I woke-up in laying on my back in a white room or more of a white area. I looked around to see if there was any pony around me hoping to see my friends and family only to be met with an empty whiteness that seemed to go on forever. I got up and notice that my body was in sort of a transparent dusty state. I started to move around and wander for a bit before I came across a set of two large marble doors facing each other.

The first door was rather impressive, with its overall design. It had been adorned with the carvings of Celestia and Luna as they circled each other similar to the window in the throne room in the center of the door. While at the base of the door where there were cravings of Twilight, her friends, Shining Armor, Polearm, Cadance, and the Elite guard ponies adorned the trim of the door. I walked around the back of the door to see if it lead anywhere but it was just suspended in midair. I then walked over to the examine the other door. This door was much less impressive as the only craving in it was the of the state alchemist's pocket watch and much like the other door it merely hung in the air leading nowhere. I made my way back, to the space in between the doors and that's when I got the feeling I'd been here before. That when I heard a voice speak to me.

“It's been a while since the last time you were here for an extended period of time Edward Elric, or would you prefer me to call you Allan Ferris,” said the voice.

I turn around to see a human form with a black wisping outline around with an extremely toothy smile on which I guess would be its face. As it had nothing but a mouth on its head. I began to ask my questions to the figure.

“Where the hell am I, why am I here, what are you, and why are you calling me Allan?” I demanded.

“Oh, so you don't remember, and after all I did for you when you entered Equestria. Well, to refresh your memory I go by many names, but you know me as the Truth. Second, you are in an area of what you know as the void or a variant of it anyways. Third, I am calling you Allan because that was your name before you became Edward. Finally, you a here because you used up most of the Philosopher's Stone's power in your fight with Malice.” explained Truth.

“Wait, you just said I used up most of the stone's power, but I'm positive I used all of its power.” I retorted at the entity as it then smiles at me again.

“Not entirely, the arm that you sliced of in the fight is still in Equestria with more than enough of the stone's souls intacted. But instead of realizing this you decided to try and die.” smiled Truth as it spoke.

“You mean I can go back and be with Luna and everypony again.” I realized with joy in my voice.

“Yes, you can if you use the void stone in your passion. You know the one that first brought you to the other world, but there is a catch to using the power of the void to return from the state your in.” explained the truth still smiling at me.

“The laws of Equivalent Exchange is what you're saying, isn't it,” I said as I started to remember how I came to Equestria the first time via the Gate of Truth as I looked at both doors again.

“Ding Ding. A life for a life. You can choose which life you want to give up and return to. Go through Allen Ferris's door and pick up your life on the day you left, or go through Edward Elric door and return to your life as the Alchemist and regain everything you lost in the fight and I do mean everything. As in the Philosopher's Stone and Malice along with it.” said Truth with a grin a wide as its face.

“You're saying a could meet the family I'd lost, but I'd lose the family I have now. This option won't be available again because in order to go back I have to give up Allen's life in order to become Edward or vice verse.” I said looking to the doors again as I weighed my options.

“Exactly, so which will you choose and you can take as much time as you wish to decide. I'll even let you keep all of your memories from both worlds or I can erase them if you wish,” added Truth.

I then looked down to my still missing right arm and then over to the Equestrian door and the to the Human door. I'd made up my mind already after Truth had told me why I was here, after all, I'd already let go of the attachments of me old world long ago. I started towards Allen Ferris's Gate of Truth and put my left hand on the void stone pendant that had started the whole thing and red lightning started to wrap around me as I then placed it on the Gate.

Truth's expression went from a smile to one of wonder I could only think that it was trying to figure out what I was doing. In the next moment and the Gate of Truth compressed into a new Philosopher's Stone. I walked over to the Truth and placed it in its hands.

“There's the toll you smiling bastard, now I've got a life to get back and a lot of apologizing to do to every pony I made cry,” I said with a smile as I walked to the remaining Gate of Truth.

“Very well Edward Elric, but this stone is yours,” said Truth as it tossed the Philosopher's stone back to me with a smile on its face again. “ And as promised you will keep your memories with no more seals on them either.”

“I'm going to see you a lot more whenever I open someone gate for them aren't I? Especially since I can remember thing a lot clearer now,” I said placing the new stone in my pocket.

“Yes you will,” answered Truth.

As I got closer to my Gate my body started to gain mass and become less transparent. I used my remain arm and all my strength to pry open the Gate in front of and as I did a large vertical eye opened up in front of me. Then many tiny shadow tendril-like arms pulled me through the gate and began to transport me to the other side and back to the world I called home.

I came to the courtyard when the elite guards after we finished with the changelings that had made it into the castle. I saw the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis, sprawled out on the ground not far from the entrance.

“Guys, let's get her in some of the magic bonds so she can't escape,” I said the guards.

“Yes sir, Sir Spike.” compiled the guards as they walked over to the unconscious queen and began to arrest her.

While the guards were busy with their assigned task I looked over to see everypony was standing around in a crater from what I can guess was left from using the Elements of Harmony on Edward. I started to make way over to the group when my eye was caught by a glint of red coming from something not far from the edge of the crater. I walked over to find a red metallic arm. I could only assume it belonged to Edward and it had come off in the fight that had just occurred. I picked up the severed arm, I was used to handling them as I'd help Edward with his arm during training, and brought it with me as I made my way to the group in the crater's center.

When I made my way to the group I saw that everypony had tears in their eyes. Princess Luna was sitting on the ground with her head buried in her hand as Princess Celestia sat next to her with her arms and wings wrapped around her sister. I then looked to see my older brother confronting his fiance in a similar manner. I started to look at every pony in the group and that's when it hit me, that the very person they'd come to stop was no were to be seen. I looked in every conceivable direction for my teacher but I couldn't find a trace of Edward anywhere. I couldn't even catch his cent the only the I could smell in the air was ash. Then I walked over to Twilight's side and tapped her on the shoulder; I still had the red metal arm in my hand at the time.

“Twilight where's Edward?” I asked my sister.

“Oh Spike, it's horrible. Edward's Philosopher's Stone was what was causing him to go berserk and it gained a collective will that called itself Malice and took over Edward's body. It transformed Edward into some sort of demon or manifestation of hatred.” said Twilight through her tears.

She then noticed the arm I was holding and knocked from my grip. The arm rolled a bit away from us and no pony noticed a slight twitch as it stopped rolling.

“Spike don't touch that. It could still have lingering traces of Malice in it,” shouted Twilight in fear causing everyponies gaze to come on us.

“Sorry Twi, I didn't know, but you still haven't told me where Edward is?” I asked again as I did Twilight's gaze went towards the arm and then back to me.

“Spike, Edward sacrificed his life to give us a chance to use the Elements on Malice,” interjected Rarity.

“But Edward's immortal he can die,” I said in disbelief.

“Edward's immortality was very similar to our own Spike,” said Princess Celestia as she got up from the ground. “You see Spike, while we are immortal we can still die. As in we can be killed by some outside force, like a weapon of sorts. Edwards immortality differs in that he can if he uses up the energy within his Philosopher's Stone that's inside his body. And as much as it pains to say this, my brother was able to break free of Malice's hold to protect his wife from the demon, but he also put every bit of strength he could gather to hold the demon in place to give us a fight chance. Even going as far as to sever his arm.”

“Is that why I found his arm just outside the crater?” I asked as tears started to swell in my eyes.

“It must have been just outside the range of the blast. That's the only reason I could think that a piece of the monstrosity could've survived. Seeing as how Malice was pure hatred similar to how Nightmare Moon was.” added Luna now on her feet as well.

“Do ya think it might still have some of that Malice things power in it?” asked Aj.

“It's very possible. In fact, this is the only reason I could think of why that arm still exists. Normally any part of Edward's body that would come off of him would immediately turn to ash unless he built it his arm or leg out of raw material by hand.” explained Celestia as she dried her eyes.

“What are you going to do with that ghastly thing if it doesn't turn to ash, Princesses?” asked Rarity.

“As much as we would like to believe that it might one day be used for that betterment of Equestria we know we must destroy it if we can and it's what Edward would have wanted. That thing is simply too dangerous for any living creature to even come close to,” added Luna as she moved over to the demonic arm.

“If we can't destroy it then we can at least seal it away where no one could find it,” interjected Twilight she joined the princesses while they converged on the arm.

That's when Cadance pulled herself away from her fiance's hold and turned towards the at where her aunts and future sister-in-law had gathered around. Shining looked down at Cadance who's gaze was fixed on the arm laying at the others feet.

“Cadance what wrong? You're staring at that severed arm pretty hard,” said Shining Armor with worry.

“That thing is still giving off tremendous amounts of hatred Shining. I think my aunts are right and that Malice is still in that thing,” whispered Cadance.

“It would make sense, that thing was struggling pretty hard to get to Princess Luna before Ed cut the arm off with his magic,” stated Shining.

“Uncle Ed once explain he could use his own magic to create pseudo-living things that have flesh and can think in a limited capacity but have no soul. Like a living doll in some ways. I think Malice tried to used Uncle Ed's magic to create bodies for the souls inside the stone but couldn't either not knowing the magic's limits, or that you can't force a soul inside an incompatible body. In the end, Malice could only use the magic to corrupt Uncle Ed's body so it could move of its own collective will.” explain Cadance as she'd now joined the others around the limb.

I joined the others the others and to tell the truth, I understood everything that the had just said. Edward had explained his powers to me and Twilight during training and he went even further as to explain how his magic worked when he had created what he called smart golems as training partners for everypony there. I took a look at the arm while trying not to get to close to the evil thing. I could have sworn I just saw it twitch a bit. The thing was too creepy to look at anymore so I decided to go and check on the other but not before I went over to Twilight.

“Twilight I want to say sorry for the way I acted before I should've been a better dragon and stuck by your side in the matter of the fake Cadance. Even I should have known she was acting differently from the Cadance we knew.” I said looking to my sister.

“It's okay Spike. I know I didn't act right either in that situation, but right now isn't the best time to talk about such matters. We're trying to figure out what we should do with Malice's arm for the time being. You should go and check on everypony else for the time being,” Twilight said with an understanding smile.

“If you say so Twilight,” I said as I ran off towards the others.

I just couldn't help but cry with everypony else at this time. I mean I'd only known Sir Edward for around six or seven months total, but in that time he'd taken his time to know me as a pony. Even when he was busy with his work for his shop he'd still talk with me as a friend and not as a guard or his assistant even. Sir Edward wasn't just a friend to me, he was my best friend, someone I would've put my life on the line for. Not only did he treat me with respect, but he also became my teacher in more ways than I could count. Whether it was for combat or just to talk about my problems, the man was there for me even if I didn't need it. He was like that for everypony he met.

All Sir Edward wanted to do was help the ponies of Equestria, and he did just that by opening his shop on Ponyville. I knew he wouldn't stop there either. He told me that he wanted to open up shops all around the continent, and eventually, he was going to start his research into automail wings for the pegasi and artificial horns for unicorns with broken or damaged horns. He'd helped by sacrificing himself for the ponies he wanted to help. In my eyes, there was no pony more than him more deserving of my respect and I'm proud to call him my teacher and friend.

I then notice the dragon, Spike had just left the Princesses' group that had gathered around something on the ground, but was going to check on the other Elements of Harmony so I decided I would join him in this endeavor. It was mainly to distract myself from the pain I was feeling, but I also wanted to comfort my friends if they needed it. It was safe to say I, definitely, wasn't the only pony effected by Sir Edward's death as I knew Princess Luna was hit the hardest. Her husband had just died in her arms and she was already talking with the others on what to do next, but the pain she was masking had to be excruciating right now. My task at this time was to be there for my friends and I clearly needed to start with Spike though, so I dried my eyes as best I could and made my way to Spike.

“Hey, Spike,” I said as I met up with the dragon around half way to the Element bearers.

“OH, Hey Polearm how you holding up?” asked the drake.

“To be honest,” I sighed as I said this. “Not to well my friend, but I'm trying to hold it together as best I can. Not for myself but for the others. You look like your trying to do the same, my little friend.”

“Hey, who are you calling little,” he said as puffs of green shimmering smoke came from his nose. “ I'm nearly two and a half times bigger than the first time I met our teacher together.”

I could only chuckle at his response a bit, but it was true. During our training under Sir Edward, the drake had gone through a sort of a growth spurt. Apparently, it had something to do with greed, and it caused him to grow to the size of a large house. Sir Edward, the others, and I had a time of that but we were able to get him to shrink back down to his current height though.

“Sorry Spike I was just trying to lighten the mood a bit,” I apologized as we reached the Elements.

“It's okay Polearm, I know you didn't mean any harm by it,” he said with a forced smile.

I turn my attention to the mares in front of me and began to speak, “Are you girls going to be okay?”

“Oh, I don't know we didn't just lose somepony really important to us, did we?” said Rainbow Dash with tears running down her face.

“Rainbow calm down, he just comin to check on us is all. No need to blow up in the poor fella's face like that” snapped Aj.

“I think will be okay after we have some more time to collect our thoughts, dear. It'd been a pretty emotionally tax day for everypony here, you included,” said Rarity drying her tear with I handkerchief.

I saw Pinkie in the background. Her mane had become deflated and I also noticed that Fluttershy was next to her, but I decided not to go over.

“If you girls think you'll be okay then I'll be off then. The elite guard may need some help with Queen Chrysalis. Be careful, okay. I don't know what's going on over there, but I do know it can't be good if the Princesses have put aside their feelings to deal with it.” I said to the Elements as I walked off to help the elite take Chrysalis to the dungeon.

Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor were standing around the severed arm of the demon that has cost them the life of one of their family member with both anger and sadness in their hearts. Luna had a torrent of mixed emotions whirling inside her right now. Part of her wanted to completely destroy the vile thing and another part wanted to keep it to see if there was a chance that Edward could regenerate from it. While Celestia was wondering if the could even destroy it the accursed limb. Spike had found it just outside the crater, but it was still close enough to the blast from the Elements of Harmony that it should've taken some damage, yet it was untouched. Cadance wanted nothing to do with the vile thing whatsoever as it not only took her family but also continued to hate everything around it, even if it couldn't move on its own. Yet she was certain that it would twitch ever so slightly every now and then. Shining Armor was struggling the hardest to not blast the damn thing to kingdom come, but he was holding out just in case they need to do something about the arm. He then started to speak his mind to the others.

“I've held my breath long enough an I think we should use the Elements of Harmony on that thing and finish it off once and for all,” demanded the stallion.

“As much as I want to Shining Armor, that's not an option at this time. Not only did the arm survive the blast from the Elements, but it also survived it when it had the magic of three alicorns and yourself included,” Celestia pointed out.

“You're right, sister, and knowing how Edward's powers worked. His body would adapt to whatever it was that had injured him,” added Luna.

“So you're saying that even though we destroyed that damn thing, there's still the possibility that could come back, and it would be completely immune to the Elements of Harmony. While on top of that it would also be completely immune to alicorn magic as well,” Shining shot back as the Princesses.

“That's exactly what they're saying Shining. Besides, even if we wanted to use the Elements again we couldn't right now. The girls and I are totally drained from the fight and so are you, the Princesses, and Cadance. So there would be no possible was to destroy that thing until tomorrow at the earliest.” said Twilight as she tried to calm her brother down just a bit.

“She's right Shiny. Besides, Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna will figure out what to do with that's accursed thing once we've all had a chance to rest. It's been a hard day for all of us, some more than most.” said Cadance as she motioned to Luna and Twilight with her eyes.

“You're right Cadance and I was letting my anger get the better of me and Faust knows we have more than enough of that hang around here right now,” said Shining as he looked towards the demonic arm in disgust again as he then saw it start to twitch once more.

Shining Armor quickly spun around with a shocked and angry look on his face.

“Princesses I know I'm not seeing things. That damn arm definitely moved. It was just a little, but it definitely moved,” said the guard captain as he pointed at the arm.

“I thought I was seeing things earlier, but I'm pretty sure I saw it move a bit as well,” added Twilight.

“I know I saw it move too,” said Cadance.

“This only confirms our earlier theories about Malice sister. We must not allow this demon to respawn,” Luna said as she picked the limb up with her magic with a scowl on her face.

“As much as I agree with you sister, I must also agree with my student. Everypony here, and I mean everypony, is far too drained from today's past events to simply try and destroy such a powerful item. Besides, I don't think Malice will be able to come back immediately without some form of a sentient host to latch itself on to so it can form a body.” said Celestia as she placed her hand on her sister's shoulder.

“You don't get it how hard this is for me Tia,” said Luna as she turned to face her sister as tears formed in her eyes again. “This demon was inside my husband's mind and it used him as a puppet to try and hurt the ponies he swore to protect. This is just like when I changed into Nightmare Moon all those years ago. The difference is Edward was forced into by his rage, but he also had the strength to fight his demon. And now he's gone while it's still here.”

“Luna I know your the only pony who can truly understand what Edward was going through in those moments, but we have wait and deal with it once we've rested,” said Celestia as she embraced Luna. “Edward wouldn't hesitate to get read of it either, and I know that it pains you to simply be near this thing in more ways than one. It pains me in many of those same ways too. Edward was not only your husband but my brother. Simply knowing this demon is still here while Ed gave his life to destroy it, makes so angry and disgusted that we can even finish it off.”

Luna could feel her sister shake during her embrace. Celestia had been trying so hard to not break down in front of the others. Celestia had always been the natural born leader of the two of them when it came matters such as this, but this time it was different from when Celestia had banished Luna to the moon. Yes, Edward was her brother in the same respect, but she'd only banished or imprisoned her worst foes before. Never had Celestia ever had to witness the death of an enemy, and while it was the same effect that the Elements had on Luna it still cost the life of being at the receiving end of the attack while the evil stayed behind instead.

Luna felt the arm start to twitch while it was still encased in her magic. She could tell this was definitely not the Edward trying to revive using the stone, as she'd hoped, but it was indeed the demon that had been left behind instead.

“You will not escape from me Malice,” said Luna in anger as the demonic limb started to writhe back and forth violently as is started to spark with red lightning.

“Princess Celestia what that doing?” asked Twilight as she ran to her mentor's side.

“It would seem Malice is trying to reform without a host. We must put a seal on the arm before this can happen,” said Celestia as the torrent of red lightning intensified causing Luna to release the arm from her magic as it floated in the air.

As the limb started to hive off more and more lightning a marble door started to appear behind it. It was adorned with several carved pictures that had been taken from the throne and a few that had never been seen before. Everypony looked at the strange door that had materialized behind the enraged arm.

“Princess what is that door?” asked Shining Armor.

“I have no idea Shining Armor, but I do know it has a familiar presence about it,” said Celestia.

The doors had now become solid as they shot open the caused a draft to blow across the courtyard. The ponies looked into the black void that the doors had opened upon, and then they found themselves being stared at by a large vertical eye with what appeared to have several shadowy tendril-like hands attached to it. Then one of the arms grabbed on to Malice's arm, but the arm was not like the rest of the ones coming from the eye. The arm that had Malice was a left arm and not one of the shadows or looked like a tendril.

This different arm grasped on to Malice and wasn't letting go. The demonic arm still flailing in a desperate attempt to free itself, but to no avail, it was trapped. The demon was still giving off crimson lightning while it was trapped, but it had no effect on this newer arm. That's when the new arm started to move forward, and what it was attached to started to come in to view. The mouths of ever pony immediately hit the ground as the figure emerged from the blackness of the doorway, but not because of what it was, but because of who it was. It was someone that had just passed away not even more than fifteen minutes ago. There before them stood Edward Elric, but he looked a little different from when he died.

Edward was still missing his right arm from having cut it off earlier. He was now taller as well, now closely matching Shining Armor, if not just a little shorter. Edward now bore a very large scar across his chest from where he had been slashed be Queen Chrysalis's scythe. His hair was also longer, as it now reached down past his shoulders to the certain of his back; while it was not in its braid. It was if Edward had aged a few years in the few minutes he'd been gone, and this wasn't completely untrue. While Truth had sent him back he had aged Edward, he also reconfigured Edward's body to better handle his Philosopher's Stone's power when he merged with Malice.

Edward walked forward with the demon armor still in his grip. He then turned to his Gate of Truth as it closed on the monstrous eye and then faded away. Edward looked down to the demon and began to speak.

“Sorry you red bastard, but as long as I'm here you won't be do anything to this world. I can assure you that I won't be falling to your evil influences again. No matter how pissed off I get,” Edward said as he brought the flailing arm up to where it once had been connected to his shoulder.

Edward took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He began to clear his mind of all thoughts and started to concentrate on reattaching the demonic arm he had earlier severed. Instantly a silver spell matrix formed behind him, while his body started to hum and crackle with red lightning. This lightning was different from Malice's as it was comforting and understanding instead of angry and cruel. Edward began to shout.

“RAAAAAA!” roared the Alchemist as the alchemagical procedures started to activate.

Edwards eye color began to change from their usual deep golden color to that of a glowing red similar to that of light as it passes through a ruby. The demon's arm began to reattach itself to Edward's body willing in hoped that it might regain control of him, but this was a big mistake on its part. Edward wasn't lying when he'd said that he was no longer affected by the demon's influences and this was thanks to the reasons he had come back to Equestria and the fact that Truth had been given him a new Philosopher's Stone made of kind willing souls that gave their lives to help protect. With his stone of compassion, Edward was actively canceling Malice stone of hate.

Edward looked down to the right arm and spoke to Malice again.

“It's too late you bastards. I regained full control over the stone and the arm along with it. I know any time that I'll invoke this power of your I turn in to something similar to your from if not just partially.” Edward said as he began to move the fingers on his demonic right arm.

Edward began to deactivate his magic and Philosopher's Stones and as he did his form began to change. From the demonic metal armor, came a shadow with many red eyes in it. This shadow stretched itself across Edward's body a large eye from a long the scar across his chest similar to the one that had From on Malice when it had been injured. The shadow also covered part of Edward's face and his right eye was specifically covered by three demon eye that was stacked in a column. Edward quickly summoned a mirror to look over his new form over.

“Kind of what I was expecting actually. I can only suspect that the more a draw on the Stone of Malice the more my body will take on the aspects of the demon's form. Best not risk anything until I have more control over its power,” said Edward as he deactivated the demonic form quickly changing back to his human form. He then turned to face the ponies who were still staring as tears started to form in his eye this time.

He thought quietly aloud to himself, “I'm home and I'm not going anywhere for a long time.”

A longer chapter guys hope you enjoy just one more to go and then I'll be done with the wedding arc.