I am a Bug.

By the Hive, YES! I'm finally done! I cheered, not even caring I'd just used another changelingism as I submitted the fourth hour-long assignment that day. Admittedly, I wouldn't have had to do that many if I hadn't skipped out on assignments last week to write pony porn and a human turned changeling kicking Nightmare ass, but I find the sense of accomplishment is greater when I've done more. Despite hating it so much anyway.
[I found that Government lesson quite enlightening, myself. I don't know what you're complaining about, we could use this when we get back home.] Chrysalis replied. I rolled my eyes before she could beg for another one.

Oh, shut up. I've already done enough today. Besides, I still wanna get out there and give our eggs to someone. I've got a virginity to lose! I reminded her. This time, she was the one that rolled our eyes. I was a bit freaked out that she could do that.
[Yes, you've been telling me for the past four hours. You should be thankful I was here to keep you going as consistently as you did, otherwise it'd last until around 4:00.] Chrysalis retorted.

"Password!" My sister cheered right behind us after that. I grinned, knowing this would be her last assignment for the day too. She worked surprisingly diligently today. Usually she falls asleep in the middle of doing one assignment or other, because she doesn't know how to speak up when she needs help.
If only someone else had that benefit... I thought bitterly as I got up and put in the password for one last attendance entry. At least we were both done early enough. Now I could head out and scout out potential hosts for my little cheeseleg babies. But first, I had to talk with my dad.

"Hey dad, I wanna head out, see if I can't make some new friends. I'm gonna need a lot of love if I'm gonna get Chrysalis back to her world, so I might be gone for a while." I told him, leaving out the part where I was gonna fill a bunch of women up with eggs. But I was being at least honest about the time. I might be gone for several days, thanks to what I'm planning.

"Well, as long as you keep up with your school work, wherever you're going. And try to keep in touch, I don't want to worry about you all the time like those days you tried to run away." He said, making me sigh. I'm glad he was so understanding about me going away, but did he really have to bring up that crap? I guess I sorta brought it on myself.

[Wait, you've tried to run away before? Why?] Chrysalis asked in surprise. I facepalmed.
Because I was an emotional wreck who stupidly decided to try and live alone. I used to be grounded due to an addiction I had, and that lasted five years because I refused to learn my lesson. I don't want to go into too much detail, I'm trying to leave that idiot behind. I told her. I turned my attention back to dad. "I appreciate you being so understanding, but did you really have to bring up my idiot days?"

"You need to be reminded every now and then to make sure you don't make the same mistakes. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it." He reminded me. I sighed once again.

"Alright. I promise I'll keep in touch. I might make a Youtube channel for Chryssie and use that to keep you updated." I said. He just nodded his approval.

"Alright. Have fun, and try not to blow something up." he said before turning his attention to his computer, no doubt handling some bills since he wasn't playing a game. I gave him a deadpan glare.

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence..." I muttered before leaving.

I didn't switch into another disguise when I left, but since there weren't any kids outside at this time, I didn't get the pleasure of seeing their reaction to seeing me. There were a few adults out though, none that knew who I was, but their reactions to me at least satisfied my desire for some kind of reaction. I waited around for a while, just hoping at least someone who recognized me would stop to gawk.

Scrreeeeee! I turned my head to the sound f a car skidding to a stop. Thankfully, it wasn't a cop car, but that didn't mean there wasn't a cop in it. I stared tensely, but curiously at it as the window rolled open... only to reveal some woman gaping at me. She had amber hair and was dressed in some casual clothes, though judging from the costume parts in the seat next to her, she might be headed to a con of some kind.

I giggled at her expression, though it came out sounding like villainous amusement. Playing it to my facade as Chrysalis, I turned to the side and ran my left hand up my figure.

"Like what you see?" I asked the woman. She blinked and sputtered for a few seconds, though I could tell I'd gotten her imagination running. She was blushing too. It was cute, in my opinion and Chrysalis' amused chuckle told me she shared that opinion.
[Are all humans this easily flustered?] She asked.

Nope. Just the most of us. Humans just have this thing they call decency, but there's a small percent of us that don't have any. like me! I answered as I began walking over to the woman in the car.

[I see. Well, as fun as it is watching you break people's composure like this, maybe you should consider putting on an actual disguise? You've got a potential host for my eggs now.] Chrysalis advised. Listening to her advice, more out of the need to avoid human nature's tendency to overreact violently to the unknown, than her reason, I became myself. On me was a red hoodie, a red sports shirt, and some red shorts. Not the best sense of fashion, I'll admit, but I honestly didn't really care. Never did.

"I see you're headed to a con. I'd love to come, if you'd let me." I asked. Rather than answer my request, she instead asked the question that plagued her mind since she saw me.

"Queen Chrysalis, what are you doing here?" she asked. I rolled my eyes as I walked around her car to the passenger side.

"That, my dear, is a conversation for the road. Can I get in?" I once more pressed my question.

"S-sure... just... don't drain me dry, please?" she requested in return. I smiled as I opened the door and got in.

"Relax. I'm not gonna hurt my driver." I promised her. She smiled in relief, and started to move her costume into the back seat. I helped her a bit, levitating a majority of it. I wasn't particularly good with it yet, so I could only lift so much at once. I noticed the costume looked a bit like various robotic parts, and there was an absolutely absurd about of arms on it. I grinned as I turned to the woman.

"Mistral, huh? You know any French?" I asked, to make small talk. She smiled nervously as she answered.

"Je connais beaucoup, votre altesse." she said. I have no idea what she just said, but it sounded perfect.

"That was perfect! Who do you suppose I should go as? I'm partial to Raiden, but I'd like your opinion." I asked as she started driving.

"...You talk like you know this world as if it were your own. Why is that?" She asked, getting to the point. I could sense a lot of confusion, but none of the suspicion I'd normally expect in that kind of question.

"I guess you could say I had a human mind to help me get used to this world faster. I've been with a human family for the past week... and I've been thoroughly surprised by their hospitality." I answered her question as if I were Chrysalis. "One of them convinced me to at least try to return to Equestria to make amends with the Princesses. To do that, I'll need more love than they've been giving me."

[Wow. Nice lie. If it weren't for the fact that you're impersonating me of all ponies, I'd commend you for your skill.] Chrysalis complimented, though I ignored that in favor of hearing whether or not this woman believed me.

"I guess that was rather fortunate for you." she said as she sent me a short glance. I could tell she had her doubts, but believed me for the most part. "So how do you plan on getting enough love to get home? Not sure what effect hate will have on you, but you'll find lots of it if you go public."

[Hate is just a mildly annoying emotion for me, though enough of it for a prolonged time will eat away at our current love reserves.] Chrysalis told me when I simply mentally prodded her. I relayed that to the woman, before taking my turn.

"As for how I plan to get back to Equestria... I definitely am going public. After all, if I have as many fans as the internet suggests, the Love I receive should outweigh the Hate." I said. Chrysalis nodded at my logic. "Well, as long as I stay near my fans, anyway."

"I see... What about Lust, your Highness? There's some creeps out there that want you for your body or your ability to shapeshift." she warned me. I laughed it off.

"Oh, I'm not too worried about them. They can help me raise a new army!" I told her. "I want intelligent drones, so the eggs will need a host. You could help me start on that, if you want." I offered. She blushed and sputtered a bit, but my emotion reading powers told me the truth. I just turned her on. "You don't have to answer now. I wouldn't want to distract from your driving."

She refocused on the road after that last comment, quite thankful I'd mentioned something about it so quickly. She'd just started rolling out of our lane, but corrected that when I made her notice it. She stayed silent after that, so once I'd waited a bit, I broke the silence.

"What's your name, by the way? If I'm going to be building my way to redemption, I ought to know the name of the one helping me." I asked. She breathed a bit, probably still shaking off the turn on I delivered earlier.

"I'm... I'm Serena." she answered. I smiled as I looked ahead.

“It’s nice to meet you, Serena.” I told her. Though to be honest, her name reminds me of the pokemon trainer starting her journey in the Pokemon XY tv show.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Queen Chrysalis.” She replied respectfully. After that, we rode on in silence for at least a while longer. Eventually, I got bored and struck up a conversation with Chryssie about various “what if” scenarios, like what would happen if Sombra got caught up in the same scenario she did. You know, fusing with a human, and then sitting back and watching as that human goes parading around in your body. That kind of thing.

Chryssie didn’t want to talk about it, and judging from the memories that I glimpsed when she answered, I’m certain it’s personal. However, when I asked her about Sunbutt and Moonpie being in that situation, she laughed her ass off.

[Oh sweet Hive, what hilarious nicknames! Did you come up with them?]

No, but when I first thought of them, I thought I did. But I’m not the first guy in the fandom to call them any nicknames.

[Oh, that’s just priceless. But yeah, those two being in our situation? I suppose it would depend on who they found themselves with. In any case, it would give me more reason to collect love as you’ve decided to do. They can’t get back on their own. Nopony can, at least not without some Deus Ex Machina crap.]

Whoa, hold up. How the hell do you know what Deus Ex Machina even is? My question ended her laughter, and put a concerned frown on the mental image she and I shared of her.

[That’s a good question…] We puzzled over it for at least another minute, before Serena cut in.

“You’re awfully quiet, Queen Chrysalis. Something we can talk about?” She kindly asked. For a split second as I looked at her, I thought of spilling everything, and telling the whole truth, but I decided to just play it off.

“Just considering my options. Nothing much to say until I actually decide on one.” I easily lied. “How long until we get to this con we’re going to?”

“Shouldn’t be too long now. We’re only a few miles away now.” Serena reported with a smile. I smiled back as I looked out at the road, anticipating the sight of the con.

“That’s good… It’s amazing how quickly travel is made possible in this world. How did you humans manage it without magic?” Um… that wasn’t me. Did Chrysalis just take control for a second? Since when could she do that?

“Simple. Humans are determined to survive and adapt to any and every need we have. Cars are the tools we made to meet our travel needs.” Serena answered. “Human history is littered with ordinary people doing what everyone else praised as previously impossible. I’m sure you can piece together those special people’s mindsets.”

C-chryssie? Did you j-just do that? I asked, a little nervously.

[Yes. Is that a problem? Your determination only stops me from doing what you perceive as negative. I only took control to help you with my facade. Though if you really want my image to be the one your people see, then why don’t you simply let me make the decisions?] she responded evenly. I paused to think of my answer carefully.

You’re right. I guess having fun being someone else isn’t very fun for the one you’re being. Go ahead. I said, allowing her to slip completely into control. Chrysalis frowned once she was in control, and brought my hand up to look at. Serena frowned too, noticing what Chrysalis was doing.

“Queen Chrysalis? Is there something wrong?” She asked, genuinely concerned. Chrysalis turned to her, contemplating whether or not to tell her the truth.

It’s your choice now. You’re the one in control. I advised. She nodded, but returned one last statement to me before answering Serena.

[I’ll tell her the truth. But from now on, you and I will not act as one another. I will be myself, and you will be yourself. Understood?]
Yes ma’am. Chrysalis smiled and returned her gaze to Serena.

“Yes, everything is just fine. You’re now speaking to the real me. There are two souls in this body as of this morning, and the human “I” mentioned before has been in control the whole time.” Chrysalis explained, actually using her voice. Huh… that sounds like the way I would have explained it.

“...Say what? You mean I’ve been talking to a fake this whole time? ...But the real one’s there…” Serena got so lost in thought, she lost track of the road. I quickly took control to correct that.

“Hey, don’t forget we’re still on the road.” I warned her. Her eyes quickly shot back to the road again.

“Was that the human again?” She asked carefully when she was focused again. Chryssie and I nodded together.

“Yeah. We’ve agreed to simply be ourselves. No more faking, no more pretending to be her, I’m done with that.” I promised. “But… you have to admit, it was sort of a good prank.”

She was a little ticked off by my deception, but she didn’t comment directly on it. “So, any way for me to tell you two apart, when you don’t use different voices?”

“Nope. Just be assured that I’m going to use pretty much any voice but Chryssie’s when I’m talking.” I replied. She sighed.

“Could you at least stick to a few different voices? I’d rather not get a headache trying to figure out what voice is yours.” She requested.

“Can do.” I promised, using Engineer’s voice from TF2 just for laughs. Chrysalis shifted our body back to her anthro form just to reflect herself facepalming. Serena giggled when she saw that.

“Hey, looks like we’re finally here.” Serena said happily. I looked outside and spotted the signs telling us we’d arrived at the con. I smiled as I changed into Jetstream Sam. She looked at me briefly to see what I’d become, and smiled when I returned Sam’s smirk to her. But I felt something off as we approached the con. There was something tangy and… sour hanging heavily in the air… no, radiating from the Con. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

Than I saw the front doors. The faces of the people trying to open them from inside were full of it. I knew what I tasted as clear as day, and I knew I had to do something about it.

It was pure, unrestrained fear.