I Never Want To Lose It

Connor sighed internally. He stood alone outside the banqueting hall inside Canterlot Castle, mentally preparing himself for the party that awaited him. He didn't particularly feel like a party but Pinkie is..........insistent. The trip into Canterlot earlier went more or less smoothly. Connor quickly got the hang of walking on four legs and being a lot shorter than before. Being a pony though, felt both right and wrong to him. Right as it was his true form but wrong in that he was born human and lived his entire life as one.

Connor was given a tour of Canterlot and what he saw impressed him, when he was first in the city he only saw a small part of it. The tour took his mind off becoming a pony but reality kicked in again. He started worrying about adapting to his new form and what he would now do with his life, he couldn't exactly return to Earth now even of he wanted to. He spoke to Spitfire and it was mutually agreed that Connor wouldn't be the Wonderbolts' Events Manager. Connor had enough to deal with right now and the last thing he needed was a job with a lot of responsibilities.

The girls, Vulcan and Spike though all agreed to give Connor their full support. Applejack even promised Connor a job at the farm which he accepted. But back to the matter at hoof, he stood staring at the floor waiting to be invited inside.

Just remember, enjoy yourself now and have a mental breakdown later.

His ears twitched as he heard the door open. He looked up and saw Cara walk out.

"Hi Cara."

"Hiya Connor," she replied giving him a hug.

"So," Connor started, "Is it time to go inside?"

"Yep, come on in Baby Brother," she said gleefully.

Connor walked over to the door and went inside the dark room.

"SURPRISE!"

The lights came on  and in the room where the Princesses, Twilight and Co, Vulcan and the Wonderbolts. Connor wasn't surprised though. He knew what was going on hours ago. He was there when the party was suggested and agreed upon without his input. The next thing Connor saw was a pink blur bounce towards him.

"WHEREYOUSURPRISEDAREYOUEXCITEDDOYOULIKEBEINGACUDDLYPONYDOOYOU-"

"PINKIE!" Twilight yelled, holding Pinkie in her magic and levitating her away from Connor, "What did we say about bombarding Connor with questions?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes and groaned, "You said not to do it. Sorry Connor."

Connor laughed, "It's alright Pinkie. Apology accepted."

Connor walked over to the centre of the room and took in the decorations and the food. There was a lot of astronomy themed cakes again as well as Wonderbolt themed ones. Whilst salivating at the cakes a familiar voice spoke up.

"Hey Sleepyhead."

Connor turned around and saw Spitfire in her Wonderbolt flight suit.

She looks so good in that.

"Hiya Milkshake."

"What do you think of the set up?"

Connor took a look around the room. Whilst he may not particularly like parties, Pinkie did know how to arrange one.

"It looks great, Pinkie did a good job sorting it out."

"Indeed she did Connor," Celestia said approaching Connor, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm not too bad. Handling things better than I thought I would."

"That is good to hear, but remember if you ever need help then please don't hesitate to ask us for it."

"I'll remember that."

"Before we begin I would like to make an announcement to everypony first," Celestia said.

Celestia walked over to where all the food was laid out ready to be devoured by ponies and began speaking. Everypony was listening keenly to what she had to say.

"My little ponies, thank you for attending this party as we celebrate the return of one of Equestria's own. Connor, though born a human, has pony parents. His mother is the Pegasus Star Light who disappeared from Equestria many years ago, through unknown means she transformed into a human and gave birth to Connor. Connor lived his life as a human and until few days ago that is the only world he knew."

Celestia took a sip of tea before continuing.

"When Connor appeared in Equestria, he saw from his perspective a new life and a new civilization and boldly went where no human had gone before. Equestria. He very quickly made an impression on many of us and has already made many excellent friends. And a special somepony."

Connor blushed in embarrassment again and pretended he wasn't hearing anything, Spitfire kissed him on the cheek causing his blush to go redder.

Connor ignored the 'awww' coming from the assembled ponies.

"But he also met two other ponies who understandably believed they would never meet their long lost relative. Caramel Fudge and Vulcan, the sister and father of Connor, have been reunited with him in what is without doubt one of the finest moments of my reign."

Celestia slowly walked over to Connor. Spitfire was still stood next to him holding his hoof, Cara and Vulcan were stood next to him as well.

"Connor, as you are the offspring off Equestrian citizens and would have been yourself had things happened differently; I see no problem with granting you this."

She teleported into view official looking documents and continued to speak.

"Connor Wakefield, I Princess Celestia; Sol Invictus of the Sun and Diarch of the Day, do hereby grant you full Equestrian Citizenship and all the rights it pertains."

She levitated over a small booklet. Connor looked at it and it was an Equestrian Passport, with his mugshot in the back.

I guess that explains why the girls insisted on going in that photo booth earlier.

Connor took the passport and looked through it. It looked like the British Passport of old with blue covers. It had his D.O.B. according to the Equestrian calendar. The day and month were the same but instead of 1990 is was 975 ANM (After Nightmare Moon). He would be celebrating his 25th birthday in the same year as Luna's return, 1000ANM.

Connor felt a hoof gently pull his chin up and he saw a pony smiling. It was Celestia.

"Welcome home my little pony."

Connor's vision started to blur.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

He firmly hugged her forelegs, a few tears falling down his cheek. The feeling of acceptance and belonging overwhelmed him, he truly felt like he belonged here. He felt like he fit in and could achieve anything in Equestria. Maybe he could even join the Wonderbolts one day as a performer.

"Thank you Princess."

Celestia gently stroked Connors back, "You're welcome Connor."

After a few seconds Connor let go of Celestia and went back to Spitfire.

"So, what are we going to do now?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"WE'RE GOING TO PARTY!" yelled Pinkie, blasting everyone's hearing away.

She launched herself at the tables and started filling up a plate by throwing pastries into the air and catching them with a plate with speed and pin-point accuracy.  She wasn't even looking at where she was throwing.

Connor just watched until he felt something touch his hoof. He looked down to see it was Spitfire. Clearly implying she wanted to hold his hoof he lifted it high enough for her to grab. It was an odd sensation holding hooves, the closest Connor could compare it to would be how you hold hands for an arm wrestle.

He looked at the held hooves and then up to Spitfire who was smiling warmly. He didn't realise he was staring at her.

"Are you going to say something Sleepyhead?" she asked.

Connor gave an answer before actually thinking about it first, "Your hoof feels nice."

Spitfire's eyebrow's went up in surprise, "Not exactly what I expected but thanks anyway."

She gave him a kiss in the cheek causing him to blush profusely, fortunately his dark red fur camouflaged it. Spitfire laughed a little bit and took Connor over to the tables where they filled plated up with food, mostly cake.

Connor sat at a table with Spitfire, Cara and Vulcan. Each had their plates piled high with cakes and pastries, Connor and Spitfire unsurprisingly shared a super mega extra large banana milkshake complete with scoops of banana ice cream.

"So Connor," Cara started, "How does it feel to be a pony?"

"Strange, it feels right and at the same time wrong."

"I guess that makes sense considering your situation."

He looked at his hooves and sighed, "I miss having fingers though, playing the piano will be harder with hooves."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much," Cara said comfortingly, "There are pony versions of pianos you can play on."

Connor was intrigued. He wasn't sure how a pony could play complex musical pieces with only two hooves, it would be like a human playing with only one hand. Yeah you can put a tune together but nothing complex.

"I'll have to give it a try sometime."

"So what are your plans Connor?" asked Vulcan.

"I'm not too sure, go back to Ponyville for the time being and get used to being a pony. Learn how to fly and try to settle down in my new life."

"So what do you do for a living?" asked Connor.

"I'm a retired blacksmith of the Royal Equestrian Air Force. I mostly made armour and weapons for Pegasi soldiers."

"Officer or soldier?"

"Officer. Retired with the rank of Group Captain."

Just like dad......this is going to be awkward.

"Connor," continued Vulcan, "I realise this is awkward for you, it is to me as well. Biologically we are father and son, but I feel wrong in calling you it by which I mean I wasn't in your life until very recently. And by the same token I wouldn't feel right if you called me dad, I didn't raise you and as such have no right to be called as such by you."

"I understand what you mean. Honestly I feel like if I called you dad that I would be disrespecting my.....step dad....," Connor ended prematurely with a sigh.

"Connor," Vulcan said intervening, "You don't have to refer to your stepdad as such, you can call him dad, I won't mind."

"Are you sure, you won't be offended?"

"I'm sure. It's clear he's done a good job raising you, your mother too no doubt," he paused for a moment as he remembered the last day with his wife.

"She's doing well, she's a brilliant mother and an excellent cook. No-one ever went hungry in my house."

Vulcan laughed heartily, "Yeah that sounds like Star Light alright. Such a cute little thing she was when I met her."

"Now that I know she was originally a pony it would explain her vegetarianism, she would try to convert me to it but I could never join the dark side. I like my bacon sandwiches too much."

"You eat meat?" asked Vulcan inquisitively.

"Yep. Spitfire told me Pegasi occasionally eat Tuna."

Vulcan nodded, "We do, in addition to other fish as well. We can consume other meat also but we tend not to, Earth ponies and Unicorns get real squeamish for some reason when they see us eating meat. They can consume meat but they choose not to."

"Oh well, more meat for us."

Vulcan grinned, "That's what I like to hear. Tell you what, when you're feeling up to it why not visit us in Cloudsdale. There's a great fish restaurant I visit every week, you don't have to come but it would mean a great deal to me if you did."

"Sure, I'd love to. Can Spitfire and Cara come?"

"Course they can, we could go next week if you like?"

"Sure, I'll look forward to it. Do they do Tuna or haddock?"

Vulcan nodded, "The best in Cloudsdale"

Connor loved Tuna baguettes. On Earth he would get freshly baked baguettes and fill them completely with lots of Tuna. Just Tuna, no salad in sight to ruin the taste.

They continued to talk a while more, periodically joined by other ponies in attendance including the other Wonderbolts. They were disappointed that Connor decided not to be their Events Manager but understood his decision and agreed for now it was the best decision. They did challenge him to join the Wonderbolts one day as a performer. Connor declined saying he wouldn't be good enough, but after a few chicken noises from Rainbow Dash he quickly changed his mind and accepted their challenge.

As Spitfire lived at the Academy and had no other accommodation of her own, Rainbow Dash offered to let Connor live with her in her cloud house. Connor was reluctant as he felt it unkind and rude to leave Twilight so soon but she was cool with it, as was Spitfire. Rainbow was excited about Connor moving in as not only did she have a new flying buddy, she potentially had a new partner in pranking.

The rest of the party went like any other Pinkie party. Celestia ate more cakes than everypony else and Luna fiercely hoarded the Jammie Dodgers, only sharing them with Connor and her pet Opossum Tiberius. Connor wondered if he should have a pet, maybe a lion called Montacord.

Connor laughed at that, it would be brilliant to unleash him at unwanted double-glazing salesman.

His good spirits though were ruined by a familiar voice.

"What is going on here?"

Everypony sighed and turned to see Blueblood. He strutted in and scowled.

"Did you not hear me peasants? I demanded to know what is going on and I order you to answer me!"

Everypony was gritting their teeth at Blueblood's behaviour. They were all getting sick and tired of his crap, looking down on everypony as if they were beneath him. One day Karma will strike.

Not getting an answer he looked around the room and spotted Connor, though Blueblood was unaware it was him. All he saw was an adult blank flank.

"You there, the simpleton blank flank, what is going on here?"

Connor scowled and looked over to see Celestia about to roast Blueblood, but a look from Connor asked her to stay back.

"ANSWER ME YOU BLANK FLANK FOOL!"

Connor decided to have a little fun.

"You talking to me?" he asked imitating Robert De Niro.

"YES I AM TALKING TO YOU, YOU WITLESS CRETIN!"

"Oh silly me," Connor replied chuckling and shaking his head, "Why didn't you say so?"

"I DID SAY SO MANY TIMES BLANK FLANK! NOW I ORDER YOU TO TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON!"

"You walk into a room full of ponies and cakes and you don't know what's going on, and you call me a witless cretin?"

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT COMMONER!"

"That's exactly how you talk to everypony else."

"I am Royalty. I can speak to anypony how ever I please."

Connor sighed, "You've got your head so far up your own arse you could chew your food twice."

There were a sea of open mouths at Connor's insult with some of the ponies, notably Rainbow, Cara, Spitfire, the Wonderbolts and Luna all trying their best not to burst out laughing. Blueblood however, went ape-shit.

"HOW DARE YOU!"

Blueblood swung a hoof and was about to strike when he felt his hoof in a magical hold. He tried to fight it but whoever the caster was was very strong.

"WHOEVER IS CASTING MAGIC I ORDER YOU TO STOP AT ONCE!"

"You do not give me orders Blueblood," came the venomous tone of Celestia.

Blueblood looked like he was about to lay a chocolate egg.

"Auntie Celestia, I didn't realise-"

"SILENCE!" boomed Celestia.

The entire room fell silent. Blueblood seemed to go a pale shade of white, quite a feet given he already has white fur.

"You will leave this room this instant and return to your bedchambers, is that clear?"

Blueblood nodded, "Yes Auntie Celestia."

Celestia released Blueblood from her hold and bolted for the door. With Blueblood now gone Celestia walked over to Connor.

"Are you OK?"

"I'm fine Princess, don't worry."

Celestia simply nodded and went off to get more cake. Luna and the others could no longer contain their laughter and lost control, filling the room with hair curling belly laughs.

"THAT WAS AN AWESOME INSULT CONNOR!" yelled Rainbow.

"Whilst I don't condone such language I must say it was nice to see that ruffian put in his place," added Rarity.

"Well I wasn't going to take his crap, besides, compared to some other 'ruffians' I've dealt with in the past he got off lightly."

Raised eyebrows from many ponies wondered what that implied.

"What did you do to these other 'ruffians'?" asked Cara.

Connor sighed. They wouldn't like to hear it and it may give Celestia reason to consider him a threat. But in for a penny in for a pound. Besides, he didn't have to tell every detail, just the juicy bits. Sighing he started his explanation.

"Long story short I got bullied a lot at school for reasons I'd rather not go into. The other children at school found out something about me and I was mercilessly bullied for it. It happened for years until I went to a different school. In my teens when I was at yet another different school, where I had an unfriendly reunion with the same bullies who wasted no time in spreading around the school the 'hilarious' details about me."

"That is awful, didn't the teachers or your parents do anything to stop the bullying?" asked Cara.

"They did what they could but it made the situation worse. It got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore."

"What happened?" asked an increasingly concerned Celestia.

"One day after a PE lesson, we were getting changed in the dressing room. One of the bullies asked a condescending question in relation to something about me and my mother, the other students all laughed at me."

"What happened after he said that?" asked Spitfire

Connor paused for a moment, "I punched him in the face, hard. Broke his nose in the process."

All the ponies gasped in shock.

"It didn't stop there," Connor continued.

"What do you mean?" asked Spitfire.

"I proceeded to punch and kick him hard. I absolutely beat the crap out of him. He ended up in hospital with a broken nose, a dislocated jaw, bruising on his torso and arms and a black eye. Oh and I knocked one of his teeth out."

The ponies were shocked. They would never have expected such violence from Connor but after years of bullying, it was only a matter of time before he snapped.

"What happened to you afterwards?" asked Cara.

"I got suspended from school but no criminal charges where brought against me. Something about my dad having connections in high places. Surprisingly my parents didn't ground me, though they didn't condone what I did they understood I put up with the bullies' crap for years and something would have happened eventually. If I'm being honest I got the feeling my dad was secretly pleased I took no crap from a loud mouth."

"Well, at least the bullying stopped," she replied, "It did stop didn't it?"

"Oh yeah. After I went back to school the bullies never bothered me again. If anything they were terrified of me, I don't think they ever expected someone like me to beat the crap out of them."

"Indeed not. You haven't resorted to such measures again have you?"

"No, that was just a one off."

"That is reassuring to hear," Celestia said, "Though I don't approve of violence, your methods in this instance worked. That and things work differently on Earth, so a 'Pony' approach will probably have failed."

"What would a 'Pony' approach entail?" asked Connor, genuinely intrigued.

"Talking to your bullies and offering them the magic of friendship."

Connor just blinked, "You're kidding?"

"No. Is that not a viable option on Earth?"

Connor shook his head, "If you went up to someone on my world and offered them the 'magic of friendship' you more than likely wouldn't get a friendly response."

"What response would I get?" asked Celestia.

"You'd get told to fuck off."

Connor's bluntness shocked the ponies. We're humans really that cold and unfriendly?

"It's not that we don't like you," he continued, "We just don't want to be friends with everyone we meet. And where I'm from you don't become friends straight off the bat, instead friendships are forged over time."

This clarification seemed to ease the ponies worries as it seemed from the way Connor explained it, humans much preferred to establish long time friendships that meant something.

The party went on some more with Connor speaking to the others, including thanking Pinkie for organising the party. She was appreciative of the gratitude if the body crushing hug was anything to go by. Connor made sure to stop by the kitchen later and thank the culinary staff also, people too often forget the work that goes on behind the scenes.

The party guests played a few games including 'Pin the Tail on the Pony' and 'Pony Piñata', the latter of which Connor won. He was particularly pleased with the large bag of Rhubarb and Custard sweets that fell out, made by Bon Bon.

On the subject of sweets, Connor was roped into occasionally helping Cara out at her fudge shop. He was reluctant but the not-bribe of free mint and chocolate fudge persuaded him otherwise. He would still be able to work at Sweet Apple Acres as well allowing him to increase his income.

Connor was laying on a soft cushion eating a Wonderbolt themed slice of cake when he felt something rest on him. He looked down and saw Spitfire resting her head on his side. Looking up he saw other ponies holding a hoof to their mouths trying not to laugh at the adorable sight.

Connor looked down to Spitfire, "Do I look like a pillow?"

"No," Spitfire mumbled, "But you feel like one."

Connor couldn't disagree with that, he fur did feel soft and cuddly.

"How are you Milkshake?" he asked with a smile.

"I feel great," she replied snuggling closer to Connor, "What about you?"

"Definitely handling things better than I thought I would. That might change though in the future."

"Well if you ever need support, just remember I'll help you. The same goes for the other 'Bolts and your other friends."

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied eating some more cake, "Spits, do you think I could visit the Wonderbolt Academy sometime?"

Spitfire sat up and placed a hoof on her chin in thought, "Yeah sure, why not. Family and close relations are allowed to visit."

"Thanks Spits," he replied smiling and nuzzling her cheek.

Spitfire's Wonderbolt flight suit hid her blush.

The party went on until the late hours by which time almost everypony was asleep. Celestia levitated Twilight and Co to their guest quarters whilst the 'Bolts made their way to their barracks. Connor and Spitfire went to Connor's bedroom. Sitting himself down on the bed, he watched Spitfire as she removed her flight suit.

"Spits, can I ask a favour?" he asked nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Sure," she happily replied as she put the suit in a duffel bag.

"Could you......preen my wings?"

Spitfire just stared at Connor. To be asked to do something so personal was no small thing. She looked at his wing and could see they could do with a bit of tidying up, so she would be the first to do it. She felt a lump in her throat. She loved Connor and having the honour of being his first was a big thing. Tears started to fall down her cheek.

Fearing he may have upset her, Connor rushed over to Spitfire and placed his hooves on her cheeks.

"Spits I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you, I'll make it up to you I promise," he said, voice quavering.

Spitfire looked up at Connor, tears still falling.

"Upset me, what are you talking about?" she asked drying her eyes with a hoof, "Do you realise what you've just asked?"

"I asked you to preen my wings?" he asked unsure.

"It's not just that. To preen another's wings is an intimate act carried out between very close friends or......lovers."

"Oh yeah, I guess I forgot."

Spitfire smiled, "I'd love to preen your wings."

"Thanks Milkshake," Connor replied hugging Spitfire.

"Turn around Sleepyhead and sit down. Spread your wings out as well."

Connor did as she said and Spitfire went to work on his wings, starting with his primaries. She tidied up several of them and carefully pulled out ones that were too tattered to be of any use. There were a few feathers with blood inside but according to Spitfire those were still growing and shouldn't be removed if it can be helped.

After his primaries, she did the same treatment on his secondaries and tertiaries. After finishing, Connor went over the mirror and admired Spitfire's hoof work. She did a fine job and his wings looked more tidy than before. Spitfire promised to give Connor lessons in wing preening and proper wing maintenance.

It was very late and most of Equestria was sleeping. Connor and Spitfire had snuggled up together in bed, embraced lovingly in each other's hooves. Both were having a very restful sleep and sharing an exceptionally rare occurrence.

A shared dream.

When they happened it was usually between lovers. They were so rare Luna could recall each and every one, all thirty-two of them. Connor's and Spitfire's was the 33rd.

Luna watched a bit of the dream incognito before leaving. She didn't need to witness it all, primarily because it was exceptionally inconsiderate to intrude on such an intimate moment.

She would be on standby just in case and make sure nothing disturbed the shared dream.