The Slumbering Servant.

"So, are you ready for the big night?"

"No."

Twilight and Zakari were walking over to Rarity's. It was the night of the Gala and everyone was ecstatic ....except Zakari. The girls might get to party, but he has to worry about performing. He was nervous.

"Oh, come on, it will be fun."

"For you, maybe."

"Are you still worried about the performance?"

"Um...yeah!"

She turned to him and looked him in the eye. "You're going to do great. You have nothing to worry about."

"Ugh, I know. Still doesn't make me any less jittery."

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Twilight spoke.

"You know, I'm really looking forward to spending time with the princess. I haven't seen her since Fluttershy abducted Philomena."

That whole incident happened about a couple weeks ago. During a small  party for the princess, Celestia  brought her bird, Philomena, with her. When Twilight and Zakari showed up, Twilight was surprised to see that the bird remembered him. That's when he told her about pheonix immortality. While Philomena may not have looked the best then, it was only because she was going through her rebirth phase. If only they could have told Fluttershy in time. Poor mare thought that the bird was sick and took it with her to make her all better.  The bird was eventually returned to Celestia, but not after Philomena decided to have some fun at Fluttershy's expense.

"Hope you have fun. You know, this is going to be the first time in a long time that I've gone without my armor. Rarity made me a suit for the Gala and she insisted that I wear it. And by insisted...I mean threatened. That girl can be frightening when she doesn't get her way."

"You have a suit? If it came from Rarity, I'm sure it's impressive."

She was right. Rarity, after taking some measurements(very humiliating, by the way) crafted Zakari a suit of the highest caliber. Pitch black over shirt and pants, pure white shirt to go underneath and a dark yellow tie. Zakari never owned a suit this nice.....well, actually, he never owned a suit before. But if he did, it wouldn't be this nice!

"Yeah, it's waiting for me at Rarity's. She also made me a pair of silk pants and shirt for when I go on stage. Something light to move in so I don't get tired or hot."

As they walked, they heard someone calling them from behind.

"Hey! wait up!"

It was Pinkie. And she was dragging a small trampoline behind her.

"Hey, Pinkie." Greeted Twilight. "Your ready for the Gala tonight?"

"Yup. Even got my trampoline!"

"I'm not even going to ask." Said Zakari.

you know, while I've got your attention, let's go over another thing that happened lately.

Zakari and Twilight discovered the power of "Pinkie Sense". Pinkies ability to seemingly predict the future. Both were skeptical of this and tried to refute Pinkies claims. This whole thing ended at a swamp where Fluttershy was dropping off frogs. Pinkie said that something big was going to happen there, and that Fluttershy could be in danger. Pinkie was right...there was danger there.

A GOD DAMN HYDRA!

When the group found Fluttershy at the bog, everything seemed to be fine...until a hydra showed up. It chased them around until they came to a cliff. While AJ, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy were able to jump to the otherside, the cliff broke slightly and created a  larger gap, stopping Zakari and Twilight from jumping. They thought it was all over...until Zakari mentioned that Twilight could teleport. In hindsight, he doesn't know why they didn't do that earlier!

seriously, in that episode, why didn't Twilight teleport? She didn't even have to jump!

The three arrived at Rarity's soon after. Spike was waiting outside to greet them. He waved.

"Hey guys!" He said as they walked up to the door."The others are already inside."

Zakari and Twilight went inside while Pinkie set up her trampoline.

Rarity saw them enter and went over to them.

"Oh, so glad you could make it! The others are over there, getting their hair done!" She pointed to Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. They waved. Twilight walked over to them as Zakari and Spike stayed by the door.

"Hey Spike."

"Hey. So, you ready for tonight?"

"Yeah."

Rarity approached them. "Oh no you're not! You still are not in your suit!" She scolded. She used her magic and brought Zakari's suit over and pushed it into his arms. "Now, go put this on!"

He sighed and headed for a secluded room to change. He stepped out a few minutes later wearing his brand new suit.

"So, how do I look?" He asked.

"Good, good....except..."

"Ugh, except what?"

"Your hair, darling! You're not wearing it like that are you?!"

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"Oh, darling, ignorance must really be bliss. Come along!" She used her magic and pulled him into another room to do his hair.

A little while later, they stepped out. Instead of his usual ponytail, his hair was now draped over his shoulders.

"There! Now that's much better!" Rarity said as they walked out.

He went and stood by Twilight. She smiled at him.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing, it's just...you look good in a suit."

"Oh, um...thanks." A small blush formed on his face.

The group arrived at the Gala and left their carriage. The Gala itself was really quite a sight. Guests, far too many to count, streamed in and out of the main walkway. There were banners and posters and paintings. There were stalls for food and drinks and even stands that sell trinkets and gifts.

"Right there seem like a nice place to set up my stall." Said AJ

"The garden isn't too far from here, by girls." Fluttershy flew into the air.

"Yeah, I should go too. I want to catch the Wonderbolts before their act."

"The Princess is probably in the throne room right now."

"Oooh, and I bet the her nephew is with her! I must find him before some harpy get's their claws into him!"

"Let's PARTY!"

As the girls left to do their own thing, Spike turned to Zakari. " Oh man, I thought we were gonna do stuff together!"

"Don't worry, buddy, I'm still here. Come one, let's get something to eat."

The young dragon nodded in agreement and walked beside the human warrior as they searched for food.

The two spent the next few hours talking to guests and mingling with the crowd. After a while, they wanted a break from the packed castle and went to a quiet doughnut shop. As the two ate their treats, the rest of their group entered the shop. When the dragon asked what they were doing there, the girls told the two of how their vision of the Gala did not live up to their expectations.

The Princess was to busy to have a true conversation with her pupil. Her nephew, Princes Blueblood, was a complete, stuck up dick, so there went Rarity's chance at love. For some reason, the animals in the garden did not warm up to Fluttershy, and this caused her to have a major tizzy. Applejack made almost no money at her stall. Rainbow lost any chance at talking to the Wonderbolts as the party got larger. And Pinkie's definition of party turned out to be vastly different than the Gala's.

All in all...they were disappointed.

Seemed like the only good thing to happen to them tonight...was the open doughnut shop.

As they talked, Rainbow brought up the topic of Zakari's demonstration, to which Zakar nearly spat out his doughnut.

He had almost forgotten. He had to go get ready. He stood up and ran back to the castle.

"Would all guests to the Gala please come to the main courtyard, there will be a special presentation there in five minutes."

Zakari stood in a changing room, resting his head against the door. It was almost time. In a few minutes, he would go out there and perform combat moves that haven't been seen in more than a thousand years. And he was nervous as fuck!

He was nearly knocked down as the door opened. It was Twilight. She came to wish him luck.

"You're going to be fine." She said.

"I know..."

"But your'e still a little nervous."

"...Yeah."

"Just don't worry about it. Let it slip from your mind, then go out there and show them what you can do!"

"Yeah...YEAH, you're right! Just don't think about it."

There was a moment of silence before Zakari spoke again.

"Say, Twilight?"

"Yes?"

"Before I go out there, can you answer a question for me?"

"Um...sure, I guess so."

"Well, I was wondering...do these pants make my ass look fat?"

In the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by party guests, stood a large, square stage. There was a long carpet that lead to the stages steps and was roped off.

Suddeny, the crowd goes silent. Walking down the carpet was a creature that they have never seen before. Clad in yellow and black clothes that appeared to be silk, the creature took nervous but determined steps. At his side was a sword, one that was in no design that they were familiar with. Long, mostly straight, yet curved as well. It's guard was circular, and silver in color. The grip was adorned with golden cloth.

They watched in fascination as the creature moved past them and slowly made it's way up the steps. The creature stood in the middle of the stage now, not moving.

This was the band's cue. They began to play.

As the music started, Zakari took the weapon at his side and held it out. Then, slowly, he unsheathed his blade and tossed the scabbard to the floor.

Suddenly the music picks up it's tempo, and in a flurry of steel, the show begins.