//------------------------------// // Chapter 25: A Canterlot Hearth's Warming (Part 2) // Story: A Little Girls Love // by darkmage1997 //------------------------------// With the Ponyville Gang, They had all assembled on the platform, waiting for the train to arrive to take them to Canterlot. Among them, was a log with a smiley face etched into it, "Uh, kids? Why is there a log with us?" Twilight asked. "You mean Log? He's acting as the band's roadie for the ball," Toby replied. The adults all looked questioningly at him. Even Pinkie Pie. "Dare we ask, why and how is a log acting as a roadie?" Rarity asked. "Well, when I was moving some logs for the fireplace back on Sweet Apple Acres, I found Log in the pile, and we got to talking, and he really hit it off with the rest of us. Weren't you paying attention to the apartment complexes that were built over the past few days?" Mike asked. "Wait..... you mean to tell me that this log was the architect behind those complexes? How is that even remotely possible?!" Twilight exclaimed. "Log's a genius in just about every field imaginable. Last week he took us kite flying," Silver Spoon replied. Flashback, "Wow Log, you were right! This is relaxing," Kelly commented, as she and the other humans and foals were flying kites. "Huh, I was wondering about that," Rainbow Dash commented, as the train pulled into the station. "All aboard!" the conductor called. The scene then focused on the friends, as Log was heard walking onto the luxury car, with his bags. "Now I've seen everything," Twilight said, as they boarded the train too. Once all passengers were safely boarded, the train took off for Canterlot. One Hour Later, The Train had pulled into the station, as the passengers from Ponyville departed from the train, "You all go on ahead to the Castle. We'll be going to see my parents," Twilight said to her friends, as they exited the station. As they got out, they saw Log was in a taxi, with his luggage in a separate cab, as they took off for the castle. "I had no idea logs could hail for a taxi," Fluttershy commented, as they made their way to the castle as well. "Now then kids, let's go see Grandpa and Grandpa," Twilight said, as she led her kids to her parent's house. Cory was a bit behind, as he was instructing the guards to take care of his sculpture, and to make sure no one sees it. "We'll make sure it get's there safely, Prince Capri-Core," the guard said, as they wheeled the art piece off. Cory had to dash a bit to catch up with the rest of his family. Unknown to them, however, the Crystal Express was nearing the station by the second. With a screech of it's brakes, it came to a semi-slow stop. When the doors opened, the passengers were all let out. Among them was the Crystal Family. Cadence was carrying the sleeping Mavis on her back, while Nathan carrying most of her things. "Ok guys, before the ball, we're going to visit your grandparents. After words, we'll head on up to the castle for the ball," Shining Armor said. Though, as he noticed Nathan was the only one who was awake and/or was paying attention, he realized he just made that little speech for nothing, and hung his head in disappointment. "Don't worry dear. Maybe next time, when Mavis has an easier time staying awake, or when Skyla and Guard are older," Cadence said, as they made their way for their next destination. Along the way, they bumped into some of the Alicorn's Wish members, who were moving some large crates, all led by Eliza. "C'mon boys and lassies! We need to get there by the time the moon peaks o'er the mountain," Eliza barked, as they continued moving the crates. "Ya know, we'd have a lot easier time if you helped out!" Brian barked back, as he, Carlos, Icezer, Takanosuke, Cassidy, and Claire were all trying to pull the crates, while Raiden, April, Lucas, Simon, and Maria were all pushing them. "Alright. If ya insist," Eliza rolled her eyes, as she went to help with pushing the crates. It was then that Raiden saw the Crystal Family. "Oh, hey there! You guys just get to Canterlot?" he asked. "Yep. We're going to visit my parents before the Ball tonight," Shining Armor replied. "I'm sure Mavis will enjoy it vey much. As soon as she wakes up, that is," Cadence chuckled, looking back at the young girl. "Jet lag, huh? Heaven's the same way, though she can be pretty stubborn," Icezer commented. "By the way, I saw Twilight and them heading off in a separate direction than her friends," Maria commented. "Huh, so they arrived here ahead of us," Nathan commented. "Well, we'd better leave you guys to your job, whatever it is," Cadence said, as they bid the guild mates farewell, and proceeded to the house of Twilight and Shining Armor's parents. Though, as they passed, Cadence could've sworn she heard a hissing noise coming from one of the crates. With Twilight's group, They approached the home of the kid's grandparents, "Ok kids, here we are," Twilight said, as she knocked on the door. Opening it revealed Twilight Velvet, who scowled at the sight of her daughter. "Well, it's about time you decided to visit! Guess since you're a princess, you can't be bothered to give your parents a visit, or even write to us!" Velvet chastised, before breaking out laughing. "Always with the guilt trips, huh Mom?" Twilight joked. "I'm just pulling you leg!" Velvet replied, as she invited them all in. Looking around, Twilight didn't see her father. "Where's Dad?" Twilight asked. "He went to go and buy some colored logs. He's picking up an extra one for that new girl that Shining Armor and Cadence took in," Velvet replied. Just then, a knocking came from the front door, "Oh, speaking of which," Velvet said, as she opened the door, revealing the Crystal Family. Mavis was starting to wake up, albeit a tad slowly, "Well, it's about time you all decided to show up!" Velvet jokingly snarled. "Always with the guilt tripping, eh Mom?" Shining Armor asked, as they let themselves in. Upon entering, they saw Twilight and her kids, "Twiley! When did you get here?" Shining Armor asked. Twilight didn't answer, as she and Cadence did their little nursery rhyme. "We got here just a few minutes ago," Josh replied. Mavis was swaying from side to side, trying to stay standing, while still half asleep. "Ah, so is this my new granddaughter?" Velvet asked, looking at the drowsy girl. "Yes. This is Mavis. She's very shy, so, could you not try to overwhelm her?" Cadence asked. "I can, but she's as thin as a promise! Has she been eating right? And what of that metal arm she has?" Velvet asked. Mavis let out a long yawn, as she struggled to keep standing. "C'mon Mavis, ya should go lay down," Nathan suggested, as he brought Mavis over to the couch, and let her lay on it. Mavis seemed to have gotten comfortable easily, as she began falling asleep again. "Mavis' diet is alright, for the most part. She doesn't eat that much. As for her arm, well, something happened to her in the world she came from," Cadence explained. She knew the part about Mavis' arm was technically true, as she didn't know the full details. "Hmm, well, I'll try not to give her too much food, and I won't press the matter of her arm any further," Velvet said. "We'll try to keep quiet for Mavis' sake," Josh said. "Thanks. Mavis deserves the rest," Cadence said. "Why don't you kids go play out in the snow? The grown ups have some things to discuss," Twilight suggested. "Ok Twilight," Nyx said, as they left the house. "Now, what do you want to discuss with me?" Velvet asked. "Well, it's in regards to Mavis," Cadence replied, as she began explaining everything to Velvet. At the end, Velvet had an understanding, yet skeptical look on he face. "So, Mavis is not actually human. Rather, she's part creature that half human half fish called a 'mermaid'. On top of that, she's also part Gorgon and part Nymph too?" she asked, trying to get the facts straight. "That's the gist of it. Though at first, she was very adamant about keeping the fact she was a mermaid a secret from us. We only found out about her Gorgon side by accident," Shining Armor replied. "Well, it all sounds rather..... outlandish. I'm not doubting any of you or anything, but.... without proof, I'm having a rather difficult time believing any of it," Velvet admitted. "Well, from what Celestia told me, she's having a member of the Alicorn's Wish Guild set something up just for Mavis," Twilight said. "Though, as for her Gorgon and Nymph powers, the former is a bit on the risky side, given how the eye thing works. Regarding the latter, Mavis' teachers will be here for the festivities, so you can meet them then," Cadence said. "Well, alright, I'll take your word for it," Velvet said. It was then that Twilight and Shining Armor's father, Night Light, entered the house. "Hey everyone! Glad to see everyone's not too late!" Night Light commented. "Daddy!" Twilight exclaimed. She immediately clamped her mouth shut, as she remembered Mavis was resting, or rather, just laying lazily on the couch. "Ah, there they are! How's my little princess?" Night Light asked, ruffling Twilight's mane. "I've been just fine, Dad," Twilight replied. "And what about you two? I heard you took in another child?" the Sparkle Patriarch asked the Crystal Couple. "We did. She's resting over there on the couch," Shining Armor replied, motioning to the couch, where Mavis was slowly getting up. She still looked groggy, as she let out another long, exaggerated yawn. Night Light looked intrigued by Mavis' artificial arm, "Dad, this is Mavis," the alabaster unicorn introduced the sleepy girl. "Well, she is an absolute doll!" Velvet exclaimed. "Indeed she is. Though she looks like she's seen better days," Night Light commented, seeing how sickly Mavis was. "Well, she tends to sleep most of the time, and she doesn't like eating a lot," Cadence replied, before turning to Mavis, "Mavis, if you'd like, you can go and play with your cousins and brother out in the snow," Cadence offered. "Oui Maman, *Yawns*," Mavis yawned, as she went out back to join her friends. "Will she be alright? She didn't take a jacket," Night Light asked. "Well, there's more to that young girl than meets the eye," Shining Armor replied. "Well, we can do our Hearth's Warming traditions after the Ball. At least then we can try to get to know Mavis a little better," Velvet commented. "Good call," Twilight replied. "Now then, what's this about there being more to Mavis than meets the eye?" Night Light asked.