Steel and Ichor

by Gallants

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Royal Guard, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Human, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 3988

There's a suit of armor in front of a collapsed cave and nopony knows why.

I stood in front of that cave for centuries I stood there guarding a pony I knew was dead but the proof needed to be in front of me for my spell to change owners I needed somepony to find and bring me the remains. I'm glad she brought me the skull.

(Inspired by a character I ran in a D&D game at one point.) If you want to play a creature like Myth in a dnd game I have made a homebrew species for 5e. http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Shade_Diamond_(5e_Race)
(NOT ORIGNAL SHADE DIAMOND)
Cover Art commissioned by Zsparkonequus
https://zsparkonequus.deviantart.com/

Published 2017-10-16 05:50:06 UTC
Last updated 2018-04-17 03:08:04 UTC

Prologue

The guards watched me from what they must've thought was a safe distance but I stood still I had to stand still the rust at my joints would most likely destroy my limbs if I fell; The ichor that filled my body would hopefully coagulate and keep me from being one with nature again.

They watched me with fear or interest it was hard to tell from the distance but I suspect it was both, after all, I was much different from them I towered over them I had the tip of my blade in the dirt in a relaxed but ready position not that it mattered not that anything I wanted mattered I wouldn't be able to move or let the guards past if I wanted, I was bound to protect my master even though I knew he was dead but I had no proof of his death. But to get the proof a guard, would need to get past me. They ended up yelling something I couldn't hear, not that I could speak without a telepathic link that my master told me to use. They must have taken my silence as proof I was just armor and advanced I had to protect my master. When the first guard was within striking distance I attempted to raise my blade only for the joint to break away from Centuries of rusting my arms fell off and my legs broke away from the sudden movement I fell and the ichor that filled my body started to flow, fear was all I felt at that moment as the guards stood there confused as to what I was.

I woke up later in a room I didn't recognize, with the Princess standing over me.
"I see you're a golem of sorts," She had a calm smile. "Who made you?" I would have replied but I couldn't but I could feel my master's presence.

"If you aren't going to communicate verbally will you at least do your best to do identify your old owner even if it is a long shot," then she started showing me skulls. The Princess showed me skulls for several hours she was starting to get weary but she eventually pulled one up that I recognized the latent magic of, "That was him, Mistress,"

My Mistress frowned when she heard me in her head, "Why are you calling me Mistress?"
"You showed me the proof I needed of my previous Master's demise, therefore, the spell has changed my owner to you," she was sad at what I told her.
"Since you can now talk to me will you tell me who made you?"

"I do not know my creator only my master who must have commissioned me and it is highly probable that he executed the creator afterward, as killing anything that begged for its life was his favorite thing," She had a muted anger when I told her that.
"He was a cutthroat and you were bound to him," I did my best to nod.

"Yes Mistress I was bound to him I had to follow his orders and protect him I thank you for freeing me of his power,"

"Yes, you are free I dismiss you from service you can go live your life however you want when we get you fixed,"

"I'm sorry Mistress but I can't let you do that," she raised an eyebrow at that. "And why is that,"

"The spell that created me keeps me from being dismissed I am bound to you and will protect you until our demise from a much more powerful force and I welcome your ownership," She sighed
"Very well I will get my blacksmiths to make your new limbs,"

"I would like a new body Mistress," She blinked at my request then smiled and nodded.

I laid in that bed for months helpless to protect my Mistress from any threat. One morning she came with a suit of armor similar to my old set "Mistress may you lift the face shield of the new set and my own and bring the new set closer," She smiled and brought it closer then lifted the face shields when it was close enough I transferred the thick black ichor that made up my conscience and muscle system between the two.

"How do you feel?" I placed a gauntlet over my breast and fell to my knee lowering my helm.

"I feel ready to serve you, Mistress,"

"How will you serve me," she had a stern look on her face.

"I will protect you from any who have the intention to cause physical harm upon you, how I go about that is your choice Mistress, I will also run errands for you if I deem it safe to leave your side," There was something going on with her I could feel it with our connection.

"I want you to stop them and cause as little harm as possible and killing is unacceptable unless I say so otherwise, you may rise,"

"Of course Mistress," I got up to my feet and looked at her. She motioned for me to follow so I did. "You will not be armed for a while I hope that is okay,"

"Even if it will limit my options to protect you if you wish it so, it shall be Mistress," Her mood improved a bit.

"Good I have some meetings I need to attend today where will you like to be stationed?" Her smile was fake and her tone was forced just a bit.

"Mistress I would prefer to be at your side as it would make protection easier," She nodded once again and we continued walking down the corridors, many of the marble pillars were mostly cosmetic as far as I could tell making them good spots for an ambush but at least there were guards patrolling the hallways and stationed at various doors in the castle. When we reached our destination she opened the door and I stood by her side the whole time; she explained what I was and my purpose then they started speaking about the matters concerning the state I tuned it out and focused on my job of protecting my Mistress.

1000 PLE

"I think we could use a name for you," It has been a month since I have had my new body and conversation was little less scarce than the blade that should have adorned my side.
"Why do I need a name Mistress?"
"Please look at me when we speak in fact look at anypony when your speaking with them," I turned to look at her and she glared at me. "and back to my original point I can't call you Guard or Protector all the time we need a proper name for you,"

"Mistress I am your guard and protector what possible name other than those could possibly fit me," She scowled at me she did that a lot when we were alone.

"You're not going to even give me any suggestions or help in any way,"

"No Mistress I will not assist you, as helping you with a name for myself does not assist me in protecting you," Her scowl hardened she barely tolerated me.

"You know, since you represent a mythical creature, and the enchantments themselves being so strange that not even the brightest minds at Canterlot University can explain it, they said it was straight from the golem of love so how about Myth, what do you think?" She gave a name first one to do that with any actual thought and she hated my presence more than my previous owner and his cutthroats, ponies are confusing.

"Mistress if you like it I see no reason to not after all my previous names mostly consisted of scrap and slave," She didn't like my previous names I didn't blame her I also happened to dislike them.

"Did your enchantments include feelings?" There was so much sarcasm in her question that if it was wieldable it would make a great bludgeon, but she was also serious very serious.

"I was programmed with emotions but they must be unlocked somehow, I have not been able to find exactly how to do that, however, I would like very much to feel them will you assist me in this endeavor Mistress?" She was surprised and then she nodded with tears of joy in her eyes everything was sort of a blur after that I remember her trying everything she could to get me to feel the only ones that even slightly worked where the games we played together I thoroughly enjoyed them my favorite was hide and seek it was most fun when some of the maids, guards or visiting foals would join in our games.

Eventually, our games had to stop I had a few emotions triggering every now and then usually joy when my Mistress and I held proper conversations that didn't end in hypotheticals about slavery having upsides. The other most common emotion was fear every time I saw a foal without its parent, thankfully I was given plenty of freedom with my mental connections so I could ask where the little one's parents were.

I was soon allowed to carry a weapon once more although my Mistress wouldn't allow me to use a sword she said they were too dangerous to have at the ready with the foals who tended to run amok in the castle and that there was a small but possible chance it could get caught if I was drawing it from a scabbard. So we came to an agreement I would use a halberd instead it would keep the foals safe and as an added bonus it would always be easily accessible always in my capable hands. I also decided to push for a more intimidating body to match my new weapon she said if I can successfully defend her once then she'd think about it, all while chuckling behind her hoof. She is quite playful she sometimes reminds me of the foals we played hide and seek with. She was always happy when she could tease.

She was having mixed feeling over the days it was a mix of excitement, fear, and sadness I didn't want to pry but these feelings could affect her judgment and put her at a higher risk of self-endangerment. I naturally waited until we arrived at her private quarters. "Mistress is there something on your mind?" She looked confounded that I would ask such a thing.

"No Myth I don't believe so why do you ask?"

"You are scared, excited, and sad at the same time that tends to mean something is on one's mind Mistress," I looked down at her when she sprawled to her pillow.

"Perceptive as ever Myth so yes there is something on my mind a thousand years ago I banished my sister to the moon when she became corrupted with jealousy and this coming summer sun celebration is when she will be released,"

"I'm scared she will be unredeemable and succeed in her attempt to bring eternal night, I'm excited that I will be able to see her again, and I'm sad that I'll be seeing her after a thousand year banishment I put her through and that she won't be able to forgive me," I leaned my halberd against the wall got on my knee and held her close, her head leaned into my shoulder.

"Mistress I believe if she is redeemed she will have it in her heart to forgive you after all she was banished and not killed in her endeavor," She chuckled at my attempt to make her feel better.

"A strange yet effective way to brighten my spirits Myth I'm going to bed, I can expect you to make sure an assassin doesn't stab me in my sleep," She had a playful grin on her face even if she didn't believe it possible I was sure an assassination attempt would happen one of these days.

"Night and day Mistress I will protect you till my destruction," Slamming a gauntlet on my breast and grabbing my halberd I set up in the corner with the best view of the rooms doors and windows.

0 PLNE

Several months passed after my Mistress told me about her sister's soon return the summer sun celebration was today, and I was worried, she told me she couldn't defeat her with her magic I didn't know what I could do against the Mistresses sister but I would have to try to protect her to the best of my ability after all I made a verbal promise to do so. A letter appeared from her student she quickly read it and sent a message back. "I'm sending Twilight to Ponyville to oversee the celebration preparations, would like to join her Myth?" My Mistress asked she already knew what I would say my head turning to face her I replied.

"Even if I did Mistress you know I would be unable too," She smiled.

"Well, we will be heading to Ponyville in a few hours so let's get your good cloak on and properly straightened since you will be representing the Royal Guards image in some capacity you will also be representing my image," She used her magic to reach into her closet and pulled out my cloak before hooking it to my armor and straightening it. She looked at me and started to wipe smudges off of my armor almost like I was a child, it was something she had started doing sometime after she told me about her sister.

Soon we were off, I imagine we were late the guards who pulled the carriage were not happy when we arrived. My Mistress had been fussing over how I looked for several hours and did so again. When we arrived in Ponyville I got a lot of looks from the locals I was not surprised, we went and waited on a balcony in the town hall after an hour or so I felt magic build-up, soon Nightmare Moon appeared in front of us I lept into action bringing my halberd up and attempting to strike her down, the Nightmare made a shield I did the only thing that made sense. "Mistress, you must vacate the premises," I head a pop and saw a small flash of light the Nightmares face formed into a scowl she quickly grabbed the halberd with her magic and ripped it from my grip and ran it through my breast she then pinned me to the wall keeping my gauntlets away and from the shaft of my weapon.

"Where did she go little golem?" She snarled at me forcing my helmet up to face her.

"I don't know she kept her safe houses a secret from me for situations like this Nightmare," She twisted the halberd ever so slightly why was I enchanted to feel pain. Somepony yelled my Mistress' name and the Nightmare quickly hid just behind the lip of the balcony, I then saw the curtain move slightly and heard a gasp from a pony who quickly said that she was gone, I started to lose conscious shortly after that all I saw was the Nightmare forming in front of me before I blacked out.
--------------------------------------Celestia's POV-------------------------------------
"I'm so sorry I missed you so much big sister," Luna ran over and leaned into my chest.

"I missed you too little sister," I looked at the six who tore away her jealousy fuelled shell and my heart sank. "Where is Myth? I expected him to be here with you," Luna looked mortified when she spoke.

"Sister if Myth was the golem who fought me, I stabbed him with his halberd he might still be in the town hall," I ran to the window before flying off towards Ponyville I needed to know if he was okay. When I arrived he was still on the balcony Ichor slowly dripping from his breast, I don't know what I was yelling all I know is that ponies came and started to help him.
--------------------------------------Myth's Pov---------------------------------
I awoke in a hospital bed in the middle of the night a piece of steel welded to my breastplate, my Mistress had her head hanging onto the side of the mattress sleeping it looked like she had been crying, I slowly got up and placed myself between the door and her sleeping figure.

It was a month since my first encounter with Luna, and every time I ran into her in the castle she apologized profusely I always told her that it was okay that I didn't mind. Then one day my Mistress ran away from me, knowing I would give chase, even though I found it weird she ran as she had been coddling me for the past month not letting me out of her sight in any way and even canceled day court on several occasions; to spend 'quality time' with me as she put it. When I finally caught up with her she had just closed the door to the ballroom, I opened it to her shouting at me. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYTH!" My Mistress seemed happy and I saw the new bearers of the elements and Princess Luna in the corner still looking a bit ashamed.

"Mistress I do not have a birthday," She frowned at me before smiling and grabbing me with her front hooves pulling me towards the center of the ballroom.

"I think your birthday is the day you became my guard Myth," She smiled even brighter then she held me close and whispered into my ear. "And I have a pretty big present for you Myth that I think you will really like,"

Author's Note

So I just really liked that last sentence and decided to end it there instead of going for a longer chapter sorry people who like long chapters.

The Present That Keeps Giving (updated)

I danced with my Mistress throughout the night something I didn't know how to do but she seemed happy to teach me. I hurt her, a lot.

I quickly noticed my new set of armor in the corner I went and transferred my essence to it, then my Mistress spoke. "Morning Myth how was your night," Something in the back of my head told me to embrace her

"I rested just fine Mistress, how was your night," She smiled and quickly walked over to me and started polishing my armor, I felt strange.

“Myth, how are you glowing?” Looking down I noticed that my new body was glowing, that was the source of the new feeling. We promptly went to the university, where they discovered that it is possible for me to cast spells by discharging magic bleed off which happens to be controlled by my emotions, you would think my maker would have put this information in my matrix. What else don't I know about myself?

After our time at the university, I protected my Mistress during day court it was the same as usual except for one small incident, which was more I opened my mouth when I shouldn't have. Some pony with the name of Marx something came in and started spouting about how unfair our economic system was and how we need to use this new system he made which was mostly pushing for some sort of economic equality giving all control of personal finance in essence to the government and jobs that nopony would want to do like waste management would be irrelevant somehow; I told him his ideas might work at the beginning but wouldn't last. He lashed out at that rushing my Mistress I was quick to knock him down and place the tip of my Halberd to his throat.

My Mistress didn't seem happy with the colorful vocabulary I used while addressing him and his asinine ideas, her displeasure was made quite clear while we waited for the next partitioner. "Myth, if your spell didn't force you to protect me," She growled at me and did nothing to hide her scowl even when other ponies came in, it made me feel worse than her previous scowls I don't know why. The final petitioner was a pony requesting lower tax rates for restaurants; my Mistress told the stallion that she would think about it; he left without incident.

The rest of the day was uneventful, the night, however, was very eventful. There was a crash inside the castle gardens guards were quick to respond to protect my Mistress side she told me to go and support the ponies that responded to the crash; I deemed it safe to leave her side. What I saw was something the ponies called the strangest thing they ever saw, I had to agree with them.

It was circular with four thick stilts on its side and something on the top of the body that was thick and thin with indents on the side that glowed pink shortly. Luna was interested that a country would have enough gall to attack the capital, I told her that whatever landed was not an attack.

Princess Luna has been excited for the past few days about that thing that crashed in the gardens she said it came from her stars, at least she isn't apologizing to me anymore. Every time my Mistress and I run into her she talks about it how it doesn't seem to understand her and is sparking every now and then. "Myth will you try talking to it? Your telepathy might let the creature tell us it's name," Luna was adamant about making contact with this creature I thought we should kill it we don’t know what it is; it probably wants to lull us into a false sense of security.

“If you wish me too I will ask my Mistress if I should,” I told her and I went into the throne room to ask my Mistress. I found myself in a private section of the castle the creature was being hung by chains it was taller than my Mistress, I hesitantly went in and started to prod its brain except there wasn’t one, but it still made a noise at me it was intelligent but had nothing to give it intelligence, even I have a brain that can be prodded, but this has nothing. I stepped out and told my Mistress that there is nothing for me to talk to, she nodded and we left.

Author's Note

Sneak peeks to a new story tied into this one.

Celestia's Trial Part 1

"Princess you have to destroy that creature," Shining Armor was telling me for the fifth time this week. "He must have been made to lull you into a false sense of security and then kill you,"

"Captain you are out of line once again; I do not believe Myth is a danger he will stay in his position as my personal guard and you must be forgetting the fact that I sleep in the same room as him and he has not attempted to do anything. And once again if he was a danger to me he would have discovered my safe house and told Nightmare Moon where I was," I was very stern telling him, I was getting really tired of my Captain he was being so unreasonable. He was taken aback and he was about to say something. "I will not be hearing any more of this Captain, if you do not find any solid evidence that he is a threat to me or a threat to the state's security this will be the end of it or I will replace you as Captain of the guard," He shut his mouth at that saluted and left with a yes Ma'am.