//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Where It All Starts 
// Story: A Mind Enshrouded 
// by Solid 6GEAR 
//------------------------------//

	“Well, seems we have a slight problem on hand.” mutters a quiet voice from my left, something sickly sweet and dripping with dangerous intent.

“Of course...but it is not a problem that cannot be handled. Simply leave it to me, dear sister and all can be worked around.” comes another voice, mirroring the other yet lacking that same sweetness, though it had mirth and amusement inside.

“Hmmmmmm, you do bring up a point, dear brother. This one is not yet fully anchored to the world, so we could just have our fun with her. She is simply too useful to pass up.” the feminine voice throws back, giving me a chance to try cracking an eye open to reveal...nothing. Inky blackness and darkness still remains my sight, unable to allow me even a respite from the pain that I'd suffered.

“Yes, well, do be careful of taking a ride with one who could become a subject of that boorish and tiring Celestia. She simply just doesn't take kindly to passengers along for the ride, even if it is just to visit and chat with her...” the masculine voice prompts, his tone dropping a bit at the mention of somepony named Celestia. I try to recall where that name came from, even why it would exist, yet my memory is just too fuzzy to bring the reason to me.

“It seems this little mechanically inclined pony has something she's trying to remember...not that it bears anything of import. So, brother Discord, do you have a way to bring us out of this prison?” the feminine voice wiles away, Discord answering.

“Sister Eris, you know only one of us can appear on the world of Equestria at a time in that body, it is part of that curse dear old Celestia had imparted on us initially all those years ago. But, you may be allowed to partake of that use this time, for I have no intention to go and meet Celestia again. She didn't take kindly to my last intrusion, so I imagine yours will be less than thrilling to her.” Discord retorts, acting as if this was an everyday affair.

“Ah, quite right...quite right, brother. Well then, I shall appear for them myself and see about what has happened since then. This little mechanic pony should prove helpful later, once she's realized that it is only a matter of time.” Eris states, as the two voices suddenly fade out and I awake, fully awaking this time and realizing that what I'd been dealt was a nightmare, not a dream. I carefully get up from the bed, cautiously making sure that I am steady on the three hooves I have.

Yes, three hooves, one was lost in an accident during my previous time as a filly before learning my gift for the mechanical sciences. The details of this will come later, when I don't need to bother you with what is in the present. For now, I shall just state that when you lose a leg at the shoulder in a clean break of the bone...even though powerful magic can help you, the cost of such an expense is entirely too much to handle for one pony alone. So, to avoid the extensive medical bill and to secure a job, I had come to the doctor with my plight.

I lived alone, nopony else to call my family and even less bits to my name than the payment required.

I proposed a work opportunity, on condition that if proven helpful to stay on until I could be on my own hooves again.

This all came down in a matter of days from my treatment after the loss of foreleg, especially due to me because I had no tail. A birth defect, you could say, since as an Earth pony that tail is inherently important for various other tasks.

The Doctor I had asked was none other than Dr. Stable, known for his unorthodox planning and even for having eccentricities that few other ponies could handle. He looked at me that day with nothing at all like caring or amusement, I saw curiosity in those eyes that pierced my gaze. He was genuinely curious and had inquired if my head was okay. I gave an affirmative and insisted he consider my application.

Two weeks.

That was how long I waited for his response, even after I'd had no more of a reason to stay at the hospital than a fully functioning filly had. He accepted my offer, having seen my reactions to the other patients and how occasionally I even helped them when the Nurses weren't even busy. Hidden from view, of course, but I did help where I could. A few plants for food here and there, even the occasional mint to clear up bad breath for a few others. He confronted me on these actions before revealing his intent, to hire me on as his assistant in the field of biological research and development.

I was so happy to hear this, I nearly forgot I had a lost limb and hugged him. Mid-hug, I realized I'd need to figure out how to re-steady myself and tried doing so, only to end up flat on the ground with a bit of wind knocked-out of my lungs. He helped me up and laughed openly, claiming it was on nerves. I agreed reluctantly, not knowing what I was getting into.

Dr. Stable was as capable as any other doctor, just bad with bedside manners. I was significantly better and wound up being his go-to whenever he'd interact with a patient, often being the spokespony for his diagnosis and treatments. In fact, I became so great at the job that he'd test me while there and speak with the patient himself, just to keep me on the tips of my hooves. This rarely ever threw me off the job, working with the troubled patients and easing fears in the blink of an eye.

This was how I came to get a prosthetic from him eventually, as a gift one day for my birthday. He'd claimed to not know how it got there, or what it was for, or even why he'd had to drop it off himself...but I knew it was out of the kindness and generosity and love he'd grown to have for me that it came about. Plastic, of course, nothing like the metal one I have now. But it was interesting all the same to see such a device meant for aiding in my movement. Not many ponies can say they'd lost a limb and gotten to replace it, especially as a filly.

Then again, not many ponies lose such a limb in the first place while at work...sorry, again, I won't delve into that too deeply. Not a story for now. Speaking of the now, this is where I hook up that metal prosthetic of mine, flexing it lightly to ensure movement works and that I can still use it like a regular ol' hoof. That check down, I head to the storefront that I have, a small unassuming lot of metal parts and machinery that looks rather crazily jumbled. My job is designing replacement limbs for other ponies, though it goes further than that. What I tend to do is design limbs meant to aid a pony's use of the limb in their life, ranging from a Unicorn's horn to the tail of an Earth Pony. I'd learned all about anatomy and the science behind how a pony's body works inherently, even the naturally blessed magics within that lend us ponies our special skills.

This is where I'd learned a trick, something that I imagine even Celestia and Luna to this day have known for the eons they've lived. This trick is what gave me my insight into how ponies work, and how to fix that which cannot be mended by magic alone. The trick involves a certain bit of insanity and luck to measure properly, of which I tend to have both but the insanity more specifically stemming from these nightmares and lack of sleep I have.

Speaking of sleep, that was a whole two hours of fitful rest I had in that nightmare. Its still night, so I can try to fall asleep again. Luna knows that I can't...I have a major order to work on the rest of the day, so I can not rest until it is done.

The way I replace these limbs comes with a price of course, but it is not nearly as expensive as mine had initially been. The reason for the cost being steep was that Celestia was worried about it over-developing into dangerous forms, ways that would harm everypony under her and Luna's rule. I did my best to try and assure her that without it, I could not function well enough to be considered a subject at all.

The one thing nopony will ever admit, is that seeing a handicapped pony with a lost limb gives you a feeling of dread. That they do not have long to live without access to what makes the pony unique or capable of fitting in. This was what I had initially set out to fix, to give those disabled and trodden-down ponies a chance to go back to their normal lives. Now, it works fairly well and I can replace a lost limb within a few days' work. Celestia and Luna saw this in work, essentially asking me to report in the form of a letter to them each day that I'd initially set out to solve this.

Recent times have changed, advances in machinery have created finer methods and I am once again a pony with a job that not only pays well but allows me to witness happy and grateful ponies for once approaching me with a sense of wonderment and awe. I used to be scared initially, since most ponies had been fearful and skeptical it would work. When shown, they simply became further scared and less willing to cooperate. This is where all my work with Dr. Stable came to be helpful and generally allowed me to establish rapport, enabling my work to be given a chance to improve the lives of other ponies.

I do think I have rambled on quite enough here, so do forgive me for all this. Merely background to know where I am from and why such pride is taken in my own work. Since the time of my first work to the most recent, which is a set of wings for a pegasus who broke his own off in a rather death-defying crash, I have been told that my work is solid and durable to the point of being twice as strong as what once was. It is not for the sake of myself that I do this, in fact other ponies ask why I even like my job as a limbs specialist.

I tell them, 'I do this for the others who need the help I'd been offered once.' and all that happens then is a knowing nod and smile. A pony capable of returning their gratitude for life with enabling others to appreciate it back is a wonderful thing, it gives other ponies hopes and dreams for the future. Enough on my rambling, I should keep it in check more. However, during this time I have started on the wings, the mechanical monstrosities lying in front of me as I work them through the rigors of testing, ensuring the metal can bend and flex like a real pegasus feather.

You could say my creations are based on the magical energies inside us all, since everypony who has a gift has magical potential. This much is certain though, that because of my skill I can help others replace the lost capability they'd had in the limb. I break off bits of the machinery to mold and craft it into the basic shape first, getting a rough blueprint laid out to work from.

Then comes the application of parts, from the basic down feathers to the large ones meant for flight and gliding. It isn't hard, but I have to do this a second time and already I've gotten to witness the sun rising in the distance. Already nearly up close to mid-morning already.

Mid-morning? Already? Time does indeed pass quickly, faster than I'd thought. My mind turns back to the nightmare of the night, that I could have even forgotten about Celestia and Luna frightens me a little. I decide to pause work for a morning breakfast outing, quickly closing up shop with a 'Back in an hour' sign up.

I trot into the village I'd come to, beyond the confines of Ponyville was where I live and a decent ten-minute gallop away. A few ponies were already out and about at this hour of day, the weathermare leader, Rainbow Dash flashed overhead for a second on her way to some important business. This brought my gaze slowly across the rest of the populace of the village, where I got to notice Twilight Sparkle actually coming over towards my direction this time. 'Perhaps she's got business with me today, another letter from Celestia of praise about my works?'

“Solid Gear...? You're here earlier than you usually go...what's the occasion?” she asks, genuinely interested in why I'd come to the village.

“Ah..uhm...breakfast.” I reply simply, smiling awkwardly before cantering away from her nod. It wasn't long before I reach the square and find the earliest signs of the marketplace, Applejack's Apple Wagon piled up with all those apples she keeps at the farm. I take a quick detour to her wagon, noting that little Applebloom wasn't around. “Good morning, Applejack. Got any new apples today?” I ask, almost always amused by that slow grin she'd get on my query.

“Same as any day, Solid. Ah'd reckon on the Golden Delicious though, they'd been the more hardy o' the crop this year.” Applejack answers back, giving a tilt of that weather beaten stetson she's always got atop of that blonde mane.

“Thanks, Applejack. I'll take one peck, for pickup later.” I state to her, giving Applejack the usual smile. She nods in return and I drop off the ten bits required for payment, the few extra bits needed for reserving the fresh apples. If there's one thing enjoyable about Applejack's apples, its that she ensures full quality with an honest smile. My route takes me down by Sugarcube Corner, where I find a bouncy and excitable Pinkie Pie giving all passersby hopeful smiles and offering out a slice of some sort of pie.

“Well...that's curious. Must be a new recipe from the Cake family...or is it that Pinkie's gotten the baking spirit started again?” I muse aloud, blinking before suddenly being faced with the Pinkie one.

“HeyaSolidGear,whatareyouuptotoday?Ijustgotdonebakingthesesamplesofmynewpierecipeandhaven'tbeenabletoconvinceanyponytotryit!” She takes a momentary breath, as I hold mine a bit upon hearing the torrent of words and try to sort through it all. Unfortunately, she continues on, blurring my analyzing thoughts into a paste, “Oooh, you wanna try it out now? I've been waiting for somepony to just give it a whirl! This is a special pie I'd designed after Dashie, meant for celebration of the upcoming rainy season!” this prompted a confused gaze from me, as Pinkie Pie wasn't known for her treats being all that tasty or good for you...too much sugar, as a few will attest.

“Pinkie...can you give me a moment? I haven't had breakfast yet. Unless this pie is meant for actual eating, I can't rightfully try it at the moment.” I asssuage her, the party pony giving a vivacious nod of affirmative before blurring back to the table she's watching over. I watch where she goes, noting the table of baked goods that could possibly be mostly made of sugar...to find it isn't all that sugary-looking. Her usual frosting-coated sweets are just vibrantly bright and rainbow-painted, along with the inside having this muddy brown tone to it. A frosting container sits open and used, though it was a light greyish-white tone meant to signify the stratus clouds Rainbow Dash would whip up during the wet season. In fact, the pie itself looked tasty already...which meant I needed food quickly, or I would be the first tester of Pinkie's Pie.

I take my eyes off the pies long enough to spot Rarity exiting her shop far back closer to where I'd entered the village, giving me an excuse to trot up and greet her. “Hi, Rarity...” I deadpan, knowing her response immediately.

“Ohh...good morning, Solid...another rough night I take it? That mane of yours is always so disheveled when they're at the worst.” she says, with that air of fashionista in her voice. She gives me a quick look-over, glancing and noting that despite the horrible mane, I was still rather decent. “Hrmmm....no, simply not something you can tame, is it?” she asks me, that gaze of hers settling on my mop of mousey-brown mane that straggles in tendrils about my face. I would be afraid to imagine what my tail would be like, should I ever have one.

“You've tried before, Rarity. We both know the answer. Can I just ask to come along with you to brunch? Its about that time of day anyways...” I state, keeping as neutral as possible to not offend her. Rarity gives a curt nod and toss of her mane, eyes glittering lightly in the interest of hearing new gossip.

“Lead on, Solid Gear, dahling. I'd love to hear what nightmares have plagued you this past evening.” she states, giving that generous smile that I know so well. It wasn't long before we found the place to dine at, a semi-posh spot that allows outside dining for convenience on beautiful days. Today was no exception, where both Rarity and I ordered hayfries. I added on a mushroom and alfalfa sandwich, no onions.

“Again? That is the fifth time this week, dahling...” Rarity complains, as I give her a smirk.

“I blame the work I've been doing, Rarity. My client is a pegasus this time around and the metal needs just the right touches to it. I've asked Dash a few times to help me, since its a weatherpony I'm doing this for.” I state, giving that amused smirk once again at Rarity's flash-focused reaction of slight surprise before she returns with a concerned smile.

“Can I assume she hasn't been all that helpful? I rarely get her to help with my own works...” Rarity beams at me, before I just shake my head to shoot down that theory.

“No, she's been quite helpful. I just needed input on the way pegasus wings work in rough weather, which she supplied rather gratefully. Nothing all that groundbreaking, but it gave me a starting point.” I supply, to help ease Rarity's fears of the impatient sky-blue pegasus offending another pony.

“Aha...well, that is good, dahling.”

“So...about the nightmares...it had Discord and his 'sister' Eris again.” I state, Rarity nearly spit-taking upon hearing this. Fortunately, she'd avoided it by carefully biting down the instinct and swallowing rather ladylike to speak.

“Really?! Anything new? Like an appearance or something visual?”

“No...but I can guarantee that it was about me. I don't know much about what happened when the Elements of Harmony fought him, but he seemed at ease about it all. Eris is curious to meet Celestia, apparently for a second time.” I relay, memories quickly flooding my mind as I recall what was said.

“Mmhmm...so, a statement of actual plans this time, not just random banter between the two?”

“Yes...though what plans they have are hazy at best. Also...they were talking of me as if I wasn't a proper pony...” I say, giving Rarity that cautious gaze. She avoids my eyes at that, taking a glance towards Pinkie's pie samples.

“That...well, if you must really know that, I suppose Twilight can talk to you. It really is strange you have no memories of your arrival here...” she says, giving me that slightly pained look. That same one I get all the time from Fluttershy when she talks about my arrival. In fact, everypony who I've talked to other than Twilight gets that same expression...odd, isn't it?

“Well..thanks for the talk, Rarity.” I say, as I return to nibbling on the food I'd received. My mind wanders back towards that work in progress, the pegasus wings, mostly as a way to cope with something that was out of my current mental capacity at the time.

Thankfully, the rest of the day was uneventful...Applejack had the peck of apples ready once I'd come back by way of Pinkie's pie samples, which were rather divine for being so based on such a dreary day of work for the pegasus ponies. Even the work on the wings goes well...up until I fall asleep on them after all the work I manage to buck my way through.