//------------------------------// // Chapter 22: Preparations // Story: A Little Girls Love // by darkmage1997 //------------------------------// It was later that night when Mavis was being tucked into bed by Cadence, "Is it true, Maman, are mon teachers really invited to the ball?" Mavis asked hopefully. Mavis giggled at how cute her daughter was acting. "Of course, precious. Aunt Celestia wanted to meet your teachers, so we're going to introduce her," Cadence replied. "But what of her distrust towards the Nymphs?" Mavis asked. "Well, seeing as how you have been spending quite a bit of time with them, I'm sure you'll be able to vouch for them," Cadence said. "Well, ok," Mavis said, clutching her stuffed animals. Planting a kiss on her daughter's head, Cadence left Mavis to her slumber. However, unbeknownst to even Mavis, a dark, sinister presence lurked in the deepest recesses of her mind. The Next Morning, The Crystal Family was assembled in the Dining Room, enjoying their breakfast on pancakes. All the while, Nathan had a perplexed look on his face, which didn't go unnoticed by his parents, "Nathan, is something troubling you?" Shining Armor asked. "Ah don't know if any of y'all heard, but there was some kind o' singin' last night," Nathan replied. "What sort of singing?" Cadence asked. "It almost sounded..... ghostly, for lack o' better word, but it was amazing!" Nathan explained. "You know, I think the guards said something about there being some kind of eerie singing last night," Shining Armor commented. "But I doubt seriously that it was a ghost. The Crystal Empire hasn't any records of any hauntings in any historical documents," Cadence added. "What about ya, Mavis? Ya hear any singing?" Nathan questioned. "Non, I was fast asleep last night. And mon Pokémon were all quite relaxed this morning," Mavis replied. Nathan was just as speechless as their parents, but he decided to just shrug it off, as he thought Mavis was just a heavy sleeper like he was. "In any case, I understand you want to go to Ponyville for band practice, eh sport?" Shining Armor asked. "Yup. If we're gonna perform at the ball, we need to get our groove together," Nathan replied. "You are.... in a band?" Mavis asked. "Yup. Along with Toby, Josh, Conner, and Mike, we make up a band we call the 'Equestrian Mayhem'," Nathan explained. "Nathan is planning to head down to Ponyville for band practice a little later," Cadence added. "Yer more than welcome to come, if that's alright with y'all," Nathan offered. "We're ok with it, just make sure she's within your sight," Shining Armor said sternly. "Gotcha'," Nathan replied. "Well, finish up your breakfasts, and go freshen up. We'll send for the Crystal Express to take you to Ponyville," Cadence said. After finishing up their breakfasts, and heading back to their rooms to gather their things and freshen up, the both of them made their way to the main foyer, "Ok, I'll take you to the train station now. I've already sent word to Twilight that you two are on your way, so you can expect to meet her at the Ponyville Station," Cadence informed. "Ok Mommy," Nathan replied. "Merci Maman," Mavis added, as the pink Alicorn led them to the train station. Upon arrival, the Express was already there, awaiting to depart. "Ok you two, have a safe journey to Ponyville," Cadence said, as her two eldest children boarded the train. "We will Mommy. We'll try to be back by sundown," Nathan said. With a blow of the whistle, the train then took off. Not ten minutes later, Mavis had fallen asleep again, "Hmm, better ask Raiden about Mavis' sleepin' habits," Nathan commented to himself, as he pulled out his Nintendo DS. On the Pirate's Fleet, In the middle of what appeared to be a massive conference room, a large group of pirates were gathered, "Ok, so why have we been called here?" one of the pirates asked. "Don't know. Probably has something to do with that unicorn and the deal the captain made with him," another replied. "Alright, ye scallywags! Listen up!" they all stood to attention at the sound of Markus' voice, "We be making our move to this Equestria place. There, we steal back our mermaid!" Markus announced, inciting a roar of applause from his underlings. "And in doing so, you may do what ever you wish to those who oppose you," Sombra added, coming from behind the captain. "Oh yeah, what do you have in mind?!" one pirate yelled. "Anything you wish," Sombra repeated, as he leapt down into the crowd, and began to sing. With that, all of the pirates cheered rowdily, "Good that you get the big picture. Now, my spell will teleport us to the exact time of their little celebration party. This way, we can attack as soon as possible. Besides, we can't just keep doing this kind of stuff in any of the future chapters," Sombra stated, as he cast his dark magic. Back at Ponyville Station, With a shrill whistle, the Crystal Express had pulled into the Ponyville Station, where Twilight was waiting on the platform. When the doors opened, ponies were all exiting, while Twilight scanned the crowd for her niece and nephew. From the steam, Nathan walked out, with Mavis on his back, latched on like a koala. Twilight couldn't help but find such a scene adorable, "Hello Nathan, Mavis," Twilight greeted. "Howdy, Auntie Twilight," Nathan said, still carrying the sleeping girl. "Is she sleeping?" Twilight asked. "Yup. She fell asleep not ten minutes out of the station back at the Empire," Nathan replied, as Twilight led them to her Castle. "Must be jetlag. That usually happens to someone when they don't travel a lot," Twilight stated. It took about seven minutes to arrive at the castle, "Come along. We can put her in a bed until she wakes up again," Twilight said, as she took them to the nearest guest bedroom. Twilight took Mavis from Nathan, and laid her out on the bed, "Now then, I can watch over her until she wakes up. Until then, try to stick around the castle as much as possible," Twilight requested. "Sure thing," Nathan nodded, as he left the bedroom, leaving Twilight to watch over the young mermaid girl, as she stirred slightly in her sleep. "Oh, Mavis, what are we going to do with you?" Twilight asked, smiling at how cute Mavis looked. Later that day, After waking up from her unorthodox nap, Mavis was walking with Nathan through Ponyville, "Man, looks like the guys are all busy with their chores," Nathan complained. "Eh, Qu'est ce que tu vas faire?" Mavis questioned, as they sat on a park bench. She then noticed Toby walking about, "Is that not Monsieur Toby?" the gothic girl asked. Nathan looked up to see where she was looking. "Why, yes it is! Hey, Toby!" Nathan called out, catching the spectacled boy's attention. "Oh, hey Nathan, Mavis," Toby greeted. "Ya doing anything right now?" Nathan asked. "Not really..... I had finished all my chores early, so I decided to head out. What about you two?" Toby asked. "We got here about a few hours ago. The guys are still workin' on their chores, but they should be gettin' done here shortly," Nathan replied. No sooner than he did, the other boys arrived. "Sorry it took so long. Had some trouble with tying down the hay," Mike said. "Yeah, it was almost impossible for us to reshelf the library with all the new books Mom's been getting," Josh said. "Well, everyone's here now, so we can git to band practice," Nathan said. Mavis was about to leave with them, when Twilight called out to her. "Mavis, sweetie! I know your mother said to stay with your brother at all times, but maybe you'd like to join the girls and I at the spa?" the purple alicorn offered. Mavis turned to look at her brother, who simply shrugged. "If ya want ta go, then Ah say go fer it. Besides, ya probably wouldn't want ta sit around listenin' to us play all day," Nathan said. "Well, I suppose one little spa day wouldn't hurt," Mavis said. "Wonderful! You won't regret this!" Rarity exclaimed, as they took Mavis with them to the spa. Back in the Nymph Grotto, The Nymphs were all going through their clothes, trying to pick out their choices for the Hearths Warming Ball, along with eight new Nymphs. One had bright, lime green hair, and owl glasses. She wore a similarly green bikini. The second was the tallest of the Nymphs, having blonde hair, and her bikini looked more like armor, and she was also wearing a loincloth. The third one wouldn't look out of place at an animal shelter, as she wore an apron over her magenta bikini. She also had fiery red hair. The fourth appeared to have overly wavy black hair, and wore an elegant dress already. The fifth Nymph had spikey purple hair, and had beautiful jewelry on. Even her blue bikini was adorned with jewels. The sixth Nymph looked to be a fashionista, and was wearing a cerulean bikini. The seventh Nymph looked to be a dancer, and had brown hair. The eighth Nymph had what could be described as an outfit befitting a cupid. She had luxurious blonde hair. Much like their sisters, these new nymphs were all quite voluptuous. "I can't wait for you girls to meet Mavis! She is such a little sweetheart!" Sky commented. "From how you described her, she sounds like an absolute doll!" the dancer Nymph replied, as they continued trying on different dresses. Dana came out wearing a Jessica Rabbit type outfit. "Eh, too sexy," Kat commented. "How about this one?" the overalls wearing Nymph asked. She came out wearing a Nurse's outfit. "That's kind of the look I go with everyday," Tabby commented. "Besides, this is a Ball, not a cosplay contest," the glasses wearing Nymph added. "This one's not too shabby," Yuki commented, as she came out wearing a Yukata. "Hmm, could work," the Amazon Nymph replied, as they continued trying out the various dresses. In the Gorgon Temple, The Queen Gorgon was going through dresses, trying to find what she wanted to wear to the Ball, "Hmm, too bland..... too flamboyant....," she said, as she cycled through her dresses, "Ugh, this is getting me nowhere! What does a girl have to do to look great for a ball?" she questioned. It was then that Lila came in. "Mom? Are you still trying to find a suitable dress?" Lila asked. "Yeah. I want to make a good impression for all of Gorgon kind," the Queen replied, the snakes in her hair taking an equally tired look as her. "I think it's more about how you act that makes a good impression, and not how you look," Lila commented, trying to offer words of encouragement. "I know that, but I want to appear less threatening when we get to the ball. From what Princess Twilight told me, the Canterlot nobles are extremely prejudiced against those who are unlike them, or that they view as a threat. Get where I'm going with this?" the Queen asked. Even the snakes in Lila's hair winced at the queen's logic. "Well, as long as you look good, I'm sure they won't be that bad, especially if Raiden's guild will be there. And he's a friend of all four Princesses! What does that say to you?" Lila asked. "I guess you're right. Appearances mean nothing in the face of good first impressions," the Queen said, as she went back to picking out a dress.