Around the world through laziness and boredom

      Unbearable frost felt not as shackling as the time passed. Garden led Sunshine away from the warm paradise through a highground, around small hills. Absence of wind proved to be a much more comforting scenario, though it is quite colder in the mountains.   However, in the thick-furred doe’s company, the frozen world seemed way more warm than it was - thanks to the warm coat, and to various conversations on very different topics. Mostly, the deer asked the pegasus about life in Equestria, but the same questions were asked the other way around.   — ..We don’t have a place where we would, well, live. I mean, it appeared not long ago, two-three tens of years ago. But we still don’t have our own country or, something like that.   — And what did you do before all of this?   — I’m only twelve, me and Warden were born after our clans settled. They don’t even have names! We are nothing, we are described by nothing and we constantly hide..!   The fawn treated the current deer leader with severe negativity. Instead of fighting for their rights and repeating their ancestors’ achievements, they are trying to do agriculture there, where nothing can grow. Only the smallest things, that do not give any value, especially food-wise.   If the tales and legends about the antlered creatures are true, then they were not just a symbol of a half-frozen part of the world, but also very famous and honourable warriors. Although they had no such vast magic knowledge as unicorns, deers were spoken of even on another part of the continent. Until the sisters appeared.         The history concealed what happened next. Moonrise knew - and he knew well, but he could not be reached just now. The risk is high as ever, bigger than it ever was; the doe have not yet learned about the shapeshifter, and her teleportation knowledge might be even more obscure.   Since this activity is especially delicate. And it would be nothing if small objects were moved, or creatures at a small distance, but this question is about more than thousands of kilometres. Would be hard for anyone to perform such a trick. Sunshine felt it perfectly, when she appeared in the middle of nowhere, thanks to her own fault.   Even now, she still stays in the wilderness, albeit in the company of someone familiar with surroundings. But it is easier to survive in such a group - can be told what to eat and what to not; where the snow can be crossed freely, and where it needs to be walked around. Probably the only thing lacking is a proper bath.   — Why are we going to your kind, if your leader is so silly?   — Because there’s no place else we can hide. Maybe we can persuade Rebuke! How could he turn down such an opportunity to get the former glory back, and tell the world about ourselves? I want to continue helping others, but not for scraps. It’s not enough even for undergrass seeds!   — Think yours will support us? Warden tried to sell us!   — ..Don’t know. But I believe we can do it! You can inspire them! ‘Tis you who said about Hoofgrad!         Plains changed to hills, sharp cliffs, and other ways around. Only now, the native folk swapped with someone completely alien, and they lived in caves. Scary, with glowing eyes and membrane wings - the very real bats with hooves replaced the soft and fluffy beings living in peace.   — ..Just don’t touch them, and they won’t touch you.   — But they have such huge fangs!   — Hush, don’t scream! - the doe convinced her in an undertone - They eat fruits, and mushrooms - fangs are not for ponies. Until you start screaming and provoking them.   Blind creatures did indeed have the same anatomy as ponies, except their noses and strange wings. Outlandish and wild fur with huge ears, hinted about their true descendance even more. Discord tried his best even in these lands, probably trying to have a laugh this way.   Because bat-ponies were not even able to speak, and foreign words and sounds they perceived as an obstruction. For them, it was nothing more than an ability to see, despite their gruesome appearance. If it is quiet around - will horribly squeal themselves, thanks to their undeveloped but beautiful eyes.   Plus, those bats also feared fire. Winged beasts were ready to shred anyone who had claims to their food in caves. However, sharp lights and unusual warmth they sensed perfectly, and refrained from reaching the hungry hooved beings. “Eat, or be eaten.” - as old deers would say.   — Some time ago, we even shared the caves with them. Well, tried to - food wasn’t enough for everyone. Can’t eat the nuts - we’ll get sick with stuff that squirrels carry now - and believe me, you don’t want to know what that is.. ‘Tis why ours searched for other ways to feed themselves. Until someone tried to help adventurers and settlers..         After that moment, some individuals began to see horned creatures not only as mutants and barbarians, but also as lifeguards and true rulers of these lands. They dominated in this eternal winter, not wargs or flying bat-ponies. Still, racism has not disappeared anywhere.   It only strengthened and appeared more each time. Nobody pays attention to someone supposedly sub-sentient, low-class, until it starts to become a threat - rams, sheep without horns.. And here, they have all the same privileges and even work without constant watch. Both of them still feared each other, like cornered animals.         In the end, deers were cornered literally. More precisely, they cornered themselves. Far away, high above the sea level, two hamlets were set on a mountain that no foreigner dared to approach. Except Sunshine, with Garden watching and leading her.   Others stopped and dropped their things at the sight of a sun mare. They looked at the winged horse with genuine fear. Or untrust? Years of oppression and anxiety made them slaves to their own consciousness, and their leader only supported such thinking. He feared more than anyone.   Elsewise, why would someone live in tents, thinking about another eviction? Why were the walls ready to be dropped with one agile move, for them to be carried away as well? Nobody even thought about building their own house - warm, comfy, convenient..         Old warrior flinched, jumped and almost screamed by only looking at the orange horse. If not for the presence of a young deer, the leader of two villages would pierce the sun body out of fear with his sharp antlers. Yet, he simply agreed with Garden’s proposal to accept the guest.   — ..Thanks. - pony gladly consumed the local brew, though it is only a boiling water - What is your name?   — Hushed Rebuke. - the buck twisted some box on a table - Garden probably told you about everything.   — Told about what? What do you mean? - the solar pony tilted her head.   — I see.. Then, listen.   While the old deer told his story and the history of clans, he unstoppably twisted this unusual wooden cube. As if he tried to place the figurine in a specific direction, but the buck failed every time. One time it glowed, another it did not, failing by mere centimetres.   He spoke about unification of two clans, two folks with different ideologies; about a great battle, but everything rolled off the little pony’s ears. At one moment, long-eared mare was so interested in this artefact, that she could not simply stay silent:   — ..So what is this? - winged pony interrupted the ruler.   — Voxvisir. Allows talking at a distance.   — So how does it work?   — It needs to be placed in a direction where the second one is, then the voice will be heard on a different side. Owner of a second voxvisir needs to do the same to be heard as well.   Nevertheless, why did he try to turn on this artefact? Horned creature put all his strength into directing this thing in a needed spot, seemingly not paying attention that the listeners looked only at the elder’s artefact. When the pressure became too much for him, excuses appeared:   — We want to call for help.   — Help? - fawn realised something - What did Warden tell you?   — N-nothing. Warden is not here. - leader seemingly took them for fools - We just want communication. Living like that is harder and harder every day..   Even though solar pony’s curiosity was not fully satisfied, she could continue listening to the tale with no further problem. Although she did not understand what the old deer hinted at, pony tried to believe him and eagerly listened about the former days of Rebuke. And why the deers settled here.   — I led all of us onto the changelings. We - I had no food, had nothing. We - I were left with no choice. I had to inspire hope in others. It was the only chance..   — Cut to the point already! - the doe had not tolerated the old slowness.   — Nay argue at me! - elder screamed at the doe - ..’Twas a bloodbath. We - I shredded the bugs, the bugs shredded us. They simply protected their home, and we - I needed food. That’s why we attacked their very heart, and I had the biggest burden..         Red-eyed pony needed no further gestures or additional words. Rebuke’s own fallen antlers hung above him, stuck in a big legless amber carapace. Shape and patterns of those bones resembled current deer’s horns perfectly, up to every centimetre.   To survive, one species almost eradicated the second one. Almost, because some insects miraculously escaped. To save their kind, the queen ordered everyone to go - anywhere, but to safety. Autonomous drones who shared the queen’s idea, stayed with her, disobeying her.   The queen tried to buy some time with her scouts, while workers with referents jumped from the cliffs into the ice-cold ocean. She sacrificed herself, so that others could have a chance at finding a new home. Invaders, in the end, were victorious and attained a new camp, as well as some food..   But even that food ran out. No more amber gel, the insects’ bodies chewed away, and the hive itself demolished, as it was neither inedible nor a pleasuring sight - scaring off both deers and everyone else. But yes, now they could lawfully help others for scraps. Which are not enough to even buy a loaf of bread.   — We have to survive, at any cost..   — And you were ready to eat innocent changelings because of this?! - all the winged pony’s sympathy extinguished along with the desire to listen - You could negotiate! They can be talked through! I talked wi-!   — So that we would be outcast for befriending enemies?   — They are not enemies! - suddenly, the doe screamed - There’s nothing bad in talking with changelings!   If Gambit was not hiding, he would hug the smart doe. Fawn showed a great example to others - some deers who witnessed the conflict, joined her. At least mindfully, leaving their tasks alone, as not many wanted to disappoint their ruler. Especially his own relative kind.   — We sit here idle and starve, when we can live along with others and do something together! We are good at navigating in forests and snow - you told us yourself that our ancestors are from Equestria!   — We have to listen to others to survive!   — You aren’t even listening to me! - deer’s voice cracked out of emotion - You aren’t listening to us!   — Everyone lives together in Hoofgrad, everyone talks to each other, and it’s not far from Crystal Empire! - added the winged one - And you are treated well in the city itself!   — We have to be better, we must listen to those, who treat us-   — With disrespect?! - solar pony did not let the buck finish - How are you better if you listen to fools, who think they are better than they are? You are becoming worse than them, if you’re trying to please idiots with no conscience, principles and intelligence. And they are ready to equate you to cattle simply because you have different horns and warmer fur! Enough!         Like on cue, Garden and closer to her in spirit were going to raise a rebellion and express their discontent on a new level. However, in that same moment, something loud happened not that far, when the pony said her last word. Creatures standing near the tent’s entrance suddenly silenced.   ..And the voxvisir stopped glowing. Someone listened to this entire conversation! Someone, who already walked towards the big tent, someone whose steps revealed only by snowcracks. Someone, who was not afraid to show himself and pushed everyone aside. Someone, with a long horn and blue hair.   It is him. This exact spy, who followed the sun pony back from Clopburg and ran after her - with her, though the whole country. But why? If he wanted to kill, he would do so already. Does he know about Moon? So many questions, but the stallion did not at all hint at the answers..   — Sunshine, this is Gasl-   — Serendipitous. - the same canterlotian voice silenced the speech and thoughts of everyone around - That is enough. I have heard enough.   — Rebuke! - Garden was not paying attention to the fearsome horse - How could you? You, and Warden, you-!   — We - I had no choice! We have to survive!   The unicorn, unwilling to tolerate such impudent behaviour, immediately casted the same spell that Panache endured on himself. Troubling doe instantly calmed down and fell onto the snow the next second, unconscious. Everyone else feared and hid away from the evil canterlotian. Everyone, except Sunshine.   — Everyone here abide the order. - stallion walked around the little mare - Everyone aligns to their patrons, everyone listens and obeys them..   — I will not listen to you!   — You should. Your disobedience destroyed so much beauty, turned so much work to ashes, took away so many lives.. But you already know it all. Those actions have no forgiveness nor justification, but I will condescend and give you at least an attempt to excuse. Have you created anything, to measure up to all this destruction?   All the world’s problems were dumped onto the winged mare. All the attempts at solving problems, that the villains created for equestrians and other creatures, suddenly turned out to be the most horrible crime. The will to deal with all the wrong situations quickly turned into obsession.   Pony was not reaching for her weapon, was not thinking of running or fighting, even though she realised that it might be worth it to end everything right here, right now. Sunshine was not afraid of what awaited her; she was filled with anger. Anger from injustice and absurdity, that others suffered from.   The pegasus hugged her bags with full realisation of these events. — Friendship.