Around the world through laziness and boredom

      The Sun itself and warm air did not burn companions as much as the heated sands. Even though newly lifted optimism helped go further down the dunes, all of orange one’s energy went out a lot quicker from hopping around than from walking on her four. Yet it was only the beginning.   Instead of all the lively shades of green, friends were now surrounded by the lifeless clear desert; the forest behind them almost hid behind the horizon. The team could only guess how long they can stay like that before considering returning home, with the help of magic scroll..   — Remember, we have to save our supplies with more care now. - changeling judged the moody pony.   — I know! This is a desert, there’s nothing out here. Well, only that nation!   — We have to walk there, yet. How far is it?   — Very-very far! But we’ll manage, I know it. We’re not the first ones who travel there. Don’t you think we should’ve taken more food..? - winged mare deeply thought about something as she glanced back.         And in that moment, the pony screamed at the top of her lungs and flew upwards, away from what had scared her. Her escort immediately turned around and already prepared for the worst.. However, he did not understand anything, his mind got stuck. There was this emptiness that Gambit was talking about.   Whole lot of nothing, that blended into the background. And around this “nothing”, the air flowed very weirdly, like if it was heated up. When this unknown thing realised that it had been found, its disguised coat immediately changed to the true one. It was a real changeling!   Except, with huge differences from equestrian ones. This one was beige, and he was smaller than the white one. His legs very thin and sharp, and the tail did not look like anything else - not real hair, not even soft chitin - long, flat and hardly plated part with dozens of small legs on its sides. Like a centipede.   Strange insectoid did not try to negotiate or talk, it simply hissed. Hissed, like if it was him backed against a corner; like a savage screaming at his food or a quick death. Of course, he received the same answer from snowwhite bug. From another point of view, it resembled something like a conversation between two angry cats.         Although, two hissing things seemed to understand each other through the tongue barrier. And the sandy one understood that he does not have a chance, alone at least. Hungry insect decided to retreat. He immediately dug into the sand with his sharp hooves and tail legs. Not leaving a single trace behind.   — Told you, I have seen something. ..Are you going to hover for longer?   — He scared me, just so you know! - answered the sunny pony, returning back to hot sand - Do you understand what all of this means?   — We are not alone. Even here. - insect quickly figured that out - Have to be cautious.   — Precisely! Come on, let’s go somewhere already.. - winged horse trotted even further from the jungle.         The shapeshifter went after his companion. Unlike her, he was not bothered by the high temperature, only by his thoughts. Was this creature his relative of sorts? Why did he blend into the surroundings, not change like other changelings? Another mutant, or a real, normal whisker-bug?   — Sunshine. How about we talk.   — Sure! What about?   — About this changeling. What do you think it was?   — I don’t think it’s even a changeling. He didn’t morph! You saw it yourself!   — I am unusual, too. What if my transformations are wrong, not his?   Books did not cover anything useful about changelings, let alone how they morph into other things and creatures. Fanged insect had at least some experience back home - in his hive. Friends talked about this magical aspect of his quite rarely, but now there is a good reason to continue the said conversation. Bad timing, but still.   — Books were saying that changelings change their appearance to those closest to their victims, to gather emotions. - discussed literate one - He’s more.. A chameleon of sorts. A chameleon-ling? ..Do those even exist?   — What about me? - unusual bug was not amused - Am I fine?   — You can’t properly change into other beings, right?   — Right.   It would be nice to find and understand the differences between the species or specific creatures. Sadly, there is not much to discuss, because not only the desert shapeshifters, but also ordinary ones are not studied well enough. Let alone Gambit, who is literally opposite of any of them, at least on the outside.   — That’s your thing, your specialty!   — Don’t understand.   — You can’t do anything that others can!   Only after saying it out loud that the orange mare understood, how insulting her speech could be. Though, the pony hoped that her white friend would not hold anything against her. Little horse knew that the bug perceives a lot of stuff literally, but with such fervour of his to understand himself and the world around..   — ..W-well, almost! He can’t even change, and you are very good at confusing others! - mare still tried to excuse - Can others do that? Never seen anything like it before!   — Exactly. You never seen anything like it before. How can you judge?   — You can do something, that nobody says about your kind.   — What is that?   — You can feel feelings.   The thought itself did not make any sense. Of course he can sense feelings, he is a changeling, that is his prime specialty, apart from morphing! Maybe, the little pony was hinting at something? Even now, she still worried about something and could not keep her mind in one place. Why?   — Gamby? You’re not, mad at me?   — For what?   — I mean, I’ve said that-   — You said it right. I am not like the rest. - insect reasoned very calmly - He is also not like the rest. We are more similar to each other than the rest. We can do something, something we can not do. Have flaws, but also advantages. Nobody knows about them. Even me.         Again, this uneasy silence. Only the wind around their ears did make some kind of sound. Except, thinking was still hard even with such silence - hot weather disturbed everyone, there was a need to watch out for bugs.. How could one even think about words when they do not make any sense? There is something in them, but the insectoid could not get it. No matter how hard he tried.   — ..Do you really think that way? - the bug suddenly broke the silence.   — Huh?   — Feelings. You said I can feel feelings. What did you exactly mean?   — Well, you know! You’re protecting me, we spend a lot of time together.. - pegasus smiled - You’re doing it on your own, because you want to; not like the others. I can see that.         But was it his own volition? Insect did decide to protect the winged one on his own, but did she know that Moonrise made an ultimatum for the bug? Considering how this mare protects the insect - probably not. He just wanted to survive, though he did find something unusual in this pony. Unusual emotions.   The shapeshifter could not “see”, how the winged horse does. He did not understand at all why others hate those like him, he did not see anything bad in his affection. Yet the ponies became more angry with each year, could they do so on their own? Maybe it was changelings’ fault? Why did the house of Sunrise provide such “generosity” and let whiskered one stay?   — On my own. When Moon perfectly explained to me - either I do as he says, or I will not see your house ever again.   — What?! He wouldn’t dare, I don’t believe this! He’s nice, he taught me so many things, he gave me everything! ..And-   — Then why are you not doing a-   — I won’t even listen to that! He would not do any harm to me and my friends, ever! Enough!         Emotions, again! They lit again, like boiling oil that touched cold water. Contradicting and impossible to grasp together, all the feelings fed the bug, but they also frightened him; like a curse. And only the sight of some tall pillar calmed the strange horse. Or at least, brought her to her senses.   Since this barren land drove the pony crazy, too. Deathly boredom surrounded the winged pony - she wanted to do at least something - and it did not matter that the last conversation and thoughts were about activities. As if she did not even remember anything, returning to her monologues from home again and again..   And then, there is also this unusual heat. Sunshine really wanted to drop into a cold bath, drink some cold water straight from a barrel, eat something tasty - and cold.. But there was only sand. It was everywhere, it kept going everywhere - into the eyes, on her coat! Even this huge spire was made out of sand!   — I imagined a monument..   — You are not imagining it. Something is standing out there.   — ..Now I imagined that you’re saying it’s true.   — But it is true.         Little one could not believe her eyes and ears. But the pillar continued to get closer. Not a single word, symbol or a drawing scratched abroad it - nearly an ideally cut piece of sandstone, almost symmetrical. It simply pointed at the sky, and nothing more. Surroundings too - dunes and only, nothing more. Is it a mirage?   — What you think, why was this built? - wondered the bug.   Since the changeling saw it as well, and he did not feel anything unusual or special, this monument is indeed real. Real as the red-eyed pony’s suffering - she moaned and stuck to the shadow of this tall stone, not able to answer any questions. Shapeshifter needs to do everything by himself again.   “Pillar is alone - it is a sign. Nothing on the pillar - pillar itself is a direction. To what? Where?” - insect talked to himself in his head, while cautiously inspecting this mysterious construction from every direction - “Corners? Maybe, they look where we need to go?”.   This figure’s asymmetry was saying something. It is not just for show, for it to be uncut and big, is it? Folk that live in these parts are probably genius in some other way - if the big insect is not mistaken, then those horses have shown the road in such a way, that wild bugs and ungifted creatures would not understand a thing and leave them all alone. This theory deserves a try!   — Sun, I think I understand. Sun?   — ..Hot, too hot..   — I know where closest settlement might be. Come on, get up. Need to walk a bit more. Probably a bit.   Tired pony obediently followed after the bug. Should she start falling on her side, Gambit was already there to support her. He really wanted to sit the pony on his back, but he could not - since the risk that they might fall through the sand and sink in this yellow ocean. If only the fanged insect knew how physics worked..         Soon, there was another monument in the distance. Or, more correctly, something more massive that looked more like a decoration; an addition to a big dome of sandstone. Further they went, more they saw - a whole house, made of almost ideal pieces of beige stone. Then, even more of those.. It is a whole city!   Or what was left of it, to be exact. There was not a single sign of life, except buried buildings - not a soul, not a sound. Nothing. Only hot wind, teared silk, and foundations that sank in the brutal golden sea. Even the exhausted horse was surprised by the dead settlement:   — How..? So many stories about them, so many legends! - pegasus did not accept what happened - No way they would just disappear like that - because of weather! I don’t believe this!   — I don't, too. Suggesting that we look around. As well as find a spot for you to rest. Maybe we could even understand where all of them went.   Buildings that looked like they were safe at first, were actually not at a second glance. Such constructions could fall at any moment - one can not loot in them, not to mention sleeping there. Thankfully, at least one house appeared normal. Or at the very minimum, not in a critical state like the rest.   Because to call a house without a door, a normal one - that is not right, to put it mildly. But at least everything else looked normal. Alluring shadow already gave a sense of cold, but it appeared to be a completely different pleasant kind of comfort, when Sunshine finally got inside its reach.   — Co-o-old; go-o-od.. - little pony exhaled with ease and dove to the floor.   — I thought little Sun liked it when it is warm.   — I do, but there’s a difference between warm and hot! - pony resented - Even though I'm solar, I can get burned too!   Caring shapeshifter did not leave her side for a second. His companion’s condition worried him as much as a thought about desert bugs emerging nearby. And if her warm coat seemed reasonable for the bug, he did not understand why the pony was somehow covered in water.   — You are wet.   — I know, it’s because of heat, it’s called sweat. - little horse still tried to catch breath - I think I got a heat stroke.   — ..Stroke? - insectoid puzzled - But nobody touched you.   — During moments like these, I don’t know if you’re joking or not.. - winged horse got the bug’s hoof off her forehead - ..We say that if we get overheated.   — I can look for a towel.   — And where would you find it? - the mare could not stop whining - ..There’s not even a drop of water here!         Yet, her friend silently insisted. Companions did not have anything - and now is the chance to find something. In the end, changeling’s determination and thousands of eyes, managed to convince the overheated pony, that he can at least try. Shapeshifter was not going to go too far anyway.   Since right behind him, alongside this corridor, stood a sand door. At first, it seemed impossible to open it, mainly because there were no locks and knobs. But that did not stop the plated creature. He simply piled on the door with his whole body, and the sandstone fell with him.   Luckily, the only trouble that awaited companions after the slab's fall was noise. Whiskered one himself was not hurt by such self-sacrifice - only the door was damaged. It did not lie flat on the surface, and after the dust settled, the reason for it became visible to the naked eye. Something held this stone beneath.   — Think I know what stopped the door from moving. - the changeling spoke from another room - Something.. No, someone was lying after it.   — Did you just kill someone?! - little one accusedly screamed.   — Only the skeleton. He is older than me. - Gambit grunted while trying to get the body out - Heavy. Soldier. Armour outlived both him, and the door. Fascinating.   — Then it’s true.. Midillia is famous for its military force.         The sound of chainmail being dragged on the floor, was very well heard. If it is hard for the changeling to carry this equipment, then it is scary to imagine how strong were the owners of such shells. Their enemies would not stand a minute.. Except, if the storm did not take the rest of those horses with it.   — Then we did not find them yet. This town is too small for something militarised. Trust me. - the bug stopped carrying the armour - Plates very heavy, shapes are weird - especially helmet. Those eastern ponies are not exactly ponies.   — How can they not be ponies?! They descended from us! - Sunshine got confused - Long ago, if our history isn’t wrong, the same real ordinary ponies went to the lands that were created by earlings..   — Earlings? You mean elves? - snowwhite bug still did not understand the significance of his find - How long ago did that happen?   — If you count by nobody's calendar, then.. It was around six hundred years. Now’s nine hundred years.         Moonrise tried to give history lessons to Sunshine, and later to her friends. Yet, nobody understood this flow of information completely - his stories and tales were too far apart from what others were told during their childhood. How can life be so cruel, indeed? However, all of this slowly confirmed itself..   All the rudeness, murders, wars with own kind, unwillingness to listen to anyone, absurd facts instead of truth.. And for what? Even the fear of other races is not justified at all - was banishing the now desert folk and dragons necessary? Winged pony had yet to see the fruits of two sisters’ labour. She wished that all of it was not true. She did not want to believe it.   ..Only due to education, that the heir to the house of Sunrise knows more than others. Since the day she was born, she listened only to her brother and parents, while they were still alive. And, perhaps, the pony does not believe some facts due to lack of other points of view. Why would alicorns starve everyone of wealth?   — ..Not really understanding what you are talking about. Except, such big difference between the years. Now I understand why they are so different from you - got used to living here.   — Or not exactly. - solar pony still insisted - Everything’s destroyed and there’s nothing of value here! How can someone get used to this? What did they even do here?   — Legends do not appear on their own. A lot is being said about us, too. - insectoid spoke with a bit of negativity in his voice - How about you get over here? It is not hot here, and it is brighter.   — I don’t want to walk on someone’s corpse, thank you very much. - winged horse snorted - Not to mention that I’m tired, and it’s so go-o-od over here..   The only thing that the burned pegasus lacked - a proper cool down. Easy to do in the shadows though, especially if one considers a green edible freezer near the pony. And how can she refuse to get on top of it to cool off? Everything sticks to her coat anyway - it will not get any dirtier.   — If you say so. - the bug still dug under the door - ..I found something. Catch!         A bracelet landed just before the sunny pony’s face. It was made out of metal, decorated by engravings and divisions, made in seemingly random, chaotic order. At first sight - looks like a mere ornament, like Sunny’s flower, but she definitely knew more about this thing.   — Where did you get that? - she was pleasantly surprised at his find.   — Lay with the soldier. What is it?   — A magnetic bracelet!   — What is it used for?   — It was made to hold tools and weapons with your hooves, not teeth. Was there anything along with it? Anything that could be hard to carry around?   Again, more digging behind the wall. Sounds did not stop appearing until the same big slab was moved a bit to the side, away from crushed bones, due to the changeling’s force. When suddenly, his familiar and vibrating voice made a very loud and weird sound of his own.   — Are you alright? What happened?!   — Something is not right with the weapon. It does not feel good when I get closer to the spear. I may have broken it. I will try to gra-   — Wait-wait-wait! - little horse unsuccessfully tried to get up - ..Come here!         Confused shapeshifter immediately returned back to his friend. Her eyes did not go away from his old wound for a single moment, and it confused the changeling even more. The bitten part of his exoskeleton was empty inside - not a single drop of yellow liquid remained.   — You are very worried. What is wrong?   — You shouldn’t have approached that spear..   — Don’t understand. - though the fanged creature did guess something - You knew what would happen?         Little mare shook and held her friend tighter with every passing second - he was hurt because of her, even more than she could have imagined. How can she look into his eyes now, how can she explain it all? Just a bit more, and they could have had the last conversation - insect went away from the magic spear in time.   — Please, forgive me! - she finally gathered her strength to talk - I should’ve told you about this before. It’s because of wood, it grows here - and it consumes everything magical! It could’ve burned you alive!   — Like the one that guards have back home?   — I didn’t even think that the difference between a real tree and a fake would be this big! Those giants are hollow; armour and halberds are illusions, copies - just like them! It does not react to sorcery as much as this one.   — Remembering that. But why have we not encountered this plant, if it is supposed to grow here? How do you know about it?   Pony tried to think with all her might, but her hot head could not grasp such a sleight. It is an important but rare thing; reality does not make sense with her stories. Could those trees appear on their own, or not? They have to grow somewhere, but there is sand everywhere. Is it enough for them?   — Maybe.. Pointy-ears? I remember that Moon said something, about their forest, that nobody should go there. About the trees that grow there.. - Sunshine shook her head and frowned her brows - ..I don’t understand! They work completely opposite out there! The desert is their doing too! Maybe..?   — We have to ask him about this later. This desert folk did well.   — W-what?! Their creation almost killed you, and you praise them?   — They are smart. They use every opportunity to survive. Even the wood that was probably planted against them. It must be very effective against chameleonlings.   Same old uneasy silence. At least it helps hear little pony’s heartbeat without a problem. Luckily, eventually, it went back to normal along with the orange one’s condition, thanks to the hug. Stress is not good for anyone, especially in such a place. The joy, on the contrary, could help distract from bad and save the mood.   — So.. Will you explain how this thing works? - changeling pointed at the bracelet.   — Where should I start.. - little one’s eyes lit up - The tool itself, or what this brace needs to hold, has to have the same shape, same pattern as on the hooflet itself. Mirrored, that is.   — Don’t understand. How is that?   — Well, the bulge part has to be unbulged for it to connect properly! Like a soup when it’s poured into the bowl, but this one’s solid!   Being carried away by her own explanations, Sunshine broke the hug and strapped the thing onto her hoof, so that she could show how to use it. Yet, changeling still did not understand without the tool itself. And getting it is dangerous for the adventurers, at least for one of them.   — ..Well, after the thing gets in, it’ll be very hard to tear it off, because that is a magnet! Works like resin, or honey. Or something else sticky!   — What if the part will not get in, fully?   — Then it’ll hang and drag around, very inconvenient. It was probably made as a measure from stealing rather than something else. And it’s very easy to get the thing off, too - just rotate the tool in the right direction!   — Useful. Mouth can be used for something else. But how do others fight like that?   Clever pony’s pupils expanded even more - finally, she can show her knowledge, boast about what she knows so much about! Except, all the enthusiasm blew away in an instant, as well as the brace itself, after the pony realised that her friend would not understand it.   — ..That’s a long story.   — We are not hurrying anywhere. - the bug insisted - Only if you are not tired of my questions.   — I’m not tired of that, but I have to show it. Well, you understand..   — Then, some other time. I will continue to look around.         Insectoid went back into the room, hoping to find something worthwhile. Now, the sounds of rummaging did sound from another part of the house. And they were so loud, as if the bug was throwing lots of kitchenware in a pile. Despite the noise, whiskered insect wished to know more, about anything:   — I have a question. How do you know it all?   — Moon told me about everything when I was a foal, some things he shows even now! Well, rarely, but still!   — How does he know it all?   — I’m asking that question myself. I mean that I’m fascinated by his knowledge. A-and his fervour to study everything around him - he asked our parents, read books, notes.. - the orange pony felt sad for a second - It’s sad that he can’t spend time with me, but it’ll do.   Gambit moved something heavy and loud once again. It felt as if the insect was going to crush the whole building, or collect all the trash into the corner and jump in it. When suddenly, the changeling stopped producing noise, as he probably found something useful in the mess that he created.   — You don’t find that strange?   — Oh?   — That he does not spend time with you. You don’t find that strange?   — If he didn’t care, I wouldn’t know anything I know, and he would not come for me when I got lost back then, in New-Londo!   — Got lost? What do you mean?   — I.. I don’t remember! I don’t want to talk about it!         Shapeshifter felt those contradictory emotions again. As if someone lied, or frightened, and was also confident in themselves at the same time. However, he kept doing his job, thinking that it was all just a bad mood and stress. This room deserved more attention - those were the barracks, as insect concluded.   All what was left to do, was check the hooflockers in front of the beds. Most of them were filled with dust, but one of the farther drawers had some fruit in it. The bug decided to show his findings to the displeased horse, and the pony immediately changed her emotional state at the first sight of her friend.   Though he thought that it was strange - her emotions seemed very, very true. As if nothing even happened moments prior. In any case, it fed the changeling, and he decided to put the treasure - fruits and an old knapsack - near the mare, without showing any signs of concern.   — There is mostly rubble. And this.   — What even was there anyway?   — Barracks. I have seen something like this before, in Equestria. I am more surprised that this.. - he knocked his hoof in front of the blue asymmetrically oval fruit - ..Is still not spoiled. It was here for a long time. Is it worth eating?   — Only one way to find out!         And then, silence. Shapeshifter thought that her insatiable friend would eat everything, and she thought that the curious bug would do so. After both realised that their partner would not do anything, they both met with their noses, trying to grab the food with their mouths. And they looked at each other, as if they hit each other on purpose.   — Let it be you who eats this. - Gambit gave the initiative.   — No, you!   — Why me?   — Well, because not me!   — I reached for the fruit only because you did not do so. But you were hinting at it, right?   — I did it because you didn’t do so, but I was hinting that you could eat it!   Completely confusing themselves, the company just sat in front of the food, not daring to touch the stuff. What if this fruit is not tasty, or edible at all? The bug tasted a lot of things in his short life, and some glimpses of nice looking but disgusting things still remained somewhere in his head..   — Do you want to try it? - insectoid broke the silence.   — Maybe. And you?   — Maybe.   — Then, maybe, you should try it? - insisted the sunny mare.   — But you also want to.   — ..Let’s just cut it in half and be done with it!   That is it, an answer to the problem! Or so it seemed. It was not that easy, and it was always not that easy with other creatures - the plated bug still did not understand and twitched with his whiskers, while looking at the blue thing. Cutting it with anything around seemed impossible.   — How?   — In half means-   — I know what it means. I am asking, how will we do that?   — Silly, use your head!   However, the fanged one thought of it too literally. He chomped it exactly in half with his mouth, swallowing his part without chewing. Insect completely forgot that he can morph - if not into a different item, then at least by adding a limb or two. And it still worked!   — ..You’re silly, I meant that you can think! But it still works, of course.   — Strange. - the bug quietly smacked his lips - Like if I ate a book. But I feel good.   Only after hearing the main taster’s opinion, that the pony ate her half. It did indeed taste like a book - not delicious, but probably somehow useful. Little horse felt this said good part of the fruit, from the first seconds that she finally swallowed it. Or is it?   — I feel good, too.   — What do you mean?   — I don’t know how to explain.. Still feeling tired, but comfortable. Not hot at all. That reminds me of something..         Sadly, the plated insect could not grasp all of this fruit’s charms - he, like the rest of his kind, gets used to extreme temperatures and conditions very quickly. If it was not fire, lava, or something else so hazardous, of course. He simply did not feel much of a difference.   — Oh, right, I remember now! There are potions that have the same properties, they’re sold in Crystal Empire and here!   — That means, if those blue things grow here, we will gather a few of them for ourselves. - Gambit set a goal for the future - Very useful. By the way, I have an idea now..   Contrary to the long-eared pony’s expectations, the bug immediately and tightly hugged her with all his limbs. Sunny laughed and tried to get off the grasp as a joke, until she noticed some very curious detail. Both of them now understood how this fruit actually works.   — You’re not cold at all! And you are very smooth, and cosy.. Now you won’t get out of this - you are going to be my bed tonight!   — W-what? - whiskered insect could not find any useful words.   — You are comfier than the floor. And I want to sleep! Now, don’t move, or I’ll whine again.         The hostage of his own hugs could not do anything, other than accept the situation he ended up in. Snowwhite creature could change into a bed, or start going forward with his friend on his back, but this was the only time when the pony felt comfortable in this adventure.   And even though the changeling did not notice anything like this before or ever, he knew, like from an intuition, that it would not be nice to disturb such a moment. Out of boredom, the bug started to quietly buzz and do other insect sounds, right into the little one’s ear. Judging by her smile and emotions, she was amused by this lullaby.   So they lay like that through the whole night, in each other’s hooves, before the sunrise woke up the mare that embodies this event. But it probably was hunger that actually woke her, as she sleeps twice as long, sometimes even more. The first thing she did, even before opening her eyes, is search around for food with her hooves.   — Good morning. - the insect calmly greeted the sleepyhead.         However, Sunshine did not react at that at all. She still searched for something, but it seems like she did not know what for. Even the shapeshifter's hissing and poking did not do anything. The bug did not understand how he can wake his friend up, and why she even behaves like that. Nothing seemed strong enough for the job.   Lilac bug thought a lot about what he needed to do with the half-asleep mare. In his last moments of thinking, the insect opened his mouth very widely and pulled the corners of her eyes away. Pony saw the horrors, she saw everything, but that did not wake her up! What is wrong with her?   As if she did not respond to the “threat” on purpose, continuing to do her own thing in her sleep. How can someone continue to sleep, when they are threatened to be eaten, even as a joke? Gambit also tried to wake the mare with various sounds and noises, but to no avail.   Until, at one moment, the changeling touched an adornment in her mane - that same sparkling flower, everlastingly and miraculously staying fresh. That little touch was enough for the insect to deserve such a strong blow to his face, that his head rotated completely backwards. But she did finally wake up!   — ..Good morning. - changeling started calmly as before, moving his head back.   — Never do that again! - the awoken one screamed with immeasurable hatred - Never! Ne-ever!   — Do what? Why? - the bug continued to appear calm, though deep inside he was not.         They looked at each other’s eyes for a long time. For so long, that the insectoid had to blink first, with that set of eyes of his! It is obvious, his friend was very unhappy, but he did not know that he would be judged so harshly with such a gaze. Emotions he felt made even less sense than in the past times like these. But why? More importantly, how?   How could a living creature experience every feeling in the world, with every contradiction, at the same time? Everything that literally gave life and fed the changeling, turned against him. The bug could not do anything in this torture. He could neither think nor concentrate - the shapeshifter simply squaked in fear.   — I’m sorry, I’m sorry-y! - the bug hid his head with his hooves - Stop doing this, this torture! I won’t do that anymore! No mo-ore!   — ..Do what? Stare at you? - Sunny tilted her head in surprise.         She did not even have a clue what her friend had felt right now. Right after the confusion, this emotional soup vanished and left the shapeshifter alone. But that did not calm him down - he was now sure, that something was wrong with this pony. As if he was mocked! Is Moonrise aware of it? What does this flower actually do?   — He-ey? What is wrong..? - the mare tried to get insect’s attention - Did I do something wrong?   — N-no-no, all is right. I was just scared, very much. Everything is fine.   — What scared you so much? What happened?   — Not important, it is fine.. - changeling knew that flower talk will not bring anything useful - Let us continue, the faster we get to this town and get Moon’s item, the better. Are you hungry?   — Yes! How did you guess?   — Just a feel, nothing more..         Breakfast went quite quickly and efficiently, just as subsequent preparations for the road: the solar pony grabbed her new bag, and the fanged bug was left with a big striped ball. Insect was just going to walk away from the barracks, when Sunshine ran forward first, forgetting about everything in the world.   — Hey, do you know where you are running?   — No, but anywhere’s better than going back! Follow me, there’s going to be something great out there!   — Don’t exhaust yourself the first minute.   These blue fruits were miraculous! Changeling barely kept the speed, as he tried to get closer to the inspired runner. The bug certainly was happy to see such high mood, though his friend did not think about the future. True, anywhere was better than going back.   When the spire in this town’s centre got lost in sands, another one emerged in the distance - same as the one before the town itself. Hooved creatures took giant cacti as a sign, that the team went in the right direction. Thankfully, those things with giant nails did not stop them.   Fatigue did. Pony stopped right in front of the pillar, trying to get some rest as soon as possible. Even though she was a creature that can run very long distances, she, like any other, had to train regularly, so she would not exhaust herself like this after every run.   — Told you, you would get tired.   — You’d better.. - tired one tried to answer in between inhaling air - ..Tend to stone!         The storm grew in size - insect had to get closer to this mysterious building to understand where to go. While Sunshine tried to find a better pose to lay down, the shapeshifter completely devoted his attention to the unusual monument. Luckily, he knew where and how to look.   However, there was something wrong with this stone. Claw scars, sword marks, chaotic carvings on the pillar.. No doubt - there was a battle at the spire. And it could happen again - at any time, with no apparent enemy. But where are the bodies? Changeling was going to warn his friend and moved his head toward her, due to strong wind:   — Sunshine, someone was here. I don’t know how long ago, but-   ..But he was interrupted by a chameleonling, silently crawling out of the sand behind adventurers’ backs. In fact, two! Two horrible sandy insects, with curved hooves, lots of scars and scratches, and natural holes in their bodies. Very hungry insectoids were not going to let the food walk away.         Snowwhite bug could not give an order in time, as Sunshine was already pinned by one of the predators, in an attempt to drown her in the sand. Beige bug immediately met resistance from his victim, and it would end very horribly and quickly, if the second insect was not distracted by the pale relative of his.   So much hissing existed practically only in an alchemist’s setup. This was a battle not for life, but for death and survival - everyone used all the tricks they had in their arsenals: sandy changeling had advantage in speed and agility, and the real shapeshifter constantly morphed.   Insects remained almost equal - every one of them damaged their enemy’s body equally. Almost, as one of them was indeed smarter. Though he was also clumsier, every new change and attack did something new, something only he could have thought of. Victory slowly went over to the white creature’s side..         Yet, the soft-bodied one was less lucky. Even though she managed to get away from sharp limbs of her enemy, he managed to scar and tire the mare good enough. Not only did she not count bugs’ obsession and inconceivable energy - the pony completely forgot about the fanged insect’s strong tail. He did not.   Plated bug curled her up, almost crushing the little mare and leaving her no chance to escape. All the solar pony’s emotions were not enough for the hungry and angry bug, and his horn glowed up. Like the tree from those stories, this insect tried to suck everything joyful from this pony’s memories.         Suddenly, horse’s flower began to shake and shine with a very bright blue light, beating another flash with its own. Intruder got immediately fried from inside - blue steam came from his body, and the bug tumbled in agony, like the fish blown out from the sea. Yet the tail continued to hold the poor pony. Not that she could react in such a state..   White-whiskered bug was consumed by the fight - he stood with his back against the blue show. His opponent, however, was taken by the light - so much so, that he missed a blow with a sharp appendage, right into his eye. Only the dark-green jello left in the socket, but the hungry beast did not even think of giving up.   He was already doomed though - his perception severely dimmed with the loss of an eye, and the chameleon took even more and more hits. In the end, the yellow-whiskered insect was stopped by a very powerful blow with the same mantis claw - it broke the sandy forehead into several pieces.         Gambit immediately rushed to help his friend. Her eyes remained open, but the pony did not blink. Not even that scared the surviving shapeshifter, but the absence of emotions, feelings - everything. There was no reaction to anything - absolute silence.   Even when the orange one slept, fanged insect could still feel some flow of feelings; something did happen in her head. But now, no matter how hard he stretched his synapses, he could sense only his own emotions. They flared up even more, with more panic coming after it. Is it over, indeed?   — Sunshine? Sunshi-ine!         Gambit almost lost his mind - he could lose his house, his “food” source, and equally important - a friend. Without thinking, plated bug hit the flat tail which held his friend. Living changeling was filled with rage and sorrow, because of his failure. Emotions, so many emotions!   — Give me a sign! - bright-eyed bug overreacted.   The insect nearby was already dead, and asking him would not give anything anyway. Yet, snowwhite creature noticed how its tail curled more; the dead one’s reflexes kicked in. So then he realised: “If hit means “curl”, then otherwise - “uncurl”?” - and he decided to pet the tail.         The despair silenced the mind. Little one did breathe - not constantly, but still! And the heart? It was louder than the increasing wind. Yet, just as unexpected as the insect got a good idea with the tail, he completely lost the sense of what was happening:   — Please, don’t leave me! - whiskered bug constantly touched her - Tell me that I am silly, tell me anything! I beg you..!   No matter how hard he tried, all those actions did not do anything. The changeling succumbed to panic very easily - he did not experience such fear before - Gambit did not experience any emotions at all! How could the feeling-eating monster from foal-scaring tales be so attached to anyone?   How could the shapeshifter experience emotions at all, especially so vibrant, so strong and different? Were all the stories about him being different a mere lie? Or does nature simply have an especially distorted sense of humour? In the end, would the scroll save the situation..?         ..Or Moonrise would kill the silly changeling for such a mistake? The amount of questions tore his consciousness apart. He needed to do something - and fast, as the time was not on his side. Though, at the same time, what would the bug do himself, with all the bruises and scratches? What to do with sand? Nothing seemed reasonable. “I can feel - means I am alive. I am alive - means I need to fight for my life.” - glanced in changeling’s head, while he picked the pony up on his carapace - “Time to go. Can’t give up, not without trying to change anything. Change myself. I can do this. We can do this!”.