Shape Shifter

The trio silently strolled through one the many halls of the castle. Celestia took lead, guiding the two foals towards the dining hall from the previous evening.

“Hey Snow.” Breaking the silence, Twilight tapped Snow on the top of the shoulder to get his attention.

“Yes Twilight?” Turning his head Snow looked at Twilight.

“I brought the book you were reading,” She motioned with her head toward the saddle bags he noticed she was wearing. “I hope you don’t mind.”

A smile crept over his face along with an odd feeling of vigor from the act of kindness. “I don’t mind at all Twilight, thank you for your kindness.”

“You’re welcome, I was kinda surprised though.”

“Why is that?”

“You were reading a chemistry book.”

“Yeah, I randomly grabbed another after I finished the history book you gave me.”

“Please don’t take offence, but did you understand any of it?”

“No offence taken and yes I did, chemical equilibrium threw me for a loop but after a little while I figured it out.”

“Finally somepony who likes studying! Spike never does. If you stay here longer than just a temporary guest would you like to be my study buddy?”

“Sure, I’d love to Twilight.”

Her face lite up at his response and she began to bounce. Her saddle bags flopping, she made circles around the confused colt.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She repeated still circling Snow.

And I thought I was weird. “Um Twilight, I hate to burst your bubble but we’re falling behind.” He paused, pointing with his hoof to Celestia, who was a good forty feet ahead of them.

“Woops.” She said as she stopped circling him and they increased the speed of their pace. Nearing the white alicorn, Snow turned to look at Twilight again.

“ Hey Twilight, who is this Spike you men-” His sentence cut off as he collided with a purple and green blob rocketing from the door way to his left, his face making an acquaintance with the floor for a second time today. Disengaging his teeth from the floor, he looked up to see Twilight giggling at him.

“What’s so funny?" He asked, not amused by her grin.

“Speak of the pony or in this case dragon. Hi Spike!”

“Good morning Twilight.” The purple dragon groaned. “Could you get off me? You’re heavy.”

“Sorry.” Snow said as he quickly got to his hooves, the little dragon doing the same. Dusting himself off, Spike inspected for any damage. Not finding anything wrong he turned his attention to the white colt he had collided with.

“That’s ok, it was my fault too.” He said with a smile. “Anyway, I’m Spike and may I ask who you are?”

“My temporary name is Snow, nice to meet you.”

“Temporary name?” Spike looked confused.

“Do you guys want breakfast or not?” Celestia called out interrupting the conversation.

“I’ll explain on the way Spike, cause I do want breakfast.” He said as he turned and bolted in Celestia’s direction.

".... and the name I chose to use for the moment is Snow cause I like the word." Snow explained as the group entered the dining hall.

"Wow, that's harsh." Spike said as the group took seats at a table near the wide double doors to the kitchen. “Losing your memory is kinda hard to imagine."

"Thanks for the concern but I'm not in to bad a shape. I mean I do have help."

The dining hall, unlike the night before, wasn't completely empty when they arrived. At the other tables were royal guards and other employees getting there breakfast before their shifts started. However, since it was so early, it wasn't packed either. The kitchen staff, phenomenal at their jobs, was quick to react at the presence of royalty and her guests.

Soon a unicorn waitress came bearing a tray of ice water and menus.

"Good morning your highness and guests." She said politely, passing out water and menus.

"Good morning to you Star Dancer but I do not need a menu, I will have my usual." Celestia said, handing the menu back to the unicorn.

"Of course you majesty, and have you decided what you would like or do you need more time?" Turning her attention to the other three.

"I'll have hay bacon and eggs with wheat toast." Twilight paused, first to answer. "Oh and orange juice."

"I want a sapphire muffin with tea." Spike replied after twilight.

Ponyfeathers, what do I choose.  "Ummm.... I'll have the pancakes with hay bacon and peagasi cola." Snow shot off, relieved he picked something. The waitress wrote down their orders and returned to the kitchen.

"Princess, since we have a moment I have something to tell you. As I told Twilight this morning, the reason I was up so early is because I had this horrible nightmare that awakened me." Snow said his voice heavy with anxiety; he took a sip of the ice water in front of him.

"What happened in the dream Snow?"  Celestia asked the clearly distressed colt. Snow began to recollect the dream from earlier, explaining all the details he could remember to the princess.

"That sounded bad but it could be a clue to you past." She paused. "I hope not, that dream sure sounded bad indeed. Anyway it looks like our food is here."

Star Dancer returned with their choice of food, skillfully levitating the plates to the specific owner. Snow looked at what he had ordered; he smiled as he dug in.

This is delicious! He dug into the neatly stacked pancakes like a plow through earth. He savored the sweet, fluffy baked goods as he devoured them. His next victim was the bacon; it did not last long either. Grabbing the soda, he began to notice the six eyes now trained on him.

"This was really good." He said, smiling weakly. The others went back to their meals; Celestia merely shook her head and chuckled before doing the same.

"Snow, if the dreams continue please tell me alright?" Celestia asked, sipping her coffee.

"I will Cele... Princess" Snow corrected himself.

"Hey Snow!" Spike getting Snow's attention next. "Wanna hang out today, I could give you a tour?"

"Sure, if no pony has any issue with it."

"Finally, another guy to hang out with." Spike exclaimed pumping one of his little fists in the air.

"Aww." Twilight added looking a bit dejected.

"Twi, I'll read with you this evening" Snow added, picking up on the mood. She perked back up.

"Thanks for the meal Princess."

"You’re welcome Snow."

"Come on Snow, we'll start my tour." Spike said getting up from the table and heading to the door. Snow got up and followed suit.

The tour began with the throne room, the little dragon giving a brief history on the stain glass windows. They moved on stopping at the library where Snow told Spike about Twilight’s book bath earlier that morning. Spike burst out laughing so hard the librarian chased them out for being too loud. The next stop was the indoor training area that consisted of a weight room, pool, and track. Moving on they made it to the armory.

“Hey Spike, how do I look?” Snow asked having donned a set of guard armor.

“Awesome!” Spike laughed at his new friend trying to move awkwardly in the armor several sizes too big for him. Ditching the gear the mischievous duo looked for more entertainment.

“This is the orchestra’s practice room.” The dragon explained guiding his friend in to the large area filled with instruments. “Personally, it is one of my favorite places to be.” The little dragon sitting down at a piano.

“Why?”

“I love to play piano.” The little dragon replied as he folded the key cover up and set a piece of sheet music on the stand. He handed a copy to snow as he began to play. The beautiful sound of the piano rang out as the Spike expertly caressed the keys. Reading over the paper, Snow spotted the vocals coming and he smiled.

An angelic voice rang out nearly causing Spike to stop playing.

“I'm holdin' on your rope, Got me ten feet off the ground. And I'm hearin' what you say, But I just can't make a sound. You tell me that you need me, Then you go and cut me down...”

Spike looked over to his friend who really seemed to enjoy the music, smiling he continued.

“That it's too late to apologize. It's too late... I said it's too late to apologize. It's too late. Yeah!” The colt kept signing, his voice in perfect tune and harmony with the piano.

As the song progress Snow began to feel off. The more he sang the more his head seemed to hurt and by the end he was nearly ready to collapse.

“Dude, where did you learn to sing like that? Oh wait, stupid question, never mind.” Spike Said as he closed the piano up and approached his friend.

“Are you ok?” He noticed the sick look on Snows face.

What the heck is wrong with me?

“No, my head is pounding something fierce and I think I may lose breakfast.”

“Just sit and calm down I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later the dragon returned with a cold bottle of water.

“Here try this.”

“Thanks."

The cool water really helped as his headache subsided.

"I feel alright now, thanks again Spike."

"I'm glad you better. It kinds sucks about the snow outside though but I do have some more to show you on the inside come on." Spike said changing the subject.

The duo once again moved on to greener pastures.