I didn't know how long I’d been in the clearing in the middle of a dark forest when I woke up. However, I did know that my head felt like it was going to split open from the pain I felt. I decided to just lay on the ground, while I let the pain dissipate enough so I could get up and walk. As I got off the ground, I noticed my right arm and left leg were somewhat heavier then I remember before the whiteout happened, and that's when everything came flooding back into my mind. Images, numbers, letters, and formulas began to flash before my eyes. Every single scrap of knowledge I had to obtain just in that very flash, was everything I needed to push myself to my full potential at that very point in time. I had finally stood up since coming to the new world, or, Equestria as it was called and the forest was named Everfree, was given to me as I had passed through the Gate Of Truth ever since coming here, and, thanks to flash, is how I learned to fix and maintain my arm and leg. I even learned how to turn my arm into an interchangeable tool and weapons system.

I took a moment to collect my thoughts. Once again noticing the weight of my right arm was heavier. I then made a clear choice to remove the glove on my right hand, praying that it wouldn't be what my mind already knew. There, gleaming in the light of the moon, was a metal hand. It was my hand… or my new one. I took another second to look at my reflection, quite literally in the palm of my hand. There I no longer saw what were once brown hair and hazel eyes were now gold hair and gold eyes. This only cemented in my heart what my head had already concluded. That I had become Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist.

It was then I knew I had to move on from this clearing. So I walked into the tree line away from here, until I came across a fairly well-used trail. Kneeling down to see which direction the majority of came from, I decided to follow the trail which should take to the nearest town or at least an old cabin that could provide shelter at least until morning. While I was making my way down the path I couldn't help but wonder if I now Edward, with the metal limns to match, then perhaps I could also use alchemy. All of a sudden I heard a scream in the distance and without a second thought I ran towards its source.

*****

Meanwhile, on the edge of the forest, a small group of young ponies were surrounded on all sides by Timberwolves.

“What are we going to Honeyrose?” Snowplum asked as she cowered, next to her friends.

“Are they gonna eat us Sunbean?” Honeyrose trembling asked, all while hugging Snowplum as hard as she could.

While the girls were cowering behind a little red unicorn with his horn let with magic was trying his best not to let his friends see he was just a terrified as they were.

He stated as proudly as he could to reassure the girls, “I Sunbean the crimson defender shall protect you both with my life!”

Just then one of the wolves decided to take the opportunity to grad he young pony. But before the beast could sink his teeth into the young colt I manage to leap in between the two of allowing the wolf to latch on to my prosthetic instead.

“Sorry, Fido. But no matter how tough or sharp your fangs maybe,” I said with a gritted smile on my face. “You won't be able to gnaw through my arm.”

“Because everyone knows, METAL BEATS WOOD!” I shouted as I lifted the wolf into the air and then proceed to hurl it with all my strength into the others.

After I had rescued them the ponies proceed to inform me the this was a small farming settlement that was started a few generations ago by a few earth pony families and eventually other ponies started to settle here as well. As thanks for helping them, they gave me a bed and a few hot meals. I decided it would be best for me to take up a residence in the settlement, seeing as how my alchemy could be an extremely useful tool that could be used to help the ponies that lived here. That, and because I had nowhere else to go or call home.

While I stayed in the settlement, it became common knowledge that I was not a pony at all. Even so, I lived there, but nonetheless, I was accepted as if I was one of them. As I mentioned earlier, I had the ability to use alchemy in this world, which became very useful for many tasks. Whenever I used my alchemy for small things, I was easily able to downplay it as my own personal form of magic. And to say I was lying wasn't exactly true either. My alchemy wasn't too far off from how a unicorn would use a transfiguration spell today, albeit a little more restricted to the specifics on what you can do, is instead based off of what you have access to, aka the Law of Equivalent Exchange.

As time went on the settlement grew into a small town as did my reputation as a sorcerer. I came to be known throughout the surrounding areas and other small towns as the Golden Eyed Sage due to my unique eye and hair color. Eventually, I began to notice that since I had come to Equestria, I hadn't aged in the slightest, and by that, I mean not at all. Then it hit me. The Philosopher's Stone pendant had to have been the cause of my condition. So I began to record everything I could recall everything about the stone and its properties, from not just what the show had about it, but also from the knowledge I had obtained from passing through the Gate of Truth. Not long after this, I also started to research the different properties of Equestrian magic. I soon found out that the energies I use in my transmutations, and the magical energies that ponies use were, in fact, one and the same. So I made up my mind to learn if I could, in fact, learn magic and use it to improve alchemy, and vice versa.

I came to the conclusion that in order to further my own understanding of magic and the applications of magic in this world, that I should start to travel in order to learn as much as I could. It was also safe to say that I wouldn't be missed in the settlement, seeing as how I had moved into a cave in the Everfree Forest, so as not to disturb anyone with the extreme use of my alchemy, and as most of the people who knew of me had since passed away or moved elsewhere. Also, most of the ponies in the town had either forgotten or never heard of the Golden Eyed Sage, due to my isolation in the forest. Not knowing how long I would be gone on my journey, I decided to take everything within and abandoned the cave. As I travel across Equestria and many of its neighboring countries, I discovered many things and learned how to apply, and combine magic, allowing me to heal most injuries by implementing a new form of medical alchemy, how to brew potions, and cultivate plants for many uses. My journey also took me across the seas, and I can say that these were very dark times. Probably some of the darkest time of my life even to this day.

Well, it wasn't long after this part of my travels, that I had decided to return to Equestria. So right after my boat landed, I set off to return to the town I had left behind many years prior. When I arrived, I was shocked to see that the town was no longer there and that the Everfree Forest had retaken much of the land that I’d once called my home. Not only was the town gone, but there was now a very noticeable road that lead into what seemed to be a castle, that had been built right behind the gorge that was located in the center of the forest. My curiosity started to get the better of me, as I started to walk down the road that was in front of me. It wasn't anything impressive, but it had clearly been there for some time. If I had to guess, it had to have been no more than 7 or 8 years old.

It had actually taken me a little bit of time to walk down the road to get to the castle. When I finally made it across the rope bridge that lead into the courtyard, I noticed that the walls were adorned with a sun and moon crest that had been carved into granite slabs, and placed at various intervals. There were also various stone paths that lead into various corridors and passageways. As I continued my track around the interior area, I began to wonder who would build a castle in the middle of the Everfree Forest, let alone wanna live here, with all of the dangers it posed to ponies.

“Well, who, or whatever it has to be, it’s gotta be something really powerful,” I said, wondering how long it would take before someone would notice my red hooded figure.

Which, at this point was saying as my coat had seen better days and need to be replaced due to its allotted rips and tears in it. Or, more accurately, my tattered red hooded figure. Various cuts and mudstained were strewn across the fabric due to the journey I’ve taken, was barely recognizable as a red hooded coat. I made a mental note to myself to get it fixed or replaced.

“Surely this place isn't abandoned yet. I mean, it doesn't even look that old, and on top of that it's still pretty well maintained.” I said while I held my chin with my hand staring at the sky.

I began to wander around the courtyard, having lost myself in an internal monologue of trying to figure out who might be living in this castle. Suddenly, I was knocked on my ass, hard, as a very powerful bolt of magic nailed me square in the chest. As I laid on the ground, I couldn't help but think I had found the owner of the castle. I decided to lie still to see if I could get the owner to come over to check on me, as to help me determine who I was dealing with. I heard footsteps coming over to me, but they seemed to hasten the closer the owner got to me until I could just make out the dark outline of a tall pony hovering over my body. As they approached, I could make out the sounds of what seemed to be an apology.

“With pleasure,” Luna said curiously. “If we may ask, what are thou going to do exactly?”

“ Oh no, are thou alright? We didn't mean to use so much magic in that blast,” said the dark silhouetted mare.

The sound of her voice was so serene, but I felt like I know who this voice belonged to. As the mare bent over to check and see if I was alright, her form came into focus, and that's when I realized why I had recognized her voice. It was none other than the Princes of Moon herself.

Seeing as how I now had my answer who the owner, or owners of the castle, did I see no further need to play possum.

“I'm fine. Thanks for coming over to check on your victim.” I said with a laugh.

“Why are thou laughing?” Luna asked as she knelt down next to me. “We could have seriously injured thee with that blast!”

“Injure me with a little bit of magic like that? Nah, I've taken much worse hits from Ursa Minors.” I stated.

I had to say, though, she actually got in a pretty solid hit. I notice my right arm had gone limp after I managed to set up. At this point, I was now, face to face with Luna.

“Besides you were only defending your home from an intruder, and I really have no right to just barge in here and start looking around the place like I did. So, I'd say I kinda got what I deserved on that note.” I said as I scratched the back of my head with my left hand.

“Thou art a strange looking pony,” Luna remarked as she got a better look at me.

“Actually, I'm not a pony. I'm actually from a race called humans, but as far as I know, I could be the only one of my kind in Equestria right now.” I explained. “And I'm sorry to be a bother, but could you please hand my bag there next to you?”

“Oh, you'll see in just a moment. Ya just gotta be patient and watch.” I replied as I started to snicker a bit.

Next Chapter: A Terrifying First Impression Estimated time remaining: 56 Hours, 59 Minutes