//------------------------------//
// Journey to Dodge Junction 
// Story: Visiting Twilight 
// by StormLuna 
//------------------------------//

Colder weather had arrived in Canterlot and everypony was in a festive mood as Hearth's Warming was only a couple days away.  Twilight Velvet and Night Light too were in a good mood but not for the same reason as everypony else.  Most ponies in the city were decorating their homes and buying presents for their families but Twilight's parents were preparing for a trip to Dodge Junction where they would meet with Twilight, who had relocated to Unicornia after running away from Celestia. 

That morning while they were eating breakfast Night Light asked, "Honey, do you think Twilight will be happy to see us?"

*Velvet replied, "I'm not sure.  You know she wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of leaving Unicornia just to come see us.  I know if she could have it her way, we'd have to walk into that forest just to see her." 

Night Light was more optimistic, "You never know sweetie.  It has been a while since we last saw her and she might really miss us." 

Velvet sighed, "I hope so but she seems awfully close to that Moonlight pony.  I could see her bringing her with her because just the way they behaved, it feels like she sees Moonlight Tulip as a second mother."  She then became sad, "Maybe even more of a mother than me."

Night Light could tell that his wife was sad over the prospects of this but wanted to try and reassure her, "Sweetie, yes Twilight may view this pony as a second mom but you have to understand, culturally they are pretty much the same but she'll always see you as her mom.  She would never just forget about us." 

Velvet gave him a slight smile as she hoped that he was right.  Once they got done with their breakfast Night Light suggested, "How about we go down to Dodge Junction and wait for Twilight?  I could see her arriving early so she could visit with us and then get back home." 

Velvet sighed, "You're probably right there, I just hope she still remembers when Hearth's Warming is." 

"Oh I'm sure she does.  Twilight is the last pony I could see forgetting something like that!" 





After finishing their breakfast, they headed towards the train station.  Velvet in particular looked around at all the festivities going on and sighed in sadness.  She thought back to when Twilight was young and would always get so excited when they would walk around the city and look at all the "pretties" as she would call them.  She knew that Twilight was now a full grown mare but the fact that she didn't even want to set hoof in Canterlot did sadden her. 

Once they got to the station they bought their tickets and as they waited for the train, Night Light saw the sadness on his wife's face, "Sweetie, I know you're sad but Twilight has her own life now and is culturally different than us." 

Velvet grunted, "I know and it was that tyrant's fault.  She is the one that molested Twilight and drove her away and ultimately made her into the pony she is."

Velvet was becoming agitated and her husband wanted to calm her down, "Honey, that is in the past.  What matters is that Twilight got somewhere safe, she has ponies who care about her and she is happy." 

Velvet sighed, "I know, I know but I'm still sad." 

After a few more minutes of Night Light trying to get his wife to see the positives but it was not working all that well.  Velvet knew that had Twilight remained in Canterlot or even stayed in Ponyville after the bad experience with Celestia that she would still go up to be with them on the holiday, or at least visit for them.

When the train finally arrived the two were quick to embark as there were many ponies wanting to travel that day and they didn't feel like having to wait six hours for the next train heading down south.  During the train ride, many ponies were talking about the family they were going to see and the meals that would likely be prepared for them, along with the gifts they had bought for their families. 

Velvet sighed, "They're all so lucky.  The most we're going to get with Twilight is a meal at the local restaurant in Dodge Junction and what will hopefully be more than a brief conversation." 

Night Light suggested, "You know, I know we can't walk all that far but we could see if she would like us to go to Unicornia with her.  Queen Radiant Hope did say we'd be welcome to visit." 

Velvet countered, "And if we can't walk that far, what are we supposed to do, just lay out there in the desert and hope we don't die?"

Her attitude was starting to frustrate Night Light.  He was also disappointed that they had to travel out of town just to see Twilight but didn't have his wife's same negativity.  He had a strong feeling that Twilight would meet them there, spend a fair amount of time with them and perhaps even bring them a gift from Unicornia.