> The Red Reploid: Equestrian Tales
>  by Sir Mortimer of Eden
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue -or- The Beginning of a New Life (Edited)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I awoke in a capsule in a room I am not familiar with, as I look through my capsule glass I find that the room is made out of concrete and metal, some walls had a large 'W' on them but the entire room seemed worn out and rusted which looked like it could collapse at any moment. I didn't remember anything before waking up except for a few words which seemed to make me shiver.

“…eatest……ation……Zero……destr……mega………”
“…created……to…destroy…”

Zero, was that my name? And who was this ‘Mega’? Was I supposed to eliminate him if I was created to destroy? 

The memories seemed to avoid me as I got out of the capsule. 

As I looked around the room I saw a glowing sword and a weird object next to it on the bench next to my capsule -"Z Saber, Z Buster"- How did I know what these objects were? Had I used them before? 

I grabbed the saber and buster and as I turned around I saw myself in a broken mirror. 

I had red and black armour made of metal covering my entire body with the name ‘Zero’ on the side of my helmet and arms, so that meant that my name was Zero. Who built me and where was I, some kind of ruined castle? Did I do this before I lost my memories?

“I never remember calling myself a hero,” –I put my hand on my head –“I have always fought for the people I believe in, even if I was made to destroy.”

I smiled to myself, I used the power I had to protect the innocent that was all I needed to know to find out what kind of reploid I was. So that meant that this castle had decayed meaning that it must had been hundreds of years old.

As I walked out of the room wondering what sort of things these ruins held for me.

Perspective Change: ????
As I watched as my old friend left I felt a pang of guilt in my heart as I knew this was the last time we would see each other and he wouldn't have even knew who I was if I told him. 

He had been fighting for so long I hoped in this world he could find the peace he needs. As the last of my power started to fade away I took one last look at him and smile, the first smile I had done in one hundred years. 

“Goodbye, Zero” I whispered knowing he couldn't hear me as I faded out of existence. 

Perspective Change: Zero
As I left the room I found that I was in a narrow hallway filled with armour for…horses? I shrugged it off as I took a look at where I had come from I find that there was just a wall there and no room. So that meant that the room was supposed to be a secret then but why would have someone kept me a secret? Then again I wasn't really an average being was I? 

I walked down the left hallway where I found 4 other hallways that intersected to a large room. Due to my new curiosity of these ruins I took a look into the room.

As I took in the view of the room I noticed it had two large tapestries, one that displayed the sun and one that displayed the moon. There was a big cavity in the wall in between the two tapestries as the moon shone into the room as it lit it up with its glow as two thrones were positioned on either side of the cavity. So that meant there were two rulers here, a king and queen maybe? But what was with the sun and moon symbols?  

There was still not any sort of metal in these ruins only stone which meant that the people that must have lived here must had been primitive, but then again these ruins are over hundreds of years old so by now they must of advanced by then. 

I checked my data banks on history in the Middle Ages and found that the tapestries of the sun and moon made no connections to that time period.

I was too busy looking around the room that I never even noticed that half of the moon was in the shape of a…unicorn? I knew that the moon had never had that shape before, so did that mean I’m on a different planet? 

I continued to stare at the moon as i thought it would give me the answers I sought to find but as I continued looking at it I felt sadness. Why would I be feeling sadness by just looking at the moon?

‘Clink’

I heard the sound of some metallic object hit the ground as I quickly drew out my saber, i scanned my surroundings as I slowly walked towards the source of the sound. As I walked closer to the source I found it was a piece of light blue armour that seemed to have been broken off as it had a picture of the moon on it.

I deactivated my saber and picked up the piece. I felt a strong energy that radiated off of it but the energy didn't seem…right. It was as if a corruptive force had taken a hold on this piece, but why did it seem familiar to me? 

“…Dark……Elf…”

Dark Elf? Was that what it reminded me of? 

I took the piece with me as i hoped that anyone I came across would be able to tell me about it as I walked out of the room wanting to find a way out of here. 

As I walked down the the narrow hallway I saw the entrance to a library, the perfect place to get the knowledge I need for this world before I left.

After I saved the information of the tenth book about this land called 'Equestria' into my memory banks I decided that was time to leave, leaning back on the chair, throwing the book directly into the right position of the shelf.

'Ca-Chunk'

I heard the sound of a bulky door had opened. As I quickly turned my head towards the sound, the entire bookshelf to my right had opened up as it revealed a secret room.

As I inspected the room I didn't really find much of interest except for a lone book on a pedestal. As I walked over to the book which was titled, 'The Journal of the Two Sisters'. As I read through the book I found out that their names were 'Celestia' and 'Luna' and that the first controlled the sun and the second controlled the moon as well as everyone - or everypony now -, in this land were ponies, other than the dragons and the griffons in the other two lands. At least now I now knew what the sun and moon tapestries were for.

According to this book and the other ten I had read, it seemed that Celestia and Luna were the only two alicorns - as alicorns were considered royalty - and they also were immortal which meant that I would be able to see them to help me recover my lost memories since they were very skilled in what they called 'Magic'. 

I quickly closed the book and pushed the chair back to its original position as it triggered the bookshelf to close. I started to finally leave the old castle and venture into the outside world.

After a few turns through hallways I found what I considered to be the entrance of the ruins. I walked out the entrance hall to see a very big forest in front of me. 

‘Dammit’ I thought mentally. 

Now all I needed to do was to get through this forest in order to find any sign of ponys or life, it seemed simple enough. As I entered the forest I felt as If something was watching me straight away. But I ignored it as it felt like there was something wrong with this entire forest and it wasn't like I was defenceless, so I could easily protect myself if anything decided to try and kill me.

‘Heh, they can try.’ 
> Chapter 1 -or- An Unexpected Meeting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Where is the bloody exit to this place,’ I mentally groaned to myself.

I had already been walking for two hours in this damn forest and still haven’t found a clearing or a road anywhere and that feeling of being watched still hadn't left me. Sometimes every twenty minutes I would see a pair of yellow eyes before they would disappear as quickly as I had seen them.

I kept a tight hold on my saber as I walked through the forest I noticed a small house in the distance. As I went and took a closer look I saw that there was an entire village here, who in their right mind would put a small town in the middle of a forest?

I didn't trust this town one bit as it could be dangerous; I scanned the town to find out if there was anything out of the ordinary. As my scan finished my entire perspective of the town changed into a completely trashed town with broken down buildings. What was this? Was it a trick of the eye or something?

As I turned to leave quietly, walking back into the dense and stupidly large forest I noticed a sign which displayed the words “Welcome to Sunny Town”.  

‘There's nothing sunny about this place, at least not anymore,’ I thought sadly as I left the broken town and went back into the forest. This time I changed my direction as I thought that if I went in a different direction there would be a better chance to find a way out of the forest.

...

Turning to the right and walking back into the forest wasn't one of the best of ideas I had because now the forest looked like it was getting denser and more harder to move through as I knew that there was more than one creature watching me now, four maybe five?

*Boom*

I looked up seeing a small clearing in the top and noticed that the clouds were very dark and due to the thunder that meant that it was going to be raining soon. I had to find shelter.

I started to run through the forest to find shelter as I also heard the other creatures running as well. As I turned around to look at my hunters I noticed that they were wooden wolves, timberwolves as the books called them. 

Due to my mistake of looking back at my hunters, my foot decided it wanted to meet Mr. Rock which forced me to trip over as I rolled into the bushes and hit my head on a large branch knocking me out as I waited for sleep to take me.

When I came to, it was pouring down with rain as I realized that the timberwolves must have lost my scent otherwise I would be dead by now. As I got out from the bush and scanned my vicinity I saw a large cave that had…steps leading down to it? Is there something in this cave, a dragon maybe?

As I descended down the stairs, out of the pouring rain I saw what appeared to be a crystal tree glowing with a soft blue light. 

At the trunk of the tree it displayed the sun and moon symbols and the branches of the tree seemed to be missing five crystals due to the hole that was displayed there as strings of crystal were hanging down from them and in the middle was a symbol which shaped a star.

I had never seen a tree like that before, even when I searched my data banks for any information nothing came up about a crystal tree. But it had the sun and moon symbols on the tree so that meant that Celestia and Luna had been here right?

I went to take a closer look at the tree I saw that my reflection wasn't pretty to say the least as I had mud that covered my armour and small branches that were in my hair...great. Since it was still raining I decided to stay in the cave for the rest of the night.

As I awoke from my sleep I found that I was still in the cave.

"Zero? Is that you?" I heard somepony say.

At the blink of an eye I was up off the ground as I looked around the cave. Hope filled me that someone who knew my name was here, maybe my creator. The voice sounded old and frail but it also contained peace within it as well.

"Who are you?" I asked excitedly. "Where are you?"

"Behind...tree," the voice replied.

I quickly dashed behind the tree and found an old capsule which was similar to mine but not exactly similar. As I walked up to it the capsule displayed a hologram of an old man in a lab coat. 

"It really is you Zero," the hologram murmured to himself.

"Who are you?" I asked impatiently but with curiosity. He gave me a look of knowing.

"Well Zero my name is Thomas Light or just Dr. Light if you want," he replied with a smile.

"How do you know my name? Did you create me?"

Dr. Light's smile dissolved into a sad look.

"No, I am not your creator but he and I were friends once...once," he replied with sadness.

"But the reason I know you is that we have met before several times in the past," he said, his smile returning

"Who is my creator Dr. Light?" I asked with dying curiosity.

"His name was Albert Wily or just Dr. Wily as you used to call him. He created you to rule the world but he passed away before you were finished as you slept for one hundred years where you became a maverick hunter and put your life on the line to protect the innocent."

I gave a smile at that but also hatred to this 'Wily' for trying to use me as a weapon to destroy.

"Zero...you've been alive for five hundred years. You were destroyed by Ragnarok but you are standing right here which means that someone must have rebuilt you. When you were rebuilt and put into cryogenic sleep you must have lost most of your memories."

I nodded in understanding.

"So that means that this capsule contains your mind then?" I asked

"Yes I can project myself through capsules that you and X would have found but this is the only capsule which seems to work now," he replied.

'...X...' that name felt so very familiar like I was struck by a beam saber. 

"Who is X, Dr. Light?" I asked

"X was my last creation before I 'passed' and he was also your best friend," he replied. "But he is gone now, I felt his power leave sometime ago," he said in sadness.

I started to feel guilty about asking the doctor about X so I decided not to press the matter further.

"Thank you for the information Dr. Light but I need to go now."

He gave a smile.

"That is fine Zero, go and explore the world. I hope we meet again."

The hologram disappeared as I was left to my own thoughts.

'Well better get going then,' I said to myself as I walked back around the tree and to the stairs.

'!'

I then noticed that the tree was starting to glow very bright as I turned around I felt like I was being drawn to it as I walked closer just at arms reach.

I unwillingly raised my hand and as soon as I touched the tree I felt a powerful force wash over me, but this wasn't a force of malice no as soon as I touched it I felt as if I was one with harmony. It felt so peaceful as I felt more agile than ever. When the force faded I noticed that my appearance was spotless with no mud or branches anywhere to be seen.

As I took my hand away from the tree I saw a brown cloak to my left which seemed to cover my body entirely and a small ball of light to my right.

"Follow the light."

I quickly looked around to find who the voiced belonged to but found nothing. It was the voice of a woman whose voice was very calming and angelic, was it the tree? Could I be able to talk to it?

"Thank you," I whispered

I put on the cloak as I followed the ball of light out of the cave and into the forest. 

I noticed that the sun was only just rising as I saw a small shade of pink on the horizon which made me glad that the forest was easier to see now. As I followed the ball of light I saw the edge of the forest in the distance. Due to my excitement I started to dash towards the exit hoping to take in the view of this new world.

As soon as I was out of the forest I felt the fresh air blow against my face as my cloak bellowed against the winds, it felt so refreshing as I felt more alive then I had since I had woken up. In the distance I noticed a large town and decided to take a look at the town hoping that somepony could help me. I put on my hood and started to walk towards my destination. 

As I passed a small sign I took a look at it to see what the name of the town I was traveling to was called as the sign displayed the name 'Manehattan'.
> Chapter 2 -or- A Special Connection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

Ok I might of have been wrong in saying that Manehattan was a large town because it wasn't; it was a huge ass city on an island! From my view of the city it seemed to remind me of a city in my data banks before I was created, New York was it? 

I looked on in awe at the tall buildings in the city as the sun’s reflection in the water seemed to shimmer on the moving waves. I wondered what kind of technology they had built, judging by how far they had advanced from that old stone castle in the forest. 

I decided that it might be best if I kept out of sight from the ‘locals’ as I didn't want them to run away in panic at seeing a creature (or reploid) that they haven’t seen before that was originally created to rule the world. 

As it felt that luck was on my side, I saw a train coming up from the bridge into the city as I grabbed onto the train and brought myself up to the roof. As the train went over the bridge I noticed how large and grand it was, as it was probably just built.

As the train slowly halted to a stop at the station I dashed onto the side of the building, hoping nopony saw me and started to climb up as I thought that no one would be able see me on the roof. I hoped that there weren't any pegasi flying above the roofs of the buildings, otherwise I might have to run or be put into custody and hurting these ponies would only make me more of a threat to them and be hunted by their army or some sort of security. 

As I continued to jump over the many buildings I noticed that there were loads of ponies on the streets but no cars or taxis, only carriages pulled by ponies carrying ponies…weird, guess there not as advanced as I thought they were. As I continued to stare at all the things that were happening around me, I only just heard a voice at the sound of a whisper.

“You there, stop!” 

‘Shit!’ I mentally screamed as I started to dash as fast as I could over the roofs and through the city, hoping to lose the stallion that was chasing me.

“By the order of the Royal Guard I order you to stop!” he yelled louder as it sounded as if he was gaining on me.

‘Does this stallion ever give up?!’ I mentally yelled as I jumped over several more buildings as I saw an open window.

‘Perfect,’ I gave a smug grin as I jumped down the next building and through the window at the blink of an eye as I hoped that my speed was unseen by this ‘guard’ that was chasing me. I quickly closed the window and stuck behind the wall in case he decided to have a look through.

“Who in the world are you?” I heard a feminine voice asked behind me questionably as I slowly turned my head towards the voice.

The pony that was in front of me had a bright pink coat as both her mane and tail had three different colours…that’s a first. The colours of her mane were pink, purple and pale yellow as her eyes shined a fine purple as she had a symbol of a teal crystal heart with a golden lace under it as my scans reported that she was only ten years old. 

But what confused me the most was that she was an alicorn and I thought that Celestia and Luna were the only alicorns in Equestria. I didn’t say anything to her as I awkwardly stared at her thinking she was going to scream for help but she was only looking at me curiously.

“Uh…my name is Zero?” I asked in a confused tone wondering where this was going. She then started to show a smile.

“Well my name is Mi Amore Cadenza or just Cadence if you want,” Cadence replied in a happy tone, she must have a lot of courage to talk to a new species that has just awakened and not run away screaming.

“So I guess since you’re an alicorn, you are considered royalty?” I asked in a curious tone. 

“Yes I am Zero, and due to this royal status I've been under constant guard since I’m only a young filly still, as I will be traveling to Canterlot soon to visit my aunty. And due to this security I haven’t been able to have any free time to do anything so I’m stuck in this apartment.” 

“What about your family, aren't they here with you, to take care of you?” I asked looking around as if I thought her parents were in this room. She started to look so dejected that I was worried I had asked about a bad subject.

“I don’t remember my parents.  When I was a filly, I was taken in by earth ponies to their village and after a few months I was adopted by Princess Celestia as her niece,” she replied, I knew that she wasn't telling me everything that had happened in her time at the village and what about Luna, wouldn't that mean that she would of been her aunt as well if Celestia already was?

“It’s not fair,” I gave her a curious look.

“What’s not fair Cadence?”

“I never wanted to be immortal in the first place, now other ponies will only be friends with me because i'm a princess and will have to live forever as everything around me would age away and I would be alone,” Cadence said as she started to look down. 

“It’s ok Cadence don’t feel sad because of your immortality and being a princess, you still have Celestia who can take care of you because she’s immortal as well and knows what its like.” 

“No, it’s not ok! I just wish I had someone to be with who could accept who I am and live long like alicorns instead of being alone because I know that now I’m an alicorn I’m going to outlive any of the actual friends that I would of made in the passing years, watching them die is not what I want,” She replied as a tear started to drop from her eye.

“Please don’t cry Cadence, if your friends fade away you know that you spent the best of times with them and they wouldn't want you to mourn for them when they pass would they?” I spoke in a sad tone, hating myself for making her cry. But then a thought came to me, I stared off into space in deep thought.

“I’m the only one of my kind left in this world you know? The only reploid to wander this world for the rest of my life, never ageing at all as other things will, so in a way we are very similar Cadence,” I said half to myself and half to her. She looked up at me in shock, her tears stopped forming.

“You’re…immortal?” she choked out, as I nodded as confirmation.

“But maybe…,” I looked at her directly in the eyes as I felt a sense of hope and purpose within me. “Maybe you don’t have to live your life alone, maybe all you need is someone to help light the way, someone to protect you from those who seek to bring harm you,” I said as a slight smile formed on my lips. She looked up at me with shock and amazement, hope filling in her eyes as well.

“Cadence…will you accept me as your friend, a friend who will be with you and care for you for all eternity,” I smiled as I knelt down on one leg and held out my hand to her, waiting for her answer.

I wasn't even able to blink at how fast she ran towards me and gripped me into the tightest hug I had ever felt as I hugged her back which was surprising since I was a reploid and she was a pony.

As I looked down at Cadence I saw that she was crying into my chest but I knew that they were tears of joy and happiness but as I continued to hug her I felt a strong power pouring into me, a strong emotion which made me feel accepted…love, the love of someone dear to you.

I felt happy that I had made my first friend and to an alicorn no less but I felt something within me change, but in a good way. As she separated from the hug and looked up at me with those bright purple eyes, her face turned to shock as I gave her a curious look.

“What’s wrong Cadence, is there something on my face,” I asked in a worried tone. She shook her head.

“No, your eyes…they look exactly the same as mine now!” I gave her a weird look as I looked to the mirror on my left and my eyes were indeed purple and had the same style as the princess’s eyes and I also felt...connected to her somehow but what I don't know.

I started to panic about this situation. Had I taken some of her powers or magic to make this change to me…no from the knowledge of my data banks for my systems I had to willingly allow myself to absorb their power, but then why are my eyes like this? 

“Get away from the princess you fiend!” I heard somepony yell and due to my panicking I turned around a second to late.  I was hit square in the face by something blunt.  As I fell over I hit the ground hard, waiting for sleep to take me as the last noise I heard was Cadence yelling at the attacker.

> Chapter 3 -or- A Nightmare or A Vision
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched her slice through and kill every pony she could find with her saber, smiling and laughing manically at all the blood that poured out of her enemies as I watched the destruction being brought to this pitiful world as the screams of ponies filled my ears…it was the most heavenly sound I had ever heard.

…no…
She was so powerful now, together we destroyed the greatest threats to us, the elements, her aunts and now…now the rest of them only had a second to gaze at her before they were nothing but a ripped apart torso. I taught her the way to fight and unleash the power I had given her against the ones that opposed us and she used it to its full potential. 

No

She had a dark pink coat that covered her entire body as dark pink reploid type armour covered almost every part of her body, able to make her stand up and look just like us reploids. Her eyes were the purest of purple that glowed an eerie red that held authority and malice in them that could pierce your soul if you disobeyed her command. 

No!

Her mane was still its usual three colours but they were more…violent. Her mark was almost exactly the same; a crystal heart with a golden lace underneath it but in the centre of the heart was a symbol…a symbol of my creator, the letter W. It opened her mind to the truth of this world, that we should be the ones to rule not those weak and pitiful sisters. 

NO!!

We always fought together back to back, buster to buster, saber to saber. Nothing could stop us, this world was ours and we would crush anypony who opposed us, just me and my sister, Amore Cadenza Wily.

…

“I created you to destroy! Go…kill!”

…

“NO!” I screamed as I jolted upright in a bed, clutching my chest as I breathed heavily. 

‘It was only a nightmare, it wasn’t real I’m still here and Cadence is as well. She would never hurt anypony, she’s too nice and pure to become like that, can she? No that symbol that I saw on her…that represented Wily. But it was just a nightmare so that will never happen to her, and I would never become what my creator wanted me to be…I won’t allow myself to.’

After I had calmed down I took a look around the room to find I was still in Cadence’s room as the door was flung open and in the doorway was a crying Cadence with puffy red eyes as she ran towards me as I pulled her into a tight hug.

‘She’s safe, she’s with me, that dream will never come true,’ I repeated to myself over and over.

“You’re okay! I thought you were dead!” she exclaimed in a broken tone.

“Shhh its okay Cadence, stop crying it’s all ok…I’m here,” I cooed to her as her tears stopped flowing. 

“How are you, ok? That blow the guard did to you would have killed anypony or at least put them in hospital,” I gave her a reassuring look as I looked into her eyes as she stopped crying.

“Don’t worry Cadence, I’m a reploid and reploids are a lot stronger than normal ponies in many different ways,” I replied as she let go of the hug as she smiled at me, then it turned into a sly smile.

“Then how come you got knocked out so easily then?” she said slyly, making me blush a bit in embarrassment as I looked away.

“I was too focused on what happened to my eyes to notice the area around me, otherwise I would of had that guard pinned down,” her sly smile turned into a normal one as she teased me.

“Sure you would have,” I looked back at her, my blush fading away as I wanted to ask her a question I had wanted to ask her since I first saw her.

“What’s with the marks on everyponys…flanks?” I asked embarrassingly, thinking that the question would offend her saying that as she looked at her flank. 

“Oh this? This is what we ponies call ‘Cutie Marks’, they represent our special talent,” she chirped happily as I looked at her quizzically.

“What would be your special talent then because I don’t think that a crystal heart explains much about what your special talent is?” I asked as she looked at me sheepishly knowing that I was right. 

“Oh uh…it represents love as I am able to spread it to other ponies, fixing relationships and sometimes even get two ponies married but not forcefully, I would never do that…it just gives them a push of sorts,” I nodded absorbing the knowledge as I took a closer look at her cutie mark.

“So what does the letter Z have to do with spreading love then?” I asked her, as she started to panic a little.

“Z? What Z there is no letter Z on my cutie mark!” she exclaimed in a panicked tone.

I realised that she was right, there was not supposed to be a letter Z on here cutie mark as it wasn't there before I was knocked out. As I inspected it I noticed that the letter was right underneath the crystal heart but it look exactly like the two golden laces, a third golden lace but in the shape of a Z. A letter that represents Zero…me, I may have to ask Celestia about this once I get the Canterlot.

“Well then there is now Cadence,” I replied calmly. “Maybe…Cadence, I want to try something that may work,” I said as she looked at me questioningly, her panic dissipating.

As I stood up and took a few steps back from Cadence I began to think of happy emotions as I felt something inside of me grow. I started to concentrate the emotion energy as I gave it more form and then released it out of my body, more specifically my hands as I heard a gasp.

When I opened my eyes I saw that there was (literally) a floating pink heart that was surrounded by many little pink hearts and a strong emotion coming from it…love. Cadence looked at it in awe as it looked like if her mouth wasn’t attached to her face it would have hit the floor.

“How…how did you do that!?” she exclaimed in a tone that sounded like a combination of shock, curiosity and…excitement?

“Truth be told Cadence, I’m not sure myself,” I mumbled half to myself and half to her as the heart disappeared. 

“Did you copy my talent?”

“No Cadence, I know that I didn't copy your talent but even I wonder how I am able to do this, without magic even,” She gave me a curious look.

“Reploids can’t use magic? Then how did you use magic just now then?” she exclaimed as I shook my head.

“I’m not sure, but maybe your aunt may know something about this as it may have happened before,” I replied as my sensors detected an invisible light bulb hat appeared above her head as she looked as if she had just thought of something.

“I know, how about you come to Canterlot with me in my carriage since I’m heading there soon anyway!” she exclaimed in the happiest tone I had ever seen. I gave her a sympathetic look.

“Don’t worry Cadence I can get there on my own, I don’t want to waste your time,” I started to walk out of the room when I felt a hoof against my leg. As I turned around I saw Cadence giving me a determined look.

“Zero you are not wasting my time, I want to help you anyway I can,” her face morphed into a smile. “That’s what friends do for each other, and I really want someone to talk to who doesn't see me as a princess but just me…like you,” I smiled at her as I knelt down and gave her a hug.

“Thank you Cadence for being my friend, really,” she waved at me with her hoof.

“It’s fine Zero besides, I don’t think it would be a good idea to walk all that way to Canterlot otherwise you might alert some of the royal guards since you are kind of…special,” I laughed on the inside at Cadence’s attempt to think of a nice way to say I’m an extra-terrestrial being. 

“How would you think of getting me to the ‘royal carriage’ without anypony taking notice of me? As I would think that your guards wouldn't allow me being near you,” I asked as she gave me a knowing smile.

“Don’t worry Zero, I've already told my personal guards about you so you won’t have to worry about them, oh and Green Leaf wanted to say sorry for knocking you out earlier and you could use your cloak to cover your body while we’re outside,” I gave her a sceptical look.

“I don’t think just wearing my cloak can make ponies draw their attention away from me, in fact it could draw attention to me instead,” Cadence just shook her head, keeping her smile planted on her face.

“Don’t worry about that Zero, I used my magic and put an enchantment on your cloak so that when you wear it you are invisible to everypony…except the spell caster of course,” I nodded at her explanation as I went to grab my cloak.

“Well then let’s get going Mi Amore,” I replied as my scans indicated her temperature rising - probably blushing a bit – as I put the cloak on but kept my hood down so that the guards that were probably downstairs wouldn't bump into me.

As we arrived down at the foyer of the building I noticed that there were four royal guards outside waiting for us to depart to the carriage that was probably waiting for us.

“Well let’s hope no pony will bump into me so let’s get this over with then,” I mumbled to myself as I put my hood on as Cadence and I walked out the doors into the busy city of Manehatten.

> Chapter 4 -or- To Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The streets of Manehatten were a lot busier than I had imagined it to be when I walked out of the doors and into the street, but then again I really didn't get to see the view much, with me being on the roof and all.

As Cadence and I walked down the street to the extraction point, (or the carriage) I noticed the different kinds of building that we were passing seemed extremely colourful and were selling different things than what I would have found back home such as rings, clothes and (surprisingly) hair salons.

I kept close to Cadence as I looked throughout the city as the guards (who already know about me) surrounded us in a square formation, probably due to protecting the princess from anypony who would want to attack her, including me as every ten seconds one of them would give a quick glance towards me to check on Cadence.

“Hey Cadence, what is Canterlot like compared to Manehatten,” I whispered as she kept her gaze forward, trying to not look like she was looking up and talking to the ‘sky’ while walking.

“Well Zero, compared to Manehatten, Canterlot is more graceful and…flashy if you might call it. It’s the capital of Equestria and the reason for this is that it was the first castle to be built and of course, my aunty lives there as she is the ruler of Equestria,” I thought about what she just said to me as I shook my head, which responded in Cadence giving me a curious glance.

“No Cadence, Canterlot wasn't the first castle to be built and she is the co-ruler of Equestria. I thought since you were a princess now that you would have known that the first castle was built in the forest just south from here,” I replied as she gave me a look of disbelief.

“The Everfree forest? How do you know that there was a castle in that forest?” 

“Because…I think I was created there…or moved there,” I replied to the princess as I started to look up at the sky as she started to stutter.

“W-w-what? You were c-created, not b-born? Inside a castle that must be over hundreds of years old?” I thought about her questions as I gave her the answers.

“Yes Cadence, I was created but I will put that subject into detail once we are on our way to Canterlot and then I will tell you everything I know of myself…I promise,” she just nodded quickly as we continued to walk to the edge of the city.

“Wait…what was that about my aunty being a co-ruler?” she asked me as I was about to answer when my head started to ache as I held my head on my hand as I continued to walk forward and then I saw someone that made me stop dead in my tracks, right in front of me was…him…but it looked as if he wasn't even here though. My face turned into shock as he walked right through me, my thoughts turning disorientated like they were all mixed with other emotions all at once.

“Zero…you are my greatest creation. I created you to destroy Megaman for he is my nemesis; our rivalry is what gives me motivation in life. Now go, destroy him…that’s and order!”

“NO!” as soon as those words came out of my mouth the entire street stopped moving and looked over towards us as I covered my mouth with my hands. Luckily the guards had us covered as they told the citizens that everything was ok as they went back to their routine.

“Zero, are you ok!?” she whispered to me frantically as I held my hand to my head, starting to walk faster as Cadence tried to catch up to me.

“Yeah I’m fine, let’s just get to the carriage…I need to sit down,” she gave me a look of sympathy as we neared the carriage. A dark blue stallion with a star cutie mark made his way to open the door to the carriage.

“Hello Mi Amore, the princess is waiting for you in Canterlot,” he replied in a cheerful tone letting her onto the carriage as I hopped up top, waiting for the carriage the take-off before I slip inside.

…

After the launch I found out that four pegesi could lift an entire carriage which seemed to impress me due to the weight of the carriage. I concentrated my energy as I opened my eyes to find that I was in the carriage.

‘Well teleportation works I guess,’ I thought to myself as I took off my hood.

“So what questions do you want to ask me before we reach Canterlot,” I asked her, waiting for what she would ask. 

“What are you?”

“I’m a reploid, created through metal that makes us look almost human. Reploids were created to help advance human kind to evolution, but some were made for destruction,” I replied answering her question.

“So you were created? Then who created you?” My face grew dark at that question as I knew I had to tell her sometime or later.

“I was created by a man…or a stallion by the name of Albert Wily or just Dr. Wily. He wasn't the good type of pony you would expect him to be. He created me to destroy another reploid by the name of Megaman, but I guess he didn't have enough time to finish me…or at least control me completely,” I replied in a shameful tone thinking that Cadence wouldn't want me to be with her anymore, but she put her hoof on my shoulder

“It doesn’t matter if you were made by him, you chose not to hurt anypony and that’s all that matters,” I gave her a smile at that as I continued to talk about myself.

“I recently woke up inside the castle of the royal pony sisters as it was called where I found an old friend of mine, Dr. Light,” she looked intrigued about Light as I continued.

“He said that he knew who I was before I woke up and that I had a friend by the name of X which means endless potential. He was created by Dr. Light to protect the world from reploids that were evil; the doctor is a very smart man to have created him,” I replied as I smiled to myself as Cadence look amazed at my statement about Dr. Light.

“Wow, this Dr. Light sounds amazing! Am I able to meet him?” I smiled at her question.

“Of course you can, but after we've finished what I wanted to do in Canterlot, I may need to talk to Celestia and Luna about myself first,” again she looks at me curiously when I mentioned Luna.

“Who is Luna, Zero? Is she one of Celestias’ friends?” I shook my head as I looked at her.

“No Cadence, Luna is Celestia’s-,” I felt the carriage hit the ground telling us that we were now in Canterlot as I quickly put my hood back up as I transported outside, waiting for Cadence to get out.

While the guards tended to her I looked at the city in front of me and then I knew why it was called the capital, it was glorious. Cadence was right about the castle as it took up about a third of the city and the other two thirds was the town. It was definitely not like Manehatten that’s for sure because it seemed more elegant and less…busy, is that the word…yes I think it is.

“This way princess,” I heard a gruff voice say (probably one of the guards) as I took to the rooftops again until we reached the castle due to there being an increase in guards who don't know about me.

…
The way towards Canterlot castle was pretty boring as I passed many buildings, each one in different shapes and sizes, watching all the ponies pass by. Once Cadence and her guards entered the entrance to the castle I jumped down from the roof and dashed through the giant doors, just passing through them as they closed.

I kept a small distance behind Cadence’s ‘Group’ as they reach what I thought was the throne room. The huge double doors opened to reveal the throne room.

I was amazed at the glass windows that seemed to detail events that had happened as the sun shone through the glass, and then I noticed the throne, and the pony sitting on it while a smile (probably for see her niece) on her face.

“Cadence, it’s nice to see you again. How was your time at Manehatten,” she replied happily as I was about to intervene this reunion. 

“It’s good to see you too aunty,” she replied in a subtle tone. I stepped in front of Cadence as she started to sweat a little bit wondering what I was going to do. Celestia looked through me and at her quizzically.

“What’s wrong Cadence? Is it-,” I had about enough of this as I asked Celestia a question that would give Cadence the answers she wanted.

“Why? Why didn't you tell her?” I said in a loud tone as the question echoed through the room, everyone in the room stooped what they were doing and looked towards where Cadence was or presumably, me.

“Celestia, why didn't you tell Cadence about Luna? Where is she!?” I yelled in the loudest voice I had sending a shock-wave through the room, pushing all the guards back but Cadence remained still, shocked at what I had done.

“W-wha-who are you?” Celestia asked/demanded as I grabbed my cloak and tore it off, revealing myself to everyone. They were all shocked by my appearance, Celestia the most.

“My name is Zero, son of Doctor Albert Wily, the being that begins all life and the friend of Mi Amore Cadenza!” I yelled/boasted as everyone (including Cadence) looked at me in awe, then I realised I was glowing a bright whitish pink aura. The light faded to reveal my true form as the guards raised their weapons, lifting up my hand the spears all flew out of their magical grips and out the double doors as I closed them with my own magic, Cadence standing by my side with a face that said ‘I hope you know what you are doing’.

“I do not want to fight, just talk so let’s get down to business.”
> Bonus: A Dream or A Memory (Dark)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cadence’s Pov:

*Vroom…Vroom…Vroom*

‘What is this noise…I've never heard it before,’ I open my eyes to find that I was in a weird tube but it was diagonal so I was able to stay on it without sliding down. In front of me was some type of glass that allowed me to see through and into the room that I was in while the back and sides of the tube seemed to be made of some sort of metal, somehow I felt comfortable lying down on the metal which made me question myself.

As I looked outside of the tube through the glass I found that the room outside was made of metal as well. From my view I managed to look far enough to the side to see a weird machine with a bright screen that showed outlines of…me. Was this a dream, a nightmare? I didn't know but I began to feel scared with all of this that was happening to me all at once…then the doors in front of me opened sideways and in the doorway stood a weird creature that I hadn't seen before. 

It was completely covered by a shadow so I couldn't detail anything about its looks or facial features. It stood on two legs and seemed as tall as auntie Celestia, maybe even taller as it seemed to have a messy mustache and was wearing some sort of weird clothes, the tube opened as I was able to step out. As soon as I did I realised that I was able to stand on two legs as well, looking down to find a weird metal peace between my legs that seemed to look like underwear.

“Cadenza…” 

‘W-w-w-what?’ I looked back up at the creature beginning to feel scared, how did this creature know my name? From what I heard from its voice it was a male and seemed to be at an old age but his tone was sinister maybe even evil, making me feel intimidated as I hadn't met somepony with this kind of aura around them, an aura of evil. Due to the sound of his voice I accidentally said what was on my mind.

“W-who are you?” I stammered out making me sound like a helpless filly however the creature seemed to just ignore me.

“My greatest creation…,” After he said those words my mind began to work over time. Just how did he know me, did he know about my past, I was a…creation? What did he mean by that? The creature chuckled to himself.

“Bass said I was a fool to create that virus, I may be old but I’m not daft! Now heis the one who spreads the virus…and you are the one who contains it,” My mind became buzzing with questions as the creature talked to himself. What virus was he talking about, who was Bass and who spreads the virus? And I was the one to contain it, how? But I knew one thing from that sentence…Bass isn't the one that spreads the virus.

“He may still be faulty but you are complete, go now for he is my nemesis, our rivalry is what gave me my motivation in life, in making him…and you.” His nemesis? Rivalry? Faulty? Just what was happening right now? “Now go Cadenza…become one with my masterpiece and destroy him, that’s an order!”

As soon as he finished that sentence, loads upon loads of visions came flooding into my mind. There was so much pain…so much suffering…I could even hear screaming as I held my head, ones of metal creatures ripping apart others mercilessly, ones where one was chopped in half by a saw and the blood…so much blood. I couldn't take it anymore, I felt like I could scream but I didn't have enough energy to as I wished for the visions and pain to go away…and they did. When I opened my eyes I found that I was outside but I wasn't able to move any part of my body like a statue. 

As I looked around the open area around me with my eyes, they trailed upon a creature in front of me that looked the same as the other one but there was no shadow covering him and from the looks of it he was young and wearing light blue armour…like a child. That wasn't what scared me though…it was that the creature’s right arm was ripped off as some sort of liquid slowly dripped out. He had scars all over him as he looked up at me with fear, pain and…anger. 

‘Did I do this? No…no there was no way I could have done this, I would never hurt anypony!’ but then I saw the one thing that set everything in stone…I was holding a blue sword that was about to stab the child's chest. 

It moved forward, stabbing him in the chest as he screamed in pain, tears rolling down his eyes. I killed him.

“AAUUGGGHH!” 

----

“AAUUGGHH!” I woke up screaming as I heard hoofsteps coming from the door as they were forced open, one mare standing in the door way.

“Cadence!” Celestia galloped towards my bed and began to hug me as I cried my eyes out, never wanting to let go of her for the rest of my life.
“There, There, it’s okay Cadence, everything is okay…,” she cooed to me as I slowly went back to sleep, no nightmare met me for the rest of the night but the words of the voice that haunted me for years.

“My greatest creation”
> Chapter 5 -or- The Princess (Part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend - Albert Camus



-----


The room stood in an unbearable silence as I thought that I may have taken the introduction a little bit too far due to my aggressiveness. After my ‘presentation’ I felt my anger die down upon seeing a bright ‘W’ on my forehead from the clear floor, the letter slowly disappeared as I noticed something more alarming, my appearance had changed dramatically as I looked like my old self from some of the early memories that were left in my mind, although some memories were beginning to return though and besides…I had more important things to worry about.

‘But…was that W the reason why I was so angry? Does it amplify my emotions? No…I felt different…like I wasn’t myself…and I feel stronger than usual-,‘ Suddenly, I started to feel a sharp pain in my head as the world around me started to shift into something else entirely. When my vision was stable I found blood…lots of it…on my hands. I looked down to find groups of reploids, all lying down…dead as there were holes in their chests and arms that were ripped off of their body, the same for the legs as I looked in horror at the carnage.

“Zero…my masterpiece…,” my heart stopped as I heard those words. “Go, destroy anyone who interferes with my plans, kill them all!” I suddenly heard the metal door behind me but I couldn't turn around, I couldn't move at all. My face suddenly turned slightly to the side to see a large green reploid with brown legs walking towards me as the world started to shift back to the throne room, the last thing I did was smile at the green reploid but it wasn't a friendly one…it was one of a maniac that looked ready to kill.

“Zero!” I shook my head as I heard someone whisper my name, I looked down at Cadence, worry plastered on her face
“A-are you okay? Why do you look different now?” I could tell that she cared about my well-being as I gave her a nod. 

“Don’t worry Cadence, I’ll tell you later,” I replied, giving her a smile, she smiled back as I turned towards the main point of interest that concerned me the most right now. The princess and her royal guards didn’t seem to care about us at the moment as their heads were all facing Celestia, wondering what she would say in this situation. Celestia’s eyes were closed, obviously deep in thought.

‘Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to intimidate the ruler of a country right off the bat. Especially one that could send armies after you,’ I thought, waiting for the alicorn to respond.

“Captain Silver…you and the rest of your guard may leave us,” Celestia ordered, eyes staying on me the entire time as Silver began to fall over his own words. Even I was thinking that she would at least have the guards to keep her protected…although she is an alicorn after all.

“B-b-but your highness! That…thing could bring harm to you!” he stated, earning him a glare by me and Cadence. 

“Captain I am more than capable in dealing with one creature if he decides to attack me-,”

‘Looks can be deceiving Celestia, always remember that.”

“-so it is okay for you and the rest of your squad to leave us, I’ll be fine,” Silver seemed hesitant at accepting Celestia’s order but obeyed none the less, giving the rest of the guards the sign to leave as the doors closed behind us. Celestia, Cadence and I were the only ones left in the room.

.  .  .  .

I didn't move from my position during the silence that had enveloped the room and neither did Celestia however I wanted her to make the first move. Not a sound was made in the room and not a sound was heard outside as well, making it feel like time was standing still…although Celestia’s ethereal mane dismissed that idea. From what I could tell was happening through this long silence, she was studying me, trying to find a sort of weakness or to see if I was a friend or foe. I didn't know if she was doing either of them to be honest, perhaps trying to see how strong I was.

Celestia suddenly stood up from her throne as she began to walk towards us, her face showing no emotion whatsoever, causing me to reach for my saber (even though I didn't want to in front of Cadence) in case things started to get ugly…that is until her face morphed into a smile however Cadence didn't seem to notice it.

“A-auntie! Please don’t hurt Zero! He’s the first friend that I've made and he isn't bad or evil! Please don’t take him away!” my lips curled into a smile at the sound of her voice sounding like a child not wanting her favorite toy be taken away, then again she was just a filly. Celestia looked down at her.

“Do not worry my niece, I will not take him away in fact, I am surprised that your first friend is an unknown cre-,” I held up my hand, pausing her sentence. 

“Reploid,” I answered, making Celestia give me a motherly smile as well as making me smile with her (It’s so catchable!).

“-Repliod…that we have never seen before. Now may I ask if there are more of you?” Celestia asked in a hopeful tone, said tone faded as my face dropped into a sad frown while I crossed my arms.

“I’m sorry your highness…I’m the only reploid left…at least I think so,” my sad tone caused Celestia’s ears to drop; her ears folded downwards detailing that it must mean that a pony is sad or hurt. Said detail was right.

“I-I am truly sorry for bringing that up Zero,” I put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to flinch slightly, obviously thinking that I was mad. “Don’t worry Celestia, I’m fine,” I reassured her as she began to smile again.

“Thank you Zero but may I ask a favour?” I unfolded my arms and raised my eyebrow, letting her continue. “I was wondering if I could use my magic to identify how you work,” I closed my eyes and thought about her question, after a few seconds I decided that it was fair for her to do so.

“Yes,” Celestia’s horn started to glow a golden aura as it surrounded my body, magic at its work.

“Zero, why do you wear those heavy armour pieces all the time,” Cadence asked, Celestia listening in on the conversation.

“Well Cadence…I am supposed to wear it all the time as it is the only piece of –how would you say- clothes that I have at all, also the fact that my body is almost completely made of different types of metal,” this caused Celestia’s jaw to drop slightly as the news that Cadences first friend was a being of metal. Seconds later she stepped back, her horn glowing more fiercely than normal at her face changed to one of anger.

“Cadence, get behind me!” she shouted, causing said pony to widen her eyes.

“W-what? Aun-“

“Get away from him! There’s something evil inside him! More evil than Sombra…,” I instantly new what she was talking about as I went to explain however Cadence had a different thing on her mind. 

“Auntie, Stop! Zero made his choice not to be evil!” I motioned my hand in front of Cadence, telling her to stop as she looked at me with pleading eyes.

“Don’t worry I’ll be fine, head outside the doors. I can take care of this,” I replied, seeing her in such a worried state made my heart ache but I knew what I had to say to solve this and it could either let me stay…or be hunted down. As soon as Cadence closed the doors with her magic, giving one final look, I turned back to look at Celestia.

“Celestia, I know what you found inside me but listen. What you found was not me, it was the maverick virus…my virus,” Celestia kept herself in a defensive position however her horn’s golden glow seemed to soften. 
“Celestia…be truthful here…have you ever done something that you never wanted to do in your life or let something horrible happen and you know that it was your fault that caused it?” As soon as I finished my sentence I saw Celestias' legs wobble slightly as her aura disappeared completely, walking slowly over to me, her eyes looking as if they were about to cry. They did.

As soon as she was but a meter from me she wrapped her hoofs around my neck and buried her face in my chest, causing me to kneel down on one leg.

“There, there Celestia. Just let it out,” I said, wrapping my arms around her as well.

“I-I-It was all m-my f-fault! If I h-had paid more attention t-to Luna, she would n-never have had to leave!” She cried tearfully as everything came into place after those words were said. The moon looking like a pony, the sign of life coming from the moon and no one knowing who Luna was…she was on the moon.

“We all make mistakes Celestia, even if we never knew how they would affect us until it would be too late,” Celestia’s head rose from my chest as the tears stopped coming out of her eyes. 

“How could you have done something worse than having to banish your own sister?” Celestia said, tone still cracked and with regret.

“Do you remember what I said about being the son of Dr. Wily?” she nodded her head, regaining her composure as well as using her magic to make her eyes look like that they never cried at all.
“When he created me, he also created a virus that could make reploids lose control and become highly violent, making them able to kill any creature that stood in its way,” Celestia’s face turned into one of disgust for the Doctor. “He put the virus inside of me and sealed me away for years and when I woke up-“

“The virus began to spread,” Celestia finished for me, her voice laced with realisation and horror. I nodded my head sadly.

“Because I was free, the virus killed so many innocent lives…all because of me,” I felt Celestia cup my cheek, making me look up and into her eyes.

“Zero, I am so sorry that you had to bear this but know one thing. It was not your fault; it was that horrible Doctor that did this.” 

“Thank you…,” she smiled her motherly smile again causing me to give a small one, knowing that she was right (It’s so contagious!).

“Were you always alone Zero?” That question managed to make my smile grow.

“No Celestia I wasn’t. I had a friend that was with me the whole way from being awakened to arriving here in Equestria, his name was X,” Celestia raised an eyebrow at the name.

“X?” 

“It means endless potential,” Celestia did a double take, shaking her head and looking back at me.

“E-endless…p-potential?” I nodded in confirmation. “Yes although I wouldn’t call it ‘potential that could completely destroy a world’ though, that would be a bit ridiculous as he was created to protect the world,” this made Celestia calm down, as I thought of X beating Celestia in a battle as the name King X went through my head, I inwardly laughed. “He was able to use it in dire situation where his power -or magic if you want- increases exponentially due to his worry and care towards living beings or to put it simply, he was made more complex than the rest of us except for me though.”

“Who created X? Was it that Doctor?” Celestia asked, voice turning into a slight snarl which I thought was unexpected for the princess to do as she seemed very passive in her appearance.

“No, in fact it was another Doctor by the name of Tomas Light,” I said, stating his name proudly as he had the right to be praised. Celestia gave an amused –but happy- smile at my praise. “He was a brilliant man, the best I know because if he never created X then the world would have been destroyed by the infected reploids or Mavericks as we called them,” I stood back up and turned towards the double doors, hand on the side of my mouth. “Cadence! You can come back in now!” The doors opened and Cadence ran back in giving me a hug which I gladly accepted.
“Now…I bet you two would want to know of how I got here then?” Cadence nodded her head as Celestia did the same but in a more proper manner.

“Well where to start…”
> Chapter 6 -or- The Princess (Part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.
~Helen Keller




----


“I guess it started when I took my first breath in Equestria as I woke up inside a capsule in the Everfree Forest,” I began, crossing my arms as well as giving off a thoughtful look, trying to recite what had happened when I woke up.

Celestia gave me a confused look while Cadence’s expression was one of curiosity and…worry? “Capsule?” I turned my head towards Celestia, giving her a nod.

“Yes, a capsule is small cylindrical container that is used to keep a reploid inside whether it be just for him to rest inside or to seal him away,” Celestia put a hoof under her chin, contemplating what I had just told her while Cadence decided to just listen in.

“Where was this capsule located?” I closed my eyes for a few seconds, calculating in my mind where exactly I had woken up, said calculation didn't take long.

“Inside a secret room in the old ruins,” Celestias’ ears pricked up as a look of shock was adorned on her face, although she hid it well, I could easily see it through her ‘mask’.

“Th-the ruins?” Celestia stuttered, obviously shocked at the sudden news as I confirmed what she had said by giving a small nod.

I decided to clarify what I had said. “Or as it used to be called, ‘The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters’. Presumably named after Luna and yourself,” Cadence perked up at this, motioning her head towards her aunt while said figure gave off a sad frown and closed her eyes.

“…Yes, it is,” she said solemnly, making me curse myself, knowing that I had gone too far that I had reminded her of her sister. This was a subject that Celestia did not want to talk about right now.

Keeping Celestia from thinking about it too deeply, I decided to get back on topic with the story. “The room wasn't very large but big at best, it held all of my equipment and weapons. The room itself being completely made of metal that was sealed off by an illusion as I couldn't see the room, neither the entrance after I had walked into the hallway,” Cadence decided to give her own ideas.

“So that means that somepony used a spell to keep that room a secret in case somepony decided to explore the ru-c-castle, right?” she replied, earning a smile from Celestia, although I could sense that she was worried about Cadence’s explanation. In a way if I was a ruler of a country and there was a secret kept from you that held the discovery of a new life form, I would be cautious about it as well, especially if that new life form could destroy anything in its path. Although the difference is that I have been alive for hundreds of years and had arrived here against my will plus I didn't go on a murderous rampage.

“Very perceptive my dear niece,” Celestia answered, bringing me out of my thoughts before I became too lost in them, but I already had a hunch of who brought me here, an unnerving one at that. I gave a quick glance at Cadence who was smiling at her aunty, probably happy at the praise she had received while Celestia nodded her head, bidding me to continue.

“After I had wandered the castle halls for a while, I decided to check out the Everfree Forest,” I decided that it would be best to leave out what I had found in the castle in case it would leave Celestia in a bad state. “Where I found a small village that seemed to be as normal as any other. Due to the forest I ‘investigated’ the town where I discovered something unnatural.”

“What did you find unnatural Zero?” Cadence asked politely, earning a smile from myself at her eagerness. It also reminded me of when I had started being a Maverick Hunter, always ready to fight even though my memories of X seemed to show him as a pacifist and as him not being too eager to fight Mavericks, as I wondered why he became a Hunter in the first place if that was the case. 

I shook my head as I answered her question. “The town wasn't a town at all or…it used to be one,” After I finished my short answer, Cadence’s smile seemed to falter for a second as I turned back to Celestia, giving her a serious look. “Almost everything there was black, covered in moss and the houses there were reduced to broken rubble-”

“Sunny Town,” I quirked an eyebrow at Celestia while Cadence just gave her another confused look. “I’d rather not talk about it, to put it bluntly…it changed for the worse,” I looked over to Cadence as I realised why Celestia ‘put it bluntly’ due to the fact that Cadence was here. Finding no other reason to stay on the subject, I continued.  

“Well…as I made my way through the forest, trying to find a way out I was being watched by five predators, I assumed that they were timberwolves but I’m still not sure. Do the timberwolves eyes have a golden glow to them?” Celestia nodded her head, confirming my suspicions. “Then they were timberwolves…anyway…as I continued through I found a large opening of a cave that had stone steps leading down to a crystal tree,” Celestias’ ears pricked up at this information, earning her a look from Cadence as well as myself while she had a serious expression. 

“You know about this tree aunty? What is it?” Curiosity was laced in Cadences tone. This made me curious as well at what the alicorn of the sun knew about the mysterious tree as well since it did in fact talk to me when I had discovered it.

Celestia, whose expression remained neutral, gave a heavy sigh. “Well, I guess I had to tell you sooner or later my niece,” I was all ears at what Celestia was about to explain about the tree despite the fact that I had been interrupted a few times, but due to her serious expression I had a feeling that there was more to this tree than I knew.

The Princess of the Sun softly cleared her throat. “As Zero has already discovered, it is no ordinary tree,” I gave Celestia a nod to which she continued. “It is called the ‘Tree of Harmony’, it is an ancient tree that contains six powerful elements: Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty and Magic. These elements are called the elements of harmony and are the most powerful defence Equestria has…had.”

I raised an eyebrow at her punctuation. “So do these elements not work anymore or did they disappear,” I asked, knowing that they were the only two reasons that could really count for Celestia’s past tense, I was sure it was the later one. 

“I’m afraid that it is the first,” Or not. “For you see Zero, my sister and I were the users of the elements before she ‘left’ and when she did…we were both disconnected from them…there hasn't been anypony to wield them since.” 

Nodding, I compared what Celestia had said in my head, revealing that she knew where the elements were. “So do you know where the elements are then, if so why don’t I just retrieve them for you?” She shook her head.

“No, I would rather not for they are in a safe place,” I could tell that she didn’t want them moved for a reason so I decided not to pry any further, returning to the story.

“Thanks for the history lesson-,” Cadence gave a small giggle at my bluntness, “-now, when I discovered the tree I found somepony else there as well.”

Celestia gave me an inquisitive look while Cadence’s face seemed to brighten, already knowing what I was going to say. “Somepony was at the Tree of Harmony? Might I ask who?” I gave her a smile, more than willing to tell her.

“Well Celestia it is the man I was telling you about earlier, Do-“

“Mr Light!” Cadence yelled with enthusiasm while cutting me off as well, although I didn't mind and smiled anyway. 

Celestia’s look was one of confusion until the realization dawned on her, shock clearly on her features when said realization happened. “T-Thomas Light? But with his old age, wouldn't he have passed away?” I shook my head, a smile still on my face. “In a way he is Celestia, but before he passed away he coded himself into specially designed capsules that –when near- can produce a see through image of himself or a hologram as I call it. He has been gone for almost three hundred years and I’m only just over two hundred years old,” Celestia’s expression stayed its shocked expression but began to develop to a curious one. I looked straight into Celestias' eyes, showing how serious I was but look held no aggressiveness to it. “If you are wondering if I am immortal, then the answer is yes, I can never pass away from old age.”

I couldn't tell what to think of Celestia after I had finished as she seemed to look at me with a knowing look as her lips slightly trembled. “Your…immortal?” I gave her a nod as I just realised how tall I was compared to her in this form, about a few centimetres taller than her head but shorter than her horn while my normal body was only about one centimetre taller than her. 

“I know what it would feel like to outlive everypony you knew but in a way, you don’t need to worry anymore because you have Cadence here as well as myself.” I held my hand out towards her. “So let’s make the most it, by being my friend.” She grasped it with her hoof, a joyful smile on her face as we both shook.

“Can we keep him aunty! Can we please!” Celestia gave a gentle laugh and looked towards Cadence while an awkward image plastered itself in my head: One where I was on all fours with a leash on my neck…I sweat dropped while my mouth twitched slightly, already consumed by the awkward thought. 

Celestia looked towards me, a kind but mischievous smile on her face. “You know…I think that we should keep him my niece,” I broke out of my thoughts as I heard her call my name. “Zero, would you like to stay here in Canterlot with us…as Cadence’s friend,” I gave her a smile, rubbing the back of my helmet while I transformed back into my original form, causing Celestia to step back a bit. “Of cour-“

“Wait!” I was cut off from the loud voice of Cadence, a pout shown on her face. “I want Zero to be my big brother!” I was slightly taken aback by this as well as Celestia, whose reaction was the same as mine. “He knows what it’s like to be alone, he understands me and my problems, but most of all…he’s immortal like me…me! We’re perfect for each other and I've always wanted a big brother and now I have this chance.”

I turned towards Celestia, giving her a smile, showing her that I was okay. But what she didn't know was that the reason I was smiling wasn't to calm her but at Cadence’s attitude of a filly that wanted a special toy really badly, which I didn't mind at all as I already considered her a little sister. “Don’t worry Celestia, I’ll be fine with it as I have kind of always wanted to have a sister or experience what it would be like. So I would be fine to have Cadence as my sister.” I look down at myself and back up to her, a sheepish smile on my face. “Oh and don’t worry about my appearance, I change it through different circumstances.” 

Celestia gave a happy smile, nodding her head at my and Cadence’s request. “Very well Zero, if you are fine with becoming Cadence’s sister as well as my nephew then I would be more than happy to gain a new family member, but if this is to happen I may have to pull some strings with the court but that shouldn't be a problem.” I gave a nod while Cadence hugged my legs prompting me to kneel down on one knee and hug her back.

We separated from the hug as I stood back up and faced Celestia going back to the story. “Nothing else really happened after that. I followed the light out of the Everfree Forest, travelled to Manehatten, met Cadence and then travel here. Oh!” I snapped my fingers together, remembering a question I wanted to ask the princess. “Does th-“

“Don’t tell them…”

I stopped talking and shook my head.

“Not…time” 

“Does what Zero?” 

I looked at Cadence, shaking my hand. “Don’t worry about it, it’s not important,” Celestia looked like she wanted to pursue my question but decided against it.

“Hey Zero?” 

“Hm?” I looked back towards Cadence.

“Are you able to take us to Mr Light right now?” I put my hand underneath my chin while Celestia looked towards Cadence in a sad manner. “I’m sorry my niece but I cannot allow you to travel into the Everfree Forest, it is just too dangerous.”

I looked back towards Celestia, an idea in my head. “What if we could teleport straight to the tree?” Celestia raised an eyebrow while Cadence looked as if she had just realised what I had said was the sentence of the century. “I have a two-way teleport system that could take us straight to the tree and can take us straight back to this exact same spot, thus the name is two-way teleport.”

‘I just hope the tree triggered it when it repaired my systems.’

Celestia walked up to me, worry clearly plastered on her face. “Are you sure you want to take us there, will it strain you?” I smiled and shook my head. “Nah, it doesn’t hurt at all, I’ll be fine,” Cadence moved to my right side while Celestia moved to the left. “Ready?” The both gave a nod, giving me the signal to activate the teleport system as I closed my eyes.

(Sound Effect)

As our transportation finished, I opened my eyes, hoping that we were in the right place.

As they opened, my eyes were greeted with the majestic glow of the crystal tree. “Wowww!” Cadence ran past me and in front of the tree, her jaw-dropped face making me supress a laugh while Celestia looked at the tree like one would an old relative. 

“He’s over here…aunty,” A playful smile sneaked onto my face as I said the last word prompting Celestia and Cadence to walk over to me, said aunty gave me a playful nudge as well as a playful smile as the three of us looked at the capsule in front of us.

Celestia looked at the capsule quizzically then back at me. “This wasn't here the last time I visited.”

I already knew how to reply. “It wasn't here the last time because it had a generated cloaking field to keep any unwanted reploid or creature that came through here from finding it. The capsule recognizes my systems from the Doppler war, don’t worry about it, I’d rather not talk about the war,” I added in, in case Celestia decided to question me about Doppler in which my memories weren't clear about the third maverick war. 

Cadence was too distracted to listen to any of us as she looked at the capsule with glee, hope filling her with meeting the good Doctor. “Here, I’ll activate the capsule,” I walked forward until I was about a metre distance from the capsule. Said capsule’s projector began to glow a light blue, showing the image of Doctor Light. 

He gave me one of his gentle smiles that he always gives when we talk. “Hello again Zero, you've been gone for several hours and I was starting to get worried that something horrible had happened but i am glad that you are back.”

*Gasp*

I looked at Celestia with confusion wondering why she seemed so shocked to meet the Doctor as her emotions seemed to contain shock, denial and…happiness?

“Xavier!?”
> Chapter 7 -or- An Old Face
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives. ~ Alexander Dumas



-----


I was shifting my gaze back and forth between Celestia and ‘Xavier’, as she had called him while I moved off to the side so that they could see each other more clearly. Celestia took the motion to step forward, now only a few feet away from the hologram as I studied them both for any sudden reactions. I could see the edges of Celestia’s eyes beginning to water although not crying, she wasn’t far from it as she continued to stare at him while Xavier in turn seemed to look speechless although he hid it well due to his old age as you could only tell by the way he looked at her with his clear blue eyes.

“Celestia? After all these years…,” The doctor seemed to trail off, stroking his beard as he closed his eyes, contemplating what was happening in front of him. Meanwhile I was trying to figure out how Dr Light would know Celestia personally due to her being a pony while the doctor was a human being apart from the fact that Celestia was on an entirely different planet.  

“You’re…alive!” I could feel the joy radiating from Celestia’s voice as she spoke those words in awe, said words had also gotten Light’s attention back, looking at her with a smile.

“My dear Celestia…it has been a very long time since I had last seen you and yet…you haven’t aged a day. I guess you truly are immortal after all,” Celestia gave a small chuckle at that, soon dissolving into tears of both sadness and happiness, the tears beginning to fall as her emotions began to mix into one another.

“I-I thought that…that you had died hundreds of years ago. You were the only one close to a father I ever had and now all of a sudden you’re right in front of me, after all those years of thinking that you had died, that I was alone for all those years. Crying myself to sleep thinking about my sister almost every day with no one to comfort me…because the only thing my ponies see is a perfect princess who has no faults, not a normal mare…,” As she emptied out her sorrows in front of us, the doctor’s smile turned into a sad one as he began to move outside the capsule –shocking Cadence and myself- until he stopped right in front of Celestia whose head was looking down at the ground, eyes shut tightly while the tears had finally stopped.

He moved his hand under her chin, lifting it up so that Celestia’s face was facing his even though her eyes were still closed. “My dear Celestia, we both knew that one day I would have had to pass away for I was not immortal like you or your sister,” He moved his hand away from her chin as her eyes began to open but she refused to look at Thomas. “It was due to the fact that I had to take care of X once he had awakened from his slumber that I am in this state now,” Celestias’ eyes were now focused on Lights at the new information, her thoughts thinking about the one being that was the reason that Thomas was still alive. X.

“Xavier…why did you create X?” Thomas gave a small sigh, his voice hlding a sad tone.

“Celestia, the main reason I created X was that I thought it was time to finally complete the bridge between man and machine. You see, X is no ordinary robot. His mind is far more advanced than others so much that he is able to think like us, feel emotions and express them and act on his own to benefit the future. Just like us, but unfortunately that is not what happened.”

“Ok, Ok…Sorry for being so selfish, but I am glad that you’re in this state…I missed you,” Dr. Light began to stroke Celestia’s mane as I raised eyebrow in confusion at how he was able to do that although Celestia didn’t mind as she seemed to enjoy it.

“I missed you to Celestia.”

“Dr. Light?” Light turned to face me, having stopped stroking Celestia’s mane because of it –Celestia having given a slight disappointed look of having him stop-.

“Yes Zero?”

“I was wondering how you were able to touch Celestia without your hand going through her,” Light gave a small chuckle. 

“Well you see Zero, Alicorn magic is different to unicorn magic as it is able to reach into the world of cyberspace. Due to my capsule showing my image through the hologram, it is able to connect to Celestia’s magic flow for it is similar to that of cyberspace, therefore allowing me to actually reach out to her as she is covered in Alicorn magic to which is similar to that of cyberspace. I doubt you know of cyber space yet due to your memories having yet to fully restore, if not at all, am I right?” I gave the doctor a nod, satisfied with the information as well as confirming to him that I still had not regained my memories.

“I just,” We both turned back to look at Celestia. “I just wish that I could have saved her. I was too caught up in keeping everypony happy that I didn’t even know that the pony that needed to be happy the most was my sister. If I was more aware of my-”

Dr. Light gave a deep, tired sigh causing Celestia to stop her depressing speech as he gave her an almost sad look. “None of us are perfect Celestia, no matter how much you try to help those in need it will never be enough as we all have flaws, everyone does. I created the robot masters to begin to bridge a connection between man and machine…however it only led to the future waging wars again and again,” Celestia shook her head.

“No…no that was not you that caused that to happen, it was that monster Wily who created the virus that caused the robots to become evil,” Light turned to face me, his face studying mine for a few seconds. 

“You told her?” I just nodded as he hummed in thought. “I am glad that you told her about the virus but enough about that…I prefer to talk about something else,” Celestia gave the doctor a small nuzzle, hoping to stop him from thinking about the scourge that ruined his vision of peace between robots and humans. Said nuzzle worked as he began to stroke the side of Celestia’s neck again, happy that she was there to comfort him while a felt a strange energy radiating off of the two of them.

Love. 

The love of a close friend, perhaps even the love of a father and daughter. Looks like Cadence’s magic did react to love after all and I now knew what it must have been like for Celestia for all those years, no one to be comforted by other than her citizens who probably treated her as a immortal goddess rather than just a normal pony when she was just as normal as them.

“Awwww,” I heard Cadence coo affectionately as she watched the scene unfold before her, causing a small smile to form on my lips. 

Light looked over at Cadence, his eyebrows rose slightly as he looked her over. “Who might you be young one,” As soon as he finished his sentence, I instantly felt a large amount of weight on top of my head which almost caused me to fall over. Turns out that ponies with horns could teleport…how about that.

“Hi Mister Xavier! My name is Mi Amore Cadenza…but Cadence is just fine if that is okay with you!” She yelled/squeaked causing Light to smile. “Oh and Celestia is my aunty while Zero is now my adoptive brother!” This caused him to look over at Celestia, a smile on his face.

“Oh, I didn’t know that you had a niece Celestia. Since when do-“

“No, it’s not like that dad! She’s my adoptive niece and please don’t talk about that subject in front of her! Besides it has been hundreds of years!” Celestia’s face was blushing madly while Light just gave a hearty laugh which made me realise that this image of Light was younger than the ones I had found in the third maverick war.

“Oh Celestia…you always remind me of the time when you were just a filly when you blush like that,” Celestia tried to hide her blush but Cadence was already giggling while I just gave her a comforting smile while she shot Thomas an angry glare, said glare only lasted a few seconds before she gave a sheepish smile.

After that Cadence told Light the story of how she became an Alicorn in which he paid her the utmost attention, asking her questions through certain parts of the story whether it was about her life or what it felt like to become an Alicorn, all the while going over the information again and again.

“I don’t know actually. When I did though I felt stronger, although I think that it was probably just because of the horn…,” I gave Cadence a worried glance as she seemed like she wanted to tell us something else. Celestia just looked on, sadness adorned on her features, obviously knowing what Cadence was going to say when Thomas spoke up.

“Well I find that quite interesting Cadence because from what I know,” Thomas turned towards Celestia. “You two were born alicorns,” I knew that Thomas was talking about the royal sisters as Celestia nodded her head in conformation. He turned back to Cadence, a smile on his face.

“Cadence…I am glad that a filly like you has a family to care for you especially if one of those family members is Celestia,” His face turned serious. “But be careful on how you use your power for as they say, power corrupts,” Cadence –despite being too young to know what exactly he meant- gave him a determind nod.

Celestia looked towards the stairs that led outside before turning back to us. “Shoot…It’s time for me to lower the sun. Xavier, I’m sorry that I have to cut this short but it’s getting late,” Thomas gave a nod to Celestia while I motioned Cadence to come next to me, Celestia did the same. Thomas waved us goodbye as we teleported back.

(Sound Effect) 

~~~

*Bang Bang*

Doctor Cossack woke up to the sound of banging on the front door of his house, having fallen asleep while writing down the workings on the latest project that he and his colleagues Dr. Light and Dr. Wily were working on to take the next step in robotics: DLN 000. As he slowly started to rouse his body from its drowsy state, getting out of bed and putting his glasses on he descended the stairs towards the front door, taking a look outside he could see no sign of life other than the street lights flickering on and off. 

Supressing a groan, he closed the door and began to walk back up the stairs that led to his room and closed the door. Just as he got back into bed, the sound of knocking again reached his ears although this time it came from his bedroom door but he also knew who it was this time. 

“Kalinka…what is it?” He groaned in frustration of being disturbed from his sleep yet again but this time by his daughter.

“Sorry Dad! I just want to show you something amazing that I just found in the backyard!” Although that the fact that his daughter was only ten years old, she seemed very cheerful about this ‘discovery’ of hers. Getting out of bed again he opened the door to find his daughter to have one of the largest smiles on her face as well as keeping the object she found behind her back even though that he was able to see that the object was the colour blue.

“Yes Kalinka I’m here. Why were you outside in the- oh never mind…so what is it that you wanted to show me that was so important to get…me…out of…bed…,” Cossack stopped what he was going to say as soon as his daughter held the object in front of his face or more presumably a blue foal with wings and a horn attached to it. Said foal hugged his face.

“Dad Da!”