Rainbow and Indominus finally got a decent look at their handiwork as the dust and smoke lifted from the volcano. Smaug was still not moving and after being dealt such tremendous attacks at point blank range, it was a wonder he hadn't been disintegrated.
"You were right Rainbow Dash, your plan worked. I doubt any of Smaug's previous battles could've prepared him for that. There's definitely a lot of smarts behind that rainbow mane of yours."
Rainbow Dash felt herself blushing at Indominus's compliment, and he loved how cute she looked despite her transformation.
"Oh please, it was just an idea I thought to test out the speed your new flames have given you."
Indominus gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
"Still, the plan was all yours. I love it when my girl shows her strength and brains in the best of ways."
Then they heard a struggled groan coming from Smaug's body, and watched as the dragon lord tried to lift his exhausted body off the ground. The dragons above were all grateful that their king hadn't been killed after all. However, they were worried about his physical state after the incredible blast had shook him up so badly. The Mane Six could see how the three dragons watching out for them were getting nervous for their king.
"Do you boys think Smaug will be able to keep going like this," Rarity asked the group.
"It's hard to say at this point," the dark blue dragon said. "Smaug has never encountered an attack that brutal before. He's been ravaged by the intensity of the attack, and his body is severely damaged."
"If this battle goes on, then he will surely die," the green dragon added.
Hearing this shocked all the dragons. Each of them knew that Smaug had always won his fights, but this could be the one time that he wouldn't be able to come out on top. His body was still bleeding and his arms were shaking slightly trying to hold him up. There didn't seem to be a way for him to survive his own gauntlet.
"Well it also depends on what Indominus and Rainbow Dash decide to do," Scootaloo said.
Everyone looked at the filly like she had the answer to the outcome of the fight.
"Just what do you mean?"
"I mean that neither of them were aiming to kill him. They could decide to spare him, this isn't like the fight with Black Death. Smaug has been very reasonable and understanding this whole time. It all comes down to what each of them decides to do next."
Th spectators turned their attention back down to the battlefield, noticing that Smaug was facing off against the warriors again.
He was breathing heavily from the attacks, and he looked terribly exhausted. The dragon lord was on the verge of losing his own fight unless he did something soon.
"Maybe now you can see how wrong you were to doubt us Smaug," Indominus called out to the weakened king. "When me and Rainbow Dash work together there's nothing we can't accomplish."
Smaug gave a slightly weak, but fully satisfied laugh. Despite what had happened to him, he looked truly pleased with the results. He slowly began to make his way towards Rainbow and Indominus. They got ready to take action in case he tried anything sneaky. Smaug just kept walking at a slow pace towards them and stopped when he was within arm's reach of the pair. Indominus could see the pleased expression on the dragon king's face.
"Well done Rainbow Dash and Indominus Rex. You two fight with much fire in your hearts. That was a truly shocking sneak attack, I never thought the flames could make you move at such blinding speeds Indominus. As for Rainbow Dash, that was a clever tactic to use the flames to your advantage and catch me off guard. You are one of the brightest ponies I've ever met."
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel humble again at his compliments. Smaug was far more compassionate than any other dragon she had seen. He had a perfect combination of ferocity and courtesy, something no pony ever expected in a dragon.
"Though I have to say Indominus, you were both right and wrong about what you told me before the fight."
"Right and wrong about what Smaug?"
"Before this fight began you told me I would love the challenge of facing your fiance, but you said I wouldn't feel that way after it was over. That is where you are wrong. I did enjoy the challenge of fighting both of you. Yet I still feel that way now considering you two have beaten me."
The dragons all gasped in surprise, they swore that they had misheard their king. Did Smaug just say that the warriors had beaten him? All of them watched in disbelief as Smaug extended his arm towards Indominus in a friendly gesture. Rainbow and Indominus relaxed upon seeing the gesture.
"For the first time ever in Dragon Land history, Final Destination will not be claiming a victim. Rainbow Dash, Indominus Rex, I concede to you. You two are the winners and champions of my gauntlet."
The Mane Six, CMC and dinosaurs all erupted in applause after hearing Smaug. The couple had proven themselves to be too much for the dragon lord to overcome. The dragons couldn't believe it, Smaug, the dragon lord had given up in a fight. At first they thought that Smaug had been outdone by someone that had been able to match him. Yet seeing how he looked at Rainbow and Indominus showed all the dragons that their king must've gained so much respect for them.
Every dragon roared into the sky and let loose their flames in congrats. Indominus gladly shook the dragon lord's hand, glad for being presented with such a courteous dragon. Both hybrid and dragon stared at each other with pleased looks in their eyes. When Smaug congratulated Rainbow Dash, he extended a fist for her instead.
"No hard feelings for what I said about you before Rainbow Dash?"
"No hard feelings Smaug," Rainbow said happily as she hoof bumped the scaly fist.
The three fighters then took flight and flew out of the volcano. Smaug was a little slower than the couple because his body was weakened so much. When they touched down on soft ground again, Rainbow's friends toppled her in a dog pile, once she returned to her normal size. T-Rex and the raptors nuzzled the heck out of Indominus, and were surprised that the golden flames did nothing to them when they were touching him.
Scootaloo said from within the dog pile "Rainbow Dash you were amazing!"
"Darling you were fantastic in that fight."
"Ah've never seen ya move like that before."
"All that quality time with the dinosaurs has shaped you into an amazing fighter."
"This new power of yours is something else Indominus. How did it happen?"
"I'm still trying to figure that out myself T-Rex. All I know is that after my fist collided with Smaug's, the flames formed from the impact and began surrounding me. Oh, that reminds me. We have something to take care of."
Indominus called Rainbow and Scootaloo over and told them that they had to thank Smaug for the incredible fight. All the ponies joined them as they walked over to the exhausted dragon lord. All the dragons were deeply concerned for him seeing how badly beaten he still looked. They parted when the dinosaurs had walked over to speak with their king.
"Smaug we can't thank you enough for giving us this chance to prove ourselves."
"We've never encountered a dragon that has accepted us and didn't try to kill us on the spot," said Blue.
"You're quite welcome warriors. That was the whole point of this gauntlet, for all of you to show me why Equestria has looked up to all of you. I witnessed all of it today during the fights, and now I finally understand why Black Death was killed. Before you all head back home, there is an offer I want to give."
"Before you do, we have something that we need to do for you Smaug." This statement caught Smaug and the others by surprise.
"Oh, and what would that be Indominus?"
"You see, I'm not the only one who can transform. Everyone in our family can, Tyrannosaurus, Blue and her girls, even Rainbow and Scootaloo can do it. We want to show you how we looked when we killed Black Death."
"Now this I must see."
Indominus looked at the others to see if they were ok with showing their forms.
"So girls, you don't mind if we show Smaug our power, do you?"
"Not at all Indominus," said Scootaloo.
"Sure, why not."
"Gladly."
"Let's do it."
With everyone's approval, the family gathered in front of Smaug to show him their true forms. The dragons braced themselves for what was going to happen. Indominus stood back as his family members began surging with power and the red auras returned. Every dragon had dropped jaws once again, seeing the transformed family members. Seeing Scootaloo's transformed state alongside Rainbow Dash's was extremely pleasing to Smaug.
"I can see you already have a prodigy in your life Rainbow Dash." Rainbow wrapped one hoof around Scootaloo as she looked at her with proud eyes.
"Yes, she's made me so proud for everything that she's accomplished. For all the trials she's endured and for helping stop Black Death, I'm proud to call her my sister."
The dragons couldn't help but admire the touching display. Despite how fierce and strong they were, the dinosaurs and ponies all cared deeply for each other. They had a family bond that could conquer any challenge.
"Now this is our way of repaying you for this opportunity Smaug."
"What are you-"
Smaug was cut off as the family began pouring the red tangible energy on him. The dragon lord didn't move as the energy covered his body. The others were shocked as they watched the marks and bleeding wounds on his body healing at an incredible rate. All the flesh wounds and slashes were healed and in no time at all, Smaug's body was completely healed. He couldn't believe what they had just done for him, the dinosaurs and pegasi had restored him. All the wounds on his body had vanished and his strength had even returned in the process.
"Wow. This feels amazing. Thank you very much Guardians." They all bowed to him in return, and returned to their original states.
When Indominus transformed back the golden flames disappeared. It was rather strange to be normal again, considering that those flames had helped him and Rainbow Dash win the gauntlet in the first place. Now it was time to hear what Smaug's offer was.
"Now what were you saying Smaug," Rainbow asked the dragon lord.
"I was going to offer you the chance to train with all of us if you'd like."
No one could believe what they had heard. Smaug was offering them a chance to train in the dragon lands with him. Rainbow thought about it for a while, but in the end she couldn't accept the offer. She had ponies back in Ponyville that depended on her, and she had Scootaloo to take care of.
"I'm sorry Smaug, I can't accept your offer. I already have somepony to keep on training so she can be the best and remain part of my family." Scootaloo snuggled against her sister as the other dinosaurs gave their answers.
"Sorry Smaug, my place is with Ponyville. I appreciate the offer though," said T-Rex.
"Me and my girls have Scootaloo to care for," Blue answered.
Indominus seemed to be having trouble making his decision. So he asked Smaug a few questions.
"What would I get from training with you Smaug?"
"I would take you under my wing, teach you everything that dragons know about fighting and make you my personal prodigy. I saw so much potential in you during the fight Indominus, and I want to sharpen your skills so that you can be just as good as during our fight. Except you probably wouldn't need the red aura after you've gone through my training. Also, I could show you how to unleash the true potential of the Immortal Phoenix and more importantly, how to control it."
Indominus had only one more question to ask before he could make his choice.
"Would I have to remain here forever?" Smaug could see the worried look in Rainbow's eyes after Indominus asked his question. He already knew what to say.
"No, you wouldn't have to stay here all the time. Your only requirements would be to train in these lands for one week of each month. Then when the winter comes to Equestria, you will face off against me in a fight, without transforming. It will be a way to show me how much you've improved, if you pass, then you will be my true prodigy and be able to awaken the Immortal Phoenix by the end of the fight. However, if you fail, you will have to repeat the training process again and again, until you can beat me one on one. Also as a side note, if your friends miss you that badly they can always visit to see your progress for themselves."
Indominus turned towards his fiance to see what she would say.
"Rainbow Dash, you wouldn't be upset if I trained here for a while, would you? I'm not cancelling the promise we made to each other, I just feel like this could make me a better Guardian and protector." Rainbow Dash spoke very clearly to her hybrid fiance.
"Indominus I can't force you to decide, the choice is all yours. Besides, you're not going to be here forever. You only have to train here one week each month until the winter comes around. Besides I can always come by to check on you, Smaug said I could. If you feel that this can make you a better dinosaur, then go for it."
"Rainbow Dash, I love you." Indominus kissed his girl for being so understanding, no other ponies in the world would be as understanding as her and Scootaloo. Indominus bent down to tell Scootaloo as well. "Are you ok with me being gone for a while Scootaloo?"
"You go get em Indominus. You'll still be my savior." The hybrid happily licked her in response, then he walked over to Smaug to give his answer.
"Smaug, I will accept your offer. I will train with you and all the dragons to be the best dinosaur I can be."
The dragons roared in delight, they were going to help train a fighter that could show them a thing or two. Smaug had a proud smile on his face.
"I should warn you, I can be a difficult teacher. I accept nothing but the absolute best from all who train under my wing."
"I believe I can handle it."
"Very good Indominus Rex, welcome to our world."
The dragon lord and hybrid dinosaur shook hands then threw their heads back and roared into the sky. It was going to be a little sad for Rainbow Dash, to be apart from her fiance even for a week. Twilight walked beside her.
"There now Rainbow Dash, you'll get to see him regardless."
"I know, but this'll be the first time we've been apart."
"Come now Rainbow, there'll be times like these," Indominus said as he walked back over. "You can't get too sappy on me, or others might think you're turning soft."
Rainbow shook away the thoughts from her mind and reminded herself that Indominus was right. The dragon lord asked the three dragons to bring Indominus back in one week for his training. As they got ready to head back home, Smaug had a task for Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow while Indominus is back with you, make sure to test him every now and again to make sure he stays on track."
"You got it Smaug, I won't let you down."
The dragon lord even told the three dragons that had brought them to make sure to get him updated on Indominus's progress.
"You want us to keep going back to Ponyville? You're not mad at us for bringing the ponies here?"
"If you hadn't brought them here, I would've never seen Indominus or Rainbow's fighting potential in the first place. So yes, consider it a reward for bringing me such amazing fighters."
`With everything set and Indominus's training to begin in a week's time, the group bid farewell to the dragon lands and began making their trip home. Indominus was going to learn all the secrets of the dragons, and he would become a more capable dinosaur than he ever dreamed of.