But after 280 million years of Evolution. The war their distant ancestors have waged so long, is much more than a battle between Predator and Prey.

The whole planet is entering a different kind of crisis, one that will destroy the monster reptiles. And wipe out 95% of life on Earth.

250 Million Years Ago

Late Permian Period

Place: Siberia

Global Temp: 60% Hotter Than Today

Hazards: Extreme Heat, Volcanic Activity

Twilight and her friends have now arrive in the Permian desert that one day Siberia will one day be.

Oh, man. Rainbow complained. Not another desert.

It doesn't seem that bad. Spike said.

Let's go guys. Twilight said. We should probably try to find some water.

Soon they begin to walk through the desert.

All the continents on Earth have now drifted together to create one giant landmass called Pangaea. And at it's center, lies the largest desert the world has ever seen. Possibly even bigger than the Sahara.

It's a brutal world, where animals have to be especially tough. Perfect for reptiles.

After almost an hour of walking, by a sand dune they saw a large reptile.

Hey, what's that? Starlight asked pointed out to the reptile.

I don't know. Fluttershy said.

Let's have a look. Pinkie Pie said.

They move closer to the reptile, and when he saw them they froze but luckily this reptile has never seen creatures like them before in ignores them.

This is a 1 ton Siberian Scutosaurus. A distant ancestor of turtles, including Rainbow's pet tortoise Tank. Although he has no shell, his back is cover in hard bony plates. And just as well.

These sand dunes hide a fearsome predator, and the girls and Spike are about to meet it.

Scutosaurus normally travel in herds, but this old male got left behind. And his keen nose sense's danger.

Then suddenly the Scutosaurus flees.

Where's he going? Rarity said confused.

Maybe we should follow him. Applejack said.

Then they begin to follow the large reptile, for a while he ran but then he stops from being tired.

Once he tires, he's vulnerable.

Some distant away another reptile of a different species was on a sand dune. And has seen the the group of 9.

Twilight and her friends and the Scutosaurus are unaware they have been spotted.

Then the reptile begins to approach them, and is charging. Pinkie saw it but she thought the heat of the desert was making her see a mirage.

Hey Twilight. Pinkie called. What's that thing you get of seeing things in the desert.

A mirage. She answered.

Oh, cause I think I'm having one. Pointing out the reptile.

Yeah, I can see it too. Spike said.

Me too! The others.

But as the so called mirage got closer, Twilight realized something's wrong.

Uh, guys. She said backing up nervously. I don't think it's a mirage.

Then the Scutosaurus looks and saw the so called mirage as it bites him on his right shoulder.

This was no mirage. His attacker, is a carnivorous Gorgonpsid, Gorgonops.

Then the Scutosaurus and the Mane 7 ran as fast as their legs can take them. And the Gorgonops chases after them keeping pace of her prey.

She's fast, powerful, and equipped with deadly weapons no hunter has had before.

The group continues to run but were quickly cornered by a dune of sand. Twilight and her friends quickly ran away, but their reptile friend lags behind.

Exhausted, trapped and weaken by his wound. The old Scutosaurus has no fight left.

Soon the Gorgonpsid approaches her victim like a stalking Lion after a wounded Buffalo. Twilight watch from a safe distance, and feared what will happen.

All he can do, is wait for the killer blow.

Then the Scutosaurus collapses on to his side, and the Gorgonops pounces on him and clamps her teeth and jaws on his neck. The pony gang can only look away, as she kills the reptile. Then the predator sniffs him for any signs of life then the Scutosaur raise's his head for the last time.

The Gorgonpsid's huge jaws hold a pair of fangs 6 inches long. She has evolved the world's first saber teeth. A lethal weapon some mammal predators will later use. Like Dogs, Wolves, Cats, Hyenas, Lions, Tigers and Bears in the future. Not wanting to become snacks, Twilight and the others begin to leave the revolutionary predator.

In this harsh landscape.

The reptile's biggest battle is now with the elements. A massive surge in volcanic activity, is beginning to super heat the atmosphere. creating the highest temperatures life on Earth has ever known. Each year the desert's spread, even here in Siberia far north of the equator. Animals are force to live around any lasting source of water, no matter how small.

After walking for a while Twilight and the others found a watering hole. And are feeling thirsty. But 3 Gorgonops are at the water drinking, so they have to wait their turn till their have their fill. But then the Gorgonops they saw earlier has followed them and came to the water hole.

The huge female Gorgonpsid, has come looking for a drink to wash down Scutosaurus. And even smaller Gorgonpsids will do well to keep out of her way.

As she approaches the 3 Gorgonpsids begin to back away, and she begins to drink.

Almost 20 feet long from nose to tail, she's the top predator on Earth. There'll be nothing to rival her, until the Dinosaurs evolve in 20 million years time. But unlike the Dinosaurs, these early reptiles are more closely link to their and our ancestors. Mammals, then to Lizards and Crocodiles. They don't have fur, but they already evolved scent glands in their skin. This way, everyone can tell when the giant Gorgonpsid is around.

Then the female rubs her face against a branch to get rid of a itch.

Despite the presents of these heavyweights. Smaller creatures also eek out a living around the water hole.

As Twilight and the others keep clear of the predators. Fluttershy saw a hole in the ground, then seconds later a little reptile with short tusks came out.

Hey Guys! She called. Look!

They turned and saw the little creature.

Diictodon. A hardee little burrower, just over a foot in a half.

Then the Diictodon crawls back into his home.

They live as pairs in spiral burrows, which remain cool even in the desert heat. Like the large predators outside, Diictodon are distant reptile relatives of mammals. And although it will be 20 million years before the first true mammals appear, there are already family resemblances.

In particular his hearing is link to tiny bones in his lower jaw. One day, these will evolve into our and their middle ear bones. Something no reptile has.

Back outside Twilight and the other were surrounded by other Diictodons.

Several pairs of Diictodon live around the water hole. But his is not a colony. They compete over furiously for the sparse vegetation that is their food. This leads competition.

One Diictodon heads to a bush but sees a another one and begin to fight one another.

These clashes are one reason why both males and females have a pair of short tusks.

Then one of them begins to chase the other off.

There is however one big advantage to living in a crowd. If a neighbor spots danger, everyone soon knows about it.

One Diictodon spots a Gorgonops approaching and dives under his hole. Soon the others followed his lead.

A Gorgonpsid has come to investigate.

The Gorgonops watches curiously as the last 2 quickly dive down a hole. And the predators head hovers above.

A single snap of those enormous jaws will crush Diictodon. If they can get a grip.

The group watches as the Gorgonopsid tries to catch one, but misses.

But it's not always size that counts.

The Gorgonops misses again and the one it miss the first time. Eventually she gave up and leaves. And lies down for a nap.

The Gorgonopsid knows that if she hangs around the water hole for long enough. Eventually larger prey will come to her.

A short time later, Twilight and her friends have manage to gather up some water to drink.

There is another, unseen resident of this water hole. A monster much less suited than the reptiles to the changing climate. A fugitive from when this desert world was lush and green.

At the water hole a Gorgonops was drinking some water unaware whats under the water.

It's lies and ambush underwater, like a Crocodile.

As the reptile continues to drink. Then suddenly something launches from the water, and clamps it's jaws on it's lower jaw. Much of the Gorgonopsid's surprise, and got attention of several others and even Twilight and the others.

A giant amphibian Ladyrinthodont, Rhinesuchus. But pound for pounded, this female's pick the wrong target.

She lets go of the Gorgonopsid and returns to the water.

The amphibian's ambush attempt was probably driven by sheer desperation. For generations this water hole has supported a wide range of animals, including several other Ladyrinthodonts.

But this one is the last. And as the water she depends on disappears, she's trap.

What was that all about? Rainbow asked about the sudden ambush.

I think that amphibian was just hungry. Fluttershy said.

What kind of desert are we in? Starlight asked.

I don't know. Twilight said.

Sometime later.

The wet season arrives. But there's no rain. With life under such pressure, species are dying out at a rate that won't be match, until humans and ponies evolve in 250 million years time.

The water hole, is now no more than a large puddle.

Diictodon are more adaptable than most. They can dig deeper to escape the heat. carving out tunnels in the rock hard mud.

But the giant amphibian is in big trouble. And as she grows weaker, her enemy watches and waits.

The Rhinesuchus lies still as a Gorgonops watches the Ladyrinthodont.

It's a deadly game, of Cat and Mouse.

After a minutes of stillness the amphibian quickly flees into the water. And the Gorgonopsid walks away.

Some distance away Twilight and the others are trying to avoid the heat as best they could.

Sure is hot today. Rarity said.

Your tellin me. Applejack said.

I don't know bout you guys. Spike said while sunbathing. But I feel great.

That's because your a reptile Spike. Twilight said while resting in the shade of their tent.

But life here is about to change for everyone.

Deep down in a Diictodon burrow a pair can feel the ground shake.

Outside the cause of the shaking was a migrating herd of Scutosaurus. And they have sniff out the water hole.

It's possible they smell the water several miles away. And this could well be the first drink they had in 6 months. And some Scutosaurus drink, the others begin to feed on the bushes.

The desert plants are a poor source of nutrient. But these large reptiles are design to squeeze out every once. Although they cannot chew, their huge stomachs hold stones they pick up from the desert. These help grind the vegetation, so their digestive juices can get to work.

As a Scutosaurus feeds a Diictodon grabs a piece and leaves.

The tough little Diictodon are use to dodging danger.

As Twilight and the others watch the Scutosaurus herd, their sabertooth friend hangs back.

But the Gorgonopsid now keeps her distance. Even she dare not attack such a large armored herd. It's a stand off.

It turns out the Scutosaurus are a bigger threat to life around the water hole, than the predators, within a few days they drunk it dry. And moved on once again in their internal search for food.

Twilight and her friends watch as the Scutosaurus herd leaves.

They resemble the plot of all creatures on the continent of Pangaea. The global drought has now vanishing millions of years of evolution. Life everywhere, is on the brink.

For animals that do not migrate, the situation's reaching a crisis point.

One day Twilight and her friends saw their Gorgonops friend at a Diictodon hole.

Hunger drives the Gorgonopsid back to the Diictodon. And this time, she tries to dig them out.

But the Diictodon's hard work pays off. Their tunnel in the sun bake earth is deep enough to keep them safe.

The Gorgonops looks over to Twilight and her friends, but leaves them. Just yesterday she tries to make one of them into lunch but Twilight and Starlight blasted beams at her and was enough to discourage her.

Instead the Gorgonopsid's nose leads her back to the dried up water hole. She sense's things are not as lifeless as they seem.

The gorgonops begins to dig and them she pulls out a object in the sand.

Is was the giant amphibian. Just before the water hole dried up, she must have burrowed into the damp mud, forming a cocoon around herself. In a last ditch attempt to sit out the drought.

But in her trance, she's helpless. As the Gorgonopsid feasts.

The Gorgonops begins to feed after removing the cocoon off.

Days later, eventually storm clouds gather. But instead of rain water, they bring sand.

Twilight and the others quickly went in their tent as the sandstorm nears. And a Diictodon dives in his burrow following their lead.

The next morning Twilight and the other have dig themselves out of the sand.

That was close. Spike said.

Yeah, no kidding. Twilight said.

The vast Pangaean deserts continue to spread. wiping out entire ecosystems. Even the might Gorgonopsid, as at last pasted. With no prey, even she could not survive. Mummified in the sand, this monster will soon be nothing but dust.

Over the next several hundred thousand years, The Earth will suffocate under a blanket of heat. Sparking a mass extinction, even greater than the one that will destroy the Dinosaurs. In 185 million years time.

The future belongs to a tiny group of survivors, small and adaptable enough, to sit it out.

A Diictodon opens up his hole that was covered by sand.

Fluttershy saw that.

Oh, thank goodness. She said. The little reptiles are okay.

The Diictodon carry digging through out the drought.

Deep inside a burrow a pair has found some roots.

This pair has unearth plant tubers, which hold enough water and nutrient. To keep them going for several months.

Those little guys sure are tough out here. Rainbow Dash said.

They sure are. Spike said. Even though their almost as long as me.

Then suddenly the time warp opens and sucks them in. Taking them to their next destination.

And were quickly drop off, but what they didn't know is that instead of moving millions of years. The time warp dropped them of just over a hundred years.

And the landscape was horrible. It was a volcanic landscape, and clouds of ash were blocking the sun.

What happen here?! Spike asked.

I don't know. Twilight said. I think this some kind of volcanic eruption.

Then they heard some footsteps, then walking in view from the smoke was a familiar creature, a Gorgonopsid.

Inostrancevia.

Then the Inostrancevia sees another one feeding on a carcass. The Gorgonopsid was hungry but the 2nd one is not interested in sharing. The 2 reptiles started to roar at each other, trying to see who will back down.

Then suddenly a lava bomb crashes down on the carcass. Forcing them to run for their lives. As they ran the Inostrancevia that was feeding got killed by a lava bomb. Wanting to get to safety. they quickly got to high ground, as they got to a hilltop the ground behind them cracks open with lava.

Then Twilight and her friends saw something they couldn't imagine in their worse nightmares. The whole landscape was barren volcanic landscape, and a volcano was erupting. The Gorgonopsid bellows out at the landscape he once called home. Then lava rips open and burns the reptile alive, Twilight and the others escape the same fate when the time warp opens and sucks them in. Taking to their next destination.

The Great Dying. The Permian Extinction.

The most catastrophic extinction event, in the history of the planet. Wiping out 95% of all life on Earth, the closest time Earth was once again lifeless. Our ancestors were only lucky to escape with their lives, as well as theirs.

The volcanic landscape was so big, it can seen even to the moon.

Those who now die, bring the birth of a new Era. With a new cast of creatures, and it's only 20 million years away.

As millions of years go by, the climate shifts again. And the reptiles are among the first to recover and repopulate the empty Earth. From creatures like little Diictodon, larger, stronger herbivores evolved. These tough forerunners of mammals, seem poised to seize control for good.

But they are in fact, set to play out their final scene.

Next Time, they'll travel just another 2 million years to meet one of the most successful reptiles of all time.

Who make a perilous journey. Back... to the dangers... of the water.