The Tale of the Three Sided Medallion

by FlareGun45


Brothers Unite

Twilight, Starlight, and the rest of the Mane Six all move as fast as they could over to Canterlot castle to explain the terrifying news to Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. They even read the letter Spike left to prove it.

“This is very terrifying news indeed.” Luna said. “We were barely able to fight Tirek himself last time he grew to power; but this is the entire prison that’s going to attack.”

“Equestria is in grave danger if we don’t think of something fast!” Cadance said.

“Can’t we just use Rainbow Power to defeat Tirek again?” Applejack suggested.

“Oh we looked fabulous that one time we used it!” Rarity said. “Would be delighted to go through it all again!”

“Yeah, only we used it once and we never used it again when Equestria was in trouble. We should’ve used it more.” Rainbow said.

“It’s going to take a lot more than Rainbow Power to stop that flock.” Luna said.

“Indeed.” Celestia agreed. “The last time there was a break out in Tartarus, Equestria was barely able to fend it off; and now that there is way more prisoners than last time, and more powerful, we won’t stand a chance by ourselves.”

“So what are we going to, princess?” Fluttershy asked.

“We need to call upon all of Equestria’s allies.” Celestia said.

“All of them?” Twilight asked.

“All of them.” Celestia said, feeling determined. “This isn’t going to be easy. This is probably going to be the most intense battle any of you have ever witnessed. More than every battle you’ve ever faced.”

“Then the best thing to do is split up.” Twilight suggested. “Rainbow Dash, call upon the Wonderbolts and then the Griffons over at Griffonstone.”

“You got it!” Rainbow salutes as she immediately flies off.

“Pinkie Pie, you go over to Yakyakistan as fast as you could to summon the yaks to help us.” Twilight instructs her.

“Pink pony will do what purple pony asks!” Pinkie agrees in a yak accent and she runs off.

“I’ll go with her.” Shining Armor said. “She can drop me off at the Crystal Empire on the way so I can get the troops ready for battle.”

“Okay, good idea!” Twilight agrees. “Fluttershy, you head over to the Dragon Lands to call upon the dragons.”

“Ummm…” Fluttershy mummers nervously.

“You’re kidding, right darling?” Rarity asked.

“My mistake.” Twilight corrects herself. “Rarity, you head over to the Dragon Lands. Fluttershy, you head over to the Changeling Kingdom.”

“That’s much better!” Fluttershy agrees.

“I agree! But who’s going to take us?” Rarity asks. “These poor hooves can only take so much stress.”

“Guards will chariot all of you there.” Twilight said. “Finally, Applejack, you go get the buffalos as well as anypony in your family who wants to help fight.”

“Sounds like a plan, Twilight!” Applejack agrees. “But are you goin’ to do?”

“I’ll stay here with the other princesses and we’ll work up a strategy.” Twilight said.

Just as the Mane Six all split up to do their required tasks, Starlight walks over to Twilight and asks, “Anything I can do to help, Twilight?”

“Yes, Starlight – I need you to beat Spike and Scorpan over to Tartarus and stop them any way you can. Hopefully we’re not too late and they didn’t make it there yet.” Twilight instructs her.

“In ‘any’ way I can?” Starlight asked. “Like I can hurt them?”

“NO!” Twilight yells. “Well, not Spike, don’t hurt him. Scorpan, however… maybe a little bit.”

“Oh with pleasure!” Starlight said angrily as she teleports away.

“So, what’s the plan?” Twilight asks the princesses.

Cadance sighs and says, “This will not be an easy battle. Celestia, what are the odds of us winning this one?”

“I’d rather not think about it.” Celestia said. “If our friends from the other lands agree to help us, and as long as we have our wills up high, maybe we’ll have a chance to go through this without much innocent.”

“Let’s hope so, dear sister.” Luna comforted her.

Meanwhile, just right outside of Tartarus, Scorpan and Spike look down to see the entrance within the giant dark hole that’s miles wide in all directions, and magical walls keeping anypony out, and a magical force field flashes on and off.

“Behold… Tartarus.” Scorpan said.

“I feel like all the joy within me has suddenly disappeared.” Spike said.

“That’s one of the things that protects Tartarus.” Scorpan said. “It keeps prisoners from breaking out, by having them lose hope. Tirek didn’t have much hope in the first place, which is probably how he got out the first time.”

“What’s that magical thing flashing?” Spike asked.

“That… is the force field that keeps anypony from coming in or out.” Scorpan said. “It’s been breached it looks like. The magical generators that keep it running must’ve been damaged.”

“So we’re going in then?” Spike asked.

“I have to, but you still have a chance to not come along for your own protection. It would be wise if you didn’t come.” Scorpan advised.

“I can’t let you go in alone, Scorpan.” Spike said.

“Spike, I hope you know the reason why you keep wanting to come with me on these adventures.” Scorpan said. “It’s not because you really want to. It’s the-“

“I don’t care! I’m coming with you and that’s final! Nopony should go anywhere alone, not even swimming!” Spike explained.

“But this isn’t swimming.” Scorpan corrected him.

“We’re swimming through the underworld itself.” Spike said. Scorpan knew Spike was determined not to let him go alone. There was no stopping him, so he just had to nod in agreement, and he quickly flies through the force field in between flickers; then the duo enters the prison.

During their flight down there in the canyon, they see ghostly spirits flying around making strange noises that starts to freak Spike out. “What’s wrong with them?” He asked.

“They’re the guards of Tartarus; spirits who guard the inside, but they seem to be cursed. Chrysalis is here, and she set a curse on them.” Scorpan said.

“But Chrysalis isn’t capable of anything like that.” Spike informed him.

“She’s not acting alone it seems.” Scorpan assumed. “Stay close, Spike. I don’t want to lose you again. I brought you to Equestria, and I will bring you back.”

“What do you mean?” Spike asked.

“I should’ve told you before, but I only didn’t tell you to protect you.” Scorpan said. “You had the right to know.”

“Know what? Stop with the hints! Just spit it out already!” Spike demands.

“Spike… I found you as an egg.” Scorpan said. “I found you at that nest next to the Changeling Kingdom. After all the dragons left, I found that lone egg sitting there in that nest. It was sometime after Tirek went to Tartarus, I was wondering around, not knowing where else to go. I found that little purple egg with the purple polka dots on them.”

“I thought it was a purple and green egg?” Spike asked. “That’s what I thought Twilight told me?”

“She must be colorblind then because there was no green on that egg.” Scorpan corrected him. “I didn’t know what else to do with you, so I brought you to Princess Celestia. I left it for her, telling her to take care of that egg, and to keep it safe. ‘This egg could be a chance to make a difference in pony kind,’ I said to her; and you did do that, Spike. With your help, you created the Princess of Friendship, you saved the Crystal Empire, you started the alliance between ponies and dragons, AND ponies and changelings. You did more than I could ever imagine hoping you’d ever do. That’s why I’m proud of you, Spike. That’s why I wanted what was best for you.”

Spike was very surprised to hear the news. He had a moment of silence to think about all the new information about his life. “I knew I met you before!” He said. “I didn’t know what it was, but this makes sense! That’s why I trusted you when I first met you! You saved my life! You gave me this life! Scorpan… I’m who I am because of you!”

Scorpan nods in agreement. “I gave you to the ponies, Spike, as I thought it was best for you! It’s what any me in any other universe would’ve wanted!”

“Gosh… I-I don’t know what else to say.” Spike said in amazement.

“How about keeping it quiet? Cause we’re here.” Scorpan said as he flies over to the cage where Tirek is supposed to be located. “This is it, Spike.”

“Is that him?” Spike asked as he pointed to a dark shadow within the cage.

“It has to be. That’s the cage he’s always been in – cell #425.” Scorpan said as he lands over by the cage. He and Spike slowly and carefully walk over to the cage. The shadow stood up from its seat, and immediately turns around and looks at us with it’s glowing eyes, which startles both Spike and Scorpan. Their screams startle whatever was in the cage.

“Oooh, please don’t hurt me!” The little elf creature creature said in a Gollum-like voice. “I just wanna turn your hair into pumpkin juice! I need my pumpkin juice! Everypony in Equestria will go bald for a tasty pumpkin juice! It’s nothing to throw little ol me in prison for!”

“Uhh, wrong cell.” Scorpan said. “This isn’t Tirek.”

“Oooh, if it’s him you want, he’s in Cell #426! He transferred there a few months back.” The creature pointed out.

“Oh, okay, thanks buddy.” Scorpan said as he and Spike rush over to the other cell next door.

“WAIT!” The creature cried. “Gargoyle has lovely hair to make lots of pumpkin juice with!”

Once Spike and Scorpan got to the other cage, to their surprise, the cage door was opened, and chains were piled up underneath. “We’re too late!” Scorpan said. “He’s out!”

“It might not be too late yet though!” Spike suggested. “He could still be around – we just have to- WHOA!” Just then, Spike and Scorpan suddenly get pushed right into the cage and the door slams behind them. Just then, they heard an evil laugh from a familiar villain.

“Well, well, well!” Chrysalis said mischievously. “You must be Scorpan! Tirek said you’d be coming!”

“Chrysalis!” Spike cried.

“Ah, and Twilight Sparkle’s little pet slave too!” Chrysalis said. “I’m quite surprised you showed up so far away from your master.”

“Twilight is NOT my master!” Spike corrected her. “She’s my best friend!”

“Best friend? HA!” Chrysalis laughed. “Don’t make me laugh!”

“But I just did.” Spike pointed out.

“Well, er, regardless would a ‘best friend’ make you do all her chores and carry her belongings all the time without pay?” Chrysalis asks.

She starts to get under Spike’s scales, but Scorpan steps in to change the subject. “Enough of that, Chrysalis.” He demanded. “Where’s my brother?”

“Oh he’s out draining magic of some volunteers to make him powerful again!” Chrysalis said. “It’s like you’ll barely recognize him once he comes back!” Just then, the ground immediately starts to quake as the three of them hear some large stomping heading their way. “Ah, and he must be done already!” The large stomping starts to get louder as Tirek draws nearer. Once he arrives, he already drained enough magic to be as tall as he was when he captured the princesses last time.

“Brother!” Scorpan gasped.

“Brother!” Tirek said mischievously. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“It has.” Scorpan agreed.

“Now let’s see, the last time I saw you, I was in the cage. My have the tables turned to my favor!” Tirek said.

“You see, Scorpan,” Chrysalis starts, “we’re working together to-“

“Quiet, bug queen! I’m talking to my brother!” Tirek demanded.

“Alright, no need to be so shaky about it.” Chrysalis backed off.

“So, you finally decided to come and visit.” Tirek said. “I’ve been here for over a thousand years, Scorpan, and not once have you visited me. What? You don’t care about your old brother anymore?”

“I had some personal issues to take care of, Tirek.” Scorpan said. “There hasn’t been a day since I forgot about you. I’ve regretted my decision to leave you here for all these years. In a way, I was in prison too – morally.”

“You abandoned me, brother.” Tirek said. “Not only have you betrayed me, but you abandoned me too. You left me here to rot in a prison in a foreign land! I wanted us to take over Equestria together as a family! You were the least I expected to turn his back on me.”

“I had a change of heart.” Scorpan said. “Star Swirl showed me that there was a better way.”

“That fossil was just deceiving you, brother.” Tirek said. “What did he promise you? Money? Power?”

“He promised me friendship from all.” Scorpan said.

“And what is that worth?” Tirek asked. “You would’ve had friendship either way, brother. You would’ve had me. I would always be your friend. Maybe I am evil, maybe I am selfish, maybe I can even be quite destructive; but one thing I’m not… is disloyal. That title falls to you, brother.”

“Brother, I did what I did for the sake of all.” Scorpan said.

“Sheesh, I wish I had a bit every time they said the word ‘brother’.” Spike mumbles.

“I did what I did to protect not only pony kind, but ourselves.” Scorpan explained. “You know I tried to reason with you at first. You think I wanted you to be here?”

“You were an intruder too.” Tirek reminds me. “You were trespassing in Equestria soil just like I was with the same exact plan. Why didn’t they arrest you? At least we could’ve been here to rot together. It would be us against the world, brother!”

“I’ve seen you in my visions, brother.” Scorpan said. “You escaped here once before and nearly destroyed pony kind! I know you wanted to take over, but merely to destroy it?”

“You made me this way by leaving me here!” Tirek yelled. “I would’ve merely just taken over if you didn’t sell me out! I felt enraged, and I have to destroy everything! I will steal every piece of magic to every earth pony, unicorn, princess, alicorn, changeling, dragon, griffon, yak, and every other creature I can find! I will be the most powerful being the world has ever seen!”

“Wait, every changeling too?” Chrysalis asked.

“Relax, dear, I make exceptions to the ones who serve me well. You’ll get the love you desire.” Tirek promises.

“Now that’s what I like to hear!” Chrysalis smiled.


“He’s going to deceive you, Chrysalis.” Spike informed her. “He did the same thing to Discord!”

“I’m not as weak willed as that so-called ‘lord of chaos’.” Chrysalis said. “He let his emotions get to him. I wasn’t so weak. I don’t care about friendship, so there’s no way you can reform me; and neither can you reform Tirek here either!”

“Indeed.” Tirek agrees. “All that work you put in learning about how to reform me has come to waste, brother! I’ve seen you in my visions too. You think you’re the only one who has them? I saw everything you’ve done ever since you left that cave – from the parties, to the learning how to reform, to when you kept stalling your meeting with me because you’re too much of a coward as you always were; and… my replacement.”

“What are you talking about, brother? What replacement?” Scorpan asked.

“Think about it, Scorpan! Who’s been with you the entire time since you left that cave?” Tirek asked as he uses his magic to grab Spike out of the cage.

“AAH!” Spike yelled.

“SPIKE!” Scorpan yells. Spike starts struggling as he Tirek brings him close to him.

“Yes, you kept saying how much of a ‘brother’ he is to you, right Scorpan?” Tirek reminds him.

“LET GO OF HIM, TIREK!” Scorpan yells. “This is between you and me! Leave him out of this!”

“Oh no, I need him for my plans!” Tirek said. “I’m so glad you brought him here, brother! I want to get to know my replacement a bit.”

“Um, yeah, I don’t think I have any plans to make new friends today. Can we meet on Tuesday instead?” Spike asks nervously.

Tirek laughs. “I like him already! Him and I are going to chat in private.” Tirek runs off with Spike screaming as he carries him away.

“SCORPAN!” Spike cries.

“SPIKE!” Scorpan yells as he uses all the strength he could to break the cage opened.

“Oh don’t bother wasting your strength, Scorpan, that’s a magical cage. It kept Tirek inside for years, and that’s where you’re staying in when he finally deals with you!” Chrysalis said. “It’s a shame really. You could’ve had everything. You could’ve ruled along side Tirek with an iron hoof or claw. But since you left him, I’m the one that’s going to be taking your place! I’m your replacement, Scorpan, just like Spike was his. There’s a storm coming, Scorpan, and I will finish what I’ve started!” Chrysalis laughs evilly as she flies off.

Scorpan collapses on the ground in regret. He starts to tear up as he mumbles to himself, “What have I done?”