Chapter 7: Small Problems

“I’m just so frustrated!” Sweetie Belle paced between the aisles, while Gearhead finished helping out a customer. He had two more, and figured that with the filly there fuming, he would not have any new visitors for awhile. That would allow him to close up shop so he could take her upstairs to help her work through whatever was bothering her: It was probably more dangerous to let her keep building her anger up around the display cases.

“I can see that,” Gearhead said, adding up the next pony’s purchases. The third one was already in line, so Gearhead made some mental calculations and had the total ready before his customer was. That expedited the process, and soon the store was officially closed. “Come on up, and you can tell me what is going on.”

Going upstairs did abate Sweetie Belle’s rage for the few moments it took her to look around, and Gearhead realized that this was probably her first really good look at his living space. He had the usual assortment of medium- and large-sized demonstration gadgets, although the assortment had changed over the months. His walls were lined with bookshelves, almost entirely crammed with reference volumes. And there was the dresser on top of which he kept the dragon egg. Sweetie Belle watched the little snowflakes swirling around the egg. Gearhead had always assumed that the more helices there were, the healthier the baby was, and now there were four of them weaving around the egg. He could only check the shell’s temperature by using his Wind Magic to contain the flakes, but some almost always slipped from his control. Gearhead rarely checked now, to try to keep from interfering with the unborn dragon’s growth.

“This is so pretty,” Sweetie Belle said.

“There is a cave system in the mountain behind Canterlot. A Jackrabbit tribe lives in the upper caverns, moles in the middle, and Goblin Ponies in the lower chambers. But in the heart of the mountain, there is an Arctic Dragoness, whom a dark magic-user trapped there. I promised her I would take care of her egg, and someday return it to their ancestral homeland in the north.”

“Will a real dragon hatch?”

“I hope so,” Gearhead patted his young visitor gently on the head.

“I’ve been practising, you know.”

“Let us keep that away from the egg, shall we?” Gearhead steered Sweetie Belle toward the bed, and the bookshelves on both sides. “How have you been progressing?”

“The same,” Sweetie Belle’s tone left little doubt in that regard. “So no progress.”

“I can understand your frustrations, however these things do take time.”

“Oh, that’s not why I’m angry. It’s Rarity!” Sweetie Belle jumped up onto the bed when she said the name, making her taller than Gearhead.

“Oh?”

“She’s supposed to be spending time with me, but all she wants to do is work. Any time I try to do something helpful, I just mess up. And she won’t go to the Sisterhooves Social with me!”

“What is that?”

“It’s a fun event at Sweet Apple Acres, just for sisters. It has races and other competitions. I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to do stuff together, but Rarity says it’ll be too dirty.”

“And what did you say?”

“That maybe I’d try it without a sister,”

“The Social?”

“Everything. That’s how frustrated I am!”

“Even so, you really want to spend time with your big sister, correct?”

“Yes – no! I mean, she doesn’t want anything to do with me. That’s why she hasn’t come looking for me, and just keeps working, right?”

“Maybe she is just uncertain about what you can do together, given her business as well. Older siblings do not want to let their younger siblings down, ever. That feeling can generate a massive fear of failure.”

“I don’t know. Is your big sister like this?”

“Big Sister Ivy is kind and beautiful like Fluttershy, strong like Applejack, reliable like Rainbow Dash, fiercely intelligent like Twilight Sparkle, and unstoppably persistent on important issues like Pinkie Pie. Family is incredibly important to all of us, so perhaps like her, Rarity also puts high importance in being the big sister.”

“You think Fluttershy is more ‘beautiful’ than Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked slyly.

“They have different kinds of beauty, like glamorous as opposed to a sort of more natural grace. Rarity has the first kind, while Fluttershy and Big Sister Ivy have the latter. That is why I used Fluttershy for comparison, although maybe I was mistaken to do that.”

“No, never mind. I just wanna know what I can do with Rarity.”

“You were unable to persuade her to go, and forcing her will obviously only work against you, given your difference in strength and size. All the same, you are family. You cannot ignore each other forever.”

“I could stay here with you, and you could keep teaching me magic,” Sweetie Belle said hopefully.

“Not only do I only have the one bed, but I am guessing you would get tired of my efforts to teach you all the more quickly.”

“Aww. What else can you do to help?”

“I think the Sisterhooves Social is a good idea. If you can find a way to get Rarity involved in it, both of you will be able to see what you can do as sisters. It will be a bit out of Rarity’s comfort zone, so she will have to want to take a bit of a leap together with you.” Gearhead thought about using his female form to help out, but did not think it was worth the embarrassment, or the questions other ponies might ask. Besides, he wanted to save that form for when he needed the extra strength that a proper Aria provided to a spell. “I certainly cannot accompany you to the Social.” But I know who might be able to lend you some help, Gearhead thought. “At least it is not far away, so it should be possible to ask for help.”

Sweetie Belle popped her eyes open wide and smiled. “And I know just who I can ask for help,” she said. “Applejack and Apple Bloom should be there right now. Thanks!”

“You are welcome,” Gearhead said. He watched the filly pause again to look at the egg on her way out, and saw her smile more widely. Then she was gone. Gearhead wished her the best of successes, and then he returned to his work.

Gearhead found that he was still concerned for Sweetie Belle and Rarity, the former of whom he guessed he was starting to see as not just a pupil, but as another little sister, on top of the two biological ones he already had. Gearhead decided to close up shop and seek out information about the Sisterhooves Social, so he could provide back-up if necessary. This did not prove to be hard, as somepony had posted fliers all around Ponyville – and judging by the height at which they had been posted, Apple Bloom was the one who had been doing it.

With a little more digging around, Gearhead found out that Sweetie Belle had spent the remainder of the day with Applejack and Apple Bloom, and that they planned on camping out for the night. He found Rarity, already on her way back to Carousel Boutique.

“Shall I take it that things did not go as planned?”

“Oh, I meant to apologize, but I think I just made things worse. But I have a plan,” Rarity said, looking hopeful.

“If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Really? There won’t be many stallions around. Or is it that you plan on showing your feminine side again?”

“Is this really an appropriate time for such jokes?” Gearhead asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Sorry,”

“I would like to think I can lend a hoof without resorting to magic,” Gearhead said.

“Well, thank you for your concern,”

“It is not a problem. I would also like to see my student happy,” Gearhead said.

“Oh, are you really continuing with that?”

“Yes. Sweetie Belle claims she has been practicing, although to no avail so far. She was not in the right frame of mind to make any attempts today, however.”

“She has really been practicing a lot since the trip.” Rarity paused. “She really came to you for help about… the two of us?”

“Yes, and too many more instances like this and I may begin to think of her similarly to how I think about my own little sisters,” Gearhead said.

“What would that make me to you?” Rarity asked wryly.

I’m the older one in this instance as well, Gearhead thought. “Unavailable,” was what he said instead.

“Getting back at me for springing my costume on you the way I did?”

“Let us say I was not expecting it, and leave it at that, shall we?”

“I do have more pressing concerns,” Rarity said. “Can you get up early tomorrow to help out?”

“I can do that,” Gearhead said.

Gearhead and Applejack were up dark and early the next day to go over the obstacle course where they were planning on making their play, looking for possible switch points. “There’re not many choices,” Applejack said. “Almost everything’s in sight of the racers. Besides, any area Rarity could go through, Sweetie Belle could follow. This has to be seamless to work.”

“There is only truly one choice that would work that way,” Gearhead nodded toward the mud pool at the start of the course. “It can even be used as a good place to hide the second mare for the duration of the race. The only real issue is the air supply.”

“’Only issue?’ Not if Rarity’s gotta hide in there: she wouldn’t even put a hoof on it under normal circumstances!”

“Fortunately for us, this is far from a ‘normal circumstance.’ Should Rarity wish to prove to Sweetie Belle that she wants to be sisters badly enough, she will go through with it.”

“Well okay, but we’d better get moving on this soon if we want to get it done before anypony can get here and witness it, to tip off Sweetie Belle afterwards.”

“I will create the air pocket immediately,” Gearhead said. He stepped up to the mud hole and took off his hat, vest, and shoes, arranging them neatly to the side.

“You sure you can deal with the mess?”

“Miss Applejack, have you forgotten who I am? I will not be dealing with the mud; it will be dealing with me.” And he jumped in.

Applejack and Big McIntosh had dug the pit right, filling it to capacity with mud that was just a little thicker in consistency than water on the top, and thicker still at the bottom. Gearhead felt that there was something he could do to improve the odds of their plan’s success, but first he had to create a reservoir where the second mare could wait.

Working with absolute patience, but also with considerable speed, Gearhead applied his geomancy to creating several small tubes along which air could travel to the bottom of the pit. He then created a small area that was clear of the mud, so the waiting mare would not have to worry about anything besides waiting for her cue. From the sounds of Applejack’s and Rarity’s voices drifting downward, Gearhead figured that they would not have a problem figuring out the start and end of the race – especially when Applejack fell into the pit.

Next, Gearhead made it so the mare in the pit could pull herself into the mud of the ceiling for the cleared area, at the same time that the mare coming into the pit could slide in. Then he changed the mud’s consistency so it would stick properly and keep the racing mare covered. Literally. All the changes done, Gearhead did a little test and then pulled himself out. Before he put on his clothes, he activated his geomancy one last time, to get the mud to slide off him and back into the pit.

“Well, that’s useful,” Applejack said as Gearhead dressed. “Ready to get dirty?”

“Oh my. I guess I could pretend it was just a mud bath… no, that’s not right. I’m doing this for Sweetie Belle, after all. Yes, Applejack, I’m ready.”

“Well then, grab all the fresh air you can, because you’re unlikely to get more for awhile.”

“You need not concern yourself with that, Miss Rarity: The air zone is quite secure. I would, therefore, advise you to consume a moderate amount of food and water.”

“Yes, I think I’ll do that,” Rarity said. “Although,” she added, “now that I’m ‘all in’ I’m starting to feel slightly queasy.”

“I’m sure that’s just nerves, and rightly-earned enough, if you’re serious about this,” Applejack said.

“It’s the least I could do for my own sister,” Rarity said.

As Gearhead watched from a nearby copse of trees, he saw the Sisterhooves Social unfold smoothly. Rarity was fed, watered, and in the pit before anypony else, other than Apple Bloom, could arrive. Once enough ponies got to Sweet Apple Acres, Granny Smith started things off, with some help from Big McIntosh.

Then Sweetie Belle arrived, and they were all on. From the point when Applejack gave her hat and kerchief to Sweetie Belle, there was no longer any going back on the plan.

Sweetie Belle lined up at the starting line with Applejack, and everypony got pumped up for the race. As soon as Granny yowled “go!” the racers were off. Sweetie Belle and Applejack made it over the starting line together, the former taking the lead out of the pair. Sweetie Belle hopped across the mud, her lighter weight keeping her aloft. But Applejack stepped fairly precisely on the trapped spot that Gearhead had indicated for her, and fell right into the pit with a ‘whoa!’ as planned. When Sweetie Belle stopped and asked Applejack “are you alright, Sister?” it was Rarity who, coming to the surface and jumping out of the mud, smiled and nodded – Gearhead immediately noticed the difference in eye colour, but Applejack’s Stetson covered the Unicorn’s horn perfectly. Likewise, Gearhead’s thicker, stickier mud kept Rarity’s white coat, purple hair, and diamond cutie mark out of view.

Arriving as early as she had, Rarity had had time to go over the course, and practice how she would pass every section alongside Sweetie Belle by mimicking what Applejack would have done with Apple Bloom. This meant that when it came time to do the real thing, both Unicorns were able to go through the course with minimal communication between them. That was how well they had planned their parts, although the younger Unicorn did not know who it was she was racing with – until, in her jubilation, she knocked the Stetson from Rarity’s head, revealing her horn.

Since the cat was out of the bag, so to speak, Rarity used her magic to shed the rest of her mud covering, leaving her as glamorous-looking as usual. It also left Sweetie Belle surprised but pleased, because it also meant that her plan had also worked, proving that Rarity was willing to compromise if it meant spending time with family.

Gearhead silently excused himself and made his quick retreat to Gearhead’s Gadgets, where Fluttershy had been covering for him. The yellow Pegasus left through an upstairs window so Sweetie Belle would not see her going when she came with Rarity to thank Gearhead for his advice.

The next day, after a successful morning of sales, Gearhead closed the shop to practice his spellcasting. He did most of his practice routine outside, where his battle magic would not damage anything, however he took his more powerful spells inside. That day he wanted to practice his Dextrous Transformation spell, and because there was little or no damage associated with it, he took his practice in his living space upstairs.

Gearhead completed his evocation of the Four Spirits, remembering what Armour and Cadence had suggested about him being an Elemental Mage, when a stray gust of wind stirred up some of the loose perma-flakes from the dragon egg. Despite the distraction as they swirled around Gearhead’s face, he continued the incantation – and then the snowflakes started to tickle his nose.

Gearhead struggled mightily against his natural reflexes, twisting his muzzle this way and that, contorting his mouth while still trying to get the words of power out intact. The itch persisted in rising as the flakes continued their irritating attack. Gearhead kept contorting his muzzle and nose. He paused for breath, and even as he began to inhale, the tickling intensified.

He blew it. Gearhead’s sneeze sent up a dust cloud that obscured everything. The pony coughed and waved one hoof to try to clear the air even a moment more quickly, unable to gather a solid enough breath to summon a clearing wind.

Finally the dust cleared away. Gearhead noticed immediately that he was closer to the ground than he had been previously, and his furniture and sample gadgets seemed to be higher up. Fearing the worst, he trotted toward a full-length mirror that he kept for seeing the effect of various outfits, to see what would make him look more business-like. That the journey took much longer than usual did not help Gearhead’s sense of foreboding. And the pony reflected in his mirror was merely the latest nail to be hammered down.

“Pony feathers,” he said, and cursed his higher-than-normal voice too, silently.

Although Fluttershy’s cottage was the closest of his friends’ residences, Gearhead knew that going there would prove to be a mistake that would cost him a lot of time, and even more dignity and self-respect. Still, he needed to get this problem solved, and the quicker the better.

At his reduced size, Gearhead was too small to fit into his core system’s harness. He was not even large enough to wear his geomancy-proof shoes anymore. Fortunately, he no longer seemed to have any problems keeping his geomancy from leaking when he went outside. Just as unfortunately, he did not seem to be able to access it readily when he wanted to. Nor could he cast any spells, despite his many efforts to undo his transformation before leaving the shop. Similarly under the ‘bad news’ heading, his new wings could not carry him. He was starting to be able to appreciate how Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle felt about their own tribe-oriented abilities.

Since Gearhead could not use his magic, he needed to get to somepony who might be able to do so in his stead, or at least he needed to get in contact with another pony who might know something about the transformation that had occurred to him. While Gearhead knew that getting help was necessary to resolving his current predicament, he also dreaded the others’ reaction when they saw him like this. This was precisely the reason why he felt he could not go to Fluttershy. Similarly, he would dread being seen in this form by Shining Armour or Cadence who, until now, respected him as a fellow warrior and mage. But not if they see me like this, Gearhead feared.

In the hope that turning to one of the more rational of the six friends would guide him swiftly to a resolution, Gearhead took to trotting into Ponyville on his shortened legs, as serious an expression of determination as ever fixed to his face, his feathered wings furled tightly to his body. If Twilight did not know how to solve this one, at least she could get Spike to contact Princess Celestia. Not that Gearhead was looking forward to seeing how she might respond to this new form: Gearhead could very well predict the reaction of any mare who saw him, even, and perhaps worst of all, Big Sister Ivy. Thankfully, she was in Verdant Fields and nowhere near Ponyville.

Gearhead made his way to the Golden Oak Library as fast as he could move. For a moment he was worried he would not be tall enough to reach the knob, or be able to open the door, however it was made so that ponies of all sizes could use it.

Unfortunately, Twilight was not the only pony present when Gearhead came through the door. He also saw Applejack and Apple Bloom. Their panicked expressions showed that they were already dealing with their own issue, which seemed to explain why Apple Bloom had a number of cutie marks instead of the normal one. Or none, considering all of the Cutie Mark Crusaders were supposed to be Blank Flanks.

“Isn’t there somepony else who might have a remedy to stop this?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Not somepony, some Zebra!” Twilight said, hitting upon an idea.

“Zecora!” Applejack grinned. “Lets go,”

Which was when they turned toward the door and noticed Gearhead standing there. For a moment everypony froze. Gearhead realized that they probably did not recognize him. Maybe it would be better to let them deal with Apple Bloom’s crisis first, he thought, and sidestepped to clear the doorway. “After you,” he said, clearing his throat.

“Oh. Right!” Twilight led the others outside, and they started to head for the Everfree Forest. Gearhead watched them go out of the corner of one eye, trying to make it look like he was not staring back – because there was enough staring going on. To be fair, however, male Alicorns were a practical unknown, at least in Equestria. As far as Gearhead himself knew, the only Alicorns around were the Princesses – Celestia, Luna, and Cadence.

Gearhead (he might have to think about a cover name depending on how long it took to find a spell that would revert him to normal) heard a commotion coming from down the street, and after trotting a short distance he found that Twilight had not led the others very far before Apple Bloom derailed their plans. He watched in amazement as a whole series of cutie marks appeared on the small Earth Pony, and she was subsequently forced to do whatever talent was linked to them: chimney sweeping, fencing, weight lifting.

Fortunately, while everypony else had headed inside, afraid of catching whatever it was that was afflicting Apple Bloom – Spike named it as ‘Cutie Pox’ – Zecora strode into Ponyville. Gearhead strayed well within earshot as the Zebra explained that a truth-sensitive flower could cure Apple Bloom of her Cutie Pox.

After the pressure from the situation forced Pinkie Pie to confess pigging out, Gearhead was certain that this was a ploy to get Apple Bloom to confess to meddling with one of Zecora’s many potions, however as soon as she ate the flower that her full confession and apology evoked, the cutie marks vanished, leaving one contrite and exhausted, but relieved and forgiven, Blank Flank.

Gearhead quickly made his way back to the library to wait for Twilight, hoping nopony else had noticed him. He took the time to take a full catalogue of his new form. Judging by his size and mass, he was somewhere in the same age cohort as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It would probably be wiser to call it as ‘ten,’ rather than ‘eight,’ although Gearhead did not know how his own maturity level compared to that of an average colt: he had spent much of his childhood studying or setting up his first store.

His coat was light gold, and his mane was darker with a thin turquoise streak, perhaps the sole remainder from his original form. The transformation had left it long, as though he had never cut it. His eyes were a bright green, and as before, all of his scars were gone. Perhaps if he let his wings grow in he could fly like a normal Pegasus, however he did not intend on staying a colt for long.

“Now,” Twilight said, returning to the library, “is there something I can help you with?”

“That would be why I came to you, Miss Twilight,” Gearhead said, in part hoping his distinctive speech pattern would tip her off as to his true identity. “After all, if you cannot help me to revert to my normal form, I expect that the solution would only be found by sending a letter to Princess Celestia.”

“I’m sorry: you know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

“You do know it, however I have become too small for my distinctive shoes, and even more distinctive core system. I can assure you, I am still myself.”

“No way, that’s impossible! Who put you up to this? Was it Pinkie?”

Gearhead felt his frustration begin to build. “Does this look like a joke?” He asked, flapping his wings. Then, thinking better of the situation and his reactions, he took a deep breath to restore his calm. “Listen carefully, Miss Twilight: I was practicing a different transformation spell and sneezed on some errant perma-flakes from the egg. This happened, and I cannot access my magic at the moment. This is extremely serious, since as long as I am in this form, I cannot use the core system to help you protect Equestria in an emergency. Also, who would not ask questions if I tried to operate the shop in this form?”

“So you’re really Gearhead?”

“The same, and therein lies the issue. I need to change back.”

“What issue?” Spike said, returning.

“You may need to take a letter for the Princess, Spike,” Gearhead said.

“He says he’s Gearhead,” Twilight said, obviously still sceptical.

“Of course he’s Gearhead,” Spike said. “Who else could do something like… this?”

“It was not on purpose,” Gearhead glared.

“Oh, but you’re such a little –“

“Do not, I beg, finish that thought,” Gearhead said with a growl. “This is precisely the reason why I decided to go to you first, instead of to Fluttershy, who would have been the more convenient choice.”

“But—“

“I may be a colt physically, but you would do well to remember that I am, in reality, older than you are, Miss Twilight Sparkle. Also, being fawned upon makes me extremely uncomfortable.”

“I guess I can understand that,” Twilight said.

“Oh, unless it’s your big sister doing the fawning, right?”

“She must never know. Ever.”

“Well, if nothing else you’re definitely serious about this,” Twilight said.

“Emphatically serious,” Spike said.

“Okay, Spike, lets see if we can find anything about disabling transformation spells, as well as youthening spells.”

“On it,” Spike saluted, and then he started examining the shelves.

“I may as well help out, discreetly: the less ponies who find out about this, or even see me, the better,” Gearhead said. He chose another section of shelves to peruse, while Twilight went from section to section, searching in a targeted manner as only a librarian could.

After an hour of searching, even Twilight had to admit that maybe Ponyville’s limited research material would not be up to the task. “I think it’s time we sent that letter to Princess Celestia,” she said.

“Already on it,” Spike said. He had penned the letter after become bored with scanning shelves and reading, so all he had to do was to seal and send it. “Maybe there’s something at the library in Canterlot?”

“There might be,” Twilight said. Canterlot was Equestria’s capital for many reasons, and one of those was that it was also a center of magical research and knowledge. Princess Celestia had built one of Equestria's largest libraries there, as well as her Academy for Gifted Unicorns. Twilight did not know of any other towns or cities that had as large a collection, however Gearhead knew that the Conclave had the Hidden Library, because he had studied there for a time.

“If there is,” Gearhead said, “maybe we should let the royal researchers look after that angle.”

“But we’re out of options here,” Spike said. “Nothing’s helped at all.”

“Ah, but there is another option: the Castle of the Two Sisters also has a library. The last time we were there we only removed some intact books from the Princesses’ quarters.”

“That’s right,” Twilight said, “we didn’t get to the library. You really are Gearhead!”

“To think you still doubted me,” Gearhead shook his head. “Are we not friends, then?”

“Of course we are! Oh, but if we’re going to go to the Castle, we’ll need some more help: the Everfree Forest is extremely dangerous. Especially for smaller ponies.”

“I am not going to enjoy this, am I?”

Gearhead did not enjoy this, and just as unfortunately it was inevitable that the rest of the Elemental Six be brought into the loop. The fawning that put Gearhead so on edge was, therefore, also inevitable.

Fluttershy had been understandably excited to see a new, male Alicorn. She was always excited about new and exotic animals, and especially ones that could speak back. Her reaction to seeing Gearhead in his new form was nearly identical to how he had heard she had reacted to Spike. But a quick reminder as to who Gearhead was reduced her enthousiasm to quiet excitement. Gearhead could tell because Fluttershy kept staring. But she also kept looking like she wanted to cuddle with him, and that could be awkward given their relationship is mature adults.

Rarity was more reserved, but no less fawning, when it came down to it. She insisted that Gearhead sit with her as they rode in his cyclic wagon to the castle. She would have continuously teased him about his newfound childish status, except that she had already surprised him with a sexy devil costume on Nightmare Night. In retrospect, also teasing him because his body had become younger would not be fair.

Pinkie Pie had wanted to throw an ‘alicorn party,’ but Gearhead put that idea to rest with his repeated requests to keep his new state a secret. Rainbow Dash could not wait to get a new flying buddy, and was disappointed to see that he could not fly – yet. Fluttershy was far less disappointed by this.

Applejack was the most practical out of all the mares, yet she still struggled with the impulse to mother the colt. She combated her instincts by powering and driving the wagon, beside Twilight in the front. Fluttershy and Rarity had to content themselves with simply sitting with him, and sneaking the occasional pat in whenever his guard slipped. Gearhead was only too glad when Twilight called out “we’re approaching the castle.”

“Alright,” Gearhead said, getting up. “We do not have a definite deadline, however I would like to return to my normal, adult form as soon as possible. I would like to ask Twilight and Fluttershy to finish searching Princess Luna’s chambers. Rarity and Applejack, could you please take Princess Celestia’s rooms? Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and I can start off by searching the library. We should have enough time to finish checking the chambers, so we should meet in the library, and time things so we will have nearly exited the Forest before sundown. Questions?” They had left Spike at the library in case Princess Celestia had any suggestions as to what material to search for. He was, therefore, omitted from the search party.

“Sorry, I can’t take you all that seriously in that voice,” Dash said.

“When you look this way, let us see you try to sound serious, eh? I admit, however, that I am open to suggestions.” No one had any, so they split up.

It took some time to find the library, and the growing shadows that came off of the walls made it easier to lose track of time. Although the party’s Unicorns could provide light magically, the rest of them had some smokeless torches that they could use in the darker spaces of the castle. It was somewhat creepy to be walking around the castle ruins in the late afternoon, however not even Pinkie was in a mood to pull a prank at the moment.

As soon as Gearhead’s party found the library, they realized that their task would be a little different from the way they had first thought it would be: the library was formed from a cluster of circular chambers, all of which were lined with completely full bookshelves. Gearhead strode over to the nearest set of shelves and started searching along the lowest row. Dash flew up to the top, and replicated Gearhead’s efforts, but at a higher speed. Pinkie jumped in, and was instantly all over the place.

For awhile, Gearhead’s only marker for time was that Twilight’s, and then Rarity’s, party entered the library. While neither had found anything pertaining to Gearhead’s situation, they had found a few more volumes of general interest, which they could return to the princesses in Canterlot. They kept up the search until they noticed the sun was setting, and then they made for the wagon.

When the group returned to Ponyville and the library, they found that they had a visitor.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight bowed. “Apologies for keep you waiting.”

“It’s quite alright, Twilight Sparkle. After I read your letter, I decided that I had to see this for myself. Spike told me that you’d gone to the Castle to look for clues. I’ve dispatched my own research teams to scour Canterlot Library for the same answers. If a book or scroll holds the solution to this puzzle, we will find it.”

“See?” Gearhead said, “there was no point going to Canterlot if there was somepony there already to do the research for us. Not when we had elsewhere to look.”

“And I take it that so far your search has proven unsuccessful, little one?”

“So far,” Gearhead said, tilting his head. “And before you go any further, only my physical body has changed.”

“I am aware of that, and also about your discomfort regarding physical contact. The reason why I had to come here is something else, rest assured.” Princess Celestia started circling Gearhead, and her horn lit up with her magic: she was using it to inspect him, and to detect traces of magic that a Unicorn like Twilight might not be able to find. “If you would be so kind, please unfurl your wings and open them to their full span.”

“Very well, Your Highness.” Gearhead flexed muscles he had not had before, and shakily moved his new appendages into position, watching every little twitch to control them. This was different from moving his legs, or even from moving his limbs in Agile Form. But it did feel somewhat similar to some of the movements he remembered making while flying using the core system. Maybe, subconsciously, he had duplicated some of the necessary wing muscles in the interface between core and harness.

“You have made some very interesting changes,” Princess Celestia said. The magic faded from both her eyes and her horn. “And yet, there is much within you that has remained the same. I would like to study you more at length, however I believe that we can use your time in this form more meaningfully.”

“What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“For one thing, the research will go faster if I lend a hoof. At the same time, I must also focus on my own royal duties. I have been pushing much of it onto Luna as of late.” Princess Celestia paused, waiting for an indication from Gearhead.

“Understood,” he said.

“For another thing, you have been given an opportunity that is quite literally golden. You should consider this as a second chance at the childhood that was cut short.”

“Wait, what?” That was from Rainbow Dash, although most of the others carried the same sentiment.

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I do not believe I missed anything in particular as far as childhood in my family goes.”

“Ah, but you never played with other ponies your own age. In this day, at least, that is an important part of a pony’s childhood.”

“Perhaps, but I have more friends now, and that is perhaps the most lasting part of childhood, is it not?”

“It is, and it is not,” Princess Celestia said, “because whether you realize it or not, because you lacked the more intimate sort of relationships with your peers, you never got the opportunity to learn one of the most important lessons life has to offer. And it is one a pony can only learn in the formative years of childhood. That is why it is perfectly opportune that your accident has caused you to physically regress.”

“But I am not a foal,”

“Then it is time you learned to be one, my little pony. You could probably start by being less formal in your speech.”

“I have always spoken this way,”

“No, not always. Remember how it was before, and speak that way. You will also need a new name to use as a cover, and let me see… yes, we can enrol you as one of my and Luna’s many-times-great nephews.”

“’Enrol?’”

“Yes, in the school here in Ponyville.”

“School?!” Next Chapter: 8. Scholastic Specials Estimated time remaining: 11 Hours, 35 Minutes