The Next Day,
Sunlight peeked into Mavis' room, as she began to stir in her sleep. She then sat up straight, her hair was a little bit of a mess, and her eyes were still groggy, "Mmm, can't a demon girl get any sleep around here?" she grumbled, laying back down, covering her head with the sheets. Just then, Cadence walked in to the room.
"Mavis? Time to get up sweetie," Cadence said, nudging Mavis.
"Mmm, don't wanna," Mavis mumbled, half asleep.
"Now, now, it's already morning, and it's time for breakfast," Cadence said, pulling the sheets back off of the child. When she did, she was shocked to see bat like wings attached to her back, and her tail was actually attached to her backside. Mavis realized that Cadence pulled the sheets off of her, and that she was only wearing her undies. She was now wide awake out of embarrassment. With a squeak, she fell out of bed, and landed on her head, "Oh my, are you alright?!" Cadence asked, rushing to the child's side.
"Owwie, I am fine," Mavis replied, as she quickly went over to get her dress, and ducked behind the chair it was sitting on, and slipped it on, 'I hope that human or any other male saw me,' Mavis thought, as she emerged from behind the chair.
"So, Mavis, would you like to have some breakfast before we leave for Ponyville?" Cadence offered. She was trying to keep from letting Mavis know she saw her bat wings. The child was already nervous enough..... Cadence didn't want to worsen Mavis' anxiety any more.
"Uh..... o-ok," Mavis timidly replied, as she was led out of the room. All the while, Cadence was wondering about Mavis. Why does she have horns, a tail, and wings? And why was the whites of her eyes black? This girl was shrouded in so much mystery. Eventually, they arrived at the dining hall, where Shining Armor, Nathan, and the foals, Skyla and Guard, were all having breakfast.
"Ah, Cadence, and Mavis too. I trust you had a good night sleeping?" Shining Armor asked the young guest.
"O-Oui," Mavis replied, as she sat at the table, a few spaces from Nathan.
'Did Ah do somethin' to upset her?' Nathan wondered, as he ate his breakfast.
"Do you want some more toast, Mavis?" Cadence asked.
"O-Oui," Mavis quietly replied. Cadence then motioned to a servant, who nodded, and went to prepare Mavis' requested meal. Moments later, she came back with two slices of toast, and a glass of milk for Mavis, "M-Merci," Mavis said, as she began eating her meager breakfast.
"She doesn't eat much, does she?" Nathan asked his parents.
"It could just be nerves," Cadence replied, as she ate her hay bacon and eggs. Once they were all done, they left the dining room, and made their way tot he foyer, "Alright, does everyone have everything?" she asked.
"Yep, ah got mah suitcase, and mah entertainment bag," Nathan replied.
"I have our suitcases, and a stroller for Skyla and Guard," Shining Armor added.
"So that leaves me with the baby bag," Cadence said, slinging a large tote over her shoulder, "Mavis, if you want, you can borrow this satchel while we're visiting Ponyville. You can store things you find in it," Cadence said, giving Mavis a small satchel.
"M-Merci," Mavis replied, as they left the castle.
"I trust you guys can handle things while we're gone?" Shining Armor asked.
"Of course, Captain," the guard replied. With that, the family was off to the train station. As they were walking, Nathan noticed a tail, just as Cadence had described, flowing out from Mavis' backside.
'Hmm, if that's true, then Mavis may not be human after all. Only question is, what is she?' he thought, as they arrived at the station. Cadence then quickly purchased one more ticket for Mavis, and presented them to the conductor.
"Ah yes, Princess, the Royal Car has been coupled up to the train prior to your arrival," the conductor said, motioning to the car in question. The family and Mavis boarded the car, just as the engine blew its whistle, and began to move out of the station. Mavis took a seat close to the window. Propping her head up with her arm, she gazed out the window. All the while, the Crystal Family, save for the babies, who were just sleeping, were all talking to each other in regards to Mavis.
"Mavis seems..... distant," Shining Armor commented.
"Ah would say she's just bein' shy, but this seems to be somethin' else entirely," Nathan replied.
"You're both right. But I think there's another piece missing entirely. When I went to wake her up this morning, I saw that she had bat like wings coming out of her back," Cadence pointed out.
"Ya mean like mine?" Nathan asked.
"Sort of. But I can't fathom just why she has wings, horns, and a tail. Not to mention her eyes," Cadence replied.
"Y'know, the way she has all those things, she could either be an actual demon or just cosplayin' as one," Nathan commented.
"Now Nathan, we should jump to rash conclusions like that just yet," Shining Armor replied.
"Ah'm just sayin' she could be, not that she is one," Nathan countered.
"Either way, you shouldn't say things like that about anyone without all the facts," Cadence replied.
"Alright, Ah get ya," Nathan said.
"But maybe Twilight and the others can help shed light on this mystery," Cadence commented. A little while later, the train began to slow down, as it reached Ponyville Station, "Come along Mavis," Cadence urged, as they all departed from the car. Mavis then looked around the peaceful hamlet of Ponyville.
'Well, it does look safe enough,' she thought to herself, as Cadence and the others led her to Twilight's castle.
Meanwhile, at Twilight's Castle,
Twilight and her kids her all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Cadence and Shining Armor, as well as Nathan and the foals, Alright, they should be here any moment," Twilight said, just as they heard knocking coming from the door. Twilight then opened the door, revealing the Crystal Family. Twilight and Cadence then did their little nursery rhyme.
"SUNSHINE, SUNSHINE, LADYBUGS AWAKE. CLAP YOUR HOOVES AND DO A LITTLE SHAKE!" they rhymed.
"Oh, it's so good to see you guys again!" Twilight said, embracing her brother and sister in law.
"And you, Twilight," Cadence said.
"Hey guys," Nathan greeted his cousins.
"Hey Nathan," Josh greeted back.
"So, what's new?" Nyx asked.
"Well, we brought a guest with us," Nathan replied. This caught the surprise of the entire Twilight household.
"Really?" Cory asked.
"That's right. She's a little shy, but is a very sweet child," Cadence said, turning towards the door, "Mavis? You can come on in now," Cadence urged. From behind the door emerged Mavis, who looked rather tense, upon seeing more humans.
'Oh great, more human!' she thought, as she entered the castle.
"Everyone, this is Mavis. Until further notice, she'll be staying with us at the Crystal Empire," Cadence said, introducing Mavis to the others for the girl, who simply shrank away, when the others all pointed their attention towards her.
"It may be a while before she'll open up to us, so we'll just give her some space," Twilight told Cadence.
"That would probably be best for her," Cadence replied.
"Well, before we head out on town, shall I show you to your rooms?" Twilight offered.
"That would be lovely, thank you," Cadence replied. With that, Twilight led the Crystal Family, and Mavis up to their rooms.
Later,
"... And here will be your room, Mavis," Twilight said, as she let Mavis into her room.
"M-Merci," Mavis said, as she went inside, and flopped down on the bed. Twilight just smiled at the young girl's antics, as she went to check on the others.
"Settling in alright?" Twilight asked Cadence and Shining Armor.
"Indeed. So, how's Mavis?" Cadence asked,
"Well, she just flopped down on the bed, so I assume she likes the room," Twilight replied.
"Well, that's good," Cadence replied.
"So, what are the plans for the visit?" Shining Armor asked.
"Well, I was thinking we could do lunch at Sugarcube Corner, then go to the art gallery. But I think some minor adjustments to the schedule could be made for Mavis. We should see about getting her some new clothes," Twilight suggested.
"Excellent idea. I'll go see if Mavis is up for it," Cadence said, as she made her way to Mavis' room. It wasn't too terribly far. By Cadence's request, Twilight made sure Mavis' room was close to hers and Shining Armor's room. She gently tapped on the door.
"Mavis? We're going to be heading out to town soon. If you want to come, we can get you some new clothes?" Cadence offered. The door then opened up, revealing the young child.
"O-Ok Princess, if you say so," Mavis replied shakily.
"Alright then. Now, if you can head on downstairs, we'll be there momentarily," Cadence said. With that, the young girl left for the main foyer. However, she got lost, and wound up even further from the entrance than she was originally. She then looked around.
"I hope no one sees this," Mavis said, as a star symbol made of fire appeared beneath her feet. She then descended into the star, which dropped her out near the entrance. She looked around, and saw that no one was there, thankfully, "Oh thank goodness," Mavis said, as she quickly extinguished the flames. Thankfully, there was no scorch marks. Soon, the others arrived. Mavis tensed up at seeing all the human kids.
"Ok Mavis, are you ready to go?" Cadence asked,
"O-Oui," Mavis replied, as the exited the castle, and made their way into town.