//------------------------------// // Chapter 30: Changing of the Guard // Story: Drake's Empire // by Pentel123 //------------------------------// Chapter 30: Changing of the Guard "He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command." -Niccolo Machiavelli Blueblood looked out the windows of his carriage watching the evergreens pass by, slowly giving way to an empty plain between the barrier mountains as he traveled the road leading to Bastion. Behind him, several trade wagons followed, carrying the heads of different merchant guilds from across Equestria chosen by Princess Celestia to be the first ones to establish trade routes with Forum. Behind them a single carriage carrying students approved by Forum’s ruling serpent to act as the first class to learn in the Library. The more Blueblood learned of where he was visiting the more his excitement and apprehension grew. The apprehension had started from the moment he learned of his new position. When the commander had briefed him on the dangers of the wildlands it had only grown. Then he had met Drake and learned that Princess Celestia’s decision might be voided. The interview had gone terribly for that hope. At first Drake had refused him, but the harder Princess Celestia pressed the harder it became for Drake to justify his refusal. In that moment, Blueblood determined to prove himself to spite the wyrm, and to show the Princess that her faith in him was justified. He had been asked to remain, as the student were likewise interviewed. It was then he truly learned about the place that was to be his new home. The possibilities had fed an infant sense of excitement born from his determination. It was early in the evening when the column finally reached Bastion. The fortress seemed to glisten in the fading sunlight. Fresh cut stone on its walls and piles of vines and other greenery near its base. There were also piles of bones yet to be buried. A somber reminder of the harpy attack in the weeks prior. Overhead Drake circled his blue body visible against the orange sky. Pulling inside the gate Blueblood saw a beat up machine parked near the entrance to the commander center. Near it rested a minotaur, an earth pony and a pair of unicorns with their eyes in the sky. As the last carriage pulled into the fort, the doors were shut behind it and Drake landed by him. “Welcome to Bastion Blueblood. Now that you are here, we can fulfill the first requirement of the treaty,” Drake said, turning towards the command center. “Since Bastion currently recognizes him as commander anyway, Flim will be going with you to oversee the transfer of command to General Hoplite.’’ “I understand,” Blueblood said climbing out of his carriage and pausing to let the stallions pulling it know they were done for the day. “Though I must say the fort is far different from everything I’d read.” “That would be Bastion’s doing. Apparently the zebra is a bit vain. Let’s get this over with you highness. We have been waiting long enough.” Flim said in a monotone not looking up from the ground as he walked towards the door.” “Wait, isn’t Bastion the name of this fortress? What do zebras have to do with anything?” Blueblood asked Drake as he started to follow Flim. “You’ll see soon enough. Unfortunately, I have somewhere else to be tonight. I will meet you tomorrow at the rendezvous point that Flim will be leading ya’ll to tomorrow morning.” Drake said flexing his wings and taking off. Deprived of the opportunity to ask further questions, Blueblood let out a sigh and followed Flim. Every meeting with Drake had been frustrating in some way, why should this one be any different? Blueblood followed Flim through the corridors until they came to the central command room. There he saw the Equestrian guard as he expected, but pulled up short when he saw a scarred zebra head floating in the center of the room with an image of the fort and surrounding area projected below it. “Welcome back Commander Flim, is it time for the change of command?” Bastion asked when he saw Flim enter the room. “Yes it is. General, with me is Prince Blueblood who is to act as the official liaison of Equestria to the Phoenix Initiative to verify that the transfer has taken place in accordance with the Second Treaty of Ponyville.” Flim recited from the script he had memorized. “I, General Athena Hoplite, will be taking command of Fortress Bastion from Commander Flim of the Phoenix Initiative.” the general said as the troops working in the center formed two columns along the wall. “I, Prince Blueblood of Equestria, royal liaison to the Phoenix Initiative, shall provide official witness of the change of command. You may proceed.” Prince Blueblood said when they looked at him, picking up on the protocols that were being enforced. “Just get on with it already. The Fallen still roam, and I am nowhere near up to full capacity yet. The sooner we get this done the sooner we can get back to work restoring this citadel to its full glory,” Bastion said glaring at the assembled ponies. “Very well. Go ahead and bring forth the commander's control console.” Flim said before turning the General Hoplite. “General, I pass command of Bastion on to you.” Flim said moving next to the console and motioning for her to come forward. “Please place your hooves on the console.” General Hoplite moved forward and placed her hooves on the console in the same circles Flim had place his own when Bastion was awoken. The guards came to attention at an unheard command, giving the event a more serious feel. “As you are aware, the Empire has practiced blood magic in its enchantments. This allowed for powerful spells, enchantments and constructs to be tied to one control and eased inheritance issues. To assume command I shall take a sample of your blood. This will hurt,” Bastion said, staring down at her. “I already know that, just do it already.” General Hoplite hissed between gritted teeth as she braced herself. Bastion nodded then deploy needles, piercing her hooves. Hoplite grit her teeth, refusing to cry out as everyone watched. As quickly as they deployed, they retracted. “I recognize General Athena Hoplite as my new commander.” Bastion said. “I command Fortress Bastion.” General Hoplite said wincing as she placed weight on her hooves. “The fortress is under command of the Equestrian guard. The treaty obligation has been fulfilled.” Prince Blueblood said intrigued by the ceremony, but not enough to particularly care after the long day he’d had. “General, I am sure you have many things to take care of right now. I and those traveling with me have had a very long day. We would appreciate it if we could be shown to our lodging for the night.” As General Hoplite arranged for Blueblood and the others to be put up for the night Flim returned to his vehicle. As the sun set those in Bastion bedded down. Elsewhere a meeting happened in the dark shadows of a nearby mountain. * * * * * * * * * Drake hovered as his back legs touched down softly on the stony earth beneath the jagged peak. Though he was on the mend it still hurt land on his right arm, despite the cast protecting it. Not to mention the new scales on his left side itched like crazy as they grew through is purplish pink flesh. Taking a careful breath, glad his ribs had mostly healed before leaving Ponyville he stopped flapping and let gravity pull his body forward. Having successfully landed he called out the people he was meeting with. “Scissor, Brutus, are ya’ll here?” There was the sound of hooves on stone as the changelings came into view, each looking healthier than they had three weeks ago when he had met them. Their eyes glowed softly in the shadows on the evening as they gathered around him. “We are here Regent. What do you wish of us?” Brutus said leading the changelings in a shallow bow. “First off, Scissor come get these saddle bags off me and check the egg,” Drake said referring to a gift from Rarity that straddled his neck where it met his shoulders. Useful if impossible to don and doft himself. “Secondly, we are moving out in the morning. Are you five well enough to fly, or will I need to carry you?” “Between what Scissor gathered while in the pony town and what we receive from your concern for us, we will be well enough to make the journey,” Brutus said proudly, the other three changelings around him puffing up their chest slightly. “Good to hear. You can serve as my personal escorts then. Our job will be to keep an eye out for threats to the convoy. Don’t bother with disguises either, I want you in the open where everyone can see you. Understood?” Drake said, scratching his neck as the saddle bag finally came off. Brutus and the others winched slightly at that but held their tongues. Walking among the parent races openly was something changelings simply did not do, unless they had no choice. Drake’s orders flew in the face of this. They had been back and forth when he had first arrived with Scissor the previous day, but gotten nowhere against Drake’s desire of them going uncloaked. “As you say Regent. Though I remain opposed to the prospect.” Brutus said as Scissor came back with the bags which glowed faintly pink. “I am hoping for a better future for you race Brutus. You have potential for great things. More than skulking in the shadows, though that may be part of it. But to achieve this I need others to be comfortable around you, and for you to be comfortable in your own skin. We will talk more later. Scissor, how is she coming along?” Drake said turning his attention to the changeling mare that had taken on the role of caring for the developing queen. “She is coming along well Regent. The pony town was rich in emotions that she was able to siphon off. Then there is your own feelings towards her. I would not be surprised if she hatched very soon,” Scissor said pressing an ear against the egg before bringing it up to Drake’s ear. “Listen closely, you can hear her moving,” She said, hovering with the egg gripped in both her magic and hooves. Drake listened closely when he heard a soft scratching on the shell. “Indeed I can,” Drake said. Scissor took the egg away and began stowing it back carefully, checking the cushion she had created for it. “Alright. In this last bit of daylight I want ya’ll to share with me your stories. Anything you know, have done or can do. I will be spending the night here instead of at the fortress since I got in trouble with Bastion for not playing well with others,” Drake said with a smirk as he stretched out on the ground. “One changeling is to stand watch once the time comes for sleep, otherwise ya’ll can do whatever you need to tonight.” Slowly the changelings began to speak, beginning with Brutus but picking up as time went on. Each allowing their pride and come through as they spoke. Throughout it Drake paid attention, getting to know his followers, learning about them so he could care about them more. When the sun rose the next morning, Drake awoke with the changeling’s camped beneath one of his wings, Scissor on th guard duty. They readied for the journey, quickly placing the eggs they had saved and cared for on Drake’s back. Once the eggs were secured and secure on Drake, they took to the air. As they climbed away from the mountain, the changelings took position around him. The sun rose behind them and Drake let out a wild roar, glad to finally be on the road, and ready for the next chapter of his story.