Only one shall remain
“Throughout worlds there will always be minds that will clash. Like which was the best digimon era? Which is stronger lugia or mewtwo? Now here we have no differently only this clash has taken physical form a battle so epic it will be broadcasted throughout realms, worlds, Dimensions for all eternity. Let me warn you this may not be for every pony. Those who hate violence, has no sense of humor. Please leave now if not lets enjoy the show.” A stallion adjusts his tie before he continues to speak again. “Hello and welcome my name is Absolutely No Reason, but you may call me No Reason. I am here to give the play by play commentary. On all the action we will be seeing here tonight. Setting next to me is my dear friend… Hay where did she go??? The stallion searches, frantically combing the crowd of cheering ponies.
“Oh, oops, sorry was that your hoof…” No reason breathes a sigh as a pink earth pony makes her way through the crowd with colossal tub of popcorn. She bounces her way to the commentators stand. “Sorry I am late I had to go to the concessions… Luna made popcorn.” No Reason’s eyes grow wide as places the large tub onto the stand. The tubs bulk nearly taking up the whole table knocking the microphones to the ground. “I got a extra, extra large so we can share.”
“Uh pinkie we are uh… About to begin so we... you know.” He shifts his eyes from her to the rest of the crowd. Suddenly her ears perked up as tosses away the giant tub and smiles.
“Oh sorry about that every pony I am Pinkie Pie and I am here to make sure this is the super de duper bestest, best commentary ever commented on in pony history ever!” She looks to him as nods her head.
The stallion clears his throat, “Quite right… I guess now without further to do. Mares and Stallions, Fillies and colts. Let’s get ready to RUUUUMMMBLEEEE!!!” The stallion shouts through the microphone as the lights go out.
Fillies and colts of all ages, making his way to the Canterlot Castle Garden, standing at not existing to infinite heights. The creature forged by every mind basking in the depths of all creation. He is Madness, he is insanity, he is the Darker Shadows… The ponies all go quite as every pony searches frantically. Suddenly a bright light shines over the ring. Every pony cheers as a creature emerges from nowhere as Darker Shadows allows himself to be.
Pinkie looks up at him from ring side. “Ooooh, I know that guy.” Pinkie waves a hoof in the air. “I don’t know a lot about a lot of things but one thing I can say. Insanity is very powerful tool and should never ever, ever be taken lightly. Take from me I know.”
The stallion simply clacks his tongue, “Oh I bet you do pinkie… I bet you do. Now for his opponent from a world all his own, a creature that is driven by endless creativity and unbound by the limits of the mind. He delights in unknown and mysterious, Give it up for the mortal with endless taste for war. Lead Colored Sky… Every pony looks up as group of helicopters fly over head. A single figure leaps from the last as he drops; he pulls a cord opening his parachute. Ponies roar in applause once landed he removes his chute. His body was dressed in cameo. He wore a tactical vest and a set of combat boots. A belt containing several pouches looped around his waist. It easily stood out over his camouflage pants.
There came a loud ring of a gong as Lead kneels low and begins to circle Shadows. His eyes fixed on him waiting for the slightest movement. He rests his hand on his side as a holster suddenly appears. He draws out his fire arm and unloads a full clip all rounds strike the core of the creatures body. The final round striking the creature directly in the head, lead quickly ejects the clips as another simply appears in his hand as he reloads it once more.
Shadows falls flat on the floor. Literally as if made of cardboard, the crowd cheers as a dark mass of shadows appear behind Lead. It draws back as Lead quickly turns around he was struck with a powerful swing of the creature’s claw. Sending Lead flying twelve feet across the ring, the creature roared in triumph as the crowds cheer.
The stallion pounds his hoof on the table. “I cannot believe this every pony I am setting here at rings side and I did not even see Shadows move. Darker Shadows he was out he was finished. He was out matched and out gunned in every way…”
“I beg to differ.” Pinkie Pie interrupted with raised eye brow. “No doubt Lead Colored Sky is the best at what he does. But Insanity is a very unpredictable force. You never truly have it completely figured out. Once you think you have it within your control it reveals something new. Something you never thought possible. The fact he seems dressed for battle and opened with fire arm was a little predictable. Anyone thinking like a soldier will go for a fire arm to bring the battle to a quick close. But insanity will show far more originality. I can say this if Lead Colored Sky wants any hope of winning this one. He will need to dig deep and start thinking outside the box.”
Lead groans as he recovers to his feet he looks down at his weapon then back at the creature. He raises his gun and fires off around striking the creature in the head. Watching as once again the creature falls flat he drops his gun and rolls out of the way closing his eyes and covering his ears. As the gun gives off an ear shattering bang a bright flash blinds all within the area.
Shadows swipe at him and misses the creature gives off a roar as the weapon detonates. The light shatters his cloak of shadows reveal the creature within. It had no eyes, no nose, and no ears. Several rows of sharp jagged teeth could be seen through an opened mouth. As the creature continues to hiss and flails about. Its long arms swing widely its long claws lash out at the air.
Lead seizes his opportunity as he jumps to his feet. He hand grasps his combat knife as he rolls dodging Shadow’s claws and positions himself behind the creature. He leaps onto its back he arm wraps around the creature’s forehead and jerks it back. He brings the blade to the creature throat. He presses hard against the blade as he runs it the entire length of the neck.
The creature gargles as a pitch black liquids sprays from the wound. It collapses to its knees and tries to crawl to ring side but did not make it more than a couple feet before the creatures struggles finally come to an end. The crowd cheer to the victor the fight had come to an amazing close.
“Well I must say I am impressed using whit and what he knew. Lead Colored Sky has won our first ever Match up. Mark this one down in history equestria. This is brutality at its finest.” The Stallion claps as the Lead makes his way to the edge of the ring.
“I don’t think any pony will want to leave there seat quit yet.” She points a hoof to the other side of the ring the blood seemed to be flowing toward the creature not away from it. Shadows swarm all around incasing it with its limitless power.
No Reason seemed have look of shock plastered on his face.“But how, it was finished that is just impossible it can’t happen it…”
“Doesn’t make any sense,” Twilight added watching from the crowd as the skeptical presses on.
The creature gives off a loud roar catching Lead’s attention. “Damn it you are a hard one to kill aren’t you.” He draws his gun only to have it knocked away in a blink of an eye he was face to face. With the insanity of this event, Shadows roar as his claw lashes out grasping Lead’s head completely encompassing it. The creature began to squeeze as he lifts Lead off the ground. With a loud roar he turns and slams Lead head first into the concrete ring. The ring cracked and spidered from the force of the impact.
Lead cries out in pain his head felt like it was on verge of collapsing in on itself. When a sudden force broke the hold the creature had on him. His head felt numb as a wet substance pooled around him. He could feel it wet a sticky around the back of his neck and shoulders. There was a aching in the back of his head it was growing harder to focus, hard to think, everything was growing black.
Shadows roars as he leaps high into the air disappearing even to those who watched from the clouds above. Suddenly the roar returned as he plummets back down feet first. He lands dead center crushing Lead’s chest as the ring gives way and crumbles into a sea of darkness which swallowed them whole. All equestria trembles as the aftershock of the impact finally settles.
“What happened…? Where did how did… What just happened where did they go?” No Reasons asks frantically trying to see into the big gaping hole in reality.
Pinkie Pie hummed, “Well if I had to guess, I would say that Darker Shadows knocked Lead Colored Sky beyond the edge of reality. That way the battle won’t end. Once one passes the edge reality they enter another reality, with other worlds and dimensions and who knows what else. I don’t think Shadows game is simply about brutally beating his opponent to death. That would not be like him at all. He will show every living creature what insanity truly is.”
The Stallion swallows down a lump. “Uh don’t worry every pony we were prepared for just such an occasion. We have a camera pony on standby just in case.” Ditzy hovers over the gapping whole for a few minutes as she holds up a camera. With a sigh she dives in head first. Into the void as it closes behind them.
“Oh she is so lucky I wanted to jump into the edge of reality to.” Pinkie says with a pout.
“Why Pinkie you are barely a part of this one.” The Stallion shakes his head. “Okay Ditzy can you hear us?”
“Yes… It is kind of dark and wait I see a light I think that is them. They are still going at it can you see this?” Ditzy asks over the speaker system.
Every pony looks up at a blank screen display. “No Ditzy I am afraid we don’t…” No Reason responds.
“Oh try taking the lens cap off.” Pinkie added in a cheerful tone.
“Oh woops sorry about that…” Ditzy says in an apologetic tone.
“And that concludes the martial arts tournament… What the…?” The crowd gasp as several sparks burst from the middle of the ring. Suddenly the center ripped open as three figures was tossed into the air. The whole closes behind them.
The audience gasps as Shadows recovers to his feet without his vale of Shadows his monstrous form shines through. He gives off a loud cry causing the audience to scream in response. “Uh Hercule… What is this, have you seen this kind of thing before.”
“Oh yeah sure lots of time… It is just a trick… Yeah that’s it simply a trick all a show I uh put together as a surprise for my fans. Yeah that’s it all for my fans… Bwahahahaha!” A straggly looking man boasts from ring side
Ditzy takes high to the air hold the camera the best she could with her hooves. “Oh man I don’t know what is going on but.”
“It is awesome!” Rainbow Dash cheers adding to the excitement as the ponies cheer aloud.
Lead Colored Sky gasps as he fills his lungs with oxygen once more. The cold grip of death slips away. He was alive still which only meant one thing. He lets out a growl as he rises to his feet. His joints pop his body felt as if he was thrown into a compacter. “You are persistent as fuck… Let's put bring this to a close.” He grasps the hilt of a sword as it forms out of thin air.
The creature roars as it hunkers down and lunges at him. His claws poised ready to strike. Lead swings his sword as he side steps the beast. Two Halves hits the ring blood pools around as both pieces flail about. “Where is all that power you had before?” Shadows began to slowly creep closer. “Oh I see… You have no foot hold here!” He shouts as he swings the blade cutting off the creature’s right arm. The creature tries to swing at him with his left only to be severed at the wrist by the blade. “Now than I would like to bid you farewell. It was fun and it was real, but it was not real fun.” He draws the blade back ready to deliver the killing blow.
Suddenly a shadow curls around the severed arm. The arm begins to levitate just as the blade comes down the arm lashes out. Its claw pierces Leads back, Leads grip on his sword loosen. Suddenly the creatures severed claw begin to tremble as it lunges. Striking Lead at the knee piecing meat, flesh, and bone. The creature turns his head as Shadows slowly begins to form around him. “You cannot stop the insanity…” The creature’s words came out with a loud roar. Suddenly the Torso rises as its teeth sinks deep into Lead’s shoulder. The ground begins to open up and swallow them once more.
“I got to put a stop to this right now!” suddenly a character with golden blond hair and orange martial arts uniform rushes toward the ring. Only to come to a stop as the two combatants completely disappears. “Damn it I can’t sense them… But where did they go.”
Ditzy breathes a sigh that surely was weird. A loud cry as the struggle could be heard echoing through the void.
“Ditzy I just wanted to say you are doing great. Isn’t it amazing what exist on the other side?” Pinkie claps her hooves together excitedly.
“Actually it is kind of scary… Um I am not sure this was the right job for me… Can I quit now.” Ditzy ask turning the camera to face her.
“Nonsense you are doing great you are completely safe because you are not taking part in any of the battles. Just relax and watch them closely.” Pinkie says leaning back in her chair.
No Reason turns his gaze to meet hers. “Have you gone mad…? Don’t answer that of course you have. Safe we have no way of knowing where she is or what will happen.”
Pinkie waves a dismissive hoof, “Oh don’t you worry your pretty little head about what mean old Mr. Reason has to say. Stay with them close by eventually they will find a way back here and so will you.”
Suddenly the screen goes dark
“What happened, Ditzy, Ditzy Doo can you hear me we lost visual.” No Reason frantically looks around. “Pinkie what do we do now this is even further out of hoof then even I expected. We did not know it would have gone this far. We don’t even have a replacement camera pony. What should we do we are going to lose viewers. Not to mention I will lose my job.”
Pinkie taps her maw with a hoof, “Oh I know every pony now would be a good time to hit the concessions while we figure out this little technical difficulty. All confections have been paid in full by Luna’s Popcorn comes in eight great sizes to fit any appetite. Small, medium, big, bigger, large, extra large, extra extra large, for those who can eat a mountain they now have Celestia’s flank. That is Luna’s Popcorn. Behold Equestria for we have made popcorn.” Pinkie breathes a sigh, “there that should by us some time.”
No Reason turns to her, “Buy us time how, what, we are in deep we will need a lot of time.”
Pinkie looks over at him, “Well if anyone orders the Celestia’s flank it takes eight hours to fill the bucket by dump truck.” A loud beeping could be heard echoing in the back ground.
“Hay guys sorry about that I lost the camera for a moment.” Ditzy says as a blurry image of the mare appears on screen.
No reason breathes a relieved sigh, “No Ditzy you are a life savor. Where are the competitors at now?” He asks as he every pony gaze up in suspense.
“Well I don’t know perhaps you should look and see for yourself.” She flies up high and aims the camera over a large body of water.
A small vessel makes its way into view. It appeared to be a ship baring a flag of the skull and cross bones with the addition of a straw hat. “My name if Luffy and I am going to be king of the…” A loud horn cuts him off as the smaller wooden ship collided with a much large ship of metal.
“Keep your eyes peeled the bastard is out there somewhere I just know it.” Several clones of Lead turn to him and salute. “Yes sir Captain Lead Colored Sky sir!” They all said in unison. Lead arms arm grasp his chest in pain. The battle and combined injuries were beginning to take their tole. “I am coming for you sorry son of a bitch.” He raises his binoculars and gazes out over the deck of the ship. “What the fuuuckkkk???”
Darker Shadows rows his dinging across the open waters. Frantically trying to outlast the two hundred foot wall of water chasing him down. The creature stops for a moment before jumping over board. Lead Colored Sky lowers his binoculars. “Son of a…” He was cut off as the wave strikes the skip the swell over takes it and rolls her over. Silence the seas where silent. Shadows head rises to the surface as he looks around. Everything was calm; suddenly a harpoon burst though his chest. The creature did not even have time to make a sound. Before he was dragged down, he was met with a fist to the face. As Lead Colored Sky. Began to frantically bind the creature’s arms, he draws a combat knife out of nowhere. Not taking time for the creature’s power to return to him he begins frantically stabbing the beast. The Dark liquid begins to contaminate the entire ocean as the waters of this world began to turn black.
A large mechanical shark scoops the both into its mouth. Several spinning blades rip and shred through them both. As the creature finally surfaces its body shimmers as it skims along the surface of the tainted waters. Ditzy gasps as she turns her back to the creature.
“Ditzy… Ditzy what is the matter? Ditzy we can’t see anything talk to us.” No Reason asks as the sound of sobs echoes over the speakers.
“They are both dead eaten by a giant met, t, tal sh, sh, shark.” The audience all look to one another gasps and words of anger began to rise.
“What should we do can you distract them long enough to find a shadow being capable destroying whole dimensions. Fueled by the insanity and madness of his own existence. Let alone A warrior with a skill and balls to even remotely challenge such a thing.” No Reason slams his head on the table, “let’s face it… We are sunk like the ships we just saw.”
Pinkie Pie pats his back, “back don’t you worry your pretty little head about that. Isn’t it a little crazy to think a giant shark made of metal existing in the ocean? Why that would just be insane.” She holds a hoof up, “Ditzy be a dear and turn around and hold the camera steady I wish to see how this battle ends.”
Ditzy slowly turns around but I told you they…” Her breath draws short.
Pieces of shadow crawl form the beast mouth and completely encompass the beast. The creature frantically flails about as it began to fall apart piece by piece. Suddenly the creature explodes ripping another hole in reality. The remains of the beast and much water was sucked inside.
Ditzy flaps her wings as fast as she can flying through the opening just before it closes. The ponies cheer in excitement as the spectacle continues further.
"How did he but..." No Reason rambled as he was still confused to how this was taking place to begin with.
Pinkie waves a hoof "it is not for us to understand. Let us watch we still have battle to watch." She smirks as all the ponies of equastria chant.
"What the fuck..." Lead Colored Sky rises blood begins to drip from his nose and mouth it was getting harder to breath. If the battle should go much longer Victory will be bitter sweet. If he has no life to enjoy it with. He struggles to the feet, blood begins to grip from his wounds. Fleeing to different dimensions might post pone fate. But eventually it will take a tole on your mind and body.
Darker Shadows roars as he stands before him the creature had no vale of shadows. His form back to his coil of flesh. Lead Colored Sky struggles to focus as his gun once again appears in his hand. He Tries but was not able to the strength to lift it further. "God Damn it to come this far and for what... You want one more go ahead give it your best shot. He burst into a fit of laughter as suddenly the shadows come. But much to his surprise they did not surround the creature but him. "No get off me get off... What Are you... Aaagh." Darker Shadows glares at the beast as it falls to it cries out as it's claws digs into the flesh of its head and rips away the skin. Lead Colored Sky gases up at Darker Shadows. The monster hidden among the endless cloak of shadows. "This is insane... After all this time you fucking son of a bitch. You managed to Drag me deeper into Insanity."
Darker Shadows raises the fire arms and points at the head of Lead Colored Sky. Lead simply burst into a fit of laughter. "I will see you in hell..." The Shadows glares down at him. "Send My regards to the King of Abyss." There was a flash as Leads Head Is blasted wide open. Feel free to give him hell every step of the way.
Ditzy Doo watched in horror the camera she drops. "What just happened? She asks in a nervous voice." Darker Shadows turns to her and lightly brushes his claw against her cheek. "Relaxed little one take comfort for you have found your Insanity. Let your fragile mind slip from its bodily coil. Find comfort in my madness and joy within Insanity." Ditzy gave him a warm smile. "That's a good girl..." He turns and with a blink of an eye fades from existence.
The Crowd cheered as the portal opens in the ring once more a single grey Pegasus mare wills herself into the realm. The portal closes behind her. The crowds gaze turns to that of confusion. She sets the camera down on the announcer table.
No Reason looks down at the device, then back up a her. "Who won my dear surely you must have seen it."
Ditzy simply smiles and nods, "Yes I saw it that which lay within the cracks. That which is locked behind doors, behind doors, behind doors, behind doors, behind doors." She turns around and begins to walk away.
No Reason simply listened silently in awe tell she turns and walks away. "Wait what does all that mean... Who won, how did it end you must tell us." Ditzy slowly turns to face him as she hovers a few feet off the ground.
"Is it not odd your name is No Reason. As in no reason to be, no reason to exist." Pinkie simply smirks as she rises to all four hooves and backs away from the table. That which lies behind doors, behind doors, behind doors, behind doors, behind doors... Insanity..." The stallion blinked for a moment as he no longer felt a means to exist. His body fades leaving nothing. "It is all just a part of the twisted world of insanity."
Ditzy turns and flies off into the night. Pinkies makes her way back to the announcer table. "Well every pony it looks like that is that. Don't try to comprehend the madness that is insanity. Do not venture through the doors behind doors. Don't wonder what lay within the cracks. Because you may just find it the Darker Shadows that exist within our own mind. I am Pinkie Pie saying goodnight every pony."
Darker Shadows watches as the lights fade out over Equestria. A faint chuckle rises from his being as he turns around his eyes locks onto yours. "Insanity it exist in us all... I am Darker Shadows and no matter where you go. Regardless of where you hide, keep in mind rest darker shadows. I am Darker Shadows I will be watching." He fades away like a shadow in a dark space.