(Sorry everybody, been a lot going on lately and having trouble finding time to write. -Tag)
Tag’s eyes opened; he was looking at a very familiar ceiling, Celestia condemn it. He thought. He moved his head around slowly, he felt weak. It was his room, he could see the familiar door and the familiar window. He could feel a new bandage around his neck.
“Don’t move, dear. It might hurt something from that nasty neck wound.” Tag was surprised to hear a voice that wasn’t in his head.
“How is Tor?” he asked weakly.
“He’s doing fine, why wouldn’t he be?” The voice asked.
“Because when I was there last it sounded like he was dying.” Tag said plainly.
“I suppose you would know. But know he is better. It’s strange how he seemed to get better after that band attached to him, and we can’t get it off. Is there something special about it?” The voice wondered.
“You wouldn’t believe me.” Tag said.
“Ah, I’m sure. Before I forget, there are some ponies wanted to be notified when you awoke, should I let them know?”
“I guess it couldn’t hurt.” Tag said.
“Right, I’ll be back shortly.” The voice said and he could hear the clopping of hooves as well the door being shut. Tag sat up slowly, he felt a little lightheaded. And he could now see the whole of the room.
“Better get this over with.” Tag said to himself. The door opened quickly and Rainbow Dash jumped into the room.
“I’M SO SORRY!” She cried. The rest of his friends minus Rarity trotted in quietly.
“I was not expecting that.” Tag said. “I thought that I would be the one apologizing.”
“Whatever would you need to apologize for?” Twilight asked him.
“For nearly killing Applejack, making you all search for me, and then nearly getting killed by a manticore.” Tag summed.
“But most of that was caused by me!” Rainbow Dash said; she sounded distraught.
“If that is why you are a apologizing then don’t.” Tag said in his most soothing voice. “If it’s that important then I forgive you.”
“Jus’ like that?” Applejack asked.
“In my three days of being here I believe that is what friends do, they offer forgiveness and a shoulder to cry on.” Tag explained. Rainbow Dash sniffed.
“But-“
“But nothing” Tag cut her off. “Take my forgiveness or else it will go to waste.” He said Rainbow Dash nodded.
“Thanks, Tag.” She offered him a slight smile.
“How long was I out?” Tag asked them.
“It’s been a full day since you ran into the forest all sad and stuff, and that’s why we’re here. So we can cheer you all up and then you’ll be happy and-“
“That’s enough, Pinkie, I get it.” Tag laughed, it ended in a small cough. Fluttershy stepped forward with a concerned look on her face.
“Are you okay? Do you need us to call the doctor?” She asked quietly. Tag shook his head.
“No, I need you to get Tor.” He said weakly.
“Why? What does Tor have to do with any of this?” Twilight asked him curiously.
“Get him quickly and I might be able to tell you.” He coughed.
Applejack rushed out of the room and came back with Tor who had Tagia around his right foreleg,
“Tag? Is that you?” He asked in disbelief.
“Quickly, come over here.” Tag said, growing weaker by the moment. Tor limped over to the bed. Tag grabbed his foreleg. He held it close and put his free hoof on Tagia.
Let go of him. Tag said mentally. The band jumped off of Tor’s arm and clasped around Tag’s all of the ponies in the room jumped at the sudden movement.
Feeling better? Tagia asked rhetorically.
Much, thank you.
If you’re going to tell a story tell it to Tor too; I was unable to reach him mentally.
Noted. Tag thought.
“Are you okay?” Tor asked snapping him mental stupor.
“Yes, before any of you ask any questions I have a long story to tell you.” And so Tag recounted all of what Tagia had told him. The listener’s eyes occasionally widened but it was nowhere near as disturbing as the story Celestia had told them.
“And that’s it, are there any questions?” Tag asked them. Twilight raised a hoof before speaking.
“While this all syncs up with events, but is there any proof?” she asked.
Is there any way to prove this? Tag asked Tagia.
There is a way that I could use your horn and project my voice into other’s minds; it might be draining so be ready.
Ready when you are. Tag said and steeled his mind. His horn lit up and he could feel a part of his mind being dragged toward it.
Hey all, Tagia here, believe Tag when he says I’m real. Also, Twilight you should probably send that letter to Celestia soon. Tag’s mind returned to normal and he gave an exhausted breath.
“Believe me now?” he asked. The assembly nodded in shocked silence.
“I’m going to write that letter now.” Twilight said and teleported out; presumably to the library.
“Any other questions?” A quick collection of ‘no’ followed and his friends all said their quick goodbyes. Soon it was Just Tag and Tor.
“I have a question.” Tor said. “Ask Tagia if he knew Torais before Discord kidna- killed them.”
“Tagia was Torais’s brother.” Tag said.
“Ask him what he’s like.” Tor asked.
He’s a lot like Tor. Tagia supplied quickly.
“He says that Torais is a lot like you.” Tag said.
“Hmm.” Tor thought for moment. “I hope I get to meet him then.” he finished.
----
They sat in the hospital room, sharing Tagia like they would a breath of air. Tagia was silent for most of it and they just enjoyed the silence. By the time the sun was going down, they could hear the clatter of hooves in the hallway.
The door opened slowly and Princess Celestia walked in. A young colt and Twilight followed her.
“Hello again Tag, and Tor.” She said grimly.
“It’s good to see you again Princess.” Tor said; Tag nodded towards her. He was felling especially weak because Tagia was currently on Tor’s arm.
“Clover, if you would please give Torais to Tor please.” The young colt stepped forward. Tor quickly gave Tagia to Tag and stepped over to Clover. He took Torais in his magic and brought it close to his body. A beam of white light enveloped his middle and constricted his stomach. It darkened until it was pitch-black; a large contrast to his silver fur. A half envelope appeared around the bottom half of Torais holding it in place. Tor let out a deep breath.
“That’s much better.” He said.
“I figured as much. There is very important business for us to discuss.” Celestia said and pulled up a chair. Twilight and clover did the same.
“Give me a sec… to catch my breath.” Tag said.
“I’ll be doing most of the talking.” Princess Celestia said so Tag nodded for her to continue. “First off, I would like to apologize on behalf of my sister, Princess Luna. I believe that she acted out of rage that I would let you live. She felt as though her presence might raise your… rage again and decided that it would be best if she did not accompany me on this trip. Second, I have done some more research into the connection and found that-“
“Tor and I had to shared a pool of energy that was rapidly weakening. And that we needed a connection to our weapons to sustain our bodies and that our weapons contain the souls of the ponies whose bodies we stole.” Tag finished for her.
“How did you know that?” Celestia asked him.
“A little librarian told me.” Tag said. Celestia looked shocked.
“W-what do you mean?” She stammered.
“I mean that the souls that were used on both Tagia and Torais have been self aware for the entire time they were imprisoned in the vaults. They can speak to Tor and me. He is talking to you, right Tor?” Tag turned to Tor who shifted uncomfortably.
“He won’t stop talking.” Tor said. “I think that he missed having ponies to talk to.”
“Twilight why didn’t you tell me about this? “ Celestia looked to her student.
“Didn’t you get my letter?” Twilight asked in return.
”What letter?” Celestia seemed surprised. “I’ve been on my way here since yesterday.”
“That explains it then, I sent the letter earlier today and it must be back at the palace.” Twilight explained.
“Well do you have proof that this is true?” Celestia asked Tag.
“Tor, get Torais to project through you horn, I’m still a little bit tired.” Tag said.
Tor was silent for a moment before a voice appeared in Tag’s mind.
Good to see you again Princess. The voice vanished from Tag’s mind and Tor slumped over.
Celestia’s eyes were wide as she looked at Torais on Tor’s side.
“… Was that who I thought it was?” She whispered. Tor shrugged.
“I don’t know his name.” Tor said.
“Tagia can’t remember his name also.” Tag interjected. “He said that he was the librarian of the royal Canterlot library, do you remember who that was?” Tag could feel Tagia pressing for an answer.
“The librarian’s name was Open Book, and his brother’s was Silver. Silver acted as a guard for the library at all times.” Celestia said. Tag felt a tugging sensation from his horn.
I remember now. After millennia in that cursed vault I can remember my own name. Tag could feel a headache coming on. The sensation stopped.
Please warn me when you’re going to do that. Tag thought angrily.
“… I just don’t know what to say…” Celestia trailed.
You could start with an apology. Silver projected. Tor clutched his head.
“Yes, that would be something to start with. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I know that cannot make up for thousands of years in the Canterlot vaults. I will start right away on a solution for this.” She said with a determined look on her face. Clover looked up at her.
“But won’t that mean that Tag and Tor will disappear?” He asked her.
“Uh, yes I suppose it does…” She said.
“And likewise, if there was another way to get another body then me and Tor will not have a soul to give us the energy we need.” Tag said.
“Yes I suppose your right.” Celestia wilted a little.
Coming in here. Book warned. Tag braced himself.
To be honest Princess, I’ve grown quite used to this body. And I grown rather attached to Tag. He said and cut off.
“Yes, I suppose this will have to do for now. Come, Clover. We shall return to Canterlot for now.” Celestia said and turned to leave.
“Right away, Princess.” He said and got up to follow her. Tag watched her retreating figure.
Why are you looking at the royal plot? Book asked. Tag turned beet red.
I was not doing anything. He argued.
“Why are you so red?” Twilight asked him.
“Book just said something.” Tag said.
Don’t call me Book. Book said.
Too late. Tag thought with a smile.
I just needed your attention. Put me on your leg, the broken one. He instructed.
Hm? Tag asked.
Just do it. Book said.
Fine. Get off. The band unraveled around Tag’s arm.
“What are you doing?” Tor asked him.
“Just what Book told me to.” Tag said. He lifted the band and placed it on his cast. It instantly tightened and he grimaced as a small wave of pain went through him. The band continued to tighten around the cast and the pain grew. Tag grit his teeth until the cast finally cracked. He felt Tagia’s teeth pierce his sensitive skin; the pain was enormous. Twilight moved in to help but Tag waved her off, he could feel energy flowing in large amounts through his leg. The pain was lessening until Tag couldn’t feel it anymore.
“Are you okay?” Tor asked, Tag nodded.
“I feel much better actually. I think he fixed my leg.” Tag said stretching his leg slightly.
Yes, it was all me, now please take me off of your leg I’m tired of being so close to your crotch. Book said. Tag quickly put Tagia back onto his arm.
“I’m going to try and stand up now.” Tag said, Book said nothing. “Here goes.” He slid of the bed and fell onto his hooves, he immediately fell onto the floor. Twilight rushed over to him.
“Are you okay?” She asked him.
“Why didn’t you say something?” Tag growled under his breath.
I wanted to see you fall. Book said.
How mature. Tag thought.
Hey, I’ve been stuck with a chatty bow for thousands of years; I miss having fun at the expense of others. Book said.
Touché. Tag thought back.
“It’s okay.” Tag said to Twilight and stood up slowly. “I’ll just take it slow for a little while.”
Tor walked up to him. “Here, you can lean on me then.” He suggested.
“Thanks.” Tag said and gave him a grateful look. They walked slowly down the hallway and into the reception room. The nurses were surprised to see Tag up and walking again, they were skeptical of his sudden recovery but let them go eventually. They walked back to Ponyville in the dark of night.
“You guys head home and get some sleep, I have to make sure that Spike isn’t up reading again, and he just loves to so much.” Twilight sighed and teleported before Tag or Tor could even saw goodbye. Tag was walking on his own and looked to Tor.
“That was… unexpected.” He said and Tor chuckled.
“I believe that this whole day has been unexpected.” Tor agreed.
“Let’s go home.” Tag said and led the way back onto That Street.
----
Tag looked at his bed and then to Tagia on his foreleg.
How are we supposed to do this? He asked.
Well eventually after I’ve been here long enough there will be enough residual energy to keep you through the night. I haven’t been here long enough so you’ll just have to make do. Goodnight! Book was gone and that left Tag in an uncomfortable predicament.
“Forget this.” Tag said and went to check on Tor. He found his brother trying to get comfortable with Torais around his middle.
“Having trouble getting comfortable?” Tag asked.
“Obviously.” Tor said as he shifted again. “Forget this.” He muttered and got out of bed.
“That’s what I said!” Tag exclaimed.
“You’re my brother, of course that’s what you said.” Tor said and walked out into the hallway. “Let’s go for a walk.” Tag shrugged and followed him outside. Tag heard the door squeak shut behind them.
“Have to get that fixed sometime.” Tag muttered as they stepped onto the street.
“Later.” Tor said and walked in the direction of the Carousel Boutique.
“Are you okay?” Tag asked him as they walked along.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Tor asked back.
“You seem… uh… angry. Yeah! That’s it, angry. Why?” Tag looked at Tor’s face; it was unreadable in the darkness.
“I’m just really tired.” Tor sighed. “And a lot has changed in the last day; I thought being released was huge but this is just a little bit bigger. I’m just feeling a little tired, that’s all.” He explained. They were standing in front of the Carousel Boutique now.
“…What are we doing here?” Tag asked him.
“So that you can finish the conversation that was interrupted in the forest.” Tor told him and pushed Tag in the direction of the door.
“W-what’re you talking about?” Tag stammered.
“Don’t lie!” Tor hissed. “Open Book told me everything that happened in the forest while I had him!” Tag looked furiously at Tagia.
Celestia condemn it Book! You said that you couldn’t reach him! He thought angrily.
What can I say? Thousands of years in a vault can do that to you. Tag could picture Book shrugging his shoulders.
That was personal. Tag growled.
I’m afraid nothing is sacred anymore. Book said flippantly.
“Fine!” Tag yelled and Tor jumped back.
“Who’s there?” Came a fragile voice from the doorway. Tag froze and Tor slipped into the shadows.
Why me? Tag asked the moon.
Because I got bored. Book said.
I wasn’t asking you. Tag thought before he cleared his throat.
“Hello? Rarity?” He asked. The door opened even more and revealed a very fragile looking mare.
“What are you doing out of the hospital so early?” She asked him in confusion.
“Apparently Book can heal my wounds.” Tag said, she looked at him even more confused than before.
“Who’s Book?” She asked. Tag shook his head.
“Not here, do you mind if come in?” Rarity opened the door and motioned for him to come in. Tag could hear Book doing a mental hoof pump as he ascended the steps.
I hate you.
I can live with that.