The Heir and the Chimera

Canterlot is dark, with only the moonlight and streetlights lighting the city. Glass Cannon rides on his Chimera’s back to get to his home.

When Glass Cannon and his chimera arrive at the mansion, they notice a lot of carts within the gate.

The guards see Glass Cannon and let he and his bodyguard in through the gates.

Glass Cannon looks to the Steward of the Mansion. The Steward is an old black stallion with grey hair named Ironclad.

Glass Cannon screams for Ironclad as he gets inside the mansion. Ironclad goes up to him in an orderly manner.

Ironclad asks Glass Cannon, “What do you need my lord?”

“Why are there carts outside?”

“The staff is preparing to leave tomorrow after their final checks.”

“How will this work? Are they going to be gone at the same time? How many are going to…”

“Plans are arranged. you need to sleep now, my Lord, to prepare for tomorrow. There are a few questions that I have to ask you in private.”

T21 butts in, “We need to be part of those plans.”

“Of course, The Lord’s Bodyguard is included.”

Ironclad leads Glass Cannon and his Chimera to the Planning Room. The Planning room is a big room dedicated to be the Command Center of the mansion. It has a model of the entire estate, extra supplies, a round table for meeting within the staff hierarchy, a few safes within the walls, and most importantly, it is the most private room in the whole estate.

S151 comments, “Thisss isss fancy.”

G77 says, “A command center for a mansion? You guys thought of everything.”

Glass Cannon asks, “Ironclad, what do you want?”

Ironclad goes up to the round table and pulls out a scroll.

Ironclad says, “I have a checklist of things that need to be addressed. I’ll help you check them off. This will help us organize for the days to come.”

Ironclad picks up the scroll and pulls out a pen.

T21 asks, “What is that?”

“It’s a new thing called a pen. It’s a quill with the ink inside.”

G77 comments, “The rich do have the fanciest of things.”

Glass Cannon goes to the round table and takes a seat.

Glass Cannon asks, “What’s first?”

Ironclad announces, “The first thing is staff will be reduced from 73 to 21 by tomorrow. We can afford to spare some supplies to get a few of the homeless during the accounting period.”

“Homeless ponies? Are you serious? My life is on the line, everyday staring today and you expect to use some street bums…”

“These bums that I have learned about, can help us. We can only afford to get 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 is a small collection of ex-soldiers and mercenaries whose combat skills can help keep you and...”

T21 interrupts, “We are more than enough to protect the Master.”

“This Estate and its staff need protection, too. I know you will follow Mr. Glass Cannon everywhere. Besides what’s the point of an inheritance, if it is destroyed and/or stolen.”

G77 says, “He does make a point.”

Glass Cannon command his Chimera, “You girls keep your lips shut and let Ironclad finish what he has to say!”

“Thank you, lord. As I was saying, if we get Group 1, we have to close some rooms to use them as decoys and we won’t have enough cleaning staff to help keep the entire mansion maintained. Group 2 is a group of… ‘street rats’ who can help us with cleaning the estate and think of ways to prevent our enemies from getting in. Don’t expect them to fight for you or at all, my lord.”

“I think getting those new guards are probably better for us. Next.”

Ironclad check off the first choice.

“We have some spare wood and nails. We could use them to reinforce our windows or our walls. Or, we can try to reinforce more inside away from view. The public eye will see that this mansion’s famous security isn’t threatened by the ‘current events’ to trick invaders.”

“I rather not have the Public see what we are doing at all. Reinforce the walls.”

“Are you sure?”

“It seems to be the best option.”

“Final question: What do want to focus upgrading on?”

“What do you mean?”

“I can get a few ponies to look around or call a few favors in to improve certain defenses, guards, gear and anything else for your safety.”

“I think improving the mansion’s defenses will help us a lot more in the long run. I might want to change our focus later.”

“I change weekly sir.”

T21 exclaims, “You will change as the Master sees fit.”

Glass Cannon says, “I do agree with her. Why can’t I just change the focus at any time?”

Ironclad explains, “I need time to call in certain parts and gear. The ponies that are gathering said gear and parts would hate constant last minute recalls.”

“Do we have enough armor and weapons for our current staff?”

“With most of our old guards leaving, we will have plenty of weapons, uniforms, and a pile of ammo for our Dragon Ripper.”

“Does that thing still work?”

All 3 chimera heads ask, “Dragon Ripper?”

Ironclad finishes checking the list and then steps towards the model of the mansion. He points towards a circular tower. “There is the Dragon Ripper’s Tower. It is an old, but reliable, multi-barrel cannon.”

Glass Cannon asks, “Does IT still work? It is like 50 years old.”

Ironclad says with a smile, “You should ask the changelings from last year’s invasion. I believe the current team took out 50 of them or at least that is what they said.”

G77 comments, “That is a changeling a year.”

T21 adds, “A cannon can’t kill…”

Glass Cannon says to The Chimera, “What did I just say?!”

The heads stood there silently after the reminder.

Ironclad tells Glass Cannon, “I will make sure I will get the remaining staff to reinforce overnight. You should get some sleep, lord. It will be a long day tomorrow.”

“A good rest will help me. Maybe I can dream of what will happen after this mess is sorted.”

As Glass Cannon goes to his room, S151 stretches her way closer to the model and tries to see the model and its details. Unable to see it clearly with her current vision. She makes a long blink and her eyes change to eyes that can see normally to properly admire the model. Unfortunately for S151, her body follows Glass Cannon, pulling her away.

Ironclad says, “Good Night.” ine-height:107%`g8��