//------------------------------//
// The Story, part 2: Into The White 
// Story: A Story And A Game 
// by forthur 
//------------------------------//

"Why not?" Twilight asks. "Is there something wrong?"

"Two trains have already left for the Crystal Empire today, and neither has come back. It's only single track to the Empire, so we need to wait for at least one of them to return."

"The trains haven't returned? Why not?"

"We're still trying to find that out. This evil cold fog and the early snow have made things a lot harder. The Courageous Three haven't reported back yet either, but they probably will soon. They left two hours ago."
He notices your confused looks.

"You haven't heard of The Courageous Three? Strongtail, Shadefeather and Blue Moon? They're heroes! They must have saved this town at least seven times now, and even the whole of Equestria a couple of times. The Deep Quake? The Army of Shadows? No?"
He looks disappointed. Ponies these days. Not interested at all in the effort it takes to keep Equestria safe.

"If anyone can get there, it's them. Also, Blue Moon has a spell that allows him to sending messages back to the mayor, instantly. But no message had arrived yet fifteen minutes ago. You might ask the mayor if anything has arrived since then."

"Wait," Rainbow says, "You said 'evil fog'? This fog isn't usual around here?"

"Oh no, never seen anything like it. It started yesterday. Apparently it gets even thicker if you head north. I hope The Courageous Three packed warm boots."

When you leave the train and step on the platform the cold hits you like a wall to the face. The fog isn't merely very cold; it actually seems to draw the heat right out of your bodies.
You're relieved to step into the warm mayor's office a few minutes later.

The mayor is a weathered older stallion. He informs you that he's still waiting for a message from Blue Moon. And no, he will not allow any trains or new search parties to leave until he gets that message, or at least until tomorrow. Even a stagecoach would probably not be able to travel the winding and snow-covered road to the Empire before sunset, an hour from now. And being caught out there in this fog and snow and cold /and/ dark would be very, very bad.
Besides, you'd definitely wouldn't find ponies who could pull it without getting hypothermia before you'd reach the Empire.

Walking out of the office and back into the biting cold you discuss your options.

"Twilight, " Applejack begins, "How 'bout that teleport spell of yours? Could that zap us to the Empire?"

"I'm sorry, Applejack. Across such a distance is just not possible. Not for me at least. And even if I could, it would be way too dangerous - we don't know what to expect over there."

Rarity looks at Rainbow Dash. "Maybe you and Fluttershy could pull a stagecoach above this fog?"

"Yeah, not in this weather, Rarity. Our wings would be covered in ice in minutes, even if we could get it above the fog. Besides, where are we going to get a stagecoach anyway?"

Twilight suddenly looks at Rarity. "If we could find one, I might have an idea. I just hope I will not regret this."

Three quarters of an hour later Twilight is seriously regretting her decision to do this. Magically pulling the heavy stagecoach along an uneven snow-covered track demands a lot of concentration, and she's getting a severe headache. At least using the old path that runs beside the railroad tracks means you're not going to get lost. And while the path is quite bumpy, it should run quite straight towards the Empire.

Worse is that in the ever thickening fog it's impossible to determine how much progress you're making. It's hard to tell under this thick blanket of grey clouds, but the light already seems to be fading a bit; and you might still be a long way from your destination.

Suddenly, a dark shadow looms up in the fog. Immediately, Twilight stops the stage coach, making it skid a bit and throwing all of you into a tumble. After a few seconds you realize it actually is the tail end of a train, motionless standing on the tracks.

Twilight brings you forward until you're right next to it.

You all feel a shudder. There's no light, no movement. The train looks... "Dead" is the word that unbiddingly rises in your minds.

Because none of you want to leave the warmth for very long, you decide to each check one of the wagons, then quickly meet back in the warmth of the stagecoach.

A few minutes later the last back in is Rainbow Dash, who not only checked the engine but also flew around the train to check for ponies, clues, anything.
While she's shaking the ice and snow off her wings you compare your findings, quickly discovering that everyone has the same to report.

The train is cold and empty. No ponies were found, but there are lots of signs of fighting - broken windows, torn curtains, luggage strewn everywhere. Rainbow reports that the engine was completely cold; the train must have been sitting here for hours. Meanwhile the light but consistently falling snow has covered up any tracks that might have lead to or from the train.

Rarity adds that she thought she smelled something. All of your noses are running a bit in this cold, so it is impossible to tell what it was. But it had a familiar edge, something she had smelled before; she just can't remember what it was.

You all sit silently, slowly feeling the warmth creep back into your cold hooves. It's Applejack who breaks the silence.
"Ah reckon we should press on. It can't be far to the Empire, but we needs to be there afore sundown. There ain't nothin' we can do for these ponies but hope they're alright, wherever they are."

While Twilight lights up her horn and starts the cart moving again, the rest of you cannot suppress gloomy thoughts.