It didn't take long for the airborne mutants to get close to the castle. Stealth noticed a balcony in which they could enter. He threw a kunai knife with string at the balcony, and pulled them all in, "Ok. from here, we must stay to the shadows," Stealth said, as they all made their way through. Thankfully, there were no guards, which to them seemed, a tad too convenient.
"I don't like this guys. Why is it so quiet?" Claire questioned.
"You're right. Icezer," Stealth said, motioning to the hall. Icezer then took a moment to send a small flurry through the hall, checking for any possible traps. Strangely enough, there weren't any.
"Huh, I guess Blue Boy didn't think anyone would dare enter his chambers," Icezer commented, as they cautiously proceeded onward, staying in the shadows as much as possible. Just then, Naomi heard something.
"Someone's coming! Quick, hide!" she warned, as everyone took out some camouflage cloaks, and hide by the walls. Just then, some of the stone statues that Raiden mentioned came walking by, oblivious to the hiding mutants. Once they passed, the mutants all quietly proceeded onward. They eventually came up to a window, overlooking the back courtyard. There, they saw Mavis, sitting sad and alone in a cage.
"There she is," Sora commented.
"This seems a little TOO easy, don't you think?" Simon asked, as they climbed out the window, and slid down the roof.
"Remember what Rarity told us. Blueblood is extremely self centered, so he probably didn't think to leave Mavis guarded," Stealth said, as they rejoined the others.
"You guy's sure took your sweet time," Brian commented.
"Well, we ran into some of those creepy statues. How'd you get here so fast?" Simon asked.
"Well..." Eliza began to tell what happened.
Upon infiltrating the castle,
"Ok guys, we cut through there, and we'll be at Mavis' location," Raiden said, as he pointed towards a hall. Without a moment's hesitation, they all stormed the hall. Once inside, they were met with several stone statues, who went to intercept them.
"Alright, c'mon lad and lassies!" Eliza said, changing her arms into clubs, which she started swinging around, destroying the statues.
"Well, we didn't come in expecting the red carpet treatment," Raiden said, discharging a lot of electricity, destroying more statues.
"LEAVE THE REST TO ME!" Echo-Echo said. He then let out a sonic blast, which caused the statues in the hall to disintegrate.
"How'd you do that?" April asked.
"Everything has a specific frequency in which it disintegrates. My brother here just adjusted his sound cannons to match the frequency to disintegrate stone," Raiden explained, as they ran through the hall at full speed. They were met with more stone guards, which they were able to deal with. Eventually, they arrived at the courtyard, where they met up with the other group.
"And that's how it went," Eliza explained.
"Did you happen to see Blueblood's gang?" Stealth asked.
"No. Did any of you guys?" Raiden asked.
"No. Which is strange, because they would probably be on us by now," Icezer replied.
"We can figure that out later. Right now, we have to rescue Mavis," Brian said, as he and Eliza ran to the cage.
"Mavis, lassie, it's us!" Eliza said to the young girl. Mavis looked up, completely devoid of any sort of emotion.
"Bonjour," Mavis said, sounding less than ecstatic.
"Don't worry. We're here to get you out of here," Brian said, as he used his flames to melt the lock, which Eliza then smashed apart, "C'mon, we can escape now, and Blueblood and them won't suspect a thing," Brian said, picking up Mavis.
"What is the point? It's not like anyone will miss me if I stay here," Mavis said, despondently.
"Not true. Cadence and Shining Armor sent us out to try and find you, because they were worried about you," Raiden countered. Mavis didn't seem convinced by his words.
"Well, we got the kid, so let's get out of here before something bad happens!" Heiru suggested.
"Bad like us, you mean?" They all turned to see Blueblood and his gang, all standing there, looking evilly at the mutants, "I'm afraid we can't let you leave with our hostage," Blueblood said.
"You know something, Blue Boy? You shouldn't make threats if you lack the power to back it up," Brian stated, as he handed Mavis off to Francisco.
"And you should address me by my official title, beast! And I do happen to have the power to back my threats up," Blueblood snarled, as he revealed a most, interesting amulet, around his neck.
"Your power.... is just a piece of gaudy jewelry?" Maria questioned. Blueblood looked offended.
"This no mere necklace! This is the Alicorn Amulet, on of the most powerful artifacts in existence," Blueblood said, as he fired a beam of magic at Echo-Echo, sending him back into a wall.
"GEEZ MAN, I NEARLY FELT THAT!" the robotic teen commented.
"I think I read about that amulet. It boosts a unicorn's power exponentially, but at the cost of being corrupted by its power," Raiden commented.
"Y'know, I think I remember Twilight saying something about a unicorn that used that amulet to show her up and banish her from Ponyville," Heiru commented.
"I heard the same tale, but didn't that zebra friend of hers hide the amulet away?" Simon questioned.
"She did, but thanks to Suri here, we were able to acquire it," Flim replied.
"Well, that's enough posing. GET THEM!" Blueblood yelled. The Flim Flam Brothers mounted two large robot mech suits, while Lightning Dust began to fly around, circling them. Suri opted to stay on the side lines, and only intervene if needed. Blueblood also went on the offensive, firing magic at the mutants.
"I'll warp Mavis to a river outside of the Crystal Empire. I can at least escort her the rest of the way from there," Francisco whispered to Raiden.
"Good call," the thunder mutant replied. Francisco then took Mavis around the corner.
"Ok Mavis, I'll get you to at least as far as a river near the Empire. I can take you the rest of the way there," he said, as he began to warp space, and open a portal, "You go through first. I'll be right behind you," he said. Mavis looked hesitant at first, but would rather take her chances with whatever was on the other side of the portal, than stay and be a hostage. With a gulp, she entered the portal. Francisco was about to enter, when he was dealt a kick by the hiding Suri, thus closing the portal, with Mavis still inside. The resulting interrupted closure of the portal dropped Mavis in a river in the nearby valley. Mavis resurfaced.
"This doesn't look like the Crystal Empire," Mavis commented. She then remembered seeing Francisco being attacked before the portal closed, "Oh dear. I hope they're alright," Mavis commented, as she began swimming with the flow of the river. Thankfully, being a mermaid allowed her to maneuver better in the water, so it wasn't too difficult for her. As she swam, she saw something out of the ordinary, even for what she assumed was normal for Equestria. It appeared to be a very voluptuous tan skinned woman with blonde hair, in a red bikini like outfit, picking fruit from some of the trees. What caught Mavis' eyes were a pair of fairy like wings on her back. Mavis ducked underwater to hide when she saw the fairy woman looked towards the river, "I hope she didn't see me," Mavis hoped, as she continued swimming. She eventually came across a fork in the river, splitting her way in two different directions, "Which way do I go?" Mavis wondered, looking at the two river ways.
"If you're going to the Crystal Empire, go to the right," a woman's voice said.
"Oh, merci," Mavis said. She then realized what was happening, and turned to see another fairy woman, with pale skin. Her bikini outfit was blue, and looked more like a mermaid themed outfit. Unlike the previous woman, this one was not as voluptuous, but was still so, and had dark blue hair. With a small shriek, Mavis swam away as fast as she could.
"She's awfully skittish," the woman commented with a slight giggle.
Meanwhile, in the Crystal Empire,
Cadence was waiting restlessly by the river, hoping that Mavis would be brought back soon, "Cadence, have faith in the guild members. They'll bring her back," Twilight said. Cadence had summoned the Mane 6 and the Royal Sisters just after the guild members left to find Mavis.
"I know, but I can't help but feel anxious about this whole thing! I thought I had seen the last of that despicable cousin of mine," Cadence replied, as she eyed the water ways.
"We thought we had as well. But he is as stubborn as ever," Celestia commented, remembering when she and Luna had banished their nephew from Canterlot.
"I honestly don't know what I ever saw in him!" Rarity added. Just then, Cadence saw something swimming at great speeds towards them in the water.
"Is that her?!" Cadence exclaimed. The object in the water noticed them, and stopped swimming. Out from the water, Mavis gingerly poked her head, "MAVIS! YOU'RE OK!" Cadence squealed, as she used her magic to scoop Mavis up and out of the water, still in her mermaid form, "Huh, so that's what a 'mermaid' means," Cadence commented, looking at Mavis' fish tail.
"That's right, you never saw Mavis in her mermaid form," Twilight commented.
"Uh, Princess, could I maybe dry off?" Mavis asked politely.
"Oh, right!" Cadence said, handing Mavis a towel. Setting the young girl down, Mavis then began to dry off her tail, reverting back to her human form, "Ah, so that's how you revert back to human form," Cadence commented.
"Oui," Mavis replied solemnly. The adults noticed Mavis despondent tone.
"Mavis, I know it was scary for you, but I promise, it's all over now," Cadence soothed. Just then, a portal opened up, and out from it, a block of ice, containing Blueblood's Gang was tossed out, followed by each of the mutants.
"These guys did not want to make it easy for them," Brian commented.
"Somehow, Blueblood managed to get his grubby hooves on the Alicorn Amulet. But we were able to destroy it," Eliza said.
"Well, that's one less evil artifact in the world," Twilight commented.
"Thank you kids for doing this. Luna and I shall see to it that these five are thoroughly punished," Celestia said, using her magic to send the ice block away.
"Well, that's one hassle out of our hair," Stealth commented.
"Yes, but there is something else I need to do, regarding you, Mavis," Cadence said. Mavis felt her heart drop into her stomach.
"Princess, please, I-I didn't do anything!" Mavis said, fear was obvious in her tone.
"No, no, no, you misunderstand. You're not in any sort of trouble. I want to ask you something," Cadence soothed. Mavis relaxed a little bit, but was still wary, "Now Mavis, I can completely understand if you refuse what I am about to offer, but if I were to offer to adopt and become your new mother, would you accept?" she questioned.
"I-I- uh," Mavis was speechless. She really didn't want to replace her real parents, nor did she want to be a burden on the princess. On that note, Mavis also didn't really want to be princess either, "I-I don't know. I would like a new home, but I don't want to replace my maman or papa," Mavis finally replied.
"You're not replacing them. I'm sure they would want you to have a new family who would be there for you when you need them," Cadence countered.
"I guess I would like to be adopted, but I would rather not be a princess mon self," Mavis replied.
"Why ever not? You can have anything you would ever want," Rarity questioned.
"Uh, Rarity, I think that's why she doesn't want to be a princess," Raiden whispered.
"Oh, right," Rarity said, remembering what Raiden told them about Mavis, "OH! That reminds me!" Rarity said, giving Mavis a bag that held her Gothic Lolita dress, "I finished cleaning your dress for you," Rarity said.
"Your dress aside, just because your new parents are royalty doesn't mean you have to be royalty too. You can just declare you're not a princess," Brian stated.
"He is right. If being a princess is not something you want, you are free to renounce it," Celestia added. Mavis looked towards the ground.
"Would it be alright if I thought about it for a while?" Mavis asked.
"Of course. Take all the time you need," Cadence replied.
"Uh, you guys didn't see those others in the mountains by any chance?" Mavis asked.
"What others?" Icezer questioned.
"I saw two women in the mountains that kind of looked like you humans, but they had fairy wings," Mavis said, giving them a description.
"No, I don't think we saw anyone like that," Heiru replied.
"Oh! Those must've been the Nymphs!" Luna exclaimed.
"Nymphs?" Leon questioned.
"They're like fairies, only they're more in tune with nature," Raiden explained.
"Believe me Mavis, you DO NOT want to mingle with nymphs," Celestia warned.
"Why not?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"They may come off as kind, bubbly, and sometimes airheaded, but they are some of the most deviously cunning creatures to have ever lived," Celestia explained.
"But, the one that directed me here was nice enough to do so," Mavis said quietly.
"And besides, what makes you believe the Nymphs are devious?" Luna questioned.
"Because the chief nymph betrayed me at one point in life!" Celestia retorted.
"You still haven't gotten over that?!" Luna exclaimed.
"It was a breach of trust!" Celestia said, pulling on her sister's cheeks. Luna returned the favor, however, and started pulling on her sister's cheeks as well.
"Anyways, we're glad to have you back home, Mavis," Nathan commented.
"And Raiden was kind enough to bring these for you," Shining Armor said, holding the bag of mechanical arms.
"That reminds me. What did you mean by 'if her arm needs maintenance'?" Cadence asked.
"Ah yes, you see, there a button on Mavis' shoulder that acts as a release for her arm," Raiden said, examining her should, eventually finding the button, "If we press this button, then her arm can be taken off," Raiden said, as he pressed the button, and gently took Mavis' arm off. This action caused most of the ponies and mutants to faint, "I designed these arms to be interchangeable so she won't have to be without both her arms," he then took one of the replacement arms, and attached it to Mavis.
"That's unsettlin'," Nathan commented.
"But, at least we know a little more about how to take care of Mavis," Cadence said.
"I made these arms out of a lighter, yet more durable metal alloy, so it doesn't weigh her down too much," Raiden added.
"Thank you all for everything you've done for us," Cadence thanked, giving the Guild Mates a chest full of Bits.
"It was our pleasure Cadence. And if you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me," Raiden said, as he and his brothers, save for Francisco, and friends all boarded the ship.
"I would recommend considering letting Cadence adopting you, Mavis. She is one of the most dependable ponies in Equestria," Twilight said, as she and her friends boarded the ship. Once everyone was safely aboard, the ship took off back to Ponyville.
"We must be getting back too, Mavis. We'll see you later," Celestia said, as she and Luna teleported away.
"Now then, why don't we take you home? I'm sure Francisco wouldn't mind doing a quick job for me real quick, do you?" Cadence asked the space teen.
"No problem, but uh.... what is that job?" he asked.
"I'll fill you in on the details when we get there," Cadence replied, as they walked towards the castle. Needless to say, Mavis, and even Shining Armor and Nathan, were curious as to what task Cadence wanted Francisco to do. Once they were back in the castle, Cadence the turned to Francisco, "Now Francisco, you probably know by now that Mavis is a mermaid. My request is simple. I want you to alter her bedroom, and make a large swimming pool just for her," Cadence explained.
"That doesn't sound too hard," Francisco commented, as Cadence took him to Mavis' room.
"Oh! That reminds me! I think this belongs to you," Shining Armor said, giving Mavis her satchel. Inside, her toys and Pokeballs were still there. She dug out her Pokeballs, and released her Pokémon. Needless to say, they too were overjoyed at Mavis' return. Furfrou pounced her, and started licking her.
"*chuckles* Ok, ok, I missed you all too," Mavis said, as Furfrou got off of her.
"When we felt you dropped your bag, we knew something was wrong, but we couldn't let ourselves out, on account of that satchel being too small," Altaria said.
"It's alright. Plus there was that bright light," Mavis said, as Swablu perched himself on top of Mavis' head. Just then, Cadence came back.
"Ok Mavis, Francisco is all done with the renovations on your room. Would you like to see what he did?" Cadence offered.
"Oui," Mavis replied, as she followed Cadence back to her now permanent room. Looking inside, Mavis, Nathan, and Shining Armor were in awe at what the spacial teen had done. Francisco had made the room significantly bigger on the inside. He also installed a large aquarium and pool.
"The pool connects to the aquarium in a special tube underneath the floor, which I also warped. To get into the aquarium, you'll need to swim through it. I also included a bunch of lights down there so you don't get scared or lost, as well as some typical aquarium do-dads. There's also a water filter, and the water itself changes itself regularly thanks to some of the machinery I put in there, so the kid will always have nice clean water to swim in," Francisco explained.
"Thank you for everything you and your brothers and friends have done," Cadence thanked. She was about to hand him a bag of bits, but Francisco held up his hand.
"You've already paid us more than enough. Besides, I was happy to do it for the kid," Francisco said, as he opened a portal, "We'll see you guys around," Francisco said, as he entered the portal, with it closing behind him.
"Well, Mavis, would you like to go for a quick swim, or would you like to take a nap for now? You've had a rather hard day," Cadence asked.
"Maybe a little nap wouldn't hurt," Mavis replied, as she climbed into bed.
"Well, alright. I'll put your dress in the closet for now," Cadence said, as she took Mavis' dress out of the bag, and hung it up in the closet, all the while, Mavis drifted off into slumber. Cadence motioned to her husband and eldest son to quietly exit the room, which the three of them did. Using her magic, Cadence gingerly closed the door behind her, allowing Mavis to slumber in peace.