Sjin lay awake as the sun streamed through the window, thinking about... Things. His conversation with Princess Luna during his flight lesson. How he was currently an equine. And how his special talent was a door. Was all he was really known for is that stupid remix? Is a mahogany door the only thing he was good at? This thought, among others, plagued him as he lay in the bed. It had been so awkward, getting in the downy thing. How did he position his legs? Did he lay on his back, his stomach, his side? Or should he sleep standing, like horses in his world. He tried to fall asleep standing, but the train went over a large bump in the track and he was sent flying before he could drift off. So he slept in the bed, on his back. He often tipped over though, but rectified the situation by putting the large pillows at his sides to keep him from rolling. It was nearly morning before he fell asleep though. The extreme comfort of the bed and the discomfort of being a horse was unnerving. He just lay there for hours on end, staring at the ceiling. Thinking.
..................
Duncan stared at the porcelain bowl, the water in the bottom clean and fresh looking. It differed from facilities he had known in the human world, the bowl was shallower and had a larger diameter, the tank was farther back, and the seat was a very different shape. He turned about and tried to sit on it, but leapt back up as he felt his tail dragging in the water. He flicked the appendage about, flinging water everywhere. He stared at the damp cluster of hair, squinting his eyes slightly and concentrating on it. The blonde hairs were surrounded by a bluish glow, and raised into the air. He still didn't quite understand magic, but decided not to question the results. He sat again, his tail raised and out of the way. Promptly after taking his seat, he sat awkwardly unsure of what to do next. He decided to just sit until something happened.
...............
Hannah awoke to an empty bed and an empty room, Lewis had obviously left some time ago. She lay on her back, legs curled to her barrel. She rolled over and off the bed, and limped to the door, her left forehoof covering her mouth as she yawned. She straightened her mane in the mirror, and opened the door to come face to face with Lewis. His hoof was raised to knock on the door, and nearly hit her in the excessively large eye. The crimson unicorn grinned at the sight of the disheveled mare, her pink mane askew and her coat ruffled. She shot a glare at him, then burst into a smile.
"Breakfast is ready and down the hall, I was just coming to get you." He had an awkward smirk on his face as he turned around to go back to the common area, Hannah following him.
The pair entered the expancious train car, Simon, Sips and Duncan sitting on couches drinking coffee. Duncan was showing Simon what he'd learned about magic, and proceeded to spill the orange juice he was levitating all over the cream Pegasus and the black suede couch. With a sigh, Lewis performed a small cleansing spell and removed the juice from the fabric, casting a glare at the novice unicorn. Duncan smiled apologetically, and used his hooves for the rest of his breakfast. He'd found a white coat of some sorts, with many pockets. It suited him well.
"So, last day on the train, then we're at the border." A voice murmured from behind the five ponies. Everypony jumped slightly and looked behind them, and was relieved to see it was only Sjin. The Pegasus sat down with the group and grabbed a Jaffa from Simon's plate, which earned him a pout.
These were real Jaffas that the princess had had imported for Simon, and he didn't know when the next time he would get a real Jaffa would be. He savored every one, but had given each member of their company one. He could make them whenever he wanted though, or something similar at least, but he no longer enjoyed baking the pastries as he once did. No pony else knew at the time, but Pinkie had been four months pregnant when she had gotten the call to help the Princess of Harmony fight the villain they were going to face. Simon's hooves clenched as he thought about the foal that had died along with his mare-friend, or as Pinkie had used to call him, his Super Special Somepony. That always made him smile. That upbeat personality, the complete randomness, the crazy behavior, yet she was more caring and loving than any pony he had ever met. She had been perfect for him. They planned to name the foal Surprise, filly or colt. It would have been the perfect name too. This foal was the biggest surprise either of them could have expected. And now they were both gone...
Lewis waved a hoof in front of Simon's eyes, trying to stimulate him to receive a reaction. The Pegasus had stopped blinking suddenly, and just sat there, staring into space for almost two minutes. "Sjin, by taking his Jaffa, I think you may have broken him. " Lewis sat back on his haunches and stared at the seemingly unconscious Simon.
"Me?! How is this my fault?! I didn't know you could even break a per- er, a pony." Sjin exclaimed defensively. He poked Simon, hoping he would wake if from whatever trance he was in. It didn't work. The stunned stallion was surrounded suddenly by a ruby red aura, and lifted from the couch. Lewis left the room, levitating Simon back to his room until they could figure out what had happened to him. The rest of their companions stayed in the common room, all thinking the same thing.
What was going to happen to them after they got to their destination? There was less than a day on the train left, and when they got to the fortress, how would they know what to do? Celestia said the solar and lunar armies would be sent to assist them and do most of the hoof to hoof combat as it were, their team was in charge of entering the base and killing Israphel himself. If an immortal being could be killed by this villain, why couldn't they?