Alone

It would take two days for Twilight Sparkle to reach her destination. She often found herself drifting in and out of sleep from boredom. The novels she brought with her were normally entertaining, but they just didn't seem to fit the mood of the trip. For all she knew, she was heading towards her own death.

"Mental note: add more variety to the fiction selection when I get back."

Rain began to pour freely from the dark bluish-grey sky. Had there been a concept of heaven in Equestria, it would seem as though the tears of angels were falling to the somber earth.

"I wonder why I never thought to write my own book," Twilight said to herself out loud, "I always had the spare time for it at the end of the day."

After a while of contemplating the idea, her stomach growled. She hadn't eaten this morning, and it was after 2:00 P.M. at this point.

"Okay, stomach. You win."

Twilight got up from her seat and made her way to the food car.

All of Twilight's friends had gathered at Rarity's boutique. They were deeply concerned for the fate of their friend. Even if she did make it, they wouldn't see her again for a whole year.

"I'm havin' trouble figuring out Twilight's motives for not takin' us with her," Applejack wondered verbally.

"Maybe she wanted to surprise us with something," Pinkie Pie suggested.

"We already know where she's goin', Pinkie. There's nothin' there she could surprise us with.

"Yeah. I guess that would be kind of silly."

"Let's go over the basics, then," Rarity recommended, "We know she's doing this to prevent any kind of murderous being from destroying the world. The question is: why does she think that will happen? It never has, and likely never will."

"Maybe she knows something we don't," Rainbow Dash stated.

"Maybe she just didn't want to tell us because she didn't know how we would take it," Fluttershy added.

"But what could she know," Applejack responded with curiosity.

"Perhaps we're looking too much into this," Rarity offered, "The fear of being killed or watching someone you love die in front of your eyes is a very rational one. Maybe she just didn't want to put us in danger too."

"Maybe," Applejack replied, "but still, somethin' ain't right I tell ya'."

Shining Armor made his way through the snowy wastelands beyond the crystal empire. He remembered the first time he came through here. Sombra had blocked off his magic somehow during their first confrontation. It was strange. Why didn't he go for Twilight too? Her magic was far superior to his own, and he was the captain of the royal guard. Something was really off about that whole experience. There was no way Sombra couldn't have known. He had the ability to see magical energy, and Shining knew full well that Twilight could defeat both himself and Sombra in one fell swoop. Was she holding back the entire time? No, that's not like Twilight. She would've been risking the enslavement of an entire kingdom for eternity.

"Oh, No!"

Twilight finished her food and reclaimed her empty seat. She decided it was time to pull out her trusty survival guide and sharpen her mental skills.

"First things first. I'll need a shelter and water."

She took the water filter from her satchel. Within her hooves, a small plastic object held the power to sustain life.

"It's kind of cute."

She went over in her mind the words that had just exited her mouth.

"I really am crazy."

Twilight resumed reading her guide. By the time she reached her destination, she would know enough about the plant and animal life to remain unmarred for the duration of her stay.