//------------------------------// // Witch (Part 1) // Story: What if Mavis was a: // by darkmage1997 //------------------------------// It was a brisk, Fall evening in the Crystal Empire. Families were putting their foals to bed, shops were closing, and couples were out on dates. As the Full Moon began to rise over the empire, one particular couple, however was heading home after a date at one of the most poshest restraunts in the empire. They were Princess Cadence, and her husband, Prince Shining Armor, co-rulers of the Crystal Empire, "Did you enjoy it, my love?" Shining Armor asked. "It was one of the most excellent dinners we've had all year Shiny," Cadence replied. However, before the went any further, they saw something, or rather, someone, a very young someone, was walking along the sidewalks, all alone. Judging by the wardrobe, they knew in an instant that the child was a human girl. She was wearing a very well made, but short Gothic Lolita dress, looking similar to one of those Magical Girls that Heaven likes watching, with an oversized witches hat, and looked to have a very frightened face, and she looked as though she had not eaten properly in days. She had raven black hair, beautiful green eyes that were red and puffy. They had assumed she was crying, as she walked along the sidewalk, holding onto the sides of the buildings as she walked. "I need to find my way out of here.... got to get out of this place," they heard the girl say. Judging by her accent, they assumed she was from the human version of Cadence's home country of Prance. The little girl then looked up to see the royal couple. With a frightened squeak, she ducked into the alley way, hoping to have gotten out of sight, 'Please don't find me, please don't find me, please don't find me," she chanted in her mind, as she heard the hoof steps getting closer and closer to here. More tears began running down her cheek, as she feared the worst of the worst. "Um, excuse me?" she heard Cadence asked worriedly. The little girls heart sank, as she looked up to see that she was discovered. She squeaked and tried to run away, only for her large hat to fall over her face. It was when she tripped over a small, but heavy rock. "S'il vous plaît, ne me faites pas mal!" the girl pleaded in her native tongue. "Chut, ne t'inquiète pas, je ne te ferai pas de mal. je veux vous aider," Cadence replied, speaking the same exact language. The girl look genuinely surprised to see the humanoid pony before her speaking her language. "You speak F-French too?" the girl inquired. "I assume that is what you humans refer to as Prench, but yes, I do speak that language," Cadence replied. The girl seemed at ease by the alicorn's tone, but was still nevertheless frightened, "Might I ask what your name is, s'il vous plait?" Cadence asked, trying to keep from scaring the poor girl. "je m'appelle Mavis Gustou," the young girl replied. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mavis. I am Cadence, the..... head authority of the Crystal Empire, and this is mon mari, Shining Armor," Cadence said, trying to keep the girl from feeling more intimidated by telling Mavis of her role as princess. "By the way, why are out so late?" Shining Armor questioned. At the question, Mavis began feeling utterly helpless, and broke down crying. She didn't even try to hold back. "I c-c-can never go b-b-back to my home. There's n-n-nothing left for me there," Mavis sobbed, covering her head. The royal couple felt terrible for the little girl. "You know, if you want, we could always take you to our home. We'd be more than happy to help you," Cadence offered. This seemed to only frighten Mavis even further. "non non Non! Je ne peux pas vous accepter cette offre!" Mavis squeaked. "It's alright sweetheart, we'd love to have you as a guest," Cadence replied. Mavis seemed very unsure of this, and gripped her right arm. "W-well, I guess I would like to have somewhere w-w-warm to sleep," she murmured quietly. "Then alright. Let's go and get you some nice hot food, and maybe a relaxing bath," Cadence said, gingerly taking Mavis' left arm, as they led Mavis to their home. 'They seem like nice.... people. But what if they're like THEM?' Mavis thought, as images of a gang of teenagers, dressed like hunters, were all surrounding her. Mavis felt her heart race faster, and her blood running cold. Her thoughts of possible impending doom were cut short, when they arrived at the Crystal Palace. She looked up in awe. "Princess Cadence, Captain Shining Armor, I see you've enjoyed your evening," one of the guards commented. Mavis' eyes widened, not just in surprise, but in pure horror. 'P-PRINCESS?! Did I do something bad?!' she thought fearfully. She thought about running, but thoughts of the guards chasing after her quickly snuffed out that idea. "Princess, who is this little girl?" the guard asked. "This is Mavis. She'll be staying with us for the time being," Cadence replied. "Um... o-on second thought, m-maybe I shouldn't," Mavis said almost inaudibly, too quiet for the adults to hear her. "As such, could you go prepare a guest room for her? We'll bring her up after we get her something to eat," Cadence said. "At once your majesty," the guard said, as he went to take care of the task he was given. "As for you, let's get you something to eat. You look like you haven't eaten in days," Cadence said, as she began walking Mavis into the castle. Or rather, she was dragging Mavis in with her, as Mavis seemed too reluctant to go in, "Is there something wrong, precious?" Cadence asked. "I-I don't think this is a g-good idea after all, princess," Mavis stammered. "Why ever not?" Shining Armor asked. "I-I don't want to ask for f-food from royalty," Mavis replied, trying desperately to run away. "It's no problem at all Mavis. We're happy to give you something to eat," Cadence soothed. "mais je ne suis qu'une fille que vous avez trouvée. Pourquoi voudriez-vous aider quelqu'un comme moi?" Mavis asked. "Do we really need a reason to help someone? You're someone whose scared and alone. Keeping you from feeling like that is more than enough reason for helping you," Cadence replied. Mavis tried thinking of something to counter that, but she quickly dismissed that idea, as she didn't want to argue with a princess, and just gave in. "O-ok. I would just like some du pain grillé, s'il vous plait," Mavis sighed in defeat. "Is that all you want?" Cadence asked. Mavis simply nodded, "Alright, how many slices would you like?" "seulement deux," Mavis replied. "Would you like butter, or jam on your toast?" Cadence asked. Mavis shook her head. "Well, what about something to drink?" she added. "peut-être juste un verre de lait?" Mavis asked. "Of course," Cadence said, as she led Mavis to the kitchen. There, they saw a familiar human boy, fixing himself a sandwich. "Hey Mommy, welcome back," Nathan greeted. Mavis hid behind the counter. 'Oh no, a human!' she thought, trembling fearfully, clutching what appeared to be a wand, ready to defend herself in any way possible. "Fixing yourself a little snack, I see?" Cadence asked. "Yeah, I wanted something on my stomach before hittin' the hay," Nathan replied. "Well, just nothing big. We don't want another of your sleepwalking incidents," Cadence warned. Nathan shuddered at the memory of the aforementioned incident. Images of him walking around in his underwear, while in a trance, filled his head. Nathan then took noticed of something around the corner, "Oh, that reminds me. We have a guest staying with us," Cadence said, pulling Mavis from her hiding place. Mavis was full on hyperventilating upon being seen by Nathan, "Nathan, this is Mavis Gustou. Mavis, this is Nathan, my and Shining Armor's eldest son," Cadence said, introducing the two. "Nice to meet ya Mavis," Nathan said. Mavis didn't reply, only hiding behind Cadence. "She's very shy and timid. You might want to give her some time to warm up to you," Cadence advised. Nathan nodded, as he took his sandwich, and went back to his room. "Though, it looks ta me that she may want ta get that hat resized," Nathan commented, as he left. "Now Mavis, you don't need to be scared of Nathan. He can be a bit of a.... tough guy, but he's a very nice boy," Cadence reassured. Mavis didn't seem too convinced, 'What in Equestria happened to you?' Cadence thought to herself, as she began making toast for Mavis. She put two slices of bread in the toaster, before going to make a small cup of milk. She got the milk carton from the fridge, and poured it into the cup. The toast finished, as they popped out from the toaster. Cadence place both slices on a plate. She then sat Mavis at the table, and placed her meager dinner in front of her. Mavis then proceeded to eat the toast, and drink the milk. After a few minutes, she was done. "Merci beaucoup," Mavis said. "Now, how about a nice bath before bed?" Cadence suggested, as she took the 'human' girl to her room. Mavis thought worriedly for a second. 'I can't let them know about that. They may want to execute me!' Mavis thought fearfully, "Uh, p-princess, if it's not too much t-trouble, could I maybe b-bathe alone?" Mavis asked. "Whatever makes you more comfortable. I'll be right outside the door if you need me," Cadence said, as she prepared the bathtub, making sure it wasn't too hot or cold, and was just the right height. With that, she gave Mavis a towel and a washcloth, and exited the bathroom. Mavis began undressing. One she was fully undressed, Mavis climbed into the tub. She had to admit, it felt nice, having a nice soak in a warm bath. With a wave of her hand, she turned her wand into a brush, and proceeded to scrub herself. "Mmm, this feels nice," she quietly commented. Once she was done washing herself, she rinsed and dried herself off. She then turned her wand back to normal, and redressed herself. Once she donned her hat, she exited the bathroom. "Do you feel any better?" Cadence asked. Mavis solemnly nodded, as Cadence guided her to bed, taking her hat, and placing it on a chair, "My and Shining's room is just down the hall. It's the two big doors. You can come and get us if you need us," Cadence said, tucking in the young girl, and planting a small kiss on the child's head, before leaving. Mavis still couldn't help but feel uneasy about sleeping under the same roof as a human, much less royalty. She covered her head with the sheets, a few stray tears escaping. "Sebastian, Archimedes, I need you!" Mavis thought, as images of a black cat and owl entered her mind.