It was early morning and everypony was enjoy their breakfast as usual. Ed was sitting at the far end of the table munching on eggs and toast while reading a few books on magical theories for magic flow, teleportation, transfiguration, transfer, and magic gathering. This had become the norm for the alchemist, as he found it harder and harder to keep up with his research materials that he and Starswirl were coming up with. So he decided tonight that it was too late to travel to his home in the forest he would just sleep in the lab that he and Starswirl used for their work.

Ed had found something out in while trying to see if he could use magic, which he couldn't at least not directly. What he found is that he could manipulate magic in a way similar to alchemy. Ed remembered in the world of FMA that alchemist used the tectonic energy of the planet to influence matter when performing alchemy. So, in theory, all he had to do was use magic instead of using tectonic energy. Ed quickly found out this was not as simple as he thought it would be as magic is much stronger and more unpredictable the simple energy. Magic could carry many different aspects all at once and that it was what made it so unpredictable. What Ed had developed to counteract this was what he called weaving. Reading the flow of magic and taking out the negative aspects of what was in the magic and leaving what was needed behind in the object to strengthen it. Of course, weaving also applied to the magic all things including living beings as well.

Ed would take this weaving skill and apply it to his magic based alchemy theory proving it to be a fundamental success. He would go on to create a new type of magic he called Alchemagic. Which was defined as taking the raw materials necessary for transmutations applying the tectonic energy to the materials to form the object while also weaving in the in the necessary magical energies to strengthen the object while it's being formed. It was after this that Ed began to look into ways to concentrate magic into a purely physical form. After many experiments had quite literally blow-up in his face Ed decided to shut down the project for the time being.

Ed decided to refocus his efforts on the medical expertise he had acquired during his journey. He started a series of journals for medicinal practices for herbology, potions, and other applied skills. What he focused most on was the adaptation of automail for the ponies. Seeing as their basic anatomy was pretty much identical to humans made it fairly easy to create diagrams and procedures for the processes. The only difficulty laid in the lack of resources to that was needed to craft the components for he prosthetics. Ed could only wait for things to progress to the point to where he could one day implement these innovations to Equestria.

While Ed was going about his own studies with Starswirl's help, he was also helping with the studies of Celestia and Luna. Ed had gained a vast collection of knowledge of the past few hundred years and this also applied to strategy, battlefield maneuvers, and many forms armed and unarmed combat that he would practice in the castle courtyard. He would also give often give lessons to the guards that were on off duty.

When it came to downtime Ed was often either found in his in the gardens usually in the company of Princess Luna. Of course, no one really understood why the Princess was so interested in the odd human. He was often the but of many the cruel joke of foreign diplomats that would come see the princesses due to his strange eyes and the way he dressed. It mattered not for he'd grown quite accustomed to this treatment over his travels. As Luna's time during the day was starting to grow shorter due to power as the pony of the night grew so did her time with Ed.

Ed decided to redirect his concentration to his magic project, but this time he'd let Celestia and Starswirl in on it. Starswirl remembered back to the description of the Philosopher's Stone and how its made. He began to suspect that the focus of this project might be an alternative way to create a stone that didn't require the sacrifice of living souls. Of course, Starswirl jumped at the chance to start looking over Ed's journals on the processes. Celestia was still a little apprehensive at the idea of have such a powerful object in existence and Ed did sympathize with her. With this thought, Ed promised Celestia that if they were ever successful in the creation of a stone that he would bring it to her, Luna, and Starswirl before they began the next in moving forward. After many more explosions, the group was able to produce a functioning stone with the same properties as a true Philosopher's Stone. Albeit, with a difference in power output but with all the same properties. In homage to its base's origins, the group dubbed their creation the Sage's Stone.

With the creation of the stone came whispers of its authenticity. Many denied that it existed and those that didn't wanted proof that it did. Many didn't approve of the sisters having such a powerful item on top of a; ready being so powerful themselves. This was what lead to a falling out with minotaurs in the months that followed. Many ponies and minotaurs lost their lives in the ensuing war, something that nearly broke Ed completely.

It had been reported to the princesses that many of the settlements in the southern territories had been attacked with hardly any survivors left in the waves of destruction. Ed had been sent to track a group of minotaur raiders for the past few weeks through the forests of the south that had been suspected of the attacks. With some luck and through various tracking techniques he was able to finally catch up to them in the thick forest.

When Ed finally caught up to the raiders he couldn't believe the sight before his eyes. The raiders were in the next settlement and it was on fire. The air was thick with the smell of blood. The blood of the inhabitants of the village decorated the ground and the buildings as it reflected the fire the raiders had set. Ed hit his knees at the sight before him. Never before had he seen such evil and it shook him to his core.

Ed managed to get back to his and then he started to look in around the village for survivors. He managed to find a few of the village just barely alive but alive nonetheless. Ed proceeded to heal the survivors' wounds with his alchestry. After which he told them to head north towards Everfree producing a seal for them to show the guards on duty. As Ed was the seeing that the villagers on their way he heard a voice shouting at them from a short distance away.

“HOW DARE YOU RUIN OUR FUN YOU PATHETIC PONY BASTARD!” shouted a very large and heavily armored minotaur with a group of smaller minotaurs behind him.

“So you must be the raiders I've been following,” Ed said clenching his fist as he turned to face the tormentors.

“SO WHAT IF WE ARE!” screamed the minotaur as the started to laugh.

“You wouldn't have a name would you?” asked the alchemist as he started to walk over to the group.

“IT STEEL JAW! NOT THAT IT MATTERS A DEAD PONY WALKING!” shouted Steel Jaw right to Ed's face.

Steel Jaw raised a massive ax over his head and brought down on the alchemist that was standing before him. With a smile on his face, he looked back to his troops and began to speak.

“Thought he'd put up more of a fight, but he was just a pony.” laughed the minotaur.

As he said this the raiders couldn't believe what was going on before them. The pony standing in front of the group had caught the ax with his right hand in mid swing with no hesitation at all. It took Steel Jaw a moment to realize this, but when he did, he quickly pulled the ax back and began to unload a barrage of down on the alchemist before him. Ed successfully blocking every single blow with his right arm. All while tearing the cloth exposing the metal beneath. As the minotaurs saw this their jaws dropped.

“What the hell kind of a pony has a metal arm?” asked Steel Jaw as he stumbled back trying to regain his stance.

“I never said I was a pony,” said Ed still shaking from his anger.

He started to move toward the minotaurs again. While doing so his body began to glow red and give off bolts of red electricity. It was in this moment Ed began to subconsciously tap into the Philosopher's Stone's powers. The minotaurs start to cower.

“YOU DAMN BASTARDS SAID YOU WERE HAVING FUN?! SLAUGHTERING VILLAGE AFTER VILLAGE. STALLIONS, MARES, COLTS, FOALS, AND FILLIES, YOUNG AND OLD, IT DIDN'T MATTER YOU SLAUGHTERED EVERY SINGLE PONY YOU CAME ACROSS IS FUN?!?!” screamed Ed.

At this point, Ed's rage was the only thing driving him forward. This wasn't in favor of anything around him no matter how far away especially the minotaurs that had provoked him. With this, the energy Ed was giving began to affect the area; draining the life out of the everything from the surrounding area but the minotaurs. The land began to die and what was left was nothing but rock.

“You know Celestia wanted to show you bastards mercy by imprisoning you. But Me? I won’t just let you bastards off the hook that easily. Not after all the death, you cause for the ponies and every living thing creature you SLAUGHTERED!” yelled Ed.

“What are you gonna do? Go against your precious pony princess?!” remarked Steal Jaw, who merely laughed at Ed.

“That's exactly what I'm gonna do you bastards. You see, the only reason I'm out here was to try and save ponies cause the Princesses asked me to, but I'm technically not under their ruling body which gives me free reign to do what I want,” said Ed raising his head slightly.

“ What you can't just kill us!” said another minotaur.

“OH I'M NOT GONNA JUST KILL YOU! I'M GONNA SLAUGHTER EVER LAST MINOTAUR SOLDIER, MERCENARY, AND SOLDIER I FIND UNTIL MY RAMPAGE NUMBERS EQUALS ALL THE LIVES YOU BASTARDS HAVE TAKEN!” Ed yelled to the sky as the red energy began to pour out of his body without end.

True to his word, Ed went for days slaughtering every minotaur he came across. Unable to control himself, his body kept giving off red electricity, all the while absorbing the life energy of the area. Due to this, the land became an uninhabitable wasteland, and Ed’s slaughter of the minotaurs earned Ed the name Crimson Butcher.

It had been almost two weeks since Ed has lost himself to his rage. He was solely focused on finding all the minotaurs and annihilating them he never noticed a small group of unicorns had been following while staying out of his scorching energy. They decide that it was time to let the princesses know of the situation and of the friend's action.

Luna had just lowered the moon and was on her way to have breakfast with her sister and teacher. Though she did enjoy this time, it wasn't the same as when Ed was there. When he would have breakfast at the castle it was very enjoyable even when he was reading he was still able to hold a conversation with her. Ed would often come by and stay with Luna during night court and while she performed her duties. She didn't know why he was around her so much. After all, most of the ponies preferred to by around Celestia but while Ed was around he made her feel whole. Luna had been missing him terribly since he had left to tend to the affairs of the southern territories, and she was starting to worry because the reports she had read recently had indicated that something terrible was happening.

Luna walked through the doubles doors ready for breakfast expecting to see Celestia and Starswirl sitting at the table, but they were standing while harshly speaking with each other. This thoroughly perplexed Luna as they never argued with one another unless it was an extremely important reason.

“Good morning, sister. Good morning, Mentor. Has something happened?” Luna asked slightly tilting her head.

“Luna, you'll recall that the minotaurs have all but ceased their threats on all fronts against the ponies, correct?” asked Celestia.

“Yes, an extreme stroke of luck on if we do say so,” answered Luna.

“Well, as it turns out, it's because of the strange events that have taken place in the southern territories as of late,” said Celestia.

“ According to the reports, there's been some pony going around killing the minotaurs it sees. Showing no mercy whatsoever. It all so said the there is some type of magic anomaly wondering around to. We do hope Ed is alright. He supposed to be in that area after all.” Luna said with worry.

“That's what we were just discussing Luna. As it turns out that all of these reports are actually referring to the exact same thing,” said Celestia walking over to her sister.

“What's going on sister does this have something to do with why Edward hasn't returned yet?” asked Luna with even more worry in her eyes now.

“Yes, Luna that exactly what I'm saying. That Edward is the cause of everything that has happened as of late. Mentor and I just received a letter from a group of unicorn scouts that had been sent out to investigate to see why Ed had been gone for the last two weeks, and as it turns out Edward is behind everything that's been happening.” said Celestia with a sorrowful look.

“ As it turns out, Luna, Ed was able to catch-up to the raiders he'd been tracking, but when he did they were in the process of destroying another village. Ed had managed to save a few of the villagers before the raider targeted him, and in order to protect the few Ed fought with the raiders. While he was fighting he let himself circum to his rage while tapping into his Philosopher's Stone.” Celestia said bowing her head.

“You mean Ed is the one who's been-.,” said Luna dropping to the floor.

“I'm afraid so sister, and we're also the only ponies who even stand a chance of stopping him. There is a good chance that we'll be able to talk to him so he'll calm himself down to the point where he can regain his sanity.” Celestia said while comforting her sister.

“A you certain we can bring him back, sister?” Luna asked as tears fill fro her eyes.

“I'm sure we can bring him back my dear student, but I can't say for certain that he'll be the same as he was before. Ed is probably aware of what he's been doing while in the berserk state. After all, he has only been targeting the minotaurs.” Starswirl interjected.

“In fact Luna, I think you're the only pony he'll listen to at this point. Given that you two are so close to one another.” Celestia said with a smile.

“We'd be lying if we denied having feelings for Edward at this point, but we're certain that Ed doesn't have those type of feelings for us,” Luna said while blushing.

After getting themselves ready for the events to come the alicorn princesses took off from the castle while Starswirl used a speed spell to keep up with them. Not knowing what laid ahead of them the three of them set out with a single thought in their minds. That they had to save their friend from himself. Starswirl was a little excited at the chance that he'd finally see what a Philosopher's Stone was capable of.

It had taken nearly half a day for Celestia, Luna, and Starswirl to reach their destination, but when they finally got to where the guards had been station they were in total shock. What they saw was nothing but a barren rocky landscape that was completely devoid of any signs of life. Off in the distance, they could make out a column of red light in the distance.

The first thing Celestia's group did was have the guards report to them because they'd wanted to know was if there had been any changes in Ed's actions or behavior since the last report. Unfortunately, it was as he had started to attack anything that would give off movement. Starswirl had originally thought that if he could get Ed to see Luna he'd come to his senses, but now he was starting to think that they may have to fight the alchemist. This would prove to be extremely difficult due to the Philosopher's Stone's ability to take in the surrounding area's ambient magic, but from the look of the landing, most of the magic had already been absorbed thereby eliminating this threat. Another problem they faced is that it would solely be up to Celestia and Luna to face off against Edward due to immense strength, speed, and power, but also because there was no doubt in Starswirl's mind that he would be afflicted by the magic drain if he got to close to Ed. The last challenged they faced was if Luna would be able to even face Ed in the state he was in. On top of all this Starswirl still wanted to observe the battle to gain more knowledge on the Philosopher's Stone.

The three ponies decided to rest the night to regain their strength that they had used to reach the southern territories and engage Edward tomorrow at full strength. Celestia knew it would be difficult to face Edward in a fight. Even when he would face she and Luna in their sparring matches at the castle he was still able to hold them both of with relative ease in both armed and unarmed combat. Though, they do have the advantage of Ed not being able to think coherently. Before they left Celestia wanted to talk with Luna one more time.

“Luna I know this isn't sitting well with you and it isn't with me either, but we have to fight with Ed in order to save him,” said Celestia.

“We know sister. That doesn't make it any less hard on us, but we've already decided this and we must fight, not for Edward's sake, but for our ponies,” said Luna.

“I know this won't be easy on either of you my students. It'll be the most difficult test the two of you have faced so far. it will be physically and emotionally taxing on you both, but you must endure it for Edward and the ponies. I'll help however I can. Now let's go.” said Starswirl.

On that note, the three ponies head out to meet their friend on the field of battle fully armed. This time it was for real and nothing was going to be held back.

Ed was standing in an open area with nothing around him as the wind swept the dust off the ground. His body was giving off a column red energy stretching into the clouds causing the air crackle and hum with red electricity. His golden eyes laid on a red background while gritting his teeth with a frown of anger. This was the sight that the alicorn sisters saw before them as they approached their dear friend. Luna was the first to speak to him

“Edward we come to talk with you,” Luna said trying to keep her voice from wavering for the pain she felt a the sight of the man she loved.

“Luna get out of the way!” Celestia yelled quickly pushing her sister out of the way.

The enraged alchemist had launched himself directly at the lunar princess just as she began to speak but instead was met by a gold shield with the emblem of a sun on it. Ed immediately began to unload a barge of hard punches directly into the shield. While Celestia did her best to try and absorb the blows she heard Ed yell.

“MUST... AVENGE...INNOCENTS...LOST!” screamed the enraged alchemist.

While her sisters were keeping Ed distracted Luna pulled out her chains whips, and managed to wrap them around his leg. As they'd expected, due to his rage the once calculating strategist had now attacking only the things in his field of vision. With that in mind, Luna slammed Ed into the ground, a small crater forming from his impact.

“Ed you've got to snap out of this!” yelled the sisters in unison.

In a matter of second the alchemist was back on his feet ready to take off again, but before he could a huge boulder came directly at him. The large stone had been launched via catapult by none other Starswirl hoping to watch the battle while still helping. Ed met the boulder with a head-on punch shattering it on impact. This was what Starswirl had hope for, trying to shut down Ed's right arm, but Ed had destroyed the boulder with his left arm. After seeing this Starswirl reloaded the catapult and tried again, but Ed used his right this with the same result. Starswirl kept up this pattern trying to provide aid to his students.

While Ed was distracted with the boulders flying at him Celestia flew down at dodging the fragments of stone flying towards her. She stretched her hand towards Luna, who the through her the other end of her whip. The two sisters started to fly circles around the alchemist entangling him in the chains. Ed fell to the ground squirming and angry as red electricity continued to exude from his body.

Now that they had subdued Edward, Celestia and Luna knew it was a race against time to calm him down before Ed broke the chains that held him. Even if he couldn't attack while bound, he was still draining them of their magic, and due to the fight, they didn't have much strength left. Luna stepped forward and began to speak to Ed again, hoping she could reach the kind-hearted alchemist she loved.

“Edward, listen to us,” said Luna with tears in her eyes. “Everything's okay now, you saved so many ponies. You can stop fighting and come home.”

“RAAHHH!” roared Ed electricity shot from him.

“Yes Ed, you can home to the castle,” added Celestia.

“NRAAH!” growled Ed as he tried again to get free.

There was a sudden snap as the chains held the enraged alchemist broke out of his bonds. Ed began to make his way over to the sisters with an angry scowl on his face. All of the damage that had been dealt to him the during the battles he'd endured were visible to all as he no longer was wearing his upper clothing. Ed slowly began to toward the sisters reach out with his shaking left hand. Celestia quickly moved in front of Luna, who placed her hand on her sister's shoulder moving her out of the way. Ed still staggering forward while reaching out as his face started to soften as tears began to fall from under his eyes. He was no longer giving off the red energy. Then, the alchemist began to speak once more.

“I'm s-s-s-sorry. I c-couldn't s-s-top myself. C-c-can you f-f-forgive me?” Ed said falling to his knees as he reached the sisters.

“Oh, Ed it's okay we forgive you. You weren't you, it was those raiders that caused this, not you,” said Luna now embracing the sobbing alchemist.

“Come now, we need to get to the back to the guard post and get patched up as well as get some rest. Then we head home tomorrow,” said Celestia helping the two off the ground.

As the trio started to walk off Ed suddenly stopped and turned to Luna.

"Look, Luna, I Just wanted you to know that you're a really special mare to me and that I lo-" Ed said as Luna's eyes grew wide.

All of a sudden Ed spun around and did a one-eighty with a serious look on his face.

“What wrong Ed?” asked Luna.

“This fight isn't over yet,” Ed said in anger.

this chapter took me a little longer cause of my job. i'm sorry guys i don't have a lot of down time right so i'm writing while i can at work and home so it probably take me awhile to get chapters out. i'm also trying to make them longer to. also if your willing go back reread the first chapters they've been edited thoroughly. I wanted to give some more in sight into Ed's past and a little bit of how Luna started realized how she truly felt about Ed. the next ch will continue the fight but what will happen?