Questions. (More Like Interrogation

I couldn't shake the feeling of what came over me, had I been mind controlled or what was it that took control? Why did it affect me and nopony else? I'm so confused. Cygnus told me to return to the castle and relax, take a breather, and most of all chill out. I'm not sure what I did but it must've scared the bejesus out of him. I sit on a bench outside the castle walls and take a few deep breaths. I loved it when I was at home. I could play card games and chess with my dad to relieve stress maybe even win a few bucks off him in poker.

Thinking about home made me feel a clawing in my stomach and most of all lonely. I lift myself off the bench after a sigh of depressing sadness. "I'll just take a walk maybe I'll get my head clear of home and other stuff..." It's a good thing Celestia's spell happens to recast itself when the shield is placed back onto my back. Don't want panic now would I? I slowly walk through the street looking at all the shops and stores alike closed and clubs and bars open for the night-life in full swing. It was close to midnight now. Luna's moon hung suspended in the sky filled with stars. Stopping and looking around the street, I spot a sign in front of a box. I take a few steps closer to read it.

"To a good home." I scrunched up my nose in confusion but crept closer and looked inside. What was inside took the breath from my lungs. A child curled into a ball shivering with a tiny blanket barely covering the poor pony. Drawing in breath I turned around away from the sight and looked around for somepony in the vicinity. "No one. How could somepony be so heartless... I may not be the best pony in the world but this is... Just terrible." I look inside the box again and frown deeply. "Why?" I whisper under my breath. I shake my head and start to concentrate on myself. After a minute a green aura surrounds myself and the illusion Celestia had placed on me dispels and a green flame flickers across my body changing me back to what I had looked like in the griffin empire, only now I had on kickass armor and a huge shield on my back. "I just hope that someone of genuine kindness will take this child." I flap my wings hesitantly then shake my head. "Nope no flying for me. I still have to get lessons from Cynthia." Rearing up on my hind hooves I reach into the box and lift the kid out. Holding the sleeping kid in one hoof I lift my shield off my back and put the kid there after getting back down on all fours and placing my shield on the ground gently. I look back at the kid with pity and lift my wings and adjust them to partially cover the freezing figure. Taking up my shield I lift it over my back over the kid to prevent the elements from causing more problems. The way my wings where positioned held up the shield from crushing the kid with its weight. I start to walk down the street looking at the signs and taking a few turns away from the direction of the castle towards the lower districts of Canterlot.

I stopped to read a sign and a voice called out to me in my mind. 'What are you doing you fool, you can use this child to feed yourself...' I was starting to feel hunger claw at my stomach like a caged animal trying to get out. 'Get this child to love and adore you as a father, brother, or uncle. Love is your food and magic which will run out if you don't hurry to somewhere you can't be seen.' the voice was right I could feel my stomach churning and clawing begging to be filled, but how could I take care of this child on my own? I'm only 17 and know not a thing about fillies and colts. I feel pain shoot through my stomach and into my head. I turned around and started back towards the castle where I know I can find affection from Cynthia even if it is just a little bit.

"Damn it..." The pain continued to prod and torture my mind and stomach as the castle grew closer. It burned and I began to grind my teeth.

A few paces away from the gate I see the guard say something but the pain was too great and my ears were ringing making me unable to comprehend what he's saying. "G-get... C-Cygnus..." I feel my legs give out as my stomach impacted the ground. "Uuff..." It looked like the world was starting to spin as I see the guard run inside the gate. I place my head on the ground looking at the gate. "Damn it..." I waited for a few minutes and l started pulling myself forward toward the gates when said guard didn't return. Pulling myself forward inch by inch trying to get to the gate. I reached the gate with a gasp of air. "Finally... *pant pant* I made it...*pant pant* I.. Can't move anymore... Pray that this kid lives... Pray that... I do too. Fucking hell..." I close my eyes and wait.

I lift my head up only to have it slammed back down into a hard marble floor of gray and white. "Ow! What the hell was that for?" i try turning my head but whoever has a hold of me is holding me in place preventing me from doing so.

"What was that for?" A feminine voice copied from behind me. "You are going to tell me where the rest of the changelings are!"

"Look lady, I don't know where the changelings are! Even though I am one doesn't mean I'm connected to some damn destructive annoying bitch that tried to fuck up Equestria! W-wait where's my shield and... Where's the kid?!" I pushed against her magic holding me in place and looked around the best I could.

"Who is the filly to you changeling, just another meal or somepony you wanted to brainwash to take out Celestia and Luna?" The voice asked full of hate and disgust.

"I found her in a box out on the street what the hell would you expect anypony in my position to do? Would you have left her in a box abandoned with only a tattered blanket that barely covered her in the cold darkness?! I know damn well i never would! I actually have a fucking heart." I struggle more against her magical hold trying to force myself up to stand. "I'm going to ask nicely, Let me go please." Feeling a surge in slammed back into the marble floor. "UUFF! Damn it... Ugh...Cynthia, Cygnus... Where are you two?"

"I'm so terribly sorry but it seems the ones you've brainwashed can hear you." The voice said bluntly.

"Oh yeah? That's what you think huh?" I said trying to move my insect-like wings to prevent them from damaging. "Cygnus is my Pegasus friend. Cynthia is my griffin um... What is the word I'm looking for... Fiancé."

"Fiancé? A griffin? Do you think I'm going to just believe tha-" A bang on the door interrupted the unknown mare from speaking. I hear the clicking of hooves on marble then the sound of a door opening.

"Princess Candace! What in Equestria's name are you doing to Rook?" Celestia's voice said with force and clear anger. "Release him this instant! He is my guest here at the castle!"

I feel myself get tons lighter and I force myself to stand up and face the door. Standing I feel a few joints pop making me groan. "Ow, that didn't at all feel good." Looking to Celestia I made my way over slowly trying to make sure all my muscles were working so I don't pull something. "Thank you Celestia." Celestia smiled weakly and nodded.

"You're welcome Rook, I heard from Cygnus about what happened at the party and I greatly thank you for that as well even if he was a bit vague on the details when Luna asked him how you did it. Would you fill me in later?" I glance over at Candace and back to her and nod.

"Y-yeah, I'll tell you what I can remember about it." This brought a look of confusion to Celestia's face but it quickly reverted back to a small smile as she stepped out of the way giving me passage. I stepped out of the room but looked back to the room. "But first, where is the filly and my shield?"

"Filly? What filly?" Celestia turned her head to look at Candace asking her directly.

Candace had a look of guilt written all over her face. "She's in the changeling's room asleep. I left her and it's shield there. I... Rook... I hope you'll excuse my.. rash behavior."

"I'll forgive but I won't forget Princess Candace. I'll not hold a grudge, just memory." I turn away and start towards the stairs. Celestia followed me to my right keeping pace with me easily.

"So why don't you tell me what you remember. While I show you where your new room is."

"A-alright... It started when I was inspecting the decor...."

***

"After shouting I don't remember a whole lot. The best pony that could tell you would be Cygnus. I really can't remember but, I recall fighting with something for control. It was vicious and demented making me feel hate and sadness. The next I remember I'm walking back with Cygnus. Nothing else about the party is clear."

I look to Celestia who is standing next to my bed, while I'm laying down resting. Her smile had vanished and it was replaced by a look of overwhelming concern. I couldn't force myself to look at her, so I turn my head to the filly, whom was using my shield as a bed and has a quilt covering her. She had a silver mane and white fur. I couldn't help but smile at the sight but it disappeared soon after at the thought of how Cynthia would react. Thinking on that made me wonder what type of mother she'd be.

"Rook?" I turn my head to her putting my thoughts under lock and key for a while and listen. "Why did you pick up that filly?"

"Why?" I look down at the blanket covering me. "... Why? You'd do the same I'll bet. I just couldn't leave her out there alone with nothing. Starving, bastardized, and scared... I don't want somepony that has no defense, no pony to protect them."

"You took pity on her?"

"In a short sense... I kind of did, but if you want the truth... I'm hesitant to give it. Maybe in time I'll be comfortable telling you why... But for now, I'll just bide my time." I look at the filly again to see her stir slightly and open her soft purple eyes and stare at me. I do the best I can to make myself look non threatening with a smile and the closing of my eyes. "Glad to see you awake kiddo, you sleep okay?" I turn my head back to the Princess to find her gone. Maybe she used a teleportation spell to get out or and invisibility spell to sneak out later or to observe my interaction with the filly. I turn my head back to the filly to see that she had gotten up and was trying to get on the bed. "Do you want to come up?"

"Please?" The filly asked still trying to pull herself up.

I chuckled. "Sit still and I'll get you up kiddo." The filly stopped trying and sat on the floor waiting. I closed my eyes and my horn lit up with soft green magic and lift her up on to the bed. The magic on my horn faded and I opened my eyes to look at her. "There you go."

The filly being adorable as can be, sits there and cocks her head to the side her hair moving to the side of her face, revealing a unicorn horn that I failed to see the night before. I smile and lay back more into the pillow behind my head.

"Do you have a name?" I ask the filly who sat down next to me and shook her head. "No you don't have one? Or no you don't remember?"

"I don't remember."

"Would you like me to give you a new one until you remember?" She nodded and looked to me with anticipation in her eyes. "Hmm..." I looked her up and down a few times and thought. "How about StarLight? Do you like that name Starlight?" She smiles and nods her head. Her smile made me smile as she jumped on me and hugged my neck, nuzzling into my cheek.

-BANG BANG BANG-

Both the filly and myself snapped our attention towards the door and listened. "Tex? Are you decent?" Cygnus thank god it's him and not Cynthia.

"Yeah, Cynthia with you?"

"No, why? You want me to get her?"

"No, it's okay come on in." Cygnus opened the door and closed it softly. Cygnus' face when he saw the filly on my bed was priceless. First the 'what the fuck' look. Next came the classic 'How the fuck?' look. Finally came the 'Holy shit' look. I just barely was able to stop myself from bursting out laughing at him while the different looks crossed his face. I smiled and waited for his response.

Cygnus just stared from me to the filly and back to me. I was having an even harder time containing my laughter at the look on his face.

"Okay... Where'd the filly come from?" He made his way over to the side of my bed and looked at her with confusion.

"StarLight, meet your Uncle Cygnus."

"U-Uncle Cygnus? What are you talk-" Cygnus was cut off by StarLight tackle hugging into his neck.

"So Cygnus, where is Cynthia?" I said smiling at StarLight hanging on his neck with a vice grip hug.

"W-well," He started managing to pry the excited filly of his neck and set her on the bed. "She's in the Dining hall right now with Princess Luna. Luna's about to go to bed though so I believe you don't have much time until she hears about last night in the party." I bit my lower lip as he continued, "And I have no idea how she'll react to, ya know." He gestures with his head in Starlight's direction quickly enough to not be noticed by her.

Letting loose a sigh I pondered out loud, "The worst she could do is clock me in the head really, but I've seen her past her boiling point once." A shiver ran up my spine, "Lets just say I have hooves on experience with her anger. It's not fun." Snapping out of my thoughts I look to Cygnus who is clearly doing his best to stay perfectly calm about what I'd just said and Starlight was playing with her tail not really paying much attention by the looks of it. "I wish I had a little more time I'd be able to think out how to talk to Cynthia about this... Cygnus, I'd hate to ask this but, could you buy me a little time to think maybe distract her a bit with a story of war, or maybe of a battle in history? Something to stall her without it being obvious that you are doing it."

"Yes, but I'll only be able to buy you about ten minutes any more and I'm pushing my luck." He said with a slight frown on his face. "I'll try my best." He glances at StarLight, and a smile starts to tug at his lips as she is chasing her tail around in circles. He turns and leaves closing the door behind him.

Watching the door I start thinking hard on words to say to Cynthia while Cygnus is risking his hide trying for time, then I heard something that could've stopped my heart.

"Daddy?" I swallow hard and slide my vision, unmoving to my right side where StarLight is sitting staring at me. "Who is Cynthia?"

*Okay don't flip your lid... She just asked a question and called you her dad... Nothin wrong with that... Right?! Chill the fuck out! Take some deep breaths. Now this has to be the most stressful moment in my life and she called me the one word that seals everything. Now this puts even more pressure on me now that Cynthia is on her way. Think of something to say to her you moron!*

"W-w-well... Cynthia is... your..." I glance to the door now hoping and praying that it'll swing open and somepony'll save me from this situation "She's your moth-"

The door swings open with a loud bang and Starlight squeaked in fear jumping into the air and moving like a bullet under pillow next to me. Had I not known she was there I couldn't even tell she was hiding there. Direction my attention to the door quickly. I see Cynthia huffing with her wings flared up and her talons clenching and unclenching intimidatingly.

"Hey, Cynthia how was your time with Luna?" I said trying my best to remain as calm as possible and not look like a nervous-reck. She marched her way up to the bed next to me and stared me right in the eyes with enough rage to make me feel sick to my stomach. "Not in the mood for ide chitchat huh?" She shook her head and glared harder lifting her talon off the floor and moving it towards me. I watch it get closer and shake my head and move my head twice in the direction of the pillow the filly was concealing herself under. Clearly ignoring my gestures she continued to move her talon forward still glaring.

Then her talon stopped as I started to hear the sound of whimpering and crying. I glance up to the door to see Cygnus in the doorway panting trying to catch his breath as Cynthia crosses my vision going around the bed to to sound. I watched her make her way there and stare at the pillow. Her eyes had softened from the glare to something I remember seeing when I was younger. The look that mothers give there children when they are crying, the mixture of worry and warmth.

Cynthia reached out and grabbed the pillow gently uncovering the crying StarLight. Cynthia looked up at me then down at her. Cynthia placed her talon gently on StarLight's head and stroked her mane making her sobs and whimpers slow down and stop after about five minutes. Cynthia lifted her talon and Starlight looked up at Cynthia.

Nothing was said for a time, Cygnus and I exchanged a few glances until Starlight spoke. "M-momma?" I drew in a breath and waited for Cynthia's reaction.

Cynthia's face screwed up into confusion at first but, slowly returned to the soft motherly loving look from before. "Yes my dear?" Her voice was smooth and quite shocking to me to say the least glancing at Cygnus he seems to be having the same reaction I am, only he has his wings hanging to the floor, clear exhaustion written all over his face. I'll have to take him somewhere to relax for a bit when I get out of this situation and somehow get Cynthia to watch Starlight.

Looking back to Cynthia, Starlight is hugging her burying her face in Cynthia's neck. Cynthia gently held her there giving me a 'We will talk about this later' glare.

Getting the hint I got out of bed, and moved quickly to Cygnus to help him remain standing and nodded to her. "We'll make ourselves scarce for a bit, give you to a bit of time by yourselves." Before Cynthia could reply I get out the door holding on to Cygnus half dragging him along closing the door behind us. "I'm dead aren't I?"

"Ya think?" Cygnus said tiredly, "Damn Tex, you got yourself one hardcore griffin, I say that much." He leaned on me for support. "Ya mind helpin' me to the barracks?"

"I got a better idea how about we go to the spa and relax for a bit? It would help us both get over what we went through these two days. Sound good?"

"Eh, What the hell, why not. It's been a while sense I've been there, Aloe and Lotus will be surprised to see who I'm hanging around with though." I pondered what he said as we headed towards the front door of the castle.

"OH! I get it. It's cause I'm a changeling right?" He nodded in response. "Not to worry Cygnus, I can fix that. I'll do it before we get there for now it'll remain a surprise."

"A surprise? Are you kidding? You're kidding right?" I shake my head no and he continues. "What are you going to do?"

I chuckle at him and smile. "Too many questions have been asked of me today Cygnus. Just go with the flow for now."

Author's Note

Extra long chapter cause it's that time of year. Merry Christmas and a happy new year. If you'd like a better description of StarLight take SweetieBelle make her hair straight, and a pure silver color with purple eyes. Her voice is like a young Fluttershy if you can imagine that. I'd recommend rereading with this knowledge for a better addition to StarLight's voice and give a bit more character I think. :3 happy reading all youz out there. Your comments and suggestions are looked into so if ya see something that can be made better be sure to comment or IM me!