The coming weeks would bring varying amounts of revelations to both Zen and Twilight, as they both learn about a few key things about the girls; the first of such girls to show a very interesting – and strange – ability was to have premonitions of specific things to come. The day started off like any other, but like any other day in Ponyville… things don’t go as planned.

Mar 11, 1001 AN – Ponyville; 1:00pm

Zen was currently meditating on one of the trees at Ponyville Park, listening to soft blow of the wind; it had been three days since he came back and visited Rarity. So far she has done some progress with his suit but is still in the idea part of it, hasn’t made it just yet – she told him that she still needs the correct material that can properly fit around his suit without being torn apart.

Seeing nothing else to do, and the weather outside being okay, Zen meditated on a random tree, and was in empty bliss… or would continue to do so if he didn’t overhear something. “Oh something biiiig is going to happen!” The voice was Pinkie’s, but Zen continued his meditating unperturbed but continued to listen in.

“Where is it going happen?” asked Applejack.

“At Froggy Bottom Bogg; hey, isn’t that where Fluttershy is at,” said Pinkie.

“Yeah, wait do you think something bad is going happen to Fluttershy!” shouted Spike in panic.

At the mention of this location Zen instantly stop his meditation; from past experiences, Zen knew exactly what kind of threats lived near Ponyville – this did not just include Ponyville – so he knew what resided in the swampy waters of that bog… and it wasn’t friendly. Zen jumped down from his spot at landed before the group, that consisted of Pinkie, Applejack, Spike, and Twilight. “What’s this about your friend Fluttershy being in danger?”

“ZEN! Thank Celestia your here, I need you to prove that Pinkie’s Sense doesn’t make any sense! She can’t see the future by simple bodily motions and the like!” Twilight expected Zen, the more logical one – more than even her – would prove Pinkie’s Sense was nothing more but coincidence… oh she would be proven wrong.

“Actually Twilight, her sense could just be pure instinct or good intuition, and even if it isn’t, there are other ways to sense what may come in the future, through visions or other methods. I won’t deny that this… ‘Sense’ seems impossible, I myself have similar senses that help me with incoming dangers from any direction,” said Zen.

Twilight found herself speechless, she couldn’t believe that even Zen agreed with Pinkie – albeit his own way – but still, it did gave her a shocking reaction. Spike would of snort at her expression, but was too worried about their possibly endangered shy friend.

“Come on Twi, don’t tell me you still think this is all horseapples still?”

Twilight would of retort back, but was stopped by Zen. “Now is not the time for this; if your friend Fluttershy is truly in danger – whether from fact or feeling – we must check on her. I am more surprised didn’t tell me should went to the bog alone.”

“Why’s that?” asked Pinkie. “Isn’t a bog for froggies?”

“It wasn’t originally called Froggy Bottom Bogg… the name was changed due to the previous one being too… ‘violent’. We need to get there, pronto!” Before anyone could react, Zen vanished and was seen running south toward Froggy Bottom Bog, in speeds that make Rainbow Dash’s jaw drop. Deciding to argue later, the group of mares and young dragon ran – well Spike rode Twilight – and followed Zen, albeit not as quick as he was.

Froggy Bottom Bogg; 1:30pm

The group arrived at the swamps that were located near the Everfree Forest, as each of the girls and Spike started looking for their shy friend, who came here to help a family of frogs move and live here. Zen on the other hand was trying to keep track of a certain creature that resided in this area for awhile, and while it wasn’t the one he met all those years ago, he knew that another one of it’s kind was still alive.

“Fluttershy! Fluttershy, where are you!?” shouted Applejack.

“Flutters, you here, no. How about here, no. Oh! What about here… nope, just a frog.”

As they continued their search, Spike finally spots her and runs straight for her – also ending up stepping on Pinkie’s head, making her whole face dip into the water’s murky surface.

“Fluttershy, you’re alright!” said Spike, tackle-hugging the mare as he wrapped his arms around her neck.

“Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be? Did something happen while I was away… if you're alright with telling me,” said Fluttershy, shyly as usual.

“Its nothing for you to worry about Fluttershy, we just thought you were in danger, that’s all.” While everyone worried over Fluttershy, Zen still kept his wits up, and that’s when he felt it or rather, saw it. A big bright red blip was slowly approaching them, coming from where Twilight was currently standing, boasting about how she was right and that nothing happened… oh she would regret that very soon.

“Twilight… run,” said Zen slowly removing his katana. Twilight was wondering what Zen was talking about, when something came bursting out of the water and was heading straight for Twilight… it would never meet her of course. Deflecting the beast’s surprise attack was Zen as he had his blade bushing back the head of a hydra, its jaws clamped wide open by Zen’s weapon.

Following next were the other heads that slowly slithered out of the water, each one glaring hungrily at the mares, but had their eyesight focused at the interloper stopping their meal. The hydra did a horrendous roar and charged the remaining heads, but Zen blocked them with swift reactions. “Void Slash; Triple Assault!” Zen did three precise and quick horizontal and vertical cuts, as three energy black energy slashes were flung toward the three other hydra’s head, as three small explosions went off. The heads were still intact but were dazed temporarily, taking this to his advantage, Zen warped a distance away but before he could run with the others saw Pinkie slowly backing away but not running.

“PINKIE!” shouted Applejack.

Just as the one hydra head that wasn’t dazed, it glowered over the pink mare, but before a move could be made Twilight came running back and grabbed her by the tail as she flung her ahead toward everyone else. Not having to worry about her, Zen made his move and ran with the others; while this happened, Zen had various warning and symbols pop up on his heads-up display.

WARNING! Threat level of creature is level one; nearby civilians are five – listing them all as VIPs until they are all save. VIPs will be marked as yellow while creature is listed as red for now, it is recommended that the evacuation of all VIPs are made until safety is assured.

After hearing that, an area was marked on his mini-map – the location would make a perfect area to escape the hydra and reassure everyone’s safety. “Everyone, this way! We’ll lose the hydra if we head that way!” shouted Zen, leading the group.

Soon everyone followed Zen, heading up a slop but as they climbed up Zen saw on his mini-map that one of the yellow blips was still behind them, and that was when he heard the yell. “HEEEEELP!” screamed Spike, stuck in the muck.

“SPIKE, HANG ON!” shouted Twilight. Twilight ran toward his little bro, seeing the hydra nearing closer and closer. At that split second, time seemed to slow down for Zen… and a choice was made; rushing forward with determination in his eyes, Zen appeared before the hydra and slammed his weapon on the beast, sending it tumbling back into the murky waters with a resounding splash and boom.

Zen stood posed with his weapon morphed into the duel-wielding form, having both swords held in each gauntlet. “Go! I shall keep it distracted!” shouted Zen. I’m not letting this thing take a single step forward, not until they’re safe from danger. Zen awaited the hydra to stand back up, and when it did the creature roared all four heads and lunged them at him, but Zen saw it coming and made his move.

“Shatter Mine; Zone!” Zen formed multiple of small black orbs that floated around the hydra, each harmlessly floating about. The hydra raised a brow but just as one of them approached it, the orb started to blink slowly then rapidly until it did a constantly bright light, and soon engulfed in an explosion. Soon to follow the other orbs follow each doing the same thing then blowing up; around the hydra, multiple explosions went off as the creature’s cries of shock and hurt were heard.

Once the dust cleared, the hydra stood with varying burnt marks, but still stood; now angered by the attack it focused all its fury toward Zen. Having planned this, Zen distracted the hydra with more attacks, and dodging each of the beast’s attempts.

Zen swerved with ease as each attack by the hydra was easily dodged; while Zen distracted the beast the girls and Spike ran but Spike would occasionally look back and see Zen fight the creature back, but not doing any attacks that would do harm to the beast but rather aggravate it more. “Why is Zen not fighting back, he can handle that thing any time!”

“Spike, Zen is fighting to make sure we’re safe, we shouldn’t waste this opportunity!” Spike had his face scrunched up in confusion but understood what Twilight was saying.

Zen fought the hydra back, and could see the beast beginning to tire; at that same time, the voice of Jiule was heard from within his mind. The girls and Spike have reached safety, we should head back to make sure they’re fine. Now learning they’re safe, Zen warped a distance from the beast and began running back; the loud steps of the creature were heard behind him, but he wasn’t worry as he knew how far it was and if it attempted any attacks with it’s long necks and large mouths, he would see it coming.

As Zen was heading back, something ran past him, looking back it was Twilight as she charged whilst screaming. The heck is she doing! Just as the hydra was about to go and bite her, she ran underneath it, and as it followed her with its long necks it caused it to trip on itself, making it sit on one of its heads. Seeing that happen Zen took the chance to warp to Twilight grab her and warp to safety; the two stood over the edge of a deep cavern with the murky water at the bottom. There was some stone pillars that barely held up from erosion.

“Twilight, while this is a bad time to ask but why were you running right at the hydra, you should of ran with the others?” asked Zen.

“I was trying to give more time for the others, and I thought you were in danger when I saw it chasing you,” said Twilight.

“I’ve been through worse, now get across before-” Suddenly Zen saw at the corner of his sight of a red blip heading straight for him and Twilight. Reacting quickly he managed to pull Twilight with him to the side; they both managed to dodge the hydra’s attack, sadly it destroyed part of the cliff and caused domino effect on the stone pillars as some of them fell over one another, leaving the last two standing, making a large gap to reach the other side with the others.

Twilight was gazing up at the hydra, and it looked ready to attack again; Zen wouldn’t be able to quickly grab Twilight and warp away, so there was only one option left. Turning around quickly, Zen picked Twilight and tossed her with all his might, and as she flew she dipped slightly downward but was saved by a bubble of air from the water which sent her flying up and into the other side to safety with the others… except for Zen. The hydra made its move and smashed itself where Zen was – a black figure was spotted falling until it crashed into the water’s surface with a splash.

Everyone was gasping in shock, especially Twilight as the shock came to her until she started to slowly tear up. “Z… Uncle Zenny...” No answer came… at first; the group heard the sound of dripping water behind them so when they turned around was Zen. He had pieces of algae on him and mud plastered pieces of his armor but he was perfectly fine.

“You rang?” asked Zen, in a joking manner.

The group nearly tackled hug him, but he stood his ground only kneeling down so he could reach them all. Once the hug was over, Twilight started to get huffy and hit his helmet with her hoof in an angry way. “Don’t, ever, do, that, again!”

“We really thought you were a gonner, I guess that was the doozy Pinkie mentioned, huh,” said Spike.

But it wasn’t as their pink friend was still getting the shudders. “What!? That wasn’t the doozy, was it the hydra?”

“Nope, that wasn’t the doozy either – it hasn’t even happened yet,” said Pinkie, still shaking.

Twilight started to have a twitch to her, then a scowl as her anger started to slowly peak, bursting into flames as her coat white – her mane and tail were turned into flames, and her eyes were red with rage. The spectacle was somewhat reminiscent of when Celestia would get really angry with a stubborn noble. Yep, she definitely inherited something from Celestia.

She would of continued to stay at that state, instead she faltered back down and slumped down with her forelegs covering her head. Spike approached to make sure she was alright, poking and shaking her to be certain. “You alright Twilight?”

“I’m fine Spike… I give up; maybe Pinkie’s Sense is real, and maybe I’m just wrong...”

Just as Twilight said that, Pinkie grinned widely and stopped shaking; she approached Twilight with a grin plastered on her face. “That’s it, that’s the doozy – you finely believe in my sense – and it was definitely a doozy!” Pinkie hopped away while Twilight watched her leave before sighing joining her, soon everyone else followed but Zen gazed at the slowly disappearing hydra, but then he felt another presence behind him, turning to look it was Fluttershy.

“Are you… going to...” Fluttershy had a sad look in her eyes, but at the same time she knew what would need to be done to the hydra was inevitable.

But surprisingly, Zen shook his head for no, making Fluttershy beam up – both happily and surprised. “Just because the hydra may be a danger, doesn’t mean it is one to be wiped out; nature is something that shouldn’t be trifled with… Everything has an order to things – the hydra keeps all the more dangerous creatures of the Everfree Forest limited here, and it won’t leave its home due to it becoming overwhelm by the number of ponies and having to face with either the Royal Guard or princesses. It’s also stuck having forest stretching for miles surrounding this swamp, and that this is the closest area that’s perfect living conditions for it, it won’t leave unless forced.” Zen gazed down at Fluttershy, and for some reason she could feel a reassuring look from him. “So don’t worry, that hydra will be fine… and besides, it hasn’t reached its adolescence just yet so it is practically still a youngling.” Zen soon left with Fluttershy, the two returning with the rest as they headed back to Ponyville.

Sometime later – Ponyville, Zen’s Compound; 2:50pm

Zen was outdoors training in CQC; Jiule had set up some holographic dummies for Zen to fight against – the usual twenty on one situation as usual. As Zen was in the middle of training, a shadow appeared behind him and following instinct alone, ready to strike at whatever was behind him. Just before he landed a hit, an audible eep was heard; Zen stopped his hit mid-strike and gazed at the wide eyes of Celestia as Zen’s armored fist was inches from her snout.

Zen looked up at the bewildered Celestia, and did a little flick with his claw, making the sun princess flinch and crinkle her snout. She pouted at Zen with an angry but playful look, before smiling down at him with a knowing look. “How long you knew I was overshadowing you?” asked Celestia.

“Since you reached my perimeter two minutes ago, but I knew you were here the whole time - your wing beats aren’t that hard to listen for, especially since you need to use extra effort to stay in the air.”

Celestia sighed with a slight defeated look but perked up with a smile. “Soooo… I heard from Twilight she brought you to her friend Rarity’s boutique… and that she would make you a suit.”

Zen seemed to slump down a little, before rising back straight and tall, he faced Celestia to discuss with her about his visit to Rarity’s. “Indeed, she even suggested I go to the gala...”

“Really now, that be a wonderful idea!”

“However… I won’t be going.” Zen was about to go back to training when Celestia forced a hoof to his view, making him stop and face Celestia once more.

“There’s no reason to avoid not going, the public now knows about your existence, you can visit this year’s gala and everything… Maybe… even make things more interesting,” said Celestia, smiling. While she did smile, it was a weak smile as she was afraid she would be denied… and sadly, it would happen indeed.

“Again… I’m sorry...”

Celestia frowned, not understanding why Zen wouldn’t attend this event… but deep down she knew why… and yet she didn’t. The day of the gala was also the day of an event that occurred in one of Equestria’s farther settlements back in the day – the event was so terrible, she could barely remember what happened but knew that many lives were lost that day. It changed Zen… it distanced himself and create a terrible regret to dwell within him, and today it still grows.

Deciding not to force the subject, she sighed and turned around to go back to Canterlot. “I see… but… if you ever feel like coming someday… Don’t be shy to stay in the shadows like usual.” Smiling toward Zen who faced away to continue his training, she flew off.

“...I won’t keep promises that I’ll be unable to do...”

Two days later – Ponyville; 12:00pm

Zen was busy checking something with Zecora and just returned from his visit when he saw something peculiar. In the distance he saw a familiar fashion unicorn… with wings; looking carefully Zen could see that indeed it was Rarity with wings, but they looked like butterfly wings and were slightly transparent. With her was the other girls except for Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with them, as they were all going on an air balloon together.

Twilight was about to go on the balloon but saw Zen in the distance. “Oh Zen, we were just going to Cloudsdale to cheer Rainbow out for the Best Young Flier’s Competition, do you want to come?” asked Twilight.

“Oh the competition, don’t worry I was invited by Celestia sometime before, I’ll be up there sometime later. You four go on ahead without me,” said Zen, heading to his compound.

“What do you need to do that’s in a hurry?” asked Applejack.

“I have… something to check on...” said Zen, ambiguously. The girls gave their own inquisitive looks but shrugged it off as they went ahead and flew up toward Cloudsdale.

Cloudsdale; 12:15pm

Rainbow was pacing back in forth in a panic after hearing what some old bullies of her from her youth said to her. Fluttershy tried her best to calm her down, but she would simply panic and whimper in doubt. “Oh, they’re right, I’ll never be able to do a Sonic Rainboom!” said Rainbow.

“I know you can still do it Rainbow, I just know it,” said Fluttershy.

“But they’re right, and I’ll be a joke to everypony!”

Fluttershy was about to say something but saw something… familiar. “Rare?”

“Rare?! Its more than just rare, its impossible!”

“Rarity?” Rainbow was confused when Fluttershy mentioned their friend’s name when she too turned around and saw Rarity, with wings. Soon she was joined by the others who came on an air balloon and Twilight using a cloud-walking spell on all of them.

“I can’t believe you all made… Hey, where’s Zen, I was hoping he would come along too,” said Rainbow.

“He said he’d come some time, but I don’t know when,” said Twilight.

“Don’t worry, I’m here.” After hearing that familiar voice, the group turned around and saw Zen… but in the air. He was just standing there in the sky as if nothing odd was happening, as gravity itself didn’t resolve around him at the slightest. The flabbergasted looks of everypony was directed at the impossible as Zen simply stood in the air without any problems at the slightest.

“HOW ARE YOU FLYING!?” shouted Twilight.

“I’m not flying,” said Zen, descending. Zen simply looked like he walked down invisible steps until he reached the softness of the clouds, as his feet slightly sunk into them but not breaking them and falling through. “My suit can be used for various things by using my own aura reserves; what I did was surround myself in aura and ‘willed’ myself to not be affect by gravity, in other words I’m controlling my very own gravitational forces. This will allow me to move up, down, forward, backward, to the sides and diagonally when in the air.”

This revelation still shocked everypony, but the first to break out of their stupors was Pinkie and Rainbow, each sharing similar thoughts. “THAT WAS AWESOME!” shouted Pinkie.

“If you can fly, then I can race; after the competition, you gotta promise we could race in the future – got it!” said Rainbow.

“When I’m not busy… I’ll think about it, but we should probably get going.”

“Oh right, well come on girls, let’s go see Cloudsdale’s Weather Factory – where they make all the weather stuff, like snow, clouds, and even rainbows.”

The group soon moved through the streets of Cloudsdale – or cloud paths, as there were no determined streets to be found – as many ponies gasped at seeing non-flying beings walking on clouds. Their attention of course was mostly directed at Rarity, but Zen too; Rarity with her dazzling wings attracted various pegasi, while many glanced at seeing Zen for the first time, each whispering to one another.

“Hey… isn’t that weird armored thing that the princess announced months ago…”

“Yeah, isn’t it some sort of… adviser to her or something?”

“I heard it lives in Ponyville, and got this weird looking building it lives in too, got these weird towers around it that looks at you if you come too close.”

“He looks scary...”

These were the kind of whispers that were spoken to each pegasi; Twilight heard a few of the whispers and frowned at how they treated Zen, but when she glanced at him he didn’t seemed bothered by what they thought of him… well, from what she can see from Zen he doesn’t look bothered.

As the group continued to move through, they finally reached their destination – the Weather Factory – and once they got there, the girls wore protective clothing except for Zen as what he wore was possibly the best protective gear anyone would get. Inside they saw some ponies working on some snowflakes, the process looking interesting and difficult; they would of stayed longer, but sadly Rarity caused a bit of an incident with her wings.

Next was the making of rainbows, as pools of varying colors flowed by with pegasi with big mixing spoons flew by. Pinkie dipped her hoof in one of the pools and tasted it, what happened next was her face changing to each color the rainbow before spitting out a colorful flame. “Spiiicy!” The girls took a laugh at that, but as they continued through the tour some more… they encountered… some problems.

“Look at those wings!” The girls – especially Dash – heard the voices of three stallions, each one looking very familiar to both Rainbow and Fluttershy. With them was Rarity who was still flying in the air.

“Oh why thank you darling, they do look wonderful don’t they,” said Rarity, accepting the compliment.

“Yeah, better than Rainbow… uhhhh… Rainbow Crash! Ha!”

As the girls glared at these stallions while Fluttershy comforted Rainbow, Zen had a… different approach to this. “Why those no good- They shouldn’t talk back to Dash like that, right Zen,” said Applejack. Applejack turned around but when she did, Zen wasn’t there; they heard loud gasps and when the group looked they saw Zen standing before the three stallions.

“Who in the buck are you!?”

“It doesn’t matter who I am, but if you continue to pester and insult Rainbow Dash, I’ll have to do something about it,” said Zen.

“Ha, who you suppose to be, his dad?”

“No, but I feel the need to start punishing some foals.”

“FOALS!” Soon all three of the stallions flew up as one of them pushed their hoof at Zen’s chest. “We ain’t foals, so you better watch it or your gonna get a pounding!”

The girls watched in worry, but Zen kept his normal relaxed state, as he simply lifted a clawed gauntlet and touched the stallions outstretched hoof. “I see then… so you don’t see yourselves as foals. Good then… then you’ll receive a punishment that an adult would take.” With that, Zen tightened his hold on the stallion’s hoof as he began twisting it in an irregular direction.

The sound of snapped bone and the cries of one of the stallions was heard, as he soon fell down and began to whimper in pain. “AHAAAAAAA; MY BUCKING HOOF! HE SNAPPED MY BUCKING HOOF!” The shock of what happened so quickly that when the two pegasi were about to retaliate, they found themselves also in pain – Zen grabbed the big and chubby looking one and tossed him into a cloud pillar, as his body slumped to the floor; the lankier one was about to throw a hoof but Zen dodged and grabbed by the throat before flipping him and putting him onto the ground before ending it with a foot stomp to the stomach.

All three stallions were in pain as they writhed on the ground, as the girls gazed at the mayhem that was suddenly wrought by Zen. “Now… are we going to continue harassing Miss Dash, or am I going to break more than just your legs?”

“Bucking- Fine fine, but this ain’t over.” Soon the three pegasi flew up and away from Zen; the girls rejoined Zen but each had varying gazes.

“Zen, now there was no need to be acting like that,” said Rarity.

“The same can be said for you – your attitude was unacceptable as well, we’re here to support Rainbow so you being complimented by her bullies wasn’t helping.”

Rarity gasped and huffed as she trotted away from the others; the girls somewhat agreed with Rarity but also with Zen, but Rainbow and Fluttershy though had their own words to say.

“Thanks for standing up to those jerks, it was awesome you told them who was the boss around here,” said Rainbow.

“While it was kind of violent what you did… I’m thankful you stood up for Rainbow… but promise you won’t do something like that with everypony, okay.”

After that small incursion, the group continued off when Zen shortly had to leave as a Luna Guard approached him and told him to head to the where the competition was taking place. “Sorry girls, it seems I’m needed elsewhere; don’t worry Rainbow Dash, I’ll watch you from the balconies. Good luck.”

Soon Zen exited with the guard, but as they left he conversed with the thestral. “Report,” said Zen, in a militaristic manner.

“I’m sorry for taking you away so suddenly but… We been getting reports from down south at the recently new settlement of Appleloosa – the settlers are saying the local Buffalo tribes are giving them trouble. If we don’t intervene soon we may have troubles in our hooves… or worse, sir,” said the thestral guard.

Zen thought of this, as his responsibility of adviser, he need to give clear guidance about things relating to connections with other nations or kingdoms – whether they be small tribes or large civilizations. The Buffalo Tribes have been living in the prairies near the Macintosh Hills for a long time, so it might be trouble to convince them to come to some sort of agreement.

“Are the train tracks to Appleloosa done yet?” asked Zen.

“Sadly no, they should be done by early April, sir.”

“Then tell me when those tracks are done ASAP, is there anything else I nee to be told?”

“Nothing much… Actually… We been getting strange rumors of mysterious thunder storms down south near the Forbidden Jungle, but we can’t risk any scouts as that’s dangerous territory to be at, sir.”

The Forbidden Jungle… “For now ignore it, but if you hear any further news about anything strange happening down there, tell me about it. Your dismissed, I’ll be with Celestia and Luna for the rest of the competition.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” With that the thestral left while Zen went ahead to the where he meet up with Celestia and Luna.

Some moments later – Cloudeseum Stadium; 2:00pm

The stadium was full of ponies, as the princesses sat at their own little alcove watching the various fliers move on and do their stunts; oddly, Rainbow Dash was listed as number two but hadn’t come out.

Zen stood with Celestia and Luna and noticed this oddity. “Strange, shouldn’t Miss Dash had come out as number two, and where is Miss Rarity, she was listed to be four?” asked Luna.

“I’m sure they’re fine and are coming late,” said Celestia, watching the competition.

I doubt it. Zen exited the area the princesses were watching from and checked where the flier were at; done below Zen saw the area completely empty of almost all the fliers when he spotted a shivering and terrified Rainbow Dash on the ground.

Walking up to her, Zen poked her, only making the poor mare cover her eyes with her fore hooves. “Leave me alone, I’m a failure and will never be able to do a Sonic Rainboom,” said Rainbow.

Zen ignored her self doubts, and scooped her up, as Zen held her up by her front legs making her dangle and facing Zen with a sad look. Zen gently placed her down on her haunches until he knelt down to face her. Rainbow tried to look away, but Zen cupped her by the chin and gazed back at her with his orbs.

“I don’t know whether you can do this Sonic Rainboom or not… but you always boast toward me your the fastest pegasus in Equestria… So how about you show those skills and – in your own words – how awesome you can be! It doesn’t matter how much Rarity may dazzle or not… just follow what feels right for you.” Once done with his speech, Zen heard the calling for Dash and Rarity; that being his signal to leave as he stood up, but before leaving he gazed back at Dash.

“Time to show them why they call it a Sonic Rainboom, and not just a Sonic Boom. Show them what it means to be thee Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow seemed to perk up at that as she got on all fours and strutted to the exit.

Once Zen got back upstairs with Celestia and Luna, they watched both Rarity’s and Rainbow stunts. While at first Rainbow as failing… it all changed when Rarity was coming to her finale.

“Look upon me Eqeustria! For I… am… RARITY!” shouted Rarity, panting. As Rarity’s wings reflected the sun’s light, her wings slowly began to sizzle and then… it burnt away, leaving a flightless Rarity. “...Uh oh.’ Rarity plummeted as she began to scream in panic, with four Wonderbolt members following and trying to catch her, but in her panic she accidentally hit each one of them as they all began to spiral downwards, closer and closer to the ground.

Celestia and Luna were ready to fly down and save them, but were stopped by Zen as he had both gauntlets outstretched in front of the two. “Zen! What are you doing, we must save them!?” shouted Luna, ready to simply teleport past him.

Zen didn’t response and simply gazed at Rainbow Dash; in response she flew as high she could and prepared to do it – the Sonic Rainboom. As Rainbow started flying downward faster and faster, a resounding crash was heard, and the Sonic Rainboom happened.

“SHE DID SHE FINALLY DID THE SONIC RAINBOOM! WOOHOO; GO RAINBOW GO!” shouted Fluttershy, cheering her friend. The other girls watched with their mouths open wide in an o-shaped.

As Rainbow sped up, she managed to catch Rarity and all the Wonderbolt members before slowing down and landed back to the coliseum safely… except for one thing. “Wait, there’s still somepony falling!” Looking down, the fourth Wonderbolt member was still falling and was too far for anypony to catch her in time… but not anyone.

“Zen please you must let us-” Luna couldn’t finish her line as Zen was gone; a loud gasp was heard from the crowd as something dark was zooming straight for the falling pegasus. Rainbow and the now conscious Wonderbolt members watched, and were shocked who or what was going to such speeds – even faster than the Wonderbolt’s natural fast speeds.

Just as the pegasus was about to fall flat into the ground, she was caught as the black silhouette came soaring back up until stopping suddenly which caused a burst of pressure reentering the area. Everypony was slightly blew back but when they gazed up, they saw Zen with the mare hugging him around his barrel in a protective manner; she later looked around and saw she wasn’t found flat as a pancake on the ground.

Zen was simply levitating in the middle of the stadium as he gently laid the Wonderbolt into the hooves of her fellow Wonderbolts. Everypony still had expressions of shock from seeing two amazing spectacles but before they could express their amazement to Zen, he suddenly vanished. Luna was amazed and was smiling end-to-end at the awesome powers of his elder brother; Luna turned to look at Celestia to share her amazement.

“Tia, did you see how amazing thine brother of ours is-” Luna looked at Celestia face and she was worried as her usual benevolent look was replaced with a frown and worried eyes. Soon she exited with Luna following behind her, as she tried to answers for her sister’s worried look.

Soon the sisters ended up at one of the change rooms for the stadium for some reason, and just when Luna was going to ask why they came down here… she found her answer. Zen was crouched down with both legs knelt down and one clawed gauntlet was covering a part of his helmet. Due to how he sat the entrance they took they only saw half of Zen’s body; Celestia began to speak with a worried look in her eyes.

“Zen...” Celestia slowly approached while Luna watched; she brought one of her hooves as it inched closely to Zen, but just as she was about to touch him, Zen flinched back and uncovered the part of his helmet he covered… and Luna saw why he was covering it.

The right side of Zen’s helmet had a spiderweb of cracks, as if something was smashed into him with such force. “ZEN! What has happened to you!? DID SOMEONE DO THIS TO YOU BROTHER; WE SHALL FIND THE SCUM YOU DONE THIS AND SHALL PUNISH THEM TO TARTARUS IF NEED BE!” Luna was furious at seeing his brother brought down to his knees… but the reason why was more shocking as Luna found out.

“Sister… Zen wasn’t attacked – he did this to himself...”

Luna was still confused, but soon it was explained by Zen; he slowly stood back up – with some help from Luna and Celestia – until he sat down on a nearby bench.

“I had to use almost all my aura to reach those speeds to catch up with that pegasus, any further… and I would of shattered. While I do have a limit to how much aura I can use, I can go through an overdrive mode of sorts, but it comes with its down-draws – very strong down-draws. If I had just used it any more… I would of crumble into nothing.”

“WHAT! If this is true does this mean your suit is damaged?” Of course as Luna slowly watched, Zen’s cracked visor slowly mended, as she also noticed Zen started to look less tired. “But… how?”

“Zen has a… regenerative ability much more complex than ours Luna. Come we must let our dear brother rest, we should give the reward to our dear element, Rainbow Dash.” Luna had a worried look in her eyes, but followed behind Celestia. She kept a wary glance toward Zen as she frowned at how serious his suit was damaged. Just as Luna left with Celestia, shadows slowly swirled around Zen; the shadows seemed to move and sway before Zen lifted one claw up.

The shadows stiffened, and Zen brought his claw down to his the shoulder opposite of the claw he used – soon the shadows vanished. Just… a ‘flesh-wound’.

After that amazing rescue, Rainbow was given her award and given her one day to hangout with the Wonderbolts. Just as the stadium was coming to an end and Rainbow was being cheered, in the corner of her eye she saw Zen clapping from the darker parts of the stadium. Soon everypony noticed him as he approached her.

“Well done Dash, congratulations on the competition,” said Zen, patting her on the head.

“What are you talking about, you were zooming so quick I could barely recognize it was you until you stopped, and the way you rescued that Wonderbolt! You deserve the award… not me...”

Zen had his arms crossed before chuckling to himself – for a second the girls thought he would start laughing – before he gave a warm look in those orbs of his for a short second. “The competition is about flying, not ‘levitating’,” said Zen. Soon Zen got a notification on his heads-up display, before looking at everypony then giving them a respectful bow. “Well, I must take my leave – farewell, and enjoy your day with the Wonderbolts Miss Dash.”

Without warning Zen simply walked off the edge as everypony watched him falling before vanished in a burst of flight. Celestia sighed as she shook her head at his brother’s over the top actions, and dramatic flair of exits. “He never changes,” said Celestia, quietly to herself.

Two days later – Ponyville; 7:00pm

After the Best Young Flier’s Competition, Zen kept himself occupied for awhile making something in his Fabricator Room. He had been working on this project two days straight, as what he was making would take awhile for him to make. As he was working on the fabricator, the perimeter sensors caught something at the front entrance. “Jiule, who’s at the door?”

It appears to be Spike… and he seems stressed. Finding that particular description odd, Zen paused his work and went to the door. As he approached the door, Zen opened it but the second he did, Spike came tumbling in with a panicked look in his eyes.

“Zen… Twilight… missing… Everfree… Zecora…” said Spike, panting.

Spike then fell flat on the ground face first, as he was knocked out instantly from running. Zen while never got the full message knew Twilight was in danger; Zen warped toward the Everfree Forest when on the way there he spotted Fluttershy flying above the Everfree. Getting her attention, Zen motioned himself to her as she landed to him.

“Oh Zen, you need to help me – the girls are out here and Twilight has been petrified by a cockatrice!”

At the mention of the vile creature, Zen knew things were worse than he thought. Threat level acknowledged – level one threat monster/wild-life. Scanning for civilians and target; commencing now!

“Fluttershy, stay close to me, our chances to find the girls are better with my scanner.” Fluttershy nodded and followed Zen; the two headed deeper into the forest when three blips appeared. Soon after following where the blips were located they spotted the girls approaching two chicken heads.

“GIRLS, WAIT DON’T GO NEAR IT!”

“Huh, Fluttershy, Zen? What are you talking about-” Before the girls could question what Fluttershy was talking about, suddenly the cockatrice slithered out and once spotting Fluttershy’s chicken, it petrified the poor creature to stone. The girls screamed and scampered back behind Fluttershy – Zen stood ready but before he could react, Fluttershy stopped him.

“WAIT! If you do that we won’t be able to unpetrify Twilight and Elizabeak,” said Fluttershy. Zen knew there were other ways to unpetrify someone this problem needed to be resolved now. Sheathing his weapon Zen stepped back and let Fluttershy handle.

“If things go awry, I will retaliate,” said Zen, protecting the girls. Fluttershy nodded in thanks and approached the cockatrice; at first things didn’t look good for Fluttershy, but soon Zen saw her use her infamous, the Stare. Soon the cockatrice was brought to submission as it unpetrified Twilight and Elizabeak before flying off back to the deeper parts of the Everfree Forest.

“Uhhhh… What happened?” asked Twilight, groggily.

“Its, a long story,” said Fluttershy sheepishly.

Later in the morning – Fluttershy’s Cottage; 7:15am

As Twilight was told about what happened while she was petrified, the girls started playing with one another. Zen though stayed just in case the cockatrice didn’t come back, he sat down in thought about a few things. “Wow, that all happened when I was… well… turned into a statue; Zen, why didn’t you make a something to reverse the petrification, you could of done that?”

Zen glanced at Twilight before going back in thought, but still speaking with his orbs blank. “The resources to make a petrification agent to reverse the affects would of taken to much time and resources. I trusted your friend here to find a better solution, and while it was risky, the results were good for all parties,” said Zen. “I also didn’t want the foals to see…”

Zen seemed to pause there as both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked up at him curiously, but not Applebloom as she had this apprehensiveness around Zen. The look she gave him was the kind of look you give to something that you were afraid of… but why was Applebloom so afraid of Zen. “Hey Applebloom you alright?” asked Scootaloo, seeing how silent her friend was. “You were quiet all of a sudden.”

“Huh, um yeah, I’m fine… just… peachy...”

“Great Applebloom, now you made me want to eat peaches,” said Sweetie Belle, her tummy grumbling.

The three fillies laughed at their silliness and continued playing; later Rarity came by to pick the girls up, giving the signal for Zen to leave, but before he did, the notification about his project came up. Heading back to his compound, Zen checked his internal calendar and saw what day was coming up in a couple of months. That day is coming soon; I wonder how the others have been?

Six days later – Nearby Ponyville, Rock Fields; 11:15am

It was some time ago that Rarity called for the aide of Spike to help her collect some gems for an order from Sapphire Shores for several more outfits to made for her. The two had gathered a good amount of gems and were continuing to find even more, however in the bushes nearby, three pairs of eyes watched them with interest.

“That pony is gathering gems with the help of dragon, we must get that pony,” said Rover, with a malicious plan in his mind.

“But how are we going to do that?” asked Fido.

Rover grinned as his chuckled darkly to himself; Rarity used her magic to track and find where the hidden gems were all located, while Spike dug them up. “This is perfect Spike, if we keep this up we might be able to complete this order in no time.” As Rarity said that, her horn start to bright up as it sensed another gem. “Oh, another gem? Strange… it seems to be coming from the… tree?”

As Rarity neared the tree, she did indeed see a gem, but it was on a collar of… a dog? The strange gray furred dog-like creature on two paws and had two massive paws meant for digging, as it wore a red vest, a collar, and lime eyes that peered back at Rarity. Without warning the dog-like creature pounced and tackled Rarity, before lifting her up and away.

“RARITY!” Spike was about to chase the dog when another dog came out and stomped on Spike’s tail as he fell flat on his face. Soon another dog that wore a gray vest that was twice the size of the dog carrying Rarity, and a small dog that wore a gray vest too ran past the dizzy Spike and dragged Rarity to a nearby hole.

“Spike! Heeeelllpp!” Spike watched as Rarity was dragged deep into the hole, vanishing into the darkness.

“Rarity! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!”

Elsewhere – Ponyville, Outside Golden Oaks Library; 1:05pm

Zen needed to see Twilight about something important, so as he approached her home, he was about to knock when he saw a note on the door. Reading the note, it said that Twilight was absent due to something happening to one of her friends – it went into detail of her being kidnapped by three strange dog-like creatures that dragged her underground just east of Ponyville at the Rock Fields.

“Dog-like… creatures… hmmmm,” said Zen, muttering to himself.

Deciding to investigate this, Zen headed to the Rock Fields; when he finally arrived though, he found mounds of dirt everywhere but managed to find one hole that wasn’t buried. Activating his night vision, Zen plunged into the depths of the cave system. Zen found some signs and tracks of the girls and Spike being here… he also found tracks that were very similar to diamond dog tracks.

With Zen’s sensors, he could hear some sort of commotion up ahead, but as he was about to see what it was, a large swarm of diamond dogs came out of various tunnels wearing crude armor and spears. Each of the dogs snarled and barked at Zen, as they pointed their weapons at the intruder; Zen saw the large amount of foes before him, but as his scanners scanned them his worried lessened.

Threat level – zero – all targets aren’t close to causing any harm, recommend to subdue but not kill; all targets shall be listed as orange for possible capture. Would you like some music to pass the time, Zen?

Zen while didn’t seem that worried was internally excited as he hadn’t been in a fight for a long time. Unsheathing his weapon, Zen stabbed it in the hard stone ground, before raising both gauntlets in a ready position. “Set up ‘that’ song – you know which one I mean,” said Zen.

Of course; setting up fighting music in, three, two, one… zero. At that moment a song started to play that perked each of the dogs ears before the prepared to charge full force. Zen watched as the dogs began to circle him before the dogs in front of him charged with spears raised.

Rushing head on, Zen jumped over their spears and did a spin as he landed his feet against their skulls as the dogs were sent flying, landing to the cave walls or their fellows. After landing Zen dodged another attack and retaliated with punches and kicks; dog after dog came toward him as Zen counter-attacked with his own moves.

Soon the dogs numbers lessened as they were found bruised and unconscious, but soon more came as they all ready to overwhelm Zen with numbers. Taking in a concentrated breathe, Zen zoomed his focus toward the oncoming dogs and knelt down with one fist to the ground and the other facing behind him.

“Judgment Call – time to face my fury,” said Zen, his eyes flashing before going blank.

Soon the world stopped as everything slowed to a crawl; Zen took notice of every muscle moving, every bead of sweat that dripped from the dog’s brows, the jingling of their armor, and sway of their weapons as they charged with drool dripping from their mouths as the glint of their teeth sparkled against the torches that lit the caves dimly.

The heartbeats of the diamond dogs echoed before they slowly down – beat by beat – until nothingness. With a resounding burst of energy the wave hit all the dogs before every single one of them fainted and fell flat on the ground. Zen stood back up as all the diamond dog laid their unconscious as the blank eyes gazed emptily ahead, their eyes rolled up to the back of their skulls.

Zen picked up his weapon and trudged over the bodies, heading to the source of the noise, and so with a crick of his neck – the sound of metal snapping and reconnecting together – he moved forward as the song came to a finale when another song began to play.

The girls and Spike expected Rarity to be in some sort of trouble, but when they arrived they only found the three diamond dogs that kidnapped her, pleading for them to take Rarity away from them – saying something along the lines of her whining or something – they also said to give the gems they had to them too. When they were ready to leave, a bunch of armored diamond dogs came running in, only for the large wave of them to run past them in panic.

“What in the world are you all running from!?” shouted Spot. That was when they heard the tale tell sound of music; the music had a beat to it that made Pinkie’s head bop in pace, and was really catchy, but at the same time it was the kind of music you’d listen for some epic boss fight. Before anypony could ask where that music was coming from, the entrance the dogs came from exploded into shreds as shrapnel flew everywhere; Twilight luckily brought up a barrier to block the shrapnel while the dogs were spooked but unharmed as the rock and stone bounced off their hardened hide from numerous digging.

Coming out of the cloud of powdered stone and dust, was the armored and terrifying – to the diamond dogs – visage of Zen. He gazed with an empty look in his eyes at the girls, Spike, then the diamond dog trio… until a look of realization… and disappointment came to his orbs. “Rover? Spot, Fido? Would you mind explaining, why in the deities are you three here?” asked Zen, the hint of frustration in his voice.

“Wait, you know these dudes?” said Rainbow, shocked.

“Know, no, more like I practically raised them; these three numb skulls are related to an old friend of my from the past, you could say they’re extended family of mine,” said Zen. He then moved his gaze at the three dogs as each one were shaking and gulped from the look Zen gave them. “And last I remember, you three were with your mother’s pack… Mind explaining why is you three are leading your own pack, when you should of stayed with her instead? You three could practically lead a pack together, or even separately.”

Rover was the one to step up, albeit with a bit of a shy and doubtful gait. “We… thought we were ready to lead own pack… So we left mother and brought some of the other packmates that were willing to join… We had some, rough times, but we manage...”

“By manage, are you referring to the fact you keep digging at irregular and disorganized directions, have a cave system so convoluted that not even a seasoned diamond dog could find their way around, and that all the armor and weapons you have is practically a decade old and rusting.” Rover gave a blank look, before whistling as he removed his gaze from Zen; Zen though sighed in pity, and looked up at the three brothers.

“Okay… Since I know you three are here – and safe – that and your mother hasn’t sniffed you three out in worry, I assume she trust you three can handle yourselves… Just be mindful and don’t kidnap any ponies or other nearby travelers, I’ll check on you on a weekly basis to see your progress give you guys better equipment, so until then I’ll find another place for your pack to live in instead of close to Ponyville.”

The girls watched Zen scold the three dogs – and even the other dogs – before turning around and facing the girls, going so far to start dragging two of the carts full of gems. “Come on girls, let’s get going before it gets dark…” As the girls watched Zen leave, Twilight face Rover and the other two dogs called Fido and Spot.

“How do you know Zen exactly?” asked Twilight.

“Zen was friend of mother and friend of mother’s mother, and so on; he raised us and the previous old pack alphas of our mother’s pack. He was friends with our ancestor, in ancient times she was a representative of diamond dogs in the old days. While we may cause trouble with ponies, we’ll promise not to continue to do so… don’t want to get Zen mad or make him bring mother here to punish us.” Rover seemed to gulp at that, while Fido and Spot seemed to shake their heads at that thought.

Deciding that was all the answers she would get, Twilight and the others help move carts of gems back to Rarity’s boutique. On the way there, everyone looked at Zen with a new light about what sort of past and connections he has. It was at that moment Twilight remembered that group photo she saw as a filly back at Zen’s abode at Canterlot – the group photo had various creatures, but she remembered the diamond dog with gray fur, was slightly built, but had a gentle smile on her with kind looking eyes. If she could remembered correctly, the name of that diamond dog was Suzy from the plaque with the various other names of those in the picture. So Zen was friends with an old diamond dog representative five centuries ago? Then I wonder… who else could Zen be friends with and what about their grandchildren, I wonder who they are these days?

Twilight would think of these thoughts later, as she had some letters to send to the princess… but first she had some gems to move.

Author's Notes:

This chapter is more a collection of the episodes that focus on specific members of the Mane 6 - and while I did not include the one with Applejack and Twilight Sparkle being in the spotlight, those episodes took place before Zen moved to Ponyville. And some future clues to what may come to future; strange thunderstorms at the Forbidden Jungle, trouble down at Appleloosa, Zen having family extending from other creatures? Many questions to come but all will be answer sooner or later.

Now for the next chapter: Mane 6, Spike, and Zen head to Appleloosa to transfer an apple tree to AJ's cousin, however it appears the locals aren't in the friendly mood.

Thoughts: Zen
Twilight Sparkle