Avengers: War for Equestria

While the mass evacuations were taking place, Tony's faction of the Avengers were in the castle of friendship having breakfast the following morning. Of course, as they all sat down, the only Avenger who was not exactly in the highest of spirits was Jim.

"Tony," he asked, trying to drink a morning cup of coffee. "Sorry if I wasn't myself yesterday. Trust me, I wasn't intending on having anyone be killed."

"Well, that's the understatement of the year," he remarked, sitting down next to him. "Look, I'm sorry you're still dealing with your brother's death, but you can't let it get in the way of your duties as an Avenger."

"We've all suffered a form of loss at least once in our lives," added Natasha, joining them at the table. "But, the fact of the matter of is we all have a duty and we have to have a clear point of view."

"For Christ's sake, guys!" Jim cried, slamming his hands on the table. "Can't you see that losing my brother was the worst thing that had ever happened to me? Why do you think I struggle being War Machine let alone being around water when I am War Machine?"

"Look, it's not your fault, Jim," consoled Julia, placing her hand on his, causing him to direct his attention towards her. "We've all suffered loss at least once in our lives and it hasn't been easy for any of us."

All Jim could do was give his friend and Chief Operating Officer a somewhat awkward look on his face. He then began to think back to what Luna had said to him the night before.

"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."

"I…I guess you're all right about that," he sighed, feeling slightly embarrassed for his sudden outburst. "Sorry, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night just thinking about it."

…

At that moment, the doors to the dining room opened and Twilight along with her former pupil, Starlight Glimmer and the rest of her friends and element bearers came into the room. She had returned from S.M.I.L.E. headquarters late in the night and was still exhausted from a lack of sleep. But, she had been through worse.

"Well, the evacuations are going on very nicely for the most part," sighed Twilight, sitting down at the dining table next to Tony. "But, for some odd reason, not everypony is abiding by them."

"All my animals are heeding the order," remarked Fluttershy. "I told them to follow the ponies to the underground bunker."

"My family's doing the same thing, even Tom," added Pinkie.

"Who?" asked Julia.

"My sister's giant boulder. Uh, he belongs to Limestone Pie."

…

Just then, Peter came in, dressed in his homemade Spider Man suit, and sat down at the table.

"Hey guys, did you hear the news?" he asked, yawning loudly.

"What news, Parker?" asked Tony.

"About Equestria being totally evacuated. Canterlot, Ponyville, Manehattan, all of it. How many ponies do you think can fit in that bunker? Seems like something out of World War II or something?"

"We've heard the news," remarked Rarity, drinking a cup of tea. "In fact, I've actually been working on getting my outfits stored in the basement of my boutique and I've asked Sassy Saddles and my assistants to do the same in Canterlot and Manehattan. They're heeding the warning, so that is one less thing to worry about."

As they discussed, the only pony who hadn't spoken was Applejack, who merely looked down at her breakfast of pancakes. Twilight was quick to take notice of it.

"Hey Applejack," she remarked, looking over at the element bearer of honesty. "Is everything all right?"

"Well sugarcube…" she sighed. "Yes and no. Yes, we have heeded the order. But no, because my family is refusing to leave."

"Why?" asked Pinkie Pie, suddenly rising from her seat. "My family is getting out and they are so protective of their property."

"They won't leave because if they are going to die," answered Applejack. "They are going to die on their farm. Everypony has committed to staying: Big Mac, Granny Smith, Applebloom and Grand Pear. In fact, even Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle have also said that they are staying to fight."

Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash were shocked by this news.

"Are they nuts?!" cried Rainbow Dash as she turned to give Rarity a shocked glance on her face. "They can't be serious!"

"They are serious," said Applejack, firmly. "And they also said that you can't argue with them because their minds are made up."

"I…I can't believe Sweetie Belle…" gasped Rarity, trying to process what had been said. "Are…are you certain I can't…?"

"Nope, they are staying put and they are going to fight."

Distraught by her sister's decision, Rarity just sat at the table and sulked.

…

Just then, Spike came into the dining hall with several scrolls for Twilight to briefly read.

"What are those, Spike?" asked Twilight, rising from her seat.

"A couple of scrolls from the Princesses," the baby dragon answered, handing them to Twilight and Tony. "They say that Ember, Thorax and the other leaders are opening their borders to evacuees."

"But, I thought that dragons…"

"Let's just say I had to give Ember a little persuading," Spike interrupted.

"What about the Hippogriffs?" wondered Pinkie Pie. "Aren't they…?"

"Speaking of the Hippogriffs," Twilight interrupted, holding her hoof at Pinkie's face, silencing her. "They have been reporting of a strange creature that has been floating around near Seaquestria."

This made Thor, who had been silent for a good portion of the breakfast to rise to his feet.

"Did you say 'strange creature'"? he asked.

"Yes," said Twilight. "Was this the same creature that might have attacked you, Thor?"

"Yes." Thor answered, with determination in his voice. "I am certain that it is."

Realizing that a skirmish was intimate, Twilight motioned for Tony to get himself and his team ready for battle.

"We aren't taking any chances, team," he said. "Suit up! We're going to…where is it that we are heading to, Twilight?"

"Mount Aris."

"Mount Aris!"

So, Twilight and her friends watched while the Avengers left the dining hall, all except for Jim, who seemed very nervous and once again thinking about the death of his younger brother.

"Are you going to join them?" Twilight wondered.

This made Jim snap out of his deep thoughts.

"Yes, yes, I am," he stammered, quickly picking up speed to join the rest of the Avengers. "Thanks for the reminder."

"He seems troubled," remarked Fluttershy. "What do you think is wrong with him?"

"Luna told me about him," replied Twilight. "Apparently, he lost his brother when he was younger. Now, he has a fear of going near water. Do you all think he should stay behind and help out with the evacuations?"

"It's up to him, Twi," said Applejack.

…

While Tony's faction of the Avengers were preparing to head to Mount Aris, back at S.M.I.L.E. headquarters, the Guardians of the Galaxy were still recovering from their injuries while Mage and the medical technicians did what they could to get them better as quickly as possible.

"Hey, uh, Mage," called Rocket Raccoon. "Do you think I can get up and stretch my legs? Could use it."

"How do you think you feel?" asked the pillar.

"I think I feel like I kick some butt," cried Rocket, who then noticed his green skinned comrade still in a coma. "But, uh, what about Gamora?"

"Oh, she's going to be in a medically induced coma for another day," sighed Mage, wiping her forehead with a rag. "Apparently, her injuries were more significant than we all thought."

"Gamora…Gamora…" Star Lord whispered, as he tried to reach his lover's hand with a small tear tricking down his face.

"We're doing all we can, honey," sighed Mage, walking over to him. "I promise you, we're going to get her well."

Realizing there was nothing he could do, Star Lord merely put his head on the pillow and waited longer for any developments on his lover.

"Poor Quill," sighed a bluish-hulking creature as he turned his attention over to Mantis. "He must really love her, doesn't he?"

"Of course he does, Drax," she replied, looking back at him. "That crash must have really knocked her cold. And who knows if any one of us might end up like her?"

That question would soon be answered in time as the sea creature that attacked Thor and his friends neared the kingdom of Seaquestria and Mount Aris…