Because I had drained all of the magic for this area I was able to sense all other sources of magic with pretty much pinpoint accuracy, and thanks to this I could tell there were multiple sources of magic coming our way at very high speeds. I couldn't say how many there were, but the magic I was sensing was very similar to that of earth ponies. That's when I realized that this magic belonged to the minotaurs.
I really should've known this would happen. They waited for Tia and Luna to wear themselves out while fighting me, then they would take full advantage of our exhaustion and crush us with the might of their army. They knew the couldn't beat even one of us at full strength let alone all three at once. Normally, I would call this cowardly, but seeing as minotaurs rely more on strength than strategy I had to applaud them on using this tactic. There was a grave mistake they made on their part though, and it's that I wasn't tired at all seeing as how I'd spent this last few weeks absorbing miles upon miles of magic on my rampage. So I decide, that if the minotaurs made the wrong choice, then the Crimson Butcher was going to show them he could when he was in control and not just an angry maniac.
That's when I felt a hand on my shoulder. As I looked back to my right I saw Luna with tears in her eyes. I knew that I'd just pulled the biggest asshole move I could've just now trying to confess and then abruptly stopping to say the fight wasn't over yet. God, why do I have to be such a jerk sometimes.
My thoughts came back to the minotaurs that were rapidly approaching. I decided to let Celestia and Luna know that I had sensed the minotaur army's approach and we began to discuss what we should do at this time. We only had three options and each of us didn't like the other for various reasons. Our first option was to flat out run, but the girls were too tired to go very far and I couldn't carry both at the same time given my height. The second option was to stay and try to negotiate possibly be captured and I didn't want this period. Our final option was to charge in head first and see how long we'd last or I could do this and maybe use the magic I had stored to take them on myself. With our time quickly diminishing we decided to try and reason as no more blood needed to be spilled, and as we agreed on this the minotaur arm was upon us.
Quickly using my alchemy I raised the ground that Celestia, Luna, and I were on to keep us out of reach of the approaching army just in case they tried to pull anything while we were talking with their leader or leaders. In doing this I had clearly angered the minotaurs. As they are the ones who are supposed to look down on their opponents, in their mindset anyway. Then, a large blue and gray minotaur wearing thick iron armor with a large crystal claymore on his back step out and began to speak.

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna my name is King Jagged Edge and I am here to apprehend the creature that has mercilessly slaughtered my men in these lands over the past few weeks and I would much appreciate it if you would move aside.” said the Minotaur King. “And if you don't we'll gladly come for him, and we'll gladly take you and your sister as well.” He continued with a loud chuckle.

“I'll gladly come with you to answer for what I've done King Jagged Edge, but you must let Princess Celestia and Princess Luna go!” I cried out to the king.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!” belted the Jagged Edge while he clapped. “Surely you didn't think I'd miss the chance to beat the sun and moon into submission. I really should thank you, Crimson Butcher. Not only have you given me a reason to attack Equestria, but you also weaken the Princess to where I can make myself Ruler of the Heavens!”

“But you said you only wanted me!” I yelled.

“When did I ever say that!” shouted the King with another toothy grin. “Now minotaurs forward. The title of hero belongs to those of you who can bring me the princesses, and the one who brings me the butcher's head will be a legend!” shouted Jagged Edge pulling the sword from his back and using to single his troops to march.

I quickly turned to Celestia and Luna and then at the army coming for us. I knew they would last that long so I did the only thing I could and call for Starswirl using an alchemy flare.

“I'm here my friend what shall we do about the cretins.” remarked the wizard as he arrived via teleportation.

“I want you to take them and get the hell out of here. I'll take care of the minotaurs.” I said turning to my friends.

“But you can't take on the whole army. Not in the state your in.” cried Celestia.

“Don't worry about me Tia, I'll be fine,” I said as I now turned to Face Luna, now crying.

“WE JUST GOT BACK AND NOW YOUR DIVING RIGHT BACK INTO FIGHTING!” shouted Luna.

I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. Then I place one of my hands on her shoulder while wiping the tears from her eyes with the other.

“I won't lose to them or my anger, and besides what kind of a guy would I be if I couldn't protect the one I loved,” I said then place a kiss on her lips.

“Well, it's about time you told her,” said Celestia while shaking her head sarcastically.

“I know right, but we can talk more about it after I come back. Right now, I gonna show all these bastards why they call me The Crimson Butcher.” said turning to face the army with an evil smile on face.

“Starswirl, get them out of here and I'll see you at the northern outpost at the edge of the territory,” I ordered as my body began to glow red and give off red electricity.

“ALL RIGHT YOU BASTARDS! WELCOME HELL!” I screamed as I jumped from the ledge we were on.

I proceeded to tear into the minotaur army with a barrage of punches, kicks, and flips. Doing my best to not get pinned down. Even with my enhanced speed, I found it incredibly difficult to do so as I was still trying my best to use the Philosopher's Stone to keep myself energized with magic. One after another the minotaur soldiers came at me. I could no longer keep using martial arts due to the amount of damage that had been dealt to my arm and I couldn't use alchemy due to the number of enemies coming at me. So I went for the nearest weapon I could find, luckily it was a steel two-handed long sword. As I proceeded to place both hands on the sword the blade started to hum and glow with red lightning. Upon seeing the minotaur rs started to stagger backward a bit. I looked down towards the sword and then back to the soldiers, no the cattle, before me with a smirk on my face.

“What wrong? Don't any of you want to be a legend anymore?” I said used my sword to point to them.

They started to clench their weapons and then began to charge at me once more. This was no longer a fight for me. They had threatened many innocents and the ponies I considered my family and for that, I wouldn't let any of the bastards live. I blocked, slashed, parried, hacked, and jumped all around pushing my skills to the upper limits. I don't know how many I cut down. The only thing on my mind was that I had to protect Luna, Tia, Starswirl, and all of Equestria from these bastards. I continued to fight one after another they came at me. I was covered in blood from my head to my feet and I knew some of it was my own, but most of it was the army's. For hours a continued to cut down these bastards slowly make my way to King Jagged Jaw himself. After I had slaughtered his army I walked over the fallen corpses of the minotaurs, all while thinking they were brave to have faced me despite knowing that I would kill them. They had my respect at least not like their f*cking bastard of a king who was just standing there with the biggest twisted damn smile on his damn face. He started to laugh maniacally and clap his together slowly. Once he was finished I raised my eyebrow as I spoke.

“Are you finished yet you damn bastard?” I asked

“You know between the slaughtering of my men and being covered with all that blood and red lightning coming off of you, you definitely earn the name 'Crimson Butcher'!” he shouted as he started to laugh again.

“Just what in the hell is so damn fun!?!” I shouted at the laughing bastard.

“Oh just that you took out my arm and I'm still gonna make those to princess my bitches while cementing my legend by taking that damn head of yours,” said Jagged Edge with a smile. “You see this sword of mine was made specifically to counter your pony magic. So shoot whatever spell you want at me cause it won't affect me at all,” he said showing of the crystal blade with a small.

“NAHAHAHAHA! Is that all it does? MAH HAH!” I said laughing. “ Tell you what I'll do. I'll let you cut off my head no fuss... no magic … and then we can fight until you can no longer fight at all then I'll slaughter your ass.” I said in a grim tone.

“Just to let you know, your the biggest idiot I ever met and I'm always surrounded by idiots!” laughed the minotaur king as he extended his sword out to his side and swung clear across.

“You know I may be an idiot, but you're a rotten piece of sh-” I said as the sword cleaved my head from my body.

“Poor, stupid bastard. Well, got my trophy. Now to go after the others.” said the king as picked up my head and then started to walk to the north.

Then, my body began to twitch as bone, muscles, and organs began to reform in a combination of zips and zaps of red electricity. This caused Jagged Edge to quickly turn around wide-eyed with mouth open from shock. As my head finished regenerating I jerked forward catching myself by sticking my sword into the blood-soaked ground.

“Woo! Definitely not gonna do that unless I have to again.” I said flicking my head then my eyes came to rest on the minotaur in front of me.

“What in Tartarus are you? Your some kind of demon! I CUT YOUR HEAD!” screamed the frighten king.

“Yea, a lot a good that pile of ash will do ya at this point,” I said as I pull my sword from the ground only to have it point at the minotaurs hand.

He then looked at his now empty hand with nothing but black dust flying away in the wind coming from it.

“You broke our deal you used your magic to trick me,” said Jagged Edge trying to reassure himself.

“Sorry to tell you ya bastard but I can't actually use pony magic,” I said as I brought my sword down as he started to smile, “but I can use alchemy. Which lets me heal pretty much anything.

“Now it's time to fight ya bastard!” I yelled getting into my stance placing both hands on my sword.

With this, the minotaur king took his own battle stance and we began the next stage of the battle. I have to give to him the bastard was the king for a reason. Not only was he much stronger then any of the I had fought up to this point, but he was extremely intelligent for a minotaur. We clashed blow for blow and it was clear that he had the advantage as most of my energy had been spent fighting the army earlier. Not to mention his weapon was dealing much more damage to mine, then mine was to his. Even if I was a living Philosopher's Stone even I had limits on how long I could last in a fight and this fight had been going for a while now. Even so, the king was starting to show signs of fatigue as well. So I decided to gamble on this one last blow to finally take down this bastard.

“RAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!” I roared bringing every last ounce of power I could call forth as my body once again began to glow red and hum with red lightning I started transferring power into my weapon and my sword's blade started to glow a deep crimson.

“Now hold up, we can work things out I'll never attack the ponies or anything ever again,” said Jagged Edge begging for his life.

“YOU WHO THREATEN INNOCENTS, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, MY PEOPLE, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT MARE IN THE WORLD TO ME DOES NOT GET MERCY FROM ME! I WILL BURN YOU SORRY CARCASS TO NOTHING BUT ASH AND SCATTER IT TO THE WINDS OF EQUIS SO YOU WILL NEVER EVEN HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ENTOMBED!” I ROARED IN ANGER.

“PLEASE, MERCY!” he said as he dropped his sword and started to run.

“THE CRIMSON BUTCHER, SHOWS...NO...MERCY!” I yelled as I moved in a red flash splitting the bastard straight down the middle.

“Burn in hell you f*cking bastard,” I said walking away as his corpse caught fire as it fell to the ground while my own sword crumbled to ash in my hand.

As I start on my way back to the northern outpost a glint of light caught my eye. I looked to my right and it was Jagged Edge's anti-magic crystal sword. I just couldn't leave something this dangerous out here. So, I decided to take it with me. I walked over to the sword picking it up off the ground and held up as to see my reflection in its blade. As I stared at myself in the weapon my gaze came to rest on another reflection. It was the moon in the night sky. The battle had gone on well into the night as the moon had already moved quite a bit across the sky, but I'd been too focused on the battle to notice.

“Don't worry Luna, I'm on my way to see you now and I promise I won't make you sad anymore,” I say resting the sword on my shoulder while looking into the sky.

Starswirl had brought the alicorns to the northern outpost as Edward had told him too. Luna was very distraught over leaving Edward out there to fight an entire army of minotaurs by himself. He hadn't given any Celestia and Luna a choice in helping him face off with the minotaur army. Even with their diminished strength they could have at least helped thinned out the soldiers to help take some of the strain of Ed.

“Are you alright Luna?” Celestia asked her sister.

“No, we are not sister! Why would he just have us leave the battlefield when we could've helped him fight?!” Luna yelled back.

“I think it was to protect us, Luna. We had already used up most of our strength to bring Ed back to his sense. Also, I think Ed was trying to keep you from seeing him while he was fighting the minotaurs.” said Celestia.

“We know that sister. But, why did he push us away?” asked Luna as tears started to form in her eyes.

“One thing you must realize my student is that Edward willing to put his life on the line to protect you both and Equestria. He knew you two would do everything you could as rulers to protect your ponies, but he also knew that you didn't have the strength to do what was necessary,” interjected Starswirl.

“What does that mean mentor? You know just how strong we are,” said Celestia with an insulted tone.

“Yes, you're both magically and physically strong, but not spiritually strong,” said Starswirl pointing at their hearts.

“Spiritually?” Luna said tilting her head.

“Yes, my students, spiritually strong enough to take a life. You see Ed explained being human to me. That in order to sustain himself he would hunt animals for food to sustain himself-” said Starswirl.

“But this is different from a need to kill for survival.” interrupted Celestia.

“You right Celestia, but in the same sense, you must still kill. Not for your sake. but for the sake of those, you must and want to protect. See once you kill another being for any reason you are forever changed. Some are able to do it again and some can't do it at all. Ed has killed willingly and unwillingly.” said Starswirl.

“I think I understand mentor. Once you take a life you can't give it back, and that burden stays with you forever.” Celestia said looking at the ground.

“Yes and this is also why Edward was so against making and using the Philosopher's Stone because the stone is life itself. Right now he's using that life to protect the lives of the ponies he considers his friends, family, and the one he loves above all else.” Starswirl said looking to Luna.

“But why would he tell me his feelings and then just tell us we'd talk later?” asked Luna as tears ran down her cheeks.

“I think he was finally able to tell you how he felt and said you'd talk as a way to promise he'd be back after he was finished the battle,” said Starswirl.

“I know your worried Luna, but we all know how strong Ed is and I bet when he uses his Philosopher's Stone he gets even stronger,” said Celestia.

“Fret not my students I bet he's on his way now, and I think he should be greeted by a certain pony when he arrives,” Starswirl said looking towards Luna again.

“We're going to stay here until he comes through the gates, and he's going to explain his actions he pulled on us before we left,” Luna said quickly turning to hide her blushing.

By the time I got in range, my right arm had completely shut down due to the damage it sustained from the battle and my left leg wasn't far from shutting down as well. Losing my arm I could deal with but if I lost my leg, then I'd be up a creek without a paddle. The last few miles I'd taken to using to minotaur king's sword as a crutch of sorts to take the strain of my leg as much as possible.
The moon was moving across the sky and it would soon be time for Tia and Luna to exchange night for day, once again. I really enjoyed the transitions. More so the opposite for obvious reasons, and that's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had kissed the Princess of the Moon, told her I loved her, and then quite literally we talked about it later.

“Man, I've got to being the biggest jerk and idiot in all of Equestria.” I thought aloud while facepalming with my good hand.

“I just hope she won't be to pissed off at me for that stunt I pulled. The fact I didn't let her help in the battle didn't help my case, but I couldn't let either her or Tia fight. They weren't suited for killing things in any shape or form. Not to mention that bastard of a king made it personal with that damn comment.” I said as I continued to hobble along.

It still took me a pretty good bit of time before I was finally got into range of the outpost to see its gate. I was barely staggering at this point due to my leg having almost shut down. If I could make it to the outpost I would be able to get into the lodge I had set up as my makeshift workshop. I'd made sure to a couple of spare prosthetics seeing as how I was supposed to be out here for a little while. I have to admit, using a minotaur sized claymore as a crutch wasn't the easiest thing in the world to do.
I watched as the moon and sun traded places in the sky from a monolithic rock formation nearby the outpost. I had intended to stop only for about ten minutes or so. Just long enough to rest so I could get to the outpost, but I end up falling prey to my fatigue and passed out for the remaining hours of the night only to wake-up when the first raise of Tia's sun hit my face. I picked myself up from my makeshift chair with a little help from the sword and started to once again hobble towards the outpost.

“Knowing those bucket headed guards, they probably won't even be keeping a lookout. Seeing as how Luna and Celestia are here they're going to most of their manpower toward keeping them safe.” I said to myself.

There's really no way of telling if this stupid war with those damn cows is over with yet. I might have wiped out half their remaining army or not. When it comes to minotaurs, their whole race is nothing but warriors, and the king is always the strongest of them. Succession was always decided by who could beat the current warrior.

“God, I hope I'm not the next king of those damn bastards,” I remarked a sarcastic grin.

If I really did become the king of the minotaurs though it wouldn't be all that. First, I could put an end to this damn war, and implement a few reforms that wouldn't revolve solely around how strong an individual is. Second, I think I see what other things I could to help strengthen the relationships with other nations and races. These thoughts quickly made me laugh.

“Hahahahaha, I'm that last person they'll want as a king. I mean, I just spent the last two weeks in a blood frenzy killing every minotaur I saw. I'll be the boogie man to young calves for years to come. They'll tell stories of the Crimson Butcher and how he'll come to cut you to pieces and bathe in your blood.” I monologued while not paying attention to the fact I was now at the gates of the outpost.

Well, it was time for me to face Luna which I both wanted and dreaded. Tia and Starswirl wouldn't be an issue as they have much better control over they're emotions and can rationalize better than Luna. I've got to say though it's because Luna is more willing to be emotional that I love to be around her. Before I became Edward I was a very emotional person to the point that I would just act on those emotions, but since becoming Edward I've become much more rational as a person. Now, I'm not saying I don't always think before act, case and point the berserk mode a few weeks ago. Even the original Edward had his moments in FMA, but I do miss that part of me at times and be with Luna remind me of what that like at times. All this was going through my mind as I stood outside the gates.

“Enough thinking about that crap, because it was time to face my fate,” I said as I pushed open the gates to see none other than the Princess of the Moon running at me.

No sooner had I opened the gate to come into the outpost only to be met with an upset midnight blue alicorn princess charging right at me knocking me on my back, again. I could see this was gonna be a reoccurring thing for the foreseeable future. I lifted my head off the ground to see Luna with her head buried in my chest balling her eyes out. I can only imagine the pain she must've gone through when I forced Starswirl to bring her here.

“I'm told you we'd talk later didn't I,” I said bringing my left hand up to rest on her head to comfort her.

“Shut up you bucking idiot. Do you have any idea how worried we were that we might never see you again?” she said in sorrow and relief.

“I'm sorry I put you through that Luna, but I had to. I couldn't let Tia or you stay and run the risk of losing you both to that bastard of a king.” I said.

“So the reason you sent us away was to make sure Equestria's rulers stayed safe,” she said disheartened.

“Look, Luna, do you want what me to tell you half of the truth and spare the details, or do you want the whole truth?” I asked as she picked herself up off the ground and then turned away.

She remained silent as I proceeded to pick myself up as well, still relying on the sword to walk. Celestia and Starswirl came over and aided me in getting me over to my quarters while Luna silently trailed behind us. I know what I had said wasn't what she wanted to hear, but I wanted to say needed to be heard only by the three ponies currently around me.
After we got into my barracks I had Starswirl put up a soundproofing spell so no pony else could listen in on us while I sat down and started to exchange my limbs. I then proceeded to tell them what had transpired after the left about how I fought the army to the best I could. I tried to leave as many alive as I could, after all, most of them were just innocent soldiers that were just following a power-hungry king. I paused to detach my bad arm then replaced with the spare wincing from a slight bit of pain from having to reconnect the nerves. I started to enlighten them with the details of my one on one fight with Jagged Edge, and how he'd claimed that his crystal sword could negate pony magic. This detail interested Starswirl to a great degree as he then proceeded to examine to weapon trying to pick it up with his magic having no success whatsoever. I went on leaving no stone unturned, even elaborating on the deal with my head, Luna shrunk back at this part, and then how I invoked the last of power I could summon and end the bastard's life. How I thought the sword was too dangerous to leave behind so I took it with me. I then finished up as I replacing and went through a few routine motions to making sure my limbs were functioning properly. Celestia then started to speak.

“You do realize that some of the minotaurs must've seen you kill Jagged Edge, right,” she said sternly.

I sat back down resting my head against my new right hand. I looked at all the ponies in the room as two out of the three of them had their gaze on me. I then took in a large breath with a quick exhale and told them my thoughts on this.

“The way I see it, is that there are two to three possible outcomes from this and two are good and the other is very bad,” I stated.

“What would the good ones?” asked Starswirl.

“First, is that I'm the new king due to beating the previous king, and I can end this war with a peace treaty. Second, is that the next king is smarter than the last, and won't hold a grudge towards me for killing his predecessor and ends this damn war with the last king's death.” I said.

“And the bad one?” asked Celestia with a look of worry.

“That would be that the new king holds a grudge against me and wants revenge, or he could just be using it as an excuse to continue this damn war for the same reasons as Jagged Edge,” I said with disdain in my voice.

“What was his reason for this war?” asked Luna while looking out the window.

“That bastard said and I quote 'I can make myself Ruler of the Heavens!' and then he said 'I 'm gonna make those princesses my bitches.'” I said slamming my fist on the nearby table.

This caused Luna too and look at me for the first since we come into the barracks. I had turned my gaze towards the ground in my anger at Jagged Edge's words. I took a few moments to calm down before I looked to the others again. They could tell I had taken the kings comment as an outright threat to them that had to be ended. I took in another deep breath and let it slowly. I need to change the subject I decided it was time to discuss the elephant in the room, and by that, I meant the tension between Luna and myself. So I went into it post haste, or at least I tried to.

“That's enough of that subject for now, okay,” I said.

“I do believe you're right my friend. So, we'll take our leave for now and let you get some rest.” Starswirl said as they started to exit the barracks.

Just before Luna could follow them out she was stopped by her sister. Who then pointed at me, I hadn't noticed at the time.

“You two need to talk alone for a while. I know what Ed told you at the gate earlier hurt, but he did ask you if you want to know the whole story behind his actions and he is clearly hurting himself, “ said Celestia.

“We already heard the truth of why he did what he did sister. Now let us leave.” Luna said still trying to get past Celestia.

“I mean the truth behind his other actions Luna, and I'm very serious right now Luna. Ed is really upset even if he isn't showing it and you're the only pony he ever really talks to about his feelings.” Celestia whispered sternly.

“Don't start with us about feelings Tia. Ed has made it very clear that he doesn't feel the same way about us as we do about him.” Luna said looking over her shoulder at me.

I had been lost in my thoughts as to how to approach Luna on this subject after I got some rest when I noticed she and Tia were still standing in the doorway talking. I decided it would be best to talk with Luna now though. So, I spoke up to get he attention.

“Hey, Luna would you please stay for a bit? We... we really need to talk.” I said to Luna as Tia shut the door on her locking it with her magic.

Luna then walked over and sat across me in another chair. I took in a deep breath and began my explanation.

“Look, Luna, I'm not good with girls never have been, even when I was an extremely emotional guy. That's why it took something like yesterday's events to get me to admit my feelings for you.” I said as my eyes looked toward the ground.

“And I understand that your mad at me for sending you away, but you have to understand, I did it because I was trying to protect you and your sister. For Equestria's sake, yes, but also because I couldn't bear the thought of what might happen if you got hurt or even killed.” I said as tears started to form in my eyes.

“So you're saying you sent both Tia and us here for our own safety and to keep us from fighting. But what about your actions just before we fled?” asked Luna with a quiver in her voice.

“Luna you have to realize I've loved you for a long time since we first met even. That's why I spend so much time with and that's why I kissed before I had Starswirl take you two here.” I said standing up from my chair.

“So the reason you kissed us yesterday is because you've fallen in love with us, is what you're trying to say?” asked Luna gleefully.

I looked the at princess before me and I could feel my cheeks heat up from the blushing that had been brought on by the realization of what I had just said. I wasn't the only one red-faced either at these words. Luna had brought her hands up to cover her mouth as tears once again began to roll down the sides of her face. The next moment happened so fast, I barely had a chance to react as Luna once again came flying at, but thankfully we landed on the bed instead of the floor this time. About this time I heard her speak.

“I love you, Ed.” Luna in the most gentle and sweet tone I'd ever heard.

“I love to Luna,” I said closing my eyes as I held as we drifted off to sleep.

While outside my window there stood two well know pony figures watching this whole scene play out as the tall one predicted.
“I'll be damned, Celestia. How did you know things would play out like this? Not even I predicted those two would fall for each other.” said Starswirl dumbstruck.

“Just call it a hunch mentor. Now let's leave them be for a while, they've both earned a rest for now. Besides Ed is going to need once he sees what's coming for him tomorrow.” Celestia said ending on a serious note.

Next Chapter: The Crimson King Estimated time remaining: 55 Hours, 37 Minutes