For a pony who had been away for so long, and left out of the loop of current events, Blackjack felt incredibly out of place in a world that wasn't riddled with destruction and death at every turn. Taking a casual stroll through Ponyville felt so unnatural to her, nopony was holding guns or wearing threatening spiked armor and looking like crazed raiders. There wasn't so much as a thread of possible danger looming anywhere for her to see, it was nearly taboo for something to not be trying to go after her. It would've been a pleasant and peaceful environment, if it weren't for a few glaring issues that were apparent from the moment she set foot into town.

The ponies in town were all staring at Blackjack with curious, horrified and some disgusted expressions. The glares from those that detested her appearance was enough to keep her eyes on the ground and bear them as best she could. They made her feel like an outcast and that she had no right to be in Ponyville, save for the one that was by her side. Indoraptor accompanied Blackjack through Ponyville because he was certain that most ponies wouldn't accept her the way she was, and his hunch was right. He could see the looks in their eyes as their gazes wandered between her and him, since many of them had heard about what happened to him and were still intimidated by his appearance.

"Ponies don't seem to trust you much, huh," Blackjack said as they walked through town.

"They've always been afraid of me. Everywhere I go it's like this," Indoraptor said quietly.

"At least no pony around here's trying to kill you. Everywhere I went back in my world, ponies and creatures alike were trying to kill you for kicks, hunger or out of insanity."

"Sounds like you had it pretty rough."

"I did, and I'd rather not go through it again."

"You won't have to, Blackjack. My dad told you that there's nothing like that here, so you don't have to deal with those problems."

"So, where's this place you wanted to take me?"

"We're here."

The pair stopped in front of Sugarcube Corner, one of the safe and accepting places in Ponyville away from the glaring eyes. Indoraptor thought it would be a good idea to introduce Blackjack to the others, give her some friendly faces to go to just in case he or his family couldn't be around to help her.

"What's so special about this place?"

"This place is home to one of the friendliest ponies in town, and a very close friend of mine. I think you'll like the attention they give onto others."

"I hope so," Blackjack said as she walked towards the entrance.

"It'll be alright, Blackjack. This is just the first step to starting your new life." Indoraptor looked down at his hand and watched a single scale fall off, and then saw his body heal the missing spot a few moments later. "Though it looks like mine is starting to show signs of approaching its end already," Indoraptor thought to himself as he followed the unicorn inside.

"Afternoon Indo..rap...tor."

Pinkie Pie was instantly perplexed at Blackjack's appearance the second she spotted the unicorn.

"Who's your new friend, Indoraptor? And what are these things stuck to her body?"

"They're replacements for my legs and enhancements that were put on me against my will," said Blackjack.

"Oh that's awful." Pinkie instantly held Blackjack's face in her front hooves. "What kind of place did you grow up in for something like THIS to be possible?"

Blackjack opened her mouth to speak, but Pinkie put a hoof to it.

"No don't tell me. I don't want to know what something that horrible is like."

"Probably for the better in your case," Blackjack said through her muffled mouth.

"I found her last night in the Everfree Forest, Pinkie, and I've been showing her around town to try and cheer her up. Sadly, nopony around here is comfortable being around her as they are me."

"Wait, are you saying that she's new to Ponyville, Indoraptor?"

"Yep. That's what I'm saying." Pinkie's face lit up.

"Wait right here, I'll be right back."

Pinkie disappeared into another room, leaving a bewildered Blackjack with Indoraptor.

"Is she always like that?"

"Trust me, you haven't seen anything yet."

A moment later, Pinkie returned with a strange device on wheels behind her. She looked ready to break into a song at any moment.

"What's that thing behind her," Blackjack asked.

"Just watch, you're gonna like this," Indoraptor said as Pinkie pressed the button on the device and music started playing.

After the performance, Blackjack was left with a wide-eyed, baffled stare on her face, and covered all over with pieces of confetti. Indoraptor was doing his best to hide chuckles and a smirk growing on his face from seeing the utterly confused expression on the unicorn.

"Do you do that for every pony you meet," Blackjack said as she shook the confetti out of her mane and off her body,

"Uh huh. It's how I greet every new face I meet in Ponyville. It brings a smile to their face after the song is over, most of the time. Soooo, what'd you think....oh silly me. I didn't get your name. I'm Pinkie Pie, what's your name." She held out a hoof for Blackjack to shake.

"I'm Blackjack, and that was the most unique performance I've ever been treated to," Blackjack said as she shook Pinkie's hoof with one of her metal hooves. She was surprised that Pinkie wasn't horrified or freaking out about her metal parts, when most of the ponies in town had been too scared or intimidated by her appearance.

"You're not scared or disgusted by these things I have?"

"Why would I be afraid of you, Blackjack? I've never been afraid of anypony, especially somepony in your condition. Anypony that's needed to have their legs replaced with these things should be welcome anywhere."

"Thanks, it's so strange for me to be getting this kind of treatment, instead of getting compared to a machine or getting shot at."

"Well that's what friends are for," Pinkie said as she wrapped a leg around Blackjack.

Indoraptor could swear he saw a smile forming on her face. If there was one thing he really wanted to see before the ailment took him, it was to see Blackjack truly happy. He could only guess on what her life must've been like, but the hybrid had to wonder when was the last time she had some real happiness that wasn't fleeting. But the smile dropped from her face almost at once.

"It's probably best that I don't have friends, Pinkie. The last time I had friends.....I lost them all one after the other."

"What?"

Indoraptor wasn't sure if his heart could drop anymore after hearing that. She had friends at one point, and all of them died over time? He was starting to see why Blackjack would have a reason to be so down in the dumps.

"Well, if you have Indoraptor with you, you won't have to worry about losing him."

Pinkie turned at the sound of Marble's voice to see her sister walking down the stairs. She didn't say anything upon seeing Blackjack, because she could see how upset the unicorn was and had heard how talking them was a rather sore subject.

"I've seen a lot of things already, and I've watched plenty of creatures die. How can you be certain that he won't join them?" Blackjack asked as she shook Marble's hoof.

"Because he's been through his fair share of problems too. Some of which I'm sure you could understand," Marble said as she glanced over at him.

"It's true, Blackjack." The hybrid walked over and stood beside her.

"What kind of problems did you deal with?" Indoraptor turned his head away from her at the memory of what those mares did to him. Blackjack couldn't tell by the uneasiness in his eyes, and Marble and Pinkie tried to divert the matter to something less personal.

"That's something you'll have to ask him when he's comfortable talking about it," said Marble.

"It was a bad day for him, and all of us," Pinkie added.

"Was it really that bad?" A simple nod was all she got from Indoraptor.

Marble gently stroked Indoraptor's face with a forehoof and his expression relaxed.

"Indoraptor's a very nice dinosaur once you get to know him, and he has one of the kindest hearts in Equestria," Marble said as Indoraptor nuzzled against her face.

"Trust me, Blackjack. You keep him close, and he'll find some way to cheer you up."

"Thanks Pinkie, and I'm glad you and Marble accepted me as a friend," said Indoraptor.

"It's what I do, Indoraptor. Now how about I give you two some snacks before you go?"

"I'd like that very much. How about you, Blackjack?"

Blackjack didn't want to offend the earth pony's generosity, so she agreed too. While they were waiting for the snacks, Indoraptor pulled Marble aside for advice on how he could make Blackjack happy. Her best suggestion was to keep showing her around town and introducing her to the others. He told her about how the ponies in town had been looking at her like they did at him. Marble told him to just keep ignoring their stares, and not to go and attack them. The last thing the family needed was more trouble from Neighsay, something Blackjack didn't need to see.

They bid Pinkie and Marble farewell and went on their way. Marble didn't seem upset or jealous about seeing Indoraptor alongside Blackjack. The mare looked so out of place and lost in Equestria and the hybrid dinosaur seemed like her only comfort and support. Marble could at least tell he was trying his best to cheer her up, but if Blackjack was truly so misplaced, then it would take the dinosaur a great deal of effort to heal such a broken and hurt soul.

"Mmm, this is tasty. What did she call this food?" Indoraptor saw the sparkle returning in Blackjack's unique eyes as she chewed on an apple fritter.

"They're called apple fritters. My family grew fond of them after my big sister Scootaloo gave them a taste." Indoraptor chucked four into his mouth, chomped on them and swallowed them in a few bites.

"Well I gotta tell ya it's some of the best food I've had in a long time. You're pretty lucky to be friends with ponies like them."

"They're some of the best and most accepting ponies around. My dad was really lucky to get the chance to meet them during his and my brother's first few months in Equestria. They can be your friends too, Blackjack. Why are you afraid to make new friends?"

"All I can tell you is.....I made friends at one point in my life. They stuck with me, and I brought death upon all of them. I brought them all with me through hell and countless battles, and along the way they were killed because of me. That's why it's better that I don't have anypony get close to me."

"Close or not, you're still our guest, Blackjack. I found you in that forest for a reason, and now you've got a chance to have a better life than the one that seems to be holding you back."

"I appreciate the effort, Indoraptor, but i still think it's not healthy to be around me."

The next stop on Indoraptor's list to take Blackjack to was Applejack's farm. He figured that if there was anypony that could get some honest truth through to Blackjack and maybe get her to see that she has another chance to do better, it would be Applejack. Along the way, he learned the second glaring issue that Blackjack was dealing with, and it was more brutal than he could've imagined.

On the trail to Applejack's farm away from Ponyville, one stallion stumbled upon them and he wasn't intimidated by either of their appearances. He took an attraction to Blackjack, despite her metal attachments and glowing yellow eyes.

"Well, what's a fine looking girl like you doing around some horrific creature like him?"

"He's showing me around town and treating me to good food too. Why would you ever be interested in me when most ponies around here have been giving me the stink eye?"

"Oh come on, I'm not like them. I just didn't get a good look at you before. Don't know why you're wearing this creative half of a costume, but you can do without it."

"If only I could."

Indoraptor was about to approach the stallion and tell him off for getting close to Blackjack, but something happened that caught him completely by surprise. The stallion slapped Blackjack's flank with his tail in an attempt to tease her, but the simple move caused Blackjack to go rigid and shaking in place. Indoraptor saw that her eyes had shrunken severely, like she was staring into the eyes of the most demented monster in existence.

"Uh, Blackjack? Are yo-" Indoraptor got his answer before he even completed his question.

Blackjack turned on a dime so quickly and slammed a metal hoof squarely into the stallion's face. He was hit so hard that his eyes looked like they were ready to explode out of their sockets. He hit the ground so hard that his brain hadn't fully comprehended what had just happened. His vision was blurry and trying to go back into place as Blackjack loomed over his body, then something very strange happened. Blackjack extended her hoof and five metal extensions poked out from it like fingers. She grabbed the stallion by the throat and brought him up to her face, which had pure rage and hatred scratched into it.

"Don't you ever touch me again, or I will geld you, shove your pitiful dick down your throat and leave you to bleed in the dirt! Do you understand me?"

The stallion weakly nodded and Blackjack answered with one more punch across his face. He scrambled away from her and tried to run for his life, only to trip over his own hooves from being dazed again from the strong impact and landing in the dirt again. Once the stallion was out of sight, Indoraptor checked to see if Blackjack was alright. He couldn't tell since she had put her hooves to her eyes, but she seemed on the verge of tears from just being touched.

"Blackjack? Are you gonna be alright?"

"No, no Indoraptor I'm not. That stallion brought back memories I didn't think I'd have to experience again."

"From a simple touch?"

"Yes. Stallions did horrible things to me in the past."

Indoraptor pressed his nose against Blackjack's cheek and nuzzled her at once. If she had gone through the kind of experience he was thinking about, then Indoraptor had finally found a kindred soul he could truly relate to. She lowered her hooves from her eyes and saw Indoraptor's gentle gaze staring back at her. With stallions touching her it set her on edge and made her want to kill them before they could use her. But with Indoraptor, it was different because she actually felt comforted and safe being next to him.

"Are you gonna be alright with doing the rest of the tour?"

"If it's alright with you, I'd like to head back to the castle, please?"

"Of course, Blackjack. I'll take you back."

Indoraptor turned around and took Blackjack back towards home, hoping that she would be able to relax after what he'd seen. On the way he decided to stop by the school to check up on Viper and see if her bullies were still giving her and her friends grief. With all the drama brought on by Neighsay and Indoraptor's disappearance over the last week, it was plenty to keep Viper preoccupied while being apart from her friends during her grounding. But she and her friends still had one more week of detention to get through.

Blackjack noticed the massive statues of the dinosaurs standing by the school as they walked by.

"Your family got recognized enough to have this made?"

"Yep. This was made after Scootaloo's old bully had a change of heart and decided to have these made in honor of their victory over Black Death."

"Who was that?"

Viper, Precious and Screwball were at their usual spot under the tree in the schoolyard, enjoying all the time they could have together when they heard Blackjack and Indoraptor talking.

"A monstrous dragon that tried to kill them, but they destroyed him right down to dust," Viper said as she walked over to the pair. "It's nice to see you back and visiting on a more peaceful time, brother," Viper said as she hugged Indoraptor's face.

"I'm glad to not be running in and going after those bullies for once, sister."

"Whoa, you weren't kidding, Viper. She looks even more amazing in person," said Screwball.

"I've never seen legs like these before. You look pretty strong with these on, girl," said Precious as she looked over Blackjack's metal legs.

"Really? You girls aren't scared of me or freaked out by all this metal on my body?"

"We're all hybrids, girl. We're used to seeing strange things," said Precious.

"Have you even seen my dad? He's the original hybrid and ponies from all over were terrified of him at one point," said Screwball as she hovered around Blackjack. "Anypony that's similar to us is always welcome in our group."

"Well, not all of us are hybrids," said Cozy Glow. "Some are just more accepting than others. Though I find it odd that nopony has commented about your peculiar legs yet."

"They haven't had to say anything, I can see it written all over their faces. It's the same way they look at me whenever i go through town," said Indoraptor.

Viper only had to look at the down heartened expression on Blackjack's face to see what Indoraptor meant. She walked over to the cyber-unicorn and embraced her in a hug. Blackjack just looked at the dino pony, a little stumped by the sudden gesture.

"What's this for?"

"You looked like you needed one. Aunt Fluttershy taught me that hugs are the best way of showing your concern for others. She even said that if somepony looks sad or upset, try giving them a hug to brighten up their day."

Blackjack tried as hard as she could to gently wrap her metal hooves around Viper without squeezing too hard. The others just watched silently, not wanting to interrupt the moment.

"Thanks Viper, and you were right, I did need this," Blackjack whispered in her ear.

"You're welcome Blackjack, it's what friends and family do. They look out for each other and give love when others need it."

Blackjack wiped away a stray tear before the waterworks could start spilling, and as she looked into Viper's eyes when she pulled away, she thought she saw the image of a filly that had traveled with her before.

"You know something, Viper?"

"What?"

"If your coat was a duller shade of green, and your mane was light and dark blue instead of rainbow, then you could almost be the spitting image of Scotch Tape."

"Who's she?"

"She was a very courageous filly that joined me on my adventures. She was very smart for her age, able to solve problems and figure out traps that I would've walked right into, on multiple occasions. And she was the daughter of a stallion I rescued....who became a very close friend of mine."

"Pardon me, girls. I hate to break up the tender moment but....Emerald and Platinum are heading this way."

"Oh for Discord's sake! How long are they going to keep doing this," Screwball said in disgust.

"How many more punishments are they willing to take in this pathetic attempt at bullying us around," Precious added.

Over the last week Filthy Rich had sent Platinum to spend his time after school working for anypony that required additional labor, and he meant ANYPONY. The stubborn filly had been through over five different jobs that required labor, and he detested all of them. By the next day he would be too tired to even attempt to try and provoke the hybrids, but this time was different. He had been assigned to haul some boxes of Applejack's that were for her market stand, and the sheer magnitude of the labor had left the colt feeling very bitter. Now he was looking for some way to vent his frustration, and once again had chose to go after Viper.

"Don't you get tired of trying this same thing over and over again," said Cozy Glow sarcastically. Platinum looked ragged and filthy from the labor of the entire week.

"What? No big comeback for us, or did you simply run out of material to use?"

"You shut your mouth, Viper. I'm only like this because you ratted me out to my dad. I've been stuck working every day after school this week. My father says that this is so I can improve my attitude, but he doesn't seem to understand that this is ALL YOUR FAULT!"

"Says the instigator to the victims," said Precious.

"Just you wait freaks," said Emerald. "One of these days we'll get you to go too far, and then you'll be sent away from here for good."

"Yeah right, Emerald. The day you two get your wish and rule this school the way Diamond Tiara did, will be the day my father gives up his powers and chooses to live a 'normal' life. Ugh." Screwball shuddered in disgust at the thought of there not being any chaos in her house.

"Go wallow in your selfish, pitiful misery somewhere else Platinum. We were having a nice, calm time over here until you showed up," said Viper.

"Yeah, and it's the only time you three get to have while your detention is still going on. It must be so sad to be stuck after school because you were too savage against us."

"Is this really how you spend your time, picking on others just because you hate them? Where I grew up, you'd be dealing with jobs more dangerous than you could handle."

The pair directed their attention towards Blackjack once she spoke up. They saw how close she was to Indoraptor and thought they could use it for new material, but they couldn't be more wrong.

"What do we have here? The hybrid abomination has found himself a pony that's just as deformed as he is. You freaks would make a really bad couple."

"Look here runt. I'm in no mood to be dealing with you again, and frankly I don't have to. I was taking Blackjack back to the castle because she's had a rough time, so spare us your weak taunts and just leave."

"Why would we leave when we haven't had a chance to break in your girl's new legs," said Emerald. "They look like the remains of some old costume."

"In fact, how's about we give em a kick to really break them in?"

This was a painful mistake, because Platinum reared up on his front legs and bucked Blackjack's front left leg with his right hind leg. A rattling shiver began from the leg and started spreading across Platinum's body as he fell from the impact and started holding his leg in agony.

"What kind of legs are these?" Emerald was about to try the same thing when Blackjack, annoyed by their antics, picked up both ponies in her magic and held them in front of her face.

"Now look little ponies, I'm not a smart pony, but even I know better than to kick something made out of a metal strong enough to hold up a building. You do something that stupid again and you're both going to be limping back to the teacher with broken legs and badly beaten egos. Do yourselves a favor and go somewhere else, because just watching you try to bully these girls is so exhausting and cringe worthy."

"And don't make us tell your parents again. You don't want even more labor for your poor weak and fragile pride, do you Platinum?" Cozy Glow said in a mocking kind voice.

"Do you understand?" The stare from Blackjack's yellow and red eyes was about as threatening and scary to the fillies as Indoraptor's and Viper's jaws.

"Uh huh," both fillies said in unison, too terrified of the glowing stare coming from Blackjack's eyes.

"Good." Blackjack released her magic on the ponies and let them drop to the ground.

Before she and Indoraptor left for the castle, she gave one last tidbit of advice to Platinum and Emerald.

"Be glad that you weren't born where I came from. If you couldn't handle the stable work, then you would've either been made into grass chips, thrown out into the Wasteland or worse, get eaten alive by ghoulish mutated ponies. Learn to improve yourselves and stop this helpless attempt at trying to rule your school, it only makes you look like spoiled brats."

Blackjack and Indoraptor continued on their way to the castle, leaving a mind-blown group of friends and two shaken bullies to take in what she'd said.

"What was all of that?" Cozy asked perplexed and stumped.

"I think it would be best for you two to heed Blackjack's advice, cause she's not afraid to speak her mind or take action," said Viper to Platinum and Emerald.

"And you can't even blame anypony for this, except yourselves," said Precious.

Platinum couldn't make a comeback and Emerald was still frozen in shock that an adult had handled them like toys. The hybrids noticed that Blackjack had indeed shocked them out of their attempt to bully them, because for the first time since they met them, neither of the fillies had said one word to annoy them.

"I don't believe it girls, Blackjack actually rendered the two school bullies silent," said Screwball. "They look like they've seen the worst ghosts from their families."

"Maybe now you'll learn to heed the word of somepony who doesn't like putting up with your attitudes," Viper said as the bell rang sounding the end of lunch.

The trio walked back into the building with Platinum and Emerald following behind silently. Cheerilee noticed the slight limp in Platinum's step, but when she asked him, he didn't answer her and continued onto his desk. She looked at the trio of hybrid friends, but there wasn't any sign that Viper or Precious had attacked them. If Screwball had been responsible, she would've done something far more chaotic than a limp leg. She decided that she would have to have a talk with Viper during her detention about what had happened.

Indoraptor opened the castle doors for her and Blackjack silently walked inside. Rexy and the raptors were out hunting and Indominus was training with Rainbow and the Wonderbolts. The King of Equestria still needed to keep his flying skills sharp if he was going to keep flying with them, and Tyrannosaurus needed something to take his mind off the whole Rumble fiasco. Blackjack started making her way over to her room.

"Blackjack, I'm sorry those fillies said those things to you." She turned around and stared back at him.

"It's alright, Indoraptor. I've been called worse things in my life by ponies that wanted my head. Right now I just need some time to be alone."

"One last thing, Blackjack. You do know we care about you, right?"

"Yeah, I do." Blackjack continued towards her room, and Indoraptor wandered off on his own.

With nothing better to do he roamed about the castle, trying to process the reaction he'd seen from her. He couldn't understand how Blackjack could get so tense from a stallion just touching her flank with his tail. He knew that he didn't get that tense whenever any mares got close to him, though no mares aside from his mom's friends, Marble and Echo ever got within ten feet of him.

"If she really was raped like me, then her experience must've been far worse than what Scorpion and her coven of mares did to me," he said to himself. "What I wouldn't give to make the ones who hurt her that badly pay." He dwelled on those thoughts for a time, trying to make sense of them.

After a couple of hours, Indoraptor went by her room and listened to see if he could hear how Blackjack was doing. When he pressed his head to the door to listen, he could hear sobbing from the other side. He wondered if she had been holding those tears back ever since that stallion touched her, and it tugged at his heart. To know that she had been holding back tears like that, and that despite his attempt at trying to cheer her up, he hadn't been able to make Blackjack happy. Her crying was already getting too painful for him to listen to, and Indoraptor walked away from the door with the sound of Blackjack's sadness lingering in his mind.

Part of him wanted to go out and find someone in his family to talk to, but he didn't want to leave Blackjack by herself when she was so upset. So he was forced to wait until his parents came back so he could talk to them about what he'd seen. Viper and Scootaloo were the first ones back and they were curious about how Blackjack's tour of Ponyville had gone.

"So big brother, how was our guest's tour of Ponyville?"

"We had to cut it short, Scootaloo. I took her to see Pinkie Pie first, thought she could cheer Blackjack up. For a while I thought she was going to have some happiness. She enjoyed the food on our way to Applejack's, but then things started getting weird."

"Is that why she looked so down when you brought her by the school?"

"Yes Viper, it started when some stallion walked past us and started trying to hit on her. He tried some sweet talk, though she didn't buy one word of it. Then he slapped her flank with his tail, and that's when the crazy happened."

"What did he do?"

"It wasn't him, Scootaloo. Blackjack slugged him in the head for the slap and brought him down. She looked so angry it was like she could tear him in half with one more word."

"Just like how you were when Platinum first started bullying me and my friends?"

"Pretty close, but she had more restraint and control than I did. I would've liked to know who taught her that kind of self-control."

"But why would she react like that?"

"It's only a hunch Scootaloo, but I think she went through something very similar to the 'incident' I was put through."

"What? You really think she was...'assaulted' the same way you were?"

"I won't be sure unless I hear the truth from her, but she's too upset to say anything. All I wanted was to try and cheer her up, and instead, I brought up some inner demons of hers that are more personal and damaging for her heart."

"It's not your fault brother," Scootaloo said as she and Viper hugged their hybrid brother. "You were only just doing what you thought was right, just like dad and...Rexy."

Viper noticed that Scootaloo was a little uneasy when she mentioned Rexy's name, remembering that she had a little dilemma of her own to deal with.

"Do you have anything else in mind for trying to cheer her up," Viper said in an attempt to keep Scootaloo from thinking too much about her conflicting emotions between Rumble and Rexy.

"I was hoping to talk to mom and dad about this, and see if we could hold a sort of get together with all their friends for Blackjack. To make up for the tour being ruined by some stupid stallion."

"That sounds like a good idea, brother," said Scootaloo. "Rainbow would definitely be up for bringing everyone here, especially if it's for a pony that you've been spending a lot of time with. But you'll need to make sure she and Indominus can make this happen."

"I hope they can, I'd like to make a difference in her life before I'm done."

"We'll know for sure when they get back," said Viper.

Later that evening at dinner time, it wasn't hard for the dinosaurs to notice that Blackjack was being very quiet. She ate her food and gems in silence and hardly said anything. Indominus could at least tell by the concerned expressions in his childrens' eyes that something had gone wrong with the tour Indoraptor had planned.

"Everything alright, Blackjack?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes, thank you."

"Is it something you feel comfortable telling us?" Indominus asked.

"No. It's something that's too personal for me to talk about. I...I hope you don't mind Indominus, but i'll just be turning in early tonight."

Blackjack grabbed the bowl of gems with her magic and was getting up to leave when Indominus walked over to her.

"Blackjack, you know if there's anything troubling you, you can always talk to us, right?"

"We'd like to help you through what might be troubling you, if you'll let us," said Rainbow.

"Yeah, I know. But this is something I have to deal with on my own. I don't want to burden you and your family with a silly problem that isn't even yours. I'll see you all later."

The family watched Blackjack leave the dining room, and once she was out of earshot, Indoraptor finally got his chance to give his parents some real answers. He told them everything that had happened during the day, from Blackjack's triggered brush with a stallion, to how upset she was when he brought her back to the castle.

"She hit him that hard? Wow, I wonder what it would've been like if she had the WorldBreaker with her at the time."

"Now's not the time for admiration, mom. I only wanted to see her smile, and it backfired in my face."

"Now that's an over-exaggeration, son," said Indominus. "It was just one day, there'll be other chances for you to cheer her up."

"Actually dad, Indoraptor did have one idea in mind and he thought you and mom could help make it possible," said Scootaloo.

"Really? What's this idea of yours, Indoraptor," Rainbow asked her son.

"Ok, hear me out mom and dad. I was hoping you two could invite your friends over so we could hold a "welcome to Ponyville" kind of get together? You know, as a way to make up for this and to introduce Blackjack to the other Elements of Harmony?"

Indominus and Rainbow pondered and thought over their son's idea, and they both came to the same conclusion.

"Rainbow, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Uh huh."

"A morning breakfast!" Both pony and dinosaur said in unison.

"I'll get the word out to everypony tonight before they go to sleep, and in the morning we'll hold a "welcome to Ponyville" breakfast for Blackjack." Rainbow said with enthusiasm.

"It'll be perfect. No ponies will judge her here in our domain, and since Pinkie has already met her she can let Applejack, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy know just who they'll be meeting in the morning."

"Oh thank you mom and dad. Thank you so much!"

Indoraptor leaped into his parents' arms and they embraced each other in a group hug. They had never seen their son so eager about something as simple as a breakfast for somepony he had only just met. But regardless, it warmed their hearts to see Indoraptor so anxious and full of energy, instead of worrying about his ailment like he had been last week.

Once the meals were devoured and done, the family got to work on prepping for the morning breakfast. Indominus asked Viper and Indoraptor to help him with preparing the food, while Rainbow and Scootaloo went to each of their friends' houses to inform them. They grabbed Pinkie first and she helped explain to the others what they would expect to see when they met Blackjack in the morning. She and Rainbow made it very clear to not freak out or judge Blackjack by her appearance, 'cause she took it very personally. The others agreed to help put the breakfast together, and Applejack was particularly curious to see the mare that had gained Indoraptor's complete attention.

Indoraptor got to see first hand how impressive Indominus's cooking skills were. The few recipes he had learned under Twilight, Pinkie and Applejack's tutelage were easy enough to pass onto his kids, and Indoraptor took a particular interest in creating cinnamon rolls. The pleasing aroma and the rich, sweet taste they had was sure to delight Blackjack's appetite. Viper was drawn to them too, and she enjoyed getting to help Indoraptor bake something so tasty. Watching his son and daughter working so hard on preparing the breakfast foods, reminded Indominus a lot of himself back when he was still dating Rainbow Dash and trying to impress her. It was a nostalgic feeling he never imagined he'd get to experience, but it was one of the greatest parts of being a proud and loving father.

---

Blackjack woke up the next morning, with her pillow feeling a little damp. She had cried so much last night that it had soaked through the pillow, and she ended up passing out. A gauge in the corner of her vision told her that her legs had been burning up power while she had been asleep. She would have to ask Rainbow or Indominus for some more gems before she tried going into Ponyville again. But that little touch had brought up some very painful inner demons that she had never been able to come to grips with.

Her memory had been rather fuzzy of what had happened to her after that tragedy, but that incident would always burn clearly in her mind. It had left her broken, dying and a hollow shell of the mare she had once been. Blackjack wondered to herself as she looked over the metal parts on herself, would she ever be able to trust another stallion again, without the burning instinct to tear their heads off?

She got up from her bed and opened the door of her room to find Rainbow waiting outside for her.

"Feeling better, Blackjack?"

"I suppose. Sorry I was seeming so distant from you last night, Rainbow Dash. There's some things in my life i haven't quite dealt with yet."

Rainbow wrapped a forehoof around Blackjack's neck and pulled her in.

"We've all got our personal demons, Blackjack. Indominus had a serious share of his own demons, and they tormented him until he confronted them and destroyed them for good."

"I'm not strong like him. I don't think I can do what he's done."

"Everypony's stronger than they think, Blackjack. Some just don't know it yet. But we can talk about this later, right now there's breakfast waiting in the dining room for you."

"Will there be gems?"

"Yes there will be gems, you silly." Rainbow said as she ruffled Blackjack's mane.

The two mares made their way towards the dining room, with Blackjack unaware of the surprise that was waiting for her. Rainbow opened the doors slowly, and as Blackjack stepped through, she was greeted with everypony stepping out to meet her.

"Surprise!! Welcome to Ponyville, Blackjack!"

The mare was frozen in place, eyes shrunk at all the ponies that had come to greet her. Pinkie, Marble, Twilight, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, AppleBloom, Applejack, Fluttershy, Precious, and Screwball were all present, and the dinosaurs were bringing out plates and setting the table while Blackjack got properly acquainted. Even Spike and Discord were present with their girls, and the lord of chaos was extremely taken with the unicorn's appearance.

"Wow. She's even more interesting in person. You've found yourself a very rare pony in this rather dull world, Indoraptor."

"I just did what anyone in my family would've done in that situation. I couldn't just leave her to be eaten."

Blackjack shook the stun out of her eyes, and regained her focus on all the ponies that were in the dining room.

"All of you came here, to meet me?"

"Why of course darling. Rainbow Dash told us about how Indoraptor found you in the Everfree Forest, and what you went through yesterday," said Rarity.

"It must've been hard being cornered by those animals and alone in the forest. We know what that can be like," said Sweetie Belle.

"We've all been curious and eager ta meet ya, and show ya that there are nicer ponies than the ones ya met in town," Applejack said as she shook hooves with Blackjack.

"But, doesn't seeing all this metal on me disgust you girls in some way, or make you think I'm some kind of freak?"

"Certainly not, Blackjack," said Fluttershy as she held Blackjack's face in her hooves. "We didn't judge the dinosaurs when we met them the first time, and we're not about to judge you."

"Me and Sweetie Belle were a little afraid when we first met Indominus and Tyrannosaurus. But Scootaloo showed us that they could be trusted and we've been close with them ever since," said AppleBloom. "Ah honestly think ya look pretty darn cool with all that metal."

Blackjack rubbed her front leg shyly at the unexpected compliments.

"If there's any group of ponies that won't judge you by your looks, it's this group," said Twilight. "If you have any doubts, take a look at Discord. He was the first hybrid we ever met before the dinosaurs came along."

"Indeed I am. The Lord of Chaos who turned over a new leaf from controlling Equestria to having a married life with the pony he cares most about, and being friends with Indominus Rex."

"We're really glad to meet you, Blackjack, and this is our way of welcoming you into Ponyville, the right way," said Spike.

Blackjack spent some time learning the names of the Mane Six and their kids while the food was being placed. After about twenty minutes of getting to know everypony, Indominus called out to get their attention. Blackjack's attention went right to the table and she found it filled to the brim with foods of all kinds. Ranging from apple treats, pastries, pancakes and all the delights that Indominus, Viper and Indoraptor had prepared last night. Blackjack could feel her mouth drooling from looking at the numerous plates of food.

"Judging by the look on your face, I'd say you're ready to start digging in, right?" Indominus asked.

"Oh yes!"

"Then follow me Blackjack. We got a special spot for you. Twilight, could you help pass out the food to everypony?"

"Certainly."

Indominus guided Blackjack over to a spot on the table that was next to Rainbow Dash and Indoraptor. She had a hunch it was her spot when she saw the bowl of gems laying next to her plate, which was full of apples, pancakes and the cinnamon rolls Indoraptor had made. The raptors were handing plates out to everypony while Twilight used her magic to distribute the food amongst everyone so they all got a fair share.

"We were told how you need gems to keep your legs going, so me and Rarity went out and found a bunch for you to dine on," said Spike. "It's nice to meet a pony who shares the same taste in gems as I do."

"Aw, you didn't have to do that for me. I would've asked Indominus if I could have some more of his gems."

"I wouldn't hear of it darling. You're their guest and you deserve the finest and best hospitality. It was no trouble for us finding them, Spike has a keen nose for finding and digging out gems."

Once everypony was settled and they had their plates full of delicious food, Indominus gave the ok for breakfast to begin. The dinosaurs devoured their plates of food easily, and kept refilling them with more after each meal. Blackjack felt she was in heaven with every bite she took, she had never eaten such tasty wholesome food in her entire life. In the past she had to scavenge for food in the Wasteland, or had to consume the recycled grass chips made in her stable. But now it was like she was dining in paradise, and she didn't want the sweet culinary delights to end.

Indominus took notice of the wide smile on her face as she ate her pancakes, and could see that his son was taking glances at it too. This was what Indoraptor had been hoping to see: a true genuine smile on her face. It already made up for how yesterday went down.

"So Blackjack, how do ya like Ponyville's tasty foods," asked Applejack.

The unicorn swallowed a mouthful of apple pie before she answered.

"It's all so delicious, Applejack. I don't think I can get enough of all this food."

"Didn't you have food like this where you grew up," asked Twilight.

"No. Where I grew up.....it wasn't the best of homes and didn't have the necessities for having food this great."

Blackjack didn't want to go too far into the personal details of her life. But luckily for her, the Mane Six had been forewarned not to ask her about things that she didn't want to talk about.

"What did you do as a profession?" Rarity asked.

"I was part of the security team," Blackjack said as she licked a blue sapphire.

"So you were like the royal guards that Celestia and Luna have at their palace?" Twilight asked.

"In a way, yes, but nothing like what they have."

"How was your job different, Blackjack? We've been to Canterlot and seen the rather simple jobs the guards have," said Tyrannosaurus. "Surely yours can't be that far off."

"Oh believe me it was. Curfews had to be enforced and the strict rules had to be followed at all times, though I wasn't exactly the best at doing my job. The other security ponies often made me the butt of their jokes by hoofcuffing my legs together and most ponies were intimidated by me simply because of my title."

"Couldn't you have just undone those cuffs on your own?" Discord asked. "Surely any unicorn can undo something as simple as that."

"My magic...was never the best. I only knew basic levitation, and my teacher didn't give me any proper lessons. So I was stuck being the one unicorn who sucked horribly at performing magic."

"Oh Blackjack, I'm sorry to hear that. If we'd met when I was younger, I would've taken you to Celestia's school for gifted unicorns so you could learn all the magic spells I picked up as a filly," said Twilight.

"That's nice Twilight, but I'd just be slowing you down. I'm not smart like most ponies, and I'd most likely flunk the class anyway."

The King of Equestria noticed that the smile had faded from Blackjack's face and the same gloomy atmosphere was starting to return. Even talking about her old life had brought up unpleasant memories for Blackjack.

"Was her life so horrible that everything about it is a painful reminder?" Indominus thought to himself.

He had to find someway of turning Blackjack's mood around again, and noticed that with all the talking, she hadn't touched the rolls Indoraptor had made.

"Now everyone, who here would be up for trying my son and daughter's first ever cinnamon rolls?"

"Did you say cinnamon rolls?" Pinkie asked with her tongue out and drooling in anticipation.

Hearing that Indoraptor had actually baked something snapped Blackjack out of her mood.

"Indoraptor baked something for this breakfast?"

"Yes Blackjack. They've been on your plate the whole time, you've just never noticed," said Rainbow.

Indoraptor grabbed the plate of rolls and started handing them out to everypony. Discord levitated one to himself from the plate and Spike warmed his up with a little flame. After they all got enough for themselves, Indoraptor saved the last ones for him and Viper so they could share in their own creation. Everypony took a bite and the hybrids were rewarded with delightful moans of happiness from the taste of the rolls.

"Woowee! These are mighty tasty. You and Viper made these together, Indoraptor?" Applejack asked before taking another mouthful.

"That's right, we wanted to try our claws at making something for this meal," said Indoraptor.

"Dad showed us a cook book with the recipe and we took it from there," Viper added.

"Well I think they're very delicious," Marble said from across the table.

"Two thumbs way up from me too," Discord added with both thumbs on his paw and claw going towards the ceiling like rockets.

Blackjack took one bite and her face lit up instantly. The sweet combination of cinnamon, sugar and the layer of icing on top was so perfect that she vigorously chewed her first bite, swallowed and then shoved the whole thing into her mouth.

"You really liked it that much?"

"Duh! That was the sweetest thing I've ever tried. I can still taste the icing and cinnamon on my lips, it was like a god among foods."

"Oh I wouldn't go so far as to call it a god among food, Blackjack. It's just a cinnamon roll."

"Well for somepony like me who's never gotten to try these, it's a wonderful experience for me, Indoraptor. Do you have anymore of them?"

Indoraptor had only made enough rolls for everyone to have only one each. He figured that with everypony bringing food for this breakfast, it wouldn't make sense to have extra when they'd be too full afterwards. But he had a compromise, and split his roll in half and gave one half to Blackjack.

"Aw, thanks Indoraptor."

"You're welcome, Blackjack," Indoraptor said as he and Blackjack popped the halves into their mouths and reveled in the sweet flavor.

Later, after all the food had been devoured and Blackjack was spending more time getting acquainted with the others, the dinosaurs were in the kitchen cleaning up after themselves. It was so Indoraptor could have a chance to talk with his father about how well things were going.

"This was a great idea, son. It definitely lifted her spirits," Indominus said as he scratched some remaining food off a plate.

"Yeah, and I can't believe she likes our cooking. I didn't think it would be that good."

"When we went on our first camping trip, everyone loved the cinnamon apples Indominus made," said Blue.

"You and Viper have some baking skills in you, just like your father," said Rexy.

"But there's still one thing I'm curious about."

"And what's that Viper?" Indominus asked.

"How do you think she'll react when she finds out that my brother was the one who did all this for her?"

"Hmm, that is a good question Viper. Do you think she'll throw her hooves around him?" Indominus asked teasingly.

"Or whisper sweet nothings to him when they're alone?

"Come on you guys. I doubt Blackjack would do anything like that. Why would any mare want to do something like that for me?"

"Now son, you can't let that incident be the example of how you think all mares are going to be. Some may surprise you when you least expect it."

"How can you be sure dad?"

"Let's just see for ourselves what she thinks of it and then you'll know."

The dinosaurs finished cleaning up all the dishes and got back out to see how things were shaping up. Blackjack was still talking with the Mane Six and she didn't look down or upset in the least. Indoraptor was glad that things had turned out so well, and even better now that Blackjack had made new friends whether she knew it or not.

"It's been really nice getting to meet you Blackjack, but we gotta get our girls to school," said Applejack.

"That's right. In all the fun and delicious food, I nearly forgot that they still have school today," Rarity added.

"I understand. I enjoyed getting to meet all of you and thanks for putting this amazing breakfast together for me."

"Oh don't thank us, girl. Thank the hybrid that wanted to do this for you," Discord said as he pointed towards Indoraptor.

Blackjack looked between the dinosaurs and they nodded in agreement with Discord.

"It's true Blackjack. Indoraptor really wanted to put this together for you," said Indominus.

"He wanted to do it to make up for how you were treated yesterday and to give you a proper welcome to Ponyville," said Rainbow Dash.

Blackjack made her way towards Indoraptor, and the hybrid dinosaur walked towards her, nervous about what her answer was going to be.

"You really put all this together....just for me?" Indoraptor took a deep breath and gave his honest answer to her.

"Yes I did. I know it's gonna sound a little foolish, but ever since i brought you here I was hoping to see you smile, Blackjack. You've been so down and depressed recently and after what happened yesterday, I wanted to make it up to you. I was just wishing I could see you happy, and a true smile on your face. That's why I asked mom and dad to help me put this together, it was all to make you happy and lift your spirits."

Nopony from behind could see the expression on Blackjack's face, but Indominus could see her eyes were wide and beginning to water. One of the biggest smiles they had ever seen was spreading across her face and before Indoraptor could have time to take it in, Blackjack pounced on him and hugged him around the neck. The hybrid dinosaur was so caught off-guard by the embrace, because it was the first time he had ever been fully hugged by somepony other than his mom and sisters. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close to him as her warm tears started to roll down his scales.

"You've got too good a heart for this world. I haven't had anypony care about me this much since i met Glory."

"Was she somepony close to you?"

"Yes, she was." Indoraptor could hear her starting to cry against his shoulder.

"It's alright Blackjack. You don't have to talk about her if you don't want to. Is it alright if we stay like this for a while?"

"Uh huh. I don't mind, your scales are very warm and comforting right now."

"Thanks."

"Awwww. That is so sweet," Pinkie said and went over to hug Blackjack and Indoraptor.

Soon everypony was joining in and it became one giant group hug. Indoraptor never imagined he'd ever get to hold a mare so close to him, or that Blackjack would be so happy with how much he wanted to see her happy. It was one of the happiest days Blackjack had ever spent, and one she would remember for a lifetime.

---

While everyone was sharing a rare lovely moment for the young hybrid dinosaur, Sombra was letting his new hybrids test themselves out in the Everfree Forest. He had transported Spinoraptor and Carnoraptor into the forest before the sun had even risen so they could practice hunting with their new bodies. If they were going to stand a chance against Indoraptor or any member of the family, they had to be fully adjusted to their new bodies and know how to fight in their new states. As for the lone Spinosaurus, Sombra had sent him on a special mission in collecting the remains of a few certain individuals.

While the dinosaurs were all out, the unicorn king had been using his magic to expand the inside of the cave. Now it resembled a giant cavern that had plenty of space for the dinosaurs to walk about, a stream of running water and a high rise platform for King Sombra to stand atop when addressing his recruits.

"It's not the Crystal Empire, but for now it's a decent base until I reclaim my throne," Sombra thought to himself as he looked over the cavern.

He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard the sounds of his magic teleporting the raptors back into his domain. They had fresh blood on their claws and trails oozing from their teeth.

"I take it your hunts in your new bodies was successful?"

"Oh very much so, Sombra. Those manticores had no chance and fell apart before our claws," said Spinoraptor.

"They were even easier to kill than before," said Carnoraptor.

"Excellent. Now that I know that my binding spell worked, it's time for us to bring in a recruit who almost succeeded in killing Indominus Rex."

"Who would that be?"

"You two will find out soon. Spinosaurus is currently retrieving his remains, and a few ghosts from the filly Scootaloo's past."

As if on cue, a portal of dark magic appeared behind them and Spinosaurus walked through it, carrying two statues in his hands and an enormous skeleton draped over his back.

"Ah. You found them all, well done dinosaur," Sombra said as Spinosaurus set down the statues and gently rolled the skeleton off his back.

"What are these, Sombra, and whose skeleton is that?" Spinoraptor asked.

"That skeleton is Soarin's, the Wonderbolt who used that hybrid's power against him and nearly succeeded in killing him. I watched his battle very carefully, and even I think that there should still be enough of that monster's power inside his bones to make him as he was. His raw power and massive brute force, combined with my magic will make him a real force of nature."

Sombra cast his magic upon the remains of the Wonderbolt, and the dinosaurs watched as the skeleton started to come together. The bones were shaping back into place and forming the complete skeleton of the monstrous body Soarin had taken during his confrontations with Indominus. Fresh muscle, blood vessels and organs starting forming next and before long, the scales starting appearing too with the scutes on his back. The scales reformed around his head and once they had finished assembling around him, Soarin was restored in hybrid flesh and blood.

The former Wonderbolt gasped for air and saw his reflection on the cave walls. He could hardly believe that he was back from the dead, or that he had the same power he thought Indominus had taken away from him.

"How's it feel to be back from the dead," Sombra said.

Soarin turned around and his eyes shrunk at the sight of the dinosaurs and the pony that had addressed him.

"King Sombra? But I thought you were supposed to be dead."

"That's a thing of the past, Soarin. I'm past death and ready to move onto better things."

"Like what?"

"I'll tell you, right after I bring these two unfortunate souls out of their misery." Sombra turned his attention to the statues that Spinosaurus had brought with him.

Both statues were engraved with the massive bite marks of Tyrannosaurus and Indominus Rex. The ponies trapped inside had been subjected to the full wrath of the dinosaurs and turned to stone by the Elements of Harmony. They were supposed to remain trapped with the pain eating away at their brains from the bite marks, but King Sombra was about to give them another chance. Sheer Cold and Spoiled Rotten were about to be blessed with a second chance that none of them deserved.

Sombra cast his magic upon the statues and the stone melted away from their bodies and the pegasi dropped to the ground screaming in agony with the bite marks still embedded in their skulls. Immediately, Sombra ignited his horn and his magic began healing all the gaping wounds the dinosaurs had left on them. Their screams slowed down and stopped as the unicorn king's magic closed up the bite marks and silenced the pain.

"W-what...w=we're back," said Sheer Cold.

"B-but how? We were stuck with that pain and now it's gone."

"You two can thank me for that."

The pegasi turned around and upon seeing Sombra's imposing presence, they bowed before him at once.

"King Sombra! We can't thank you enough for giving us this chance," said Spoiled Rotten.

"Glad you two know who the real king is. I brought you and Soarin back for a reason: so you can help us in our quest to conquer Equestria and be rid of those wretched dinosaurs."

"Count me in," said Soarin.

"I can't wait to have another crack at them," said Sheer Cold.

"Good. Help me take them down and you three will get what you all want the most. The one thing you've been burning to have ever since those monsters beat you."

"Revenge." The ponies and hybrid Wonderbolt said in unison.

Sheer Cold and Spoiled Rotten laughed sadistically while Soarin and Sombra's dinosaurs roared at the promise of getting their revenge. Sombra stood back and marveled at his growing army and the glorious victory that awaited him once the King of Equestria and his guardians were beaten and dying at his hooves.

"Your time will come, dinosaurs. The day when I take my throne and all of you will die!"

Next Chapter: Acceptance pt 1 Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 24 Minutes