Around the world through laziness and boredom

      If the mountain tops already appeared extremely cold, then life below it seemed like fantasy. Still, the trees grew, animals survived, and the Crystal Empire, somehow, thrived. Caves with crystals and beautiful views, without a doubt, attracted..   However, glimmering beauty froze unprepared adventurers forever. Right this second, one such traveller suffered in the snow - even a blanket under the bags did not warm her enough, and hooves barely stood out from half a metre of snow. Even on what was supposed to be a road.   Though it is very noticeable that the path is fresh, it still got under the snow blanket very quickly. But what else can be done? One cannot simply drop everything and give up, can they? What about Sneuwitje’s advice for the changeling, that works for both friends? “Follow the mountain on the right”, but which one?         Crystal Empire is one huge mountain range, with many up and down swings, where only one and sole city is built on somewhat of a flat surface. And friends have to reach that place, so they would not perish. There is no other way; maybe never was.   And, the shapeshifter could not help or show himself, because the spy probably sniffed about the train and watched the companions’ suffering. Maybe he watched the pony since Hoofgrad, and personally saw how the orange mare walked through the border near the Dragon Peaks? Caution must be above everything - above comfort, even.         In such a chaotic landscape, there is some small good too - every hill had cuts from one or another side. Cuts, that can be safely named as caves, or someone’s abandoned hideouts. Both warm and kind of bright, too; at least when eyes get used to. There, they may hide. There, was some life around.   Mostly, vegetation. Finding food in the wild is very hard, but under the cave walls something was found, indeed - mostly, mushrooms. Only, they are kind of strange - shimmer with all the rainbow colours, and grow literally on walls and ceiling. The range of fungi sizes could not leave friends confident - is it one species, or few?   Sunshine seemingly saw them somewhere. Was it not the jungle flowing with the same vibrant colours in completely unexpected spots? Of course, such a thing, especially there, would seem poisonous, but for the same species of glowing mushrooms to grow in a completely different spot? Maybe one should taste them?         There, some squirrel ran for a feast already. And nothing bad had happened - alive and well, only aggressive a little. And it is logical why - hungry, scared of the little pony taking this giant mushroom away with her. But would the horse attack such an adorable creature?   With changeling’s help, the big-eared pony could deal with this beast with no problem. But it is not right - even when one’s life is at stake. The thought alone about hurting the tail, three times the squirrel itself, pushed the winged mare away from the idea. Not to mention a possibility of receiving a blow in return, from an animal the size of this little pony.   Maybe, there is something nearby as well? Maybe deeper, in a more dark part of the cave? Something certainly moved there - silently, too. The bug already decided to attack the unknown hanging thing, when he hit his head with a stalactite. And something that resembled it.   — It’s.. Tasty. - insectoid chewed the spoils for some reason - Like sweet bones.   Whiskered bug shared his find with a hungry pony, and she immediately tried the food. Which she partly regretted - it is not tasty at all! No point in complaining though, as there is no choice at all. And so she ate this strange half-sweet in silence. Totally, another fungi, cannot be otherwise!   Night in the cave even pushed a curious thought - what if this stalactite could be used as a spice? The dream moments prior seemed even more strange than thoughts after waking up - pony drank beer, made of this hanging fungus. “Need to remember.” - she thought, trying not to think of food and drinks too much.         As there is an unknown amount of kilometres before the only city in this freezing place. Thankfully, the horse more or less understood where she walked some hours ago, and she did not confuse, in which direction to continue. Only, it still did not save from making mistakes.   Where to, now? Follow the trees, or try to walk around hills? What to spend energy on, and how much? Albeit the head could think, compared to the hot region, there was no point in it. No matter what one does - no strength left at all; no matter where one steps - is the step even made? Surroundings barely changed.   Changes appear very rarely, when everything around is white. Trees and other plants, barely appearing through the cold blankets, had almost no distinct features, for one to certainly know the difference in distance, time or anything. Well, almost.         An ungodly amount of time later, Sunshine noticed that one mountain was obscenely close to the road. Maybe, the knowing creature spoke about that, and this mountain should be walked around? The road did not go to the side, but the leg load lowered significantly the first minutes of straying from the path.   As the level of snow itself. Finally, something can be observed properly! For example, little trees the size of bushes, that had giant nuts hanging. That is what kept those squirrels in this cold! However, for every squirrel, there should be a predator. And for every pony too.   Wargs managed to get to the mountain region, too. Yet they had enough from the current conditions - in time, all wolves changed their fur colour to a brighter one, to blend in with snow properly. One of them even had crystals growing off their back, same crystals for illusion treatment. Small pack did not pay attention to the winged horse - they ran after someone. Or from someone.   Even with such a thin layer of snow, it was hard to see another nature’s horror. It was something white - and very short, with small paws. Despite all the problems, it could navigate around! Sunshine also had enough problems - frostbite became a much bigger threat.         It was probably not the best idea to follow such double-edged advice. Other than absence of energy, friends met with absence of caves, that they hid and built campfires in. One could try doing this in open air as well - only, the wind decided otherwise.   This massive storm could probably extinguish a burning Canterlot. Thankfully, it striked with its full power only at a certain interval. But even that was enough, to turn into an icicle on an empty spot. Mountains, luckily, have not let the company down, hiding so many creatures behind..   But even this, sooner or later, would end. A big open space, in the end, replaced cliffs and snow glades with itself, and a frozen lake punished the sun mare with its slippery surface, with not a single snowflake on top. And then, even the blizzard came in.   — C-can’t. - orange horse chattered her teeth, not able to do anything - C-can’t walk m-more.. H-help..         However, the changeling remained idle. Why, in such a responsible moment? How could he behave like this, when the last hair coated with frost? The bug can help - he is not bothered by the temperature! Who else could resist anything like him? ..Did the whiskered insect sense something?   — Warden, are you jesting? - a nearby voice ragingly screamed - We have to help!   — Garden, we have to help our clan! - another, masculine voice sounded more pessimistic.   — If we won’t help her, we won’t help ourselves! Food can wait!   Seems like he did! But who is that? Little horse could not see anything and barely heard it, yet her friend eagerly watched the young deers, already rushing to help the frozen soul. Despite the previous conflict, the pair worked together very well - the doe prepared first aid with her horns, while the buck pushed the pegasus away from the storm.   One gulp of this miraculous brew was enough to make red-eyed pony breathe again, and for all the frost to melt. However, the saviours did not let the mare do any unnecessary moves, pushing her away from the storm by the flanks with their bodies. Still, one needs to commend the eastern nation..   — Everything will be fine. - the doe whispered - Just relax!         The pathfinder couple led the lost horse to their temporary shelter - one of those many caves, so cosy to sleep in compared to the naked snow plains. And eating there is nice as well - deers shared what they had left with a big-eared horse, without hesitation.   — You do understand, what all of this will cost us? - the buck was not content at all.   — Don’t ruin the moment! - the doe showed her tongue - How do you feel? What is your name?   — Sunshine! And you?   — Garden! - answered the joyful one - And this ‘s Warden. Grumpy, little, but he’s good.   Not a moment could pass without any of them bullying or angering each other. No wonder why they behave like this - they are very young; fawns. Curious beings, but more curious would be their occupation, current deeds - pathfinding is a job for matured creatures, after all.   Since one needs to have excellent knowledge of the region and a good physical prowess. Who, other than adult and thick-furred deers, have such qualities? Horned saviours became the embodiment of the frost nation for a reason. They were spoken of before, and the little pony was happy and grateful for them not betraying their traditions.   However, the mare could not understand why their antlers were so different. Deers grow them on their own, choosing the style and appearance themselves, but one could barely defend themselves with those chaotic branches. And their colouring, face and body paint are strange as well. As if those two added all and only what they had, simply to stand out.   — So why do you, well.. Look like this?   — You mean..? Oh! - horned doe realised - Nonfero.   — Non-fero?   — Yes, nonfero. ‘Tis a style. One stallion invented it.. Or who was it? - suddenly, she changed the topic - Was he inspired by you? You look just like what he thought of!         It appears that the ideas of Ardent-Vibrant had reached even the nomad clans. At least they were met cordially, opposite of what equestrians are doing to those who are different. But to be accepted, they had to accept the foreign culture. Or at least try to - this style is so flexible, that it does not have any directions.   Other than, probably one and single rule - simplicity, decorated with anything one wants to add. Sunshine just looked very simple - one-coloured fur, adornment in her mane, and travel equipment, complementing her subtle nature. Without any additions, pony still looked properly, but all the details added so much more. Just what nonfero is all about.   The style went so far, that even furniture - even food worked by same principles - simple foundation, and details to the taste, and almost all of them can work! Some manage to stand out, and some are overdoing it. Can immediately guess, who the one deals with - someone artistic, or simple-minded; low class, or an aristocrat.   That is where deer spots come from, as well as their horns - decorative purpose above the natural one. Truth be told, they still can be used to efficiently cast spells. Nobody stops them from sharpening the edges to stand against wargs either. Or against something more frightening.         While the locals discussed their culture with a newcomer, some white horror jumped into the cave, without any fear at all. Those animals were impossible to see between the snow, and this one almost extinguished the fire with its leap. The horse was going to get into a fighting stance, when she was calmed down by Warden:   — Those are called coaties, or coats. They aren’t dangerous, if they aren’t scared and threatened. - he cautiously petted a very fluffy and very long fox - Not many of them are left. Some are caught for fur, some simply disappear. We should not touch them..   — Oh, come on! - his friend even hugged this six-legged creature - Those aren’t tailies, their bites won’t kill you. Our goal is to protect them! We feed them, we-   — Garden, our goal is to look out for the clan, not th-   — Warden! If we won’t look out for others, they won’t look out for us! - doe released the coaty - Sun, you haven’t met with squirrels, I hope..?         True, what bad such a long pet would do? Yes, their tail is not distinguishable from their body at all because of such thick fur, but what of it? They had it rough, by contrast - if not for their adaptivity and cunning, all fox-likes would perish already. That way, they are trying to survive. Albeit by stealing, right from the deer supplies.   The moment that the antlered buck wanted to drive away the creature, he was stopped by two gals he shared this cave with. Let it eat - otherwise they will disappear completely. Sentient creatures can endure the inconvenience a bit - they do it all their lives somehow. Mostly, by helping each other; Garden was right here.   — We constantly sacrifice. - grumbled the deer - This goes on for too long.   — Wa-ard, cut it out! What about karma? We’ll lead Sun to the capital, and Luck will help us! Always helped!   — What if it won’t? That Luck will disappear one day!   — Then Panache will help! - solar pony intervened all of a sudden - I’ll convince him!         Companions fell silent. They could not believe their ears, but the serious expression on the saved horse’s face convinced the pathfinders, that it was not a joke. And not long after the start of their journey towards the heart of Crystal Empire, the big-eared mare confirmed her intentions with a story of how she met the artist.   — ..See? And you were scared! - doe laughed at his friend - We’ll help the clan, and leave some for ourselves!   — Seems like he actually drew nonfero from you.   And if Warden at least chuckled as an answer in surprise, Sunshine was not that much happy. Dealing with Panache is one story, not appearing at the sight of watchful guards - is another. The mare knew too much, to take history too light-heartedly.         Even though the Empire poses itself as an independent place with its own culture, history and actions say completely opposite. Moonrise’s tales always ended on an unpleasant note, and the crystal nation was not an exception. One of the kings, in one moment, suddenly started serving the two sisters. Which was not received well by many.   Guillotine awaited all of the dissenters. Not even hard labour, but death - like with relatives of the Sunrise family, like with all dwellers of Old Equestria. However, not everything went according to plan, and the two lovers got very fortunate. Later, the very brother and sister were born. The burden of time was now left to them.   It is logical that someone would try to catch such a “dangerous” lawbreaker. Not that difficult to get information either - all the letters, edicts, anything else can be sent via teleportation. What of it - reveal oneself with an ultimatum! And that spy? He is totally not the only one around.   The winged horse would not find an excuse - if her new friends will learn that she is, technically, a fugitive, one of them will surely spill the brabeans. They have to uphold the reputation of honest and lawful citizens, have to report every saved creature. Warden is nervous about the family for a reason.   And the crystals of truth? Almost impossible to get them! Every grain, every chunk is counted - one could not brew potions without them. And the glasses, like the ones that the new sultan has? Scary to imagine, what they could reveal in the Canterlot castle..   — Sun? Are you alright? - horned doe concerned about her friend’s cloudiness.   — Oh..? Yes, I’m just.. Thinking. — We’re almost there. Look, the tower on the horizon!