“Do you mind if I sit next to you?” She said to me in that serene, almost quiet voice. Perhaps she asked just to be polite, but Princess Celestia knew the answer. As she sat next to me, her kind expression relented. “You have committed no crimes against Equestria. Why do you want self-incarceration?”
I kicked my feet up and lazed back on the grass with a smile. Princess Celestia continued to sit next to me while both of us waited near the train tracks. Though I had found a jovial attitude thanks to the unusual nature of these equines, I knew the seriousness of the matter: power will always desire power.
Thick grey smoke plumed out of the train’s smoke stack; its wheels screeched in a heavy wail when all of it came to that sharp stop. With all of my heart — the one I found thanks to my first friend — I wanted spare my other friend the heartbreak. I had no choice in the matter however.
This jackal I battled was a power Equestria could never face without sacrifice; her horrible power of control over life itself was on par with Princess Celestia’s, possibly more. Brother, why did you free such a creature from Tartarus? Was it just a test to see how powerful I still was or to seek some revenge against me?
My eyes caught sight of that train for a second time in my immortal life. It carried an unnatural, unhallowed sense of Tartarus itself. The filly I met quite some time ago had matured into quite the mare when I witnessed her step off the train. Her blue robe shielded the mark on her back, my “gift” to her.
“I am here for the prisoners,” She said in such a cold tone.
“Maud, isn’t he your friend?” Princess Celestia said to her with a stern voice that matched her demeanor, “Why would you call him anything but friend?”
Maud’s voice and expression were cold, yet I could see the tears she wanted to shed. In her eyes, I still saw that joyful little filly I bequeathed part of my strength to for protection. To protect Equestria from upstarts and wanting to be villains, I knew that I had to be sealed away in Tartarus. This jackal my brother released to find me was the last straw.
“I can grant you asylum in Canterlot. Your brother has been defeated, there has—“Princess Celestia said to me. She stopped. I shook my head from side to side in a slow, fluid motion at her. Princess Celestia was kind, but she knew it had to be done, along with Maud. “I will not go against your wishes, however, I ask you to reconsider your decision. Consider the hearts of those around you.”
“I am….” I said to Princess Celestia as I looked into her eyes.
Maud lifted the creature with one hoof and chucked it into the prison cell. All of us boarded the train’s single car.
“Scorpan, you fool. These ponies will enslave you. I was once ‘their’ friend and look how they treat me.” Sinuba The Jackal said before I placed the restraint back onto her snout.
The engine’s red, ethereal wheels screeched and dug into the metallic track. I sat on the comfortable cushion as Princess Celestia sat to my left, Maud to my right. From the outskirts near the Hayseed Swamps, I knew it would take us thirty minutes to reach our destination; enough time to close these heavy eyes.
*** *** ***
“I learned of these creatures from another of our immortal kind, brother. Discord, the spirit of chaos and disharmony told me of these ponies. Do not let them taint you. Once their magic is under our control, we can rule over this world and others. The two alicorns will be our last targets.” Tirek said to me.
Not one pony would be left with an ounce of magic in their body. To hasten our plan, it was decided to split up and comb this new land, and I spied my first target in that village. A simple colt played with two other ponies. The ponies were watched over by a unicorn. My claws were sharpened, ready for battle.
I found it strange. The unicorn spotted me, but he didn’t raise so much as a spark from his horn. Instead, that unicorn invited the pegasus filly, the earth pony colt, and the unicorn filly to join his side. Those words he spoke still touch my heart.
“Who are you, ‘friend?’” Star Swirl said to me. His voice was calm as Princess Celestia’s when he used that word.
Tirek and I knew no such word as “friend,” but the unicorn grinned at me. He allowed me to follow him towards a small village ruled by an innocent alicorn mare and her mischievous sister.
Star Swirl had the power to stand against me. Our battle would have been legendary, recorded throughout time itself. Your actions were rather strange when you invited me inside your humble abode.
“Why do you seek magic?” Star Swirl said to me.
I clenched my claw into a mighty fist and pounded it against your table. With a roar I bellowed to you, “To gain power!”
“Those who only seek power will be ruled by it. A wise individual seeks understanding and friendship,” He said to me with a sly grin and a tip of his strange hat.
Our words were mightier than any spell either of us could summon. The battle between us should have lasted three years when we pitted our wits against each other. Instead -- in three short minutes -- that mighty claw I clenched, much like my resolve for the mission to suck all ponies dry of their magic, relented when I heard those words. My claw scratched my chin. I looked down at the table with eyes fixated on its smooth surface, polished to shine that rivaled any flawless diamond I had seen.
“What is ‘friendship?’” I said as I turned to face you and the two princesses.
The heartbeats in my chest had an eerie calmness to them, like the land beneath my feet. I watched you stand up with the Two Princesses at your side. We moved to a secluded location and continued our conversation under a crystal tree. Our war of words now turned to a pleasant conversation.
I will remember our peaceful conversation under that crystal tree, my friend. You spoke of the unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies. Part of me still feels like a child. I assaulted you with a barrage of questions, yet you were patient. You cut those heavy chains that constricted my heart and soul. Timber Wolves, The Everfree Forest, and Hearts and Minds of sentient beings fascinated me with each story you told. What fascinated me the most was how different the pony races were from each other, but they formed union of harmony within each other as a society.
Tirek, brother, you thrust your claw at me when I returned in hopes of changing your mind. Your words were so callous. “You. Are. Tainted.”
I failed you brother. That gluttonous nature took hold of your heart, the one which almost consumed me. Underneath that rock, I gave you my amulet to bring peace to your heart. My hopes were you would find a brighter future, not a darker one. It is sad that our last meeting had to be so dark.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna listened to my words, and then you burst through the castle’s doors. On that day my brother, I saw the true nature of your soul. You continued your rampage and tried to drag me into that battle. In the end, your greed was your downfall and you were sent into Tartarus.
In the times that came after your banishment, I wandered Equestria to see its beauty. I’m sorry that my strength failed you my friend. You departed this world Star Swirl, and I continued our journey alone.
Several hundred years passed while I wandered in and out of Equestria. The Crystal Empire’s fall proved to me that even these ponies weren’t beyond the prospects of corruption. You were right though. Star Swirl, a day finally came when I found a new flower of friendship.
I walked into those swamps to spend the night before my next travel. My fate appeared sealed when a large boulder came loose and pinned me to the ground. Maud, you were that courageous filly from the farm I had passed. You pushed, tugged, pulled, and tried with all of your heart to free me. Star Swirl, I hope I did the right thing when I bequeathed that strength to my new friend. The strength you relied on during our journey; the strength I fear failed you.
*** *** ***
“We’re here,” Princess Celestia said. She spoke in a soft tone into my ear and used a gentle hoof to wake me. “Please, Scorpan, I ask you to reconsider one last time. You have done nothing wrong to harm Equestria. There are no sins.”
She stopped as I held my claw up. Maud walked into the back, dealing with Sinuba. The jackal struggled like a wild animal. Her whimpers were pathetic, unbecoming of what she claimed to be in the face of her fate.
The portal opened on that platform near the track. In front of us, a mountainous range existed with dark clouds that shot forth lightning. Sinuba’s whimpers turned into even more pathetic whines and cries. Maud bucked her into the portal. As the cage dissolved, chains of darkness came forth and wrapped around Sinuba’s limbs; her howls were the last to echo out of that place before the portal closed.
“I prefer to walk, if I am allowed.” I said to the two mares near me.
“You are allowed,” Maud said to me with a sly smile.
I looked up to see a new portal, one I had not heard or read about. A lush forest existed with a field of grass and flowers. My legs felt weak. I dropped to my knees.
“Tartarus has more than one level, Scorpan. Sinuba is a powerful being who shall be imprisoned on the sixth level. Your brother exists on the fifth. For you, I, Princess Celestia, give special consideration for your actions in apprehending Sinuba. Before you is the rehabilitation zone, for ‘special’ cases. It will be difficult, if near impossible, for any creature to touch you in this private realm where Commander Brimstone and I monitor those who are ready for release.” Princess Celestia said before she bowed to me. “Please, will you accept this place?”
Maud’s stern look hid her emotions well. I gave my friend a slight hug before I nodded to both of them. Perhaps I can find peace in this place without some creature trying to assault me to steal my magic.