Scootaloo was at a picnic with Rumble; the two had been enjoying time together. Neither one was old enough to consider being parents yet, but to say they enjoyed each other's company was an understatement. A real spark had ignited between the two.

"...And then, that dumbass Ace tried to hurl me forgetting that I just beat him in that race." Scootaloo said.

"Ha! He really is a dumbass. I'm surprised he's only getting one year of jail time for that wedding crash, but considering all he did was take part in the capturing of everypony there, I guess I can understand that." Rumble said.

"I think Ace was manipulated by Insightful Wraith as the psycho did betray Ace after all." Scootaloo said.

"That reminds me, is it true that Sweetie Belle managed to break his horn clean off?" Rumble asked.

"You bet it is. She was allowed to keep it as a souvenir. If you come by the clubhouse at some point, she put it up on the wall to show it off." Scootaloo said.

"Are people upset that you punted Insightful Wraith away from Ponyville at all?" Rumble Asked.

"Not really. Everyone agrees that it was a mercy to do that to him, as no doubt he would've been sent to Tartarus for his actions between wanting to kill Rarity and wilingly wanting to revive King Sombra." Scootaloo said. "Everyone believes me punting him was the last act of mercy he's going to get, as the next time he tries another stunt, he might as well get turned to stone." She added.

"So no one is upset over it?" Rumble Asked.

"Nope. Seems everyone is chill about the whole thing. Especially since it serves as final warning to him." Scootaloo said. Rumble smiled but then went wide eyed.

"Scootaloo, look out!" Rumble Said. As Scootaloo turned around, suddenly out of nowhere an armored pegasus stallion hodling a sword knocked the knife an earth pony stallion assassin was holding away and into the ground behind the assassin.

"...Run." The armored pegasus stallion said simply. The assassin quickly ran off and the armored pegasus quickly sheathed the blade he was hodling.

"Uh...thanks." Scootaloo said.

"There's no need to thank me, Scootaloo." The armored Pegasus said.

"Wait, how do you know her name? Who are you?" Rumble Asked.

"Call me Shade." The armored pegasus said before suddenly leaving at blinding speeds.

"Damn he's fast." Scootaloo said.

"We should tell Princess Twilight." Rumble said.

"...But then out of nowhere, this armored pegasus stallion calling himself shade knocked the knife away and told the assassin to run which they did without a second thought." Rumble finished explaining to Twilight.

"But who would want Scootaloo dead?" Twilight asked.

"I think I know...let's talk to Ace." Scootaloo said.

In Twilight's dungeon, Ace was willingly waiting out his prison term. Soon Twilight, Flash, Scootaloo, and Rumble paid him a visit.

"What do you want? I just want to get my prison term over with, and then get to training so I can beat Scootaloo there in a race." Ace questioned.

"Answer me honestly: Did you put a hit out on Scootaloo?" Twilight asked.

"Please...what kind of person do you take me for? I may be a sore loser, but after Insightful Wraith stabbed me in the back, I'm going to get revenge my way and not rely on anyone else." Ace said.

"I think your lying." Scootaloo accused.

"He's not lying." A voice said. Suddenly next to the foursome outside the cell was Shade.

"! That's him. That's the pegasus stallion who only goes by the name of Shade." Rumble said.

"What do you mean he's not lying?" Scootaloo asked.

"Come now, even you have to admit that he no longer trusts anyone but himself to get revenge on you, Scootaloo. So I'm not sure why your so surprised." Shade said.

"Well...I suppose you can be thanked for saving Scootaloo's life at least." Flash Sentry said.

"That's why I'm here: To make sure Scootaloo's life is safe until the day she's old enough to have kids of her own, Prince Flash Sentry." Shade said.

"Um...I haven't been read in yet on that. More importantly, how do you know my name?" Flash Sentry asked.

"That is a question I will answer when the time is right. The reality is I am from the future. I have been sent back in time for a single purpose: To protect Scootaloo's life at all costs." Shade said. "See, something has gone wrong. There's a bunch of assassins after Scootaloo's life that weren't there originally for some reason. As such, with permission from my mother and father, the future versions of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer used their magic to send be back in time to protect Scootaloo's life." He explained. "I'd tell you who they are, but then I could potentially mess up the timestream further. Just know that it's important that I be here to protect Scootaloo's life so that no one else has to." Shade finished.

"The hell? Why are so many assassins after Scootaloo?" Ace asked. "! Insightful Wraith..." He noted.

"That wouldn't surprise me. Dude is a super psycho path." Rumble said.

"So you know all of the future versions of us. But you can't say anything more then your from the future and you know everyone's name because of it." Twilight said.

"Yes. That basically covers it. And Ace did get it right on the money there: Insightful Wraith somehow has put out contract hits on Scootaloo's life when that didn't happen before. So I'm basically supposed to protect Scootaloo's life until Insightful Wraith is properly Detained." Shade said.

"Fair enough. But it was Sweetie Belle who severed his horn off." Scootaloo said.

"Maybe, but he holds the most resentment on you for punting him like you did." Shade said.

"Oof..." Scootaloo said.

"So basically your arround to make sure Insightful Wraith can be removed as a problem while protecting Scootaloo's life." Twilight said. "Well I guess I should trust my future self's judgement. I know I wouldn't trust just anyone to do that." She added.

"I was the only one with the skills and speed to do so, being trained in speed and strength by my parents and one of my aunts." Shade said.

"And you can't tell us who that aunt is because it could give away your parents." Twilight said. "Any chance of a hint at least?" She asked.

"No." Shade said.

"It was worth a shot..." Twilight said.

Author's Note

Meet Shade, a re-occuring character from here on out. He comes from the future.