The Mixer Chronicles

by Mixer

Homecoming

After leaving Saddle Arabia, we began our journey back to Equestria, a story to tell, and one very tired unicorn.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to go sleep,” I yawned, going below decks.
I slept for most of the journey home.
When I woke up, the others were asleep and I found Phalanx at the helm.
“Finally awake?” he chuckled.
“Slaying a dragon is rather draining,” I said.
“I can imagine,” he said.
“So where are we?” I asked.
“We’re almost to Appleoosa,” he said.
“Then we should be back in time for breakfast,” I said.
“I take it you wanted to take over?” Phalanx asked.
“Yeah, you can get some rest with the others,” I said.
He nodded and let me take the helm, heading below decks to get some rest.
I took some time to reflect on what I’d been through, all the way back to when I first came to Equestria.
When I first came to Equestria, I was just a simple chemist, nopony special. Then I met Discord, and I guess that was what set me on the path that led to where I was then. After Discord, I returned to a normal life, being a chemist.
It’s rather ironic. If it weren’t for my enemies, then I wouldn’t be slaying dragons and saving nations. Hay, without my enemies, then I would still be in that lab, making potions.
I reflected in this manner until the sun started to rise, and Canterlot was coming into view.
“Good morning,” Ivy said from behind me, yawning.
“Good morning to you too,” I said.
“So, it looks like things might be taking a turn for the better,” I said.
“How do you figure?” she asked.
“Not to jinx myself, but I think slaying a dragon and saving a nation is hard to top,” I said.
“What?” she asked.
“All the troubles I’ve faced have gotten progressively bugger, from Discord, to a dragon, they just get bigger. Now I think I’ve earned a little down time from fate,” I said.
“After all that you’ve done, you shouldn’t have to do any more,” Ivy said.
“Thanks,” I said.

We floated towards Canterlot, and decided to leave the airship out on the docks so we could go directly into the castle.
All of us filed in the throne room, now all back in our regular Lunar guard armor.
“Ah, you’re back! I take it everything went alright,” Celestia said, greeting us.
“Yes, we were able to help the Saddle Arabians,” Luna said.
“Good,” Celestia said.
“Mixer, you and the others can go now,” Luna said.
“As you wish,” I said.
The Lunar guard went to our barracks, and we took off our armor.
“It feels like ages since we’ve been out of that armor,” Star Shine said, stretching.
“Wow, I feel so light without it on,” Thunderlane said.
“As far as I’m concerned, you all have the rest of the day off,” I said.
“You sure?” Trottson asked.
“Yes, I’m sure that Luna and Celestia will be talking for some time,” I said.
“Alright,” Trottson said.
I went across the cavern and walked into my house.
“You’re back,” Crystal said, running up and giving me a hug.
“You seem a little less broken up about me being gone,” I said, picking her up and swinging her around, before pulling her in for a hug.
“I think it’s because you didn’t leave her alone,” Silverwing said, coming down the stairs.
“So how did you two fare while I was away?” I asked.
“Things were really quiet while you were gone,” Silverwing said.
“Things in Saddle Arabia were anything but quiet. We slew a dragon and fought an army of minotaurs,” I said.
“You slew a dragon?” Crystal asked, eyes wide with wonder.
“Yep, it was big, and black, and boy was it tough to fight,” I said.
“Well, you must have been exhausted after all that,” Silverwing said.
“I was. I slept half of yesterday,” I said.
“Well, I was just about to start breakfast,” Silverwing said.
“Ok, I was just going to put my armor on the stand in my room,” I said.
“Alright,” she said.
I went up to my room, carrying my armor with magic.
I set it down on my bed and looked at a small table that had the blade I took from Soulless in a stand.
“You and I have some unfinished business,” Soulless said, appearing behind me.
I walked over to the blade, and threw the crystal at him.
“Here, take it,” I said.
The case hit him in the head as he stared at me.
“Wait, what?” he asked dumbfounded.
“Oh, and I found this too,” I said, sliding his board over to him.
What?” he said again.
“Oh, and here take these,” I said, digging a case of potions out of my closet.
“Ok, did I suddenly step into crazy land?” he asked.
I walked over to him and cuffed him on the back of the head.
“You disappeared on us, before I could even explain things to you,” I said.
His mouth was hanging open, and he had a dumb look on his face.
“You mean, I thought of how I was going to get back at you for betraying me, and how I would get my blade back, only or you to say that we’re all buddy buddy and that you’re going to just give it back to me?!” he questioned.
I cuffed him again, “What were you expecting, us to be all furious at you? No, I didn’t even want to drain your augmentation, but Celestia made me do it. Furthermore, I kept the blade so you wouldn’t do anything stupid when you woke up,” I explained.
He facehoofed.
“I don’t understand you ponies,” he said.
“Well, you better get used to it, because now that all’s well, Rainbow will be wanting to spend more time with you,” I said.
He sighed, “So what now?” he asked.
“Breakfast?” I asked.
“Why not,” he sighed.
He put his things down, and the both of us went downstairs to join Silverwing and Crystal.
“Hey, where did he come from?” Silverwing asked when the two of us walked down the stairs.
“He’s joining us for breakfast, I hope you don’t mind,” I said.
“Hey mister, why do you always wear that cloak?” Crystal asked him.
“It’s good for when the weather gets bad,” I said, covering for him.
“But it’s nice in here,” she said.
“Matter of habit,” he said.
“Ok,” she said, accepting his answer.
Silverwing pulled me off to the side.
“How did he even get in here?” she whispered harshly.
“I forgot to lock the door I guess,” I whispered back.
Silverwing sighed and went back to preparing breakfast.
I walked back over to Soulless.
“I don’t think she likes me,” he said.
“I guess there’s still a little bad blood, but don’t worry, she’ll get used to you,” I said.
“Somehow I doubt that,” he said.
“You also didn’t think that I would just give you your blade back too,” I countered.
“True,” he said.
“And as one final gift, I’ll let you stay at my place in Ponyville, at least until we can find you a place of your own,” I said.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” he said.
“Nope, you can use it for as long as you want, and or need,” I said.
“Wow, and here I was expecting to have a fight, and you let me live in your house,” Soulless said.
“Oh, and don’t worry about being broke, I’ll talk to the princesses about arranging something,” I said.
“I never said anything about being broke,” he said.
“Oh, so I suppose that you have a decent job in mind that pays good bit that you can actually do?” I asked.
“Well, no...” he said.
“Then it’s settled, I’ll arrange for you to get an allowance of bits for assisting me and the Lunar guard,” I said.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“You’ve helped us alot so far, and I can only guess that you will help in the future,” I said.
“I’m sure I will,” he said.
“Now, let’s have some breakfast shall we?” I said.
The four of us ate, then I took Soulless and his things to the train station.
“Are you sure you want to let me use your house?” he asked.
“I’m not letting you, I’m telling you to. I don’t want you to just have to bum around the castle,” I said.
“I suppose you’re right,” he said.
We got on the train and started our way towards Ponyville.
It was not long before we reached ponyville and were at my house.
“Ok, so these are my insturments. You can play them if you want, though I doubt you will. This is a gift sword from Haakim, a sheikh from Saddle Arabia,” I said, motioning to the silver scimitar. “And over there is the fridge, though I think it’s empty. And there is a room upstairs that you can use. It’s the one on the left,” I called as I went upstairs and he looked around.
From the upstairs I saw Octavia and Vinyl approaching the house.
Downstairs, Soulless was checking the fridge, when Vinyl and Octavia walked in.
“Oh Tavi, there’s nothing to worry about,” Vinyl said.
“I know he told us we could use his place whenever, but I still don’t feel comfortable about you raiding the fridge every time we’re here,” Octavia said.
“Hey who are you?” Vinyl asked, seeing Soulless at the fridge.
“And what are you doing here?” Octavi asked.
“Hold on a second,” Soulless said.
“And why are you raiding the fridge? Octavia pays hard bits for the stuff we put in there!” Vinyl said.
“Vinyl!” Octavia complained.
“It’s ok, he’s going to be staying here for a bit,” I said, coming down the stairs.
“Oh, Mixer, what are you doing here?” Vinyl asked.
“Helping him get his stuff here,” I said.
“So who is this guy?” Vinyl asked, pushing him out of the way to check the fridge was still intact.
“His name is Soulless, and he’s a friend of mine,” I said.
“Well why didn’t you say so?” Vinyl said, giving Soulless a slap on the back. “Any friend of Mixer’s is alright with me.”
“So what’s up Octavia? You seem a little stressed,” I said.
“Well, I have been invited to play in Canterlot, as an audition for the Royal Orchestra, and I have a week to perfect this piece,” she said.
“Well, I can help you. I don’t really play the cello, but I can help with the rhythms and the pitches if you need me to,” I said.
“Well, actually, since you are well respected in Canterlot, could you do the announcing for the recital?” she asked.
“Of course,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Any time,” I said.
“So, you said your friend’s name was Soulless?” she asked.
“Yeah, don’t ask,” I said.
“Alright. At least Vinyl seems to be getting along with him,” Octavia said.
“I don’t think the same can be said for him,” I sighed.
Vinyl and Soulless were practically mirror images. Everything about them contrasted.
“So Vinyl, what have you been up to?” I asked, tagging Soulless out of some conversation Vinyl was trying to have with him.
“Oh, you know, same ol same ol. I have to say though, that Mobile Party is the biggest hit since it can go just about anywhere,” Vinyl said.
“So, how is that airship doing?” I asked.
“I’m having some maintenance done on it after a particularly rough party broke one of the speakers,” she said.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I have to get back to Canterlot now, so try to stay out of trouble,” I said.
“Alright, see ya later,” she said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week later I was dressed in my best standing in front of a full house at the Canterlot theater.
“And now fillies and gentlecolts, we present you with a special performance from Octavia, an avid cellist and know for her performances in small ensembles. Tonight, she will be playing Cello Suite in G major,” I announced as the curtains were parted to reveal Octavia sitting and ready to play the piece.
I walked off to the side of the stage, behind the scenes, where Soulless was standing.
“Well, you can speak very well in front of all of Canterlot,” Soulless said.
“You didn’t think I was going to let Octavia down did you?” I asked.
“You? never,” he said.
“Uh oh...”I trailed off.
“What?” he asked.
I pointed at discord who was sitting on one of the catwalks above the stage.
He noticed and waved, wearing a devious smile on his face, and a cliche evil moustache.
I facehoofed, “Get up there and try and stop him, I’ll keep him from ruining the show,” I said, as discord produced a fancy rapier and cut a sandbag loose.
I caught the offending object and set it down off to the side, out of view, as Soulless teleported up to the catwalks.
Above on the catwalks, Discord cut another sandbag loose as he moved away from Soulless. When Discord turned to face him, he was now wearing a black hat and vest, looking like a character out of a play.
“En garde,” Discord said to Soulless, brandishing the rapier, which looked no more dangerous than a prop.
I sighed inwardly at Discords theatrics, although, I suppose it was the place for them.
The two of them parried each other as Octavia played, Soulless muffling the sounds made from the impacts.
After most of the song, and three sandbags later, Discord turned to watch Octavia reach the climax of the piece, letting the rapier fight by itself.
“What is this?” Soulless complained as the sword parried and blocked him.
“Almost there,” I said to myself as Octavia neared the end of the piece.
Discord turned around and grabbed the rapier, continuing to battle with Soulless.
When Octavia was finished, there was thunderous applause, and Discord and Soulless both stopped fighting to look down.
Octavia took a bow and walked off the stage, over to where I was standing.
“Oh my, I think I’m going to be sick,” she said.
“You did great,” I said.
“That was still the most nerve wracking think I’ve done in my career,” she said.
“They loved it!” Vinyl said, entering the stage from a side door.
Octavia and Vinyl left the stage and Discord and Soulless appeared by me.
“Discord! What were you doing?” I practically yelled.
“Having a little fun,” he said. “And I’d say that was a wonderful performance.”
“What, you mean the one you were trying to sabotage?” I questioned.
“No, I mean your gloomy friend here. He was quite fun,” Discord said.
“You mean that whole fight was just a game to you?” Soulless questioned.
“Yes, we must do this again sometime,” he said, before disappearing with a snap of his fingers.