Bug Wife

After the wedding, life mostly went back to normal. Anon worked at the farm, coming home filthy and exhausted most days. Chrysalis would maintain the house, go into town, tend to her little garden, and help the foals with her studies. Later in the day, the newly married couple would have dinner together and afterward watch a movie on the couch or Chrysalis would drag Anon into their bedroom to make him even more exhausted.

However, most nights they wouldn’t fall asleep in their bedroom. Instead, they’d make their way down into the basement to be next to the pod that contained their daughter. For almost a week after she had shown it to Anon, she had woken up to find herself sleeping alone, and him fast asleep beside the pod, his face pressed up against the container. She eventually had enough and dragged down a cot big enough for the two of them. It was nowhere near as comfortable as their real bed, but at least she could make sure her husband wasn’t wandering around their house in the middle of the night.

Anon had taken his role in keeping their child well supplied with love very seriously, and even though the Queen had told him multiple times that he didn’t need to be near the pod for it to extract his love, he wanted to be as close as possible. “To make it easier for the thing to do its job,” he had said.

Chrysalis was hardly surprised. She knew her husband was going to be an excellent parent. With his paternal instincts and her wisdom and cunning, they’d be able to forge a being fit to rule this world. The first queen of many as well, since Anon had confessed to wanting a big family. This birthing had been so easy and painless that Chrysalis saw no reason not to produce as many queens as she could.

She could imagine it now; her at the head of a throng of powerful queens backed by hives numbering in the millions. Not just a queen herself, but the queen. A high queen perhaps? An empress?

Whatever the case, it would mean she would be the greatest Changeling on this or any other planet. That would be many years from now though. She’d need to teach her first daughter her A B C’s and make sure her penmanship was excellent before she could broach the subject of statecraft.

Seeing as the entire town knew she was “pregnant”, she had altered her form slightly to compensate. She had given herself the beginnings of a belly, as well as enlarged her breasts by a half a cup. After some trial and error she had also figured out how to make herself lactate as well. It was annoying, as sometimes she would look down to see her shirt soaked, but it fooled the ponies well enough and Anon happened to find her milk delicious.

She had heard from a third party that Mrs. Cake and the other mares were secretly preparing a baby shower for her. Rarity was beyond excited to begin making hyoo-man baby clothes. Mrs. Cheerilee even came to the house so she could tease her about having a new student to teach in a few years.

Chrysalis honestly could never remember being quite so content in her long life. It was… pleasant.

“Let’s see. Sugar, salt, eggs… where in Equestria did I put that flour?”

Tomorrow the Queen would be baking their weekly bread. She was in the kitchen, her special “pregnant” apron that one of the foals had gotten for her secured on her person. She had gotten off to a somewhat late start as Anon hadn’t been able to keep his hands off her right up until she had all but thrown him out of the house so he could go to work, but she’d be able to make a dough and put it somewhere to rise before she went to the market. That blasted gryphon hadn’t been around with her cart, so they had been running low on meat, and she wanted to get a roast for this weekend. If the moronic bird continued not to show up, she’d just have to figure something else out.

Perhaps she could make a quick trip into the Everfree? Surely there was something edible in that forest that she could hunt. A hydra? Or maybe a manticore? It would be a pain to drag something so large back without it being seen, but if she managed to cut one up they wouldn’t have to worry about meat for the next year or three.

“Ah, there you are! Always behind the paper towels.”

Chrysalis reached for a half-full bag of flour, when she heard a knock at the door. She looked up, turned her attention toward the clock on the wall, and frowned.

“I swear by the Thousand-faced God it better not be another traveling salespony,” she mumbled, wiping her hands off her apron as she walked out of her kitchen. “I don’t need another knife set! Or a vacuum, I reall--”

The Queen opened the door, then froze when she saw the face of the filthy, flea-bitten, cowardly, traitorous, foul-spawned, cricket-faced, bastard-born cur that was Thorax. Beside the worthless waste of space, with a slightly nervous smile on her face, was Cadence.

“Congratulations,” Thorax said, reaching into a saddlebag and producing a heart-shaped box of chocolates. “On the child. And everything else, my qu--Chrysalis.”

Just seeing Thorax made her so upset that she could do nothing but stare at him. Unfortunately, the traitor took her strangled silence as permission to continue blathering on.

“We really were worried when we found Bumble had taken your place in the garden,” he said. “Honestly, I thought that you’d try to do something terrible--”

The box of candies went flying as the Queen smacked them away. She gritted her teeth, her canines elongating as she took a threatening step towards him. Thorax, making a face, reached under a wing and produced another box. Chrysalis stopped in her tracks, and despite the situation Cadence let out a snort as it was once again offered to her.

“They’re caramel. From that store in Phillyadelphia that you’d send the infiltrators to every once in a while,” Thorax said, giving the box a shake. “I remember how much you liked them.”

The Queen let out a snarl. She reached back to smack the box, but stopped just short. Staring down at it, she frowned, then snatched it out of the traitor’s magic, tearing open the box to peer inside. Sure enough, it was filled with little chocolates. When their smell hit her nose she had to resist the urge to lick her lips.

“What do you want?” she demanded, spitting out each word.

Thorax opened his mouth to answer, but stopped. He shifted in place, and Chrysalis could feel his emotions shift and flicker as though he were at a loss. His purple eyes scanned the porch until they settled on Cadence, who waved a hoof toward the queen in encouragement.

“I… I’m glad you’re doing well,” he said, looking down at his hooves like a Ling that had been caught sneaking an extra ration of love. “I really am. From what Twilight said you’ve been able to make a real life here. I just wanted to come and… I just… I mean…”

The traitor huffed, and Chrysalis could feel his annoyance rise within himself. He tried again to explain, but it just ended in a stumbling jumble of words.

Cadence took a few steps toward the two. The alicorn’s chin was raised, and she was looking at Chrysalis with narrowed eyes. Chrysalis stared right back defiantly. She could have evaporated the mare with just a thought, but stopped herself. If these two were here there were no doubt a thousand guards waiting around the house to strike.

It was hard not to lose herself in hopelessness at the situation. She had no idea what exactly was going on, and why this failure of a Changeling was yammering on as he was, but she knew the game was now up. She had been discovered, despite her best efforts. She could run, but even with her power it might be difficult. A battle could damage their house, or worse yet her child in the basement. The Queen could suffer much, but she didn’t think she’d be able to endure her husband’s heartbreak if he found out something had happened to their little girl. She swallowed the lump in her throat, trying not to think of all she was about to lose. Instead, she raised her chin in defiance, staring down at the pink princess.

Cadence stared at her for what felt like an eternity before she clicked her tongue. “The cake you had at your wedding was wonderful,” she said. “Thank you for letting me bring some home with me, as well as all of those cookies.”

Chrysalis blinked. “I… You’re very welcome,” she said slowly.

The alicorn nodded. “Also, if you ever need any help with your foal, reach out to me. I was one of the greatest babysitters in Equestria once upon a time.”

She turned toward the traitor. “Thorax? I’m going to head off I think. I’ll be at Twilight’s castle.”

Without waiting for anypony to say anything, the princess waved and trotted off the porch. Humming a tune to herself, she began down the pathway. Both Thorax and Chrysalis watched her leave.

“Would it be alright if I were to come into your home?” Thorax asked.

The Queen’s head snapped toward him. “No,” she snarled, baring her fangs.

Thorax sighed. “That’s fine. I figured as much,” he mumbled. “Maybe someday.”

“You nor any brood that abandoned me will ever step foot in my house,” Chrysalis said. “You are very lucky I don’t turn you inside out.”

The Changeling winced. “We didn’t abandon you, Chrysalis--”

“You turned your back on me. On your queen!”

“We found a better way to acquire love. You refused to see the sense of it,” Thorax told her, gently yet firmly. “The hive is above all, even the queen.”

Chrysalis felt her pride pricked. She resisted the urge to punch the arrogant drone’s head clean off, if nothing else than to keep his blood from staining her nice porch.

“And now look at you,” she said with a snort. “Some mutant pretending to be a queen along with that idiot brother of yours. Your “love extraction” has turned you all into--” she gestured at him with a hand. “--that! If I didn’t loathe you with every fiber of my being I might feel sorry for you.”

Thorax looked up at her. Astonishing, he gave her a small smile. “I can feel the love you have in you now. I didn’t believe it could have been possible with somepony like you, but it’s as clear as day in front of me. I sensed it in town everywhere I went, and there was no mistaking it. As much love as you take from your husband you give just as much if not more back. To him, to this house, to the ponies in town as well I bet.”

Chrysalis opened her mouth to retort, only for Thorax to raise a hoof to quiet her. It was an act so outrageous that she nearly choked on her rage.

“I just wanted you to know… what I mean to say is I’m proud of you. Of everything that you’ve been able to build here, and the love that you’ve offered so freely, something which we both know you’d have never done when you were our ruler.”

He reached under his wing yet again, pulling out an envelope.

“This is from Princess Twilight. She didn’t think it would have been appropriate for her to be here as well, but she did want me to give it to you.”

With some hesitation, Chrysalis took the letter. Thorax nodded, then turned away from her and made his way off her porch. He took a few steps down the dirt path when he stopped to look at her.

“If you’re ever interested in talking again please have Twilight send me a letter,” he said. “If not that’s fine, but the door will be open for you if you want to step through it, Chrysalis. We could even--”

In one fluid motion, Chrysalis reached down to snatch one of Anon’s boots that had been placed by the door and threw it at the Changeling. Thorax’s words turned into a yelp as it just missed his stupid antlers by inches. His wings now buzzing in panic, he took off down the path.

“Traitor!” Chrysalis called. “Worthless ingrate! I hope your “hive” falls around your head!”

She waited for the guards to jump out of her bushes because of the attack, or the Celestial Sisters, or someone ridiculous like Discord, but there was no one. A quick check with her magic showed nothing bigger than a squirrel around the house for almost a mile. Those two really had just come here to speak with her. Knowing who she was, they just wanted to talk.

The queen couldn’t help but shake her head as she opened the letter. Casting one last glance around, just in case her magic hadn’t picked something up, she began to read:

Chrysalis,

For your crimes against The Crown, Equestria, and Ponykind in general, I sentence you to ten thousand hours of community service. I would suggest that you put this time to use in helping local foals with their homework, as well participating in any charity events. Hours can also be removed if a tin of triple-chocolate fudge is brought to the castle of Princess Twilight Sparkle, First of her Name at least once a week.

You will also be required to meet monthly with a parole officer, being Princess Twilight Sparkle, First of her Name, so you may be checked for wellness and if there are any issues with you and your family.

You have done some bad things, you’ve hurt my friends and family on more than one occasion, but everypony deserves a second chance. Please don’t make me regret this. Also, Please don’t mind control the meat vendor in town anymore. While I understand that her prices are outrageous, you can’t go doing that to critters, if for no other reason than it is extremely illegal under Equestrian law.

You are not alone. Chryssi, Chrysalis; however you’d like to be referred to, it makes no difference to me or anypony in town. We are happy that you’re a member of this community, and I pray that you and your young family only grow.

Hope to speak with you soon, Princess Twilight Sparkle, First of her Name.

Chrysalis read the letter, then read it again. It was almost too good to be true. Two invasion attempts, attempted murders, coltnapping, mind control, among other things and all she was going to get was a slap on the wrist? She was just able to live amongst them, everyone pretending that nothing had happened?

What if she did want to destroy Equestria? Or take over? Or cause some sort of mischief? Did these pitiful creatures think so little of her now? Did they believe Chrysalis, Ruler of the Swarm had gone soft because she had a husband and a child on the way?

She let out a snort, throwing her hands up into the air as she spun around on her heel and opened her front door.

“There’s something wrong with these ponies…”

_~_~_~_~_~
Years Later

It was the first day of the school year at Ponyville Elementary. Foals, struggling with backpacks filled to the brim with supplies, were being guided to the schoolhouse by their parents. Some were visibly anxious, while others seemed relieved that they’d have a few hours to themselves for a change. Pictures were being taken, and the sounds of laughter and mothers sobbing rang in the morning air.

One soon-to-be student of Mrs. Cheerilee stood out amongst the other children. Her name was Ambrosia. She wore a lovely green dress that she had picked herself. Her hair was done up in pigtails, and she had a scrunchie around her wrist. Her backpack had been made specifically for her bipedal frame, and it was covered in patches that her auntie Twilight and uncle Spike had helped put on just the other day. She had a brand new pair of black shoes, whose laces her daddy was currently tying because she hadn’t quite gotten the hang of the knot yet.

She was holding her momma’s hand, staring at the school. She had met Mrs. Cheerilee many times since momma always helped out with teaching. She also knew a lot of the kids she would be going to school with. Still, the little girl couldn’t help but feel nervous as she stood there.

She could feel the emotion coming from everyone. Fear, joy, relief, every and any emotion was all around her. Her momma had been teaching her to block out emotions coming from others, but this was a bit much for the young girl. It didn’t help that she could feel her mother’s own nervousness as well. The taste of it made her belly tight. What if she sat next to someone she didn’t like? What if everyone made fun of her dress? Would there be homework on the first day? She knew her letters, but couldn’t spell her name very well yet, though she was trying really hard to figure it out.

If it wasn’t for her daddy’s love and his excitement, she might have been a lot more scared about this whole business. He had almost been bouncing off the walls since he woke up this morning. Normally, he would have been at work by now, but he had wanted to take the whole day off today just for her.

“There you go, honey,” her daddy said, getting to his feet with a grunt. “I double knotted those bad boys, so you should be good all day.”

“Thank you, daddy,” she said, looking down at her feet.

Daddy leaned down and planted a kiss on the top of her head. She smiled, feeling the spike of love from him.

Ambrosia felt her momma place a hand on her shoulder. “Now, I have your thermos in the pocket right there in case you’re thirsty, but make sure you ask Mrs. Cheerilee if it’s okay to drink first, alright?”

“Alright mommy.”

“Your father and I will be here at noon to pick you up. We’ll go and get some pizza with Aunt Cadence and Twilight after.”

The little girl brightened at that. She hoped Mrs. Cake and the twins came too. Pound and Pumpkin always loved playing with her.

“Okay mommy.”

Mrs. Cheerilee began to ring a bell, gesturing for all the children to begin making their way into the school. Some foals rushed toward the doors, while others had to be nudged along by their parents.

Anon picked up his little girl, kissing all over her face until she was in a fit of giggles. “Have fun today, squirt. You’ll do great.”

She hugged him as hard as she could. “I love you, daddy.”

“Love you too, sweetie.”

He placed her down onto the ground. Chrysalis quickly knelt down in front of her, fixing her hair and straightening out her dress. Ambrosia wanted to hug her, but she had a feeling if she did her mother would snatch her up and run all the way back to their house.

“You be good. I’ll ask Mrs. Cheerilee if you were acting up,” She said sternly. “Eat all of the lunch I packed for you as well. Even the crust on your sandwich.”

“I will, mommy. I love you.”

Ambrosia felt her mother’s love erupt through her nervousness in a blink of an eye. The old queen let out a sniffle, pulling her into a hug. Her daughter hugged her back, sniffling as well. Off in the distance, Mrs. Cheerilee rang her bell again.

With great effort, Chrysalis broke their hug, wiping tears from her cheeks. “Do your best, and remember; this is just the first step in creating your empire.”

Ambrosia nodded. “First I need to learn, then I get followers, then I start getting power and stuff, right mommy?”

“Right dear. Remember to be ruthless to any enemies you make but generous to anyone you wish to befriend. I expect you to be ruling the entire school with an iron fist within the week. Is that understood?”

“Yes mommy. I’ll make you proud!”

With a salute, Ambrosia spun around on her heel and raced down the path toward the school. She ran awkwardly like only a child could, and would have fallen face first into the dirt more than once if Chrysalis had not reached out with her magic to balance her. Cheerilee’s smile widened when she saw the girl coming closer, and placed a hoof on her back as she began leading her inside.

Both Chrysalis and Anon watched their little girl disappear into the school. The Queen was blinking away tears, her lower lip quivering. She had had thousands of children, but seeing her Ambrosia growing up like this was almost too much to bear. She could remember pulling her out of her pod like it was yesterday, not as a Changeling but a little hyoo-man baby girl, as beautiful and perfect as anything. In the blink of an eye she went from diapers and saying momma to elementary school. What’s next? Her talking to boys so she could stuff them into love extracting pods? Or, even worse, her wanting a piercing?

Anon reached into his back pocket for a handkerchief and handed it to her. “She’ll be in college before we know it,” he said.

“Shut your mouth,” Chrysalis said. “She’s going to be little and sweet forever.”

“I--”

“Forever.”

“...Yes, dear.”

Anon wrapped an arm around the Queen’s shoulder, pulling her against him. Chrysalis let out a shaky sigh, rubbing her cheek against his throat. Both of them could just hear the children saying the Equestrian National Anthem from inside the school.

“Anon?”

“Yes dear?”

“I want another one as soon as possible.”

The human couldn’t help but laugh. He scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her back to their home. It was a long way, but he didn’t mind.

“Of course, darling. I’ll give you as many as you want.”

He planted a kiss on her cheek. She smiled.