Avengers: War for Equestria

Starswirl the Bearded ran with all his might through a dense forest in Northern Equestria.

Chasing him were a platoon of pony-like creatures that were determined to get him at all costs. Under his cloak, he held an object of significant importance that he was determined to protect. Firing powerful blasts of magic from his horn, the legendary wizard kept the creatures at bay until he came to a part of the forest that led down towards a waterfall. The creatures cornered him and hissed menacingly at him.

"I know what you donkeys have come looking for," he hissed, glaring at the creatures. "But, if you want it…"

With no hesitation, he fired a blast of his magic at one of them right in the chest. Charging, Starswirl leapt at the donkeys and using whatever magical and physical strength he had, tried to keep the donkeys from getting what they wanted.

"Tell him that he will not have what he wants!" cried Starswirl as they quickly overpowered him with blows and punches. The legendary Equestrian figure was soon forced down to the ground as the lead donkey came forward, chuckling quietly and evilly to himself as he looked down at the wizard. "I swear on my life."

"Empty threats from a mortal pony," laughed the leader, whose smile quickly faded away as he grabbed Starswirl by the throat with his mouth. "Do you know who you are dealing with, wizard? You are dealing with a legion that serves under his lordship, the Emperor of Tambelon!"

In an act of defiance, Starswirl spat in the donkey's face, which was answered with a blow to the side of his face by the latter's front left hoof.

"Get up! Get up and show respect to the eventual ruler of this land!" barked the lead donkey as Starswirl struggled to his feet. "But first, hand Sombra's horn over to me…now."

"Then you'll have to kill me first," groaned Starswirl, opening his chest to the lead donkey. "Go ahead, I dare you to kill me!"

"Is he serious, Lieutenant Bray?" asked one of the donkeys who was holding him.

"Whatever it takes to get the horn," remarked Lieutenant Bray, reaching into his holster and pulling out a dagger with his mouth. Suddenly, Starswirl jumped up and struck Bray in the face with a blast of magic.

Snarling, the donkeys restarted their attack on Starswirl, beating him on every inch of his body. But, the sorcerer refused to give up and with each time he was stricken, he got back to his feet more determined than ever to protect what was on him, even if it meant sending several donkeys over the waterfall to their deaths.

At that moment, Bray picked up the dagger and attempted to stab Starswirl in the back of his neck. But, Starswirl saw it coming and kicked Bray back. Unfortunately, the horn fell out of his robe and went onto the edge of the cliff.

"NO!" cried Bray, only for Starswirl to keep him from reaching the horn. "Get off of me, wizard!"

Throwing him off, Bray attempted to get the horn while Starswirl tried to stop him from reaching it. The wizard and the donkey tried whatever they could to get to the horn, but the edge of the cliff made it next to impossible. Finally, Bray got himself an idea.

"You want the horn?" he asked, causing Starswirl to think that he was going to get Sombra's horn. "Then, take it!"

But instead of giving it to him, Bray threw Starswirl over the edge of the cliff sending him screaming down the waterfall below. Seizing the horn with his teeth, Bray turned over to what remained of his platoon.

"We've got the horn!" he cried to them. "Let's get back to his lordship at once!"

…

Meanwhile, Starswirl's unconscious body washed up at the bottom of the waterfall, his hat missing and bruises all over his body. But, he wasn't alone for at that moment, a broken horned unicorn and a gray hedgehog came up to him.

"It can't be," gasped the unicorn, bending down to get a closer look at the legendary wizard. "Starswirl the Bearded!"

"He looks dead," remarked the hedgehog to the unicorn, however, she could hear breathing coming out of his mouth. "Then again, maybe not."

"We've got to get him back to camp," cried the unicorn, trying to lift Starswirl onto her back. "Grubber, can you find anything to help heal his wounds?"

"I'll see what I can do, Tempest!"

As she watched Grubber race off back to camp, Tempest looked back at the injured Starswirl and realized that he needed more help than it seemed. Returning to their campsite, Tempest laid Starswirl down on his back as Grubber handed her some herbs to place on any scrapes or bruises.

"He's waking up," cried Grubber as Starswirl let out several coughs of excess water onto Grubber, much to his chagrin. "And spitting out water to boot."

"Where…where…?" Starswirl started to say but was silenced by Tempest.

"You're safe with us," said Tempest, her forelegs around Starswirl's neck. "My friend and I heard your screams from our campsite. I'm…"

"Tempest Shadow," coughed Starswirl, trying to fully open his eyes. "The Storm King's former lieutenant trying to atone for her actions."

"Yeah, that's her," remarked Grubber, trying to shake off the water from his body. "But, we aren't like that anymore. We've been travelling for the past month trying to make up for what we did under his leadership."

"The horn!" Starswirl gasped, his eyes suddenly widening in shock. "The horn! It's gone!"

"Well, I lost my horn in an accident," Tempest started to say, looking up at her broken horn. "It was when I was a filly, but…"

"Sombra's horn! They must have it! Oh!"

"Who?" asked Grubber.

"King Sombra," said Tempest to Grubber. "He used to rule the Crystal Empire 1,000 years ago, but what about his horn?"

"His horn is what's left of his physical manifestation, young mare," explained Starswirl, quickly rising to his feet, despite his injuries. "As long as that horn is in their hands, he can be brought back to life. You must help me warn Princess Twilight at once."

Tempest sighed, knowing that this meant she would have to once again return to Canterlot. The memories of her being hunted down by the former minister of defense, Instant Justice, were still fresh in her mind.

"Well, we are quite a few days from Canterlot," said Tempest, turning around to look out into the distance. "However, we can try and find a place where we can at least send for help. Grubber, let's break camp and see if there is anypony who can help us."

"But, what about the big dinner I'm planning for tonight…?"

"Don't argue, Grubber. Do as you're told."

…

Meanwhile, as they broke camp, the events at the waterfall were being monitored at a secure building about 20 miles outside of Canterlot. A cat/pony creature sat at a desk reviewing some papers that were in front of him.

"It was only a matter of time before this was going to happen," he said looking down at the papers, before pressing a button that buzzed. "Romanoff, come here at once."

A few moments later, the door opened and a young human woman dressed in a red pantsuit with strawberry blonde hair stepped into the office.

"What is it, Fury?" she asked.

"It appears that the disturbances we have been tracking for weeks has grown," replied Fury, handing Romanoff the paper he was looking at. Something tells me that this isn't related to all that has been going on since that Monkey Dude's defeat."

"You mean the Storm King, Fury?" remarked Romanoff, looking at the Storm King's picture on the paper.

"Yeah, him," muttered Fury. "But, either way, this is something we need to focus all of our attention on right now. In fact, isn't Tony Stark coming to Canterlot in a few days to look at land for that Stark Enterprises building he wants to build?"

"Him and Julia Carpenter, sir."

"Ah yes, his girlfriend and the COO of his company," remarked Fury. "If I were you, Natasha, I'd start briefing him about the disturbance we have been tracking. Something tells me that another kingdom of Equestria is about to break its 1,000-year disappearance track."

As Fury spoke, a distant sound of eerie laughter was heard and caught the attention of both Natasha and Fury. The latter ran out to the window, but saw nothing.

"In fact contact the Avengers, both factions," suggested Fury, much to Romanoff's disdain. "I know that Stark and Rogers don't get along, but if that four legged menace makes his move…"

Doing as she was told, Natasha left the office leaving Fury to consider whether or not contacting Celestia and informing her of what was happening.

…

However, the evil laughs weren't reserved for the secure building. In the still-recovering city of Canterlot, Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne when she heard the laughs and a cold feeling trickled down her spine.

"He's back," she gasped, her eyes widening. "After 1,000 years, Grogar has returned…"