A few weeks of preparation had finally come to fruition: you sit next to Twilight Sparkle in a cramped sleeping car on a train barreling toward the frozen north of Equestria. She appears quite comfortable next to you on the cushioned bench next to the windows. The bags full of your provisions and notes don’t seem to faze her as she casually flips through a compendium of influenza research.

You, on the other hoof, are not reviewing notes. Instead, you’re watching Twilight as her entrancing violet eyes scan the pages in front of her. Her horn lights up, and her styrofoam cup of cheap Celestrack-brand hot chocolate floats over to her muzzle. Slowly, as if more concerned with what was in front of her eyes than her mouth, her lips press around the cup’s edge. She takes a dainty sip, which is only just loud enough for you to hear.

The cup floats back to the table, and Twilight lets out a deep sigh after flipping the page. Looking over at you, she smiles and tilts her head. “Whatcha looking at?”

You shake your head quickly. “N-nothing. Just daydreaming. Did you learn anything vital?”

“Nothing we didn’t already know, but it’s good to brush up.” Twilight places her book on the crowded little table, and removes her back hooves from their resting position on top of your saddlebags. She shivers once. “I guess it’s not called the frozen north for nothing. How close are we?”

Sticking your tongue out, you dig through your belongings and find a system map. “Well, we just passed through the Crystal Empire…”

“The train cleared out almost completely,” remarks Twilight.

“Because not many ponies live this far north, and there’s even less industry out here.” You squint down at the map as you try to pinpoint the exact train line amongst the spokes radiating from the Crystal Empire.

“And yet, only one of those ponies needs to travel while sick to start an entire pandemic,” Twilight breathes heavily. “You were so right about starting the project. I’ve never been so full of anticipation.”

“Aha! Looks like there’s only one more major station for switching, and our first stop is three after that...so maybe four hours?”

Twilight shivers again. “It is absolutely freezing in here!” She pulls out a blanket with her magic and balls up as she tries futilely to cover herself entirely with it. If her chattering teeth are any indication, the next four hours won’t be easy for her.

To lean over and cuddle Twilight to keep her warm, proceed to Chapter 32.

To let Twilight deal with the cold on her own terms, proceed to Chapter 33.

Next Chapter: Chapter 24 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 5 Minutes