Vision's vision

by sci-fi brony

Heart's Vision has grown and is making his mark on Equestria. He is determined to change it for the better. Can he make the difference he wants or will he be held back by those around him. sequel to Heart's Tale. Co-written by DragonLovingBrony and ties into his Lunar Love Story series.

4. A New Meeting

A/N: I wanted to say that this was an interesting chapter to write. Since I had no control over a character, I was taken by surprise several times. It gave me choices but I didn't have certainty in the outcome. Please show your support and don't forget to review. ~ sci-fi

Chapter 3: A New Meeting

It was a new day when Heart entered the library. But instead of seeing Twilight like he had expected he saw some new stallion talking to Spike. Heart had heard that she had just gotten back from being in Canterlot for a short time and wanted to say hello and welcome her back. But Twilight wasn't in sight, yet she was the topic of the conversation between Spike and this stallion. 'I wonder what his intentions for Twilight are?' So Heart spoke up to ask Spike where Twilight was.

This was when the stallion turned to him and Heart saw what he looked like. His body was all light blue except for the neon green swirl designs on his legs and neck. His wings were red with the neon green on the edges. Then he had a green and black Mohawk and the same colors for his tail. Spike turned from this stallion and turned to Heart. "Oh hey Heart this is Nick. Twilight's colt-friend. So what brings you here?" Nick stepped forward with a smile. "Nice to meet the student and friend I have heard about. Names Nick." Nick then held out a hoof for him to shake.

Heart reluctantly shook his hoof. "Hi. You know me apparently, but who are you?"

Nick smiled back at him as he put his hoof down. "Well you know my name and as Spike said I am Twilight's Colt-friend. I was part of the reason she was in Canterlot for so long. So sorry for keeping her away so long from the studies, but life happens. So I hear you are dating, Scootaloo, was it? how's that going?"

Heart didn't like ponies who knew more about him than he knew about them. He wasn't sure if to trust this pony. "Yes, it is Scootaloo, but that is my business not yours. I will ask again, who are you? Where are you from? I have never heard of you before and I have lived in Ponyville for a long time now, so I know you are not from around here. Twilight never talked about a stallion in Canterlot, so either you have only recently met her or before now she didn't think highly of you. If she recently met you than why didn't she tell me about you?" Heart waited for a response. He watched the new pony for signs of distress as he waited, observing him carefully.

Nick was slightly taken back by this stallions attitude and was starting to feel interrogated. But unlucky for Heart, Nick took it as a challenge. And Nick didn't like to be challenged. So Nick stood tall and puffed his chest as he spoke in a firm tone. "If you and Scootaloo is none of my business then why the hell is me and Twi your's? You know what. I'll be nice and tell you anyway. I am from another world and Twilight was helping me learn about this place. And we fell for each other. Then once I was turned into a pony we started dating. So ya, not from around here, new to this world and to her. But she must think very highly of me since we are dating." Nick stood there staring this stallion in the eyes waiting for something to happen when Twilight came into the room to see the two stallions in a stare down.

'Good thing Spike came to get me. Or this could end badly.' Twilight cleared her throat and walked forward. "Hello Heart it's good to see you. I see you met Nick. So are you two getting along?" Nick's look had lightened the second he saw Twilight, but he gave a huff when she asked how they were getting along. "Ya, sure. But he doesn't seem as nice as you let on."

Heart kept his gaze on the alicorn named Nick. "It is my business because I will not let Twilight get hurt by some random stallion."

Twilight was glad that Heart looked out for her but she couldn't let him and Nick fight. She loved both of them in her own way and wanted them to be friends. "Heart! Don't be rude to Nick. I care for him and he cares for me. If you care for me then you will give Nick a chance. He is very kind and I know you are as well."

Heart looked to Twilight. He didn't want to upset her anymore. "I make no promises of liking him but I will give him a chance, for you." Heart faced Nick. "I am sorry for being rude. It was not right of me. Will you forgive me so that we can start again?"

Twilight wasn't sure if Nick would say yes so she added to the mix. "Please Nick, he is nice when you get to know him."

Nick shrugged and relaxed. "Anything to make you happy Twi. And if he is looking out for you he can't be all bad anyway. So starting over. Names Nick, nice to meet ya." Then Nick Turned his head to Twilight with a smile. "So you ready to go to lunch? Oh and would you like to join us Heart? You can bring Scootaloo if you want. Or come by your self, or not at all. Just thought I would offer since you are here."
Nick was smiling somewhat sincerely and Twilight was happy that he was at least trying. She just hoped Heart would give the same effort.

Heart put on a fake smile. He would give this pony a shot. He told Twilight he would try and he meant it. "Scoot is busy but I would like to join you. I have nothing planned today anyway. Where would you like to go?"

Twilight smiled as she had an idea pop into her head. "How about Hay Burger. I love that place." She wasn't going to let them know that she wanted to go there because it was public as well. Less likely to fight if others are around, she hoped.

So the group walked quietly to the dinner with Nick's wing over Twilight. This didn't make Heart happy but he stayed quiet for the time being until he knew more about this stallion. Then they ordered and sat down to started eating. They were in the middle of eating, and in awkward silence when Twilight received a letter from Celestia asking for her help on something. "Sorry boys but it seems I am needed in Canterlot for the rest of the day. So how about you two spend it together and get to know each other more? You know some male bonding time? Please?" She looked pleadingly at them both, but mainly Nick. She knew he had a hard time saying no to her.

And as she hoped, Nick caved. Even if he had to fight the urge to face hoof himself hard enough to knock himself out. He gave a sigh before answering. "Fine, for you Twi. But you might owe me for this one later." Twilight jumped in joy and kissed Nick on the lips before turning to heart hoping he would go along with it as well. She gave him another pleading look while she waited for his answer.

Heart wasn't completely on board with the whole idea of spending the whole day with Nick. He couldn't say no to Twilight when she apparently wanted it so much. "I can spend the day with Nick. It will give me a chance to get to know him better."

Twilight was glad they both agreed. She was sure they would like each other if they get to know each other. "Thank you Heart. I am going now so you boys behave, I mean it. I don't want to get a letter that either of you are in the hospital." Twilight gave both stallions a stern look before leaving.

Heart turned to Nick. "We have the whole day so what do you want to do? There is a few things to do in Ponyville. I think the bowling alley is open."

"Bowling sounds good. I haven't tried it in this form before so might as well try something new. Lead the way if you don't mind. Haven't gotten much of a tour yet."

Heart left the Hay Burger with Nick. They went to the bowling alley owned by Mr. Kingpin. Heart paid for both of them. But Nick didn't like the idea much. But he figured better not start anything over it. "Thanks for paying, but I could have done so. So next time I pay for myself." Heart agreed with this then Heart picked the lane at the very end so that they could talk without being disturbed by other ponies. Heart took his first turn. He didn't use magic to bowl. He placed the ball at the edge of the lane and smacked it with his right fore hoof. "How did you and Twilight meet?" The ball hit the pins at the end. Three were left standing on the right side.

Nick was impressed that Heart could actually bowl without fingers so decided to try it the same way. so Nick tried to bowl without hands as he answered. "My friend Dan brought me here, since we both had nothing in our old world. But you might know him better as king Chaotic Love now. And I knew of Twilight, and she was there when I came through the portal. So we started talking. Then Dan asked her to teach me about this place and its customs so I didn't mess anything up. And after being attacked and protecting her, and spending so much time together we just fell for each other. Simple as that." Nick rolled the ball a little harder than planed, due to still not knowing his own strength in this body, and ended up going into the gutter right before the pins. "Darn, this is harder without finger holes."

Heart did know of king Chaotic Love. He still wanted to be an advisor and needed to be updated on Equestria's rulers. He had read about Chaotic's negotiations with the other kingdoms as well as the changelings. He didn't know what fingers were though. "What are fingers?"

Heart position himself to send the ball down the lane as Nick face hoofed. "Oh they are digits that were part of my hand. You know what it is easier to show you then explain it." then Nick made a hand out of magic appear next to him. "Twilight Showed me how to do this in case I needed to use hands instead of hooves, while I get used to them. and if you haven't guessed I wasn't always a pony so that's why I seem so out of touch with this body."

Heart sent the ball towards the pins. He was paying attention to bowling and didn't notice the hand right away. He thought it looked weird. The further he thought about it the more useful he realized having hands could be. "What else is different in your worlds than ours?"

and with that Nick started on how Humans were the dominate species in that world and how ponies didn't talk or have magic. How most of the creatures here were just myths in his old world and how in that world this one was just a tv show. He told Heart that was how he knew the rulers and Twilight and her friends before even coming here. Nick left out the part that he wasn't really into the show at first, just so he didn't look uninterested in Twilight. Then Nick asked a question that he hoped wouldn't upset Heart.

"So what does that cutie mark of yours mean? It looks cool but I haven't read much about them so I don't know what most of them mean. And that's a rare one from what Twi told me, so what does it mean? If you don't mind me asking."

Heart didn't doubt anything that Nick said. Heart looked at his flank. His cutie mark was unusual compared to others. It was his own eye but with a heart as the pupil. "My cutie mark represents my special skill. I can see pony's magical core. It is useful to tell a pony's mood. Your core reacts depending on your feelings. If you are nervous it tends to move around as if wanting to escape. This can reveal when a pony is lying. I have to actively try to see the core though, so I have to think ahead. That is not my only skill however. I can also manipulate the core. I can help ponies release their natural abilities for short periods of time." Heart smiled at his memories. "I used to love using that ability to let Scootaloo fly. It made her so happy."

Heart regained his neutral composer. "I want to make this clear. I care for Twilight. She is part of my family and will always be. I take care of my family. If you hurt her in any way then I will make you pay for it." The entire time Heart spoke his eyes were cold with no sympathy.

Heart didn't want Nick to get upset, just understand. Heart avoided Nick responding with a cheery attitude. "How about you take your turn so you can get some practice with that body."

Nick did just that and stared to bowl, this time hitting the pins. "I am glad she has even more family to look out for her and I would love to join it. and hurting her is the last thing I want to do. And If I ever did, I would let you do whatever without fighting you. And I can tell your love for Scootaloo is true."

Nick looked at Heart with a smile. "You have the same look on your face when you talk about her that I do when I think about Twi and when Chaotic talks about Luna. So stay happy with her. And as to your mark and abilities, that is pretty cool. So do ponies cores all look different and have different colors? Or are they all basically the same? Sorry this just makes me want to know. Humans have always liked the idea of having souls and have debated this for as long as any can remember. So you saying this magical core thing kinda makes me think of the soul. And other things like auras that others talk about. So I just thought I would ask about them."

Heart had similar conversations with ponies who didn't understand the difference between the two. He had grown use to explaining it. "The core and soul are not the same. The core is their magical talent where the soul is who they are. The core does carry traits and looks different for every pony. It as multiple factors that make up the core's appearance. One is the pony's favorite color. The core is that color."

Heart looked at Nick's core. "For example your's is blue, like a navy blue. The other big factor is their magical ability. If a pony is in tune with their core it will flow through their body easier. The size of the core shows the raw potential."

Heart became slightly saddened. "Twilight always said I had potential but I have no way of knowing. I tried to see my own core in a mirror but cores don't reflect like light. I will never be able to see my potential."

Nick couldn't help but smile. "Ya that's the problem with potential. you can never see your own until it comes out. Even then it can be hard to see if you don't let yourself. but I never let others tell me what they thought about my potential anyway. I figure that i have enough to be me and what I will need to be for those I care for. any more than that is just extra for me to enjoy. so don't worry that you can't see your own. you will feel it and that's all that matters." Nick smiled as the game ended and he lost by a lot but had fun anyway so it was a good learning experience. "So what should we do next?"

Heart was glad this pony wasn't narrow minded. Heart thought that it might be more interesting to see if Nick could perform more complicated tasks. "How about we go to the park and play some soccer?" Nick agreed and they left. The park was empty. Not many ponies come out here and it was a week day so most were at work. There was two goals set up for the kids who played often. Heart looked around for a ball, he found none. "I will be back." Before Nick could respond Heart teleported. A few seconds passed and he reappeared with a ball floating next to him. It was heavily weathered and looked like it had seen a lot of use. Heart looked at the ball with all the happy memories. "What this thing has been through. I am glad it still hasn't broken. You ready to play?"

Nick smirks and nodded before he remembered he wasn't in his normal body, so wouldn't be as good now as he used to be. Then his smirk faded into a small frown. "As I ever will be. Just don't laugh to much when I trip over my own hooves. I am used to playing this with two feet not four hooves. But let's see what happens." The two started to play and Nick was surprisingly good and caught on quick to the different amount of limbs. He did like this sport after all and played it in school so it was easier to catch onto than bowling that he had rarely played. "Looks like I still got it. Now let's see if I can do this." Nick tried a flip the ball trick but it ended up being kicked in Hearts direction. It would have hit him in the chest but Heart put a small shield to block it. Nick was glad Heart had quick reaction. "Sorry about that. Guess that trick won't work when I'm like this."

Heart found it humorous. He didn't laugh because he didn't want to upset the stallion. "Let's try to keep the fancy stuff to a minimum." Nick agreed with a "probably for the best" and the two continued to play. Heart was not very good but still had fun. Nick ended up beating Heart. Heart didn't mind losing as long as it was fun, and it was. The day was nearing its end and Heart had one more activity in mind.

Heart sat his ball next to one of the goals. "So you seem to be a decent pony but I need to know if you can handle yourself. What if some scumbag tries to give Twilight a hard time? She can handle herself but doesn't like to hurt ponies so I need to know if you can. What do you say to a friendly fight? I can heal any wounds that either of us receives."

Nick didn't think twice about having a friendly fight but he and Heart hadn't exactly had a good start and wasn't sure if Hearts intentions were for fun. "Sure we can but I don't know a whole lot about magic. So you will have to get used to the idea of my fighting more physically."

Heart was happy he accepted. "You don't have to know magic. Fight the most effective way you can. Now ready yourself." Heart took a fighting stance with his horn pointed at Nick ready to deliver. Nick didn't have the magic but he did know how to fight. He was unsure about this body but he picked up on soccer pretty easily so he thought it wouldn't be that bad. He readied himself. "Who gets first strike?"

Nick got an answer as Heart sent a beam at his hooves. Nick jumped back even though it wouldn't have hit him anyway. Nick instantly saw the huge disadvantage that he had. Heart had range but he had to get close to do any damage. But Nick didn't plan on being caught off guard again. So he charged forward trying his best to close the gap between himself and Heart.

Heart managed to shoot three more beams before Nick reached him. Nick dodged all of them. He charged at Heart and when he came close enough he jumped and positioned himself to deliver a super man punch directly into Heart's cheek. It would have been a strong blow but Heart put a small shield around his face that absorbed all of the force. Heart could feel the force behind the punch and realized that he probably would have been knocked out if it wasn't for his shield. Nick just smiled knowing this would be more interesting than he had thought.

Heart teleported a few meters away before Nick could deliver another blow. "You have some major speed and strength. It would be a great advantage if you were to learn magic as well. How about we try that again but with a little more effort?" Heart smiled as he taunted. A bubble appeared around Heart protecting him from all sides. Nick gave Heart a challenging look in return, that turned into slight confusion. Nick didn't see a way around this shield and still didn't know any magic that would help get rid of it, so he asked. "How am I supposed to hit you with that shield?"

Heart shrugged. "I don't know. That is your problem." Nick got a smug smile and spoke up. "and soon it will be yours." Heart launched a beam at Nick. The shield opened up enough for the beam to go through and closed immediately after. Nick dodged the ray. The shield blocked any physical attack but it was better to be up close where he wouldn't be such an easy target for Heart. So Nick closed the gap once more. Dodging Hearts attacks the entire time.

When Nick came close Heart stopped attacking. Heart just stood there waiting for Nick to do something. The unicorn looked smug. Nick hit the shield. It rippled but did not go down. Nick had an idea. He turned and used both his hind legs to hit the shield. He put all the force he had in the strike and bucked like his life depended on it. The shield folded under the strike. Heart didn't look shocked.

Nick came in close and began a volley of controlled jabs. Nick felt awkward fighting in this body. He was standing on his hind legs and using his fore legs to punch. Heart was steadily backing up and using small triangular shields to block specific punches. Heart had a straight face and was focusing on the alicorn's strikes. Nick was fast, a little too fast for Heart to keep up with. Nick managed to land a punch on Heart's left shoulder. Heart didn't react to it. Nick knew that it contacted and knew it would slow Heart down if nothing else.

Heart sent a shock wave away from his body making Nick fly away and up. Nick flailed a little before regaining his composer with some wobbly flying. Heart felt the pain but did not show how much it hurt. "I know you can dish it out but can you take it?" Heart grabbed a hold of Nick's body with magic. Nick couldn't move at all and just looked back with a straight face. "This is a cheap shot."

"It might be cheap but I need to know." Heart focused on the alicorn's wings. Heart snapped the frail things. Nick cringed and made a grunt but didn't yell. Heart let go of his magical grasp on Nick. Nick fell from thirteen feet in the air. The fall could easily break some bones but Nick was smart and rolled with the landing. Nick still hit hard but avoided any further injury. Heart was actually impressed with the landing. "That was nice but are you still willing to fight? Because if not I am not sure you are worthy of Twilight."

Heart was glad that he had will. He shot some more beams of magic at Nick, which he dodged and then proceeded to close the gap between the two ponies. Again Nick had managed to get close and begin attacking. Heart was having more trouble avoiding with the hurt shoulder. Heart decided to change up the defense and strike with his right fore hoof at Nick. This was a mistake. Nick saw the slow punch coming. Nick knocked the hit away and countered with a hoof to Heart's face. Nick would have continued but he didn't want to really hurt Heart that much if he didn't have to.

Heart stumbled back While Nick backed off and waited to see what would happen next. Heart had seen enough and could pass his judgment. "Ok that is enough. Come here so I can heal you." Heart had a big mark and cut on his face where Nick had hit. Without waiting for consent Heart began to use his magic to mend Nick's wings. Nick flinched at the feeling. Heart then proceeded to heal his shoulder and face. "I am glad you are a capable fighter, determined too. Most ponies can't keep up with even that little amount of force." Heart looked at Nick waiting to see how he felt about it.

Nick flexed his wings and back a few times before answering. "If I can stand up to a crazy maze meant to train Dan and Discord to protect her, and that was when I was in a weaker body, then I am not going to let any pony stop me. No offence. I have always been a fighter and any that mess with those I care for wont like it when they meet me. Though I will admit that these damn wings are more sensitive than I was told. So going after you broke them was a hell I wasn't used to. That one was the hard part. Besides that I think I would have been fine in most fights. And once Twi teaches me magic and I start training with it I might just be a challenge for anything I can think of. But I have a long way to go on that so I will rely on my physical strength and knowledge of fighting to keep ahead."

"But thanks for the fun fight and teaching me that these wings are a pain in the back." Nick gave a huff of amusement as he stuck his hoof out to heart. Nick hoped that Heart would accept it so they wouldn't be fighting over Twilight like this any longer. Nick figured Heart would make a better ally then enemy. Besides that, and more important to him, Twilight wanted them to get along. And Nick wanted her to be happy so he would do just about anything. It did help that Nick didn't think Heart was all that bad. A bit over protective for his tastes, but he could appreciate that he was watching out for his friends. And since Heart had Scootaloo Nick wasn't worried about him as a challenger for her heart. And that made it a lot easier for Nick to give him a chance to begin with. So Nick stood there with his hoof out waiting to see how heart would react.

Heart hoof bumped with Nick. "Those wings aren't so bad. You just need to flow some magic into them. You do that and those things can be a deadly weapon." Nick was used to hand, or hoof shakes, but accepted the action and advice all the same. Heart walked to fetch is ball. "You aren't so bad. I think I can let you date Twilight. Hell, maybe we could go on a double date. I am sure Scootaloo will enjoy meeting you. Don't mention that we bowled though, she isn't allowed to anymore." Nick gave a huff of amusement. "Sorry but I don't need anyone to allow it but Twi. Thanks for agreeing with it though. And that sounds like a great idea. But dare I ask why she isn't allowed to? Let me guess a ball through the roof?"

"Well it was before I came to Ponyville but she told me about it..." Nick was amused by the answer and told Heart that he was heading back to the library because he could feel Twilight was going to be back soon. "So I will see you later. And I will let Twi know about the double date. Have a nice night." Heart waved a goodbye. "You too." Heart and Nick departed. Heart was sure that Scootaloo was waiting for him at home. He thought that this was a pretty good day. 'I hope Nick is smart. It would be a shame if I had to hurt him but if he hurts Twilight I will have no choice.'

A/N: This was a time consuming chapter. We didn't know how to really do it. We talked it over and DLB brought up that we could like RP with it. I think it turned out great. It increases quality and in this case quantity. It helps us not tread on each other's characters as well. It is just a generally good idea. Tell us what you think by reviewing. Happy thoughts on yall.