The Black Eyes of the Nightmare

Victor, Jin, and their otherworldly friends can take a sigh of relief now. Being lookouts became much less stressful since they made their appearance. People passing by would look at them and wave. They would wave back, assuring their peaceful relationship. It's early afternoon on the day after making the appearance. Victor is on a cloud with Princess Celestia, thanks to her providing the spell Twilight and her friends used to walk on clouds on that one episode. Victor decided to wear his ancient mage robes today, so he's battle-ready. Luna is not with her sister this time. She's flying around with Edward and Corvus. Jin decided to tag along with the Moon Fox on a stroll throughout the city, to get a view of what the sky cannot offer.

Victor feels a little sleepy, so Celestia allows him to lean on her. It feels like she's a pillow to him, but the hot sun is frying him like breakfast this morning. "Does everything feel a bit more stable to you, princess?" asks Victor.

Celestia looks at Victor, smiling. "Stable. You must be referring to a mental stability." Victor nods. "Then yes. It does feel like that."

"Well, after that incident with the lightning, something else is going to happen..."

"And we're out here, ready like we were yesterday."

"Yeah." Victor smiles at the majestic horse. Her rainbow mane sparkles as it's blown by the strong gusts of high altitude wind.

"Victor?" says Celestia.

"Yeah?"

"Can you tell me more about yourself?"

"I already told you everything."

"No. That's not what I meant." Celestia looks down at the city, bustling as always. "My sister and I keep watching that show. It feels a bit enjoyable to see our past from another view, and it gave us a new perspective on what our subjects think about us. We even went down to those computers to watch more, with the help of Jin. We got to see how our little ponies lived their lives when I'm not watching over them, and it feels nice to know that even though I'm not under their watchful eye, there's still a great community in Equestria."

"Okay, now you're getting off-topic," says Victor.

"I'm not done." Celestia looks back at Victor, who's sinking in to her white coat. Her crown reflects sunlight as she says, "My Little Pony was supposed to be for little girls, right? I don't understand how young men like you and Jin got a liking to it. What we do in Equestria affects the lives of a wide audience."

Victor laughs. "Those are only aimed demographics, Celestia," he says. "We thought the show was not meant for us at some point, but then we gave it a shot, and now we like it. Jin may have told you this, but a dude who watches My Little Pony is called a brony."

"Ooh, that's clever! Brother and pony!"

Victor laughs at the fact how she understood it instantly. "Anyway," he resumes, "we get poked fun at for liking a show for little girls, but we don't care. The demographics and the history of the My Little Pony franchise, along with some douchebags out there tell us that we shouldn't watch a certain show, but we don't listen. We do what we want. Celestia, I'm about to answer your initial question, and I'll tell you something very personal. This is between you and me."

"Understood," answers Celestia, giggling.

"The world tells you to do this and do that," says Victor, looking down at the city. He sees so many ants down there. Lots of insignificant ants. "But I don't normally do something because everybody else is doing it. I now understand what you're asking. You're asking about my previous, normal life."

"Yes. That is exactly what I want to know."

"Nothing special, really. I went to school, played videogames and guitar, and I liked making stories. But I would always thinking of wishing to be somewhere else, a world that felt like paradise to me. This is why I loved dreaming. It was the only real place where I could have that paradise. I never really valued my normal life until it was gone. I missed my family, my friends. I realized that to reach paradise, I can't just run off to one. I have to form it where I already am. Watching your show made feel happier about my life, and I don't care what anyone says about me. I wished I could go to Equestria, but I knew it was impossible, so I had to learn how to find happiness in my own world."

Celestia rubs her head on to Victor's. "Are you happy?" she asks.

"I..." Victor moves away from Celestia. This concerns her. "Are you happy, Celestia?"

"More or less," answers Celestia. "I got to meet such great people like you. Edward is okay, but I don't blame him. We do look a little girly. I see some Pinkie Pie in Corvus. She always makes me smile. Jin's also adorable when he's being funny. And it takes a lot for me to say this but, I admire the Moon Fox's will. She's been through a lot, but she easily manages to get back on the highest of horses."

"Yeah, that's Moon Fox for ya," agrees Victor. He gets close to Celestia once again. "I try not to let past events haunt me, nor do I want to wish for something to happen. I want to focus on the moment we have now. And I am happy, Celestia, and that's why becoming a brony was one of the best things that's ever happened to me. The show is just so cheery. It would keep me smiling, and I'd be happy for having what I already have, not for what I pursue."

Celestia smiles at Victor once again leans her head on him. "I love it when you're sweet, Victor," she says. "You turn into a man of virtue when you are."

                                                                *                                *                               *

Edward, Corvus, and Princess Luna are swerving over streets, talking how they spent their morning.

"Damn, this place has lots to do!" says Edward.

"Remember the museum? That was SO MUCH FUN!" says Corvus, smiling.

"Yes, it was amusing," agrees Luna. "But must we return to lookout duties?"

"You're right, Luna," says Edward. His spirit is lowered. "So boring, though."

"We could could still go do stuff," says Corvus. "We'd just...have to keep our eyes peeled."

"Wait. That gives me an idea. Since everyone now knows about us, they could be our eyes."

"I like thy thinking, dragon," says Luna. "Fourteen eyes be so little, but millions of them. That is marvelous!"

Edward lands near an intersection, making sure he lands on the sidewalk. A few people give him space to land, and he starts walking. The dragon drags his tail on the ground, but he raises it off so people wouldn't step or trip on it. People look at Edward, either just staring or waving hello. "Man, do I like this place," he says.

Edward starts to pick up a crowd. Just as planned. Suddenly, a little boy with a lollipop and wearing overalls tugs his pants. Edward looks down at the little devil. "Hey, mister!" he says. "Are you a dragon?"

Edward chuckles. "Yeah. I'm a dragon."

"Mommy said dragons were mean. Are you mean?"

"What? NO! No!" says Edward, in a tone parents usually do when talking to little kids. "Yes, some of them are mean and vicious, but there are nice dragons out there."

"Kids are so funny," says Corvus, watching Edward from above. "They ask the cutest questions."

"At least they do not run away like back on Nightmare Night..." mutters Luna.

"Oooooh," says the little boy. He takes a lick of his lollipop.

"So, where's your Mommy?" asks Edward.

"I don't know."

"WHAT?" Edward feels his heart pounding. It makes him jump. He quickly picks the kid up and looks at the people around him. "Is this anyone's kid?" The people all shake their heads. "Oh my God. Don't worry, I'll find your parents!" Then Edward remembers why he landed in the first place. He turns to the crowd and says, "Can I ask you guys a favor?" The crowd mumurs in agreement. "Cool. Okay, so we're expecting another incident to happen like yesterday, and seven people can't watch the city. We need as many eyes as we can. Spread the word. Let everyone know that we want reports on any disturbances or supernatural hazards."

"Jerry!" shouts a concerned mother. She runs up to Edward and looks at the child he's holding. "Jerry, why did you run off? Mommy was worried."

"But I'm fine, Mommy," says Jerry. "I got a big, strong dragon here."

"Aw, it's nothing," says Edward, blushing from flattery.

"Let's go, Jerry. The dragon has work to do, protecting the city from nasty things," says the mother.

"Can I ride him, Mommy?" asks Jerry.

Edward brightens up to the idea. "Ma'am, this is a once in a lifetime experience for your son," he says, looking at Jerry. "What other kid's gonna tell his friends that he rode a DRAGON?"

The mother laughs as Edward swings Jerry around his back and takes off. "YAY, I'M ERAGON!" shouts the boy from a distance. His joyous scream echoes on the buildings.

"My, I never expected Edward to have such a way with kids," says Corvus, happily surprised.

"He sure does better than me," agrees Luna.

                                                                *                                *                               *

"Anything happen?" asks Twig through the tree arc. The Moon Fox and Jin are talking to their distant friend through it.

"Well, lemme tell ya," starts Jin. "There was this lightning, and it split a building in half."

"Any casualties?"

"None. We reacted nice and swiftly."

"Good, because that was only the beginning," says Twig's voice coming from the aura. "So, now the city knows about all of you, right?"

"Correct," answers Moon Fox.

"How are they reacting to it?"

"They're doing fine. No trouble or anything."

"In that case, this is all I have to say," responds Twig. "The storms are getting worse, so be prepared. Also, I came in contact with the uh...other world."

"Equestria?"

"Yes. I talked to this blue pony through the arc, and she told me that storms were forming in their world, too. It's the same swirling cloud."

"Send some fighters in Equestria," says Moon Fox. "Tell them to be careful with the citizens."

"I'll think about it, but some need to stay here. I don't think this disaster is going to only happen on Earth. I have to go now." Twig pauses. "One more thing: you're getting a guest." Moon Fox can no longer hear Twig's voice, so she turns away from the arc.

"A guest?" says Jin. "Who could it be?"

"It could be Mar, Teddy, Phil, Castus, Adam, or Nick," answers Moon Fox. "The question is, why would Twig put one more into the group? We have enough firepower as it is. With all due respect, I think some of us should go back to Equestria or Vremena."

"What if the disaster only happens here?"

"Possible, but we can't predict the future."

"Then we gamble until we can't gamble no more, my blue comrade," says Jin, feeling proud and confident of himself.

                                                                *                                *                               *

After another long day of exploring and watching the city of New York, Victor, Jin, and their friends all go out for dinner at night. Almost nobody fears them since they made their appearance, so they can indulge into the delights of the city, starting with the food. Corvus insisted on going to an Italian restaurant, but she doesn't even know what Italian means. She only liked the word, and wouldn't stop saying it. She continues to repeat the word at the table, while reading the menu.

"Italian...Italian...Italian!" she says, laughing. "It makes my tongue tickle."

"Corvus, Italian is anything based off the country of Italy," says Victor.

"Where's that?"

"Europe."

"Where's Europe?"

"It's on the other side of the world..." responds Victor, feeling annoyed because of her failing to realize what Europe is. Then again, she's never been on Earth. "So this place serves stuff like pizza and pasta. That's Italy's specialty." He turns to the two sisters, who are quietly examining the menu. "Celestia? Luna? What do you guys usually eat?"

Celestia looks at Victor. "All kinds of food, just like you," she says.

"I kinda expected you ponies to refrain from eating, well, meat," says Jin.

"We eat it sometimes, most likely fish or chicken," says Luna, not looking away from the menu.

They all sit at a round table, but it's big for them. The Moon Fox has her tails scattered all over the floor, so she moves beneath the table. Unfortunately, her friends tend to step on them at times. Celestia and Luna aren't using chairs. They're just sitting on the floor, but when upright, they reach the heigh of an adult sitting, especially Celestia. The people around them can't take their eyes off them, but they simply ignore it.

"I kind of recognize some of this food," says Edward. "Existing in Vremena."

"Your foods have the weirdest names," argues Victor.

"And yours don't? 'Fetuccine'..."

"That's Italian...for something."

"Y'know, I completely forgot what drinks they have here," says Jin.

"When were you on Earth?" asks Victor.

"Two years ago."

"I asked someone about the date today, and apparently, we're in 2014. Last I recalled being in Earth, it was 2013."

"And through all that time, not a single new My Little Pony was made."

"We haven't really checked," says Victor.

"Oh! They have wine! Excellent," says Celestia.

"Come to think of it," says Edward. "You'd be an interesting drunk."

"No," argues Luna. "No, she won't."

Their waiter comes up, pulling out a notepad and pen. "And what can I get you all to drink?" he asks.

"I'll have some...Coke!" says Victor, remembering the taste of that drink.

"Perhaps something to tingle the mouth," says Moon Fox, putting down the menu. "I'll have a club soda."

"Strawberry. That sounds tasty. Can I get a strawberry smoothie?" asks Corvus.

"I'll have one, too," says Edward.

"Victor, what has thou requested?" asks Luna.

"I ordered a Coke. It's this soda that lots of people like," says Victor.

"Marvelous. Waiter, I shall have one of those."

"May I have some wine?" asks Celestia. This leaves the waiter for a moment. Having that horse stare at him with concerned eyes.

"Uh, how old are you, miss?" asks the waiter.

"Millennia," answers Moon Fox. "Sir, she's more than eligible to drink alcohol."

"Okay, then," says the waiter, laughing nervously. "Sorry, I never served magical ponies before." He makes everyone laugh, even the Moon Fox, but she tries to hold it in. He turns to Jin. "And about you, son?"

"I'll have some wine, too!" says Jin.

"You don't look 21 to me."

"Jin. Drinking age here is 21," whispers Jin.

"Dammit..." mutters Jin, straightening his eyebrows into a glare. "In that case, I'll be having...a Fanta sounds tempting, whatever it is. Yeah, that."

"Alright," says the waiter, writing down the orders. "I'll come back with your drinks shortly."

Ordering the main course was not as variant. Everyone got a different type of pasta, but nonetheless, they're full. The rest of their fine dinner was spent talking about other and themselves, what they do and everything. Celestia and Luna got to know more about Corvus, Edward, and Jin. Corvus lived in a quiet town, and then she met Victor, Jin, along with some other friends. They reunited her with her little brother, Castus. Edward used to work for the order in a different identity, but only for the chance to find strong opponents. One night, he came across the group, and he challenged one of Victor's long-time friends, Adam, a human who also inherited supernatural powers upon arrival. It was a hard and painful moment for Edward, not being able to understand the power a mere human had, but that's when his colleagues figured out his true identity, and he tagged along with the group, all forgiven. Celestia and Luna are both intrigued by their friends' pasts.

Luna likes Coca-Cola. Yes, there are sodas in Ponyville, but not this brand. She even got three refills, and now her stomach feels like it's going to pop.

"Oh, that was splendid," says Luna, patting her stomach with a hoof.

"I don't wanna move," agrees Celestia.

"I just noticed something," says Jin.

"What?" asks Victor.

"We are by far the most diverse group of people...EVER."

"Oh. Yeah, you're right." Victor laughs softly.

"I'll treasure these kinds of moments," says Corvus. "When there's no worries at all."

Corvus' words echo in the heads of her friends. Even if she's immortal, she still finds a reason to value her life.

                                                               *                                *                               *

"Aren't you Groves?" asks Twig.

"I am," answers Groves.

"You got some nerve coming here. You're lucky the Settlers aren't around. They would gang up and tear you apart."

"I know they would, but what's done is done. I can't change that."

"You know you can't just turn your back on a murder..."

"I'm well aware of that."

"Victor told me everything, and after all that, I can't believe he just let you go."

"Probably too much of a wuss to finish the job."

"Groves..."

"No, no. I'm not done yet. Probably that, or because he still had hope."

"Hope?"

"I've made a terrible mistake, Twig," says Groves, immune to any touchy emotion. "Yes, they were all my friends, but I wanted power, not friends. I killed the overlord only to absorb his power, not to topple down the order. Then I killed the Moon Fox, because she was in the way. She could have survived if she wasn't being a nuisance to me. And then there's Victor. Even though I saw him as weak and uncooperative, he pulled off the same type of transformation I did. The fusion of one's energy along with another, plus the body. It's inconceivable. Our fight was legendary, putting all other fights to shame. We both fought hard, but he won, but I wasn't dead. I got healed, then he told me to leave, so I did. After that, I've been thinking about my obsession to be the strongest in Vremena. I realized that it was a childish pursuit. I can live without being forgiven, but now I know that I wasted my power to pursue my own desires."

"Can you still transform?" asks Twig.

"I had trouble doing it at first, but as I left behind my thirst for power, I would feel less pain. I'm not feeding a beast anymore. It's dying in its cage as I work my way to redeem myself."

"I know a nice way to redeem yourself, Groves. You fight for the right cause."

"But the order is gone. I will have to wait for some other dark force to show up."

"Actually, there's one coming. Back on Earth. Are you familiar with it?"

"A little," answers Groves. "I was only six went I lost my place on Earth."

"There's something big about to happen there, and Victor would need some help."

"If he fights me, then I fight back," says Groves, coldly.

"Portal's right over there. Your choice." Twig points a blue, scaly finger to the tree arc, glowing as always.

                                                               *                                *                               *

Victor and Jin agree to the princesses' request to show them about the Internet more, so they both go down to the computer room late at night. Victor and Celestia are on one computer, while Jin and Luna are on another. The room is so quiet, the only audible noise is fingers tapping on the buttons of the keyboards.

"I just noticed something," says Victor, widening his eyes.

"And what would that be?" asks Jin.

"If I was gone for ages, then imagine how much I got in my email. And there's my Youtube, my Facebook, then..."

"I get it. You have lots of mail..."

"Indubitably," says Victor, pronouncing the last of that word in an odd way.

"What are those?" asks Celestia.

"They're social networks, but I can check those later. So, what do you need help with?"

"I just want to watch another episode," says Celestia, smiling innocently.

"As do I," adds Luna.

Victor rolls his eyes, doing the 'oh you' face. "Okay," he says.

The door starts to shake. Victor, Luna, Celestia, and Jin turn around, noticing. The knob turns. Someone's coming in. The door creaks open, revealing the one who opened it. Victor's heart starts to sink. He feels a pain in his chest as he comes face-to-face with their little visitor. He's a human, wearing a black leather armor, along with a black cape, red metal boots, an amulet encrusted with a purple gem, and two swords tucked into the belt, both having shining red blades. The most notable of this person's features is his helmet. It covers his face, only showing darkness beneath, all but a pair of glowing red eyes, and they glare at Victor. Victor recognizes him. It's Groves.

"Surprised to see me?" asks Groves. His voice is smooth, and deep for his age.

A bright-yellow staff with a gem on its tip appears in the hands of Victor. He grabs the lower end of the shaft and draws out a hidden sword, elegant and shining. He points the tip at Groves. "GET THE FUCK OUT!" he says, loudly and coldly.

"I haven't forgotten, but isn't the Moon Fox alive now?"

"Yeah, no thanks to you! You betrayed us and then killed her! I think you're insane for even coming back!"

"Why do you think I'm here?" asks Groves, gently pushing the blade away.

"Because you're here for Round 2. You want to reclaim your spot as the strongest."

"That will have to wait."

"No it won't!" Victor slashes the sword toward Groves, but Groves nimbly draws one of his out and clashes it with Victor's. As he pulls out his other one, and their fight begins. Celestia, Luna, and Jin are merely speechless. Victor draws Groves away from the room, causing him to retreat back to the lobby. Victor prepares to shoot a spell, but then something comes to mind. Celestia said something me being a danger to everyone when I'm angry. I'll have to stick to using swords, he thinks. Victor rushes to Groves tackling him.

"This is not the time!" says Groves.

"SHUT UP!" shouts Victor. He raises a hand up, charging some lightning in it.

Jin runs up to Celestia and Luna. "Teleport us to Central Park! NOW!"

Princess Celestia does this without hesitation. Her horn begins to glow, and as Victor is about to impale Groves, they all vanish, leaving nothing but dust.

They all reappear at a clearing in Central Park. Victor looks around, then goes back to glaring at Victor. "Now I can kill you without holding back," he says.

"I told you. I am not fighting," says Groves. He springs Victor off of him, making him land in a pond. As Victor emerges from the cold water, Groves continues. "Victor, you're missing the point. I did not come here to fight you."

"Yes you did!"

"If you would only give me a chance to expl-"

"BURN IN HELL YOU TRAITOR!" Victor shoots himself out of the water and shoots a stream of lightning at Groves. Groves rolls on the grass, dodging it with ease. Victor then crashes down, sending a small shockwave of electricity away from him.

"Stubborn as always, even when I'm trying to-"

"AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!" roars Victor as he lunges his staff at Groves, sending a shining energy wave at him. Groves jumps up and flips over Victor. The wave nearly hits Jin, but it only makes him fall over. Groves traps Victor by clenching his arms toward him. Victor struggles to break free, emitting electricity from his body. Groves attempts to endure the pain.

"Victor, stop!" shouts Luna. "This destructive behavior must end!"

"Listen to the blue one, Victor," commands Groves. "I come in peace."

Victor gets even more furious as he tries to break free from Groves' grip. "Regardless," he says in a murderous tone, "I asked you for ONE THING. I asked you to LEAVE!" Victor roars at the sky. Black lightning starts to consume him, lighting up the cool night air. "One thing has changed, Groves! YOU KILLED FOX! AND I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Victor explodes into a burst of blue aura, sending Groves flying back. He gets up, and amazingly doesn't flinch to the sight of Victor's transformation. It's the very beast that conquered him, and it's about to di it again. Victor shifts his black eyes to Groves, marking his target. Groves starts to chuckle mockingly. "I'll punch the laugh right out of you," says Victor.

"It's amusing," says Groves, getting closer to Victor, "how you're holding a grudge. I know you, Victor. You won't kill me." Groves takes a deep breath, smirking. "And by the way, you never came close to even crippling me."

A red and black aura starts to consume Groves' body. To Victor's surprise, he bursts into an explosion of energy, then appears in his nightmarish form. Groves' transformation includes black, spiky armor, black bat wings, a long, scaly tail, but overall, he keeps his helmet, but now it has red markings on it, and two horns stick out from the sides and point down. "I dragged your face in the concrete when we last fought. This time, I'll make you eat it."

"I've been improving, Victor," says Groves, deviously. "You see, I left behind my pursuit to be the strongest, and that desire was actually pulling me back. Letting it go felt enlightening, and I could feel more confident about my fighting. I am warning you. We don't have to fight, but we will if you want to."

"Of course we're fighting!" yells Victor, furious. "And this time, I guarantee death!"

"If you kill me, you're only going to die later on," says Groves.

"PROVE IT!" Victor rushes to Groves and readies to punch him in the face, but Groves grabs the fist without even flinching. He hurls Victor to the side, making him crash on a tree.

"Your anger is not controlled as usual," says Groves. "This is not the Victor I fought back in Vremena, the one who was willing to protect all of his friends."

"SHUT UP!" roars Victor as he rushes back to Groves. He punches him in the face, sending him rolling on the ground. Then he meets him there, kicking him up into the air. Next, he swiftly jumps up and grabs his heels, then he flips rapidly, throwing Groves back into the ground. To finish it, Victor launches a barrage of energy balls at the place Groves crashed into. The explosion shroud the park with dust. Victor scans the destruction for any sign of the murderer, and he finds him, but too late.

Groves comes from above and crashes into Victor, making him plummet into the ground. They both get up and clash again, fighting with blows as fast as lightning. First, they're on the ground, and second later they end up in the sky. Jin, Celestia, and Luna watch the two rivals keep fighting, without showing any sign of fatigue. Victor and Grobes both force each other back, landing on the ground. Victor holds one hand back, charging orange-colored lightning in it. Groves spreads his arms away from him, harnessing red-colored lightning at his palms.

"Oh, this is bad," says Jin, worried. The air gets heated by the second. The ground starts to shake, and all the bits of the park start spinning around Victor and Groves. They both shout, like they're gods themselves, the mightiest of shouts that portray raw, absolute power.

ARCANO STORM!

INFERNAL LIGHTNING!

"STOP!" roars Celestia. Both Victor and Groves are shocked by the volume of her voice. They both cancel their attacks and look at the angered horse. "Victor, that is enough! Don't you realize that Groves does not want any conflict with you?"

"You're not the boss of me!" says Victor, glaring at Celestia. "You don't know what he did. He's a selfish, power-hungry traitor!"

"We all heard Groves!" says Jin. "He probably knows about the upcoming disaster!"

Victor turns to Groves. "Do you?" he asks.

"I do," answers Groves. He walks up to Victor. "I know I made some terrible decisions in the past, but none of that can be changed. But now I know that I was wrong. I should have never abandoned friends for power. Fighting with you all again is the perfect way to redeem myself, so I wish not to fight you, Victor. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, but for an alliance."

Victor thinks for a moment, glaring at Groves. He can't forgive him. Ever. To him, he's a traitor, and Victor hates traitors. Traitors are people who take someone's trust and rip it apart. Victor never felt so torn when Groves betrayed him, but he also hates to kill. "I will not forgive you, but if you're in this fight, then fine by me. You and me, Groves. We're like brothers. You be Loki, and I'll be Thor."

Victor and Groves, both still in their beastly transformation, shake hands, putting differences aside to protect the Earth from an upcoming horror.