Chapter 4 is here! Yay!
Darkness crept through Heartsy's mind as she slept. Long shadows of unknown figures were enveloped in a thick black smog, inching closer and closer. Trying to evade it, Heartsy quickly flew upwards into the sky, only to be caught by something. A long tendril had emerged from the shadows and were pulling her back to the ground and held her in place. Unable to move, hardly able to breathe, she was trapped despite her struggles to fly again.
"You thought you could escape us? You'll never truly be free!"
Heartsy awoke with a start, half expecting to see the familiar dingy hive. She was surprised to find sunlight pleasantly streaming in the window with a choir of birds singing outside. All was still. Peaceful. She sat in her bed for a while, mulling over her own thoughts.
"What if they don't accept me? What am I talking about, they all seemed so nice! I've never met another being who so quickly accepted me… But would they be nice if they knew who I really was...? What if they found out I'm a -
Heartsy's thoughts were broken by a knock on the door. Starfire trotted in with a smile on her face, "Good morning Heartsy! I hope you slept well. I have breakfast downstairs whenever you're ready!"
Though Heartsy was surprised at first, she quickly collected herself. "Morning Star! I did sleep pretty well and I'll be down right after...ah...making my bed! It's the least I could do for you after letting me stay here."
Star gave her a kind look and met Heartsy's eyes before leaving the room. Quickly, she made the bed. What had that look meant? It was so unlike the cruel ones she was used to…
The now-Pegasus made her way down to the kitchen where she found a table of muffins, pancakes, toast, fresh fruit, and an assortment of beverages. "I hope this is to your liking," Star smiled, "I wasn't sure what you liked for breakfast, so I put out a variety of things"
Heartsy had refrained from eating anything the night before at Sugarcube Corner. The only thing she had ever eaten before was love... She watched closely as Star sat at the table and took a bite out of a muffin.
She sat down at the table, trying to act normal. Looking at the spread, she carefully picked a muffin and some fruit. "Thank you, this is... more than I was expecting!" The chocolate chip muffin sat dauntingly in front of her. At least it smelled good... Without thinking, Heartsy took a bite and was overwhelmed with the sweet taste. This must've shown on her face, as Star asked, "Um… is everything alright?"
Slow chewing and swallowing ensued. It was unlike anything she'd experienced before...and it was amazing! "You, my new friend, are an excellent cook! I think I found my new favorite food."
"Aw that's awfully sweet of you to say, thank you Heartsy!" She smiled in a very sweet manor, "So, are you ready for the big day?"
Heartsy, now eating a strawberry for the first time in awe, shook her head. "I uh… sort of lost track of the days while I was moving to Ponyville. What is happening today?"
"This...is... COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!" Queen Chrysalis barked at her drones. Things were pretty bad at the hive. Her scheme in Canterlot didn't exactly go as planned and they were forced to retreat.
"My plan was going so perfectly! Then those nuisances ruined everything! I shall exact my revenge on them, just you wait. Together, we shall conquer everything!"
The many changelings around her cheered at the idea of trying to take over Equestria once more.
Abelle, who was positioned nearby the throne, spoke in a clear voice, "My Queen, is there anything I could-"
Chrysalis reared at her and looked her dead in the eyes, as if the question she asked was foolish. "Of course there is! You! Go fetch me the Third and Fourth in command. Together, we shall begin to plan anew. Something much bigger and better than before"
Still stood in place, unsure of what to do, Abelle quivered and winced as Chrysalis screamed once more, "WELL? What's taking you so long? Go!"
"M-my Queen. You see... the thing is…"
Rolling her eyes, Chrysalis slumped down in her throne. "Oh great. Another problem. Tell me drone, what is it this time?"
"Of course! Well I can't bring you the Third in Command because... well... she's gone."
Dead silence.
Chrysalis inched her way closer and closer to the changeling, eyes flickering dangerously, "What... did you say to me, Abelle?" She said in a low, dangerous growl.
"I said that the third in Command...Heartsy...she's gone, my Queen." gulped Abelle.
Chrysalis let out a terrible scream, eyes and horn flaring with her green magic as she threw herself at Abelle and cornered her, "Where has she gone?! How in Equestria did you let this happen?!"
"Well, you see, we were in Canterlot and I think she escaped there... along with Thorax.. My Queen" Abelle did her best to maintain an even tone despite being terrified.
"That… Ungrateful...traitor!" Chrysalis threw Abelle aside. "My revenge on the Princesses and her lackies can wait. Two changelings who turned their backs against their Queen is UNFORGIVABLE!" She shrieked and paced back and forth, absolutely seething with rage. "Abelle! Make yourself useful for once. Get a scroll and prepare to make a note, NOW!"
"Yes, your Highness!" She ran off and quickly returned with a scroll.
Chrysalis pondered in the silence, thinking for what seemed like hours. Finally, she had devised a plan. A cruel laughter emerged from her throat. It started out low, but quickly gurgled over into a full cackle.
"Oh this is too delicious! I know the perfect plan to get back at that betrayer! Something I've always wanted to try… But first we need to find her... Stinger! Pincar! Come here at once!"
"Yes my Queen?" Two male changeling guards had appeared in front of the throne, bowing deeply.
"You must find Heartsy, no matter what the cost! Lay low so you won't be discovered. Keep in mind that she'll probably be in disguise. As soon as you find her, report back here immediately!"
"Yes, my Queen!" The two flew out of a gaping hole in the hive, which quickly closed behind them.
The Queen cackled once again, "One day very soon... Heartsy... You will be mine once again."
Heartsy and Star stood in front of the entrance to the carnival. It has being held at Ponyville Park. Tents in different sizes and colors filled the park. Booths and stands were filled games and food. Heartsy stood there with her mouth wide open, Star chuckles slightly at the sight. Heartsy and Star wondered around the park taking in the sights of the carnival. They heard a shout from behind a group of ponies.
"Hey Girls! You made it!"
Heartsy and Star turned around to see the group of friends that Heartsy had met the other day. They walked over to them and smiled. Heartsy felt the love towards one another. Their love was strong towards one another.
"Glad you made it!" said Cuddlebuttons.
"Yeah! This place is amazing! I've already taken some great photos to publish for the Ponyville Press!" replied Shutterbug showing some photos to Heartsy.
"Well. You are just in time! The Donut – Eating Competition is about to start!" said Paige pointing down a lane of colorful tents.
"Wait… What?!" said Heartsy surprised at what Paige just said. The group made it down the colorful tents to find a large stage, decorated with multicolored streamers. A light green pony with a red mane walked up to a podium and tapped the microphone. She cleared her throat
"Welcome Everypony to the twenty-second annual Donut – Eating Competition!" said the mare brightly. Everypony stomped their hooves and cheered. Heartsy didn't know what to do, so she aimlessly tried to stomp her hooves.
"Now, May I present our contestants! Today, we have the fifth time champion, PK!" said the mare.
Everypony went wild as PK trotted up the stage. PK waved then walked over to a light yellow table. The mare cleared her throat, signaling to everypony to stop.
"Now, we have another pony joining him today….. Peacock!" said the mare. Peacock bounced up the stage. She was surprised that NOPONY had clapped for her. Heartsy's friends were about to stomp their hooves but their stomping were interrupt by two mares cheering and yelling enthusiastically. The two mares were white unicorns with dark blue eyes, one had long dark-red hair while the other had long pink hair. The pink-haired unicorn held up a sign that said: GO PEACOCK!
"WHOO! GO PEACOCK!" yelled the unicorn with the dark-red hair waving her hooves in the air.
"YEAH! YOU CAN DO IT! CRUSH HIM!" screamed the pink-haired unicorn waving the sign.
"YOU ARE THE BEST!"
"DESTORY HIM!"
"BURN HIM!"
Peacock stood on the stage, embarrassed as she watch her family members cheer. Ponies around them started to whisper and laugh.
"Mom! Mairead! Please! Not now! Everypony's watching!" whispered Peacock slowly walking to the table blushing. Heartsy stood there looking at the two ponies who hugged each other. She never knew Peacock had a mom or a sister!
"Um… Alright? Now THAT'S sorted out… Time for the competition!" the mare said slightly shocked.
A stallion walked over to the pair with 50 donuts on each plate. Peacock gulped while PK smiled. Peacock had been in every competition, trying to defeat PK and win the donut-eating title but she always failed. The competition always gets harder and harder, Peacock looked the plate nervously.
"Now, Contestants! Are you ready?!" asked the mare excitedly.
"YES! I am ready!" said PK.
"Yeah….. I guess so?" said Peacock unsure.
"Alrightly! Let's begin! In 3…." The mare started counting down.
PK and Peacock took a donut and raised it to their mouths.
"2…" said the mare.
Peacock started sweating. Now she is REALLY nervous!
"1….. GO!" Shouted the mare into the microphone. PK and Peacock started eating. Everypony went wild as they started to eat the treats. Heartsy's friends cheered as they saw their friends eating more donuts than Pinkie Pie can eat. PK was ahead of Peacock. Peacock munched on while PK SHOVED one down his throat. Peacock stooped and wondered. What would happen if she tried that? Peacock grabbed a chocolate donut from the plate and shoved it down her throat. She started to shove the donuts down. PK stopped and looked at Peacock amazed by what she was doing. The two ponies kept on eating and eating.
HONK! The timer blasted signaling the event was over. Peacock and PK collapsed to the ground, out of breath and full of donuts.
"We have a winner! The winner is…. PK!" the mare said excitedly. Everypony went wild as a gold medal appeared on his neck. Peacock's sister and Mom clapped at PK and Peacock. Peacock sighed sadly and walked off the stage. Shaky noticed this and softly nudged his friends. They noticed her and pushed past the large crowd to get to her.
Peacock sat down in the Ponyville Fountain, looking at the water. She started to whimper and tears started to form her eyes. The group followed and watched her, Star slowly walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder. Peacock turned and wiped her eyes.
"Oh..…. Um H-Hi Star! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be congratulating PK on his win?" said Peacock trying to smile.
"Um….. Well, I wanted to check up on you. We saw you whimpering and well….. slightly crying?" said Star carefully trying to not make Peacock cry.
"We?" asked Peacock. The group walked over to her, surrounding her. Heartsy decided to not join in, she wanted to see what happens. Cuddlebuttons hugged her as the rest followed him, doing the same. Peacock smiled sadly and sniffed.
"Heh…. Thanks Guys. You truly are the best! I was upset about losing. I must admit…. I wanted to win this year. I wanted to prove everypony that I'm not a weird, stupid mare. But it's okay! PK deserved the medal." Peacock said looking at the ground.
"Actually, I think you deserve It." said a mysterious voice. The group turned to see PK holing his medal. Peacock slowly walked up to him curiously. PK handed the medal over to Peacock, putting it over her head.
"PK! You deserved it! You're the fifth—No! SIXTH time champion! You deserved it more than me!" Peacock said. PK lifted her chin and looked into her eyes.
"Peacock, you deserve it! You were awesome out there! I have never seen anther pony eat as much donuts as me! You are incredibly talented. You are NOT a stupid, weird mare!" PK said proudly.
Peacock blushed and turned away from him. She had never experienced that much praise before, especially from a stallion!
"Aww….. Thanks PK!" said Peacock. She flung her hooves around him, giving him a tight but gentle squeeze. PK chuckled and hugged her back. Heartsy stood there in shock. Heartsy had never witness this. She expected them to fight but she saw them... Forgiving? Heartsy started to think. Is this friendship?
Hi Guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)