Been working on this when since a little after the crossover but enjoy guys

“Girls?” Fluttershy said as he came upon the Black Bulls. “I’m worried. No one has seen Asta since last night or this morning since I left the tent.”

“I’m with you on this one Shy,” Aj added. “And no one saw him leave the tent after we left either. Ah know cause the locals have been watching and waitin for him to come out all day so they could thank him.”

“Asta has a lot of skills but sneaking out isn’t something he’s the best at,” Fluttershy looked at her tent.

“You think he might have been summoned again,” Twilight interrupted.

“It sure is a possibility sugarcube,” Aj crossed her arms.

“But you guys said he has to acknowledge the summoning before a portal will even open,” Rarity added as she looked at her friends.

“He could’ve been half asleep,” Rainbow Dash chipped in. Everyone turned to look at the multicolored mare. “What? It’s not that uncommon. Everybody talks in their sleep from time to time, heck I know I do.”

“Twi does it a lot,” Spike chuckled.

“Spike!” Twilight said as her cheeks lit up with embarrassment.

Suddenly both of the princesses teleported to the gather of the Black Bulls with looks of worry plastered on their faces. “Have any of you found Asta yet, or at least some trace of him?” Celestia spoke up first.

“No, we haven’t,” Twilight answered her mentor. “I’m sorry Princess but we’re no closer to finding him than we were this morning after Fluttershy went into the tent and found him missing.”

“Is somethin wrong?” Aj followed up.

The Royal sisters looked at one another and nodded in agreement before Luna spoke next. “We will need to call on all of you to defend us once more.”

“What’s going on?” Rainbow squinted at the Princesses.

“The scouting ShadowBolts have reported in about an unknown entity approaching the town at high speeds,” Celestia crossed her arms over her chest grasping her upper arms with her palms. “They reported it just appeared out of nowhere and easily outmaneuvers and outrun our fastest of pegasus.”

“What do you think it could be?” Rarity looked a little concerned.

“We don’t know Rarity,” Luna answered. “But we’re very worried about with Asta gone. I know you’re all very powerful in your own right and have trained under him but he’s still the best chance we have right now. We’re still incredibly drained from yesterday and I know all of you aren’t running on a hundred percent either.”

“Heck, neither is Asta,” Aj shot back a little annoyed. “He’s been through Hell the last few days with barely any rest and now ya want him to go out and fight again.”

“I’m sure that we can handle whatever this thing is mom,” Spike pounded his fist into his palm.

“Who knows, it might be friendly,” Rainbow said with a bit of excitement at the aspect of racing something that could outmatch her other than Asta. “And if it’s not then we’ll pound it into the ground.”

There was a loud noise as this new entity traveled across the prairie at high speeds. Its destination was the small town of Freetown that had been established not but a few days ago. The only thing that could be seen was a trailing dust cloud as the being moved across the grassland. It roared as if it were a beast of some kind and this was not entirely inaccurate but there was another sound with this beast’s roared a song of some kind. This was more of a machine than an entity but there was a being on this machine, one who knew where he was going while playing this music as he rode across the grassland and jumped his machine, Behemoth, over hills.

“Man, I hope I didn’t worry everyone too much with the whole disappearing act this morning,” the ride said as he revved the Engine on Behemoth jumping another hill, “Woohoooo!” he cried out as the setting sun revealed the rider to be Asta. “Man, I haven’t had this much fun with a bike since my time as Nick’s stunt double for Ghost Rider 2.” Behemoth’s wheels hit the ground and Asta was on his way again. “I missed have a vehicle and have you will make solo travel much easier, just as easy as Ymir would be if we flew maybe a little more extensive on travel though.”

He sped off towards the town he’d help build and to the squad he was forming, not to mention the woman he’d fallen head over heels for.

“I doubt they’ll know it’s me approaching on this monster of a bike,” Asta looked off in the distance. “Too late to stop now and too late in the day to not get there. Best do this in style then,” He smirked as he revved the Behemoth's engine popping a wheelie on the back tire and then shot off to the town at top speed.

The Princesses, Spike, Mane Six, and Ymir were all gathered at the inside base of the Crystal Wall that Asta had created to shield the town from the day’s previous army.

“I do wish we could just walk out of this bowl,” Rarity said annoyed. “As beautiful and efficient as Asta’s crystal wall is for protecting the town, it’s a bit of a bother having to go over it for those of us without wings.”

“Can any of you manipulate the crystal?” Celestia looked to the six Grimoire wielders.

“Sorry princess, but Asta made this with a combination of his own unique magics of crystal and Ancient magic,” Twilight explained as she placed a hand on the wall.

“It’s far stronger than anything we can do, even if we used a combination of all our magics,” Rarity sighed. “Honestly, it probably wouldn’t be so strong if he hadn’t poured so much of his own emotion into fueling his spell.”

“Raaaa,” Ymir growled at the group.

“What did she say Flutters?” Rainbow asked.

“That Twilight was just about on the money, as Ymir put it,” Fluttershy said, putting a finger just below her bottom lip as she tilted her upper body slightly.

“Pardon the interruption my ladies, and Prince Spike,” Haze said as he knelt down in front of the group after he descended down from the sky. “I’m here to report that the entity is headed straight for the town and shows no signs of slowing down.”

“It looks as if we have no other choice at this moment,” Luna places her chin in her hand. “Haze, ready a squad of Shadowbolts and prepare to attack.”

“Yes my lady,” the vice-captain acknowledged.

“I don’t intend on waiting to see what this is, nor do I intend to let it reach this town,” Luna looked at the Black Bulls Squad. “You don’t have to come but it would be most appreciated if you did.” She then walked off to meet with her troops.

“Boy she sure is a little hot under the collar,” Aj scratched the back of her head.

“Luna holds Asta in a rather high regard,” Celestia explained. “She feels as if he’s one of the few people in this world that can really understand her due to the demon situations. She has spent more time with him than I have thanks to her dream walking and knows him better.” She let out a sigh. “She said he originally just wanted a quiet life here and has anything but that.”

“Yea Asta has had a pretty good go around since we met him,” Rainbow looked at the sky.

“And while he may not be living the life he said he wanted I can tell that he’s happy living the one he has,” Fluttershy cut in and Ymir nodded. “He likes helping people and just helping in general.”

“I don’t think Luna wants these people to have everything that Asta’s gave them taken away,” Celestia looked at the town. “I know she’s trying to help and repay Asta’s kindness but …. at the same time, we have no right to be here anymore.”

“Ah’m afraid I don’t follow Princes,” Aj tilted her head. “Most of these folks are from Equestria, in some form or another. “

“That may be true Applejack but most of them were born into the country’s land making them citizens here, I suspect some were taken from our lands when they were young, probably as children,” Celestia sighed. “The only ones with any real authority here now are the council and Asta.”

“You mean the whole conquered the throne thing,” Rainbow said, catching on and surprising everyone in the process. “Don’t look at me like that,” she huffed and crossed her arms. “I can figure stuff out. I may be an athlete but I'm smart too, especially since I’ve had to up my game with Asta’s sparring matches.”

Celestia nodded. “I’m afraid Rainbow Dash is correct.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand Princess,” Twilight said, putting her hands out in front of her.

“They don’t have any authority here anymore Twi,” Spike cut in. “The only reason they did was when you Fluttershy, and Aj were taken. Now that they have you back Mom and Aunt Luna can’t actually do anything without Asta’s permission as the current ruler of this area.”

“But what about the council,” Fluttershy interjected. “Asta said he didn’t want to be the king and left the council in charge.”

“That is true but the other Caribou won’t stand for it and will just keep sending more armies here to retake the area, it was the most prominent slave trade hub of the Caribou Kingdom since it was the capital,” Celestia looked at the town. “Even if the kingship can easily trade hands it’s still the seat of power here.”

“So Asta would have to take up the mantle and show up here to divert the armies away, at least until the town could fend for itself,” Twilight thought aloud. “Hmm…”

“What ya thinkin about Twi?” Aj asked.

“Well… we can operate here as long as we use the name of the Black Bulls as technically we’re part of Asta’s court being part of his squad, but again, we have to use our names as members of the Squad.” Twilight explained.

“Not a problem here,” Rainbow thumped her chest.

“Ah’m fine with,” Aj smirked.

“Same here,” Spike held up his fist. “Yea,” Rainbow fist-bumped him.

“I guess that’s four out of seven,” Celestia said with a smirk.

“I think you mean seven out of seven princesses,” Rarity smiled. “While I may not much care for violence that doesn’t mean I can’t stand by and not support my friends, and not my captain.”

“I’ll be there to support you all and Asta, you kno that,” Fluttershy held her fist in front of her chest, Ymir then proceeded to pick her up and place the pegasus on her back giving a flash of a spark in her eyes.

“This is going to be fun, but odd,” Pinkie jumped but froze in mid-air while she grabbed her chin.

“Odd how Pinks?” Rainbow asked while the Princess looked at the floating party planner.

“Odd in that my Pinkie sense didn’t go off because of danger,” Pinkie pointed out.

“I’m sorry but can you explain Twilight,” Celestia looked at her student.

“Pinkie gets these reactions when certain things are about to happen and she refers to these as her Pinkie Sense,” Twilight elaborated. “And I wouldn't question it any further as it’s Pinkie Pie, and it usually happens,which is why I find it odd too.”

“Why?” Celestia asked.

“Because Pinkie is usually right on the bits when it comes to this sort of stuff,” Rainbow flipped her finger pointing at the pink sugar mare now back on the ground.

“Sister you and the Elements may want to come and see this,” Came Luna as she flew down from above the group.

“On our way sister,” Celestia acknowledged and turned to the others. “Lets see what’s going on.”

“Man, I hope Shy isn’t too worried about me, then there’s Aj too,” Asta let out a sigh. “I need to do more than just keep her at arm's length. She does like me, and I kind of like her that way two. Man, I wish Allen was here. He’s got to girls and would know what to do.”

“You rang,” came a voice from beside Asta.

“Wah!” Asta slammed on the breaks of Behemoth. “Allen,” Asta said as he rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things but there in front of him stood his older brother, kind od. “What the hell? What the hell are you doing here? I didn’t call and I didn’t summon you? I can almost see through you,” Asta looked dumbstruck

“To answer you I’m not here,” Astral Allen/Ed said. “I was programmed to manifest as one of the seals Allen put in place once you reached a certain point in our growth.”

“The one that sealed Sombra back in my Grimoire was you wasn’t it,” Asta pointed at the astral projection of his older brother who nodded in confirmation. “So what, are you here to unlock something?”

“No, you’re here to unlock something,” Asral Allen/Ed pointed at the knight captain. “I’m just a copy but I was given enough power to face you.” He became solid and floated to the ground. “I’m a test and if you can pass then you’ll gain better control over the dark crystal magic you have.” Allen pulled a large crystal bladed claymore from nowhere and held it in at an angle in front of his face reflecting Asta’s lower face in the blade of the weapon. “I have more than enough power to fight you, but if you lose I won’t be coming back to test you again.”

“So the magic is Dark Crystal magic,” Adat smirked as he got off Behemoth and pulled his Demon Slayer out of his Grimoire. “I thought it was weird that the crystals on ever showed up as small ones. In order to use the big tricks I had to combine it with my Ancient magic. Now it makes sense,” He looked at the copy of his older brother. “I’m guessing since I exhausted my body to the point Sombra manifested that means I can now take the crystal magic true power?” he pointed his sword at the copy.

“It was when you were able to fend off Barbamon's Hellfire that let me know you were ready but you can only have the power if you beat me Asta,” Allen Copy said as he shifted his appearance from Edward Elric to his original look from when Allen was human. Allen now sported a long grey trench coat over top, a dark maroon polo shirt with a black web-like pattern over top it. He had on a set of black dress pants and brown leather boots. His hair was a dark brunette color tied back in a short ponytail that barely reached the collar of his shirt. His most notable feature was a grey fedora that sported a dark purple band with a neon blue stripe running around it. Allen’s eyes were a light hazel.

“Taking your original form to play off my sympathy,” Asat mocked his brother’s copy.

He then shot at the clone and brought his Slayer down hard, having it collide with the flat of the Crystal sword in Allen’s hands. The force of the blow sent a shockwave outward from them as the ground spider web cracked outward from Allens feet as he was forced into the soil.

“Well it won’t work,” Asta smirked. “I’ve never had a problem when it came to kicking your ass in pointless fights.”

“No little brother,” Allen looked into his brother's eyes and put strength into his shoulder and arm, throwing Asta into the air above his head. “I took this form because I thought it would be good for you to have one last look at me, as Allen Ferris is dead.”

[

Asta took a deep breath and kicked the air, sending himself rocketing back at his older brother, the edges of their swords collided, sending sparks flying. Asta was angry now, angry that his brother had told him he was dead even though he was standing in front of, albeit just a copy.

“Why?” Asta growled. “Why didn’t you come back? With all that power you have you could’ve come back home anytime you wanted! Ruijin'en no tenohira (Ape’s Palm)!” Asta dug his palm deep in Allen’s sent his older brother shooting backward.

*HACK!* Allen coughed blood but was still on his feet, He smirked as he wiped the blood from his face. “No, I CAN’T!” Allen yelled as he steeled his gaze on his younger brother. “I’m old Asta. much older than any normal human,” he started to walk over to Asta. “I was given the choice when I died the first time to either go back to when I the first left or go back to Equestria.” Allen broke into a run.

“So you chose to stay as Edward rather than come home,” Asta roared in sorrow as his eyes had tears in them.

He charged his Slayer with Anti-magic while Allen charged his claymore with what looked like crimson magic. The blades collided once making a loud ring that cried out and wreaked of anger and sorrow.

“I’d been gone too long Asta, I made a life other than the old one I had,” Allen gritted his as the brother exchanged blows in a flurry of rage and sadness. “Besides, who knows if it would’ve been your world I would’ve been returned to. It was almost two years ago for me, back home nine had already passed for you. I have more than just you and a few friends to think of now.”

The brothers broke apart rain sparks of black and red over the grassland. Allen pointed a finger at his younger brother with a look that could kill. “I have two beautiful women I love and two wonderful children with one of them. I have a family that needs me. A kingdom that counts on me to make decisions, students that depend on me. People more than just a younger brother who can make his own decisions and a home where I’m not wanted.”

“RAH! BLACK SLASH!” Asta cried out in anger as he sent a massive slash of black Anti-magic at Allen.

Allen stood his ground and held his own sword still giving off crimson light. “CRIMSON SLASH!”

The two attacks clashed, sending waves of power in every direction and cracking the air, splitting the heavens in two as Allen’s slash over took Asta cleaving the land as it consumed Asta’s attack and dispersed. Asta looked across the field to his older brother who’s eyes were hidden by the brim of his hat.

“And who knows if it would've been our original Earth I could’ve been sent to another one ith a different timeline here I ‘d never left but I was still not on our original homeworld,” Allen kept his eyes hidden until he started to lift his head and reveal the tears rolling down his cheeks.. “I couldn’t take the chance.”

Allen took off and the duo clashed again as they rose into the air, too fast for normal eyes to see. Allen knocked the Slayer out of Asta’s hands and took a firm hold of the blade but as his brother fell through the air Behemoth came to its rides recuse blasting off the ground with a burst of flames as it raced to catch its master. Asta managed to angle himself in the air and caught a hold on the bike’s handlebars and pulled himself onto its seat. He revved the engine and the monster machine flew through, Asta quickly used his Digivice as he raced through the air.

“Digi-modify!” Asta yelled out. “Berenjena!” Asta quickly returned his Digivice and cards to his belt while a pair of double-barrel shotguns appeared on his leg and back. Asta drew the guns and balanced them on the Behemoth’s handlebars as he rode towards Allen. “I don’t care, you should’ve tried to come back! DOUBLE IMPACT!” Asta yelled in pain as he pulled the triggers on the guns.

“What in sam hell is goin on over there?” Aj looked up in the sky in the distance as she saw two opposing forces clash as the shockwaves caused thunder.

“Geez,” Rainbow looked on in shock and awe, secretly wanting to get closer.

“Oh my,” Fluttershy looked on as she placed her hands over her mouth. She already knew what one of those forces was just from looking at them. Ymir could feel the emotions of her rider from above them and wanted t go to him but knew she’d only be in the way.

“What in Faust’s name is going on up there?” Rarity squinted.

“That looks like it's one hell of a fight,” Spike pointed to the sky.

“Sister,” Luna looked at Celestia out of the corner of her eye.

“I agree Luna.” Celestia shattered upward. “Whatever is going on up there is something we’d have a hard time with, even if we’d been at full power.”

“Who could possibly have that much power?” Twilight drooled at the aspect of getting closer to find out what was going on.

“It’s Astie,” Pinkie said aloud, causing everyone to turn and look at her looking up through a pair of pink binoculars. “He’s fighting some guy dressed in a grey coat and hat who’s just walking in mid-air while using a big crystal sword, and he has Astie’s big sword too!”

“That’s not good,” Celestia said abruptly as Pinkie handed her the bino’s. “Thank you.”

“No prob,” Pinkie said as she pulled more binoculars out of her hair giving each one to the group.

“Hey,” Spike said as he looked at the fight as the stranger used the sword to cut something causing an explosion to occur in front of him. “I thought Asat as the only one who could use his sword because they’d suck any one else's magic out that touched them.”

“He did say that you can hold them if you have enough magical power,” Twilight added as she looked at the stranger in curiosity. “Or to have no magic like Asta, who is he and what is that thing that Asta is riding on.”

“Wait a minute,” Spike focused his binos on the stranger. “I recognize that guy now.”

“Who is it, dear nephew?” Luna looked to Spike.

“That’s Asta older brother,” Spike said out loud.

“Older brother as in the one he summoned when we were at the Crystal Empire?” Twilight looked at Spike with eagerness.

“Yea, he looked like that for a second for Asta to recognize him but then changed back to the blonde-haired guy with a braid,” Spike explained. “But somethings off.” he looked back into the sky.

“How so dear?” Rarity asked as she looked at the fight and started to feel the urge to create. “Oh I love those clothes.”

“Why is Asta using those weird short sticks that shoot some kind of fireballs at his older brother?” Rainbow looked on in awe. “They do something but it looks like the grey guy is just blocking them with the swords." She saw Asta riding circles around his older brother shooting something from what looked like sticks.

“Why are they fighin in the first place? Ah mean, they’re brothers so shouldn’t they get along?” Aj saw the pained look on Asta’s face and it tore at her heart.

“Even siblings fight amongst themselves,” Luna added.

“Oh Asta,” Fluttershy said to herself as she grabbed her chest. She knew how much he loved and admired his brother and for this to have started, it was either some sort of test his older brother was putting Asta through or something must really have cut him deep.

“Still,” Spike interrupted everyone as they saw another explosion. “When we were in the Empire, I sensed that guy’s power and I was still a pretty good novice at the time mind you, but he was an absolute monster.” Spike kept looking up. “Yet, even with my ki sensing at this distance. I can tell the guy up there with Asta now doesn’t have nearly the power as he did when I first met him.”

“I think we should lend a hand,” Rainbow pounded her fist into her palm.

“Yea,” Aj added. “Let’s go!”

“NO!” Fluttershy yelled out catching everyone off guard. “Look, I don’t know why this is happening but I do know that this is a fight that Asta has to fight on his own.” Ymir looked at her rider’s girlfriend and then looked at the rest of her friends and roared at them.

“I don’t think any of you’d be much of a help in this battle,” Luna added. “I think we’d just get in Asta’s way and judging by Fluttershy's reaction, I agree with her. This is something Asta has to do on his own”

They all looked back into the sky as they continued to watch the ensuing battle.

Asta turned Behemoth in midair as the wheels spun cause the monster bike to skid on both wheels as he proceeded to turn and face Allen while the machine pulled its rider away. He pulled the Berenjena and proceeded to fire off multiple rounds at his older brother as he let out his anger, pain and sorrow all while trying to beat the man in order to unlock his true crystal magic. Little did Asta know his crystal magic had already activated in his fight and had caused him to already partially transform into Crystal Asta.

“I’m going to have to get more serious,” Allen looked at the incoming volley of bullets. “Crimson Binding Chains!” Red chain sprang from nowhere and quickly wrapped around Allen from a protective cocoon around the older Displaced clone. The barrage of bullets hit their mark this time and upon impact exploded tearing a huge hole into the chain barrier but never reached the center. As soon as Allen could feel it was over he released his chains to reveal himself unscathed.

“He’s gotten much stronger,” Allen smiled to himself. He readied himself as he locked onto the Behemoth and took off with a Boom! coming at Asta, who was still riding through the air and as soon as he noticed Allen he shifted to a head-on attack.

Asta readied one of his Berenjena by balancing it on the handlebars of the Behemoth and took aim while readying to fire but noticed Allen’s smirk and then saw ripples in the air behind his older brother..

“Fuck,” Asta said to himself as he holstered his guns on the Behemoth. He revved the engine of the machine doing a wheelie before the turned around and headed in the same direction his brother was facing.

“Crimson Binding Chains!” Allen yelled as more red chain sprang from nowhere and chased after Asta.

“I can’t maneuver on Behemoth as well as I can by myself,” Asta gritted his teeth, “Sorry buddy,” Asa said as he jumped off his back and pulled out his digivice over Behemoth. This caused the machine to turn into data and entered the digivice. Asta in the meantime took in a deep breath and controlled his blood flow as he used his legs to kick the air and bond through the skies in a zig-zag pattern as he did his best to avoid his brother’s chains as they whipped after him.

Asta twisted and turned, dodged and ducked, and bobbed and weaved through his older brother’s chain onslaught. Allen was so focused on tracking his younger brother he didn’t anticipate Asta's path, which led him behind his big brother. Asta threw out his right hand and concentrated to pry his Demon Slayer sword from Allen’s vice-like grip. With his attention divided on tracking Asta and sending his chains out, Allen could keep a hold of the massive sword and it flew to its rightful owner’s hand.

Now with his Demon Slayer blade back in hand, he could go back to offense. Asta raised the sword backward behind his head and brought down the massive weapon Allen quickly brought his crystal blade up successfully blocked the attack but was sent rocketing toward the ground. Before his brother had time to revolver Asta through his Slayer down and began to surf on it towards Allen as the older Displaced copy plummeted downwards. As he did his Grimore flew up next to im and without thinking he pulled out his Demon Dweller Sword and his Demon Destroyer Sword.

Celestia immediately got the shiver as soon as she saw the new blade in Asta’s hand.

“Sister, did you feel that twinge as soon as Asta pulled that new sword out?” Celestia asked Luna, not even hiding the fear in her voice.

Luna’s gaze shifted to her older sister, “I did,” she turned back to the sky. “Whatever that sword’s power is, it’s not to be taken lightly.”

“He finally pulled it out,” Allen said to himself with a serious look. In honesty, this is what Allen had been waiting for, the sword that could kill reincarnating souls and halt regeneration for good.

What no one knew was that his form had begun to degenerate not long after he’d martialized into the corporeal world. Small cracks had started to form on Allen’s skin and the longer he stayed in the corporal world the larger they’d become. The cracked had finally reached the base of Allen’s neck where the neck and head join, indicating that his time was just about up.

“I won’t be able to maintain this form much longer,” He looked up at Asta who was shooting towards him.”It’s for the best, hehe,” he said grabbing the brim of his hat. “It was nice being able to have a fight like this, but my time as Allen is done and it’s time Asta expected that.” Allen gathered all his remaining power and a red aura surrounded him. “One final blow.” he shot himself towards Asta.

“ALLEN/ASTA!” The brothers cried out each others’ names as they collided with each other in mid-air. But Allen had released the hold on his sword at the last minute and let himself be impaled by his younger brother Demon Destroyer Sword.

Asta scowled as the duo rocketed towards the ground crashing in a large crater sending dirt flying everywhere. He then realized what happened as Allen was in front of him.

Tears started to fill Asta's face and there was only one question he could muster. “Why?”

Allen simply smiled and pulled his younger brother onto his shoulder and in a warm tone, he began to tell his little brother. “Because in the nine years I was gone you grew into a strong man Asta, much stronger than I ever was. You grew so strong that you no longer need your big brother to take care of you,” the cracks had started to reach over Allen’s face. “Two years ago in my realm, I was completely destroyed in a fight with my personal demon that calls itself Malice, and in order to save those I cared for I held my body back with all I could muster in order to be blasted with the Elements of Harmony. I died and had met the Truth who gave me the choice to either go back to my original world or go back home to my family. But a life must be given in order to return to either.” Allen placed a hand on Asta's cheek as the tears ran down his face. “My world needs me and you didn't need your big brother anymore so I went home.” Allen notices his legs had started to blow away into dust. “It looks like my time is done and Allen can finally rest.”

Asta pulled himself up on his hands as he looked at his big brother's face. He now saw the cracks on his face as a soft smile grace his lips while tears ran down his face.

“But you can't just leave what about the seal?” Asta looked down. “I need you?”

“I was the seal Asta, I was the seal placed on Sombra’s spiritual core,” Allen explained. “In order to test your power level I had to gauge you in a fight to make sure you could handle the powers of the Darkness that Sombra housed and since he was my core that also meant seeing if you could read yourself of him and you passed little brother,” Allen gave a wide smile. He took off his hat and placed it on Asta's head. “I’m so proud of who you’ve become Asta and I’m glad I got to face you in one more fight. Be good to them, and don’t hide how you feel,” Allen placed a hand on Asta’s cheek again while he wiped away his tears. “My job is done, but know that Edward is still your big brother and that he is always watching out for you… ,” Asta grabbed Allen’s hand as he faded away and started to ball his eyes out.

The Black Bulls and Princess had been standing outside the crystal wall wondering what had happened. It had been hours ago when they’d seen Asta impale his older brother with his new sword and had since got dark. All had been silent as the group waited. They then noticed Asta’s form over the hill as he slowly walked to the Crystal wall that surrounded the town, his eyes obstructed by a hat.

Fluttershy was the first to rush to him and wrap her arms around him, “Asta…” sh cried as she held him.

He placed a hand on top of his girlfriend's head. “Hey Shy, sorry for wandering off,” he said softly as he rubbed her head lightly.

“Applejack was the next and she was the first to ask. “What happened out there?”

“Just saying goodbye to my older brother,” Asta replied and she could tell it was the truth and he then pulled her to him and planted a warm kiss on her lips. Fluttershy blushed at the sight.

Applejack broke the kiss and looked at Asta’s bright green eyes and she knew he meant to do that, “But wha-” she started to say as he kissed her again.

Asta broke the kiss and gave her a soft nuzzle. ‘I got a little advice and I’m sorry for making you wait on me Aj”

Ymir was the next to come up and Asta released the girls and hugged the dragon's head. “Next time I’m coming with you.”

“I know,” Asta chuckled as he scratched Ymir’s head.

Not long after all the other Black Bulls came in to hug their captain and ask questions on what had happened between him and his brother and why he summoned him. Asta told them that he’d explain everything when he saw the princess. He walked over to the princesses, bowed, and stood up before starting his tell. He told them of his summoning, his return, and his fight with his older brother’s clone/seal. Celestia then stepped forward.

“We must ask you, Asta, what is special about that third sword you wielded today?” Celestia sai outright.

Asta’s grimoire floated up next to him and he pulled his Demon Destroyer Sword out of it and the princess forward slightly at its sight. “My Demon Destroyer Sword is unique amongst my weapons in the fact the it can do everything my Demon Dweller Sword does and that it can also end reincarnation and stop healing.”

“That is most disturbing but why would your older brother have you use it on his seal?” Luna asked,

“In order to destroy Sombra’s spirit once and for all,” Asta returned this sword to the Grimoire and walked in between the princesses and placed a hand on the Crystal wall. As soon as he touched it the wall shifted and there was now a door in front of him. “I’m going to get some food and rest as it has been a long few days.” Asta said as he entered the town.

“Welcome home Lord Asta,” said a group of townsfolk as he opened the door to his shock.

“Look guys, I’m not your lord so just leave me be for now, “ he held his hands up as he walked through the group to his tent. Soon he was joined by Fluttershy and Aj as they took up residents on either side of Asta who’d already gone to sleep.

Asta’s eyes slowly cracked open as the sun started to shine through the narrow gap on the tents front entry flaps. He proceeded to let out a dreary yawn as he scratched his head. He drowsily looked around until his gaze came to rest on the fedora that his older brother seal clone had placed on his head.

“I promise I’ll never hide how I feel again,” He muttered to himself.

Letting out a slow sigh Asta tried to pull himself but quickly found himself pinned to his bed. He looked down to see Applejack on his left side and Fluttershy on his right.

“Okay why is Aj in my?” Asta quirked an eyebrow.

Suddenly he had a rush of memories as the thought back to what led him back to the town. Asta's face went completely red as he remembered that he told Applejack how he felt for her with not one but two passionate kisses.

“Oh man,” he grabbed his face and dragged his hand down it. “The others are never gonna let me live that down, especially a certain voile haired seamstress.”

Asta swiftly and carefully pulled himself free of the entanglement of mares in his bed doing all he could to let them rest. He knew they’d spent all day searching for him yesterday so he wanted to let them get some well-deserved rest. He put his brother’s hat on his head after he put on some fresh clothes and went outside the tent. Before he left he looked at the cot one more time and gave a warm-hearted smile then walked off.

“Stretch,” Asta said as he stretched out his arms and legs. He went through his morning routine twice to make up for missing it yesterday. Not long Ymir came out from beside the tent and laid down on the ground next to where Asta was exercising.

“Morning there sleeping beauty,” Asta chirped at the dragon.

‘Morning yourself,’ Ymir grumbled in Asta’s head. ‘You better make up for disappearing yesterday and then nearly scare Fluttershy and everyone else half to death with the fight.’

“Planned on it,” Asta let out a strained yawn. “First I need to make it up to Aj, Shy, and you. Then there’s Spike and the others.” He put his hands on his hips as he looked out over the town.

‘They need a leader.’ Ymir raided her head off the ground as she looked at her rider. ‘And after that battle the other day they’re going to be looking at you now more than ever.”

Asta let out a hard breath through his nose. “I know, and there’s only so long that I can deny it at his point… I should just man up and take some responsibility.” He closed his eyes and crossed his arms, annoyed at the aspect of becoming a king as he plopped on the ground.

Ymir’s gaze shifted off to the left and let out an annoyed sigh of her own as she gave her rider a heads up of who approached. ‘Princesses inbound.’

‘Thanks,’ Asta told her via telepathy as he looked to Celestia and Luna as they made their way to him. Upon their arrival, he opened his eyes to see the Solar and Lunar Diarchs in front of him with looks of concern hidden behind soft false smiles. “What can I do for you two this morning?” Asta said in a slightly annoyed tone. “Sit and we can talk,” he motioned to the logs that surrounded the fire pit.

“We;ll cut to the chase then,” Celestia said as she and Luna took up seats opposite either side of Asta as they sat down. “We’ve done all we can here as far as diplomatic powers are concerned Asta. If we’re to maintain any type of official help here as far as aid is concerned then we need your permission to do so.”

“We also need you to give us your word that you aren't going to retaliate if we bring in more soldiers in order to help protect this town,” Luna added.

“I don’t care what you two do,” Asta said flatly. “If it helps the people here then do it, if you need my approval then you’ve got it. As far as any real issues go please go to the council if anything needs directing.”

“What are your plans for the people here?” Celestia looked as Asta with suspicion.

“To let them live their lives how they wish,” Asta got to his feet. “Once this place is up to the standards of a basic township then I’ll see what the people wish to do from there. For the time being, I plan on helping them in whatever way I can. Whether it be basic combat or magic, the Black Bulls will help those who have need of us.”

“When you say magic do you mean that you’ll issue them their own Grimoires?” Luna asked outright.

“Perhaps or perhaps not,” Asta crossed his arms. “I’m going to do what I need to do here and if those who catch my eye prove themselves then I may issue them Grimoires, but only under the circumstances that they enlist in the Squad.”

“If that is your choice as the Captain of the Black Bulls and the lord of Freetown then we won’t question it, for now,” Celestia stood up. “What are your plans at the moment?”

“I plan on finishing my morning workout, getting some breakfast for me and Ymir and the two sleeping in my bed,” Asta crossed his arms. “Then I plan on helpin around the town.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” Luna said with a smile as she stood up.

“One more thing,” Asta said abruptly as they started to leave. “I need you two to bring my new recruits here.”

“All of them?” Celestia said shocked at his request.

“Yes, I’m only one man with seven others here to help in a town of several thousand,” Asta rubbed the back of his head. “And we’re going to be here for at least a couple of weeks so I’ll need all the help I can get. Not to mention I need to start the new squad members training right away.”

The sisters looked at one another contemplating before they turned to the mage and nodded to signify that they’d comply with his request before they left.

‘That was a rather bold move on your part,” Ymir smirked. ‘Did you really mean what you told them?’ she looked at the departing princesses.

“Every word of it my dear Ymir,” Asta said as he looked at his hand. “I’m not ready to be a king yet, down the road maybe but right now I need to be the Captain of the Black Bulls, and to do that I need my squad,” he looked at the dragon out of the corner of his eye. “And to do that I need my squad. The recruits I mentioned before I left are just a start as I do plan on adding others to our ranks, some from here and there. And this town is one of the best place to start.”

“Hat ar ya gabbing about,” Asked as sleeping Applejack as she let out a yawn along with a half-asleep Fluttershy who was rubbing her eyes.

“We got kind of worried when we woke up and you weren’t there,” Fluttershy said softly.

“I just came out here to do some exercises,” Asat placed a hand on the girls’ heads. “And I wanted you two to get some rest but seeing as you're up now how about we get some breakfast,” he smirked as he pulled them to either side of himself and they walked down the road.