I Never Want To Lose It

The sound of faint beeping could be heard along with the smell of disinfectant and anti-septics. Though exceptionally tired, Connor could still make out the smells and sounds. He couldn't as of yet see anything as his eyes were too heavy and he felt drained of energy, like he'd ran a marathon of marathon's.

Memories of the previous night came back as he remembered the pain in his back and him running to the throne room before collapsing. He doesn't remember anything after that but judging by the sounds and smells he can see and hear, and the seemingly soft bed he got the impression he was in hospital.

Something felt a little off to him though he couldn't quite work out what. Like when a teacher walks into the classroom and all the students are sat quietly in their chairs waiting for the teacher, denying they were up to something when asked by the teacher. The teacher knows they were up to something but doesn't know what.

He again tried to open his eyes but was unable to do so. He tried moving his body but again it came to nothing.

He couldn't do anymore other than just lay as he was, hoping someone would come along eventually and explain everything.

Fortunately, he wasn't waiting long.

Hearing the sound of hooves he decided to speak up, "Hello, whoever you are can you explain what's going on?"

The startled nurse jumped in fright, "Oh my, I didn't know you're awake. I must inform the doctor and Princesses immediately."

"Wait, could you please explain what going on and why I feel so strange?"

"I'm sorry but I have clear instructions from Princess Celestia that she is to be the one to explain everything."

Connor sighed tiredly, "OK, but please hurry."

"I'll try not to be too long."

Connor could hear the sound of hooves getting fainter and fainter, leaving him alone again. Feeling a little tense he decided to stretch his limbs. He stretched out his arms slowly and almost immediately felt something was very wrong.

He couldn't feel his fingers.

His heartbeat slowly started to raise as he tentatively lowered his arms and moved one arm over the other. He slowly moved one arm towards the other and felt something very.....unhuman.

What he felt was soft and furry before ending at the end with a harder feel.

Connor's heartbeat slowly got faster as decided to feel the other arm. He felt the same furry and hard things as before which caused Connor to start worrying something fierce.

Please...no. This better not be what I think it is. I really hope not.

He again, tentatively raised his arms to his face and what he felt all but confirmed his worries.

What he felt on his face was a muzzle.

Humans don't have muzzles.

Realising what was going on he started to hyperventilate, causing his heart rate sky rocket resulting in alarms on the heart monitor to go off. The sound of thundering hooves rushing into the room followed moments later.

"CONNOR!" shouted the unmistakable voice of Celestia.

The Princess rushed to the bedside and spoke in a firm but calming voice, "Connor! I know you're frightened but I need you to calm down."

"WHAT'S GOING ON?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" he cried out on anger.

To Celestia, this question clearly implied that Connor was aware of what happened, or at the very least had a feeling something was different. She gently draped a wing around Connor and spoke in a calm and gentle tone in a way only she could.

"Connor, I promise I will explain everything but you must calm down."

Connor could feel Celestia's wing around him, her soft wings and soothing voice calming him down in a few seconds. His breathing steadied and he felt much calmer, he wasn't sure why but something in Celestia's voice made him feel safe and protected.

Looking down at the calmed down Connor, Celestia spoke again.

"Are you feeling calmer?"

"Yes Princess. Sorry for yelling at you."

"You have nothing to apologise for, your distress is entirely understandable."

Connor remained silent as he composed himself for the elephant in the room.

"I'm a pony aren't I?"

The bluntness of the question threw Celestia off slightly but she quickly recovered. Sighing deeply, she gave the answer.

"Yes."

"Why can't I see?"

"The nurses placed bandages around your eyes as a precautionary measure in case you suddenly woke up and started to.....panic when you saw...."

Celestia didn't need to finish that sentence.

"Can you remove it please?"

"Of course, close your eyes."

Connor closed his eyes and felt the bandages being removed.

"OK, you can open your eyes now," said Celestia softly.

Connor slowly opened his eyes and bright light slowly faded as everything came into focus. He looked around the room and he saw everything in much higher detail than before. It was like his vision had gone from Standard Definition to High Definition.

"Connor, are you OK?" asked a concerned Celestia.

Connor looked over the Princess and nodded his head, "I'm OK, more or less."

Celestia smiled softly, "That is good to hear. We realise this is going to be difficult and none of us will pretend to know what you're going through right now, but know that we will be here to help you."

Connor simply nodded as he started looking over himself. He had dark maroon fur, brown eyes and a black spiky mane and tail.

Bloody hell I have a tail.

Connor played with his new appendage by scooping it up in his hoof and letting it fall to the bed. He did this several times which brought out small giggles form Celestia.

Connor looked to Celestia with a scowl.

"My apologies Connor, but it was quite adorable to see you do that."

"Thanks. How do I use it anyway?"

"It will come to you naturally I presume."

Connor sighed and decided to get straight to business, "How did I become a pony?"

"My theory is that when Twilight cast the Wing Spell on you, she unintentionally activated your dormant Pegasus genes. Why you have been transformed though is a mystery, there is still a lot about magic we still don't understand."

Connor looked at Celestia with a blank expression, "What Pegasus genes?"

"We have discovered you have Pegasus DNA within you. They have remained dormant until recently, our guess is they started to activate after you arrived in Equestria."

Connor nodded in understanding, "That would explain my cloud-walking ability."

Celestia nodded in agreement, "Yes it does. My personal guess is Twilight activated the rest of your Pegasus genes and sped the process up."

Connor cocked an eyebrow, "Sped the process up?"

Celestia nodded, "From the readings we took from you we believe this would have eventually happened. Twilight just sped the process up, albeit unintentionally."

Connor could only sit there, from what he could tell becoming a pony was inevitable.

"Why do I have pony DNA?"

Celestia sighed and looked at Connor with a sympathetic expression, "I think you already know the answer to that."

Connor looked down at his hooves, "My mother."

"Your mother," repeated Celestia, "While you have been unconscious I have looked into the matter and I believe I have some answers for you."

"What answers?"

"You are correct in your assumptions about your parents. Your mother was indeed a Pegasus by the name of Star Light."

Connors' vision became blurry as tears started to form. He felt Celestia's fetlock wrap around him and pull him closer to her. He buried his face into her and wrapped his hooves tightly around her neck.

"I was right," he sobbed, "I knew it."

Celestia just stood there and smiled gently as her newest little pony cried his eyes out, gently stroking the top of his head. After a couple of minutes he stopped crying and pulled himself from Celestia. She dried his eyes with a tissue

"Would you like something to eat?" asked one of the nurses.

"Some vegetable soup, some bread and a glass of water please," he replied.

"I'll have them sent to you," she replied as she left the room.

Connor and Celestia were left alone together. The Princess looked at the little pony on the bed and had to admit he was quite cute and adorable. She would have to tread lightly though, this has most likely scared him a great deal and he'll need a lot of support from his friends to get through it. She would need to make an announcement to Equestria of course, let the populace know that the Connor the Human is now a pony.

She felt sorry for him. He didn't ask for this, to be forcefully changed into a different species against your will.....it goes against the very sanctity of harmony itself. The only reason she could think why he changed into a pony was because the natural magic of Equestria sensed his Pegasus genes and believed they were correcting an abnormality. Which is technically true since Connor would have been born a pony had events turned out differently.

"I've brought you your soup and water."

Connor and Celestia looked towards the nurse who brought the soup and water. She placed it on the trolley and rolled the trolley up to Connor.

"It smells nice," Connor observed.

"Indeed it does. Enjoy and remember if you need anything just ring the bell."

"Yes ma'am," he replied with a smile and mock salute.

The nurse giggled and left Connor to his soup.

He immediately encountered a problem.

He's not used to handling things with hooves. He tried to hold the spoon but couldn't grasp it. After several futile attempts Celestia picked the spoon up with her magic and offered her assistance.

Connor reluctantly agreed.

The soup did taste nice and the smell filling his nose seemed fuller than before, no doubt due to his heightened pony senses. Connor felt less groggy than before but he was still a little queasy.

"Are you feeling better Connor?"

"A little."

"Excellent. I spoke to the doctor earlier, he's allowing you to leave when you're feeling up to it."

"OK, I may as well go now. No point in staying cooped up in a hospital."

"Indeed. You have been here for two days after all."

Connor's eyes widened in surprise, "TWO DAYS!"

Celestia giggled, "Yes. It is now Wednesday."

"Do the others know?"

"Yes, as does Spitfire. They are all devastated at what's happened, Twilight believes she is at fault due to the spell she cast on you. It took a while but I managed to convince her she did nothing wrong."

"I'll have to talk to her myself."

"I shall contact them and let them know you are awake. Now, how about a walk in the gardens?"

"Sure, it looks nice outside."

Connor got off his haunches and shakily kept his balance on his four legs. He moved one of his forelegs forward followed by a hind leg, that is as far as he got before losing his balance and collapsing into the bed.

"It looks like I'll have to learn how to walk again."

"There is time for that later," she said gently as she levitated him onto her back, "Now let us go for our walk."

Connor rested on Celestia's back, with his hooves wrapped around her neck, as she walked out of the hospital. Connor thanked the doctors and nurses as the passed them to which they acknowledged gracefully.

Celestia slowly walked through the castle corridors away from the castle hospital towards the gardens, as they did they passed several of the guards and maids. Whilst the guards remained stoic and unresponsive, the maids couldn't help but make innocent comments about Connor.

"Awww he looks sooo cute."

"He's adorable."

These comments made him blush and try to hide behind Celestia's mane.

It only succeeded in drawing more 'cute' and 'adorable' comments. Celestia and Connor entered the garden and made their way over to a large oak tree. Celestia lit up her horn and a blanket appeared, she levitated Connor gently down on onto the blanket where he sat on his haunches followed quickly by Celestia.

She lit up her horn again and a large wicker basket appeared, opening it up Connor saw it was filled with cakes and pastries. Celestia levitated out several plates and placed the cakes and pastries onto them, followed by two empty plates for herself and Connor. Within a minute a maid arrived with a large pot of tea and set it down on the ground.

"Thank you Dusty."

"You're welcome Princess."

Dusty walked away merrily while Celestia poured herself and Connor a cup of tea with  milk and sugar. Connor took the liberty of filling his plate with cakes much to the delight of Celestia who quickly followed suit.

"This is a nice place," commented Connor, noting the serene surroundings.

"Indeed it is. The garden ponies do a wonderful job in maintaining it."

"Do you come into the garden often?"

"Not as often as I'd like to," she replied a little sad, "But enough about me, how are you?"

"I'm not too bad, all things considered," he replied carefully taking a sip of tea, holding the cup with both hooves.

"That is good to hear, if you ever do need help please don't hesitate to ask. Myself, Luna and the rest of your friends will do anything they can to help you."

"I'm sure I'll be OK. Besides, had my mother not appeared in my world I would've been born a pony anyway. In a way I'm back into my normal form."

"In a way, yes. But you grew up entirely as a human."

Connor sighed, "It probably won't dawn on me how different things will be until later, but for now I'd just like to enjoy a nice cup of tea in the presence of a beautiful princess."

Connor's eyes immediately went wide.

Way to go brainiac, you've been a pony for less than two days and you've already mucked it up. Clap clap Einstein.

"Thank you kindly my little pony," she replied as she kissed the top of his head.

After several seconds Connor's brain rebooted itself and normal operating procedures resumed, "You're welcome Princess."

Connor didn't mind being referred to as a little pony, technically it was true. He had noticed everything looked a little bigger than before, due to him no longer being over six feet high. Another thing he felt was the feeling of security when he was around the Princess.

When he was around her as a human he never really worried about his safety but in the short time in her presence as a pony, he felt safe and that the Princess would protect him no matter what.

"Have you tried unfurling your wings yet?"

"My wings?" he asked in confusion.

Celestia pointed to his side where he noticed his red feathery appendages, "MY WNGS!"

He excitedly jumped up and down trying to unfurl them, after a few seconds he managed to do so.

"They look splendid Connor, and quite large for a pony your size."

"I'll have to ask Rainbow and Spitfire for flying lessons. I'm sure they won't mind, I'll ask them when I see them back in Ponyville."

"Why don't you ask us now?" came a familiar voice.

Connor looked round to the source of the voice and spotted the Main Six, Spike and Spitfire.

"Milkshake?"

Before he could react Spitfire launched herself into Connor and hugged the life out of him, tears streaming down her face.

"I was so worried about you, when I heard what happened I didn't know what to do."

"It's OK," Connor replied, "I'm fine now and I'll get through this."

The two ponies continued to hug and nuzzle each other, oblivious to their audience, "You look good as a pony," commented Spitfire.

"Thanks," Connor replied.

"Your mane looks a bit like Soarin's," observed Spitfire.

Connor laughed, "I'm sure he won't mind."

The two let go of each other and sat back down on the blanket along with the others, who now had their own tea and cakes. Connor sat close to his special somepony, very close.

"Hey Connor, you're looking awesome," said Rainbow Dash enthusiastically trying to keep Connor's spirits up.

"You look quite a handsome young colt if I may say so," added Rarity.

"Thanks girls. Though I feel like I should apologise to Rarity though."

"Whatever for darling?" asked a confused Rarity.

"Well you made that Wonderbolts flight suit for me and now, I won't be bale to wear it anymore. You made all that effort to make it and I only used if for a couple of days."

"You don't need to apologise darling, what happened was out of your control."

"Thanks Rarity," Connor replied, "Besides, I did feel great when wearing it."

"So did I," added Spitfire, "It certainly showed off your physique."

Connor was thankful his fur was maroon otherwise his blush would have shown through.

"Thanks Spitfire. You don't look too bad yourself in your outfit."

"Well in that case I'll wear it more often," she replied with a sultry smile.

Deciding to change the subject before he became all hot and bothered he looked up to Twilight and noticed she was looking a little glum, "Hey Twilight, you OK?"

Twilight looked up, "Of course I'm OK, why wouldn't I be?"

Connor could see straight through her lie, she was clearly upset at what had transpired and letting her know he didn't hold her at fault was important to him. She had to know he still thought of her as a friend, "It's not your fault what happened Twilight, I don't blame you. In fact I'm quite thankful."

Twilight cocked an eyebrow, "Thankful?"

"What's happened to me has irrefutably confirmed my suspicions that there was more to my parents than they let on. My dad would never discuss the matter and my mum obviously had something to hide."

"Are you angry with them?" asked Twilight.

"Yes and No. Yes because they kept such important information from me, but no because I believe they did what they thought was best."

"Do you have family in Equestria?"

Connor shrugged his shoulders, "Errrrr...I...don't know."

"I believe I can answer that," said Celestia, "Follow me everypony."

The gathered ponies all got up and followed Celestia, Connor stumbled a couple of times but quickly gained control. To him walking on all fours wasn't to different from crawling. He followed the Princess with the others through the castle into one of the many reception rooms. The Princess instructed the ponies to wait on the room while she went to get something.

Connor sat on his haunches on the floor next to Spitfire, patiently waiting for the Princess to return.

Whilst the others talked amongst themselves Connor just sat quietly.

That quietness was abruptly ended when the reception room doors opened showing Celestia and two other ponies. A tall charcoal Pegasus about the same size as Luna, and a smaller Pegasus that looked like...

"CARA?!" shouted Connor in surprise.

Cara launched herself forwards towards Connor, pile-driving into him hugging him very tightly and crying her eyes out. The impact knocked Connor onto his back.

"Cara what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

Cara  pulled her head back slightly and looked into Connors' eyes, tears still falling from her own.

"Nothing's wrong," she replied.

"Then why are you crying?"

"Because......because you're my baby brother."

Connor went numb.

This couldn't be happening could it?

"Your brother?" he asked on the verge of tears.

The tears started again as Cara hugged Connor with all her might.

"I never want to lose you again baby brother," she cried, "Never again."

Connor pulled Cara closer and hugged her harder, "And you never will."

Tears started falling from Connor's eyes as the two siblings affectionately embraced each other. Connor looked up to notice the stallion from before approach.

"Connor," started Celestia softly, "Allow me to introduce Vulcan."

The charcoal Pegasus stepped forwards closer to the siblings.

"Connor, as the Princess stated, I am Vulcan."

Connor saw tears were forming in his eyes to.

"I...I am..."

The floodgates opened as Vulcan burst into tears and joined the hug. A confused Connor looked at Vulcan, then Cara and then to Celestia who he saw was smiling. Connecting the dots he came to a conclusion.

"Dad?"

Vulcan looked Connor, his vision blurred from tears.

"It is good to finally see you...son."

Connor immediately put a foreleg around Vulcan, now embracing both his sister and father.

The trio continued to embrace each other for a minute longer before finally releasing each other.

Cara looked at Connor and went back to her usual bubbly self, "You look different to when I last saw you."

"Yeah," laughed Connor, "I think there's something funny in the water here."

Cara gave a light laugh, as did the other ponies in the room.

"This is unbelievable," continued Connor, "There's so much happening I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything," said Cara softly as she nuzzled he little brother, "Just enjoy the moment."

"I HAVE AN IDEA! WHY DON'T WE HAVE A PARTY!"

"A party sounds a fantastic way to celebrate Pinkie Pie," replied Celestia gently, "Why don't you go to the kitchen and liaise with the cooks and prepare a banquet of cakes. We can have a the party tonight, present company invited of course."

"Can Luna and Shining come? And what about the Wonderbolts?" asked Connor.

"I will ask Luna when she awakens later. As for Shining Armour, he is currently away on duty. And I will leave it to Group Captain Spitfire to invite the Wonderbolts."

"I'll get right on it Princess," replied Spitfire, "I'll see you tonight Connor."

She gave Connor a peck on the cheek and flew away out of the room.

"Bye Milkshake."

Connor looked to the other ponies when he noticed them giving him odd looks.

"What?" he asked confused.

"Milkshake?" asked Cara on the verge of a giggle fit.

Connor went wide-eyed and face hooved. He just called Spitfire by his pet name for her.

"Err....yeah. It's.....my pet name for Spitfire," he said scuffing the carpet with a hoof and avoiding eye contact with everyone.

"Awwwww, my little baby brother is in love," teased Cara as she hugged Connor.

Conner rolled his eyes in mock annoyance and returned the hug, he could see from her cheery smile that her antics would bring great amusement to him. The two siblings released each other from their embrace and focussed their attention back on everyone else.

"So, what happens now?" asked Connor.

"What happens now my little pony is you all shall go and enjoy yourself in Canterlot while Pinkie Pie prepares tonight's party."

"Right away Princess," said an excited Pinkie Pie as she bolted away out of the room and towards the palace kitchens.

"Well little brother, shall we?" asked Cara she pointed towards the door with a hoof.

"Of course, big sister," he replied nuzzling her.

The two siblings walked out together side by side followed by Vulcan, Spike and the Main Six sans Pinkie.

"Twilight," Celestia said quietly, "A word with you quickly."

Twilight walked over to her mentor, curious as to what she wanted.

"Yes Princess?"

"I'd like you to keep an eye on Connor. Whilst he panicked a small bit upon realising he was a pony, I am concerned he may fall into depression. Suddenly becoming a pony when he has lived his life as a human could have caused problems we are unaware of."

"I'll watch him Princess and make sure he's OK."

"Thank you Twilight. But remember, whilst being a Pony is his true form, he has lived his life as a human. He may find it hard to adjust to being a pony."

"I promise we'll do everything we can to help him."

"Thank you Twilight. I have some paperwork to sort out so I will see you tonight at the party, go and enjoy yourselves with your friends."

"I will do. I'll see you tonight Princess."

The two nuzzled each other and went their separate ways. Twilight quickly caught up with the gang whilst Celestia went to her study to arrange a special gift for a special friend.