//------------------------------// // What Am I // Story: Demonic Ascension // by timemaster40 //------------------------------// I still can’t believe that Star Swirl carried me all the way back to his humble cottage on the edge of the Unicorn Woods, which is apparently the name of the forest I woke up in. Though the best part was when I mentioned how stupid the name was to him and he just sighed before telling me that it was named by an arrogant noble who owned the forest and the land around it. He apparently ran afoul of one of the myriad of monsters that calls the forest home. Still the fact that Star Swirl could carry me and my staff all the way to his house without a break is impressive. I doubt I’m light in my new body and I know my staff is pretty heavy. But he did it. And as soon as he opened the door he pulled a cot out of a nearby room with his magic and plopped me on top of it before telling me to lie down and stay still. He also propped my staff up against the wall near the door and then went over to a nearby desk and pulled out some paper, or at least something that looks like paper, as well as some quills and an ink pot. He also pulled out a plank of wood that he put his paper on before he turned to me and began casting a bunch of different magic spells at me. And after the first few dozen spells I stopped paying attention. Instead I tried to remember as much of my life as I could. And while I could remember a lot of facts about both science and fiction I can barely remember anything else. Like anything related to my friends and family. I don’t like this. Will I forget more things the longer I’m here? Can I even recover my missing memories if I get back my real body? Is it even my real body or is it just a hallucination brought on by my memory loss? No! I have memories. I remember them. They’re just…fragmented. But they’re there! I still remember what I learned in school. Like my Calculus and Physics courses, thought I don’t know how useful Physics will be in this world considering all the magic. And speaking of this world, I remember all about how Twilight Sparkle and her friends awaken the Elements of Harmony and save Equestria. But if I remember all that, why can’t I remember my family? Why am I in this body? Why… “I’m done.” Star Swirl announces casing me to break out of my self-destructive thoughts and look at him. Though as I do I notice that it’s a lot darker outside the window. In fact, it looks like it’s night now. How long was I laying here letting him examine me? I mean sure it looked like it was after noon when he brought me into the cottage but this seems ridiculous. “What did you find?” I ask him as I start to sit up on the cot while he puts his papers onto his table and trots over to a bucket in the corner of the room. “Well Towa, you do seem to be suffering from a magic induced amnesia. Luckily, or unluckily depending on your point of view, your body is already healing from it.” When he says my name, or the only name I know, I can’t help but shiver. I know that’s not my name but I can’t think of what it should be. Still he doesn’t notice my discomfort since he’s not looking at me since he’s currently putting a wooden cup into the bucket. And as he pulls it out I see some water fall out from it. “What do you mean unluckily?” I ask him as he levitates the cup over to me. And when I see the water inside it I realize how thirsty I am. And due to my massive thirst, I quickly take the cup and start drinking the fresh water in it. Ah, this hits the spot. “You may never recover your memories due to it. Though considering what you are I’m surprised to see this happening. I can only assume that the magic surges you experienced did more damage to your body than it can heal easily.” I almost drop my cup when he says I’ll never recover my memories. Wait, he said I may never recover my memories. I just have to have some faith that I’ll eventually recover them. Wait, he knows what I am now? “What am I?” I ask him as I finish off the water and put the cup down. Though I could probably use a bit more water later. “Hmm? Oh, you’re a demon. Though I’ve never heard or read about any demons like you. It’s quite amazing actually.” How does someone react to finding out they’re a demon? I don’t think I’m doing it right since I just can’t feel anything. “I’m a demon? But I don’t feel like a demon.” I don’t really feel any different. Well besides being a woman now. And I guess I’m stronger and more durable but nothing about me really screams demon to me. I mean, where are my horns? “Well I wouldn’t know anything about that, but my spells don’t lie. You’re a demon.” How blunt. I wonder if this is how he always is. “If that’s the case, why aren’t you terrified to be around me? I mean, I’m evil aren’t I?” As far as I know all demons are evil. And while I don’t feel evil, would I even notice if I am? Could I already be evil and not realize it? “Why would I be terrified of you? You may be a demon but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re a living being who needs my help. And I haven’t seen any sign that you’re evil. Admittedly, we haven’t spent much time together. But in that time, all I’ve seen is a scared being who suffered some kind of trauma that I may be able to heal.” I don’t know what to say. Would a human do the same thing in this situation? I’d hope so. “I…” “Besides, I wish to finish examining your unique magic. From what I’ve seen you have the potential to be one of the, if not the, strongest magic user on the planet. And that’s not even mentioning that magic that you used against the manticore. I have no idea what it was and I’d like to find out.” And there goes all my good feelings for Star Swirl. I guess he’s not as altruistic as I thought he was. “So…I’m nothing more than an experiment for you?” I ask him with an undercurrent of hostility in my voice. “What? No no no. Why would you think that? Sure you’re an interesting specimen, but I’m more concerned about your health. And your potential. But mostly your health.” Though as he says that he levitates some of his notes off his desk and begins to read them again. “You don’t really fill me with a lot of confidence here Star Swirl.” I tell him as I watch even more notes levitate over to him. “Why? Did I say something wrong again? I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. I’ve been told in the past that I sometimes say the wrong thing. Especially when it comes to magic.” I have to give him some credit. He did lower his notes and make eye contact with me as he apologized. Even if his apology is a little halfhearted. “I guess I can forgive you.” Especially since I have nowhere else to go and he’s the only person, err pony, I know on this planet. “Good. Now why don’t you get some sleep and we can start your tutoring tomorrow.” Huh? What’s he talking about? “Tutoring?” “Of course! I see it as my duty to teach you everything you need to know about both magic and the world around you. Now, you should have a bit more water and then head straight to bed. Tomorrow we’re going to covering a lot of core concepts.” As he says that he picks up his notes again while also refilling my cup with some more water before floating it back to me. “If you say so.” I say to him as I begin to slowly drink the water he gave to me. “I do. Now I need to review all these results and get some sleep myself. Good night Towa.” Ugh, I still don’t like that name but I guess I’m going to have to live with it. “Good night Star Swirl.” I tell him as he trots out of the room into the one he pulled the cot from while snuffing all the candles in this room using his magic. And while he doesn’t acknowledge what I said I’m sure he heard me. Still as the door closes I lay back down on the cot and look at what little I can see of the ceiling in the moonlight. I don’t know what to think about this. I’m trapped in the past of a fictional world and I’m now a demon. And not only that, but I’m going to start learning magic from a unicorn wizard as if this day couldn’t get any more surreal. Ugh, maybe sleep will help. It certainly can’t hurt. Maybe everything will make more sense tomorrow. Though I heavily doubt that. Still I shouldn’t give up all my optimism. I’m still alive after all. I just need to take this one day at a time.