Several months later – Canterlot, Canterlot Castle; 7:30pm

It had been five months since the incident that happened across Equestria with the return of Discord. Once things were brought to order and all was settled, many of its inhabitants had several interesting things happen to them. With Zen becoming the Royal Adviser, it also brought some new ideas, regulations and rules; now with the possibility of old evils being confirmed, the nobility – those that were compliant to the royals and weren’t snobby stallions and mares – did what they can to assist with any projects brought up by either the Royal Guard, Luna Guard, or Zen himself.

Ideas such as better equipment for the guard, better funding for trade and transportation and most importantly while an old practice, guilds have been reopened with many trained professionals coming out of retirement to train any of those willing to join these adventurer guilds.

Zen himself while he was currently busy hasn’t been seen for the last five months, with the only ones being contacted of his whereabouts were Celestia and Luna through messages sent by members of the Lunar Guard that were under direct orders of Zen.

During those five months, a steady uneasiness have come upon the citizens of Equestria, but things have calmed down and all has returned to normal, especially with an upcoming holiday coming.

Right now, Princess Luna was planning to visit the town of Ponyville to attend this holiday known as, Nightmare Night which was related to her banishment from what she heard. During her preparations however she was stopped by a steady knock on her doors; due to most of the Lunar Guard busy with others things there were no guards at her room, so she was curious who it could be.

“Hello, who’s there?” asked Luna. Nopony answered so with a huff she approached the door and opened it. “I am in a middle of something so please come another ti-”

Standing before her was Zen who for once didn’t had his weapon on him and much of his armor’s bulk wasn’t present. “ZEN!” Luna rushed the armored being and tackle-hugged him, smiling and giggling whilst doing it.

“Hello Luna, sorry I wasn’t present for Twilight and her friends ceremony for defeating Discord but I had things to do.”

“Oh don’t give me that, you just didn’t want to tell those snobbish nobles it was you who dealt with that buffoon. Where have you been all this time?”

“Busy, but it appears you are busy yourself, plans tonight?”

“Indeed, I plan to go to Ponyville… I was thinking of appearing there on a carriage driven by the thestrals,” said Luna, in deep thought. Zen placed his gauntlet on Luna’s withers, the lunar princess gazing up at him.

“How about we take a quicker but more casual approach, over my centuries here its best to have… a more hooves-on approach than a dramatic entrance.”

Luna pouted with a childish look. “But I love my dramatic entrances, why does Tia only get to do them?”

“Well for starters you are still new to things and some of the populace… are still weary of you,” said Zen. Luna’s ears splayed down in a sadden fashion, but quickly perked when Zen continued. “But I have this planned; I told Twilight about my arrival along with you, she’ll tell the town’s mayor and make it a surprise… to lessen the shock.”

“Glorious!” shouted Luna, in the Royal Canterlot voice.

Zen was unfazed but he spoke again. “Also, don’t use the Royal Canterlot voice while we are there.”

“Awwww.”

“Also remember that this event while based off the events of your banishment, is for young foals to gain candy and share friendly spooks… So don’t do anything over the top like turn fake spiders into real ones.”

“Awwwwww.”

“And another thing, don’t overreact if somepony gets scared whether for real or pretend, just act calm or let myself handle it.”

“Okay now you’re just being mean right now.”

“No… just protective.” Luna bopped Zen on the head which elicited Zen to do a small head tilt; Luna giggled to herself, imaging Zen to have a tongue lolled out.Once that was done, Luna outstretched her hoof which Zen took, with a quick thought he and Luna vanished in a blink.

Ponyville, Zen’s Compound; 7:50pm

Luna found herself on some sort of circular platform with four different hallways, two that had two double doors to what she imagined were other rooms while the other two hallways had their own double doors too. “Where are we?” asked Luna. “Also that was a little disorienting.” Luna kept a hoof up to her temple, massaging her headache.

Probably should have given a heads up whenever I teleport others with me.

“Ah right you never came here before; we are in my home at Ponyville, the basement to be specific, come we’ll be leaving through the main entrance.”

“So this is your home within Ponyville… very...” Luna took careful detailed looks before coming up with a word. “...practical.”

“I do what I need, but trust me there is much to see, I have an indoor garden and a game room.”

“A game room? Pray tell but what exactly do you do in a game room, or why do you have one matter fact?”

“Mostly for guests… but for some odd reason… I just wanted to build one, must have to do with the fact that back in the day, I had a specific room for Celestia to enjoy little games for herself to rest sometimes, hidden in the castle for her enjoyment.”

“Well I suppose that makes se- Wait Tia has a WHAT!?”

Zen didn’t answer as they went up some steps before they were in what Luna knew immediately was the indoor garden, they later came upon the main foyer before exiting through another room – this room blasted some air and droplets of water, making Luna frown.

“What was the purpose of that room?”

“That would be the clean room… think of it as a room to clean yourself from outdoor activities.”

“Isn’t that the bathing room’s purpose?”

“I like to keep things tidy and I don’t have any reason to keep a shower, I place some in the guest rooms, but in general it made no sense for me to constantly clean myself whenever I did get messy… would just waste water.”

“But can’t you just recycle and clean it with your machines.” An awkward pause came upon them before Zen spoke as the two walked down the pathway to Ponyville.

“Indeed… Indeed.”

Somewhere else – Ponyville, Town Square; 8:20pm

Festivities in Ponyville were always full of energy and laughter, no matter what party or holiday it was everypony was together harmoniously, it was especially going to be a good time when Twilight was awaiting for the surprise of Zen and Luna’s arrival. The only ones who knew were of course herself, Spike, her friends and Mayor Mare, though rumors had already spread of the princess’s visit but until then, things were on the down low.

Twilight was currently wearing a historically accurate outfit of Starswirl the Bearded – which everypony keeps thinking its something else each time they see her – Spike was… himself, wearing a purple dragon outfit with a few similarities to himself. The rest of her friends starting with Applejack as a scarecrow, Pinkie in a chicken outfit, Rainbow wore an outfit reminiscent of the Shadowbolts, Rarity would join later as she was still trying to pick her outfit. Fluttershy sadly wouldn’t join – something about her being afraid of everypony’s outfits – but still, Twilight was glad things would go properly.

“Mares and stallions, since this year’s Nightmare Night is special than usual, I’d like to introduce a special guest – the Princess of the Night, Princess Luna!” Coming up stage with Zen standing at her side, things began to go smoothly as ponies stomped their hooves and cheered happily for the appearance of the princess.

Twilight and a few of her friends watched too, but Pinkie seemed to whisper into Rainbow’s ear about something, though Twilight swore she heard them say something about a prank.

Luna approached the front of the stage, waving toward the various townsfolk, smiling back. “Thank you for inviting me to this wondrous festivity! Now, let us begin tonight’s Nightmare Night!” shouted Luna, spreading her wings.

With a joyous cheer, everypony began to celebrate Nightmare Night, whether it was by playing the various theme-based games or playing pranks and scares on one another. Luna was in the middle of a conversation with some foals dressed in various outfits when a looming black cloud slowly approached her.

Twilight watched this happen but before she could say anything, a figure on top the cloud rose up and struck. A blast of thunder rung, spooking those nearby and causing the ends of their manes and tails to stand up. Luna was especially spooked but swiftly looked up to find the one responsible; Rainbow laughed at another successful scare by her as she rolled on top her cloud.

“Ohhh, you wish to scare me do you? I can play that came as well,” said Luna. Without warning, her horn began to glow until a green mist surrounded Rainbow. Looking around, she noticed a shadow looming over her, turning around to see what was causing it, she was met face to face with a horrifying beast. The creature had drool dripping from it’s maw that was lined with razor sharp teeth from row to row. With a roar that blasted Rainbow’s face back, the mare yelped and flew off whilst being chased by the creature.

Luna chortled as she watched her apparition chase Rainbow, allowing her to be chased until it would cease after a few minutes. Twilight, Spike and the other girls approached, each giggling at the prank received at Rainbow. “Good one Princess Luna,” said Twilight.

“Please dear Twilight, call me Luna, we are friends are we not?”

“Of course Luna; say, has anyone seen Zen anywhere?”

“I am here.” Everyone turned before they gazed in awe at Zen’s current new look; while nopony was looking, Zen switched from Standby Mode to one of his other transformations. Known as “the Path of the Horror”, Zen was dressed with a grotesque, messy and bloody butcher’s apron, he wore thick-leather boots with steel-tipped toe caps. His gauntlets glowed a red shine while the rest of his arm had various spikes and sharp points twisted and malformed.

The biggest detail was his helm as the glassy surface was replaced with a crimson leather mask that had several splotches staining the surface. The rest of the metallic helmet was replaced with strange spine-like hair that reached all the way to the shoulders. Zen himself seemed to grow more wider his shoulders more broader and his arms and legs as thick as tree trunks.

Zen was unarmed but the sheer new look was terrifying alone, that it garnered several observers to gasp and a few to nearly faint. “Wheeee, now that’s a costume,” said Applejack.

“Brother Zen, what manner of outfit is this?”

“Something from the past, this is one of my transformation forms, I dubbed it Cain… I’d rather not go into detail of its origins but do not worry, he won’t be of any harm to any of you… He is somewhat of a gentle giant to put it simply.”

“As long what I assume those red splotches to not be what I think they are...”

“...Best you don’t question what’s currently on me from now on… Any one of you especially,” said Zen, some ominous tones in his voice. Nobody doubted what he said to be false and rather not know the contents of what was currently on Zen. The form called Cain was like the other forms Zen mentioned to both Twilight and Luna through his stories; each form was Zen but at the same time not Zen, like a split-personality, Zen can choose to let said personality to drive the reins.

Right now though Zen was in control while Cain was elsewhere… though, there were some changes as while Zen was Zen, there were side-effects that can happen. One of the major side-effects was change in one’s personality as the more calm and focused Zen… would change to the something beastly and cruel… to foes but to the general populace of Ponyville, well…

“Uhhh, Twi? What’s Zen doing right now?” asked Applejack, pointing a hoof. Twilight looked and saw Zen was eyeing a barrel full of waters with some apples bopping on the surface. He had been staring at said apples for nearly for five minutes, unflinching and unmoving.

This must be one of the side-effects; I don’t know much about this transformation, but Zen did mentioned Cain while not in battle is both curious and gentle. “I’ll go see what he’s doing right now,” said Twilight.

Nearing Zen, Twilight spotted him dipping one of his large hands into the water before plucking an apple out, searching the surface of the fruit. “Ummm, Uncle Zen? You alright there?”

Zen continued to examine the fruit but placed into the barrel before switching his gaze to Twilight; Zen’s usual glare was replaced with an intense crimson gaze through two holes on his leather mask. A bit unnerved Twilight chuckled weakly before placing a hoof on his arm.

“Come on, we should go find Luna, I think she’s with the foals who’re listening to Zecora’s tales.” Zen stood still before being led by Twilight. Soon the two with Spike joining later after waking up from his candy coma, headed to the Nightmare Moon statue near the edge of the Everfree Forest.

Colts and fillies surrounded Zecora as she retailed her tale, the trio neared them and just as the story was about to end, an apparition of Nightmare Moon appeared. The apparition started saying to leave her their candy or she come for them, which the young ones did before scattering off in pretend fear.

Twilight watched this with smile but felt… a sensation. It was similar to when a predator was eyeing their prey but instead of the gaze falling on her, it fell on the apparition of Nightmare Moon. Turning around she spotted Zen suddenly holding a gnarly cleaver with the teeth bent and rusted with the tip being especially deadly, surely to inflict much pain and suffering.

A fog of breath seemed to flow out and underneath the leather mask and any orifice on Zen, it was then Twilight realized what was happening – Zen wasn’t present, Cain was not under the reins. It was rare for Zen to loose control of his personas but just like how Zen is his own being, they are too… and it was hard to convince them otherwise when they wish to be in control.

“Ze- I mean, Cain, calm down, that’s not the real Nightmare Moon, it’s just a-”

Before she could finish, Cain rushed forth albeit at a slow pace at first but slowly his stride gotten longer. The Nightmare Moon apparition wasn’t facing Cain but soon a green mist dissipated and what remained was Luna who was happy to join one of Nightmare Night’s scares.

Just as Cain would of raised his weapon he stopped before like the wind, the weapon vanished from his grip to nothing. Cain gazed at the sudden appearance of Luna, looking around for it’s earlier target before glancing at the alicorn.

Luna was so preoccupied she didn’t notice Cain until she felt a warmth breath on her neck. Turning around she was met muzzle to… something with a giant of a being. It took a while to process who was before her when she realized it was Zen… but she soon knew something was off. “Zen? Is… something wrong?”

Cain gazed with his crimson orbs before he raised one of his leather gauntlets and began to pet Luna; this spooked her a bit before she calmed down. The petting continued with calm brushes, neither individual deciding to move and let what was happening happen.

For one that truly terror incarnate… you are surprisingly gentle at your strokes. For a short time, nothing happened between the two before Cain stopped his brushing – upsetting Luna greatly with a pout on her muzzle.

Suddenly, with a flash Cain vanished to replace Zen in his Standby Mode, looking around in slight confusion before looking down at Luna. “...Well that just happened,” said Zen.

“And what would that be exactly? You were acting odd there brother, are you well?”

Twilight and Spike approached with both worry and confusion directed at Zen. “Hey uncle, you alright? You kinda were out of it for a moment there.”

“What was that all about Zen? Suddenly you were fine then the next you started acting weird… did Cain get under control?”

“I believe so but I was simply checking a status report from Jiule… The time difference between me reading the report which took me a couple of minutes was enough time for Cain to be in control. I have to be vigilant when I use one of my forms in the future. Did ‘he’ do anything while I was away?”

Luna, Twilight and Spike looked at one another before Luna answered. “Other than calmly brushing my mane, he seemed… quite not what you told of us; you mentioned you found the weapon to that form during the darker times of Manehattan, when the city was ruled by crime and gangs, correct?”

“I did… though… I do start to wonder...”

Just what exactly was Cain trying to do and how come he reacted violent but calm the next so quickly… Is it possible… My personas are starting to evolve?

Somewhere else…

Cain gazed at the endless darkness before glancing at the gauntlet that felt and touched Luna’s mane; gazing deeply at it’s own hand it lowered it’s arm down before wandering once more into the eternal darkness, one single thought in it’s mind, as it pondered a strange new feeling within itself.

Repeating a single word, it began the long task of awaiting went it shall be called forth, whether be to bathe in blood… or to do something… else, something more… pleasant.

“...Poooooo… ...nnnnnnnneeeeeeey...”

Author's Notes:

(Shorter and quicker chapter than usual, but there's a reason behind that. A little character development for this arc so don't be surprised if some of the chapters feel rushed or are less than 4000 to 5000 words.)

With Nightmare Night ending, Zen learns that his alternate forms might not just be what he first thought... and could be something more. Next chapter: The sudden appearance of a hero comes to Ponyville, but that begs the question; what truly makes someone a "real" hero?

Thoughts: Zen
Twilight Sparkle
Luna