The next day comes, and Twilight meets up with her friends for lunch at the Ponyville Café, and she explains the whole scenario to them.
“So Scorpan decided not to reunite with his brother, and just stay here forever.” Twilight concludes her story.
“Fantastic!” Pinkie cried out in excitement. “More friends means more fun; and he’s not a pony which makes things even funner!”
“Uh, Pinkie, you do realize ‘funner’ isn’t a real word, right?” Applejack asked.
“And you realize you’re such a square, AJ?” Rainbow asked, feeling annoyed.
“Exactly! Making up words is the funnest!” Pinkie yelled.
“You got that right, sister!” Rainbow said as she and Pinkie hoof-bumped.
“I know exactly how you feel, Twilight.” Fluttershy said. “I had the same problem with my brother a while back. He lost his confidence, so he just laid around and was lazy all the time. But when I finally kicked him out of the house, he realized how much he needed to finish his goal in order to get the things he wants.”
“Yeah, that’s a good point, Twilight.” Applejack said. “Sometimes ya gotta show a little tough love in order to get the things you want.”
“Wait, you mean I have to kick Scorpan out of the castle?” Twilight asked.
“It’s the only way he’ll learn, Twilight.” Fluttershy said.
“I mean, really, darling; he’s abusing your hospitality! Also, he’s wasting all the friendship lessons we did on him!” Rarity reminded her.
“But, you didn’t teach him anythin’.” Applejack reminded her.
“Again… squaaaaaare!” Rainbow said sarcastically.
“It won’t be so bad, Twilight!” Pinkie said. “You don’t want Scorpan anymore? I’ll take him in! We’ll be roomies! I never had a roomie that’s not a pony before; except for Gummy of course! We’re best roomies! BRs!”
“No, Pinkie, Scorpan must find a way to survive all on his own.” Fluttershy said. “We can’t help him, unless he promises he will go Tartarus to rekindle his bond with Tirek.”
“It won’t be an easy thing to do, but Fluttershy is right, Twilight.” Rarity said. “Oh, I hope he isn’t going to smell filthy by the time he returns after learning his lesson.”
“Already done, actually. He hasn’t taken a bath in weeks.” Twilight informed her.
“Ugh.” Rarity felt disgusted. “I think I lost my appetite.”
“C’mon, sugarcube, ah know it’s goin’ to be a tough thing to do, but you don’t stand up to yourself, Scorpan might be a problem for the rest of your life.” Applejack said.
“It is going to be hard, Twilight, but it’s for his own good, and yours.” Fluttershy said. Twilight felt uneasy for the decision she had to make, but she knew it had to be done.
Later at around dusk, Scorpan was sitting in his room, eating chips and reading comic books. Twilight knocks on his already opened door. Scorpan notices her, and says, “Come in, Twilight!”
“Scorpan, we need to talk.” Twilight said.
“I’m doing good, Twilight! How about you?” Scorpan asked.
“Fine, but we need to seriously talk.” Twilight said.
“I told you, Twilight, I’m not going to be able to reform Tirek. I just can’t do it!” Scorpan said.
“Then it’s time that I asked you to leave.” Twilight said.
“Leave? What do you want me to do? Pick up groceries that I keep eating?” Scorpan asked as he stands up from his pile of hay that he laid on. “Alright, I’ll take on more responsibilities around here. I had the feeling this day would come.”
“No, Scorpan. It’s not the responsibilities around the castle. It’s about your responsibilities with Tirek.” Twilight corrected him. “Not only are you being lazy, but you’re not confident enough to even try to reform him!”
“He can’t be reformed. I tried in the past, and it didn’t go so well.” Scorpan reminded her.
“But you’re more experienced now!” Twilight explained. “My friends and I taught you everything we know about reforming, and yet you’re not doing anything about it! You even said you had a plan, so why are you putting it off?”
“Cause I know now that it isn’t going to work!” Scorpan said. “Alright? So stop pestering me about it! I made my decision!”
“Then I made my decision as well! Go! You’re no longer welcomed to stay in my castle!” Twilight said angrily. “I tried to reason with you, and for the past three weeks, all you’ve done was talk about, steal my food, abuse my hospitality, and make a mess! I did my part, so you no longer have any use to us. Go!”
“I-I… I’m ready to see my b-brother.” Scorpan lied.
“Oh, is that so?” Twilight teased. “Then let’s go to the trainstation to Tartarus right now and see him!”
“NO!” Scorpan yelled nervously.
“Then you’re not ready to see him.” Twilight said.
“I need some time to think it over!” Scorpan yelled. “Stop bothering me about it!”
“I won’t bother you about it, because you’re leaving, and that’s final!” Twilight ordered him. “If you don’t leave, I’ll have to remove you myself. I got the magic capability!”
“Alright FINE!” Scorpan yelled angrily. “I’ll go! No problem! But what does Spike have to say about it? He lives here too.”
“Spike doesn’t have a say in this.” Twilight said.
“Oh so this is YOUR castle, and not his as well?” Scorpan asked. “Huh, odd. So you’re not giving him the rights he deserves.”
“It’s how Spike wants it! He said it himself that it’s my castle, and he told me I deserved it!” Twilight informed him. “Don’t believe me? Ask him!”
“Are you sure about that, Twilight?” Scorpan asked. “Because he seems to think you’re holding him back.”
“He never said that!” Twilight corrected him.
“Oh, don’t believe me? Ask him!” Scorpan teases her, mimicking her voice.
Twilight was surprised after all that Scorpan explains to her. She finally discovers the source of Spike’s problems, and she did not hold back her anger. “It was you! YOU made Spike think his life doesn’t have a purpose!”
“I only told him of what was true.” Scorpan said. “Luckily that’s not a problem anymore, because he’s the new ambassador of Equestria!”
“But he wouldn’t have had that problem if you didn’t tell him!” Twilight yelled. “Spike thought his life was just fine, but then you showed up, and told him these lies! His life ALWAYS had a purpose! He’s my number one assistant, and he’s happy!”
“He didn’t seem that happy.” Scorpan said.
“You’re manipulating him!” Twilight accused him. “You’re using Spike for some reason!”
“He’s my best friend!” Scorpan yelled.
“If you were his best friend, you’d support him in everything he does; not telling him lies about his life!” Twilight explained. “I want you to stay away from him!”
“That is not your decision to make.” Scorpan said. “Spike is his own dragon, and I only told him my opinions. He wanted me to stop, and I did, but for some reason, he started to believe in the truth I saw in him! I only want what’s best for him, because I care about him!”
“WHY?!” Twilight yelled. “What is Spike to you?! Ever since we met, you wanted us to help you reform your brother, and then ever since we got out of that cave, you and Spike have been close! This is beyond any friendship I understand! There is something else, isn’t there?” Scorpan was silent. He felt pretty uneasy about the situation he was in, and Twilight saw it in his eyes. “What is your plan, Scorpan?”
“To leave.” Scorpan said as he started walking towards the door.
“Wait, I, you, just, and, I, WHAT?!” Twilight felt confused.
“I’m leaving, Twilight.” Scorpan said. “I… I will do what you ask. I won’t be an issue to you anymore. But please, let me say goodbye to Spike… before I go.”
Twilight felt very suspicious of him, but she knew Scorpan really cared about Spike, even though she didn’t know why, so she allowed him this last request. “Fine. You got five minutes.” She said.
Scorpan walked out of his room, and walked on over to Spike’s room to say goodbye. Twilight walked over to the front lobby and waited along with Starlight for Scorpan to show up.
“Twilight, are you sure about this?” Starlight asked.
“I’m sure.” Twilight said.
“You’re abandoning him.” Starlight said.
“He abandoned his task, he abandoned his brother, and worst of all, he abandoned our teachings.” Twilight said. “It’s time for him to go.”
“But there’s hope for him, isn’t there?” Starlight asked. “I mean, you never lost hope on me! Don’t lose hope on him too, Twilight.”
“I’m not.” Twilight said. “This is for his own good, Starlight. Once he realizes the error of his ways, he’ll want to come back, and when he does, he’ll want to rekindle his friendship with his brother. He’s been regretting it for a thousand years, and realizing he had everything in the world by being here, he has forgotten about the truth. I’m doing this because I care, Starlight.”
Starlight upsettingly nods in her head in agreement. “I guess that makes sense. Spike’s not going to take this well, is he?”
“He’ll get over it, I’m sure.” Twilight said with confidence. “He has always sided with me in every situation! He knows what’s right; and here he comes now!”
Scorpan starts walking down the stairs along with Spike by his side. Spike looked upset, as expected from Twilight, but she’s about to receive something unexpecting.
“Hey, Spike.” Twilight said, trying to be comforting. “I hope you got the chance to say goodbye to Scorp-“
“Twilight, why?” Spike interrupted her.
“Because it’s for his own good.” Twilight said. “I know you’re upset about this, but it has to be done.”
“Well… I agree with Scorpan.” Spike said. Twilight and Starlight both felt surprised after he said that.
“Why?” Twilight asked. “What could you possibly agree with him with?”
“I don’t have a fair say, do I?” Spike asked. “I want Scorpan to stay, and he’ll go see his brother when he’s ready.”
“Uh, Spike?” Starlight asked. “I don’t think-“ But before Starlight could finish, Twilight started to get really angry.
“Are you kidding me?!” Twilight yelled. “Spike, you have always taken my side, and now you’re disagreeing with me for somepony you BARELY know!?”
“I know him, Twilight, and he will be better ready soon. You just have to give him a little time.” Spike informed her.
Twilight started steaming, “Spike, stand aside. Let Scorpan go!”
“No!” Spike refused.
“Spiiiiiiike…” Twilight said angrily. “I said… stand aside! You’re not allowed to see him anymore! He’s a bad influence on you!”
“He made me see things I never noticed before, Twilight!” Spike informed her. “He helped me achieve my full potential, and what did you do?! You make me write notes, you make me clean YOUR castle, and I do SO MUCH for you! I’m not even part of your Elements of Harmony! We’ve been friends much longer than you have with the girls!”
“It was destiny, Spike.” Twilight said.
“Yeah, a destiny you couldn’t share with your best friend!” Spike said angrily.
“It’s not like that!” Twilight said.
“It’s not just that though!” Spike continued. “I’m not even part of your group! You girls do all the work, and what do I do? Carry the luggage; especially Rarity’s. The only places I’m actually respected is the Crystal Empire, the Dragon Lands, and the Changeling Kingdom! Nopony really cares about me around here! I’m not even close to your family! I never even met my family! I don’t ever get a say, and you never listen to me when I’m right!”
“SPIKE!” Twilight yelled. “You are my number one assistant, and I also raised you! I given you a lot too! I could’ve just abandoned you, but I never did! Consider yourself lucky! Any other pony could’ve just thrown you in the trash, because nopony wants to take care of a baby dragon!”
Spike was shocked after she said that, and Starlight and Scorpan was too. “Twilight…” Starlight started, “how could you say that?”
Twilight just realized what she said, and she started to feel bad. She saw the tears in Spike’s eyes. “Spike, I-“ She was about to say, but Spike cuts her off.
“NO! Don’t say it!” Spike yelled, feeling heartbroken. “You know what, Twilight? You’re right! Scorpan should leave!”
“Well…” Twilight smiles a bit, “…I’m glad you think that, because-“
“WAIT! Let me finish!” Spike interrupts her. “Scorpan can leave… but I’m going with him.”
“B-but, Spike!” Twilight begged. “I-“
“No, I made my decision, like you made yours.” Spike said. “I knew this day would come, Twilight. It’s time for me to move on with my life. I’m going to go pack my things.” Spike runs off, and Twilight wanted to stop him, but Starlight stopped her.
“No, Twilight.” Starlight said. “He needs time.”
“Yes. This is, after all, his own decision.” Scorpan reminded her. He then walked off to help Spike pack, and Twilight never felt so heartbroken in her life. She started to cry as Starlight comforted her, feeling teary eyed as well. After a little while went by, Spike and Scorpan returned to the lobby. Spike, having a rag on a stick packed for his travels didn’t say anything. He just gave Twilight one last look before opening the castle door and leaving, and Scorpan follows him. The door shuts as they leave, and Twilight just cries even harder on Starlight.
“It’s okay, Twilight. It’s okay.” Starlight comforted her.
“NO! It’s not okay!” Twilight yelled. “I just let Spike go with that… that…” She really struggled to control herself, but she takes a deep breath, just like Cadance taught her. “How could I let this happen, Starlight?”
“Who knew something like this was going to happen?” Starlight asked.
“It’s all my fault.” Twilight blamed herself. “I’ve been such a bad friend to Spike over the years. I should’ve been better to him!”
“No, Twilight, listen to me. Look at me! Look… at… me!” Starlight ordered her.
“No, I’m pathetic!” Twilight hid herself.
“Look at me!” Starlight ordered her. Twilight eventually does so, as Starlight looks into Twilight’s red watery eyes. “This is NOT your fault. Scorpan manipulated him, confused him. He told him lies! It’ll be a matter of time before Spike realizes it, and comes back. Just like you said, Scorpan will come back too to rekindle with his brother, and Spike will too to rekindle with you. Just give him some space for a while, and some time.”
Twilight wiped her eyes and smiled. “I taught you so well, Starlight! Thanks for being there for me!”
“Anytime, Twilight!” Starlight said as they both shared a hug. “Remember, you still have your friends! You have me, you have the girls, we’ll help you through this!”
“I’m gonna miss Spike, Starlight.” Twilight said upsettingly.
“I will too, Twilight. I will too.” Starlight admitted.
Back outside, Spike and Scorpan walked away from the castle, and didn’t look back. They were on their way to the trainstation, as Spike was felt determined, but also a bit sad inside.
“Spike, I’m sorry I made you do this.” Scorpan said. “You didn’t have to run away.”
“I just feel like I need some time away from Twilight.” Spike said. “I’m not leaving forever. I’m sure she’ll manage just fine without me. She is the Princess of Friendship after all.”
“So where are we going?” Scorpan asked.
“Where were you planning to go after leaving?” Spike asked.
“I… I’m not sure. Back to the cave, I guess?” Scorpan answered, feeling uneasy.
“Oh pfft! You’re not going back there!” Spike said. “I don’t want you to be alone again, well besides your so-called ‘mediations’ of Star Swirl.”
“So called?” Scorpan asked.
“I don’t know, maybe you were just insane for being alone for so long.” Spike guessed.
Scorpan shrugs. “Maybe, but I feel like he’s still with me. I think I could hear him, but… maybe you’re right. Anyways, where are we going?”
“I got a few places in mind.” Spike said. “We can stay at the Crystal Empire for a while. I’m well respected there, and I’m sure they’ll like you too!”
“Are you sure?” Scorpan asked. “Doesn’t Twilight’s brother live there?”
“Mhm.” Spike answered.
“Won’t he tell Twilight?” Scorpan asked.
“Nah, I’ll make up something, but for now…” Spike sighs and wipes a teardrop from his eye. “…I must make my own decisions. Goodbye for now, Ponyville.” Spike and Scorpan arrive at the trainstaion just in time to catch the next train. “Next stop: the Crystal Empire.”