Three days before the festival...

Amore is descending down the stone steps with Octavia into the old forsaken crypt she was told about. As soon as the entrance closed behind them the same music Amore heard before started to play.

"Amore... As much as I love our date setting, is it not lacking in the 'romantic' department?" Octavia asks as they progress past several tombs and cobwebbed skeletons.

"I didn't really say it was a date... However, many ponies reported several strange happenings around this crypt... So, I figured, as we are student council members, we should investigate it." Amore tries to bluff Octavia.

"Amy... It's my day off..." Octavia dead pans as she is wearing her supernatural student uniform.

Amore choked a little. Octavia rarely used her new nickname for Amore, but she loved it a lot. "W-well... I was just curious about this place... Can we at least see what's down here?" Amore pleads.

Octavia sighs as they walk and gives in to Amore.

"Fine, but you realise this crypt only goes so far then it stops at a dead-" Octavia is cut off by Amore who runs over to the end wall and inspects a cool looking bat carving.

Amore pushes in the carving and the section beside it opens making Octavia look very puzzled.

"I have no idea what is past this room... Amore maybe we should turn back." Octavia asks, but Amore is already pressing on.

The pair come to an odd room with several blue flamed torches lining the various pillars and walls about the room. A large magical symbol is carved into the floor between the pillars and Octavia looks around in awe.

"What is this place?" Octavia asks only to be answered by a small giggling voice.

"Why, it's my prison as well as my home!" Octavia turns around to see Shintaku, the Unicorn mare Amore met before.

"You're the mare from the hallway..." Amore states making Octavia look at her oddly before turning her attention back to to the Unicorn mare.

"Yep! I see you brought 'her' as well!" Shintaku floats over to Octavia and examines her. "Yeah... Your cover is very good, but I can see all the way into that dark heart of yours!" Shintaku floats away playfully leaving a shocked and pale Octavia.

"W-what do you mean 'cover'?" Octavia asks feeling ill.

"You will see... Even if you yourself doesn't know it yet... Come find me at my deepest chambers! There you will find out what is true and what is false!~" Shintaku states before disappearing.

Amore looks at Octavia who seems shaken by the encounter and places her hand on the mares shoulder making her jump.

"Tavi..? Are you feeling okay?" Amore asks looking concerned.

"I-I'm fine... Let's just meet this mare and be rid of this place..." Octavia takes a deep breath and they progress past the room into a long corridor.

Amore is walking along bobbing her head without a worry to the techno music in her ears. Octavia is bent over in front of her breathing heavily.

"Traps... Of course there would be traps..." Octavia pants looking behind them at a large corridor which has engraved plates on the floor.

All over the room are arrows, spears, swords, battle axes and various other dangerous weapons which are stuck into the floor and walls.

"I didn't think it was that bad, Tavi~" Amore states still bouncing her head.

Octavia groans as they continue on through a large stone door which leads into a large rectangle shaped room. On either side of the room leading up to the end are countless tombs and pony skeletons, the ceiling is very high with two chandeliers lighting up the room with various other candles. The pair look around before heading to the three thrones at the end of the room. They reach the large circle engraving before a loud bellowing voice stops them.

"HALT! NONE SHALL PASS TO SEE OUR LADY TILL THOU IST PROVEN WORTHY!" The very deep voice states as the pony skeletons sitting on the thrones come to life and stare at the pair.

"So what do we have to do?" Amore asks shifting the silver case on her back.

"Prove yourself in combat, worthy to receive the visions of our fair lady!" The first skeleton explains.

"Only those who are found worthy of skill have the will to see our lady!" The third skeleton adds.

"Soldiers of the dammed, rise and serve your mistress once more to defend her!" The main middle skeleton yells making several stone coffins move and shift as the ponies are brought back to life in their skeleton forms.

Amore springs her sword from her case and flips it around a few times before throwing her case to the side.

"Hmm I'm so going to enjoy this!" Amore yells as she wades into the horde of skeleton ponies.

Octavia leans against a pillar and sighs deeply as Amore enjoys herself.

After several minutes of slashing down skeletons more undead ponies were summoned that had much more rotten flesh on them. Amore kills a few and squees in joy at the mess she is making.

"Tavi! Tavi! You have badly got to try this! These guys make such a bloody mess!" Amore squeaks as she kicks an undead pony in the head to make it detach with a heavy blood trail

Octavia smiles to herself as she deals with her own group of undead ponies, trying to keep her kills as clean as possible. Once the majority of the undead were dealt with the first of the three skeleton ponies stood up and summoned a battle axe.

"Thou shall not pass! We're charged with guarding my lady as she slumbers... None who have yet to prove their worth shall cross the threshold into her domain!" The pony swings his axe around in the air and makes a loud battle cry as he charges Amore.

Amore, not wanting the fun to stop, eagerly takes the pony on easily matching him in every aspect of his... Very outdated and barbaric fighting style.

"The name Crushing Stone was once feared across every wake of Equestria! How dost thou not fear me!" Crushing Stone prompts Amore who two step kicks the battle axe out of his hands and grabs it herself.

Sticking her sword into the ground she tosses the battle axe up and down getting a feel for it and even playfully spinning it around her hands to Crushing Stones amazement.

"This is the most fun fighting I've had in weeks! Although your style is good... I think it's somewhat outdated and very predictable... I had fun none the less!" Amore exclaims before slamming the battle axe straight down Crushing Stones centre skeleton. The blow easily cuts the pony in half and digs deep into the ground.

Amore smiles widely and looks towards the two ponies left. The centre pony signals the third to make their move and they leave their throne. The skeleton pony raises their hand into the air and summons a pair of duel rapiers before readying himself for combat.

"Lightning Strike will show you what it means to cross the strongest rapier user of his time! Prepare yourselves!" Lightning Strike states as he charges at Amore.

Octavia blocks the slashes with her single rapier and pushes Lightning Strike back a little.

"Oh, now this is more my type. Amore, do be a dear and let me handle this charming fellow." Octavia asks as she flicks her rapier blade in practice.

Amore takes up leaning against a nearby pillar to watch her marefriend work.

"knock yourself out, Tavi~" Amore states resting.

Octavia charges at Lightning Strike and reels off a series of fast strikes and pierce attacks that are blocked fairly easily. Lightning Strike returns his own flurry of strikes and slashes which half are blocked while the other half go through and cut Octavia's uniform. Frowning in disappointment, Octavia decides to step up her game and charges again at Lightning Strike, pushing him back slowly with an even faster flurry of precise strikes and quick slashes which catch the experienced pony off guard. After several minutes of back and forth fighting, Octavia decides to break out her signature finishing move, which she used on Amore when they met. Octavia charges at Lightning Strikes and unleashes a series of insanely fast precise piercing attacks which stab the enemy pony in his bones weakening him gradually as the strikes go on. She then leads up for her final strike which aims at his centre spine.

"One million dark fang illusion strike!" Octavia yells proudly as the tip of her rapier stabs into his spine.

The pony before Octavia cracked and crumbled to thousands of broken pieces. The main skeleton pony stands up and summons a large great sword before stepping forward a little.

"Half breed... Come forward..." The pony asks keeping his gaze on Amore.

Amore unsure how to deal with his sudden examination steps forward picking up her metal sword and standing a few paces in front of him.

"What do you want..?" Amore asks swallowing hard.

"You are a sight I've not seen in this land since my own time several hundreds of years ago... Rarely does a vampire and a pony dare elope despite the stigma. Although you might find at the end of this road you travel, is not the answer you hoped for... What will you do when faced with the truth of yourself and your birth?" The pony asks.

Amore feels her chest tighten, unsure how to answer. Never before did she think she would get this far, let alone meet any of her parents... Only one answer really sounded right to her.

"I'll deal with that when I get there... I've still a long way to go." Amore states with a slight smile.

The skeleton pony chuckles and stares at Amore who meets his gaze head on.

"This will be a good ending to my tale... I've long awaited another half breed who could match my companions, now you arrive seeking out our fair lady. Needless to say I see it as destiny... Show me the power of a true half breed! Show me your true self! I, lord Crimson Flare, shall judge thee worthy!" Crimson Flare bellows as he slams his great sword down into the floor creating a shock-wave which throws Amore off.

Amore's entire demeanour changes and her eyes shift colour so her left is blood red. She grips her sword and smiles widely at Crimson Flare before snapping her fingers shifting the ominous music in the air to something much more her style

"Seeing as they got a sound system let's pump this up to eleven and get this shit started!" Amore yells as she sprints forth off the spot at Crimson Flare.

Crimson Flare blocks each of her fast onslaught slashes with one of his own. Each attack is met with another of equal resistance.

"Come on half-breed! Push your limits!" Crimson Flare yells as he flings Amore backwards across the floor and charges at her.

Regaining her balance into a standing-slide position Amore pushes off the spot and spreads her vampire wings so she can literally fly at Crimson Flare. Upon reaching him, Amore grabs his arm and using her strength slams him into the nearby pillar. Crimson Flare grabs Amore through the dust cloud and throws her up into the ceiling before slamming her hard into the ground. Grabbing his wrist Amore throws Crimson Flare round and into the second pillar before unleashing a series of lightning fast slashes onto him that are all blocked by his great sword.

"Yes, yes! Faster young half-breed! Fight with everything!" Crimson Flare screams, the excitement very clear in his voice.

Octavia is standing clear of the fighting area as she tries to avoid the crossfire. Amore is kicked back into the wall followed by Crimson Flares fit impacting her chest causing her to spit up blood. He prepares to pierce Amore using the tip of his blade and begins his thrust attack with great speed and momentum. At that moment Octavia's blood ran cold and she closed her eyes awaiting the scream Amore would produce at being struck by his blade. When the scream never came she opened her eyes to see Amore still stuck in the wall, but holding the tip of Crimson Flare's sword at bay using the very tip of her sword. Amore smirks as she stares into the eye sockets of Crimson Flare.

"You seriously think that's all I got?! Stand back little skeleton pony. Let AMR-3 show you how dis shit is done!" Amore screams as she pushes forward from the wall and deflects Crimson Flare's sword forcing him off balance.

Amore unleashes a series of much faster slashes and strikes against him using all her available strength and speed that she can muster. Her left eye practically glowing a fresh blood red colour and her right eye flickering between aquamarine and blood red ever so slightly. Amore jumps around Crimson Flare from all directions making it nearly impossible to block, let alone see her attacks as she builds up tremendous speed and momentum.

"Ten thousand two-step multi slash finishing move! Scarlet rose of singing death!" Amore screams as she two-step kicks Crimson Flare into his throne, dislodging it and slamming it into the gate behind him.

Amore does a mid air spinning twirl before throwing her sword into Crimson Flare making it stick into his throne and he bursts into scarlet coloured flames, which engulf him. The music shifts back to the creepy track that was on before.

"Well done... Young half-breed, Amore. Needless to say our time is finished in this world... Our mistress is now in your hands. I hope you are able to better protect her than us... Farewell, young Amore... May we meet again in the great beyond." Crimson Flare states as he turns to ash along with his throne.

Amore sits down on the floor and lets out a sigh of relief as Octavia walks over to her.

"Are you alright, Amore?" Octavia asks placing her hand on Amore's shoulder.

"I'm awesome!" Amore states as she flings her arms into the air and falls backwards.

"You seemed to be enjoying yourself... Was he strong enough for you?" Octavia asks squatting down and running her fingers through Amore's mane.

Amore nods rapidly and closes her eyes. "It was fairly difficult and I wish he didn't die... Still, I'm happy sparring with you, Tavi."

Octavia looks ahead, ever more worried about what will happen when they reach the mare.

"Do you still want to continue onwards?" Octavia asks as Amore stands up and collects her weapon case and sword.

"We have come this far. might as well go all the way." Amore states as she starts to carry on, pushing the door open and heading onwards.

Octavia looks around the room and sighs to herself before following Amore.

The pair open a pair of large engraved doors which lead to a square room with rectangle waterfall slots dotted around its edges. In the centre of the room is Shintaku with a floating tea set right next to her.

"Ah, you made it just fine~ I was worried that my guardians would end you, but you pushed through without much trouble." Shintaku states as she disperses the tea set.

"Not exactly the easiest pony to try and see, are you?" Amore states, folding her arms.

"Oh, that's just details... Anyway! You came here to learn the truth, yes!" Shintaku claims as she floats around the pair, but stops at Amore.

Shintaku spreads out her fingers stretching them for a few seconds before diving them into Amore's chest where her heart is and begins pulling out some silver glowing string. Shintaku spins the string onto the screens she had out before with Amore and they show more vibrant versions of the scenes she saw before.

"You seriously never change... It's very interesting, but somewhat disheartening. Still let's move on to your partner and her fears." Shintaku states as the weave flows back into Amore's heart.

Shintaku floats over to Octavia and with some resistance pulls the thread very slowly out of her heart and onto multiple screens.

"Now! You're so much more interesting! You say so much stuff to comfort her, to let her believe you're on her side... When really, deep in your heart..." Shintaku begins as she floats to the screens and clicks her fingers making the screens turn on.

The many screens show Octavia and Amore in many loving situations and caring poses like you normally would. Shintaku's expression then turns dark and she snaps both her fingers loudly making the screens turn. The new images are of Amore killing and/or torturing Octavia with her sword. Amore leaving Octavia or something happening between them about her vampire powers and the sword.

"Tavi..? What is all this? I thought we were cool... That you knew I'd never hurt you... I thought we were not going to keep secrets from each other!" Amore turns to Octavia who is looking at the floor unable to speak.

"Oh, her heart has doubted you for a long time, little Amore. Despite all the loving bullshit she wants you to believe... Her heart is blacker than the darkest night and she fears you... You mistook her self survival for love... She never loved you!" Shintaku whispers into Amore's ear.

"That's wrong! I do love Amore! I just... Your sword scares me... You scare me... You're a much stronger vampire than I've seen... I don't know what to think or how to feel! Can you blame me?!" Octavia sharply looks at Amore unable to keep her normal, cool, composure.

Amore looks away from Octavia and glances at the screens before gritting her teeth and clenching her fist.

"Well... I guess if you're so afraid of me, we can't be together can we..?" Amore states sounding serious.

"Amore... You can't honestly want to break up after-" Octavia is cut off by Amore.

"Yes, I'm fucking serious! We said no secrets! You kept this from me when we could of talked it out! I don't know how to deal with this! I've never had to deal with this! I don't know what's going on with me, but if you can't trust me then I can't count on you! I can't fucking do this!" Amore states in anger as she heads for the door.

Octavia tries to grab Amore's hand, but it's smacked away hard before Amore storms out of the room. Shintaku floats around and lets the string flow back into Octavia's heart.

"You should of trusted her more... Oh well, guess you wont be a problem for them anymore... I suppose I can sleep again now~" Shintaku disperses and the light dims in the room along with the music stopping.

Octavia stares at the door and slides to the floor before staring at her hands and starting to cry. Octavia plays all the memories she has of Amore in her mind, from the moment they met to what happened just a few seconds ago. Octavia's sorrow and depression grows deeper and deeper the longer she stays there and contemplates her mistake.

Author's Note

Yay! Friction between the pair and they just broke up! "How can this get any worse" is what you're likely asking yourselves... Well, trust me when I say you will not have to wait long to see just how much worse I can make it. This is a deep wound and it will not heal quickly by any measure. I hope you will continue showing your support for this fic and stay tuned for more anime, reference, ridiculous drama.