Chapter 2 - Rules

...The next morning

"I wish you would tell me what happened Shining!" Twilight says to her only brother. "I've never seen you so...beaten before!!!"

Late last night, Shining Armor was discovered in the darkness of the destroyed research facility. It was Dr. Stasis himself who returned to find him unconscious. Both kept their mouths shut. Dr. Stasis made himself very clear that he would handle this situation. Zylo was his responsibility after all. All Shining had to do was make sure nopony entered, and nopony left. Dr. Stasis himself is en route to deliver the terrible news to Celestia as of this morning.

The tough stallion carefully escorted himself to the castle area where he and his beloved wife lived. He almost collapsed at his own doorstep, had not Twilight found him.

"It...it's complicated." He says, saddened.

"Baby. I wish you would tell me." Said his noble wife, Cadence. "You know you can tell me and your sister anything. Right?"

Shining felt comfort in his wife's words, but they weren't enough. Cadence gently placed a warm wash cloth over his black eye. It was a painful battle scar that reminded him of Zylo every time Princess Cadence touched it. He gritted his teeth in serious pain, but not physical pain. He's dealt with that one too many times. No, this was a much different pain.

What he saw was one of the most darkest events that ever took place in pony history. A mass murderer spared his life, and he was unsure why. Why did it have to be him? He would have easily taken their place if even one would have survived. Directly in front of him, he saw Zylo single handedly destroy all six of his guards, with no weapons, and there was nothing they could do to stop them.

In sheer frustration, Shining gritted his teeth hard, angry that he was so weak compared to that monster. He knew he was out there somewhere. He just knew it!

"Grrrr. NOOOO!!!" Shining screamed, pounding his hoof into the table.

Twilight and Cadence grew concerned. Shining refused to tell them? But he was family to both. How could he not?

"Shining!" Twilight said, frustrated at his brother's stubbornness. "There is something you're not telling us. Who did this to you? And why won't you tell us. Surely, it's not that bad, right?"

He ignored her. He was too frustrated to talk. His mind bubbled like an overflowing cauldron of crazy thoughts. It was too much to bear. Shining Armor could never share something so horrific to his family. The chair he sat on began to shake, just as he did. His right hoof squeezed the table so hard, that it put a hoof shaped indention in it.

Cadence said nothing, but knew he was feeling pain that she did not understand. She placed her hoof over the strained one, and it began to relax. Letting out a sharp sigh, the nightmarish trance in Shining's head was over.

"C-cadence..." He stuttered in fear, looking into her eyes.

With little warning, Cadence kissed her husband deeply on the lips. His eyes shut closed. Cadence's followed. Twilight only blushed and smiled at the lovely scene.

"Whatever's bothering you my love," She began. "It really isn't anything you can't tell me. I hope you know that."

"Thank you sweetheart." He said, sighing.

Cadence smiled a sweet smile to Shining Armor. Still a tad bit frustrated, he stormed up and walked to the window. Again, Twilight and Cadence grew concerned.

"Girls? You're right. It's nothing I can't tell you..." Shining began to say, looking out the window.

The girls smiled. They finally got through that thick skull of his. They smiled and approached him from behind.

"...but it's something that I don't want to tell you. If I do, and Celestia finds out, my life is over. Literally! I'll be banished!" Shining finishes.

Both of the girls gasped. A life without Shining Armor would hardly be a life at all. Cadence was at a loss for words. This was much more serious than he thought. Whomever fought shining wasn't the average mugger or bandit that the guards dealt with from time to time. She knew this was much worse, a foe perhaps as nasty as Discord.

Before either of them could respond, Shining turned around to spill the beans.

"Look. I'm going to tell you what caused my injuries." He said abruptly. "Although this goes against every shred of pride and honor I have, I really do need to tell somepony."

"We're all ears!" Twilight said, happy to listen.

"Yes. I agree with my sister-in-law." Cadence agreed. "Tell us what happened."

"Ever so often, whenever I go on these 'Special missions' I've been telling you about dear, I...I've lied." He said it as to make a point.

The way that Shining Armor put it hurt Cadences feelings. Her husband never lied to her. How could this be?

"Instead, I and a few of my night guards keep watch over Celestia's developing warriors for overtime. They are top secret, and if the word gets out, all of us have to suffer the consequences."

"And you're telling us this now?" Twilight adds, a little bit frustrated for his lack of concern. "What about your guards? You're not worried that they could be banished by telling us this?"

Now, Shining flustered even more. His eyes were closed shut, and teeth clenched tightly in frustration. His front legs bulged and tensed.

"Grrrr... No! Not anymore. They're dead Twilight. DEAD!!! All of them." Screamed Shining Armor.

"Oh...Oh NO!!!" Twilight gasps in horror.

"What a tragedy! How did this happen?" Asked a concerned Princess Cadence, who kept her cool.

Shining Armor looked down to the floor, unable to look anypony in the face.

"Down in Celestia's secret research facility, there are 15 experiments. Well, should I say, there WERE 15. Celestia's golden goose, the very one she had the highest hopes for, somehow gained consciousness and escaped from the lab. We didn't even have time to put the facility in lockdown! And even if we did, he still would have escaped with ease!"

Twilight and Cadence listened, both secretly horrified of what was coming from Shining's mouth.

"This thing is a monster. With absolutely no thought, he killed six of my finest guards as if they were nothing! I was the only one to escape with my life. It was horrible! With the strength of ten dragons and the speed of Rainbow Dash, I...I don't see how we can stop it."

Shining jumped form where he was standing and grabbed Twilight by both hoofs, caressing them gently.

"I hate to say this Twilight, but there's nothing that even Celestia can do against this thing!" Shining said with despair.

That's when Twilight knew just how serious this was. There was a killer out there, and he had to be stopped. Instead of letting that get to her, she bravely hatched an idea in her head.

"I'll just have to pay this pony a visit then." Twilight said with great nobility.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Screamed her brother.

That yell caused her to jump out of her fur, but the statement he responded with wasn't what Twilight expected.

"You fight that monster with me too! You can't count me out! I owe him one!" Shining stated, making his point very clear.

"Sweetheart?" Said Princess Cadence, stepping in. "I'm in too! Just the idea of this monster causes me to be concerned deeply for the safety of Equestria. I must help!"

Shining Armor thought of protesting, but he knew that Cadence was stronger in magic than he was. He nodded his head in agreement.

"This is...I mean, this is TERRIBLE!!!" Twilight screams. "Celestia secretly created warriors, and her best one went rogue?"

All Shining had to do was nod. Twilight's heart stopped.

"No!!! NO!!!" Twilight yelled. "And this creature is still out there?"

"Yes. He looks just like any other normal earth pony out there too." Shining added. "The only way you could ever tell that it was him is if you talked to him face to face. And when you did, you wouldn't live to escape. That creature knows no fear, or remorse. No emotions, care, ANYTHING except for his own selfish desires. I saw it in his eyes. He seemed glad to fight, but when he was dormant, he seemed to be empty minded!"

"That's horrible Shining!" Cadence said. "I had no idea you went through all of this. And you witnessed this first hoof? Oh my."

"Yes. Even if he does look like an average earth pony, I can never forget those disgusting red eyes whenever he's angry!" Shining went on.

"Look." Twilight interrupted. "It's clear that we're gonna need every advantage we can get. So...what's our advantages? We need an edge."

"Shining's got access to the armory!" Cadence added. "I'll pick up some armor that fits all 3 of us whenever I get the chance."

Shining just sat there.

"And I have a couple of homemade potions that boost unicorn magic. All 3 of us have a horn, so that'll surely help." Twilight added with glee, happy to be contributing.

Still, shining sat there.

"Great! Shining? What are you going to do?" Asked the Princess.

He shrugged, got up, and charged for the door.

"No! Shining Armor! Wait!" Twilight said, stopping him at the door.

"Out of my way Twilie!" He yelled. "My advantage isn't some armor or potions, I plan on getting stronger. ALOT stronger. Then, I'll defeat Zylo at his own game!"

Gently, Shining Armor pushed her aside, and ran down the great halls of the castle.

"After we're ready, I'm coming for you Zylo!" He thought to himself. "But first, I'm paying Celestia a visit, whether she likes it or not!"

...With Zylo

One slow step at a time, Zylo climbed the stairs that led up to the surface. Evil darkness bent all around him in the lightless corridors. All he did was think to himself as usual.

"Fuck! How am I supposed to know where this guy is?" Zylo flustered. "Blast it! It could take hours to find him, even if I did sprint or fly!"

It was time to pick up the pace. Zylo started jumping every other step. He was up to the surface in no time. With each step, sunight could be seen naturally from above. Zylo found himself interested in what he was seeing.

"It...it's so bright out here!" Zylo says out loud.

The stairs led him to a large open area. A balcony was above him, so it blocked most of the view. Quickly, he climbed the wooden steps that led up. The sunlight was even brighter up here. Zylo had to put one hoof just above his eyes to see the view. Now, his interest was peaked.

"Wow. What is all of this?" Zylo told himself, not actually in awe.

The view was phenomenal. The balcony was build into a building on stilts. It sat on a large, steep hill. Below him, endless trees and grass painted the hills. Flowers of all colors filled the meadows to the max. Countless birds, squirrels, deer, and other woodland critters didn't mind being watched. In fact, all they did was add to the beautiful sight.

"I'm not interested." Zylo said, darting off towards the more populated area.

"Not interested in the best view in Canterlot? Absurd! Hah!" Huffed a single mare behind Zylo.

Zylo had to turn around and look. Before his eyes, was the first girl he ever saw with the exception of Celestia. She had a grey coat, with a darker mane that was fairly straight. Her tail dragged on the ground, just as Zylo's had. Both needed a manecut badly. Her eyes were a purplish color. She wore a purple bow tie around her neck too, and her cutie mark was a violet treble clef.

"You. Come here if you please." Said the pony in an almost over-polite tone.

Zylo was going to come over there anyway and interrogate her on the subject of Dr. Stasis's whereabouts. It was just her, nobody else was around on the large, wooden balcony but the 2. No witnesses.

"State your name!" Zylo demanded. "Make your point now, then leave me be."

"I'm Octavia dear!" She began. "Strictly business are we? It's a pleasure to...WAAAHHH!!!"

"Gah! WHAT IS IT?!?!?!" Zylo roared back.

Octavia's scream startled Zylo, but something startled her. It was Zylo's musk.

"You smell like a mixture of sweat and meat!" She complained. "Meat is a terrible thing dear sir!"

"When I murder six ponies, and their blood spills all over me, it's not gonna smell like a fucking bakery now is it!?!?!" Zylo yelled once more.

Now that Zylo mentioned it, it did smell like blood. All over his body, red splashes and dots coated his white coat, even his face. Octavia grew terrified! Was he telling the truth? Surely not. There were no such thing as murderers. The country was too peaceful for such monstrosities. Not even dragons were as cruel to kill. His parents had to have set him straight. He was just pulling a cruel prank. Surely. That was the only explanation!

Ignoring Octavia's terror, Zylo asked, "Now, before you show me what it is you were going to show me, I have some questions for YOU! Got it?!"

"Y-yes sir!" She responded.

"Ha ha. Good. Finally, a pony who complies." Zylo said, pleased at Octavia's fear. "Now first, why does your voice sound significantly lighter than mine? I must know."

It was a horribly dumb question to Tavi. Of course it was because he was a male, and she was female.

"Well...Ummm..." She stuttered. "I'm a girl, and...you know... you're a boy."

"Girl? Boy?" Zylo asked. "What's the difference."

"Heh heh... you're kidding... perhaps your fillyfriend can show you that someday. Heh heh..." She joked, still afraid.

"I see. Another thing, what is this on your flank? This symbol... Right here." Zylo asked, while looking at it.

Instantly, Octavia freaked out! She felt Zylo's gentle grasp touch her cutie mark as he panned it over. Zylo was just feeling it, all that was happening was Zylo started to learn, but in reality, this was highly inappropriate to do to a random stranger. A sudden slap was felt on Zylo's face, causing him to twitch in anger. He had no idea what he did wrong.

"You pervert! I should have you arrested for that, and murder if you're not pulling some sort of gag." She yelled, displeased.

When she looked to the red and black maned pony, she found that his eyes flashed the same color as his streaks. Tavi grew horribly afraid. Zylo instantly snatched her by the collar of her bowtie without warning.

"You miserable bitch!" Zylo roared. "How DARE you lay your hoofs on me!"

Bravely, Octavia didn't back down. Zylo wasn't the one wronged here. She was.

"I could say the same thing to YOU!!!" She mouthed back. "Now, let me go! Release me!"

Zylo flinched! It was true. Technically, he did touch her first, and she didn't get too mad. She didn't try to attack Zylo. He felt as if she had a point, but was unsure why. Maybe you weren't supposed to be angry at people for touching them?

"You touched me first! ON THE BUTT!!!" She added.

"Bah! Only because I was interested in it!" Zylo said, really only interested in the mark.

Octavia blushed. Her red cheeks were plainly visible. A moment of them thinking went by, especially in Tavi's mind. What was this guy's deal?

"You didn't answer my question. What is that on your flank?!" Zylo threatened. "The guards all had symbols on their rumps, but not me. Why?!"

"I don't know what sort of rock you've been living under," She stated, "But what you touched was called a cutie mark."

"C-Cutie mark?! That sounds despicable!!!" Zylo said, spitting to the ground.

Octavia looked to Zylo's flank. The left side was completely coated in blood, so if he had a cutie mark, it would not have been visible. His right side was, and indeed Zylo wasn't lying. He has a blank flank.

"Can you please let go of me?" She said, nonchalantly.

"Why should I?!" Zylo yelled.

"Because I said please. That's why!" She huffed back.

"And that matters WHY?!" Zylo screamed, getting more angry by the second.

"That's the nice thing to say to somepony, that's why!" She said, raising her voice.

"No..." Zylo said darkly.

Zylo slowly went from her bowtie to her throat, and lifted her off the ground and over the balcony railing. He had enough of her games. It was time to spill more blood.

"I have no use for you. You confuse me with your talk of "please", and "nice things to say". You'll regret crossing my path! Goodbye!"

Zylo wasn't killing her instantly. He wanted her to suffer for her incompetence and lack of understanding. All she did was hold her by the throat. She barely choked at all, but all it did was make the pain even slower.

"Ugh...UGH!!! R-release me!!! P-please!!! I beg of you!!!" Octavia begged, grabbing Zylo's hoof with both of her's and attempting to resist.

"There's that fucking word once more! Please. You have about 5 seconds to tell me what that word means, unless you want to see your throat out of your neck! TELL ME NOW!!!"

Zylo released his grip from her neck. He grabbed the bowtie now and shook it to get her to hurry.

"Please? Ummm. That's a really hard question..." She said in fear.

"TELL ME DAMN YOU!!!" Zylo snapped.

"Okay! Okay!" Tavi said. "Please means... ummm. Okay. If I tell you this Zylo, "Zylo, let go of me!", that's rude, which means most ponies won't think your nice, and they won't do what you tell them to do."

"I asked you what please meant, not rude!" Zylo said gently, trying not to lose it again.

"I'm getting to that. Now if I said, "Zylo? Please, let go of me." That means I mean it. I would really appreciate it if you sat me down. It would be very nice of you to do what I'm asking of you. Ahh! Please Zylo. Please?! Have mercy! Have..."

Before Zylo could sit her down, her bow tie snapped almost faster than her heart stopped! She knew it was game over!!! In her mind, Zylo had dropped her. He had stopped caring. It was the end.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" She screamed, falling...

...for about 2 seconds. When she looked back up, Zylo was looking down on her, hanging on to the railing of the balcony. Thankfully, his blood splattered hoof was the one grabbing onto the railing, not Tavi.

"Z-zylo?!" She asked, confused as to why he saved her.

"Hmph! You're too loud. Has anyone ever told you that!!!" Zylo mentioned.

Octavia was very thankful, as her smile met Zylo's frown. To her, Zylo was rather cute, but the blood in his fur was the only thing holding him back from being handsome. It was repulsive.

"Now, hold onto my shoulder. Do NOT let go!" He demanded.

Drawing Octavia closer to himself, he brought her up to his eye level. She did as he asked, almost climbing on his back. Then with his free arm, he heaved both of them back up to solid ground.

"Thank you for saving me." She said. "From yourself. Hmph!"

"I saved you for one reason and one reason alone." Zylo began. "I still have questions for you, nothing more. You will answer them!"

"Zylo!" Tavi sighed, disappointed in him. "Didn't you learn ANYTHING from what I just said please meant? You can't just demand everything for the rest of your life. Use some manners!"

"Fine!!!" He gasped. "You! I demand that you immediately answer everything I have to say... PLEASE. Better?"

"NO!!!" She screamed, as she slapped her hoof into her head.

"Wh-what?!?!?! I did exactly as you..."

Zylo could speak no longer. Tavi silenced him with her hoof.

"Zylo. You don't have to yell and be so mean. Try something like this..."

She cleared her throat, then proceeded to copy Zylo's voice.

"Excuse me dear Octavia, may I ask you a few small questions?" She said in a gruff voice that was in no way Zylo's.

"Hey! Excuse me... dear Octavia!" Zylo said, trying to retain his voice and copy Octavia. "Look! I need to ask you a few small questions! Now, please."

"Well, that's...better." She said.

Octavia almost marveled at Zylo. It's as if he had some sort of strange innocence inside of him, and yet he was very guilty at the same time. Her thoughts were cut short when Zylo jumped to Octavia once more.

"I take it Octavia is what you are called?" He asked. "I am Zylo."

"Oh. Well, it's nice to meet you Zylo!" She said, intrigued. "Where are you from?"

"I...I don't know." He coldly answered.

"You don't know?! What? How can you not know?" Octavia asked in confusion. "Well, who are your parents then?"

"I don't know that either!" Zylo said, raising his voice.

"Ahhh!!! You mean, you're an orphan?" She shrieked.

"No!!! I am more than capable of taking care of myself!" He insisted.

"That's not what I said! You don't know who your parents are?" She said, flabbergasted. "That's terrible!"

"NO!!! Didn't I just get done telling you that???" Zylo said, all pissed off. "And I don't need your pity!"

"You must suffer from amnesia then." Octavia assumed. "You poor thing."

"I guess you could say that." He responded. "Tell me this please..."

Octavia looked to Zylo.

"Do you know a Dr. Stasis?" He asked.

"No. I've never heard of one, but he sounds somewhat familiar. I think Vinyl Scratch was telling me some crazy conspiracy theory about how he works on clones." She said, mocking her friend.

"Interesting..." Zylo thought with a demonic smile. "Clones huh? Sound dangerous."

"Oh stop it! You must have already heard it from Vinyl, huh? You believe it too? It's so absurd!" Insisted Octy. "I don't believe it for one second."

"Well don't!" Zylo said. "Look. If you can't help me, tell me who can! You've been a waste of my time."

"Hmph! I don't see why I have to tell you anything." She huffed.

In a fit of anger, Zylo smashed the wooden railing away with a hard wave of his hoof. At first, only a fraction of the large rail had missing wood in it, but eventually, the whole thing went tumbling down the hill, and taking dozens of flowers with it. It also managed to spook all of the animals and creatures too.

"FINE!!! I'll find somepony that WILL!!! Thanks for nothing."

As quick as he came, Zylo was off. Trotting towards the very town that held the princess in it. Octavia looked at him, as he trotted away.

"I hope we meet again Zylo..." She said, returning back to the view.

"Dr. Stasis can't hide from me forever!" Zylo thought. "It seems that Octavia's friend knew something about Dr. Stasis. Her theory was... rather accurate. I must find her."

...With Shining Armor.

Standing by the princesses doors, Shining continually grew the nerve to ask the princess for a background story on Zylo, only for it to be quickly lost.

"Darn it! This is important. No time to be self-conscious." He thought. "I have to go in there and face her, even if I did screw up!"

With a deep breath, he exhaled slowly and pushed the double doors open. Already, Celestia seemed to be on edge, and Shining knew why. Dr. Stasis was standing in the middle of it all, as Celestia panicked. Shining Armor was at the very end of the giant room, and he could still hear Celestia roar.

"How can this be?!?!?!" Celestia said, pacing back and forth about every second. "Zylo wasn't supposed to be able to think on his own! How? HOW?!"

"Well err... Princess, if I may..." Dr. Stasis said nervously, pushing his glasses closer to his eyes. "He is still made from 2 sociable beings, especially the pony side of him. It's very difficult to maintain full control on a creature that powerful."

"I don't care!!! That's why I paid you and you're workers 100 bits every hour!!!" She said, raising her voice. It was something she normally did not do. "Did you not understand that the fate of everything that exists to this day rests in the hoofs of Zylo? And now, he's gone rogue, destroyed my research facility, and killed six good men? Unacceptable if you ask me." She spoke in great speed.

Celestia still kept a semi calm tone in her voice, but she was too mad to maintain it fully. There was no time for Shining to be intimidated by her.

"Well there's the stallion of the hour!" The princess lashed at her honorable Captain. "What do you have to say for yourself? I counted on you and you have failed me Shining Armor."

Bowing lowly to show the utmost respect to his princess, Shining Armor felt petty, but stubborn. He came here to ask a question.

"Princess... A thousand apologies." Shining said, pleading that she would go easy on him. "We didn't even see him coming, but rest assured, we did our very best."

"Very best? Well, Zylo was created for one sole purpose in life. And that is to fight. No shining, it is I that am sorry. Sorry for having any faith in you guards!"

Celestia deliberately took a stab at Shining's pride. It did hurt him, severely too.

"I didn't think things through. You and you're guards clearly never stood a chance against any of those experiments. My apologies to both of you for wasting your time and giving you false hopes."

Dr. Stasis and Shining Armor looked to each other, then looked back to Celestia.

"So..." She says with a sigh. "Zylo destroyed every other subject except for 2?" She looked straight at Dr. Stasis.

"Yes. They were unplugged from their stations, but they are online now." He answers. "The one code named, 'The Caretaker" has received heavy damage, but seems to be stable."

Celestia rubbed both of her temples deeply. She was in deep stress indeed.

"Which 2 survived?" She said with her eyes shut. "Please tell me that one of the fully developed ones made it."

"Yes. Well, The Timelord and the Dhampire both survived. Cordelion is the Dhampire. He is fully developed. His speed, smarts, and ferocity surpasses that of Zylo's indefinitely, but his power may be even."

"That's the advancements of being fully developed." Celestia told her friend. "Cordelion was my second pick, so he should do nicely. Does he abide to every one of my commands?"

"Well, yes!" He mentioned, secretly unsure of himself. "He does... have one slight disadvantage however."

"What would that be?" Celestia demanded to know.

"Cordelion is part vampire, which makes him difficult to control. Don't get me wrong, he is one hundred percent under you're control, but he may have a feeding problem."

"A feeding problem? On my subjects? Unacceptable!!!" Celestia snapped. "What's the best course of action to prevent this?"

"Well, we could always remove his fangs, but that greatly reduces his power. Every time he feeds, his max power rises, so Zylo can't win as long as Cordelion feeds on more and more ponies."

Celestia grew pissed. Now, her subjects were being thrown into the mix of things. She pondered it over though. If Zylo fails to perform his duties, the risk of danger to all of her ponies would be greater than Cordelion's feeding habits. Pros versus cons.

"No. No!" She insisted. "We've dealt with vamponies before. We can deal with them again. We have enough antidote to issue them out to the infected for no charge. We'll make it through this."

"Enough!!!" Shouted Shining Armor.

Celestia did not grow angry that she was interrupted, more surprised than anything. Shining looked furiously to his princess.

"Princess Celestia!" He shouted. "With all due respect, I don't think that you're superior weapon can be controlled. Zylo thinks only for himself. Sending another subject to stop him will prove useless."

"And that's what you're supposed to do." She snapped. "You're paid to think for yourself, aren't you? Keep you're snout out of this Shining Armor. You're already on my list for letting him escape. Please, take my advice and don't cause any more mistakes, or you'll be dishonorably discharged. Got it?"

"Y-yes ma'am!" He said, clearly in disgust.

"Leave here now Shining. Return to my niece." She insisted. "Go now."

"Of course..." He said in sadness.

Walking out of the throne room and touching the door with his hoof, he decided to play dirty. Celestia wasn't acting herself. He had to know why, and he had to know so much more.

"I'm sorry Princess, but I have to know!" He thought in his head. "I hope Twilight's spell works properly."

Stepping behind the door, Shining went invisible, then he shut it and re-entered the throne room to eavesdrop on the conversation. He hung back lowly to the door to avoid any noise.

"I'll never look at myself the same way after this, but... I apologize Celestia. I will not let those good men go unavenged. Not even for you... Princess."

Easing closer, he started to hear both Celestia's and Dr. Stasis's voices.

"Well, Princess. Cordelian will be you're choice to fight Zylo?" The doctor asked, all official like.

"Yes. Have his cell here immediately." She demanded.

"He's already been delivered. Oh boys!!!"

Bursting through the door and smacking Shining right in the ass, in came a damaged cell that looked much like Zylo's did. Only the face of the Dhampire could be seen. It looked like that of an average human, with thin, silver hair floating wildly in the red liquid. His face had a sharpness to it like that of a hawk or a wolf. Eyes shut tight, he was seconds from seeing his master.

"Dr. Stasis. There's something I should tell you..." Celestia mentions with a heaviness in her voice.

"What's that Princess?" He asks.

"First, Cordelion follows my every command, correct?" Celestia said with some severity. "I must know this as a fact!"

"Yes. That is...correct." He responded quickly.

"Good. We can't afford to make another mistake." She huffed. "Now, describe to me his powers. What is he capable of doing, and more importantly, does he have an advantage over Zylo?"

"Cordelian is easily stronger than Zylo is, especially since Zylo is under-developed. That is his advantage. His senses are extremely keen, able to track a scent from a mile away and hear the slightest sound from just as far. He is able to shape-shift into various forms such as a rat, a bat, and even a vicious wolf."

Celestia nodded in pleasure. This sounded convincing. Perhaps Cordelian was the more perfect one after all.

"He can also turn into mist to sneak up on his prey, or flee from a losing battle. Among his nastier abilities, he can enter a victim by looking them in the eye. His half human nature limits this somewhat, but against a weak-willed creature, it should be sufficient."

"Zylo is by no means weak-willed." Celestia added, seeing a fault in his design.

"Ah yes, but I'm not done yet." Dr. Stasis told her, still with a pleased attitude. "His night-vision is also unparalleled among many creatures. He can even see farther than a night guard during a new moon!"

Celestia smiled. She was sold. This creature sounded like it could capture Zylo with incredible ease.

"Fantastic doctor!" Celestia said, shaking his hoof. "Cordelian sounds like an excellent subject! He will serve me well."

"There has been something that has bothered us in the lab Princess." he began to mention. "We've picked up some strange activity during our monitoring, but for the life of me, I couldn't seem to pinpoint it."

"Perhaps a larger energy pool due to the hybrid's genetic material?" She asked.

"We're not quite sure what it is your majesty." He says. "Every time we try to deduct what it is, it vanishes."

"I see. I have no worry about this." She told him. "Now, there is something you must know. Somepony other than me must understand why Zylo is so important to me."

Shining's ears twitched. Dr. Stasis's did too. Both eagerly listened for why.

"Yes princess. I'm listening." He spoke.

"Okay. Please, heed what I'm trying to tell you...

Celestia's story...

Eighteen years ago, just before I made room for the sun, a god came to me. This god is no god of worship. No! He is evil. The very definition of the word. This god's name was Chaos. That's what he called himself, because that's what he lives for.

Sounds completely awful your highness.

Yes. Just thinking about it drives me insane, but you must know why you're doing this, and why it's so important. This god of Chaos came to me, demanding a precious item from me. This item is called, the Chaos Breaker. There is also it's polar opposite. That is what is known as the Order Breaker.

The Chaos Breaker. What is that?

Well, it all starts with something called good, and something called evil. It spreads itself across the entire multiverse. Both do, one thicker in other places than the other. You should consider yourself very lucky. You live in the universe with the most positive energy out there. The human world? Well, they're not so lucky... The Chaos Breaker is a gem. A physical object imbued with everything that is good. When wielded by a warrior, he or she is granted the power to expel evil itself if strong enough. I will be that warrior, but only a tenacious Saiyan will become strong enough to obtain this power.

I see. So that is why you want him back so badly?

Yes. I kept the Chaos Breaker under my throne for safekeeping, but Chaos eventually figured out that I was the one who guarded it for all these years. He came to me, demanding that I let him see it. I lied, and said I had no idea what he was talking about. Unfortunately, Chaos is no idiot. It's foolish to trifle with gods like that, but I did as I thought was necessary. When he had taken it from me, both me and my sister, Luna fought hard to take it back.

And you of course... won, right?

Oh no! Hah! Not even close! The gap between Zylo and the night guards he slaughtered were nothing compared to the gap between me an my sister combined fighting Chaos. The power this man fed from was the very power of all evil deeds!!! It was... monstrous! We were easily defeated. Directly in front of me, Chaos shattered the gem into bit sized pieces, for he is the only one who can destroy either gems. He assured me that there was much more than that awaited me in the future. He claimed that in 25 years, good itself would cease to exist, and the entire multiverse would be forced to suffer every single day, for the rest of time!!! Even to this day, the forces of good can never destroy the forces of evil, thanks to the missing chaos breaker.

If he was able to defeat you so easily, and good can never win, then why are we trying?

We HAVE to! We must!!! I am the only one that knows about all of this. In the battle, my dear sister was knocked out cold, so not even she knows. As a matter of fact, that's when it hit me. If I am the strongest pony to walk Equestria thus far, and nopony else surpasses me, then I would create one. Zylo... He's our last hope. If he fails to do his duty to retrieve all of these shards for ponykind, then I will stand no chance against Chaos a second time. Even as we speak, Chaos is building his team. That is why I must build my team. He is going from universe to universe, recruiting only the finest of evils to help him on his quest. Zylo will follow, eliminating all the evils that stand in his Saiyan wrath! Each one is guarding a single shard of the Chaos Breaker. Ultimately, this is Zylo's purpose for existence.

End of Celestia's story...

"Wow!" Dr. Stasis said, astonished. "That's an amazing story princess."

"Yes! And it is because of all of this, that I am so hectic, so scared to face such a terrible evil alone. My power source is big, it's a power that I myself have trained, but Chaos? Chaos'es power is derived from the very demons that do his work. His power is bottomless."

"I see. With all due respect princess, are you sure Cordelion is the wisest of options? Being part vampire, he is by all rights... an apex predator, far superior to anything inhabiting Equestria." he says in a sophisticated tone. "This means he is hard to control."

Celestia's high hopes transformed after hearing this information.

"Hard to control?" She said, too calmly. "Did I not hear earlier that he was under my fullest control?"

"Well, somewhat." He sketchily answered. " Not only that, but every time he feeds, he will grow much stronger, especially if he feeds on a strong creature."

Stasis starts to sweat a little, nervous of the idea of another rogue. This one being able to turn the entire planet into vampires.

"If he were to gain enough power, he may be able to overcome the control." He states. "And that mysterious power he seems to be able to tap into makes me even more nervous, we don't know what he could do with it."

Celestia broke inside. Secretly, she did, but she would never tell.

"Dr. Stasis? If he fails to abide to my every command, it'll be your flank to the core of the sun." She roared with whispers. "Failure is not an option. Have I made myself crystal clear?"

"Y-yes princess." He says, nearly pissing himself right there in front of her.

Her silent tone was so unnerving, that it made Shining shiver in his armor.

"Wow!!! This is all... incredible!" Shining whispered in his head. "So, if Celestia fails, then the world ends? No... the universe ends! My...my Celestia..."

"No matter! We have no other options." She says, uncaring. "I will not reveal myself to Zylo until he is under my control."

Celestia darts her eyes straight to the pod containing the vampire creature.

"Stasis!!! Release him from his pod, so that he may stop Zylo!!!" She cries loudly into the air.

Shining continued to watch in suspense. The very air could not be more filled with it.

"Very well princess." Says the doctor in fear.

Carefully pressing a button on the side, the liquid was allowed to properly drain from the pod. It produced steam, and the doors slid open quickly.

"Cordelian!!!" She chants to the human/vampire hybrid in the container. "Hear my voice and listen to your new master. My name is Princess Celestia. You have been brought to me today to do my bidding. May I count on your help?"

The creature doesn't move. His naked body still stands in the empty pod. He is slightly obscured by the shadows and steam from the pod.

"I ask again, Cordelion!!! Are you at my disposal?" Celestia declared harshly to the creature. "I must have you're unending loyalty. Do I have it???"

No response from the subject. Celestia angrily motions Dr. Stasis to check it out. The creature cocked an invisible smile, then grabbed the pony. His five fingers dug into the very neck skin of the doctor, as he struggled to even choke. Slowly, he is lifted off the ground with only one skinny arm. His fangs become clearly visible and barred, as if already to strike his first victim. Has this one gone rogue too?

The Princess stands up from her throne immediately and stares into his eyes.

"Cordelion!!! STOP THIS!!!" She simply demands.

He said nothing. Instead, his head darted to Celestia the instant she said something. His stare alone had something to it, something almost hypnotic and curious. Celestia resisted easily however.

"Grrr!!! No!!!" She yelled. "Please friend. I'm counting on you. Release him at once. Please!?!?!?"

Cordelion relaxes, and drops the coughing pony after a throaty hiss. He smiles respectively, then bows his naked body, kneeling to the floor.

"Ahhh!!! Excellent!!!" Celestia said, pleased at her new subjects loyalty. "Now, here's what I need you to do..."

Cordelion listened to every word that the princess said. Dr. Stasis coughed and suffered on the ground, but when he looked to the large throne room doors, they opened, then shut. Shining Armor was long gone.

Author's Note

Chapter 2 as promised! I did one of my co-author's a favor and added Cordelion in. Remember, I will take OC's at damn near any point in my story.

So, Zylo found Octavia before any of the other ponies too? I guess that means he's going for her roommate next eh?

I tried my luck with colors. That's partially the reason that I moved from Fanfiction to FIMficton.

Well, thank you guys for everything, and thanks for the 3 reviews! (Besides my own.) And thanks for the 4 likes and 6 dislikes so far. I hope I can get the likes higher with each coming chapter.

And as always, thanks for reading!