This short story was my entry for the EFNW Pre-Con Contest (#49), and another stylistic experiment on my part. I consider longer stories to be my strength. This story takes place in The Gear Series verse, but 11 years before it starts. I never actually say it in the story, but Dawn is 5 years old, Gearhead 6, and Dusk is 7. While some others are mentioned, they are the entirety of this story's main cast.

Let me know if you would be interested in seeing more of Gearhead's foalhood. Prelude to First Gear would have to be with him from about age 3 to before he leaves for Ponyville.

Gearhead comes from a proud farming family, but his power keeps him from being able to farm without there being some disastrous results. With his father's help, he is able to gain normal mobility, but he still must find a way to gain control over his power, so it does not become a curse for him to carry all the days and nights of his life.

As a member of Herd Verdant, Gearhead can gain access to the resources tied to the two other ancient Houses that form the Alliance: the Azure Wing of Los Pegasus and the Third Conclave of Flowing Shadows in Hoofington. After failing to find any answers at the Azure Library, Gearhead gets acceptance to study at the Hidden Library. Will he finally find what he is looking for?