Around the world through laziness and boredom

      Companions walked through the jungle for a few days now, surprisingly without a single accident. The only causes for concern were changeling’s fear and nervousness - he tried to perform everything perfectly, so that the tongue thing would be the first and last mistake. Escorted horse though, behaved completely opposite of that.   Feeling safe and secure, the sun pony remained very moody and unpredictable. One minute she wanted to look at something from a very close distance, another minute her back was sore from lying on big bug’s cold carapace.. At one moment, her impudence went way out of line:   — Ga-a-amby.   — What?   — I want to sle-e-ep. - she mumbled - Find me a good spot, or at least stand still..   — Wait, Sunshine, are you serious? This must be a joke.   Shapeshifter moved his head towards the sleepy one, and found that it was not. It seems like the pony completely forgot that she was in a very unforgiving and hostile place. Her actions put both of them at risk. Fanged insect did not even know how to react to such insolence.   — Do you understand that it is dangerous to stop? We have walked too far, too deep, everything here looks suspic-   — And you look like you know the surrounding and nature. Nothing has happened all this time! - the winged mare seriously could not understand her friend’s worries - You’re scared, yet it’s you who told me to calm myself!   — You are lying on my back all day, you demand something, and you forget that we are in a completely unkno-   — Not this again.. Look, nothing’s happened. And it won’t happen. What do you want from me anyway?   — Think. - the bug continued to provoke the horse, after receiving a blatant sigh in return - Balance. Not only between us - you need to lose weight.   — ..How dare you?! If I want to eat, I will eat! If I want to behave like that, I will do so! In fact, for that matter, I will sleep right here!         Red-eyed mare puffed her cheeks in anger. And it would be enough, but she chose another spot for sleeping - not purple carapace, but the nearest bush. In which the orange pony immediately stuck and could not move. She was going to ask for help, but the insectoid was already near the mare. Teaching her a lesson.   — What a coincidence, you are stuck. And it is not because someone eats a lot of sweets, is it? - insect giggled - In fact, for that matter, I will sleep right here.   Whiskered insect put his head on winged pony’s stomach, getting a loud squeak in return. However, the bug decided he will not stop halfway through the insult and decided to act in such a way, that it will certainly be remembered - he made a face similar to one moody pony had, and tried to fluff the “pillow”.   — That is better. Move. Oh, wait, you cannot.   Changeling got even closer and broke a part of the bush with his body. When suddenly, Gambit felt how something moved and touched his legs. Something spiky, rough and lengthy. He immediately silenced himself and stopped in suspense, like a statue, which confused the sunny pony even more.   — What’s happening? - big-eared horse put even more effort into escaping - Don’t look at me like that!   — Sunshine, stop moving. Listen and stop.         Silly mare did everything oppositely - she twitched, remained on edge and screamed. And when those confusing tentacle-like things got closer to the moving pony, her attempts at escaping increased even more. Grabby things immediately stopped paying attention to the bug, since they found someone more interesting. And more alive.   Shapeshifter was right - all they had to do is stop moving, and that trap would have let the careless adventurers go. And now, those roots wrapped around the poor horse, tearing her from the fake bush’s grasp with no problem. All the insect could do is observe.   And follow those grabby things. Once Gambit carefully got through possible traps and other types of vegetation, he finally got closer to the source of those tentacles - a giant flower, like the one travellers saw just before entering the jungle. Except, there were way more of them here.   Luckily, there was only one active and hungry plant. Was, for now - others could wake up at any moment, and screaming pony only helped with bringing the doom a little bit closer. Scarlet-coloured bud thought of what to do next, as if it knew of the future competition if it does not hurry.         Changeling also realised that. Carnivore plant was going to swallow the orange pony, but the insectoid attacked the flower first, not hesitating for a moment, ready to use his new knowledge and natural advantage. While his front hooves and limbs above them held aggressive roots, bug himself tried to chew and cut through the source of all the troubles.   The plant immediately switched to a far bigger threat and let go of its future food. Giant rose tried to capture the fanged insect, sending even more roots towards him with every passing second. Gambit quickly got stuck between the spikes and had no ideas anymore.. And then, he was released.   Right into the stomach. There he could express himself at full - aggressive flora fell after only a few bright lilac flashes inside. Carnivorous flower’s bud fell apart, into pieces, petals blasting away by the wind. It was not difficult for the saviour of silly horses to crawl out of the green carcass, especially in a new form of his.         Bug’s body was completely covered in spikes, sharp edges and other dangerous, asymmetrical formations on the body. Fighting for both of their lives, whiskered insect tried to bring as much harm as possible to this giant beast. Even if Gambit would look like a monster in the end and frighten Sunshine.   Fortunately, this mind-driven fantasy can be removed as fast as one can create it. Which cannot be said the same for the colourless and viscous substance that covered the chitin. He certainly needs to take a bath now, or at least shake it off - and fast. This stomach acid still poses a threat.   — This thing is silly, and it let me go. - snowwhite insect actively tried to get rid of the disgusting acid that slowly ate through his carapace - You are silly too. Have you understood anything?   — ..Please, forgive me! - pegasus unsuccessfully tried to hug the insect.   — No hugs, until you say what I want to hear.   — I won’t behave like that again! We have to solve problems together, I’ll try to listen to you! - mare guiltily swiped the ground with her hoof - We are too far away from home, we have to be careful. In fact, at home - too. - seeing as insect waited for something else, she continued - We have to work as a team! I see it now! You know nature in practice, and I, in theory..!         Now they can finally hug each other! Not here - but on the road, while holding the white neck with orange hooves. Too risky it is to walk around carnivorous plants, too great of a cost will be the next stop. No point in stopping for a sleep as well - easier to endure this inconvenience on the white back.   Because all the screaming and arguing will not do anything. Other than bringing more attention from the jungle itself. Sunshine has not yet recovered from her new, three-day sleep, but she already noticed that her companion was acting rather unusual. Should there be added more, if it was weird even for his own kind?   Plated insect stared somewhere in the distance for a long time, rapidly stopping and breaking all his sounds; not even a single crack was heard! As if the changeling tried to blend into the surroundings or track someone, but he failed every time. Even small breaks and nature taste tests could not calm him down. Winged pony simply could not ignore the trouble:   — ..Everything alright?   — Do you have a feeling, like someone is watching you?   — Haven’t we been watched before? You know, small bugs and insects..   — Do not get me wrong. Watched, like a prey, for a long time. Observing, waiting, wanting to eat. Kill.         Pony wanted to say that all of this was silly, but she remembered the very recent experience. If a changeling, with his lightning fast reflexes and excellent perception, could not track this strange creature, then it is certainly a cause for concern. What could it be?   — How long was it doing it? Don’t you think it must be hungry now?   — This beast must be smart. And unusual. Noticing something in the corners of my eyes. When I turn them - nothing. Emptiness.   — How’s that possible?   — I do not know. - the fanged bug stopped for a few seconds, again - ..Like some kind of spell. I am tired. Can’t; don’t want that anymore. Have to look for it. I will catch it..   Pegasus tried to think about it. But thinking was hard - the pony was distracted by her friend’s misery - she wanted to help, but she did not know how, and it turned into an unbreakable cycle of worrying. How is it possible - something invisible, not hungry, and always there? It is playing with friends, harassing them. Long-eared pony finally had a new, different thought:   — What if we use me as bait?   — No! That is madn-   — No-no, wait, you don’t understand! Maybe it hesitates to attack because it sees you? What if you will be next to me, but disguised as saddlebags?   Gambit stopped again, seemingly dropping from his consciousness. This unexplainable phenomena tortured the plated insect so much, that he reflexively showed his teeth and was probably going to jump somewhere, away from the trouble. And then there is this ridiculous idea from his sunny friend. He barely held his composure..   — Are you sure? It is too dangerous for you. Maybe it is best to not provoke it..   — Look at yourself! You’re going crazy! - pony worryingly shook her partner - I understand that you’re not like me, but this doesn’t even look like you - like if you’re being bewitched! Snap out of it!   — Yes, right. True. Thank you. - he spoke so fast as if he talked to someone else - This will work. Has to work. Have to try.         Solar pony still thought that her fanged friend was dreaming, and she could not think of anything better than to use a trusted method of bringing someone back to their senses. Fluffy pony touched bug’s chitin cheeks, massaging them in order to get through to the changeling.   — ..Sunny, now is not the time.   — Oh, so you’re still here, with me? - pony laughed - I thought you were still in your dreams.   — What is a dream?   — Um.. Nevermind. It’s just you’re acting like if you’re stuck in your thoughts.   — I have yet to get in y-   Silly bug could not finish his sentence, as he was slapped in the nose. He certainly deserved this strike, for his indecency - especially knowing that this pony does not like such low attempts at “humour”. Yet, despite what happened, the winged one was happy that her friend had at least something in his head. She was not that mad at him because of it.         Or, perhaps, she was not angry for long because now is not the time to argue - the Sun was going down again, quite rapidly. The perfect time to realise Sunshine’s ideas. It was also an opportunity to get some sleep, amidst surprisingly peaceful nature around.   Probably, nobody ever liked to sleep as much as this pegasus does. More than fifty hours have passed, but the sunny mare did not even think of getting up - wonderful dreams and soft natural bed did not let sleepyhead go. Not to mention her being in a place completely incomprehensible, far away from home.   And yet, the pony still slept with relative calmness. Maybe she was calm enough because she was hugging one of her closest and dearest things she had. And that thing was also only what she had out there; a friend, who did not move by a centimetre. At least, by his own will.         At one moment, little horse’s premonition slowly woke up, just as Sunshine herself. She felt something soft and fluffy that was going through her neck, chin and nose. Pony reflexively rose up and grabbed this soft object with her front hooves, barely audibly mumbling through her sleep:   — Gamby, let me sleep, no time to jest around..   However, a sudden surge of energy forced the little one to wake up for real - changelings are not soft, not warm, and not fluffy. The horse saw a strange creature, an animal before her, with a white-gray fur and a long, very nimble and soft tail.   This creature was surprised at the orange guest no less, and while she held the animal with her front legs, he was holding her chest with its small paws, constantly going through the stranger’s fur. It is definitely not Gambit, though it also does not know about individual space.         Winged pony let the animal go, and she noticed that it was watching her with such interest, as if the pony was going to be eaten soon. And judging by this creature’s size - two times as this pony - the fear was justified. Only one thought calmed her - this cute thing does not eat ponies, does it?   And even if it does - where is Gambit? Sunny, hoping that the changeling is still near her, was looking around for him. And she found the bug - after he was found by two other big-tailed creatures, much like the first one. They rummaged through her bags, probably looking for some food.   The mare took her bags back to her and ran with them a bit away. Insect momentarily returned to his true shape, after the couple got some distance. However, much to their surprise, nobody was bothered by the transformation; opposite of that - they looked at the bug now, mostly ignoring the little one.   — Gamby, what are those? Why do they look like cats?   — I do not know. They don’t, for me. Look at their muzzles. Cats do not hang from branches either - not like that.. - the bug answered, looking around in all directions.         Some of those not-cats sat and observed, some of them chewed familiar green berries, and some of them got even closer, not fearing the guests at all. A small group of cat-like creatures surrounded the hooved ones with no sign of fear, exchanging silly glances with them.   Most of the natives simply walked around, keeping their curiosity to themselves. But a small fraction of them tried to understand what the guests were made of, with their noses and paws. At one moment, one of the striped animals even bit changeling’s carapace, tearing a piece of it with ease.         The shapeshifter became furious, he loudly hissed and morphed into something that was not only dangerous for the environment, but also for those around him. He swinged around with his tail and limbs, hoping to get at least one of the bug-eaters.   Such an aggressive reaction frightened yellow-eyed creatures, and they ran away into bushes. All that was left of them are fruits, small pools of blood and a cut of fluffy tail. Luckily, shapeshifter did not hit his friend in that tantrum of his - she hugged the grass before he could even hiss. They survived - that is certainly nice.         What is not, is that a bad thing happened. When it was over, Sunshine jumped to her friend without hesitation. Despite her companion’s behaviour and a risk of getting hurt, she hugged the angry bug, in an attempt to calm him down. After all, nothing affects those creatures as much as emotions. Especially ones targeted at them.   — Gamby! Are you alright? What’s happening to you? Talk to me, please!   It seems that this striped provocation was quite painful, since the bit insectoid did not answer and kept hissing at everything, pointedly keeping his sharp and straight tail up. The weak horse barely had the strength to keep the angry insect on the spot.   And then, her eyes saw the part of his carapace, which was very different from natural perforations of this bug’s body. There were distinct teeth marks. How much force does one need to put to get through such massive exoskeleton? Who do they really hunt? Are there other changelings living nearby?   — Please, dear, calm down, it’s over! - mumbled the pony, barely holding her tears - Nobody will bite you anymore, they’re gone!   Again, this unusual feeling. Feelings. This pleasant flow of energy, flow of emotions, that made the whiskered one stop and hide all of his weapons and appendages. Though, this time, those emotions and feelings seemed frightening. They cannot go alone, without another hug.   However, hug - is putting it mildly and roughly, as the shapeshifter rotated and moved his hooves and neck towards Sunshine, holding her very tight. While still keeping his back towards the pony. Sometimes, it probably is indeed convenient to have a skeleton outside, not inside the body.   — Just how nimble you are! - Sunny was amazed by “reverse” hugging - How are you feeling?   — Anyone tried to eat you alive?   — No, but.. this must be painful.   — Very observant of you. - the bitten one remained sarcastic - I am fine. This is very painful, but I am fine.   — What do you mean you’re fine?! You’re bleeding! - Sunshine touched his wound.   The sticky substance immediately stuck to the pony's soft hoof. Only after touching and stretching the yellow gel, the bug paid attention to his own hole. For some unknown reason, Gambit found this dire moment funny; something seemed normal for him.   — Funny. I am pink, but the blood is yellow. Says a lot about my true origin.         Yet it was not the same for the mare - her friend was bleeding! It was not the right time for the facts! Sunshine tried to shake this weird gel off, and when her attempts failed, she tried to touch it with her tongue. Even more surprisingly, this delicacy caused an even bigger flow of contradicting emotions.   — ..You’re tasty. - pony continued to lick his wound, literally.   — You’re not going to actually eat me?   Big-eared horse could not say anything further, as the worried insectoid hissed at the little one for her jokingly-rabid look. It was as if friends switched their minds - now the small pony laughed, not the insect. She was not at all angry about her friend’s loose tongue.   — I jest, I’m jesting! I would never even think about eating you, even a little! I’m just trying to help you.   — That is a strange sense of humour. Even more strange help. Are you sure you know what you are doing?   — Says wh- ..Of course! A little bit of love didn’t hurt anyone. Especially a creature like you. - pegasus kissed the wound, after she was done licking the rest of the gel - That way, it’ll heal for sure. Try not to think about it and everything will be fine. I promise.   Companions met with their eyes, and the changeling copied his partner’s smile soon after. Something moved his cheekbones, and it was not an attempt at copying others. But he was not smiling for long. Something stole insect’s attention again. Something familiar and nasty.   — ..What happened?   — It still follows us. We have to go.         The shapeshifter returned to his normal state and posture without uttering another word, quickly putting his friend on his back. Before running anywhere else, he also grabbed that piece of tail with his mouth, the one he cut off not that long ago. And so he ate it, swallowing it whole in a second.   — And why’d you do that? - resented the orange pony - What about those berries then? Maybe I want to eat as well!   — Did not think. Again. - whiskered one copied the voice of his friend - You are silly, you actually need to eat food!         The team continued to march only after thoroughly preparing - by grabbing some food with them. Now, after knowing what this forest has in store, companions wanted to leave those jungles more than ever. Although, one needs to admit - this forest gave them a lot of lessons.   Hooved creatures constantly looked back and whispered to each other. It is obvious that adventurers did not meet most of the flora and fauna, not to mention all of it. And they probably did not want to do so, at least now. Finding an exit and a safe place to rest was a bigger priority than gathering material for encyclopaedias.         Suddenly, the company saw a very bright light, somewhere distant. It was a lot brighter than the Sun above the aggressive vegetation. Of course, it was only the start of this day, but is it really the end of this jungle? Or is it someone’s trickery? What really hides behind the flash?   Companions silently nodded to each other and walked together towards this mysterious glow, hoping for the best. The further they went, the brighter it got around them. Travellers mostly ignored things surrounding them, only paying attention to their legs and their path.   Friends’ eyes eventually got used to such brightness, and it was not difficult to look at the environment through the light. The view before them was just like what forbidden books and hidden notes described - a dried ocean with a lifted bottom, scorching Sun at the top.. And a very sharp cut-off.   — Sunshine! Watch where you going.         Big star’s rays spread around the flat surface made of sand, seeming almost endless with its size. The Sun was heating and frying with such intensity, that it did not take a genius to guess - it was what friends actually saw, while they remained in the jungle. There was one question though - what is next? Hungry tropics, or deserted dunes?   — I don’t want to go back.. It’s scary back there! Maybe we should go forward? - solar pony already prepared for the change of plans - I always wanted to know what the desert looks and feels like!   — It would be as dangerous as here. But we can try. Maybe the pony we are looking for is somewhere out there. Is there a city there?   — Even better - a whole nation - Midillia! They call themselves that way in their own language. Maybe we can establish some sort of contact with them! - Sunny happily jumped on the same spot - Finally, we’ll have the Sun by our side!   — It is already by side. Near me, choosy and loud.   Friends should forget about laughing for a moment - the earth started to crumble beneath the jumping pony, and Sunny almost slid down the cliff. Thankfully, she remembered about having wings and carefully got down, along with her friend and their supplies. Scorching sand made itself known soon after. All they have to do now, is stay uncooked.