//------------------------------// // Shadows Ch. 10 The Short One // Story: The Shadows Saga // by Tagshadow //------------------------------// (Sorry this one’s short, had a lot of work to do. –Tag) Tag’s eyes opened and he found himself in a large dark… emptiness. In front of him was a pony that looked exactly like him in every way. “Are you Book?” Tag asked. “I thought we agreed not to call me Book.” He said frowning. Tag got to his hooves. “And I said it was too late. Is this my mind?” Tag asked uncertainly. Book nodded. “Certainly looks empty, doesn’t it.” Book commented. “Funny.” Tag muttered. “Yes, this is your mind.” Book confirmed. “What now?” Tag asked him. “Aren’t you happy enough just to be seeing me?” Book asked. “Fine, it’s nice to finally meet you Book.” Tag said and extended his hoof. Book looked at it. “What?” “It’s just… it’s been so long since I’ve been able to… touch another pony.” Book said and slowly touched his hoof to Tag’s. “Well now you’re part of a large happy family. You’ll have to get used to it.” Tag said and Book smiled briefly. “How will I ever survive?” He asked loudly, nopony answered. “Lame humour aside, the reason that I wanted to bring you in here was for this.” Book closed his eyes for a moment; Tag felt a small breeze and a door appeared out of nowhere beside him. The door was covered in chains on both sides. “What’s ‘this’?” Tag asked. Book opened his eyes. “Beyond this door is everything from before the war, at least what you recall.” He explained. Tag looked at the door again. “Why is it chained up?” He asked curiously. “These memories were locked away when you were turned to stone but stayed locked when you returned to normal. I want to see if you can break these chains.” Book explained. “But don’t you remember seeing as you were attached to me at the time?” Tag asked. “Yes, but those memories are fading and I think it would be better if you saw these instead of having me explain them to you.” Book said. “I don’t think I even want to see these at all!” Tag exclaimed. “You’re right, I know. But I wanted to know if you thought you could brake them.” Book said. “How would I even go about doing that?” Tag wondered. “There’s a horn shaped lock on the chains. I wanted to know if your horn would fit, or somepony else’s.” Book explained. Tag looked at the door doubtfully. He trotted up to it and looked at the worn padlock on the chains; it looked like Book had been going at it for a while. Tag lowered his head and inserted his horn into the hole, fitting it perfectly. Tag withdrew his horn and saw the lock light up briefly before clicking apart, he hoofed it aside and the chains fell with it. Book came up beside him and looked at the door in awe. “This contains everything from after Discord kidnapped Silver and I…” he trailed off. Tag looked at it in wonder too. “Should I?” He asked hesitantly. “Personally I want to know the truth, but I should leave the final decision to you.” He said and motioned for Tag to make a move. He looked at the door for a moment. “Tonight I will open it, after my… date with Rarity.” Tag felt slightly light headed at the thought. “I guess that’s better than not opening it at all.” Book said. “Perhaps I should go now; I don’t know how much time has passed.” Tag pronounced. “Tor isn’t even home yet, I’m sure he would have woken you up.” Book said. Just as he finished talking they heard a slamming door. “I guess I spoke to soon.” “Could you send me out now then?” Tag asked him. Book trotted over to him and tapped his head with his horn. ---- Tag opened his eyes again and saw Tor standing in the middle of the living room. “Hey Tor, how was your day?” He asked casually. Tor turned around. “Pretty good; my leg is holding up well. Applejack seemed happy to see me working so soon. We covered the west field today and stored most of them away. Then Big Macintosh showed me how to press apples for cider.” He summed. Tag nodded. “I was surprised you would be working so soon.” Tag said surprised. “When I was in the guard you had to heal quickly.” Tor said. “How was your day?” “Well, Rarity started by showing me how to replace a button then left me alone to fix up some orders for her.” Tag said. “Sounds like she ditched you in a hurry.” Tor commented. “Not exactly. Before I left Book managed to convince me to ask her to dinner.” Tag said. Tor gave him a surprised look. “What did she say?” He asked. “She said yes, and I have to be by her house by 5:30. Speaking of which…” Tag looked at the clock; it was 4:45. “I should probably leave in fifteen minutes.” “Does that mean that I’m on my own for dinner?” Tor asked him. “I guess so.” Tag agreed. “I suppose I should head out now and buy some food for the kitchen, I can’t believe we still don’t have anything!” He said. “A good idea.” Tag said. “I guess I could walk with you for a bit.” He got off the couch and followed Tor to the door. The evening air was cool and Tag shivered as he stepped onto the street. “It’s starting to get cold around here.” Tor observed, Tag nodded in agreement, they headed towards the marketplace. The occasional pony looked at them as they went. When they got to the marketplace it was only 4:50. “What’s first?” Tag asked. Tor thought for a moment. “Vegetables would be a good start.” He said. They trotted towards a stall that advertised vegetables. The colt running it was a jolly looking colt; his smile was ear to ear as he said goodbye to another customer. When he saw Tag and Tor approach his smile disappeared. “Good evening, gentlecolts. How can I help you?” He asked nervously. Tag felt a sharp twinge. “Good evening, could I get…” Tor went down a list a vegetables and the colt went to get each, casting the odd look at Tagia. When Tor finished there was a pile of bags on the counter. “That’ll be 70 bits sir.” He said and Tor handed him the money from his pay. They trotted of holding up the bags with their magic. “Perhaps I should start to make my way to Rarity’s.” Tag said. “Is it because that colt was looking at you like that?” Tor asked. “Partially, but also because it really is time for me to get going.” Tag explained. Tor nodded and took other bags with his magic. “I’ll head back to the house then, I’ve got no money left.” Tor trotted off with the bags floating around him and Tag sidled in the other direction.