It was a peaceful day, and Twilight, Starlight and Spike are on the train heading to the Crystal Empire for a visit.
"I hope Cadance and Shining Armor don't mind us coming over for a visit." Twilight said. "I just know that Flurry's been missing me."
"It's only been a month since we seen them Twilight." Said Starlight.
Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry, I know you've been wanting to see your niece." Starlight said. "And I'm looking forward of seeing Sunburst again. It's nice to get a few days of time for yourself. Right Spike?"
"Spike? Who's Spike?" Spike in a deep voice and dressed in suit and wearing a hat and glasses.
Twilight and Starlight glance each other.
"Oh boy, here we go again." Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Uh, you're you Spike." Starlight said. "In a coat, hat and glasses."
"Guys, you're blowing my cover!" Spike groaned in his normal voice. "How'd you know it was me?"
"We're the only ones here, Spike." Starlight gestures the empty coach their in.
"I guess you have a point." Spike said.
"Spike, why are you wearing a disguise?" Asked Twilight.
"Don't you remember the last 3 times we came there?" Spike reminded. "I got mobbed each time. And besides, this is a family visit. I don't wanna turn it into a circus or something."
It is true since he saved the Empire twice already.
"We get it." Starlight said. "They think you're a legend."
"He did save the Empire twice." Twilight reminded. "But still, I don't think the visit will be turn into a circus or something."
"Not unless I have the right disguise." Spike putting on an afro.
Twilight and Starlight shook their heads.
Soon they got to the station, but their was one strange thing.
"Uh, disguise or not, Spike, I don't think you need to worry about being mobbed." Starlight said. "No one's here."
There wasn't a single pony or dinosaur anywhere. Not even a footprint.
"It's like a ghost town here." Said Spike.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Twilight.
And they begin to head to the city.
A few minutes later, they were in the city. But there was sign of a single pony anywhere.
and it was much more quieter than the time they met Thorax.
"Yeah, this is weird." Starlight breaking the silence.
"I guess I don't need the disguise after all." Spike removing the hat and glasses.
However, the moment he did, a dozen ponies appeared from nowhere with cheered looks.
"It's Spike the Brave and Glorious!" Said a Mare.
"He's come to save us yet again!" Said another.
Then they started cheering his name and toss him up and down.
"Uh. Save you from what?" Spike confused.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Starlight asked.
"Why are you all hiding?" Twilight asked.
Then a mare in the crowd got concern. "Wait a minute. Is it even safe to be outside?"
"How can we be sure?" Said another.
"We can't!" Said a Stallion. "We don't even know if the... You know is gone!"
Twilight and Starlight glance each other confusingly.
"What if... They're... still... around?!" The Mare gasped.
"EVERYPONY, RUN!" Yelled the other.
Then they took off like a shot, and Spike fell to the ground.
"Okay. Something is certainly wrong here." Said Twilight.
"Ya, think?" Spike rubbing his head.
Soon, they were approaching the castle, and found a number of guards surrounding it.
Then, a lone Edmontosaurus appeared and approached them curiously. The guards he isn't a threat to them, and soon he lost interest and leaves.
And Twilight, Starlight and Spike approach them.
"Who goes there?" Said a guard.
"Uh, you don't know the Princess of Friendship?" Starlight said.
"Of course we do, but you 3 shouldn't be out here." Said the guard.
"We'll take care of this."
They turned and saw Cadance, Shining Armor, Sunburst and Flurry Heart appearing.
"Oh, Cadance, thank goodness!" Twilight relieved. "What's going on?"
"Yeah, what's all this about?" Starlight asked.
"A T. Rex pack was seen nearby." Said Sunburst.
"A T. Rex?!" Twilight concern.
Spike quickly clings on to Twilight. "That's not good!"
"No, it's not." Said Cadance. "After that attack in Manehatten and what happen at Canterlot, we're not taking any chances on this one."
"T. Rex are very powerful." Sunburst said. "And ever since Canterlot, they quickly became the top predator of Equestria. We feared they may be a threat to the baby as well for the city."
"That's why we brought out every guard we have." Shining Armor said. "And why-"
"Keep everyone inside." Twilight finished.
"We're sorry for all of this." Cadance said. "But, Flurry has actually been missing you."
Then Flurry went up to her aunt, and hugged her.
"Oh! Have I miss you!" Twilight hugged her niece. "Starlight and I will do what we can to protect her."
"Honestly, you being here feels so much better." Cadance grateful.
Then a guard whispered to Shining Armor.
"Hmm. The royal guards were wondering if Spike the Brave and Glorious would like to join in the search for the T. Rex."
"Really?" Spike said.
"Uh, I don't know if that's such a good idea, Spike." Twilight uneasy. " Sounds too dangerous."
"Come on, Twilight, this is Spike the Brave and Glorious you're talking to." Spike said. "Have you ever known me to run from danger?"
"Oh really, like that time at Canterlot?" Twilight reminded.
"Don't worry, he'll be safe with our guards." Shining Armor assured.
"Or the real question is, will you're guards be safe with me?" Spike said.
Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes.
A half hour later, Spike and a team of 8 guards were in the mountains searching for the T. Rex.
"Spike the Brave and Glorious, you've dealt with the T. Rex monsters before." Said the lead guard. "What can you tell us?"
"Oh, well, uh, they're big." Said Spike. "Really big, they stomp and crush things."
"You hear that?" The led guard to the other guards. "Those things could be anywhere."
"Okay, now we need to cover as much ground as possible to find them." Spike said and turn to 4 members of the group. "You, search that way!" They took off. "And you, search that way!" The remaining members went in a different direction.
"And now, I'm all alone." Spike not thinking it through.
Spike looks around and across the snowy landscape.
"Shouldn't be too hard." Spike chuckled nervously. "Right?"
He then heads off to find any signs of a T. Rex.
Later, Spike is still wandering through snowy terrain.
"How did I get myself in this?" He asked himself.
Soon he saw a small group of 3 Edmontosaurus heading south. Normally they would be in a larger herd than this, but they must've got left behind and are trying to catch up.
Later Spike seems to have find no sign of a T. Rex anywhere.
"Maybe, they're gone already." Spike suggested.
He begins to head back, but then the ground suddenly a familiar thud. And Spike froze.
"Uh oh." Spike nervously.
The thuds got stronger each second. He quickly got behind a pile of snow to hide, and glance over. And soon, a pair of adult T. Rex appeared. They seemed to be a mating pair, and possibly on a territorial patrol run. And T. Rex have huge territories stretching hundreds of square miles. And T. Rex have such few enemies, they can actually wandered out of their home territory every now and then.
And soon, the 2 predators were gone. And Spike came out of his hiding place.
"Okay, maybe it's time to head back." Spike suggested.
He got on top of the snow pile, and looks around. But then the snow pile strangely shook.
"Uh." Spike confused.
Then suddenly the snow pile erupted and Spike was thrown off.
As it turns out, the snow pile was actually a mid sized predatory dinosaur sleeping. And was covered by snow from last night's snowfall. It was a predator from the Cretaceous.
Nanotyrannus.
Spike soon got up, and at first he thought it was a small T. Rex. But the Nano's skin color is light green with black markings.
And soon, Spike started running for his live. The Nanotyrannus couldn't resist a moving target. And then he started chasing him, Spike ran as hard as he can. But the Nanotyrannus was built for speed, he was literally the Cheetah of his time. He soon snaps his jaws only missing him. And that cause Spike to run harder and faster, and soon the Nanotyrannus slowed down. But isn't giving up, and continues to follow him.
Back at the Crystal Empire.
"What do you mean you lost him?!" Twilight concern.
"He told us to split up to cover more ground." Said a guard. "But when we regrouped he was gone."
"Ugh. Why didn't I just gone him?" Twilight asked herself.
"I"m sure he's okay, Twilight." Starlight tried to assure her.
Then suddenly, a familiar scream was heard.
"What was that?" Cadance asked.
Then they saw a purple flash appearing from the mountains.
"Is that Spike?" Sunburst trying to make out the flash.
Then suddenly, the flash crashed into Twilight. And they were knocked over a distance.
And soon Twilight got up.
"Spike! What happen?" Twilight concern.
"Snow! Dinosaur! Running! Help!" Spike not thinking clearly.
Half an hour, they were in the castle and Spike was still catching his breath.
"Spike, can you breathe?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah. I think so." Spike said.
"Tell us what happen." Cadance said.
"Okay, after telling the guards to split up. Which I admit, is a bad idea." Spike explained. "Later I saw 2 T. Rex appeared to be looking for something."
"Looking for something?" Twilight said.
"Yeah, and then I got on a snowbank to look around. And then the snowbank is actually a predatory dinosaur and is chased me."
"Did you get a good look at it?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah. It was like a T. Rex, but smaller and green."
"Twilight, did you bring the Dinosaur Scanner?" Starlight asked.
"Yeah." Twilight bringing it out.
Then Twilight noticed something stuck on Spike's head spine. And used her magic to remove it, and is revealed to be a tooth. It was like T. Rex tooth, only more thinner and knife like.
"Spike, did this came from the dinosaur?" Asked Twilight.
"Yeah." Spike answered.
Twilight placed the tooth next to the scanner, and soon it scans the tooth.
SCANNING ANATOMY
SPECIES IDENTIFIED
NANOTYRANNUS
WHEN THE FOSSILS WHERE FOUND, THEY WEREN'T SURE IF IT WAS A NEW SPECIES, OR A YOUNG T. REX. BUT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT NANOTYRANNUS IS IT'S OWN SPECIES. THEY LIVED IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA IN MONTANA, NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA FROM 68-65 MYA. THE SAME REGION WITH T. REX.
IT WAS ONLY A MID SIZE PREDATOR, IT GREW TO 7.5 FEET TALL. 17 FEET LONG, AND WEIGHING A TON.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN T. REX AND NANOTYRANNUS ARE THAT NANOS HAVE MUCH THINNER TEETH FOR SLICING. RATHER THAN THE BONE CRUSHING TEETH OF T. REX, AND NANO. T WAS MORE OF A RUNNER.
BUT EVERY PREDATOR HAS A DARK SECRET.
IN 1998, IN A DIG SITE IN SOUTH DAKOTA. THE REMAINS OF A YOUNG T. REX WERE FOUND CRUSHED, AS IF IT WAS ATTACKED. AND LATER, AFTER SOME STUDYING, THE CULPRIT WAS SOON IDENTIFIED. A NANOTYRANNUS.
THIS MEANS THAT NANOTYRANNUS POSSIBLY HUNTED AND KILLED YOUNG T. REX. BUT NOT JUST FOR FOOD, BUT TO GET RID OF THE COMPETITION.
And the scanner turns off.
But everyone was in shocked of the last part.
And then, a roar was heard from outside.
They soon headed outside, and they found a juvenile T. Rex only 2 years old. And by itself, it's parents were nowhere to be seen.
"What is it doing here?" Twilight asked.
"Not sure, but we need to get it out of here." Said Shining Armor.
But before they can do anything, there was suddenly a loud roar.
Everyone looks around, even the young T. Rex seems nervous.
And then, the Nanotyrannus that was chasing Spike has appeared.
Then the Nanotyrannus noticed Flurry behind Cadance who was doing her best to keep her from being seen. But the Nanotyrannus quickly turns towards the infant Rex.
The lone juvenile doesn't stand a chance.
The young T. Rex seems panicked, it wants to turn and run. But instincts tell him, to stand his ground.
The infant snaps his jaws at the Nano, and then roars loudly.
He roars as loud as he can, this is basically a cry for help. He hopes, that Mom and Dad are near enough to hear him.
The Nanotyrannus knows that the young T. Rex, has just sounded an alarm. He's got to end this battle, and he's got to get out of there quick.
He leans in, and decides to go for a full frontal attack.
The Nanotyrannus lunges at the juvenile, and he quickly moves out of the way. And then, the Nano slams into him. The youngster shook his head, and then slams against the Nanotyrannus.
Nanotyrannus moves in again, waiting to make his lethal lunge. His using his experience as a veteran fighter, to his best advantage. The T. Rex, a rookie warrior tries to match his every move.
And then, as the juvenile rushed in. The Nano slams his head against him, and was knocked off his feet and fell. The Nano grabs the youngster behind the neck in his mouth, and then throws him across the ground like a ragdoll.
Now, his got one opponent left.
With the Rex down, the Nano quickly turns his attention over to the group.
Sunburst and Spike have managed to sneak under the castle during the fight.
And Cadance instantly knew that the predator knows about Flurry.
Starlight was the first to fire a beam at the dinosaur's feet. And the Nano was able to avoid the blast, and then each time Starlight fires a beam, she ends up taking a step forward. The Nanotyrannus noticed that, and the second after she fired another beam, and quickly then slams his head against her. Knocking her aside.
And then he turns back to Twilight, Cadance and Shining Armor. Wanting to get his daughter out of danger, Shining Armor is next to fight the Nanotyrannus. He fires a beam, and it hits at the Nano's face. But that only made him very angry, and then the Nanotyrannus clamps his jaw right onto him. Luckily the predator's teeth were not strong enough to pierce through his armor, but that didn't stop the Nano from throwing him aside.
Now it was only Twilight and Cadance left.
The Nanotyrannus moves in cautiously, using his height advantage to give his dominance. He leans in, flashing his serrated teeth.
He hangs back, making mock lunges. It's a luring technique.
He circles his rivals, looking for an opportunity.
Cadance and Twilight stand shoulder to shoulder, shielding Flurry behind them.
And then, Twilight fires a beam at the Nanotyrannus. He quickly leaps back, and then thought of something. He then made a series of mock lunges, and each time he did. Twilight took a step forward.
And then, at the right moment. After she fired a beam, the Nano quickly got to the step of her and then swung his head knocking her aside.
"Twilight!" Cadance cried.
The Nanotyrannus turns back on Cadance, and then roars at her. The roar was enough for Flurry to get scared, and then brought her magic bubble around her.
Cadance fired a beam at the Nano's feet. But he quickly sidesteps, and then twirls and hits her with tail knocking her aside.
With all of them out of the way, thinking it would be an easy kill. The Nanotyrannus approaches the helpless foal, and lowers down thinking it was a real bubble. But when he bites down, his teeth didn't pierce through. Flurry's magic is strong enough to keep the teeth from piercing through. Now the Nanotytannus is getting more aggressive. He then slams his head on the bubble, and the hit was enough to knock Flurry out and the bubble disappeared.
As he moves in for the kill, he suddenly felt a horrible pain in his left leg.
He roars in pain, and as he looks down. And there was the juvenile T. Rex that is still alive. He's recovered from his slung across the ground, and his attacking. He's bitten the Nanotyrannus on the leg, and if that wound becomes infected. It could end his life.
Now the Nanotyrannus is getting more fueled with Bloodlust.
This time, Nanotyrannus will make sure that the T. Rex dies.
Angrily, the Nanotyrannus has managed to pull his leg free. And turns to the infant, he tries to run, but the Nano caught him by the neck in his jaws.
Flexing all the power in his jaws, he clamps down with nearly half a ton of pressure. And crushes, his spinal cord.
And then he violently throws the infant to the ground. And then he stomps the baby at the head.
Now he knows, that juvenile is dead.
As soon as he knows he's dead, the Nanotyrannus roars in triumph. And Twilight begins to wake up.
But there's no time to eat.
Twilight quickly placed herself in front of the Nanotyrannus, and he turns to her.
"If you want Flurry, you'll have to go through me." Twilight said as her horn glowed ready to fire.
One infant down, Nanotyrannus moves in...
For the final kill.
The Nano charges, and Twilight fired a beam and he quickly avoids it. And then slams his head against her, knocking her aside.
Thinking that there is no more opponents, the Nano approaches Flurry.
As he leans down to take a bite, he suddenly feels the ground begin to vibrate.
The Nanotyrannus steps back as another thud was heard. And then Twilight and the others got up and felt the ground vibrating. And they were becoming more like footsteps.
"What is that?" Cadance asked.
Twilight instantly knew that there was one creature that can make the ground shake like this.
This telltale says, there's something big. And it's nearby.
The footsteps grew louder and sounded more closer.
That something big, is the adult female T. Rex that Spike saw. And is the mother of the infant.
When she sees what has happened in her absences.
All Hell will break loose.
Next Time.
The fate of Flurry Heart will be decided as the biggest dinosaur battle in history begins.
Tyrannosaurus Rex vs Nanotyrannus.
Size against Speed.
Species Shown:
Nanotyrannus