Author's Note

Hello Reader!

I just wanted to lay out a few quick things.

First.) This piece does not directly diverge from a specific episode of the show.

Second.) The pegasus race does not control the weather, and neither does the Princesses control the day/night cycles.

Third.) This is not a crossover, but I was inspired to write this from Cormac McCarthy's 2006 novel, The Road.

Last.) Please, do not forget to critique, correct, and enjoy my work. Thank you.

Prologue - The Day Before

The Manehattan Times newspaper had arrived early in the morning which was good. I always enjoyed hoofing through the news, mostly the Scene pages which was tabloids and celebrity gossip. It had landed completely past the welcome mat in front of the door to my condo. The paper-pony must still be upset with me from the previous morning.

I'd given him an ear full about my name being misprinted on the address. I'd been staying in this condo for over a week, and it annoyed me ever so much that it read "Rarit". I was happy to see that they'd changed the label to add the appropriate "y" on the end.

"Would you like some coffee, dear?" I asked Ditzy Doo who had taken a seat on my couch.

"Definitely. I like it black." She said while laying back onto the cushions.

I'd began brewing coffee about an hour before she'd woke up while I was righting my appearance. No pony wants to see me without my face on, and I was sure of that. Ditzy knew better, but I pretended that I naturally woke up with my purple mane and tail perfectly curled, eye shadow applied with subtlety, and eye lashes delicately fanned.

I poured two cups, added two lumps of sugar to mine, and then meandered to the smoking chair across the table from Ditzy. I put her coffee in front of her, and took a sip of mine while I snapped the newspaper with my magic and began at the headline without opening the paper.

"The kingdom of Yakyakistan, ruled by Prince Rutherford, has always had rocky relations with Equestria." I read aloud while sipping coffee. "Princess Twilight, in a bold political move, extended a hoof to the yaks in an effort to open the borders which had been closed to Equestria for decades."

My horn glowed blue, and I used my magic to retrieve the small, covered dish of sugar that was in the kitchen. I placed it on the table, mindlessly stirred more sugar into my coffee, and then continued, "A recent effort by Prince Rutherford to annex the Crystal Empire, whose magic provides us protection from the Frozen North's natural elements from enveloping our great country, was declined by Equestrian liaison, Princess Cadence, whom is currently in charge of maintaining the territory. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna support the decision for Equestria to remain in control of the territory."

Ditzy Doo sipped her own coffee, "Isn't is supposed to be 'who' instead?"

"I've never really understood when that word was appropriate." I said, and then I put the paper down, and shook my head. "I'm no leader like Twilight. I only half pay attention to the worldly happenings because I only understand about half of it."

Ditzy chuckled and put a wing on the paper to slide to herself, "Let me give it a shot." Her eye darted across the page while her right eye just kind of danced around toward the floor. I had to appreciate somepony with her affliction that could read as fast as she did.

"Whoa." She said, "I guess it's getting pretty bad up there."

"What makes you say that?" I asked while spooning even more sugar into my coffee. I knew that she liked her coffee strong, and she appeared to be okay with it, but I was having a hard time stomaching the bite.

"Printh," Ditzy lisped. She cleared her throat, took a sip of coffee, and then read from the paper again, "Prince Rutherford took offense to the decline of protection and made a statement that Equestrian hubris was becoming unacceptable." She looked up at me and said, "The Royal Guard thinks they're building and stockpiling weapons of mass destruction."

"Oh, it will be alright." I said, and then I waved a hoof toward the paper, "These words sell papers, I'm sure. The princesses will figure something out to smooth it over. Twilight always comes up with a way to bridge the gap between cultures."

"You're probably right." Ditzy said dismissively. "Since the dragons got Princess Ember, we've got the griffons and the dragons to back us up. I'm not the smartest pony in the world, but I doubt Yakyakistan would be stupid enough to attack three nations at once."

"Surely not." I said with a smile, "Anyway, how do you feel about Vanhoover for an entire week?"

"Oh, I can't wait." She smiled and then she hopped up from the couch. She used her wing to turn the nob on the closet by the front door, and pulled her black leather saddlebag from it. "I'm ready to go when you are."

"You're bringing one bag?" I asked.

Ditzy shrugged while she returned to the couch, "I don't need much."

"Well, maybe I should pack a bit lighter." I said while looking over at my small tower of suitcases and hoof-bags.

"I'm just bringing a toothbrush and a scarf." She said while sitting and putting her bag on the floor next to her.

I nodded and thought about the simplicity of just bringing money and one item of clothing. It'll be cold that far north, so I will need my jacket. And I can't leave home without my make up or my hooficure tools.

"I wouldn't know where to start lightening the load." I said while studying my luggage.

"I'll help! Let's go light, Rarity." Ditzy said with a smile, "If we only bring what we can fit in our saddlebags, it will feel like an adventure. If we bring home with us, it won't be much of a getaway."

It seemed like impeccable logic, but I didn't like it. But still, I didn't do vacations very often, and I wanted this to stick. It was a fashion oriented event, but it wasn't work related and purely just for fun. I don't remember the last time I traveled without bringing work with me.

"Okay, Ditzy. I'm with you on this." I smiled with determination, "I'll bring only my toothbrush, my curling iron, concealer, hoof file, maybe two coats, and I'll put back a couple of hats. Oh, but my clutch bags, I will need those."

"Rarity, come on." Ditzy laughed. "A toothbrush and something to keep you warm."

I looked at my monolith of luggage for a long time, took a deep breath, and let it out slow as if I was leaving everything behind and becoming somepony else. I don't think it worked, because I blurted, "I'm bringing my file."