ΦΟΡ ΣΞΟΡΠΑΝ’Σ ΣΑΚΕ

“ The years haven’t been easy, but we’ve both been through worse, Scorpan. I’m glad to see you’ve come out stronger… ” He trailed off, hesitating, before beckoning the gargoyle into a hug.

“ I’m grateful that you’re still kicking, friend. Having fellow veterans by my side eases the distress of missing a millennium in just the blink of an eye. ”

Scorpan didn’t need any further invitation. He was a hugger. The gargoyle came in and gave his first friend a tighter hug than the old wizard may have expected. Despite now being significantly older, Scorpan still had some strength it seemed.

“ Okay, LOOK. I’ll admit it wasn’t the best plan. But it was SOMETHING. It was anything besides just – stuffing him in a cell and hoping things would work out fine. Twilight needed a boost, and it was only a matter of time before your brother broke out again. At least I made good use of him in the meantime! ”

“You’re talking about him like he was milk that was about to expire. You made a terrible cake, but you at least got rid of the milk before it got all lumpy.

“ Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook for THAT one, either. Maybe if the good guys of Equestria and beyond weren’t so HORRIBLY ineffective, the chaotic neutrals of questionable foresight like me wouldn’t have to step in to pick up the slack! ”

“ Yes, yes, I am WELL acquainted with his magic - stealing abilities. 

Look, the plan was that they were all so INCOMPETENT that they’d never actually be able to find the stupid bell. I also seemed to recall the magic seal protecting it being stronger. That’s on you goody two - shoes HEROES for not locking that down better than you did. ”

( man what the HECK you gotta stop making me wanna cry )

“ Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. He made the choice to treat us BOTH poorly, and look where it’s landed him! We’ll continue to thrive, and HE’LL continue to rot. ”

Scorpan frowned. “I wish I could look at it like that. I’ve had a thousand years to try and cut Tirek out of my life, but a part of me is always going to miss him. Still, I can’t deny that I’ve certainly thrived in his absence. 

I… don’t remember very well. My parents passed away over a thousand years ago, and my childhood is very fuzzy. Most of what I remember is Tirek doing something and them getting angry at him.

That was admittedly LESS funny than the humorous tales of Scorpan’s various misfortunes. Discord rubbed an arm, clearly kind of uncomfortable with the fact he kind of … related?? 

“ … well. My own siblings didn’t treat ME terrible well either, so. Maybe it IS just the way some families are … ”

Siblings? Having one brother had been bad enough. Scorpan couldn’t imagine what his childhood would have been like with multiple Tireks pushing him around.

All the old gargoyle could do was give a small shrug.

Scorpan waved a claw in the air at his oldest friend’s flattery. Despite himself, Scorpan had a smile just as big as the wizard’s on his wrinkled face.

“That’s kind of you to say, old friend, but I own a mirror; I can see what I look like. I don’t think I look bad, though. Just a bit... weathered, I suppose is a good word.”

“ … my Gods. That’s … that’s hilarious, actually. Tell me more stories about your misfortunes. ”

“He basically bullied everyone. Me, his peers, our family’s servants, our own parents... The only person he was ever sweet towards was our dear Gram-Gram, and that was only because she was as bad as him.

“ We should talk about how stupid and horrible he is. That always makes me feel better. ”

“Oh, no, he’s not... I mean... Well, he’s not stupid. He is horrible. I still love my brother, despite everything, but he is horrible.

“ Ugh. Not that I particularly enjoy wasting thoughts on that brute, but … I’ve been in the game a fair deal longer, and I managed to change. It’s all about having a reason to. Thusfar, I suppose no reason has presented itself to him. ”

“Fair enough. But I suppose that the fact that his own brother isn’t reason enough to change is what bothers me most...