Around the world through laziness and boredom

      A dozen monuments later, and here it is - the mountain line. If one does not count the impassable jungle, then the only road to Equestria from the desert is going through the wilderness, where plants and other life were as rare as bug friendly horses.   It was also the only place where one could get up with no problem on an actual land, without climbing gear or wings. The familiar but different sharp cliff, connected to the land, already waited for the insect and his sleepy friend, who finally started to wake up.   And they were also awaited by a bunch of dark-grey bugs with yellow accents. All of them did something of their own - someone carried stuff, and some burped out their insides that solidified and turned into fortifications. In a way, it reminded of bees or termites, where everyone was busy with something. Albeit it was different.   For instance, some insects, different from the rest, watched the snowwhite creature and did not answer the call that others followed. In the end, they all met on a high ground, where there was no sand nor harsh Sun - on a border between two countries.   Gambit and a few multitude of identical, not in colour and hole location, changelings, simply stood at one spot and looked at each other. And they stood like that, until the different from the rest shapeshifting insect broke a, seemingly silly silence.   — You know that I can’t hear you.   — We know. - all drones spoke together - We are thinking.         Like if they ended up on another planet - so many unusual squeaks, few old exoskeletons behind and an incomprehensible amount of yellow eyes. Little passenger did not fear making new acquaintances, even with such alien ambiance - on the contrary, past introduction to a changeling completely justified itself.   — Hello! - she waved her hoof, after getting off her “transport” - And what are you all doing over here?   — We live. - said the first one.   — We scout. - answered the second.   — We prepare. - spoke the third.   — Who are you? - added the fourth.   All of them thought and acted like one being, except adding something of their own - the collective mind finally showed its versatility. That was a very peculiar horse - a strong sense of magic, but not from herself; so old, but like a child; not afraid, but looks like an ordinary pony.   — My name is Sunshine, what are yours?   — We do not need names. - all of them spoke at the same time - We are one.   — Then how do you distinguish each other?   What a question. It certainly made the surrounding bugs think, be it the absurdity of the little mare’s question, or inability to explain the phenomenon with familiar words and ideas. Leading changelings even glanced at each other for some reason. Probably to confirm that they heard it right.   — Very curious one. - sniffed the first insect.   — Very.. delicious. - the second licked his teeth.   — Emotional. - assumed the third.   — Desert folk are coming here. - Gambit inserted his own thought - They stopped nearby. Preparing.   All the bugs accelerated in an instant and began the preparations of their own, dropping all their previous tasks. Seems like the warning glanced not only in scouts’ heads, but in every other too, as there is no other explanation for sudden surge of activity.   — Come with us. - one of them proposed.   — It is safe with us. - nodded another one.   — We won’t hurt you. - spoke the rest.   No matter how attractive, or maybe even scary this offer appeared, the white and lilac insectoid was strongly against it. He stood in front of his companion and covered her from foreign eyes. Not that other bugs did understand anything by such a gesture alone..   — No. I know what you are doing there. I will not let that.   — What are they doing? - winged pony did not understand.   — Brother, that’s the point. - one of the grey bugs stood forward - You know much. And you know, that we could use your help against furred beings, and you could use ours.   — Ourselves.   That was somewhat rude. Of course, changelings are different, and that reaction would be justified and understandable if any other pony did so. But Gambit is not any other pony - he is an insect, just like them. Probably, even more like them than it looks at first.   — And I am not your brother. - stated the white and lilac bug.   — Kin. This is your home.. - parried the drone.   — ..You can deny it.. - continued the second one.   — ..But it is a fact. - added another one - We are one family. We will help.   — Help us first. - ended the last insect.   — Why, what happened two years before, did happen? - calmly said the one with the name.   Again, no answer. Yet the time is ticking - against the debating beings - the army had already shown itself on the horizon, seemingly purposely setting up camp for others to see. A whole swarm of angry, equipped and armoured cutthroats with no less number of tents with them.   — Come. - all of them suddenly spoke - Elytra wants to see you - both.   — What are you going to do with him? - little horse got nervous - What will happen to me?   — Everything will be fine. - assured the grey and yellow ones.         They say they will do no harm, so why not try taking the risk? The myths will blow away or be confirmed that way too, once and for all. If all of them are like Gambit, then there is nothing to fear. Albeit a bit strange, but not bad for sure! Certainly better than fools from an evil nation..   One of the scouts led the couple to a very chaotic and strange tower, made out of sweet building material, while the rest vanished in the huge swarm. It had almost taken the positions against the invaders, by quickly constructing primitive and narrow halls and fortifications.   — So what should I call you? You don’t have a name? - insisted the sun pony.   — You can call me Aperture Sidewinder.   — Something tells me this isn’t your real name.   — It is not. Long story.   It still remained quite a trip towards the hive, and the winged mare’s curiosity did not at all subside. It was felt, literally, by everyone around, and the curious horse did not even try to hide it. Sidewinder already knew what to expect of his newest acquaintance, and immediately continued the talk himself:   — We don’t usually call ourselves by names, because we feel. - explained the bug - We simply know. Our thoughts are collected into one, our bond is inseparable-   — Except me. - Gambit interrupted - That is why you set me out.   — You understood it wrong. - excused the scout - Elytra will try to explain it to you, with the language you are used to.   At this rate, insects could make their own language, so that they could be understood by others. Sadly, truth be told, there is no need for such measure, because changelings understand each other better than anyone, and hooved beings on both sides of the continent are not even trying to befriend such alternative geniuses.   Ponies around could learn a lot, and the shapeshifters themselves would understand their neighbours better. The negotiations could be possible, if not for the horrible legends about them - abductions, lies, some higher purposes.. Their habitats and its building methods already say a lot.         Big formless structures and constructions, where anyone would get lost, but not their owners. In their chaos they see order, and they had nothing excess or sentimental - only the bare needed and useful rooms, in the worrying sense of those words.   Despite the absence of any windows or straight holes in the hive, except ones that open and close for the working drones, it remained reasonably bright inside. Not only did bugs live in good relations with luminescent fungi, but they themselves were ready to become lamps or giant fireflies.   The changelings themselves did not need any light, but the rest wished for it like air. Especially the guest, whose eyes barely got used to more dim surroundings. Strangely enough, the air was not stale at all, even though nothing ventilated on purpose. Someone could live in these conditions!   — I’m speechless! - amazed Sunshine - We sure are in Equestria?   — Sure are. - the grey insect assured her - On its very border.   — I know! It’s just, hard to believe, how everything is, well, so different..   — We do not understand you just the same. Not every day you stumble upon a similar, not evil reaction. A strong one at that.   Seems like the guide softened a little. So many emotions, that one would want to simply stand still and press against it, like a moth to an oil lamp. While the company waded through the corridors, nearby drones also confused and often stopped for a while, when the intruder of feel-space walked nearby.         Not every being could endure so many unfamiliar sounds. Every second felt like, if someone pressed their ear at the beehive for a whole month. Though Sunshine was not bothered by anything - the unusual only attracted this pony. And, as it turned out, not only her.   Not far from the place that Sidewinder led the friends to, stood a room, where the same fluffy ponies of various species and sizes sat in the middle. Every one of them had their eyes closed, and they were surrounded by lots and lots of yellow, pulsing egg clutches.   — Gamby, look! - little horse pointed her hoof at those ponies - Not only I was curious!   Yet, he was silent. He did not like this place at all. He probably spoke exactly about this moments before. Why would they sit in there like that, around disgusting and gurgling things? The scout spoke in place of snowwhite bug, trying to dispel any possible doubts:   — These fluffy ones voluntarily agreed to become food. - whiskered insect assured the pony - Furred beings get all they need, and in return we can grow and feed our workers.   — S-small b-bugs eat ponies? - worried winged mare.   — Emotions are our only food. I thought you knew about this, since you are familiar with one of us.   — I just thought, that.. Nevermind. Don’t think I want to know about it.   Intuition did not fail, someone simply did not want to listen to it. Shapeshifters, obviously, did not eat anyone, but naming these conditions voluntary? Nobody in their right mind could say so. They often picked caretakers, like others enslaved different creatures - with an offer, one can not refuse.   Change the bad and insufferable life into something meaningful, prisoners of war.. Gambit was fully aware of all the horrors, and he did not want the same fate to strike his only friend. And since the company was getting closer to the hero of this neverending occasion, they could speak about many things. This, included.   Lilac insect felt that the same offer would be made to his orange companion, and the wayward changeling son was ready to jump and strike at his own mother. While she, at this time, observed everyone from the ceiling, seemingly not planning anything.   Below her, sat the insects in a perfect circle, twitching their very long antennae ears. They curled, just like the real whiskers of other insects, and the growth on their heads resembled that of scouts - real hair, not chitin. It appears that someone thought very hard in this room. Not a squeak was heard from sitting bugs.   Only the newcomers and the queen moved and made the corresponding noises. The mother stood out in particular. She gradually descended from above, to greet the guests. Just as yellow, with huge whiskers and very beautiful wings. All four wings blinked and attracted to themselves, like something warm. Gamby unwillingly walked forward, hiding his friend with himself.   — Forty second.. - the big changeling quietly spoke - Welcome home.   — Why? - resentful mutant resonated with sincere confusion and true emotions - What for?   — You have grown up so much, yet appear almost unchanged.. - the mother curiously looked over her child - ..So beautiful and inquisitive, as before.   — You did not answer my question. Why? - the insect seriously annoyed - You know what I am talking about.   However, as an answer, the bug stretched her front hooves forward and.. picked up Gambit with them. She became all mushy and sincerely happy about her relative’s return. As if nothing ever happened in the past, the queen warmly hugged the white drone.   — Put me down. - changeling did not understand anything - Would be better if you answer!   — But you know the answer to this question already. - she quietly spoke into his ear - You are different. But you are still one of us.   — You got rid of him, and now you dare to say that? - suddenly, the solar one intervened.   Only now that little orange pony’s presence made the queen wonder. She continued to hold her own son above the ground, but all the attention and gaze moved towards the soft-bodied horse. The real and yellow eyes were full of easily read arrogance.   — And who are you? - slowly and suspiciously said the plated creature.   — Sunshine! And you are Elytra?   — Indeed. I am afraid we don’t have much time to talk.   — But it’s just one question! Why Gamby had to leave?   The need for an answer reflected in adventurers’ faces. Especially in the one, who was still lifted above the rest. A little more, and the sore lilac muzzle will grin and start biting - too many emotions this changeling gave away, too hard was he bothered by it all.   — Forty second.. - Elytra suddenly dwelt in happiness after turning towards the bug.   — Put me down! - the insect did not let her finish - Let go!   — You are full of anger, as you are of love. You are tied to us much stronger than you think. I hope, someday you will understand that, and that you almost fulfilled your purpose.   — I did not understand anything! - Gamby stayed just as sore.   — So it is. Everything, for the hive. You are part of our hive. Help us hold our lands, I beg you. We will take ca-   — Don’t you dare touch Sunshine! - snowwhite insect suddenly hissed.         So much rage, so much anxiety flowed in those pink net-eyes! The queen could not hold the grumpy rebel - he escaped this grasp on his own and covered the pony with his body. For others, she was nothing more than a source of food. Albeit, a very unusual one.   Now, even Sunny felt his emotions. Not like changelings did, yet she understood it all without any words, without looking at his face. Teeth grinding alone resonated in her ears so hard, as if those ears were chewed with all the might of chitin mandibles. And if the shapeshifters could feed from each other, he would certainly be the centre of attention.   — Kin, you understood it wrong.. - the big bug tried to calm the emotional one - ..She will not become food. Not for us. - a bit later, she added - For you.   — She is not food. - angered the insectoid - If even a single hair will be touched without her will, I will break open your carapaces.   — So it always was. - Elytra remained on her wave - The different changeling started his own hive. You have to-   — Not have to! - at once, adventurers yelled together.         Such audacity! He was exiled, not told about anything, and now he had to do something. And it was put in a way, as if he had owed it to himself! The blood boiled from all the emotions - “Need to take initiative in my own hooves.” - Sunshine was determined like never before.   — Gamby, we’re leaving. - proposed the winged mare - Nothing to do here.   — Are you indeed going to leave everyone, for them to be torn to little pieces by those savages? - Elytra begged all of a sudden - Look at the referents! Think of what will come next!   Indeed, the advisors appeared in some kind of trance. They did not open their eyes, moved very nervously and twitchy, and quietly moaned. As if they all felt the same, regretted the same and were ashamed of something collectively. Or as if they were burned out from inside. Did it start indeed, or was it an attempt of deceit?   — You all think like one being! - claimed the solar mare - How do we know you’re not lying?   — Look at this.   Suddenly, one of the hives’ walls peeled off, and the field of battle became visible from the hall everyone sat in. The attack started so soon, not giving a chance for adventurers to react. Drones tore apart eastern horses’ throats and pierced through the vulnerable spots in eastern armour with worldly cruelty, but every midillian cost a few insect lives.   Wooden shields did not leave anything alive and sane from the closest bugs. Most of the time, stallions were showered by the half-dead bodies. Spears and swords cut the insects with such ease, as if the heated knife went through butter. Majority, slowly but steadily, turned into minority.   Narrow mountain range did not leave much room for anyone, and the advantage took the equipped side. Changelings were probably saved only by their excess aggressiveness - a swarm of teeth, claws and desire to protect their home at any cost, did scare the warriors no less than ingenuity of some plated insects.   Limb by limb, every shapeshifter’s fervour stopped only after losing head. The scouts also tried to think of something, but no matter how they approached the situation - the archers interfered. And how would one get from the side, if the mountains were everywhere? The long-whiskered will was not enough..   — Right! Mountains! - red-eyed pony finally got it - Do the rockfall!   — There is nothing to throw from above. - assured the queen.   — Throw yourselves. - white changeling suddenly proposed - You are changelings, after all!   The idea quickly got through the still living hive-mind members, and they liked it. Seconds after, they already launched themselves right at their enemies, turning into large boulders right in the air. Huge bolts left only a few small cracks on the stone surfaces, and the gravity did its job afterwards.         Red blood clouds covered the yellow slime, and the infantry slowly retreated, using their shields more than their curved sabres and sharp sticks. Battle cries did not inspire the doomed stallions in shells as much as before. The swarm of drones pushed further through the bodies of their brethren and fallen soldiers, preparing to take the cavalry..   When suddenly, a deafening shot from a massive cannon was heard. However, not a cannonball, or a single projectile was ever seen. Is it simply a noise, a sound weapon? No, there should be mass destruction and death - since it is a midillian invention; a tool of war.   Even the queen fell ill from what was happening, but nothing was still visible. Why? What is this sudden pain, that got through such a distance? Why did it not affect Gambit and Sunshine? White bug took a closer look at the battlefield, and noticed something.. strange, to say the least.   — ..Cheese?   — It’s not cheese! - immediately yelled the winged horse, and her eyes drowned in tears - It eats insects!   The mushroom scourge consumed all the changelings on the way. All, except the ones who were disguised. The thought about cheesegus alone took away the desire to look and observe, and the pony hid her face in her best friend’s chest. Master of disguise, who always experimented with his abilities, was hit with inspiration.   — Everyone should morph into something! - lilac bug issued the command - No matter what it is - should not look like us! Ponies, weapons, stones!   — Those are workers. - explained Sidewinder - They are not-   — Able. - Elytra got ahead - Everything depends on us. We have to try!   The queen joined referents’ torture, and the bunch of sentient bugs managed to force mindless shapeshifter bodies to change. The fungus stopped its growth, and yet again, the opposing forces faced each other. Changelings still had enough strength, and their anger directed their teeth and disguised weapons into gaps of unbeatable armour.   However, not everyone was affected by the psychological pressure. Foreign army still had sadists in its ranks, and they did not stop at anything - even cut down their own, deserters and those who looked back. The bodies continued to pile up, especially from Equestria’s side..   — This won’t do. - the nearest scout objected - I will gather help. You two - continue to give ideas.   Sidewinder went to the horizon, moving straight towards the lifeless vale. He disappeared from sight momentarily, leaving everyone else with the invaders. Who he wanted to call? How much time does he need? The yellow-backed insect numbers continued to shrink. At this rate, nobody will be left to defend the hive insides..   — Remaining should hold and distract the soldiers. - improvised Gambit - Anything - morphing into barricades, mocking, teasing. The ones in hive - stay in hive, the rest need to win some time!         Whiskered insectoids did all they could. It appeared much easier to control smaller body mass compared to a big army - everyone can be given an individual order, everyone could compete with self-aware changelings. All the ambushes, sudden attacks and attempts at exhaustion finally bore fruit, holding warriors of the east at where they started.   And when the whole swarm of green-backed insects showed itself at the horizon, the yellow ones retreated. New army, holding up to par with the previous one, made the more sane and sensible horses run, and captured less smart cutthroats in mere minutes. Stallions took their armour off while running, they dropped their equipment, and did everything they could to escape the field of battle.   Even the midillian commanders followed the example of their lowest in ranks. However, instead of returning home in shame, they took an easy way out - cutting their heads off. Some managed to do so in time, some did not - all of them, in some way, were doomed to suffer. The luckiest out there were the military installations..