Bodyguards of the Princesses

Following their respective introductions, the two factions of Avengers continued to settle into their new positions as the Princesses' bodyguards. However, little did any of them know that there were still old wounds between the factions' respective leaders. Inside his new quarters within Canterlot castle, Tony looked down at a note that Steve had written to him after the Avengers' civil war.

"Tony?" asked Julia, walking into his quarters. "You know, you should really check out this castle. It's got a lot of history and culture to it and…why are you looking at that note? I thought you and Steve made up for all that had happened."

Seeing that his wife was already taking a keen interest in the note, Tony hastily hid it away.

"Well, yeah, we did make up for it, Julia," stammered Tony, looking over at his wife. "Its just that…it's just that…let me put it this way, have you ever been involved in a situation where even though you forgave the offending party, you really haven't?"

"Oh yeah, my pathetic excuse for a husband, Larry," laughed Julia sarcastically as she sat next to Tony. "He was a piece of garbage to me and he was a piece of garbage to Rachel. In fact, that's why I fell in love with you to begin with. Because you are not that piece of garbage."

"You sure about that?" wondered Tony, much to Julia's surprise.

"Of course. But, I think that you believe Steve is still a piece of garbage for not going with the accords. If Steve doesn't like the fact that the Avengers had to play by the rules, then that's his problem."

All Tony could do was sigh heavily at this remark.

"All I'm saying Tony is that you and Steve have to finally make peace with one another. The Avengers in a way have been given a second chance by being bodyguards to the princesses of this kingdom. Sooner or later, you're both going to need to make peace with each other."

With those words, Tony sighed heavily again and laid down on the side of his bed, staring up at the ceiling. In a way, Julia was right. He was going to have to make peace with Steve whether he liked it or not.

…

At that moment, Twilight was back at her castle with Dr. Strange introducing him to her friends.

"Sure is nice to meet you, Doc," said Applejack as they all sat around the map.

"Yeah, I always admire someone in a cape," added Rarity. "Tell me, can I use your design to start a line of capes?"

"You know you already have a line of capes, Rarity," remarked Rainbow Dash.

"Can you make balloon animals?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Now wait a minute," said Twilight, regaining the attention of her friends. "Dr. Strange is here for a very specific purpose: to serve as our bodyguard for here and for the school."

"Is that also the reason why those two creatures like him are now students?" wondered Rainbow Dash. "That Peter Parker and Rachel Carpenter?"

"Yes, Peter is here because he also is a bodyguard to Princess Celestia," explained Twilight. "You'll meet all of the bodyguards in time."

However, some of them had their doubts about the matter.

"Um, excuse me, Mr. Dr. Strange sir," stammered Fluttershy, getting the wizard's attention. "I don't mean to be rude, but do you think we need bodyguards? I mean, I can stand up for myself and we do have Discord."

"Yeah," added Rainbow Dash. "We can call on him to snap his claws and make whatever is causing problems in Equestria disappear."

But, Twilight wasn't buying it and it wasn't because of her annoyance of Discord.

"Guys, we have bodyguards for the purpose of protecting ourselves," replied Twilight. "It may seem a little strange at first, but you will see in time that it will all be for the best. If Celestia wants us to be protected further, then we have to honor her wishes. Trust me, if it was up to me, then things would be different."

Little did Twilight know that the map was activating in front of them and the cutie marks that were appearing were unexpected to her and all that were gathered.

"Um, Twilight," remarked Applejack, motioning for her to look at the map. "Is that meant to be different?"

Twilight looked at the map and couldn't believe what she was seeing as her mouth dropped in shock and surprise.

"Is she always like that?" asked Dr. Strange.

"It's Celestia and Luna," gasped Applejack. "And it's right in Canterlot, but why?"

…

No sooner did Applejack say those words that at that very moment, Luna was sitting in her office reviewing her bodyguards' profiles when she noticed a flashing light coming from her flank.

"What in…?" stammered Luna and she felt her mouth drop upon seeing what was happening, her cutie mark was glowing and she wasn't alone as Celestia came running into her sister's office with Jim and Peter running behind her. "Sister, what's happening to us?"

"Our cutie marks are glowing," cried Celestia, her voice filled with more surprise than shock. "Twilight's map has summoned us for a friendship mission."

"Is that why you guys are going bonkers?" wondered Peter.

"We'd better get to Twilight's and find out what we are being summoned for," advised Luna, immediately leaving her office with Celestia and two of her bodyguards following from right behind. The commotion caught the attention of Scott and Sam who came in from another room.

"What's going on?" cried Scott, taking note of Celestia and Luna's glowing flanks. "What's with the glowing butts?"

"Better come if you want to find out," advised Jim, pressing a button on his chest and activating his War Machine armor with Peter webbing his way into the air. Unfortunately, Scott didn't have his Ant Man suit on and was already a step behind. "And get your suit on, Lang!"

"Okay, okay! Is there anything wrong with talking to your daughter when moments like this happen?"

While Luna and Sam waited for Scott to change into his Ant Man suit, Celestia took to the air and dashed over to Twilight's castle. After a few moments, Scott became Ant Man and he and Sam escorted Luna towards Twilight's castle.

…

Meanwhile, Steve was walking around Canterlot, trying to get acquainted with his new surroundings while also thinking about the events of the Civil War.

"Tony and I are going to have to make peace eventually," he thought to himself. "But, how can I make peace with him? Bucky was brainwashed, there was nothing else for me to say. But, Tony just can't seem to accept the fact that Bucky didn't kill his parents out of his own feelings. Still, I can't help but feel sorry for Tony. But, at the same time, we've got a second chance here and sooner or later, we've got to work together."

…

At that same moment, in the dark kingdom near the Crystal Empire, a four legged creature stepped out from the kingdom's castle and activating a red aura around his two horns, teleported himself into Tartarus. Stepping into the light, the creature revealed himself to be a dark blue goat with a bell around his neck. The rest of the creatures imprisoned in their cages trembled with fear at this creature as he walked towards the cage bearing Lord Tirek and being guarded by Cerberus. The three headed dog noticed the goat and attempted to growl, but the goat was quick to act.

Chanting a spell and swaying his bell back and forth, the goat knocked out Ceberus and the three headed dog collapsed.

"Is it you?" the raspy voice of the imprisoned centaur whispered, his claws clutching onto the bars of his cage. "After 1,000 years, you have returned at last…Emperor Grogar."

The goat smiled as he and Tirek exchanged looks with one another…