Now Tag’s party stood just outside their final destination, the Strait Stronghold. It was a castle, impressively constructed but very small in stature. The walls were still much taller than Fiandu or any of the ponies there and the drawbridge stood up against the walls on the other side of the small moat.
“How are we supposed to get inside?” Lop asked looking at the others.
“I’ll fly up and sneak, I’ll drop the drawbridge and let you in.” Pilot said simply and sprung up into the air before anypony could say anything. They stood outside in the open awkwardly while Pilot flew around above the battlements. He came back down and landed beside them shaking his head at the same time. “All the doors are closed and locked there’s nothing we can do. Darkness dropped over them as the moon jumped up into the sky.
“Now what?” Brook asked looking around; nopony could even say anything. “All this time and suffering just to be stopped by a wall?” Still nopony said anything. The sky brightened again but the moon remained in the air.
“What’s that?” Lop asked looking in the direction they had come. Tag squinted as a large ball of light seemed to come right at them. His mind flashed back to the room at Heaven’s End.
“There is one other thing that I can do to help. I cannot tell you but I’ll have to depart separately.”
“Move, now.” Tag said and pushed Brook away, Pilot picked up Lop and dragged him after them leaving Fiandu to catch up. Tag jumped to the ground and covered his head with his hooves. He could hear a massive explosion behind him that sent winds powerful enough to send him sprawling.
Are you okay? Book demanded. Tag got up and dusted himself off shakily.
I’m alright. He answered looking around. Brook was on the ground looking around fearfully. Lop and Pilot had landed beside them and Fiandu on the other side.
“Is everypony okay?” Lop asked getting up from under Pilot.
“I’m fine” Pilot said.
“In one piece.” Brook muttered.
I’m okay. Fiandu spoke.
“I’m good.” Tag said. Turning around Tag looked at what had once been the gate to the Strait Stronghold. The large explosion had decimated the front wall of the fort. And only a crate remained on the ground on front of it. Smoke was floating upwards and small white fires burned. Tag staggered over to the edge followed by the others. The sight was reminiscent of the one in the throne room back at Canterlot. Halley was barely recognizable with all the ash and blood that covered her body, her turquoise coat turned to a deep red. Fiandu let out a high-pitched cry and jumped down into the crater not regarding any of the fire in the way; his thoughts were only for Halley. Tag followed more carefully to avoid any fire. He stopped next to Fiandu who had stooped and scooped Halley in his arms, he cradled her like a foal and its mother. His mouth moved but nothing could be heard. Halley’s eyes cracked open and she looked up at him.
“My faithful friend…” She whispered slowly. “Thank you for doing as…. I asked.”
Princess don’t go, don’t leave Fiandu all alone! Fiandu spoke. Tag felt waves of sadness as the voice passed through him and he put a hoof on Fiandu’s shoulder, it was then that Halley noticed him.
“And Tag…. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to help any more but without my own source of immortality is gone and I’m left… with little energy.” She breathed in deeply. “When… you see my sisters… tell them I’m sorry…” She reached up to grab Tag’s hoof. “And Open… Book, one final apology to you… and your brother. Should you see him again, could you pass that on for me?” Tag heard silent crying from the back of his head.
“I’ll tell him.” Tag promised her. Halley drew in a calm breath.
“At least I can die knowing that I’ve… helped… save Equestria from… Discord…” Her eyes became distant and empty, a lonely empty. Fiandu shook her softly.
Princess! Don’t leave! He repeated over and over again. Tag put his hoof back on Fiandu’s shoulder.
“She’s gone.” He said quietly. Fiandu looked up at him with tears in his black eyes. He placed her down gingerly on the ground and stood up, his body shook with anger. Without a word he began to sprint into the Strait Stronghold. Tag started to go after him.
Don’t. Book said, his voice was choked and painful to hear. He’ll be fine. Tag took a deep breath and looked back up at the other three faces peering over the edge of the crater.
“We should go.” He said quietly. The others carefully made their way down until they all stood beside the body of the Princess.
“To tell the truth… I almost didn’t believe that she existed.” Lop confessed. “You were the only one that had seen her.” He bowed his head respectfully. Pilot and Brook followed, they stood like that for a moment before they all looked up.
“It’s time we finished this.” Pilot said angrily.
----
There was only one hallway to follow from the entrance, the floor of it was coated in a black slime.
I think these were the shadows of Discord’s army. It would appear that Fiandu has been through here. Book noted; his voice seemed to have returned to normal. Tag continued to lead the small party; he had to light up his horn due to the lack of light.
How are you holding up? Tag asked as they turned a corner.
I’m fine. Book said quickly. Tag avoided another puddle of shadow.
Are you sure…? He asked again.
No, just… leave me alone for a while. Book said. Tag heard a sniffle from his head and decided not to follow the topic.
“What was that?” Brook asked quickly and brandishing her cutlass. Tag paused, he could hear a small scraping sound. He looked at a door, the first they had passed, that stood on the side. It was covered in shadow liquid.
“It’s coming from in there.” Pilot said and brought out his own cutlass. Tag held up a hoof.
“Allow me.” He drew Tagia and closed his eyes for a second, he used his magic to push away the light around him and began to tag shadows. “Come in only if I call.” He whispered behind him and opened the door. Inside was fairly dark but Tag could make out the bodies of six ponies in six different cells all curled up on the floor.
Are those? He sheathed Tagia quickly and jumped over to one of the cells. He recognized Fluttershy’s yellow coat, although there was something wrong with it. He pulled at the cell door to find that it was locked with a large rusty padlock, no way that he could open it himself.
“Hey! Get in here!” He hissed back at the door and his friends quickly filed into the room.
“Who’re they?” Pilot grunted looking at Twilight.
“They’re the Elements of Harmony. They’re the ones who stopped Discord before.” Tag explained. “Lop, can you break this lock?” Lop took one look at it.
“Step back.” He said and raised the axe in his mouth, with a powerful blow he smashed the lock and the door swung open. Tag ran inside and nudged Fluttershy to her hooves.
“C’mon, we need you.” He said comfortingly, aware of Fluttershy’s timid nature, but Fluttershy wouldn’t even look up to meet his eyes.
What’s wrong? Tag asked.
They’re under Discord’s control much like you were. Book explained quietly.
“Celestia condemn it!” Tag exclaimed. “Lop get the doors open, Pilot and Brook start herding them into the hallway!” He ordered.
“I don’t think they’ll be good in a fight Tag…” Brook trailed off as Lop started going at the other locks.
“I know, but we’ll need them if we want to beat Discord without killing him.”
“Why wouldn’t we want to kill Discord?” Pilot asked as he pushed Rainbow Dash out of her cell.
“I doubt killing a god would end well for anypony, now come on…” He faltered slightly when he saw Rarity in her cell, her makeup was nonexistent and her mane was a disaster, he felt angrier now than ever before. Discord had kidnapped his brother, his friends, the Princesses, caused the deaths of good ponies, but no one messes with his marefriend. He stepped over to her and nudged her softly. “Rarity?” He asked, she didn’t look up. “Don’t you remember me…?” Nothing but silent sobs came from her. He stood in silence for a moment beside her.
“Go check on Fiandu, we’ve got this.” Brook assured him. Tag said nothing but ran out of the room and after Fiandu.
----
Tag stopped to catch his breath when he saw that the hallway ended, when he could breath he stepped forward into a medium sized room. Shadow puddles were everywhere on the floor and Tag could hear the sound of intense fighting. On the other side of the room Tag could see Fiandu locked in combat with Tac, Fiandu was almost black with shadow and looking rather tired as he dodged slash after slash from Tac who looked like he had just started fighting.
“Stop!” Tag called out. Both the combatants stopped to look at Tag.
Tac grinned wolfishly and turned back to Fiandu who was slower to respond. Without a second’s hesitation Tac drove the blade through Fiandu causing him to fall over. “NO!” Tag screamed as Fiandu’s empty body fell to the ground. Tac shook his blade to clean some of the blood off, his horn then lit up.
“What were you expecting? There’s no way that such a slow witted fool would be able to beat me.” He finished his sentence by kicking Fiandu’s body. Tag gritted his teeth.
“Let me through Tac.” He said. “Don’t make me kill you, although I would be better off I did so.” Tac laughed airily.
“I doubt you could even touch me with that little knife of yours, Dumo is a much better weapon. And besides, I still owe you for what happened in Canterlot.” He said motioning to his face.
“You deserved it!” Tag called back, he started walking towards Tac. “And you deserve everything I’m going to do to you!” He started galloping toward Tac who did the same. Right before they met Tag jumped down and slid under Tac who slashed horizontally, he slashed at Tac’s legs but missed, both ponies spun around to face each and began to run again. Tac slashed downwards at Tag who barely deflected the blow with Tagia. Tag then stabbed forwards only to miss when Tac jumped back. Tag jumped upwards to get the height advantage and flew downwards to Tac who held up his blade. Tag landed on it like a platform and stabbed downwards only to miss again when Tac dodged. Both fighters jumped backwards breathing noticeably heavier.
Behind Tac the door opened and Lop galloped into the room followed by Pilot, Tag’s other friends and Brook. Tac spun around to confront the newcomers and Tag saw his chance, he jumped at Tac again and prepared to land on his back but Tac spun around at the last second and swung Dumo, both blades clashed jarringly and Tag landed on the other side of Tac in front of his friends.
“Look out, coming in!” Lop called out. He and Pilot jumped up beside Tag so that all three stood to face Tac.
“Are you sure? Tac is very dangerous opponent.” Tag warned them.
“This is for the captain.” Pilot said around the handle of his cutlass, Lop nodded in agreement.
“All right then.” Tag said. He began to run at Tac head on while Pilot picked up Lop behind him. Tac said nothing but slashed out with Dumo as Tag came within range, Tag parried with Tagia and another wave of pain shot through him. Tac held his blade against Tag’s for a moment as both ponies pushed against the other. Pilot had flown above Tac and dropped Lop on him. tac spun around and met the sharp edge of Lop’s axe with his sending Lop flying backwards. Landed behind Tac so that he fought opponents on both sides and began to slash, Tag followed suit. Tac jumped to the side to get both enemies in front of him and slashed broadly. Both Tag and Pilot jumped out of the way to avoid it. Lop had recovered and came at Tac from the side chopping downward with his axe but Tac countered with an upward slash sending the axe flying from Lop’s jaw. Tac loomed over the defenseless Lop with the sword aimed at his throat. Tag galloped forward but realized that he would be too late. Tac thrust Dumo forward.
“NOT NOW!” Tag closed his eyes in fear of what would happen next, when he opened them again he could see that Pilot had jumped in front of Lop just in time to take the blow. The sword had entered his soft stomach and had come out the other side an inch from Lop’s face. Lop’s expression was one of terror as Tac pulled the sword cruelly from Pilot who fell over silently. Tag stood watching a mixture of rage and fear stirring up inside of him, bringing feeling far from the past. Tac prepared to bring Dumo down on Lop, Tag’s eyes became reptilian.
Just as Tac began the downward slash he stopped suddenly, Lop looked u at him fearfully still, but slightly curious. Then he noticed thin lines appearing in Tac’s skin, Tac looked down at the almost curiously, he put a hoof to one and a torrent of blood poured out from many razor thin cuts on his body, Lop was drenched in the hot, sticky substance. Tag strode into Lop’s view, his eyes were horrifyingly angry and he kicked Tac to the ground cruelly. Tag then leaned down and whispered in Tac’s ear.
“Any last words?” Tac’s horn lit up dully.
“It seems almost fitting that I be killed by you again. And it’s just as well I don’t have to live the curse of immortality that you and your brother do. That’s right, I don’t think you knew that as long as that blade is strapped to you, you will never die; the body will never weaken. It’s just as well that my own life ends before it gets too long.” Tac wheezed as more blood spilled out onto the floor. “Long live Discord… in all his glory.” And he eye, filled with frozen fire, remained still. Tag stood looking at the body for a long time.
I’m immortal? He asked, bewildered.
Now’s not the time. Book urged him. We must finish this before the sacrifices of every one become vain. Tag shook his head slowly and looked to the body of Pilot who lay beside Lop. Lop himself looked from Tac’s body to Pilot’s, Tag turned around to see Brook on the other side of the room with a horrified expression on her face. No sound came from anypony.
I’ve got to finish this. Tag decided and ran into the hall towards where he knew he would find Discord.
----
Tag threw open the doors with his magic, the throne room opened up before him, pillars and rubble on both sides and Discord at the far end of the room sitting in his throne. Tor stood next to him with Torais enveloped in his magic. To the side Tag could see the Princesses chained to the wall, both gagged and looking at him with surprise. Discord let out a maniacal laugh.
“Tag, old friend of mine so good to see you again. How have you been, sit down, have drink relax.” He said using his magic to pull up a cushioned chair for Tag; Tag kicked it away with a hind hoof without taking his eyes off Discord.
“Don’t pretend that we’re friends, because we aren’t. Enough lives have been lost today. Just release everypony and I’ll let you live.” Discord fought to control himself as another fit of laughter took over.
“What could you do? You’ve made it here on the bodies of your friends and now that you’re alone… there’s no chance in Equestria that you can kill your own brother.” At the mention of him, Tor stepped forward with a blank look on his face. Tag looked at Tor hopefully.
“Tor! Don’t you recognize me? It’s Tag!” He called out. Tor said nothing but aimed Torais at tag, pulling back the string so that an arrow formed on it. Tag tensed and readied to fight if it came to that.
“Tor doesn’t care for you anymore, he’s lost almost all memory even. Just waiting for my next order.” Discord explained gleefully. “Speaking of which, Tor, kill Tag!” Tor bared his teeth and fired the arrow. Tag quickly drew Tagia and slashed it out of the air, absorbing it. Tag stood his ground, not wanting to fight Tor and not wanting to flee either. Tor fired another arrow and Tag slashed it out of the air again.
You can’t keep this up. Book said. Either you’ll miss or Tor will run out of energy and die! Tag slashed another arrow.
Well what am I supposed to then? Tag asked angrily as he slashed another.
The only thing you can do is try to knock Tor unconscious. Book said. Tag growled angrily and ran forward, Tor continued to fire arrows and Tag slashed them until Tag was right in front of Tor.
Tor swung with Torais catching Tag by surprise and hitting him in the face. Tag recoiled and looked back in time to see Tor pointing another loaded arrow at him, Tag slashed it off the string and punched at Tor with his free hoof catching him in the side of the head. Tor staggered backwards and Tag threw another punch getting Tor in the other side of the head. Discord yawned in the background.
“Finish it!” He called out, bored. Tor threw Torais aside and grabbed Tag, he brought him in to a hug, but with Tagia still in Tag’s mouth it cut against Tor’s flesh without Tag’s realizing it. Tag struggled to get out of the death hug but the more he struggled the more Tagia cut into Tor until Tag could finally feel the blood coating his fur. A final shove pushed the weakened Tor off of him and onto a pile of bricks still bleeding. Tag looked in horror at what he had done.
“TOR!!” He ran over to his fallen brother and dropped Tagia, he looked over his brother who didn’t appear to be breathing; he lay there silently, calmly even.
Tag… Book trailed off. Tag shook his head.
“No, it can’t be. I won’t believe it!” Tag said shaking Tor’s body, it only succeded in getting his hooved bloodier.
“Can’t you do something? Can’t you give him phantasma? His cuts aren’t as bad as McCutchen’s were!’ He pulled frantically at Tagia’s band.
Tag! Stop this! He’s gone and there’s nothing you can do about it! Book yelled harshly. Tag went dead silent, not a word was spoken in the room until Discord broke out laughing.
“You should see the look on your face right now!” He exclaimed. Tag stood up slowly, he grabbed Tagia in his mouth and turned around. His eyes were red, his lip curled into a hideous frown. Still silent, Tag stepped toward Discord who didn’t make a move to run away. Another step. Tag could hear the sounds of his friends being herded into the room by Lop who was shouting something. Another step. Tag could feel the terrified looks of the Princesses burning into his side. Another step. He remembered all those that had given the ultimate sacrifice so that this was possible.
He stood in front of Discord who still made no move. Without a word Tag pounced up at Discord and pinned him down by the throat. Discord’s expression did not change from its permanent grin.
“You got me.” He said through a crushed throat. “I’ve played all my cards and you’ve beaten every one of them. You deserve to kill me, if you could.” Tag said nothing but pointed Tagia at Discord’s waiting head. A full pull backwards and a powerful thrust downward ended it.
Tag looked at Discord’s body, phantasma oozed out and into Tagia, and his grin still stayed. Tag looked away with disgust and sheathed Tagia. Looking back at the others in the room he could see that the colour was returning to his friends’ coats and manes. Lop had gone and began the free the princesses. Tag returned to Tor’s body and sat down, he bowed his head and closed his eyes.
“Tag?” He heard Princess Celestia’s voice behind him. He stood up and turned around.
Tag looked at Celestia with a look of pure disgust on his face. His friends stood at the far end of the room beside Princess Luna all watching him closely. Tor lay on the ground some distance away on top of a pile of stone bricks. His cuts still bled profusely and his eyes remained closed… permanently. Celestia seemed at a loss for words, she opened her mouth to say in an attempt something.
“Don’t.” Tag snapped. “Don’t say another word. Because the gods know that it will be another lie to save your own sorry hide. What about the hides of the ponies that lay dead in this very castle, what about my friends?!” Celestia recoiled in horror.
“Tag I—“ Tag jumped on her and pinned her down with a single hoof; she resigned herself and lay patiently. Tag held Tagia firmly in his jaw with the point aimed at her neck.
“TAG NO!” He stabbed downwards.
Tagia had struck the floor next to Celestia’s throat; she looked up at him fearfully. He looked away and got off from on top of her.
“But if I kill you then everything will have been for nothing.” He sheathed Tagia and began to walk away, back towards Tor. Celestia didn’t say anything but stood back up. “Say what you want, I’m listening now.” He bowed his head over Tor’s body again.
“Tag, I will say that I’ve told many lies in my leadership, assuming that you’re referring to the night you tried to kill me. And I’ve made a lot of bad decisions. The truth is… too much power had been given to me at too young an age, I told a lie, made a mistake, and it’s cost me my own happiness many times over. Being immortal I’ve had to live with what happened, there’s not a day I don’t think what I should have done differently. I should have let you kill me, at least then I would have died for Equestria. My whole life has been repentance. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m asking for your permission to continue serving my sentence.”
Tag sat beside Tor for a while dwelling on Celestia’s words. He stood up and turned to face her again.
“I’ll never forgive you for what has happened here, but I won’t kill you. Equestria needs you too much for me to kill you. All I ask…” He looked down at Tor, his chest had begun to rise and fall slowly.
What’s happening? Tag demanded.
He’s alive! It must be because Silver’s soul is trapped within Torais so that Tagia didn’t absorb it! Book realized. Tag put a hoof on Tor’s chest, his heartbeat was there, but it was fading.
He won’t last long, can’t you feed him phantasma? Tag demanded.
Yes, but that much wou-
If you don’t give him any he’ll die anyway! We have to try! Tag thought with gritted teeth. He felt the band slacken and he slapped it onto Tor’s arm, the band tightened and a light began to radiate from under it, long minutes passed and everypony watched Tor’s body hopefully. When the light stopped, it fell off; the fur underneath it had been burned and blackened. Tag put Tagia back on.
Did it work…?