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// 129. Conversion 
// Story: Short Shorts 
// by Coranth 
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Laying there in my hospital bed - body wracked with the pain of the cancer ravaging me despite the sedatives the doctors had recently given me - I smiled warmly at the mane six as they stood before me, Twilight holding the grape-flavored Conversion Potion in her magic. "Are you sure this will work, Twilight?" I asked again, softly. "That when I wake up I'll still be me, just in a new body?"

The little lavender mare nodded; I'd asked her the same question repeatedly and had gotten the same answer every time.

"... And my possessions - computer, discs, clothes, everything - it's all been converted to E-Matter? It's all waiting for me, in my new home?" I asked.

Again, Twilight nodded. "Yes, it's all there for you, David. We've had to modify your computer's peripherals for hoof-use - and your clothes so they'll fit your new body - but it's all there, waiting for you."

Hesitantly, I eyed the potion again. Such a small thing, to take and drink. So easy. So simple. Yet, it would forever alter my life. I wanted to reach for it, to pluck it from her magic and drink, but even in this my body failed me. "I... I can't..." I murmured. "You... you'll have to..."

Trembling - eyes misting with tears - Twilight Sparkle nodded and then levitated the potion to me, pressing the bottle against my lips, tilting it back and allowing me to drink. I consumed the potion gladly, drinking until not a drop remained--and then, a moment later, my eyes closed, my body going numb as the potion did its work.

An eight hour sleep later, I opened my eyes - my new eyes - to see Twilight and her friends with me once again. "Did..." I licked my lips with broader tongue, felt teeth meant not for eating meat. "Did it work?" The little unicorn nodded, a smile upon her face as she held up a mirror. A teal-coated, brown-maned unicorn stared back at me with hazel eyes. "All right!" I crowed. Eagerly, I kicked the sheets from my body--a gasp escaping me as I realized I could! "I... I can walk again; I don't believe it!" Hopping out of bed, I walked about to test my new body, first walking, then trotting and finally breaking into a short gallop as I realized the constant pain I'd always felt from the cancer ravaging me was gone! "Wow, you thought of everything, didn't you; all the instincts - the "how-to manual" as it were - is already in here; no need for foal steps! You're a genius, Twi!"

She blushed as I proceeded to inhale a deep breath of air with my new lungs. Then, I tested my memory, reviewing who I was and finding that nothing had changed. 'Heh, silly so-called TCB Authors don't know what they're on about. No mind alteration what so ever. I sure don't feel like a mindless Zombie...' I thought, grinning. Proceeding further with the memory test, I gazed solemnly at the ponies, and darkly chanted, "Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form INTO MUMM-RA... THE EVER... LIVING!" complete with a laugh that put Nightmare Moon's to shame! Twilight's fur stood on-end, poor Rarity shuddered and Fluttershy shivered with fear--but Rainbow Dash and Pinkie were rolling on the floor laughing, the only ponies to 'get' the reference due to their love of human cartoons.

A while later - once said reference had been explained - I softly sang, "I just got back from the Border... and what I saw made me know for sure we're out of order. I had a dream about New Orleans. Jackson Square I heard a prayer down in New Orleans..." With only my voice and hooves to tap the beat, I soon had those ponies rocking; then afterwards I sung a different song... "I was sittin' down havin' me lunch today when a strange sight caught me eye. A dirty big blowy was hitchin' a ride on the back of another fly..." By the time that song was done, five of the mane six were mortified whilst Applejack was on the floor laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath!

When at last all were able to regain their composure, I nuzzled Twilight with my new muzzle, softly touched noses with her and said, "Thank you for my life, Twilight Sparkle." 

Blinking furiously, swallowing a sudden lump in her throat, the little mare nodded. "Y-You're welcome," she whispered, blushing a little. Then she straightened and said, "You'll have a home when you return to Equestria with us - as will all new converted pony citizens - but have you decided where you'd like to work?"

Immediately, I nodded. "On Applejack's Farm, I think - Sweet Apple Acres - that is, if she'll have me." 

No sooner had I spoken then the palomino earth pony mare tipped her hat and nodded. "Sure thing, Sugar Cube.  Now come on; what are we waiting for? Let's go home..." And with those words, we all turned and trotted from the Conversion Bureau, heading towards the nearest transit station.