Before going on a long journey, you should always make a checklist.

Well, that was what Creepy's mother had always said. It was very important, she would say, that before you left, you made certain that you had everything you needed. After all, if you forget something important, you'd have to turn right back around and get it, which is always embarassing. Worse, according to her father, depending on what you forget, you might put yourself in serious danger. More than one expedition ended in disaster because somepony forgot to bring something as simple as a spare wheel for a cart. Logistics, the management of vital resources, was critical, not just in the movement of armies, but in everyday life. Food, water, clothing, equipment, all of these would be the difference between failure and success.

Because of these lessons taught by her parents, Creepy Crawly was taking no chances with the resources she would need to survive the trip across the frozen wastes. Enough food and water for two weeks (just in case she was snowbound for a time and unable to travel), a fully charged warming stone (a magical item that had been included in every Equestrian soldier's kit a thousand years ago, it produced warmth without light or smoke, allowing a soldier to stay warm without giving away his position to the enemy. It could also be used as a campfire, or kept under your coat to help keep you warm while you walked), a map, a compass, snow goggles, snow shoes, a heavy coat, three thick blankets, a set of signal flares (little more than fancy fireworks, but vital if something went horribly, horribly wrong), her backpack, her little red wagon, spare wheels and axles for the wagon, a coin pouch, a spool of twine, a small bag of assorted knick-knacks, a few other minor necessities, and Theodora.

"Well, Theo," Creepy said to Theodora, looking over her supplies, "I think that should be everything. Once we get across the frozen wastes, I should be able to live off the land until we can find a town. From there, well, we will just have to see what happens. I doubt we'll starve."

Theodora didn't say anything. Sadly, her conversational skills were rather limited, given that she was a teddy bear. She was an excellent listener, though. Creepy's mother had stitched the bear herself, and had paid a unicorn to place several magical spells inside of her. She'd given the teddy bear to Creepy after she had taken care of the monster under her bed (and yes, a thousand years ago, there really were monsters under the bed), claiming that the bear would protect her from any monster, no matter how big or scary.

Sadly, all the teddy bears in the world couldn't do anything about King Sombra...

The two sat under an apple tree in the park, looking over their supplies, making certain that there wasn't anything missing. As Creepy looked over the assorted items, she munched on a couple of cookies. Theodora hadn't touched her dinner yet. She'd never had much of an appetite, even at the best of times.

"Well, Theo, if there's anything missing, I can't imagine what it might be," she said to the teddy bear, "If there is something, we'll have to make do." Theodora's only response was to fall over onto her side. "Yeah," Creepy said, yawning, "I agree. It's bed time. We'll need to get up early tomorrow: we've got a long trip ahead of us."

Creepy picked up the bear, then got ready for bed. Her heavy coat served as a pillow, two of the blankets underneath as bedding, one on top for a cover, and she was ready for the night. She sighed, then gave the bear a squeeze. From the bear came a feminine voice, which said, "I love you." A tear came to Creepy's eye as she whispered back, "I love you too, mommy..."

And beneath a starry sky, Creepy Crawly cried herself to sleep.