Waking Eyes

Flare realized suddenly that he knew he had been caught once more, his face turned very serious. As the blue unicorn with a spiky white mane that had the ends green appeared, Flare's mind confirmed it. This unicorn's mark was a bow and an arrow.

"So it is really you, Arrow? Long time no see, but I doubt you came to catch up right away." Flare said with a flat voice with a hint of challenge. Flare put his front right hoof a step in front of the left one, then took his hind left hoof a step back. What ever happened he had to move quickly.

"Flare, you are always jumping to conclusions," Arrow said, while beginning to levitate the bow that was on his back. "like when you thought I didn't have a plan B when you broke my bow." Flare remembered that happened in their last encounter. Flare had snapped Arrow's bow in half, and then went to rush in for an attack. He didn't think a blade with cut his face, causing much blood. Somehow Flare didn't have a scar, he didn't understand.

"I know now, that you carry that blade," Flare replied "I know that this time you poisoned it as well, so don't expect to hit me with that blade. You had better gotten better with that bow if you plan to win." This was going to be their sixth fight, they had never killed each other, because the loser would find a way to escape. Flare has beaten Arrow twice and lost twice. During one fight, bunch of other ponies and stallions got involved leaving both to get out as fast as they could. Neither was very fond of jail time.

Arrow levitated his blade. "How did you know that?" Arrow was smiling, letting a drip of liquid fall from his blade. "Was it that obvious?" Arrow starting laughing, not evil like, more like a crazy laugh. Flare didn't react to this, he knew his answer.

"No, If we haven't fought that time when you cut me, you wouldn't of poisoned it." Flare was sure of this. "You didn't expect to truthfully hit me, remember? But now, you think you can do it again and then finish this right?" Flare eyes fixed on Arrow's, Flare was ready to begin.

"Well, it would appear we have one who is smart and is eager to learn." Arrow send, putting his blade back. "So, bow and I will teach you that you can't beat me again Flare!" That line had began this battle.

Flare got ready to move, as Arrow levitated an arrow into his bow. He drew his bow back and fired, Flare had dashed left and when he hit the ground, another arrow was already on it's way. Flare jumped upwards, most would think this was a mistake. Then the third arrow was launched towards Flare while in midair. Flare pushed his wings outward and moved just enough to dodge the arrow. He then used the arrow's momentum and his wing to send his into a spin.

Flare's spinning attack was heading towards Arrow. Arrow smirked and moved to where Flare was standing a second ago. He used his magic to pull the arrows from the ground and the tree, and loaded all three into his bow. Flare landed on his front hooves and looked where Arrow was standing.

Flare didn't expect Arrow to already have shot the arrows. He pushed off the ground, he felt the air from the arrows, they were so close to hitting him. Half a second was the choice between life and death. He landed on his hind hooves, and turned it into a cartwheel towards Arrow.

When he finished the cartwheel, Flare used the momentum from the cartwheel for a right hoof in Arrow's face. Arrow flew into the air, big mistake. Flare slid under him and bucked him straight upwards. Flare then launched himself at Arrow, who dropped his bow. Flare got ready to pelt Arrow with as many hooves as he could, but Arrow levitated his blade and was now falling towards Flare.

Arrow was smiling, even if blood was falling from his mouth, He was excited to cut Flare with his blade, then maybe finishing Flare. Flare smirked, when he saw the blade come out. He wasn't able to stop his momentum, but he wasn't getting hit with that blade. Arrow swung the blade and Flare grabbed Arrow. Arrow stopped the blade, he knew what was going to happen if he didn't, Flare was going to pull him into the blade. Flare threw Arrow towards the ground and gave himself a launch to get himself as high as he could.

Flare couldn't fly, but he could plummet. He planned to do this right on Arrow. Arrow concealed his blade and grabbed his bow with his magic, loaded it and aimed it at Flare's body falling right at him. He shot and Flare leaned a little and let the arrow hit him. Arrow was surprised it wasn't blocked or deflected, he didn't move. Flare landed right on top of him.

Flare got up and jumped back, and looked and the in his front right leg. He saw blood coming from it as expected, but it barely breached his skin. He saw blood hit the ground but not from his leg.

Flare touched his face, there was blood coming from a cut on it. One of those arrows from a minute ago had hit him. Flare looked up and saw Arrow spitting out some blood from his mouth. Flare had left his entire left side bruised for his little plummet trick. Arrow didn't care though, he used magic.

" Good job, Flare you have actually made your body useful once." Arrow laughed as he insulted Flare. Flare wasn't falling for something as simple as that, he knew the blade would decide the fight. Arrow hoped for Flare to rush and attack.

Flare knew that Arrow had speed with his bow, but this was ridiculous. Flare had to think of a way to get inside Arrow's mind. Flare had no clue how to, all his previous attempts had always failed. Flare wasn't good with word and mind balancing.

Flare hated how fast Arrow was getting with his bow, the only thing that kept Flare alive was how agile he was. He would have to outlast Arrow's magic flow with his energy. Flare couldn't let his movements be slowed in any way. Arrow let him take a second to take the arrow off of his leg. Flare took the arrow out and stuck the tip in his mouth. He tasted his blood, and felt more fall from the hole in his leg.

Arrow was not amused, disgusted, or fearful. Arrow was ready to strike and drew his bow back and fired another arrow. Flare spat the arrow from his mouth at the incoming projectile, and they collided in midair. Arrow didn't expect that from Flare. Flare's usually jumpy and quick style of fighting was a little annoying, but for Flare to stand in one spot and not move and inch was a little intimidating for Arrow.

"What is wrong Flare?" Arrow started up again, "Why aren't you eager to move, afraid I'll stick you with another arrow?" Flare simply stared Arrow down, Flare was not acting like himself. Arrow had prepared himself for anything. Flare was ready as soon as Arrow launched an arrow.

"What's wrong Arrow?" Flare smirked, "You scared that if you miss, that I will end you?"  Flare was sick of Arrow always trying to get into his mind. Flare had only one message for Arrow's mind, don't miss. Arrow shot and Flare leaned the to the other direction, but it still cut Flare forehead open. Flare dashed towards Arrow.

Flare bucked Arrow into a tree and rushed towards him. Flare jumped with great force at Arrow, crushing his body into Arrow's. Flare's forehead cut was bleeding already, he hoped for this. He wiped blood from his head and splashed the blood into Arrow's eyes.

Arrow clutched his eye's closed and he could feel a burning feeling. Arrow panicked and grabbed and swung his poisoned blade at Flare. Even with with eyes closed, he landed the blade into Flare's face. Flare jumped off of him and held his cheek, that was already bleeding. Arrow had cut his blade into his arrow cut, causing searing pain from this poison. Arrow wiped his eyes, but couldn't open then still. Flare used a hoof-full of blood to blind Arrow. He knew he only had a minute to regain the ability to see again, that poison wouldn't hold Flare for long before his adrenaline would give Flare what he needed to defeat Arrow.

Last time Flare got his adrenaline rush while fighting Arrow he used it to destroy Arrow. He became as fast as bullet, and move in every direction. Arrow lost that battle as a minute into Flare adrenaline. Arrow wasn't letting this happen again and began to wipe his eyes until he could see.

Flare gave him his time to, Flare decided to stop his bleeding. He found a dark green bush nearby, and ran to it. He took a leaf from it and licked it, and put it on his bleeding leg. Flare let go and it stuck to his leg, this was great. Flare took a few more leaves and licked them and put them over all his wounds.

When Flare had licked a leaf and put it on his cheek, he tensed up. it was already in serious pain, then it felt like some pony had poured salt water onto it.

Arrow regained vision and Flare had stopped his bleeding, both could easily lose that again. Arrow pulled back his bow and loaded it with an arrow. Flare just looked at him, his eyes resent the message to Arrow..

"Had enough of it Flare?" Arrow asked, "Let's make a deal, if anyone finds themselves at a huge advantage point, they will use it finish the other off." Arrow stopped for a second and smiled. "For good." Flare was surprised that Arrow wanted to end it as fast as possible. Flare also felt the emotionless voice said the Arrow didn't care who won. If Flare would win, he would spare Arrow and let him fight another day. But if Arrow won, Flare wasn't sure if his life would continue or not.

"Want to end this quickly, Arrow?" Flare said, "You aren't having fun anymore, are you? Usually you try and make these fights last for as long as possible." Flare noticed Arrow's voice was a bit darker just a moment ago.

"We have had enough second chances." Arrow continued, "I'm tired of the broken bones, blood-filled faces and pain all together." Arrow had a good point it was getting a little old. Arrow un-drew his bow and walked towards Flare. "Let us make this last fight the best." Arrow held a hoof to shake, Flare shook it.

"So, loser dies I take it." Flare remarked. He wasn't willing to kill Arrow, but wasn't willing to die either. "Well, I'm not sure I could kill you Arrow." Flare said stating the truth.

"Well, the loser should not have to live with defeat in their mind forever." Arrow stopped for a second. "Whatever happens Flare, you have always been a good enemy. It is your choice to spare me or not if you win." Flare nodded, Arrow was sure about his mind set, and Flare had no right to argue.

Flare had to win this, if he didn't he was gonna be killed. He wouldn't accomplish anything, he would never know what happened after his mother's death. If he won, he would spare Arrow for sure, and maybe Arrow would find himself saving Flare one day. That is, if Flare is ever going to see him again after this,

"Arrow, I thank you," Flare smiled and said, "If it wasn't for you all these years keeping me on my hooves, I probably would have died already. You always said you were returning and that kept me busy with being ready at any moment. Thank you, Arrow." Flare looked into his eyes, he only saw hesitation. Flare then looked up, the moon was out a shining. "By the way, do you have any idea what the time is?" Arrow chuckled to that, Flare was never one to keep things dark. He was always trying to lighten things up.

Arrow looked at the moon. "Judging by the moon, maybe around ten o'clock." Arrow then walked twenty feet away from Flare, and turned around. "Are you ready?" Flare was not at all.

"As ready as I can ever be." Arrow drew his bow and Flare rushed towards him. Arrow shot scraping Flare's left shoulder, it hurt terribly. Flare still launched towards Arrow, not expecting to get bucked in the face. Flare went flying into the air, and Arrow jumped after him. Flare hit the ground, and Arrow landed on top of him. Arrow cut his other shoulder his the blade, and Flare clutched as searing pain returned. Flare hoofed Arrow off of him, and slammed him into the ground.

Flare punched Arrow in his face, and in return Arrow grabbed his hoof and rolled him over. Flare was fast, but not to strong. Arrow overpowered him and punched Flare in his head until the leaf fell off his forehead. Flare couldn't really block any of his punches, since Arrow was holding his front legs down. Arrow saw serious amounts blood, and decided to finish it.

Arrow hopped off Flare and drew his bow. Flare looked up, but could only see from one eye, his over was covered with his blood. He saw the arrow was loaded, he just layed his head back. Flare was beaten and could barely move, so he just accepted fate, he know what was next. He closed his eye and felt a tear come from it, a tear from everything he was thinking.

Flare was thinking about his parent's death, he felt terrible dying with nothing to be proud of. He was going to die with nothing that his parents would approve or be proud of him. He didn't fight the killer when he was a foal and hadn't found the killer yet. He probably wouldn't of beaten the monster anyway, he was too stupid to take Arrow serious. His death would be just as tragic.

Flare started drifting in air towards Arrow. Arrow levitated Flare into Arrow's leg. Arrow hugged him and Flare was stunned as he felt a tear for Arrow's eye. Flare returned the hug, and layed his head on Arrow's shoulder.

I'm sorry, Flare," Arrow said, "It really has been too long." Arrow held Flare a little closer.

"I know, brother," Flare said, with a tear in his eye, "I know."