Scorpion lay still in his bed, his thoughts still a mess of contrasting ideals. He knew damn well that he should kill Celestia and save his family and clan, yet somewhere deep inside of him, he knew that doing so would disappoint those who had so eagerly come to trust him. Why did they trust him so easily he wondered? Could they not see that he was a violent being, someone that could take the lives of hundreds without breaking a sweat? Scorpion was truly at odds with himself.

In the main room of the library, however, two ponies were chatting up with Twilight of how their new friend had helped them. Rarity and Fluttershy were both sharing their stories of Scorpion’s true courage and generosity towards them both. Twilight was truly amazed to hear of Scorpion’s deeds, and it only made her trust towards him greater than it already was.

“I say Twilight, we must do something for Scorpion,” Rarity insisted.

“I agree. He seems kind enough to deserve a little something,” Fluttershy added.

“I completely agree with you that he deserves a reward, girls, but maybe we should wait until the others are on the same level as us. I’m not so worried about Pinkie Pie, but Applejack and Rainbow Dash surely will take a bit of convincing to trust him,” Twilight said. She knew her friends well enough to know that Applejack and Rainbow Dash would need a great deal of convincing. And if not Applejack, then definitely Rainbow Dash. After all, Scorpion did pummel her into the ground.

“Well then, where are out three friends. I’d say it’s high time they get to enjoy the services of Scorpion,” Rarity said.

“Well, Pinkie Pie told me she had something in mind for Scorpion, but I haven’t heard from Applejack or Rainbow Dash yet. I’m sure they’ll think of something sooner or later.” Shortly after that, Pinkie Pie cartwheeled into the library. Her three friends looked at her as she landed on her hindlegs and presented herself.

“TADA!” Pinkie said, giving them a smile. Her friends still looked at her with confused looks. “Oh come on! I cartwheeled all the way over here from Sugarcube Corner! At least give me a cheer or two!” Pinkie said, standing on four hooves again. Her three friends simply giggled to themselves and stood up from their seats.

“Um, good job Pinkie?” Fluttershy said, questionably. She didn’t know if that was enough to satisfy Pinkie.

“Thank you Fluttershy,” Pinkie said. “Anyway, I have come to collect my work monkey!” Pinkie said, lifting her head up high.

“Work monkey?” Twilight questioned.

“You know,” Pinkie said, starting to whisper. “Scorpion.”

“I know that Pinkie, but why is he your work monkey?”

“Because, I’ve always wanted one!” Twilight simply rolled her eyes and went over to the guest room. She knocked on the door.

“Scorpion, Pinkie’s here for you,” Twilight said into the room. Scorpion let out a sigh and sat up. He grabbed his two swords, sheathed them on his back, and stood up. He opened the door and entered the main room.

“What task have you for me to complete, Pinkie Pie?” Scorpion asked.

“Well, I actually have a huge order of cupcakes to fill out, but the oven back at Sugarcube Corner is busted. I was hoping that you could use that “flaming” talent of yours to help me,” Pinkie said, letting out a little giggle. Scorpion found no amusement in the joke.

“Sounds simple enough,” he said.

“That’s because it is, my two-legged... acquaintance,” Pinkie said, not wanting to call him a friend. Scorpion looked to Twilight.

“Don’t worry Scorpion, she won’t hurt you,” Twilight said.

“You think I am worried about her hurting me? No, I am more worried about losing my sanity to this pony,” Scorpion said, letting out a low grumble.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ve never made anypony go insane, but maybe I should try it sometime. Oh, yeah, I could make them be all “OoOoOoOoO” and stuff. It’d be great!” Pinkie said, snorting a bit while laughing. Scorpion couldn’t help but let out a quick chuckle.

“Very well then. Shall we be off?” he asked.

“Sure thing. I’ll have him back later Twilight,” Pinkie said, heading for the door.

“At least try to have some fun Scorpion,” Twilight said, as he followed Pinkie to the door.

“Provided I don’t go insane first, perhaps I will give it a try,” he said, leaving the library with the bouncing pink pony.

As Pinkie Pie led Scorpion into the gingerbread house, the owners of said establishment took note of the new visitor they had. The Cakes pulled Pinkie aside to have a quick chat with her.

“Pinkie Pie, who, or what is this thing?” Cup Cake asked.

“This is Scorpion. Weren’t you at the town meeting to introduce him to Ponyville?” Pinkie asked.

“No. We were away when that happened, and when we got back, everypony seemed to be quite edgy. Now we can see why!” Carrot Cake said. “Do you want Pound and Pumpkin to see him? They will go nuts!”

“Don’t worry. We’re just going to be in the kitchen. We’re gonna fill out that big cupcake order that we got,” Pinkie said.

“How? The oven is broken,” Cup Cake said.

“Scorpion here can control fire,” Pinkie said, pulling him over. “Why don’t you show them Scorpion?” Scorpion looked at the two ponies, who were looking right back at him with worried expressions.

“Well, what would you like me to burn?” Scorpion asked.

“Hmm…” Pinkie quickly rushed into the kitchen, and just as quickly, rushed back out with a pan filled with cupcake mix. “Here. These cupcakes should be ready to be baked. Light em up!” Pinkie placed the tray on the ground and stood back with the cakes. Scorpion figured well enough that he would have to control his flames in order to not burn the cupcakes. He gathered himself and used his Demon Fire on the pan. In a matter of seconds, the cupcakes were baked. Pinkie and the Cakes looked at the pan, now filled with eight, ready to eat cupcakes.

“How did…” Cup Cake tried to ask, but she couldn’t finish.

“That’s the quickest I’ve ever seen cupcakes get baked in my entire life!” Carrot Cake added.

“Told you he could control fire. So can he stay, please?!” Pinkie asked, using some puppy dog eyes. The Cakes looked to each other and then back to Pinkie.

“Alright Pinkie, he can stay. Just, please make sure he doesn’t burn the place down,” Carrot Cake said, walking with his wife upstairs to their two foals.

“Well, it looks like we can get to work. With my quick ability to put cupcake mix together, and your ability to bake em so fast, we should have this order filled in no time!” Pinkie said, pulling Scorpion into the kitchen.

“Very well. I must say Pinkie Pie, this task that you are providing me with is not at all difficult. How will me helping you bake cupcakes gain me your trust?” Scorpion asked.

“Well, for one thing, I already kind of trust you. You’ve already helped out Fluttershy and Rarity, and from what I’ve heard, they really like you, and any friend of my friends is a friend to me.” Scorpion almost got lost in that phrase, but he managed to piece it all together. “Plus, you look super cool!” Scorpion chuckled at that.

“Well, thank you, I guess. Now then, shall we get to work?” Scorpion said, lighting his hands on fire.

“Wooooow! I didn’t know you could do that. I mean, I knew you could control fire, but I didn’t know you could control it like that!” Scorpion continued to chuckle at Pinkie’s continued amazement of his abilities.

“I can do many things, Pinkie Pie. You have yet to see the full power that I possess, but you most likely will never get to see it all.”

“Why not?”

“Well, I would have to fight someone, or something, for me to unleash my full power. I can be quite… violent, if I am challenged well enough. You and your friends will not have to fear to meet my full wrath, for I have come to accept you for who and what you are.” Scorpion’s words actually left a smile on Pinkie Pie’s face.

“Aw, you’re so cool Scorpion. Come on, why don’t we get started?” Pinkie said, filling up another tray. Scorpion used his flames to bake the cupcakes to a perfect degree. Pinkie took one out of the tray. They were a little hot, but they were very delicious.

“Wow! These are so good! You’d make a good baker Scorpion,” Pinkie said, eating up another cupcake. Scorpion let out a full laugh this time.

“Stop eating the cupcakes, or we will never get our job done,” Scorpion said.

“But they’re so good! Why don’t you try one?” she asked. Scorpion’s happy mood suddenly went a bit more serious.

“Well, I shouldn’t really take off my mask. You don’t want to see what is behind it.”

“How bad could it be? Come on, just a quick peek?!” Pinkie asked, using her puppy dog eyes again.

“No, Pinkie Pie. That is final. You would not be able to look at me the same way if you knew what is under this mask.”

“Hey, no matter how my friends look or act, I always think of them as my friends.” There it was again. That word. Friend. Scorpion had now been called that by three of these ponies. Why did they consider him their friend? They knew his capabilities for violence. They saw him hurt Rainbow Dash. Why did they come to trust him so easily? Scorpion had to quickly put these thoughts aside to argue back to Pinkie Pie.

“I am sorry Pinkie Pie, but I will not remove my mask. Perhaps, in time, I will show you, but now is not the right time. Let us continue our work.” Pinkie Pie gave up her efforts and simply sighed.

“Alright, no biggy I guess. Besides, I’m sure it’d be better if you showed all of us at the same time. Why only show me when the rest of your friends are probably just as curious?” Pinkie said, filling up another pan with cupcake mix.

“You seem to forget that Applejack and Rainbow Dash still do not trust me,” Scorpion said, lighting up the cupcakes and baking them to perfection. Pinkie got another tray filled and ready for baking.

“Yeah, but I’m sure they’ll come to trust you just the same. Applejack is an honest, hardworking pony. I’m sure that if you show her just how hardworking you are, you’ll have her trust in no time. And Rainbow Dash… well, she can be a bit picky, but she’s a loyal friend to the end. She’s such a blast to hang around too. I’m sure she’ll have you helping her with her crazy and zany stunts and flying tricks.” Scorpion baked the new batch of cupcakes. He took one out and examined it. “What? You’ve never seen a cupcake before?”

“Not really, no,” Scorpion answered, sniffing the cupcake. It smelt really good, and he knew for certain that it was delicious. He didn’t even need to taste it to know that. He looked to Pinkie Pie, then back to the cupcake. “Okay, I will try one. However, you are not to look at me while I remove my mask.” Pinkie Pie quickly turned around and leaped over the counter to the other side. Scorpion thought it was a bit much, but he didn’t care. He removed his mask and took a bite out of the cupcake. Pinkie could make out the definite sound of satisfaction coming from Scorpion. He finished the cupcake and put his mask back on.

“That was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted!” Scorpion said.

“I told you it would be worth it!” Pinkie said, coming back around to the other side of the counter. “Now then, we’ve only got a few more batches of cupcakes to bake, and then we should be done.” Scorpion nodded. The two continued their work, until finally, they were left with about one hundred cupcakes.

“This is quite a lot of cupcakes. What pony could consume this many cupcakes?” Scorpion asked.

“A pony with a birthday party, duh,” Pinkie answered. “Somepony in Canterlot ordered all of these. I’m sure they’ll have a great party with cupcakes as good as these.” Pinkie looked at the large stack of cupcakes. “I could eat all of these in one bite you know. I totally would, if only they weren’t for somepony else’s party.”

“You really think you could eat them all, in one bite?” Scorpion asked.

“Oh I know I can. But, like I said, they’re for somepony else. Maybe some other time I could show you.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Scorpion said, letting out another chuckle. With their job done, Pinkie extended her hoof. “What is this?”

“A hoof bump, or in your case, a… fist bump?” Pinkie questioned. Scorpion chuckled again and made his hand into a fist. He bumped Pinkie’s hoof, and they both started to laugh. “You’re definitely not the big meany pants I thought you were when we first met,” Pinkie said.

“I’m glad I have changed your mind about me,” Scorpion said. “So, what shall we do now?”

“Well, I’ve got nothing else to do. You want to see if Rarity and Fluttershy want to hang out for a while? Seeing as though you’ve already gained their trust, I’m sure they’d be up for it.” Scorpion thought about it for a moment, but his thoughts were still a contrasting mess. He needed time to himself again to think.

“Well… not now Pinkie Pie. I need some time to think about some things. Any other time though would be fine,” Scorpion said.

“Oh, that’s okay then. So, I guess I’ll see you later then?”

“Of course. Farewell Pinkie Pie,” Scorpion said, heading for the front door.

“Yeah, see you later Scorpion, and thanks for all your help, you two-legged awesome buddy!” That was a new one to Scorpion. Pinkie could hear him laughing on his way out, which in turn made her laugh.

‘Three down, three to go,’ Scorpion thought to himself, as he walked the streets of Ponyville, heading back to the library. He didn’t consider himself to be in Twilight’s favor yet, but he knew he would gain her trust easily. But, even still, what if she, Applejack, and even Rainbow Dash came to consider him a friend? His mind was already a mess of differentiating thoughts. Three more “friends” might not be the best thing for his mind. All of this was getting in the way of his realization as to why he was here in the first place. He was here to kill Celestia, and more specifically, to make sure that his family and clan could live once again. Scorpion shook his head and groaned to himself.

‘I will not fail them!’

Author's Notes:

This chapter is a little on the shorter side, but honestly, I couldn't really think of much else to do. I was quite surprised to see that I managed to get as many words in as I did. But, anyway, Pinkie Pie has been added to Scorpion's friend list. I wonder who will be next. Oh fuck it, Applejack is up next.