"I can't put up with playing it safe.
... I've got nowhere to go home to."
Lyra promptly ran away after into another part of the train when I let her go, it was fun while it lasted, to talk to someone who isn't an insane god of chaos, I did have a feeling I wouldn't have to see him again though, from what I could tell from the orbital rainbow cannon that came down on where his capital of chaos was supposed to be anyway.
The rest of the train ride went by smoothly, watching the passing landscape from the window of a moving train is quite relaxing actually, this probably has something to do with being Edward Elric now or something. I had discovered other changes during my forest escapades with Luna such as, automail is a bitch to fix...
I mean seriously, doing a patch job on a prosthetic metal limb while hiding from a moon goddess isn't exactly the easiest thing to do, but neither is fixing automail in normal conditions. The whole process is insane unless you can figure out exactly what's wrong and how the to fix the damn thing. Like, I not going to find a automail engineer in ponyland either.
As the train finally pulled into the station I quickly jumped from the side of the coach as ponies began filling into the coach. I decided my best option was to wait out in the nearby forest until I can make a solid plan to either avoid being turned to stone again or somehow prove to them I wasn’t using dark magic, destroying their castle when I escaped probably wasn’t going to help my case either.
As I continued my way towards the forest I noticed a golden pegasus carriage flying away with what looked like a statue of Discord and the two princesses. As I entered the forest I began observing my surroundings, ponies were always afraid of places like forests for some reason, something about them controlling stuff themselves or something. After an hour into the forest I found myself at the base of a mountain range.
Using my alchemy I created a large cave a short distance into the mountain rock, I had started making when I wondered about those weird items I had given to Truth, despite my short time with him he seemed almost too happy to have them, grabbing a piece of chalk I began drawing out a human transmutation circle to open a portal to contact him.
As I finished I began to have my doubts about the circle, human transmutation or not, this thing could kill me or serve my body up to Truth on a silver platter in place of a bunch of knowledge.
Nothing ventured nothing gained I guess…
Kneeling down I placed my hands on the edge of the circle, a wave of power made its way through me. Sparks of energy flashing from the runes as miasma of darkness flowed from the center of the circle forming a dark eye. Breaking away from the circle as the eye opened, a familiar figure of white rose from its centre slowly.
“You called Edward?~” The gleeful timbre of Truth’s voice echoed inside the cave.
Holding a shudder back at his voice “Have you learned anything from those items I gave you?” I asked.
“Not even a hello after all this time Edward? for shame young Alchemist, for shame,” Truth said with an unsettling grin, seeing my unamused face he pulling out a finely cut diamond “Fine, each of the items seems to be a summoning token of sort, I’m not sure what each will summon nor where they will be summoned from, but I am sure they are not of this realm.” he said before tossing the gem into my awaiting hands.
“That’s all you learned… One thousand years to prod this thing and that’s all you learned…”
“The tokens did not respond to me…” Truth replied softly “But I know someone who can make them work.”looking up at me with a little smile.
Looking at the diamond in my hand for a second I took a deep breath before bringing it up to my chest “Uh… Gravity Shifter I summon you?” I said sheepishly looking at Truth as I waited for something to happen.
A black and red portal swirled into existence a little ways away, a voice echoing from within. “Wow, that has to be the weakest summon I've ever had.” A moment later, a girl walked through, smirking at me. “What’s up, kid?”
Looking between Truth and the girl for a moment hoping I could make this less awkward for me than it already was. “Uh hi… I wasn’t really expecting that to work…” I said rubbing the back of my head “I was just kind of testing the summoning tokens or whatever they are for Truth here.”
She quirked her eyebrow. “Well, can’t say I’m not disappointed.” She lifted up her legs and actually laid down while floating in mid-air. “I was hoping to have some fun. Name’s Kat, by the way. Edward Elric, I presume?”
Looking back at Truth as he studied Kat silently before responding “Yeah… Can’t exactly provide anything fun at the moment.” I said briefly waving my hand around the room “So how do these tokens work? Truth has been poking these things for a good part of a thousand and a half years and hasn’t really figured out a single thing from them.”
“Hmm? Oh, you must be relatively new to it all then,” Kat said as she began to stand upside down. “Let me explain a little bit then. You are a Displaced, one of thousands throughout the multiverse who were once normal humans until being gifted with incredible powers. That much you’ve probably figured out. But the totems are the calling cards of each Displaced and can be used to request their aid or just to have some fun. Most of us are equipped and ready for battle. Fairly easy to figure out and can be used by most any living creature with the right amount of heart.”
Truth’s grin grew with each word Kat spoke “So were you sent here by some creepy guy cos-playing as the Merchant from Resident Evil or is this some random thing that happens?” I asked trying to glean any amount of information hoping I might be able to go home instead of avoid the princesses the rest of my life “I’m not exactly liked around here since I crashed a party a thousand years ago… So anyway to get back to earth would be appreciated.”
Kat put a finger to her chin in thought. “Hmm, if I remember right, another Displaced sent out an instruction folder some time ago with detail steps on how to get home for a Displaced. However, the usage requires Discord from what I remember. But don’t worry so much about the princesses. Believe it or not, that’s a recurring theme, even among heroes.”
“I don’t remember any folders dropping from the portal I got the totems from, and I haven’t seen or heard of anymore appearing since getting free. But Discord just got turned back into a lawn ornament by the princesses so I haven’t exactly got a chance at getting home do I?” I said wistfully.
Kat looked apologetic. “Sorry, but most of us are stuck like this. I never had any reason to go home, but I don’t know about you. However, if you've been stoned for a while, at this point… well I know it’s dark, but most everyone you've ever known are long gone.”
Even Truth looked saddened by what Kat said before he turned to me “She is right Edward and you know it, since you were petrified you never had a chance at going home and seeing your family again.” Truth said pointedly “Denying the Truth will only make it worse.”
She pointed at Truth. “You, shush,” she put her finger to her lips. “That’s not helping.”
“No… He’s right,” I said looking at both of them “Accepting it and moving on is the only way, Millstone would probably sit me down and slap me across the face until I accepted it, and then reminded me I'm part of his family.” I held back a small laugh.
Kat smiled fondly. “Well then, perhaps that should be your mission.”
“He probably has great great grandchildren by now, I doubt I’d be able to find them, even then, there is the chance they don’t even know about me,” I smiled “You know seem to know about Equestria a lot more than me… Do you know any Apples?”
“Wait… this Millstone was an Apple?” Kat said with a look of surprise.
“He was married to Honeygold Apple, Why?” I asked wondering what Kat could be thinking.
She smiled with a small laugh. “Talk about your coincidences. I actually know of a family of Apples who live not too far from Canterlot. It’s a small town called Ponyville, and it was actually founded by the Apple family.”
“Wow… That was easy then, guess I’ll have to visit them some time and see if they know about me.”
“Word of warning, however. You need to be extra careful in Ponyville. The six bearers of the Elements of Harmony all live in that one town, the Element of Magic being Celestia’s personal student. The place you’re looking for is called Sweet Apple Acres, and is run by the Element of Honesty, Applejack Apple. Don’t even try to lie to her because she can see through it in a heartbeat. If you’re tactful in your approach, then maybe she won’t report you to the princess who they pretty much have an instant messaging system set up with.”
“Well this just made things interesting. The only ones I could call my friends and family are also one of the things that will turn me back to stone… I guess I’ll have to either give myself up to them and hope I can explain myself before they can use their elements on me, or hope they will be as kind as Millstone was and let me stay even though I am a wanted criminal.” I said as I thought over the choices laid out to me.
“If my versions could put up with me, I'm sure you’ll be fine. Enfer, I've done a lot worse than crash a party.” Kat smiled. “I nearly destroyed the world in a bitter and revenge filled rage.”
I looked at her dumbly before responding “Well I can’t say I'm even on the scale compared to that, kinda makes me look like a Saturday cartoon villain compared to you,” I smirked. “Well… if you could manage to turn that around for yourself and still come out clean I guess I’ll have only a little trouble. Hopefully.”
Kat scratched her cheek with one finger, looking away with a nervous laugh. “Yeah… clean… ha ha. Anyway,” she shook her head, refocusing. “Just be careful. Both here and with other Displaced. For every good one, there’s another that isn't quite so good. Some will only see you as a pawn or a means to an end. So make sure who you’re dealing with is the right kind of person you want to associate yourself with. In a nutshell, don’t go making deals with devils.”
I grinned widely “I'm Edward Elric now, I've lost one of my arms and legs to a deity with an ironic sense of humor, you already know the consequences of that deal, so you can be sure I won’t be making any other deals soon.”
She smiled. “That’s the spirit. I can tell you’re gonna be fine. Just keep up your spirit and never let it die. Be true to who you’re representing. Unfortunately, I need to be going. Typhon’s gonna get mad if I miss date night… again. It’s awful when he’s mad because you can never tell when he’s mad and he’ll never even admit to being mad. And then he makes you think it’s all in your head and… I got off on a tangent there, didn't I?”
“A tiny bit… but anyways, thanks for the help. Now is there something I need to do to send you back or can you just come and go as you please sort of deal?” I asked.
“To send most back, just say that your contract is complete. That forces a Displaced back to where they came from. For the more experienced like me, I can just port in and out on a whim. But before I go, just know that whenever you need a hand, just give me a call, even if you just need to talk. You can always count on your Aunty Kat,” she said with a chuckle. “Oh and if you ever come across a Plumber Badge, ya know, from Ben 10, destroy it. My brother isn't very fond of other Displaced and it would just cause problems you don’t need.”
“Okay… I won’t pry,” I said a little unsure “I deem our contract complete Kat Shifter.” I smiled.
The portal reappeared, but before I could stop her, Kat hugged me before moving over to it. “Good luck, Ed. Just give Aunty a ring soon, okay? Bye!” She jumped through, it closing behind her a moment later.
“Edward?~” Truth said in a low voice.
“What is it Truth?” I asked noticing the look on his face.
“You forgot to ask how to make your own summoning token~” Truth smiled widely before disappearing back into the transmutation circle.
Fuck...
great chapter as usual
hmm...what would happen if Ed clapped and caught a lightning spell with his automail hand?
could he store it in there and fire it back out?
i.e bad guy shoots at a foal/foals, Ed gets there in time, strikes a pose as he catches it, looks baddass, says a phrase, then shoots it back at the villain?
Hmm, kinda inspiring I s'pose. Guess I should stop procrastinating.
suddenly I want to try and get my test for displaced out and have his summon drop on his head. ( can displaced be summoned while in stone? or should I break from that trope)
Also Edward How do you feel about super mutants? I Like apples by the handful!.. what I do to pie isn't to civilized though wonder how well I could get along with pinkie!
5767563 nah I'd say it would electrocute him as it ran through his metal hand and foot and kill him if his heart is on the same side. heard at some point doesn't take much voltage running along the heart to stop it, so it would be unfriendly end to poor Edward.
5767592 yep finally moving to see about making my own story, still in test for now though but honestly it'd be fun to have one of his first actions be summons.
5767563
Alchemy is the process of analyzing, deconstructing, and reconstructing matter. Lightning is a phenomenon and is based upon electricity, which follows set rules. In order for Edward to control the lightning, he would need to alter the air to create a path of 'least resistence' for the lightning to travel through. He could not directly transmute the lightning, nor can he create it.
Lightning would be produced, like fire, by altering the environment in such a way as to facilitate the proper conditions for that phenomenon to take place.
The Flame Alchemist, for example, can't actually create fire. He uses gloves which spark when sufficient friction is applied against the same material (IE, snapping). His alchemy concentrates the air around this spark to ignite it into fire, and then by concentrating oxygen and feeding it, he's able to 'conjure' a conflageration. If he is not wearing his gloves or it's raining, he is unable to utilize this brand of alchemy.
Reshaping a substance is elementary as it is simply taking materials already present in their current form and altering the manner in which they are arranged. Altering that substance into something different requires an understanding of chemistry and alchemy to create an appropriate circle. An example of this would be altering a tree into paper, and water into hydrogen gas to create a hot air balloon. Or a bomb.
In order to fully utilize alchemy, particularly to perform a circleless transmutation, Edward will have to take the knowledge 'paid ahead' from Truth to see beyond the door.
Hopefully he can talk the mischevious little bastard into giving him knowledge of automail as well.
EDIT: Just thought- if the lightning spell is directed from origin to target without deviation, then Edward would not be able to redirect it in that manner. He would need to create a vacuum between the caster and the target so that the lightning would have no medium to pass through. It would then theoretically discharge away from the spells guidance towards the ground or the nearest most conductive surface. Possibly Ed's automail. Which would shock the bajeebers out of him.
5767602
ah, ok.
...what about the light that appears whenever he transmutes?
could he do anything with that?
5767610
The light of transmutation is, to my knowledge, caused by the energy released to power the transmutation. This energy does not originate in the Alchemist, and is instead drawn somewhere from the environment.
Alchemy in Full Metal Alchemist, for example, utilizes the immense energy in the movement of tectonic plates to perform transmutation.
Alkahestry on the other hand utilizes the 'chi' or life force of the world itself, called the Dragon's Pulse. (As an aside, this means alkahestry is much much more capable in the field of medicine than alchemy)
In order for him to 'create' lightning, he would need to build a charge by causing a great amount of friction and then an outlet (such as with thunder clouds), or somehow create an imbalance of positive and negatively charged electricity (theoretically possible). Lightning would be the natural result of the energy balancing itself out.
NOW it gets interesting
Bro the story is awesome and 'truth'? ma god xD I am crying that damn troll :D
OMGOMGOMGOMG Applejack! cant wait to see what happens next!
5767596
For the record, his right arm and left leg are both automail. It would therefor not necessarily pass through his heart.
5767638 swore I read they were on the same side meaning it would cross downwards near the heart if it hit the right side.
5767650
It'd be bad news for sure unless Equestria's inherent properties make electricity far less lethal. Y'know since ponies shock each other silly now and then, to the point where Rainbow Dash considers it a prank. Still, I don't think it would kill him. Besides, the water in a human body is incredibly conductive. The steel in his automail might not be AS conductive as he is. It depends on the resistence of the metal I guess.
5767654 yeah I don't see metal being less conductive then human flesh... seriously.
as for lighting I imagine there magic gives them resistance to a degree and Pegasus have far greater nature magic like what you'd expect when getting a resist element item for example only its a natural trait. (either that or ponies have a biology that's more sturdy then humans probably uses magic to a degree to maintain or function.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
Eh, I tried. I really tried to like this story. Maybe it's because I didn't like Fullmetal Alchemist, maybe the whole "here's a random flashback to make you even more confused" thing isn't something I like. Either way, I tried to like this story. I'm not gonna go full out "OMG UR STORY SUX DIE IN A FIYR PLOX", but all I have to say is, I'm not going to dislike the story, nor will I like it. That is all. Good day.
i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/653/456/2ee.gif
5768865
Hydrogen gas is volatile but won't explode simply on principal. There would need to be a spark, or enough heat to create ignition. Hydrogen also ignites far more easily than gasoline-air mixtures (1/10th as much energy is required). The hydrogen would also need to be mixed with the right amount of oxygen to ignite properly.
5768955
Well if all you want is something exploding with little rhyme or reason, you might like the work of the Red Lotus Alchemist, or the Crimson Alchemist. By combining the symbols of sun and moon, fire and water, gold and silver, etc. in his transmutation (by overlaying two circles on his palms to form a single circle) he creates a dangerous imbalance in the matter he touches, making it explode.
Why it causes an explosion isn't ever really explained, but may possibly refer to an alchemical rebound causing unexpected and often devestating effects when the 'equation' in Equivalent Exchange is not balanced.
In one of the anime, however, he actually transmutes the chemistry of what he's touching into a chemical explosive. Usually something living. After all there are a lot of base elements in complex life that can explode if combined in the right way.
Now I want Max to be the one to tell him how to make his own token. (Max is my own Displaced (She's explained in my fic Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey? Nope, Just Max))
I REALLY want to do a crossover with this fic now. Too bad I'm in the middle of another right now. Might be a few days max before I'll be able to get it to where I'm ready for another.
Fail, ah well, he'll make one at some point.
I just need to finish up the chapter I'm working on...
5775992 Amauterish, yes it is.
It's the first story I have written and at that I'm terrible at writing, so thanks for the constructive criticism.
To answer the question about alchemy.
The reason why he can use alchemy, there isn't one, even in the actual series there are many explanations depending on what is used such as alchemy or alkahestry. There is no equestria version of alchemy so there really isn't a good explanation I can give you, though there is a source of his alchemy but no spoilers.
The easiest way to explain this is that this is not the real Edward and nor has he see the things he has, giving the character the knowledge and skills of a real state alchemist would make him a bit overpowered since that combined with the knowledge of let's say nuclear fusion or fission which Father was able to do.
To sum it all up, it's complicated and I wanted to avoid it as much as possible to avoid making him a marty stu at all costs.
Also thank you again for the criticism, it very appreciated and hope to do better in future .
5776312 Always nice to see when an author is able to take well constructive criticism.
And this kind of story is a good choice to get some experience down the road.
HiE are in general simple to write due to the flexibility regarding narrative choices.
Also I'm glad you understood what I wanted to see when I asked for an explanation for why his Alchemy is able to work in Equestria. You could just get creative and attribute some random reason for fueling his Alchemy.
~Leonzilla
5784289 what do you mean?
5784316
In other words there may not be an explanation. Often these things are the way are because that's the way the author wanted them. Means of arrival are usually handled that way, too. Some unknown event of unknown cause inexplicably ripped a single person from their home for no discernable reason.
5784352 no that part makes perfect sense to me I just blame it on the one responsible being intrinsically motivated to create some chaos. What doesn't sit right is that the Truth itself is operating differently than in the show. I can take that the Truth is going to wait for "Edward " to think about what he would like to know; but while I understand why the author wouldn't want to overpower his protagonist out of fear that it might turn it into a Gary Stu, there are ways to superpower him without doing that. After all as long as the character struggles with the conflict the character is not being written as a Mary Sue.
Look I understand the nature of this stories, I have visited the Displaced group and read my share of HiE stories this isn't my first rodeo. Is just since this is a Full Metal crossover I would like it to get things right.
Actually scratch that, the truth is that without a basic explanation of why things are not the way they should be the story feels incoherent and unrealistic, the writing feel amateurish and gives the impression that the author hasn't really put the work necessary to shape a well crafted tail.
That's right if I focus on it I can really come to appreciate how negatively the story is impacted by leaving a plot hole like this international or not.
Actually if it's internationally used, an unexplained event or implausible series of events rather than being a plot hole it can be very amusing in the right story; but when is unintentional or the author couldn't figure out a way to fix it, then it just feels wrong. It bugged me.
It certainly doesn't undermine the positives of the story, it's just one thing that is not good to have you know what I'm saying?
~Leonzilla
5784422
Umm... ... ... four?
Nah, I get what you mean. Although I didn't realize you had a problem with Truth's portrayal. I don't really remember anything about Truth from the show, myself. I thought your issue was just with he random removal of a core ability of the character.
5784469
5784422
I portrayed Truth the way I have as because in the Fullmetal series he always has the ulterior motive of tricking alchemists into giving him more of their body in the pursuit of knowledge, by which he acts in a sly and ever sadistically gleeful manner once he gives them what they want, I found it interesting but wanted to try a different spin on this idea a little to try and avoid predictable events or themes to give the story a bit more than I originally planned.
But he also appears as different beings depending on the person who enters the portal and acts slightly different accordingly. "Edward" in my story is nothing like the real Edward Elric, so I wanted to make Truth different as well, until a deal is required between Edward again, he has acted slightly caring and trustful to Edward, I won't completely ruin the future I have planned for him so read at your own volition.
!!!DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T LIKE SPOILERS!!!
TRUTH IS A SLY BASTARD AND IS PLAYING EDWARD FOR A COMPLETE FOOL
But in the end you are both sort of right, there isn't a explanation to why he can use alchemy... yet (I do have one and will impact the story quite a lot if I reveal it straight away), but there will be, he isn't overpowered or even super-powered at the moment, but he will be. "Good things come to those who wait..." but anyway, it bugs me too how I have written the story at the moment and know I probably could have done other things to make it more realistic or interesting but as I have said before this is a learning experience for me and I'm actually glad I have made it this far with how bad I am at writing, grammar and comprehensible plot writing.
I'm not even kidding how many times I put my chapters through grammar checkers even after I review them a couple of times just because I can't trust myself to not see my stupid.
5784775 my I love the attitude you show regarding my perhaps too critical message. Everything you are saying seems completely reasonable, and it's not strictly necessary for you to add more context, background, or anything else to make the story seem more realistic given that the premise is already this bizarre.
So to simplify here are the things I consider plot holes even in a story like this.
1)"Edward" needing to draw a circle to perform a transmutation even when in the show without exception everyone who saw the Truth was able to do without it including coronal Mustang. If the Truth is responsible for that not happening and his only reason for that is because he is an omnipotent bastard then that is fine. Just write that somewhere in the story. But there must be a reason for it. Everything happens for a reason and if I were in the protagonist shoes not knowing why I needed to draw circles would be something I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about.
2)There not yet being an explanation for why Alchemy is able to work in Equestria.
This one should be very easy to fix just blame it on something or someone. Make Edward able to make a use of the magic in the atmosphere to power his Alchemy or simply mention at some point that the vendor responsible to put him in Equestria made arrangements so that he is able to do so, like infusing him with magic of his own that works much like unicorn magic or something like that.
And that is just as far as I have read.
5784469 I don't mind the slight differences between the Truth in the story and the Truth in the show. Not as much as the removal of the ability to use circle-less transmutation; is just that ability is supposed to be linked to the Truth they are passed to be mutually unexclusive in the show. If one has that ability that's how they know one has seen the Truth.
~Leonzilla
5786793 Sorry, but I feel the need to point this out.
Re:1) The exchange hasn't been fulfilled for the limbs yet. Originally, Elric gained his unique transmutation skill as a result of asking a certain question of Truth. A question this 'Elric' hasn't asked yet. A question only their teach asked otherwise. Pretty sure this is hinted at somewhere in the last couple chapters. Mustang was only able to throw fire around so much because of his custom gloves. I don't recall him ever meeting Truth.
Re:2) I know part of the original cycle for alchemy was that there were two paralell 'Earths', one on each side of the Gate. For this, most other Displaced stories I've read haven't tried to justify how thier unique abilities worked within Equestria. Land of magic, 'nuff said. However, when you think about the sheer number of similarities to Human tech and culture lying around the place, it could be argued the same connection exists here. Unique to this 'version' of Equestria.
It's been a while since I watched the show, though. So I might might have gotten some facts wrong.
Don't like displaced story, so many of them, and yet, all of them, unreadable and annoying, i'll be leaving here, have a good day, don't bother replying, i will probably not even read the message