Iron Man in Equestria

Tony Stark was a man of power and a man of wealth. He had the ability to inherit an empire built by his father and transform it into a global empire. However, in recent years, he had to take on a far more prominent role as the leader and benefactor of Earth's last line of defense…the Avengers.

With the fall of Thanos and the human race still trying to get back to normal, Tony turned his attention back to the further expansion of his business empire at large. Little did he know of the Avengers being recruited to defend not just humans, but also the ponies of Equestria, who were also still recovering from their own situation thanks to the Storm King.

…

It all started about a few days after the organization known as S.M.I.L.E. was founded. In his office at the company that his father had created, Tony Stark was reading the newspaper article about S.M.I.L.E's grand opening.

…

"So, they've finally done it," he said to himself, putting the paper back down on his desk. "Equestria and S.H.I.E.L.D. have opened a facility around the same time I am seeking to open a facility in Canterlot."

"I take that the new S.H.I.E.L.D facility in Equestria has opened," said a strawberry blonde-haired woman dressed in a white shirt, blue vest, blue jeans and brown boots with her hair tied in a ponytail as she walked into Tony's office holding two cups of coffee. "Tony, do you think that maybe this means that the Avengers…"

"Are getting back in the saddle after our brief hiatus, Julia?" he finished, accepting the cup of coffee from her. "It's more than likely. I mean, do you think we had it bad against Thanos? Our Equine friends to the north had it more with that crazy monkey dude. Yes, I think that very soon, the Avengers will begin to make an impact on Equestria…in a very big way."

"In what big of a way?" Julia asked. "You saw what happened there not too long ago in the papers."

Hearing this Tony rose to his feet and walked over towards a map of Equestria, located in northern Canada.

"A big way," he answered, sighing as he looked at the map. "You know, we should be extremely lucky in the sense that when Thanos snapped his fingers, half the universe just blew away in dust with no pain, no suffering. Equestria's citizens were chained, enslaved against their will and their leaders were turned to stone by the Storm King.

"I guess you're right about that Tony," sighed Julia, shrugging her shoulders. "But, don't you think that after dealing with Thanos, do you think the rest of the Avengers would want to just go defend four legged animals that are nothing more than characters on a television show?"

"No one really believes that Equestria is real and not just a fictional land," remarked Tony, turning away from the map. "That's because in the 1980's, My Little Pony took place in fictional lands that many people would not believe would exist in the world, but Equestria is different. We connect with the characters and we make them seem like they are real because in our minds, they are real."

"Okay, okay, okay," Julia cried, waving her hands back and forth. "So, basically, what you are saying is that Equestria is real and not like Brigadoon where it disappears ever 100 years?"

"Think about it for a second, Julia. If Equestria was nothing more than a figment of the imagination, then why would there be a map of it here in this office or a newspaper article talking about a facility opening up there? Sure, there are plenty of fictional planets, fictional lands, etc. But, that's because they aren't real because nobody wants to think that they are real. Equestria is real, but not everyone refuses to believe it. Opening a Stark Enterprises facility will get Equestria in the eyes of every business that would want to expand to it."

Julia was still totally unconvinced by her boyfriend's dreams but said nothing.

"Don't you see, Julia? We have a chance to make an impact on Equestria thanks to the Avengers and our company! If Fury didn't believe in Equestria, then why wouldn't he have opened a S.H.I.E.L.D. affiliated facility there?"

Still, she was unconvinced.

"Look, why not come with me to tour the capital, Canterlot, for a potential landing spot? Maybe it's better to show you what Equestria has to offer rather than listening to me tell you about it."

Although reluctant about it, Julia eventually relented to Tony's invite. As they returned to the home they shared that night, Tony continued to process his dreams and goals for growing his business into Equestria.

…

Meanwhile, in a house in Canterlot, a male unicorn pony was hard at work on a mysterious project in a large workroom.

"Titanium," called a female voice. "Why don't you call it a night? You've been working on that robot all day."

The male unicorn pony stopped working and turned back over to the female pony.

"Sorry," he answered, removing his goggles. "But, there is no stopping when my creative juices are flowing."

"Ever since you heard that human had planned to move his business to Canterlot, you've been so wrapped in your work that you have lost touch with reality. I mean, take a break, Titanium. Spend time with your foals for at least one day. Loose Screw has his buckball tournament at school tomorrow."

"Uh, I'll make a deal with you, Webo," he stammered. "How about I just work on this during the morning and then attend Loose Screw's game?"

"Titanium," she said firmly. "I want you to take the entire day off from working on this project tomorrow. I'm beginning to even wonder if you love this damn project more than your family?"

Titanium became cross at hearing this.

"No, I still love my family, Webo," he cried in an irritated voice. "It's just that we have been struggling for so long since my business went belly up. This is the chance for me to make a comeback and bring the wealth back into the family. Do you want to see us continue being in the poorhouse or not?"

Realizing that there was no point in further arguing about it, Webo left her husband alone to finish his project.

"This Tony Stark human is going to make us financially stable once again, Webo," continued Titanium as he went back to work. "Our kids can have enough money to go to school anywhere in Equestria without any financial burden."

"Sometimes, I wonder if you still remember that money doesn't solve your problems," whispered Webo as she left him alone. "Or that you value money over your own family?"

Little did Webo know that Titanium was planting the seeds of obsession that would ultimately send him down a path to which he would never get himself out of…