It had been nearly two weeks since Ed's match with Shining Armor. The main six and Spike had all received an individual letter from Princess Celestia stating that Edward had requested them to join a training camp with him Polearm, Shining Armor, and a few other selected individuals. They were informed that Ed and Shining were going to be their teachers for the next three months. The princesses explained that Edward had known of their potential and wanted them to be ready if a serious threat ever arose. With this in mind Twilight's group, with the exception of Fluttershy, was extremely eager to see what types of training the alchemists had planned for them. Especially after what they'd witnessed a couple weeks before.

The train from Canterlot slowed to a stop in front of the station and door opened to reveal a short man dressed completely in black with white trim along his inner jacket and white gloves, while wearing a red hooded jacket, with the hood over his head, Edward Elric. While a slightly taller stallion with a blue mane wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, sunglasses, and tennis shoes, Polearm, followed behind him. The two immediately walked over to Twilight's group.

After the 'hellos' were all said and done Edward began to go over the travel plans with the group. They were are going to take the next train to Dodge City where the would be meeting up with the solar and lunar guards that had been selected by Celestia an Luna. From Dodge City, they'd make their way to the Badlands. Ed informed the group that once there they would have a day to rest from the journey, but once the sun rose the next morning their training would start. Except for Twilight, as Ed had wanted to have her start her studies on alchemagic on the train ride that way they could start the physical applications as soon as possible.

It was safe to say Rarity had a bit of a fit when Edward literally said, “There is no way in Hell you're bringing all of that to the middle a freaking nowhere.” pointing at her luggage.

After which she promptly fainted from the very idea of being without her 'training outfits'. Spike then began to see to it that she was alright, and managed to negotiate to with Ed to let her bring at least three outfits. While they were waiting for the next train to arrive everypony was wondering why Edward had wanted to train them in the first place so they finally got together and ask him via Pinkie Pie.

“We all wanted to know why you wanna train us?” asked the party pony.

The alchemist was sitting on one of the benches near rest his head against his fist as he began to explain his reasons.

“I know you girls are excited to do this after what you saw a few weeks ago, but that fight got me thinking about threats that you might have to face in the future. You all know I could be called away to other worlds at any time, but what if other's like me came here, what if Discord turned bad again, what if I'm not strong enough to stop a new threat? My point is that you guys are among the few that I trust to protect Equestria in my place, but in order to do that you guys specifically need to be on the same level as Shining Armor.” Edward explained.

“Are ya sure that we can even come close ta ya and Shinin Armor?” asked Aj.

“Aj, I have no doubt in my mind that all of you will exceed my expectations. I plan on working with each of as a group and individually to focus on not just your strengths, but your weakness too. On this note, I will be paying a little more attention to Twi's, Spike's, and Polearm's training.” answer the alchemist with a smile.

“Why are we three getting special treatment?” as the little drake.

“Because Y'all are special. First, Polearm is my assistant and personal guard. Kind of like you are to Twilight. Second, you're similar conditions to Polearm, but also because you're a dragon and have petty high physical and magical spec's already. Even though you're young, if you can make it through this training you'll be able to take on other dragons four to five times your size and age.” Ed said pointing to Spike.

“What makes Twilight somepony special?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Twilight is special first and foremost due to her talent with magic. She is specifically attuned to the flow of magic and thus has the ability to become stronger than even Shining Armor. Actually, Twi's almost as strong as Luna was when we first met. It's due to her ability to process and understand sciences that make her a prime candidate for alchemy, automail engineering, and later on alchemagic if we make it that far. Nonetheless, Twilight is not just Celestia's personal student anymore, but mine as well. That goes for when we come back to Twilight.” explained Ed as the unicorn shook her head in excitement.

“Okay, but what possibly do you seen in the rest of us darling?” asked Rarity now fully recovered from her episode.

“That my dear is simple. The same thing all creatures have in common and that is potential.” Ed said suddenly standing up and raising his hands to the sky.

“P-P-Potential?” stammered Fluttershy startled by the sudden movement.

“The potential to be greater than you are now. Because you're the Elements of Harmony and because you guys are my friends,” Edward said as he turned to the groups of ponies.

As Ed finished up his explanation the train for Dodge City rolled into the station. The party boarded the train and met up with the guard recruits once they got to the next destination. The entire group then set out for the Badlands on foot. Ed made sure to make the pegasi and bat ponies walk, as this was part of their endurance training. It took the party roughly two days to reach the sight of what had once been the fort where Edward had stayed during the Minotaur Wars. It was safe to say this would be their home during there stay in the Badlands, so they got to work fixing it up. Ed used this opportunity to drill Twilight on her progress with alchemy, and while she was able to do basic transmutations they were poor and brittle but it was still progress nonetheless.

Well, it was safe to say a lot of ponies are going to need help with there training and I'm just one guy. Even with Shining Armor taking on the guards training. I still had seven ponies and a baby dragon to myself, but luckily I came up with a plan to help with that. It was going to involve combining at least two of my abilities. I was going to make a series of complex training golems in the likeness of myself for everypony here.

First, I started by using my alchemy to form up to twenty-six solid stone pillars. Then, I started to use my magic weaving and alchemagic skills to shape and alter the stones into magical stone copies of myself. I wanted to make these puppets as realistic as possible, and in order to do, I want as far as to even equip advanced alchemical circle in them. With the sculpting done it was time to get down to the part that I was very apprehensive toward, installing the artificial intelligence.

I hadn't had a lot of practice with Arc of Embodiment before my fight Shining Armor, but if it really did work with the things you saw in your mind, then I should be able to do this. After all, I was able to produce weapons on the fly during my fight and in rapid succession at the. Since the fight I spent at least seven hours a day, with Luna helping me when she could, to hone my creation skills with Arc of Embodiment. The major difference here is that a simple object is one thing, but I was creating at least eighteen complex magical brain like circuits that allow a wide range of complex fighting styles, movements, alchemy, and a moderate amount of individualized thought procedures. It a good thing I'm out here by myself.

I walk up to the first golem and activated Arc of Embodiment. A silver spell matrix appeared behind me as I held out my and began to concentrate. I had a clear thought in my head of a basic computer chip similar to a CPU, as it started to form in my hand I started to think of its performances for the golems. My mind began to strain from having to pour so much information into the circuit until I fell to my knees out of breath, but there in my palm was the brain of the golem if it interfaces with the magic I'd woven into the rock. This proved to be a success. Right after I insert the magic circuit the first Ed Golem started to move and take orders. I repeated the whole procedure twenty-five more times and each time was just as straining as the last, but by the time I was finished I hard a small army of me. Not long after I finished the golems and put them on standby I passed out from mental exhaustion. At this point it was going to turn into a habit for me, but I welcomed it cause I might get to see Luna if she's not to busy.

I woke up on the ground where I'd passed out last night just before the sun was up. This was normal for me as I was used to getting up to watch Tia and Luna exchange the places of the sun and moon, or if I'd worked through the night on a project. This internal clock would prove to be quite a useful tool in the next three months. I got up off the ground and did a few stretches to loosen myself up before I turned to see the golems still standing in their standby modes where I left them last night.

“All right you handsome bastards,” I said as I admired my handy work from last night. “ Forward march,” I said as I pointed toward the restored fort.

With that command, my army, of me, began to move on my unsuspecting students.

*****

It took me about an hour to get back to back to the fort while everypony was in still in bed. Even the bat ponies, as I made them stay awake to help fix up our temporary home. I opened the door and ordered the Ed army in and as they entered the whole structure of the fort started to shake from the rhythm of the stone golems march. They also caused quite the commotion for the ponies as they weren't expecting a before sunrise wake-up call. Nonetheless, they were all out of their tents. The guards were the first to make it out with Shining Armor and Polearm at the forefront with their swords drawn. While the Elements and Spike were running around screaming. Except for Pinkie Pie, who start speak as she hops around and on the golems.

“Oh my gosh! It's an army of EDWARD!” screamed the ecstatic party pony.

After hearing Pinkie shout everypony started to calm down rather quickly.

“Right you are Pinkie,” I said with a grin.

“Edward what the hay is are you up to?” asked Shining Armor pointing at me.

“Well Shining, I wouldn't normally take on training this many ponies at a time unless they were all going to learn the same thing, but that's not the case here. So, last night I went out and made up the small contingent of personal golems for our little group here.” I explained as I point to the army over my shoulder.

“I think I understand what he's done, somewhat,” interjected Twilight.

“Please Twilight, allow me to explain,” I said raising my hand.

“Okay,” she said looking down.

“Thank you. Now what I've done here is I've made a set of smart golems. They're golems with a limited magical artificial intelligence. I made with the ability to use limited middle-level alchemy, survival skills, combat skills, etc. These Ed doubles will act as your primary teacher unless I'm here. I decided to use myself, because what better excuse than beat up the guy that dragged you all out here.” I said waving my hand.

“Are they alive?” asked Aj.

“Not at all Applejack. They may look it but they're still just a hunk of rock. Which is why you won't have to hold back in you training stations with these guys.” I said.

“So what you're saying is we can pound on them all we want and don't have to worry about them complaining about,” said Rainbow Dash simplifying it for the others.

“Exactly Rainbow, but I made so these guys get a boost in power every time its partner does as well. That way your power growth won't just stop at a certain point. Throughout the training, all of you will use the same golem. Even those I will be training personally more than others will have a golem as I won't be sticking with them all the time. On this note, there are going to be days where I will be doing my own forms of training and or work.” I continued to explain.

After I wrapped up the last of the questions I then began to pair each pony with his or her own Ed. I also told them that the golems would activate in random patterns so each day would be a different training regiment. What I didn't tell them is that the Ed's all make smart-aleck remarks. As everypony went off in different directions, except for the guards who all went with Shining Armor, I walk over to my group to begin their training for the day. While a walked over to Spike, Twilight, and Polearm I couldn't help but think out loud.

“The next three months are gone be fun,” I said with a smirk.

I can't have Ed just make magical clones guys Arc of Embodiment does have restrictions to it and giving anything a soul and creating something completely isn't possible either.