World We Don't Know [Sanders Sides Unicorn AU]

*9*

The herd was located behind a cluster of short hills, the land formation acting as a great shield from the wind and snow. There was a small cluster of trees situated next to the hill, their brown limbs barren of leaves. About twenty to thirty unicorns were behind the hill, most being a bright white that camouflaged with the snow, but there were the occasional greys and creams. There was a group of around nine foals and yearlings playing a bit away from the rest, the older unicorns conversing or grooming me another in small groups.

Sif let out a loud whinny, several of the steeds looking up, or over at them, one of the foals who had originally been playing with the group came galloping over to them. This foal was clearly rather young (for unicorn's standers) with short, choppy mane and tail, their horn not as long as the others, and their legs long in proportion to their body. Even though they were younger they were already taller than Patton, which proved not only the foal's size, but Patton's as well.

"Sif! Brother! You're back! Hollow Cry was getting worried," the foal said once they got closer.

"Well we can now put his mind to rest," responded Sif as the herd converged on them.

Janus watched Sif, Brother and even Shadow greet the others with soft nickers and gently rubbing their muzzles together. He suddenly felt very out of place there, feeling like a foreigner who was invading on something special. The others seemed to thinks so as well, all displaying a different degree of awkwardness.

All except Fynn, of course. That colt seemed to be the most extroverted and friendly thing he's ever met. Fynn was already socializing with the Northern Boreal foals, the group asking him questions and him answering then coming back with his own.

A deep rumbling nicker caused all heads to turn. Janus saw the biggest unicorn in his life walking towards them. When he said big he meant absolutely massive, with hooves that looked like they could easily snap his spine, a long, curved, blue, icicle-shaped horn that could easily be passed off as a sword if detached, and large, wise eyes that were a honey gold color. This unicorn, unlike Brother, Sif, and Shadow, was not white but a pale dappled grey, his huge feathered feet white as it faded down his legs. His mane and tail were a darker grey, the tips a deep navy blue, like the night sky. He was clearly older, with defined hips and his spine dipping a bit along with white patches on his face to show his age.

"Sif that Flys at Dawn. Brother of the Arctic Wind. It's good to have you both back safe and sound, my grandfoals. And I see you brought many friends this time. Welcome to The Herd of Drifting Ice, travelers. My name is Hollow Cry of an Endless Night, he/him and the resident old gay stallion, as my grandfoals have dubbed me," the huge stallion said, his voice deep and rumbling, yet calm and almost peaceful, like an earthquake, but with no damage, or a low thunder rumble.

Fynn, Patton, Roman, and Remus all snickered and giggled at Hollow Cry's words which caused Janus to roll his eyes.

"Thank you for having us," Nightingale said, though Janus noted how the stallion seemed to be averting his eyes.

Hollow Cry narrowed his gaze at Nightingale, almost as if he were trying to recall something, or was studying Nightingale. There was no fury or rage in his gaze, just contemplation.

"I remember you," he finally said. "It was many seasons ago. You were barely a sapling nearly frozen to death in a blizzard when my herd found you. You have grown much now, little Sage. No longer a sapling, but proud oak."

Nightingale's ear twitched and his tail flicked, not irritably as Janus was used to seeing, but more of a flick of egknowledgedment.

"That was many seasons again, as you said Hollow Cry. We've all changed since then," Nightingale murmured.

Hollow Cry nodded, then turned to the others.

"Make yourselves at home. The Herd of Drifting Ice is pleased to have you here. You may stay as long as you need," said the older grey stallion before turning away.

The herd quickly dispersed after that, everyone leaving to return to their daily lives. Logan and Virgil had left to somewhere quiet or something while the right brain ran off to bother some of the locals. Nightingale had followed Hollow Cry, something Janus wasn't surprised by. Fynn had left to play with the other foals which also wasn't very surprising, knowing Fynn and his infatuation with making friends.

He was about to find Logan and Virgil when he nearly bumped into someone. Looking at them he recognized them as the foal who ran up to greet them when they first arrived. Their big golden eyes that looked remarkably similar to Sif's, Brother's and Hollow Cry's were looking at him since this foal was the same height as him, which was mildly unnerving.

"Hello! My name is Flower of the Spring Plain, she/her, yearling and big lesbian. Who're you?" they said excitedly.

"Oh, my name is Janus, he/him. I'm not certain if my name is that of a traditional unicorn of my subspecies, but it's mine, so," Janus answered, shifting on his hooves. If he had been human (or a side) at that moment he would've been scratching the back of his head or neck, in all honesty.

"Well I don't know much about Beach Aquas like yourself, but I couldn't care. Actually you're the first Beach Aqua I've ever met," Flower admitted.

"Well I hope I haven't disappointed you," smiled Janus.

"Oh no! I barely know you, how can you have disappointed me in the span of several heartbeats? If you want I can introduce you to the herd along with some of your friends. I noticed you were alone and Hollow Cry always told me to offer those who are lost guidance," said Flower.

"Only if you're offering. I'd hate to be an inconvenience," snorted Janus, accidentally exaggerating the second sentence as a force of habit, but Flower didn't seem to mind.

"Great! Lest go find your Lunar and Southern Boreal unicorn friends and I can take you all on a tour!" Flower cried, cantering off with Janus right behind her.

I really hope y'all have your notebooks next chapter because y'all get to learn something very important then

Also, two new characters as promised.
We now have Flower of the Spring Plain and Hollow Cry of an Endless Night

Now here's a question that I have for y'all:
Who is your favorite of the unicorns you've met so far (Who's your favorite of my u icorn OCs we've seen)? And why?

Just curious to know who y'all like, and if you love everyone as much as I do

(This is honestly how I feel at times)