//------------------------------// // From Beyond the End // Story: The Mixer Chronicles // by Mixer //------------------------------// The Mixer Chronicles: Book Five: From Beyond the End Attention: Missing Pony Recently Mixer, a researcher for Princess Celestia, has gone missing. He is a unicorn of slightly above average height, with an average build. He has a pale blue coat with a brown mane. His cutie mark is a vial crossed with a crystal. He was last seen in the Crystal Empire in the Crystal Palace. If you have any information to his whereabouts please inform the nearest guard. The posters went up a day after Mixer went missing. There was no trace of him left; he had simply disappeared after giving a demonstration to Cadence and Shining Armor for an invisibility cloak. Celestia sent her guards to every city in Equestria but they could not find any trace of him. In Appleoosa there were reports of a strange noise coming from the badlands, a haunting sound that one night came and went. Not a single soul dared to go and investigate for three days, believing that there must have been some kind of ghost or spirit haunting the badlands. Finally three of the townsfolk braved the badlands to investigate. They traveled until they hit The Wall, a great barrier of stone that rises up from the dry ground, and saw that in one portion there were strange formations; not the normal sun baked stone, but something brighter. They found that a portion of cliff face had strange crystal formations protruding from it and saw that there was a cave lined with crystals. “Wadaya think did this?” one of them asked the others. “I dunno, musta been quite something though.” said another. “Should we check it out?” the third asked. “Well, we did come all this way so we're not leaving empty hooved.” The first said; so the three of them entered the crystal cavern. “It’s kind chilly in here.” one said. “Yeah, that sure is strange,” another chimed in, “and look at all these strange formations, this stuff is all over the place.” “Wait, I think I see something in one of these formations.” one said. “What is it?” one of the others asked looking closer to see though to crystal. “Ah! It’s some kinda monster.” He said jumping back. “Wada mean ‘monster’?” the first asked. “Some kind of weird bug thing, it’s all black and it’s got a horn and wings and looks kinda like a pony.” He replied. “Eww,” the first said examining the creature, “I’ve never seen something like this before.” “We should get out of here. What if there are more here, or what if we found whatever did this to it?” the third said shakily. “Yeah, stayin here isn’t a good idea.” The second said. So the three of them went back to Appleoosa and told their tale of mysterious frozen monsters in The Wall. Their tale traveled fast and soon reached some of the guards investigating Mixer’s disappearance. They questioned the three explorers and determined that the creatures they saw were changelings. The guards sent word to the princess who quickly dispatched Twilight and her friends to investigate. “What do you think it means?” Twilight asked the others as they rode the train toward Appleoosa. “I don’t know,” Applejack began, “I just hope that nothing happens in Appleoosa.” “Do you think that there really are changelings, and they didn’t just see something else?” Rainbow Dash asked. “The description they gave matches changelings pretty closely; if it is something else I don’t know what it could be.” Twilight answered. They soon arrived in Appleoosa and were greeted by Braeburn. “I’m glad you're finally here, though, I wish it could be under more casual circumstances.” He said as they got off the train. “It’s good to see you too Braeburn,” Applejack said, “Now can you tell us what is going on?” “The guard put together a team to go into the badlands to investigate the cave. They even got a couple buffalo to help.” “Hmm, this must be serious if the guard got that much help.” Twilight said. “Y’all should get going, they’re expecting you.” Braeburn said leading them through town. “Good, now that everypony is here we can head out.” A guard said as Twilight and her friends approached a group of three guards, two buffalo, and four other ponies. “This is a big expedition,” Twilight began, “Do we really need all these ponies just to investigate?” “Yes, the princess does not want to take any risks in dealing with a possible changeling sighting.” The lead guard said. And so they departed to check out the cave in the badlands. When they arrived the sun had sunk low in the sky and the cool evening breeze was starting to blow across the arid plains. "We won’t be able to travel back in the dark so we’ll just have to make camp here,” the guard said, “You two, start setting up camp while we investigate.” He said gesturing to two of the other ponies. “It’s unusually cool in here.” Twilight said. “Yes, the three witnesses said the same thing.” The guard said, “The place where they found the supposed changelings is just up ahead.” As they moved down the tunnel it started to widen until they found the spot where the three had found the changeling. “Yes, this most certainly is a changeling.” Twilight said, “It almost looks like it was afraid, or in pain.” “Look, I found another one over here.” Rainbow dash called, “It looks like it’s covering its ears.” “Look,” Rarity said, “There are more of them ahead.” They moved further down the tunnel until it widened into a cavern. “Whoa.” They all said at the sight they were greeted with. The walls of the cavern were entirely covered with crystals. Along some of the walls there were groups of entombed changelings, in others there were pillars that ran from floor to ceiling; and in the center of the room suspended by crystal pillars was an orb covered in crystal. “What in the name of Celestia happened here?” Twilight wondered. Rainbow Dash flew around looking at the changelings. “They all look like they were trying to get away from something.” She said. “Maybe, we’ll whatever it was is in that sphere.” Rarity suggested. “We don’t have any way of finding out though, we can’t break crystal.” Applejack said. “We might not be able to break it but I might be able to open it.” Rarity said. "You can?” Twilight asked. “Yes, when Mixer was in town last he showed me how to sculpt crystal for a new clothing line. Maybe I can open a hole in it.” She answered. So Rarity began to shape it and slowly a dent formed in the sphere, a dent that turned into a small but widening hole about three feet wide. “There is a second layer,” Twilight said, “Can you do it?” “It is somewhat of a strain but I think I can open the second layer.” Rarity replied. When she breached the last layer of the sphere there was a release of mist and then a silhouette started to slide out of the hole. Twilight caught the falling form before it hit the ground with magic and lowered it to the ground so they could examine it. I gasped for air. “Chrysalis.” I said breathlessly. “What? Mixer what’s going on?” I heard a voice say. “Sombra. Changelings.” I kept saying. “Wait.” I sat bolt upright. “Chrysalis where are you?” I yelled backing up. “Mixer, it’s us.” Twilight said. “No, lies. CHRYSALIS! YOU’RE CHANGELINGS CAN’T FOOL ME.” I yelled into the tunnel. “Calm down, you must have been through something terrible, come with us and we'll talk.” Twilight said. “No, stay back.” I said baring my magic. I turned and ran farther into the cave, the same direction I saw Chrysalis and Sombra run down. I had to find them and stop them, or at least find a way out of the cave. I ran till I heard hooves behind me. I turned around to see Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and two other ponies, one of which was a guard. I used crystals to stop the two other ponies but the six were still following me, so I keep running. “Stop, we just want to talk.” I heard Rainbow Dash call as she got closer. I could not run for much longer so I prepared crystal orbs to trap them in. As I turned around again Rainbow Dash was almost on top of me, too close to avoid the orb, and went tumbling away in here spherical prison. “Hey! What was that for?” she said frustrated. I made the orb opaque and turned to deal with the other five, who after seeing what happened to Rainbow Dash were more cautious in approaching me. “We have to be careful, he’s obviously been traumatized.” Twilight said to the others. I had three more orbs prepped and floating around me to use at the first sign of hostilities. “I’m not sure that we can just talk to him, we might just have to knock some sense into him.” Applejack said taking a step toward me. “But won’t that make it worse?” Fluttershy asked. “I think Applejack might be right, he’s too unstable to talk to.” Rarity said. “Pinkie you and Applejack hold him down while I get ready to use a paralysis spell,” Twilight said. I didn’t wait for them to make the first move, I had Pinkie and Applejack trapped before Twilight could react and she dodged the third, only to have it trap Rarity instead. I readied another orb and Twilight stared me down. “Your move.” I said dryly. “I didn’t want to do this the hard way, but you forced me to.” She said back. I did not expect the fireball that she produced next. I was barely able to shield myself before it hit. As the smoke was clearing I threw an orb to trap her. It was on target but Fluttershy took the orb for her and rolled away into the wall. “Just you and me now,” I said tauntingly, “And I won’t get caught off guard so easily the second time.” “Why won’t you just listen to reason? We came here to help you.” Twilight said. “If that were true then where are the Elements? Surely you would have brought them if there was a changeling threat.” I said back. Before she could reply I threw another orb, and this one didn’t miss. I lined up the orbs in front of me and said, “If you are telling the truth, prove it.” I used some of my remaining magic to make audio crystals in each orb so I could hear them and vice versa. “How? You have us trapped in these balls.” Applejack said. “I ask a question that only the real one would know, and if any of you answer correctly I’ll set you all free.” I replied. “Just ask us and let’s be done with it.” Rainbow Dash said. “Ok, first question is for you Rainbow Dash. What did I call the routine I helped you work out?” “Um, um, shoot I can’t remember.” She answered. “Wrong answer,” I said making that sphere opaque, “Rarity, you are next. What did I give you when I first came to Ponyville?” I asked. “Let me think, was it new fabrics?” she answered. “Sorry, I gave you dyes.” I made hers opaque as well. “Applejack, what was the name of the Flim Flam brothers’ machine?” “Oh, the Flim Flam Brother’s Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 9000?” she said. “So close, but not quite.” I said and moved on to Pinkie Pie. “What was the first thing I said to the six of you?” “What do you mean the first thing? Do you mean the first sentence or the first word or do you mean a word from the first sentence?” she continued on in this fashion until I simply disabled the audio crystal. “Twilight, what was in the book I gave you when I got settled into my house in Ponyville?” I asked. “The book you gave me. I’m sorry, I didn’t get a chance to read what was in it yet.” She answered. “If you were the real Twilight you would have already read it at least once if not twice.” I said shrouding her sphere as well. “Well, now it’s down to you Fluttershy. Tell me something that only the real Fluttershy would know.” I asked. “Come on Fluttershy, you’re our only hope.” Twilight said before I disabled all but Fluttershy’s audio crystal. “Well, what do you have?” “Um, I, Um,…” she trail off. “Well? I’m listening.” I said. “You’re being kind of rude and scary. Could you please be a little nicer? If its ok.” I gave a sigh, “Ok, is this better.” I said losing the edge to my voice in favor of a more soothing tone. “Yes, thank you. What only I would know? I know that you hand made the golden butterfly for my birthday, and that you did it because you... love me.” I instantly open her orb. “It is you. I’m so sorry.” I said in an apologetic tone while I freed the others. “Fluttershy you did it!” Twilight said walking over. “Now can we know what the hay happened?” Applejack asked. “Yes, but I need a rest.” I replied. So we walked back to the others who had prepared camp and we rested and ate before I explained what had happened. “So you’re saying that Sombra is back and he’s working with Chrysalis?” Twilight asked dumbfounded. “Yes, although I think I pushed them farther into the badlands so whatever they were planning has been delayed.” I replied. “What are we going to tell the princess?” the guard asked. “Tell her that we have time. With them pushed back they won’t be as quick to act.” I said. “So how did you even end up here?” Applejack asked. “Somehow Sombra used crystals to find and teleport me here.” I replied. “How did he find you, and can he do it again?” Twilight asked. “I was using a particularly large amount of energy on crystal when he first located me, and even more when he transported me here.” I said. “What took that much energy?” she asked. “I was making your brother an invisibility cloak.” I answered. “Why not just use an invisibility spell?” she asked. “Because, invisibility spell require either a large amount of energy for only a limited duration or a taxing upkeep. The cloak works for as long as you wear it,” I answered, “But back to the original matter, as long as I don’t use any powerful crystal magic Sombra won’t be able to detect me.” “Well, we should get some sleep, we need to leave early to get word to Celestia.” The guard said. We slept then we left for Appleoosa just before dawn to avoid the midday heat. “So Sombra teleported me from the Crystal Empire all the way to the badlands south of Appleoosa?” I asked as we walked. “It appears so.” Twilight said. “How much power does that take? You know, to teleport.” I asked. “It increases with distance and even more to teleport something you can’t see.” She answered. “So Sombra would have had to use a large amount of energy to bring me here, but he was recovering from what you did to him. That means that he must have used something else to supply the power.” I said. “What are you thinking?” Twilight asked. “I doubt that Chrysalis supplied the power, she would have been drained after being banished by the elements. I’m wondering if he could have used crystal to supply some of the magic and possibly even my own energy. I remember that I could not stop using my magic when I was teleported.” I said. “I’ll look into that,” Twilight said, “You should get back to the Crystal Empire so you can warn Cadence and Shining Armor.” We got back to Appleoosa and boarded the train, I would ride all the way to the Crystal Empire but the others got off at Canterlot. When I got to the Crystal Empire it was dark and there was not much activity. I headed straight to the Palace to let Cadence and Shining Armor know of my return. The guards were surprised to see me but they let me through. I was lead to the throne room where Shining Armor was waiting with princess Cadence. “We didn’t think that it was true, but you’re back.” Cadence said relieved. “What happened?” Shining Armor asked. “It’s a long story so I’ll give you the short version,” I began, “Sombra teleported me to the badlands south of Appleoosa where he and Chrysalis were waiting to ambush me and stage a takeover of Equestria. I pushed them farther back into the badlands, at the cost of putting myself in stasis. That is why I’ve been gone for so long.” “Sombra survived? And he’s working with Chrysalis?” Cadence asked. “Yes, Sombra located me through the crystal when I was calibrating the cloak.” I replied. “Does that mean he can find you again?” Shining Armor asked. “No, not so long as I don’t use any powerful magic around crystals.” I answered. “Well, it’s best to be safe so don’t use any magic for a few days.” Shining Armor said. “Ok, I’ll be safe about this.” I replied and left to get some sleep. The next day I started thinking about how to stop Chrysalis and Sombra, a difficult task when I can’t use magic for fear of opening up myself for teleportation by Sombra. Then it hit me, if Sombra can use the Crystal to locate me and teleport me, I can do the same, or at the very least lure him into a trap. So I ran to the palace to tell Cadence and Shining Armor my plan. “If I can draw Sombra’s attention outside of the protection of the Crystal Empire, I can teleport him to us and we can have Discord use his ability to reverse a pony’s personality on Sombra, making him good.” I said breathlessly. “Wait, what? You want to lure Sombra to you? Are you crazy?!” Shining Armor questioned. “Listen, if we lure him to a remote location where he can’t harm anypony and we prepare we can restrain him and make him an asset, instead of an enemy.” I explained, “Think about it. If we have Sombra’s mastery of crystal on our side that is an advantage we have over Chrysalis, and it puts her at a disadvantage losing a powerful ally.” “That’s still an awful big risk, how can you even be sure that Discord will help us?” Cadence asked. “I’ll have to offer something in return, Discord doesn’t help without incentive.” I said. “Are you sure you can even teleport Sombra instead of being teleported yourself?” she asked. “If I can’t teleport him by my own power, I’ll simply use a redirection spell on him so that the teleportation affects him.” I answered. “What about restraining him?” Shining Armor asked. “If we can get a ring to inhibit his ability to use magic, or maybe use some kind of glyph of dispelling, he won’t be use his magic and we can just tie him up.” I replied. “So how long would it take you to get all this ready?” Shining Armor asked. “About a day or so.” I answered. “Gather all that you need and we’ll see in a day’s time if your plan is still worth considering.” He said. “I will be ready.” I said hurrying out. I went to the library immediately to check on the proper spells I would need to know to make the plan work. The reversal spell was simple enough, but the teleportation was beyond my abilities to lean in a day so I forewent that in favor of the reversal. Next I had to make a ring and get it enchanted to inhibit magic, not an easy task, and learn if there were any kinds of glyphs that stopped magic use. I found a circle of dispelling but I could not decipher how to properly create it, leaving me with a circle that did little more than to slightly hinder magic use. The ring was finished and enchanted by the next morning and I bought a length of rope and a pair of shackles to restrain Sombra as I headed toward the palace. When I presented my preparations to Cadence and Shining Armor, they decided that it might work after all. “So now all we need to do is get Discord.” I said. “At your service.” He said appearing as if one cue. “You know, that is getting bothersome.” I said. “Now is that any way to greet an old friend?” Discord asked. “We are not friends Discord, we’re allies; you help us, you get something in return.” I said. “You’re no fun.” He said. “I take it you already know what I’m planning?” I asked him. “Yes, lure Sombra, turn him good, I get something in return, happy endings and all that.” he said, “Well, let’s get on with it, I don’t have all day.” So we went outside the Crystal Empire to a secluded location and I prepared to put my plan into action. Once I made sure Shining Armor had some rope ready and made sure Discord was not going to pull anything funny, I began to make a dais out of crystal. The dais was meant to give me a place of reference to teleport Sombra, as well as to channel energy into. After a few second I felt the familiar sensation of Sombra’s probing and used the reversal spell while I still could. The strain felt worse than before, supplying the energy by myself was more taxing than being used to supplement Sombra’s own power. Soon enough Sombra was standing in the center of the Crystal dais. “Fool, you think you can stop me by simply reversing the teleportation? You are sorely mistaken.” He said menacingly. “Now!” I shouted to Cadence who had the inhibitor ring. She swooped down from behind him and placed the ring firmly onto Sombra’s horn. “What is this? You think some mere trinket will save you?” he said. He tried to use his magic but the ring’s enchantment held. Shining Armor wasted no time in knocking him over and tying him up. Sombra was straining to overpower the ring now, and the ring would not last much longer. “Now Discord.” I shouted. Nothing happened; Discord was nowhere to be seen. Sombra had almost broken the ring now, the force of his magic straining to shatter the bonds that held it. “Ha! Your plan has failed,” Sombra said shattering the ring, “Now you are mine.” “Not so fast.” Discord said appearing behind Sombra, “Who said anything about when I had to change him.” As Sombra spun around to face Discord, he used his magic touch on Sombra to change his personality. At first Sombra just stared blankly as his colors changed from black to a dark grey; then he shook his head and looked around at us. “Where am I? What happened?” he said. “Sombra, is it really you?” I asked trying to sound like I was talking to a concerned friend, “We’ve been so worried about you.” “You have? I don’t recognize you.” He said. I shot a concerned look to Cadence and Shining Armor, “You don’t recognize us? We’re your friends.” I said fabricating a logical story to tell him about what happened to him. “My friends?” he asked with a questioning look. “Yes, we were so worried about you that we came looking for you.” I said. “You haven’t been yourself in a while.” “What do you mean I haven’t been myself, and why can’t I remember all of this.” He asked, his tone becoming harder and slightly skeptical. “About that, you have been in a fury since what happened with that mare.” I began. “What mare, what did she do?” he pressed. “Whoa, calm down. This is why we brought Discord with us, he suppressed the memories you had of her, but it seems that was not all he suppressed.” I said casting a stern look at Discord, intending to both convince Sombra and tell Discord to keep his mouth shut. “So that’s why I can’t remember anything?” he asked. “Yes it seems that way,” Cadence said joining the conversation, “But it is good to see you back to normal again.” “Yes, I’m glad that you are better now.” Shining Armor said. “And you are?” he Sombra asked. “Sombra, these are Princess Cadence and her husband, Shining Armor, we work for them studying crystal.” I said. “Studying crystal? I, think I remember something about crystals, but I’m not sure, it’s all foggy.” He said. “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, I’m Mixer, you and I have done a lot of research together.” I said. “Mixer? I know that name. I remember your name and crystals, but that’s all I know about you.” Sombra said. “I think we should take him to Canterlot and tell Celestia about this.” I said to Cadence and Shining Armor. “Are you sure?” Shining asked me, “After all, he has been through quite a lot.” “Exactly, it will be a chance for him to relax before getting back to work.” I said. “Some relaxation sounds like a great idea.” Cadence said. “Who is Celestia?” Sombra asked. “Oh, dear,” Cadence began, “You don’t remember?” “No, I don’t remember much of anything.” Sombra said. We had parked a carriage some ways away and I needed to talk with Discord so I suggested that Cadence and Shining Armor take Sombra there so we could leave. After they were out of earshot it turned to Discord and said, “You wiped his mind too?” “Must be a side effect of the personality shift.” Discord said nonchalantly. “Well, whatever the case, what do you want as payment?” I asked. “Hmmm. I think I will wait to ask for my payment.” He said, “Good bye.” He teleported away and left me standing by myself. I walked to the carriage and the four of us got in and began our way to Canterlot. As we rode we explained to Sombra about Celestia and Luna, and about Twilight and her friends, and about what happened with Chrysalis trying to take over Canterlot. We left out any mention of the Crystal Empire in case it triggered anything that could cause him to turn back, I didn’t want to take any chances. It seemed that my plan and subsequent fabricated story were working, but I couldn’t help thinking about what Discord said about waiting for his payment; I didn’t trust him before but now I was worried about what he would take, and when he would take it.