//------------------------------// // Chapter Nineteen // Story: One Mask Among Many. // by Golden Paw //------------------------------//         The floor trembled as Grizz, carrying the body of Chrysalis, galloped out of the castle and headed towards the Tree of Harmony. She was doing her best to block out the suffocating feelings of loss all the drones around her, doing her best to hold the tears in as......         “Your Highness, what do we do?” Grizz slowed as bright flashes illuminated the darkness over the ruined castle and turned to the drone who’d spoken.         She looked into the lost eyes of the changelings, they were all looking to her for leadership and Grizz suddenly felt very small, “We’re to regroup beyond the ruin’s walls and then head for the Tree of Harmony, it’s not far.”         “Surely we should scatter your majesty? That way the ponies won’t find us and we can sneak back to the Badlands,” Another drone piped up and Grizz felt control slipping from her grasp. Give them freedom, let them make their own choices. It had seemed such a noble ideal at the time, but the swarm was quickly dissolving into scattered bunches of drones with no plan. They were panicking, driven almost to madness as Broken and Twilight began their apocalyptic Battle. Grizz felt their terror, she felt their confusion and with her own heart aching she couldn’t muster the resolve to comfort them. Fear gripped her and she shook with indecision as an explosion tore out a large section of the castle and scattered it to the winds.         The changelings weren’t the only ones fleeing. Strong, Platinum and hundreds of soldiers were boiling out of every gateway and fissure in the partially rebuilt outer walls, all thoughts of fighting having fled from their minds. Still, they were holding up better than the drones.  I never wanted this; I don’t want to be a queen or have to guide a whole hive. It had been kind of fun for a while, having all the drones following her orders and leading them on a grand crusade to find a new home in Equestria. Grizz had been only too happy to be in charge when things were going well, but now.... She looked across her fearful charges and Grizz’s heart cracked, what have I done?         “Your highness, the swarm needs your guidance,” Grizz looked painfully into Scrund’s single eye and felt her stomach knot. “Scrund I...I don’t know....” Grizz replied, fighting to keep the shaking from her voice.         She couldn’t hold his gaze and instead stared at the floor, holding back the sobs that threatened to burst free at any moment. The pain and loss were too much: Not only was Grizz terrified for Twilight and Cadance, the pressing weight of all those changeling minds was crushing her.         “Grizz you’re a queen, it’s within you to know what to do,” Scrund assured her as he placed a comforting hoof upon her shoulder. “But I’m not....I’m just.....” Buzz wailed.         “You are to me Grizz and I trust you,” Scrund whispered as he leant in close and nuzzled her. Grizz looked into his face and saw the resolve present there. She marvelled at how he could be so calm and collected. Scrund was in turmoil as the loss of Chrysalis stabbed through his soul, but here he was supporting her with a glowing faith that Grizz would know what to do.         “I don’t mean to intrude, but we are still pretty close to....” Heart Strong shouted as she landed a nearby and a flaming chunk of tower crashed down only a short distance away. The flashing lights and shaking booms from within the castle were growing more frequent. Grizz took strength from Scrund’s simple words and forced herself to stand straighter.         The drones needed her now and she wouldn’t fail them, they had a plan and they had each other. That was all they needed. Grizz hugged Scrund before closing her eyes and reached deep within herself. Down, past the programming of a pony-bot, past the emotions and worries of her heart and looked into her own soul.         Buzz felt herself, who she really was and clung to that certainty. It didn’t matter what form she took, that little piece of her was always there; glowing with a radiance that she couldn’t describe. It was that ‘spark’ that made Buzz who she was. It was the element found in every living thing and it was a commonly shared heritage from the one who started them all. I am who I choose to be.         Opening her eyes again Grizz saw the circle of staring faces all watching her with expectation, “Scrund, I want you to take your brothers and gather the other drones. Get all those you can and head deep into the forest.” Scrund hesitated, “But your highness what will you do?”         Grizz looked at him and her heart soared, “I’m trusting you to keep the swarm safe for a little while. I’m going to ask for help.”         “Your highness, you’re not seriously going to rely on these ponies again? They killed Chrysalis and will no doubt try to kill us too!” Scrund’s face was defiant. Grizz shook her head slowly, “I’m not, please just do as I say and trust me alright.”         She hugged Scrund tightly, “I love you,” With that Grizz hefted Chrysalis onto her back and began to gallop away. “Strong lead the crystal ponies to safety, I’ll be back soon,” Grizz sent via the communicator and didn’t even pause to see if Strong acknowledged the instruction.         Grizz dared not look at Chrysalis fearing what Cadance had done to her. Sure the queen was a sour apple and a royal pain in the flank, but she was Scrund’s mother and Grizz had to believe that if someone of such integrity and character could come from such as her there must be good in Chrysalis. Plus Grizz suspected she was going to need the former queen’s help before this was all over.         Her thundering hoof falls carried Grizz further from the old castle and right to the lip of the deep chasm that had seen so many important events. Grizz recalled wandering that deep trench after fighting off a pack of timber wolves in what felt like a lifetime ago. She looked to the restored bridge of which Twilight had recounted stories of when Rainbow Dash had chosen her friends over great temptation.         Down there Buzz knew the Tree of Harmony was growing and hopefully the salvation she hoped to find. She spread her wings and with a thought roused her antigravity unit. Thanking Tinker with every safe landing, Buzz jumped from one rocky outcrop to another as she made rapid progress to the ravine’s bottom.         As her hooves touched down on the dusty ground Grizz felt yet another tremor pass through the floor, clearly she didn’t have much time. There was a groan from Chrysalis, but Grizz didn’t know if that was a good or bad sign. For all she knew that could have been a death rattle.         Her heart pounding Grizz tore off down the narrow gully, following the winding gap between the rocky walls on both sides and the growing sense of power emanating from before her. The chamber which held the Tree of Harmony wasn’t that far, but as yet another explosion sounded out from overhead Grizz was reminded that she still needed to hurry.         As she rounded another turn in the winding path Grizz saw several ponies, Night and Day guard standing either side of the portal that lead to her target. As she galloped towards them they raised their weapons in swift order. “Halt, declare yourself and your intentions!” “Get out of my way, I need to see Celestia and Luna!” Grizz yelled, not slowing her pace.         “Halt changeling, you may come no....” Grizz loosed a bolt of yellow magic that struck the speaker in the chest. It wasn’t meant to hurt the guard, only bewitch him and Grizz was surprised she even knew how to cast such. Then again, so many strange things had happened so far that Grizz didn’t even care.         The fellow soldiers opened fire with their rifles while a couple even drew long stun batons. Grizz couldn’t dodge, not with Chrysalis weighing her down and so simply gritted her fangs and drove forward through the fusillade.         The soldiers looked on in horror as their rounds, impacted on the charging Grizz but seemed to have very little effect. Thanks for the tough shell Tinker, Grizz silently praised her father before barging past, knocking ponies aside and driving through the doorway into the gloom beyond.         There below her was the Tree of Harmony, its boughs glowing with a gentle radiance and to Grizz’s immense relief she saw both Celestia and Luna watching her as she approached. “Buzz what’s going on?” Celestia called as Buzz leaped down five or six steps at a time.         “Cadance has gone mad, she's tried to kill Chrysalis and is even now fighting Twilight up at the castle,” Grizz explained as she finally reached the base of the long curving stairs leading to the awaiting royals.         Both princess’ faces mirrored the shock of the other before Luna spoke quickly, “Cadance? You must be mistaken Buzz.”         “See for yourself,” Grizz replied and let Chrysalis’ battered body tumble to the ground at the sister’s hooves, “Chrysalis didn’t do this to herself.”         Both Celestia and Luna stared at the unmoving queen on the ground and shared a look of grave concern with each other, “Shining Armour?” Celestia asked, her brow furrowing. “No doubt sister,” Luna replied sadly. Grizz shook with anger, “You knew there was something wrong?”         “We suspected but would never have thought Cadance would go so far,” Celestia explained, her tones heavy with regret.         “We both trusted her to stand up to the pressure, we gave her advice and consolation and with having foals to soften the blow we thought she’d be alright. It’s always hard when you lose your first husband,” Luna agreed sadly. Grizz’s mouth dropped open, “First? You mean you both had....?”         Celestia smiled sadly, “You didn’t really think we could go all these years without a little romance in our lives do you Buzz?” “How...” Grizz began before Luna waved her to silence.         “We don’t have time now, you say Twilight is holding off Cadance? Come sister we’re needed,” Grizz still couldn’t grasp the enormity of the idea, Celestia or Luna married? Celestia nodded in agreement, “Buzz I trust that everyone is being evacuated as we speak?”         Grizz nodded in stunned silence as both royals spread their wings, “Captain please refrain from shooting our guests and if any changelings come this way allow them to enter understand?” Celestia called to the shook up soldiers peering down at the interchange, their rifles still pointing at Grizz. “Lower your weapons,” Luna commanded and to Grizz’s immense relief they complied.         Celestia and Luna rose into the air with steady beats of their wings, “Don’t worry Buzz, we will take care of Cadance and Twilight. You wait here.”         “But Chrysalis?” Grizz whispered, the other queen was in the centre of a slowly spreading pool of mucus.         “It’s not up to us if she pulls through Grizz, that’s down to you,” Luna replied cryptically and before she could ask what Luna meant both sisters sailed out into the flashing night sky. Grizz settled down next to her silent companion and for the first time tonight she looked right at Chrysalis.         There were dents and cracks all over Chrysalis' carapace, her eyes were vacant and to Grizz's horror the queen's horn was broken off about two thirds down its length. There were sticky fluids leaking from dozens of deep gashes and Grizz felt she was going to be sick. Chrysalis really did look dead.         Grizz wasn't terribly attached to Chrysalis if she was being honest with herself, the old terror had been boastful, arrogant and cruel. Yet to see her so beaten and damaged..... Grizz wouldn't have wished that upon anypony.         You're alone now Grizz and what's worse you're not even really a queen. That was what was so terrible, As far as Grizz knew Chrysalis may have been the last changeling queen alive. If that was the case then Scrund and the others were doomed.         No more spawning, no more grubs and larva. Grizz could be a mother to these last drones, but she wasn't a true queen: There would be no more if Chrysalis died.         Funny that wouldn't have bothered me a few weeks ago, but now I've come to know them it's tearing me apart inside. Not for the first time Buzz wished she couldn't feel anything, that she was just a simple robot with direct and logical programming. The pains of the last few days were....         There was the faintest of chimes; it was a simple quiet note which caused her to pause. Looking up and around Grizz saw that the guards had taken up positions outside the door once more, so it wasn't them.         Grizz looked to the only other person here, but Chrysalis was just as still and lifeless as before. Gingerly Grizz poked the body with a hoof, but it gave no response. She wasn't sure if that made Grizz elated or disappointed. She loathed Chrysalis, but at the same time needed her too and Grizz felt her chest tighten again as she thought of Scrund, now orphaned.         That tiny chime sounded again as Grizz buried her head in her hooves; it was musical and soft, almost like a drop of water falling into a still pond and it drew Grizz's attention despite its softness.         Looking up Grizz regarded the Tree of Harmony. It was glowing as it always did and had done so since the world began as far she knew. Its reassuring presence wasn't overbearing, nor was it subtle. It just was and it seemed to call to Grizz, resonating with that tiny spark within her.         With nothing else for it Grizz got to her hooves and slowly advanced towards the tree, “Um hello?”         Nothing happened and Grizz was about to shrug before turning away when the chime sounded again. She was certain it was coming from the tree this time and Grizz shuffled forward, eyeing the magical plant carefully, “Are you just messing with me or what?”         The tree simply glowed and Grizz hissed angrily, “Listen I've had enough strangeness for one night okay, so either leave me alone or give me some clue as to what it is you want!”         When a response wasn't forthcoming Grizz shook her head, too tired to care. She made to walk back to Chrysalis when the light within the tree flickered. humph, I just shouted at the Tree of Harmony. I doubt Twilight would approve, neither does the Tree seemingly.         Grizz tensed herself as the flickering became a rhythmic flashing, casting the chamber in alternating shadows and luminescence which quickly made her eyes hurt. Backing off Grizz closed her eyes as the chime became an incessant shriek, Nice one Grizz you really did it this time, well done for ticking off a god tree...         All outside input faded away and Grizz felt as if the world tilted and she stumbled to the ground. As she opened her eyes again Buzz saw the cave, tree and everything else for that matter was gone.         “What the hay?” She said and noticed that her voice wasn't that of Grizz anymore. Looking down Buzzbot saw that she was her machine self again, smooth plated and without coat.         “That's a good question, but not one you really want to know the answer to,” A soft voice spoke and caused Buzz to spin around in fear.         There before her was a pegasus, her orange coat shimming in the strange light that seemed to fill, wherever Buzz was.”Okay either I'm dead or there is some really potent pollen coming off that tree.”         “Neither Buzz, Buzzbot, Stage Cloak or Grizz, which ever you prefer,” The pegasus looked oddly familiar to Buzz and as she looked into her rosy pink eyes her mind did a quick recall.         “I know you! You're the mare who died in the diner!” Buzz shouted in fear before taking a few stumbling steps backward.         “Sorry wrong again, though I admit I do look like her,” The newcomer smiled warmly, “So which is it?” Buzz clicked in confusion, “What do you mean?” The strange pony laughed softly, “Which name do I call you by?”         Buzz looked down at herself, “Oh um, well I'm the real me right now so I guess you call me Buzzbot.” “Are you sure you're the real you?” The glowing pegasus asked and Buzz felt her frustrations rise.         “Enough with the questions okay, can't you just give me a straight answer? Who are you?” Buzz sat on her haunches and folded her hooves, “I'm not playing these games anymore okay, I've had a really bad day and don't need this.”         “Well you did ask me to give you clues, you should have said you wanted a straight answer sooner,” Buzz clicked again in confusion as this phrase washed over her.         “You're the tree? As in The Tree!” Buzz asked and finally the pegasus nodded happily, “And you're talking to me as a pegasus?” “Yep,” The Tree replied. Buzz sat stunned for a few moments, “Why?”         “Well I was having an important chat with two of my agents, then you burst in and told them all about what's going on above,” The Tree winked, “So I decided to talk to you.” “As a pegasus?” Buzz pressed and The Tree smiled again. “Well about that, I thought it would make things easier to understand,” The Tree only grinned wider. “By being a dead pony? Does this mean I'm dead?” Buzz asked slowly. “No, but then again as a machine are you truly alive?” The Tree asked in return.         “Twilight seems to think so,” Buzz muttered uncertainly, “ And you still didn't answer my question.” The Tree smiled happily, “Ah dear Twilight how is she doing anyway?”         Did she even hear my last question? “Fighting my insane aunt who’s trying to wipe out every changeling there is, but apart from that doing fine,” Buzz said the sarcasm dripping from her voice.         To Buzz's surprise The Tree didn't look upset about that, “Well that will never do will it, I understand why my Sun and Moon had to leave in such a hurry now.”         Buzz shook her head again, “Look I don't mean to be rude, but I'm kind of in a big fix right now, so if there's anything you could do to help that would be great.” “And what would you have me do?” The Tree asked with a raised eyebrow. Buzz stomped her hoof in anger, “Oh I don't know: Stop lots of my friends and family dying!?”         For the first time since she'd met The Tree it frowned, “Yes that is very sad isn't it. I don't like having to let bad things happen you know. But I can't jump in and save the day all the time, otherwise it would spoil things.” “You mean you could and you don't!” Buzz was shouting now.         The Tree's frown became a sad smile, “Yes it's like that I'm afraid. But when would it stop? If I was to stop all the bad things that happen then there would be no freedom would there?” Buzz paused for a moment, “Well you could stop accidents and things like that?”         “And wrap you all up in soft fluffy clouds, just in case you might scuff a hoof? Then none of you would ever grow or learn,” The Tree replied and Buzz didn't know how to respond to that, “All the souls who live upon me are here to learn to choose good things, but to truly freely choose there needs to be an opposite in all things.”         “Without trials and rough times no one could achieve their full potential, would you have me deny my creations that opportunity?” The Tree gave Buzz a hard look. She tried to match it, but found her eyes dropping to the ground.         “Well when you put it like that then no, I wouldn't want you to stop that,” Buzz didn't feel satisfied though, “But that doesn't sound fair, if bad stuff happens how do you make sure everything is just?”         The Tree looked stern for a moment, “By having a very long term perspective and taking great care in how I manage things.” It smiled again, “But we're getting off the main subject here, you asked me why I chose this way to appear to you?” Buzz paused before nodding.         “Well firstly talking by sounds made by a tree is difficult for you to understand, secondly I do remember that pegasus in the diner and though I'm sad about what happened to her, know that she's been given a great reward for doing what she knew to be right,” The Tree sat down next to Buzz and put a companionable hoof around her shoulders.         Buzz was surprised not to feel anything; well nothing physical anyway, just a slight tingle upon contact, “Who sent her? I mean it can't have been Chrysalis and I seriously doubt it was Lady Ichor either.”         “Well I may have arranged for that pegasus to escape and bring word to Equestria about how bad things had gotten for the changelings,” The Tree said with a conspiratorial wink, “I just created the opportunities, she did all the hard work of course.”         “You wanted Twilight to investigate the changeling's plight?” Buzz asked as the truth began to dawn on her.         The Tree nodded, “My first choice would have been Celestia if I'm being honest, but I cannot force anyone to act, merely encourage them. That is the same with my own agents. Although they get let in on a few more secrets than the rest of you.”         “Why don't you tell us all about these things, surely the world would be better if we all knew you were there and cared for us?” Buzz asked her mind racing.         “You'd think so wouldn't you, but I find if you really want to know anyone's true intentions you need to see how they act when they don't think I'm looking,” The Tree explained. Buzz nodded, “Sorry you were...what were you explaining to me?”         Her companion laughed softly again, “Well I know of the problems the changelings are having and I took steps so that they had a chance to be redeemed.”         Buzz felt a slight shock pass through her system, “Is that still possible? I mean Chrysalis is dead, was she the last of their queens?” “Yes for the moment,” The Tree said slyly. “You can bring her back?” Buzz asked, feeling hope for the first time in hours.         “I could do that, but I fear she isn't the right queen for the job,” The Tree replied and Buzz felt that shock flow through her again.         “This isn't going where I think is it?” Buzzbot asked with a shudder. She looked down at the bare glowing white floor and tried to imagine her own hooves being like those of changeling's for the rest of her life.         “Well I need someone for the job, I can sort out the genetics and what not if you're interested?” The Tree winked and if Buzz had flesh and blood at this point she'd be blushing. “You’ve had a taste of it, you’ve seen the responsibility of such a task.” “What if I say no?” Buzz asked as the enormity of the idea bounced around her head.         “Then I'll have to make do with another plan and you would miss out on a great opportunity,” The Tree said as she waggled her eyebrows.         “But no one may save them, they could all die,” Buzz reasoned and The Tree smiled in return.         “Now you're catching on. Freedom of choice comes with consequences, they are good or bad depending on the decision made,” Buzz watched The Tree carefully as it talked on, “With an eternal perspective you could understand how it is possible to make up for every unfair thing that happens in this world, that's not in question. What is in question is who falls on which side of the line when that day of justice does come: Another reason why you all live and have the freedom to choose.”         Buzz tried to take in all this and found she simply couldn't grasp it, instead she tried to focus on what was before her. She had a choice, a big choice. Can I even do what The Tree was suggesting? I don't know the first thing about leading a swarm, but then she could be with Scrund properly.         “You don't have to be perfect Buzz, you will make mistakes as every living thing does. All I need you to do is try your best, and yes you could,” The Tree explained with a knowing grin. It was almost as if it could read Buzz's mind..... “Hey did you?” Buzz asked angrily. The Tree chuckled, “Promise I won't tell.”         Buzz would have burned with embarrassment had she not been made of metal and instead hid her face behind a hoof, “Do I have to decide now?” “Pretty much Buzz, sorry but that's the way of things,” The Tree explained. “Okay, um so how do I choose?” Buzzbot asked her core fluttered with nervousness.         “As I asked you right at the start, what do you want me to call you?” The Tree asked again and Buzz knew what she'd choose, there was one condition however. The Tree cocked an eyebrow in mock surprise, “Really? Are you sure?” “Yes, that's my condition,” Buzz announced, all traces of uncertainty gone.         The Tree smiled one last time, looking pleased with itself, “Very well, hold on to your head. This will feel a bit strange.”