The Black Eyes of the Nightmare

Victor lowers his head, sobbing. He tries not to because he wants to show good behavior in front of the princesses, but it's too much for him to bear. The tears starts, making Luna's eyes water, too.

"I'm so sorry," says Luna, sympathetically. "How did it happen?"

"Luna, I think it's best we did not ask," says Celestia, trying not to start crying.

"No, it's okay," says Victor, sniffing. "You've both been good hosts, so I'll tell you if you really want to know." He regains a normal tone and clears his throat. "Vremena's been under some chaos lately, because of an order that wants world domination. I initially became an adventurer so I could defend myself from them, because they massacre anyone who doesn't join them.

"Little by little, they captured all my friends, and that's when I met the Moon Fox. She was little to no affection toward me, or at least she didn't show it. She made me train hard, making all my muscles ache and some of my bones to crack. She broke me, then put me back together, and she did all because she cared about me, and her world. Moon Fox wanted to turn me into the hero Vremena needs.

"One day, I heard the news of some executions, so I rushed over to the order's capital to save my friends, but Moon Fox told me I was not ready. I ran away from her, anyway. When I reached the capital, I fought an entire army by myself."

"In your current state?" asks Celestia.

"Celestia, I'm still powerful like this. The transformation is merely a multiplier. Anyway, I fought all these guys, either killing or severely wounding. I made it to their leader, and challenged him to a fight to the death. He was too strong, and I was too weak, but my friends depended on me. When the leader was about to kill me, one of my friends appeared and killed him with ease. I was relieved, but only for a moment."

"But he killed that terrible person. Thou should be glad," says Luna, confused.

"I was for like a minute. When he killed him, he absorbed his energy, and transformed into a hellish being, making him insanely powerful. At this point, he beat me with ease, and left me to bleed to death. Moon Fox showed up and fought the monster, along with one of my friends Jin, who somehow managed a transformation similar to mine. But it was too much for them. The monster kept hurting them, and hurting me on the inside because i dragged them into this.

"Someone who I could trust betrayed us for raw, unholy power. And with that, he killed the Moon Fox."

"I'm sorry to hear that," says Celestia.

"And then I cried as her body dropped on the ground, then glared at the killer, and it happened. I roared at the sky. It was a monstrous roar, and I have no idea how I pulled one off. Black lightning starts to flicker around me. The sky is cracked by lightning and it strikes near me. I suddenly feel like a different person, with a feeling of nothing but to make the traitor pay. And that's how I became like the Moon Fox: to avenge her death."

"What happened after that?" asks Luna.

"I kicked his ass and dragged his face on the concrete. I even hit him while he was down."

The two sister widen their eyes. "Geez, that's a little dark," says Celestia, worried.

"In all of that training, I've been learning from the Moon Fox. I never realized I was actually absorbing her teachings, and when my fury exploded, it triggered the beastly metamorphosis. I am a sadistic monster when I transform. Of course I'm dark."

"What happened to the traitor?" asks Luna. "Killed him, perhaps?"

"Worse," answers Victor. "I ripped the soul of the order's leader off him and told my so-called friend to leave before I have second thoughts. He does as he's told. The bastard's name was Groves."

Luna knows that poor Victor has gone through so much lately. World hopping, fighting, and even getting nearly killed by her own sister. "The thought of taking someone's hard-earned trust and crushing it sickens me," says Luna, getting closer to Victor. "Nightmare Moon had sister's trust, and look how it turned out."

Victor digs into his memory of watching the first episode of My Little Pony. He recalls when Nightmare Moon was released from the Moon and how she was going to put Equestria into eternal night. He also recalled when her plans were thwarted by the Elements of Harmony, reverted into her old self. Victor glances at Luna's nearing, reminding himself of the darkness that was once inside of her. He doesn't know her as a long-time friend, but an admirer.

"You're just adorable, Luna," says Victor as he wraps an arm around her. "It's a world of cuddly animals, that's what I'm saying. If only my world could be like that."

Celestia giggles, putting a hoof over her mouth. "I see. You like animals," she says.

"Yeah. Too bad most of them try to kill you. And don't get me started on the devils that run around Vremena. So anyway, after Groves left, I got all my friends back and got nursed back to health. I sulked in the hospital for a while, until supposed former friend of the Moon Fox appeared and proposed a way to bring her back from the dead. Like the Garudon dude, he believed in the multiverse theory, so he crafted the bracelet I'm wearing right now, I drank some poison, and here I am."

"I understand," responds Celestia with a warming smile. "You transformed because you were angry. Just like I made you angry the other day."

"Exactly, but a much as I love the power that comes with it, I still hate it." Victor looks away. "It reminds me of Fox's death, and the son of a bitch who killed her."

Luna raises a hoof to turn Victor's face back, regaining eye contact. Victor notices it was a rude gesture, so he smiles nervously. Luna only smiles back and says, "Thou should not think of the beast as a symbol of your grief. Think of it as a guardian of the ones you love."

Victor stares deeply into the starts within Luna's yes and grows sentimental. "Y'know," he sobs, choking on some of the words. "Moon Fox and I could've been sent to another world, probably much worse than here. We would have no one to help us and no idea what to do, but we ended up here, inside the world that I recognize from a television. You and your sister are very good ponies, and I admire the curiosity, too. We'll pass each other as many questions as we'd like, okay?"

Luna nods happily. Victor gets up and looks at the painting again. "Now you know how I unleashed the beast," he says.

"Still got one question," says Celestia. "Why does your transformation resemble Moon Fox?"

Victor chuckles a little. "This one is more of a theory, but throughout all the time I spent training under the Fox, I think I absorbed more than just her talent in fighting. I can't go through it any further." He shifts his attention back to Garudon's painting. "So what are we gonna do with this?"

"Glad you asked," says Celestia as she trots beside him. "Your arrival gives me a window of opportunity. We could discover how to perform stable inter-universe travelling."

"Uh, that wouldn't be a good idea," says Victor, feeling nervous.

"Why not?"

"Well...how do I put this? Humans are dominant on Earth, and they have a natural fear of the unknown. I'm not sure they'd be cool with seeing talking ponies. Also, there's something I gotta tell you about the show. Your show."

"I thought you told me enough about it."

"No, I didn't." Victor laughs nervously. "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic was aimed toward little girls around the age of eight, but teenage boys and grown men were starting to realize that they liked the show, too."

Celestia and Luna are both shocked. They look at each other, desperately trying to get a decent response out. Luna clears he throat and asks, "Why would men watch a show meant for little girls?"

"We ask ourselves that question, too. I'd have to say it's because of how the show's structured. The plot and characters are very appealing, and it's not your typical, girly show. Overall, it's enjoyable for all ages."

"That sounds pleasant, I suppose," says Celestia, regaining excitement. "Have something for a colt and her little filly to enjoy."

"Yeah, but can we not focus on that? Bottom line, Equestria is real, not just a program," says Victor, grabbing a large price of parchment and quill. "Celestia, if you really wanna put yourself through the work of perfecting this transportation, just be careful when you meet the aliens."

Victor starts scribbling the head of a pony, and Celestia and Luna don't even consider bothering. They know he wants his privacy for now, so they both leave the library. Victor keeps scribbling a tree, mane, butterflies, and a pair of big eyes. He repeats in his mind what Twilight said to him earlier that day.

An hour later, he finishes the sketch. He raises it up and examines it, admiring the work he put into it. He feels like it's going to be quite a unique present for Fluttershy, and that's how he wants it to be. Fluttershy is his favorite pony. Victor looks around the library, realizing he's alone, and that worries him. The palace is no place to get lost in.

"Celestia? Luna?" he calls out. He gets off his seat and leaves the library, holding his work. He needs at least one of the princesses right now, and of course, feels like he has no time to spare. His footsteps echo through the tall hallways, and he starts hearing others. This both startles and excites Victor. It could be one of the princesses, or a guard that has no idea who he is. Either way, he hears around for the source. He finds a white stallion wearing armor, instantly recognizing him.

"Afternoon," says Shining Armor, cheerfully. He only seems half-surprised to run into a human.

"Are you Shining Armor?" asks Victor.

"That's me. I never saw you around here. Who are you?"

"Uh, my name's Victor, and I'm a storm mage," answers Victor. He answers in a tone where he doesn't want to brag at all.

"Storm mage? Never heard of those before." Shining notices the drawing he's holding. "What do you got there?"

"It's nothing." Shining uses his magic to swipe it off Victor's hands. "Hey!"

"I wanna see it," says Shining as he looks at the drawing. "Wow, this is good. Who made this?"

"Me," responds Victor, sounding uninterested. "I just finished it."

"Dude, you gotta frame this!"

"That's why I'm trying to do. It's supposed to be a birthday present."

"I know where some of stored. Just follow me."

"Aye you sure?" says Victor. "You seem like a busy guy."

"I'm sure," answers Shining with a smile.

                                                                *                                *                               *

Victor's is now framed and wrapped, ready for Fluttershy's birthday party tomorrow. He keeps walking down the hallway after thanking Shining Armor for his contribution. He finds it confusing how he didn't question his species. As far as he knows, only three ponies in Canterlot know about him: Luna, Celestia, and now Shining. Tons of Ponyville folk know him, though. Not as friends, but someone they see walking through town often. Victor's moderately social, but he prefers his alone time more. Right now, he doesn't want it. He keeps looking for the princesses.

I could've asked Shining where they were, he thought. He feels like hitting himself for forgetting to ask, but he pressing his shoes down hallways. He comes across a door that looks unusual compared to the rest. It looks more elegant. Victor knocks on the door.

"Yes?" responds the familiar voice of Princess Celestia.

"It's me," answers Victor.

"Oh, good! Just a moment."

Victor sees the door glowing yellow, and it swings open. He comes face to face with Celestia, who's giving him a warming smile. "Uh, I finished this."

"Is that a present?"

"Yeah. It's for Fluttershy."

"Oh, yeah," says Celestia, feeling a bit stupid for forgetting.

"I'd show it to you, but Shining Armor insisted it should be wrapped."

Celestia giggles. "Nah, it's fine. I'll just use an X-ray spell." Victor seems surprised when he hears the word 'X-ray'. It's like every kind of spell exists in the ponies' world. He holds the frame to present to Celestia, and she concentrates on the gift wrap. She quints her eyes, and Victor notices that they're glowing a little. Celestia turns back to him and smiles. "That looks wonderful, Victor. I didn't know you were an artist."

Victor laughs nervously. "Well, you could say that. Now to get this back to Ponyville." Suddenly, he remembers that he has to transform again. "MOTHERBUCKER!" he shouts.

"Something wrong?" asks Celestia.

"Yeah. I have to get back to Ponyville, but I can only do that by...transforming."

"Then do it."

"I can't. It's not some flashlight I can just flicker on and off when I want. Besides, I got really dizzy the last time."

Celesita thinks for a moment, then hatches an idea. "If you wanted a ride back, all you had to do was ask," she says.

"Wait. Ride, on YOU?" says Victor. Celestia nods. "But you're a princess! You can't be piggybacking common people like me."

"It's either that or staying here until you feel well enough to transform again, and I have a feeling you have stuff to do back in Ponyville."

"Kinda." Victor rolls his eyes and says, "Okay, if you insist..." Celestia opens a window and Victor his both hands on her back. "Y'know, back on Earth, humans rode on horseback for centuries."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but they don't talk or do magic, and they have no horns or wings. Just like earth ponies, minus the talking. Anyway, horseback riding was used mostly for transportation, until the automobile was invented."

"What's an automobile?" asks Celestia.

"It's this machine that has am engine and wheels, and you control it to take you somewhere else. It's a like a train, but it doesn't need rails," says Victor. He rounds a leg across Celestia's back, carefully avoiding the wings. "Not sure anyone rode an alicorn before."

Celestia laughs. Victor finds her laughter soothing because her voice is similar to Moon Fox's, but Moon Fox barely laughs. "There's a first time for everything," replies Celestia.

Celestia spreads her wings and dashes out of the window. Victor feels his heart stop when he has the sensation of falling. Celestia flaps her wings once, and the feeling is gone. He wraps his arms tightly near her neck, but makes sure he's not choking her or anything. He starts to calm down and let go of the neck. "Sorry," he says.

"Yeah, you don't wanna choke your pilot," jokes Celestia. The rest of the flight goes smooth, and it lasts about ten minutes, longer than Victor's flight time when he's the beast. Celestia lands near the town's edge. Victor gets off and looks at her eyes.

"Thanks," he says.

"Always glad to help a friend," answers Celestia. Victor wraps his arms around Celestia's neck and gives her a hug. Celestia gives one back, wrapping her arms over Victor's back. Victor starts to laugh, uncontrollably. "Y'know, Celestia, you remind me of my mother."

"Then you must have a wonderful mother," says Celestia, sweetly.

"I do," says Victor. "And one day, I'll learn to be as kind-hearted as her."