//------------------------------//
// Chapter One 
// Story: Change Of Heart 
// by PegasistersRule01 
//------------------------------//

Seven 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.