has limits. I hope.

Either way, I was getting a little hungry and we decided to follow the duo towards the bakery. I could almost feel the energy coming from the store, full of anticipation. Once we arrive at the door, I reach for the knob with my Vector and turn, revealing the darkness of the store. I smile and we all walk in just as Pinkie hits the lights.

“SURPRISE!” All of us smile as we see that almost everyone in town and all of our friends are in the room, even this world Celestia and Luna. I saw the banners on the top with ‘Congratulations on getting a new body!’ And ‘Happy Birthday’ on them.

“You know, I shouldn’t be surprised, yet I am!” I say with a smile as the pink mare bounces over to us.

“Well? What are you just standing around there for silly?” She says before grabbing my hand and pulling me through the crowd. I had a feeling this was going to be a really fun one.

I watch as my little sister plays Pin the Tail on the Nightmare with Pinkie and some of the school colts and fillies of this world. I could tell she was cheating a bit by using her Vector, but the others didn’t need to know that. The party had only been on for about half an hour and already most of the crowd had gotten the gist of what the party is about. They were shocked to learn about Sora’s transmutation from this morning.

This was really nice. It had been a while since we had gone to any version of Pinkie’s parties, either back home, in Ed’s world or just here. It really helped take all the stress of the past few weeks off my shoulders. I can’t believe I went so nuts back in Ed’s world.

Speaking of, I managed to glance towards the alchemist in question, who was laughing with his wife and this world’s variants. I frown as I see what they cannot. I know he puts on a really strong mask, but even it has some cracks in it.

I go over to him as his wife walks off with this worlds royals, casually leaning on the table next to him.

“Hey.” I start.

“Hey, Nat.” He says, taking a sip of some punch. An awkward silence descended on the two of us as the noise from the party seems to fade into just white noise.

“Ed. Are you ok?” I question with concern.

“For the most part yea, I’m a little winded from opening the Gate of Truth and then having to fight a void dweller without full access to my powers. It really takes a lot out of me just opening the portal alone. I’ll be fine after a days rest. Anyway, there’s something else on your mind that pertains to Sora, isn’t there Nat?” Ed asks leaning against the wall behind him.

I nod and take a quick sip of my drink. “Yeah, I know how the homunculi work, but I have a sneaking suspicion there is some uniqueness to Sora as an alpha. As her big sister, it is my responsibility to take care of her and to know when there is a problem. So, what do I need to know about Alpha’s?”

“Your right, my perceptive niece,” he says winking at me. “You see, an Alpha, as the name suggests is a superior Homunculus in every way to other Homunculi. They're just below the parent Homunculus in terms of the picking orderer. Think of them as the queen to a king. If they give an order then the only other Homunculus that could override her order would be another Alpha with a larger stone or the parent. Look at it this way if she would order Qrow to do something he’d have to it and I’m the only other person who could override said order.”

“Damn. I guess it is a good thing she will be the only Homunculus back home. I don’t even want to think about the pranks she would be able to pull if there were others.” I shiver slightly as I remember some of the pranks she pulled when she was just using her astral form. Cheerilee had to take a few days off work to calm down from the scare.

I glance around the party again, seeing my siblings all having a fun time with their friends and each other, before looking to Ed again.

“You know you can’t hide it forever.” He glances to me with slight confusion. “Your feeling and thoughts. You and I have a problem with bottling everything up. You need to practice what you preach and talk to someone about it.”

“About what Nat? There are many things in this head of mine. You know that better than anyone. Which brings up the next point. Don’t let Sora end up like me and have a demon form from those souls in her stone. Oh, and she can create other beta level Homunculi like Qrow but I think you should tell her when the time is right, but back to what you’re referring to,” Ed says looking to me in concern.

“Yeah, defiantly going to keep that secret for a while. But, as I was saying, you should really talk to your wife or your sister about some things. They know that you have some pretty bad nightmares according to Luna, and they do want to help. I may have some slight PTSD from nightmare night, but I imagine yours is a million times worse. You don’t have to hold everything in.” I place my cup down and turn to him fully.

“We’re family now, and family looks out for each other. If not me and Sora, you could talk to Lex and some of her guild members, or Adam and his teammates. You don’t have to isolate yourself anymore.”

“I know PTSD is something I have Nat but it not in the way you’re thinking. My past is filled with death as I know Luna has told you. She is your teacher after all. But as far as my head goes I also have the memories of people I’ve never even met before so I’ll tell you this for Sora’s sake before the same thing happens to her. Use you Maguilty Sense and help her get to know the souls so they don’t create a second Malice Seed. You’ll have at least a year before the nightmares will start. You’ll have to excuse me as I’m going to take your advice to heart and talk with Lex. Good luck,” Ed says finishing of his punch before walking off to leave me with my thoughts.

He is over thousands of years old, has been through wars and countless battles. Ed was messed in the head, but he knew it and was unwilling to place the burden on his family. I smile a little as I remember how messed up he was over the call about what he did to Adam to unlock his eyes.

Even after all this, Ed was still a living man, even with countless numbers of souls living within his body. And I had a feeling, Adam’s, Lex’s, and my parents would have welcomed him into our family with open arms had they met.

I leave the table I was next to and head into the party again with a smile. Our newest family member was definitely one hell of a warrior and an even greater sage.

I made way through the party and couldn’t help but smile as Polearm was now the one with the blindfold on. He wasn’t doing too well with this. ‘Gonna have to incorporate some blindness training for him when we get back home.’ My Twilight was laughing at her coltfriend so hard she was holding her sides. I shook my head and couldn’t help but laugh at this myself.

“Ed why don’t you join in the festivities too?” asked Qrow who came out of nowhere.

“Hey, Qrow. No not gonna do that. I’ve always been more of the one who gets joy from just being able to see others in their own happiness. How are you holding up with the whole, well you know?” I ask looking off to the other side back at the party.

“Not being drunk is gonna take some getting used to along with the whole Ultimate Eye thing but my eye seems to have reverted back to normal like Adam said it would. Guessing it’ll only activate when I need it to or if I say that phrase you told Sorano right?” He asked me still a little ticked at me from the sounds of his voice. ‘Don’t blame ya man.’

“Yea but say ’Wrath’ when you say it. Eventually, you won’t need to say the phrase but just think it. Alright, Qrow I’m headed over to chat with Lex for a bit if ya need anything just give me a shout or come over and see me,” I said as waved bye as Qrow rejoin some of the older members of the party.

“Um Ed, can I talk to you for a bit?” asked a small red-hooded Huntress nervously.

“Sure Ruby, what’s up?” I said. “Well, I just wanted to say I’m really sorry for the way I was acting yesterday. I was really upset with what had happened between you and Qrow and then I was so angry with Twilight and Polearm because I thought they were hiding you,” Ruby says looking at the floor in shame.

“Look at me in the eye when you’re speaking Ruby,” I say crossing my arm as her gaze meets mine. “I’m not at all upset with you and what you did to me. It’s perfectly normal to have that kind of a reaction when it involves someone you care about. But that didn’t give you an excuse to be mad at my friends. You’re still very young and it’s harder for you to control your emotions but you need to learn when it’s okay to lash out with them.”

I kneel down to get eye level with her. “In fact, it’s those very feelings of wanting to protect those your care for that allow you to use these,” I said pointing to her eyes. “You and Adam are the only ones with the light that cuts through the darkness in the world to my knowledge, but while Adam walks the path in between the light and dark you must walk the path of only light. But you must keep in mind that all things come with corruption and that even the best of intentions can lead to destruction. Now, go have fun as we have won a major victory for Sora today.”

‘Back to talking with Lex I just hope she’ll be able to contend with Malice even if they’re both in weakened states. My nightmares have been getting to the point to where even poor Luna can barely dispel them. I hope this isn’t a sign that I’m developing a split personality or even worse. Another damn demon in my head.’

“Hey Ed what you thinking about?” asked Lex.

“Oh hey, Lex. Finally made it over to you. Guess I was lost in my own head there. I just wanted to know if I could help me out with something in my head?” I asked pointing to my head.

I raise a brow at Ed’s request. He wants me to help with something in his head? What does he mean?

“Is Malice bothering you again?” I question, leading him to the kitchen and away from the party.

“Not exactly. I have been having some pretty bad nightmares,” I look to him in a deadpan fashion, “ok worse nightmares lately, and it has gotten to the point that even my wife can’t stop them. I can sense that Malice has been getting weaker as I am accepting my sins, but I worry about what these nightmares mean.”

I look to him with an intrigued look on my face. Why was Ed having worse nightmares now that Malice is weaker? Sure he has been through a hell of a lot with my siblings the last few weeks, for him at least, but that shouldn’t be magnifying his nightmares. So why? Well, there is only one way to find out.

“Alright. I’ll see what I can find in that head of yours. Just a heads up, this is going to feel really weird.” I inform him before closing my eyes and placing my hands on his temples, two beams of blue magic looking like blades connecting my hands to his head appearing. I focus for a second, selecting the three forms of magic I will need to use for this to work, my Seith magic, Maguilty Sense, and Telepathy, and combining them.

“Solo Triple Unison, Mind and Soul Invasion,” I whisper and my eyes shoot open, glowing green as I lock our eyes and a sensory link is connecting us. In that instant, I see and feel as my mind and soul are sent into Edwards, leaving my body as my lifeline.

My vision goes white for a second, before coming back in something I wasn’t expecting. I heard from Nat about how Ed’s mind and soul were like a tempest of tortured souls just like Pride in the show. But it almost looks like what was once a whirlpool of torture, has calmed into a stream of contentment.

Looking around, I still see the souls all floating in the space, making up the ‘wall’ but they aren’t screaming, yelling, groaning in pain or anything of the sort. In fact, I could swear I saw a few with smiles on their ‘faces’. They were all just, sorta doing their own things, I think I even saw a couple of them floating side by side.

I raise a brow at this drastic change of pace before one of the souls floats closer to me.

“Um, hello?” The soul tilts to the side before glancing behind it, two more souls coming over.

“You are Natali and Sorano’s sister, are you not?” I’m momentarily shocked as one of the larger souls asks this. I nod after a second, still a little shocked.

“We owe your siblings a lot, miss. I am not sure how much they told you, but the three of us were the ones who aided in their battle against Malice.” The other large soul, sounding like an older woman, says.

“Oh! I guess you two are the ones who gave Nat the strength to attack Malice.” I look to the smaller soul, and I swear I could see her flicker into the form of a little girl with blond hair and green eyes. “And I guess you were the one who went through the sensory link and used your happy memories against him.”

The smaller soul nods and floats behind the other two, clearly a little shy. I smile nonetheless, before remembering why I am here.

“Anyway, it was nice to meet you three, but I need to find Malice and have a chat with him. Do you know where he is?” I ask. The trio before glance to one another, and I see a couple souls looking at me in my peripherals. They float to the side and the souls make what looks like a hallway, with a soul ‘door’ at the end.

“Thanks.” I say before ‘walking’ towards the door, a cool mask of neutrality adorning my face. Gotta remember to thank my Luna and Emerald for the lessons on having such a poker face. I walk to the door and turn the ‘knob’, entering a room that looks like how I expected the ‘outside’ to look.

Sitting in the room, no not room, cell, was what I guess was what was left of Malice. His arms and legs were chained to the wall by the wrists and ankles, the chains looking like a bunch of interlocking spell matrixes. He was almost thin, looking like if Father was using the Ultimate Shield, but without any energy in his body.

I guess Ed accepting his sins was having more of an effect on Malice than I thought. I shake my head after a second and close the door with a resounding ‘CLANG’. The demon finally looks up to me as I am standing before him, and I can’t help but get some déjà vu to when Meliodas met Ban in Seven Deadly Sins.

“What do you want with us mage? Can’t you see we’re busy trying to feed off of what negativity the alchemist has been producing for the last few days,” Malice says as it starts to suck in a red mist like energy into its mouth? “We can’t be bothered with your trivial acts. Either tell us what you want, free us, or leave.”

Malice then got to its feet which cause a rattling and clunking sound to reverberate through the chamber we were in. That’s when I noticed that Malice had chains around its wrist and ankles.

“You can’t leave this room? Odd, I would think you would still have free mobility to cause the nightmares that have been plaguing my new uncle as of late.” I say with intrigue, getting a closer look at the shackles. Each time Malice absorbs negative energy, they seem to almost get heavier and give off an odd archaic shine.

“NAWAHAHAHA! While we would love to claim to be the cause of the weakling's nightmares we are only partially responsible. The main source lies deep in this place and we no longer have free rain to move around since your sisters’ involvement with us. We must add, their souls were delicious,” smirked the entity of living anger.

I looked to him with my neutral mask still on, even as I wanted so badly to beat the ever living tar out of him. I nodded and closed my eyes, thinking what could be causing Ed to have the nightmares, when it isn’t Malice. It wasn’t Ed’s self-hatred but maybe, some kind of self-punishment like with what happened with my Luna and the Tantabus. Maybe….

“Would you like our help, mage?” asked the decrypted demon.

I look to the demon with well hidden disgusted. “Ordinarily I would sooner ask Master Zero or Blue Note if they wanted to help than ask you. But, it seems I have little choice. I am not leaving until I can find out what’s up with Ed, and you are my best bet.”

I walk to it and light my hands with my Nullification magic, before turning a glare at the grinning demon. “If you try anything, I will use one of my forbidden spells and erase you from existence.” With that, I use my magic and destroy the shackles around the demons limbs.

“Much better and we don’t recommend trying to erase us. If you do there would be no telling how your precious uncle would react, but to show we bare you and your family no ill will we will give you this in good faith,” Malice says extending its hand as a pair of pink orb form in it.

I raise a brow at the orb before him, sensing something familiar about it. “What are those?”

“These two orbs are the piece of your sisters’ souls that we took in our battle. We will give you one now and one at the end of the journey to ensure you don’t try any as your kind say ‘funny business’, ” Malice says handing me one of the orbs but reabsorbs the other.

I look to him, then to the orb before me a couple of times before lighting my right eye with Seith magic and absorbing the soul fragment, almost looking like I am using Kamui. I nod as I sense that the orb was indeed part of Nat, before turning to the door and opening it up. I step to the side and give a mocking bow. “Monsters first.”

“One moment if you would please, mage. According to the alchemist’s knowledge, you can also make a type of ‘soul contract’ gaining a what is called takeover form,” Malice says as a contract appears before me. “We will give you a new form as an insurance policy. Do we have a deal mage?”

I look between the contract and the demon beside me a couple of times. That was one of the few magic styles I have yet to be able to use, my Satan Soul Takeover magic. Kinda difficult when you can’t even meet a demon unless you want to take a vacation in Tartarus. I haven’t even met any Displaced that could count for it.

I think for a second, remembering how terrified Mirajane was when she first unlocked that magic, but also how powerful she was compared to Lisanna and Elfman. An insurance policy huh? After a minute of deliberating, I snap my fingers and summon a pen, writing my name at the bottom of the contract, rolling it up and holding it out for the creature before me.

“Thank you mage. You now have the Malice Soul Form. We’re don’t have to tell you it will be similar to the alchemist’s true demon form. One more thing must be added to your body,” Malice says ripping off its own right arm and then proceeding to hold it out to me. “You must accept our flesh into your own to complete the contract as our body is not a physical one.”

I roll my eyes as it was just like Mira being ‘possessed’ by her demon before learning to control it with magic. I grab his arm in my hand and take a breath, laying it overtop my own and feel as it covers mine. It feels like I hit my funny bone a dozen times before making it fall asleep as the arm takes over my own. After a couple seconds, I feel as it is done and flex my arm. I am sure my body’s arm was taken over as well, but dismiss this worry for the time being.

“Alright. Now, let’s find what’s causing Ed these nightmares.” I say, taking the lead and heading deeper into Ed’s subconscious, Malice close behind, much to the shock and worry of the other souls nearby.

“They are afraid you and us will try and absorb them.HaHa. Feels good to see them cower once more. It nourishes our form,” Malice says as I look over my shoulder as the demon starts to regain a more muscular form.

I quickly stop, Malice almost bumping into me and turn to him, making sure that all the souls nearby are watching us. “What?” it asks. I just sigh and look at my new arm, before smirking.

“Alexandria….CHOP!” I say before chopping him in the center of his head, Malice yelping and falling onto its ass. I laugh out loud as the feared demon of self-hatred, fell for an underused anime joke.

“HAHAHAHA, oh, oh my gods that was awesome!” I manage to say, many of the souls nearby joining into the laughter, and I swear Malice was blushing in embarrassment.

“Whatever, let’s just find whatever is the cause of this so I can go back to my cell.” it says with an attempted pout, but it just doesn’t work with the way his face is. I finish laughing and head out again, the souls nearby not minding the two of us now.

“Why have you entered my home little ones?” boomed a voice from every direction. “I was sleeping rather well until you decided to start stirring up the souls Faekage Alexandria Justine.”

I look around in worried confusion, Malice standing back to back with me. I only see a bunch of souls floating around really fast. “Who’s there?!”

“Compassion, Solace, Peace, Kindness, Positivity. Whatever a good thing is called is what I am. I am the opposite to the demon behind you young mage. You may call me Somber,” Said the voice as a golden-robed hooded figure appeared before us.

“Somber? That is ironic.” Malice says, earning an elbow to the gut from me.

“Not now Malice. So, Somber, are you the reason Edward is having such serious nightmares as of late?” I question, placing my neutral mask back on.

“You can shed you false face young guildmaster I mean you no ill intention. But unfortunately, I am the main cause of my dear host’s worsening dream state. He gained me not long after returning to life. I am the Embodiment of Edward’s Stone of Compassion. Only now have I gain my form after your sister’s transmutation. It was after the battle with the Truth when I was unsealed,” explained Somber. “Edward is punishing himself for his past transgressions as he thinks he is undeserving of this power.”

“Oh boy not again! I just dealt with this with my Luna!” I yell in annoyance. What is it with banished millennium-year-old beings punishing themselves?!

“Neither Alexandria. It was the strife he put his family through during the time he was entombed and the negativity he recently put your sisters and brother through. You must understand that the man you call your uncle, Edward Elric, is a shell. His true name is Allan Ferris and it was always his nature to do for others he cared for,” Somber explained as it pulled up images from Ed’s battle with Truth.

“Damn Truth, and its power over the void,” snorted Malice.

“Agreed. It looks like Allen is like Adam in terms of protective instincts, but is a lot like Nat’s parents with self-blame. I guess I can only do so much for him, at least by myself.” I say, watching the battle unfold, and hearing about how each of us has helped him. A light bulb suddenly goes off in my head as I hear all we have done to help him.

“Wow, he really is a bigger Baka than some anime protagonists. He knows how much we have been able to help him, but he can’t just ask for some help.” I say with a grin, Malice and Somber nodding.

“He never was one to ask for help even back on his Earth,” Somber added. “That’s what I gleamed from his memories. He always would make props for his friend at their request and work day and night and never ask anything in return.”

“Hehe, I know a few potential members of my guild who could learn a thing or two from him,” I mutter with a smirk, remembering some less than reputable ponies I met that may end up working with me in the guild hall. I quickly turn to Somber as the events with Truth finish.

“So, is there a way to help Ed with these nightmares? I may know a thing or two about dream walking and manipulation, but I need to know the underlying problem before I could look for a solution.”

“The underlying cause of most of the nightmares is he own unwillingness to accept that the consequences of his actions are not just his own. If he would be more willing to accept the help of others, such as yourself, then he would be able to rid himself of the majority of the effect of the nightmares. The problems mainly lies in the fact that he is more then willing to give but not willing to accept compassion in return. It also stems from the Law of Equivalent Exchange,” explained Somber.

“It’s why I was born in the first place,” added Malice.

“It the one aspect of the original Edward and Allen share. Self-blame and an unwillingness to ask those around him for help. All because he doesn’t want to involve the ones he cares for out of danger. That’s also the reason he was entombed in stone a millennium ago,” Somber says looking to Malice. He seems to want to tell me what happened to Ed but can’t bring himself to do so.

“The alchemist has harbored this habit long before I came to exist but it has grown worse since coming here and since he married the Moon Princess. He ultimately doesn’t realize he is the cause of his own nightmares. They were just kicked into high gear since obtaining Somber over there, because he doesn’t think he is deserving of the Stone of Compassion or the Powers that come with it,” smiled the demon as it explained.

“Either way, we don’t really care as it doesn’t really affect us in any negative way. As long as, Allen stays this way we gain more power by feed of the negativity and grow stronger. Sure as for now we can’t do anything but bide our time and wait. The alchemist will screw up sometimes and when he does, we’ll be there to take over once more.”

“What the ball of anger is saying is unless you can get our host to simply start asking for a little bit of help every now and then, then he’s doomed to have the nightmares for the rest of his foreseeable life and they will continue to worsen over this time. He must realize he can’t be everyone's’ sins on his shoulders alone, that’s why he has friends and family after all,” Somber says as I see him smile softly under his hood.

I nod at this and think for a second, before glancing at my right arm and remembering my new form. I smile as I think of a way to snap this Baka out of it.

“Alright. I guess that was everything I needed to know. Now then, I should head out, but first.” I turn to Malice and snap my fingers, summoning an orb of green and blue magic.

“What’s that?” He questions, slowly smiling at the orb.

“My repressed anger and rage at Ray.” I hold it out to him. “Take it. Even though you may get stronger, I feel like you and Ed could make better use of it than I can.”

Malice and Somber are actually shocked as I offer the one who made Ed mad, more power. “Why would you give me this?” He questions suspiciously.

“A couple reasons. One: despite my own advice, I have had trouble letting go of my past. It is why Sonbāsuta and I have yet to do anything after that dance on Hearths warming. Maybe it is just because you are part of Ed, but I feel you could be the one I can unload this on.”

“Two: even if you are an evil abomination that should probably be sent to the deepest part of Tartarus, you’re still a living being, and if all goes well, your negative energy food source will be lost for a while.”

“Lastly: Equivalent Exchange. You are giving me the parts of Nat and Sora you stole, as well as my first Satan Soul form. I just feel like I owe you a bit.”

“Very well. I will not turn down negativity of any kind. If this concludes your visit to our home then I believe I have one last thing of yours,” Malice say holding out its hand as the other pink orb reappears in it. “This is the piece of the I took from the one called Sorano. It is yours to do what you will with. Do not cross me mage or I will revoke your contract.”

“I don’t cross on my deals Malice. One of the things I learned in my life, is to always stand by your word. It’s why I am such a good guild master.” I say, swapping the orbs. I quickly absorb Sora’s soul orb while Malice takes his time in absorbing the one I just gave him.

“I’m leaving to return to my area of the room do what you will with … urah the Compassionate one over there,” the demon says in disgust as it walks away.

I shake my head as I take a breath and bow to Somber, ready to head out. Somber bows back, a smile on his face as I begin to fade back into my own body.

My vision takes a couple of seconds to come back, my sight revealing the alchemist as his eyes are still dulled from my spells. I glance at my arm, seeing it is still taken over.

“Judging from the look of your arm you made a takeover contract with Malice. I take it from that, you were somewhat successful in your endeavors to root out the cause of my nightmares?” Ed asked with a concerned looked on his face. “ And I’m sensing a ‘but’.”

“Yup. I know what is causing your nightmares, and it has a simple solution, but it is still something that you will have trouble with.” I say without pause, before hitting him upside the head with my demon arm.

“BAKA!” I feel like if this keeps up ponies will start calling me a tsundere.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!” shouted the shocked alchemist.

“These nightmares are your own damn fault, Allen! It barely has to do with Malice, and just barely more to do with Somber. You are subconsciously punishing yourself with these nightmares. Your damn inferiority complex in not believe you deserve these powers, and that you need to carry all of our sins is what is causing this!” I yell at the man.

“So you're saying I’m punishing myself for reasons beyond my control and that I should stop trying to do everything on my own,” Allen says with a deadpan look on his face. “And who the heck is Somber?”

“Your Stone of Compassion personified. He showed up after the transmutation. Nice guy, defiantly more fun than Malice. And yes, you really need to stop doing everything yourself. If I tried that in the guild, we would be shut down after the first month.” I soften my expression and lay a hand on his shoulder.

“You have more than just Luna, Twilight or Polearm too. Even after all the crap, we have been through, you do have your Displaced family to lean on now too.”

“Thanks a lot Lex. Oh, I see Malice isn’t completely without reason now,” Ed smiled as he looked at my eye. “I’m gonna go chat with the rest of the party and I believe you have a couple of things to give to Nat and Sora.”

I smirk and am about to leave, before remembering my arm and focusing my magic, the yellow digital-looking magic covering my arm and turning it back to normal. I nod and smile, heading back into the party with Ed right behind me.

“I’ll talk with you later Lex and Thank you,” Ed says walking off towards his wife. “And keep the real name to yourself.”

I smirk as he heads off towards his wife, an idea popping into my head about how to end things.

‘Looks like I am going to have to ice my voice for a bit. It has been a while since I last sang. But first things first.’ I head over to the pile of presents for Sora and pick up my own, carefully adding the portion of her soul into the magic within. I smile and head over to Spike, intent on enjoying myself for a while longer.

I release a small sigh of relief as I saw Lex and Ed leaving the kitchen. I saw them heading in a while ago, and was worried when we all sensed a small spike in magic power, but Spike and Trace said it was likely a Triple Unison Raid. The fact that Lex could do a unison raid by herself was really impressive.

All of us took a breath after they explained it, but we were all still a little worried since we didn’t know why she used that much magic, but we all decided to leave them to themselves just in case. I could tell all the other magically inclined beings in the room were relieved when they came in, more or less the same.

I was wondering what they were talking about, but I figure it has something to do with Malice or something along those lines. I really wish there was a way for me to help Ed with his inner demons as my sisters have.

I guess just being a huntsman and a faunus I could only do so much for someone in terms of psychology. From what I know, I could only give some many things, one of them I know is necessary as family. I smile as I hear Pinkie whistling to get everyone’s attentions.

“Alright everypony! It’s time for the new Diclonius to get her presents!” She yells, Sora smiling and all but teleporting to the pile of presents. I shake my head and laugh as Sora is reminding me of my little brother Tai back on earth whenever its his birthday.

“Alright Sora, I think you’ll like this.” Lex says, handing her present box to the girl. I could sense that it was enchanted like the ones she gave me, Penny, and Rainbow for Hearths Warming.

I watch in my own excitement as Sora tears open the box, revealing an icy blue, orange and white flame in the box. While most were confused and a little worried, us Displaced knew what it was and we all smiled.

Sora smiles wide and grabs the fire, allowing it to cover her, much to the shock and worry about her catching on fire. After a couple of seconds, the fire goes down and Sora smiles after opening her eyes. She seems a little confused for a second, before raising her hand, a red ball of fire appearing.

“How you feel Sora?” Ed asks as he puts one of his own gifts in front of the seven year old.

“Warm and….chilly?” She says in slight confusion, before dispersing the fire and focusing again, the air around her hand suddenly becoming mist and cold.

“Well, that is because I decided to give you two somewhat opposite elemental magic. And also another lost magic. Rainbow Fire magic, Ice Maker magic, and Arc of Time.” Lex explain with a grin. I am actually surprised she gave her those magic, considering how they all work.

“No way! You gave me Arc of Time? Oh this is going to be great.” She says with a grin, and now I am worried about her own Equestria. Her pranking record was worrying.

“My gifts might help you out with some of that magic,” Ed says placing the rest of his gifts in front of his niece.

Sora smiles and takes the gifts apart and opening them up, revealing an alchemist watch that was a shade of pink darker than Nat’s, with a red Ouroboros and Diclonius horns on the front. The second one had a ruby red and aqua bow that looks like it would go in her hair. And last was a necklace with a white and silver stone in the center, and I could sense that was one of the Sage Stones Ed make.

“Whoa.” Is all Sora can say as she picks up her presents.

“That’s exactly what you think it is Sora. But as it like the one that held you together that makes it extremely powerful. I know you’ll be able to handle the Time stone for three reasons. One, you're fused with the Souls stone. Two, you are a fighter, Three, you're my niece,” Ed explained as he knelt down and tousled Sora’s hair. “Adam, your turn.”

I grin and snap my fingers, summoning my present box from the back room. “Hey Nat, sorry, but I think Sora could use these.” I say, much to the confusion of everyone but Ruby, Penny and Pyrrha.

I give the box to Sora, who opens it up and actually gasps at what I made her. She looks between me and the box a couple times before squeeing loudly.

“What is it?” Nat and Lex asks in unison. I smile as Sora reaches in and takes out a pair of red and white gauntlets. They have a different design than my Ember Celica, and she grins after putting them on than then taking out a belt of daggers.

“What. Adam is that what I think it is?” Nat questions sternly. I just grin as Sora stands up and motions for the others to get back. She makes sure the weapons are on right before extending her fingers, the gauntlets shifting as five daggers extend to look like claws on the gauntlets.

“That’s exactly what I know it is Nat. Hey, you think we might be able to make the jacket?” asked Ed with the fires of creativity burning in his eyes.

“Edward!” Nat says sternly, but I could tell she is still thinking about it. I laugh as those two have a mini stare down, Sora just looking over her new weapons with an excited smile.

“What, I like the jacket. Elemental weapons are cool. But if I really wanted one I could do it any time Arc of Embodiment, remember. I really think Sora could benefit from having one too,” Ed says not backing down while his wife and students could only shake their heads.

“Why do I even try? Though, I guess I am not a really a good position to talk about that, considering I have a Neo coat.” Nat says in defeat. I laugh a little as Ed wins that argument. I grin as I kneel before Sora and focus my aura.

“Oh yeah, there is something else I wanted to give you. Now, I need you to close your eyes and concentrate.” I say, laying a hand on the side of Sora’s head, just below her horn. She nods and closes her eyes as I focus my own aura onto hers, my eyes glowing slightly.

“For it is in passing that we attain immortality. Through this we become a paragon of strength to rise above all, endless in distance and unbound by death. I release your soul, and by my shoulders protect thee.”

I see as Sora’s aura surrounds her, looking a mix of blue and pink before I lower my hand, slightly out of breath from the use. She opens her eyes and looks at her hands as her aura begins to dissipate. I could see Pyrrha smiling in my peripherals, knowing I basically just copied her.

“Wow, so this is what that feels like. Thanks bro.” She says, giving me a hug. I smile and hug her back, happy that most of her strength is coming back.

“I do believe that's everyone,” Ed says looking to Pinkie. “Cake and song time would you agree, Pink party planner pony.”

“If you don’t mind I would like to sing a song for my new niece,” said Ed’s Luna stepping next to Sora with a smile as she looked down to her.

“You got it other princess Luna!” Pinkie says, zooming around, setting up a small stage near the back with a bunch of instruments and microphone for Luna. I grin as Pinkie somehow grabbed my violin, though I am pretty sure that was back in my room.

I motion to my elder sisters and they nod, heading over to the stage area with our Aunt Luna. It is going to be odd referring to her like that. I grab my violin as Nat sits by the piano (how did Pinkie get that here?) and Lex takes a quick drink of water and stand next to Luna by the mic.

“Sora I hope you will always stay strong because you are a warrior. But you have to be strong for yourself now as only you can. That doesn’t mean you have to do it alone though either, don’t be afraid to let others now,” Luna said as we started to play our instruments.

I smile as Lex and Luna begin to sing, perfectly set to Nat’s piano. I glance to my little sister, who is smiling with some tears in her eyes, sitting in Ed’s lap and between Dusk and Penny. I could only wonder how all our parents would be reacting to this. Maybe it is my imagination, but I swear I could see Nat and Sora’s parents smiling from the back of the room.

I could all but see Sora’s emotions as she listens to us play and sing, her smile refusing to leave her face. I give her a quick wink as we begin to fade out, the crowd gathered all applauding loudly for us. I smile and place my violin away as we all walk back to Sora and Ed.

I could immediately feel something wrapping around me as we get close, Sora pulling all of us in with her Vectors for a group hug. I couldn’t help my own tears from falling for my little sister. I could feel as Nat wraps her own Vectors around us, a smile on her own face as we all hold Sora.

“Ah got to say, ya’ll are one hell of a family.” I hear AJ say as she and the others give us some space. I look to her and nod in agreement, the others finally letting one another go.

“That reminds me,” Luna says reaching into her bag on the table pulling out four silver chain with what appears to be some type of shield pendant on them. “These are the crests of the royal family that adorned Ed’s flags so long ago. The very same crest that Polearm wears now. I wanted you four to have them. They’re infused with my magic so we can keep in touch should you ever need me. Even in other realities. Simply hold the shield and you’ll instantly be connected to me wherever you are.”

I am shocked as she gives them to us. I guess that makes the four of us pseudo-royalty? They looks similar to the graduation necklace Dusk and Nat have, but they have the weird shield symbol that Polearm necklace.

“I hate to cut the festivities short but I do believe we should all return to our own realities. Nat and Sora can attest to a summoned Displaced staying a week in another’s world can drastically alter it. We’ve got Pokemon popping up left and right back home now,” Ed says standing up from his seat. I could tell he didn’t want to leave but the was also telling the truth at the same time. Nat had told me of the happening after her battle in Ed’s world.

“Hold on Ed. There’s something else. I’m sorry I acted the way I did in the dark library. I know I was a little Argo back there when you brought up Ray. So, even if it is just a promise, you have my word as a huntsman. If you ever face an opponent you think you need help with, don’t hesitate to summon me. Kay?” I say, holding my hand out.

“I know you’ll keep that promise nephew. But I don’t need it. We’re family after all. Next time I’ll see you under better circumstances. The same goes for me as well,” Ed says taking my hand.

I could almost hear the others grinning as I shake Ed’s hand, before taking out everyone’s tokens from my bag. I give Sora a quick kiss on the head and hug Lex and Nat, before stepping back as the others all get into their groups.

“I’ll see you guys later. It’s been nuts. Our contracts are finished.” Three different portals open up, everyone making sure they all have their stuff. Nat, Lex and Sora give Ed and his wife a hug each before stepping through their portals.

Ed gives one more glance to us before nodding, walking through the portal with his wife, Twilight and Polearm. Once the portals are closed, I take a good look at the three tokens in my hands, a smile worming its way on my face.

‘See you soon, my family.’

Author's Notes:

Alright, now that the finale of this arc is done, I am going to be working on Lex and Adam’s stories and maybe some other bits, stay cool everyone.

Garnet out!