Main Lobby

After the encounter with the vampiric Mileena, Edward had everyone head to the main Lobby of the chamber. He left the fighter in the Shadow Forge chains to keep her docile while they figured what to do with her. He sent the other to get cleaned up and get some fresh clothes while he went to exchange the sun and moon’s positions to let Celestia and Luna continue resting. Faust stayed behind to speak with Sparda. Goro kept flowing the reborn Demon Knight as him several questions about his early crusades. Mileena was hanging just outside the entrance to the ice fields. Edward made his return after making several advanced shadow clones to fill in for him and Celestia royal duties for the day.

Edward returned to see Faust chatting with Sparda. He looked to Alexis as she winced a bit, flexing the hand that had been impaled by the vampiric Mileena's Sai. Though she’d awakened the accelerated healing factor of her demonic side, it still hurt like hell.

“That's one thing games never show ya… they show a character like, say, Jeanne from Bayonetta or the multiple times Dante and Vergil have been impaled and in the latter duo's case, simply appeared to shrug off such injuries… but having something impale ya hurts like hell,” she commented wryly.

“You get used to it eventually, kid. I have ultra-high speed but it still hurts,” Edward deadpanned.

Alexis smirked. “Goes to show Logan wasn't kidding… ‘It heals, but it still hurts’ as he put it,” she quipped, pausing in mild surprise when she successfully mimicked Logan raspy growling male voice. She didn't realize that she could subtly alter her vocal cords to alter her voice if she so desired, due to her nanites.

“So, how does it feel having your dad back?” Edward smirked in a low concerned tone.

Celestia and Luna both walked into the room for the back yawning with bedheads.

Alexis spotted the Princesses but only bit her lip as she shrugged. “I dunno. I mean, the last clear memory I have of him was of him in a hospital bed, so I really don't remember that much about him, and if my theory about the Devil May Cry games actually being a subtle form of biography is right… well… it never really went much into Sparda's actual past beyond him being a devil, supposedly an advanced form of a demon, becoming fond of humanity, falling in love with Eva, and supposedly being captured and dragged into Hell, which now seems to be wrong on the last detail,” she commented. She deliberately didn't look in the direction of the Anthro Princesses so she didn't giggle or laugh at their bedhead, rather than ignoring them for some other reason.

“Morning everyone. Did any of you get any rest?” Luna yawned trying to shrug off her sleepiness.

“Judging from that,” Celestia pointed to the chained up vampiress with a raised brow. “I’d say they didn’t. I also see we have another guest. A demon at that.”

“Morning, girls,” Edward smiled as he put a hand in front of his mouth to hide his laughter. “No, no one slept at all.”

“That would be my birth father,” Alexis deadpanned. “I’d not call light dozing on that obstacle course of yours sleeping, that's for sure,” she deadpanned. “And that…. woman tried to jump me and rip out my throat. Pretty sure I left some good inverted ice sculptures of her face out there, though,” she quipped, flicking a thumb out onto the icy ground, which did have minor craters and some blood splattered over it

“Your blood will taste so sweet,” Vampiress Mileena giggled her pale golden sclera and deep golden bronze irises on Alexis, never leaving the Demon-Alicorn hybrid.

“I'm half tempted to get him to let you down just to beat on you a bit more… but I have never liked brawling for no reason save for bloodlust. And quit staring at me… I can't tell if that's bloodlust or horniness,” Alexis deadpanned, shooting a glare at the vampiress.

Lucario choked at the risque joke as he saw the cultured Demon Knight watching with an amused look.

“Enough,” Edward raised his voice in slight annoyance. “She stays up there until I say otherwise,” Edward walked over to Lucario and picked him up by the collar. “You’re going in the scanner so I can find out what’s going on with your body. And the vampire is just horny as all get out.” Edward looked to Alexis as she cringed at this thought.

Alexis shrugged. “Doesn’t make a difference to me. I said tempted, not that I would,” she deadpanned with a grimace.

Lucario grimaced. He wasn't that sure what had happened to him after Baphomet backhanded him across that pond, though he had noticed that, where his Sensory Aura talent had been mostly in shades of blues, it was now in different shades of color. He had noticed that both the Princesses had powerful golden yellow and deep indigo Auras respectively, whereas Edward's was a thick crimson that almost seemed to flow through the air. His partner's Aura was a deep amethyst with shades of ruby, dark purple, pale cyan, and deeper purple just shy of black. Shang's Aura was odd… it was like a rainbow of colors, constantly shifting, though nearest his skin, it was a pale whitish sea green.

Edward carried the pokemon into the center of the room while a trap door opened and a strange machine arose. It had a metal lab table with a sort of helmet with wires attached at various point. The were other wires that were attached to electrodes. “Just lay down here,” Edward set Lucario down on the table. He then placed the helmet on the Pokemon’s head and attached the electrodes at varying points along Lucario’s body. The Pokemon couldn’t help but to fidget and giggle while Edward did this.

“Ed what are you doing?” Celestia curiously cocked her head along with Alexis and Luna summoning a brush to settle her sister's hair.

“I’m going to get a read on Lucario’s physical and mental state of being. It won’t hurt at all. In fact, the most physical part is right now,” Edward explained as continued to attach electrodes to the laughing flailing Pokemon. “Geez, who knew you’d be so ticklish.”

“Well… what do… you expect? I mean…” Lucario said before he yelped slightly, a surge of bluish white electricity surging from his body as Alexis helped hold him firmly, though her hair flared up in wild spikes and curls from the unintentional Thunder Wave.

Alexis stumbled back, shivering from the sudden electrical surge as she saw Edward settle Lucario, who shot her a concerned look before he started giggling at her messy hair.

Luna and Celestia couldn’t help but let out a slight giggle from seeing Alexis’ hair standing up on end from the static in it. “Come here Alexis,” Celestia said pointing at a stool.

“Yes, let Tia and I help you out with your hair. It’ll be fun,” Luna added with a sparkle in her eyes.

“Alright, Lucario. Just lay still for the time being and let the scanners do their jobs.” Edward stood behind his console as the machines start to scan over Lucario’s form.

Alexis blushed before she walked over to the pair before settling on the stool, feeling her wings shift, yet unsure if either of the Princesses knew that she had not one, but two sets of wings.

“A little nervous, Alexis,” Celestia teased with a snicker as she noticed Alexis twitch.

“Tia, stop it. I know you’re in a good mood, but the poor thing has been through a lot in just a few days,” The Lunar Princess scolded her older sister. “Edward may have good intentions but he can go a bit overboard with training and other things at times.”

*Snh* Edward snorted softly as he looked up from his display at the women at the other end of the room. “Mares and women. Take my advice Lucario,” Edward looked to the silver Pokemon who turned his head slightly to see the alchemist who was smiling as he looked to the giggling females. “If you find someone or more than just one to love, hold them close and tight and never let go.” Then a light went off on the computer stand. Edward hit a key and pulled something up on his display eyeing it closely. “Hmm.”

Alexis shrugged. “Grew up thinking I was human… my Celestia thought something was different about me, but I rather doubt that she would imagine that I'm a child of a Demonic Knight and, if Eddie's right, both Luna and Nightmare Moon… whom if Discord is to be believed… were twin sisters, making me a Demon-Alicorn hybrid. So I'm sure you can forgive me if I'm a little bit twitchy,” she sighed, her voice soft.

Lucario cocked his head, cautious. “You seem intrigued by something,” he commented curiously.

Suddenly a pebble hit Alexis dead center in the forehead. As she rubbed her forehead she looked over to Edward who was looking at his monitor and speaking to Lucario in and in a soft tone.

“You have incredibly high levels of mercury in your body,” Edward arch is eyebrows in curiosity. “Normally this much of the metal would kill any living creature in a matter of hours from metal poisoning. You have high levels of precious metals in your system as well.” He looked to the frightened Pokemon with intrigue. “Good thing you’re a Steel/Fighting type but you still shouldn’t have this much metal in your system. Maybe it has to do with you being a Shiny Pokemon and something to do with Alexis’ bond with you?”

“So what? I’m a living metal?” Lucario hesitant to ask the alchemist. “Wait! You just said that normal creatures die from metal poisoning!” Lucario shot up in horror.

“Relax Lucario.” Edward rushed over to the Pokemon’s side and pushed him back down onto the table. “Keyword here is normal. You’re not normal. Far from it actually, and you’re not a living metal.” Edward returned to his spot behind the computer. “More like you produce metals from your body like a foundry. You can produce metals from yourself. It explains why your spikes are shinier than normal.”

Alexis continued to rub her forehead while she scowled at Edward but she was using her annoyance at the alchemist to hide her concerns about Lucario from the Princesses. She then felt a tap on her shoulder. Alexis looked to the right to see Luna.

“Don’t worry too much. Edward will make sure Lucario is okay,” Luna smiled softly.

Mini-Ed then popped up and sat on Alexis’ other shoulder with a cocky grin. “Told ya not to call him ‘Eddie’ when he was in the room.” Alexis flicked the chibi away where he then went to float over to Shang and Mileena.

“I had no idea Ed could do that,” Celestia commented as she continued to brush Alexis’s hair while managing the electricity in it with her magic. “Almost finished, Alexis.”

Alexis sighed softly, as she found the hair brushing quite relaxing. “I guess I should be glad I don't have a horn… yet,” she muttered wryly. “I wonder how he'd react if I called him ‘Eddie Van Halen’ though somehow I get the feeling the reference would go over his head,” she smirked. She shivered slightly, her eyes meeting those of the bound Mileena for a second, though she could feel the strong tingling in the Eclipse Mark on her forearm, potentially due to Luna's presence, though she couldn't be certain. “Hmmm, that does give me an idea,” she mused. A long barbed dagger formed as she focused her Eclipse Magic through her right hand as a stream of bright silvery liquid with faint ripples of rainbow color flowed from her left palm. The slightly serrated ‘teeth’ were made of an opalescent metal that shimmered iridescently whilst the body of the dagger was a subtly shifting deep gray that had ripples of dark charcoal gray, pale gray that was almost cream in tone, deep gray that was a deep but warm tone, as well as a soft bluish-gray almost the shade of the edges of Luna's mane. She stopped the flow of the nanites as the dagger hovered, slightly longer than the length of her forearm, around eight and a half inches with a three-inch long hilt.

Luna looked to the dagger seeing it appear and then she looked to the chained vampiress who was still struggling to get free. “Why do I feel uneasy with that creature around. I know Ed’s chains can’t be broken as they’re specifically made to keep the darker beings contained but she doesn’t feel right.” Luna moving to the opposite side next to her older sister.

Alexis spotted two pebbles coming straight for her. She managed to dodge them and then turn to face Edward when a third nailed her dead center in between the eyes. “Geez, how good is his hearing?”

“Ed has always had excellent hearing, dear,” Faust remarked as she and Sparda joined the three girls. “And you won’t be getting a horn at all Alexis. Your demon form is more the only time you’ll have them.”

“I have to agree with my old friend Alexis. Even though they were technically alicorns, your mothers were still also human as well,” Sparda explained as he leaned against the wall while Faust laid on the ground next to him. “That means your demon half is the dominant side of your magic. And would worry about the vampire, Princess.”

“The reason she makes you feel uneasy is that she is an example of what happens when a Tarkatan lets its bloodlust overwhelm its mind. It twisted her more as Mileena is an Edenian-Tarkatan hybrid. Even worse, Mileena was never the most… mentally strong and focused. In her case, she was always obsessed with power… or me,” Shang spoke before he felt Kitana ‘step forward’, his dark chocolate irises shimmering pale blue for a split second before shifting to a deep slate gray.

“If she’s bothering you that much then why not fight her in the fields to obtain the soul crystal,” Mini-Ed deadpanned pointing to the ice fields. “Ed can always put up a barrier to keep her contained.”

Kitana's gaze flicked to the nanite form. “I could, save for one critical fact: the one who awakens a Soul Obelisk is the one who must defeat it. Neither I nor Shang awakened her Obelisk, therefore, we cannot defeat her directly. Yes, we could weaken her… but ultimately… we cannot defeat her and ensure what would pass for eternal rest for her. That… must be done by another,” Shang’s voice and form shifted as she spoke in embers of pale sapphire flames, taking an unfamiliar form.

Alexis didn't miss that Kitana's gaze shifted as she spoke before settling on her. She cocked her head. “I assume that any of you can do that… take control?” she said softly.

“When he allows us,” Kitana replied with a faint nod.

“Soul takeover. It’s a form of magic that I’m fairly familiar with this type of magic,” Edward walked over to the other with a tablet in his hand to monitor Lucario. “But Shang’s is a little more complicated. I find it fascinating and would love to talk to him more in depth about it but that’s for another time. Here, take over monitor him and make sure he doesn’t get up,” Edward handed the tablet to Mini-Ed who promptly saluted his larger counterpart and left to tend to the Pokemon. “And from what you’re saying, she can only be beaten by Alexis. It explains why Mileena keeps making goo-goo eyes at Alexis,” Edward deadpanned.

“Ed, are you saying you’re going to allow Alexis to fight that monster?” Celestia stepped forward with a look of severe on her face. “You just put her through a grueling obstacle course and her pokemon is lying on the table over there,” She pointed behind Edward. ‘From only the gods knows what on that very Obstacle Course. And know you want her to fight a horny and hungry monster.”

“Calm down Tia,” Edward placed his hand on her shoulder. “The last thing I want right now is for Alexis to fight but I can’t stop her either. She’ll have to face Mileena eventually. When she does is up to her as well as if she wants to face her alone.” Edward looked to Alexis in concern.

“I have no idea how strong she is, so facing her solo would be foolish… most likely, I could possibly entice whatever competitive nature she has, tilting the odds in my favor,” Alexis said softly, noticing Mileena's eyes narrow as if considering the idea. “After all… if there's one fatal weakness any sentient being has… it's a little thing called overconfidence,” she said with a small smirk. She knew overconfidence was why Dante was able to defeat Mundus, Nero, the Sanctus Savior, and how Liu Kang was able to defeat not only Shang Tsung, but Shao Khan himself.

“Overconfidence like you’re showing right now,” Sparda butted in. “It has worked for our family in the past, yes, but I’d rather have you not rely on this technique if I can help it. It’s also why I lost Eva to Mundus’ scheming,” He looked down in sorrow. “Always fight with honor, Alexis, and face opponents looking them dead in the eyes.”

“Father, I may show confidence, but I know that anyone here, hell… probably my half-siblings could defeat me with ease. Even Nero… could probably kick my ass. Yes, I'm well aware of the psychological warfare aspect of Dante's personality, annoying the hell out of his opponents until they lash out without realizing that's exactly what he wants them to do. I know that whilst I may have been able to awaken my gifts… I have precisely zero true, skilled training with them, so I'm far from imagining myself as anything near the strongest. But then… sometimes all it takes is one hit in the right spot to put down a foe long enough to put them down for good. Look at David and Goliath… one barely a teen… the other at least twice his size and heavily armed and armored to boot… yet a single river rock to the skull… put him down,” she said wryly.

“Then you won’t mind handing over the Aevitèrnus for this fight,” Sparda crossed his arm as he eyed his daughter. “I want to see you fight without relying on your Devil Trigger. Alicorn magic, Eclipse Magic, and other skills you have at your disposal will be allowed. Your partner won’t be helping you either.”

Alexis shrugged, exhaling softly as she let her hand rise before she drew the Aevitèrnus before she set it aside. “I'll not use it nor call it, though we could make it challenging to rely on a particular aspect of my skills at certain points… whether the Eclipse Magic, Alicorn Magic, which frankly I don't know how to use well or just plain physical arts… blade and fist,” she proposed.

“Very good.” Sparda took the Aevitèrnus and gave it to Edward who looked to him in confusion. “Can you build that arena and keep this in some form of a seal so it won’t come to her of its own will?”

“Yea, no problem,” Edward created a Shadow Forge chain dome for Alexis and Mileena to fight in and placed the Aevitèrnus in a Shadow Forge chain to keep the Demon blade in check. “There you go. It’s ready whenever you are Alexis but I suggest you get some more rest first.”

Luna looked to Alexis concern and then to Kitana/Shang, who was smirking, in outrage. “Are you going to help her in this fight or are just gonna stand by on the sidelines while she does your job for you?”

“If she chooses to employ Tag Kombat, it is her choice whom she allies with. She could well choose you… me… or the Demon Knight,” Kitana deadpanned. Of course, she could well choose anyone. She doubted the younger woman would choose Solo Kombat, as she herself had said. Even to her gaze, the young Demon-Alicorn hybrid held much potential. She tilted her head, nothing the very familiar pulsing of the other Obelisk… which was Jade's.

Alexis exhaled softly. “I'll admit, I did think of that,” she said softly.

“She can choose anyone but Tia and especially not Luna,” Edward shot a glare at Mileena and then to Kitana. “You know she carrying our children and I won’t allow her to fight.” Edward looked to Alexis.

“But knowing of Luna's pregnancy, I wouldn't risk unborn children… which I'm assuming from the fact that you specifically implied multiple children… I'm thinking twins?” she said with a small playful smirk. From how Luna's cheeks darkened, she guessed she was close. “And whilst Tia, no doubt, finds the horny vampire bitch’s presence distasteful if not abhorrent, she'd probably aim to turn her ugly mug into bacon. Most likely I'd go with either Ego Princess in blue there or my father…. after a good long nap because I feel like a rug caught in a wind tunnel… beat outta my mind,” she sighed before yawning.

“Would you like to use the main bedroom, Alexis?” Celestia asked with a smile. “It's open since Luna and I have been up and it has its own bathroom with a shower attached.”

Alexis blushed a bit. “If I'm honest, I've kinda… well… kinda gotten used to sleeping with my mother… especially since I got the Arm Parts for the Onyx Armor…. though why that's the case… Edward knows. I don't like talking about it… but if I have my way… I'm going to weaken that damn nightmare until it's lost every bit of its power over me,” she said softly, though she suspected Celestia might notice she didn't meet her gaze. She had, thinking about it, noticed an odd… hunger… if she had to put it into words… in her uncle and aunt within the nightmare, as if they weren't what they appeared.

Celestia walked over to Alexis and wrapped her arms around her in a warm embrace. “Would you like me to stay with you until you fall asleep?” Celestia looked down to her with eyes full of love.

Alexis met Celestia's gaze with a shy blush before nodding a bit, embarrassed. “You could guess whom I was referring to, couldn't you?” she said softly.

“Dear, I know you're in pain and I know who your mother is as you’ve told us.” Celestia rubbed her head a bit. “Come now let's get you to bed for some much-needed rest.” She led Alexis from the main lobby to the back of the Chamber down a long hallway that led to a grand sleeping chamber akin to both Luna and Celestia's chambers in the main castle. “Go ahead and take a shower, Alexis. I’ll be here for you when you get out,” Celestia sat down on the bed as she smiled warmly to the young girl before her. “Take all the time you need.”

Back in the Main Lobby, the others were still talking with one another. Edward took a seat by Luna and grabbed her hand as she places her head on his shoulder. He looked at her deep blue eyes that were filled with wonder as she thought about what moments they’d have with their children. Edward could only smile at her glowing but he soon turned to Kitana with a serious look on his face.

“What are you playing Kitana?” Edward scowled at the fighter. “I know that look you were giving Alexis. You were thinking she had potential as a fighter but you were also thinking that you might could use her.”

“Use her as to what, a student? She does have quite a strong potential, potentially to rival myself or Jade, quite easily. I do not, generally, prefer politics, as it is all too easy to twist intent and words due to fools preferring to interpret it in their own way, usually the wrong one,” Kitana said dryly.

Meanwhile, Alexis was starting at the bathroom in awe. She'd thought the one she had used with her adoptive mother was extravagant, yet the one before her held hints of polished obsidian inlaid into the dark gray granite which was also polished to a high sheen, much like the floor within the shower whilst most of the floor was a polished sandstone and Redstone. She sighed, stripping off her clothes before her gaze slid to the frosted glass of the door to the shower which held veins of both cool, softly gleaming silver and warm, palely glowing gold.

She glanced in the mirror as she stepped out of the shower, blinking as she noticed her clothes were missing, but a warm bluish violet robe with deep gray fluffy edges and a pale silvery belt was neatly folded. She did note that her wings were rather ruffled and in need of preening. She slid the robe over her shoulders, sighing softly. She stepped into the bedroom, pausing at the sight of Celestia demurely sitting on the bed.

“How does the robe feel, Alexis?” Celestia got up from where she was sitting and moved over to Alexis.”I think your wings could use some preening after that fight and what better time to do it than right after a nice shower.” Celestia noticed Alexis' face went flush at the mention of this. “No need to be shy.”

Alexis sat down on the bed and extended her wings. Celestia summoned a white ivory brush with wide stiff bristles. She began to run the brush through Alexis’ feathers causing her to snicker a bit as Celestia moved down her wings. As Celestia did this Alexis could help but twitch a bit.

“Alexis, I don’t mean to prod or cause you any discomfort,” Celestia paused in brushing as she let out a soft sigh before continuing in a concerned tone. “Why were you so open with Edward about your past? I know he’s been around and has a lot of experience with different situations but for some reason, he’s able to connect with other Displaced rather quickly. He’s always been able to draw out the truth of someone else rather quickly,” Celestia finished brushing and looked to herself in the vanity mirror behind them. “It’s one of the reasons why I fell in love with him in the first place,” She had started to tear up a bit. “Sorry about that. I’m still coming to terms with being able to be with him. I’m still hoping this isn’t some sort of dream.”

Meanwhile back in the lobby, Edward was still eyeing Kitana. He didn’t trust her for obvious reasons but he still didn’t like the idea of Alexis of not learning how to fight from her. There aren’t a whole lot of female fighters of her skill level that were willing to train others.

“I don’t know what you’re plan is, Kitana, but if you’re thinking of somehow using or hurting Alexis in any way, then I’ll personally rip your soul from Shang’s body and devour it,” Edward snarled at her as he walked to the bound Mileena. “What are we going to do with this one in the meantime?”

“Please, if I wished to use her or harm her, I wouldn’t give warning until it was too late. And I can assure you, that is the last intention I have. I grew up dealing with that with my so-called ‘father’, if you know anything about him,” she said dryly. “And I will never be anything like him,” she said flatly.

Alexis exhaled softly, her eyes fluttering half closed as she felt the tingling sensations from the re-angled feathers. “When it comes to people… I usually have a gut feeling if they can be trusted… and I developed it the hard way… through a betrayal that never should have happened. Though looking back at the nightmare of that incident… I have to wonder if Sigma may not be the only Shadow Fragment active,” she said softly. “I get the same feeling around you and your sister… that I can trust you implicitly,” she said softly, keenly aware of her messy hair. She took a deep breath before she revealed precisely what betrayal she’d referred to… when her ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ had almost killed her through an ugly betrayal that left her in the hospital for close to eight months. She didn’t, however, mention that said betrayal had been occurring every night in her nightmares for the recent three weeks, nor did she mention that she had a sneaking suspicion that, if Edward’s theory about the Sparda brothers was correct, that her ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ hadn’t been human at all…. but potentially planted demons in human form.

“I can’t imagine the horrible things those monsters did to you every night,” Celestia embraced Alexis in a motherly hug while tears ran down her face. “Even know I know those memories must be haunting you, even in your dreams. I know I’m not your mother but if it helps you to think of me that way then I want you to go ahead and do so. If not your mother you’re more than welcome to think of me as your aunt.” Celestia gently stroked Alexis hair as she placed the young woman’s head on her lap. “If you want you can do the same with Ed and Luna. I know they wouldn’t be against it at all.” Celestia continued to smile and stroke Alexis hair until she fell into a deep and well-deserved sleep.

“Ed calm down. I know Alexis has told you about her life but that doesn’t mean you have to protect her from Kitana or from other possible threats.” Luna placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder in an effort to calm him back down. “That’s why you helped her face her past and overcome it while also help her discover her true self.”

*Hraa.* “You’re right Luna. Sorry, Kitana. I got a bit hot headed there. I should’ve known better than to jump the gun on someone else.” Edward rubbed the back of his head in self-disappointment. “You of all people know what it’s like to be used better than anyone and I know what it’s like to be completely betrayed.” Edward looked to the floor as he clenched his fist tightly enough a small trickle of blood ran down his left hand onto the floor only to turn to ash as it did. “I tend to get attached to those like Alexis who’ve been through such hard times rather quickly to the point I think of them as family. I should really treat you better than I was. Please forgive me.” Edward hit the floor on his hands and knees hard enough to make a few cracks in it with his head.

Kitana laughed, the tones melodic. “I've heard worse. We did find a curious effect when we merged with whom has Shang's body currently. We recall both primary timelines that were known as the ‘video game series’... including our deaths… easily at least four times each,” added the Edenian Princess.

Alexis grimaced fractionally despite her head resting in Celestia’s lap, unaware a faint, dark miasma that was just barely visible was rising from her head. She concentrated, feeling the nightmare flowing as usual as her younger form stumbled, spilling the drinks before sprawling onto her hands and knees, her hair falling over her face as she whimpered, feigning fear but hiding a smirk behind her hair as she heard them cursing as usual before he reared back a hand before she reacted in a flash, feeling the nightmare shift as her hand snapped up, catching his forearm as her dream form shifted to her true form. She grinned, seeing clear fear on the face of her ‘uncle’ as his eyes shifted into blackened sclera with pale sea-green irises and burning dark purple pupils. “As I thought… you are not what you appear to be. Shadow Fragments, I'm guessing?” she drawled, her eyes flicking to her ‘aunt’ who was grimacing, her icy blue irises shimmering into dark garnet-rose irises upon blackened sclera with the same glowing pupils. “You were feeding upon my panic and fear, were you not? That ceases… now. Perhaps… we can come to an agreement,” she drawled with a feral smirk. She saw both of the Shadow Fragments shivered, as she could now sense their magical power… and they were far weaker even than Baphomet had been and supposedly, Baphomet had been a low to barely mid-level Demon Lord.

Her eyes snapped open as she inhaled sharply, shivering. She didn't trust those Shadow Fragments whom apparently had merged with the parts of the Onyx Armor, which was quite troubling.

“Alexis, are you alright?” Celestia rushed over to Alexis side as she sat up in the bed. Celestia hadn’t felt right just leaving Alexis by herself. “What happened? My Gods, you’re soaking wet with sweat.” Celestia summoned a clean washcloth and wiped Alexis’ forehead. “Can I get you some water?”

Alexis blushed at the loving gesture as she cleared her throat. “I’d like that,” she said softly, her voice hoarse and a bit raspy. “Turns out… that the Onyx Armor… was infected by Shadow Fragments… I had been thinking about the nightmare… and when Edward claimed I could lucid dream, which amongst humans is an uncommon to rare talent. It turns out that my ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ within the nightmare are, in truth, extremely weak Shadow Fragments…. probably as strong as say… a young colt or filly,” she said softly.

“Here you go,” Celestia handed Alexis a cool glass of water. “So the manifestations of your ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ in your dreams are low-level demons that have been using the memories of your childhood to torture you while feeding off your insecurities.”

Alexis exhaled softly as she sipped the water. “Precisely. They were feeding upon the pain, fear, and panic the particular memory they were using as that specific memory… was one I worked hard to deliberately forget. Let me put it this way… just Edward seeing the nightmare of said memory pissed him off to the point that armored form of him almost tried to take over. In that nightmare… that memory… I was seven or eight years old. After it happened, I spent eight months in a hospital recovering from what happened,” she said wryly. “They said I had second and third-degree burns over 68% of my body… which makes sense with what they'd done,” she said softly.

“Alexis, have you told your mother about these Nightmares?” Celestia asked as she continued to wipe the sweat. “I’m not trying to pry but she should know if she’s going to help you in the future,” she chided gently as she brushed a lock of hair out of Alexis’ eyes.

“She knows I haven't been sleeping well at all, but not the reason why. I haven't told anyone much of my life on Earth is because when I was Displaced as most of my memories except the vaguest, most useless memories… and the knowledge of my name was bound away where I had no conscious access to them. Only by finding the pieces of the Onyx Armor can I regain access to them… though what wasn't mentioned was the very nasty migraine I get from finding said pieces which tend to last anywhere from half a day to a day and a half. It was only when I found the Arm Parts to the Onyx Armor that this…. nightmare started plaguing me… roughly… five and a half or six weeks now,” she said softly.

“Did Ed mention anything about helping you in your dreams?” Celestia summoned a fresh set of washcloths as she spoke. “Like Luna, Edward has the ability to dream walk but his ability isn’t natural like hers.”

Alexis cocked her head. “No, but then, he did imply that it could be… a sort of awakening test… as my mothers… are the Luna and Nightmare Moon of my world. If Discord is to be believed, they are twin sisters, though call it a feeling, I don’t quite trust Discord even if he claims that he isn't so bad,” she said curiously.

“Well, I can’t say much on that besides that you have the right feeling about him but when it comes to matters such as this, Discord usually won’t play a lot of mind games.” Celestia summoned a new set of pajamas for Alexis to change into. “Even the Discord here is a big softy when it comes right down to simple terms. Ponyville loves him now. He’s even seeing Fluttershy and scolded Nyx when she turned her Aunt into a tree.” Celestia giggled a bit. “Still, though, never fully trust what he does. He won’t harm anypony either but his pranks can go a bit far at times.”

Alexis exhaled softly as she slid out of the bed, grimacing at the sweaty pajamas. She stripped them off quickly, forgetting that the burn and numerous slashing scars upon her back were still very much visible from her shoulders over her back and sides as well as her hips all the way down to mid-thigh before terminating just above her knees. Indeed, due to her demonic healing factor, they would be completely gone within a week and a half to two weeks.

“Ed could be right about that test thing, ya know,” Celestia mentioned as she turned around to let Alexis change. “You are a Child of the Night and Dreams after all. I still think you should talk to him about helping you with your dream walking though,” She looked out the doorway to Luna. “Normally, I’d ask Luna but you know the terms why I won’t. Ed’s the next best choice here as Nyx is still too young.” Celestia looked to Alexis as she was now dressed. “Be careful with Ed on the subject, though. He doesn’t like using the thing that allows him to dream walk.”

Alexis yelped as she grabbed her upper arm with her Devil Bringer, where a runic seal had burned itself into her upper arm, representing the Devil Arm Lucifer. “We all have things we don't enjoy and things we regret. That's something we both know all too well. Nobody's perfect no matter how hard we try… and some assholes are never satisfied with what they have. The most we can do is the best we can, learning from our mistakes as we go,” she sighed wryly.

“Ed doesn’t like using the weapon because of the dangers that it attracts to it,” Celestia explained as she looked at the Rune. “Have you ever heard of the Keyblade?”

“Ah… that speaks for itself. I know those dangers… Heartless… Unversed… Dream Eaters… and various other bodies that go ‘bump in the night’,” she said wryly.

“Any dark being really. That’s why Ed keeps it sealed away in its own pocket dimension.” Celestia sat down on the bed looking to the ceiling. “Dream Eater or Baku is the name of his Keyblade. Unlike his other weapons that he has, The Baku was the first one and it was found, not made. Not even Edward knows where it came from. It just appeared to him in the gardens one day. He soon gained various abilities that allowed him to help Luna in her duties.”

Alexis hummed softly, thinking. “So it's possible that a Keyblade could find me at some point?” she murmured sleepily as she snuggled close to Celestia's side.

“Possibly, my little pony,” Celestia hummed softly. She starts to sway while holding Alexis under her wings. “Mother sang this to Luna and I when we would have nightmares.” Celestia started to sing in a soft warm motherly tone.

Fear not this night
You will not go astray
Though shadows fall
Still the stars find their way

Awaken from a quiet sleep
Hear the whispering of the wind
Awaken as the silence grows
In the solitude of the night

Darkness spreads through all the land
And your weary eyes open silently
Sunsets have forsaken all
The most far off horizons

Nightmares come when shadows grow
Eyes close and heartbeats slow

Fear not this night
You will not go astray
Though shadows fall
Still the stars find their way

And you can always be strong
Lift your voice with the first light of dawn

Dawn's just a heartbeat away
Hope's just a sunrise away

Distant sounds of melodies
Darting through the night to your heart
Auroras, mists, and echoes dance
In the solitude of our life

Pleading, sighing arias
Gently grieving in captive misery
Darkness sings a forlorn song
Yet our hope can still rise up

Nightmares come when shadows roam
Lift your voice, lift your hope

Fear not this night
You will not go astray
Though shadows fall
Still the stars find their way

And though the night sky's filled with blackness
Fear not, rise up, call out and take my hand

Fear not this night
You will not go astray
Though shadows fall
(Still the stars find their way)

Fear not this night
You will not go astray
Though shadows fall
(Still the stars find their way)

And you can always be strong
Lift your voice with the first light of dawn

Dawn's just a heartbeat away
Hope's just a sunrise away

As Celestia finished couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it felt like when Luna would sing to her and Edward’s children all those years ago. She then began to wonder if she had tried to be closer like this with her student before Twilight then the maybe she wouldn’t have left. Celestia could feel the tears of happiness and also tears of sadness run down her face. She quickly wiped away the tears to keep them from hitting Alexis on the face. Little did she know is that Edward had made his way to the bedroom door when he sensed Alexis wake from her nightmare. He chose not to enter out of respect for privacy and to let the two of them bond while also coming to terms with a few of their individual issues. He left them be while walking away with a warm smile.

Alexis cocked an eyebrow slightly, noticing Edward's presence retreating from her HUD, but said nothing, simply snuggling closer. “You aren't the only one with a fondness for music,” she said softly as a soft dry towel levitated, enshrouded in a warm, deep amethyst Aura of magic… Alexis’ magic.

“How many times can one heart break?
It was never supposed to be this way,
Look in the mirror, but you find someone you never thought you'd be…

Oh, but I can still recognize,
The one I love in your tear stained eyes.
I know you might not see her now, but lift your eyes to me…

When you see broken beyond repair,
I see healing beyond belief…
When you see too far gone,
I see one step away from home…

When you see nothing but damaged goods...
I see something good in the making,
I'm not finished yet,

When you see wounded, I see mended...
You see your worst mistake,
But I see the price I paid...
There's nothing you could ever do, to lose what grace has won,

So hold on it's not the end,
This is where love's work begins...
I'm making all things new,
And I will make a miracle in you.

When you see nothing but damaged goods...
I see something good in the making,
I'm not finished yet,
When you see wounded, I see mended...

I see my child,
My beloved...
The new creation you're becoming...

You see the scars from where you've fallen,
But I see the stories they will tell…

You see worthless, I see priceless...
You see pain, but I see a purpose...
You see unworthy, undeserving...
But I see you through eyes of mercy,

When you see broken beyond repair,
I see healing beyond belief...
When you see too far gone,
I see one step away from home…

When you see nothing but damaged goods...
I see something good in the making,
I'm not finished yet (no)
When you see wounded, I see mended...
(Oh)
I see mended...
(Woah)
Oh, I see mended...
I'm not finished yet...
When you see wounded, I see mended,” she sang softly.

“Beautiful Alexis,” Celestia said softly. “You should really try and get some rest now. Something tells me Ed will probably be there in your dreams this time.”

Alexis sighed softly, nodding as her eyes drifted shut. She could feel Celestia's fingers brushing through her hair, bringing to mind a vague memory of a different, gentler set of fingers running through her hair though she barely could recall the memory clearly enough to be helpful.

“About time you settled back down enough to go back to sleep,” Came a voice from in the mist plane that Alexis had come into after she’d just closed her eyes. “I hope you enjoyed Tia’s song. Faust used to sing it to her whenever she had a nightmare and Tia used to sing it to Luna,” Edward soon appeared from nothing as he walked up next to Alexis with a large key-like sword on his back. “I noticed you had a feeling of familiarity as you came here. Want to talk about it?” The alchemist spoke in a humble tone.

“When I was young, I very vaguely recall sometimes lucid dreaming, but rarely recalling it upon waking… and I did deal with that nightmare… turns out that the Onyx Armor is infected with very weak level Shadow Fragments… to the point where when I confronted the ones I already gained who had taken the form of my ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’... despite the fact that when it comes to my Alicorn magic I’m all but a novice… it had them almost terrified to the point of wetting themselves,” Alexis deadpanned. “Now it makes me wonder if it’s even worth regaining my memories… if it means being stuck with Shadow Fragments that feed off pain, fear, panic, etcetera,” she said wryly, “because there ain’t a chance in hell, pardon the pun, of me ending up like Sombra, if even half of what you’ve implied about him is true,” she deadpanned.

“Sombra allowed himself to be corrupted by his own hunger for power. You’re not like that Alexis,” Edward explained as he walked the dream plain. “Originally it was to help his people, yes, but over time that want to help turned into to looking for power to the wrong ways. That’s when a Shadow Fragment turned his ambition for power against him. Later the same Fragment turned him into a full-on Shadow whose corruption was then spread to Luna apparently.” Edward reached around and pulled the Keyblade from his back and looked at its blade. “I can’t help but think the Baku found me to allow me to fight those demons and help prevent later tragedies from happening. Even help others like yourself to fight their Darknesses.”

“What if the real power isn’t necessarily fighting one’s inner Darkness… but accepting it? I mean, everyone has darkness inside them, yourself, me, Luna, even Celestia. I could feel something trying to twist her… something deep inside her, yet she is able to easily resist it. I know I have darkness inside me… not my demonic side, but something more… dangerous… something that feels… almost like a feral animal, driven by dark instincts… when that Shokan… Kintaro… threatened the innocents… I felt something stir… something dark… I only caught one word… Messatsu,” she said softly. “It makes me wonder… if Dante doesn’t represent Fefnir, who does?” she said softly.

“I can’t tell you that Alexis cause I don’t know,” Edward put his Keyblade back on his back. “As far as darkness goes I think your right about it. Even Tia has it but she is much more accepting of it than Luna was. It’s why we didn’t ban dark magical learning here. So everyone would be more open to darkness and be less likely to be corrupted by it.” Edward sat down in the air. “I only wish I’d been there for them to help them through there problems but I’m glad I got to Tia before she turned into her Nightmare form. Something tells me she wasn’t too far off from turning into it,” Edward smiled softly at Alexis. “There’s something else on your mind isn’t their Alexis?”

Alexis shrugged. She had noticed this… particular Darkness… within her when training under Harpuia. “I initially noticed this… Darkness… when I was training in that hand-to-hand style Harpuia uses… she implied that the fighting style had a darker side. I mean… Fefnir strikes me not only as a Fire user… but his personality strikes me as brutal and harsh. She also implied that some of the Biometals remember who they were… like Dante when he showed up… I have the feeling that there's a deeper connection between Harpuia and Fefnir… and call me crazy… but I think X could be connected to them too,” she said softly. She recalled that sometimes, she saw Harpuia with straight shoulder-length brown hair rather than her usual slightly longer than shoulder length dark hunter green wavy hair. Her eyes widened slightly as her mind swiftly made connections. “Ansatsuken… the Hadōken… what if that fighting style is the connection?” But… I don’t know of anyone who has used that fighting style,” she said softly, never having heard of the Street Fighter series.

“Possible,” Edward shrugged. “What if it has something to do with the Satsui no Hado?” Edward questioned softly as he rubbed his chin. “I’ve heard it can be very dangerous and is linked directly to negative emotions.”

“The what?” Alexis said in confusion. She had no idea what he was talking about. She shivered, hearing a low, dark chuckle.

“So, you and the Crimson Butcher are smarter than the other fools,” a low growling voice spoke from the shadows. “The devil idiot is close, but he doesn't know what I know…. the Demon Lord Mundus…. was once a human… by the name of Marcus Bison,” the voice growled.

“It pays to have lived for almost two millennia, most of the time,” Edward sneered at the mention of his darker title. Edward got up from his as he flexes the fingers on his right hand. “Akuma!” Edward roared causing the entire dreamscape to shake. “Come out or I’ll rip you from whatever space you’re hiding in.” He looked around the immediate area to see any sign of distortions, “Or are you afraid to face a couple of humans.” Edward coyly sang.

Akuma smirked as he seemed to melt out of the shadows, his dark bronze skin contrasting sharply with his dark slate gray sclera and crimson irises. He wore a dark bluish black gi with a blackened rope around his hips. “Were I scared of you then you might have something to pleasure yourself with,” he growled.

“Asshole. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to piss him off,” Alexis deadpanned, rolling her eyes.

“That’s because he is Alexis. Akuma thrives on fighting strong opponents,” Edward explained as cracked his knuckles. “But he tries to get them to invoke the Satsui no Hado by angering them or by forcing them to experience something horrible in order to draw out this dark energy. It’s also the source of his power.” Edward walked over to the demon and as he did he began to radiate killing intent. “The thing he doesn’t know is that I don’t have those darker energies are already under my control.” Edward was now looking Akuma dead in the eye and the Demon didn’t like what he saw when he looked back into he looked into Alchemist’s eyes.

Alexis noticed how the Demon's stance shifted ever so slightly from aggressive to wary, even cautious. “Is that why I lost control earlier… with Berial? I mean, whatever this…. is… combined with instincts I didn't know I had…” she said softly. She didn't want to admit it… but she'd liked losing control.

“Stupid girl. The Satsui no Hadō craves a strong master. I am its master now, yet I see unrefined potential in you. Perhaps you may be its new master… in time,” Akuma snarled, unknowingly echoing Kitana's words.

“Yes it is Alexis,” Edward said as he looked to back to her over his shoulder and then back to Akuma with nothing but death in his eye. “And I will never allow this to pass. The Satsui no Hado is too dangerous. If you want to challenge someone, Akuma, then I’m more than happy to oblige your desires for a fight.”

Edward stepped closer to Akuma as his form began to shift. Akuma could tell the one in front of him wasn’t human in the slightest but something else altogether. Edward body began to grow to his full twelve-foot tall form as red metal, shadows, and eyes covered his body. But instead of the cape of shadow instead, he had silver metal wings with crimson tips. Across his chest was the large singular but it was a Rinnegan with the Homunculus Ouroboros in the center of it. The right side of his face which had the usual eyes had the upper and lower eye gold while the center was The Rinnegan. His tail was now completely covered in red plate metal. Akuma stood there looking up to the taller demon that now towered over him. Akuma was now visibly shaking as he started to back away. Edward bent down to look at him in the eye once more.

“What the hell are you?” Akuma growled trying to keep a straight face while keeping his guard up not knowing what the demon in front of him might do. “Never before have I seen or sensed such a concentrated source of negativity. Truly you have master the Satsui no Hadō!”

“Flattery will get you nowhere fast. Tell me, Akuma.” Edward looked the red-haired Ogre in the eye. “What did you really think of my true form? And this isn’t even the manifestation of my real power but just my negativity.” Edward shrank back down to his human form.

Alexis saw Akuma's gaze flick to her. “What if it were possible to merge the Satsui no Hadō with its counterpart? I mean, if it's the ‘dark’ aspect, there has to be a ‘light’ aspect. And presumably, since you seem to focus solely on fighting, I'm guessing that the Satsui no Hadō is, in many aspects, a true power based style… so if my guess is right in that it’s a very destructive power…” she said softly, blinking as she looked up to see Akuma staring at her with what she was almost certain was an incredulous look.

“You not completely wrong Alexis,” Edward said summoning chairs and a table for everyone to sit and converse. “This style is called Ansatsuken. The Satsui no Hadō is just the dark energy that comes with using the actual fighting style but there is also the Shotokan which focuses on the lighter aspect of the style. Akuma’s master Goutetsu could use both and Satsui no Hadō without succumbing to its side effect,” Edward looked to Akuma who had a glint of sadness in his eye. “There is the Hado no Chikara which is Gouken’s, Akuma’s brother, dumbed down version of the Satsui no Hadō.”

Alexis hummed softly, watching Akuma closely. “You regret something about your master,” she remarked quietly. She was unaware of the fact that the Satsui no Hadō specifically had an addictive or drug-like effect upon its users.

“Akuma killed his master Alexis,” Edward summoned a cup of tea and talk a long sip from it. “It was a mutual fight the ended with Akuma becoming addicted to the power of the Satsui no Hadō. It’s why he constantly seeks out strong opponents to fight.” Edward explained as he looked over to the fighter who looked down in shame. “Like any junkie, he’s always seeking more and more of his drug. This instance is he can only it out of himself by fighting stronger opponents but first, he draws it out of the fighter to push them to the max of their own power.” Edward set the cup he was holding down gently on the table and leaned over. “So Akuma let me ask you this. Why are you drawn to Alexis? Yes, she has potential but she’s far from being able to harness the Satsui no Hadō’s particular kind of power.”

“Around her, I do not feel… its pull… as strongly. I suppose you could say it is… a form of withdrawal, I believe the term is,” the demonic fighter admitted.

“You're implying that when you ‘got hooked’ on it… it held on as if the Satsui no Hadō itself were sentient to some extent, but I kinda get the sense that what most people would call ‘crazy’, ‘impossible’ or ‘insane’ went on a one-way trip into an active volcano,” Alexis pointed out.

“Mu No Ken, the ‘Power of Nothingness’ is a state of consciousness transcending ordinary perspective, born through spiritual and mental refinement. Bearing common traits with states of being within Buddhism, martial arts, and spiritual perfection, it is the power to act without being attached to emotions and thought, free of fear, anger, pride, and ego, to draw upon the contents of one's heart intuitively without obstacle and hesitation, and to be aware of the world and to know one's place and meaning within its vastness, to flow with all of creation without the need of worry, desire, and doubt. It is the complete opposite of the Satsui no Hado. As such, it can only be used by a person of pure mind, compassion, mercy, and peace. Such a person must have embraced the peaceful and spiritual aspect of the art to their fullest extent. Just like the Satsui no Hado, it makes a person unbelievably powerful, granting invincibility (spiritually and physically) to many attacks, as well as sealing off evil power and making the user a stronger fighter.” Edward stated as he poured another cup of tea. “Then you have the Satsui no Hadō, the ‘Surge of Murderous Intent’. This power is the complete opposite. While it grants great strength the user is usually overcome with negativity to the point to where they can not recover.” Edward took to teacup in his hand and looked into it. “Most that can recover are either of almost completely sound mind or have found balance or enlightenment in their lives.”

Alexis hummed softly, thinking. “You implied earlier that Akuma ‘draws out’ the Satsui no Hadō from others… so it's entirely likely that the dark energy he draws out against any very strong enemy is, in fact, their own darkness turned against them. Logically, if one fights a dark power with dark power, it would only strengthen… and eventually, overwhelm. Although this… ‘Marcus Bison’... who would that be?” she murmured.

Akuma tilted his head.

“Marcus Bison aka M. Bison, Master Bison, or sometimes even called Vega, is a fighter from Akuma world that uses the abilities granted to him known as Psycho Power, “Edward explained as an image came up on the table. “Psycho Power is the name of spiritual energy that is utilized by combatants in the world Akuma hails from. It’s often termed as an evil, negative or psychotic energy, Psycho Power is most notably exploited by its best-known user, M. Bison. Psycho Power has been described as the dark side of Soul Power. Psycho Power feeds off of the fear, anger, and the hatred of others, this energy can also affect the skin, body color, eyes, and hair of people in a similar manner to the Satsui no Hadō.” Edward looked up to the image. “Knowing what I do now, it’s not hard to see him as Mundus and it’s pretty easy to figure out a few theories on how he became the Demon King.”

Alexis grimaced. “To paraphrase Arnold Schwarzenegger… that is one ugly motherf*cker,” she muttered. She snickered at the blank look Akuma gave her, clearly not getting the reference. She cocked an eyebrow at the noticeable beep on her last word, though.

Edward noticed the look on Alexis’ face and couldn't help but snicker. “Don’t think on it too much Alexis. Sometimes it happens and most of the time it doesn’t.”

Alexis rolled her eyes. “Sounds like a certain pink party mare,” she deadpanned. She exhaled before she drained her tea before flicking the cup over her shoulder as Harpuia materialized from the dim shadows before the Embodiment yelped as the momentum from the toss overturned the teacup all over her front, soaking the kimono top. From her sudden yelp and the fact she shivered showed what Alexis had done… manipulating the dreamscape so when Harpuia caught it, the momentum of her toss emptied its load… of icy water… all over her.

“As much as I would love to stay here, we can as it appears that we are out of time,” Edward deadpanned. “You’re waking up Alexis. I’ll see you in the lobby.” With that statement, Edward faded away.

Alexis nodded but giggled before she noticed the look Harpuia was shooting Akuma. “I was right… you do have a connection to him… as does X, right?” she said, making Harpuia jump slightly before she reluctantly nodded as the area wavered before shattering. Alexis’ eyes fluttered open before she realized she was still snuggled up against Celestia.

“Hmhmhm. How did you sleep little one,” Celestia asked with a sparkle in her eyes. “You looked so quaint that I just couldn’t help but stay and watch you,” Alexis sat up as her face went flush from what Celestia just said. “I’ll let you get dressed now. When you're done, come meet up with everyone in the main lobby. Ed is cooking a big pot of gumbo.”

Alexis blushed as her stomach grumbled rather noticeably. “Um… I slept okay… it turns out that Fefnir… is a fighter by the name of Akuma… and he, Harpuia, and X's embodiment have some sort of link that connects them… though that makes me wonder why Dante showed up before we found Grandma… after all… he was the one that made me think that some of the Embodiments of the Biometals remember who they were… Harpuia only confirmed it. I mean, if I'm his half-sibling, wouldn’t he have recognized me?” she said softly.

“Not necessarily, Alexis.” Celestia went over to the closest to pick out a dress as she had yet to change out of her sleeping gown. “He might be missing parts of his memory like you.” She pulled out a gold silk gown. “He may feel some form of connection to you but that doesn’t mean he’ll know who you are at first glance.” Celestia stepped behind a blind and started to change into her dress. “I mean, when Ed first came back into our lives, Luna and I didn’t recognize him at all and the first thing she did to him was blast him into a wall with her magic.” She stepped back as she was putting hair up in a bun. “Look at me, I didn’t remember him at all either to the point I had completely forgotten my feelings for him,” Celestia said softly as she looked to the floor in shame for having forgotten one of the people she held dearest to her heart. But above all else the first man she’d ever truly loved.

“Somehow, I get the sense of him getting blasted into walls could be a running gag… or Yang, pardon the pun, getting face shots,” Alexis deadpanned. She snickered as the following morning after Yang had summoned her, the Displaced Huntress had tripped down the stairs and somehow had hit her face on every single stair. “And nobody's perfect. Frankly, I'm half tempted to remain in my female form more often just to offset the testosterone-fest of my half-siblings,” she sighed before focusing as she slid out of the bed before shedding the sleeping robe as she noted her clothes, cleaned before she strode over to them. She took a breath, noticing a subtle scent wafting from the clean clothes… one she recognized as Rarity's. She shrugged as she got dressed before she cringed a bit, noticing her messy hair in a nearby mirror close to the vanity.

“Would you like some help in cleaning up your hair?” Celestia asked she walked over by Alexis place her hands on her shoulders as the two looked into the mirror. “You know Alexis, I think you should stay in your female form. It’s your still choice, of course, but in my opinion, it’s become who you truly are.” Celestia picked up a nearby brush as Alexis sat down she began to run the brush through Alexis’ silvery hair. “Whatever you choose, just know it’s you that chose and not someone else. I’m sure your mother would tell you the same and support that choice as well.”

Alexis nodded shyly. “I always felt… more comfortable with longer hair, really. I never really considered why,” she said softly. She blinked, noticing something beneath her hairline when Celestia shifted her hair. She hadn't noticed the colorful tattoos that had formed when her second set of wings emerged though what caught her eye was the reddish purple gemstone in the center of the marking that caught the light and glittered from its faceted surface.

“Alexis, what are these markings? And this Gemstone here?” Celestia mentioned in a concerned tone. “We should go and see the others about this. I don’t like the way these markings look. Are these tied to any of those other beings that you call the Bio-metals?” Celestia set the brush down on the vanity allowing Alexis to stand up. Celestia looked at Alexis with worry in her gaze. “We need to see Edward now.”

Celestia took Alexis by the hand, causing her to blush a bit as she led her out the doorway. The duo left the bedroom and headed to the lobby where everyone but the Alchemist was present. Celestia quickly looked around to find Edward where she saw him in the kitchen over the stove by a fairly large pot. She left Alexis next to Faust and Sparda as they had been enjoying some tea with Luna. Alexis saw Celestia talking with Edward in the kitchen then her gaze shifted as she saw Lucario and Shang sparring out in the fields but instead of ice, the field were a deep rain forest. She was glad to see Lucario off that table Edward had him on but she was still uncertain about if there was something wrong with him as she hadn’t spoken with Edward about Lucario yet. Her attention shifted back to Celestia and Edward who were still speaking in the kitchen, Alexis could see Celestia point to her from time to time but couldn’t make out what she was saying, she must have cast a silencing spell. Edward was listening while nodding. Every now and then his eyes would shift toward her direction. Alexis could swear she saw a tear roll down Celestia's cheek.

“She’s very worried about you, Alexis,” Faust moved to her side. “I heard from Ed that Lucario and is going to just fine by the way. He seems to be able to produce purified metals from his body like some sort of natural foundry.”

“Huh. That could be a useful ability both offensively and defensively. Though… I'm almost sure these markings… are not related to the BioMetals I can use. If they were… I would have noticed them before now. I'm almost certain they're related to these,” Alexis deadpanned, flicking her lower set of deeper pearlescent silver wings. “As for the gemstone… I think it might be the equivalent of an Alicorn's horn, as...” she continued as the teapot was enshrouded in a soft deep amethyst aura before pouring into a cup as a dollop of honey dropped into it from a spoon before stirring the tea. “I don't know if it was confronting that nightmare… or finding that Dante wasn't Fefnir, but someone almost as intimidating was… but my Alicorn magic… felt somewhat dulled, like it was being pushed through a kinked up hose… now… it flows smoothly,” she said as she let the pot lightly touch the table. She frowned slightly. “Father… if Dante and Vergil are around a dozen years older than me… what would it mean that I was Displaced? Are they alive here… or on Earth? On top of that, we have no idea if the time between both locations is synchronized or not,” she commented as she sipped her tea. She saw Faust smirk as Luna snickered. “You try having Twilight Sparkle as an adopted sibling and see if she doesn't rub off on you in some way,” she deadpanned.

Shang smirked as he twisted, evading Lucario's swiping claws. “Not bad. You have to realize that, on top of your body and Aura… your most dangerous weapon is…” he said with a smirk before poking Lucario right in the forehead, “right there,” he finished.

“I know that Dante and Vergil are on Equus somewhere. They went their not long after their little stint in Hell after Vergil fused back together. It was then that Vergil met up with a Merchant to get you onto Equus.” Sparda crossed his arms as he never cared much for tea. “As far as the how the passage of time works… I can say.”

“But I can.” Edward came upset a large pot on a stand next to the table while Celestia followed with blows for everyone. Alexis could tell something had upset her a bit. “You see, for Displaced such as ourselves, Alexis, time usually has very little to no mean when traversing the omniverse. We can go to one Equus like now… where it’s only been a few months for you but where its been over fifteen thousand years for me here. However there are those that have linked worlds where Equus is linked to say an Earth or another world with them that allow travel to and from one another,” Edward began to dish out the gumbo to those at the table while Celestia and Luna went to fetch the others. “Time flow between worlds that are linked to each other usually flows parallel to each other.” Edward looked to Alexis. “As for those marking and that gemstone, I’d chalk them up to your body going through its alicorn transform.” Edward bent over and handed Alexis her bowl and spoke to her softly so no one else would hear. “Came and see me after your done here. Tia wanted me to speak with you privately. She’s really worried about you.”

Everyone sat and enjoyed their company and food for the time being. Edward was with Luna and Celestia most of the time. He was trying his best to reassure Celestia that Alexis was fine but that wasn’t the only thing that was on her mind either. She wanted to ask Alexis about a certain pony as she came from a world that was set well before their own. After a while, Celestia and Edward went off to the side with Alexis while the others continued to enjoy their meals.

“Alexis do you know of a pony called Sunset Shimmer back in your Equus?” Celestia looked to her with a downtrodden gaze. “She was… my personal student before Twilight… but when I told her… that she was going about her studies wrong… she wants to get to her goals quickly. She only ever focused on the power of magic a not the friendships that I tried to teach her. So when she didn’t get what she wanted… she left.” Celestia wiped a few tears away. “I was hoping that I could prevent your mother from having the same fate as me. If Sunset is still there then tell your mother to focus on her more and keep her close.” Celestia looked to Edward in sorrow as he quickly embraced Celestia allowing her to cry into his shoulder.

“I’ll find her Tia, and I’ll bring her back.” Edward stroked her back.

“I've stroked her, but I think she disappeared before I ended up on Equus. I did, however, find some journals by her that were… odd. They imply that the same one Discord mentioned may be active again if not those loyal to him… and they imply that something may have happened to her… as one of them ends… abruptly,” she said softly.

“But you've been investigating that and searching for her, right?” Lucario said, receiving a nod in reply.

Alexis frowned fractionally. “I found something…. but… well, let's just say it's not something good,” she said quietly.

Shang frowned at her tone, concerned.

“I’d still like to hear about this,” Edward said as he tried to calm Celestia back down. Luna came over to comfort her sister. The two sat down in some nearby chairs. “Any leads you have could possibly help me here and vice versa.” Edward twirled his finger in the air.

“I did find the Mirror Portal in the castle, which I presume is linked to an Earth, though I also noticed, within the room… old dull red stains and scorch marks on the floor and walls. I’m guessing if Sunset did go through, she was likely injured beforehand. I did notice, though, that when I found it, it was active. It was located in the northeast tower, below the tallest one used for Astronomy,” Alexis said slowly. “I also noticed something interesting… there's a very low-level leak of energy flowing from both sides of the portal. When it's inactive, it's very slight, much like a dripping faucet, but to one focused on the mirror when it's active, that ‘drip’ of magic is like a very low-pressure flow,” she revealed. “Strangely, the return energy feels just like the Chì Energy I tap into through the Ansatsuken,” she commented.

“Looks like we found how Akuma came to your Equus,” Edward pondered as he paced. “I could never open mirror portals on my own. I always had to have Starswirl’s help in order to do so. Well, in order to maintain a constant connection to it whatever world we opened the portal to.”

“But Ed, what about the Dark Library?” Luna said tilting her head.

“That’s a special case, Luna. One. The Library was a part of the world so it’s still rooted here allowing use to make a stable portal. It still exists as apart of the world tethered by it’s portal. Second. I can open portals on my own fairly easily but I have no idea how to keep them open without being right beside it to maintain it.” Edward looked to Celestia and back to the others crossing his arms. “Starswirl was able to do it, but it the portal he made only opens every two years and for a short while at the. Third. I have no idea where the portal’s I make will lead. Sure once I go o the world I can come back and forth from here to there but the problem in that lies in which world Sunset went to. Starswirl was very crafty in his design of the portal in that he used a void guard spell on it to keep others from finding their way here,” Edward huffed as he placed a hand on Celestia's shoulder looking to her knowing her hurt at the loss of her student. “The portal was made after I was entombed to, so I can’t just fiddle with it.” Edward looked to Alexis with a look of longing in his eyes before Celestia spoke up.

“Promise me Alexis, that’ll you’ll find Sunset for me and for your mother’s sake,” Celestia pleaded.

Alexis nodded slightly, as she'd intended to do so regardless.

Shang hummed softly. “I've found, that after visiting certain places, I am able to open portals to those locations. Perhaps, it is possible to combine our talents to link our own worlds through similar portals,” he commented. “I will admit, however, that my world lacks these… mirror portals. Rather, the magic sometimes gathers into rifts that can be employed into opening more… long-lasting portals, as most portals tend to be one use unless you know your intended destination,” he deadpanned.

“The mirrors are just the doors that separate the worlds, Shang. Really, as long as is has a way to be shut anything can be turned into a portal.” Edward explained. “Mirrors are just one of the easier ways to create filters to keep the bad things out as well as being one of the more stable portals.” Edward made a mirror appear and took out his black key. “This is just an ordinary glass mirror but once I use my key on it…” Edward tapped the mirror with the key and the mirror started to ripple like water. “It becomes a portal to the library that anyone can use for one minute. After that, it’s a mirror again. In this sense, it’s the key that opens the door temporarily. This is another reason it’s much more stable than the other portal. It’s only open for so long.” Edward dispelled the mirror and put his key away. “With my Rinnegan, I can travel fairly easily but I have no idea where I’ll pop up unless I’ve been there before. Now if I concentrate enough then I can find worlds the I want to go to but it talks a lot of concentration, time, and power.” Edward summoned the Yamato to his hand surprising Sparda. “Hopping dimensions is easy if you have this but it’s still not entirely accurate on where it puts you. The sword reads the wielder’s mind but if you don’t even have a general idea of where you want to go it’s totally useless. Even if you know who you want to appear next to.” He tossed the sword back to the demon. “I’m saying if you want we can make mirror portals we can but it will requires us both to do so and I will be putting a seal on my end and storing it in my lab. No one other than me or you will be able to use it. Not even if someone is with you. If they are and have your permission then that’s fine, but the Void Barrier will be block anyone else that doesn’t and anyone that doesn’t have free will. Void magic is absolute.”

“I would likely place a double seal for Aura Energy and Blood that would prove quite sufficient. That way, even if one could fool one seal, say, with blood stolen from one who has access to the portal, they would fail to access it as their own Aura Signature is not one that has access. Perhaps add a layered an Empathic Seal to keep from forcing one who would have access to it from doing so out of duress,” Shang quipped.

“Would you be able, say, to use a pond or something like a portal? Use certain chosen items that could access the portal function of the said pond, otherwise, it would be nothing more than a normal pond?” Alexis said thoughtfully.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Edward said out of annoyance. “Liquid-based portal a hassle to create and even more of a hassle for users to keep hidden and maintained. Mainly because they can easily be moved or split into pieces for multiple users. They are also very easily destroyed.”

Edward paused to look at Luna for a minute then he mentions for Celestia to take her out of the chamber. That’s when Edward thought it a good idea to get some fresh air, The most anyone had been out was for a few hours in the Dragonlands.

“Okay, we’re going outside for a bit. Need fresh air and it smells like Dragon breath in here,” Edward raised his hand and two silver spell Matrices appeared above them. In the next second, everyone found themselves in the courtyard of an old wooden fort. While everyone was looking around they could tell this place had seen many battles but they also saw serval stone Golems the looked exactly like Edward but much shorter.

“Dragon Breath? I thought it was Dragon Farts,” was Alexis’ immediate deadpan joke. Goro grimaced before rolling his eyes. Lucario snickered at the dry humor.

“Oh my CELESTIA! NEW PEOPLE!” came an overjoyed shout from behind the group. Edward smirked evil as he knew all to well who yelled. It was the one known as the pink menace. In a blur of pink Goro was pinned to the ground by a super curly hair pink maned mare in a pink t-shirt that had three balloons on it and pink denim pants with pink sneakers. “Ooo. a Shokan. I’ve always wanted to fight one of you guys.” Goro only stared in shock at the small pink pony sitting on his chest. He then looked over to Edward who merely shrugged at him.

Suddenly Alexis found herself tackled flat on her to the ground by a blur of dark purple. She looked up to see Nyx hugging her waist rather tightly with a giant smile plastered across her face. “Ms. ALEXIS IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!” squeed the filly as Alexis rubbed her head. “Oh my gosh! Look at your hair and your wings and those marks and gem.” Nyx looked at Alexis with wonder in her gaze. “You look so pretty. All that time you spent training with Uncle Ed really changed you, a lot. You seem more…”

“You seem to be more at peace with yourself,” Polearm said as he walked up with Twilight by his side. He extended a hand to help Alexis off the ground. “It’s good to see you again. Nyx was worried you’d leave without getting to see you again.”

“So you’re the Alexis that those clothes Edward had me work on belonged to.” A purple maned unicorn wearing black plants a white button-down blouse and brown leather sandals said with an eager tone as she put her pair of red sewing glasses on her collar. “Nice to meet you, darling. My names Rarity Belle. I see you’re already acquainted with Nyx and her family.”

“Not the whole family though Rarity.” said an eager green spiky haired teenager next to the fashionista. He had green eyes that matched the color of is hair with slit pupils. He was wearing a purple shirt with a dark green puffy vest over it with a pair of khaki cargo pants. “Hey, Spike Solaris. Dragon of Ponyville and Assistant to Twilight Sparkle.”

Alexis nodded as she let Polearm help her to her feet.

“What in tarnation are we doing out here at Edward’s training fort?” said a southern accented voice in confusion.

“Beat’s me Aj.” came a calmer voice. “But I have no idea what this training fort, as you call it is?”

Alexis chuckled. “I recognize AJ's voice anywhere… very distinctive. And I met them while training. Of course, I was able to deal with a few personal matters, fortunately. Although… oh, my,” she said in mild surprise, spotting Mileena hanging by an ankle from what appeared to be a flagpole with loops of what she recognized as the odd shadowy chains around her upper body, hips, and knees.

“Hey, guys. Were you suddenly brought here to?” came a raspy voice. “Hey, Thunderlane, I see you were helping AJ on the farm again,” teased the third voice.”

“Shut up, Dash!” Thunderlane yelled back. “Who's that?” he said pointing to Alexis.

Alexis rolled her eyes as she knew of that famous, or infamous, Pegasus. She sighed softly as she bent her legs slightly before shoving off the ground as her dual sets of wings flared out as she shot off into the air before hovering with slow, lazy flaps. “Baka, could you look a bit more rude, hai?” she said dryly, crossing her arms beneath her breasts.

“Sorry, miss, but I was a little surprised by you at your appearance, and that fact I was just teleported here out of the blue,” Thunderlane looked down in shame. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Alexis shrugged, smirking. “I'm not upset. Trust me, I know the feeling of being abruptly teleported without warning by a blond tomato. Though I doubt you'll meet anyone else like me,” she quipped.

“Judgin’ from your reaction and based off your looks, Ah say your a Displaced,” Applejack said scratching the back of her head. “Names Applejack but you can call me Aj for short. The rude one over there is Rainbow Dash.” Aj pointed to the rainbow-maned pegasus hovering behind her.

Alexis chuckled a bit as she let her wings fold tight as she abruptly dropped close to thirty-five feet instantly, somersaulting before landing in a crouch, the dull thud low pitched as the ground cratered slightly beneath her feet. She felt the gauntlets form over her hands and forearms almost the moment she straightened.

“Nice impact zone there,” Rainbow quipped as she flew down and landed next to Alexis. “Name’s Rainbow Dash Head of the Bolt Core for Equestria. Fastest Flyer in Equestria to by the way,” Rainbow puffed out her chest. “Call me Rd for short. Did the old dude put you through harsh training too?”

“Amongst other things, though I can't say I haven’t grown for it… gained quite a bit from the training, including a partner,” Alexis deadpanned. She shrugged casually, summoning the long dagger she'd created, the feel of restrained magic hanging in the air as the opalescent ‘shark teeth’ along the edges of the blade rippled with the rainbow aura of the Elements of Harmony whilst the dark gray metal of the tapered body of the dagger seemed to pull in surrounding light. The hilt of the dagger was a deep grayish black. The crossguard of the dagger curled slightly along the base of her thumb while it visibly curled over her forefinger.

Lucario smirked as he leaped at his partner's back, a combat knife formed from ruby and dull silvery metal in his grip, only to blink as his partner spun, deflecting the stab before catching him in a hug.

“Oh my,” Spoke a soft voice from the edge of the crater.

“Indeed my dear. Whoever made this must be quite powerful,” came a more familiar voice. “If they made this here, they have to be powerful. Especially, with Edward’s anti-magic Runes all over the place. He did put them up to dampen you and your friends' ability to use magic while your group stayed here.”

Alexis smirked. “Most of my abilities aren’t technically ‘magical’ in nature… yeah, I do have magic, but I don't rely solely on it, especially,” she deadpanned as she pushed off in a back somersault before purposely belly-flopping on the edge of the crater, her arms and shoulders hanging over the edge as Lucario landed just behind her feet, “as my magic, both new and what had been dormant, would make life a bit boring if I solely relied on it,” she finished. She concentrated as a deep amethyst aura flared around her as she levitated before touching down on her feet, the dust not clinging to her clothes as she had coated them in her Aura before landing.

“You're crazy, you know that?” Lucario deadpanned.

“Oh! You’re certainly an interesting case of an existence, aren’t you my dear,” Discord said as he and Fluttershy made their way to Alexis and Lucario. “Very chaotic. I approve. Not every day you meet a Half Demon Half Alicorn. Discord, Lord of Chaos and Disharmony at your service,” the older gentleman said taking a bow.

Alexis shrugged. “Normal and dull is boring. Besides, I met the Discord from my Equus already… in astral form, admittedly, so I'm not even going to ask how you know things… it's like trying to figure out a certain party mare… guaranteed to cause migraines,” she deadpanned.

“Hello there, my name’s Fluttershy,” said a timid pink haired girl from behind the Lord of Chaos. “Nice to meet you Alexis.”

Alexis nodded, smiling shyly.

“So, does anypony know why Ed brought us all out here? I mean there are only a few ponies and other beings powerful to do so and this place is special for us all but more so for Ed than anyone,” Rainbow deadpanned as the other looked at her with forlorn expressions. “What? I can figure stuff out too. I wasn’t put in charge of the Bolt Core for just being awesome. Ed did more than just physically train me. He literally schooled me,” Rainbow shuddered at the mere mention of the word school.

“I brought you all here because I wanted you all to meet Alexis and because I wanted to spend some time with my students,” Edward explained as he popped up next to Discord with his arms crossed. “I haven’t seen everyone since the lunch over a month ago. I also wanted to get out of the castle for fresh air but I still wanted a fair amount of privacy. As for why I brought everyone here specifically, I like this place, it holds many good memories, and I needed to show Alexis and Shang what happens when one indulges in the sins of Wrath.” Edward looked to the gates of the fort with a grim and sadden look on his face. “Every Equus has the Badlands and how they’re made is for each tends to be different. Alexis, Lucario. Come meet me and Shang when you’re ready so I can show you and explain what I mean,” With those words Edward walked away.

Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Amal looked at each other with sad looks before looking to Alexis and Lucario who were perplexed at the alchemist’s mood change. They knew what he was talking about as they’d already heard this part of their teacher’s past.

Alexis’ eyes narrowed fractionally. “I'm pretty sure I can guess that it's personal for him,” she said dryly.

“Personal, my ass. His Aura was dulled, as if this ‘creation of the Badlands’ was embarrassing if not painful for him,” Lucario growled.

“You need to watch, man,” Rainbow shot at Lucario in a sharp tone. “I might fun of teach about odd stuff but that dude has some serious demons. Especially, when it comes to the Badlands.”

“Aaa, yea Alexis. The fort is really dear to Ed but the Badlands are … complicated for him. They hold very bad memories for him but a few good ones too. Poor fella has been through more than anyone ah know. No telling on what’s kept him goin’ for the last thousands of years,” Aj let out a long sigh as she looked to her teacher than to the others. “I wish he’d be more open about his life. He says he’s a little over two thousand years old but it’s a bald-faced now he’s much older and has seen many a thing that would keep others up at night.”

“Yea and then you have the recent events that occurred during the wedding and his death. Not mention what happened with Malice when he summoned Nat, Sora, and their Twilight.” Fluttershy leaned against Discord shoulder while she remembered. “Why does he torture himself by coming here, Discord?”

“It’s like Applejack said, Fluttershy… this place holds both good and bad memories for him.” Discord patted her hand. “I can understand why he comes here. He likes this Fort, but he comes to the Badlands to remind himself of his flaws and mistakes, but he shows it to help others in the hope that they’ll learn from those mistakes and not repeat them.”

“Trust me, I know about demons… the only reason I’m relaxed right now is because I recently faced down a nightmare of, what was for me, an extremely traumatic incident that left me in a hospital for eight and a half months. Still got the scars of it. Most think that scars are easy to get over… physical scars you can get over… the mental scars… those are a real bitch,” Alexis deadpanned. “And it appears you, pup gained some of my instinctive empathy,” she deadpanned, her gaze on Lucario.

Shang smirked, crouching atop a nearby wall.

“Ah get what your sayin about scars, sugarcube, but Ed’s situation with this area is quite a bit more drastic,” Aj looked away. “You should go see Ed about it. I need to go after Thunder before he gets himself lost. Or before he aggravates one of the Ed statues,” She quickly walked while shouting. “Thunder, don’t touch those!”

“Geez, those two are so weird,” Rainbow deadpanned. “I wish they’d just start dating already. Thunder was helping Aj out on the farm every now and then it turned out to be every few days. Now it’s pretty much every day.”

Alexis shrugged. “I wouldn't know. I don't remember if I ever dated on Earth and I'm still getting my footing in my Equus… not to mention what I've found out since meeting Eddie… thinking I grew up as a human… only to discover that I was barely human… as apparently both of my mothers were hiding in human form when they had me,” she sighed, glancing at Mileena. “After whatever Eddie wants to talk about… I have a feeling I'm going to need to burn off a little stress,” she thought. Somehow, she knew that form… Kitana… wasn't the only female form Shang had.

“It's rare that people catch Kitana's eye in Kombat Potential. Alexis is one… now, there is another,” Shang deadpanned. He knew his voice behind the rainbow-maned anthropomorphic pegasus would startle her.

“Well, I’m gonna leave you guys to it for now. Ed looks like he’s waiting for you guys just outside the fort,” Rainbow pointed to a bit of red sitting on the cliff just outside the gates. “ Come on Flutters and … Discord.” Rainbow rolled her eyes as the trio joined Aj in wrangling Thunderlan from three Edward Statues.

AΣ ∆ Alpha Sigma Blade