It Begins

I grin, watching Celestia step into view and come to a stop across from me, just outside the cell. “Hey, Sunny-Buns. You should ease up on the cake,” I tease.

“Why you— How dare you talk to the Princess like that!” the guard accompanying her yells in anger.

Celestia merely sighs and orders, “Leave him be. If he’s speaking so rudely, it’s obvious he’s not the one in control. Is he?” she asks me, thinking she was asking one of my roommates.

Still smirking, I raise an eyebrow in contrast to her narrowed ones. After a moment though, I just roll my eyes and explain, “See? That’s where your wrong, Sunny-Buns. I am in control; I just don’t care for authority that’s not myPrincess.”

That gets a blink out of Celestia which soon turns to an expression of some mix between amusement and exasperation. I can’t help but take it as a personal win that I can draw that same expression out of any Celestia I meet, not just my own.

“Then I suppose that makes you a rather rude pony,” she finally comments, her tone growing steely.

“I get that a lot.”

“Mhmm. And pray tell, why should I believe you’re that body’s true soul as opposed to one of the parasites I sense within you?” she questions, sneering disbelievingly. “I know your kind, Demons, and I most certainly know better than to expect honesty of you.”

“You wound us, Princess,” Gelu answers, and I recoil slightly, coughing at the icy fog creeping out of both my nose and mouth.

“You know, you guys aren’t helping when you do shit like that!” I snap.

“You’re really not,” Celestia concurs. “I would recommend not hurting my subject anymore than you already have, lest you know my ire.”

Both Ignis and Gelu are about to respond, but Terra swiftly stops them, urging, “Don’t rise, you two! This isn’t our Celestia; she doesn’t know us!”

“And so we should excuse her pathetic attempt at threatening us!?” Ignis roars.

“I’m saying we must earn her trust first, and that can’t happen if you two do nothing but harm Red!”

“Speaking through him does not hurt him,” Gelu argues.

“Yes, it does. Every time,” I deadpan.

“Is, uh, he talking to himself?” one of the other guards asks Celestia.

“No, he’s talking to them,” she explains, frowning. “Are they threatening you, my little pony?” she asks me. “I can help you; I only need to know what magic binds you to them.”

For a brief second, Ignis, Gelu, and Terra all freeze up, fearing I’ll actually answer that. Naturally, they’re a little surprised when I groan, “Okay, Princess, look… I’m not your little pony, alright? And the idiots I’ve got swimming around in my head are just that: Idiots.”

I can’t tell if it was Ignis or Gelu who made me bang my head against the prison bars after that, but I brush it off as usual, rubbing my head slightly and saying, “See? Idiots. I die; they die, but they still like making me bang my head against things.”

“I take it such abuse is a regular occurrence then?” she responds in the same warm, motherly tone my Celestia uses. It peeves me off as much as it calms me down.

“Oh, you’ve no idea,” I sneer. “I’d be happy to give you the full backstory behind how I ended up with them in my head all the time, but, uh? I don’t really have the patience for that,” I admit, chuckling. “And neither do they. We barely have the patience for this,” I grumble, lightly rapping my hand against the bars. “So, as much as I hate not whining about how screwed up my life is, could we hurry this along? I’ve got places to be, friends to save; wars to fight… You know. The usual.”

Celestia blinks again. “Wars… To fight?” she echos.

I facepalm of my own accord—though I know for a fact the others did as well—and say, “Look, do you know Eris? That name ringing a bell?”

“It does.”

“Okay, good. She should be able to explain my situation. But since she’s not here yet, I'll just say I’m not from here.”

“From this world, you mean?”

I’m the one who blinks this time. “Uh? Yeah, basically. How’d you know?”

“Eris has informed us of several things,” she reveals calmly.

“Ah. That’s how.” I click to my tongue and tap my hoof. “Sooo…? About letting me out?”

“Out of the question!” a guard exclaims.

“At least,” Celestia continues, giving said guard an assuasive look, placating him. “Not until we know for sure you’re not lying. As I’ve mentioned, for all I know, you could be yet another demon merely pretending to be that pony.”

I groan.

“I’m guessing we’re not welcome here, huh?” Umbra’s voice suddenly pipes up, echoing throughout the room as the lights flicker for a moment.

Celestia and her guards all look about for the source of the sound; meanwhile, I hang my head, wincing in anticipation.

“What is— What is he doing!?” Ignis shouts, searching through our shared soul. Upon not finding the youngest of my roommates, he screams, “Where did he go!?”

“Do you intend to break out, Demons?” Celestia asks, glaring me down and reaching for the sword at her side.

“Yeah, uh, he’s already broken out,” I say, looking above her and snorting at what I see. “And is currently trying your crown on.”

After I say that, the guards look up and go wide-eyed at the sight of the shapeless, shadowy demon sitting atop their Princess’ head.

The aforementioned Princess, however, stills and cautiously reaches up toward her mane, feeling something ethereal flow around her hand before forming into a ball of soft, fluffy fur. A gentle purring reaches her ear as the fluffy mass rubs endearingly against her hoof. On instinct, she gives it a small scratch, and the purring fades briefly so a young voice can plead, “Ooh, can you keep doing that? It’s been too long since someone last gave me an ear scratch!”

“W-What in the world?” Celestia mutters, pulling the creature down from her head and holding him before her.

The Demon is an odd, cat-like creature with a pitch black coat, the odd streak of deep indigo and dark gray barely visible through the smokey shadows bleeding off of it, and though it is somewhat larger than an average adult feline, it is clearly still a kitten. Its eyes are a soft, shimmering gold—the same shade of the crown it had stolen and now wore—and the Demon gazes up at Celestia with a look of purest innocent, aided by its happy smile.

Umbra’s hiding his tusks, I notice. Guess that’d ruin the display.

“Hi! I’m Umbra!” he chirps, his tail swaying slightly. “How are you?”

“Um? Good?”

“That’s good. I’m good too; although, uh? Why is my host locked up, Princess?” he asks, feigning confusion. “Is my kind really not welcome here?”

“Err…?” Celestia hums, sharing a glance with her guards. They merely shrug back, at as much of a loss for words as she is, so Celestia returns her attention to Umbra and clarifies, “Unfortunately not, little one.”

“Awww, why not?” Umbra whines.

“Um, you are a demon, correct?” she checks.

“That’s what everycreature back homes calls us,” he answers, blinking. Umbra then puts on a pout and adds, “It kinda hurts sometimes, being called that. Demons are mean, but I’m not mean!”

“You lying, little…” Gelu snarls.

“Let him speak, Gelu,” Terra orders firmly. “He’s winning us some favor with this Celestia.”

“Do you honestly think I can’t see that?” she snaps back, offended.

“Well, I mean—” I try to begin but get cut off by her retorting, “Shut up!”Thankfully, she makes no attempt to force me to hurt myself again, so I breathe a little easier and focus on Celestia and Umbra once again.

“You’re not mean?” Celestia asks, narrowing her eyes at the fluffy, demonic kitten in her hands.

“Yeah!” Umbra assures. “I mean? I try not to be… I don’t like being mean,” he mumbles, glancing away.

“And yet you force your host to bang his head against the prison bars?” she accuses.

“That wasn’t me; that was Ignis!” Umbra explains, pouting again. “He’s the mean, scary one!”

Terra barely holds Ignis back from responding.

“If that’s the case…” Celestia begins warily. “Why are you traveling with him?”

“We kinda have to,” Umbra elaborates, giving his tail a frustrated flick. “Our homes are being invaded by a bunch of crazy monsters, so we have to work together to fight ‘em all back.” Umbra then blinks and as innocently as he can, asks, “Do you have to fight against crazy monsters too?”

Celestia glances away this time, confessing, “In a sense, yes.” She looks back at Umbra, searching him for even a hint of dishonesty or maliciousness and ultimately finds none in those bright, golden eyes of his. “I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to fight against demons, the undead, and all manner of other abominations… Or how many reports I receive detailing the deaths of my little ponies and the attacks we’re forced to endure almost every night.”

Umbra gasps, exclaiming, “That’s horrible! I’m so sorry you have to deal with all that stuff, Princess.”

The hardness in Celestia’s eyes doesn’t quite go away, but Umbra did wrangle a small smile out of her. “You need not apologize, little one; I know it is not your will that brings such hardships upon us.”

“Well, regardless, I’m still sorry,” he says. “And on behalf of all my kind, I apologize for all of the pain they’ve caused you and your ponies.”

Oh brother…! Ignis and I both groan upon noticing tears forming in Umbra’s eyes.

“And on behalf of my kind, thank you,” she says, her smile growing a touch brighter. Celestia then sighs, adding, “And I apologize as well for imprisoning your host, but surely you understand why we had to do such a thing, I hope?” she ends softly, gently petting Umbra on the head.

Umbra purrs in response, nuzzling her hand before conceding, “Yeah, we understand, Princess.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it, Sunny-Buns,” I finally speak up again. “Back home, most creatures were pretty terrified of me anyway, avoiding me for being what I am and all that junk. I get it.”

Celestia looks at me, finally coming to understand I truly am in control. “Still, I am sorry we had to imprison you as well. I’m sure once Ms. Eris arrives, she will be able to clarify things just as you said.”

“I hope so because I’m hungry,” I admit bluntly. “Seriously, would it kill anyone to give me a sandwich or a doughnut right now?”

Celestia looks at the guard closest to her left. He looks back, blushes, and whines, “Hey, don’t look at me; I haven’t restocked the fridge yet!”

“Well, best restock it fast then; I’m in real need of healing here,” I say, raising my burned and slightly scaled arm up and giving the guard a wave with it. “You want this looking normal, ya gotta get me some grub I can chow.”

The guard blinks. “Why?”

“‘Cause regeneration ain’t cheap, and thanks to my jerk of a roommate who caused this,” I snarl, flexing the razor sharp claws and savoring the guard’s subsequent gulp. “Some of my internal organs are looking pretty similar too. And, uh? It kinda hurts. Like? A lot.”

“Go,” Celestia commands, giving a nod to the guard in question and two others. They then nod back and bugger off to acquiesce my request. She then returns to petting Umbra, seemingly on instinct, and speaks to me again, “Ignis, was it? The one who hurt you?”

Well, he’s not the only one who hurts me, I choose not to say, glaring mentally at Gelu and Terra. “Bingo,” I say instead.

“Hmm,” she hums. She intends to say something more, but before she can the door opens again, and in strides Eris.

I feel a surge of heat well up in his insides from Ignis, one neither Gelu nor Terra bother themselves to cease.

Eris tosses her hair back over her shoulder and takes stock of the assembled guards, Celestia, and lastly, me. “Well, looks like you beat me here, Tia; how ya doing?” she asks, closing the distance between them and finally noticing Umbra still held in the Princess’ arms. Her eyes widen at the sight of the panther demon, shining for just a split second, but Umbra merely smiles innocently at her, even giving her a little wave of his paw.

“Well enough,” Celestia answers, reacquiring Eris’ attention. “You?”

“Fine,” she answers. “So, Celestia? If you don’t mind, could you let Red out?” she requests, gesturing to me. “He’s a Displaced, like me.”

“And as for the creatures inhabiting him?”

“Demons? Yes? What kind? Not sure, but definitely not the kind to go on a rampage without reason.” She coughs and deadpans, “You know? Like, say? Someone attacking him? Locking him up? Starving him…?” she ends, noticing my still malformed arm.

Celestia gives a slight cough and double-checks, “You’re sure they’re no threat to my subjects?”

“Not unless they make themselves a threat to him. And I trust you enough to ensure that won’t be the case,” Eris adds, allowing a small smile.

Celestia smiles herself and chuckles. “I thought as much from our conversation,” she says, glancing my way. “It’s good to know I truly can trust you. Also a bit refreshing to have a pony not bow and show only respect to me.” She titters again, but it soon devolves into a sigh, followed by a whispered, “I wish others would be so open.”

“Yeah, I know; I’m awesome, can you let me out now?” I ask impatiently.

Celestia nods, saying, “Of course. Guards?”

“You’re sure about this, Your Majesty?” the guard holding the key inquires.

“I am. This being is no threat, he's free to leave.”

“Even though he’s a demon host?” one of the other guards ask, eyeing Umbra with a look of concern.

Catching his gaze Celestia says, “Oh, hush. How could something this cute be evil?” she asks, holding up Umbra who played along by giving the guards his most adorable pout. “You’ve no need to fear, my ponies; nothing will happen while I am here.”

“While you’re here?” Eris inquires, raising an eyebrow.

Celestia nods. “Given the hour, I intend to stay the night at my student’s house.”

“Twilight will be happy to hear that,” Eris notes. “And panicked, considering she hasn’t prepared for you.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” Celestia grumbles.

“Ahem! Still imprisoned over here,” I whine.

Eris and Celestia both look at me, unamused, but the latter returns her gaze to her guards, assuring, “Eris, Twilight, and myself will all be in the vicinity, so if Mr. Red attempts anything, he will have to face all of us. And trust me, my friends…”

Umbra, who had spent most of the conversation nuzzling against Celestia and purring his heart out, suddenly stills and falls silent when Celestia’s grip tightened around him, not enough to hurt him, but the meaning obvious.

“I will not let any demons bring harm upon you this night,” Celestia vows, looking down at Umbra and giving the panicking cub an icy smile that rivaled even Gelu’s.

Umbra gulps

Snickering, I rebuke, “Told ya, Shadow-Cat; not everyone’s gonna fall for the ‘cuteness’ act.”

“It is not an act!” he shoots back. “I am cute!”

“That you are,” Celestia concurs, loosening her grip and going right back to petting him.

Though initially thrown off by the sudden change in attitude, Umbra quickly rolled with it, savoring her gentle touch and repaying it with yet another happy purr. He did, however, discreetly return her crown back to her head with a swish of his tail.

The guards, meanwhile, share one final look with each other, clearly still hesitant, but before too long, one of them—the one who had been doing the paperwork for this little event, sighs and accepts defeat. “Alright, guys; you heard the Princess. Release the demon host,” he orders, massaging a headache as he returns to completing his paperwork.

The key-bearing guard slowly steps toward my cell door, flinches at the little wave I give him, and finally inserts the key into the door, unlocking and opening it. “You’re free to go.”

“Aww, thanks, dude,” I say, booping his muzzle as I step out, a free—relatively speaking—pony once more. Stretching out my arms, I nod at the other guards, notice Umbra poking his tongue out at me, blow a raspberry back, and finally give Celestia and Eris my full attention. “So, where we headed now?”

“Back to the library,” Eris answers, doing her best to avoid eye contact with me. I wonder if that’s because she knows Ignis is currently trying to melt me from the inside-out so he can lunge for her? “I’ll explain more about the Displaced there.”

“And about my ticket home?” I inquire, raising an eyebrow.

“Obviously, that’ll be another thing we’ll discuss,” she assures. “Although, you should know returning won’t be quite as simple as you may think.”

“Always a damn catch…” I snarl under my breath, facepalming. “Anything else?”

“Eris?” Celestia interjects. “Is there any chance you know how to prevent his, er? ‘Roommates’ did you call them?” Without waiting for an answer, she requests, “Can you perhaps help Mr. Red control them?”

“CONTROL US!?” Gelu and Ignis shriek, and though I keep my jaw shut, the echoes of their fury ring clearly throughout that tiny room.

After shooing away the demons’ ambient rage, Eris rubbers her chin in thought and says, “I’ll see what I can do, Princess.”

“Wait, seriously?” I blurt out. “You know how I can keep these assholes from…?” I don’t finish that thought; my roommates, Terra included, won’t let me.

“So long as you’re willing to let me train your pathetic ass up before I send you on your way,” she begins, turning and walking back toward the door. “Then? Yes. I’ll help you keep them in check,” Eris promises, sparing me on last solemn glance before exiting the guard station.

Ignis rages, Gelu screams, Terra falls silent, and Umbra swallows nervously. “Uhh…?” he mumbles, gaining everyone’s attention. Umbra gulps again before flowing like water out from Celestia’s arms and back into my shadow, promptly rejoining his fellows in panicking about just what Eris could do.

It’s impossible to separate all of their voices from each other’s, let alone understand what they’re saying, but one thing is abundantly clear: They do notwant me talking to Eris.

I smile. “Whelp? Thanks for releasing me, Princess,” I say to her. “And thanks for not trying to kill me, guys,” I add to the remaining guards. “That was nice of ya’ll. … Bye,” I end unceremoniously, exiting the building as well, en route for the Golden Oaks Library.

“When the others return with his requested meal, please have them come to the library,” Celestia orders the guards who immediately salute and voice their understanding. She then swiftly follows me into the dark, chilly night.