Scorpan the Betrayerby Captain HurricaneChaptersReceptionIntermissionPreludeCatharsisReception“The King isn’t receiving visitors.” Three minotaur guards towered over Princess Twilight Sparkle, blocking further passage into Minovan Castle. Two of them were flanking their captain, whose scarred chest underscored his status as a veteran soldier and fearsome warrior. Beyond them, an iron portcullis ensured the way into the castle was impenetrable to unwelcome guests. “It’s important that I have an audience with the king. I’ve come all the way from Equestria to….” The minotaur cut her off. “You might as well go back there, then. The King will not receive visitors.” A look of annoyance crossed Twilight’s face. “He’ll want to hear what I have to say, Captain. It’s about his brother. Will you tell him that?” The minotaur leader blinked twice in rapid succession. “Brother?” He looked to the minotaurs to his left and right. The same perplexed look on their faces did little to conceal their confusion. The guard leaned in close; his warm and rancid breath assaulted Twilight’s nostrils, but she endured the malodorous miasma with little reaction. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, Princess, but if this is a joke, the King will ensure you suffer much….displeasure. Wait here.” The guard captain signaled to more minotaur guards on both sides of the gate. Slowly, the massive portcullis began to rise, propelled upward as a complicated system of ropes and pulleys worked against gravity. Twilight watched as the sharpened ends of the portcullis were elevated to just above the guard captain’s head. If the gate were to descend on somepony, she reckoned, there would be no way to survive. The captain was gone only a short while before he returned, his face just as emotionless as before. “I am to accompany you to the throne room where our King will see you. Do you…” he hesitated, exhaling before continuing rapidly, “….require help with your bags?” “No, thank you, Captain. I’ll manage.” Twilight didn’t see the need to impose any more than she had to. It would have been quite demeaning for the guard captain to be reduced to a bagpony. Besides, it was only one saddlebag. The minotaur captain stood on the far side of the gate, beckoning Twilight to follow. Her hooves echoed with each step forward she took. The deep red cobblestone path was otherwise unoccupied; only Twilight and her escort traveled upon it. The alicorn princess marveled at the gothic style architecture of the keep and castle, its spires like fangs, or perhaps daggers, piercing the skies above. The guard captain led Twilight through a set of massive wooden doors, their beams painted in a menacing red hue. The minotaur stopped at another, smaller set of doors; here, he opened the door for Twilight, indicating for her to enter. “Good luck, Princess.” The massive minotaur leaned in much closer this time, whispering in to Twilight’s ear. “You’re a braver pony than I am.” *** Scorpan paced nervously, his tail swishing back and forth with each step. Although he was older, and wiser now, his strength had not failed him yet. He glanced back at the arm of his throne, and his brow furrowed as he saw deep gouges where his claws had sunk into only moments before. News of his brother? No news would have been best; a messenger from Equestria could only mean one thing: Tirek has escaped his Tartaruan prison. Scorpan returned to his throne, his graying leonine mane still showing a hint of the youth that had long ago been lost. Leathery wings stretched out, and folded again behind him as two solid knocks resounded from the entrance to his chambers. “Enter,” he bellowed, in a tone neither soft nor menacing, but commanding. With her head broaching the doorway cautiously, Twilight calmly trotted forward toward the sovereign monstrosity. Scorpan stood twice as tall as she did, even when balancing on her hind legs. Draconic red wings rested behind him, and his claws seemed sharp and lethal. Her eyes settled upon his, and found not hardened anger, but a soft, gentle sadness behind Scorpan’s restless gaze. “A…a princess?” Scorpan bowed slightly toward Twilight, who was herself kneeling before the king. Twilight retained her position, awaiting Scorpan’s command. “Come now, my little pony. Dispense with the formalities.” Twilight stood upright, as Scorpan’s wings rapidly outstretched, signifying an urgency Twilight didn’t quite understand. She noted his deep baritone voice, rich yet gravelly but not harsh. It reminded her in a way of her own mentor's speech patterns, with their gentle wisdom underlying a polished and precise eloquence. “Your presence here is a dark omen for Equestria. We have no time to waste. We must return to your lands at once if Tirek is to be captured….” “I don’t mean to interrupt, but Lord Tirek is already in captivity. In Tartarus, once more. My friends and I stopped him.” Twilight watched a veil of confusion descend upon Scorpan’s face. “I…I don’t understand. If he escaped, Tirek would have stopped at nothing to see Equestria crushed beneath his hooves and all of its ponies dominated…bending to his will. Only by the combined powers of your Equestrian royalty could his reign of terror be ended…” Scorpan’s wings folded behind him again. “That was the news of my brother, then? Why now, after more than a thousand years, does a pony stand before me, a visitor in the court of the Kingdom of Minova?” It was Scorpan’s turn to kneel, bringing himself to eye level of the equine guest in front of him. “I am Twilight Sparkle, student to Princess Celestia, and, now that Tirek has been returned to Tartarus, the Princess of Friendship!” She flexed her wings, bowing slightly as she did so. “Celestia? ‘Tia? You know ‘Tia?” Scorpan brought both his arms around Twilight, enveloping her in a deep and warm embrace. “Any friend of hers, my little pony, is a friend of mine.” Twilight was slightly uncomfortable with the towering hulk’s embrace. The last thing she was expecting from the King of the Land of Monsters was a hug. “I…I…I’m glad, Your Highness, that the spirit of friendship between our lands is still strong.” Scorpan ended his embrace. His head turned back toward a door on the far end of the room. “Please, again, dispense with the formalities. You may call me Scorpan…only if I may call you Twilight. Agreed?” “Of course, Your…Scorpan.” The king stood, beckoning Twilight to follow. “Come, Twilight. My chambers are more comfortable than this drafty room. The minotaurs find the throne room’s spartan nature much more to their liking.” He paused before opening the door. “I keep it warm in here. It’s hard to keep the chill off these old bones…even though I have the lion’s share of fur.” He pointed to his mane. “HA! Get it, lion’s share. That joke never gets old, unlike myself.” Twilight smiled nervously at the king’s self-deprecating pun. “We have many things to discuss, Twilight.” Scorpan held the door open for the alicorn; a warm draft played over Twilight’s face. For a moment, it reminded her of a warm summer day in Canterlot. As she entered the door, a set of quills and ink levitated from one pocket of Twilight’s saddlebags; from another pocket, a book with blank pages floated into the air. The room was comfortable, and it felt reminiscent of her old suite at the Canterlot castle; it was a far cry from what she knew of Minovan decor. Twilight gathered her quills and ink, setting them down on a wooden table that seemed to be just the right height for a pony. “Everypony has a story, Scorpan,” She spoke softly as Scorpan settled into an overstuffed armchair. “I’m here because….I want to hear yours.” Author's Note After seeing the season finale last week, I had so many questions that went unanswered. Who is Scorpan? Where did he and Tirek come from? What, exactly, are they? How did Scorpan come to "appreciate the ways of Equestria"? What is the significance behind Scorpan's amulet? How did Scorpan meet Starswirl the Bearded? I found no answers, not canon, anyway. I think I may be the first to try and explain Scorpan's backstory, as his story connects so many important figures throughout Equestrian history. Please let me know what you think, and if you like where the story is going. IntermissionThe chamber of King Scorpan was richly decorated. A massive bed dominated the area; the bed’s posts reached high above Princess Twilight’s head. In stark contrast to the rest of the castle’s decoration, this room was filled with greens, blues, and golden hues. A full size portrait of a chimera hung upon one wall; its subject gazed down upon Twilight, sending chills throughout her body. The painting, faded from age and soot stained, was clear enough to portray a creature that sported a dragon, goat, and lion head. Parts of his body matched each head: tail of a lion, wings of a dragon, hooves of a goat. Twilight could barely make out an amulet around the dragon’s neck; it was both golden and triangular. Other furnishings were slightly less impressive. A cabinet with bottles of presumably expensive wines and liquors stood tall, its oaken architecture undoubtedly the hoofwork of a master craftspony. Large, overstuffed chairs, sized for minotaurs, held exotic patterns in blues and yellows, and a curio next to a writing desk held several boxes and objects of curiosity. Twilight studied some of them casually while Scorpan cleared the cherrywood table of plates, cups, and utensils. “My apologies. I take most meals in my chambers these days. Diplomatic affairs with the Griffon Territories have kept me engaged the last few weeks. Between entertaining Minovan entrepreneurs and staving off war with the neighbors, your visit here, Twilight, is a refreshing intermission. “You want to hear my story? Very well. I was born twelve hundred and sixty, no, sixty one years ago. I grew up, visited Equestria, and returned. I’ve lived in this castle ever since. Story of my life.” Scorpan sat stone-faced; Twilight wasn’t able to discern if he was serious or joking. “That…wasn’t really what I had in mind, Scorpan. I wanted to know, why…” “…why Princess Celestia never told you about me?” Finishing the princess’ sentence, Scorpan stood from his seat. He walked over to the curio, grabbing a small wooden box off one of the shelves. He sighed deeply, and as he removed layers of dust from the parcel in his paws, he could feel a rush of abandoned memories rise up within him. He shook the small package, and seemed satisfied with the result. “If Equestria forgot about Tirek and I, then all was as it should have been. It was not by accident that the name of Scorpan has been absent from your history lessons. After Tirek had been banished, the first time, it seems, I suggested to Celestia and Luna that any record of my brother or I be kept secret. Some foolish cultists who followed Tirek believed he had been destroyed; I thought it best that there was no evidence to the contrary. “It’s time that I set that record straight, Twilight.” The massive chimera walked back towards Twilight, and stood near the overstuffed chair on the opposite side of the alicorn. “The stories of Tirek, of Starswirl, of Clover, of Celestia and Luna…” Scorpan paused, his voice trembling as he said the next name. “Firefly… these ponies played their part in a grand saga, forgotten to all but a pawful. Their histories are far more exciting than mine. I am different now…vastly different from the chimera I was then. The world should know the story that I deemed hidden for centuries, locked away in the furthest reaches of my mind. “The story of Scorpan, the Betrayer.” Twilight wrote furiously, her magically manipulated quills struggling to keep pace with the king’s monologue. Scorpan sat back in his chair, watching curiously as Twilight quickly dipped and redipped several quills, recording every word as though her future depended upon it. He opened the box upon his lap, studying the contents within wistfully. “Well, my newfound biographer. Tell me, how do most ponies begin the story of their life?” He rested his square jaw upon a massive fist, and shot a quizzical glance in Twilight’s direction. “Well, however you feel comfortable. Most ponies start by talking about their families….” Twilight felt slightly awkward in bringing up what must have surely been a sore subject for the king; her embarrassment was short lived, though, as Scorpan continued along the path she suggested. “My family…of course. It has always been a most peculiar thing, my family. My father was a great chimera. Kletos...the Mighty.” The king gestured toward the chimera painting behind him. Twilight was sure the chimera was staring at her, his soot stained eyes showing a ferocity and nobility unmatched even by Nightmare Moon. “One swipe of his paw and whole minotaur legions would cower. A nod, and a dozen minotaurs would be hanged by sundown. One word, and the armies of Minova would destroy any opposition. He was brutal to those who defied him, but dispensed his vast wisdom upon my brother and I, grooming both of us in equal measure for positions of command. “My mother was a changeling. She left my father when I was young; her name and face are lost to the centuries. And my brother….once, long ago, he was to inherit the throne of Minova.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Erm, have you ever thought to try and find your mother? I can’t imagine what it must have been like without both my parents at home.” “I have.” Scorpan shook his head slowly. “Her lifespan could have been nowhere near a chimera’s. She’s…. been dead since I was young.” “That’s…terrible.” Twilight’s pens settled on the table, their purple aura no longer holding them in telekinetic limbo. “You have my condolences.” “Your sentiments are appreciated, Twilight, but they are unnecessary. I came to terms with mortality many moons ago; that of my mother, my father…and my own. “ Scorpan stood again. Walking to the liquor cabinet, he grabbed a bottle and two glasses, and returned to set both glasses down near Twilight’s impromptu workstation. Even without the label, Twilight could instantly tell it was a bottle of Sweet Apple Acres Blue Label 20 Year Reserve, the most expensive cider in any market. “A small indulgence, if you will. A pony friend of mine introduced me to fine ciders. This was a gift from a Minovan motivational speaker who traveled through Equestria about two years ago. I've been waiting for the right occasion to open it.” Uncorking the bottle with his bare paws, he poured a mostly full glass, setting it near Twilight. The glass he poured himself nearly emptied the whole bottle. “When I talk for long periods, my throat gets unsufferably dry and scratchy. A little cider is more than enough to keep my throat, and my mind, lubricated.” He raised his glass in the air, gesturing toward Twilight in a toast. The lavender alicorn did likewise, her glass becoming enveloped in a magical aura before meeting Scorpan’s. A smile, genuine and warm, grew upon the ancient chimera’s face. The two cups clinked together, their sound embodying and complimenting the toast that came after. In one voice, two regal creatures spoke, their words entwining themselves in a magic all of their own. “To friendship.” “To friendship.” Author's Note I nearly screwed up an important part of this chapter, when Scorpan finishes Twilight's sentence. I had "me" and "you" reversed. Never, ever underestimate the power of proofreading, people. Again, as always, feedback is appreciated. Thank you to everyone who has favorited my story so far...it's a big boost of confidence and lets me know that people like my work and look forward to updates. Prelude“To friendship.” “To friendship.” Scorpan sipped slowly at the extravagant and luxuriously priced alcoholic beverage. Twilight did likewise, enveloping her glass in a magenta aura before tilting it back, savoring the sweet, pleasant burn of the high proof cider. Outside, the Midnight River’s waters rushed swiftly through the narrow chasm separating the castle from the rest of Minova. The noble chimera cocked his head toward the window, as if listening to the river’s dull roar would ease some long forgotten burdens. Though his body was relaxed, his mind was restless. Something was eating at the chimera’s mind. Scorpan had to know. “Before I begin, tell me how you and your friends subdued my brother.” Twilight spoke briefly as Scorpan listened. Beginning with Cerberus’ escape from Tartarus, she detailed the events of how Tirek came to power, glossing over the particulars of how he was defeated. The princess of friendship emphasized how Tirek used her friends as bait and destroyed the Golden Oaks Library, her home in Ponyville for the last three years. Occasionally Twilight's eyes darted toward the painting of Kletos and the medallion that he wore; she wasn’t quite sure how Scorpan might react when she told him what happened to it. “I’ve talked a lot about my troubles, though. I think I've become much better for the experience; like they say, you can't forge a horseshoe without a little fire. But, really, I’m here to hear from you.” Princess Twilight levitated an inked quill, and motioned for the king to begin telling his story. “Let us pass by the early years of my youth; they are unimportant, and to be honest, my memories of that time are…sparse. I think the best place to start would be the passing of the king, my father. Time had been kind to my father, who was older than I could truly comprehend. I think he felt the time was right, and with my brother and I as heirs to his kingdom, he believed he could leave it in our capable paws. He summoned Tirek and I into his chambers, and beckoned the both of us to come closer. I stopped near the dying chimera’s bed, where he struggled to maintain his breathing and his consciousness. My father grabbed me, his sharpened claws digging into my shoulder as I leaned over him. He struggled for breath, his chest slightly rising with each labored gasp. I didn’t know where this strength was coming from…Father had been bedridden for weeks. As I looked into his eyes, a fire burned there…a flame I had not seen in all the days of my youth. Tirek stood on the other side of the bed from me, and shrugged as he saw rivulets of blood trickling down my pierced shoulder. With his left claw, my father tugged at his royal pendant, snapping the clasps that held the golden symbol securely around his neck. He pulled me close, and released his death grip on my shoulder only to grab my wrist. “Take it.” Using the right claw this time, he slowly moved his pendant towards my grappled limb, and repeated himself, even louder than previously. “Take it!” I snatched the necklace from his claws, holding the amulet in my paw and feeling the strong magic imbued within. “Scorpan…this necklace will strike fear into the hearts of your enemies. It will make you a fierce warrior and leader. Guard it well.” As Kletos the Mighty released me, he rolled over and faced my brother. It was Tirek’s turn to feel my father’s daggered claws grip him tightly. “Tirek…my son…my flesh and blood…my castle and kingdom shall be yours when I have journeyed to the Realm Beyond. With you as…” Racked with a coughing fit, my father forced himself to continue. His faces pale and scales dim, he continued after what felt like forever. “With you as king, and your brother as general of your armies, the nations of Equus will bow before you both in time. Now leave us, both of you.” Tirek and I paused to look at each other, unsure of our father’s intentions. If we didn’t understand our father’s meaning then, we truly did after three monstrous heads roared in unison. “LEAVE US!” Kletos the Mighty passed to the Realm Beyond that evening. As was the custom, the minotaurs sung their funeral dirge for three days and nights. Many ambassadors and heads of state came to share in the time of mourning from both near and far. I can recall a few of their names and faces…Ambassador Sombra from the Crystal Empire, Syzzyth of the Flameclaw Clan, and the Diarchy of Equestria. Several months after our father’s death, Tirek came to me with his plans and schemes, laying them out in clear, concise terms that I couldn’t say no to. He asked if I ever heard of the Midnight Satchel. That was the key, he said, to defending our kingdom with little to no bloodshed. As Minova’s general, I couldn’t argue with the merits my brother proposed about this strange device that could keep the borders of our kingdom safe into perpetuity. For six laborious years, we hunted and searched for the mysterious artifact that my brother insisted was more than myth. Hundreds of minotaurs joined him on the expedition, and I was tasked with keeping them all in line and under control. We were on the verge of defeat until we began investigating a lead that sent us westward. The mountains to the west of here, known as the Spikepeak Range, were ancient gathering halls for the old dragon clans. Following the information we gleaned from an ancient copper scroll, we eventually found the Midnight Satchel in a Spikepeak cavern that only recently had fallen into disuse, as evidenced by the dragon hatchling which I brought back home after it started following me around like a lost child. After we brought the Midnight Satchel back from its resting place deep underground, Tirek changed. At first, I dismissed his odd behavior. When he started carrying around that purple bag everywhere he went, I could no longer ignore how my brother was acting. I found that the satchel was a powerful item forged in secret by a dark cabal of leonin wizards whose ultimate goal was to unleash Discord, the god of Chaos, upon Equus and strike terror into the hearts of their enemies. They had succeeded, but their success ultimately proved to be their downfall. Discord punished the cabal for their temerity, turning them all into twisted abominations. One tribe’s features became birdlike, giving rise to the griffons, our neighbors to the east. One group became more bestial and feral; their descendants are the manticore. And of course, my lineage comes from the final group, the chimera, whose form most closely matches that of our progenitor, the great and feared Discord himself. Believing the Midnight Satchel harmless, the powers that be left it alone and it fell into obscurity for millennia. Until Tirek started using it. I had always been close to my brother. We shared thoughts, talked politics, even had the same taste in liquor and spirits. So when my brother insisted I kneel before him, and address him as “my master”, I knew he was no longer the one I had grown up with, but rather a creature of darkness, with a soul twisted and misshapen by the very artifact that I helped him find. So in a way, I am responsible for my brother’s downfall. I bear responsibility for the madness and lust for power bestowed by that infernal purple bag. It’s my fault Tirek became the monster that besieged the kingdom of Equestria, and it’s my fault he destroyed your library. Please forgive me, Twilight. Author's Note As always, comments and feedback is appreciated! Catharsis“Please forgive me, Twilight.” Tears streamed down Scorpan’s face, sobbing softly as the wave of emotion he had repressed for generations crashed over him. His paws covered his eyes in a futile attempt to hide his shame from his alicorn guest. Rising from her chair, Twilight wasted no time before embracing the chimera, and her legs wrapped around his musclebound chest. Silence permeated the room; it felt like an eternity before either of them spoke. It was Twilight who spoke first, slowly loosening her grip around the king as she did so. “There’s no need to apologize for your brother’s actions. How could you have known he could let the anger and ambition in his heart become twisted by this artifact you spoke of?” Scorpan slowly shook his head. His sobbing had stopped, but he continued to dab at his eyes with a dingy cloth napkin from the table. He cleared his throat before letting out a powerful sigh. “It’s not easy to confront the memories I’ve worked so very hard to hide. The minotaurs here thrive on stoicism. Weakness, however perceived, is an unacceptable quality in their leaders. You caught me at a rare moment indeed, Twilight. It’s been hundreds of years since any other being has…. seen me cry. It’s….what’s the word when something sad feels good?” “Cathartic?” Twilight’s eyebrow raised slightly, and slowly. “That’s exactly it. It’s cathartic.” Silence blanketed the room again. The faint sounds of the rushing river below sounded louder than before, slightly more insidious and unnatural. Twilight’s voice cut through the quiet cacophony, clear and sweet as a Hearth’s Warming Eve bell. “We don’t have to continue.” “It’s…It’s fine. I’m reminded of all that I’ve gained…all that I’ve lost. But history is rarely the truth, and historians do a better job at making things happier and glossing over the atrocities of the past.” He glanced down at the box in his lap, its lid removed and set off to the side. Twilight caught a glimpse of the decorated lid, and marveled at the rich mahogany with silver inlay. Mentally calculating the cost of such craftsmanship, Twilight came to a figure roughly equal to half of Pinkie Pie’s yearly salary from Sugarcube Corner; she silently wondered what exactly Scorpan had in this box that was so interesting. It looked so small in Scorpan’s massive paws; whatever was in there must have held a high value, sentimental or otherwise. *** “Not long after Tirek started using that infernal purple bag, he sent me to gather information on Equestria, convinced that the princesses were planning on invading. In short, I was a spy, sent to learn as many details about the inhabitants of Equestria as possible, and find their plans for the assault on Minova. I couldn’t risk detection; the princesses Celestia and Luna had met me at my father’s funeral, and knew my presence could only serve as the tidings of war. So I hid. "Under the cover of darkness, I snuck into the castle grounds, listening near windows for the comings and goings of nobles visiting from afar. The only time I exposed myself was during the comforting blanket of midnight, when I prayed to a statue of the god Discord I discovered in the castle’s gardens. It amused me to no end that the royal alicorn sisters paid homage to the patron god of Minova. “One thing I can say about unicorn nobility…they don’t know when to keep their mouths closed. I learned so much in little time due to the gift of gab bestowed upon Duke Blueblood the Third, a cousin or some such to the princesses. Oh, did I learn of their plans, troop movements, even the exact time when both sisters shared a room. It was delicious information, knowledge that would serve my brother and our kingdom well. "But it wasn’t enough. I wanted something substantial…something tangible…something that I could bring back to my brother that would make him proud of my hard work, my dedication to Minova. I waited weeks for my godsend, the saving grace, a glean of knowledge greater than everything I learned in half a dozen moons. "The piece de resistance came when a unicorn soothsayer and his protégé visited the castle, asking for permission to study a tree of pure magic in the Everfree Forest. At the time I imagined that Discord must have heard my prayers, and found me worthy of his beneficence. It's kind of funny to think that, even now, I was praying to the real, honest to goodness Discord. I thought he'd be a little taller." Scorpan cleared his throat, glancing around furtively. Twilight chuckled a little at Discord's expense. She was sure Fluttershy wouldn't find it quite as amusing as she did. "Yes...well...AHEM. At first, I found it near impossible to believe what I overheard. Imagine…magic growing on trees. But the Everfree, where I called home for months, was full of surprises....and magical trees were not one of them. "I patiently waited for the soothsayer and his companion to leave the Sister’s Castle, silently skulking outside an open window while listening all the while to their conversation. I learned their names, and their destination, but in time, I would learn so much more about them, and the pegasus who accompanied them as a "security" escort. "The two unicorns were Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever. You may have heard of them.” *** Twilight’s eyes grew wide at Scorpan’s casual mention of two of Equestria’s most famous unicorns. From the flippant manner in which he referenced the historical figures, he must have known more about the both of them than what the princesses disclosed. On the inside, Twilight was jumping with glee. “Play it cool, Twilight Sparkle,” the adult voice inside of her remarked. She suddenly felt grateful for the training Zecora put her through during her brief exile from Ponyville, courtesy of one humble and apologetic Trixie. “Clover the Clever and Starswirl are important historical figures.” She let herself smile slightly, a small concession to the gleeful filly bouncing around in her head shouting yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes. “I find it fascinating that you were personally acquainted with them…it’s like l’m living Equestrian history vicariously through you.” An unexpected pallor of gloom and sadness descended upon Scorpan’s face, a floodgate of tears held back by a razor thin emotional dam. “I’ve had minotaurs faint after I shook their hands and shared stories of the exploits of their grandsire’s grandsire in battle. I imagine one who has basked in the presence of Celestia, Luna, and Discord wouldn’t be all that impressed by a mere mortal such as I. In the grand scheme of things, I guess I'm really not all that important.” Suddenly realizing her faux pas, Twilight shook her hooves defensively, knocking over a small bottle of ink as she did so. “I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! I am excited, really, I mean, you’ve met Starswirl, and your story is coming, you know, straight from the horse’s mouth. I….I....” A mischievous glint sparkled in Scorpan’s eye while he leaned forward, as though ready to whisper some profound truth to a captive audience. Unable to contain himself any longer, peals of laughter erupted from Scorpan. He doubled over, one paw holding on to the box on his lap while the other clutched his chest as it rose up and down with every hearty guffaw. “Your face…your face….priceless!” The laughter continued on, though it took Twilight a few hair-splitting seconds to realize what just happened. The chimera king regained his composure long enough to say the one word she was all too familiar with, the hallmark of someone who has spent entirely too much time around a certain alabaster alicorn. “Gotcha.” Author's Note Now I want to do a Discord/Snake Plissken crossover.
Reception“The King isn’t receiving visitors.” Three minotaur guards towered over Princess Twilight Sparkle, blocking further passage into Minovan Castle. Two of them were flanking their captain, whose scarred chest underscored his status as a veteran soldier and fearsome warrior. Beyond them, an iron portcullis ensured the way into the castle was impenetrable to unwelcome guests. “It’s important that I have an audience with the king. I’ve come all the way from Equestria to….” The minotaur cut her off. “You might as well go back there, then. The King will not receive visitors.” A look of annoyance crossed Twilight’s face. “He’ll want to hear what I have to say, Captain. It’s about his brother. Will you tell him that?” The minotaur leader blinked twice in rapid succession. “Brother?” He looked to the minotaurs to his left and right. The same perplexed look on their faces did little to conceal their confusion. The guard leaned in close; his warm and rancid breath assaulted Twilight’s nostrils, but she endured the malodorous miasma with little reaction. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, Princess, but if this is a joke, the King will ensure you suffer much….displeasure. Wait here.” The guard captain signaled to more minotaur guards on both sides of the gate. Slowly, the massive portcullis began to rise, propelled upward as a complicated system of ropes and pulleys worked against gravity. Twilight watched as the sharpened ends of the portcullis were elevated to just above the guard captain’s head. If the gate were to descend on somepony, she reckoned, there would be no way to survive. The captain was gone only a short while before he returned, his face just as emotionless as before. “I am to accompany you to the throne room where our King will see you. Do you…” he hesitated, exhaling before continuing rapidly, “….require help with your bags?” “No, thank you, Captain. I’ll manage.” Twilight didn’t see the need to impose any more than she had to. It would have been quite demeaning for the guard captain to be reduced to a bagpony. Besides, it was only one saddlebag. The minotaur captain stood on the far side of the gate, beckoning Twilight to follow. Her hooves echoed with each step forward she took. The deep red cobblestone path was otherwise unoccupied; only Twilight and her escort traveled upon it. The alicorn princess marveled at the gothic style architecture of the keep and castle, its spires like fangs, or perhaps daggers, piercing the skies above. The guard captain led Twilight through a set of massive wooden doors, their beams painted in a menacing red hue. The minotaur stopped at another, smaller set of doors; here, he opened the door for Twilight, indicating for her to enter. “Good luck, Princess.” The massive minotaur leaned in much closer this time, whispering in to Twilight’s ear. “You’re a braver pony than I am.” *** Scorpan paced nervously, his tail swishing back and forth with each step. Although he was older, and wiser now, his strength had not failed him yet. He glanced back at the arm of his throne, and his brow furrowed as he saw deep gouges where his claws had sunk into only moments before. News of his brother? No news would have been best; a messenger from Equestria could only mean one thing: Tirek has escaped his Tartaruan prison. Scorpan returned to his throne, his graying leonine mane still showing a hint of the youth that had long ago been lost. Leathery wings stretched out, and folded again behind him as two solid knocks resounded from the entrance to his chambers. “Enter,” he bellowed, in a tone neither soft nor menacing, but commanding. With her head broaching the doorway cautiously, Twilight calmly trotted forward toward the sovereign monstrosity. Scorpan stood twice as tall as she did, even when balancing on her hind legs. Draconic red wings rested behind him, and his claws seemed sharp and lethal. Her eyes settled upon his, and found not hardened anger, but a soft, gentle sadness behind Scorpan’s restless gaze. “A…a princess?” Scorpan bowed slightly toward Twilight, who was herself kneeling before the king. Twilight retained her position, awaiting Scorpan’s command. “Come now, my little pony. Dispense with the formalities.” Twilight stood upright, as Scorpan’s wings rapidly outstretched, signifying an urgency Twilight didn’t quite understand. She noted his deep baritone voice, rich yet gravelly but not harsh. It reminded her in a way of her own mentor's speech patterns, with their gentle wisdom underlying a polished and precise eloquence. “Your presence here is a dark omen for Equestria. We have no time to waste. We must return to your lands at once if Tirek is to be captured….” “I don’t mean to interrupt, but Lord Tirek is already in captivity. In Tartarus, once more. My friends and I stopped him.” Twilight watched a veil of confusion descend upon Scorpan’s face. “I…I don’t understand. If he escaped, Tirek would have stopped at nothing to see Equestria crushed beneath his hooves and all of its ponies dominated…bending to his will. Only by the combined powers of your Equestrian royalty could his reign of terror be ended…” Scorpan’s wings folded behind him again. “That was the news of my brother, then? Why now, after more than a thousand years, does a pony stand before me, a visitor in the court of the Kingdom of Minova?” It was Scorpan’s turn to kneel, bringing himself to eye level of the equine guest in front of him. “I am Twilight Sparkle, student to Princess Celestia, and, now that Tirek has been returned to Tartarus, the Princess of Friendship!” She flexed her wings, bowing slightly as she did so. “Celestia? ‘Tia? You know ‘Tia?” Scorpan brought both his arms around Twilight, enveloping her in a deep and warm embrace. “Any friend of hers, my little pony, is a friend of mine.” Twilight was slightly uncomfortable with the towering hulk’s embrace. The last thing she was expecting from the King of the Land of Monsters was a hug. “I…I…I’m glad, Your Highness, that the spirit of friendship between our lands is still strong.” Scorpan ended his embrace. His head turned back toward a door on the far end of the room. “Please, again, dispense with the formalities. You may call me Scorpan…only if I may call you Twilight. Agreed?” “Of course, Your…Scorpan.” The king stood, beckoning Twilight to follow. “Come, Twilight. My chambers are more comfortable than this drafty room. The minotaurs find the throne room’s spartan nature much more to their liking.” He paused before opening the door. “I keep it warm in here. It’s hard to keep the chill off these old bones…even though I have the lion’s share of fur.” He pointed to his mane. “HA! Get it, lion’s share. That joke never gets old, unlike myself.” Twilight smiled nervously at the king’s self-deprecating pun. “We have many things to discuss, Twilight.” Scorpan held the door open for the alicorn; a warm draft played over Twilight’s face. For a moment, it reminded her of a warm summer day in Canterlot. As she entered the door, a set of quills and ink levitated from one pocket of Twilight’s saddlebags; from another pocket, a book with blank pages floated into the air. The room was comfortable, and it felt reminiscent of her old suite at the Canterlot castle; it was a far cry from what she knew of Minovan decor. Twilight gathered her quills and ink, setting them down on a wooden table that seemed to be just the right height for a pony. “Everypony has a story, Scorpan,” She spoke softly as Scorpan settled into an overstuffed armchair. “I’m here because….I want to hear yours.” Author's Note After seeing the season finale last week, I had so many questions that went unanswered. Who is Scorpan? Where did he and Tirek come from? What, exactly, are they? How did Scorpan come to "appreciate the ways of Equestria"? What is the significance behind Scorpan's amulet? How did Scorpan meet Starswirl the Bearded? I found no answers, not canon, anyway. I think I may be the first to try and explain Scorpan's backstory, as his story connects so many important figures throughout Equestrian history. Please let me know what you think, and if you like where the story is going.
IntermissionThe chamber of King Scorpan was richly decorated. A massive bed dominated the area; the bed’s posts reached high above Princess Twilight’s head. In stark contrast to the rest of the castle’s decoration, this room was filled with greens, blues, and golden hues. A full size portrait of a chimera hung upon one wall; its subject gazed down upon Twilight, sending chills throughout her body. The painting, faded from age and soot stained, was clear enough to portray a creature that sported a dragon, goat, and lion head. Parts of his body matched each head: tail of a lion, wings of a dragon, hooves of a goat. Twilight could barely make out an amulet around the dragon’s neck; it was both golden and triangular. Other furnishings were slightly less impressive. A cabinet with bottles of presumably expensive wines and liquors stood tall, its oaken architecture undoubtedly the hoofwork of a master craftspony. Large, overstuffed chairs, sized for minotaurs, held exotic patterns in blues and yellows, and a curio next to a writing desk held several boxes and objects of curiosity. Twilight studied some of them casually while Scorpan cleared the cherrywood table of plates, cups, and utensils. “My apologies. I take most meals in my chambers these days. Diplomatic affairs with the Griffon Territories have kept me engaged the last few weeks. Between entertaining Minovan entrepreneurs and staving off war with the neighbors, your visit here, Twilight, is a refreshing intermission. “You want to hear my story? Very well. I was born twelve hundred and sixty, no, sixty one years ago. I grew up, visited Equestria, and returned. I’ve lived in this castle ever since. Story of my life.” Scorpan sat stone-faced; Twilight wasn’t able to discern if he was serious or joking. “That…wasn’t really what I had in mind, Scorpan. I wanted to know, why…” “…why Princess Celestia never told you about me?” Finishing the princess’ sentence, Scorpan stood from his seat. He walked over to the curio, grabbing a small wooden box off one of the shelves. He sighed deeply, and as he removed layers of dust from the parcel in his paws, he could feel a rush of abandoned memories rise up within him. He shook the small package, and seemed satisfied with the result. “If Equestria forgot about Tirek and I, then all was as it should have been. It was not by accident that the name of Scorpan has been absent from your history lessons. After Tirek had been banished, the first time, it seems, I suggested to Celestia and Luna that any record of my brother or I be kept secret. Some foolish cultists who followed Tirek believed he had been destroyed; I thought it best that there was no evidence to the contrary. “It’s time that I set that record straight, Twilight.” The massive chimera walked back towards Twilight, and stood near the overstuffed chair on the opposite side of the alicorn. “The stories of Tirek, of Starswirl, of Clover, of Celestia and Luna…” Scorpan paused, his voice trembling as he said the next name. “Firefly… these ponies played their part in a grand saga, forgotten to all but a pawful. Their histories are far more exciting than mine. I am different now…vastly different from the chimera I was then. The world should know the story that I deemed hidden for centuries, locked away in the furthest reaches of my mind. “The story of Scorpan, the Betrayer.” Twilight wrote furiously, her magically manipulated quills struggling to keep pace with the king’s monologue. Scorpan sat back in his chair, watching curiously as Twilight quickly dipped and redipped several quills, recording every word as though her future depended upon it. He opened the box upon his lap, studying the contents within wistfully. “Well, my newfound biographer. Tell me, how do most ponies begin the story of their life?” He rested his square jaw upon a massive fist, and shot a quizzical glance in Twilight’s direction. “Well, however you feel comfortable. Most ponies start by talking about their families….” Twilight felt slightly awkward in bringing up what must have surely been a sore subject for the king; her embarrassment was short lived, though, as Scorpan continued along the path she suggested. “My family…of course. It has always been a most peculiar thing, my family. My father was a great chimera. Kletos...the Mighty.” The king gestured toward the chimera painting behind him. Twilight was sure the chimera was staring at her, his soot stained eyes showing a ferocity and nobility unmatched even by Nightmare Moon. “One swipe of his paw and whole minotaur legions would cower. A nod, and a dozen minotaurs would be hanged by sundown. One word, and the armies of Minova would destroy any opposition. He was brutal to those who defied him, but dispensed his vast wisdom upon my brother and I, grooming both of us in equal measure for positions of command. “My mother was a changeling. She left my father when I was young; her name and face are lost to the centuries. And my brother….once, long ago, he was to inherit the throne of Minova.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Erm, have you ever thought to try and find your mother? I can’t imagine what it must have been like without both my parents at home.” “I have.” Scorpan shook his head slowly. “Her lifespan could have been nowhere near a chimera’s. She’s…. been dead since I was young.” “That’s…terrible.” Twilight’s pens settled on the table, their purple aura no longer holding them in telekinetic limbo. “You have my condolences.” “Your sentiments are appreciated, Twilight, but they are unnecessary. I came to terms with mortality many moons ago; that of my mother, my father…and my own. “ Scorpan stood again. Walking to the liquor cabinet, he grabbed a bottle and two glasses, and returned to set both glasses down near Twilight’s impromptu workstation. Even without the label, Twilight could instantly tell it was a bottle of Sweet Apple Acres Blue Label 20 Year Reserve, the most expensive cider in any market. “A small indulgence, if you will. A pony friend of mine introduced me to fine ciders. This was a gift from a Minovan motivational speaker who traveled through Equestria about two years ago. I've been waiting for the right occasion to open it.” Uncorking the bottle with his bare paws, he poured a mostly full glass, setting it near Twilight. The glass he poured himself nearly emptied the whole bottle. “When I talk for long periods, my throat gets unsufferably dry and scratchy. A little cider is more than enough to keep my throat, and my mind, lubricated.” He raised his glass in the air, gesturing toward Twilight in a toast. The lavender alicorn did likewise, her glass becoming enveloped in a magical aura before meeting Scorpan’s. A smile, genuine and warm, grew upon the ancient chimera’s face. The two cups clinked together, their sound embodying and complimenting the toast that came after. In one voice, two regal creatures spoke, their words entwining themselves in a magic all of their own. “To friendship.” “To friendship.” Author's Note I nearly screwed up an important part of this chapter, when Scorpan finishes Twilight's sentence. I had "me" and "you" reversed. Never, ever underestimate the power of proofreading, people. Again, as always, feedback is appreciated. Thank you to everyone who has favorited my story so far...it's a big boost of confidence and lets me know that people like my work and look forward to updates.
Prelude“To friendship.” “To friendship.” Scorpan sipped slowly at the extravagant and luxuriously priced alcoholic beverage. Twilight did likewise, enveloping her glass in a magenta aura before tilting it back, savoring the sweet, pleasant burn of the high proof cider. Outside, the Midnight River’s waters rushed swiftly through the narrow chasm separating the castle from the rest of Minova. The noble chimera cocked his head toward the window, as if listening to the river’s dull roar would ease some long forgotten burdens. Though his body was relaxed, his mind was restless. Something was eating at the chimera’s mind. Scorpan had to know. “Before I begin, tell me how you and your friends subdued my brother.” Twilight spoke briefly as Scorpan listened. Beginning with Cerberus’ escape from Tartarus, she detailed the events of how Tirek came to power, glossing over the particulars of how he was defeated. The princess of friendship emphasized how Tirek used her friends as bait and destroyed the Golden Oaks Library, her home in Ponyville for the last three years. Occasionally Twilight's eyes darted toward the painting of Kletos and the medallion that he wore; she wasn’t quite sure how Scorpan might react when she told him what happened to it. “I’ve talked a lot about my troubles, though. I think I've become much better for the experience; like they say, you can't forge a horseshoe without a little fire. But, really, I’m here to hear from you.” Princess Twilight levitated an inked quill, and motioned for the king to begin telling his story. “Let us pass by the early years of my youth; they are unimportant, and to be honest, my memories of that time are…sparse. I think the best place to start would be the passing of the king, my father. Time had been kind to my father, who was older than I could truly comprehend. I think he felt the time was right, and with my brother and I as heirs to his kingdom, he believed he could leave it in our capable paws. He summoned Tirek and I into his chambers, and beckoned the both of us to come closer. I stopped near the dying chimera’s bed, where he struggled to maintain his breathing and his consciousness. My father grabbed me, his sharpened claws digging into my shoulder as I leaned over him. He struggled for breath, his chest slightly rising with each labored gasp. I didn’t know where this strength was coming from…Father had been bedridden for weeks. As I looked into his eyes, a fire burned there…a flame I had not seen in all the days of my youth. Tirek stood on the other side of the bed from me, and shrugged as he saw rivulets of blood trickling down my pierced shoulder. With his left claw, my father tugged at his royal pendant, snapping the clasps that held the golden symbol securely around his neck. He pulled me close, and released his death grip on my shoulder only to grab my wrist. “Take it.” Using the right claw this time, he slowly moved his pendant towards my grappled limb, and repeated himself, even louder than previously. “Take it!” I snatched the necklace from his claws, holding the amulet in my paw and feeling the strong magic imbued within. “Scorpan…this necklace will strike fear into the hearts of your enemies. It will make you a fierce warrior and leader. Guard it well.” As Kletos the Mighty released me, he rolled over and faced my brother. It was Tirek’s turn to feel my father’s daggered claws grip him tightly. “Tirek…my son…my flesh and blood…my castle and kingdom shall be yours when I have journeyed to the Realm Beyond. With you as…” Racked with a coughing fit, my father forced himself to continue. His faces pale and scales dim, he continued after what felt like forever. “With you as king, and your brother as general of your armies, the nations of Equus will bow before you both in time. Now leave us, both of you.” Tirek and I paused to look at each other, unsure of our father’s intentions. If we didn’t understand our father’s meaning then, we truly did after three monstrous heads roared in unison. “LEAVE US!” Kletos the Mighty passed to the Realm Beyond that evening. As was the custom, the minotaurs sung their funeral dirge for three days and nights. Many ambassadors and heads of state came to share in the time of mourning from both near and far. I can recall a few of their names and faces…Ambassador Sombra from the Crystal Empire, Syzzyth of the Flameclaw Clan, and the Diarchy of Equestria. Several months after our father’s death, Tirek came to me with his plans and schemes, laying them out in clear, concise terms that I couldn’t say no to. He asked if I ever heard of the Midnight Satchel. That was the key, he said, to defending our kingdom with little to no bloodshed. As Minova’s general, I couldn’t argue with the merits my brother proposed about this strange device that could keep the borders of our kingdom safe into perpetuity. For six laborious years, we hunted and searched for the mysterious artifact that my brother insisted was more than myth. Hundreds of minotaurs joined him on the expedition, and I was tasked with keeping them all in line and under control. We were on the verge of defeat until we began investigating a lead that sent us westward. The mountains to the west of here, known as the Spikepeak Range, were ancient gathering halls for the old dragon clans. Following the information we gleaned from an ancient copper scroll, we eventually found the Midnight Satchel in a Spikepeak cavern that only recently had fallen into disuse, as evidenced by the dragon hatchling which I brought back home after it started following me around like a lost child. After we brought the Midnight Satchel back from its resting place deep underground, Tirek changed. At first, I dismissed his odd behavior. When he started carrying around that purple bag everywhere he went, I could no longer ignore how my brother was acting. I found that the satchel was a powerful item forged in secret by a dark cabal of leonin wizards whose ultimate goal was to unleash Discord, the god of Chaos, upon Equus and strike terror into the hearts of their enemies. They had succeeded, but their success ultimately proved to be their downfall. Discord punished the cabal for their temerity, turning them all into twisted abominations. One tribe’s features became birdlike, giving rise to the griffons, our neighbors to the east. One group became more bestial and feral; their descendants are the manticore. And of course, my lineage comes from the final group, the chimera, whose form most closely matches that of our progenitor, the great and feared Discord himself. Believing the Midnight Satchel harmless, the powers that be left it alone and it fell into obscurity for millennia. Until Tirek started using it. I had always been close to my brother. We shared thoughts, talked politics, even had the same taste in liquor and spirits. So when my brother insisted I kneel before him, and address him as “my master”, I knew he was no longer the one I had grown up with, but rather a creature of darkness, with a soul twisted and misshapen by the very artifact that I helped him find. So in a way, I am responsible for my brother’s downfall. I bear responsibility for the madness and lust for power bestowed by that infernal purple bag. It’s my fault Tirek became the monster that besieged the kingdom of Equestria, and it’s my fault he destroyed your library. Please forgive me, Twilight. Author's Note As always, comments and feedback is appreciated!
Catharsis“Please forgive me, Twilight.” Tears streamed down Scorpan’s face, sobbing softly as the wave of emotion he had repressed for generations crashed over him. His paws covered his eyes in a futile attempt to hide his shame from his alicorn guest. Rising from her chair, Twilight wasted no time before embracing the chimera, and her legs wrapped around his musclebound chest. Silence permeated the room; it felt like an eternity before either of them spoke. It was Twilight who spoke first, slowly loosening her grip around the king as she did so. “There’s no need to apologize for your brother’s actions. How could you have known he could let the anger and ambition in his heart become twisted by this artifact you spoke of?” Scorpan slowly shook his head. His sobbing had stopped, but he continued to dab at his eyes with a dingy cloth napkin from the table. He cleared his throat before letting out a powerful sigh. “It’s not easy to confront the memories I’ve worked so very hard to hide. The minotaurs here thrive on stoicism. Weakness, however perceived, is an unacceptable quality in their leaders. You caught me at a rare moment indeed, Twilight. It’s been hundreds of years since any other being has…. seen me cry. It’s….what’s the word when something sad feels good?” “Cathartic?” Twilight’s eyebrow raised slightly, and slowly. “That’s exactly it. It’s cathartic.” Silence blanketed the room again. The faint sounds of the rushing river below sounded louder than before, slightly more insidious and unnatural. Twilight’s voice cut through the quiet cacophony, clear and sweet as a Hearth’s Warming Eve bell. “We don’t have to continue.” “It’s…It’s fine. I’m reminded of all that I’ve gained…all that I’ve lost. But history is rarely the truth, and historians do a better job at making things happier and glossing over the atrocities of the past.” He glanced down at the box in his lap, its lid removed and set off to the side. Twilight caught a glimpse of the decorated lid, and marveled at the rich mahogany with silver inlay. Mentally calculating the cost of such craftsmanship, Twilight came to a figure roughly equal to half of Pinkie Pie’s yearly salary from Sugarcube Corner; she silently wondered what exactly Scorpan had in this box that was so interesting. It looked so small in Scorpan’s massive paws; whatever was in there must have held a high value, sentimental or otherwise. *** “Not long after Tirek started using that infernal purple bag, he sent me to gather information on Equestria, convinced that the princesses were planning on invading. In short, I was a spy, sent to learn as many details about the inhabitants of Equestria as possible, and find their plans for the assault on Minova. I couldn’t risk detection; the princesses Celestia and Luna had met me at my father’s funeral, and knew my presence could only serve as the tidings of war. So I hid. "Under the cover of darkness, I snuck into the castle grounds, listening near windows for the comings and goings of nobles visiting from afar. The only time I exposed myself was during the comforting blanket of midnight, when I prayed to a statue of the god Discord I discovered in the castle’s gardens. It amused me to no end that the royal alicorn sisters paid homage to the patron god of Minova. “One thing I can say about unicorn nobility…they don’t know when to keep their mouths closed. I learned so much in little time due to the gift of gab bestowed upon Duke Blueblood the Third, a cousin or some such to the princesses. Oh, did I learn of their plans, troop movements, even the exact time when both sisters shared a room. It was delicious information, knowledge that would serve my brother and our kingdom well. "But it wasn’t enough. I wanted something substantial…something tangible…something that I could bring back to my brother that would make him proud of my hard work, my dedication to Minova. I waited weeks for my godsend, the saving grace, a glean of knowledge greater than everything I learned in half a dozen moons. "The piece de resistance came when a unicorn soothsayer and his protégé visited the castle, asking for permission to study a tree of pure magic in the Everfree Forest. At the time I imagined that Discord must have heard my prayers, and found me worthy of his beneficence. It's kind of funny to think that, even now, I was praying to the real, honest to goodness Discord. I thought he'd be a little taller." Scorpan cleared his throat, glancing around furtively. Twilight chuckled a little at Discord's expense. She was sure Fluttershy wouldn't find it quite as amusing as she did. "Yes...well...AHEM. At first, I found it near impossible to believe what I overheard. Imagine…magic growing on trees. But the Everfree, where I called home for months, was full of surprises....and magical trees were not one of them. "I patiently waited for the soothsayer and his companion to leave the Sister’s Castle, silently skulking outside an open window while listening all the while to their conversation. I learned their names, and their destination, but in time, I would learn so much more about them, and the pegasus who accompanied them as a "security" escort. "The two unicorns were Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever. You may have heard of them.” *** Twilight’s eyes grew wide at Scorpan’s casual mention of two of Equestria’s most famous unicorns. From the flippant manner in which he referenced the historical figures, he must have known more about the both of them than what the princesses disclosed. On the inside, Twilight was jumping with glee. “Play it cool, Twilight Sparkle,” the adult voice inside of her remarked. She suddenly felt grateful for the training Zecora put her through during her brief exile from Ponyville, courtesy of one humble and apologetic Trixie. “Clover the Clever and Starswirl are important historical figures.” She let herself smile slightly, a small concession to the gleeful filly bouncing around in her head shouting yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes. “I find it fascinating that you were personally acquainted with them…it’s like l’m living Equestrian history vicariously through you.” An unexpected pallor of gloom and sadness descended upon Scorpan’s face, a floodgate of tears held back by a razor thin emotional dam. “I’ve had minotaurs faint after I shook their hands and shared stories of the exploits of their grandsire’s grandsire in battle. I imagine one who has basked in the presence of Celestia, Luna, and Discord wouldn’t be all that impressed by a mere mortal such as I. In the grand scheme of things, I guess I'm really not all that important.” Suddenly realizing her faux pas, Twilight shook her hooves defensively, knocking over a small bottle of ink as she did so. “I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! I am excited, really, I mean, you’ve met Starswirl, and your story is coming, you know, straight from the horse’s mouth. I….I....” A mischievous glint sparkled in Scorpan’s eye while he leaned forward, as though ready to whisper some profound truth to a captive audience. Unable to contain himself any longer, peals of laughter erupted from Scorpan. He doubled over, one paw holding on to the box on his lap while the other clutched his chest as it rose up and down with every hearty guffaw. “Your face…your face….priceless!” The laughter continued on, though it took Twilight a few hair-splitting seconds to realize what just happened. The chimera king regained his composure long enough to say the one word she was all too familiar with, the hallmark of someone who has spent entirely too much time around a certain alabaster alicorn. “Gotcha.” Author's Note Now I want to do a Discord/Snake Plissken crossover.
