Rarity trotted into the Carousel Boutique, it was almost time to close.

“Hello Tag! I trust business went well?” She asked as she trotted over to the counter.

“Well business was a little slow but still productive.” Tag answered. “How was gem hunting with Spike?” He asked back, Rarity opened her saddlebags and showed him they were filled with a variety of gems.

“I’d like to think it went well.” She said happily. “Now if you’ll excuse me I must put these away in the inspiration room.” She declared and trotted up the stairs. Tag watched after her.

I guess you aren’t going to ask her out again? Book asked. Tag shook his head.

I have to learn more about these humans; I just have to! Tag thought. He could hear Book sigh in his head.

You really need a hobby. He muttered to himself. Rarity trotted back down the stairs.

“I do believe that it is time to close for today.” She said flipping the sign on the front door.

“I guess I’ll head home then.” Tag said quietly. Rarity gave him a concerned look and opened her mouth to say something but she closed it again. Tag gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry.” He mumbled.

“You have nothing to apologize for.” Rarity said. “You’re just… slightly different then… the pony you were before.” She continued sadly. Tag was stunned.

“I…” He started. Rarity shook her head quickly.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” She said regretfully.

“No, it’s true, I’m not the pony I was before but I promise you right now that I will be; sometime soon I will be the same.” He said hearteningly. Rarity smiled lightly.

“Of course. But there are a few orders that I have to do still, it’s going to be another busy night.” She said. Tag nodded in agreement.

“Do you want me to stay and help?” He asked uncertainly.

“No, it’s just that I have to get started if I’m to get them done on time.”

“Of course, but if I can help in any way at all please ask, I honestly don’t have enough to do around here.” He said; Rarity frowned.

“Perhaps you could get a hobby.” She suggested. Tag blinked.

“I suppose I could see if any pony needs help…” He trailed off.

“I doubt it, today has been a slow day.” She said quickly. Tag started towards the door.

“If you say so. I’ll see of Tor wants to go for a walk.” He sighed and pushed the door open.

----

Tag turned onto That Street and smiled to himself.

I can’t believe it! He thought excitedly.

Calm down, ponies are going to think something’s wrong if you’re smiling to yourself like that. Book said in an annoyed voice causing Tag to frown.

What’s with you? Aren’t you happy that I’ve found somepony who understands what I’m asking? Didn’t you tell me to wait before I went crazy again? Tag asked in a confused voice. Book gave an exasperated sigh.

Don’t you see you’re alienating your friends? Your brother? He pointed out. Tag winced slightly.

Yeah but… after my questions have been answered I should be fine. Tag stated.

We thought you were fine before, what if there’s something wrong with your psyche that I can’t detect? Book questioned. Tag opened the door to the house and trotted in.

If the answers I get tomorrow don’t make a difference then something is wrong. Tag decided.

I doubt that will tell. Book muttered.

“Hey Tag!” Tor called out from the living room. “How was work today?” Tag trotted down the hall.

“It was fi- what are you doing?” Tag asked as he rounded the corner. Tor was sitting in a strange position that stretched his injured flank backwards; Tor’s face was covered in a mild discomfort.

“I’m stretching my legs. I went to visit Fluttershy to see of there was anything I could do for my side and she suggested I few poses.” Tor switched to another pose that stretched his flank the other way. “She also said that I should walk a little more to start strengthening the muscle.” He stood up slowly putting a little weight on his injured side.

“Does it feel a little better?” Tag asked curiously; Tor took a cautious step forward.

“A slight pain but nothing I can’t handle.” He said.

“In that case… do you want to go for a walk tonight?” Tag asked casually. Tor thought for a moment.

“If it was a short walk sure.” He said finally. “When should we go?”

“After dinner I would think, get the food digesting.” Tag suggested. Tor gave him a strange look.

“Are you okay? You seem more… less depressed.” He finished lamely.

Ouch. Book interjected. Tag winced.

“I just got some answers, that’s all.” He said quickly. Tor shrugged slowly.

“Maybe you can tell me about it on our walk.” Tor mumbled as he shifted slightly. “What should we do for dinner?” Tag trotted into the kitchen and opened the fridge taking stock of what was left. Tor trotted in slowly behind him.

“There’s a little soup left, want to eat that?” Tag asked as he pulled his head out of the fridge.

“I guess, put it on the stove.” Tor sighed. Tag raised an eyebrow.

“Is something wrong?” He asked.

“This little question appears to be affecting you in a big way, making your mood switch around so much.” Tor mumbled.

“I’m just a little excited, that’s all.” Tag explained. “It’s a world that isn’t known well to ponykind and I’ve seen it.”

“When are you going to get these answers then?” Tor asked incredulously.

“Tomorrow, I will meet her in the park and she’ll tell me everything she knows.” Tag said happily. Tor’s face suddenly changed.

“Are you sure that’s such a good idea?” He asked uncertainly. Tag tilted his inquisitively.

‘Tomorrow is the day off, why wouldn’t it be a good idea?” He wondered.

“I was wondering if maybe we could go about… buying stuff for the house.” Tor said.

“The meeting shouldn’t take too long, Lyra said she didn’t have much anyway.” Tag explained. He looked down and noticed he had finished his soup. Tor had finished his too and stood up.

“Lyra?” He asked. Tag stood up and trotted to Tor’s side.

“She’s the one who told me about the creatures I saw, humans.” Tag explained. “I’ll tell you more about it on our walk.” He continued and motioned down the hallway.

----

Tag stepped into the dusky street and waited while Tor stepped slowly off of the threshold.

“Where should we walk?” Tag asked as he looked in either direction. Tor was thoughtful for a moment.

“Perhaps we could visit areas of Ponyville we haven’t been to before, seeing as we live here we should get to know the area.” He suggested but Tag looked doubtful.

“Do you think you could walk that far?” He asked. Tor nodded.

“If we take it slowly I could probably walk a fair distance.” He said and started down the street at a painstakingly slow pace. Tag followed him step by step. “You were going to tell me about these creatures?” Tor asked.

“Well, I was minding the store today while Rarity went gem hunting with Spike, Lyra had dropped off an order yesterday and came to claim it. She had heard my conversation with Twilight the night before and asked what I knew, I told her. She showed me some sketches and I knew she knew.” Tag started.

“Knew what?” Tor asked.

“That she knew what the humans are.” Tag said.

“And what are humans?” Tor asked as they turned off of That Street.

“Humans are the creatures that came before ponies, they are what I saw and have been wondering about.” Tag explained. “We then made plans to meet tomorrow where she could tell me all about humans… at least what she knows. Apparently the only knowledge comes from ruins that are rare to find.” Tag summed. Tor was silent for a moment.

“And who is Lyra?” He asked.

“Lyra is a green unicorn, she’s got a lyre for a cutie mark, and so I would assume she’s a musician. Also she has been researching humans for most of her life.” Tag explained. He looked around and saw that he had no idea where they were. “Are we lost?” He asked anxiously. Tor shook his head.

“I know exactly where we’re going.” He said confidently.

“The last time you led us you took to the Carousel Boutique when I rather would have avoided that encounter. Where are we going?” Tag pressed.

“Just exploring.” Tor answered innocently. The sun had set and the street was dark except for the occasional candle in the window.

“Of course, how’s your leg holding up?” Tag asked casting a glance at Tor’s flank.

“I feel fine, this walk is honestly just what I needed to stretch. I feel much better than when I was stuck in the house.” Tor said happily.

“Good, try not to overdo it, I need you to earn the money too.” Tag mumbled. He heard a door swing open and spun around; he realized a pony was running towards them.

“Hey! Tag!” Lyra called out as she galloped up to them. Tor turned around slowly and faced her.

“Who’s that?” He whispered.

“That’s Lyra.” Tag explained. Lyra stopped in front of Tag trying to catch her breath.

“Tag… hu… I… whew!” She stood up straight. “I can’t believe you just happened to be trotting by!” She said excitedly.

“Are you okay Lyra?” Tag asked in a concerned voice. Lyra blew out some air.

“Yeah! I feel great!” She said. Tor coughed lightly.

“Oh! Sorry, this is my brother Tor.” Tag said motioning to Tor, Lyra held out a hoof.

“Nice to meet you.” She said; Tor looked at her helplessly.

“Sorry, but I need to keep four hooves on the ground.” He said and motioned to his side. ”Injured myself.” He explained, “But it’s nice to meet you.” Lyra put her hoof down.

“But you’re fine right?” She asked looking at his side. Tor nodded.

“Don’t worry, I’m perfectly fine, just recovering.” He reassured her. Lyra turned her attention back to Tag.

“Tag, I need to discuss something with you… about the humans.” She said urgently.

“Right now? Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Tag asked. Lyra shifted uncomfortably.

“This is really important.” She said. Tag sighed and turned to Tor.

“Could you give us a moment?” He asked. Tor nodded. Tag trotted a little ways away with Lyra. “What’s going on?” He asked.

“While I was searching through my notes to confirm what you told me I found something that I had missed.” She explained. “I found a map that was stuck in the binding. The map appeared to show the location of an old human base called ‘Phoenix’.”

“And?” Tag asked.

“After I compared the map to the map of Equestria I found that the base was located in the what is now the Everfree Forest!” She finished smiling proudly.

“And?” Tag asked.

“And I was wondering if you wanted to go now.” Lyra asked sheepishly. Tag frowned.

“Let me consult my brother quickly.” He said and trotted over to Tor. “I’m leaving for the Everfree.” He said simply, Tor blinked.

“Right now?” He asked, surprised.

“Right now.” Tag confirmed. Tor sighed.

“I suppose this will give you the answers you have been looking for.” He muttered. Tag nodded.

“This is really important to me.” He said quickly. Tor sighed.

“I suppose I should head back to the house then.” He mumbled. Tag winced slightly.

“I guess…” He trailed off.

“But if this is important to you then I should be supportive. Go, find the answer to your question.” He said; Tag was silent.

“… Thank you, for understanding.” Tag said quietly Tor shook his head.

“I know you would do the same for me.” He said confidently. Tag nodded. “That’s what friendship is for.” Tor started in the direction they had come. “Try to be back before sunrise. I really need you to… help me buy stuff for the house.” He said quietly. Tag watched after him for a moment.

This will be the end of the human thing. He decided.

Why the sudden change? Book asked curiously.

I can feel myself alienating my brother, you were right. Tag sighed.

That’s all I ask, a little recognition. Lyra trotted up to Tag.

“Is everything alright?” She asked anxiously. Tag shook his head.

“Perfectly fine, we were heading for the Everfree Forest, right?”

----

The road out of Ponyville was short and soon Tag and Lyra found themselves standing outside the Everfree Forest.

“I hope you know how to read that map.” Tag said nervously. Lyra took a confident step forward.

“If I didn’t know what I was doing I wouldn’t have mentioned it at all.” She said simply. Tag followed her as she stepped into the gloom.

Tag immediately sensed something.

“Do you feel that?” He asked. Lyra gave him a strange look.

“Feel what?” She asked back. Tag shook himself.

“Just the feeling of a million eyes peering at me.” Tag said simply. Lyra started trot again.

“That’s normal for the Everfree.” She explained as Tag jumped to catch up.

“Yeah but it’s not a feeling I’m used to.” He said hunching his shoulders in an attempt to make himself smaller. Lyra giggled to herself.

“Calm down, most of the animals in the Everfree are to little to even think about attacking us.” She explained and pushed aside a fern that had gotten in her way. Tag was skeptical.

“The last time I was here I was nearly killed by a manticore.” He said flatly. Lyra gave him a surprised look.

“Almost?” It was her turn to be skeptical. Tag looked away.

“That was from a time that I would rather not revisit right now, it brings back… regrets.” Tag finished quietly, almost to himself. Lyra didn’t say anything but looked at the path ahead. “How much farther?” Tag asked.

“Let me check the map.” Lyra said and stopped. She opened her saddlebag and pulled out the map, she looked at it silently. “Not too much longer.” She said and put the map away. They walked in silence for a while longer.

Book? Tag asked.

Yes? Book startled.

Just making sure you’re still there, you haven’t said anything in a while. Tag observed.

This is your adventure, I’m just curious to see where it leads, and what answers it gives you. Book said simply.

You just can't understand half of it, can you? Tag asked smugly.

Can’t understand any of it. Book said. Tag laughed to himself silently.

“Lyra?” He asked looking at the pony.

“Yeah?” She answered without looking back.

“How did you learn about humans in the beginning?” Tag asked.

“When I was a filly I lived back in Canterlot.” She started. “My father was head librarian of the Royal Canterlot Library, meaning that he was also in charge of any and all ancient texts. Several of these texts were books and papers recovered from human ruins. Of course all little fillies want to know what their mothers and father do at work, right?” She asked.

“Right…” Tag trailed off.

“Right, so when I asked my father what he did he ended up telling me all about the human texts he was researching. I don’t think he knew how much of an impression that left on me but here I am, quite possibly the most knowledgeable pony on humans.” She finished.

“What about your father’s position?” Tag asked.

“He saved up enough to retire and moved into the country, after I grew up I decided I would live in Ponyville because I had a friend, Bon-Bon who lived here and she offered me a place to stay until I could afford my own.” Lyra explained.

Were you payed a lot as the head librarian? Tag wondered.

I doubt I was payed as much as Lyra’s father, we were at war and there was barely enough money as it was. Book explained. Lyra pushed another fern out of her way and stepped into a clearing. She stopped dead in her tracks.

“Is something wrong?” Tag asked worriedly.

“I think we found Phoenix.” Lyra said excitedly. Tag looked around the clearing; he could see what looked like a large metal door that had been built into the side of a rock cliff.

“That’s Phoenix?” Tag asked disbelievingly. “That door?”

“Well it’s on the other side of the door…” Lyra said and started towards the door, Tag put out a hoof.

“It could be dangerous.” He said, “Let me go first.” He took a step forward. The door was much taller than Tag, suited for the traffic of humans. On one side of the door was a small square covered in what looked like some sort of wire mesh. Tag stepped over to it cautiously, there was a small button under the mesh. Lyra had come up behind him silently.

“Perhaps you should push the button?” She suggested. Tag glanced back at her.

“I was going to.” He said and stepped in front of the panel. He put one hoof over his eye and quickly pressed the button with the other. Nothing happened at first and Tag uncovered his eyes. A small slight had started blinking on the square and a voice came from nowhere.

“Please speak the password.” It said; it sounded female but almost synthetic. It seemed to crack and deviate from a normal sound.

“Tag?” Lyra asked in a slightly scared voice. Tag didn’t dare say a word.

“Password accepted, please enjoy your stay at the Phoenix Detention Centre.” Said the voice. A loud creaking noise came from the door causing both the ponies to jump. The door shifted slightly causing the ground to rumble slightly and dust fell from the rock face. The door eventually slid to one side giving Tag a full view of the pitch darkness inside. Neither pony said a word. Tag took a frightened step forward; nothing happened. Lyra let out a large breath.

“That was the scariest thing I’ve seen in awhile.” She sighed. “What do you think that was?”

“I thought you were the expert on humans.” Tag said sarcastically, he didn’t look away from the darkness of Pheonix.

“I am aware of that but seeing as we don’t know much I thought I would ask your opinion.” Lyra huffed.

“Right, it was obviously some sort of identification system. There must be somepony or something on the other side that was talking to us.” Tag hypothesized, Lyra nodded.

“Makes sense, but who or what could be in there?” She asked motioning to the doorway. As if in response light flickered at first then shone dimly revealing a cluttered metal hallway covered in plant life and rust that led into the rock face. Tag looked into it curiously.

“Perhaps we should find out.” He said grimly and crept into the hallway leaving Lyra to follow.