//------------------------------// // Chapter Seventeen // Story: One Mask Among Many. // by Golden Paw //------------------------------//         Grizz smiled as she saw Twilight and the others, to be back in Equestria was like a healing balm to her troubles. Patting Spike gently, she leant forward and whispered in his ear, “Thanks uncle, I couldn’t have done this without you.”         The rough chuckle of Spike shook her whole body, “My pleasure ‘Grizz’, it’s all part of the service.”         The drones circled with fear as the Equestrians approached and Grizz couldn’t help but smile sadly; there was nothing to fear now, Grizz patted Spike again and raised her voice, “Don’t worry, these are friends they will not harm you!”         “As long as we don’t try to feed...” Scrund muttered darkly by Grizz’s side and the queen looked into his troubled face, seeing only worry and hunger.         “I promise you Scrund, they are here to help us. I trust Twilight and I know she’s just as anxious to find a safe home for you all as I am,” Grizz smiled as she watched Scrund, when she’d first met him he’d looked just like any other changeling, worse even for being so battered and worn. It was strange how time had slowly altered that. Without any real ‘change’ in his looks or voice he’d somehow managed to become quite handsome (Despite the ridiculous cooking pot on his head).         Buzz shook her head as she looked down at her own form, only a few short weeks ago she’d have thought herself ugly. The smooth carapace now seemed to have an appealing sheen to it, her delicate wings caught the light in such pretty ways... It was funny how perceptions could change in such a short time.         The growing unease of the swarm called Grizz from her musings, They were crowding in with fear and Grizz needed to do something to assure them. Venting some chemical assurances Grizz urged Spike forward and intently aware of all around her watching, tried to cut an imposing figure as she approached the incoming demigods.         “Hail Princesses of Equestria, I come in peace!” Grizz yelled and was momentarily afraid as the soldiers of her rulers closed ranks to block Grizz’s approach. Twilight it’s me, there’s nothing to be worried about. Buzz sent a quick coded burst and to her relief Twilight nodded before whispering something to the other royals.         Celestia nodded in understanding and with a gentle glow of power called back the soldiers to clear a path for Grizz and Spike. Celestia then came forward herself with easy beats of her wings, “I Celestia assume that I am addressing the queen of this swarm?”         It was wonderful to hear Celestia’s voice again, it had always assured Buzz before and did so now. With a slight tremble of excitement Grizz dipped her head to Celestia, she wanted to bow but needed to keep up the image for her drones, “You do your majesty, and I am ‘Grizz’. We have come as invited and hope to find food and shelter from our long journey.”         There was a ripple of unease that ran through both sides at this announcement, the looming question of ‘food’ clearly evident on everyone’s mind. If Celestia was concerned she didn’t show it however, “Very good, we have some refreshments prepared.”         Grizz felt the confusion and hope that flooded the swarm and even to her own delight saw Chrysalis was staring wide eyed at them, surprise plastered across her face.         Celestia smiled warmly, “Just Grizz? Not ‘Queen’, ‘Lady’ or another such title?” She winked and Buzz couldn’t help but grin in return. “No your majesty, I’m new to this ruling thing and hope to earn a title,” Grizz replied easily.         Celestia continued to smile, “Very well, if you would follow me then we can begin seeing to your needs. No doubt you’re all in need of a good rest before we begin negotiations.”         Gratefully Grizz nodded, the ever present chorus of hungry minds pressing in upon her soul. As the swarm began to follow prearranged paths down towards the Everfree Forest Grizz was elated to see Twilight drifting towards her, with Luna close behind.         “Princess Sparkle it’s great to see you and Luna too,” Grizz called out and was sad not to be able to embrace her mother.”         “Impressive, very impressive,” Luna commented with eyes full of mischief, “I had never thought a changeling could win over a dragon, but now I have been proved wrong.” She called out loudly and Buzz felt the swarm’s respect of her increase at these simple words.         “I understand that there were four Princesses in Equestria? Where is Princess Cadance?” Grizz asked to fill the time.         “Oh Cadance is busy below making ready for your arrival,” Twilight replied and Grizz saw she was almost bursting with pride.         Grizz looked to her mother, who seemed oddly smaller now. Well guess I’m kind of bigger so that makes some sense. Grizz grinned all the wider, “Very good, I look forward to talking with you all.”         It was small talk, a show for the masses Grizz realised. Protocol and all that stuff, what she longed to do was sit quietly with Twilight and tell her of everything that had happened. The worries and fears she held and most importantly to ask her why Grizz felt the way she did now.         As a changeling queen Buzz felt more at peace and whole than ever before and it was driving her crazy to know why. But there would be time enough for that now. She was home and by all measures was more than successful in her mission. For the first time in weeks Buzz felt herself relax.         It was coming, Chrysalis knew it was and ground her fangs while Grizz chatted easily with the ponies above. Okay so they promised food, were they going to give the swarm volunteers? She just couldn’t see that happening. To sate so many it would almost certainly prove fatal to any creature being drained.         That wasn’t what was bothering Chrysalis now however, it was the approaching glow of her.... Celestia was smiling in an almost predatory fashion as she drifted towards Chrysalis with easy beats of her wings.         “So we meet again Chrysalis, I can’t say that time has been good to you,” The mocking tone of this god horse set Chrysalis’ blood afire. “Well you look good as always...” Chrysalis managed to sneer.         “Well not being cocooned up does wonders for my complexion, so how are you finding things? I see the swarm is under new management,” Celestia’s eyes held an arrogant mirth that she didn’t even try to hide.         “It’s what it is Celestia, if you have something to say to me then just say it alright. I am really not in  the mood for games,” Chrysalis snarled and to her growing fury Celestia simply laughed, her tinkling mocking laugh. “Oh can’t two acquaintances catch up on old times?” Celestia asked playfully.         Chrysalis felt her lip begin to bleed again she was gritting her fangs so hard, “I always looked to the future.” It wasn’t her normal cut and thrust of debate, but Chrysalis really was tired after the long flight, “Look Celestia, just tell me where I’m to be staying and leave me alone okay?”         Celestia looked genuinely shocked at Chrysalis’ lack of spirit, “Well if you must know we’re putting you and Grizz’s swarm up in the old castle for now.” The inflection wasn’t lost on Chrysalis and she held back a screech of anger.         “That-will-be-fine-thank-you,” Chrysalis managed to force out between the grimace she wore.         Celestia actually studied Chrysalis for a time, her curious eyes filled with something.... “Very well Chrysalis, If that’s what you want I will leave you alone.” Without another word she began to move away.           Relief and unwanted gratitude welled up in Chrysalis’ heart. That exchange, though far from pleasant, had been better than she’d feared. She simply couldn’t hold the question in any longer though, “Celestia?” Celestia paused before looking back at her, “Yes Chrysalis?” “I....how are we going to be fed?” Chrysalis asked after an uncomfortable moment.         Celestia smiled, “That’s Princess Cadance’s territory I’m afraid, but she assures me everything is accounted for.” Chrysalis felt the hunger gnawing at her insides and hoped it would be true.         “That’s the last wave your highness!” The guard announced and Cadance smiled widely at the news.         Zip marvelled at the efficiency displayed by the crystal ponies, hundreds of changelings were now billeted in the various chambers of the old castle and not a single one was unaccounted for. It was a masterpiece of logistics, as each wave of drones settled in and was quickly followed by the next. Cadance had overseen it all and Zip was amazed at her dedication. “Thank you captain, and the queens?” She replied briskly.         “They have been placed in separate chambers as your instructions, Twilight is even now with ‘Grizz’.” The burly looking captain shone, his radiant coat dazzling like all the members of the fiefdom.         Cadance smiled widely, “Very good captain, I commend you on your duty. This couldn’t have gone better.” The soldier seemed to swell with pride, “Thank you your highness, is there anything else?”         “No that will be all captain, thank you,” Cadance grinned as the guard saluted and trotted off. She then turned and beckoned for Zip to approach.         “Well Zip that seems to be us done for now, I understand that Quiz came back with Twilight and is eager to speak with you. You should go see her.” Cadance’s face shone and Zip felt his heart melt, she was so beautiful and lovely.         When he’d first met Cadance she’d seemed so soppy and far too open with her affections for Shining armour. Now Zip looked up into her beautiful face and realised it was all genuine and his heart was touched, “But you said that Twilight wanted me to stay with you your highness?” Cadance nodded, “I know Zip but I’ve got things covered here, go see your friend.”         She smiled and Zip felt his heart flutter, She was very beautiful, “I..er...” Cadance winked at him with a giggle before there was flash. Blinking through the sudden haze Zip struggled to respond,  “Er.....If you say so your highness, I’ll just be on my way then?” “Very good Zip, have fun okay?” Cadance smiled warmly and Zip fluttered his wings in a dream.         He seemed to be floating on a cloud of love, the whole castle seemed to radiate with its power and Zip honestly believed he could get lost in such a pervasive sense of calm. It almost seemed to hurt to drift away from Cadance and head to the room where Quiz was to be found.         The guards didn’t bar him and as the door swung open he saw his fellow sprite sitting on a table, she seemed to be writing something down in a hurry and only stopped when she saw Zip. Her little eyes shone with happiness and before Zip could even say hello Quiz had darted across the room and hugged him tightly.         “Zip! Zip! Oh it’s so good to see you, I’ve gotten it all written down. Everything I have seen and heard. You’re not going to believe what I have found out!” Quiz’s excited chatter washed over him, but it wasn’t important anymore. The smiling, lovely face of Cadance had pushed every thought out of Zip’s mind and he just wanted to sit there and think of her. “Zip? Are you alright?” Quiz asked and he happily waved her concerns aside.         “Of course I am Quiz, how could I not be? Everything is so lovely,” Zip smiled at Quiz and honestly felt that at this moment nothing could possibly be wrong with the world.         “I’ve got the reports you wanted, you’re not going to believe it. We’re not just little helpers Zip we’re....” Zip waved Quiz’s nonsense aside, none of that mattered now.         “Oh Quiz, don’t worry about that: Cadance has taken care of everything,” Why was Quiz so obsessed with reports and the such? There was much more important things to think about. Like how lovely Cadance was. Quiz stared at Zip in utter astonishment, “Zip, what’s wrong with you?”         Now Zip was getting annoyed, there was nothing wrong with him. Why was Quiz so silly to think anything could possibly be wrong. He simply allowed himself to drift down onto the table and let the loveliness of the world surround him.         “Zip! What are you doing, what’s wrong?” Something in the urgency of Quiz’s voice began to seep into his world of pink fluffy clouds. Why was it so hard to think?         Chrysalis prowled her ‘cell’. Whatever the ponies wanted to call this room she knew it for what it was: A place of imprisonment. There were guards at the door for her ‘protection’, Cadance’s own offspring no less. She’d insisted on having only the best for their guests.         The growing sense of wrongness was all over this place, it permeated the very stonework. The ‘food’ they’d been promised was some sort of odd crystal held in a metal frame. Of all the things Chrysalis had expected, that wasn’t it.         It worked though Chrysalis was forced to admit. She was able to draw substance from the jewel and it fed her needs, if only barely. There wasn’t any flavour to it, not like drawing the love from living prey, but it dulled the aching in her core.         She could feel her drones as well, they were being fed too. At least the ponies had kept their word on that. Maybe she’d missjudged them? Maybe.....         The door to her room opened and Chrysalis instantly knew something was very wrong. In the doorway stood Princess Cadance, yet despite her outward beauty and warmth there was a cold emptiness within her. Her face was as ‘beautiful’ as ever (in the eyes of a pony anyway) but her soul was dark and shrouded.         “Hello ‘Queen’ Chrysalis,” Cadance’s voice was level and still had a gentle ring to it, but Chrysalis had spent centuries in the art of deception and saw the lie for what it was.         The Princess stepped slowly into the chamber, each hoofall steady and precise as if she had practiced a for a life time. Cadance’s face was a blank mask which was briefly illuminated as she softly closed the door behind her before with her magic. The glow didn’t fade however and Chrysalis heard the nasty little ‘click’ of a lock engaging. How could I have been so stupid? Chrysalis watched Cadance’s eyes, they were full of a cold fire. It was a look she was very familiar with: A powerful female hurting.         “Hello Cadance, I assume this isn’t just a social call?” Chrysalis watched her for the tell tale signs of hidden malice and wasn’t disappointed. The slight twitch in the nose, the tiniest glint in the eyes. Cadance was masking it well, but it was there all the same.         “Well you could call it that,” Cadance replied in that same kindly ring, “I however would call this social justice.” Again the tiniest crack in the mask, showing the raging torment below, Cadance was incandescent, bereft and tortured inside. It didn’t take a genius to see where this little ‘talk’ was heading.         Chrysalis could almost have laughed, she’d been so focused on Celestia that she’d almost forgotten ‘dear sweet Cadance’ Princess of love, “Look we both know what you’re doing here, so why don’t you drop the act?” Cadance’s eyes seemed to flash with fire, “Oh I don’t think you do Chrysalis, at least not fully. I want you to understand it all before the end, I want you to have a very clear picture of why this has to be.”         “Oh spare me Cadance I’m no grub, no point in sugar coating it. You want revenge.” Chrysalis smiled grimly while doing her best to keep distance from Cadance in the small room.         “Revenge? No I would never do anything so crass,” Cadance said with a raised eyebrow and Chrysalis was surprised to see that Cadance truly believed what she was saying. Her emotions had been tempered on the anvil of time again and again until they were a fierce point of self assurance. Cadance honestly felt she was doing the right thing here. The two continued to circle one another, “Justice is very different from revenge Chrysalis. If I was out for simple vengeance then you and all your swarm would already be dead.” Cadance’s tone was matter of fact, completely detached from the cyclone within.         Oh sweet heavens she’s going for the whole hog here, Chrysalis thought. That’s fine by me, gives me all the more time to find a way out of this. “Indeed?” Chrysalis asked.         “Justice needs to be fair you know, the drones who follow you aren’t to blame for my grievances. Plus not all of the drones are even of your brood are they? If I was to kill them then that wouldn’t be justice,” Cadance’s mask of calm was beginning to crumble, “That would be wrong.” Mad utterly mad. “Ah so it’s personal then? Come on spit it out, I know you’re dying to,” Chrysalis baited back, her eyes frantically searching for the exit she knew wouldn’t be there.         Cadance’s eyes flashed with fire again, “Years you miserable creature, years of pain from what you did.”         “We aim to please...” Chrysalis began and Cadance finally snapped. The first blow snapped Chrysalis’ head around as Cadance’s armoured hoof connected sharply with her face. Chrysalis felt stars explode behind her eyes and without ceremony fell to the floor before spitting a glob of mucus onto the ground.         “You will pay Chrysalis, for all the sleepless nights Shining had. All the night terrors that made him wake screaming for mercy and fear for his own mind,” The delicate quality had gone from Cadance’s voice now, replaced by a cold wrath she’d been bottling up inside for so long. Like a pressure vessel finally failing and spewing its molten liquid the facade Cadance was wearing quickly crumbled. She kicked the downed Chrysalis repeatedly, punctuating every word with yet more blows from her armoured hooves.         Chrysalis felt the air driven from her lungs and the cracking of her carapace. Had she been in her prime Chrysalis may have been able to put up some kind of defence, but weakened and starved she simply had to roll with the blows.         “He said he could never trust himself again you monster, that when he looked at me all he could see was you,” Cadance was weeping now, her normally pristine face was streaked with makeup and sorrow.         The blows continued so fast that Chrysalis couldn’t tell them apart anymore, “What was meant to be the happiest years of my life were all fouled by you! I can forgive trapping me in those caverns under Canterlot, I can forgive you simply having to feed off us to stay alive. But what you did to my Shining Armour? That I will never forgive you for Chrysalis and you will be kept alive until you’ve paid that debt. You will live through every moment, even if it takes years!”         Chrysalis knew then that Cadance was more than just angry, she more than just deranged in fact. Cadance was doing this because she loved Shining Armour. Snatching brief glimpses of her attacker’s face Chrysalis saw the overwhelming sense of loss and grief driving home the blows, hitting with more power than mere anger could deliver.         Cadance wasn’t beating Chrysalis to avenge herself of what had been done to her, but to get some crazy belief of justice for her husband. The thought boggled Chrysalis, as if any simple mate was worth such torment? Ponies really are insane, Chrysalis thought moments before another blow rattled her head.         Quiz Pulled vainly at Zip’s incumbent body, he’d simply stopped moving and there was a very strange smile on his face, “Zip! Wake up!”         She glanced around the room before gliding over to the door. To her dismay the handle wouldn’t turn and so Quiz banged feebly on the wood and cried out for help. After minutes of fruitless hammering she gave up.         Looking back Quiz saw that Zip still hadn’t moved from the table, the only sign of life was the slow movement of his jaw. He seemed to be mumbling something about Cadance and how beautiful she was. Ignoring the stunned Zip Quiz looked around the room again in a panic.         The old castle had seen some rebuilding over the years but still held the scars of age and conflicts it had borne witness to. Quiz saw a tiny chink of moonlight seeping in from the far corner and with fresh determination soared upwards.         There was a tiny hole, a gap where the new ceiling and the ancient brickwork didn’t quite marry up. It was just big enough if only she.... Quiz folded her wings and scrunched up as tightly as she could before pushing forward with tiny legs. We can be more than we are, the thought was like a mantra for Quiz as she wriggled and squirmed through the tight gap.         With one final heave she was free and tumbled for a short while before snapping open her wings. Looking around Quiz saw she was outside and a fair way off the ground. Below her she saw the trailing lights of the guards moving back and forth among the ruins.         “Get help, Zip’s not well must get help,” Quiz repeated to herself as she headed for the nearest soldiers, “Help! You have to help me, my friend is sick!”         She fluttered down before the patrolling crystal pony who watched her with unguarded suspicion, “Who are you little one?”         “I’m ‘Quiz’ a sprite my fellow sprite ‘Zip’ is in trouble, please I need to see Twilight!” Quiz felt relief, this soldier would show her the way and then....         “Captain we have an unaccounted for creature here, shall I take them in?” The guard spoke smartly into his helmet microphone and Quiz felt her heart sink.         “No, no I’m not a changeling honest! You have to listen to me, my friend needs help!” Quiz saw it was no good as the stallion nodded before drawing a sword.         “Orders I’m afraid, any unaccounted creatures are to be held for questioning,” The guard replied and Quiz trembled.         “But Zip!” She shouted as the guard made to grab her out of the air. Quiz fluttered her wings and felt the fear building, “No this is serious I don’t have time to wait, I need to see Twilight!”         “You’re not going anywhere, no….halt!” The soldier shouted angrily as Quiz darted up into the night sky again.         “Ohnohonohno!” Quiz stammered, this was really bad. She looked down and saw the guards were beginning to canter around the ruins, their lanterns casting beams of light in the darkness like a crazed disco display.         “Okay Quiz don't worry: You’re alright crystal ponies can’t fly,” The wood roof beside her suddenly sprouted a sizzling scorch mark as a fizzling line of magic struck the wood. “Okay but their stun rifles can certainly hit you!”         Quiz dived away as more shots began to strike the ruins around her, “And that’s not on the normal setting either,” she squeaked as fragments of stone erupted from the impacts.         She quickly took cover on the far side of a tower as more guards began shouting in the darkness. “Come on Quiz, think. You know where Twilight is she’s with Buzz, all you have to do is get there.”         Quiz peaked out from behind the chimney stack she was using for cover and worked out that Twilight’s rooms should be only a short flight from here. Further blasts rained down from above and Quiz shrieked in terror. Looking up she saw a couple of Pegasi also bearing rifles taking shots at her from above and made a decision.         Flinging herself around and forward, Quiz angled her trajectory for the window across the crowded courtyard. She closed her eyes and dared not open them again, knowing that if she did the sight would pin her with fear. The angry shouts of the soldier all around redoubled but Quiz still refused to look. Any moment she expected to be hit by a blast from the shooting ponies, but miraculously nothing did.         “Quiz? What in the heavens is going on?” Twilight’s voice called out and Quiz was so shocked she forgot to hold her eyes shut.         As Quiz peered about herself she found the world had turned purple. She looked further and saw Twilight, horn glowing was leaning out of the window before Quiz and wearing an expression of utter amazement. Several beams of light struck Quiz’s purple dome, but dissipated harmlessly in a shower of sparks.         “Zip’s sick and I came to find you, but the soldiers all started firing at me!” Quiz yelled as Twilight drew her into the warmly lit room.         Quiz saw the mechanical form of Buzzbot who looked up from the table she was sitting at, her expression of surprise only showing as her eye lenses raised, “What’s going on?”         “I don’t know Buzz, but something’s up,” Twilight replied as the protective bubble she’d cast faded with a final pop and Quiz collapsed into her waiting hooves. “Now Quiz, start from the beginning.”         Quiz looked up to Twilight and it took several moments to quell her shaking. Finally she managed to force out the words in a rush, “It’s Zip, he came to my room and was acting really strange.”         “Strange, In what way?” Buzz asked as she pushed aside what looked like diagrams of her own body.         “He kept muttering something about Cadance and how beautiful she was, then seemed to fall asleep. I tried to open my door, but it was locked,” Quiz let it all out while Twilight stared at her with a slight smile on her face.         “Sounds like my sister in Law is just as appealing as ever, even robots fall for her charm,” Twilight replied, but Quiz shook her head.         “No you don’t understand, he’s not just smitten I think he’s had a spell cast on him and when I tried to leave my room the guards had locked the door so I had to sneak out,” Quiz pleaded and Twilight rolled her eyes.         “Oh Quiz the guards wouldn’t lock the doors, see I’ll show you,” Twilight trotted over to the chamber and turned the handle, “See nothing to...”         The door rattled as Twilight tried again but didn’t budge. Eyebrows raised, Twilight knocked smartly on the woodwork, “Captain what’s going on, why are the doors locked?”         “Princess Cadance’s orders your highness, all rooms are to be locked to prevent possible changeling infiltration,” the muffled reply came through the door and Quiz saw Twilight’s eyes narrow.         “Captain, you know I’m not a changeling right? I’m probably one of the best ponies in the world to spot changelings: I invented most of the devices you use to scan for them. So why in the heavens do you think I would need to be protected from changelings?” Quiz watched as Twilight’s mood darkened.         “I’m sorry your highness, but Cadance’s orders were very clear, the castle is on lockdown: Nopony is to leave their rooms tonight,” The Captain explained and Quiz saw Twilight glance her way again.         “Okay Quiz, something is up. We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” Twilight announced as with the merest flexing of her magic caused the door to burst open and sent the two guards stationed there tumbling to the ground.