Scootaloo had never felt so free and relieved in her life. Now that her parents were locked away, she didn't have to worry about their project going after Rainbow Dash. It felt as if a great burden had been lifted from the filly's shoulders. She was safe from them and their wretched dragon death machine. The best part, was she finally got to stay with Rainbow Dash.
Living with her idol had been Scootaloo's dream from the beginning, and now it had come true. Rainbow Dash gave her all the love, care and attention that neither of her parents bothered to even show. Rainbow was even proud of herself because she finally got Scootaloo away from those dreadful ponies. She had been worried that she wouldn't be able to take care of a filly or live up to such a responsibility, but all her actions proved otherwise. Everything she had done over the last few months had been for Scootaloo's sake as well as her own, and it proved that she could take care of her surrogate sister.
The rest of their weekend had gone by quite peacefully after Scootaloo's parents were jailed. Both pegasi trained, had fun and shared more bonding time that Scootaloo really needed. It helped her forget all the painful memories that her parents had created. Some part of her was worried that both pegasi would somehow escape and come back to finish the job. Luckily Rainbow was always able to give Scootaloo the support she needed to put her worries at ease.
After the ordeal had been settled, the rest of the mane six returned to Ponyville wanting to check how Scootaloo was doing. The filly had never received so many hugs at once, and it warmed her heart like never before. Her fellow Crusaders gave their fair share of comfort and apologies for not realizing how badly things had been in Scootaloo's home. All the love and attention Scootaloo was getting was far more than she ever could've expected. The freedom from her parents also gave her the chance to take care of something that had been put off: introducing Rainbow Dash to her saviors.
After school had ended the next day, the crusaders took off into the forest to try and find the dinosaurs. The investigators and guards had given up and called it quits. T-Rex and Indominus had proven to be far too stealthy to be caught. They found the Crusaders without having to fend off a bunch of Timberwolves for once. Scootaloo was especially overjoyed to see her saviors again.
"Boys, it's great to see you again," Scootaloo said as she nuzzled the dinosaurs' heads. She then looked over at Indominus and gave him a sly eye. "I know what you did Indominus, and you've worked your way into Rainbow Dash's heart."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other with confused expressions, then looked back at Scootaloo.
"Uh Scootaloo, what did Indominus do exactly?" Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo tuned back to her friends and began telling the story.
"You see girls, a couple nights ago my parents tried to take me away from Ponyville. They even threatened to sick their project on Rainbow Dash and kill her. Oh by the way, I recently found out that their little project is a centuries old dragon that destroyed half of Equestria."
The two fillies had bulging eyes and floored jaws, they couldn't find their voices. Neither Indominus or Tyrannosaurus were surprised because they had heard the information straight from the horse's mouth.
"The moment they threatened me, I bolted out the door and went straight to the clubhouse. I was so scared and terrified over what they would do, then as luck would have it Rainbow found me. She let me stay with her and it was the best night I'd ever had. It would've been perfect expect these two weren't a part of it."
Scootaloo turned back to face the dinosaurs who were lying on their stomachs now. It gave Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom time to control their expressions again.
"If you guys had been there, it would've been the perfect family picture." Both carnivores gently nuzzled her in response. They knew how badly Scootaloo wanted them as her family, and they wanted to be her family just as badly. Scootaloo then resumed telling the story to her friends.
"So what happened next Scootaloo? Did ya have to deal with them pathetic excuses again that night?"
"Oh it was worse than that Apple Bloom, they followed me back to Rainbow's home and spied on us that night. That's where Indominus's act of bravery comes in, because apparently these two were looking out for me that night." Scootaloo made a grand gesture to her saviors during the tale.
"Indominus attacked them and alerted Rainbow Dash to their presence. I didn't see much, but I do know that Indominus protected Rainbow Dash from my parents. Apparently those two 'fought side by side as one soul' as Rainbow Dash put it. She must've been pretty touched by him because she was blushing when she recalled the event. I never thought I'd see the day when Rainbow Dash would start blushing, and over a dinosaur fighting alongside her."
"Wow Indominus, that was mighty brave of ya to defend Rainbow like that. Ah'll bet Rainbow was touched by how tough ya were that night." Again Indominus nodded his head as if saying "guilty as charged."
The Crusaders walked over to the dinosaurs after Scootaloo had finished her story and sat down in front of their faces. Scootaloo noticed the serene look in Indominus's eyes as well as T-Rex.
"You were touched by her as well, weren't you Indominus? You two must've bonded more during that scuffle than I thought." Indominus simply nodded his head in response. "That's why I believe the time has come at last."
Both dinosaurs' eyes lit up, they knew Scootaloo could only be talking about one thing.
"The time has come for you boys to officially meet Rainbow Dash." T-Rex and Indominus growled in excitement. "Since you boys helped in putting my parents behind bars, the time couldn't be more perfect. In three days you guys will finally get to meet my big sister, and we'll see what she truly thinks of you."
The Crusaders had never seen the dinosaurs so ecstatic before, their excited growls sent a clear message that they had been waiting for this to happen.
"Scootaloo, you don't mind if we tag along so we can see the look on our sisters' faces do you?" Scootaloo had just realized that Rainbow had asked if she and her friends could meet the dinosaurs. The filly thought about it and realized if the Elements of Harmony saw her saviors, it might make things even easier.
"Sure, the more shocked expressions and dropped faces the merrier it'll be." The Crusaders and dinosaurs all came together for a big group nuzzle before they went their separate ways. Scootaloo began scanning the sky for any sign of Rainbow Dash. She had busted all the clouds for the day, so it wasn't hard to spot the tell-tale rainbow trail on the horizon. Scootaloo flew alongside her idol and caught her attention to tell her the news. When she was done, Rainbow was just as thrilled as the dinosaurs.
"You mean it? They're finally ready to meet me?"
"That's right Rainbow Dash, and in three days they'll be meeting you at last. That should be enough time for you to inform your friends. You still would like them to meet my saviors right?"
"Of course Scootaloo, I haven't forgotten the original plan. I just can't believe I get to meet these great friends you keep talking about." Seeing her idol so eager, Scootaloo could only wonder how the meeting would go when Rainbow truly met her saviors. Part of her really hoped that Rainbow wouldn't be frightened by them. But Scootaloo easily dismissed those particular thoughts as she and Rainbow spent the afternoon flying and enjoying each other's company.
But while things were going well for Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash, back in Canterlot it was another story. Celestia and Luna were wondering how they were going to find the remote that controlled Black Death. Cadence had stayed to try and ease their worries, but to little avail. Luna was also keeping Scootaloo's wish list a secret, so her sister wouldn't have more to worry about. To ease her mind, Luna decided to do something Celestia had never heard her suggest.
"I'll go down to the dungeon and ask those wretched ponies a few questions."
"I don't think they'll talk Luna, the guards tried questioning them and they remained silent."
"Oh believe me sister, I have ways of getting information out of ponies like them." The tone in Luna's voice was far more serious than when she used the royal Canterlot voice. Celestia just watched as Luna made her way out of the meeting room and towards the dungeons. The guards at the entrance were nervous when Luna requested to go in alone, but they knew better than to question a Princess. So they opened the door to the dungeon and Luna made her way down the empty hall to Sheer Cold and Spoiled Rotten's cell.
Both pegasi were so deep in thought on how to get back at Scootaloo that they were startled when they heard the dungeon door open. Then the sound of hoof steps and Princess Luna standing outside their cell.
"Well now this is a surprise. Did you come all the way down here to gloat?" Sheer Cold asked in a cocky tone. Luna wasn't fazed by his attitude.
"Nope, I came down here to wonder why two pegasi would be so cruel to a filly that never did anything wrong." Spoiled Rotten got up and spoke in a rather aggressive attitude.
"Because she never did anything right. She was supposed to follow all of our orders and never question our methods. If she had just listened like an obedient chicken, we wouldn't have had to threaten her with Black Death."
"That's your reason? She should've remained a slave instead of having a life and fun!?"
"She was a mistake, she was never meant to happen and you can forget about finding the remote. We'll never tell you where it's hidden and you will never stop our project." Luna was holding back a good deal of anger and tried to speak calmly.
"Oh please, you think that you can mention that dragon and every pony will cower in fear of your kind forever?" Sheer Cold got up against the bars of the cage and spoke in a tone that was both calm and evil.
"We've only seen a little of what the dragon can do, but you Princess, you've seen what it's truly capable of. We've heard how you and Celestia tried so hard to stop Black Death and he just brushed you both aside. We know that you fear this dragon, and what it can do to your precious world. Nothing in all of Equestria can stop our dragon, and you will watch your subjects burn."
Out of nowhere, Luna began speaking in a tone that was more calm than Sheer Cold or Spoiled Rotten.
"Is that so? Well guess what, your dragon's days will come to an end very soon." For the first time in their lives both pegasi were alarmed at Luna's calm statement.
"What are you talking about Princess? Nothing in this world can stop our dragon!"
"That's what I thought, until I saw your scuffle with Rainbow Dash and a mysterious creature, and I found something else on the scroll detailing the dragon's attack. I witnessed your beating at the hands of Rainbow Dash and that animal. The two of them put you both in the dirt where you belong and kept Scootaloo safe. At first I thought the animal was another threat, until I took a closer look at that black scroll. There were only a few words, but those words were 'Guardians of Equestria.'"
Sheer Cold and Spoiled Rotten were growing more nervous as Luna continued to speak so calmly.
"That's right, the sightings in the paper, a massive animal helping Rainbow Dash and fighting you both. it all makes sense. Right now there are new creatures in Equestria that can stop your dragon. Now there is no version of this where you two or Black Death will come out on top. You both will be watching and balling as your great dragon gets killed and torn to pieces."
As Luna got ready to leave the dungeon, she said one last thing to the disgraceful pegasi. "When Black Death gets killed, you two will be at their mercy. They know what you've done to Scootaloo, and you both will feel the full extent of their rage. Let that little possibility keep you both up at night."
Luna calmly walked away from the cell and began making her way towards the door to the dungeon. As she moved away, Spoiled Rotten began banging on the door and shouting in insane anger.
"YOU'RE WRONG! NOTHING WILL KILL OUR DRAGON! YOU AND THIS PATHETIC WORLD SHALL PERISH!!"
"We'll see who gets the last laugh when the final battle happens," Luna said as she shut the dungeon door behind her. Spoiled Rotten was left with only dead silence once again,
"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!"