Time Turner walked at a brisk pace to the Canterlot train station. His plan was to arrive at the train station this morning, otherwise his wife would be upset; she went ahead to get the trip to the Crystal Empire so that they can arrive for the ball that very night. The weather was not helping his mood either as winter had settled in, bringing light snow that left the stone floor’s wet and slippery. He shook the melting snow off his hat and coat, now grateful he had remembered to wear them.

Arriving at the station he was relieved to see the large Crystal train, being boarded by its final lists of occupants. Before boarding he fiddled in his suit pocket to see if he still had his little gift, it was still there and he quickly sealed it pack up in his suit pocket and quickly shutting his coat from the winter breeze. Moving forward again, he slowly made his way through the crowd. As he got closer to the train he was bumped from behind but was quickly recovered by the stranger. He looked forward to see a mare with pink and blue mane that came down the front of her face, wearing the same heavy coat as he was. She kept moving without even saying sorry and he stood their complexed as to why. As he adjusted himself he noticed a weight was missing from his suit. Frantic, he checked inside and found his gift was missing. A sudden shout from behind caused him to turn around, staring at a pair of griffons that were running directly at him. He turned his head to point at the mare but she was already boarding the train, catching the last glimpse of her hair before entering the train. He stared back at the griffons and they were rapidly approaching him, and not the mare. Fearing that he was being mistaken he galloped in the opposite direction to the train. He looked behind and the griffons were nearly upon him. The train was picking up speed and he spotted a doorway in-between the carts and he quickly seized it with his hoof. A pair of talons grabbed at his coat but he quickly unzipped it before he was dragged back.

The train soon was at top speed and Time Turner was trying to catch his breath. His thoughts were not focused on the griffons at the moment, instead, they were only focused solely on the mare, and why she stole his gift? It was an important present for his most beautiful wife, a diamond encrusted necklace with a muffin at its center; hoof crafted in advance to boot. He could only imagine the horror to show up empty hoofed and present nothing to his beloved. He quickly slapped a hoof across his cheek to get a hold of himself, knowing full well he could find the perpetrated on board. Straightening his suit he headed through the doors. Closing the entry behind him, he soon found himself in the gambling cart. He saw many high class ponies inside, gambling away their bits in games of chance. A large host of ponies were gathered in the center table, one at the head showing his dice to a pair of mares who blew affectionate air over his hoof. In the back of his mind he knew it was going to be difficult finding her. Remembering she was an earth mare with a blue and pink mane, the detail was enough to narrow his search. His plan set in motion, he slowly made his way through the pack, hoping to find his quarry without incident.

Time Turner searched around the cabin that matched her description. Several cheers came from the main gambling table, indicating that someone was winning many bits. He paid them no heed as he continued his search. Spotting a mare sitting near the middle of the right side of the cabin, her head facing away from him and her mane had a blue and pink mane, he rushed forward, bumping into several ponies before placing a hoof onto the mare’s shoulder. She turned around and he noticed it was a unicorn instead. A hoof across his face later he continued his search for the elusive mare.

Not that one, he thought to himself.

Unbeknownst to him or the passengers, the two griffons were flying rapidly on the side of the cart and quickly entered into the back of the train.