Avengers: War for Equestria

Knowing that there was a reason for the Wakanda Embassy to close in Canterlot, Luna flew up to the top of the building where the figure known as the Black Panther was standing.

"Are you the one responsible for ordering the evacuation of the Wakanda embassy?" Luna asked, firmly, getting the figure's attention, who merely nodded yes in reply. "If you are, then you must know that my sister's order doesn't go into effect until tomorrow morning."

As she spoke, Luna couldn't help but feel somewhat intimidated by the Black Panther's presence. This was a figure that had claws and a helmet that showcase its fighting prowess.

"What makes you think I was going to wait until the rising of the sun?" the Black Panther asked. "Do you think I was going to wait until the enemy comes and attacks my people here? I will have you know, Princess Luna, I am doing what any sensible leader would have done."

"Are you saying that what we are doing is wrong?"

But, rather than give the answer Luna demanded. The Black Panther pulled in his claws and removed his helmet revealing that it was none other than T'Challa underneath.

"King T'Challa," gasped Luna, remembering him from earlier in the day. "You left the meeting early this morning."

"I did, Princess Luna, because I wanted to try and prepare myself and my people for what was to come," explained T'Challa, as he and Luna watched the evacuation of the Wakanda Embassy.

"The Black Panther has protected Wakanda and its way of life for generations, but I feel it won't be enough to protect its people from this growing threat. But, I want to apologize for being so rude."

"No," sighed Luna, understanding what T'Challa needed to do. "You weren't rude at all, your highness. In fact, you're right about one thing and that is to protect your subjects. To be honest, we are more than grateful to have the Avengers here to help us fight the Nine Circles."

Just then, they looked down and saw Tempest Shadow and Grubber also aiding in the evacuation.

"I thought they returned to Twilight Sparkle's castle," remarked Luna.

"They must have come on their own free will," said T'Challa. "For that, I am grateful to them, whatever their names are again."

"Fizzlepop Berrytwist and Grubber, two former servants of the deceased Storm King."

…

Down below, Tempest and Grubber continued to aide in the evacuation, helping to collect all of the furniture that was inside the building.

Just then, another pony came forward and saw what was happening. She was an older looking pinkish unicorn pony with a flowing grayish mane and a tall horn. However, upon approaching the scene, she gasped as she saw a flower vase about to fall over. Fortunately, she was able to recover the vase and prevent it from breaking into pieces.

"Oh, thank you," said an embassy employee as the pony placed it on the shelf that it was on. "That was the ambassador's favorite."

"Well, I didn't want such a beautiful plant to be destroyed," chuckled the unicorn, speaking in a older female's voice. "Where are you all going?"

"Back to Wakanda, by order of our king."

"Who is your king of Wakanda?"

From up above, Luna recognized the pony.

"It's one of the pillars," she gasped, flying down towards the pony with T'Challa not far behind. "Mistmane."

"Ah, Princess Luna," chuckled the pillar of beauty, bowing to Luna out of respect. "I just happened to be in the neighborhood and I heard about what is going on around here."

"You've come none too soon, Mistmane," sighed Luna. "Equestria is being threatened by a group of its enemies called the Nine Circles of Death and…my brother is the leader of them."

"The Prince?" gasped Mistmane with Luna nodding sadly in reply. "What has happened to him?"

"It is a long story, but you must be brought to safety."

"Why?"

"Canterlot is being evacuated tomorrow," explained Tempest, hauling several valuable Wakanda items in a cart. "Afterwards it won't be safe here."

"Starswirl told me about you, Tempest Shadow," remarked Mistmane, pointing at her. "You saved his life from those savage donkeys of Emperor Grogar's."

"We just happened to be in the right place at the right time," added Grubber, carrying several stacks of papers in his claws. "You would have done the same."

At that moment, Luna looked to the sky and felt a sense that she needed to be in a dream. Bidding goodbye, she activated her magic and went into the dream realm, trying to find the source of the nightmare.

"Joey! Joey, hang on!" called a young boy's voice and she saw the young boy trying to save another young boy from a fast moving river of water. But, he was unable to hold on and went beneath the water, drowning. The young boy then transformed before Luna's eyes into Jim. "No, no! Joey!"

Collapsing, Jim broke down crying as Luna floated down to his side, draping a wing over him.

"Joey," Jim whispered. "Joey…"

"What seems to be the matter, War Machine?"

"It's…it's just plain Jim, Princess Luna," Jim replied, removing his hands from his face. "It's…it's just this nightmare I've had since my brother died."

Activating her magic, Luna transported herself and Jim to her dream sanctuary which she had called her dream home since defeating the Tantabus.

"What about your brother?"

"Well, he died because we both let our curiosity get the best of us. How else were we supposed to know about the river being so fast-moving?"

"How long have you had these nightmares, Jim?"

"Since the day we buried him, Princess Luna," Jim replied, looking back at her. "Ever since then, I've developed a fear of the water because I fear I might end up just like my brother."

It was then that Luna began to wonder if something had recently happened in Equestria that made Jim have this nightmare.

"Did something happen today that made you have this nightmare again?" Luna wondered, draping her right wing over Jim.

"Well, today we were attacked by some crazy wind monster and two of our group were knocked off their chariots. So, Tony, Bruce and I went after them along with a few ponies who were injured fighting that wind dude. Just as we were about to rescue them, we were attacked by a Chimera and that blue flying pony, Rainbow Dash, tried to help us fight it and as a result, ended up in the water with the Chimera. I went to help, but just as I got to the water…I just froze."

"Indeed," remarked Luna, taking in what Jim had said. "And that was when the memories of your brother came rushing back to you, wasn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Jim, I can understand your anxiety and your fears about losing your kin. I know for a fact if something were to happen to my sister, I couldn't live with myself. But, you can't let your fear dictate how you are going to participate in the battle ahead. Your team needs you, Jim and Equestria needs you. We're going to get through this together. All of us."

Jim was a little reassured by Luna's words, but he still felt the fear of losing his brother dancing around inside of him.

…

Back at S.M.I.L.E. headquarters, both Sunset and Twilight had finished interviewing the Guardians of the Galaxy and were now preparing to head back to Twilight's castle. However, before they would leave, they came across Flash Magnus being wheeled out of the operating room and into the medical ward.

"Flash Magnus?" wondered Twilight, racing over to the window to see Rainbow Dash's pillar equivalent being helped into a bed. "Starswirl, what's going on?"

"Flash was among the injured fighting the wind monster," he explained, walking over to Twilight. "In fact, several Pegasus ponies were among the injured."

Twilight looked out and saw Spitfire, Soarin also laid up with their injuries, joining the Guardians of the Galaxy in the ward.

"Fury had considered moving them to a hospital in Canterlot, but Princess Celestia and Princess Luna made the decision to evacuate the city in the morning."

"So, now what?"

"I'm not sure, but either way, we're all stuck here."

"But, at least you're on the mend," remarked Sunset, pointing out how Starswirl was healing nicely following his injuries at the hooves of Grogar's donkeys.

"For how long, though," replied Starswirl, who then looked towards his horn, charging it up. "Is the question."

…

A few hours later, Celestia raised the sun and that was the signal for Equestria to begin its evacuation procedures…