“Now, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle? Gimme a hug and Auntie Rainbow, too,” Applejack said as she was embraced from all sides first. Rainbow landed and received her hugs as Quill stood back, a small bag on her wing.

“Look,” Quill started as the fillies lined up and sat like the good, patient fillies they were, “I know you’ve gotta go to this Crystal Empire and all that, but take these scarves and stay warm, alright? I’ll miss you both, and the others and I Pinkie Promise that I’ll watch the fillies and all your stuff while you’re gone.”

“Scarves? I was hoping it was a sandwich,” Rainbow pouted as she took the bag and sniffed it. Applejack gave Quill a friendly hug before Rainbow got her turn. “Okay, it’s not food, but I’ll try to use it. I heard that place is warm and I’ve got some magic in me to fight the cold,” she shrugged.

“Well, whatever that means, I’m sure it’s going to keep you three safe.”

Rainbow blushed while she ruffled her wings and flexed them. “Oh yeah, the three of us’ll be fine. We’re just going into a country that vanished a thousand years ago and was ruled by a nightmare smoke monster and with Twilight.”

“Sugarplum, we’ve gotta go. The train’s waitin’ on us,” she said as she turned to the train, “we’ll see y’all in a few weeks at the worst.”

“That’s right,” Quill chirped, “the worst part of all this is going to be the two weeks on a train to the north, not some cool ice city full of crystal ponies. Bring us back something cool,” she forced a smile as she pressed a hoof to Rainbow’s side. “And don’t forget to use your awesome when you can. You’ve got a whole nation to show why you’re the best in Equestria.”

Rainbow beamed with pride as she opened her wings and zoomed into the air, doing a loop and landing with a pose. “Awe yeah, I’m gonna show ‘em what awesome looks like in pony form.”

“That’s my Mom!”

“Go Rainbow Dash!”

“You can do it, for Equestria!” the fillies cheered at once.

Rainbow turned and pranced into the train car after Applejack and took her seat by Fluttershy while Applejack sat next to Rarity.

“Hey, Auntie Quill? Why aren’t they sittin’ with each other?” Apple Bloom asked.

Quill giggled softly. “I’m not your auntie, just a friend. And they’re going to be on that train for two weeks with only a few stops. They know they’re all gonna get tired of each other.”

“Why don’t they just take a nap, then?” Sweetie asked.

Quill couldn’t help but laugh.

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