Bodyguards of the Princesses

"How can you expect to learn something from a baby? It just doesn't make any sense at all," sighed Rocket Raccoon as he and Drax took their posts outside of Cadence and Shining Armor's private quarters. "All I did was make a harmless remark about it's wings."

But, Drax wasn't buying it. To him, seeing Flurry Heart made him think of his own private life.

"You okay, Drax?" asked Rocket, causing Drax to stop whatever he was thinking about. "Something on your mind?"

"Sorry, it's just that," he replied. "Seeing that baby pony…it made me think of my children before Thanos murdered them."

"Jeez, I'm sorry. I forgot you had offspring. For a big guy, you have a soft spot don't you."

"You might say that," remarked Drax. "Perhaps maybe I could…pay special attention to her, treat her like one of my own."

"But she's not yours."

Drax could only sigh in wonder. Even though that they had only just met, there was something about him and Flurry Heart that connected them. This didn't go unnoticed by the other guardians.

"I am Groot," Groot said as he admired the crystal gardens that were tended to by Mistmane, one of the Equestrian pillars.

"Sure is a beautiful garden," sighed Gamora to Quill, admiring one of the crystal sculptures. "Not like anything we have seen."

"Guess you're right," said Quill looking at his reflection in one of the crystal sculptures . "All the other planets we have been to haven't really been much as nice. When we were asked by Stark to come here and be bodyguards, I thought that this was just going to be like any other planet, but its not. It's on Earth, where I haven't been on since I was a kid, losing my mom."

"You miss her, don't you?" asked Gamora.

"Every day, Gamora," answered Quill, solemnly. "I…I just want to make her proud, you know? Something tells me that I now have my chance to do so."

The green skinned stepdaughter of Thanos placed her hand on Quill's as a sign of support. Even Groot took notice and was astonished.

"I am Groot," he gasped in shock. "I…am…Groot, I'm Groot."

"Gamora," sighed Quill, looking back at her. "I want you to promise me something when all is said and done."

To Gamora, this was a surprise, considering that she had forced Quill to promise in killing her during the Infinity Wars.

"And…" Quill reminded, placing his hands in front of Gamora. "Before you ask, this is not a promise that you are to kill me in any way. It's a promise that…"

But, Quill couldn't finish his sentence much to Gamora's surprise. Nevertheless, she was quick to guess what was on his mind.

"I know what you are thinking," she said with a keen smile. "And yes, I promise to marry you."

Quill felt himself astonished to hear Gamora make such a wild and for that matter, accurate guess.

"We can be married here, on this planet."

With those words, they broke into a kiss while Groot continued to watch with astonishment.

…

Back in Canterlot, King T'Challa of Wakanda was paying a visit to the staff at his kingdom's embassy when he was approached by a small human male in a gray suit.

"I trust you've been recruited to be Princess Celestia's protector," he said, catching the king's attention.

"Mr. Ross," T'Challa chuckled, beckoning whoever he was talking too to leave at once. "What are…what are you doing here?"

"Was transferred over here by the CIA," he replied, holding a maroon colored file in his hands. "Apparently there is something that you need to know about."

This made T'Challa stop thinking about whatever he was doing at that moment.

"What is this?"

"It's from S.M.I.L.E.," Ross said. "Two of Equestria's most dangerous have escaped from Tartarus."

"Tartarus?"

"The prison they have here. Apparently, it's supposed to house the worst of the worst kind of what Alcatraz was like back in the early 20th century."

"Do the princesses know?"

"They got called away on last minute business over at Princess Twilight's friendship castle. But, as far as we are concerned, we are still trying to find them."

T'Challa considered the matter, taking it seriously. For he knew very well what it was like to be a royal in mortal danger. Just then, they looked out the window and saw the Princesses returning towards Canterlot castle.

"I don't think that won't be necessary," he said. "I'll inform them myself. In the meantime, you reach your fellow agents in Wakanda and tell them to send for my kingsguard."

"How many?"

"As many as I'll need."

And Ross watched as T'Challa left the embassy, flanked by two of his security guards.

…

At that moment, Celestia and Luna returned with Jim, Sam and the others just as Steve was coming back into the castle along with Bucky Barnes.

"Captain Rogers," acknowledged Luna.

"Princess Luna," Steve acknowledged back, he and Bucky bowing to her and Celestia. "Where did you disappear to?"

But, Luna didn't answer him right away.

"That doesn't matter right now. Where is Tony Stark?"

"Tony? I guess he is in his quarters or something like that. Why do you ask?"

"There is something we need to talk to both of you about," said Celestia and Steve realized just exactly what was going to be discussed. "Something that involves a rift between you two."

"No disrespect," remarked Bucky. "But, I don't think that Steve wants to talk to Tony about what happened…"

"Buck," interrupted Steve, placing a hand on his metallic shoulder. "We knew this was going to happen eventually. Sooner or later, the skeletons are going to come out of the closet."

The World War II veteran took an enormous gulp, nervous at what was about to happen…

…

Meanwhile, Grogar transported Tirek and Cozy Glow into a large throne room within his kingdom. The centaur and his pony protégé were astonished by what they saw.

"What is this place?" gasped Cozy Glow.

"This is my throne room, young filly," explained Grogar. "You are in my kingdom of Tambeleon and together, we will all achieve our goals!"

Being the curious foal that she was, Cozy flew over to Grogar's throne and sat down in it. But, she would not be there for long.

"I beg your pardon, Cozy Glow, but no one sits in my throne except for me!" he ordered, glowing his horns.

"Ugh, whatever!" Cozy muttered rolling her eyes in disgust as she flew off the throne. "What's wrong with being a little curious?"

"You'll have to excuse her," Tirek whispered to Grogar. "She is always a little curious and ambitious."

"But, there are rules for a reason, Tirek," advised Grogar. "Disobey them and I will throw you or anypony else out of my kingdom. You are in Tambeleon now, so you will worship me!"

Nodding in reply, Tirek accepted his position.

"Now then," said Grogar, walking over towards a map similar to Twilight's that sat in front of his throne room. "Who else would you like to recruit?"

"The only ones I can think of is Sombra and Chrysalis," replied Tirek, remorsefully. "But Sombra is dead."

"I can remedy that," laughed Grogar, activating his horn and swaying his bell back and forth. Chanting a spell, Tirek and Cozy Glow watched as a mass of black magic took the form of a pony with a sharp horn on its head. The pony roared loudly as the black magic disappeared to reveal a gray colored unicorn with a red flowing cape and a black crown on his head. Both centaur and Pegasus filly were stunned by what they saw.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, King Sombra," laughed Grogar as King Sombra glanced over at him, laughing evilly at being brought back to life.