Three months later – Ponyville; 9:15am

After Twilight’s birthday, Zen decided to do some errands out of town, making him absent for some things throughout the winter – missing the Winter Wrap Up at Ponyville – having just arrived some days afterwards. Right now Zen came back from Hollow Shades to visit the thestrals and see how they are, right now he was about to return to his compound when he spotted Twilight.

Twilight approached Zen and smiled up at him… which both wierded him out as that usually meant that she wanted something from him – reminding him of when she was younger… and trickier. “Uncle Zen, your back! I wanted to ask you something,” said Twilight.

“What may be your question, young Twilight?”

“I was wondering… you have no other clothes than your current armor, right?”

That was a strange question, Twilight should know he doesn’t as he has no need to wear other clothing… that and he hadn’t the time to find something fitting him, or for anyone to make any clothes for him. I don’t like where this is going.

“No...” Twilight seemed to smile brightly here, until she used her magic and attempted to drag Zen somewhere… which failed.

“Good! I want Rarity to make something for you… think of it as an early birthday gift; you did leave suddenly the day after my party, without warning you know,” said Twilight. “Phew! Your heavy!”

Zen gave up and followed Twilight without resistance, and to humor her about this strange request. Following her, they both made it to Rarity’s place, which he never been to before since he came here… he actually hasn’t been out often exploring the town. Twilight entered the carousel-shaped building, and inside Zen found various items relating to clothing – ponyquins, rolls of cloth, pins, needles, and some scissors – with a stand and mirrors, and some clothes hung on a clothes hanger.

“Hello, welcome to Carousel Boutique; where everything is chic, unique, and manigique! How can I- Oh Twilight, Zen, what brings you two to here, and its nice to seeing you again Zen. How was your trip?” asked Rarity.

“It was… busy to say the least,” said Zen.

Rarity simply smiled and began talking with Twilight; while the two girls conversed with one another, Zen decided to take a look around when he noticed six new dresses on some ponyquins. The dresses were interesting to say the least but what strike Zen was that each dress seemed to remind him of the girls, then it hit him. The six dresses were for the girls as each one seemed to be made for each of them, possibly made by Rarity herself – Zen did hear news of a famous pony having come to Ponyville yesterday about something, and it involved Rarity’s designs.

“Oh Zen darling, so you came her for a suit!” Zen took notice and realized that both Rarity and Twilight were looking at Zen… and he did not like that look the slightest. “Ohhhhh, this is wonderful, imagine the clothes I could make for you!”

“That’s great Rarity, though I can’t stay, there’s some business I need to take care of; have a good day Uncle Zenny.” With that Twilight left without a word, leaving Zen alone with the fashionista mare.

Sometimes I wonder if she hasn’t gotten any of Celestia’s habits or tricks on her.

“Rarity, while you making clothes for me is nice, there’s no need for you to make a full set of clothes for me. Due to the fact I’ve wore this armor for my whole life, the need for wearing other attire has been… a bit of unnecessary necessity,” said Zen, explaining.

While Rarity understood, she shook her head, not accepting the necessity for clothing. “I disagree darling; there of course other uses for wearing clothing, like for formal events, parties, or even to wear something nice once in awhile. So I think I’ll make some clothes for you to wear for the Grand Galloping Gala, imagine what kind of outfit I can make for you for such a grand event!”

Rarity was busy fantasizing about the whole idea when she noticed something… odd about Zen. His eyes were empty and his posture seemed to slump from the single mentioning of such an event. “Zen… is something the matter?”

Zen seemed to not hear her or anything, his mind was blank and the only thing going through his mind was an incident that occurred after the Great Minotaur War ended. The memory brought horrible memories for Zen as it was possibly the one of the worst moments of his existence – the blood… the bodies… and the screams of an entire settlement, all silenced by Zen when it was attacked by demons, it was also Zen’s first encounter with demons.

Ever since that day, Zen would visit the settlement – the settlement had evolved into a city – paying his respect on a yearly basis to the deceased all those centuries ago. This same day was also the day the Grand Galloping Gala would take place annually. Celestia of course doesn’t know of what Zen does on the day of the gala, nor does she know about the incident that occurred to that settlement… the reason was still a mystery to this day.

Zen snapped from his musing when Rarity was tapping the armor around his shin. “Zen dear, are you alright, you were pretty quiet for awhile.”

“Hmm, yes… I just remembered something. I’m thankful for your generous offer but I can’t accept it though, as I won’t be attending the gala.”

“What!? I’d thought you be attending it since you’re Celestia’s and Luna’s brother. While you only revealed to the world about your existence, I assume you been to the previous galas during Princess Celestia’s rule before Luna’s return.”

“Sadly no-”

“REALLY!? But why though, I’d think you attend such a prestigious event?”

“I wasn’t big on social events, that and back then many did not accept the sort of relationship I built with Celestia; there was a time many assumed she and I were secretly lovers, but all assumed I served her loyally as only a chosen few knew of our familial connection… sadly...” Zen seemed to stay quiet for awhile, before continuing to speak. “I didn’t attend such events to defend her from rumor and assumption – I defended her from any threat, whether directly or indirectly – and while I may have made a gap between her and I for these sort of things… she knows how much I care for her.”

Rarity smiled at how much Zen truly cared for Celestia… but she could sense sadness in his words, as if he something was being hidden from the rumor-hungry mare.

“That’s so sweet of you,” said Rarity, ignoring the hidden sadness. “But I think making this is my way of thanks for everything you done.”

Zen was about to retort but gave in; soon Zen found himself standing on the platform as Rarity took measurements, and asked what kind of outfit he like. Soon Zen’s outfit would be made but due to this being Rarity’s first attempt at making something for a non-pony and it being Zen’s first outfit being made for him personally, the suit would be done a few days before the gala.

“Well darling, thank you for letting me take your measurements, but it’ll take awhile for it to be done, but do visit when you can to check on it, okay,” said Rarity with a smile.

Zen bowed before exiting her shop; once Zen left, Rarity started to brainstorm ideas about the suit… until her mind wandered to why Zen never attended previous galas. Why would Zen not attend the gala? There’s got to be another reason why he doesn’t? Rarity gave up at figuring it for now, putting her focus on her newest project.

Zen made his way through the path near the river by Rarity’s, soon ending up somewhere in the local park. Zen sat by the shore of the river gazing down at the reflective surface; many thoughts went through his mind but one in particular was on his mind.

Why the lies… Why the secrets… Ever since I came to Equestria, I had nothing to hide, I told to Celestia and those I trusted everything… so why is it that I feel I’m hiding something. This suit I wear has been both a mystery and a curse upon me – it has brought both pain and suffering to any I encounter.

The countless number of lives I’ve ruined from my actions… But it is my style after all; to act without care and respond without recklessly… I don’t have a reason to live, but I’ll continue to bear their pain, their suffering… their sins until I’m a shell.

I promised to be their shield and take the brunt of their troubles. Ever since I met Celestia my purpose became clear – I will live for her, and I will die for her, until I can truly become certain that she’ll be safe…

I won’t let another soul die by my mistakes.

When Zen gazed at the reflective surface of the water… he didn’t see himself… he saw the monster he’d strive to never become. “Never again… never again...”

Zen then left but as he left he began humming to himself; from every shadow, unseen by normal eyes as shadowy beings slowly followed Zen, each shadow moving across each obstacle like snakes within the grass. The shadows swirled around Zen, but he did not seemed fazed by their touch for it was very familiar touch – for it was the feeling of the Void.

Somewhere else, in the fold between dimensions – The Void

From a reflective surface of black murky water was Zen as he strolled through Ponyville without a care; watching him was a dark being as shadows swirled and wrapped itself like skin on flesh. The strange entity had eyes of pure white that emblazoned like fires but were smooth and cold as ice. The entity gazed upon Zen before tapping the pool of black water with a finger, making the reflection ripple and Zen to disappear.

The entity walked off into a random direction until he stopped mid-step, when another shadowy figure appeared this one looking more feminine than the other one, and shared the same white eyes – no pupils. The other figure seemed to gaze at the shadowy being with respect, as it knelt down and lowered its head.

“My lord; preparations are being made as we speak – the Forgotten Elements are finishing up their tasks, and I sent… ‘her’ to return back for further orders – and I also heard news from Jeffson that connections to this realm will be ready in the coming full moons. Is there anything else you wish for me to do?”

The shadowy figure stood there with both arms crossed behind him, until he raised one up. The one who knelt gazed up slightly to await his master’s command, but instead the shadowy figure cupped his chin with the raised hand. “That will be fine, but I do have one final request I’d like you to make.”

“Whatever shall it be, and I shall do it swiftly.”

The shadowy figure nodded, continuing to speak. “Before we make our arrival, I want you to send in Ona and… test the abilities of the armor, but don’t let her identity or rather, her origins to be known – we wish to simply see how it’ll fare against a void-user.”

The feminine shadowy figure seemed to shiver and gazed up at her master. “My lord, is it alright to send her, she will simply muck things up and make our plans worse, we should send someone else, I would gladly to so for you the-”

“Are you questioning my order?”

Fear was plastered all over her face but it was not of talking back to her master but rather to herself for acting out of turn. “No! Please forgive for my rudeness, if need be you may punish me for acting toward your command.”

The shadowy figure stood there before approaching his subject, until he stood before her while she continued to kneel and face the ground of the cold, empty, black void. Soon she found a shadowy hand cupping her cheek; her face was raised to stare at his lord’s white, pupil-less eyes.

“I listen to all the suggestions, no matter who it make come from… but I wish to send her instead as you play a strong part in our plans. Do not forget that, Luella.”

“Of course… my lord and creator; deity of the Void, absolute creator and destroyer of countless realms – The Maker.” Suddenly the shadowy being seemed to emblazon even more as if the mention of the name brought… something – a hidden emotion – outward before it was snuffed.

“The need of titles is unnecessary… we both know you may use my real name.”

“I rather bite my tongue and have it cut off; using your name so blatantly is a sin on its own… but if you wish.” As she spoke the name silence seemed for a short while as the name was spoken and only static was heard for the next few seconds before sound returned, as if an outer force stopped the hearing of the name. “Though as you say...”

“‘I have many names, many titles, and many faces’, so I suppose I am and will be,”

The Maker.

Author's Notes:

Chapter was a bit short, and this isn't the original idea for this chapter but I couldn't think of a lot of what to add for this chapter. I even had to change the chapter title for it too.

Oh well; on to the next chapter: The coming weeks will have interesting days to come as each of some of the girls show some talents they have that's unique to them - with some trouble that comes with it too.

Thoughts: Zen
Rarity