I could feel the pain rushing though my body, all I truly wished to do at the moment was sleep. Just to help cure this pain.

"Let's begin." Cried the crowd of copies. all at once, they leaped towards me with their swords in hand. I swung my blade to protect myself and managed to stop most of them, all except the leaders blade. He managed to cut my lower left torso, but nothing too serious. I battled my way through constant slashes and jabs of swinging sword to sword. I rush of the moment energizing my body, pushing me that much further.

I finally managed to take hold of one of the copies by the collar and thrust my blade deep within his throat. As the life faded from his dark eyes, his body clacked open and turned to dust. With his departure, I could feel some of the pain fade. I looked to the remaining seven and stared them down. Four of the seven seemed to cower in fear but took reassurance in their leader and returned to their previously angered state.

"Well" I grasped my wound with my left hand as I held my sword in my right with the blade leaning on my shoulder,"Come and get some."

Angered by my bold statement,they continued their constant onslaught with savage strength. I held most of them off as best as I could, but one broke through my defense and cut a mark just over my left eye. It hurt, but I had spells to help it later and continued fighting of the fakes.

With a great swing of my blade, I managed to knock back most of the replicas and kill two. One tried to lunge at me but I deflected his sword and ripped it out of his hand. I gave him a quick back hand and sent my hand to hug his throat. Through coughs and spurts of chocking, he cried,"I'm sorry!"

I lifted him off the ground by his neck and crushed his esophagus within my grasp. His body hung lifeless, so I tossed his carcass to the side. Upon impact to the wall, he shattered into dust and further pain was relieved. I grinned ad set my sights on the others,"You got to try harder than this."

Once again they lashed out everything their bodies could muster, swinging in all directions and screaming at the top of their lungs. One after the other, the replicas died and turned to ash. All were soon dead, all except for one.

"So, It's finally come down to just you and I." said the original replica.

"Yes, Hope you don't disappoint." I sheathed my sword and cracked my fingers. The replica followed in suit and readied himself. We both made our way towards the center of the room and stared each other down. He pulled down his hood and looked into my eyes, they were blood red and filled to the brim with hatred. He slowly began to change his form.

His body manifested into something purely evil, with a dark soul to match it. His hands became large and claw like, sharp to the touch. His body shifted into something much larger, he grew to such a size that his clothes ripped apart and fell to the floor, leaving only a tattered pair of shorts that once were pants. With his clothing gone, it revealed the horrible monster he was truly becoming. His entire body looked as if it were held together with large stitches and rotting skin. His mouth disappeared and his eyes were closed.

I readied myself and clenched my fists,"Face me, monster."

The monster before me opened his eyes, revealing the snake like eyes filled with a fiery rage. Even without a mouth, the creature still managed to talk,"Oh dear Dark, you know that you can't possibly defeat me. I am everything you are, this is your true form, on the inside. I know everything you do and everything you will do." with this remark said, I cracked out a light laugh.

"If you were truly anticipating everything I did, do you think that you copies would have died already?" This was the straw that broke the camels back, because the beast roared into the air and lunged at me.

With a quick jab, I struck him right across the cheek. He stumbled back in pain and turned to face me with an angered expression. the beast growled at me and continued his pursuit. I fought him back as best I could, landing powerful blows to his gut and slamming my elbow down on his shoulder. I was winning the fight and I could tell from the slower moments he gave. A grin crept across my face but was wiped clean off when he grabbed my neck and tossed me into the wall. A large crater formed where I was thrown. The rock had formed around my body and trapped me inside the wall. I hung there dizzy on the wall, but slowly pulled myself off. Once my feet were on the ground once again, I readied myself.

"Let's end this pathetic fight!" cried the beast.

"Yeah, I was getting bored anyways." I replied, he dove across the room and wiped at me with his claws. I dodged just in time and rolled to the side, I looked to were I once stood and saw deep claw marks embedded into the broken wall. He was angry, and dangerous.

I drew my sword and readied one last time. With a ear-shattering battle cry, the beast lunged towards me. Just as he raised with claws, dove to the side and sliced his right hand off. Cries of pain echoed throughout the room and the beast groveled to the floor holding his stump of an arm. "That's not fair!" cried the monster.

"Says the guy with the razor sharp claws." I strode my way over to the beast with my sword ready,"Time to end this."

"No, please... I beg you!" the monster pleaded for mercy, but it needed to be done. I didn't wish to kill him, but I'd die either way if I let him live. I raised my sword into the air with both hands clenched to the hilt and brought it down with a great force.

The door to the sphere was cut open with a mighty swing of my blade, and I kicked the door down. I was greeted by my equestrian counterpart and a terrified zebra. I sheathed my sword and stepped over the remains of the door. As I stepped out, I clenched my torso in pain. I had forgotten about the pain with the adrenaline running throughout my body. I began casting the healing spell but the spell failed to charge, Zecora ran to my side and asked,"Are you alright?"

I looked to the frightened zebra and smiled warmly,"Yes, but I need to get home and sleep."

"How much sleep do you usually get a day" Brother, I am concerned for you." voiced a saddened and frightened Shadow.

"About nine hours"

"Then why are you so ti.." I cut Shadow off before he could ask.

"a week."

"Oh." was all Shadow could say for the next couple moments of silence but jumped in and said,"We must get you back home so you may rest. While you rest, I am going to have a chat with Lady Celestia. Zecora, could you please help Dark home?" The stripped mare nodded and closed my eyes. I could hear her chanting and before I knew it, I was inside Zecora's hut once again.

She helped me through the woods and left me alone inside my house to rest. I staggered to my bedroom and smiled as I laid eyes on my bed. Sleep would be most welcome, so I crawled underneath the blankets after removing my armor and clothes. I drew back a powerful yawn and felt as my eyes glued themselves shut. Before I faded off into dreaming, my thoughts turned to one I have missed for a long time...

"I'm sorry, my queen."

Was this all that good? I'm not sure... What do you think?

Thanks Fayte for the insight. I read it back and I too saw this. You know bud.

Keep it cool, Condemned.