Chapter III: Economic horror
Part III: ..But not friends
Path towards the swamps turned out to be frighteningly content. Nobody followed the adventurers, nobody appeared in their sight. This quiet made friends deeply think about many different things: about the past, the trifles.. And, of course, about current failure.
Now, Canterlot definitely knows where the troublemaker band went. They kicked the hornet's nest the second time, fleeing it afterwards as far as possible. In hopes of not getting caught, opportunists marched on one of two roads, towards the hamlet named Endbog. Without any real objective..
— ..What are we even doing? - Sunshine suddenly froze - Why are we going to Endbog? What are we going to seek there?
The company stopped after the horse. Friends looked at each other, as if they realised something, or collectively thought about the same thing. Truly, what did they actually want? How were they going to achieve that desire? Are they really going to follow the previous methods?
— Those.. are good questions. - snowwhite insect thoughtfully creaked - Sun, you want to do this your way. How are we going to do it?
— Totally not how we did it before. They are not listening to us! Nobody listens to us, only we understand each other!
— Because we consider our opinion. They are not considering ours, we are not considering theirs.
— That's wrong! We accept any truths, even the worst ones! Remember yourself in the desert, remember me before being caught! ..Remember us right now! They have to wake up, and we have to rouse them somehow!
— Sun, this will not work like that. You are smart, you-
— There! - orange pony stomped - So you understand that they are silly! Who would lead them? Princesses? This is what it led to! We have to teach them ourselves - both princesses and others! We have to show them there are new ways to live!
Such talks are best discussed in a tent, and not while standing. But the companions had nothing at all - not for hiding from the public, not for resting, not for resisting the evil that friends discussed. But is it all needed to do something? What price is there for simply lying on a glade?
There is none; and they lied on it. Are any means or assets even needed anyway? Troublemakers already did a lot of deeds, but all they had is each other. And their path is quite righteous - to open eyes on problems. So why would they hide, and from who? Maybe, the situation needs to be observed from a different angle?
Survival, for instance: nobody actually forbids eating the common ordinary grass. Nasty bacteria will not let one think straight and will turn the fur pink, so what? To some degree, all of this is actually helpful! Sunshine will be recognised by orange spots anyway, why bother concealing?
— She's right! - little one returned into her true self - We can't persuade them, because we have to somehow aggravate them! I knew them, they knew me, but it didn't help! Only brute force did something!
— Even closest can't convince..? - Gambit deeply thought out loud - Then we have no choice. Or we have? What to do?
— Unforgivable things. - winged mare furrowed her brows - Sometimes you need to do unforgivable things for someone else's good. We had defended ourselves and taken the lives of others, we protected the innocent and tried to talk to ignorants! But.. it's not the root of the problem. In the centre of it all - Canterlot as well - are princesses! We have to do something with them!
— Do not tell me you want to return there? - whiskered insect witnessed no logic - We just left it! We are alone, we are being hunted by hundreds, we will be killed. We don't have unicorns-
— We have Curio and Moonrise! We have each other! - solar pony highly raised her voice - If there's constant talk and no action, then nothing will happen! We should not leave the current problems to other generations, should not rely on cutiemarks and what our parents will leave us! - little pony got up on her legs and stomped the ground - We can forge our own destiny! We'll start from small things and daily needs - get food, water, deal with this exact Nameless, and decide with fools and shameless!
Big-eared horse's speech was not regarded by her friends as some nonsense or a threat. More, other way around - inspired them for a new old purpose. So much so, that they even applauded her when she finished. Ah, if only Dalliant could add something with words..
— By the way, Dal, do you agree with this? Everyone spoke out, and you.. Nod at least, or shake your head. - and she nodded - ..Would be nice if you could talk, or at least write something..
— So who is this Nameless? - whiskered referent did not understand - If that's his name, then he's not nameless!
— He's.. Yeah, who is he anyway? Obviously, some brigand, but who, exactly? Where and how do we find him?
— I have an idea. - fanged bug crackled - I will turn into a board, and Ommatidia into chalk. You can talk this way, then later tell us everything.
Plated insects immediately turned into writing supplies, and the sheep scraped her thoughts: "He is a slaver and sailor. Ship in Fillydelphia. That is behind Endbog. He branded me too, in Hub. That was his brothel.". Alas, but she could not write anything more.
Wooled creature could not even place the last dot, as changelings morphed into their true selves. Snowwhite bug simply wore out and frayed, but the long-antennaed insect seemingly attained more holes in her body. And both of them desperately drowned in tears.
— This hurts! - complained the purple one - I don't ever want to do that!
— Like if we were connected and torn off. By pieces. - lilac bug grabbed his head with all his legs - No want to. No more!
How could friends miss such a simple thing? Shapeshifters cannot change an already active disguise! If one tears an animated paper, then the bug will split into two as well! Chalk chunks are too small to see the difference on the outside. Oh, but inside..
— ..You are so fragile. - Sunshine got too emotional - You totally need some hugs!
And hugging, along with kind words, calmed the insectoids! Sincere emotions liven up the magical creatures, and the very real crying swiftly turned into equally sincere laughing. And the white one had not stopped at that - the big bug climbed on the sun pony, as if she was a pillow. Which confused the sheep.
Changelings did not know anything about personal space, and the orange mare also had a different understanding of it, compared to what was generally accepted. They are friends - why not play a little? That is not something disgusting or private, after all; nobody pursued any obscenity.
As an answer for further puzzling, Dalliant explained with gestures, what exactly surprised her. Ironic though, how a former prostitute was bothered by such things. But it is a fact - everyone's perception was so much different from one another. Especially when it comes to different species.
— ..Everyone sees this vulgarity as something most important for some reason.. Any closeness and affection for them is, is.. That! But we are simply frolicking! - resented the winged pony - Why something so.. natural, is erected at the top of life goals, and everything just being piled onto it?
— Strange. All of this is strange. - agreed the whiskered insect - Why are ponies continuing to multiply? Why were we born? I appeared to advance the hive's will, but why does the hive do that? To become the biggest, most important? What for? What will happen in the end? How to understand that it is the end?
— My thoughts exactly! Nobody talks about things like these, and then they are treated completely mindlessly. But this must be talked about, bloodline continuation is a serious topic! They say one thing, do another, and perceive it thirdly! Then they shame hugs, and..
For an uncountable time already, everything built in Canterlot is crumbling. One simple conversation is enough, to take the veil of illusion from such a natural thing as reproduction. Truly, why are others doing it? Certainly not to show someone else the beauty of this world, or to raise a decent individual.
Since both for them, and canterlotians - nothing more than a need; physical pleasure. Nobody cancelled or changed the laws of nature, but why did the hooved creatures start thinking? Can they not think again and wade away from their instincts? Of course they can. But they do not want to. Too inconvenient.
— ..Ponies live on big towns' streets, because they don't have enough housing! Hub, Galloppolis, even Clopburg - same stuff glances at eye corners everywhere! And instead of gathering enough coin for home, each and every one spend it on drinks! Completely not thinking it over, then they regret, get angry at others.. And ignorants then spawn more ignorants! What is not seen as good for them, is immediately evil!
— Ponies rush from one extreme to another all the time, for some reason. - little bug agreed - They actually either see it one way or completely oppositely! I know that I have to guide other insects, but my kin agreed with my thoughts somehow..!
Why does the purple hive look at life differently? Why do dragons and hoofgradians make decisions so easily and enjoy life, though it throws them just as many obstacles? All of them are also thinking, breathing and talking! If they can do all this, why is happiness so unreachable for others?
— Listen, Ommatidia, why are you talking like that? - orange pony tilted her head - Well, like me, I mean, like others.. Not like changelings.
— It's.. it's a habit. When you hide among others for so long, you can't do it other way! They won't understand other way, and the speech just forms by itself.. And as a matter of fact, your accent isn't local either!
— But I am local! Well, I mean, from Equestria. From Old Equestria. I'll definitely show it to you when we deal with all the problems!
— Don't understand. - Gambit looked over the smaller insect - How long you travel? That did not happen to me, no matter how much I walked. Maybe, a little. Your speech is almost indistinguishable.
And the little bug told her story. From the very childhood, she wanted to learn as much as possible, she longed to see the world and blend into it. Since the hive is very peaceful, the insect was allowed to abstain from her direct referent duties. And she was very glad - they have to process information, not gather it!
However, Ommatidia did both things well. Purple advisors have not that many tasks, and so she occupies herself with a completely unusual for her experience. Plated insect managed to see a few cities already - big eyes only help her in this task. And sometimes prevent from doing it.
— ..Can't see well up close. You have many eyes, but they're small, and it's other way around for me!
— You understand others better, because you can properly morph. I cannot do that, nor can I talk with relatives at distance.
— How so? ..What are you doing when you're changing your form?
— Imagining myself in someone else's appearance. Or imagining an object, if it is something not alive.
Seems like the snowwhite bug tried to copy others incorrectly, all this time. But even when the insect understood his mistake, he could not completely realise, redefine and reassess his transformations. The bug could not imagine someone else just like that - only himself, in a foreign appearance.
— ..But you still can do many other things! - Sunshine cheered whiskered bug - I ought to know, you know!
— And we taught those sods good lessons! - nodded big-eyed one - I wouldn't think of what to do if not for you!
— But you have a whole hive that can help you! How so?
— My first family has a whole hive, too. - reminded Gambit - But they don't know how to think differently.
True, purple ones' specialty did show itself in different aspects. They did not wage wars, and there is no need in inventing new ways to survive and winning battles. However, those insectoids can do completely different things. Both experiences are invaluable in their own ways.
— ..Mareland doesn't hurt us, and we don't hurt them. - Ommatidia spoke about her home - Drones don't have to be constantly guided. They can be given their own will, only rarely need to be spurred when they get reckless because of.. instincts? Yes, because of them.
— ..So that's why you refer to yourself in a feminine form and have this voice? - guessed Sunshine - Because you have a right to choose?
— Yes! This freedom applies to all of us. We are sexless, after all, and we can appear just how we want to! And what would sole appearance do, without a beautiful voice? Why something like this needs to be forbidden?
— My kind forbids. Forbids inside the hive. - the bug did not at all understand - Others probably forbid too. They are alike - and they have alike situations. But you can live life. You are not thinking about survival and the hive's will. ..This is the home I want.
Fascinating, how creatures of so vastly differing species, social classes and families are befriending each other, while representatives of any single race or collective hate everyone. All of them, and all animals, differed just as much as they looked like each other! This is silly! Alas, but not many understood this. Dalliant realised friends' thoughts only now.
— We will make such a home for ourselves, you'll see! We have to try! Everything's good in Hoofgrad, Mareland should be the same!
— Sneuwitje looks over Hoofgrad. So what is going on with Mareland? Why Canterlot's will does not reach it? ..Or does it?
And here, the horned creature liven up! Surrounding folk understood her thoughts by a raised hoof - seems like this very being, whose name is actually a nickname, does not let that happen. But how does he succeed? Can friends actually seek a powerful ally, if they try hard enough?
— It's not only because of Fillydelphia! - clarified big-eyed bug - Heard of Shrubwood?
— Shrug-what? - friends spoke at the same time.
— Shrub-wood! Those are woods made out of a single shrub, that's why it is called that! One moment, some bush on a road simply, boom - and grew up size of a forest! Very pretty sight, but it is quite dangerous.
— Why? - and again.
— Giant bees, butterflies, spiders.. And most importantly - a snake!
It appears that those frighteners came out of this very "forest". But other creatures have not appeared even in legends! Why did nobody even speak about this place? How long ago did this bush appear? Only one thing was certain - that is Discord's doing. Another joke, that others tried to silence.
— ..So others simply forgot about this part of Equestria?! - resented the red-eyed mare - What about the seaport? What about other world wonders? And trading?
— Something gets by, something - not. - suggested shapeshifter - Midillia on the east, us - inside. This is the smallest of problems.
— And this problem lets them do what they want! - solar pony angered again - We have to stop them! We have to show that everyone can live in comfort, and nothing around has to suffer!
Ironic, that one has to almost declare a war to make peace. Not even almost though - this is an actual, genuine war. A war between solving problems and ignorance. War between dissenters and evil. Between silent and audacious. Between good and neutrality.
— ..We are all unique, without exception, but they make us fight each other! Fishdale and Coltboat aren't even noticing how they were rallied against each other, and robbed with taxes! - the horse raised her voice again, without even noticing - Sheeps, deers and others are placed on a par with animals, but even animals will be smarter than comparers! Earys understand our speech, bees are making the so inconceivable for us honey..! Those ponies behave even worse than insects! ..Oh, I-
— It's alright. You did not mean us. - plated bug stroked her hair - Besides, there are also bad hives. Even mine - yellow - is not as kind as it seemed.
— Or mine. - suddenly, the big-whiskered bug saddened - Sometimes unpleasantries do happen..
— What are you talking about?
— Nobody wants to be friends with me! They are saying I'm not very smart. A-and that I always stick my nose into wrong places. And that I don't resort to my right to choose! Call me a dumbling!
— But you're not dumb! - red-eyed mare cuddled her - You are just, just.. Just like me! That is also a choice! We are all good in our own ways! They need to be shown also!
Little insect got very excited. Even though purple hive understood the price of individuality, the tried experience simply must be repeated, for it to not be forgotten. Otherwise, a second Equestria will happen, but to a smaller decree. Full of hypocrisy and other filth.
— Then it's this way! - big-eyed insect pointed behind her own back - Through Shrubwood!
— Not through Endbog? But-
— There's a second road, we haven't walked through it! Swamps are dangerous, and it is very scary there! This way, I'll guide you! And won't let you down!
— ..Sunshine? What are we going to do?
Everyone voted for an unusual forest. That way it will be easier, and more fun, and friends could see a completely new town, where everyone is friends! Well, almost everyone - and correct that mistake! Could also eat, sleep properly.. Since wild nature is too wild.
If the company does not end up eaten - will end up reached by their foes. And there are no water reservoirs around - should not drink from the bogs, should they? Or hooved beings would catch something more frightening than "pink death". And how did ponies survive before, without cooking food, without development?
Seems like just how travellers are surviving now - enduring this madness. Somehow, with the help of willpower, the company walked farther from the road, where they decided to spend the promptly incoming night. Sleeping well is very important, as everything is only beginning..
