Change Of Heartby PegasistersRule01ChaptersPrologue Part OnePrologue Part TwoChapter OneChapter TwoPrologue Part OneThe three changeling heirs sat before their queen, their dark heads bowed in her presence. They were awaiting their mother’s approval before they lifted their heads. Queen Mantis just stared down at them, her black eyes like voids taking you to nothing. Finally, she spoke. “I have thought long and hard about all of your places in the Hive, and I have made my decision." The three princesses raised their heads to look at their mother. Queen Mantis looked first to the oldest one, Arachne. Arachne had black eyes like her mother and long, silky violet hair. “Arachne, being the oldest and wisest of my daughters, you are to be the next queen of the changelings. You will take my place and all of the changelings will follow your orders.” She shifted her gaze to the second changeling. This was Chrysalis. She had webby green hair that flowed down to her chest. Her green eyes stared straight into her mother’s onyx gaze. “Chrysalis, you will be at Arachne’s side at all times. You will assist her where it is needed and if anything should happen to her, you are to take charge.” She rested her gaze on the final heir, Amber. Amber was the kindest and calmest of the princesses. She hardly acted like a changeling. She had bright red hair that was pulled up into a loose braid and she had eyes to match. “Amber, you act nothing like a changeling should. You are to use this to your advantage against the many creatures of this Earth. I am making you the general of the army and all of the troops are to listen to the orders you give them.” Mantis stood. “Come, Arachne. You must be trained to be a queen. You are to be coronated in seven days time” Arachne stood and walked out of the throne room with Queen Mantis close behind. Amber waited for her oily black hair to be out of view and then stood up, walking with Chrysalis. “General? Seriously? I am a princess too and I deserve to be treated as such!” Amber ranted to her sister, Chrysalis. Chrysalis brushed her webby hair out of her face. She was staring at her reflection in one of her many hoof-held mirrors. “How do I put this? You aren’t exactly the prettiest of changeling princesses in history. Heck, even mother is prettier than you, even with her pitch black mane. At least her hair goes with her coat,” she said, looking at Amber’s bright red braid and gagging. “Like you’re one to talk, with that rat’s nest you call a mane,” Amber mumbled. She had always thought that her silky red hair was prettier than Chrysalis’s matted mess. “And what is that supposed to mean?” Chrysalis asked harshly, baring her fangs at Amber in anger. Chrysalis was always vain, and she cared more about her looks than she did about other ponies. “Nothing,” Amber whimpered, recoiling from her sister. Amber trotted slowly to her room, shutting the door behind her. She sighed. She had never been treated with royal status as her sisters were. She was treated like the odd one out, like the orange tree on an apple farm. She looked around her room. There were wooden bookshelves lining the walls, filled with books on ponies and pony cultures. Sure, some of them were about other species, but the ponies intrigued her the most. Her horn glowed the brightest red, as she brought one of the books to her, sitting on her dark green bed. She opened it and began to read quietly. Author's Note Hey, guys! I hope you like my story idea! If you have any tips or questions, please comment them! Thanks! Prologue Part TwoIt was the day before Arachne’s coronation, and neither Amber nor Chrysalis had seen much of the Queen-to-be. When they did see her, they never spoke. Arachne was never one for conversation. Arachne spent most of the past week with Mantis, training for her future role as the Queen of the changelings. The rest of this time was spent in her room, studying war and battle strategy for future takeovers. Amber spent some time on the subject too, for her new role in the hive. “General Amber,” she scoffed, speaking to nopony but herself in the silence of her room. “Why must I be general while the others get what I truly deserve?” She was, of course, jealous of her siblings, but she never let it show around them, as Chrysalis would never let her forget about it. As Amber sat in her room, she closed her book with a sigh. She needed to get over her jealousy for her sisters and their position. Her mother had made the right call, right? She stepped out of the door of her room, hoping to at least get a word in with Arachne. She walked past the numerous changelings in the hive, catching fractions of their conversations. They were all talking about her. How undeserving she was of being a princess. How she shouldn’t be a princess just because her mane looks different. How they would deserve it much more than she would. They were probably right. She walked past calmly, acting like she hadn’t heard what they were saying. She was fighting back tears, as their words were painful, but she didn’t want to show weakness in front of them. She walked through the corridors, making her way to Arachne’s room in the ever-shifting hallways. Everything in the hive was a dark gray, save for a few glowing, green crystals scattered through the walls for light. She found it very dull, but she persevered. Perhaps this was why the ponies fascinated her so much. Their world was colorful and full of love and kindness. The complete opposite of the hive. The changelings here didn’t care about anypony but themselves, and they made sure everyone else knew it. They gave each other disapproving glares in the passageways of the hive. They rarely spoke amongst themselves. They were servants to their Queen, and nothing more. Amber didn’t give a flying feather about ponies who didn’t care about others. She could care less for any of the changelings, as she just wanted to meet somepony who cared about her and would fight for her if the need arose. An ear piercing shriek echoed through the halls. Arachne! Amber thought as she broke into a gallop toward her sister’s room. She pushed changelings aside as she ran to her sister’s aid. She burst into Arachne’s room and looked around in a panic. Jewelry was scattered across the floor. The indigo bed was a disaster. Books were pulled from the shelves, their pages were torn. The window was wide open, the curtains blowing in the wind. Arachne was nowhere in sight. Chrysalis ran into the room, followed closely by Mantis, who was more angered than distressed. “Where is she?!” Mantis screamed. Her black, soulless eyes glared down at Amber, who was in tears. “Where is she?!” Mantis repeated. “Tell me, foal!” “I have a name, Mother! And it’s not foal!” Amber snapped at Mantis, running out of the room. The next Queen of the changelings was missing, and nopony knew where she went. Author's Note Hello! This is the end of my prologue! My next chapter will be posted who knows when but I'm sure I'll work out a schedule for posting up here. ⌚ Chapter OneSeven years had passed since the disappearance of Arachne, and most of the changelings had forgotten. Mantis passed away three years ago, and Chrysalis assumed power. The changelings did not approve of her, but they didn’t quite disapprove of her. She might have been vain and self-obsessed, but she was still a fair ruler. Amber stood from her desk, walking through the ever too familiar gray halls. Chrysalis had called her to the planning room to discuss their next attack on Equestria. Amber had matured beautifully. Her hair was pulled up in a very tight braid, and she was wearing dark blue armor. She had numerous scars across her body, legs, and face from previous battles with the ponies. She entered the room and looked around. It looked just like it did the last time she was here. The gray walls looked just like the hallways. The room was lit not by green crystals, but by a large hole in the roof that let sunlight in. There was a table in the center carved from the stone-like floor that was big enough to fit a map of Equestria on it. “Ah, you’re here. Let’s talk. Have a seat,” Chrysalis said, gesturing to the chair across from her. Her appearance had not changed much. Her webby green hair was slightly longer than it had been, and she was much taller, but other than that she was exactly the same as she was all that time ago. A gray and green crown rested on her head, making sure everypony knew that she was their Queen, and nopony else. Ever since Chrysalis took the throne, she had been growing more and more power hungry. Amber thought that this might get her killed one day, but she didn’t say that to her sister. Chrysalis laid down a map of Equestria that was so big the corners went off the edges of the tables. “I hope you understand why I called you here?”, Chrysalis said, looking at Amber’s blazing eyes. “I assume you have a new plan?” said Amber, studying the map. She was hoping her sister’s idea wouldn’t be as crazy as the last one. “Right you are, sister,” Chrysalis responded, walking to the Northern side of the map. She planted her hoof on a place that Amber had just noticed. That wasn’t there before, Amber thought to herself, walking over to examine it. On first glance, it looked like an ordinary city, but upon closer inspection, it appeared to be made entirely of crystal. “What is this?” “This,” replied Chrysalis, “is the Crystal Empire. A new civilization in Equestria that has just risen after a thousand years. According to the scouts, this place radiates love and happiness. Perfect for feeding my subjects, wouldn’t you agree?” “Yes. And just how do you plan on taking it?” Amber answered her, although she knew she would not like the response she would receive. “My plan is for you to take your troops and rush the Empire. While the Crystal Ponies are busy fighting you, I will sneak into the castle and take over.” She smacked her hoof on the table for emphasis. “You want me to… what?! That is a suicide mission! I will not die just because you told me I have to!” Amber shouted at her sister, infuriated. “Excuse me? Who is the one wearing the crown here, me or you? You are to follow MY orders, not the other way around. Now go. Address and prepare your troops. We set out for Equestria in a week’s time,” she waved Amber away and started towards the throne room. Amber walked to her room, thinking about what Chrysalis had said. Just the thought of that plan sent shivers down her spine. She wants me to take an army of changelings on a… suicide run? She’s even crazier than I thought if she thinks I will go through with that plan. We set out for Equestria in a week’s time. She let Chrysalis’s words play in her head. So… I have one week to figure out how to escape, she thought rebelliously, as she started mapping out ways she could get out of the hive without being noticed. Author's Note I hope you enjoy this new chapter! This took me a while to write while balancing this with my normal life, but I did it! The next one might be a while though. Chapter TwoAmber tried to get the thought of her power crazed sister off her mind, but to no avail. She gathered any necessary materials for her escape. A brown saddlebag, bandages, a black cloak, and a small leather pouch containing about fifty bits. She thought she had everything when she remembered. My journal! she thought worriedly, galloping back to her bookshelf. Her horn emitted a bright red aura as she levitated a book with a sky blue binding towards herself and put it into her saddlebag. No pony could see this. It held all her secret desires and wishes, her hopes and dreams, everything. She put the book in her saddlebag, and quietly snuck out through her bedroom window. The night was dark due to a new moon. Amber thought to herself, I bet the moon is lucky, it gets to renew itself. She threw the cloak over her body and peeked around the corner. Sure enough, there were two changeling drones standing guard. How do I get past them? she wondered. She looked around herself, but all she saw was the barren wasteland that surrounded the hive, stretching for miles. She grabbed a pebble, thinking that this would never work. She tossed it to the other side of the soldiers, hoping it would make a loud enough noise to distract them. Of course, the guards flew off to investigate the noise. They really are idiots she said with a facehoof. She quickly flew away from the door, off into the night, away from the place she once called home. The flight was long, and she stopped on multiple occasions to rest. After what seemed like an eternity, she reached a forest. This place marked the border of Equestria. She realized that, to fit in, she would need to create a pony appearance. A burst of maroon light surrounded her, enveloping her entire body. When the aura disappeared, she was a pony. Her fur was deep maroon, and she had a black mane. Her mane was cut short, as was her tail. There was a scar on her snout. A picture of a glimmering moon shone from her flank. A short, twisted horn protruded from her head. Amber strained her back, preparing to take flight, but then remembered her lack of wings in this form. “I guess I’ll be walking from here on out,” she said to herself. She started at a trot into the woods before her. The trees towered over her, and the forest was very dark. Strange plants that she had never seen before dotted the area and could be seen everywhere she looked.There were almost no places where she could sit without crushing a bush or a flower. As Amber realized that the sun was coming up, she began to notice how tired she was getting. Looking around, she saw a clearing in the forest where she could rest. She walked over to the clearing, using her magic to levitate her saddlebags off of her back. Setting them on the ground beside her, she curled up on the ground, allowing sleep to pull her from reality. Author's Note I know this chapter is short, but I didn't know where else I could go with this one. The next one will be longer, I promise!
Prologue Part OneThe three changeling heirs sat before their queen, their dark heads bowed in her presence. They were awaiting their mother’s approval before they lifted their heads. Queen Mantis just stared down at them, her black eyes like voids taking you to nothing. Finally, she spoke. “I have thought long and hard about all of your places in the Hive, and I have made my decision." The three princesses raised their heads to look at their mother. Queen Mantis looked first to the oldest one, Arachne. Arachne had black eyes like her mother and long, silky violet hair. “Arachne, being the oldest and wisest of my daughters, you are to be the next queen of the changelings. You will take my place and all of the changelings will follow your orders.” She shifted her gaze to the second changeling. This was Chrysalis. She had webby green hair that flowed down to her chest. Her green eyes stared straight into her mother’s onyx gaze. “Chrysalis, you will be at Arachne’s side at all times. You will assist her where it is needed and if anything should happen to her, you are to take charge.” She rested her gaze on the final heir, Amber. Amber was the kindest and calmest of the princesses. She hardly acted like a changeling. She had bright red hair that was pulled up into a loose braid and she had eyes to match. “Amber, you act nothing like a changeling should. You are to use this to your advantage against the many creatures of this Earth. I am making you the general of the army and all of the troops are to listen to the orders you give them.” Mantis stood. “Come, Arachne. You must be trained to be a queen. You are to be coronated in seven days time” Arachne stood and walked out of the throne room with Queen Mantis close behind. Amber waited for her oily black hair to be out of view and then stood up, walking with Chrysalis. “General? Seriously? I am a princess too and I deserve to be treated as such!” Amber ranted to her sister, Chrysalis. Chrysalis brushed her webby hair out of her face. She was staring at her reflection in one of her many hoof-held mirrors. “How do I put this? You aren’t exactly the prettiest of changeling princesses in history. Heck, even mother is prettier than you, even with her pitch black mane. At least her hair goes with her coat,” she said, looking at Amber’s bright red braid and gagging. “Like you’re one to talk, with that rat’s nest you call a mane,” Amber mumbled. She had always thought that her silky red hair was prettier than Chrysalis’s matted mess. “And what is that supposed to mean?” Chrysalis asked harshly, baring her fangs at Amber in anger. Chrysalis was always vain, and she cared more about her looks than she did about other ponies. “Nothing,” Amber whimpered, recoiling from her sister. Amber trotted slowly to her room, shutting the door behind her. She sighed. She had never been treated with royal status as her sisters were. She was treated like the odd one out, like the orange tree on an apple farm. She looked around her room. There were wooden bookshelves lining the walls, filled with books on ponies and pony cultures. Sure, some of them were about other species, but the ponies intrigued her the most. Her horn glowed the brightest red, as she brought one of the books to her, sitting on her dark green bed. She opened it and began to read quietly. Author's Note Hey, guys! I hope you like my story idea! If you have any tips or questions, please comment them! Thanks!
Prologue Part TwoIt was the day before Arachne’s coronation, and neither Amber nor Chrysalis had seen much of the Queen-to-be. When they did see her, they never spoke. Arachne was never one for conversation. Arachne spent most of the past week with Mantis, training for her future role as the Queen of the changelings. The rest of this time was spent in her room, studying war and battle strategy for future takeovers. Amber spent some time on the subject too, for her new role in the hive. “General Amber,” she scoffed, speaking to nopony but herself in the silence of her room. “Why must I be general while the others get what I truly deserve?” She was, of course, jealous of her siblings, but she never let it show around them, as Chrysalis would never let her forget about it. As Amber sat in her room, she closed her book with a sigh. She needed to get over her jealousy for her sisters and their position. Her mother had made the right call, right? She stepped out of the door of her room, hoping to at least get a word in with Arachne. She walked past the numerous changelings in the hive, catching fractions of their conversations. They were all talking about her. How undeserving she was of being a princess. How she shouldn’t be a princess just because her mane looks different. How they would deserve it much more than she would. They were probably right. She walked past calmly, acting like she hadn’t heard what they were saying. She was fighting back tears, as their words were painful, but she didn’t want to show weakness in front of them. She walked through the corridors, making her way to Arachne’s room in the ever-shifting hallways. Everything in the hive was a dark gray, save for a few glowing, green crystals scattered through the walls for light. She found it very dull, but she persevered. Perhaps this was why the ponies fascinated her so much. Their world was colorful and full of love and kindness. The complete opposite of the hive. The changelings here didn’t care about anypony but themselves, and they made sure everyone else knew it. They gave each other disapproving glares in the passageways of the hive. They rarely spoke amongst themselves. They were servants to their Queen, and nothing more. Amber didn’t give a flying feather about ponies who didn’t care about others. She could care less for any of the changelings, as she just wanted to meet somepony who cared about her and would fight for her if the need arose. An ear piercing shriek echoed through the halls. Arachne! Amber thought as she broke into a gallop toward her sister’s room. She pushed changelings aside as she ran to her sister’s aid. She burst into Arachne’s room and looked around in a panic. Jewelry was scattered across the floor. The indigo bed was a disaster. Books were pulled from the shelves, their pages were torn. The window was wide open, the curtains blowing in the wind. Arachne was nowhere in sight. Chrysalis ran into the room, followed closely by Mantis, who was more angered than distressed. “Where is she?!” Mantis screamed. Her black, soulless eyes glared down at Amber, who was in tears. “Where is she?!” Mantis repeated. “Tell me, foal!” “I have a name, Mother! And it’s not foal!” Amber snapped at Mantis, running out of the room. The next Queen of the changelings was missing, and nopony knew where she went. Author's Note Hello! This is the end of my prologue! My next chapter will be posted who knows when but I'm sure I'll work out a schedule for posting up here. ⌚
Chapter OneSeven years had passed since the disappearance of Arachne, and most of the changelings had forgotten. Mantis passed away three years ago, and Chrysalis assumed power. The changelings did not approve of her, but they didn’t quite disapprove of her. She might have been vain and self-obsessed, but she was still a fair ruler. Amber stood from her desk, walking through the ever too familiar gray halls. Chrysalis had called her to the planning room to discuss their next attack on Equestria. Amber had matured beautifully. Her hair was pulled up in a very tight braid, and she was wearing dark blue armor. She had numerous scars across her body, legs, and face from previous battles with the ponies. She entered the room and looked around. It looked just like it did the last time she was here. The gray walls looked just like the hallways. The room was lit not by green crystals, but by a large hole in the roof that let sunlight in. There was a table in the center carved from the stone-like floor that was big enough to fit a map of Equestria on it. “Ah, you’re here. Let’s talk. Have a seat,” Chrysalis said, gesturing to the chair across from her. Her appearance had not changed much. Her webby green hair was slightly longer than it had been, and she was much taller, but other than that she was exactly the same as she was all that time ago. A gray and green crown rested on her head, making sure everypony knew that she was their Queen, and nopony else. Ever since Chrysalis took the throne, she had been growing more and more power hungry. Amber thought that this might get her killed one day, but she didn’t say that to her sister. Chrysalis laid down a map of Equestria that was so big the corners went off the edges of the tables. “I hope you understand why I called you here?”, Chrysalis said, looking at Amber’s blazing eyes. “I assume you have a new plan?” said Amber, studying the map. She was hoping her sister’s idea wouldn’t be as crazy as the last one. “Right you are, sister,” Chrysalis responded, walking to the Northern side of the map. She planted her hoof on a place that Amber had just noticed. That wasn’t there before, Amber thought to herself, walking over to examine it. On first glance, it looked like an ordinary city, but upon closer inspection, it appeared to be made entirely of crystal. “What is this?” “This,” replied Chrysalis, “is the Crystal Empire. A new civilization in Equestria that has just risen after a thousand years. According to the scouts, this place radiates love and happiness. Perfect for feeding my subjects, wouldn’t you agree?” “Yes. And just how do you plan on taking it?” Amber answered her, although she knew she would not like the response she would receive. “My plan is for you to take your troops and rush the Empire. While the Crystal Ponies are busy fighting you, I will sneak into the castle and take over.” She smacked her hoof on the table for emphasis. “You want me to… what?! That is a suicide mission! I will not die just because you told me I have to!” Amber shouted at her sister, infuriated. “Excuse me? Who is the one wearing the crown here, me or you? You are to follow MY orders, not the other way around. Now go. Address and prepare your troops. We set out for Equestria in a week’s time,” she waved Amber away and started towards the throne room. Amber walked to her room, thinking about what Chrysalis had said. Just the thought of that plan sent shivers down her spine. She wants me to take an army of changelings on a… suicide run? She’s even crazier than I thought if she thinks I will go through with that plan. We set out for Equestria in a week’s time. She let Chrysalis’s words play in her head. So… I have one week to figure out how to escape, she thought rebelliously, as she started mapping out ways she could get out of the hive without being noticed. Author's Note I hope you enjoy this new chapter! This took me a while to write while balancing this with my normal life, but I did it! The next one might be a while though.
Chapter TwoAmber tried to get the thought of her power crazed sister off her mind, but to no avail. She gathered any necessary materials for her escape. A brown saddlebag, bandages, a black cloak, and a small leather pouch containing about fifty bits. She thought she had everything when she remembered. My journal! she thought worriedly, galloping back to her bookshelf. Her horn emitted a bright red aura as she levitated a book with a sky blue binding towards herself and put it into her saddlebag. No pony could see this. It held all her secret desires and wishes, her hopes and dreams, everything. She put the book in her saddlebag, and quietly snuck out through her bedroom window. The night was dark due to a new moon. Amber thought to herself, I bet the moon is lucky, it gets to renew itself. She threw the cloak over her body and peeked around the corner. Sure enough, there were two changeling drones standing guard. How do I get past them? she wondered. She looked around herself, but all she saw was the barren wasteland that surrounded the hive, stretching for miles. She grabbed a pebble, thinking that this would never work. She tossed it to the other side of the soldiers, hoping it would make a loud enough noise to distract them. Of course, the guards flew off to investigate the noise. They really are idiots she said with a facehoof. She quickly flew away from the door, off into the night, away from the place she once called home. The flight was long, and she stopped on multiple occasions to rest. After what seemed like an eternity, she reached a forest. This place marked the border of Equestria. She realized that, to fit in, she would need to create a pony appearance. A burst of maroon light surrounded her, enveloping her entire body. When the aura disappeared, she was a pony. Her fur was deep maroon, and she had a black mane. Her mane was cut short, as was her tail. There was a scar on her snout. A picture of a glimmering moon shone from her flank. A short, twisted horn protruded from her head. Amber strained her back, preparing to take flight, but then remembered her lack of wings in this form. “I guess I’ll be walking from here on out,” she said to herself. She started at a trot into the woods before her. The trees towered over her, and the forest was very dark. Strange plants that she had never seen before dotted the area and could be seen everywhere she looked.There were almost no places where she could sit without crushing a bush or a flower. As Amber realized that the sun was coming up, she began to notice how tired she was getting. Looking around, she saw a clearing in the forest where she could rest. She walked over to the clearing, using her magic to levitate her saddlebags off of her back. Setting them on the ground beside her, she curled up on the ground, allowing sleep to pull her from reality. Author's Note I know this chapter is short, but I didn't know where else I could go with this one. The next one will be longer, I promise!
