Beneath the Northern Skies

A sudden gust of wind picked up a cloud of fresh snow from the ground and cast it at the two mares trotting alongside the railway tracks. Rainbow Dash spat it out and groaned, “We should’ve left an hour ago. But at least we won’t be hungry, right, Rarity?”

Rarity glanced at her soaked mane peeking out from beneath her many layers of clothing. She let out a defeated sigh before steeling herself and trotting onward. “The weather is even worse than I expected. Nevertheless! I am not turning back, especially if it’s that bad.”

Rainbow caught up to her. “What do you mean?”

“Since it’s not getting any better, the train will definitely be forced to go back. So catch it I must, even if I do not like this at all.” Rarity raised her head with determination, and even the wind billowing her mane in her eyes couldn’t detract from how she looked in the moment.

Seemingly remembering that she’s not alone, Rarity smiled apologetically. “Oh, but if you want to go back, please don’t take it as me pressu—”

“Like hay I would go back!” Rainbow cut her off. She looked into Rarity’s eyes and said, “I don’t quite understand it, but I think you’re pretty great for doing this for your sister. I am not leaving you here alone, okay? Don’t bring it up again.”

Rarity found herself blushing despite the cold. “I’m sorry. It’s just that…” She shook her head. “Thank you, Rainbow.”

“Don’t mention it! Doing dumb things together just because somepony needs to is what friends are for, right?” Rainbow grinned. “Besides, as neat as the Empire is, I’d much rather be home, too.”

They continued in companionable silence for some time, and even the cold of the harsh weather did not seem to bite them as sharply. But their high spirits could only help them so much, and they were forced to take a break hours before the sun had set.

Rainbow snorted. “I wish you could see yourself right now, Rarity! You look absolutely ridiculous beneath all those layers!”

“Not all of us were born resistant to the cold. And I’ll have you know that I’m wearing the most fashionable clothes of the season, even if the season doesn’t know it yet.” Rarity said, wrapping herself in yet another scarf. “Although I’ll admit that wearing four sets at once might not reach wider approval of the critics.”

When the wind attacked them again, Rarity was prepared for it, creating a weak and shimmering magical barrier that stopped the worst of the impact. “Twilight was right—it is useful!” Rarity narrowed her eyes. “But is it just me, or does the cold somehow keep getting worse?”

“Not just you; I can feel it too.” Rainbow extended her right wing. She immediately winced and pulled it back. “That train better be close.”

“It can’t be far. Maybe we’ll see it from this hill.” Rarity approached it with the silent hope that their trip was about to conclude. When she finally climbed over the top of the hill, her expression fell. “I… I think we might have a slight problem.”

Rainbow was by her side in seconds. “It can’t be that bad, right? Oh.”

“Oh indeed, Rainbow Dash.”

The small valley ahead of them contained a mountain’s worth of fresh snow, filling it to the brim and covering any traces of the tracks. Rainbow took a careful step forward only to end neck-deep in freshly compressed, wet snow. After extricating herself from the white mass with Rarity’s help, she said, “So that’s what stopped the train. We can’t cross it, either.”

“Then we’ll just have to walk around it.” Rarity’s voice was distant, but the spark of determination burning in it couldn’t be extinguished by a little bit of snow. “Rainbow, could you fly up and see if you can spot the train from here?”

Rainbow’s wings instinctively clamped to her sides in an instant. Her eyes shrunk into pinpoints, and she took a hasty step back, almost falling into the snow again were it not for Rarity grabbing her hoof. “Oh no, no no no. The co—cold wind and the frost are too strong! I can’t do that!”

“What’s happening, dear?” Rarity asked in a concerned voice. “Talk to me, Rainbow Dash. What’s wrong?”

Rainbow’s eyes locked on her friend and she forced herself to take several deep breaths. “It’s the snowstorm,” she admitted. Her ears fell flat against her head. “I can’t—“ She stopped herself. “I’ll tell you, but promise me that you won’t tell anypony else. Pinkie promise.”

“I promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly.” Rarity repeated the elaborate sequence of gestures.

“You see, Rarity, I’m kind of afraid of snowstorms,” Rainbow said slowly. “I have been since my fillyhood. I sorta… lose control as soon as I think of one freezing me mid-fight.”

Rarity gasped. “That’s terrible! I’d never have suggested it if I had known. You flew through one when we first got to the Empire.”

“Apparently you don’t really have the time to think about your phobias while fleeing from a mad unicorn king.” Rainbow tried to smile, but found that her teeth were chattering. “It’s fine. The cold might finally be getting to me, too.”

“We passed a small cave a few minutes ago; it was not far from the tracks, either. Perhaps we could wait out the worst of the storm in there?” suggested Rarity.

“You know what, Rares? That’s a great idea.”