Edward, Alexis, and Celestia stayed in the bath until Alexis’ wounds were completely closed. Once Alexis felt limber enough to move without wincing from the slightest movement Celestia and Edward moved her into the living area onto the couch. Shang joined them not long after as he’d finished his fights with the Kombatants’ soul stones. They all started to discuss how they might go about finding Alexis’ mother.

Alexis exhaled. “If my mother did go back to my Earth, I have no idea how to get back there, or even if I'd recognize her on sight,” she muttered, grimacing. Her second set of wings were, unlike the original golden red pair with opalescent undersides, was a deep rich orange with hints of red, violet, and royal blue. The undersides of the wings were a warm silvery gray.

“One of the abilities I gained in this form was one that could prove useful. Portal Creation. Though whether it would be strong enough to get us to Earth, I don't know,” Shang commented. “And better, I was able to gain a few allies that are… intimidating,” he commented with a smirk.

“We’re not supposed to return to where we came from right away. Maybe you can go and look around Shang but Alexis has to stay here. First off, we need to find out how to track her mother down. Thing is, we have to go off an alicorn’s magical signature. The issue is we only have your’s and it’s more unique than most in being that you’re half alicorn and half human. You're also a Displaced on top of that,” Edward explained the first few complications.

Alexis’ eyes narrowed, small arcs of pale bluish prismatic flame flickering off her skin. “I get that the wings are a rather obvious sign that I'm ‘different’, though I do know how to stay hidden and unnoticed,” she muttered to Edward's comment. She didn't realize that her irises were a faintly glowing crystalline aquamarine-teal that faded to a deep royal blue ring that faded into a thinner ring of midnight blue.

“Perhaps we can take a sample of her magic and separate it into its base forms… what she naturally has as a human would be enhanced by her Alicorn half, whilst the magic of her Alicorn half would be tempered for easier control due to her human half though, it would make awakening it more difficult. Anything other than that would be what she gained both from the Void and being Displaced,” Shang theorized.

“Um, Uncle Ed,” came a voice from near the doorway. Everyone turned to see little Nyx standing there with the bracelet Alexis had given her and Twilight Sparkle standing next to her. Celestia had a look of guilt on her face.

“What is Nyx? Good to see you Twilight,” Edward looked to his niece and her daughter.

Alexis leaned close to Celestia. “Your mistakes are in the past. Don’t let guilt cloud your decisions. After all, you learned from it, remember?” she said softly, hugging the Princess. “We all make mistakes. It's learning from them that makes us better and stronger,” she said softly.

“I wanted to come and see the new Displaced and I couldn’t help but overhear that she’s part alicorn just now. Is this all true and that you’re trying to find her mother?” Twilight asked in curiosity.

Edward looked to Alexis and then to Twilight and Nyx. He started to notice the subtle similarities between the two. “Tia, can you raise the moon for me?” Edward asked.

“Sure,” Celestia started to leave. “Want to come along Nyx?”

“YES!” jumped the excited filly as the duo left.

Alexis could feel the magic pulse through her wings, unaware the opalescent tones of the undersides of her upper wings were beginning to ripple with a rainbow of colors. She glanced down at the bracers she had worn since her second morning in ‘her’ Canterlot. “I wonder… did she know, or suspect?” she murmured, thinking of her adoptive mother.

“I think I may know who your birth mother is Alexis and Tia figured it out too. That’s why she took Nyx with her and to bond a little,” Edward walked over to his chair and sat down then crossed his legs. “I’m pretty sure your adoptive mother knows too. It probably the main reason she took you in the first place,” Edward leaned back in the chair. “If we can ascertain your alicorn half’s magic signature then we can compare it to one I have already. Even if the two are from different dimensions they should still be similar enough to each other to be certain. Enough to know who your mother is beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

Alexis cocked her head. “It's Luna, isn't it? I mean, it's most likely, as what research I've done myself says that she was banished to the moon after what was assumed to be her own darkness overcame her personality and mind. If Sigma hijacked her body, then logically, Luna’s spirit and mind would seek any way to get away from potential corruption… even fleeing to a world that lacks a strong magical signature,” she said softly, thinking back to how she hadn't been able to take her eyes off of Edward's Luna, struck by a sense of nostalgia she couldn't explain even to herself.

“No. Well, she is and at the same time, she isn’t. It’s a complicated situation. Your mother physically is Luna but in terms of mind and magic, your mothers are Nightmare Moon and Luna. Believe it or not, Luna and Moon actually find ways to co-exist in some realities. Like when someone who has multiple personalities, or in this case another entity, is able to come to terms with the others in there head,” Edward pointed to his own head. “I’m a perfect example actually. I have Malice and Somber in me. So, Alexis, technically you have two birth mothers. Luna and Nightmare Moon.”

Twilight’s quill stopped moving the moment she heard this. She had been writing ever since Celestia left with Nyx. She looked up to Edward with a dumbfound expression that she hadn’t had for some time. At least, not since she’d had her short circuit in the Dark Library. Edward shot a back a glance mentally telling her not to ask. Twilight went back to her scroll and went on writing.

Alexis tilted her head, thinking. “So I am both darkness and light. Duality in one form. Human and Alicorn. Alexis… and….” she said softly before pausing, her eyes closed before they snapped open with her irises a pale bluish lavender that faded to a soft pale violet near the edges, “Èryuá,” she whispered, revealing the identity of her Alicorn side. It was pronounced as ‘Air-Ree-Hua’. She hadn't noticed that subtle markings almost like those of Devil Jin, yet in tones of soft lavender, warm amethyst, rich indigo, deep navy, and glittering gold had formed upon her lightly tanned skin with a crystalline mystic topaz foci for magic use upon her forehead.

“More like you half dark half nothing,” Edward deadpanned.

“What do you mean Ed?” Twilight asked with eagerness.

“I’m talking about her human half Twi. Humans can’t use magic like unicorns period and we can’t naturally just tap into like pegasi and earth ponies. We can learn to tap into magic in a similar manner to the later of the ponies but it still incredibly hard and takes time to learn. Alexis is special in that she can use dark magic naturally yes but she is still half human meaning that it will still be hard to learn to control. Especially since she’s an Alicorn which will make much hard since the flow of magic with being much stronger making much more uncontrollable. As for the half nothing, I’m also referring to her Displacement. Becoming a Displaced means we change physically and sometimes mentally. In Alexis’ case she the dormant alicorn magic clashed with the void energies causing her memory loss. The Void did what it does and changed you, yes but the Alicorn in you stayed the same but was awoken from its slumber.” Edward got up and walk to the center of the chamber and looked out to the ice fields. “In other words, you’ve become what you already were but changed partially as well. In order to awaken your alicorn completely, you must remember who you were Alexis but you must also finish your Displacement and awaken the rest of the Biometals within you to do this. The more of your memories you recover the more power you gain and the more complete you’ll become as an Alicorn, as a Displaced, and as you.”

A soft sigh escaped Alexis. “If there's one thing I could do without, it would be that damned nightmare… it's always the same… and I have no desire to share it with my mother,” she whispered. She shivered slightly, focusing as her legs were sheathed in dark grayish black armor, dark gray boots, and black shin guards with a trio of thin bright silvery rings just above her boots, though the armor abruptly paused at mid-thigh, whilst her forearms had black bracers, dark grayish black gloves with the same silvery rings, though the dark gray armor sheathing her arms paused a couple of inches below her shoulders. She lacked the torso armor, belt, and helmet of the Onyx Armor. She wore the neutral silver and dark silver bodysuit over her torso and hips. “That will be difficult. From what we could tell, with both the Arm Parts and Leg Parts, they were in places that magic did not work well. The Leg Parts were in the Canterlot Mines, while the Arm Parts… were deep in the Everfree Forest. Not to mention… someone else was in there,” she said softly, frowning slightly. “Though I have to admit I'm curious what allies you're referring to,” she said.

“Twi, you can go pick up Nyx now and please check on Luna from me,” Edward softly to his student.

“I forgot that she went with the Princess,” Twilight suddenly realized. “I bet Nyx would love to see Luna and vice versa.” Twilight shot out the Door after her daughter.

“Now that she’s gone. Alexis, please tell me more about this nightmare. I know it’s hard but please try,” Edward looked to the Alexis as he tried to be as understanding as possible.

Alexis inhaled slowly before grimacing. “Hard doesn't begin to cover it… it's always just like the night it happened… sensations, pain, scents… all of it,” her voice was low as she spoke reluctantly.

“Alexis if we’re going to help your mother then we must first help you. I get I really do. The pain and torture you endure as a child was wrong, cruel, and outright evil. No child should ever be put through it or be made to relive it but you must if you’re to reunite with your mother and become who you were meant to be,” Edward paused for a moment to collect himself. “We need you to let us in. I know you already told me more than most and we just met a few hours ago and that speaks volumes on how much you trust and understand me. Please, tell us about the nightmare. I’m afraid the armor will be yours to seek out as it is a part of you.”

Alexis took a deep breath. “Do you have a way to visually see memories or dreams? That would be far… easier…” she said softly. Dealing with it was nasty enough. Talking… about that night… would be worse, for her.

“I can use Telepathy to link our minds to yours and then use Thought Projection,” Edward explained as he went to the door of the chamber and locked it. “There, now no one will be able to come in on the three of us while we’re doing this.”

Alexis took a deep breath, as remembering that night was unpleasant enough. She cleared her mind, and though she was reluctant, let the nightmare flow.

Alexis knew he was eleven years old, that his birthday had been only a few weeks before. Just like the previous year, he'd gotten the same gift: “You live under our roof, eat our food. Be thankful you get that,” in a harsh drunken slur and a backhand across the face that cut the inside of his mouth just shy of the right corner of his mouth from his ‘uncle’ whom he'd begun to suspect wasn't even related to him, but merely interested in the money from the government.

He stumbled back, his hand striking and overturning the coffee table which was quite shoddily made. Of course, chips, carrots, dressing, and sandwiches were sent flying in every direction. His ‘aunt’ shrieked something about “that damned waste of space ruining good food on purpose” though he couldn't really hear it as his ‘uncle’ cuffed him across the face, bloodying his nose. He stomped into the hallway of the small, rundown home that, if he was honest with himself, was a messy horde of junk, including the owners. He shivered as he half expected the bullwhip or the studded belt.

No…. what his ‘uncle’ returned with, he recognized with a disturbed look, as a cat-o-nine-tails. More disturbing, however, was the fact that the whip's lashes had broken glass, barbed fish hooks, and rusted nails tied through them. He saw the whip rear back before the lashing started.

How long it lasted seemed to blur together, but the constant was the searing pain, the coppery odor of blood, and his ‘aunt’ cackling like a cross between a hyena and a demented madwoman. He heard the clatter of the whip falling to the ground and looked up despite the blood caking his right eye shut from a trio of deep cuts that barely missed his eye and stopped just shy of his hairline.

He heard the pop of a cork before he felt the searing burn of alcohol dumping over him, vodka if he wasn't mistaken before he heard a drunken, drawn out, belch. “Uuurp, you getting us good money, but my idiot sister having a stupid brat with the intelligence of a dead rat makes ye useless… ain't like ye'll be missed. Too bad for ye… I ain't wasting the good shit on ya… not that it'll matter to ya,” his ‘uncle’ slurred. He heard the soft rasp of a striker from a lighter before his good eye widened, seeing his ‘aunt’ holding a jug of what smelled like home brewed rum, bad rum at that. What made it more dangerous was what stuck out of the neck of the jug…. a burning rag that had very much seen better days as it was barely holding together.

He opened his mouth in time for his aunt to hurl the jug at him, the shattering glass opening deep cuts on his chest, forearms, and palms before the fumes and flammable liquids alike ignited, the pain growing far worse along with the smell of burning meat before he distantly heard a crash before the nightmare faded to black.

Alexis’ eyes snapped open as she shuddered, her face pale and eyes haunted as her fists were clenched. Apparently, she'd instinctively dismissed the Onyx Armor, leaving her in her neutral bodysuit, seconds after pulling forth the nightmare.

“They’re very lucky I don’t have the coordinates for their Earth right now. I can’t stand evil bastards and bitches like those two. To beat you like that just because you lived with them,” Edward growled as he paced back and forth before stopping and weaving a few hand signs. “Particle Style Body Fission.” Edward split in two and one headed out to the ice fields and started to run around cursing at the top of his lungs while destroying everything in his path. “You going to alright Alexis?”

Alexis shivered, sighing softly. “I don't have much choice, do I? They didn't know that my father's brother and his kids made it to where the true majority of what money I had… those wankers couldn't touch it if they begged,” she said with a slight smirk.

“Not that it matters much now, aye,” The other Edward remarked as he came in from the ice fields. The two alchemists then merged back into one and continued the conversation. “The question is what role does this nightmare or I should say memory play in your alicorn half and how does it tie into your birth mother.” Edward paused as he thought about something. “Hm. Luna’s duties might have something to do with it.”

Alexis cocked her head, thinking. “Apparently the ‘idiot sister’ was my mother. Hmmm… what if the human body that Luna took… as my mother… had a natural talent linked to one of Luna's duties? Perhaps the fact that the memory manifested as a nightmare could be a hint?” she said thoughtfully. Lucid dreaming, amongst humans, was a rare, but not unheard of talent.

“You said that her body was never found. I’m thinking that Nightmare and Luna used a combination of their magics to forge a body that was born not taken. Once their magic ran out the body faded away. Lucid dreaming would certainly be an easy feat for Luna and Nightmare. Child’s play for them really,” Edward stroked his chin. “The key lies in the nightmare. They’re trying to tell you something but what. Being a Child of the Night you have the innate power of lucid dreaming as well. Maybe they’re trying to help you awaken you alicorn half’s dream abilities by trying to get you to over this nightmare by facing your aunt and uncle.”

Alexis shivered. “Facing them in real life…. wasn't fun. Oh, they never hit me where others would immediately notice… before that night… but they were very… outspoken, and not in the kind, helpful way. More than once, I did consider… running away… despite the fact that the nearest neighbor was three miles away over steep hills,” she said softly.

“You can’t move forward unless you face this Alexis. It’s how we face and deal with the evils we face that determine the kind of people we are,” Edward sat back down. “Back to your mothers though. Something doesn’t feel quite right with the coexistence in your magic. Sure beings that developing split entities in them aren’t uncommon as when they have children the child still only has signs of their parents magic.which is usually two, but in your case, something is off. You have two magic signatures but you should only have one since your father was a full-fledged human.”

“Unless my father was potentially developing abilities of his own when he got sick. I mean, he had leukemia… but it seemed to develop far too fast, now that I really think about it. I mean, when was the last time you heard of someone finding markers for that to being near death's door in less than five months? I could believe it if they'd found it as late Stage Three or Stage Four cancer… but going from ‘potential markers for leukemia’ to ‘nearly deceased’ without any sort of underlying weakness in his body?” she said softly. “I've never told a living soul this… but… strange things started happening to me when I reached puberty,” she said softly.

“Makes sense actually,” came a voice from the lobby. The Displaced looked to see none other than Luna, Nyx, Celestia, and Twilight. “Twilight explained what’s going on to Tia and myself. Most alicorns magic start to mature when their bodies start to physically mature but then again most alicorns mature twice the rate of a normal pony. In your case since your only half alicorn, you matured at the normal of a human. As your magic matured it would have started to affect your surroundings but the same would have also been true for your mother. As she, or they, aged their body would have started to degrade from the amount of magic they had. Humans weren’t meant to hold alicorn magic, Alexis. I suspect she was also holding back your father’s illness, at least until her body gave out.”

Alexis cocked her head. “So it’s very likely that my mother, in attempting to either hold back or, I suspect, heal him, unknowingly exacerbated the sickness and accelerated its effect. For all we know, if she'd left it alone, it might have remained as a ‘chronic’ or ‘slow’ form of the disease rather than what it ended up being… ‘acute’... the ‘fast’ kind of the disease which is far harder to treat. I mean, I kinda doubt there's an equivalent to leukemia… which is cancer specifically, of the blood.

“Not at all, Alexis. We can’t heal dead sicknesses like that. I suspect your mother suspended your father or his illness in some form of a time barrier. Once her body faded so did her magic. Meaning your father's illness was already to the point to where he could no longer be helped.” Luna explained

Alexis cocked an eyebrow. “And what, she tied it to her ‘life force’?” she said cautiously.

“Your mother’s magic effects were tied to her death, yes. But she only died as a human, not as an alicorn. This means she, or they, in this case, are still very much alive in your world. Waiting to be freed or awoken from whatever put them into their slumbers,” Celestia said stepping forward.

Alexis frowned, thinking. “But what would do that? I mean, from what my nanites picked up from you two, I'd wager both of you are resistant to magical effects that would harm you over time, which implies whatever happened must have happened fast and, most likely, with little to no warning. The question is, what happened?” she said softly. She did have a sneaking suspicion but hoped it was very, very wrong.

“I know that look, Alexis. Twi gets it when she thinks of what might have happened. I think I have knowledge as to why you have two maternal magics as well,” Edward said looking to the young woman as he showed her his holo-screen that had what looked to be identical dark clouds of dark blue glittery smoke.

Alexis cocked her head, confused before blushing slightly. “I have no idea what that means,” she said with a slight shrug. “You try helping Cadence foalsit Twilight and see if some of their…. quirks… don't rub off,” she deadpanned, amused to see Twilight's eyes widen slightly. She wasn't afraid to admit that there were things she didn't know.

“This is Luna’s magic signature and this is Nyx’s on the left,” Edward pointed at his screen he then moved sliding it to a new picture but they showed the same pictures. “These are the ones I got from you. They’re your mothers’ signatures.”

Alexis cocked her head. “I'm utterly confused. You're saying that even in different worlds, the same pony's magical signature is identical in every way and unaltered by their unique experiences? Call me skeptical, old man,” she quipped.

“At their base level, yes. You have to remember that all ponies stem from the same base origin no matter how different the look in species or form. The thing here is though is they’re different in the aspect that they’re identical matches when I overlay them but still differ on key points,” Edward overlaid the pictures on top of each other. “Meaning that Nightmare Moon and Luna are twin sisters.” Edward paused. “As for what happened to your mother it was her human form. As Luna said, Humans aren’t meant to have magic let alone alicorn magic. Their own power ate away at their form until they couldn’t hold it together any longer and then my guess is something else pulled them back to Equus right when this started to happen as well. That something is called Sigma.”

Alexis’ eyes narrowed fractionally.

“My theory is that Sigma went after Nightmare in seeking out a host. Luna would have dealt in dreams while her Twin sister would’ve dealt in nightmares but it would go vastly unappreciated and particularly unnoticed by the general populace. Sigma probably gave her a whole spill of how she’d be loved and accepted if she had more ‘power’ and he conveniently left out the part where he was the power and she was going to be a puppet of course.” Edward looked to Alexis in a dead set stare. “Sigma then went after Luna to throw Celestial off of his dealings with Nightmare while still leeching power off of the twins at the same time.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if this Sigma decided to siphon power off another powerful pony at this time. He was probably the one who corrupted Sombra in your world in order to feed off his power as well. Perhaps he was trying to form an extremely powerful body in order to face the Mavericks of your world at this time,” Shang added in disgust.

Edward nodded his head in agreement as he looked to the fighter. He then looked to his wife and sister nodded to them to say their parts.

“It was when Luna figured out that her and Nightmares powers were being drained that she pulled herself and her twin into the dream realm in order to save themselves from Sigma corruption,” Luna said looking to Celestial in sadness, then to Alexis. “It was not long after that they started to plan for Sigma’s downfall.”

“Luna has always had a much better understanding of the barriers that separate the dimensions than any other pony, even Starswirl, but not a way to see or travels to them. Luna and Nightmare probably went to see Starswirl in seeking his advice and help in finding a world where they could go to and hide until it would be right for them to return. It was then that they found your Earth Alexis,” Celestia paused for a minute looking to Twilight and Nyx who were in awe. “Luna and Nightmare then left their physical bodies in Equus’ astral plane and went to Earth in the form of their life essence but they weren’t strong enough to form individual human bodies so the pooled what magic they had left and forged a shared human form. In a way, you could count this as Luna’s transformation into Nightmare Moon.”

“While in this combined state of ‘Nightmare Moon’; it was Luna who maintained the physical body of your mother while it was Nightmare that maintained the mind. They both provided the magic while in human form. I don’t think they intended to fall in love with a human and have a child though. Let alone maintain their husband’s health with their magic.” Edward paused to think before coming up with the rest of his theory.” The probably planned only to stay long enough to build up their strength and return to Equus after they had recovered enough magic to do so and once they were sure their bodies had recovered as well.,” Edward turn to Alexis as he got up yo let Luna set in his chair see that she was starting to get uncomfortable. He then up against the wall next to Shang. “Then they planned to take on Sigma but they never got around to it because they were happy on your Earth.”

“Then that’s when their magic started to fade out. Sigma was somehow able to find their bodies and pull their spirits back to Equus. In their weakened state there was little to nothing they could do to resist him,” Twilight continue in a downtrodden gaze of sadness while looking at Nyx as Celestia wrapped her wings around the mother and daughter comforting them in a soft and warm embrace.

Alexis’ eyes narrowed. “Well, I'm most definitely going to resist him… and I'm going to stomp a mudhole so deep in his ass a black hole will be jealous,” she said quietly. She winced slightly as she saw Twilight's glare for a few seconds. She sighed softly. “To my knowledge, no Mavericks existed before he created them,” she commented. “Though it is possible… but that doesn't excuse corrupting and kidnapping ponies… especially my family!!” she said in a soft voice.

“I know your upset from this Alexis but you need to keep in mind the bright side of things. Your mother or in this case mothers are very much alive,” Twilight said picking Nyx up. “I’ve only had Nyx for about a month but I can tell you I’d do anything in my power to keep her safe and I know the same goes for your mothers. I also know you’ll do whatever you can to get them back.”

“Twilight’s right Alexis. You mustn’t let your anger for Sigma cloud your judgment either or you’ll end up like me. A demon made of rage and hatred ready to kill in an instant. It’s true that Sigma deserves to die for all the havoc it’s caused but don’t become the thing you want to destroy either. Your priority is to save your mothers first and then destroying Sigma,” Edward said looking around the room as his eyes came to rest on Luna in a soft gaze. “I know what it is to lose loved ones and to almost lose them. I lost my family as a human long ago. A mother, father, and two younger brothers and I could have had it all back to but I would’ve lost all I have here. I came to terms with the loss of my old family but if I could bring them here I would in a heartbeat. My point is that you have a chance to be with your family again and I know you won’t waste it.”

“Bright side… sometimes I feel like the darkness from my aunt and uncle crept into me. I mean, in my Equus… I interact with at most six or seven ponies other than my adoptive mother. I mean, only three weeks ago, for me… was the Sonic Rainboom, as I've heard it called,” Alexis commented. She saw Twilight stiffen in surprise at that comment.

“I think you’re still discovering your role in your world Alexis. I think you need to be there for Twilight and your adoptive mother right now. Also for your birth mothers when that time comes. Don’t let your Aunt and Uncle’s darkness influence your life or your choices. Go out and make friends with the ponies. Go on your own journeys. I know you might not like it at first but I was like that when the Princess first sent me to Ponyville. Look at me now Alexis,” Twilight stepped forward with eyes like dinner plates. “I know things aren't’ the best in your world but I bet if you go out and start to help others you’ll understand. Look at me I have Cadence, the Elements, the Princesses, and Edward. Not to mention a wonderful stallion and a beautiful little girl of my own.”

“Twi is right Alexis,” Edward cut in. “ Now come with me to the fields and no buts.” Edward grabbed the young woman by her collar and pulled her out to the fields. “The rest of you will be standing no closer to the field then the edge of the exterior slab.” he looked to Alexis and let go and let her get to her feet. “Let’s go.”

Alexis followed Edward a good distance from the entrance before they finally stopped. “Let me ask you a few questions, Alexis.” Edward said turning around with a serious scowl on his face. “Your acting as if your still shackled by your aunt and uncle. It’s not our scars that define who we are but who we were. Why are you acting as if your scars have chained you to those evil people when you are no longer apart of them? Or is it that you can move on from your scar yet? Or do you see those scars as the seeds of darkness that were planted by those you despise?”

“Because I don't remember much of who I was beyond that. Hell, when I ended up on Equus, I didn't even recognize myself!! All I knew was my name and a few vague details. I have spent two and a half months, every single night, sometimes two or three times a night… with that nightmare repeating over and over in my head… it isn't the scars that I see as seeds of darkness… it's that I know… that if I gave into those sorts of desires… I fear I might end up enjoying them,” she said softly, looking away. She paused, thinking.

“It’s because you fear, that you won’t give in Alexis. Another set of question for. Can you remember your mother name and or face? What about your father? What is your name?” Edward asked turning away as he walked a short distance from Alexis only to stop and face her. He looked her straight in the eyes with an unnerving resolve to get an answer.

He stood there with his eyes locked on Alexis. Edward held up his right fist to his face and the bottom half of his arm popped open an outshot what appeared to be a katana-like hilt into his left hand. the compartment closed and he transferred it to his right hand and hit a switch on the hilt igniting the blade of his lightsaber. The weapon roared to life with a black blade with a red edge. Edward then points the tip to Alexis with a looked that would stop a raging Ursa Major a mile away.

“Let me ask again. Are just some kid from the street the had a bad lot in life? Are you boy, who's hiding in a woman’s body cause he’s too scared to face his reality? are you some random kid off the street who was Displaced?” Edward asked placing a foot forward and allowing his blade to rest behind while letting to tip hit the icy ground causing a trail of steam to come from it. He asked more question before dashing at Alexis “WHO ARE YOU?”

Alexis’ first clenched, the Zeta Saber's hilt forming in a matter of less than half a second, the blade erupting forth in a prismatic flare of golden red energy.

Edward jumped up and brought his saber down hard in a powerful slash that met with Alexis’ blade forcing her down into the ice. “Tell me Displaced, who are you?”

Alexis’ eyes were narrowed as she crouched from the force of the slash. “I… was born Jonathan Alexis Carmichael….” she muttered.

“Not who you were, who you are,” Edward roared as the blades screeched. He broke the clash and pushed her back. “Who will you be?”

Alexis grunted with the shove, rolling back over her shoulder as her eyes narrowed. Faint flickers of lightning were flickering over her nanite armor and beneath her skin as she gritted her teeth. She was unknowingly pulling not only the strength of the Biometals to the surface, but her own recently awakened Alicorn heritage. “Who will I be? A protector of those whom cannot defend themselves. A friend to those who need it though I am cautious around those I don't know well… and someone who will show those who think that corruption of pure hearts or corruption through greed won't go unpunished!!” her voice snapped sharply.

“What is your name?” Edward pointed his saber at A lexis again. “Answer truthfully this time.” Ed hissed.

Alexis gritted her teeth. “Alexis Èryuà Taiyōno,” she said in a low, firm voice.

Are you ready for the true fight to begin, Alexis Èryuá Taiyōno?” Edward asked taking up another stance with his saber. “Fair warning, I’m nowhere near as soft as your masters in your head.”

Alexis inhaled slowly before she snorted softly. “Who said they were soft? The only reason they hold back is because I’m human. They never were, though I suspect they could have been based on human templates,” she deadpanned. She was almost certain if they had always fought to kill, she'd have more scars than Edward.

Edward smiled at Alexis. “You’re not completely human any more my dear. Seeing as your alicorn half as awakened, you’ve become at least ten times stronger than you were an hour ago. But can you match me in speed while I have my abilities sealed.”

In the next second the alchemist vanished and Alexis found herself completely surrounded by blurry images of Edward in different stances and attack forms. The images began to attack and converge at random. The attack consisted of slashes, sweeps, and stabs from every possible direction. Alexis would cut one after the other only to have her Z-saber pass through the Edwards flickered with each blow.

Alexis suspected that Edward would notice that her current sword style was very different from Zero’s Iaido Style or Phantom’s Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Style yet held the fluid, lethal strength of the former and the speed and focus of the latter in a fluid, flowing style.

“You’re using a combo of Zero and Phantom styles,” Edward said from behind Alexis as the afterimages stopped.

“Somewhat. It is a style that takes aspects of both, in speed, power, and fluidity, yet at the same time… uses none of their tactics. I suppose I read of the style somewhere, but I don’t remember where. It is a style that both protects and guides, yet at the same time can be lethal and deadly,” Alexis said softly, suspecting that Edward noticed she used a backward stab mere milliseconds after Edward had paused the afterimages, the blade angled at a slight upward angle. Had Edward been purely human and seeking to kill, a mere half step gliding back would have penetrated between the fixed and floating ribs, penetrating heart and lungs as well as severing the spinal column. She didn’t even seem to notice that he was there, yet her breathing was slow and steady, not even seeming rushed despite the fact she had been moving at a pace that most master swordsmen would have found challenging. Numerous angled gashes sliced shallowly into the ice, some angled, others vertical, revealing had it been attackers from certain angles, it would have taken limbs or would have cut the attackers in two from the flowing slashes.

“Nice move there. If I hadn’t used the Ultimate Shield I would’ve been shredded to piece. Bad news for you though is that you also landed quite a few blows on my arm.” Edward held up his right arm revealing it to be glowing red. “Vibranium absorbs and stores any form of energy to hit it. That includes kinetic energy. Once I have it I can do whatever I like with it. Such as,” His fist began to spin giving off of red. “Tempesta Fist.”

A tornado was sent straight for Alexis but there was another attack mixed in. it was lightning.

Alexis smirked as she engaged Harpuia’s armored form, emerald flames flaring around her form. She recalled the unusual style that Harpuia had been training her in, which she’d called Ansatsuken as she planted her feet before inhaling, feeling the energy rushing through her body as she shifted her weight, pushing off in a powerful tornado kick as she felt the winds increasing the speed of her spin as she focused Harpuia’s energy into the maelstrom of winds, the wind gaining the slightest emerald tint to it as she shifted her weight into a powerful ax kick, the redirected gale force winds aiming straight back at Edward.

Edward simply stood there in the wind as he placed his saber back in his arm. “Are we done playing guild force heroes?” He pulled the Monohoshi Zao from his vault. “Sabers are good for powering through but not if you have something equal to or greater to them.”

Alexis winced slightly, shifting her weight as her right leg was strained a bit.

“Looks like your straining a bit. You're not used to using that sword technique yet are you?” Edward placed his sword above and behind his head.

“I’ve practiced the Tatsumaki Senpu Kyaku, but I have yet to use it in actual combat situation. I may end up doing that with Magma Dragoon when I get back. He’s fun for doing hand-to-hand training, though I keep insisting he doesn’t hold back with me,” Alexis sighed, knowing the unarmed technique was challenging without practice. “Hmmmmm. That does give me an idea… if Shang’s theory about there being Mavericks before my arrival that Sigma wasn’t in control of… perhaps…. He could be redeemed, although I’m not holding my breath on that… still…. His control and corruption of my family and Sombra, if he did so, must be reversed. Perhaps we could set up a tournament for fun at some point?” she said wryly, thinking. She knew there were things Zero and the others had yet to tell her, such as what had happened during one of their last missions, something about a ‘Jacob’s Elevator’, though they didn’t say much about that.

“Hm. A tournament?” Edward tightens his grip on the sword. “Tell you what Alexis. I’ll give you a little taste of some real true power. After that then you tell me if it’s a good idea to have a tournament,” Edward exhale. “VOID LINK 5%” His right arm turned solid black “Tsubame Gaeshi!”

Edward hit Alexis hit with a triple direction slashes all at once breaking through her armor sending her straight to the ground. She laid their Edward looked down at her.”You did great handling your new power Alexis and I’m sorry for pushing you in the beginning but I need you to come to terms with who you are.”

Alexis grunted with the impacts, grimacing as she kipped up to her feet. “Meh… I know I’m not what anyone would call normal, missing memories or not… but I do know the next time I have that nightmare… it isn’t going to be me on the ground at the end,” wincing a bit as she stretched. “Hmmm. If I can manifest the weapons of each of the BioMetals… then it’s possible I could create other weapons too, right? And if I get experienced fighting with weapons that Sigma wouldn’t see coming, such as, say, a bow or a zanbatou or I get more experienced with the Ansatsuken, as I know Sigma sees humans, and by extension, the skills they can gain and possess, beneath him… thinking they’re weaker… when we as humans are stronger than robots, stronger than most monsters… because we never bloody well give up,” she said thoughtfully.

“Hahaha. Your very right. I also have an idea for the weapons. If you can absorb other weapons with you nanites it will be easier for you to create them as they would be stored in your nanites’ memory banks,” Edward pulled the zanbatou form his vault and stabbed it into the ground in front of him. “Go ahead and give it a try.”

Alexis cocked her head. She hummed thoughtfully, her eyes on the zanbatou. It wasn’t fancy or anything, but in her mind, it wasn’t how fancy it appeared that mattered, but how functional it was. “I assume that the more I absorb weapons, the faster that effect will get? I mean… it would obviously take time,” she said curiously as her hand gripped the hilt, feeling the itching tingle spread through her palm and fingers before she noticed small tendrils of silvery liquid spreading over the weapon.

“Then you better get started,” Edward snapped as twelve more various weapons shot out of his vault into the ground. Each more intricate than the last. “Move up. As you go the higher you go the better the quality. I do have one last question for you Alexis. Do you finally understand who you are?” Edward looked to the young woman whose eyes were shining as she looked back to the Alchemist. “Answer correctly and I’ll give you a very special magic that will give an edge in any battle but you have to promise to keep up your training if I give it to you.”

“I was born of the Night and Dreams, conceived with the Will to never give up, raised by the Light, and pushed by the Spirit to take what most would consider limits and Shatter them,” she said in a low, firm voice. “And I'm never going to stop pushing my limits,” she said firmly. “Especially if I can inspire others to become strong to protect what they hold dear,” she thought.

“Good answer,” Edward winked thought as he winked at her. “ Now time for that magic I promised.”

Alexis took a deep breath. “I must admit that I have been curious as my adoptive mother and Cadence both claimed that the magic flowed freely through my body, though I don't see how,” she said curiously. She was unaware that her father's latent talent manifested much like a chakra network, though her magic could flow freely in and out of her body.

“My guess is that’s your father’s side. Like I said earlier human can learn to use magic in a way similar to Earth ponies and Pegasi. It’s channeled through our bodies like so,” Edward explained as he held his left hand out gathering magic in it causing it to glow will the magic came off into the as a wisp of glowing mist. “Once you learn how to access this then you have learned the basis of magical augmentation. Your mothers’ magic might have awoken your father talent magic as well.”

“Hmmm, I think that was how I was doing so much damage to those ice spires… yet only sustained what amounted to heavy bruising and scrapes. I mean, to my knowledge, normal ice isn't that easy to fracture in the way I was breaking it, never mind ‘magically resistant’ ice. Is it possible that whatever my father's “magic” was could augment either Earth Pony talents or Pegasus talents?” she said thoughtfully.

“That what humans do when they cast magic of any kind. They naturally disperse it through their bodies before the cast any form of spell. The difference between humans and ponies is that most humans can’t naturally gather magic but must learn how. My guess is that your mothers’ awoke the natural ability to gather magic in your father as a side effect from the temporal magic they used to slow his cancer,” Edward explained as he turned and reached into his vault. “If I’m right you have a talent for time magic due to this.”

Alexis looked a bit uncomfortable. “And I’m assuming it’s less common for magic to awaken through great stress… like what happened to me. Because I noticed when I was healing… it happened faster… they claimed it would take at least ten or eleven months, plus possible grafts, to heal… I was healed in six months,” she said softly. “Sometimes, I noticed what appeared to be bluish mist or like… the only way I could describe it… would be like liquid light… reflecting off the walls,” she revealed.

“That’s temporal magic, Alexis. It has to characteristic of water when in it most tangible form. Where in the hell is that stupid blade?” Edward complained as he was now waist deep in the vault. “Time time time. Ah, no not that one. Here. No. Shit. NO DON’T GO OFF!”

BAM!

Smoke poured from the gate he was in. “Mother Fucker that hurt like hell,” complained Edward as he continued to search for the weapon he wanted.

Alexis giggled as Edward complained. “What was that, an explosive whoopee cushion?” she said innocently. “Hmmm… that gives me an idea for a little prank on my adoptive mother,” she thought with a small smirk.

“No, I just took a laser to the face. Ah, found it,” Edward came out of the gate holding the Dagger of Time in one hand and on odd looking hexagonal object in the other hand. “Here ya go. The dagger is to help you control your time magic. Simply fell the handle with your sand you’ve infused with your magic and you know the rest right.”

Alexis tilted her head, resting a weapon she had recognized with great interest across her shoulders: the Ashandarei before she nodded fractionally. “I remember that particular weapon. Very memorable, though the movie could have been better,” she deadpanned. “And that?” she said carefully.

“This little sucker comes from an anime called Buso Renkin. It’s a little different spin on alchemy where people fight monsters with these things.” Edward waved the hexagon in his hand. “They’re called kakugane and when activated the change into the wielder's ideal weapon based on their fighting style and body type. That being said kakugane can only be wielded by humans and human type homunculi but the kakugane isn’t specifically attuned to any one person either. So anyone one with fighting instinct can use it. They can even be used in the place of hearts if need be while also speeding healing as well. These are for you.” Edward held out the weapons to Alexis. “Be forewarned that I will only be giving you one of each.”

Alexis nodded slightly. “So make sure nobody steals either. That goes unspoken but understood,” she deadpanned as she took the Kakugane and Dagger of Time. To her mild shock, for just an instant, she saw a woman cloaked in white and a strange male with dull golden skin and glowing blue eyes. She blinked, the vision fading almost as quickly as it formed. “Strange,” she muttered, unaware that when she'd seen the ‘vision’, her irises had been consumed with blue fire that swirled like liquid.

“Looks like she’s more compatible with the weapon than I originally thought” Edward murmured to himself. “Alexis you in there kid?”

Alexis exhaled softly. “I think that someone from Shang's world may be more aware of the ‘omniverse’, as you called it than we think. When I held this, I got just a momentary flash of two people. One bald male with dull golden skin and glowing blue eyes and a woman in white. They seemed to sense something, perhaps the dagger, but the flash was like a blink, so I can't be sure,” she said softly, flicking the Dagger of Time a bit.

“Hm, I pretty sure who the man is but I’m not sure on who the woman could be. If I’m right then we may have a big problem on our hands,” Edward scratched the back of his head with a little bit of concern in his voice. “Let’s get back to the Lobby of the chamber and get washed up, again. While we’re cleaning up we can talk with Shang and see if it has any meaning to him and where he comes from but I hope to gods that it doesn’t.” he and Alexis made their way back to the main area of the chamber and to the others.

Alexis exhaled softly, her strides moving with inhuman fluidity despite her wings being tucked firmly to her back as she hovered slightly above the ground as she gained speed, her strides never slowing. In truth, they accelerated as the Scan Lenses slid over her eyes, shielding them from the winds. She spotted the group and focused, dragging the tip of one of the new blades along the ice, slowing her speed as the ice tore up behind her before she dismissed the blade, which was a good thirty-two inches in length with the hilt being a bit over fourteen inches from the butt of the hilt to the crossguard.

“And just think, only a few moments you didn’t even know who you were,” Edward says as he walked alongside her. “Just so you know I increased the gravity to forty times before we started our little confrontation. Might want to watch that strength when handling your blade when you’re using that sword style of yours. See ya up there.” Edward shot off the main plaza of the chamber.

Alexis nodded slightly as she took a slow, deep breath as she accelerated again, this time flaring out her wings before taking flight, her wings giving powerful, strong beats against the air, noticing she was quite a bit faster, though her wings beat in a slightly off rhythm where the second set of wings were flapping a third to half a beat slower than the primary set. “Then I’ll just have to learn to control my strength. I wonder how I’d do at bucking a tree as AJ does now,” she murmured with a faint smirk. Her feet slid as she touched down, her wings beating twice to arrest her momentum as she blinked, hearing Nyx giggling. “You know, Twilight, she’s just as adorable as you are,” she quipped, teasing Twilight, though admittedly she knew this Twilight had someone she held dear and she herself didn’t see Twilight in that particular way, though nonetheless, it was just too easy to prank her slightly.

Twilight blushed a the comment. “Thank you and I hate to cut things short but Pole will be getting off the dusk shift soon and I want to be at the library to greet him. I’m sure Spike has already made his way back over to Rarity’s Boutique any way. Come along, Nyx.”

“Okay, Mommy.” Nyx smiled as Twilight let her down. “Bye Ms. Zero. Please come and see me at the library sometime. Mommy can give us magic lessons.”

Alexis did notice a bit of reluctance in Nyx’s movements, though whilst she was tempted to hug the little filly, she resisted. She chuckled at the filly’s comment. “I’m sure I will, and remember, that bracelet can contact me anytime,” she said with amusement.

“I will, bye-bye,” Nyx waves as she and her mother were leaving but then she stopped and turn to Edward. “Oh. I almost forgot. Uncle Ed. will you teach me how to use me alchemy?”

“Certainly sweet now get going. Time outside is still flowing normally and it’s dark out and you need to be home before your father,” Edward waved goodbye as his great niece finally left out. He then turned to his sister, wife, and the other Displaced. “Alright Shang. Now it’s your turn to explain about things. Alexis had a vision when I give her the Dagger of TIme. One that I think has A LOT to do with you. Alexis if you would please explain.” Edward pulled a new set off clothes from his Re-equip and began to change out of what remained of his old one. Which were pretty much just a pair of tattered shorts at this point.

Alexis exhaled as she opened her hand, a metallic iris opening in her palm and rising, revealing it to be a faceted diamond. The holographic form of the pair as she'd seen them shimmered into sight. She saw Shang's eyes widen fractionally.

“So his assumption was true. The ‘canon’ Shang is in my mind, with all of his memories that the games have never touched upon. Grim and disturbing though many of his experiments are, sometimes even a sorcerer of his age, roughly 7,800 years, tends to fall into certain ruts. He found the idea that I mentioned of using a male Edenian's genes alongside Kitana's rather embarrassing, considering they did have a few loyal Edenians. Regardless, you obviously aren't interested in that. What you are interested in is those two. I do not know the male, but the female, if my guess is correct, is an Elder God, specifically one with reign over time. To Shang's knowledge, she was only a rumor, a ghost. He found runic scratchings mentioning a ‘Kronika’, apparently the source of the term ‘chronicle’. Not much is known about her, unfortunately,” Shang admitted what knowledge he possessed.

“I originally thought the male might be Raiden but now that I’ve seen him I don’t know. He could be another Elder God. Maybe he’s even an Outer God. But if this ‘Kronika’ is the Elder of Time then it makes sense why Alexis had a vision of her. Her talent magic deals is time magic. I gave her the Dagger of Time as a way to help her better channel her time magic. The artifact must have resonated with you, Shang, or your residual energy that was left on the field.” Edward explained as he came back into the main room where everyone was. Celestia had taken another of his shadow clones out to the throne room for Night Court while Luna had gone to her bedroom. It was just the Displaced once more.

Alexis cocked her head, thinking. “No… he's not a God… something about their bearing… I think he might be a Golem tied to Kronika… call it a gut feeling, womanly instinct… I don't care. He's definitely linked to her somehow. But why me? I mean…” she said before feeling Shang's hand on the Dagger of Time before she glared at the Displaced sorcerer. She blinked as he summoned a screen, recognizing the ring at the base of the Dagger near the trigger button. It zoomed in extremely close, revealing three rows of letters… four specific letters that repeated themselves over and over on the barely fifth of an inch wide ring: ክሮኒካ.

“Shit… I was afraid of this. If you have anything that manipulates time, see if it has the same marking. That… is Kronika's name. I recognize the runes from Shang's memories,” Shang revealed. He suspected that Kronika had created items and weapons with chronokinetic power that would alert her and potentially even give her a window of sorts into different worlds and realities outside of the Mortal Kombat universe. Admittedly, he was almost sure that his Equus, in fact, was Earthrealm, but in a different form.

“She can look all she wants but she’s not allowed anywhere but here in this chamber. Truth protects his piece of the Void as well as my world and if there's one thing he really hates it’s when other Elder and Outer Gods fuck with shit,” Edward grimaced at the thought of Truth on a rampage. The fact that he was Truth’s avatar made him sick just thinking about it. “Let her come here. I won’t let mess with my home. Besides, no one leaves or enters the Chamber without my permission or Void Signature. I may not be a Void Dweller but that doesn’t mean I can’t match one in terms of power and so forth.”

Shang snorted. “That doesn't mean she won't try to get other agents of hers here, not to mention if she tries to use that Dagger to do the same to her world. She thinks, most likely, because she has reigned over time in her little corner of the Void, she has the right to extend that control elsewhere whether people… mortal or immortal… like it or not,” he said dryly.

Alexis snickered. “She's welcome… to try. I'll beat her ass like a dirty throw rug until her ass glows like a red supergiant,” she deadpanned, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I think we should still take precautions just to be on the safe side, Alexis. Elder Gods are still some of the more dangerous of the Void Dwellers,” Edward warned.

She shrugged. “I wouldn't know. Never encountered any, remember?” Alexis commented. She shrugged again.

“Urha.” Edward grabbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance. “Look, Alexis, it’s not that I’m trying to be a dick but I can easily defeat you without any trouble whatsoever. If I don’t even need to use any of my serious power on you then think of how much trouble a Void Dweller let alone an Elder God could give you if they really wanted to. Either one is pretty much the same but they’d flick you away like a nooger or toy with you just cause they’re bored,” Edward noted in a serious tone. “They’re no joke for someone as green as you. My Void Link at five percent was way overkill for that last bit of our fight Alexis. Think about how much power I put into that.” Edward looked to Shang and then to Alexis. “If you were to face off against Shang right now, you’d lose horribly and he’s a low-level Void Dweller. He’s not even a Dweller by choice too; so technically he’s just a Void Traveller. No offense to you either Shang but I could kick your ass.” Edward said as Shang was about to say something but Edward quickly shot a ‘your dead in the water buddy’ look thus shutting him up.

Shang snorted, rolling his eyes. “You forget how rare Human-Alicorn hybrids are. I’ve run across a rather interesting group of Void Travellers myself… a group composed of various Sweetie Belles. Apparently, there are similar groups as well, though I’ve only heard of a ‘Twilight Alliance’ which I’m assuming is a similar group of Twilight Sparkles. They claim that they’ve only run across two or three like Alexis… and never with active magic as the human side tends to render the Alicorn side weaker if not dormant. In her, it appears to be the exact opposite,” he said wryly. He could tell Alexis was deep in thought.

“What exactly is a ‘Void Link’? I mean…. If this threat, from what I can guess if it is a Shao Khan Displaced… is able to freely travel between worlds, we would need everything we can get… and Shao Khan doesn’t exactly have a good reputation,” Alexis said quietly, thinking.

“You can’t have a Void Link unless you have this,” Edward pulled out a pendant with a small crimson jewel on a black leather strap around his neck. “This is the Item that sent me here in the first place. It was supposed to a Philosopher Stone. I call it The Void Stone. Before you ask it’s not an item I can recreate. Only I can use it as it’s tuned into me. Void Link refers to the direct link to the Void that the Stone provides me. It lets me channel the energy of the Void directly through my body”

“Hmm, so everyone has or gains a unique signature when drifting through this… Void Between Worlds?” Alexis murmured thoughtfully. She glanced down at the underside of her wrist, at the weapon that seemed to shoot pale golden webbing, though she hadn’t used it recently. “I wonder…. I seem to remember… someone that could create weapons with webs,” she muttered, thinking. She flexed her fingers before she blinked, noticing the nanites forming the bodysuit thickened at the tips of her fingers to form razor-sharp barbed claws before she let her gaze trail up to see similar barbs at her elbows.

“Yes, but Void Link is my unique skill,” Edward deadpanned.

Alexis cocked her head. “I mean it like there are who knows how many like you and me and Soulja Boy there… almost every one of them unique in some way, so it makes sense that everyone has a particular energy signature. I’m not saying that anyone’s like you mentally or otherwise, but who knows? Anything’s possible,” she quipped with a shrug.

“Yep and I can take a piece of your Void Signature and combine it with your Dagger of Time rendering so no one else but you can use it,” Edward looked around him for a bit. “Hmm. Shang, how did you get in here?”

Shang tilted his head. His hand rose as a golden red aura of flame swirled around it before a portal opened, the edges of it swirling with chaotic colors before he closed it again. “I had intended to portal to my Twilight’s castle, warning her of what had happened to Discord, yet… I ended up here. If Kronika did mark that Dagger of Time with her mark, then it’s very likely overlaying her signature with Alexis’ would either disrupt her control over the Dagger, binding it solely to Alexis, or potentially, the opposite, giving Kronika a potential way to control her. From the soul energy signature, Kronika’s mark seems older, which preferably would make it weaker, but if she’s an Elder God, then time would have little meaning to her,” he said wryly. A small smirk crossed his face. “The sad thing, however, is that where Kronika dismissed certain Kombatants… such as the Shokan… I did not. I gave a particular duo a chance to fight where forces intended to see them fall. Sheeva knew that it was likely that Kintaro’s impulsive nature would get him killed when they sought to break Reiko’s hold on one of the coastal strongholds of Outworld… I intervened and sent a Golem in his form to prove it and Sheeva knew it because I told her. Turns out someone was manipulating not only those forces fighting for Reiko, but Reiko himself… someone who indulged himself in Chaos that Discord did not… the darker side of Chaos,” he remarked wryly. “I have to admit that I’m curious how Alexis would handle those two,” he deadpanned.

“Hm. What do you say, Alexis? Up for another spat out in the ice fields? This might sting a bit.” Edward smirked as he summoned the dagger to his hand with a teleport spell. Then Alexis flinched as a small black wisp with blue edges came from her head. “And I’ll take Kronika’s mark off so there won’t be anything she can do to try and take over or influence you.” He applied the wisp to the dagger and it glowed for a bit before Edward returned it to Alexis. “There you go.”

Alexis grimaced. “She’d find me quite stubborn even if she tried, and that’s without the Biometal embodiments in my head. Though I have to wonder which mother that came from,” she said as she noticed the silvery dust had become a deep, navy blue with indigo and golden highlights swirling through it. “I could feel a presence that wasn’t the Biometals in my mind, not really interacting, but more… lingering and watching? It could have been her, though I have no idea what her aura feels like so I can’t be certain,” she remarked wryly. “And who are you talking about, Soulja Boy?” she deadpanned, glancing at the Displaced sorcerer, who smirked.

“Oh, you want to know?” Shang quipped.

“Spit it out and get on with it mage,” Edward said from the kitchen making a sandwich.

Shang snorted. “I’m a sorcerer, not a mage. Mages tend to rely on chants or seals that tend to leave them open to attack when employing their tactics. I do not. The duo I speak of, are Shokans. They are experienced in Kombat, though they would likely find her quite interesting,” he deadpanned.

“Shokans?” Alexis deadpanned, confused. She wasn’t sure what he was referring to.

“He’s referencing a race of warriors from Mortal Kombat. They’re a race of four-armed warriors said to be half-dragon and half human from the Outer world of his reality.” Edward explained a bit. “Goro and Kintaro both serve as sub-bosses in the games for Shang Tsung.”

Alexis shrugged. She saw Shang open a portal as before, then she felt and heard the heavy, thundering footfalls as a shadow formed.

Alexis’ eyes widened at the sight of the duo who were easily as tall as Stonekong’s blade had been, if not a bit taller. The tawny skinned Shokan had eyes that were a burnished dark red irises with pale yellow sclera, whereas the furred Shokan had dark amber-orange irises with slitted pupils and dull pale orange sclera.

“You really aren’t versed on a lot of stuff are you, Alexis. As for which mother I bet it would be Luna and a little bit of Celestia’s influence,” Edward deadpanned as he sat down in his chair. He pulled a silver pocket watch from his pocket and tossed to Alexis. “My token. You can use it to video call me or any of the other Displaced that have a watch by saying call and their name into the watch while it’s open. If you need to as an added feature send or receive small object via Transfer. Just say transfer to so and so.”

Alexis cocked an eyebrow. “That implies that I know any other Displaced other than you, Soulja Boy and that Yang girl… apparently, before she was Displaced she was a guy. Claimed he had picked up the Ember Celica for a friend who had purchased it and woke up in Equestria in Yang's body,” she remarked.

“That’s pretty common for a lot of Displaced. And you can call My nieces, my nephew, students, brother, and my master as well. Be careful with my master as he’s very old and not always there.” Edward said dryly as he bit into his sandwich. “Any questions about who they are?”

“Everything. I did find one right after I got back from with Yang… it mentioned a ‘sword of equality’... hang on a sec,” Alexis said before she concentrated as a red and white mask formed from the nanites. She jumped slightly as the creed rang out, not realizing it was coming from a speaker just above her right wrist, nor was she aware that said creed came from the nephew Edward had just mentioned. “I am the sword of equality and fighter for the weak. If you find yourself cornered and too weak to fight, call on me and I will be there to protect you.”

“Yep, that’s Adam’s alright. He’s the leader of the Equestrian Whitefang. His Celestia gave me a workout that I really needed. Good kid and the second youngest of the four siblings. First is Natali Basatin the Diclonius Queen and pokemon trainer. Next is Alexandria Justine the Faekage of Fairy Tail. Finally the young of the four Sorano Elric Princess of the Diclonius,” Edward paused to eat some of his sandwich, then he summoned a bottle of wine and three glasses. He poured glasses for the Displaced as the pulled up chairs. “Let’s see,” Edward hand everyone their glasses. He then summoned a tankard of Dragon Ale for Shokan duo. “Next you have my somewhat of a student Oz the smart ass of Demon Gazer and my brother in arms Optimus Prime King of the Crystal Empire. Lastly, you have my master Pyro. He’s also a brother in arms. I wouldn’t bother him right now as he has two pregnant mares on his hands right now. Oh crap, I forgot to feed Clipeum.”

Alexis cocked an eyebrow as both the Shokanites seemed interested.

“From what I can tell, certain arcade endings from the MK9 game, amongst them, Ermac's, Kitana's, and Skarlet's, occurred in whichever version of the Mortal Kombat universe my predecessor came from. From Jerrod's memories, apparently, when Shang's body apparently imploded which I assume occurred when Ishmael Displaced me, the Emperor was displeased and began draining Quan Chi's power. Quan Chi fled, of course. Apparently, Kitana was able to convince Ermac to assist her in fighting Shao Khan directly, weakening the Emperor and forcing him to retreat, apparently severing the link between himself and Ermac, from what I could gather from Jerrod. Regardless, Edenia was separated from Outworld and whatever controlling spells upon Sindel were most likely weakened when the Emperor lashed out at Quan Chi but were most likely severed at the same time as Ermac's bonds. I was able to gain Skarlet's loyalty, though she did not make it easy. Apparently, something about my blood reacts like acid to her blood magick,” Shang remarked.

Edward walked around to the to center of the plaza and cracked his fingers before wove a few hands sign. “Summoning Jutsu,” He said in a slightly raised voice as he placed a hand on the ground. Then a large puff of white smoke filled the room for a bit. Some sort of large form could be seen from where Edward had performed his summoning. Then there came a loud roar from the figure.

BASTIODON!

Once the smoke cleared, there in front of Edward stood a large black and yellow shield faced creature. Edward had named her Clipeum and she was an ancient pokemon called Bastiodon. Edward then made a very large bowl of various fruits, vegetables, and Pokeberries. The pokemon was drooling to the point that it was making a small pond underneath its body.

“There you girl, enjoy,” Edward patted the head of the pokemon as it started to gorge itself on the salad her partner had made her. He then turned to see the other Displaced with the mouths agape at the site of the large Pokemon, literally, in the center of the room. “Oh yeah, this is Clipeum my Bastiodon,” Edward scratched the munching pokemon behind her crested head. “What?”

Bastio. Bas. Bastiodon. Sang Clipeum as she continued to enjoy her meal with what appeared to be her equivalent of a smile.

Kintaro snorted, growling slightly. “She is not intimidating,” he rumbled.

Alexis sighed softly, rolling her eyes. “Speak for yourself, ya fluffy dragon,” she muttered dryly. She noticed the furred Shokan glaring at her from the corner of her eye, apparently not liking that insult. “How exactly would I find something like that?” she said curiously.

Shang cocked an eyebrow. “I have seen many things, yet that… is more intriguing than shocking,” he remarked thoughtfully. “I assume that when a Displaced spends a certain amount of time in the actual realm of another, it affects that realm in certain ways, as aspects of certain realms blend?” he remarked.

Goro tilted his head, crossing his upper arms over his broad chest. “I am not fooled by the docile demeanor. I can tell that she has a warrior’s heart in the right situation,” he said dryly.

“You’re right big guy. Clipeum might seem docile but she can be very ferocious when she wants to be. Especially when little one are involved,” Edward deadpanned as the pokemon continue to eat her food. “Clipeum is still a wild pokemon as are all of the pokemon that arrive here we allow them to live with us and come and go as they please. I only use pokeballs if I have to. Technically, they’re a form of Displaced themselves. Your right about that theory Shang. My niece Natali stated here only a week and two pokemon popped up out of nowhere. She had to stay a month and while she was here more and more pokemon started to show up at random all over Equus. Oh crap-”

DON! Clipeum exclaimed joyfully as she tackled Edward and started to lick him causing the others to laugh at the alchemist. “She has a bit of a Muck complex. Great now I’ve got to change clothes again.” Edward got out from under the Bastiodon. “But yea. It’s why I keep most of the Displaced I summon confined to my lab or the Dark Library cause the Void field’s cancel out their altering effects on Equus.” Edward went and sat down after getting a fresh shirt. “I can take you to a few places where the pokemon congregate Alexis. I just need to know to want you’re looking for in a partner.”

Alexis hummed thoughtfully. “Perhaps a Riolu, Lucario, or… maybe Ninetails… I dunno what else. It's entirely possible that I might end up mobbed by them, I dunno,” she said shyly.

Bastiodon.

“Looks like Clip might know something,” Edward smiled scratching her head. “Most of the pokemon here are peaceful. Only when the Displacement disorients them are they hostile. That’s how Pole got his partner.” Edward stroked his chin and thought. “I can’t help with the Riolu or Lucario as there is only one pack at this time and they don’t want anything to do with anypony other than the Thestrals. Don’t know why. Vulpix is much easier as they tend to congregate around the borders of the Dragonlands but Ninetails might be tricky. They tend to be solitary and rather hard to locate, even with locator magic.”

Alexis tilted her head thoughtfully. “Ever tried pulsing an Aura? It's entirely possible that could draw at least one or two, and my Aura isn't exactly… normal, considering how freakish I am,” she muttered.

Shang cocked his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Freakish, not quite. Unique, perhaps,” he said dryly.

“I’m a demon with an unknown number of souls in my body. So if anyone’s freaky that would be me,” Edward added in his two scents.

Bastio.

“Good point Clip. They do tend to gather around places with large quantities of of magic. Good thing the Everfree has plenty of those,” Edward said as he through on his usual red coat. “Looks like we’ll explore the Everfree fo a bit. First you allow will be wearing these as I don’t want any of your troubles following you into my home.” Edward snapped his fingers causing blue gem necklace around everyones necks. “Null crystals to cancel out your Void signatures.”

Alexis shrugged. “Doesn't make much difference to me,” she deadpanned.

Kintaro snorted before he grinned. “Would you prefer your little ponies to be terrified?” he rumbled.

Goro sneered. “Tigrar Shokans are irritatingly blunt,” he said dryly.

Shang pinched the bridge of his nose. “Blunt? A wrecking ball the size of a small planet is more subtle than the hairball,” he muttered dryly.

In the next second Kintaro was sent fly into the ice fields and Edward was standing where he had been with a steaming metal fists. “You can make fun of me all you want but don’t you dare threaten my subjects in any way.” In a gust Edward shot out to Kintaro and slammed his fice down into the ice and held down. The Skokan struggle as his ames flailed about before Edward tossed him into the air. Before Kintaro could hit the ground he was caught in a giant transparent silver skeletal arm attached to a red transparent partial rib cage. Edward had partially invoked his Susanoo. He brought Kintaro to his face and spoke with soul suck coldness and anger in his voice. “I will not stand for any threats to my people, my friends, and above all else my family. You think Shao Khan is evil, no. I can show what evil is child. Shao Khan steals souls and devours them killing them in the process while I consume the soul and it remains alive inside me body fueling me with its life and emotions. So if you want to try and miss me,” Edward began to squeeze the Shokan. “THEN BY ALL MEANS SAY SOMETHING THAT WILL REALLY PISS ME OFF!” Edward put a Thum in as slammed the Kintaro into the ground causing him to start to hack up blood everywhere as he tried to pull himself up to no avail. “I have thing to attend to now.” I the next second Edward found himself with the others once more.

Shang sighed as he focused, a portal pulling Kintaro out of sight. “What a fucking moron. Kintaro isn’t usually that blunt, but then… when he gets bored, he does stupid things,” he muttered. Kintaro had been transported to a place where an… associate…. of his could heal the Shokan. He wasn’t that surprised that Goro was chuckling at Kintaro’s stupidity, although he did admit that the idea of a eight, almost nine foot tall giant with the strength to rip someone limb from limb with very little true effort, would be terrifying if unexpected.

Alexis was laughing. “Hell, if the hairball was bored, I could have fought with him a bit. After all, having been Displaced, there’s a very good chance that I’m bound to run into other strange things… so who knows?” she said with a giggle, missing the appraising look Goro shot her way. “As long as I don’t run into anything Lovecraftian,” she muttered, sighing softly.

“Outer gods tend to stick to themselves but there are Displaced out in the omniverse that are under their protect.” Edward said then turning to Shang. “ Your buddy is lucky I just slammed him into the ground. I don’t stand for blind threats on my people. Now let’s go find some pokemon.” Edward snapped and the Displaced disappeared.

Next Chapter: Poke Hunting Estimated time remaining: 32 Hours, 17 Minutes