The Forming of S.M.I.L.E.

Lyra and Bon-Bon sat nervously outside the conference room where the interviews were taking place at the newly minted S.M.I.L.E. headquarters. For 20 to 30 long minutes, they watched as both pony and human came out of the conference room, some happy that they had become members while some were sad that they had to be turned away. Finally, their time had come.

"Miss Heartstrings?" asked Agent Romanoff, looking over towards the two mares. "Miss Drops? You're both next."

"Odd how they are taking us both at the same time," whispered Lyra to Bon-Bon.

Stepping into the conference room, the two mares were greeted by the sight of not just Nick Fury and Agent Hill sitting a long table, but also all four of Equestria's princesses. Right away, Bon-Bon immediately couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure building inside of her. This was not just her princess, but in a sense, her former boss.

"Um, hello," stammered Bon-Bon, feeling slightly nervous before taking a deep breath to compose herself.

"Nice to see you again, Agent Drops," remarked Celestia, looking down at a stack of papers in front of her and having a brief momentary lapse before regaining her composure. "As you know, in light of the Storm King's attack on Canterlot, we have reached out to the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization to create an organization purposed to monitor outside threats against Equestria."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. has the purpose of going into places where most agencies wouldn't dare to go into," added Hill. "However, S.M.I.L.E.'s purpose is to not only follow what S.H.I.E.L.D. had laid out, but also to increase the relationship Equestria has with the human countries. To this end, are you both committed to the protection and well-being of Equestria?"

"Yes, we are," answered Lyra. "We are both very well committed to the protection. As one of the ponies imprisoned by the Storm King's forces, I would like nothing more than to prevent something like this from ever happening again."

As Lyra spoke, Fury was writing down what she was saying on a piece of paper.

"What are your strengths that you can use to contribute to the organization?" asked Hill again.

"My knowledge of human characteristics are a key strength that I can contribute to the organization," said Lyra. "Ever since I had made my first visits to Canterlot's Embassy Row, being among the human race has given me a sense of what I want to do with my life."

"I will say," remarked Luna. "Canterlot's Embassy Row, in recent years, has been talked about as among the best of what humans can contribute to the kingdom of Equestria. I am sure that you would be getting the most of your desire by being a member of S.M.I.L.E."

Lyra couldn't help but feel a sense of hope building inside of her upon hearing those words. To her, this was a sign that she had gained favor with the committee that was deciding her overall fate.

…

"As for you, Sweetie Drops," said Twilight, looking down at Bon-Bon's resume. "According to your resume, you previous served in an organization that was overseen by Princess Celestia herself, yes?"

"That is correct," she answered, her rear legs shaking nervously. "The organization I was a part of…"

But before she could finish her sentence, Bon-Bon looked over to Celestia nervously, remember how she was forced out of a job thanks to the bugbear fiasco.

"…was purposed to hunt down and capture dangerous creatures that posed a great threat to Equestria," she finished.

"But, these wouldn't just be dangerous creatures you'd be going after," advised Twilight. "These would be crazed power-hungry dictators like the Storm King or dangerous creatures like Lord Tirek or the bugbear. Worst case scenario, would you be willing to lay down your life for the benefit of Equestria?"

"I would be willing to lay down my life for the benefit of Equestria."

"Excellent," said Celestia, giving Bon-Bon her undivided attention out of everyone on the interview committee. "And Sweetie Drops, I know that in the past, we have had our differences while I was overseeing the secret monster agency. But, I want you to know that I personally apologize to you for abruptly shutting down the organization. Please understand that I did what I needed to do."

Bon-Bon produced a small smile upon hearing this, knowing that she in some way, had been forgiven for being cast out of a job that she loved to do.

"Then…we'll make our decisions in regard to whether or not you'll both be a good fit for the organization," said Fury. "You may go."

Rising from their seats, Lyra and Bon-Bon were escorted out of the conference room by Agent Romanoff. Once the doors were closed, the two mares returned to their home in Ponyville where they would wait for any news in regards to whether they would be accepted or not.

…

Three days later, a knock was heard on the door of their home and Lyra answered it. Opening the door, she saw Fury on the other side with a pair of envelopes.

"Bon-Bon!" called Lyra and Bon-Bon raced to the front door seeing the two envelopes in Fury's hand.

"I trust you understand what this means," he said, handing them the envelopes containing their acceptance letters. "Welcome to S.M.I.L.E. Agents Heartstring and Sweetie Drops."

The two mares couldn't believe what they were hearing and what they were seeing…they were now agents of S.H.I.E.L.D's Equestrian affiliate. For a moment, they merely stood in shock and amazement before embracing one another, having finally obtained the goal and desire of working together under one roof with Lyra working with humans and Bon-Bon rejoining the field of spying for Equestria.

…

Meanwhile, 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 casual clothes 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."

And Tony showed Julia the paper with the headline that showed S.M.I.L.E.'s opening. Soon the Avengers, very slowly, would return and make their mark on the history of Equestria.

...

IRON MAN WILL RETURN