Welcome Aboard the Express! Estimated time of arrival at the Crystal Empire will in eight hours! Please take your seats, and thank you for your trust in us!
Rarity paid no attention to the standard greeting, instead just handing her ticket over to be clicked by the train master, before making her way to her cabin to settle in, and prepare for a quick sleep under Luna's moon. The evening express was always the quietest, and of the few that would be riding, many less would be awake during the journey.
The snow battered at the windows outside, making Rarity sigh as she leaned closer to lower the shades. What a storm indeed, she could hardly see anything beyond a few feet. Hopefully the conductor would be okay.
The unicorn mare was getting older, but despite the greying hairs at the roots, she still was a Guardian of Equestria. And Guardians did have to answer the call of the Cutie Map. But this time, it was... Exceedingly strange.
Her diamonds were called up north. FAR up north. Far beyond the Crystal Empire, beyond Mount Everhoof. No pony, no yak even, had gone that far up. It was just a desolate wasteland. It was why Twilight advised her to stay in the Crystal Empire for a few days. Receive aid, and a guide, and most preferably a safe way beyond the mountain.
Oh, and she had so many dress orders to complete! She was not looking forward to going on such an adventure, and by herself as well! Things had been too quiet lately, for the last few years since the fiasco with Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow. A few friendship spats here and there, but that was about it. Otherwise, the Six were ready to settle down and begin their comfortable retirement.
Already Applejack and Rainbow Dash had gotten engaged, Pinkie was ready to have a foal with Cheese Sandwich, and dear Fluttershy was quite comfortable being the Lady of Chaos. Even Twilight was doing well, settling into her role as Ruler of Equestria.
And then there was Rarity. She was... Fine with being a most successful business mare. But now that she was at the top of the fashion industry, she couldn't help but wonder if that was really it. Just... Settle down with her successes. She wasn't ungrateful, in fact she most certainly understood that she was beyond blessed but... Sometimes she could swear there was just something left she needed to do. Something to finish.
Was, perhaps, this mysterious errand up north her last mission? Her last hurrah, her last adventure? But who would need generosity up north? Nothing lived up there, nothing needed her help. Nothing-
The train jostled.
Hard.
Rarity gasped as she was shaken out of her thoughts, and out of her bed. With an undignified yelp she hit the floor, and rubbed at her poor head. Oh that was so unprofessional, what in the world was going on?
She stumbled to her hooves, but definitely had to use the walls to regain her balance.
"Attendant, what's going on??" She called out when she managed to open the sliding door, asking the staff on duty.
"Ice on the tracks ma'am, please return back to your cabin!" The poor attendant hurriedly said, trying to yell this at any ponies who were also peeking out of their cabins. There were some sobs from the foals shaken from their sleep, and worried eyes all around.
"Attention everypony! Please, remain calm and remain inside your rooms! Try to keep yourselves buckled in! Try- OH CELESTIA!!!"
There was a screech of the wheels, as the train tilted.
And kept tilting.
Screams and the horrible crunch of metal filled Rarity's ears, her voice joining into the terror and chaos. It was horrible, as she hit her head and blacked out...
It was so cold.
/////////////
"How many?"
"Out of the fifty, your majesty... Eight survived. Barely. But I suspect half of them won't survive much longer, the frostbite got to them, and they nearly looked dead. It's only because we actually put our hooves on their pulse could we detect otherwise."
Twilight looked on with sadness in the early morning light. It was a tragedy, such a tragedy. The snow still covered several bodies, but thankfully search and rescue were using their magic to melt the snow as fast as they could. They made good progress.
But not good enough.
Twilight was still desperately searching for the body of one of her dearest friends. Body for worst case scenario, but hopefully she was still alive. Somehow... In someway... Oh why did she let Rarity go on her own??? She should have just teleported her directly to the Empire... Oh but she knew Rarity liked her own independence....
"Your Majesty?"
Twilight was brought out of her train of thought, and noticed her vision was blurry. Quickly she brought a hoof up and wiped at her eyes. Just as she suspected, tears. She really, really needed to get a better hold of her emotions. She no longer was a princess, she was now The Princess.
"Y-yes? I mean.." she coughed away the scratchiness in her throat, and took a cleaning breath.
"Yes?"
"You're majesty... T-there were only forty nine ponies we found. Guardian R-rarity.... Is missing." The pony said nervously, ears flat and voice quiet.
Twilight could swear her entire world had just stopped as she heard those words.
"She's... What?" Twilight asked in a very, very small voice. Now facing a third possibility that was terrifying her very soul.
The unknown. Rarity could either be dead... Or... Alive. And the fact that Twilight did not know was now wrecking her mind. No peace either way, no chance to grieve. There was only constant fear and stress now.
"She's... Missing." The pony again said. Worried for his Princess. Was she... okay? She looked so still, like she was not even alive.
Right. Time for her to be a princess. Not only for a subject, her little pony... But for her best friend. Twilight now had to take control of the situation.
"Thank you. Keep searching. And please, be ready. We need to find her, no matter the cost. For she is not only our Guardian, but she is also my little pony." Twilight said with surefire authority.
I will not fail you Rarity. I swear it.