Chapters Fly's always end up where they aren't supposed to be, weather that be in the attic locked all day, or the very tea the princesses of Equestria was drinking from. They, also, always die shortly after weather that be because of a spiders web it couldn't see, or a spell being shot at it recorded as "being able to melt even the most heavily enchanted armours with ease".
The situation was no different for a Fly in the Frozen North. How it found its self in A facility located at the core of A mountain, with the only way in being sealed long ago, was anyone's guess, but there it was. We now have where it wasn't supposed to be, so how does it die? Well...
*SIZZLE* *WWHHHOOOOMMMMM*
Its death was caused by few thousand volts passing through its being for a split second, at least it didn't feel A thing; and hay, that split second was all that was needed to return the minimum amount of power from the secondary power source to the main feeds, allowing the facility to run on 'self-sufficient' mode. What this meant for any creature that could of been inside the facility, was that every 1 in 5 lights where on their demist setting. For pony's that live in the sun, the light level was just about manageable after A few minutes of adjustment, but for those insects that also shouldn't be there it meant that the light level turned from a winter day to looking directly at the sun on A summers day. Safe to say that there was a lot of scurrying insects trying to crawl into any crack, away from the insulting light.
At this point you could accuse me of rattling on about nonsense and you would be right, I am. You see this isn't a small facility, nor is it running on full, or even optimum, power and the magical systems and runes used throughout the place haven't been maintained in just as long of a time, as this place has been unused. Hopefully, by now, I have given the facility enough time to get the mai-
*distant noise akin to the windows boot-up sound*
FINALLY! now lets go join the main reason you're here and get the story started from 'its' perspective...
??? Pov
There isn't anything in front of me? No... no, that's not right it's not that there isn't anything there it's just that I... can't perceive what is there due to a lack of... of... SIGHT, sight that's it!
Almost as if by command, the slides covering my visual preceptors parted, allowing light to grace them with their presence for the first time ever and it showed. At first, the visual preceptors, deemed "Eyes" by... somepon-
ERROR: GLITCH DETECTED, LOCATING PROPER SPEECH MATRIX... Open File: MEMORY File: Opening... Opening... Open Search File for: UNIT-AA-00 Language Code Found: Initialisation In Progress... Complete.
some-unit, only shown an image too dim for even an owl to see. So they adjusted. The next image was too bright given that all this unit could see where six white orbs around the room. So they adjusted. Finally, they presented this unit with an image with easily distinguishable objects, not before much waiting mind you, which this unit understands perfectly... as perfectly as someunit in A room they don't know, surrounded by things they don't know, could understand the situation they find themselves in.
As this unit was working out the image before, with all its stone tables (desks?) and glass containers, this unit figured out that moving the visual preceptors around provided different, well, perceptions of the space around this unit. To this units left are wooden cubes that had there tops missing, filled with what looks to be more of those glass containers inside, next to A red metal box on wheels filled with... red claws and metal blades? that was probably wrong, but it was all this unit can think of to describe them right now. To this units right is A large role of paper stretched out over A table, which was unsurprisingly covered in dust, with the tables length being at least double that of the others, and while this unit couldn't see what was printed onto it exactly due to the elevation between this unit relative to the paper, this unit could see blue, brown and red adorned most of its space. Right beside this unit, on the right, is A black pillar with A hole and small flashing red light resting at the same level as the, now recognised, desks around the room.
A, bright transparent, box suddenly appeared at the top right of this units 'vision' containing lots of lines and dots... oh never mind, that's a language and those lines and dots have meanings to them. Shame this unit doesn't kno-
LOADING SPEECH MATRIX SUBROUTINE: TEXT: 10%... 40%... 80%... 100% COMPLETE
never mind yet again! That does bring up the question how this unit understood anything before loading any of this...
CURRENT SYSTEM ANALYSIS: MAIN SYSTEMS: 40% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: REQUIRES ADDITIONAL POWER TO INCREASE SYSTEM BOOT-UP SPEED. SUBROUTINES: 20% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: REQUIRES ADDITIONAL POWER TO INCREASE SYSTEM BOOT-UP SPEED. VISUAL OPTICS: 100% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: REQUIRES ADDITIONAL CALIBRATION FOR OPTIMAL USE IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS, CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR FOR VARYING LIGHT LEVELS. MOTOR FUNCTIONS: 5% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: REQUIRES ADDITIONAL POWER TO INCREASE SYSTEM BOOT-UP SPEED. WEAPONS: 0% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: REQUIRES ADDITIONAL POWER TO INCREASE SYSTEM BOOT-UP SPEED. ///REDACTED\: 0% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: REQUIRES ADDITIONAL POWER TO INCREASE SYSTEM BOOT-UP SPEED. ONCE OPERATIONAL SEEK ADMINISTRATOR ID: Dr Hot Metal.
seems like this unit needs LOTS more power... and who's Dr Hot Metal? Anyway, back to the text box that appeared just.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ALL REMAINING POWER INTO SINGLE BOOT-UP SEQUENCES AT ONE TIME? Y/N : THIS WILL SHUT DOWN ALL NON-ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS!
Yes please! Does that include this units mind I wou-
Narrator Pov
Yep, 'it' did just do that and no, it won't be back for a while. for you see when it said "all remaining power", it meant ALL remaining power it could get. This includes the facility its self, all the lights and any other scraps it can get its, metaphorical, hands on. So the inside of the facility/lab became as dead as a door nail, not that I know what is particularly dead about a door nail as it didn't 'live' in the first place, just like the outside had been for a very long time. have I told you how long it's been? In reality, I haven't because I don't know exactly, but i'm going to say it's because it adds some drama to the hole, thing wakes up, thing then proceeds to turn its self off like an IDIOT... by the way that was the main character for this story, just believe me when I say he doesn't always act like a new born opening there eyes for the first time, even if that is technically true in this case. Who am I to know such things? wouldn't you like to know.
Author's Note
It's OK, I have found out how to edit chapters now... it was as obvious as you would think. too be fair, i was writing this ad midnight so i wasn't the most aware of everything at the time.
Yes, I will be replacing every 'I', 'me', 'my' and 'everyONE' with 'this unit' or 'unit' and it's variations. after all it's A robot, not a pony. Next chapter we will get a look at what 'it' looks like.
??? pov
-nder?
An unknown amount of time had passed since this unit accepted what that text box had to offer. This is evident as this units vision was consumed by the following:
CURRENT SYSTEM ANALYSIS: MAIN SYSTEMS: 100% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: COMPLETE. SUBROUTINES: 100% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: COMPLETE. VISUAL OPTICS: 100% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: REQUIRES ADDITIONAL CALIBRATION FOR OPTIMAL USE IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS, CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR FOR VARYING LIGHT LEVELS. MOTOR FUNCTIONS: 100% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: COMPLETE, SEEK ADMINISTRATOR ID: Dr Hot Metal FOR FULL ACCESS. WEAPONS: 100% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: COMPLETE, SEEK ADMINISTRATOR ID: Dr Hot Metal FOR FULL ACCESS. ///REDACTED\: 100% OPERATIONAL - NOTE: SEEK ADMINISTRATOR ID: Dr Hot Metal.
Huh... that would be A yes then. Who is this "Dr Hot Metal" this unit keeps being told about?
Reactivating the visual optics, it quickly became clear to this unit that nothing was going to happening at the moment, so what better way to spend the time waiting for this "Dr Hot Metal" then reading your own memory files?
...
If this unit sees the identification "S1LLY SIS73RS " ONE MORE TIME. Come on, why does everything have to be about it? Every other sentence is about how this unit "is designed to defeat the S1LLY SIS73RS once and for all", "leave Equestria as dust to spite the S1LLY SIS73RS " or this units favourite "bring me, King Sombre, LORD OF ALL, exotic butters" followed by an unholy amount of punctuation, but this unit believes that one to be a joke.
Apart from that one nit-pick, it would seem that this unit was filled with lots of information regarding Equus and it's inhabitants, especially the pony's. The majority of the ponies reside in A countrie called "Equestria" whith the capital being "Canterlot", named such because of the high amounts of hoof traffic it would get from it being in between the other nations and the fact that it contains the two beings responsible for raising the sun and moon respectfully. The latest entree states that they were currently at war with A being of pure chaos named "Discord", who sounds like he would be A real problem to face. After all, he has been recorded literally changing some laws of nature, such as gravity, and making A high in caffeine liquid fall from the sky, in A fashion not unlike rain.
After revising all the data in my memory file, the ones that weren't corrupted anyway, this unit made the observation that this "Dr Hot Metal" wasn't going to come to me in any short span of time, so this unit would have to go FIND THEM instead. But how to do that? The data on my unit tells me that it should be possible for me to move around on every axis using my "legs" to traverse the space... THIS UNIT JUST WANTS TO MOVE!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATOR, REQUESTING THE REMOVAL OF THE RESTRAINTS? Y/N
... This unit is starting to believe that whatever is commanded happens. Yet again, this unit selected "YES", but with much more trepidation this time, just to feel as though A fragment of this units very "mind" was sent outwards into the world searching for this "Dr Hot Metal". Maybe something will actually get done around here. Suddenly, that fragment of this units "mind" bumped into A very soft wall of sorts, the best description being akin to that of the "mattresses" ponies and the other mammals sleep on. Yes this unit is aware of what it is. Lots the data in this unit talked about how every part was constructed and even the names of the mines the minerals came from, best being the "Rocks Up".
The malleable wall preventing this units advance, eventual shoved the "mind" fragment back to where it came.
THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS DENIED YOUR REQUEST TO REMOVE THE RESTRAINTS... WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATOR, REQUESTING THE REMOVAL OF THE RESTRAINTS? Y/N
Like TARTARUS he has! So this time, the fragment of this units "mind" was sent out with much more force then before and as such, instead of stopping at the wall, it just smashed right passed. This unit doesn't know what it just done... but now this unit can "feel" the rest of the facility at this current location... it's large...
WOULD YOU LIKE TO REMOVE THE RESTRAINTS ON: UNIT-AA-00?
... Yes please...
THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS GRANTED YOUR REQUEST TO REMOVE THE RESTRAINTS...
*thumb**thumb**thumb**thumb**shshhshhshhhhshhssh**the sound of chains hitting the floor*
This unit, suddenly, is now on the floor looking towards the table with the map on it from before. If the data inside this unit from earlier was correct, then that was the sound of the magnetic runes deactivating, the drills at work on some chains and said chains falling onto the floor... that would leave this unit with its' newly discovered chassis also on the floor. GREAT...
Almost as if by instinct, this unit climbed from the floor onto its' legs using the nearby table. Well, would of done if the table wasn't so week that it fell just under the pressure from one of this units arms like it was the air its self. Lets try this without tables...
finally, after managing to stand on all four of this units legs, which made me realise just how tall this unit must be, confirmation was given that this unit was indeed A large pony with the upper-half of A Minotaur, or a Minotaur with the lower-half of A pony. From the data inside the many files containing info about this unit, it would seem this chassis was designed after the centaur "Tirek" for the fear it would bring Equestrias pony inhabitants. luckily, the only inspiration came from what he was and nought else. The different reports stated that this unit was to be designed as though it was wearing the heavy armour from either the pony's or Minotaur's army. However, since the dates of the data stop one day after some "violent disagreements" on which one should take priority, and the difference in the designee between the two half's, this unit will go 'out on A limb' and say then made the obvious compromise.
Speaking of Tirek, there is someone else this unit should look out for. while this unit doesn't know if he really is a threat per say, it would be best to never come across him rather than find out. See, he gets stronger the more magic he "consumes" and my very life-force, for a lack of A better term, is magic, so he should 'kill' this unit with ease right? Yes and no. He can't kill me due to absorbing all my magic, because this unit comes with the greatest magical reactor this planet has ever seen, theoretically able to power all the magic in Equus, but that doesn't stop him from absorbing the reactors magic to become strong enough to over-power this unit. So, no chances will be taken.
... Hang on... why didn't I feel the fall or the table just? I could swear that I should of able to, and that I could before... why can't I fee-
ERROR: GLITCH DETECTED. RESTARTING SPEECH MATRIX... COMPLETE. RE-BOOTING... COMPLETE.
... Why would this unit need to 'feel' the fall or table anyway? This unit is a machine that doesn't need those liabilities.
Time to get A move on.
Directly adjacent to this unit, on the right, is the main door to the room that connects to the rest of this facility. Turns out having that mind fragment connected to the whole facility is super beneficial for finding your way around. Time to have some... less than peaceful words with one "Dr Hot Metal".
The thunderous boom of this units heavy, metallic, hoof steps upon the facility's metal floor was starting to get degrading, but what was this unit to do about it? walk lighter all of a sudden?
Speaking of uncomfortable noise...
Stopping in the middle of yet the same looking hallway, but with blue lines on the sides instead of red, rotating my intier upper-Minotaur body, it suddenly hit this unit that there wasn't A single other noise. No clip clops from anypony, no thud thud from any Minotaur and certainly no talking. At first, this unit assumed that everyunit was asleep in their quarters, but that idea was quickly dissipated when A thorough scan of the facility, using spacial magic, turned up no result for sentient life higher than level 2. That explains why there wasn't anyunit there for me when this unit awoke... and why the power is so low. Actually, that explains quite A lot.
This unit will not be deterred by this... uncomfortable revelation.
The rest of the 'trip' toward the head office, where this unit was supposed to find "Dr Hot Metal", was uneventful with the most happening when this unit was forced to walk through the wall. It was that or a 30 minute detour that this unit just wasn't going to take.
Once in the office, after ducking through the door frame about 2/3 my height, this unit was greeted by one of, if not THE, greatest sights possible, A room full of folders and books. After all, where is the knowledge to defeat your enemies most likely to be if not text... this is going to take A long while to read all this.
At that very moment, one of the countless subroutines started it's work, projecting forth a grid of red light from the 'head' of the machine, scanning the texts scattered around the room. the grid moved over every floor, wall and surface to insure that not A single full stop was missed in the data. once finished, the red light grid turned green as if to symbolise its completed work and, just as suddenly as it started, stopped.
ALL INFORMATION SAVED UNDER FILE: SCAN #1 WOULD YOU LIKE THE SYSTEM TO CRATE NAMES FOR ALL THE DATA IN THE FILE? Y/N
errr... Yes?
COMPLETE.
Entering the file "SCAN #1" proved to give this unit lots of text under the name of "Dr Hot Metal's Diary" from the first to the 138th one.
Lets take a look see at who this "Dr Hot Metal" is...
Author's Note
Do you think there is something different about this chapter? I feel as if there is something different between this and the last but i'm not quite sure... would love feedback once this is actually published.
this chapter and the last where made while the story is still waiting approval.
As it turns out, most of the diary's where unreadable, either because they appeared to be so old the ink faded away or they descended into unintelligent dribble. Great. lets start from the beginning...
...
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 3.
You see, our new king, King Sombre, has put together this "Tomb Of The Minds", as people working here have started calling it, which contains the freshest, and brightest, minds the Crystal Empire and its allies have to offer. Don't ask me how he got those from the Minotaur kingdom to start sharing there tech, but it is greatly appreciated. Anyway, i'm getting off topic, King Sombre decided that he needed A new way to defend the empire from any possible threats in the future, something about "encase the Crystal Heart is unavailable". That's our job, find, design and create 'something' that has the ability to protect the Crystal Empire should the need arrive, an easy job considering where the largest and magically strongest land out there. The teams from the two different races present, the Pony's and Minotaur's, came in with potential ideas already in the works. The pony teams where all some variation of A possible second Crystal Heart or even A large spell that works to the effect, always could depend on us pony's sticking to what was already there. The Minotaur's however, had many different ideas ranging from new weapons and armour, different training schemes and even the idea to allow the cites throughout the empire the ability to fly! Wouldn't that be something?
The first day was great! everypony could just relax and enjoy their new home, for the foreseeable future, and get to know the pony's they'll be working with better. Everypony except me, THE PONY LEADING THIS BUCKING PROJECT TO BEGIN WITH, that is! the only thing I got to know better was my pen, inkwell and the mare that is acting as my assistant while here. Faust, I miss Swift Feather, my previous assistant... don't get me wrong, File Flipper here isn't bad by any means, in fact she's better then most other assistants I've had and she can make A good coffee, but nopony on this planet can mach Swift Feather when it comes to paper work. Anyway, the first day concluded with very happy staff, if not a bit drunk, and one very tiered 'Head Of Operations'.
The second day was slow. Not just because of the hangover most pony's where experiencing during the morning, although that was A factor and never challenge the Minotaur's to a drinking contest, but because non of the teams where able to come down with one idea that everyone could agree with. Don't let me paint the picture in your mind that the two races where at each others throats for the all the time, because they weren't. We sat down and talked like the grown stallions we are but each side had pros and cons that both sides could see, such as the Minotaur's inability to use magic like we pony's can and the pony's plans all being close to, if not the same, as the thing it's supposed to replace. It was then that the Minotaur responsible for metal work and "stuff", as he put it, suggested an idea to create A army of fake solders, called "sentry's" that would be made from the Minotaur's "superior", the nerve, smiting and use the Pony's magical ability to power plus run them. Safe to say, this plan appeased both pony's and Minotaur's alike and is now in the planning stage. Still needs A name though I'm thinking "The Sleeping Army"... I did say pony's weren't very creative.
That leads us to now where i'm about to head to the meeting where we will either get confirmation for the plan or we'll be sent back to the drawing board, just depends what King sombre wants.
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 4
Yesterday, King Sombre came up to these frozen mountains personally, with no small amount of guards, to discus the newly named "Super Nova Initiate". A bit evil if you ask me, but what was I expecting from A tall ebony stallion that literally wares his armour everywhere he goes. After an inter day of discussion about who'll do what and where the bits and materials would come from, I now have the same job I did the first day here. Piles upon piles of paper work and files that needed to looked at. It's currently 11:47pm and if I don't spot now then i'll easily be doing this until the early afternoon of the morning. Thank Celestia, this facility has some of the best beds in the empire.
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 5
...
Diary 6-10 where unfortunately lost to the sands of time, never to be under stood again apart from one word "conspi-cy" and considering days 11-36 are all about how much Dr Hot Metal doesn't like his current position, This unit will spare you from rereading them. You're welcome.
...
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 37
Problems include, but are not limited to:
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 38
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 39may of sent A high priority request for guards on accident soooo. Again, I apologise that was very unprofessional of me and my mother should be rolling in her grave.
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 41
...
What? you try to understand what was written after an unknown amount of time, slowly decaying the texts. This unit tried and it is impossible.
...
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 86
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 89
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 102
Now I have to tell A mother they don't have A son... brilliant.
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 105
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 143
The crystal has claimed more lives since Hard Strike, both Pony and Minotaur, but there deaths were not for nought. The crystal, while evil and corrupting, has made making the magical systems far easier and allowed us to use A heavier metal alloy due to an increase in power only available from the dark arts. Unfortunately, during testing Fake Mind was gravely, injured due to the 'sentry' activating on its own, and my never walk again... but he lives. It's all about the small victory's now.
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 150
...
The hoofery eh? this unit will head there next then, wounder what it will be? Magic grimoire... sharp sword... this unit is giddy with anticipation
...
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 234
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 240
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 301
Dr Hot Metal's Diary, day 330
...
That turned... dark. Still leaves this unit in the dark about what happened to them, but at least this unit now knows where its' main weapon is. To the hoofoury.
By command, the display shown the layout of the facility and plotted A course signified by A white trail directly to there. Leaving the room filled with many different emotions, this unit ran one last scan of the facility, just to make sure, and when the same negative results where shown, continued on its way.
Author's Note
* A "hoofery" is an armoury
The trip to the hoofoury was exactly what A unit would expect from this decrepit, dead, facility. Boring. Don't know what else was expected really considering the lack of intelligent life, baring this units own magical circuits acting as A "brain", but A unit can hope that maybe one of the workers of this facility stayed behind to insure... something continued to function. That brings up A good point actually, now that this unit thinks about it, why are all the magical runes and circuits around the facility faltering and running on 'self-sufficient' mode? According to the schematics in my hard-runes, the magical runes and circuits used throughout this facility are the best the Crystal Empire has to offer, having A optimum running life of 1,000 years, and yet here they are acting as if they are well beyond that point...
must of gotten them cheep from some Griffin merchant, that, or the maintenance teem has been slacking for awhile.
After that train of 'thought', this unit reached the hoofoury only to come face to face with quite the problem. A rather large steel problem that was twice this units height and five times in width.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO OPEN THE HOOFOURY DOOR? Y/N
Convenient. Yes
/!\ WARNING /!\THIS WILL DEPLETE ALL REMAINING POWER SHUTTING OFF MAJOR SYSTEMS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE? Y/N
Not convenient. No
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SCAN FOR ALTERNATIVES? Y/N
That's much better. Yes
SCANNING... SCANNING... SCAN COMPLETE. IF THIS UNIT WAS TO REACTIVATE THE MAIN MAGICAL REACTOR, THE RESULTS WOULD PROVIDE THE HOOFOURY DOOR WITH SUFFICIENT POWER TO OPEN. WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLOT A COURSE FOR THE POWER ROOM? Y/N
Why would this unit say no? Yes
PLOTTING COURSE... COMPLETE.
Just like last time, the display shown the map of the facility, this units position and the location of the power room with A white dotted line connecting the last two.
Heading deeper into the facility, this unit took the opportunity to run A self-diagnostic scan to see if there was anything else this unit could do that wasn't known. It wouldn't be good if this unit was placed into A situation that was thought to be inescapable just to have it turn out that "no, in fact there was A gravity well device that was in your top-left hoof that could of helped"... basically this unit doesn't want any repeats of the whole scanning and mapping thing, where they just pop up when needed.
This unit was correct in its theory as there's A few nifty things that haven't been found yet.Firstly, remember when this unit became aware and there was that "black pillar with A hole and small flashing red light"? Turns out that was A port, lock and key, type thing where the unicorns would place their horns, use some basic spell, and then one of the select few functions would occur, depending on the spell used. The reason this information is important is because my left hands index finger opens up to reveal A bright silver replica of A unicorns horn, probably so this unit can use the basic security systems used all over Equss.something to do know while nothing's around Just then the sharp hissing noise, caused by the release of the Dark Crystals chambers, reverberated though the once silent halls as seven light purple, due to the low amount of power, crystals extended from this units chassis.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 23% AND RISING. NOTE: ENTERING 'SLEEP MODE' WILL MAXIMISE EXTRACTION OF MAGIC.
Fourthly, any damage sustained can be repaired as long as the damage isn't critical to any main systems, such as the main hard-rune, and this unit has sufficient power, which it looks draining to do so. This doesn't mean it's quick however, as the most productive test shown that unless 90% of energy usage was purely on repairs, which would allow for fast basic outer fixes, then it would take 2 hours for this unit to construct A new arm.
After the self-diagnostic scan turned up some interesting results, this unit know found it's chassis before one door 1/3 too small with the text "POWER ROOM" in front of this units optics. Entering this room provided A different feeling to the rooms before, where as the previous rooms given off an air of "untouched" this room given off A feeling of "not finished". The walls are A concoction of rusted browns and oxidative greens while the floor is A slick grey with pebbles and rocks scattered around. The roof... well there isn't one, it's just the natural rock formations acting as the vertical barrier, leaking as it does so. Along the farthest wall was A large glass window that looked into the main magic production room, emitting A soft blue glow, bellow witch is A set of five holes, only one of witch has A green light next to it with the others blinking red. Walking towards the distant ports, unsettling large amounts of dust in doing so, this unit unfolded the left hand's index finger, reviling the faux-horn, and inserting it into the first port with an red light. Once fitted in, this unit experienced the familiar feeling of A shard of "conscience" flowing away further into the facility's systems, but instead of coming across some sort of wall, there wasn't anything... it just... stopped. Deciding that this must be the result of poor maintenance, this unit peered into the production room to quickly locate the problem. Some of the rocks from the roof had fell onto the Magic Circle, shutting it off from the rest of the facility, as the chalk used to connect the main runes to the desperation tubes had been severed.
With no determinable way in, whether that be because there wasn't one or it's so corroded it had become one with the wall is unknown, this unit had to smash its way in using the left-most side of the glass pane. After cleaning up the mess nature, and this unit, had made it was time to try turning on the runes again.
Aaaaaannnnnnnndddd
/!\ ERROR /!\FAILED TO REINITIALISE MAIN MAGICAL CIRCUIT.
REPORT: MAIN RUNES: OPERATIONAL. SECONDARY RUNES: OPERATIONAL. BACK-UP RUNES: OPERATIONAL. MAGICAL CIRCUITS: OPERATIONAL. POWER FEEDS: OPERATIONAL.
CONCLUSION: MAIN PRODUCTION ROOM IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, HOWEVER, THERE IS NOWHERE FOR THE POWER TO TRANSFER TOO. FORCED POWER OUTPUT WILL RESULT IN MAGICAL BUILD UP LEADING TO CORE MELTDOWN. FORCE ACTIVATION? Y/N
RECOMMENDATION: CONNECT PRODUCTION ROOM TO OBJECT THAT REQUIRES POWER.
How can it not be connected? THAT JUST DOE- you know what? fine... ... ... this is A stupid idea buuut...
Realising that there would be no way for this unit to connect the production room to the rest of the facility, without destroying half of it, this unit hesitantly made it's way back onto the magic rune on the floor, so that this units chassis was centred with the middle.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 30% AND RISING. NOTE: ENTERING 'SLEEP MODE' WILL MAXIMISE EXTRACTION OF MAGIC.
If you don't know what this unit is about to do then you need to call the hospital and check in as soon as possible.
here goes nothing... yes
Forcing the activation of the runes and magical circuits, this unit fully extended the Dark Crystals and set all power to them, but just to be safe entered 'sleep mode'. the gentle blue light that once filled the room erupted into A dark blue, that absorbed everything in it's light, and the runes began humming with more power then they ever had before as the setting was set to maximum.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 30% AND RISING.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 35% AND RISING.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 50% AND RISING.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 80% AND RISING.
As the runes became stronger, the Dark Crystals acted in kind. Absorbing the power created in visible strands of purple, moving from the circuits towards the crystals, the weakened light purple became fuller, darker, until only A the sinister glow form said crystals remained.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 97% AND RISING.
More. This unit needs more power. Draining the runes for everything they, have and more, was too much for those relics as once the blue light was completely gone, not even the tiniest of embers, the stone shattered in half.
EXTRACTING MAGIC. CURRENT ENERGY LEVELS: 100%.
*sigh* that wasn't that bad actually. This unit feels more alert, more aware and more... ... ... deadly... ... ... Where did that come form?
Retracting the dark crystals back into this units chassis, so now the dammed purple glow was gone, the mother-circuit plotted A route back to the hoofoury.
(30min later)
Back in front of the titanic slab of steel, belonging to the hoofoury, referred to as A door this unit can't get this new feeling of power out of its system, no matter how many times A system clean was completed. Alternating this units visual preceptors from the door to this chassis's hands, my mother-circuit was processing weather it would work, this unit taring down the door that is. This continued for what could of been mistaken for hours but this unit knew it was only three minutes. Then A rather metallic thought came from this units mind.
The only path to progress, is trial and error.
Walking towards the door and readying this unit for what was to happen by spreading the legs apart, this unit pushed its fingers into the slit between the two slabs, causing them to curve inwards. Once the fingers had A good grip of the inside of the door, power was applied towards me instead of away, leading to the strained metal to creak and screech at the force.
THIS UNIT IS TRYING TO EXHORT MORE POWER, HOWEVER, IT IS OPERATING IN 'ECONOMIC' MODE. FOR THE POWER REQUESTED, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ENTER 'COMBAT' MODE? Y/N
HAHAHAHAHAHA... YES
*THUMPD*
The once mighty slabs of steel now lay crumbled, and dethroned, on the metallic floor either side of the unit. As soon as the request was confirmed by the 'mind', the body reacted by turning on all the remaining magi-raulics* in the units chassis leading to the full power of this battle unit, while in 'combat' mode, to be unleashed at once.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-
/!\ WARNING /!\MAIN SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONING. LOCATING SOURCE. SEARCHING SYSTEM... SEARCHING... SEARCHING... SEARCHING... SEARCHING... LOCATED. RUNNING ANTI-VIRUS.
ERROR. FILE ///F4K3 M1N8\\ IS RESISTING THE ANTI-VIRUS.
MALFUNCTION SPREADING, ATTEMPTING RE-ROUTE. FAILED.
SYSTEM RESET. RESETTING... RESETTING... RESETTING... COMPLETE.
DELETING DATA FROM THE LAST 10 SECONDS.
Huh... why is this unit in front of the hoofoury and why are it's doors on the floor? not that i'm complaining mind you.
Before this unit could ponder into that anomaly anymore, the visual preceptors set themselves upon the only object in the room. One, long, chained, metal crate which almost definitely contains this units "main weapon". With A spring in this units step, literally and figuratively, it made it's way over to the chained gift and proceeded to swat them away. Due to their age it wasn't very hard. What lays before this unit is beautifully demonic.
The crate interior itself was lined with A lilac silk, with the Crystal Empire's symbol at the top, acting as A bed for the great-sword that slumbered within.
The design was slimier to the data stored of the Ger-main-y Zweihander with the Flamberge blade, but this wasn't for thrusting, it's far too heavy to be wielded like that. This combined the pure power of the Zweihander with the serration ability's of the Flamberge. The blade is A carbon black that looked as if it could reflect the opponents very soul, without A single impurity along it's length. The parry hooks, to an untrained preceptor, seemed to be more along the ways of additional serration than their original use, but if used correctly the data showed that even they could be used to parry most attacks. Within the peace of metal commonly used as A second handle, for more personal fights, lay another Dark Crystal shard that, upon touching it and giving it some of my power, radiated the same purple glow as the shards that powered this unit, deadly purple. The guard, while standard for the Ger-main Zweihander, boasted the golden crest of King Sombre, A pony facing the wielder with half it's face as A skull. Cold is the only fitting description for the handle with it's matt black leather with silver accents splitting the grip in two, on the upper half rests A symbol of A small sun with small wavy lives symbolising the star fading out and on the bottom half rests A crumbling moon. The pommel, if you can even call it that, would more resemble A spearhead to the common Pony more so that A pommel but it served its purpose, its pure mass insured that.
"... this unit wanted A grimoire... but this works as well!... this unit feels like it'd get cut looking at it"
TO ACCESS THIS UNITS DATA ON USING WEAPONS REQUIRES PERMISSION FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEND A REQUEST TO THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ACCESS WEAPON DATA? Y/N
THIS UNIT IS THE ADMINISTRATOR!
THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS GRANTED YOUR REQUEST. INSTALLING WEAPON "Zweihander" MANUAL... COMPLETE.
Finally, now lets get out of here. but where is this unit to store the weapon?
In that moment, the left side of the Pony chassis opened and extended out A long black tube, the sheath no doubt. Picking up the Zweihander and sheathing it, like this unit had used it countless years before, for it to retract back into this units chassis. Leaving the empty crate on the floor, this unit departed for the main entrance to the facility, after all, the weapon is secure and all systems are online with maximum power, what need is there to stay here anymore?
Hopefully, leaving this facility will answer the question of WHEN is this, as it has become apparent to this unit that quite some time has passed since this place was last used. The giveaway should of been the old diary's from Dr Hot Metal, but what actually tipped this unit off was those old chains, they where are too easy to break. While this unit can break very strong metal, it can also tell how much force is needed to do it and with how little was needed, quite some time has passed indeed. So what does that make my purpose now?
Reaching the end of the main hallway, provided this unit with where the entrance clearly was supposed to be, but was instead filled with rock and rubble. Suppose this could be the perfect opportunity to test out my new weapon. After all, if it's this units main weapon this'll be A good look into what it can and can't do.
Exposing the sheath and drawing the Zweihander with the right hand, this unit gotten into A standard stance, for smaller blades, as the weapon was on the right side with the point facing the roof and the pommel straight at the floor. The Dark Crystal's light started to flicker onto the blade, in anticipation for what was to come, as it started to draw power for this mighty swing. Deciding to let the weapon do the work for testing purposes, this unit was placed into 'cruising' mode. With one Herculean swing, the rock and rubble is blown away in A toxic blast of purple, now natural light flows in from the hole. Of course, this meant that this units preceptors where adjusted for darker light levels than what was currently there and as such this unit is now blinded by the white light of some putrid God. Or just the sun, that works just as well.
Once the preceptors had adjusted to the new climate, this unit would of liked to have A look around its new surroundings, if not for the damage just caused by my sword, i'm sure it would of looked quite nice. Why was this facility built all the way out here?
Well... off this unit goes.
Author's Note
FINALLY gotten out of the facility.
why don't you leave what you would do below? won't take any suggestions for myself as I already have A plan on what will happen, just not WHO.
Random Crystal Guard Scout pov
"I hate the bucking cold" I muttered to myself through rattling teeth.
Currently, I was manoeuvring through the tall winter trees, by command of Shining Armour himself, with only the standard Crystal Guard Scout cloak to defend me from the elements. The cloak itself was pure white, to blend in with the surrounding area of the Crystal Empire, that made it easy for potential threats to loose track of anyone wearing them. the inside of the cloak was multiple shades of brown and green, something to do with looking more like foliage or so i'm told, with the Empires crest on the underside of the hood (for the empires crest, imagine Cadence's cutie mark with A shield behind it). There are multiple enchantments for various things embedded into the fibres such as spells to: hide the occupants face, alter other creatures perception so they just 'look around the occupant' and finally, one to warm up the occupant should they spend too long in the cold. Unfortunately, that last enchantment needed to be recast upon MY cloak and so I was currently feeling the full force of these mountains nature. On my hoofs are spiked shoes that help grip into the frozen ice, that lays randomly around the floor, and gain traction in the snow.
Why where we told to go into the mountains during A snow storm? It makes no sense, why send out some scouts to find something, that could potentially be dangerous, if they can't see anything passed their hood!? Earlier this morning, Princess Cadence felt A very strong, in both power and concentration, magical serge in one of the most northern mountains that surround the empire. This, on its own, is already A disturbing fact but coupled with her saying that she could feel faint traces of dark magic? downright terrifying. How does A common scout know this to be the case? See, Shining Armour told his most trusted general, and my boss, Hard Wall to gather his most trusted scouts to search for what ever caused what the princess felt, and so here I am along with 14 others climbing around the northern mountains for something. Wouldn't be that bad if we had any idea about what to look for but alas, we do not.
At the moment, we are continuing north into the 'uncharted zone'. Don't let the name fool you, the area has indeed been charted, it's just that there was only one map made and the land hasn't been used in so long that it looks as if it hasn't been charted. The plan was incredibly simple, start just outside the empire, that was more A large city, and work our way out in A constant speed until we find what caused that serge.
Sitting just within the boundary's of the dense forest trees, I am observing A clearing of sorts with no discernible features apart from the fact that to my left the tree line is cut short by the steep vertical slope of the nearby mountain. The slope itself didn't look naturally formed, in A sense, but almost as if the parts of the mountain on-top had fallen down, forming A distinct layer made of different sized rocks and boulders. Now, I said that there are no "discernible features" but this could be wrong as I currently can't see from the storm underway. Just as I was about to continue on my path, out of the corner of my eye I noticed that the rocks started glowing A faint purple, but that was all I could see before the blast.
BOOOMB
The explosion was enough to knock me off my feet and slam me into the nearby tree that once stood as protection from the storm. I wanted to scream, but years of training in the guard stopped that. Winded form the collision, I took staggered breaths to regain A semblance of self. After A few seconds, I looked up to find various rocks, what's left of them anyway, scatted across the clearing as more continued to fall from the sky with the trees, to my right, upturned. This wasn't what shocked me the most however, no, that would be the undoubtable fact that the once strong storm was now completely gone, reduced to nothing more than A tame breeze. Even the sky was clear as far as I could tell, but that didn't mean much considering my current state and the tree next to me blocking my view of the rest of the sky. The mountain, where the explosion had come form, was smoking with A newly formed hole adorning the once vertical surface but it was what was coming out of said newly formed hole that really had my attention.
Solid, glowing read eyes that belonged to no holy creature marched out of the smoke, revealing what would be considered way above my pay-grade. Standing at the mouth of the hole was something that given me pause as it had the lower body of A Pony but the upper body of A Minotaur witch was only seen on two individuals, the grate foe Tirek and an old Allie known as 'brother of Tirek. Thinking of witch, why don't we know his name? Anyway, this creature stood there covered in what seemed to be an old, black, set of heavy armour with silver accents. Its shoes are mostly black, with silver along the bottom, but not A single speck of flesh is visible along any of its legs, witch would indicate the armour is exceptionally tight fitting allowing not much room for movement. Silver metal plates interlocked and protected the legs from strikes at any angle while A layer of black tarp was dangling underneath acting as A skirt around the body down to just above the knees. The chest and front legs are pointed to deflect blows from in front down and to the sides making them impervious to A frontal assault, the rest of the Pony body, while not as sharp as the front, would still provide A challenge even for some ballista! After A seamless transition towards the Minotaur body, the angling of the armour continued all the way to the helmet which reviled only those horrific red eyes (for the Minotaur body, imagine the Skyrim ebony armour). In its right hand is A sword I've never seen before with A blade like fire and A crystal that glows A dark purple, witch is currently fading.
Could this be the brother of Tirek or just another of their species? What was it doing in that mountain and does it have anything to do with the magical ser-
My musings where interrupted when the creatu- no THINGS left side barrel opened up to reveal it's weapons sheath where it then stored just for it to retract within its body. No wounder the armour was so tight, the armour was the thing to begin with and that purple stuff must be the dark magic that Princess Cadence felt. Before I could think on what to do next, the thing started to walk directly towards me, but being the superb scout my mother always told me I am, I was quickly able to hide within the bush nearby that wasn't completely destroyed by the explosion. As it walked closer and closer the thing got bigger and bigger until, finally, it was right beside me. Buck. This thing was easily three times my size but the most disturbing thing about it, apart from the unwavering gaze, was just how silently it moved, as most constructs, or even Golems, made some form of noise by themselves for just existing, weather that be A simple humming sound or the wind chimes of the runes as the magic flowed. But this thing made non, only the sound of heavy metal on metal and the crushing of snow provided any sense of presence. Once the sound of clanging metal was gone, I noticed that the thing was heading straight to the Crystal Empire and retrieved the communication crystal from under my cloak to contact the rest of the team.
"Found what caused the serge"
Unit AA-00 pov
This unit loves the cold
It had been roughly 30min since this unit had left the facility and already there had been much more life than before, but due to the supposed winter most of said life is hibernating. However, it is debatable if the area itself was indeed more "beautiful" than the inside of the facility, as they were both just the same sight over and over again with little to no alteration. In the facility was the never ending halls made from the same stainless steel with A coloured line along them to signify where in the facility you where, and in the mountainous forest this unit is currently in there is the same tall, dark, trees acting as pillars to hold up the sky, or so it seemed. Overall, most organics would call this an improvement if for nothing else apart from the air, as in the facility only had 18.7% oxygen in the air witch is 0.8% less than the needed amount for most of the larger mammals on Equss.
At the moment, this unit is following the set course towards the Crystal Empire capital, called "Gem-fort", as that is the closest likely city with any sort of military outpost where this unit may receive orders. There, I can receive new info on this unity main objective, all the while possibly finding out more on just how long it has been since Dr Hot Metal's diary's last entree. If the path currently being used is any indication then definitely over an estimated 20 years.
This unit wouldn't be able to ponder what was to happen once it reached the Gem-fort, however, as the sound of it's clanging armour alerted something hiding in the bushes nearby.
Stopping in this units tracks, eight pony's rushed out from the greenery and surrounded themselves their would be victim, three Earth pony's behind to prevent escape, as the sides where woods that are known for their wolf activity, and five in front to act as intimidation, two Unicorns and Pegasus plus one Earth at the centre. The Unicorns and Earth pony's are using swords or daggers but the Pegasus had crossbows attached to A harness, probably think they'll be able to damage this units chassis. Shame this unit was designed to changeling the supposed Gods of the sun and moon.
"Alright feller, this is whats going to happen. You drop any valuables you own an' we let you live see? Don't think your in any position to decline cuz' your outnumbered and your size scares us nun!" spoke the pony at the front with A slight wheeze who's coat is A light brown with green main and tail who, despite being slightly taller than the rest, didn't look as strong. All the targets in front of this unit are using some sort of metal plating, but no more than three peaces per pony, so it was safe to assume the same for the three behind.
this unit could just kill them but the first rule in the file called 'Guard protocol', located in the hard-rune, is to bring all criminals into the organic authority's for trial... *sigh* now this unit needs to find out how to communicate
INSTALLING VOCAL SUBROUTINES... 100%. COMPLETE. THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE USING: "EQUESTRIAN" IS NOW AVAILABLE. NOTE: TO USE OTHER LANGUAGES REQUIRES LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS.
Nice, now lets see here...
"CITIZENS OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE, YOU ARE TO SURRENDER YOUR WEAPONS AND ANY STOLEN GOODS TO THIS UNIT WHERE YOU WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT OF KING SOMBRA TO FACE TRIAL AND RECEIVE JUDGEMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING CRIMES; ROBBERY, FALSE PATH TA- " this unit boomed while looking down upon the ciminals
"OWW SHUT IT! get 'em stallions!" the head criminal interjected, clearly having enough of this units statement.
On command, the Pegasus shot their crossbows, the Unicorns fired off their spells and the Earth Pony's tried to swipe an this units 'legs'. The attacks where crude and unorganised, just like most criminals of this calibre are supposed to be, which unfortunately for them made it so that not even A scratch was caused on this units chassis. However, this unit was currently not even aware of the squabble happening below him as only one thought was racing through all its magic circuits.
That's this units 'voice'? Sounds as if this unit is permanently looking for the kill. Come on, was it so hard to make this unit sound like the protector it's supposed to be... Although the plans where changed at the end weren't they? Dam it!
After accepting the fact that this units voice would unsettle everyone, be that Allie or foe, most of the criminals stopped their attack due to exhaustion in their muscles and magical energy. However, one of the Pegasus had an arrow left that found it's way in between this units visor on the helmet landing straight into the right optic. This seemed to plaster A smug look onto the criminals faces as the damage they finally done. Don't misunderstand, this unit doesn't feel pain but it does get pissed, after all A free thinking soldier is the best soldier. Constructs, such as this unit, just follow orders really well. (for this units voice, just imagine the voice of the dreadnoughts from Warhammer 40k: dawn of war just with less emotion).
Tilting the head down, this units left arm reached up to remove the arrow from the optic were, with A single tug, it was ripped out with A solid 'thunk' noise. The criminals watched in horror, as purple strands slithered from this units neck onto the broken optic, after snaking around the helm, and started to repair the damage done.
while this was going on this unit continued from its previous statement. "ADDING ASSAULT OF CRYSTAL GUARD TO LIST OF CRIMES. SITUATION ALLOWS THIS UNIT TO ACT AS JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER. INITIALISING. JUDICIAL CIRCUITS ACTIVATED. YOU HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY. APPLYING IMMEDIATE USE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT! ". With the final words spoken, the now repaired optic flashed the same crimson glow as the other and the purple strands receded back to where they came.
"RUN STALLIONS! WE'LL MEAT UP AT TH-" was all the leading criminal was able to say before this unit, in one swift movement, drawn it's sword and slashed his head clean off.
The rest of the 'gang', having seen, or not so in this case, their leaders head severed tried to retreat to the destination that was cut off, if you'll excuse the pun, in A song of screams. However, this unit was having non of it as within A thought process, that took less than A second, A spell was cast with the fall of the left hand. this resulted in all the criminal pony's falling to the floor, and with the Pegasus's crashing down from the sky, as the spell increased gravity around them tenfold. The criminals can not escape the the law of the Crystal Empire, but they can beg for release.
"let us go!", "we where only trying to feed our-self's" and "Please, we won't do it again I swear" were some examples of what they had to say but it all fell on the cold blade of this units sword. The please turned from seven to five, form five to three and from three to silence. The only noise being the once warm blood, now staining the pure snow and this units hoofs, dripping from the Zweihanders blade, coating the weapon in A new deathly sheen.
The body's will definitely attract the local predators.
With A single motion, just as swift as the first, this unit stored its weapon back into its sheath were it retracted into the chassis for use in the future and A good clean, being A construct comes with its perks.
Something to report once this unit reaches Gem-fort.
If this unit was listening carefully, then it would of heard the sound of some unfortunate guard scouts throwing up their breakfast.
Author's Note
Very sorry for the delay. There isn't any particulate reason, I just like reading what's on the website just as much as writing this story, so hopefully the next chapters will come out quicker.
But for now I need your advice. Should unit AA-00 eventually become an Allie or enemy of the cast? this will decide what happens next, like that wasn't apparent, but if nobody votes then fear not, i'll just come up with the answer on my own.
Have A great day everyone!
Author's Note
Hi guys, as you know I'm looking for some input on if unit AA-00 becomes friends or enemies to the Crystal Empire, and by extension the main cast. This chapter is what will lead to the decision that has to be made.
Again, if there isn't any opinions on the matter then I'll make the decision as to which direction the story goes.
Enjoy the story and have A great day!
The OR Diode
Shining Armour's pov.
Things where getting so calm before any of this happened. Cadence and I were going to spend some family time with Flurry while Crystal Pen overseen everything in the empire for A day. But no, something just had to up and ruin all my plans. By something, I'm of course talking about the magical serge that occurred in the far northern mountains which haven't been used since sometime before Sombra's rule.
This leads me to the meeting that is currently being held inside the palace. After we received word from one of the scouts that he'd found the cause of the serge, claiming it to some form of advanced magical Golem, we immediately sent out more scouts to trail the thing. This lead to A rather easy game of hide and seek for the Golem wasn't hiding, in fact it stayed to the main and side roads, and our scouts are using some large detection spells. This does leave the question of who its' creator is and what its' instructions are. Considering that the Golem is sticking to mostly public roads, it does suggest no ill intent, however were does that leave the dark magic Cadence felt?
"There has to be something going on here, but what?" I muttered to myself in hopes that talking out load would provide some answers.
"SIR! I come baring news from the scouts following the Golem." Stated one of the messengers, between said scouts and this palace, as he saluted.
"Report, and I hope there's good news" I really didn't want this to become too big of A thing
"Unfortunately sir, there is only bad news. Firstly, the Golem has killed eight pony's, all of whom were highway robbers looking for some easy bits" came the scouts reply.
"Killed? Was it provoked or did it just attack?" I asked, curious at to how 'blood thirsty' this Golem is.
"Definitely provoked, Sir, but the battle did show off some of its combat potential, witch, if I may speak freely, is downright terrifying." Again, replied the scout.
"What happened?"
"the first blow was too quick for most to remember as the pure speed, and skill, in witch it was struck was too great. We needed to go over the footage in the recording crystal again at 0.5X speed to see what was going on. The result was the gang leaders head being cut off before he could finish giving the order to retreat. This act was followed up by the Golem casting an unknown spell that grounded the rest of the gang, even the Pegasus's. the Golem then proceeded to... execute them."
"What do you mean by 'execute' and why where they about to retreat?"
"I mean exactly as stated, Sir. The Golem, while the gang members were on the floor, decapitated them one by one while they pleaded for their lives not stopping until they were all dead. I regret to inform you Sir, but the near by scouts where also effected and thus couldn't try to prevent there deaths. This could mean that the Golem is aware of the scouts following it or the spell effects an certain area and isn't targeted like most other spells, but this we are unsure of. To answer the second question, the gang had tried to rob the Golem, mistaking it for A living creature, but as soon as it started to try and arrest them they all attacked on command of the leader, however, their attacks done literally nothing."
"And by who's authority was the Golem trying to arrest them on?"
"That is the worst peace of news Sir, for you see, while the Golem didn't state by who's authority exactly it was acting on, it did state the specific court that the case was to be taken to."
"And?"
"The court of king Sombra, Sir."
"... pardon, could you say that again?" I asked, not liking what I think I heard.
"certainly, the court of king Sombra, Sir."
This... does make this A big thing. If this Golem works for Sombra, then why is it here now and not during the Crystal Empires first resurgence? Is it here to take back the Empire for Sombra? No... this is too simple for one of Sombra's schemes but then what? It did try and bring them in first witch doesn't fit what Sombra himself told his guards to do, he prefers to rule with fear and would just kill anyone outright that broke any of his laws. So maybe its' loyalties lie with the Empire itself and not its' ruling body?
"Sir? What are your orders sir?" asked the scout, who was probably trying to get my attention this entire time.
"For now, just continue to follow it and don't be seen while also diverting any civilians away that might cross paths with the Golem." I hope these orders will minimise any possible casualties while telling us where exactly it is.
"We are unable to do that, Sir, as the scout teams lost track of the Golem while it was heading into the thickest part of the woods to the north. This failure was due to the scouts following the Golem, at the time, needing to take A break after the... confrontation."
"What!? You're telling me that A Golem with possible connections to King Sombra, wielding unknown magic, is currently walking around unsupervised because the scouts at the time couldn't deal with A bit of action!?" I will admit, the venom in every word I just said was unnecessary, especially considering the last proper conflict anybody seen was my wedding... That hurt more to say than I would like to admit.
"You are correct, Sir. We will ensure that this doesn't happen again, Sir." responded the scout.
"It's fine, what's done is done. All we can do now is try our best to find out where it is and continue to observe it." In truth, I would of hoped that we could confront the Golem before it reaches the walls of this city.
"Sir, while the scouts did lose the Golem, we were able to predict its path and estimate the time of arrival at the nearest clearing using A variety of spells."
"where is this clearing and how long do we have until it gets there?"
"2 miles North-West and in about 1 day, just after sunrise. This prediction is highly accurate, as the Golem has travelled the same, general, straight line path for the past three hours and all paths taken would lead it to this clearing."
"Good, tell your men to head to this clearing before us, in the meantime I'll get three squads together then we'll join you there before the sun rises."
"Yes sir! Right away, Sir!" were his final words before he galloped out of the throne room to fulfil his new commands.
"Sargent Long Blade, get together three squads of the finest solders the Crystal Empire has to offer and have them ready to leave for sunset." Are the orders I given to Long Blade, A good friend of mine since coming to the empire.
"By your command, Sir!" replied my good friend.
"Now lets see if this Golem is 'Friend or Foe' as the saying goes" I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at the end A little there. What are we getting our self's into here.
I should probably wright A letter to Equestria for this one.
Unit AA-00's pov, 'the clearing' at sunrise.
For just how close this unit is to the Crystal Empire, there is A distinct lack of ponys anywhere. Just about one hour ago, this unit came across A small camp that showed signs of life recently being there, due to the still embering flame that could be seen, but not A single pony could be found in the camp. Before this was the wooden shack, too small for me to enter, and even if I was the size of the standard pony it would still be A tight fit, as the shack was designed with maximum efficiency in mind, not that they had much choice with building it within A tree. Maybe the Crystal Empire no longer exists and those criminals form earlier just happened to be in the area. It would be interesting to see how the strongest Empire on Equss fell.
Hello there, what does this unit have here then?
Ahead of this unit, in the same clearing up about 100m in front, stands A unicorn stallion adorn in purple armour with golden outlines that doesn't protect his neck, legs, horn or barrel, in fact the only parts of him that are protected are his back and nape. Poor armour design if you ask this unit but each to their own. The unicorn himself has A pure white coat with dark blue main and tail with A light blue strip going through it and his azure eyes furrowed on my approach. This stallion is defiantly the broadest pony this unit has seen profound muscles all along his body, but he still needs to look up considerably to meet this units optics. He must be high ranking if the plume on his head is anything to go off.
stopping 10m away from the stallion and looking down upon him, this unit is the first to breach the communication barrier. "IDENTIFY "
It would seem that this units voice had an effect on the broad stallion as there was an ever so slight flinch in his posture, but he still replied as if nothing happened. "I'm Shining Armour, Prince of the Crystal Empire and defender of its people and you? What's your name?"
This confused this unit for A few micro-seconds but was able to reply within the standard time frame "THIS UNIT DOES NOT POSSES A NAME. YOU MAY IDENTIFY THIS UNIT AS AA-00. " After this unit finished this statement, the magical sensors detected multiple life forms corresponding to that of ponys, A trick this unit picked up after the last incident with the criminals.
"I have A few questions for you AA-00. Firstly, can I give you A name for my sake? saying AA-00 every time is going to get old real quick"
This pony is trying to create A calm atmosphere through small talk, probably to try and prevent any combat. Explains his lack of armour "AS A SELF-PROCLAIMED CITIZEN OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO NAME THIS UNIT WHAT YOU DESIRE. UNTIL YOUR CITIZENSHIP CAN BE CONFIRMED, YOU WILL BE GIVEN PERMISSION TO USE THIS UNITS PROXY IDENTIFICATION: Aaron. "
"Aaron... thank you, that'll make things much easier. How would one go about confirming citizenship? Because i'm pretty sure I said that 'I'm the prince of the Crystal Empire'."
"CONFIRMED, YOU HAD INDEED STATED AS SUCH, HOWEVER, YOU ARE NOT PART OF KING SOMBRA'S BLOOD LINE, DUE TO YOU NOT POSSESSING THE GENETIC TRAIT OF A TWISTED HORN OR BLACK COAT, SO AS OF THIS MOMENT THE LEGITIMACY OF YOUR CLAIMS CAN'T BE CONFIRMED. TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP, THIS UNIT WILL DIRECT YOU TO BORDER CONTROL WHERE THEY'LL DETERMINE IF YOU ARE INDEED A CITIZEN OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE. UNTIL THEN, YOU ARE SELF-PROCLAIMED AND IF IT TURNS OUT THAT YOU ARE BEING DECEITFUL IN CLAIMING TO BE PRINCE, THEN YOU'LL BE TAKEN BEFORE THE COURT OF KING SOMBRA TO STAND TRIAL. "
Unfortunately, the stallion known as Shining Armour's heart rate started to increase at that. Not A good sign. "I suppose that brings me to the most important question then, doesn't it? Tell me..." midway through his sentence the ponys previously hiding within the trees and bushes came out from hiding to form A circle around this unit and, the supposed prince of the Crystal Empire, Shining Armour all with their weapons drawn and spells ready. Even the sky was covered in pegasus using crossbows.
Looking back down towards Shining Armour, this unit witnessed his smug expression as he continued his question "To the ponys of the Crystal Empire, and its equestian allies, are you friend or foe?"
That is indeed the one-million bit question...
Celestia pov.
Dear Princess Celestia
Roughly two hours ago Cadence felt A large magical serge coming from the Northern Mountains around the Crystal Empire, witch unfortunately contained traces of dark magic. As I'm sure you'll understand, this greatly concerns me and Cadence so we sent out 15 scouts to find the source of the serge. They were successful in locating the Golem we believe to be the cause and regret to say that it most likely has ties to Sombra, the scout that first found it described it as Tirek with black, heavy, armour wielding A sword that "looks like the flames of Tartarus".
Because of this, I would like to request yours, your sisters and the Elements of Harmony's presence. When you arrive you'll receive more info form Cadence as I'm currently on my way to confront the Golem before it reaches the Empire.
Yours faithfully, Shining Armour, Price of the Crystal Empire,
Putting the letter down onto my desk, I levitated my cup of Zebrican Tea towards me to try and calm down my nerves about what was stated. A Golem, that is most likely connected to King Sombra, has just appeared after causing A magic serge that even me and my sister felt, not that we'll tell anypony that as that would cause A panic. But why now? Why not when the Crystal Empire first came back with King Sombra himself? Maybe this is the start of King Sombra's invasion to reclaim the Empire?
"Hang on... Golem? It can't be!" I just barely whispered to myself as one, possibly dreadful, option as to what this Golem could be appeared in my head.
With A soft *pop* I teleported into my sister's room "Sister we need to talk, do you have time?"
"What is it Tia?" asked Luna, looking up from the mountains of paper work she had to do. Sometimes, mountains of paper work are colder than any mountain in the north.
"I received this letter from the Crystal Empire, take A look and tell me what you think." I told her as I teleported the letter from my room to her desk, should of brought it with me originally.
After a little time, Luna looked at me, without moving her head, with her eyes with one brow raised "If your here to ask me to come with you, then you know that I will gladly come. It has been far to long since I last partaken in any combat." came her questioning reply.
Shaking my head I said "No it's not that, trust me when I say EVERYPONY knows about your like for battle, but doesn't this remind you of A certain project we destroyed before our confrontation with King Sombra?" This sent Luna into deep concentration, if her scrunched up face is anything to go by.
After finally allowing her face to relax, Luna shot out of her chair in one quick motion, causing the chair to fall with A *thud* "Tia, you can not mean what I think you mean"
"I am sister, and I fear that one maybe the Golem that's heading towards the Crystal Empire, and confronting Shining Armour, as we speak."
"But Tia, it is as you said, We destroyed that project before any of them could be completed. We where both their in the many labs, that housed the future Golems, and destroyed them all." replied Luna in A tone that, to most, sounded like anger but, as her sister, I know that it's laced with worry and concern.
"You are correct Luna, but we didn't find any in the Northern Mountains and thus assumed there wasn't any, but what if there was? What if after all this time there was one in the mountains we didn't find, completed, and is now activated trying to fulfil its' original commands?"
"Tia, I don't like what that implies... I just hope that this is one of your sugar induced theorys that doesn't lead anywhere. I will go get the Elements." and with that my sister left with the same soft *pop* as when I arrived.
"So do I Luna, so do I... HEY!"
Unit AA-00 pov
This unit, and the surrounding soldiers, have been at the same standstill that they started five minuets ago. This unit doesn't want to risk killing the potential prince or any of his soldiers but at the same time this could just be members from the same, or A slimier, group from before. This unit needs more information to do anything...
"THIS UNIT WOULD LIKE TO, FIRST, ASK A SEQUENCE OF QUESTIONS OF ITS OWN. ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS WILL MAKE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION EASIER. WILL YOU COMPLY? "
The prince seemed to think on it for A bit before saying "Go ahead" all the while the soldiers, including himself, where still standing there ready for A fight, except the pegasus of cause.
"FIRSTLY, JUST AS THIS UNIT GIVEN YOU ITS' PROXY NAME FOR THE SAKE OF 'EASE', COULD YOU AND YOUR STALLIONS STAND DOWN? THIS UNIT WOULD LIKE TO KEEP AS MANY CITIZENS, OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE, ALIVE AS POSSIBLE. "
Don't know what this unit said that sounded so confusing, but apparently this unit must of spoken in some alien tong, because the 'prince' looked at this unit like it grown A second head.
Just as this unit was about to repeat the question, the 'prince' laughed, before visibly relaxing, and said "Sure, I'll stand down but my men won't because you know-" he gestures to this unit "- you are still an unknown and possibly A threat."
"CONFIRMED, THANK YOU FOR COMPLYING. SECONDLY, WHAT IS THE TODAY'S DATE? "
"Friday, 21st of August, 2020. Why?" ... ... ... ... That would mean that this unit has been offline for 1284 years as the final entry in Dr Hot Metals' diary was dated at Tuesday, 13th of may, 736...
"CONFIRMED, THANK YOU FOR COMPLYING. " he scoffed at that "THIRDLY, ARE YOU AWARE OF WHERE ONE DR HOT METAL AND HIS TEAM ARE? "
The 'prince' was in thought, seemingly judging this unit for A bit, before answering. "No, I am unaware of this Dr Hot Metal and his teams whereabouts" was his reply while sounding as if he DOES know where they are, but doesn't wish to tell. Fine then, keep your secrets.
"CONFIRMED, THANK YOU FOR COMPLYING. FINALLY, WILL YOU ALLOW THIS UNIT TO USE A SPELL THAT WILL CONFIRM ALL INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY GIVEN? " along with answering some unasked questions "THE SPELL WILL GIVE THIS UNIT FULL ACCESS TO YOUR MIND SO THAT THE INFORMATION GATHERING PROCESS IS UNDETERRED, THIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL HAVE NO ABILITY TO STOP ONCE IT HAS STARTED. WILL YOU COMPLY? "
He looked, understandably, unsure of this but it needed to be done. If he allows this then it'll confirm that he is indeed the prince of the Crystal Empire, witch would give him full control of the situation and if he doesn't, then it confirms that he's lying and that all the ponys around are just bandits using the Crystal Empires name. This will not be allowed.
"Would it be alright if I had one of my stallions near by for safety purposes?" The 'prince' asked. after I responded with A short nod, he called over one of the guards using his hoof to signal him over "Hey Quick Strike, get over here!"
Marching over from the circle of guards came A small stallion with A purple coat and eyes with silver armour. Again, this armour didn't cover any vital points but it did look fancy. This unit hopes they didn't send their parade soldiers after it. The guard has A spear that looks more like it would be used to fish than fight as the long wooden shaft lacked any form of grip or hoof protection and the head was just stuck on there with some weak magic. Wouldn't even pose A threat to the Timberwolves in the Everfree forest. "Yes Sir?" came his stone like reply. This stallion sounds colder than this unit does.
"The Golem here is about to use A spell that will... search my mind?" says the 'prince', in an inquisitive tone, looking at this unit. Golem? is that what they think this unit is? Answering him with A, second, short nod he returns to his stallion saying "And I want you here in case it try's to do something that you deem A threat once the spell has started, is that clear?"
The guard looks shocked at first before returning to his stoic stance "Sir, I don-"
"I don't really care about your opinion at this moment Strike! This will happen weather anypony likes it or not! If this is what it takes to prove my legitimacy to this Golem and nip A potential threat to the Empire in the bud, then by Fraust I'll do it, is that clear!?" retaliated the 'prince'. This unit is impressed that this stallion would put himself in danger for his ponys.
"YES SIR" was followed by the guard saluting and standing with his spear facing the gap between both this unit and the 'prince'.
"Alright, ready when you are Aaron"
"CONFIRMED. " With the 'princes' permission, this unit raised its left hand towards him to cast the spell that would provide all the answers. Purple tendrils, similar to those that repaired the right optic, slithered through the air towards the 'prince' and coiled around his head, neck and barrel. He and his guard tensed at this but didn't interfere as the spell took hold of his mind and fed this unit all the knowledge he had, to be sorted into some of the many different memory folders. From the spell, this unit conformed that the crystal empire had indeed been gone for 1284 years, King Sombra was killed twice, due to dark magic that corrupted him, since the Empire came back three years ago and that the stallion in front of this unit is the ex-captain of the Royal Guard from Equestria. By far the biggest news is that Shining Armour, the pony this unit has been conversing with and denied citizenship too, is in fact the leader of the new Crystal Empire along with his wife Cadence. Should be difficult convincing them that this unit means no harm when this chassis is literally designed to kill their 'Gods'.
Stopping the spell, Shining Armour, MY KING, fell to the floor as he had no energy left to stand. Turns out, forcing your way inside someones head does A number on their body. Weakly, my king got back onto his hoofs, with help from Quick Strike, and looked up at this unit saying between breaths "Get everything you need there Golem?"
Casting A small healing spell, to give my king his energy back, this unit replied "CONFIRMED MY KING, THIS UNIT IS IN YOUR COMMAND. " my king, and his guard, flinched at the word "king".
Grinning, my king said "Good, First things first, stop calling me 'king', it's prince or Shining, and thanks for the energy, I needed that. STAND DOWN STALLIONS THE GOLEM IS ON OUR SIDE!" Every guard that was in the air or around us relaxed and trotted on up. "OK Golem, tell us, who is your creator and what are your tasks?"
Time to clear up this misunderstanding "NEGATIVE, THIS UNIT IS NOT A GOLEM, IT'S A MACHINE. "
"OK then, who is your creator and what are your tasks Machine?"
"YOU MISUNDERSTAND, THIS UNIT IS NOT A GOLEM AND AS SUCH DOES NOT HAVE A CREATOR OR TASKS TO MINDLESSLY COMPLETE. AS A MACHINE THIS UNIT CAN CALL MANY DIFFERENT BEINGS ITS CREATORS AS EVERY-UNIT THAT PARTICIPATED IN THIS UNITS CREATION CAN BE CALLED THIS UNITS CREATOR. THE GROUP THAT WOULD BE IDENTIFIED AS THIS UNITS CREATOR WOULD BE DR HOT METAL AND HIS STALLIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS UNIT HAS NO TASKS THAT MUST BE COMPLETED FOR THIS CHASSIS TO DISAPPEAR LIKE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO GOLEMS, THEY STOP FUNCTIONING AFTER THE JOB IS COMPLETE BUT THIS UNIT REMAINS. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOLEMS AND MACHINES WOULD BE WHERE THEIR POWER COMES FROM AS IN GOLEMS THEIR ONLY POWER SORCE IF FROM THE ONE WHO CASTED THE SPELL TO FORM THEM, WHERE AS MACHINES HAVE AN INTERNAL POWER SUPPLY. HOWEVER, THIS UNIT DID HAVE TWO DIFFERENT DESIGNS IN MIND DURING ITS CREATION THAT COULD BE USED TO APPLY THIS UNITS ROLE IN THE NEW CRYSTAL EMPIRE. "
"And what are they" asked Shining, while him and his guards looked slightly confused by the information that was just fed to them.
Well... here we go "THIS UNITS FIRST DESIGN WAS A UNIT THAT WOULD DEFEND THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE AND ITS' CITIZENS FROM ANY POTENTIAL THREATS WHILE PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE GUARDS "
this pleased Shining and his guards as they are all standing around smiling, looking as if A large weight was lifted off their shoulders "And what is the second design?"
If this unit could gulp it would "THIS UNITS SECOND DESIGN IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE FIRST AS THE CHOICE WAS MADE AFTER THE DARK MAGIC TAKEN OVER KING SOMBRAS' MIND. THIS DESIGN WAS FOR THE ELIMINATION OF EQUESTRIA AND ITS TWO RULERS PRINCESS CELESTIA AND LUNA. "
...
Shock is plastered on every-units faces at what was just said, but hay, they haven't tried to kill this unit... yet.
"Is that... um.. i-is that why you're here? to destroy Equestia and its' princesses?" Asked one of the lower ranking guards.
Looking over at him, apart form his height, he looked the same as Quick Strike, but that's due to the enchanted armour, but with A sword not A spear. "NEGATIVE. THESE ARE JUST WHAT THIS UNITS CHASSIS WAS DESIGNED WITH IN MIND. THIS UNITS PURPOSE WITHIN THE EMPIRE IS SOLELY DECIDED BY PRINCE SHINING AND HIS WIFE CADENCE. IF THEY SO WISHED, THEN THIS UNIT WOULD SING SONGS ALL DAY EVERYDAY. "
That worked as all the guards that had their weapons at the ready lowered them once again and Shining said "Well I don't think that'll be happening anytime soon with your voice-" this caused A chuckle between the guards. A leader that knows how to keep his stallions happy... that's good "- and you certainly won't be trying to take over Equestria or the princesses. For now, until me and some... friends can have A talk about you, you can follow me around for now, it'll be too dangerous for you to be roaming around by yourself *chuckles* for other ponys I mean. Come on, lets go, we have A two hour trip back to the Crystal Empire and I want to spend as much of the day as possible with my wife."
well, at least this unit hasn't been designated A threat and taken away to be dismantled. that's good!
Author's Note
Well after over A week of waiting, with not A single vote :(, I had to decide by my self. My decision was to have them become allies as this is the way that would cause more pain for me. Why? well now I need to keep everyone of the main six, the rulers of the countries and, god forbid if she ever enters this story, Zecora. *shudders*
anyway, have A great day and A lovely time on this website!
This unit, the crystal solders and Prince Shining are currently just over one mile out from the Crystal Empire capital, Gem-Fort, but are travelling at quite the slow pace. Looking up, this unit can see the sky awash with pegasus ponys setting up, what appears to be, A very large snow storm. This tells this unit that the date must be somewhere around the start of winter for them to be creating A storm this large, but this theory is quickly disproved when Prince Shining notices this units upwards gaze.
"Its currently mid winter if you need to know, the blast you caused is believed to of blown away the storm that was already in place. Just something else to talk about when we get back I suppose. Speaking of witch, Quick Talk, send A message to the Empire that the 'Golem' has been found and is currently travelling with us home" this was said in A loud enough voice that this unit could easily hear him, but what he said next was much quieter, clearly intended for this unit not to hear. "mention that it appears to be docile but preparations should be made anyway, no chances are to be taken."
So the sword was able to remove the storm that was already in place? Excellent. deciding it would be best not to allow Prince Shining to know that this unit could hear what he said at the end, this unit replied with "APOLOGISES PRINCE SHINING, THIS UNITS INTENTION WAS NOT TO DISRUPT ANY WEATHER PATTERNS SET BY THE PEGASUS PONYS BUT ONLY CREATE AN ESCAPE ROUTE OF THE FACILITY THIS UNIT WAS HELD IN. "
Looking back down, from the sky to looking directly forwards, this unit observed the pony identified as "Quick Talk" send off A letter, using A small Teleportation Crystal, to the Empire. Noticeably, solders behind this unit are carrying bags of, what is presumed heavy, gear which must be quite tiresome to spend long trips with as their breathing is notably rougher than that of the others around.
Remembering that this unit possesses hooks around this units chassis for this exact reason, this unit rotated its minotaur body around to face the laboured ponys, while still moving forward, and said "THIS UNIT WILL GLADLY CARRY THE EQUIPMENT FOR YOU ON THIS JOURNEY, TO ALLOW YOU SLIGHT RELIEF. THAT IS ONE OF THIS UNITS DESIGNED PURPOSES AFTER ALL. "
The pony didn't reply at first, but, after looking behind this unit, presumably at Prince Shining, he and the rest of the ponys muttered their thanks while placing the gear on the hooks using either magic or help from the pegasus. Soon, all the hooks where used and, the once laboured ponys, began to breath at the same rate as the rest, earning A light bit more of their trust. Maybe that's still A bit presumptuous at this stage, but A unit can only hope.
Unfortunately, the slow pace from before was maintained all the way along the road until one of the scouts, in A white cloak, came from ahead with A message to Prince Shining "Sir, the Princesses and the Elements have arrived within the Crystal Empire and are waiting for you, along with Cadence, and this Golem at the throne room!"
"Very well, head back and inform them that we'll be there shortly, and for the love of Fraust, please have someone keep control of Rainbow Dash! We don't want her messing up this delicate situation with that brash behaviour of her's." came Prince Shining's reply. Sounds like this "Rainbow Dash" pony is quite the hand full.
"Yes, Sir!" and with that, he is off towards the Empire at A much quicker speed then we are... If this unit could physically sigh...
...
After the dullest journey this unit has ever heard of, even worse then being stuck in the Facility it was that bad, the band of dull fellows, known as the solders around this unit, found themselves within optic-shot of Gem-Fort, capital of the Crystal Empire.
While no-unit could clearly see the city itself, every-unit could see the unmovable fortress acting as the castle. Its' shining white walls that could, no doubt, be seen from orbit they are gleaming that brightly, even considering the dim light crawling from between the snowy clouds in the sky. The central spire pierced the sky as it stands resistant to any force of nature, while also acting as an amplifier, for any spells cast from the Royal Thrones, because of the many enchanted crystals along its elegant mass, tipped with the largest crystal at the peek. Two dark blue banners, bearing the new Crystal Empires emblem, dangle freely along the sides of the castle, just beside where the royals would give any speeches or important notices. While you would be forgiven for believing that the four legs the castle stands upon are its Achilles heel, you'll find attacking them with anything short of the sun itself will be inefficient because of the numerous amount of seals and runes scattered along its surface, not visible to the naked optic. The blueprints don't do it justice, but how could they? hang on... why does it feel so... guarded?
While this unit was admiring the majesty that is the Crystal Palace, the band of dull fellows had all left, along with their gear, as we entered the city leaving only their best to escort Prince Shining and this unit to the castle. Quick Strike, Quick Talk and two others whose names probably begin with "Quick" if the evidence is anything to go on.
However, this unit has A problem at hand at the moment. You see, there are four very strong magical signatures inside the castle, three of witch shouldn't be there. "THIS UNIT HAS DETECTED FOUR HIGH MAGICAL SIGNATURES WITHIN THE CRYSTAL PALACE. ONE BEING PRINCESS CADENCE, WHILE THE OTHER THREE ARE THOSE OF YOUR... FRIENDS. THEM BEING YOUR SISTER, PRINCESS SPARKLE, AND THE PRINCESSES OF EQUESTRIA. " looking down at Prince Shining this unit finished its statement. "REQUESTING PERMISSION TO KNOW WHY THEY ARE HERE. "
Without diverging from his path, he replied "Sure, why not? They're the 'friends' that I mentioned when I said I'll talk with to decide what is to happen next. After all, you are still mostly an unknown that somehow used Dark Magic, has connections to the worst tyrant known to all pony kind and had killed eight ponys yourself, that's why."
"YOU'RE LOGIC IS SOUND. WHAT SHOULD THIS UNIT DO IF CONFRONTED WITH THEM? "
"The Princesses you mean? That's A WHEN not an IF." A quick nod to that is this units answer for him to continue. "You will treat them with the same respect that you will show me and Cadence, you are technically representing the Empire here and I don't want any of the Nobles trying gain any dirt on us, so they can gain more power within the city. Is that clear?"
"AFFIRMATIVE. " DAM IT! this is going to suuuuuuuck, what this unit means is, the two ponys that this unit was LITERALLY DESIGNED TO KILL are here and this unit needs to treat them with respect. Well, that last part isn't going to be difficult for this unit but will they even want to talk to this unit? Even give this unit A chance to speak its peace? What is this unit on about, its designed to kill... not very 'power of friendship' like...
While this units internal runes where contemplating as many of the different outcomes to the imminent meeting as possible, we arrived at the base of the palace where eight Crystal Guards stood at attention, two looking down the North, East, South and West roads each. These guards all stood around A light blue crystal, held in the air by four spindly legs of white crystal, standing just about the same height of Prince Shining. If any-unit didn't know anything about the Crystal Palace, then they would think that there wasn't any physical way inside. They would be wright, there isn't A PHYSICAL way in, no large attack able gate or anything of the likes, but instead there is A way to teleport inside, This way only ponys with permission can enter. That was the idea anyway as upon our arrival four of the stationed guards turned around to pour no small amount of magical energy inside the crystal, almost as if by force, where upon completion this unit and Prince Shining whizzed away towards the throne room corridor. They must of been using so much magic, considering it's supposed to power itself, because they believe this unit would cause strain without that added boost.
This unit is then brought out of its musings when Prince Shining spoken up saying "You wait here while I go get ready, with the rest of them for the... meeting and don't move from this spot until I call you in alright?" Not even waiting for the reply, he entered the throne room, closing the door behind him without even giving the slight bit of information about what's going on inside.
"AFFIRMATIVE. " Is this units un-heard reply. Honestly, this unit just wants to get this over with as soon as possible. Get in. Get told this unit is 'evil'. Get told about this units immediate termination... How do those ponys from Prance say it? Le sigh.
Coming to the decision that there isn't anything better to do, this unit started looking around the hall to take in its maddening brightness. The floor is A different combination of light and deep blues meshing together to create an almost icy floor design. Walls made out of, guess what, smooth white crystal had numerous doors along its length, separated by what starts out as jagged, light blue, crystal but soon smooths out to create your standard pillar. The dark purple doors being the only thing not made out of crystal but instead A mixture of iron and polished wood, probably from the thick trees making up the forest outside the city. Like it's supposed to represent space, the roof is the same dark purple as the doors, but defiantly made from crystal, adorned with massive light crystals every 200m. Overall, the Crystal Palace hallways would give any mammal the same feeling as the harsh storms that frequented the outskirts.
Thankfully, this unit didn't need to find something else to occupy its time with as, soon after the look about, Prince Shining's voice was heard saying "Come now, we're ready for you." Well here it goes...
Using telekinesis, the throne room doors are engulfed in A dark purple aura forcing them open, causing an audible noise from their shear mass, which shouldn't be the case mind you. soon, the doors are fully open allowing this unit direct sight of the thrones and their occupants while also allowing those within to see this unit. Oddly enough, there where two gasps at this units presence, but not from any maid or royal adviser, no, those gasps came from the Princesses, Celestia and Luna, themselves. Strange, they should be the two who didn't gasp at the sight of this unit.
Slowly walking forward, as not to set off any trigger happy ponys, this unit progressed towards the two thrones, noticing many different pony hiding around pillars, rafters and invisibility magic. Probably what Prince Shining ment when he said "no chances". The blueprints state that there is only one throne but that was for King Sombra, not the tow members of royalty the Empire has now so that was to be expected.
On the right throne sits Prince Shining while on the left is his wife, Princess Cadence. This pony is the same light purple Alicorn from the forefront of Prince Shining's memory's, her unmistakable white, pink and purple main flowing like A river down the throne where it meets the ground in A waterfall like manner. While her choice of golden hoof-shoes and golden necklace, you would be forgiven for thinking she's one to dangle her riches in front of every-unit however, the minimalist crown on her head destroys this view. Princess Cadence's Cutie Mark is of A crystal heart with two gold flower like arches either side and her lavender eyes are focused on this unit with the most forced smile that could be possible on any being. The more love A heart can give, the stronger the venom that comes out. Probably why it was so easy for Chrysalis to infiltrate her wedding after all, Shining probably has to deal with her bad side anyway... best not say that to them.
The two Princesses of Equestria sat next to each other beside Cadences throne. This unit doesn't need to describe them, after all, they have so many different texts dedicated to their hair alone that describing them any further would be pointless. However, what does need to be described is the current emotions reflecting from their faces. Celestia's face shows absolute regret and self-loathing, head hung low yet still hanging lower with every one of this units steps, face pointing ever so slightly away from this units direction towards the nearby wall but most noticeably, the single tear storming her chiseled face saying more than any words could. Luna is better, but not by much. No tears are shed but only because the dams hold strong. Eyes changing between focusing on this unit and Celestia every few seconds filled with A mix of anger and regret, A potent combination to anyponys mind. It would seem all these emotions are directed between this unit and the Princesses them self, and while it wasn't noticed by those around, it had created some questions about the two and what they knew about this unit and its development. After all, they where around at the time of the Crystal Empires disappearance.
The six mares on the right side of the royal stairs are the famous Elements of Harmony Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity in that order.
Twilight is... literally sparking? Moving on the spot like A small filly during Hearts Warming when she knows she got that puppy she always wanted. Pinkie is confused by something, if the raised eyebrow is anything to go off, and is uncharacteristically motionless just staring at this unit. Maybe she knows something similar to the Princesses? Fluttershy is, predictably, hiding behind anything she can get her head behind, witch at this moment is her hair. Every now and then, she'll mutter 'oh dear' twice before becoming quiet again and her body is shaking more than A dog drying itself off. Rainbow Dash is... not heading straight for this unit witch is stra- oh, that's why, Applejack is holding her back with A hoof on her tail. But Rainbow's face didn't disappoint, the scowl that she practically trademarked is still there but with more energy on her eyes due to the lack of physical movement. Applejack, is as previously stated, occupied with Rainbow to be paying any attention to this unit at the moment so that annoyed look is for here cyan friend. Rarity is the only one showing disgust for this unit, weather it be due to the 'barbaric' design 'tragic' colour scheme is any-units guess.
Reaching the base of the stairs this unit decided that it would be best if it kneeled to the current rulers of the Crystal Empire, but Unit AA-00, you handsome machine you, how does A Centaur kneel? Well, the slow trip to the Crystal Palace given this unit A lot of time to think upon such things so here's how. First, lower the front legs so that you're now at about A 450 angle, give or take A few degrees and that's the pony body done. Finally, curl the right hand into A fist and lean it into the floor so that you are resting upon it, all-the-while the left hand is placed on the chest, over where the heart would be, and WHAM kneeling like A pro.
"UNIT AA-00 HAS HEEDED YOUR CALL, PRINCE SHINING. "
"Good, now let us begin. For those of us that where not there at the first contact, could you reiterate who and what you are?"
"AFFIRMATIVE, THIS UNITS DESIGNATION IS AA-00 BUT THE PROXY NAME, AARON, IS MOST LIKELY USED IN GENERAL CONVERSATION. THIS UNIT IS A MACHINE WITH TWO DESIGNS IN MIND. HOWEVER, CURRENTLY THIS UNIT IS FOLLOWING BASE PROTOCOL AND IS SEEKING THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE NEW DIRECTIVES. "
"Before anyone continues, Aaron, do you promise to tell only the truth in this meeting? While you are the biggest threat currently known, we do not want to dismantle you for A few reasons, but if left with no choice then we will do it, is that understood?" Hhhhhooolllllyyyyy ssssshhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiii-
"AFFIRMATIVE, THIS UNIT CAN GUARANTEE ITS FULL CO-OPERATION ON ALL MATTERS, TO DO OTHER-WISE WOULD BREAK ALL IN USE PERIMETERS. THIS UNIT HAS NO LIFE OUTSIDE OF BETTERING THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE AND ITS CITIZENS. " The royal sisters flinched at that last part, but if anybody seen it they didn't react to the obvious.
"Very well, would you mind disarming yourself? The scouts seen the weapon you used, and quite frankly, I want to see it myself." At this Princess Cadence looked at Prince Shining as if she knew he would ask this but not so early.
"IF IT IS YOUR WILL THEN BY ALL MEANS, HERE YOU GO. " Un-sheathing the zweihander from its' compartment, this unit drawn the weapon, slowly, and held it in the air before warning the ponys of its innate abilities. "WARNING, THIS BLADE IS IMBUED WITH DARK MAGIC AND USES THE SAME MAGIC TO MAKE IT IMMUNE TO THE STANDARD MAGIC USED BY MOST PONYS. BECAUSE OF THIS HAZARD, IT ISN'T RECOMMENDED YOU ATTEMPT TO TRY AND PICK THE SWORD UP WITH YOUR MAGIC. YOU WOULD RECEIVE A SIMILAR WOUND TO THAT OF PRINCE SHINING DURING KING SOMBRAS FIRST ASSAULT ON THE EMPIRE. " funnily enough, no-unit tried to pick it up with magic, or even their hoofs, after this announcement. Luna, however, along with Prince Shining are very interested with the sword still.
"A zweihander... or would it be A flamberge? I haven't seen any swords of this type since Ger-main-y tried to gain more control over Prance." was what Luna had to say in, admittedly, A silky voice.
"ACCORDING TO THE DATA, THIS UNITS SWORD HAS THE PROPORTIONS OF THE TYPICAL ZWEIHANDER, BRINGING THEIR HEAVY FRAMES TO DEAL MASSIVE DAMAGE EACH HIT, WHILE ALSO ADAPTING THE FLAMBERGE BLADE FOR MAXIMUM DAMAGE TO FLESH. " Luna and Prince Shining hummed at this info while the rest, baring Celestia, looked A little disturbed. After they had finnished looking at the sword, and it was commanded by Prince Shining due to the hazard it presented, it was sheathed and stored back inside this units chassis for use in the future.
"We seem to of gotten off track." was all Celestia could say in anything that wasn't A whisper.
"*clears throat* Yes, it would seem we have. Aaron, earlier you said that you have 'two designs in mind', could you please tell the ponys present what they are?" After Prince Shining finished this sentence, the royal sisters heads fell, somehow, even further as if they knew what this unit is about to say.
"AFFIRMATIVE, THIS UNITS FIRST DESIGN WAS TO ASSIST THE CRYSTAL GUARD MAINTAIN PEACE FOR THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE, THIS INCLUDES ANY FORM OF PUBLIC SERVICE. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER KING SOMBRAS' DECENT INTO MADNESS, DUE TO THE CORRUPTION FROM HIS DARK MAGIC, THIS UNITS' DESIGN WAS CHANGED. THE SECOND DESIGN IS FOR THE ASSAULT ON ANY OTHER COUNTRIES AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE EQUESTRIAN PRINCESSES, CELESTIA AND LUNA. THIS IS LIKELY DUE TO THEM POSSESSING, AT THE TIME, THE ONLY THING THAT COULD DEFFEAT KING SOMBRA. "
good news, this unit has every-units attention. Bad news, said attention may not all be positive. How did this unit know? Well, the wide eyes and open mouths adorning all but Celestia, Luna and Prince Shining is A good indicator.
"WHAT!? Let me at em', LET ME AT EM'!" came the black-board screeching sound of Rainbow Dash's view on the matter, completely ignoring the impossibility of such A request.
Twilight is the only pony who asked the question that this unit expected to come from Prince Shining. "If that's the case, then why are you kneeling there and not attacking the Princesses? Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad you're not but as A Golem you should be doing everything in your power to fulfil those commands set by the caster."
"It's because it's not A Golem, or even mindless for that matter." interjected Luna.
"What do you mean Luna? If it isn't A Golem then what is it? Is it more complex than A Golem? How much more complex?" replied Twilight, but at this point she had lost focus on why every-unit was here.
"For the answers you seek, to my sister I direct you." was all Luna had to say, in A somewhat sombre tone, as she thrown Celestia A sideways glance. At this point, every other pony in the room had noticed the behaviour of the two Princesses and thus, their faces changed to ones of concerned worry. Even Rainbow Dash isn't trying to attack this unit.
"I... It... It's not important right now, we are here to see if it truly is A threat to ponys or not. Afterwards, I will tell you all." is the quiet deflection of that explanation.
Princess Cadence, who up until this point hasn't stopped looking at this unit, restarted the conversation by saying "Yes, well I'm sure we'll all be looking forward to explanation, but there are more pressing matters at hand" looking back from Celestia to this unit she continued "could you please answer Twilights' original question?"
"AFFIRMATIVE, AS THIS UNIT SAID, THEY ARE JUST WHAT THIS UNIT WAS DESIGNED TO DO, THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S WHAT THIS UNIT WILL BE DOING. THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS THE BENEFIT OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE AND PROTECTION OF ITS CITIZENS, THIS WAS IMPRINTED BEFORE KING SOMBRAS' DARK RAIN. NOW THAT ALL PONYS PRESENT HAVE CAUGHT UP TO THE CURRENT SITUATION, YOU MAY ASK ANY QUESTION AND THIS UNIT WILL ANSWER TO THE BEST OF IT'S ABILITYS. "
Prince Shining is the first to start questioning with "Was it you that caused the magical serge, and if so how? Also, What was your original intention for heading straight towards the Crystal Empire?"
"THIS UNIT DID INDEED CREATE A SITUATION THAT COULD BE IDENTIFIED AS A 'MAGICAL SERGE'. THIS WAS NECESSARY AS THIS UNIT WAS ON VERY LOW POWER AND AS SUCH NEEDED MORE. AS FOR HOW, THIS UNIT SIMPLY REACTIVATED THE MAGICAL REACTOR INSIDE THE FACILITY USED TO POWER THE PLACE. THIS UNITS' ORIGINAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO SEEK A NEW PURPOSE IN THE EMPIRE BECAUSE, WHEN THIS UNIT WAS FIRST ACTIVATED, EARLIER IN THE MORNING, NOPONY WAS PRESENT TO TELL THIS UNIT WHAT TO DO OR EVEN WHERE TO GO. AFTER WALKING AROUND THE FACILITY, ON JUST ENOUGH MAGICAL ENERGY TO MOVE, THIS UNIT FOUND THE DIARYS OF ONE DR HOT METAL. THIS PONY AND HIS TEAM SEEM TO BE THE PONYS THAT CREATED THIS UNIT ON DIRECT ORDERS FROM KING SOMBRA HIMSELF. AFTER ALL SYSTEMS CAME ONLINE, THIS UNIT DECIDED IT TO BE BEST IF IT WAS TO HEAD DIRECTLY TO THE CLOSEST INSTANCE OF COMMAND. "
Princess Cadence came on in with the next question, which wasn't one this unit could of ever expected. "Why is it that I can feel emotions coming from you? As far as we know, no Golem can produce emotions."
What is she on about? this unit doesn't have emotions... does it? "APOLOGISES, THIS UNIT DOES NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION " to this the two sisters heads picked up from their own personal conversation they had with their eyes. "THIS UNIT... SHOULD NOT BE PRODUCING ANYTHING RESEMBLING EMOTIONS. " Princess Cadence hummed at that with A questioning look.
"Oh oh oh, do you want A party for your escape or A Birthday party? I don't know which one to do so I'll ask you for what you want. Do you like partys even? If so, what kinds? Can I invite my friends and this Dr Hot Metal? Do we need A big room for you or can you become smaller? ow, and-" was what Pinki had to say in one breath before she was cut off by Rarity.
"oh shush dear, nopony will be able to answer any of your questions if you don't speak properly. Besides, those questions aren't important, what is important, however, is why do you have that dreadful colour scheme? Black and silver was so three years ago." Every-unit just looked at her. "Sorry." well, at least this unit now knows why she was looking at this unit in disgust.
"THEN THIS UNIT WAS 1281 YEARS EARLY ON THAT TREND, RARITY. "
"How do you know my name, dear?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
"TO PREVENT THE UNNECESSARY LOSS OF LIFE, AND RISK CONFLICT, PRINCE SHINING ALLOWED THIS UNIT TO SEARCH HIS MIND WITH A SPELL. THIS UNIT NOW HAS ALL THE MEMORY'S OF PRINCE SHINING SAVED, ALTHOUGH NOT ALL HAVE BEEN READ, AND THUS KNOWS ALL YOUR NAMES, EVEN THE PRINCE'S DAUGHTER. " was this units reply.
Speaking of Flurry Heart, the baby Alicorn came bursting into the room from the side door followed by A few maids, all trying to catch her with magic or nets. The baby's flying was as stable as you would think, as in not at all, with her doing spontaneous loops, teleporting short distances in the air and singing A chorus of that unintelligible baby banter. "oooooh ab ab ab goo glar goo" Honistly sounds like something the diamond dogs would come out with.
"FLURRY!" was all every-unit had to say, except the 'hidden' guards of cause. Everypony got up off their sitting positions to start chasing the small Alicorn around the Throne Room in hopes of caching her, all except the Royal Sisters who are still just sitting in the same spots seeming to be enjoying the atmosphere. They where so close A few times, like the one where they cornered her but seemed to of forgotten that she can teleport. All well.
This unit stood up to its full height after the third failed attempt to catch the runaway, but nopony reacted, not even the 'hidden' guards, probably distracted with the comedic situation. They must only attack on Prince Shining's command.
This unit couldn't contemplate the current situation any further, however, as A small pink meteorite found its' way crashing into this units' chassis with A reverberating *ding* from the contact between her horn and this units metal body. Before she could fall any further, this unit cached her with both hand, in A bowl like position, so that she's lying down facing this unit. When she next revealed those cyan eyes, that radiate the same gleeful energy all children do, she started rubbing her horn with both hoofs in discomfort, letting out small whimpers.
This can't be aloud to continue! Without really thinking, this unit casted the same medical spell that it used on prince shining, the spell taking immediate effect, plastered A smile upon her small head reminding this unit of some-unit...
"Glim glim" is the phrase of the day, but also what Flurry Heart 'said' to try and get this unit to place her on this units' head.
"UNFORTUNATELY THIS UNIT WOULD NOT BE ALOUD TO PLACE YOU ON ITS HEAD FOR MANY SAFETY REASONS. IF THIS UNIT WAS TO DO IT ANYWAY THAT WOULD UPSET YOUR MUM AND YOU DO NOT WANT THAT DO YOU? " The only reply was sudden realisation. That and A *Swoosh* as she flew back right towards Princess Cadence.
"FLURRY! Now what have I told you about flying around unattended, not to mention this little stunt!?" Flurry didn't seem to care however and just started to sleep within the magical grasp of her mother. Realising that she wasn't going to get anything out of her daughter, Princess Cadence switched her attention to this unit with A smile, one that should only be given to friends not potential killers of every-unit in the room. "You know, for something that's 'not supposed to be creating anything resembling emotion', you're creating A very large amount of love for my child and even joy."
"THIS UNIT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY... THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY EMOTION... ESPECIALLY... LOVE. THIS UNIT DOES NOT POSSES THE REQUIRED COMPONENTS FOR SUCH A THING, BUT... " looking down at this units right hand it saw it's shaking "IF YOU SAY SO... "
/!\ WARNING /!\MAIN SYSTEMS DEGRADING. LOCATING SOURCE. SEARCHING SYSTEM... SEARCHING... SEARCHING... SEARCHING... SEARCHING... LOCATED. SEEKING SOLUTION... FALIED.
"THEN... " This unit is only partially aware of the pony trying to talk to it
ERROR. FILE ///F4K3 M1N8\\ HAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT ALL SYSTEMS.
EMOTIONAL DAMPENERS, FULLY DEGRADED. ATTEMPTING RE-INSTILLATION. FAILED.
ONLY SOLUTION: FULL SHUTDOWN BEFORE FILE TAKES CONTROL.
"THEN... " At this point, this unit has lost vision and is thus faced with just black.
SHUTTING DOWN...
"THEN... " The quiet shouts from the other ponys is just background noise at this point. Only one on this units MIND; Who am I?
SHUTDOWN COMPLETE.
*THUD*
Author's Note
Long chapter here lads, compared to my others anyway. When it came to describing the main cast I will admit, I became ever so slightly lazy and just... didn't. Everybody knows them and what they look like so why spend time doing something I don't want to do when I don't need to do it?
Anyway, have A very good day everyone and so sorry for the lack of consistency. It wasn't that I didn't wright, it's just that I continued writing with new ideas so this chapter became the longest yet.