//------------------------------// // Canterlot Wedding: Part 2 // Story: The Mixer Chronicles // by Mixer //------------------------------// Book Five: Canterlot Wedding Part 2 I woke up with my head in a fog. Ugh... what happened last night? I wondered, but my mouth didn’t want to cooperate, and so I was stuck with mental reflection. I remember... a wedding? Yeah, a wedding, but there was something else too... Something was niggling in the back of my mind like I was missing something. There was a party... I remember a party... and dancing... The thought of dancing made my muscles sore, more than they ought to. Then something hit me, I was fighting... but... we won, didn't we? I tried to force my eyes open, but they refused to cooperate. The rest of my body was more or less as stubborn and it took a tremendous effort just to raise my hooves to my face. It wasn’t the tiredness in my libs however, and I soon felt that I was suspended in some kind of gel like substance. My eyes opened with some effort and I saw that I was in a green translucent pod of some sort. Out of my pod I could barely make out other pods like my own with their own occupants, looking like they were still fast asleep. I struggled to push my way to the bottom of the pod and started to push against the membrane, which gave after a little effort, spewing it’s contents onto the floor. I coughed up some green slime and wiped my eyes as I looked around to see where I was. I was horrified to see that I was in the Canterlot castle throne room, except that it wasn’t like I remembered. Rows upon rows of pods were dangling from the ceiling, each containing ponies. It was like something out of a horror story, but it was very real to my dismay. I heard a squelching sound as a pod nearby broke open and a pony gushed out along with the green slime. After a moment, I saw that it was Twilight. She must have come to the same rude awakening that I had, and broken free. I felt by blood freeze when I heard a chuckle of laughter from a voice that seemed to be more than one voice at once. Twilight’s face turned into an equally terrified visage as we both looked to its source, a large changeling sitting on the throne that would normally be Celestia’s. “Guards, seize these two and see to it that they are tucked in tighter this time,” the voice said, ending in a warble of laughter. Two changelings descended to the floor and were stalking toward us. Twilight looked frozen in fear, but my fight or flight response was to get out of there, so I settled for something in between. I tore at the nearest pod, dragging the gooey pony with me as I ran toward Twilight, hooking a hoof under her and pulling her with me toward our nearest avenue of escape, a window. If I had known that that particular window was leading to a sheer drop off the mountain, I probably wouldn’t have been so eager to jump through it. “Hold on!” I hollered as we crashed through the window, shards of glass only leaving small cuts on my face as we hurtled out over the abyss. I heard Twilight scream as we began to plummet toward the forest below. Thankfully, the fall was long enough that Twilight had enough time to compose herself and teleport us just a few dozen feet from the ground. I was still clinging tightly to her, my eyes closed tightly when we came to rest gently in a pile of leaf litter. “We’re alive?” I asked nopony in particular, opening one eye. “We’re alive!” Twilight was less thrilled, but she gave a sigh of relief to find that we were, more or less, intact. I took this momentary pause to see who exactly I had rescued, since they hadn’t made any commotion since the fall. To my an Twilight’s astonishment, it was Fluttershy. I’m not sure if it was luck or providence but I was glad that it had been her, although she still seemed to be asleep. “Are you crazy?!” Twilight yelled, her voice hoarse and strained. “Sorry, it was the first thing I could think of.” “You could have killed us!” “Would you rather be a pod pony?” Her ears flattened, but I think she appreciated what a stroke of luck it was that there had been a way to escape at all. “We should probably move, they might not look for us, but we don’t want to risk it,” I said, standing up and testing my muscles, which were tired, but still strong. “Who died and made you leader?: Twilight asked indignantly. “I’m sorry, but who just saved your flank?” “And that automatically makes you leader?” “I think it at least gives me some credit!” Twilight was glaring at me, but she didn’t say anything back. “Listen, I’m sorry for being short with you, but this could very well be a life or death situation, and from what I saw up there, you couldn’t react fast enough.” “I admit that you’re right, I didn’t act, but I think I can do a lot better now that we’re out of harms way.” “We’re not out of the woods yet.” She frowned, “Not funny.” “I wasn’t trying to be. Now let’s stop arguing with each other and try to see if there’s anyplace more safe to spend the night, it feels like afternoon to me.” Twilight looked up, but the sky was blanketed with grey clouds, “I can’t be sure, but I think you’re right.” I picked up Fluttershy and situated her on my back with magic, while Twilight looked around and tried to determine out heading. “I think Ponyville is this way. Maybe if we-” “If we go there, then we might get captured. It’s better if we avoided civilization for now.” Twilight frowned sadly but nodded, “You’re probably right.” The two of us began making our way through the Everfree towards Ponyville for the rest of the afternoon, being careful not to leave the protection of the forest. If ponies wouldn’t go looking in the Everfree, then hopefully changelings wouldn’t either. When it began to get dark, we stopped and decided it would be better to sleep in the trees than on the ground. Twilight and I sat on either side of Fluttershy, keeping her from falling out of the tree. As I was nodding off, I heard Twilights crying. “Twilight?” I heard her sniff, “What?” “Are you alright? I mean, you know...” “I...I’m afraid. Afraid for all our friends. Afraid for my family. Afraid for Spike.” “I know how you feel... Everything seems so bleak. But we can do this, I know we can.” “You think so?” “I know so.” I reached around Fluttershy and placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. She seemed satisfied with that and gave me the best hug she could around Fluttershy, “Thanks Mixer.” -- When I woke up in what I assumed was the morning, I was groggy and almost fell out of the tree. Thankfully, I was awake enough to catch myself. “Huh?” I grumbled. It took me a second before I remembered what had happened the day before. I looked over and confirmed that with the sleeping forms of Fluttershy and Twilight next to me. It was light enough to see, but it was especially overcast, and we’d have to be careful moving around. If we couldn’t see anything coming, then we wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. Hopefully though, that worked both ways, and if there were changelings looking for us, they would have a harder time finding us. I took the time to climb down from the tree and look around before Twilight or Fluttershy woke up, that was, if Fluttershy woke up. I tried not to think about that possibility and looked around until I heard a yawn from above me. “Twilight, is that you awake?” “Huh?” came her confused reply. I could imagine her looking around above me. “Down here.” “What? Mixer, what are you doing?” “I was looking around to make sure we were still safe.” “And?” “It appears that we are alone for now. I suggest we get moving quickly.” I heard her yawn, “Alright, I’m lowering down Fluttershy.” I saw Fluttershy’s tail drape down first, then the rest of her body followed, enclosed by a purple glow. I got underneath her and felt her weight shift fully onto my back, “Okay, I’ve got her.” Twilight followed shortly, almost slipping down the trunk of the tree. “Do you know where we’re going?” she asked. “I didn’t have a particular direction. I was hoping maybe you could make a suggestion as to where to go, since canterlot and no doubt Ponyville are under Changeling control.” She thought for a minute, “Hmm... What about Zecora. Her hut is in the Everfree Forest, so she could have escaped the changelings. Maybe she can help us.” I nodded in agreement, “That sounds like our best bet. Let’s just hope you’re right.” So, we began heading toward Ponyville, Twilight leading the way. I had been to Zecora’s hut maybe twice, but Twilight seemed to know about where it was, so it was better for her to lead. “How’s Fluttershy doing?” she asked as we were skirting Ponyville. I turned my head around to look at her. Her head was drooping, resting against the base of my neck, with her mane dragging on the ground a little. Her wings were relaxed and the tips touched the ground every few steps. Her breathing was normal, but deep. She looked healthy, but she still hadn’t woken up. “She looks fine physically, but she’s still out.” “I was afraid of that...” she sounded concerned, and there was a tinge of sadness to her voice as well. “Do you think it’s because she’s a pegasus? We broke out of that dream, but we’re both unicorns. Maybe we were able to get out because of our innate magical abilities.” “That would explain why she hasn’t woken up yet, and why there was nopony else. But then that raises the question, how can she escape that? Will it wear off, or do we have to defeat Chrysalis?” “Chrysalis?” I asked. “Oh, that’s right, you don’t know...” Twilight explained to me how the queen of the changelings, Queen Chrysalis, had captured princess Cadence, and taken her place as Shining Armor’s bride, planning to feed on his love and take over. She also told me how she was the only one to realize it until it was too late. By the time she revealed herself, Shining Armor was unable to hold the barrier, and the changelings invaded. It was Princess Cadance’s and Shining Armor’s love that had expelled the changelings, or so we thought. It appeared that at some point, something had happened and the changelings had somehow won. That was the only explanation for why things went as they did. “So, maybe Chrysalis had some kind of spell over Cadence, because I remember fighting changelings, but the blast of magic form Princess Cadence and Shining Armor saved me from being overwhelmed.” “So she must have done something just before that,” Twilight reasoned. “Whatever it was, it doesn’t matter right now. The only thing that matters now is getting to Zecora’s hut without being caught.” And it seemed that our objective was at hoof, because the trees thinned, and we could see Zecora’s hut in the gloom. “There it is!” Twilight cried, almost shouting. “Let’s hurry. We don’t want to attract any attention to ourselves, changeling or otherwise.” “Right, sorry,” she apologized and crossed the gap between the trees and the door of the hut. “There aren’t any lights in the hut. Do you think she’s out?” I asked. “I hope not,” Twilight replied, knocking on the door. It appeared I was right, because there was no answer, only silence. “I have a bad feeling about this...” There was a rustling in the underbrush behind us and Twilight and I wheeled around. Well, she wheeled around, I did my best to turn quickly without dropping Fluttershy. The leaves parted to reveal tall grey and white mohawk, sported by none other than Zecora. Twilight sighed, ”Thank Celestia it’s you Zecora, we thought we’d been found.” “Indeed, it is lucky you found me.” I felt a knot in my stomach. The few times I had spoke to Zecora, she had always spoke in a rhythmic cadence, rhyming her words flawlessly. This was neither rhythmic, nor rhyming. “Zecora, what’s wrong with your voice?” I asked wearily. “Whatever do you mean? Do I sound hoarse? It must be a trick of the ear of course.” I set my jaw. It was possible that this was really Zecora, but if it wasn’t then changelings adapted very quickly to mask suspicion. This one had already picked up the correct rhyming scheme, but it didn’t have the cadence or the smoothness to be Zecora. “Twilight, back up,” I said cooly. “What? But it’s Zecora,” she said, clearly perplexed. I shook my head, “No it’s not.” I addressed the changeling, “You caught on quickly, but you obviously haven’t perfected the disguise.” It looked shocked, “How can you say it is not me? When I find you under my tree.” My jaw actually dropped. It was getting better with every passing second. “See, there’s nothing to worry about, Mixer,” Twilight said, trying to reassure herself more than me. There was a whirring sound that drew all our attentions, and a strange set or rocks came flying out from the undergrowth, spinning through the air at the changeling. It gave out a startled cry as the rocks wrapped around its legs and each other, holding it fast. “Zecora!” Twilight cried. But I knew better, and looked towards the source of the strange projectile, and saw a cloaked form make its way out of the bushes. “Zecora,” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Look now at what you two have done! Coming to me while on the run. If I had not been here, you two would have surely disappeared,” she chastised. Twilight looked between the real Zecora and the changeling, confused, but relieved by my reaction. “Thank Celestia it’s actually you. But what are we going to do about that?” I asked, indicating her imposter. “Worry about that imposter not, for now that it’s bound, it’s bound for the pot.” The changeling looked afraid, and began struggling against it’s bindings, but Zecora was upon it in and instant, delivering a swift kick to its head, knocking it out. “Now help me get this inside, and I’ll give you two someplace to hide,” she said, opening the door to her hut. Twilight took Fluttershy from me so I could drag the unconscious changeling inside. It was odd, really. It felt much lighter than it should have for its size, so dragging it wasn’t as hard as I had thought it would be, but it was still awkward to get it inside the door. “It’s seems Fluttershy has fallen quite ill. Tell me pray, how this transpired, while I get started lighting this fire.” -- “...So as you can see, we’re in dire need of help,” I said, finishing our story. “I see your plight. You were coming to me in your flight. I am sorry to say, that all the help I can offer is letting you stay.” “Anything that you can offer us would help,” Twilight said. “But I want to ask, can you do anything to help Fluttershy?” I asked. “Hmm... Her problem is not one I’ve seen before. I fear that with this, magic is at the core.” “But she’s been free from magical influence for almost two days now,” Twilight said. “Then there is no more we can do. Waiting is what I recommend to you.” I sighed, “Thank you for your help Zecora.” “You are welcome my friend, but I must to this changeling attend,” she said, loading the still unconscious changeling into the boiling liquid in her cauldron. Twilight and I looked away while she was going about the slightly ghastly business, and decided to move Fluttershy to a more comfortable spot on a circular carpet. “Her mane’s kind of dirty from dragging on the ground,” I commented, “ I wish we had something to clean it with.” Twilight glanced back towards Zecora, “Well, we have enough warm water...” I lowered my voice to a whisper, “Do you think she’ll be alright?” “I hope so,” Twilight whispered back. I took a look down at Flutterhsy and turned back to see Zecora now done with her task. “Do you think we should have a watch?” I asked, worried about possible changeling attacks in the night. She nodded, “Yes, that idea is good indeed, and I think the first watch should be thee.” I nodded, “Alright.” “Come Twilight, we must rest. I’m sure that Mixer will do his best.” Twilight got up and walked with Zecora into another part of the hut that I could only assume was the bedroom, leaving me with Flutterhsy and a strange smell in the air coming from the cauldron. With nopony to see me, I let a tear roll down my cheek. Whether I had the strenght I had been showing to Twilight or not, I was practically a wreck after what had happened. My temporary home was now under the control of a malicious insectoid race, all of the friends I had made were in pods except Twilight and Fluttershy, and one of them was in a coma. What was worse was that with Fluttershy being in the state she was in, I felt my feelings for her start to surface again, making the situation that much worse. I walked over to Fluttershy and laid down next to her, listening and feeling her deep even breathing. “Why did things have to happen like this?” I asked softly, talking more to myself than Fluttershy. “Why couldn’t things have just ended happily? Maybe if they had I would have gotten the chance to tell you how I felt. Then again, I might just have stayed busy and been unable to talk to you at all.” I gave a sigh, “Fluttershy, no matter what happens, I just wish you could know that I love you...” I closed my eyes and let a few more silent tears roll down my cheek. A few of them slashed on the side of Fluttershy’s face, leaving the fur where they touched slightly darker. I felt something shift next to me and opened my eyes to see that Fluttershy was stirring. “Huh?” she said sleepily, her eyes opening slowly. “Fluttershy?” I almost thought I was dreaming. “M-mixer?” her eyes were fully open now and she was looking up at me. I hugged her, “Are you alright?” She seemed kind of bewildered, but she was able to answer, “I-I think so. What happened? Where are we?” I let her go from my embrace, “We’re at Zecora’s hut in the Everfree Forest. And as to what happened... well, you know how the changelings attacked during Princess Cadence and Shining Armor’s wedding?” She nodded and her face became concerned. “Well, they succeeded, and put everypony in pods. Twilight and I were the only ones to ‘wake up’ and we managed to free you before we escaped, but you’ve been asleep for two days,” I explained. “Oh my...” “Yeah... So we came to Zecora’s to hide until we come up with a plan.” “Where are Twilight and Zecora?’ “They went to sleep for the night while I stayed watch.” She took a sniff of the air and her nose wrinkled, “And what’s that smell?” “You don’t want to know,” I said flatly. “By the way... did you hear anything I said?” “What?” “I mean, when you were asleep.” “Oh. No, I don’t remember anything.” I nodded sadly, but quickly looked back up at her, “You should probably try to get some rest yourself, we don’t know if you might be weak after that ordeal.” “But I thought you said I was asleep for two days?” “Well, it might not have been true sleep, but I suppose you’re fine,” I observed. “Well, I certainly feel fine,” she confirmed. “I think we should wake up Twilight and Zecora so they know that you’re awake,” I suggested, heading for the bedroom door. “That won’t be necessary Mixer, we already know what’s gone on with her,” Zecora said, heading me off. Twilight came rushing out and hugged Fluttershy,” I’m so glad you’re alright, Fluttershy.” I looked to Zecora, “How did you know?” “Did you think that we truly slept?” she leaned in closer, “Don’t worry, your secret will be kept.” I couldn’t help cracking a small smile. Zecora may be mysterious, but she was wise. “But come now, to bed we must go, for tomorrow is a day for planning, you know,” Zecora said, motioning for us to follow her. I hadn’t realized it, but I was tired after the journey there and the long explanation, and was thankful to see a large circular bed against the back wall. It was strange actually, the bed was large enough to accommodate at least five ponies, but as fas as I knew, Zecora lived by herself. It was also odd to see animal pelts as blankets, but then again, she did live in the Everfree Forest. “But what about a watch? We’ll all be asleep if any changelings come around.” “Fret not Mixer, they’ll not come around. With that brew’s smell, timberwolves will abound.” I nodded, that was actually very clever. With Timberwolves prowling around attracted by the smell, not many creatures would be brave or stupid enough to try and get close. I looked dubiously at the bed as Zecora climbed into it and laid her head on a pillow. It wasn’t like I couldn’t sleep with other ponies, but I would be the only stallion in a bed with four three mares. I felt a little uncomfortable, but I slept towards the foot of the bed while the girls slept by the head. It wasn’t long before I drifted off to sleep. But it wasn’t exactly restful, and I was plagued by nightmares.