Amore suddenly sits up sharply from her sleeping position in a cold heavy sweat. Wiping her face she looks around the room to see Derpy sleeping happily in her bed still. Glancing at the clock she can see it's only 6:30AM and normally the majority of the dorm gets up at 7:30AM to start their day. Throwing the quilt cover off her, Amore removes her sticky clothes and underwear before entering the bathroom and turning on the shower. She stands under the flowing water and let's it wash away her troubles. Amore clutches her chest and groans slightly as her head pounds violently. Banging her head against the tiled shower wall a few times she slides down to sit on the floor, still clutching her chest.

"W-what is happening?" Amore asks briefly through heavy panting.

Amore can see hazy waves of red stream down and around her vision, obscuring the light and making her woozy. Deciding to act fast she sinks her fangs into her arm and hopes the pain subsides her pounding head. As her own apple flavoured blood touches her lips she subconsciously begins drinking her own blood. Eventually Amore's vision clears up and the pounding in her head disappears.

"Ugh... That can't be good..." Amore states as she leans against the shower wall and relaxes as the cold water washes over her.

"Amore? Are you in here?" Derpy's voice can be heard as the bathroom door opens.

Amore opens her eyes and blinks a little before realising she is still in the shower. Derpy sighs deeply as she spots Amore and turns off the shower.

"You're hopeless... You're still not yourself, Amore." Derpy goes to help Amore up, but flinches back when she touches her skin.

"What's wrong?" Amore asks, getting up herself.

"Y-your skin is so frigging cold! How do you not feel that?!" Derpy states, rubbing her hands together rapidly to warm them up.

"I don't know... Can you girls manage the stall for a while and cover for me? I have to go see someone..." Amore exits the bathroom and rapidly dries herself before getting dressed and heading out.

Derpy sighs deeply to herself and gets in the shower after stripping to clean herself.

Princess Luna lays back in the bath and sighs deeply as she stares up at the ceiling watching the steam rise from the hot water.

"I have not visited this academy for quite some time. Never did I expect to step hoof on its grounds again due to your very interesting request... Lady Von Melody." Princess Luna looks opposite her in the slightly larger than normal bath at Octavia, whom has her head laid back with her eyes closed.

"I'm happy you decided to accept my request, Princess Luna. I have something I need to ask of you... I know that you're the most reasonable choice for what I seek to know." Octavia states as she opens her eyes and stares at Princess Luna.

Princess Luna ponders for a moment raising and lowering her leg out of the water and chuckles.

"You need not be so formal, Octavia. What is it that you require to know from me?" Princess Luna asks, looking curious.

Octavia looks distressed and hesitates to speak, but finally finds the words she has been searching for.

"I want to know everything you do about... Half-breed vampires, like Amore." Octavia swallows hard as Princess Luna smiles slightly.

"Half-breeds... When a vampire and a pony have a successful child like Amore, they have the powers of both sides. However, at birth and until awakened their vampire side remains dormant, sleeping till the day the child becomes of age. Even should said child become of age, their true vampire powers will not awaken until they have tasted the blood of a pure vampire... It is generally frowned upon to be a half-breed. I see it as jealousy that they do not have the benefit of choice like the half-breeds." Princess Luna begins to explain.

"What do you mean 'benefit of choice'?" Octavia asks looking confused.

"Half-breeds cannot stay that way forever... Inside them are two halves tugging for control. This is only should they awaken to their vampire powers... Like Amore. The hunger that we curse so much will continue to eat at her until she makes a choice." Princess Luna raises both her hands out of the bath water. "If she wants to be a normal pony or a vampire... If she fails to choose at this point, then she will be eaten away till only a husk is left. Then something else will take her place, something... Ugly, horrible and Feral..." Princess Luna states with some level of distress.

"What does she have to do in order to make her choice?" Octavia asks choking slightly.

"She must ingest one of two liquid substances. Either a vial of holy water or a vial of the pure vampires blood that awoke her. By ingesting the holy water, yes it will hurt like the fire of Tartarus itself... However, it's the only way to cleanse the vampire corruption from her body and make her normal. By ingesting your blood her normal side will die and be overtaken by the vampire within. Both methods share equal pain and suffering, which is why there are little to no half-breeds alive today. This is a choice she must make on her own..." Princess Luna sighs before getting out of the bath.

"So... She either has to become a vampire or a normal pony... Oh, Amore..." Octavia sinks low into the bath deep in thought, but keeps her nose above water level to breath.

"I envy the struggle of youth. Be patient with her and I'm sure she will make her choice soon, Lady Von Melody." Princess Luna exits the bathroom and leaves Octavia to her thoughts.

"I gotta do what?!" Amore shouts as she falls back onto the academy dojo floor.

Opposite Amore where her opponent would be, stands Night Glider sheathing her rapier.

Night Glider sighs deeply and crosses her arms. "You have to either drink holy water or the blood of the pure vampire who awoke you..."

"Octavia..." Amore mumbles as she stares at the ceiling.

"You can't ignore it as it will only grow and get worse... You literally have to choose whether you want to be a vampire or a normal pony. Either way I doubt it will affect the taste of your blood. It's up to you which you pick, I have no opinion on the matter." Night Glider sits down on a nearby bench.

Amore picks herself up from the floor and retrieves her sword, which is stuck into the ground nearby. She then joins Night Glider on the bench after getting some soda drinks.

"I don't know which I want to do... I guess part of me is saying to go back to being a normal pony because that's what I've known throughout my entire life. Compared to being a vampire which I've only known since our trip to Manehatten..." Amore muses as she stares at the ceiling.

Night Glider sighs as she opens her can and takes a few sips. "You know you're going to have to talk to her eventually... You can't avoid it forever if you're considering the vampire option. Either way I'd recommend talking to her at least once..." Night Glider states before getting comfortable.

Amore opens her can and also takes a few sips. "I know... I just don't know how to approach her after we parted when breaking up. I want to talk to her... I miss her if nothing else. I just don't know about what I saw... What that girl showed us."

"You told me she showed you Octavia's fears and such... It makes me wonder if you truly ever loved her." Night Glider comments finishing her soda.

"I did! I know that was real! I..." Amore stops herself after realising what Night Glider was implying.

Night Glider stands up and heads out of the dojo. "Really? If that was the case then you would have talked to her about the issues rather then run away... The Amore we all know isn't a coward... But we have no idea who in the name of Celestia you are, the saddest thing is... I don't think you know either."

Night Glider leaves the dojo and Amore crushes her half empty soda can spilling what's left on the floor. "Fuck... When did I become such a pussy... Running away like I did just because things seemed difficult... That isn't me, that's never been me... Who am I then if not me..?"

Amore throws the can away and stands up before leaving the dojo and sighing deeply, all the while cursing herself.

Vinyl is sitting on a pile of dead Order of Light followers drinking a wine glass of blood. Sitting in a chair near her is a Unicorn colt with a light opalish grey coat, his mane and tail are a dark grey. His eyes are a moderate cerulean. He wears a white T-shirt with a black, normal length jacket and black trousers.

"This assignment was a cinch, wouldn't ya say Neon~" Vinyl prompts Neon who rolls his eyes.

"You say that, but this hotel room now has to be cleaned... I don't know about you, but us Lycans are not exactly know for being 'clean'." Neon states while sighing deeply.

Suddenly Vinyl's ringtone goes off for her phone and she searches her pockets for it.

"Where da hell did I put my phone?" Vinyl asks, putting down her wine glass.

Neon holds up an electric blue phone with her decal on it. Vinyl blinks a few times before it's thrown to her.

"Umm thanks, where was it?" Vinyl asks as the ringtone still plays.

"Next to this dead Order of Light thug... The one you umm... yeah..." Neon looks away and sighs.

"Oh... Right." Vinyl finally answers her phone.

"Hey, mother..." Amore says, making Vinyl grin and relax in her chair.

"Hmm it feels good to hear you say that every time now. So, what can I do for you, Amore?" Vinyl asks swirling around her blood wine glass.

"Something happened and well... I kinda broke up with Octavia..." Amore states sadly.

"'Kinda broke up'?" Vinyl raises an eyebrow.

"Okay... I broke up with her because some mystical mare showed us Octavia's deepest fears of her heart or something..."

"Shintaku... Someone woke her up then... I'll explain about her later. You didn't even talk to Octy about these fears?" Vinyl asks looking annoyed.

"No... I kinda just freaked and didn't know what to feel... I've never been this close to somepony, I don't know what to do..." Amore states grunting in frustration.

"Talk to her... It's really all you can do to figure things out. I'm her old roommate so this is kinda weird having her date you. However, I've never seen you so happy other then when you're bashing ponies skulls in like a boss." Vinyl smiles and sighs.

"I want to, but I don't know how to approach her... I really fucked up this time, mother..." Amore grumbles.

"I'm sure you will find a way... I have to clean up some stuff here before I can visit you for the last day of the festival. See you soon." Vinyl hangs up her phone and sighs deeply.

Neon chuckles slightly making Vinyl look over to see a massive shit eating grin on his face.

"What? Is it that weird to see me as a caring, loving parent? Shut the fuck up and get back to work you wet dog." Vinyl throws a rag to him, which he catches still grinning knowing she is just playing.

Amore sighs and leans against the railing of the academy rooftop looking very depressed.

"Fuck my life..." Amore states.

"Having trouble?" A voice asks making Amore tense up slightly.

Amore stands up straight and looks to her right to see Octavia standing a little way from her.

"Tavi... What do you want?" Amore asks looking out towards the festival ground.

Without warning Amore suddenly feels a pair of arms wrap around her waist and Octavia's head rest against her back.

"I want you..." Octavia claims as she nuzzles Amore's back affectionately.

Amore chokes slightly unsure how to react and slightly starts to tear up as she tries to look at clouds.

"I've been thinking a lot since we met with that girl in the crypt... I came to realise I have been so foolish and stupid this whole time. My worries are so silly It's unreal... I know you'd never hurt me and I know you would never leave me." Octavia states, breathing deeply.

"I did leave though..." Amore comments sniffing trying to hold back her tears.

"I know, but you were confused and hurt by what you saw. I know I'm the first mare you have had feelings for... You have never had to deal with these emotions before. I understand you're frustrated and confused." Octavia cuddles Amore slightly tighter.

"How do you know..?" Amore asks.

"Because I love you and I realise that I don't need to be afraid of anything. I just wished I realised that sooner... If you need proof we can go see that girl again and see what's in my heart. However, I promise you that I'm fully trusting you and have unmoving faith in your ability." Octavia states as Amore turns around and buries her face in Octavia's chest.

"I feel like such a fucking moron... I should have talked to you about it, not run away like a little bitch. A Von Scratch doesn't run away from things like that... I'm so sorry..." Amore muffles through Octavia's blazer, as she strokes Amore's mane.

"Hush, Amore. It's fine... Everything will be okay. Did you want to get back together yet or do you want a little more time?" Octavia asks in a calm gentle voice.

"Just a tiny bit longer... I just want to figure out what I'm doing between being a vampire and normal Earth Pony. Umm... Can I move back in though?" Amore asks through wiping her tears.

Octavia chuckles and sighs holding Amore close. "Whatever you need. You can move back in whenever you feel ready. We can stay like this for a while if it'll help."

Amore nods happily and relaxes against Octavia as they warmly embrace each other.

Derpy is tuning her guitar behind the drawn curtain of the assembly stage as Aqua Streak and Scarlet Orange setup their instruments.

"Do you guys think she is coming tonight?" Derpy asks looking sad.

"I'm pretty sure, unless she did something stupid again..." Aqua Streak mumbles before sighing deeply.

"Wishful thinking again Aqua?" Amore jokes as she strolls onto the stage to the girls.

"Yay! Amore made it~" Derpy sings as she jumps in place.

"So is everything set up for the song?" Amore asks taking her place at the microphone stand.

"Yes, we are just waiting to be introduced by our band leader." Scarlet Orange comments smiling.

Amore gives a thumbs up to a member of the drama club, who is by a rope attached to the curtain and starts parting them. The curtains part and the trio can see the same mass of festival fans as last night only more excited for their performance.

"How are you all tonight?!" Amore asks to hear a resounding cheer.

In the front row directly in front of the stage Amore can see Octavia, which makes her smile.

"Where are my Valentine boys this evening?!" Amore asks getting a much larger cheer from the middle of the large crowd.

Amore looks around to see Princess Luna and Valentine near the back. Princess Luna waves with a slight smile while Valentine is grinning wide with his arms crossed.

"Are you all ready to enjoy some music?!" Amore asks loudly.

"Yes!" The crowd cheer back, although an adorable squeak can be heard somewhere in the audience.

Amore signals to her band mates and they start up the song before she starts signing, Derpy provides the secondary voice.

I wanted you to know that I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph and I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

You've gone away, you don't feel me here anymore.

The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

The lyrics fade out and the band focus on the instrumental as Amore is smiling quite widely at the buzzing crowd. Below her she is reminded about Octavia and the happy face she bares, which makes Amore's heart beat faster. Looking at her band mates she knows she has never felt better, glancing at Derpy who simply smiles at her widely as they both prepare to finish the song.

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

You've gone away
You don't feel me here anymore

The song ends and the music fades out to the resounding applause of the audience, even Octavia is clapping louder than normal. Looking to the back Amore can see Princess Luna also clapping and smiling while Valentine is cheering with his bar section. Jumping down off the stage Amore hugs Octavia gently and sighs inwardly.

"I love you, Tavi. Give me until after the festival, I'll know what I'm doing by then." Amore pulls away slightly, smiling at Octavia.

"I love you too, Amy. Take all the time you need, I'm not going anywhere." Octavia whispers into Amore's ear, making her shiver and relax into her marefriend's embrace.

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoyed the drama through this chapter. This author's note is a little weird as I only now realise I never did a note for this chapter... Gotta love it when you do a note and not save... Anyway I completely forgot what I said. You have now learned so much more about half-breeds yay! After how many chapters? So... Yeah. Keep following and it'll get better. See you next time.