Canterlot, Canterlot Castle; 9:00pm

They finally arrived at Canterlot for the Grand Galloping Gala; each of the girls went off to do their own thing – Rainbow tried to speak to the Wonderbolts, Applejack tries selling her wares, Rarity tries to get the attention of Prince Blueblood, Fluttershy goes to the Royal Gardens, and Pinkie… well she tries to have some fun – leaving Twilight to speak to Princess Celestia, but of course there are two others in the party that are simply enjoying their time alone… together.

Sigh… I guess I’m all alone now.

This was a big let down… The days of old were more interesting than this bore fest.

Both Spike and Luna looked at one another, before gazing at their drinks – for Spike it was punch, for Luna it was wine – until the two decide to get a refill. “You wanna go get another drink princess?” asked Spike.

“I’d like that,” said Luna, happy to speak to someone. The two went their way to the refreshments table, enjoying the small talk the two had.

Elsewhere, Twilight stood beside Princess Celestia, a bit somber but not because she was unable to speak to her majesty… but rather about the story Zen told her and the others… and those final words he left her to think about.

"Is that I have to watch everything around me waste away to nothing.”What did he mean by that?

Celestia noticed the look in her student’s face, and it wasn’t because the Gala was like she imagined, well it could be that but there was more behind that look. “My dear student, is something bothering you?” asked Celestia.

“Well… right before myself and the others arrived… We went to visit Zen and see if he’d come… I think you can tell that didn’t work out well,” said Twilight, sheepishly.

“Hmm, he can be stubborn about these sort of things, but he has his reasons,” said Celestia.

“Yeah… he sure did tell us...” Celestia’s eyes widened at that, as she lowered her head to Twilight’s face, the poor mare taking a step back. “Is, is something wrong princess?”

“He… told you what happened that ‘day’.”

“Well… he told us what he could remember, but I feel like he’s still hiding something from us.”

“Sigh… for years...” said Celestia, as she began to speak. “He has been avoiding this day, but was it out of fear of what occurred that day, was it out of guilt for not trying to to more than save the current lives he could save… This day means something more to Zen, and it holds him, shackles him as it reminds him of something… something he won’t let go no matter how much I try to help him to move on… At least he has told you about it, and not hiding it from you, but you correct my student, he indeed is hiding something.”

Twilight looked up at Celestia with a wide-eyed look; there were moments that Celestia was wiser for her years of experience, and that what truly made her amazing in Twilight’s eyes.

“For now though, let us enjoy what we can today, this is the gala after all,” said Celestia, with a smile.

“Of course princess,” said Twilight, with a thin smile in return.

As the time flowed, the girls became engaged into their various troubles and problems, and saw how – boring, bland, and non-energetic were words to best describe it – unexpected it was from their separate view points. Of course things would end up getting worse, but right now the focus was brought back to the currently laughing Spike and Luna.

The two wandered somewhere else in the castle, the two enjoying their shared subject on various things – the modern world, hobbies and more. “Hey, do you wanna maybe play Ogres and Oubliettes with me Princess Luna; I managed to invite Big Mac to join, and while it is a guy’s night, I think he’d be alright if we invite you. I could even share some of comic for you to read, and show which games you should try playing,” said Spike, ecstatic.

“This is wonderful news, I am glad I could talk with you young Spike… It is sad that the gala has changed a lot over the years,” said Luna.

“What was it like in your time?”

“Well original it was a celebration for the common pony, to enjoy the happiness of our nation together. Over the years it has changed, but from what I read from history books, the celebrations back then were just as marvelous as the ones of old… However, over the couple of decades it has grown stale, and has been secluded to noblepony, and a select few of ponies only, and it is rare for a commoner to get a ticket unless they have strong ties with somepony who is most likely will be invited.”

“Yeesh, that must be a bore, I bet during Zen’s time the Gala was awesome!”

“Indeed… but I have heard rumors or rather news that Zen has never attended one. According to history, after the Great Minotaur War, a terrible incident occurred on the very same day the Gala takes place every year.”

“Yeah, Zen told me and the girls about it.”

“Really now… and what was that happened that day?” Luna listened to Spike’s rendition of the Luna Bay Massacre – of course some thing were over the top, but Luna got the gist of things. “That is truly terrible, Luna Bay was one of the few settlements that favored our night as the stars lit up our skies around the settlement, and made the ice and snow glisten like the moon itself.”

“Yeah, but if it weren’t for Zen, they’d be goners… I just wonder how he made it out too,” said Spike, inquisitively.

Indeed young Spike… indeed.

The two decided to leave the gala and head to Joe’s Donut Shop, the two talking with one another happily. As they slowly left, the shadows that were in the hallway the duo were at began to shift, revealing a shadowy creature, had one eye damaged and that worn armor that melded with it, and wielded two weapons – a halberd and a sword.

“Hmmmm… This… will make things… Interesting...” The Shadowling melded back into the darkness, slinking back to wherever it came from.

Within Canterlot Castle, Western Wing; 9:30pm

Deep within the lowest parts of the Western Wing, in the empty darkness a swirl of lights appeared as a monochrome portal appeared before stepping out was Zen. After fully exiting the portal, Zen found himself at the lowest part of his home in Canterlot Castle, also called…

Welcome Zen; to Outpost Alpha – the gateway is functional and working.

Good, it has been awhile I’ve been here, but things shouldn’t have changed during my absence. I need to find Celestia and speak to her about-

“My… lord… Zen...” Zen stopped mid-thought, as the voice was distorted and distant, but he knew better than that; coming out of the shadows of the floor, was a creature made of the pure energy of the Void – a being made of pure Void aura – that wore armor that fit perfectly around it, had one eye damaged, and held two weapons – one a halberd, the other a sword, that was sheathed.

“Yes… report,” said Zen, in a tone that was both emotionless and serious.

“...You may use… my name… lord...”

“We both know your name is unspeakable in any common tongue… but if you wish. Report, Xaolrdaprentias,” said Zen.

The being that was before Zen was the entity that led an ancient force called, the “Void Legion”; while his name was difficult to translate, Zen shortened his name to General Xao. “Two entities… know… of origins...” said Xao, in his broken speech.

“Ah I see, don’t worry about them I explained enough so they don’t know the full truth – who was it that was talking?”

“...The dragon… dubbed Spike… the alicorn… dubbed Princess… Luna… One knows… the other listens...”

So Spike told Luna… nothing wrong with that.

“Leave them, they won’t do any harm with what information they know. Now, tell me where’s Celestia?”

For awhile, Xao stood there vigilant as his gaze became somewhat dull for a second until his vision came back, and he looked to Zen. “...The alicorn… dubbed Princess… Celestia… is with… the protege unicorn… called Twilight… Sparkle… It also… appears… an… incident has occu-” Xao was stopped by the risen fist of Zen, and without warning he lowered his fist down, but when Zen looked at Xao, neither seemed to be intimated by either one’s gaze… or the aura they projected.

“Tor vush la krio, Os ni makl opar ion ras, Tu vinat tarlia zaska lopsra utltrasni,” said Zen in an unknown language. (What has occurred with them? Are they harmed? What is happening now?)

“...Vas ka opareu uaile...” (...They are leaving due to certain events…)

Zen nodded, but before he could send Xao off, the shadowling stood vigilant, but Zen knew it wanted something from him. “...Are we needed soon… We sense something... Coming... And we are ready... To purge... Those... You wish us... To use our might... Against...”

“Your time will come… for now, await when you are needed.”

Xao continued to gaze back at Zen, but melded back into the shadows. “Utra as karo persan, Etae oa menka Mokai’Din,” said Xao, vanishing. (We await your command; Armor of the Maker.)

Once General Xao had vanished, Zen moved up the spiral steps, walked through the halls of his previous home, and exited the double-set doors to an empty but dimly lit hall that was connected to the many other halls of Canterlot Castle. Following his mini-map, and Celestia’s aura signature on his map, he could see she was outside of the castle and was currently at, Donut Joe’s Bakery.

It had to be there, didn’t it... Zen made his way there, walking through the halls of Canterlot Castle, his steps echoing down the empty halls.

Canterlot, Joe’s Donut Shop; 10:10pm

The girls, Celestia, Spike, and Luna sat together around a table, enjoying small talk, donuts, coffee, and the various experiences they had at the Gala – this limited Spike and Luna as they left the gala before anything interesting occurred – all laughing together.

“So that’s when Rarity started to make Blueblood all whine, and back up like some filly!” said Pinkie. All the girls laughed at that, as Rarity pouted at the memory of Blueblood; as they all laughed together, Celestia smiled down at her student and her friends… when in the corner of her eye she saw a familiar figure at the entrance of the shop.

“...Good evening, Zen,” said Celestia, a small smile. Everyone turned to face the entrance to see Zen, who stood there with his signature glaring look, but the girls, Spike, and Luna looked between Zen and Celestia, some going back to their small talk, other drinking their coffee – or hot chocolate for Spike – while a few watched with bated breath. “I’m surprised to see you here, usually your not seen around Canterlot and are inside the Western Wing or at Luna Bay on this day… What brings you here?”

“I…” Zen seemed to pause at this, having difficulty to find the words he want to say, but he was unable to speak as Celestia continued to speak onward.

“You always avoid this day or rather avoid being near Canterlot or seen around the castle… Why...” Celestia’s mane was beginning to smoke a little as tiny embers would float from her mane, her body shook as she was holding back deep anger… but the biggest clue that she wasn’t alright was the tears that evaporated once they touched the ground. “Why do you avoid coming to gala, is it because what happened all those years ago, are you afraid they’d judge you?”

“I’m-”

“NO!” The shout was sudden as everyone backed a little from Celestia, even Luna was afraid never seeing he sister this angry before. “NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE HALF-TRUTHS! WHY, TELL ME WHY CAN’T YOU COME, WHY YOU DISTANCE YOURSELF AND WHY… Why did you have to make me think you were going to die that day?”

It happened in a blink, but as everyone went from gazing at Celestia sadly, they all heard it, the sound of glass shattering; the faced the source of the sound and saw something truly terrifying – Zen’s visor-helmet was partially shattered. The upper left side of his visor-helmet had cracked so badly that pieces fell to the ground and puffed to black dust, while the parts that were the metal seem to brittle away.

Though what truly terrifying was the way Zen looked – his shoulders were slumped, his whole form was lowered, and both his eyes were empty of both his pupils and his piercing glare. A shadowy miasma slipped from the gaping whole, as it writhed about and reached the corners of the cracked hole like hairs on a body.

“Your wrong little sister… I died a long long time ago, Cel; the name Zen was just that… a name, there was never any Zen. I came here to ask you a favor,” said Zen. Pulling out several invitations cards, he passed them to Luna for her to take, as the lunar princess tucked them away safely into her wing. “I’d like if you could invite for the recipients of those invites… tomorrow is the reunion. Also, this is for you too.”

Zen walked past the group, and handed the invite to… Donut Joe; the girls were confused at first, but the stallion didn’t look that confused but rather smiled. “Heh, thanks for the invite Unc. Can’t believe its the reunion already, our last reunion was a decade ago, right?”

“Indeed… I’m sorry if I have to leave suddenly-”

“Nah, no worries, I’m happy you could deliver this to me personally… Though I hope things won’t get too serious, especially with the others coming,” said Joe. “I’ll close up shop, and come over, maybe I’ll bring some of my famous donuts too.”

Zen nodded but as he was beginning to leave, Celestia seemed to extend her hoof forward as if reaching for Zen. Please… I take back everything I said… please, don’t leave… I’m sorry… please don’t leave me…

Almost instinctively, Zen didn’t leave and walked up to Celestia, cupping her outstretched hoof and wrapping his arms around Celestia’s head. Everyone gave the two some space, still staring at Zen’s gaping hole; Zen smoothed Celestia’s ruffled mane, speaking to her calmly as she sniffled more tears in Zen’s hold.

“Your not to blame… your never to blame… I just wish I could do better for you… Don’t hate yourself for something that wasn’t something for you to bare,” said Zen.

After calming down Celestia, Zen patted her on the head – said something that made her giggle – and made his leave, saying farewell to everyone. As he left, everyone seemed to calm down as Luna nuzzled her sister, but the only one that continued to stare was Twilight.

“Zen...” said Twilight, worried. Twilight watched Zen leave, a little remorseful and wished she could do something.

As Zen walked away from Joe’s Donut Shop… he warped away to the very top of Mt Canterlot; once up there he let it all loose – he began smashing his fists into the stony ground, he proceeded to smash his head against the ground, causing it to crack and splinter as shrapnel was raining down everywhere. This continued for a few hours before Zen was left breathing hoarsely, the area covered in shattered stone and dust from pulverized rocks.

YOU WILL NOT FAIL THEM! YOU WILL NOT SEE HER CRY AGAIN! I WILL NEVER LET HER CRY BECAUSE OF MY IDIOCY, YOU MUST BE BETTER – YOU WILL BE BETTER! MY PURPOSE IF FOR HER ALONE, FOR ALL OF THEM! I MUST PREPARE THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A FUTURE TO LIVE FOR… and then…

“They won’t need me anymore… and that’ll be enough for me to know, that I’ve been able to give them a life they can smile for… A world without pain or suffering; a world that won’t need someone like me.”

As Zen stood tall once more, the clouds parted, as the moon showered its light upon the mountain’s top. Standing like an impeccable watcher, his once shattered helmet was clear of any damage, as his cape billowed behind him.

Zen… the reunion will be tomorrow and after that…

“The first of many prophecies will be revealed – the Spirit of Chaos will rise once more.” Zen slowly unlatched his katana, as it glinted the light of the moon of its reflective surface, raising his weapon high above him. “And I will not be merciful to him at the slightest.”

With a downward thrust, Zen sent a Void Slash that parted the sky even more, as a deep swath of clouds evaporated, leaving a deep cut through the cloud barrier around Mt Canterlot.

“No more tears; no more suffering, let it all end with my blade.”

Author's Notes:

The hour of the gala has ended, but another event is occurring soon; a reunion of what, that is what we shall so - on the next chapter: Descendants of Zen's original comrades are about to meet after a decade... Who could these descendants be?

Thoughts: Spike
Luna
Twilight Sparkle
General Xao (no color)
Zen
Celestia