The Grand Galloping Gala was to be held during winter this year. Which Zhou felt like it was more appropriate to have during this time given the nature of the event. Not to mention he found winter nights more appealing when gathering with friends and going to events. It’s just how he was. As of now, however, he was in one of the dressing rooms of Rarity’s boutique. He was putting on his new outfit that she had made just for him and she was more than excited to see him put it on. Then again, that’s how she always was. But she was extra excited in this case.

“Oooh, hurry up, darling! I want to see how it looks on you!”

She said as she bounced on her hooves in excitement. Not only she was there, but all the others as well. Even Apple Bloom and her friends were going as well. There we all getting ready for the evening as well. Beautifying themselves and pulling on their own dresses. Even Applejack was putting on things she’d normally never wear. Not that Zhou was complaining though. Sure, he thought Applejack was already beautiful, but seeing her doll herself up a bit wasn’t so bad either.

“Alright, it’s all on. I am coming out.”

He said as he pulled the curtain back and stepped out into view. Rarity lets out a happy gasp as her eyes widen and her pupils enlarge, placing her hands on her cheeks. The outfit that he was wearing fitted him to the letter. Rarity and the others thought so as well. He turns around and shows it off to them, holding his arms out as he gazes over the detailed design, the black, red, and ash gray colors coming together nicely.

“Oooh my….you look absolutely smashing, Zhou! It’s even better than I had hoped!”

She said as she wraps gently runs a hand up and down his arm, feeling the material, using it as an excuse to get a feel for his muscular arms. Quite the smart mare. Trying to get the edge on Applejack most likely. However, she walks over and leans against him with a smile.

“Ah reckon you are gonna be quite the center of attention tonight, Z. Don’t you go and let it go to yer head now.”

The rival between Applejack and Rarity competing for Zhou’s attention has become more obvious over the last couple months. With Applejack finally realizing that she had genuine feelings for her adopted brother, and Rarity having being won over by just him letting her be herself around him along with his strong, but caring nature. Zhou was no fool, nor was he naive to how their feelings were growing. Things were getting just a tiny bit tense between these two mares. Even Twilight and the others knew about it. Twilight was quick to move in and separate them both from the human.

“You two should finish up getting ready after all. We are going to be leaving in about twenty minutes after all!”

“Oh, my dear Twilight you are right! I haven’t even gotten in my dress yet!”

She said as she quickly ran off with her dress in hand into one of the changing rooms, Applejack Not having really finished dressing herself up either.

“Yeah, we better hurry up! We don’t wanna be late!”

She said as she ran off as well. When they were gone, Zhou lets out a sigh of relief and smiles thankfully to Twilight. He bows his head in thanks to her.

“Thank you so much, Twilight. It’s getting a little tense with these two nowadays.”

She giggles lightly and nods. The others come over as well and huddle into a group around him, whispering lightly to keep the two mares from hearing their conversation.

“So which one do you like more?”

Asked Rainbow with wide curious eyes, leaning in closely as she awaits his answer.

“Well, I...I don’t know.Honestly, I like you all. You are such wonderful friends and I am happy to have met you all.But when it comes to romantic feelings? I don’t know who I like out of the two of them the most.”

“Oh I know it’s hard, Zhou. I don’t mean to sound mean or anything. But I am glad I am not in your shoes. I couldn’t deal with all that attention from stallions myself. Me being so shy and all. How in Equestria do you deal with it…?”

Zhou knew that Fluttershy did indeed get a lot of attention from males all around town. She is both sexy, and adorable in one whole package. He chuckles lightly at her question and lifts a finger up in a matter-of-factly fashion.

“The trick is to be unreadable, Fluttershy. Never let anypony else know what you are thinking. Earthbenders have a natural talent for that, it’s like a mental stone wall. Once we put it up, it is hard to break through. Does that make sense?”

Fluttershy gives a little ‘Ooooh’ and gives a couple of nods.

“I don’t think I could ever do that though. I am just too timid by nature…”

Zhou chuckles lightly and reaches up, lightly patting Fluttershy on the head.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy. We all move at our own pace. There is no need to rush. Besides, I think you are fine just the way you are. All of you are. Even you, Ms. Party Pony. Even though you go overboard sometimes.”

He poked fun at Pinkie, lightly poking her in the side, causing her to giggle snort a bit, which was adorable.

“I may go overboard, but I never hear any complaints!”

“Well, that is true. I just like poking at you a little bit. Figuratively and physically.”

--At The Gala--

The Gala was now in full swing now that everypony had arrived. All the ponies dressed in the best clothing, talking to one another and acting at snobbish and self-important as usual. There we a select few though. Twilight and the others of course, but a few nobles came by and spoke with Zhou. They asked about his outfit and he told them about how Rarity made it especially for him. He was boosting her business, that was for sure!

He kept a watchful eye on his friends, making sure that they were having a good time and that their night wouldn’t be ruined. So far, everything looked good. The only pony that wasn’t in the main room was Fluttershy. No doubt outside looking for animals to bond with.That is just what she likes to do after all. Once it came time for the dancing to begin. Zhou was approached by somepony who he’d not spoken with in quite some time.

“My my, look at you. You look even more handsome when you aren’t dressed as somepony who deals with shady business.”

Zhou knew exactly who it was just by her warm and caring voice. He grinned and turned to look up at the sun princess. He gave a slight bow to her and nodded.

“Good to see you again, Celestia. And thank you for the compliment. It does feel kind of nice to be dressed in something nice. Though, this kind of party really isn’t my style. I am only here because the girls asked if I’d come along with them. But, it is good to see you nonetheless. I’d figured you’d be drowning in ponies right about now desperate to get your attention.”

Celestia places a hand over her mouth and giggles.

Normally you are right, but I have guard surrounding us to keep them at bay.”

Zhou arched a brow and leaned to the side of Celestia to indeed see ponies being blocked off from approaching them. He looks back up to her with a laugh.

“The perks of royalty huh? I take it there is something you wanted from me then?”

“You are correct. I have chosen you as my dance partner for tonight if you should accept of course.”

Zhou takes a step back. A little shocked that she’d choose him of all others.

“I’d be honored to dance with you. Though I am not sure about how two certain mares would feel about me dancing with the beautiful princess of the sun. They may think of you as competition “

“You are quite handsome, and a very sweet stallion. I don’t see why they wouldn’t think of me as competition when a pony they love is dancing with a princess. But no worries, Zhou. I wouldn’t add more mare problems to your plate. I just want you to dance with me is all.”

He nodded and took her hand gently, a smile forming across his features.

“Then I accept. Though my dancing isn’t as good as one would hope.”

Once they got to the dance floor, everypony watched as the human male danced with their princess. Some were amazed, some were angry and some were just disgusted that their beloved princess would dance with a lowly human. One of these ponies was her nephew, Prince Blueblood. He most certainly wasn’t going to have any of that. After the dance, he approached Zhou with a look of anger on his face, getting right into Zhou’s to confront him.

“I bet you think you are some kind of big shot, dancing with my aunt like you were her specially chosen coltfriend.”

Zhou backed away a bit to give himself some room, a smile on his face.

“Well, she DID pick me to dance with her tonight. So yeah, I guess I was specially chosen. Though I am not her mate. Not that I wouldn’t mind if i wasn’t being pursued by two other lovely mares. One who you lost because of your horrible attitude at the last gala.”

Celestia couldn’t help but giggle behind her hand as Zhou nailed him with what happened last time, remember who the whole event from the last gala was completely ruined, but made it all the better. She was secretly hoping something similar along those lines would happen tonight. Blueblood, on the other hand, didn’t find it amusing at all.

“That unladylike mare who so desperately wanted my attention? Please. She was the one who got my clothing and mane all dirty. She is just a lowly peasant who is just good at making clothes, nothing more.”

Zhou simply smiled at the stallion, not saying a word.

“What’s the matter, monkey? Got nothing to say n-?”

Blueblood was cut off but a pie to the face. Where it came from? No one knows. Zhou does though. He had stomped his foot and directed a piece of the marble flooring to rise and hit the table right under the pie, causing it to launch forward and nail the arrogant prince in the face. This caused the whole room to turn their heads and gasp as they saw this. Looks like Celestia was about to get was she wanted. Zhou jumped up on one of the tables and shouted.

“Listen up ponies, you want this to be a stuffy no fun party? Or do you all wanna get back at Blueblood for all the stuff you had to put up from him?!”

He said before picking up a punch bowl and pouring it over the stallion’s head. The room was quiet for a moment, then another stallion bellowed out.

“FOOOOD FIIIIIGHT!!”

And the chaos began.. The food was flying everywhere as all the nobles let loose, every stallion and mare began pelting one another with cakes, fruits, anything they could get their hands on.And of course, a lot of them were going after Blueblood. Others were just having a good time with this turn of events. Celestia was actually having a laughing fit while watching the nonsense from the second floor. Even her sister who was with her was in a giggle fit. Twilight and her friends had just come in from being outside when they came into the midst of the mess.

“What in the name of Celestia?!”

Shouted Twilight as she watched the scene unfold. Shielding herself and her friends in a magical bubble. They all watched as Zhou was flinging food and punch bowls using the marble flooring as a catapult to launch said items. Rarity was more impressed that he was able to keep his outfit from getting anything on it even in the midst of it all.

“Uuuh, I think we need to grab Zhou and go…”

Said Twilight as she teleported to him and wrapped her arms around him, teleporting him back to the exit as they drag him out. They made a hasty retreat to the last place they gathered, Donut Joe’s shop.

--Later--

“Oh my dear, I am so sorry you had to deal with him...he isn’t exactly a stallion that is fit to be with any mare.”

Rarity said as she gently place a hand on his shoulder.

“Well, I wasn’t going to let him get away with talking about you like that. I would have loved to do worse to him. But I figured I’d let the nobles get a crack at him. It was enjoyable all the same. Besides, it’s always a fun time when a snobbish prince gets a pie to the face.”

They all laughed and just continued to enjoy the night together, catching up on all the things they did at the gala and just happy to be together for the rest of the evening. He was just happy that Applejack or Rarity didn’t see him dance with Celestia. That could have caused some issues. It was a good night though, he had to admit that.

Author's Note

Food fight and the song I chose for it went well together. I think so at least :P

May the darkness grant you peace.