When I first started having the headaches; they only began around the age of five. They weren't as strong back then; they were only just considered the usual, and casual headache. When I was a child; I was told not to worry about them as much, but now they might have been my death sentence.

'I need to leave; I need to leave now!' I thought to myself extending my wings, readying myself for flight. "I'm sorry, little one." Those were the only words of sympathy I could muster; as I gave a great flap with my wings, and shot out of the shattered window. I couldn't help but abandon the little filly; though it was for the best option for both of us. For if I stayed any longer; I didn't know how I would have dealt with it.

I soared through my flight, everything seemed to drag on as I flew over the Everfree; but the lack of sleep was starting to get to me. Not to mention the aftermath from my cranial carnival.

Hardened blood covered my cheeks, and my head rang relentlessly. I didn't care for all the little things for the moment; all I cared for at the moment was returning home, for some much needed sleep. Resting seemed to be the only thing that would cure these episodes of pain; and the feeling that it might take hold of me in any moment grew nearer.

All I could see was the blurred image of Ponyville in the distance; just breaking through the onslaught of trees. I remember having this inner feeling of happiness, and everything felt like it was going to be alright; but that's where everything seemed to go wrong.

I made my way over the forest but as I did; something felt off. I winced with a sudden flash of withdrawal; feeling a sharpening pain coming from my spine. I turned my head around; only to find that my wings had disappeared within my wing-slotted shirt. "Ahhh...fuck." was all I could say as I began crashing towards the ground.

As I was falling towards the forest rapidly; hearing the tearing wind against my body, something about it soothed me. In such a way, that I could feel myself losing consciousness. My eyes began to close, and before I knew it; everything went black.

I awoke on wood-chipped covered grass, inside the mossy forest floor next to an uprooted tree. "How long have I been here?" I asked myself. I took a brief glance overhead, and could see the radiance of sunlight breaking through the leaves. I assumed it was morning, and slowly pulled myself to my feet.

Taking a stance to ease myself into recovery, I began to stretch my limbs; in doing so, I could feel some pain emanating from my shoulder. I grasped it for a moment wincing. I tried to summon my wings, but it was no use. Either the enchantment with the armor wore off, or something was interfering with it.

With my armor only serving as protection for the moment; I had to take care not to encounter any timbers. I did have my sword; but my arm had dislocated from the impact, and I'm no good with my left. I would have to take the time to fix it by myself. Looking around the forest searching my scenery; it all seemed to be beautifully chaotic, all except for behind me.

The trees behind me looked to be maimed; toppled and knocked over, or scattered around chaotically. On the ground; the grass took on a trail torn into the ground, forming a tiny rotten trail leading up towards me. Everything was devastated. The grass; the trees, and my own body. They all felt and looked the same; overwhelmed, and broken.

Turning away from the carnage; I had to ask myself once again in thought,'Did I do that? That's not possible...' Nothing seemed to make sense; but I needed medical attention, and the closest place I could think of was Zecora's hut.

The welcoming striped mare aided me, and tended to my wounds; as I sat down on her couch defeated. "This blood leaking from your eye; this only happens when you cry?" Zecora asked curiously. I was surprised she was home. Usually she was in town at the market, or wandering the nearby swamp for ingredients.

"Physicians and doctors back in my world couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. They didn't do a lot of tests; but they reassured me nothing was wrong. They stopped testing; so i assumed it wasn't anything, nothing they found wrong..." I told the curious zebra. "I noticed my eyes would begin to bleed when I would cry; something with the massive pressure that builds up inside my head cause these headaches. The headaches were something different; something to learn to control. The blood was another issue...I never quite knew why they started."

"Back in your world; you didn't have me." The witch doctor of the woods boasted. After she finished bandaging my pain stricken body she spoke,"May I search around in your head?" Asked the striped mare; to which I nodded. "This'll be interesting." She lightly smirked.

Zecora laid me down on her bed and stood overtop of me; I looked up to the zebra, and asked,"So; how are you exactly going to 'search my head'? I'd rather not go through years of psychology again." I jokingly spoke.

She looked into my eyes, and said,"This process will be much quicker than questions, and this should only take...an hour..." Her uneasy glance while she stood over me; caught me off guard, as she slowly sat down on my waist. Her legs hugged both sides of my torso. In an authorized tone; she asked me,"Are you ready?" She grabbed a small vial off the nightstand beside the bed, and downed the small amount of liquid inside.

"So...how does this work?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well; it's simple, I drink this and then I show you." The striped zebra added, with a smug look. She bent down towards my face and planted her lips upon mine; the same liquid that she induced made its way inside of my mouth, and was quickly coated with a slick textured object. After a moment of kissing; Zecora's body fell beside mine motionless, eyes closed and asleep. I could feel the liquid taking affects on my body as well.

I began to feel light headed; followed by sensations of suprisingly pleasant numbness. I tried to raise my hand, it was astonishing as it levitated in front of my face; but all I could make out was a basic outline of my hand, and its constant blur. My eyes grew heavy and I was fighting to stay awake but alas; my efforts were in vain. I couldn't feel my body, nor did I want to.

All I could think of at the moment were thoughts of memories; of loved ones, and people I held special. As I closed my eyes and slowly drifted into sleep, a figure became present in my thoughts. It was a dark figure, and one I knew well. I honestly hadn't seen him all that much in the months since passed. Now that I finally had the chance to meet with him once more, I was going to enjoy it.

"Welcome back, and Zecora; what a pleasure it is to see you once again." He was staring to my side, and as did I. I saw Zecora standing beside me gazing around inside the depths of my mind; searching around in awe.

"I see you two have already met; so let's skip past the formalities. We are here to search for something." I told Shadow kin.

He gazed curiously,"And what would that be?"

Zecora added,"We are searching for Dark's source of pain. Should these episodes continue to happen; he will most certainly die. Because of this, I have dosed myself and Dark to investigate the cause. Would you know where to start our search?" She asked.

With his eyes half-lidded; he smiled looking at us. "I do believe I know where to start, but once we're there; only Dark and I may enter."

"Why only us?" I asked pondering.

"If Zecora were to enter; she might not be able to remove herself from you. It would be unwise for all of us; just for only us to enter."

"These headaches are your problem, and only you can truly deal with it. Shall we make our way through your jungle of thoughts?" asked Zecora.

I lightly nodded, and turned to Shadow,"Alright; I'm ready when you are. Brother."

(Version 1.3(2023))
Misspelling errors fixed, story corrections. Etc.

I hope you had a good chapter with the vamp camp, and I'll see in in the next ring. Shall I entertain? Maybe. I don't know.

Keep it cool, xXCondemnedSoulXx.