The train traveled along the mountain rails - approaching its destination as the sight of the small town was becoming larger and larger. The four humans, pony, and baby dragon were all in a mix of emotions. Some were excited, others not so much.

"...I guess getting out of Canterlot for once is nice. Perhaps..." Muttered Natasha. "Still, being away from mom...What if something happens while I'm away?"

"Cadance is an alicorn, just like Celestia." Said Peter. "She can defend herself! Probably without killing them, too." He said, his eyes disapprovingly darting to the pistol that was holstered on the redhead's hip. The girl looked at him with a look of annoyance and folded her arms.

"Some threats are best gone for good." She spoke. This idea irked Loki, who shot her a glare. What was she implying? There was always the belief that maybe one day Nightmare Moon could return. After all, Celestia would never dare hurt her sister like that.

It was to Loki's surprise that the first to protect him was Thor.

"Girlie..." The blonde lad said, his muscular arms crossing. "Equestria needs defenders, not killers."

"...Girlie, eh...?" There was a face of fury on her face - and then it softened. "Oh. I see." Natasha sarcastically smirked, nodding at the oddly shaped suitcase. "That's why you need a hammer imbued with electricity that can kill anything that moves?"

With a challenging glare, he extended his arm, and opened his palm. Suddenly, from the suitcase, an enormous hammer jumped out and landed grip-first into his hand. It was short but consisted of a mighty slab of metal - covered in engraved runes.

"H-Hey, guys?" Spike gulped, eyes widening. "Relax! Let's--"

"This hammer would kill only one type of person." Said Thor to Natasha. "Those stupid enough to try and pick it up while it hangs above them. This is a tool of justice, divine wrath, and protection - but nay, it is not a tool of murder. Can you say the same for that pathetic piece of metal on your leg? You exert no strength, show no valor - you just squeeze your finger, and you take a life. That is the way of a cur rather than a fighter."

"What did you call me?" Natasha grits her teeth, hand gently reaching for the grip of her pistol.

"Hey, hey!" Twilight gasped. "The both of you, please cut it out!" She spoke. "Listen, we're almost to Ponyville. We're just here to oversee some celebration, keep things running smooth, and we can go back to Canterlot. Can we please not bicker?" She spoke.

Her words weren't as effective as she would've liked - although it disarmed the two, all while they continued glaring at each other the whole ride - considerably ruining the relaxed atmosphere there once was. Only Peter could salvage it, trying to make small talk with Loki. "What do you think about going to Ponyville?"

"...Country bumpkins aren't my sort of thing." Sighed the man in green, rubbing his face with annoyance.

***

"We're here!" Smiled Twilight. "Let's waste no time! We'll be crashing in the Golden Oaks Library for the time being! It's without a librarian for now, so it's decently vacant."

"...As I suspected. Nobody reads here." Softly scoffed Loki.

Twilight, not hearing him, looked at the list provided to her. "Well, guess we'll have to check out the food, and--"

Suddenly, as they walked forward, they would encounter a pink mare with a human beside her - one who held a bow in one hand, and his arrows in the other. They had been talking to one another as they walked, discussing various aspects of parties.

"We might need directions." Peter said.

"Good point." Nodded Twilight. "...Even though I don't really wanna talk to anyone." She sighed. "Alright - here goes then." She spoke. She walked up to the pink mare and gave a gentle wave.

"Hello!" Twilight said. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and--"

Much to the surprise of everyone, except for the human who walked beside the pink pony, the mare suddenly let out a shrill, loud gasp. The mare would almost jump into the air, before turning around and running as fast as her hooves could take her. The others looked shocked and surprised, unsure what it was that scared her. The humans would look at one another, assuming that maybe one had appeared intimidating with their weapon.

The human with the bow sighed, and apologetically bowed his head. "Sorry 'bout that. That's mom for ya. Welcome to Ponyville!" He chuckled, before turning around. "Mom! I know you freak out when newcomers come, but you don't gotta get so worked up!" The short-haired man said, running after his mother.

"...Yep." Loki sighed. "This is what I feared."

"You know..." Peter scratched his nose. "Here I was thinking that as the God of Chaos, you'd be into, y'know...chaotic places?"

"What do you mean by that?" Growled the God. Peter immediately quieted, nervously chuckling.

"Nothing!"

***

The group would walk along the many trees on the apple farm. They scanned the horizon, with the list levitated by Twilight Sparkle indicating who they were to meet.

"A pony named Applejack..." Said Twilight. "Okay, let's take a look everyone...Surely, she won't be that hard to find in such an open field, right?"

"Hm...Oh! There's someone there! Said Peter. The group turned their attention to a long-haired man who stood before the trees. It was with ease that he punched into the tree with his cybernetic arm. A bundle of apples would fall into a basket, albeit he frowned immediately when a crack appeared in the tree. With a pensive gaze, he placed his human hand on the bark and ran his hand downwards along it, assessing the damage. He frowned at the fact he was unable to avoid hurting it.

"Uh, hello!" Exclaimed Twilight Sparkle. Immediately, the man turned with a surprised speed, boats immediately balling.

"Hey." He barked. "Who are you? You're on private property." Said the man, immediately balling his fists as he defensively tensed up. This body language coaxed alarm from both Loki and Natasha, while Thor and Peter seemed more relaxed. After all, they understood why one would feel potentially alarmed.

"E-Excuse me!" Twilight squeaked, surprised at this sudden defensiveness and the fact that they were now met with a man with an imposing, strong metal arm. "I'm so sorry to intrude on your property, it's just that uhm...My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I was sent by Princess Celestia to oversee the preparations, and uhm...First thing here is uh, well, food. And uhm, we were told to take it up to Miss...Applejack on "Sweet Apple Acres...?"

The silver-armed man suspiciously gazed at the pony and the humans by her side. "...So, can I help you?"

"Could we talk to Miss Applejack?" Asked Twilight.

"...You can talk to me instead." Said the human.

"But the list--"

"You can talk to me." The human stressed.

"Hey, listen..." Peter frowned, defensively standing in-front of his mother. "Let's not be so rude, okey dude? We gotta chill. We--"

"We don't gotta do anything." The man narrowed his eyes.

"Lad...I don't much care for your tone." Muttered Thor, squeezing one of his fists.

Before things could reach a boiling point however, a mare's voice called out.

"What in Sam hay's goin' on here?" Gasped an orange pony that appeared - one that wore a cowboy's hat, with her Cutie Mark being three apples. "Bucky! I swear if you're scarin' the customers again, ah'm gonna be mighty upset with you, mister!"

"Mom!" Bucky said. "I'm sorry, but I don't exactly like it when people just pop in on our property without an appointment!"

"So 'yer gonna be shootin' potential clients too while you're at it?" Disapprovingly barked the mare. With a sigh, Bucky shrugged, and walked off, leaving his mother to face the others. "Mah' 'pologies bout 'im. He's anxious 'n' all, but he's a good kid as any! A'hm Applejack, and welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! What can 'ah do you for?"

"Uh, hello." Squeaked Twilight. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and I was sent by Princess Celestia to take account of all the food that's being prepared for the celebration?"

The mare's eyes lit up. "Y'all came to the right place! Ah'd be more than happy 'ta show y'all around the food we got ready!" She grinned. "There's enough that y'all can have a big lunch with the stuff, there'll still be plenty to go around!" She spoke. "Courtesy of all m'cousins and aunts and uncles who came all the way from all the corners of Equestria, hehe."

"That's fine." Twilight shook her head. "We just--"

"Excuse me, I just wanted to ask..." Thor said. "What sort of food are we talking about here?"

With a big grin, Applejack giggled. "Apple pie, apple fritters, apple cider, apple strudels, apple salads, apple jam-filled buns...If it got apple or is made of 'em, y'all got it!"

"...What's with her and apples?" Loki whispered under his breath.

Peter shrugged. "Uh, well...She is called Applejack, and she does live on an Apple Farm..." He said, then turned to Twilight. "Hey, mom...Maaaybe we could, y'know...try it out?"

"We're short on time." Twilight shook her head.

"No, we're not." Said Natasha and Spike at the same time as they looked at their watches.

Spike nodded to the human girl, then at Twilight. "I mean, we got a while! And shouldn't we actually check it out to make sure it lives up to the expectations of the celebration?"

"...Well..." Twilight rubbed her head with a hoof. "I guess that's...fair." She muttered. "Well, okay, miss Applejack. Let's try it out!"

"Yeeehaw~!" Grinned the orange mare. "Let's get y'all started!"

***

The group walked down the Ponyville street, with Twilight and Thor both incredibly full of food.

"Ugh...Why was there so much?" The unicorn muttered.

"...You're the one who chose to eat so much!" Natasha said, as the others had not been feeling so full as they showed a decent amount of restraint.

"Uhm...I really needed to make sure all the food was up to par!" Said Twilight, blushing as she shyly looked aside.

"...And you?" Loki narrowed his eyes at his brother, who despite having overeaten, seemed much more satisfied.

"A real warrior can't say no to a good meal, brother." Chuckled the blonde man. "Who's next on the list, Miss Sparkle?"

"Let's see..." She took a look at a piece of paper. "We're supposed to meet a pegasus called Rainbow Da--"

"Duck!" Shouted Peter, his Spidey-Reflexes making him tackle Twilight and help her duck her head. Suddenly for all, a disk-shaped object flew above their heads, before smashing into a tree, wedging almost into the middle.

"What the!? An attack!" Natasha cried out, immediately unholstering her pistol and cocking it...However, she noticed something in the pistol's slide. That the tips of the bullets were blue. "...Blanks!? Why do I...Crap!" Natasha gasped. "My mom swapped my bullets with blanks!"

"W-Well..." Twilight gulped. "Celestia did say she didn't want firearms in the town!"

A running human began to go their way. The group was alarmed, but they lowered their weapons as they saw that the human hadn't been running towards them, but rather the disc-shaped object that had been wedged in the tree.

"Steve!" Cried out a pegasus chasing him. "I told you to be careful! "You could've lopped someone's head off!"

"Sorry!" Steve exclaimed. "I-I messed up!" He cried out as he began to use his immense strength to unlodge the shield out of the tree. Rainbow Dash scowled at the fact he opted to retrieve his shield, before opting to make sure that he hadn't hurt the others.

However, as Rainbow Dash landed, she had done so in a puddle of mud. The mud splashed against the group. Peter was easily able to dodge it, so was Spike. Thor had immediately picked up Loki and placed him in-front, causing the chaotic brother to scowl; but a snap of his fingers made him clean once more. Natasha, preemptively knowing this risk, stood behind the two males in advance.

The one with the dirt all over her was, in the end, Twilight - who looked with a bemused expression at what happened.

"I'm really sorry about that..." Muttered Rainbow Dash. "Didn't mean to get anypony hurt...Or dirty. Let me fix that!"

The group stepped away from Twilight, none of them particularly confident that this next step would be any better. While Twilight looked at her ruined coat, she looked up to see that the pegasus had brought up a dark cloud above her head. She began to jump on it, and water poured down upon the unicorn. Leaving her drenched, Rainbow Dash then flew a circle rapidly around her...The air had dried Twilight - at the cost of leaving her hair in a puffy, puffy afro style.

Peter did his best to suppress his laugh. As did Spike. With a groan, Twilight turned to the pegasus.

The pegasus giggled. "I'm Rainbow Dash! You guys are new, huh? Welcome to Ponyville!"

"Oh, you're just the pegasus we're looking for!" Said Twilight Sparkle, despite her hairy predicament. "It says here you're in charge of clearing the clouds for the celebration...!"

"...No offense, but..." Peter looked up at the skies. "It's definitely looking cloudier than sky up there..."

"I'm just doin' some flyin' practice! I can do it later." The pegasus dismissively waved her hoof. "And when it comes to it, I'll have it all cleared in ten seconds flat!"

"Ten seconds flat?" Loki laughed as he folded his arms. "Lady, you're delusional. Why don't you admit you're a slacker?"

"For once, I agree with my brother." Humphed Thor. "You may have missed your chance to be on time, thanks to your laziness!"

"They're right." Twilight muttered. "I bet there's no way you can clear it in ten seconds flat!"

"...Wanna bet?" The pegasus' smile twisted into a big grin. Suddenly, she flew up into the sky.

"No way she's gonna do it." Peter rose a brow, folding his arms. However, they were soon approached by the blonde muscular lad with the shield, who promptly laughed at the comment.

"Don't get mom started on speed tests." He spoke. "Be grateful none of you five bet any money."

Thor looked at him with a challenging demeanor, his hands on his hips and his brows raised. "Oh, and who are you to say--"

"Done!" Rainbow Dash grinned, landing before the group. They were only briefly distracted by Steve, for the moment they looked up and saw that the skies were spotless. Not a single cloud was in sight, and with a happy smile, the pegasus stood there on her hind-legs.

All looked in total awe, with Loki going as far as to slowly clap at the sight of what he saw. Thor nodded approvingly - after all, if Loki was impressed, then it truly meant there was something to be impressed over. In the end, after all, Loki always had an attitude of "everything you can do, I can do better". With his magic of course, there was little doubt.

***

With a total face of annoyance, Twilight had no choice, but to walk forward with the very awkward mane. A curly, puffy mane that was the result of the swirl of water and mud. In the end, she only had one choice - to keep walking along. She did so with her gaze half-lidded, livid on the inside that so far, this town was full of what she considered to be crazy, crazy ponies. They had a job to do however, and they had no option to back out.

"Next up..." Said Spike. "A certain Rarity is gonna take care of some decorations and dress stuff and whatever..." He muttered. "We're going to this place called Carousel Boutique." He said, pointing at the pink, round building.

"Carousel Boutique?" Muttered Thor. "Don't tell me we're going to a clothes store."

" A boutique isn't a store." Natasha insisted. "A store is just that - you buy what hangs on the hangers. A boutique is a place where you can re-fit your clothes, get clothes made by custom design, et cetera."

"Phah!" Thor waved a hand. "Please spare me the lecture! I very much know that a boutique is, you know; even if I never have a use for them!"

"Really?" Peter tilted his head. "You've never had to fix your cape? Ever?"

"My cape is made of the finest material!" Thor proclaimed proudly.

"...Oh really?" Chuckled Loki and sped up his walk. Thor was unsure what this meant...Until all felt the smell of smoke. Thor screamed in terror - not at the fire, but at the fact that his cape was burning right at that moment.

"Loki!" Shouted Thor. "How DARE you--"

"Chill." Said a sudden voice from the skies. All turned their heads to a metallic, humanoid shape in the sky. They tensed up, believing this could have been an enemy - and indeed, an attack came. But it wasn't directed at any of them.

A sudden burst of freezing sprays burst out from the figure's wrists as an apparatus had emerged from the wrist and began to dispense the cold substance all over the cape. It immediately extinguished the fire - but it was too late. The cape was already burnt, torn, and in many places already scorched.

"You fool! What have you done!?" cried out Thor as he held what was left of his cape.

The flying figure landed. They were all confused for a moment. Was it a robot? This theory was proven wrong as the metal helmet on his face slid open, revealing a young, slightly bearded man underneath. "Well, I saved you from higher degree burns on account of you not knowing how to stop drop'n'roll. You can thank me later, if you want. I accept gifts."

"You--"

Thor balled his fists and began to approach, until Twilight and Peter stood before them, holding Thor back.

"What he means to say is thank you!" Twilight giggled. "We're looking for Rarity! She had a role in the preparations for the festival!"

"Ah, mom's taking on more work, huh?" He chuckled. "Come with me then, I was heading home anyway."

"...Why are we running into so many mother-son pairs today?" Peter whispered to himself.

***

"Darling, your coiffure is in a terrible state!" Exclaimed the white unicorn, who worked on bringing Twilight's hair back in order as best she could - all while Spike couldn't stop looking at her, eyes full of adoration. He had a crush on her, as evidenced by Thor constantly grinning and nudging him. Loki, bored, simply waited on a chair, reading a magazine. At the same time, Rarity would also work on repairing Thor's cape, making him all the more cheerful and excited to be here. Natasha in the meantime browsed the fabrics and consisted of what to make her next suit with.

Deep in a conversation were the two other youths. Tony and Peter both sat together while Twilight would be forced by the unicorn into various dresses and hairstyles, giving them much time to talk.

"So, it's like a freeze ray!" Peter grinned ah he held the gauntlet which launched the spray that put out Thor's cape.

"...Uh, no." Sighed Tony. "A freeze ray is fiction. What this is, is just a finely mixed solution of cryogenic liquids that is capable of being projectile-launched from a wrist-mounted high-power spray." He spoke. "You gotta be practical."

Peter didn't like the answer for dismissing his analogy, but he found himself fascinated all the same. "Still. You made that whole suit by yourself? That's crazy..."

"Could be worse." Said Tony. "My Aunt Sweetie uses her unicorn levitation to help out, and if I ask mom hard enough, she can use her magic to help sort out some minor things too, when it comes to shaping or alloying the metal. What can you do though, I guess. I make do with what I got."

"Maybe I should get something like that in my suit!" Peter grinned.

"...Don't you dare copy me, kid."

"...Aren't we about the same age?"

***

The group walked out of the Boutique - with Twilight's mane in proper shape, and Thor's cape finally repaired. His smile was returned, and he eagerly walked along the road, a small skip to his step over the averted crisis. Loki had no desire to repeat the same trick twice. So, for now, the cape was safe.

"Last is music!" Said Twilight. "Should be kinda easy?" She proposed. "We gotta meet a pony called Fluttershy, right Spike?"

"...Yeah." Said the dragon, totally zoned out with hearts in his eyes as he walked on forward, totally out of it. Natasha looked down at him and sighed.

"When boys fall in love, don't expect them to be capable of much." She said, shaking her head. They would continue walking until came across a yellow pegasus facing them with her back. They slowed down, as they saw the pegasus doing something peculiar. She was talking to birds.

A young lad was by her side, happily writing down something into a clipboard.

"What are you writing down, Bruce?" Smiled Fluttershy.

"I got a device to measure frequencies." He spoke. "And they're really developing well to reach the optimal levels that are enjoyed by most ponies! You've been training them really well!"

"Heheh, thank you, sweetie." She nodded her head, turning back to the birds. "Okay, let's rehearse - we have an important evening for us, after all. Ready? Okay...A one, a two, a three--"

"Hello!" Exclaimed Twilight. The yellow pegasus was caught in total shock as she rushed behind the lab-coat, glasses-wearing man.

"Oh! We're so sorry!" Gasped Peter, defensively holding his hands up. "W-We didn't mean to scare you!"

"Oh, don't worry." Bruce rubbed his head. "Uh, this is normal. The name's Bruce! This is my mom, Fluttershy! What can we do for you?"

Twilight nodded, though still felt awkward over the cowering pegasus. "Uh, hi there! So, we just wanted to go over some things about the music? We wanted to make sure everything was covered and ready?"

The yellow pegasus muttered something.

"What was that?" Twilight leaned in.

Bruce blushed and sighed. The yellow pegasus muttered something once more.

"Oh, I heard her." Said Peter - which surprised all the others over how someone who stood at such a distance had such intense hearing. "She said "Yeah"."

"Ooookay then!" Grinned Twilight, gasping a sigh of relief over the fact that she no longer had to deal with yet another check. "Iiiin that case, we're just gonna go and--"

"WAIT!" Suddenly cried out the yellow pegasus. Much to Bruce's surprise, she leapt out from behind him, and pounced right in-front of Spike. The baby dragon yelped, taking a step back...But all saw the sheer gaze of adoration on the pegasus' face. "Is that a baby dragon!? He's so cute! What's his name~!?"

"Oh!" Coughed the dragon. "I'm Spike!"

"You can talk? That's soooo amazing!" Beamed Fluttershy.

Peter looked down at Spike, awkwardly coughing. "U-Uh, yeah? I thought all dragons could speak. He's not like a pet or something..."

"Let's get to the library already." Groaned Twilight, planting her face in her hoof.

"Oh! Can I come along? Grinned Fluttershy. "I wanna ask him sooo many questions!"

"I'll have to come along if you guys don't mind!" Bruce awkwardly smiled. "I uh...Wanna make sure mom makes it home okay and all that!"

"...Ugh, fine." Groaned Twilight.

***

It appeared like the longest walk - with Fluttershy asking so many questions to the baby dragon. Twilight had to listen to all of it - for she was the one who carried the dragon on her back. It took them what appeared to have been an hour. Finally, however, finally saying farewell to the yellow pegasus, Twilight was able to enter the one place she wanted to for all this time.

The Golden Oaks Library.

However, the lights were out, and it was almost perfectly pitch black. It was hard for anyone to see anything, with Peter attempting to feel out for a light switch in the darkness.

"So, we can confirm one thing at-least." Loki sighed in the darkness. "It appears that this little town is full of loonies and all kinds of crazy sorts...Seriously - we've yet to meet a single being that we can consider more or less, well..."normal"."

"I'm glad we're finally in a library, at-least." Sighed Twilight in relief. "It was a long day - but I can finally get to start reading over --..." Immediately, she stopped herself. She remembered the reality behind Nightmare Moon - the reality behind the fact that Loki was in this very room with her.

"Hm? Read about what?" Asked Loki.

"Just...Some things I wanted to catch up on." The unicorn sighed. "Okay now, someone find the light switch?"

"...Uh..." Peter nervously muttered in the darkness. "Well, I...think I just found someone's tail."

"...But I'm the only pony here." Squeaked Twilight.

Immense tension was felt by everyone when suddenly, there was a sound...The sound of a bow being drawn. Immediately, the time braced for a fight...and the arrow shot out. But it wasn't aimed at any of them.

And then, all became bright - as suddenly, the light switch was turned on.

"Surprise!" Cried out a myriad of ponies who were sitting in the darkness, with a young bow-wielding man instead saying "Bullseye!"

"W-What is this?" Natasha cried out in panic. "Is this an ambush!? Who are all these--"

"Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you!" Exclaimed the pink mare from earlier, the one that they had run into in the morning. Twilight took a step back, and so did Loki - the both of them perturbed by her bubbly and almost positively explosive personality.

"We didn't ask for a party." Loki hissed.

"Silly, that's why it's a surprise party!" Giggled Pinkie. "Also, I gathered all of the new friends you guys made today!" She said and pointed at a table. Indeed, at this round table were the ponies they had met earlier - coupled with their sons, who stood by their sides. They were not particularly excited to be there - seemingly perhaps dragged in. Except for Bruce, who happily stood beside Fluttershy.

"...When did she get in here?" Peter muttered. "Wasn't she right behind us...?"

"I make parties for everyone who's new to Ponyville!" Pinkie Pie giggled. "You were totally surprised, right? Were ya? Were ya?" She asked, following Twilight. The unicorn, with a deep sigh, approached a bottle, hoping she could pour herself something to drink. She listened to the pink earth pony talking with a side eye. In the middle of Pinkie Pie constantly talking, she did not pay attention that she had been pouring herself a cup full of hot sauce. And the moment Twilight took a sip, her face became cherry-red. Immediately, fire began to roll from her mouth, the spice too intense as sweat began to pour down her face.

It was while the ponies mingled and had their fun, the humans would separate from them. They all felt out of place at the party - but ironically this led to them all grouping together instead. There was a table in the corner, which all awkwardly gathered around - feeling that the way ponies celebrated this whole thing wasn't in their style. Except for Clint - who was tapping his foot to the sound of the music - but was too focused on his arrows to enjoy the party himself.

"...So, you guys aren't much into parties, are you?" Asked Peter as he approached the table. With their mothers going off to enjoy the party - and Fluttershy finding a more silent and quieter spot in the library...the humans were left at the table to mingle among each other.

There was an awkward silence between all of them. None had been too interested in chatting with one another, with Bruce perhaps too awkward and shy to do so. Perhaps Clint appeared somewhat more amicable, but he was much too focused on looking over the sharpness of one of his arrows, pricking it against the tip of his finger.

"...Can this truly be called a party without ale?" Sighed Thor.

"Don't be such an alcoholic." Loki murmured.

"I don't blame him." Tony said. "I checked the punch. Apparently, it's totally non-alcoholic. That's a bit of a letdown, ain't it?"

"Should you really be flying if you're drunk?" Proposed Bruce.

"Should you really be minding my business?" Tony rose a brow - making the glasses-wearing man awkwardly rub the back of his head.

"He just asked you a question." Steve softly shrugged.

"Well, I asked him a question back."

"...I heard it's rude to answer a question with a question." Muttered Bucky, taking the time to calibrate his arm as he tweaked its details for the sake of upholding its integrity.

Tony found himself getting a little annoyed. "I'm not exactly looking like I'm a gentleman from last century. If you want more politeness, go to Canterlot - everyone there speaks with funny posh accents and wears funny things."

"Hey!" Barked Thor. "Do not dare speak ill of my mother's sacred city, you...iron...man...!" He said, struggling to think of a one-liner, which incidentally seemed to inspire Tony.

"...Iron Man. I dig it. Thanks...Blondie? We can use that nickname for you." He smirked.

"My name is Thor, and you shall not disrespect me!" The bearded blonde man balled his fists, about to lean in and grab him by the collar. And yet, before he could, Bruce intervened, attempting to get between them as he awkwardly smiled, and waved his hands.

"Hey now, guys - let's not get heated..." Bruce chuckled. "This is a party after all! Why are we freaking out?"

"A party is supposed to be fun." Scoffed Natasha. Unexpectedly, the one to get a reaction out of this was Clint, who immediately put the arrow down.

"Take that back right now." The man said. Immediately, Tony and Thor forgot about their dispute, immediately turning to the bickering man and woman.

"Why? Cause you tried really hard on it?" Natasha asked, not bothered by the threat in the slightest.

"No. I am more of a marksman than a party planner." He spoke. "But my mother tried hard - harder than usual. I better not hear you say anything like that again, "my lady"."

"I'm not your lady." She grits her teeth.

"Well..." Peter coughed. "That's why he said that in a sarcastic tone..."

"And who are you exactly?" Bucky rose a brow. "What do you bring to the table? I can assume maybe this is the smart one." He pointed at Bruce. "But you? That spandex suit of yours something that gives you abilities? Is it a symbiote or something? Maybe a nanobot suit?"

"A nanobot suit is implausible." Tony said. "It would take decades to design a prototype for a suit that could use nanomachinery."

"Well, I have the powers of a spider. Hence, I'm Spider-Man." Peter shrugged. "What are you guys bringing to the table anyway?" Peter pointed at Steve and Bucky. "I see you got a robot arm, and a shield. But if you lose that...Won't you two, be normal dudes?"

The fact Peter had bundled Steve and Bucky made the two men grunt a little. Steve, who was silent the whole time, sighed as he leaned in with his elbows on the table. "Peter, was it? Look - I don't really have to explain anything to you. I'm an achievement of Equestrian science, made to protect Equestria. So is he." He pointed at Bucky. "Is that enough for you?"

"Genetically modified?" Natasha scoffed. "So, you needed to change your genes for them to be good? What a waste..."

"And you?" Smirked Steve. "I see you got a gun - but that makes you no better than a robber."

"I am genetically perfect from birth. Unlike you, I never asked anyone to change me."

"Just having red hair doesn't make you genetically superior, per se." Tony coughed. "Rare - sure, but..."

She grits her teeth. "I am the daughter of Princess Cadance. I'm sure I have an edge over you all."

"So why use a gun?" Scoffed Thor.

"Then why use a hammer?" Natasha grunted, balling her fists. "I didn't know Thor is the God of Hammers..."

"Oh, you sound just like my mother." The blonde man said with distaste. As the bickering in the group continued, Peter scooted closer to Bruce, the only two that appeared somewhat calmer and more controlled in this situation.

"Uh...So, are you into science much?" Asked Peter. At the question, Bruce immediately smiled.

"Oh yes." He smiled. "I'm doing radiology and its effects on biology! A lot of research with gamma radiation and all that, how it affects cells..."

"I guess we're kinda in the same boat! I had to research a lot, ever since the spider bit me..."

"A radioactive one, right?" Bruce teased.

"Yep!" Peter smiled.

Immediately, Bruce became quiet, and blinked in surprise at the fact he was right. "...Huh. I guess that's more for me to research! I'd love for you to pop into my lab sometime, but my "lab" is, well...Just my room in my mom's cottage. And even then, I can't really use anything radioactive or toxic, I don't think I wanna expose all the animals to gamma radiation, heh..."

"Right..." Peter chuckled awkwardly.

As the conversation went on, Peter saw a purple unicorn ascending up the stairs. With a frown, he got up from the table, and opted to follow. "Sorry - I'll go uh..."

"Go ahead." Smiled Bruce. "I'll uhm..." He turned to the table. "...Try to defuse the situation." He chuckled, as the others had started to argue and bicker among one another.

Nodding, Peter would follow after Twilight.

And Loki narrowed his eyes.

Peter stepped into the bedroom, where the unicorn sat by the window, looking out at the Moon.

"...Moon's beautiful this time of the night, huh? Joked the young man.

"..." Twilight sighed. "So much for reading. I can't even get to any bookshelf with how many ponies there are down there."

"Well..." Peter shrugged. "I don't think reading at night is good for your eyes anyway, is it? I mean, I know it's your way to unwind, but..."

"Peter, look..." Twilight frowned. "Remember the whole issue with Nightmare Moon? The fact I believe she's going to return on this very night - on the thousand-year anniversary of her being banished to the Moon?"

"Yeah?" The boy rubbed his head. He didn't believe in it - but all the same, he didn't want to tell that to his mother. "...Actually, about that...You seemed really tense when Loki asked you about it when we came here...What's up with that?"

"..." Twilight sighed. "Peter - what I tell you now should never leave this room, not until this information is allowed to be shared, or Loki admits it himself."

"...Wait, Loki does have something to do with this...?" Peter gulped.

In response, Twilight could only give one, sad nod. "Peter...Loki's mother is not Celestia. She never had twins...Loki's mother is...Nightmare Moon."

Peter's eyes widened. He immediately took a step back from the sheer shock in these words, tension rising in his shoulders. "Whoa, whoa, whoa...pause! But...That means Loki's mom is up there on that thing..." He spoke. "Celestia was raising him this whole time? Does...Does he know?"

"...Of course." Twilight sighed. "He knows. And that's what worries me. He's always said that he admitted he understood her evildoing. He understood why Celestia did what she had to. But even then, Peter...If I did something bad, and if I got imprisoned...Wouldn't you want to help?"

"I..." Peter hated this question. He always believed he had the goal in life to do the right thing. That he was there to be a good person, bringing safety and peace to the world, protecting it from evil. But what if this evil came from someone he loved? He wasn't naive - he understood that every criminal was a parent, child, or sibling.

"Exactly." The unicorn said. "That's the worst thing about it all. If Loki doesn't act to help Nightmare Moon, then he would feel that he's a terrible son - someone who left his mother to rot on the Moon for a thousand years, and then some more. If Loki acts to help her, he will feel that he's a being of evil, one that allowed his emotions to change the world...So that is to say, damned if he does - damned if he doesn't..."

"That's...Terrible." Said Peter. "Is there nothing we can do...?"

"...I don't know, Peter. I'm sorry..."

The door was then opened by the baby dragon. "Hey, Twilight! Pinkie's playing pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey! You wanna--...Am I interrupting a serious conversation?"

"...Something like that, Spike." Frowned Twilight. "All the ponies in this town are crazy - I don't wanna go back down there..."

The conversation would continue. Meanwhile, a spider in the corner of a room skittered away outside through a window, and walking along the tree bark, it made its way onto the grass outside...Where it transformed into the shape of a young, dark-haired lad.

Loki looked up at the Moon...His fists shaking.

Why did things have to be like this?

***

It was finally time for the festival. Ponies and humans gathered around the Town Hall, where the balcony had been prepared for Princess Celestia to appear for the Summer Sun Celebration in order to raise the Sun.

The first pony to get up on the balcony was the Mayor - a tan mare with a grey mane. She coughed, clearing her voice, and spoke.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts, as Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" She cried out. In response, the ponies and humans began clapping and cheering.

Smiling, the Mayor continued. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the pony who gives us the Sun and the Moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of Harmony to all of Equestria..."

"Okay!" Grinned Thor. "Once mother shows up, we can probably get up on that balcony later and get some well-deserved recognition of our own, right, brother?" Asked Thor, smiling at the dark-haired lad beside him. And yet, he didn't respond.

And then, the Mayor stepped away from the balcony door.

"..."

There was a long, pregnant silence. All waited for Princess Celestia to appear - and yet...The blinds remained up on the door behind the Town Hall.

"What's going on?" Asked the many ponies, each muttering in confusion. Where was the Princess?

"She's gone!" Panicked Rarity.

"Oh, maybe she's playing hide and seek!"

"...No!" Gasped Thor. "I...I can't feel her presence! I merely thought she was masking it - but...She really isn't here!"

Natasha bit her lip, hand reaching for her pistol. Clint too reached for his bow - there was tension in the air...Tension as blue smoke began to appear on the balcony, a sparkling miasma of blue that hovered above the balcony.

Twilight gasped, fearfully bowing her head. "Oh no..."

And then, she appeared.

An alicorn as black as night - with two snake-like eyes, and bat wings, a helmet adorned on her head, and her mane of a nebulous cover of what appeared like stars.

"Nightmare Moon!" Twilight cried out. Peter immediately stood in-front of her, defending her.

The alicorn laughed down at the terrified and confused spectators.

The evil and malicious creature grinned down below at the ponies and humans, her muzzle breaking into a teethy, cruel smile. "Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little Sun-loving faces..."

"What did you do to our Princess!?" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO OUR MOTHER!?" Thor yelled - his voice even more booming than Rainbow's.

"Oh my...My sweet little nephew - have you already forgotten your Auntie?" She smiled with ire and toxicity. "Have you forgotten that we're family, Thor?"

"You are no kin of mine!" Thor barked.

"...Then neither is he." Smirked Nightmare, her eyes guided towards Loki. "...Hello, my dear son. I hope you've been well..."

"Wait, she's your..." Steve tensed up, slowly turning to Loki. The dark-haired lad was frozen, unable to stop looking at her. He did so in disbelief, completely shocked.

"So, apart from my own family..." The creature smiled. "Why do none of you bow? Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend/ Did you not see the signs?"

Although Peter attempted to stand in-front of Twilight to shield her, she went around him to face the alicorn. She bit her lip nervously, daring to look up and face the wicked alicorn.

"...I did." Twilight said. "And I know who you are. You're the Mare on the Moon...Nightmare Moon."

It coaxed laughter from the alicorn. "Well, well, well. Somepony who remembers me. Then, you also know why I'm here." She said with malice, her wings beginning to unfurl wide, enveloping the area behind her in a blanket of total darkness.

"You dare..." Thor balled his fists. "I won't let you...!"

"I'm so sorry, nephew." Smirked Nightmare Moon. "But I'm afraid your mother deserves to take a break from reigning over Equestria by herself for a thousand years. How much can one mare rule by herself? It's my turn." She cooed. "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night...will...last FOREVER!" She triumphantly began laugh - thunder rolling around her and amplifying the terrible sound of her wicked laugh. the ponies and humans began to take steps back, all unsure of what to do next.

Only one was devoid of fear - for instead, he was full of confusion, and uncertainty...

"...Mother...?" Loki gasped under his breath as he looked up at the shadowy figure on the balcony. Her laugh echoed in his ears...

What choice did he have?

To be a good person?

Or finally be with the mother he had lost for a thousand years?

To Be Continued...

Author's Note

This has been Chapter 1 for My Litte Pony x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic, and Nightmare Moon has finally returned at the end of this chapter.

Now, it has come down to the big question. Will Loki team up with Thor and the group to take down his own mother? Or will we see Loki reunite with the pony that he lost for the past thousand years?! Stay tuned, for Chapter 2 of this massive story.

Chapter 2 will arrive soon. Just hang tight!