Regression from Mind

Mind had finally materialized in the conference room, sending his guest screaming in surprise at the unexpected arrival.

Mind noticed the pony's alarm, quickly stating apologetically, “Oh...excuse my very sudden appearance, won't you? This castle. So very hard to get around by just walking. Teleporting's easier…even if I haven't memorized where everything is yet.”

The businesspony took his hoof from his chest, calming down.

He chuckled lightly afterward, brushing the previous startle off with a joke, “Of course! I mean, a heart attack's one way to get out of paying the bill, eh?”

Mind didn't much care for the joke, yet laughed along with the pony anyways.

Segueing into the pricing part of the negotiation, Mind signaled the butler in the room to slip the blueprints before his partner's eyes.

Mind’s associate read over the blueprints, mentally estimating the amount each material would cost for the product's production.

Then, after nodding a bit, he pushed the blueprints a tad away from himself before asking, “Hm. How much would you offer for one?”

Mind flatly said, “One? Little less than a hundred bits. Yet, when talking of Equestria’s population as a whole, things could get a tad more expensive.”

The businesspony's face soured, folding one hoof over the other to show dissatisfaction.

Mind expected such a reaction, legitimizing his offer, “I'm in charge of Equestria. Do you really think I can afford to not afford you? Every country within border-range of us would scoff at my not being able to float you the payment. I have access to an entire treasury. Whatever you throw at me wouldn't even make a dent in it. I can get those who get hoofs-on with that money to go along with your price tag.”

The factory-owner raised an eyebrow, motioning to the blueprints, “Uh-huh. Say I go along with what you’re saying. Want to say what that collar even does?”

“Glad you asked. You see, some ponies don't have access to hospitals as our urban citizens do. That's a great deal of ponies we can't help if they get injured. Well, here's the solution. Those collars you'll design will send a signal to a device, one I created in anticipation of the day they are released to the masses. Once turned on, the device will magically track whoever wears those collars. And, give data on their conditions. Think about it! Nopony will go missing ever again, or die before they were located! That even helps cities and towns with victims of abuse! Helps solve murder cases as well! We can save so many lives this way! And, if you are the manufacturer of these products, then you will be thought of as a hero by extension! Which means more publicity for your business! Which means more opportunities than you can wrap your head around! Which means more profit, on top of what I have offered you!”

Sold now, the pony couldn't exactly argue against such a positive proposition, “Well, when put like that, I guess...I can't really say no to saving lives.”

“No. No, you really can't.”

“Alright. Just one little probable issue. How much time am I given here?”

“A week.”

“Hold, hold, hold it! A week?!”

“Yes. A. Week.”

“You've...got to be joking here.”

“Are you laughing? No? Then, that means I haven't said anything funny. And, must therefore be very serious right now.”

“It's...just, a week?! A week! Seven days! Seven of th-”

“I know the amount of days within a week.”

The stallion rubbed his cheek in nervous habit, “It's...so much money and time spent. So much!”

Mind reminded the pony in irritation, “Which you will be rewarded ten times over once completed! Don't let the small details get to you! Hire more workers! You will be payed. Whoever you hire will be paid. You'll all be swimming in a river of gold by the time this is over. And, you have one of the largest factories within Equestria! If not, the largest! So, can you do this or not?! It's entirely your decision to lose out on the best opportunity you'll ever remember having.”

“I...will get everypony in Equestria a collar within seven days.”

Mind pushed the blueprints fully to his new partner, “Promise?”

The factory-owner took the designs in his hoof, ready as ever, “I’ll get on it right away, partner.”

Mind nodded to the butler, giving the servant their cue to lead the now time-constrained pony to the train station.

...

Mind soon sat alone, wondering how he should pass the time. Then, he remembered the upcoming journey his guard and a little somepony else would be taking later.

And, exited the conference room to get to work.

Steelton's awakening was a gentle...alarm's buzzer going off.

Upright within an instant, his tense body loosened up at remembering it was only the damn clock. Steelton snapped a hoof on the snooze button, silencing the dreadful device.

Feeling through his sweaty mane, Steelton commented to nopony, "Good sleep. Wish it could've been longer."

He got out of bed, and directly went for the showers.

Some of his squad were inside, just soaking in the steam before a long day.

He took an unused shower beside them.

They immediately noticed him, then began to quietly converse between themselves.

He knew what they were thinking, yet he decided to just ask anyways, “What, guys?”

The two just looked at each other, then one of them came out with it after some whispering, “So...you going on that mission today? For Mind?”

Steelton lathered with some soap as he shrugged at Strike’s question, “Guess so. Why?”

Strike glanced at Clout, who rolled his eyes, before resuming the conversation with Steelton, “Dude. Why? Why?!”

“Yeah, why?”

“You’re going after Twilight bucking Sparkle!”

“...Good for me?”

“Steel. It’s such a special mission! Come on, this is all on you! You decide if Twilight lives or dies! That is big, bud.”

“...You excited by my deciding a pony’s fate?”

“I mean, no. Well...kind of. It’s just...she almost killed us. She could kill you. Easily. Like...candy-from-a-foal-easy. You do understand this, right?”

“I know. Look, guys, I appreciate the help you might be giving here, but it’s very simple. She becomes a threat, I’ll kill her. If not, I will knock her out. That easy. You two feel better now?”

Clout ringed in, “The others were really hoping on an answer. How can I come back to them with a maybe?”

“I don’t know how this will play out. I don’t want you all thinking I will do something when I might not.”

“Fine, fine. I understand.”

Strike and Clout soon departed the expansive bathroom, going to tell everypony what Steelton said...and maybe a few other stretched details.

Freed from their constant talking, Steelton could now busy himself with washing his mane, turning his face to the spray of hot water ahead of him. Closing his eyes as he scrubbed into his head, he realized this might be the only shower he would have in awhile.

Then, proceeded to bring his face under the water’s relaxing pour.

He stayed under the shower’s spatter for awhile, letting his thoughts leave him for the duration of the wash.

Ten minutes too short, he turned off the shower, exiting to get a towel.

Grabbing the towel, he ran it across his hooves first.

…

He stopped soon after.

Steelton realized his color was leaving his body, literally.

His white hooves soon gave way...to his actual color.

Steelton sighed, getting to the mirror to find his fronthooves greatly altered by staying under the shower too long.

He hated when this happened. Didn’t much anymore. He usually would keep his appearance in mind...except for today.

Steelton gained a serious frown, noticing his white dye running down his chest now, too.

He growled to himself, “I really shouldn’t have let myself get so carried away. Now, I’m...off.”

A fellow soldier said before entering the room, “Hey, Steel! Mind wants you in his quarters! Double-time!”

Then, after peeking, the guard moaned out at seeing Steelton’s sorry state, “Oh, for real? You’re really out of your colors, stallion?”

He thought on if he could get Steelton touched up, yet soon decided against it with the limited time frame, “You don’t have the time to get back in your color-form. Just...wipe it off. You’ll be going commando.”

Steelton gave him a look of chagrin, suggesting, “If we hurry, we might be able-”

“If we hurry, we will actually get to Mind before you do get in trouble! So, I’m going to go outside. By the time you get out, your mane, coat, and tail had better be spotless. You leave an inch of it white, I’ll have the maids clean up your mess. You want that?”

“Dammit, no. I’ll...be out soon.”

The guard soon exited the barracks, leaving Steelton to do what he must.

Steelton glared into his reflection, then shook his head at what lay before him.

…

Steelton left the barracks, ready to start his terrible day off all kinds of wrong.

The impatient guard tried to get him to smile, comedically saying, “Looks good on you, son. Lovely shade you’re wearing.”

Steelton’s coat was truthfully Tropical Indigo. And, his natural mane was of two different colors. While his mane’s topside was Dark-Purple, the underside was of Light-Pastel Purple. And, Steelton didn’t feel right in his skin this moment.

He grit his teeth to bite back cursing his lungs off, yet still cared to share his revulsion to his born color, “I look stupid. This is humiliating in every way possible.”

The guard winked at Steelton, trying to brighten his day with a small fact, “Hey, at least you’re not Pink underneath like me, pal.”

That did make Steelton less hateful of his hue, “You know what? I’m going to shut up for a bit. Why...don’t we just get going?”

“Okay, then. So, mares first.”

“Oh, bite me.”

Steelton arrived outside Mind’s bedroom, letting the adrenaline drain from his system.

He let out a few huffs, then shook off his drained stamina by sucking in his panting.

After he and his fellow soldier got their acts together from their mad dash, the guard beside him opened the door.

Steelton asked when he could use his mouth for more than voiding the surrounding area of its oxygen, “Shouldn’t we...have knocked?”

The guard shook his head against the idea, instead motioning for Steelton to freely walk inside.

Steelton did so, and soon had the door closed behind him.

Mind had his back turned to the only other pony in the room, either having tuned out his arrival or about to give Steelton a new one for taking too much time.

Steelton walked over to his leader, asking the pony currently working on something metallic, “Mind. Sir, I am sorry if I was late, but I had a few...problems that had to be addressed before coming.”

Mind glanced over his shoulder for a second, then went back to work.

He demanded once finished with a lengthy yawn, “And, you are? I told a guard I wanted Steelton Defense. Very clearly sent for him. Now, it’s not your fault, yet-”

Steelton chimed in with an anxious breathe, “Uhm...I am Steelton Defense, sir.”

Mind sighed, putting his invention under a cloth to obscure its view before teleporting at Steelton.

Mind’s eyes sleepily drifted up and down, inspecting the warrior to check if his eyes were maybe incorrect.

After another yawn escaped, Mind told how he was too tired to deal with pranks, “Do not play around, soldier. Act your age before you get a new one.”

Steelton held up both hooves in his defense, trying to seem as honest as possible, “Sir, it is Steelton. I wear...white dye all over my body to mask my real colors.”

Mind’s interest grew, as did his need to yawn, “Why would you -- yaawn -- do such a thing?”

Steelton was going to answer, except Mind had told him to pause for a moment.

Mind then teleported to his nightstand, and pulled from it a bottle of some white liquid. It’s glow was very vibrant, to the point it could have acted as a nightlight.

Uncorking it, Mind drank it in one gulp, never leaving it to find air.

Afterwards, Mind set the empty glass on the nightstand, then resumed his previous proximity to Steelton with a second teleport.

His eyes soon loss their tired aspect, restored to their aware normalcy. His posture straightened from its previously disheveled stance to a more orderly form.

Mind went from looking like he was about to drop from sleep deprivation to his usual self.

Speaking with much authority, he requested, “Continue, guard. Forgive my disruption.”

Steelton wanted to learn what was in the bottle Mind had downed first, though, “Sir, what did you-”

“Potion. Keeps me from needing sleep. That’s all that I’ll say. Now, back to you.”

“Well...I am Steelton Defense, like I said before. I have my body given a thorough dye every once in a while.”

“For what purpose, Defense?”

“Equestria has gone to war a few times. Before the Color Protocols were put into place, our opposition would sometimes just laugh at being fought by a...so-called rainbow of soldiers. And, having so many colors on the battlefield would confuse superiors trying to coordinate battle strategies. Along with some of us being more easily targeted than others based on our coats and manes. So, for safety/pride measures, only a few colors were allowed for use by our military. I am currently breaking those rules, sir. Obviously.”

Mind nodded to this answer, explaining his feelings on the subject, “Hm. Well, not to worry, you are fine. I can finally tell you apart from the rest more easily now. So, we will keep this look for as long as you are on this mission. When home again, you may change if you prefer. I actually like how you are more individualized now. You all looking so close to one another is very...disturbing.”

Steelton nodded, though had hoped to be sent away for re-toning. Alas, he would have to make due with his...normal self.

Then, asked for mission details, “Alright, sir. I’m here, and you know I’m here. Lead on with the briefing.”

Mind was glad Steelton showed initiative, which made him even more of a clear choice to be given this task.

Going to the table, Mind grabbed a little electronic, then walked back to Steelton. After asking the soldier to present a hoof, Mind magically wrapped the electronic’s built-in belt around it.

Steelton glanced at it, unable to decipher its capabilities aside from an arrow and number counter.

He scratched his head with his strapped hoof, alarming Mind.

Mind shouted as he magically delivered Steelton’s hoof to the floor, “Don’t do that!”

Steelton gave his superior a quizzical once-over, “Any reason?”

“A grand one, in fact. You’ll lose her if your hair gets in the tracker.”

As he now understood it was the only form of following Twilight, he also realized she was ahead of them by quite a lot. Seems she had enough in her to get to another town or city in a night. Yet, with the counter set, she might have been asleep this moment. Meaning he could make up that time if he tried hard enough.

Steelton asked Mind if they could hurry, seeing as how Steelton could book it to his target before this whole adventure turned into a quest if she was still asleep by the time he arrived.

Mind told Steelton he would be ready after getting his gift, along with some other things.

A gift? Hm.

Mind led Steelton to the table, and held the covering of the invention in his hooves.

He stated its power and abilities before even giving Steelton a sight of it, “You’re a Pegasus. And, as such, I think that you going to battle against Twilight Sparkle is a problem...if not given the proper tools. Sure, you can fly above her for days, but what’s the point if you can’t ever get in close-”

Steelton told Mind with a crossed frown, “I can dodge a few beams from her enough to close distance, at least.”

“Yes, but can you take her on at full power?”

“...Not even slightly.”

“Alright, then. Now, these armor pieces follow the principles of magical shielding. You’ve seen Unicorn guards use such spells before, I’d like to think.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, it does simply that. Forms a shield around the wearer when they fully beat down with their wings.”

“That all? Because I’ve also seen those same shield spells break after a few smacks. And, fighting her, I’d think whatever shield I have will be broken pretty easily by Twilight not long after.”

“No, no. It can’t be broken by repeated firing. She can shoot to her heart’s content for as long as she wishes, still won’t budge such a shield.”

“So...does it have a battery that needs charging?”

“Err...yes and no. It will be attached to your wings, and draws the energy it needs from them. So, you may find it a little annoying. And...depending on the amount of energy being used, might feel some pain. I’d suggest you not rely on them too greatly.”

Without further waiting, Mind unveiled the wingset. It hit the light, and the white base shimmered in the light, giving off an almost divine shine. The wingtips were of an almost pitch-black shade, leaving the eyes to direct towards the only part of the armor not an eyesore. The edges were sharp and curved.

Yet, it was the dull, empty orbs in their centers that Steelton commented on as he slid the armor into place.

Mind gladly answered, “Oh. Yes. Those will fill with your-”

Steelton had just gotten the armor on, and felt...pain.

A drilling pain. One that one would hope stop, yet kept going. So quickly did it jump to action that Steelton hadn’t time to say a word.

He grit his teeth, then could only collapse to the ground as his wings felt like they were being pulled too hard. Then, broken. Ripped apart. Every conceivable suffering they could endure seemed to be happening at once.

Steelton’s eyes started to water from sheer trauma.

Similarly to when he had ran his first training course, he gasped from the stress of whatever was happening to his body.

The rest of him felt dull, as if all the pain his body could take was being transferred to only his wings.

He could have torn them off, and it would have been sweet relief.

Such, such sweet relief!

Then, just as his mouth opened to release a scream to pierce the skies from pure agony, his wings joined his body fully in numbing.

Steelton laid on the ground for awhile, gasping still.

Mind just sat there emotionless, not saying a thing.

Then, when Steelton shakily got to his hooves, he questioned Mind, “W-why would you let that happen to me? What was that?!”

Mind shook his head, saying to Steelton, “You have just had magic sucked from your body. Now, you know how Unicorns feel.”

Steelton glanced to the orbs fused to his wingset, and saw as they were saturated in a deep purple substance.

He didn’t think...that was possible.

Steelton remarked as he massaged his head, “Unicorns don’t just about cry everytime they do a spell. The weakest race of ponies can’t be able to take...that.”

Mind did elaborate on what he meant, “I’m telling you that’s how it goes if magic is overused. Too many spells at one time will leave us Unicorns on the ground. Neither Pegasi nor Earth Ponies have to go through such torture.”

“Except me. Literally a second ago.”

“...Aside from you.”

Mind then decided to actually leave the conversation. He never gave a warning as he began to launch into a teleporting spree, collecting a satchel, then filled said satchel with little devices.

Steelton didn't know what to do with himself, so he decided to leave on his own, seeing as how he freely entered before.

Yet, Mind finished off his round of popping in here and out there by landing right in front of the door, asking Steelton, "Where is it you think you're off to?"

Steelton shrugged, saying what he thought was allowed, "Well, I entered without permission, so I thought I could exit without permission as well."

Mind turned away from Steelton to the door, stating, “Well, no. You can't leave just yet. You're to follow me. After all, your partner needs to be supplied as well.”

Steelton trailed behind Mind, asking with astonishment, “Partner?!”

“Yes, partner.”

“Why didn’t you bring the guard in here with me? Seems a waste of time to-”

“Not a guard.”

“Huh?”

“They’re not a guard.”

“Then...who else could it be?”

Kelly waved to Mind and Steelton as they entered her room in the medical wing, exclaiming, “I was told I would get visitors, but wasn’t expecting two handsome stallions!”

Mind sighed at Kelly, informing her, “Kelly, get up. You’re needed.”

Steelton glanced at Mind with wide eyes, wondering, “When you said I would get a partner, you meant?”

Mind nodded to Kelly as she threw off the covers and bandages to spring out of bed with enthusiasm.

Steelton glowered as she walked over, “Oh no.”

Mind tried to explain away Steelton’s worry, “As you can see, she heals pretty well. She’s a born fighter. She almost fought off Twilight, by herself. And, is strong enough to break your body without even trying.”

Kelly joyfully jumped up to the pair, smiling a sickening smile, “Hello, Steelton and Mind! How are you both doing today?”

Mind replied simply, “Fine.”

Steelton’s face had an evident scowl from remembering today’s events, “Terrible. And, not to be rude, but how do you know my name?”

Kelly immediately grabbed him in her hooves, and squeezed the poor stallion in a supposedly loving embrace.

She released him from her death hug once he tapped out, blushing, “Mind never lets me hug him, so I just had to give you his share. And, to answer your question, I and the maids are really hitting it off well. They’ve got really good ears...or the walls are paper thin.”

Steelton grasped his back, hoping he still had an intact spine as he responded, “Those maids really hate keeping to themselves, it seems like.”

“Yeah, but they are so much fun. And, I think they are-”

Mind broke into their conversation before it could envelope Kelly in her own words, “Mh-hmmm. Very interesting, but you must know why we’re here, Kelly.”

Kelly’s face lost its blissful expression at the thought of Twilight, “Yeah. We’re off to bring those children back from the thieving mare!”

Mind unslung his satchel, bringing out a grouping of items.

Kelly grinned as he did so, knowing this part, “Oh, nice! Gimme those gadgets!”

Steelton saw Kelly feverishly accept the inventions onto her body.

Kelly had white armbands secured to each hoof, which immediately began to flood with...Kelly’s magic?

If so, shouldn’t she be on the floor, clutching herself and wishing for death right now?

Steelton wanted an explanation as to why she wasn’t even affected by the act of being drained, “Shouldn’t you be...in pain? Those things are sapping your magic straight from you, and you’re...still standing?”

Kelly giggled at his puzzled expression, patting his back, “Oh, Steely. The first time is very scary, I know. Though, after a few years of being sucked dry of your magic, you get used to it.”

Steelton lightly pushed her hoof away, and huffed at the condescending tone she employed.

Taking the hint, Kelly left him alone to flex her muscles as she viewed if the armbands had any noticeable touch to her strength.

After coming to the conclusion they didn’t increase her muscle mass, Kelly inquired to Mind, “What can these babies do, Mind?”

Mind notified his assistant on their effectiveness in the field, “Well, Steelton and you both were caught in a grip of magic that makes you easy for Twilight to then deal with, right? The armbands use your strength to cut off any sort of binding magic. Basically, you can run at an Unicorn, and they can’t hold you off.”

“So...no strength-maximizing?”

“You already have immense strength, Kelly. And, I gave them mild abilities because you always seem to break the inventions you like. So, this is the counter-measure.”

Next, Mind instructed them on their roles in battle, “So, you two are after different targets. Kelly, go for the foals. Steelton, go for Twilight. Because Kelly can still get shot, I want you, Steelton, to soak up every incoming shot that goes for her. Because Steelton can still be trapped in her magic, Kelly, you will use that opportunity to close the distance to the foals. She won’t be able to keep you both staved off. One distracts, one gets closer until they get their target. Understood?”

The duo nodded, understanding the big picture of their tool-set.

Mind lastly pulled out a bag that jingled with every motion of his hoof.

Tossing it to Steelton, Mind mentioned about their need for funding of food, drink, and other goods, “You get three hundred bits of my own money. Don’t go crazy. I don’t care if you use it all, but know it’s all you’ll have until having returned.”

Steelton slipped the bag of bits into his boot.

Mind finally announced to the two, “Alright. You’ve got your mission, your ability to locate her and the foals, a means to combat her, and expenses taken care of. You’re fully prepared for your journey.”

Steelton checked the tracker, noticing the number counter hadn't budged a single digit, "She's still asleep.”

Kelly hoof-pumped into the air, “Then, she'd better prepare for one rude awakening!”