Shape Shifter

Taking fifty bits from his bags he paid Iron Night for the guitar and accessories.

"I'll be right back with your receipt." She explained, taking the money and headed to the store's backroom. While she was gone, Snow decided to work on packing his stuff for travel. First, he strapped the guitar to his back. Next, he stuffed the overdrive unit into the already over-packed saddle bags. Going for the amp, he was surprised when it took off in front of him and landed on his back. He looked over to his escort whose horn was glowing.

He secured the amp to his rump. “Thank you!  Know what, I never got your name.”

“It’s Shining Armor.” The stallion grumbled.

“Can I call you Shin for short?”

“I guess.” The stallion replied, rolling his eyes.

Snow studied the peeved unicorn for a moment, coming to the conclusion is was time to try and smooth over this situation before it bit him in the flank. Thinking for another moment since Iron Night was taking her sweet time getting a receipt for him, he began his awkward apology.

“Well, Shin, I can see you’re still angry and I’m sorry for the trouble I probably caused you. I got distracted by all the stuff I was seeing and I kinda forgot about you. It was rude, careless, and irresponsible of me to do that and if you’re ever my escort again I promise to be more careful.“ Snow struggled to keep his balance as he put out a hoof in Shining Armor's direction. Shining Armor stared at the colt for a few seconds shocked at what he had just heard.

Well that was unexpected; I guess he’s not a punk after all, he thought before he replied. “Apology accepted.” He then took Snow’s hoof in his and gave him a firm hoofshake before letting go.

“Here’s you receipt, Snow.” Iron Night indicated as she returned, holding a slip of paper.

“I’m a bit loaded, could you put it in the bag for me?” He inquired turning to look at the bag on his left side.

“Can do.” She answered, sliding the slip of paper in to the bag on the left.

“Thanks.”  Snow paused, turning to Shining Armor. ”Well, I’m done shopping and exploring for today Shin, could we head back to the castle now?”

“Alright.” Shining Armor replied, heading out the door. Snow tried to head for the door as well but was stopped by Iron Night.

"Glad you two ended the awkwardness even if it was entertaining." She spoke after Shining Armor was out of earshot.

"So, you took so long to get the receipt because you were watching us for entertainment?" He replied, his voice oozing sarcasm.

"That about hits the nail on the head, I suppose." She laughed, wiping a tear from her eye. "Wow, it has been so long since I felt this good. Thank you for coming into my shop. It really brightened my day."

“Glad I could help. Anyway, see ya later, Night.” He sighed as he felt the urge to fuse his face with his hoof.

“Bye, have fun with the guitar!” Stilling her laughter, she held the door open for the loaded colt. Following Shining Armor out the door, he was glad to see the stallion had waited for him.

“You’re Twilight’s brother, right?” Snow asked, remembering what Spike had told him this morning.

“Yes I am. May I ask how you know my sister?”

“I met her early this morning in the library when she caused a lot of books to fall off the shelf and bury her, but Spike was the one to tell me about you during the tour he gave me this morning.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” He sighed before laughing at the mental image of his sister covered in books. The two kept chatting as they trotted their way back to the castle, the sunset reflecting in the snow.

Walking up the shimmering path, they came to a halt outside the large wooden doors of the entrance.

Reaching up very carefully, he tapped Shining Armor on the back. "Shin, like I said before, I'm sorry for the way I acted."

Smiling, he put his hoof on Snow's shoulder, "Don't worry about it, and remember I grew up with Twilight. If there is anypony in the world who gets distracted, it's her." He laughed hoping he had taken the burden of guilt off the colt.

"Thanks Shin. One last thing, want to be friends?"

Shining armor put up a hoof, "Sure, my friend." Snow's attempt to take his new friend's hoof nearly lead to ruin. The load on his back throwing his balance off, he tipped over. Lucky for him, Shining Armor caught him before he tumbled for the fourth time today.

"Thanks."

"No problem, let me get that door." He added opening and holding the door for his burdened friend. With great care, Snow traversed the few steps up it took to get inside.

"Good evening, Celestia." Snow called out to the white alicorn sitting on a bench, clipboard and pen in hoof. Looking up from her work, she smiled, the atmosphere around her livening due to her joyful energy. The items she held disappeared with a pop; her horn radiated a golden glow. Getting up, she trotted over to Snow.

His face was pushed down near the floor from a forceful hoof at his neck. He became aware of Shining Armors presence next to him, his hoof holding him down in a bowing position.

"Dude, be respectful of the princess." He whispered under his breath. Snow braced for impact, knowing what was to come as he tipped to he left from the weight of the amp. An inch from the floor he stopped, enveloped by a familiar golden glow.

"You know I told the floor last time that we need to stop running into each other like this." He joked, glad Celestia had quick reflexes. She put him back on his feet before she levitated the amp, guitar and bags off his back. They disappeared with a flash of light.

"Don't be alarmed, I put them in your room. I figured you would have a bit of a problem with the grand staircase."

"I wasn't but thank you, that was getting very heavy. Another thing, thank you for getting Shining Armor to escort me he did an excellent job even if I am a bit of a pain."

"Thank you for watching him Shining Armor, you have my appreciation. Also, would you like to join us for dinner? I have already cleared it with your commanding officer and your sister will be there."

"Yes, I'd love to." His ears perked up at the mention of Twilight.

"Would you mind going ahead of us?" She requested. "Everypony is already waiting in the dining hall but I would like to speak with Snow for a bit privately."

"Yes your highness." He acknowledged, trotting off in the direction of the dining hall. Once Shining was gone Celestia turned to talk to Snow.

"So, how was your day, little one?"

"Not too bad. I had a tremendous amount of fun today despite how I woke up and the headaches."

"Headaches?" She inquired worriedly. They started on their way to the dining hall as he explained.

"Yeah. I had one when I was singing for Spike when he was playing piano and I had a slight one on the way back from Canterlot but they are gone now."

"So, how was Canterlot?"

"It was nice, not as quiet like the castle but it still has charm." He started describing his visit to the stores; he omitted his forays into the alchemy and party stores lest he give away his intent.

"So that explains the instrument, actually I do believe I know Ms. Night. If I'm not mistaken she used to be a Wonderbolt until she had some disagreements with the other members and quit. It’s a shame, really. She had potential. On another note, I would love to hear you play one time."

"Absolutely."

"It's nice to know you managed to adapt so quickly to your situation. I hope we can resolve you memory problem but if we can’t do that or find out where you are from, at least you have this place." Nearing the dining hall she stopped. "One more thing, you have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow with Dr. Light."

"Celestia," He paused. "Thank you for helping me." He offered a hug and she returned the gesture. After she put him back down, he rushed the door. Pausing in the doorway, he turned to look at her.

"I’ll race you, Mom!" He shot her a devilish grin before rocketing to the table everypony was sitting at. She stood there for a moment, to the left of the doorway wiping a tear from one of her purple eyes, her true self exposed just for a moment. She knew she shouldn't get attached, that he would be leaving when he found his home. It was probably the loneliness she had endured for so long after she was forced to banish the only family she had. Her sister. She loved the change in pace he brought, she liked how he wasn't afraid of her like so many of her subjects. What did she do that instilled such fear in them? Even her protégé Twilight Sparkle held a fear of her. Why was she such a revered, untouchable figure? Her heart hurting, she put the mask of happiness she used to distance herself from the pain of this world on once again as she entered the dining hall.

One Hour Later

Dinner was lovely, Snow thought, entering his room. On the bed were his guitar, amp and saddle bags. Taking the amp and putting it in a corner, he hung the guitar on the wall. Making a mental note to get a book of sheet music from Spike tomorrow since he could only remember one song, he spread the alchemy items out on the dresser. Like a mad pony he laughed as he got to work on his devious creation. Mixing powders, cutting paper he labored on his device with mischief gleaming in his eyes. Gluing this, taping that, he smiled as he worked. Several hours he put into the contraption before he packed all of the components he created into his saddle bags. Like a thief in the night, he crept through the halls avoiding others who were also up during the late hours. Arriving at the throne room undetected he began phase two of his plan.

Next Morning

Finally finished, he looked out a window at the clock tower.

Half past eight, which means I have half an hour to find Spike and get him here. He took off looking for his friend. Knowing just where to find the little dragon, he burst into the library to find him taking notes for Twilight.

"Twilight, could I borrow Spike for half an hour?" He gasped, breathing hard from the run.

"Sure you can."

"Thanks." He turned to Spike. “Hop on my back Spike, we need to be quick!"  The dragon on his back held on for his dear life as Snow bolted back to the throne room. Reaching the throne room with 5 minutes to spare, he was pleased to find it filled with guards, nobles, and ponies here to see the princess. This is going to be good, he thought, pushing his way in. He and Spike moved to a corner left of the throne. Getting off Snow's back the little dragon looked a tad annoyed.

"What is so imp-" Snow's hoof cut him off.

"Wait and see."

The trumpets rang out and a progression of Celestia's private guards made a path from the door to the throne.

"NOW PRESENTING PRINCESS CELESTIA!" A guard announced. Celestia walked in to the room, the guests bowing in respect as she walked to her throne. Reaching her destination she turned around and sat down. The moment she touched the cushion all hell broke loss.

        The sound rang out and confetti poured from everywhere, from behind armor, paintings, and even the princess's throne. Everypony was covered head to tail in confetti, the song 'Party Rock Anthem' beginning to bellow from beneath the throne. Party horns rang out and a previously unseen banner unrolled from the ceiling. As it unrolled it spelled out the word 'Surprise' in a vertical fashion. The room was dead silent besides the music. The look on the faces of everypony in the room was priceless; some had their jaws hanging open. Several fainted; no pony knew what to say. What had transpired was unbelievable. Snow looked to his friend whose eyes were wide open.

Elbowing him, he whispered. "You’re going to be pink for a week."