Shape Shifter

Celesta stood in a vast expanse of empty darkness. Lighting her horn she found herself in a white room void of even doors or windows.

“This not what I w-” She never finished her sentence. Dr. Light fell from the heavens crashing into the white alicorn. The black unicorn groaned as Celestia pushed her off and regained her footing.

“Doctor Light, why did you follow me in here?” She demanded from the doctor who was busy scrambling to her hooves.

“Curiosity got the better of me again.” She explained nervously looking around the room. Studying it for a moment the doctor was sent retreating back to Celestia when a stallion’ voice called out in greeting.

“Good afternoon ladies.” The sound echoed off the floor and walls.

Celestia stood her ground, the doctor hid behind her. “Who are you, show yourself!” She bravely exclaimed. A pillar of green fire erupted from the floor bathing the small room in a shower of green light. A dark figure stepped from the column of fire and presented himself in front of Celestia. The changeling bowed before he hastily introduced himself.

“My name was Korvy. However, you probably would have known me better as Silent Night.” Green flames spread over his body to reveal a black earth pony with a dark blue mane.

Dr. Lights’ eyes widened in recognition. “You’re the piano player who disappeared at the same time Winter did. You were considered a main suspect in her disappearance.  I guess they weren’t too far off were they. You’re the colt’s father aren’t you?”

“Yes, at least I was. Now I know you have a lot of questions and I will answer them as best I can but we don’t have a lot of time. Your intrusion in to Crescendo’s mind has nearly ruined the fragment that holds me together and blocks his memory, even now his memories are slipping through.”

“Crescendo?” Celestia and Dr. Light asked together.

“His mother chose the name and there is just no arguing with a mare.”

Thinking of her subjects Celestia asked the next question. “What were you doing in Canterlot?”

“I was exiled from the hive by the previous queen because I believed ponies could be more than a food source. I always liked pony music, so I decided why not learn to play since I had nothing else to do. I found I had real talent for the piano and it kinda went on from there. I managed to snag a job playing, working my way up the ranks. I met Winter at an audition, we really hit it off.” He smiled as he mentioned her name. “Such a beautiful creature, voice of an angel and a heart of gold. I really do miss her.” Several tears rolled down his face disappearing as they touched the floor.

Shocked by the fact a changeling could even cry, Dr. Light asked the third question. “Why did you and Winter disappear from Canterlot?”

“We left because we found out Winter was pregnant. She came from a rich family and they never would have approved of us or the child. There was also the problem of my obsessive sister." He cleared his throat. "You see I wasn't just another drone from the hive. I was Korvaticus the fourth, first royal prince of the hive and my sister Chrysalis is a bit of a nutcase. She had some kind of unhealthy attraction to me, it was creepy to be honest. She knew I was in Canterlot and we hoped leaving would throw her off my trail.” He shuddered.

“Why do you refer to yourself in past tense?”

He turned back to Celestia who had asked the question. “I do it because I am dead. I no longer exist in this world. All you see before you is a fragment of my mind.”

“How is that possible?” Dr. Light stomped her hoof.

“It is possible for royal caste changelings because of the hive mind. We connect to each other through it and we can pass information and memories whether it’s to drones or other members of royalty. I passed on a small portion of myself to him before I died.”

“Why would you do such a thing?” Dr. Light shivered.

“To save him from losing his mind from grief, he had no one else. To be alone would have been a blow he would not have recovered from mentally if added to the loss of his mother and I. I've always struggled with concepts of love and family but he has the same large heart his mother did.”

“What happened to you?”

“That is a story best left for another time, if I told you now he would know and that would make the fact I was blocking it a moot point don’t cha think. All he needs to know right now is that we loved him but he needs to move on.” He shifted focus to Celestia. “Princess could I ask a selfish favor, I know you have taken a shine to my son and I’d ask only that you watch over him. He meant everything to me and my wife; I just want him to be healthy and happy. “Taking a step back his horn began to glow. “Sorry but time is up, goodbye princess and goodbye doctor.”

“Wait I still have- “The room disappeared as they were thrown back to their own minds.

“Well I do say that was quite a ride!” Dr. Light exclaimed as she sat up. Celestia never heard the doctor, her attention focused on the white colt staring at them from the exam table. She looked as his eyes which clearly showed the massive amount of emotional pain he was suffering from. He spoke his voice cracking, his body heaving.

"They're gone aren't they?" His eyes glistened with tears that were not yet ready to fall.

"Yes Snow they are." She answered trying to get up." Are you alright? Did you remember anything?"

A broken smile tried to hide his pain. "Bits and pieces, enough to know they wouldn't of left me alone voluntarily." A mix of a chuckle and a sob escaped his lips, his emotion running rampant he yelled. "Enough to know I'm a freak of nature! Enough to know my home is gone! Enough to know I'm alone!" Bring his hoof to his face he covered his eyes in an attempt to stem the tide of tears. Feeling a set of hooves wrap around him and pull him in close. He looked up to Celestia who had taken a seat next to him and pulled him in for a hug.

"If you need to cry I'll gladly lend a shoulder. Don't hold in you negative emotions, just let it all out. It helps trust me." The flood gates of his emotion let loose as he showered her in tears, sobs, and wails. "Snow you have a home here if you so choose. Please remember you’re not alone. I care about you, I'm sure Twilight, Spike, and Shining care as well. You’re not a freak either, just unique." She smiled trying to comfort the broken soul she held so firmly in her hooves.

I understand what Korvy meant when he said about protecting him from himself. Thinking about the outburst from a moment ago. He would have torn himself to bits if he didn't have someone here for him.

"I think I'll leave you alone now but take all the time you need." Dr. Light slipped out the door, closing it behind her. He cried what seemed like an eternity to him before finally drifting into a peaceful sleep, free of any nightmares, in her hooves. Celestia teleported her and Snow back to his room in the castle. Tucking in the exhausted young colt, she stayed by his a while sing a light lulu-by. Brushing his mane lightly with her hoof she smiled before she left the room. Teleporting again, she stopped in the welfare office much to the surprise of all the employees. Singling out a particular pony she spoke.

"Mr. Star may I speak with you a while in private."

"Yes you majesty my office is right this way." He nervously replied as he held the door to his office for Celestia.