Lyra had left to go to her own house as soon as the pair had returned to town, they had been in Phoenix the entire night and she was going to sleep the day off away.

Tag turned onto That Street and looked at his house, the house that Mark had set for him and Tor. He opened the door and stepped into the house.

“Good morning Tor!” Tag called out as he closed the door behind him. Nopony answered. Tag stood in the front hall for a moment then trotted into the kitchen, nopony was there.

Did Tor go without me? He thought to himself.

I doubt it; Tor really wanted you to come along for some reason. Book reasoned. Tag trotted back into the front hall.

Well where is he then? He thought. He trotted into the living room and saw that Tor had fallen asleep on the couch. Tag smiled to himself and trotted over to Tor’s sleeping figure. Tag poked Tor’s side causing him to shift slightly, but not wake up.

“Wake up Tor.” Tag said. Tor opened his eyes slowly and looked at Tag,

“Your back… did you find the answers you were looking for?” he asked as he rolled off of the couch. He winced slightly as he landed on his bad side but said nothing.

“I certainly found some answers. Not exactly what I wanted but enough to satisfy my curiosity.” Tag lied. Tor looked at him for a moment.

“And?” He asked expectantly.

“I probably shouldn’t go into detail.” Tag said trying to avoid the question. “Are you good to go shopping for house stuff?” He asked. Tor cast a quick glance at his flank and nodded.

“I should be fine, magic helps.” He said and waved his horn. Tag trotted back into the front hall. Tor joined him and soon they were walking down the street.

“Where is this furniture store anyway?” Tag asked looking around.

“This way.” Tor said turning a corner.

“Did you have anything in mind? To get that is.” Tag asked nonchalantly.

“Not really thought we’d just browse.” Tor answered. “Is there a particular reason you seem to avoiding the topic of last night?” Tag gulped.

“I just… found something really disturbing I guess. It answered my questions though.” Tag lied again. Tor stopped walking.

“Is that Twilight over there?” He asked squinting down the road. Tag followed his gaze.

“I think so. Is she waving at us?” Tag wondered. Twilight was indeed waving at them.

“Hey! Guys you’re just in time!” She called as she galloped over to them. “I need some help. If you don’t mind helping out.” She stopped in front of them.

“What’s wrong?” Tor asked.

“I just need some help, Spike made a big mess.” She sighed. Tor looked at Tag.

“Let’s help.” He stated plainly. Tag shrugged.

“Sure, it’s not like we’re doing anything urgent.” He said and trotted towards the library. He didn’t catch the wink Twilight gave Tor. Tag opened the door to the library and trotted in, it took him a moment to realize that it was dark in the library.

What’s going on? He asked.

Am I supposed know? Book sighed. Suddenly the lights came on and Tag covered his eyes with a hoof.

“SURPRISE!!!” Shouted several voices. Tag put his hoof down and looked around; His friends were standing in the middle of the library wearing party hats and large smiles. The room was decorated with balloons, streamers and a banner that said ‘surprise’ in capital letters. Tag looked back at the doorway and saw Twilight and Tor standing in the doorway. Tag smiled broadly.

“You guys!” He said laughing. “You didn’t have to throw a surprise party for me!” Pinkie bounced circles around him.

“Of course we did! You’ve been so down and sad lately we thought we just HAD to cheer you up somehow!” She said excitedly. “And of course seeing as I’m the best party planner in Equestria I suggested we throw a party!”

“Thank you, I guess I really was down in the dumps.” Tag said in agreement.

“Well you’d have to expect that considering what happened to you.” Rainbow Dash said as she flapped lazily over with Fluttershy.

“Were you surprised? Were you scared? I hope you weren’t scared.” Fluttershy fretted.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, I was surprised sure. But that’s what a surprise party is all about.” Tag reassured her. Then Tag heard a familiar voice.

“Tag, it’s good to see you again!” Tag turned around and saw Silver Platter standing off to the side.

“Silver Platter? You came?” Tag asked in a surprised voice, Silver Platter laughed.

“Of course I did! Almost nopony else in town would have and I thought I would drop in seeing as you don’t eat at the How and Hay Café anymore.” She said with a hint of regret. “I really would like to apologize about how Mr. Hay treated you, and on your date even!” Tag shook his head.

“Please don’t even think about it.” Tag said. “Mr. Hay was just trying to take care of his business and I understand that. But I’m thankful for you trying to stand up for me.” Tag said gratefully. Silver Platter smiled.

“Thank you, I think that Mr. Hay has calmed down a bit seeing as the accident was a while ago. I might even invite you and your brother back when I get the chance.” She said.

“I really do miss the hay casserole.” Tag agreed.

“Right, but I should probably get going now, I promised my friend we would hang out today.” Silver Platter said regretfully. Tag nodded in understanding.

“I’m happy you could just make it at all.” Tag said and watched as Silver Platter exited the library. Tag turned back around and found himself face-to-face with Rarity. He froze for a second. “Rarity… I would really like to apologize. I was a different pony but now I have answers to my questions and I…” He couldn’t find any words to say. Rarity blinked slowly.

“Of course, I understand. I’ll wait for as long as it takes for you to sort yourself out.” She said upliftingly. Tag looked at her for a moment and blinked, he felt a tear in his eye and he couldn’t think of a thing to say. Rarity smiled lightly.

“Perhaps we could start again.” Tag said. “Allow me to take you to dinner sometime.”

----

While the ponies of Ponyille partied darker events were taking place on the other side of Equestria. A dark shadowed courtyard stood empty save for a statue that stood in the middle. Two ponies strode into the courtyard until they stood in front of it. One, the taller of the two, turned towards the other; she flexed her wings.

“I think it’s time, what about you?” The other pony said nothing but waved his horn in the air. The first pony looked at him strangely. “What’s that supposed to mean?” The second pony shook his head in frustration, he tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth. The first pony sighed irritably. “Just because I’m an alicorn doesn’t mean I can fix your stupid voice. You’ll just have to use the speech spell.” The second pony looked at the ground for a moment before his horn lit up. His once white coat was torn to shreds and covered in the scars of a terrible battle, it was now a deep blood red. A monotone voice emanated from his horn.

“I’m still trying to learn it.” Said the voice.

“I guess until then you can suffer.” The first pony said smiling to herself. She looked back at the statue, the mess of parts that made it up. The second pony followed her look.

“I do believe it is time, we’ll need his guidance.” Said the monotone voice. The first pony shrugged.

“Just making sure you’re ready for this.” She said and her horn lit up causing the shadows to dance frantically around the courtyard. The first small cracks began to appear at the head of the statue. The second pony smiled.

“All hail lord Discord.”

(That does it for The Third Sister, hope you all enjoyed. School is wrapping up soon and exam crunch time is now so it will be awhile before I get to anymore writing, but I hope you'll stick around long enough for me to get back on track. -Tag)