//------------------------------// // Shadows Ch. 12 Zebra... and Stuff // Story: The Shadows Saga // by Tagshadow //------------------------------// (Just so you all know I suck at rhyming. –Tag) It was definitely after midnight by the time Tag had stumbled to edge of the Everfree; he placed the body on the ground and started to dig a hole. Neither Tag or Book said anything while piles of dirt floated by, when he had finished Tag placed Seeker’s body inside the hole and filled it up. He sat in silence looking at the mound. … I’m sorry. Book said. No, I’m sorry. You right; you’ve had to deal with what I did for millennia and I’ve had a fresh start. It’s not fair. Tag thought. But I should have taken your… fragile state of mind. Book said. What do you mean? Tag wondered. I’ve noticed in the two days here that you’re really fragile when it comes to things that are linked to your past; I should have realized it. Book said. Book… Tag trailed off. Don’t get sappy on me; I just wanted to say I’m sorry for yelling. Book explained. Tag smiled in spite of himself. I guess we should go home and pretend nothing happened. He said. Not so fast. Book stopped him. You’re still covered in blood; I think you should find a river and wash yourself off. Then we’ve done all we can. River it is. Tag sighed and trotted into the Everfree. The edge of the Everfree was dark but the inside was even darker. The moonlight struggled to get through the thick foliage as Tag looked for a river. He wandered around until he heard a trickle of water in the distance; he started trotting in the direction the noise was coming from. A dim glow lit up the area ahead of him and Tag slowed down. That’s not normal. Tag said. This is the Everfree; nearly anything is possible. Book said. Tag inched forward; he pushed aside a protruding leaf and looked into the clearing ahead. What is that? Tag asked. That… is a zebra. Book said. A zebra? Tag asked confusedly. Yep, from a land to the east but nopony really knows where they came from specifically. Book explained. What should I do? Tag asked. She probably won’t hurt you. Go say hello. Tag stepped out into the clearing; the zebra hadn’t noticed him yet. Tag stood on the edge of the clearing unsure of what to do. He gave a little cough, the zebra jumped and spun around. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Tag. “A blood covered pony I see, I wonder whether or not you will harm me?” She asked. “I uh… will not harm you.” Tag said. “A good thing to know, perhaps I could show you to my home.” She said. Tag hesitated. “Let me just wash off my face then.” He said and quickly dunked his head into the river. Should I go? Tag asked. I’d say it’s not a good idea to go against her; I have no idea what she’s capable of. Book warned. Tag pulled his head out of the water and took in a deep breath. “That was a long time below the water, are you feeling better?” She asked. “Yes…?” Tag trailed off. “Zecora.” She said. “Yes, thank you Zecora.” Tag said. “Another good thing to know; let us go.” Zecora said and trotted off into the woods leaving Tag no option but to follow. She did not even check to see if Tag was following her as she proceeded to her hut. Zecora’s hut was in a hollowed-out tree much like the Ponyville library; but it was filed with an assortment of tribal masks, piles of herbs, and vials of strange coloured liquids. Tag felt uncomfortable in this place. “A nice place you have here, Zecora.” He commented as he took another look around. “Thank you, I think it’s quite homely too.” She said. Do all zebras talk in rhyme? Tag asked Book. It’s their way; they believe that singing is a way to express themselves, and to bring themselves together as a community. At least I think… it’s been a long time. Book explained. Right, of course. Tag groaned. “Is there a particular reason that you wanted to bring me here?” Tag asked her. “Yes, please drink this.” Zecora placed a vial of brownish liquid in front of him. “Perhaps you could tell me what it is first?” Tag said. “It is a potion, it should put you in good motion.” She explained. “I don’t even know what that means.” Tag muttered. Just drink it. Zebras aren’t known to be terribly violent. Book said. Tag levitated the vial up to his lips and drank; he immediately regretted it as he chocked and dropped the vial. It tasted horrible! “What wath that?” He shouted at Zecora. The room was spinning slightly. “Hush now, soon you will learn how.” Zecora said cryptically. Tag tried to get toward the door but his legs failed him and he collapsed; the room was jumping around him and he felt as though he would throw up. His vision gradually darkened until all he could see was darkness. ---- He slowly began to feel part of his body; first was his head accompanied by a large headache. Next he felt his forelegs; but not the familiar sensation of Tagia’s teeth digging in. he felt his hind legs and tried to stand up, he fell onto his side and looked up. He froze at what he saw. Discord standing in front of him; he was hunched over so he could get a closer look at Tag, his hands were on his knees and there was a smug look on his face. “How good of you to join me after all this time.” He said. Tag flailed his legs in a vain attempt to get up. “Oh don’t bother trying to get up, I’ll get it.” He snapped his fingers and lifted Tag off of the floor with his chaos magic, Tag floated over to Discord until they were face to face. “How is this even possible?” Tag asked in astonishment. “That question is open to interpretation. Do you mean: How am I here? How are you here? Where is Tagia? All of these questions will be answered in your private session with me, Discord.” He said condescendingly. He dropped Tag onto his hooves and stalked off. He turned around. “You are in neutral territory, a place that exists everywhere and nowhere. That is how I am here. And I managed to get you here by getting that zebra to help me.” He snapped his fingers and a glass of chocolate milk appeared next to him. “As for Tagia, I just brought you here so he is back on your body; wherever that may be.” He took a sip. “You mean to say that you’ve got help from ponies.” Tag said. “I suppose we could call it that. Needless to say I’ve got several friends outside willing to help me; causing chaos in my absence.” Discord explained. “Well, why am I here then?” Tag asked. Discord took a large step up to him. “Because there is a debt to be repaid.” He said devilishly. A shiver went through Tag. “I don’t have to do anything you say!” Tag said. Discord shook his head slowly. “My dear Tag Shadow, you don’t have a choice.” He said and struck out at Tag; Tag didn’t have time to react and hit the floor with a thud. ---- Tag opened his eyes; he was outside Ponyville. He stood up slowly and looked around; there was nopony there. Strange. Tag thought, nopony answered. Book? Tag thought but he didn’t hear the familiar voice in his head. He looked down and saw that Tagia was attached to his foreleg. He started trotting in the direction of Ponyville. When he arrived at the town outskirts Tag could tell that something was wrong, the streets were deserted. He made his was to his house and opened the door. “TOR!” He called out. “TOR! ARE YOU THERE?” But nopony answered. Tag looked out the window at the clock in Town Square; it was 1:30. Must be at work… Tag realized. OH! I have to get to work then! Tag thought and bolted out the door. The streets were still deserted as he galloped to the Carousel Boutique. Tag knocked on the door. “Rarity! Sorry I’m late!” He called out. Still nopony answered. Tag shifted nervously but eventually opened the door; the boutique was deserted. Tag checked the kitchen, the inspiration room, even the living room and guest room. He didn’t dare go up to Rarity’s room and trotted back into the street. “Where is everypony?” Tag asked miserably. “Over there! He’s over there!” Shouted a voice in the distance. Tag looked up quickly, there were several ponies standing down the street with angry looks on their faces. “Get him!” Shouted the one in the lead and started galloping towards Tag. “What?” Tag asked, when he realized the other ponies weren’t happy to see him he started running. The other ponies chased after him down the street. He rounded the corner and continued to gallop; the other ponies were already catching up to him. Tag put on an extra burst of speed and rounded another corner, right into another group of ponies. He yelped in surprise and tried to turn around but was met with the other group of ponies. The first group of ponies jumped on Tag and held him down while the second group tied him up. “What is going on here?” Tag shouted, one of the other ponies sneered at him. “You’ll soon find out.” ---- Tag was unceremoniously dragged towards the town center. He could feel the eyes of a couple hundred ponies on him as he was brought to the base of the clock tower. He was still on the ground and from his lowly vantage point he couldn’t see much. He could see the mayor standing in front of him and his brother next to her. They were talking in hushed voices. One of the ponies untied Tag and he got to his hooves, he looked around and saw that his friends were standing at the front of a large crowd; they were looking at him with horrified looks on their faces. Tag was starting to get scared as he turned back to the mayor. “Tag Shadow, I thought that this had ended a long time ago.” She said and shook her head. Tag gave her a confused look. “What are you talking about?” He demanded. “She’s talking about that events that have occurred over the past few days.” Tor said; his face was filled with sadness. “Are you talking about the incident with Princess Luna?” Tag asked. Tor nodded his head. “That and the events that conspired last night; your behavior at the café… and the fact that you’ve killed a pony.” He said. Tag’s eyes widened. “But he tried to kill me!” He stuttered. “You have no proof of that.” The mayor stated plainly. “He was after me with two other Earthponies! I had no choice!” Tag exclaimed. The mayor shook her head. “You still have no proof.” She said. Tag hung his head. “What am I supposed to do then?” He asked dejectedly. “That’s what we’re trying to decide currently.” Tor said and the mayor stepped forward. “What does everypony suggest?” She asked out loud. “Death!” Called out a pony from the back of the crowd. Tag recognized it as Mr. Hay’s voice. The rest of the ponies called out in agreement. Tor looked horrified. “We can’t do that!” He said to the mayor. “I’m afraid we don’t have a choice.” She said. Tag was distraught. “Is that it then? Just like that?!” He shouted. The mayor looked at him with sympathy in her eyes. “I’m afraid so, Tag.” She said sadly. “Do we have any volunteers?” She asked out loud. Nopony said anything. “I’ll do it.” Tor said resolutely. Tag stared at him. “What are you saying?” He asked in disbelief. Tor looked at him, his eyes filled with tears. “I don’t think that I could bear this any other way.” He said despondently. Tag sniffed. “So it ends here, huh? I was really hoping that I could fulfill our promise to Celestia.” He whispered, Tor closed his eyes and nodded steadily. “I so sorry, brother.” He said. Tag smiled in spite of himself. “It’s not your fault.” He said gently. “Get on with it!” called Mr. Hay. Tag looked out at the audience and then back to Tor. “I guess he’s right.” He muttered. Tag turned his body around and faced the audience. He heard Tor pull out Torais and closed his eyes. He opened them again and looked at his friends; their faces had a combination of horror and terror. Tag looked at Rarity. “I guess friendship isn’t for everybody.” He said aloud. “Don’t look Rarity.” Tag heard an arrow being strung, then a twang, and then nothing. ---- Tag was floating in darkness. Is this what it’s like to be dead? It sure is boring. He thought. He remembered his last few moments and felt a tear in his eye. Why? He asked. Not exactly why, but when. Said a voice. Tag felt his hooves hit solid ground but he still saw nothing. Who’s there? He asked. Don’t you remember? The voice asked back. Discord… Tag thought in disgust. “Don’t be that way.” Discord said. Tag spun around and saw him sitting in an old movie chair with a bag of popcorn in his arms. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” Tag asked bitterly. “Can’t you see I’m in enough pain as it is?” Discord stood up and walked over to him. “Did you honestly think that was real?” He laughed. “That was a vision of the future, my dear Tag.” Tag was unconvinced. “How is that possible?” He asked. “HellOOOO! God of CHAOS right here!” Discord said and pointed to himself. “I guess that makes sense.” Tag said reluctantly. Discord smiled. “I just wanted to show you what you were getting into.” He said; Tag’s eyebrow went up. “I highly doubt that.” He muttered. Discord shrugged. “Believe it or not, I just wanted to help.” He said, and looked at his wrist. “I believe that my time is almost up, I shall say goodbye for now. Remember that I’m always watching.” He snapped his fingers and disappeared. “What now?” Tag asked, he was answered when the emptiness was lit with a blinding light. ---- Tag opened his eyes; he was outside Ponyville. He stood up slowly and looked around; there was nopony there. Strange. Tag thought but nopony answered. Book? Tag looked at his wrist and saw that Tagia was attached but he could not feel Book’s presence in his mind. I guess not. Tag thought to himself and started trotting toward Ponyville. He stopped suddenly. What if… Tag took another look towards Ponyville and saw that the streets were empty. Sweet Celestia! He thought. Discord must have been right, but why would he help me? Tag couldn’t dwell on it; he had to get out of there. Goodbye Tor, and Rarity. He thought and trotted in the other direction.