//------------------------------// // Chapter 21: The Oncoming Storm // Story: A Little Girls Love // by darkmage1997 //------------------------------// Back in The Crystal Empire, Cadence was currently talking to Luna, via magic mirror, "And that's pretty much what I want to do," Cadence explained. "I see. It is about time Celestia faced the ghosts of her past, or in this case, the Nymphs of her past," Luna said. "I will extend invites to each of the Nymphs, when they bring Mavis back from today's lesson," Cadence said. "Good. It would be nice to reconnect with my old friend, Cosmo, in person," Luna commented, as they cut off their communication. Cadence went over to a window, overlooking the river that Mavis has been using to come home in, "Come home soon Mavis. I have a bit of a surprise for you," Cadence said to herself. Back with Mavis, Mavis and the Nymphs had all exited the bathhouse, feeling refreshed, "My skin feels much softer now," Mavis commented, feeling her arm. "Yeah, now you see why we like all those baths. Our bodies are all much softer, and luxurious as a result," Wanda said, as Dana conjured up the extra nutritious milk in glasses, before passing them around, while making a large mug for herself. She also brought out some of the cookies she made earlier. "And the best part of bathing is that we can have some snacks afterwards!" Dana said, as she ate five cookies. "And you don't need to worry. As time progresses, all the weight you would normally gain will either go up here," Kat said, cupping her massive breasts, "Or it'll put more junk in the trunk," she added, tracing her hips with her hand, as she ate a cookie. Mavis took out her pill bottle, and got a pill from it. "What's that then?" Tabby asked. "A medicine that someone named 'Raiden' made for moi. He said it is to boost mon 'metal-ball something'," Mavis replied, as she took the pill. Tabby took the bottle to inspect the pills. "Hmm, I don't sense many natural ingredients in this," Tabby commented. "He said he made it in his lab," Mavis replied. "Hmm, I have to ask, why did you need this in the first place?" Tabby asked. Mavis then went on to explain that when she was living in France, she lost her will to want sweets due to what she saw on television. "I see. So, this medicine is to help you rebuild tolerance to sweets," Wanda commented. "Oui, that is what he said," Mavis replied, as she ate some cookies. "How long did he tell you to take these?" Sky asked. "Until the bottle is empty," Mavis replied. Tabby then saw that there were only three pills left. "Looks like you've been busy taking these," she commented. "Oui. I want to be able to enjoy sweets as much as everyone else," Mavis replied. Within minutes, they finished the cookies and milk. "Ok then Mavis, shall we get you home?" Marina asked. "Oui. Merci for helping moi with mon powers," Mavis said. "You're very welcome sweetie. We hope to see you again soon," Wanda said, as she gave Mavis her satchel. With that, Marina and Mavis dove into the river, and left for the Crystal Empire. Back at the Alicorn's Wish Guild, While going over some paperwork, Silver was munching on some chips, "Everything looks to be in order," he said, filing the papers away, "Things have been pretty quiet lately," he said, gazing out his window. His attention then turned to his calendar. He noticed that it was already December, and was encroaching on Christmas Season, or as the ponies call it, Hearths Warming, "Hmm, maybe we should do something for the holidays," Silver pondered. It was then, that Raiden came in, with Twilight in tow, "Ah, Raiden, and Twilight too. To what do I owe the pleasure of having you here?" the guild master asked. "Ah yes, I have come on behalf of my fellow princesses to make a request of the Alicorn's Wish Guild. It is in regards to the upcoming Hearth's Warming Ball, being held up at Canterlot Castle," Twilight said, as she began to give the details of the job. On the Pirate Galleon, "And that will be how we attack," Sombra concluded his presentation. "Excellent. Those landlubbers won't know what hit them!" Markus proclaimed. "Yes, and you have full range to use your new powers anyway you see fit. As long as I get the kingdom, you can do whatever," Sombra replied. "So, when are we attacking?" Aoi asked. "Hmm, they're most likely going to be gathering at the same place for Hearth's Warming, so we can attack then," Sombra strategized. "Quick question, what's Hearth's Warming?" Luke asked. "It's my land's equivalent to what you humans call 'Christmas'," Sombra stated. "Ah, so we're basically giving each other presents, eh?" Markus inquired. "I guess so," Sombra laughed maliciously. Back in the Crystal Empire, Carrying Mavis in her arms, Marina brought the young girl, still in her mermaid form, to the palace, "Merci, for doing this Marina, and for everything you and your sisters have done for me," Mavis said, as they neared the Palace. Thankfully, there weren't too many ponies out and about, so they weren't spotted by the snobby nobles. "You know we love helping you, Mavis. We're more than happy to help you out," Marina said, as they arrived at the palace, where Shining Armor was talking to the guards. "So that's how they found out about the DNA evidence?" Shining Armor asked. "Yeah, it was crazy," one of the guards said. "Oh, looks like your daughter's back," the other guard commented, seeing the mermaid and the Nymph. "Ah, Mavis, did you enjoy your time with your teachers?" Shining Armor asked. "Oui. They taught me how to control mon powers, and gave me some beauty treatments," Mavis replied. "Well, that's good. Thank you for everything you and your sisters are doing for our daughter," Shining Armor said. "It's alright, Captain Armor. We're more than happy to help her out. I'll see you later then, Mavis," Marina said, as she turned to head back to the mountains. "Hold on a minute, Marina, was it? My wife would like to talk to you about something," Shining Armor stopped the Nymph from leaving, much to hers and Mavis' surprise, "She'll explain everything inside," the alabaster unicorn said, inviting the Nymph into the castle. Later, back at the Nymph Grotto, They Nymph's were all doing their own thing, while waiting for their sister to return. Wanda was wondering what was keeping Marina, as she was never late, "She should've been back by now," she commented. "Maybe the princess is talking to her about something?" Yuki thought, as she conjured up some ice for Dana. "Thanks sis," Dana thanked, as she poured the ice into what looked like a blender, before turning it on. It was then that Marina came in, a crazed, ecstatic look on her face, while holding a scroll. "Marina? What's with that look on your face? You only get it when you and Kat are planning something devious and underhanded, like some kind of insidious prank," Wanda commented warily. "HEY!" Kat yelled, sounding offended. She was shut up by the looks the others were all giving her. "Well, when I was at the Crystal Empire, Princess Cadence gave this to me!" Marina said, giving the scroll to Wanda, who read it aloud. "Dear Wanda, You and your sisters are all invited to attend the grand Hearth's Warming Ball, being held at Canterlot Castle. Each of you are allowed to bring one guest with you. We hope to see you all then, Sincerely, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza," the letter read. Upon reading this, the other Nymph's all looked equally as ecstatic as their aquatic sister. They were all squealing at the thought of being invited to their first party in centuries. "This will be so much fun!" Kat exclaimed. "But who should we bring with us? And what will we wear?!" Sky pondered. Wanda thought about it for a moment. "You know, maybe we should take this opportunity to introduce Mavis to rest of our family," Wanda suggested. The other's knew what she was talking about, and seemed to be on board. "But the invite says we're only allowed to bring one guest each," Yuki commented. "And it seems odd that we're being invited to Canterlot, especially after Celestia started hating on us all those years ago," Dana added. "Well, for now, we can just introduce our family in strides. And as for Celestia, I'm sure Cadence and Mavis can vouch on our behalf," Wanda reassured, as they went over to some crystal balls, and began making calls.