Shapeshifter (The Fugitive)

The shapeshifters are an unnamed alien species capable of changing their appearance and achieving other feats involving molecular deconstruction and reorganization, hailing from a planet unknown to Humans.

Biology
In their default appearance, the shapeshifters appear physically indistinguishable from humans. They are capable of changing their appearance into exact copies of any lifeform within seconds, even able to drastically change size and sprout new limbs. This species is also capable of manipulating molecular structures of objects, which may explain their own ability to gain or lose mass, but they also appear incapable of manipulating other lifeforms. It is possible that they are only able to manipulate themselves and inanimate objects. A member of this species exhibited super strength, enough to hit a baseball into an altitude impossible for a human to replicate, but it is unknown if this is the result of their abilities or their default strength level. While the lifespan of the shapeshifters is unknown, it is known that they can visibly age, seen by the contrast of Old Ben's true appearance and the visages of his pursuers, although over the course of thousands of years.

Culture and society
The shapeshifters are ruled by a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with an organization known as the Council operating as the legislative branch of the government. The Council is known to be able to override the authority of the monarch, and while it appears to be able to run the government without a monarch, the monarch appears to retain some authority, and remains an essential component to the government. In addition, the shapeshifter's government is known to be bogged down with red tape. While a monarchy, the rulers appear to be elected, or otherwise appointed, rather than being chosen by blood. According to Old Ben, a monarch must rule for at least 5,000 years. After that time has elapsed, the monarch is to appoint a successor. It is known that members of other species are capable of entering the shapeshifter society, even able to marry into the current royalty, although the red tape present in their government would usually not allow such a thing to happen.

Technology
The shapeshifters are known to have some form of space travel, presumably faster-than-light travel given the implied distance between their homeworld and Earth. They are also known to have a handheld device that is capable of replicating their own molecular manipulation abilities, although able to affect other lifeforms, such as Humans. The devices resemble small poles with a cup-like component on its end, with several straight, rigid, rod-like appendages on the rim of the cup. When active, the cup spins, with the rods pointing outwards, with a light coming from its center. While active, the device appears to be able to short out nearby power sources, and while often used at very close range, it is able to affect targets from some distance away.

History
After a thousand years of ruling, the current shapeshifter monarch, discontent with the bureaucracy present in his government and overwhelmed by the responsibility, abandoned his post as king and fled to another planet. He was pursued by agents of the government, intent on getting him back. Despite the fact that he was ultimately unable to handle the responsibility, he remained essential to the government, was one of the best kings the shapeshifters had in a long time, and was a favored by the people. He eventually took refuge on Earth in the 1960s, taking on the appearance of an elderly human by the name of Old Ben, and living in a small town in the US. He would often use his alien abilities to perform "magic" tricks for Human children, and formed a close bond with a young girl named Jenny, who walks with a leg brace.

Appearances

 * The Twilight Zone, s03e25, "The Fugitive" (1962)