Secret of the Frost Kingdom

         Last time Overwatch checked the clock in west square from the town hall: it was close to 21:00 hours, an hour from the city wide curfew, so he picked up the pace through the blinding snow as he started to a full gallop to through the now snow blanketed West District, his hooves sinking about an inch or two into the snow, glad that he wore his snow combat boots tightly over his warm hooves. He sucked in the brisk air and huffed out a frozen breath through the scarf wrapped around his neck, as well as over his face, and slightly fogged up his snow goggles. Gotta love Mountain gear...

He skidded to a stop at the gates to the courtyard in front of the palace, both maintained by two palace guards, both wearing ceremonial white-gold armor, that was insulated with fur that layered over a marine wool overcoat and standing rigid regardless of the falling flurry of snow.

"Halt! Who goes there?" The guard to the left quickly questioned the suspicious looking pony.

Overwatch lifted his goggles up and pulled down his scarf from his snout, allowing the guards to identify him. They moved in perfect unity, opening the gate at the same time and pulled the cold silver gates back and waited for the Executive Officer to pass inside, keeping their somber expressions.

Overwatch nodded to the guards, and trotted inside the courtyard, the silver gate crashing closed behind him. The courtyard reflected the brilliant white sheets of snow covering the usually well cut grass and numerous native plants, flowers and gave the trees a bright white coat over the green covered limbs. He rounded the frozen fountain and approached the massive gold doors to the entrance to the towering palace.

Two more guards wearing the same Palace Uniform stood on opposite sides of the doors opened the way for Overwatch, leading him into the a brilliant hall of Never-melt-Ice, a lustrous pale blue mineral that gets its name from the cold feeling when touched. Palace Guards lined the walls, about 5 meters apart from the other, all stiff and somber as statues. The lone click-clack of Overwatch's hooves on the cold floor echoed through the whole hall as he approached the silver doors to the throne room.

The guards uniforms differed: Blue-Steel Armor and White wool Overcoats standing on either side of the Silver doors, slowly opening the majestic double silver doors, adjourned with a massive sapphire snowflake split between the two doors and inward was the throne room. A long silver carpet stretched to a short flight of steps to the platinum throne, on it a White Alicorn with a flowing sapphire blue and pale blue mane covered her left violet eye: Princess Snowfall.

Both the Princess and the Adviser next to her drew their attention to the approaching Stallion, her face drawing into a grin, "Well well well... Captain Overwatch, so you are the unlucky soul that was picked for hosting?" The Princess drew a humored smile as the Stallion took a low bow.

"Evidently, it seems I've been on Avalanche's bad side and this is my punishment: being your personal adviser for this hosting thing," He humbly chuckled,

"Oh come now, it can't be that bad working with your old best friend right?" She walked up to him, trying to cheer him up.

He grinned, "Well it's better than dealing with all the duty of the Guard, since at this point I assume that I'm on leave while I work this Hosting job,"

She playfully elbowed his side, "See? Perks of working with me! Now, for the serious part of your job: All you have to do is go to Princess Cadance and give her these invitations my Adviser has worked up, from their my cousin will be able to point you to her friends she has in mind to invite as well, OK?"

Overwatch hesitated, taking in all the information, "OK, so Princess Cadance is in the Crystal Empire right?"

Snowfall nodded, "Mhmm, all you have to do is to take the train their, It'll be quick since it's just on the other side of the Crystal Mountains!"

Overwatch saluted, "Don't you worry Snowfall, you can count on me!"

Snowfall laughed, "Always the guard I know, good luck!" She shouted back to him as he galloped out of the Throne room, eager to start packing and leaving as soon as possible on the train.

Overwatch was fast asleep on his bed, snoring loudly as the morning sun creeped in through cracked shutters, the soft light resting upon his face, slowly warming his face and making him adjust to get comfortable, resulting him to roll off the bed with a surprised yelp and a loud thud on the floor, and a muffled "Ow.." originated form a face-down Overwatch. He lifted his head while rubbing his forehead,  noticing his room was a cluttered mess of papers, a few coats on the floor, and worst of all, it was 8 o' clock in the morning.

His eyes widened in shock, "Oh no no no, the train leaves at quarter after!" he sprang into action, rummaging through his pack, grabbing the invitations, rapidly cleaning up his room with magic, and stopped to feed his turtle, who clawed the glass begging for food.

He threw on his favorite Forest Green cloak and wrapped his sage colored scarf around his neck, and grabbed his pack and securing it over his back. He took a quick bite of an apple, taking several bites until just a core remained. He galloped towards the door, only to skid to a stop as something came to mind: His Grandfather's Amulet. He glanced at the clock: 5 minutes after 8. He scrambled into his room, and looked around for the Amulet until he found the solid diamond key with a heliotrope gem in the middle of the key lying on top of the night stand, putting it over his neck and enjoyed the feeling of the warm amulet against him. He always felt safe wearing it, reminding him of his now passed away Grandfather.

8:08, he galloped out of his apartment, almost forgetting to lock the door, then make a mad dash down the stairs, and leaping from the final flight onto the icy ground, sliding a few meters until he continued a full gallop in the brisk morning. He warned ponies as he galloped past him, the few leisurely ponies taking an early walk or heading to the market to open their stands.

He finally rounded the corner and skidded to a stop in front of the awaiting train in the Station, and the Conductor asked, "Ticket Please?"

Overwatch panted as he pulled out his ticket from his pack, holding it in his mouth, and the Conductor took the slip of yellow paper from his mouth with his magic, taking out a Hole-puncher and punched out a hole with a quick click and hooved it back over to the panting stallion, "Thank you sir, made it just in time too!" The Conductor smiled as he showed him his gold pocket watch, and Overwatch nodded as he trotted inside the train car.

Unaware to Overwatch and the Conductor was an invisible Mare watching several meters away, Hopefully he has the gem... she silently trotted past several ponies, her hoof-steps muffled by the Invisibility spell, and sneaked past the Conductor and into the Train Car.

        She made sure no pony was around and dropped the Invisibility spell, taking a rasp breath from maintaining the spell for so long. She followed the Stallion as he took a seat 3 rows up, and she took the closest seat and kept an eye on him. She glanced around, darn... too many ponies around for me to cast any magic... better wait and follow him when he gets off the train... then I can make my move...

The train whistled twice, and rang it's bell as the large steel wheels started to chug forward, puffs of smoke coughing out of the smokestack of the massive steam engine, and made its way out of the city, passing under the city's south walls, and gained speed as it chugged around the slight bend of the bridge over the frozen lake.

"Do you think she noticed us?"

"No... but Umbra was obviously right, she would make a break for it alright..."

"Are you sure? I thought she was following a Captain of some sort to get the Gem...?"

"Of course not, the Captain Umbra spoke of is back in the City, she is trying to escape us..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, the Captain that took the Gem is the one called Hail Storm, we'll deal with him after we rid of Night Shade,"

"Very well..."