Twilight paced around the room, looking through the books with a frantic fervor as she desperately sought any clue - a smidgeon of intel that could provide her with the next step. No book recorded any method of stopping Nightmare Moon - unironically only one had ever discussed the topic, but only explained how to survive in a no-sunlight environment.

"This is really bad!" Squeaked the Unicorn. "What do we do!? None of these books will help us!"

"We must fight her!" Exclaimed Steve. " As far as I'm concerned, anyone can become normal once you smack the daylights out of 'em!"

"Watch your tongue!" Hissed Thor. "That is my aunt you speak of - and the mother of my brother."

"Speaking of which... He's not around here, huh? That uh... doesn't bode well..." Clint said as he fletched the arrows while sitting on the windowsill. "I mean, where did he go?"

"I don't like it either." Bucky folded his arms, looking at Thor with squinted and suspicious eyes. "How come he's gone? And how come this happened just as you arrived here? As far as I'm concerned, what if you're on the same side?"

A spark of electricity ran across Thor's entire height. "You better watch your mouth as well. Now - do not pull strange ideas out of nowhere. She is his mother; it is normal that he's not willing to face her. I shall not have any more slander towards my family - the fact she is his mother does not change anything about him."

"Well..." Tony muttered as he helped himself to a drink leftover from the party. "His momma is threatening to throw our little country into a catastrophic cycle lock that's gonna make life just a teeny bit harder. Dying plants due to lacking sunlight and cold, y'know... What, are we supposed to greet her with hula girls and roses?"

"Tony!" Rarity exclaimed, placing a hoof on his arm. "Please, don't antagonize random people..."

"Random!? You dare, Unicorn!?" Thor exclaimed, balling his fists and puffing his chest. "You speak of the God of Thunder, and the son of Celestia! I'll have you know that I am more than just a random person!"

Tony was quick to immediately step forward and place himself between Thor and his mother, scowling a little as he activated his armor - the backpack-worn case starting to envelope his body in gold-and-red armor from head to toe. As he put on the armor, he spoke with spite. "You better not raise your voice at my mom, 'cause I don't think Gods have unbreakable noses."

As the two began to approach one another and square up, they were stopped by Peter, who held his hands out to the side to prevent them from clashing, hushing and trying to get them to stand down. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy guys, easy! We're here to work together!"

"Work together?" Natasha scoffed. "I'll fix it myself; you just keep the town safe."

"No can do, missy!" Exclaimed Applejack. "We're on board with what 'yer boy's sayin! Y'expect me to just kick 'mah hooves back 'n let my apple trees die cause sunlight's gone!? That's crazy talk!"

Peter nervously chuckled. "I'd appreciate my mom not being called crazy, but I'm glad we're on the same page. We need to pull ourselves together! We've all got some skill that we can bring to the table to use against her, right? So, let's just put aside the bickering and think through this, okay?"

"I agree!" Exclaimed Bruce, who had been protectively standing beside Fluttershy the whole time. "Guys, look at how much power we've all got! We've got skills and abilities that can make quick work of the threat!"

"The Elements of Harmony..." Twilight suddenly spoke up. "That's the only power that's gonna work, but... Where are the Elements? The old castle is the only place that even mentions them, but... But how will we get there?"

"Worry about that later." Suddenly said Rainbow Dash, flying up to Steve and giving him a nudge. He smiled at her and nodded. "If you're sayin' that these Elements or whatever are held up in a castle, then that's just fine by me! Let's go get it!"

"...That's the hard part." Suddenly said Bruce. "I think I know what castle we're speaking of here, but uh... The big kicker is its location. It's not exactly nearby, in-case you were wondering. The castle is located in...

***

"The Everfree Forest!?" Suddenly the ponies gasped, while their human children silently looked at the canopy with a look of surprise. They hadn't anticipated the woods to look neither this thick, nor intimidating.

"Hm..." Said Tony, scratching his beard. "This forest didn't really look so bad from the outskirts."

"...It could be an effect of her corruption." Said Thor. "It would make a modicum of sense. She was always able to spread her power to everything she touched, including people... So, we're going to have to deal with the fact that we shall be in what is essentially her domain."

"That's fine." Natasha cocked her pistol, pulling the slide back and loading a round into the chamber. "This isn't the worst thing I've run into."

"We still need to be careful, though." Said Applejack. "You're from Canterlot, right? Listen, y'gotta know that as much as things might look to be decently normal as far as spooky forests are concerned, this is no joke. We gotta work together, and nobody's here doin' any heroics. Aight?"

"Yeah!" Suddenly said Pinkie Pie, nearly springing into action to speak. "You can't just expect that one person is gonna do all the heavy hauling on a party like this! Besides, parties aren't meant to be a solo thing either way!"

"Well..." Twilight sighed. She truly wanted to go alone, but it seemed that this would not be the case. With a murmur, she walked forward. "Okay everypony - I want to get to the castle and get this over with! Nightmare Moon can't be allowed to roam Equestria any longer!"

Tony was about to initiate the thrusters of his boots, but Rarity shook her head at him. "Tony, darling, those canopies are thicker than a tightly knit sweater! There's no point taking the high ground. And besides, it'd do you good not to wander off!"

"...Ugh, fine." Tony sighed. "I swear, when I get rich, I'm gonna deforest this whole place and build a casino."

"You certainly will not!" Fluttershy barked - but then blushed as she realized she had raised her voice. "U-uhm, I mean...P... Please don't do that?"

***

The forest did not seem all too frightening at first. At-least in this outer layer, they seemed to have been in relative safety. No creatures were around, and perhaps not many would venture against such a heavily armed group.

However, the influence of Nightmare Moon stalked them...

"I gotta say..." Peter confidently smirked. "Not impressed so far. As far as scary woods go, I give this one a uh... I dunno - 4 outta 10?"

"Peter." Twilight groaned. They had to now walk alongside the edge of a cliff, the only way forward. "Look, can we not give ratings on ow scary these forests look? I'd rather not think about what it's gonna look like if it's a 6 or 7 if this is your 4..."

"Sorry." Peter laughed. "Just--"

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of cracking ground. In horror, they all realized what happened. The ground gave way, and the soil had shattered beneath them, causing the ground to avalanche downwards.

"Everyone, hang on!" Steve exclaimed - but the destruction had caused a great cloud of smoke which was impossible to see through, causing the group to separate and divide.

With a yelp, Twilight and Natasha were sent rolling down the cliffside. The first to notice were Applejack and Bucky.

"I got you!" Bucky shouted. While his organic hand reached out for the falling Natasha, his cybernetic one planted into the ground. Meanwhile, Applejack reached out for the Unicorn.

"Don't let go!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Don't you DARE let go!" Natasha barked at Bucky.

But at that moment, the mother and son looked at one another. Nodding, they turned back to the ones they held up. "...You gotta let go!" Bucky exclaimed.

Natasha's eyes widened like dinner plates. "WHAT!?"

"You'll be safe!" Applejack exclaimed. "Trust us! Let go, and you'll be safe! Promise!"

With a gulp, Twilight released Applejack's hoof. With a nervous sigh, Natasha did the same with Bucky's hand...

And then, as they fell down... They felt an immediate softness.

Twilight was caught by Tony - who was flying with the thrusters just above. Meanwhile, with ease, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings to catch Natasha, who was as pale as a ghost from fright. They helped the two on the ground, where the group had gathered.

"See, told ya!" Applejack grinned.

"C-Coulda told me!" Twilight coughed a little from the dust, using magic to dust herself off.

"..." Natasha grunted, dusting herself off as well, due to the nervousness and fear she'd felt from falling down such a distance, even if rescued. However, Bucky noticed this, and approached her.

"Hey, next time - you don't gotta worry if Applejack says something. Mom's pretty honest." He smiled, patting her on the shoulder with his organic hand. "You can trust her. Her word's as good as gold."

"...Thanks." Natasha blushed. She did not like the fact she looked somewhat vulnerable - not wanting to show any weakness. "...L-Let's go." She muttered. With that, the ponies and humans went deeper into the woods, heading deeper into the darkness.

***

Clint nervously trained his bow and arrow towards the horizon, looking left and right to see if maybe there was something in this darkness that intended to threaten them. He nervously pulled the arrow back at the slightest noise. He was worried - but more importantly, he wanted to keep his mother safe.

"You look tense." Steve commented. "C'mon, is this your first time in the woods?"

"I keep thinking about that landslide, a few minutes ago." Clint said, looking at Steve sternly. "Kinda weird that it just happened to have happened while we were passing by, don't you think? There's something weird in these woods, man."

"Oh, no need to worry, Mr. Clint." Fluttershy smiled, putting a hoof on his hand as she walked beside him. "While we might have the danger of the environment, you can be assured that the creatures here have no reason to harm us, unless we enter their territory! Well, they may also attack us if they're hungry too, and... uhm... We'll be okay!"

"...Very reassuring." Rarity sighed. Then, they all shrieked.

They were rushed by a massive-lion beast, except it had the tail of a scorpion, and imposing wings. It towered above all of them, rearing and extending its paws as it began to roar at the creatures with all its might.

"Watch out!" Peter used his webs to get Rarity out of the way - attaching it to her, and then pulling her in, before shielding her from the monster.

"A Manticore!?" Thor exclaimed. "Foolish beast! What does it think it is doing by assaulting us!? I'll mount its head in a throne room!"

"If there'll be anything left of it by the time I'm done." Tony grinned, preparing his blaster as he aimed at it. Bucky and Natasha both aimed their guns at it as well, preparing to engage it.

However, what no one expected was for Bruce to suddenly run up and extend his arms, facing the Manticore with his back. "Wait!" Bruce shouted at them. "Don't hurt it!"

"Are you crazy!?" Tony shouted angrily. "That thing nearly turned my mom into minced meat! You bet I'm gonna atomize it!"

"Just because it's angry, doesn't mean it's in the wrong!" Bruce shouted. "Mom!? I dunno how long I can hold these guys back!"

"Just a moment!" Fluttershy smiled, trotting past Bruce, much to the horror of the ponies.

"Hey, wait!" Twilight gasped. "What are you doing!? Fluttershy--"

"Oh, you poor thing..." Said the yellow Pegasus, totally uncaring about the terrifying shouts and roars of the beast that were enough to make her mane sway against the wind. However, all watched with amazement and surprise as she calmly took the beast's paw into her hooves... and removed the large splinter that had made it so angry. She plucked it out, and the beast let out another roar. However, the beast soon started to lick her mane and display her love and affection, nuzzling her.

"...Dude..." Peter gulped. "Bruce, your mom is really cool, but..."

"You can say it." Bruce chuckled. " A lil' bit crazy? Maybe - kinda. But the most important thing is that we sometimes gotta show a bit of kindness."

Fluttershy saw the group and smiled warmly. "Mhm! Bruce is right! Just taking the time to see what's wrong, and taking the time to address someone angry with kindness is very important! Believe me, I know how important that is!"

"...Well." Tony sighed and turned off the blaster. "...Let's keep moving. Don't take too long playing with the kitty, alright?"

***

"Ugh, just how far away are we at this point?" Natasha cried out with annoyance. "I really hope we're not just walking around in a stupid circle..."

"We're not." Tony confirmed. "I built a GPS into this thing and trust me - we're doing pretty well. If Twilight's estimated the time right, then we're about what...halfway there? There's also a river up head. Guess we'll fly over it, though."

"We'll be fine." Applejack smiled. "Ah'm familiar with this kinda geography, so ah'm sure we'll need a lil' bit to ford it! Or we can get flown over the bank!"

"I'm not gonna be a taxi." Tony coughed.

However, they then stepped through the foliage. The sound of what they assumed to be rushing water was anything but. What they saw before them was a truly strange sight - for there was a huge Sea Serpent, one that sobbed and cried.

"What a world, what a world!" The Serpent exclaimed, hiding his face.

"O-Oh dear!" Rarity cried out. The ponies and humans took a step back, for the crying of the dragon was practically showering down upon them. They saw a sea dragon who had a very strange predicament. He had a mustache - which wasn't the odd part. Odd was that although one side was normal and orange, the other was a strange vine-like growth, which looked absolutely atrocious.

"Uhm, e-excuse me, a-are you okay mister Sea Serpent?" Fluttershy asked, dodging the streams of water that poured down at her.

"Oh, well, I don't know! I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke... and then a green light just whisked past me, and tore half of beloved mustache clean off, and then replaced the other half with this unsightly vine thing! And now... I look simply, absolutely, completely horrid!" The Serpent said, before starting to sob even more.

"Seriously!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Of all the things to cry about..." Bucky shook his head. However, the comment made Rarity gasp, who stepped in front of the group.

"How can you be so insensitive!?" Rarity exclaimed, turning to the dragon and approaching him with a big, kind smile. "Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales."

"I know, I know..." The dragon sniffled.

Tony stepped forward, using the thrusters on his feet to float up to the dragon. "Okay, mom, let's cut the flattery. Let's at-least get that ugly thing off of him."

The dragon gasped. "M-my mustache? Do you really think my mustache is ug--"

The Sea Serpent had no moment to anticipate the moment that Tony used one of his hand-blasters to produce a small beam of light - but very high energy, and capable of producing the small laser needed to cut off the vine-like growth. It made the Sea Serpent cry out in surprise, but the growth fell into the water, splashing all over.

Rarity gasped as she approached. "Tony, dear! If you're going to remove the ugly part, at-least find something beautiful to replace it with!"

"Uh..." Tony didn't dare argue with his mother, especially not when it came to fashion. He realized the error of his mistake, as the dragon was now sobbing even harder. He cried twice as hard when he felt a sensation prick him. Much to his surprise, Rarity had bitten one of his scales and plucked it out, holding it in her teeth.

All gasped in surprise when Rarity sliced off her own tail. The absurd action did not make sense, until the Unicorn used levitation to bring up the purple tail up to the Sea Serpent's muzzle. She attached it, making an asymmetrical, but certainly charming mustache that adorned is face.

The dragon saw the reflection in Tony's glistening armor and gasped with excitement. "Ohohoh! My mustache. How wonderful!"

"You look smashing!" Rarity grinned.

"Well... I just hope you don't get any ideas on how to style my beard." Tony coughed at Rarity.

"Ma'am!" Thor gasped as he approached. "But your tail! It was such an elite feature! Are you certain it was the right call to get rid of it like that?"

"Short tails are in season, dear." Rarity chuckled. "It'll grow back."

"...The mustache won't?" Natasha muttered.

"That's what I'm saying!" Rainbow exclaimed.

Rarity chuckled. "Oh hush. A little generosity never hurts nopony, has it?"

"At-least we can cross now!" Peter said. "We can go into battle, and not worry about getting wet and all, how cool is that?"

"Oh, but allow me!" The Sea Serpent smiled. He made his body into something of a bridge, laying it out in bumps that would allow them all to hop over each part. He seemed to carry the ponies quite easily, though grits his teeth as the massive bodies of Thor, Steve, and Bucky started to cross. He was glad at-least that the one wearing iron armor opted to fly instead.

"Oh, awesome." Tony rubbed the sweat off his brow. "Here I was worried I'd have to carry all of you, one by one."

"You're telling me." Rainbow Dash laughed as they, with the help of the Sea Serpent, walked over the other side of the riverbank, venturing deeper into the wicked and dark woods before them.

As they walked, Tony stopped flying to also join in, doing so just to talk with his mother. "...Just to make sure." Tony whispered to Rarity as he walked by her side. "When uh... You realize that you just cut your tail in half, you're not gonna suddenly start crying about it, are you?"

"Ahem." Rarity blushed, looking aside as the realization of what she currently looked like set in. "Well, dear, the less you talk about it, and the less you pay attention to it, then the easier it is to cope with. So, let's instead focus on the terrifying beast we're supposed to stop from turning Equestria into a land of eternal night, shall we?"

***

They ventured past the crooked trees and branches. While the ponies were rather terrified and uneasy over the trek, the human side of the team seemed somewhat content. They were aware - with Natasha training her pistol at the tree line, Bucky pointing his rifle at whatever dark passages he saw, and Clint holding an arrow in his left hand, and the bow in the other - both not too far apart from being fired.

"These woods are creepy..." Bruce muttered.

"Hey." Scoffed Steve. "If you're such a scaredy cat, why bother coming with us? You don't really look like you got a lot going on for you."

"...I'm a scientist." Insisted Fluttershy's son, taking a deep breath, and checking the skin on his hands. He sighed in relief. "I'd rather not discuss qualifications, when we need to focus on the task at hand."

"...But these trees..." Twilight muttered. "Don't they look so... So..."

They felt frozen. The oppression of the forest was too much - they felt like they were walking in circles. The tension of the group was rising, for they saw shadows - and in the shadows, they saw nothing, which they could've sworn was once something. They were becoming nervous - if they weren't afraid, they were paranoid.

"..."

"Ugh! Screw this!" Bucky shouted. "Everyone get down!"

The group had little time to react. The ponies were already rather low, but the humans would need to physically duck as they heard the cocking of a rifle. With a scream of rage, Bucky unloaded his entire magazine into the tree line. The fiery wave of bullets shot into the trees and branches, but this would be a mistake...

For a stray bullet would partially detach a large branch, and so, it collapsed right on top of Bucky...

Who was rescued by Clint. He fired an arrow at Bucky - but the arrow was tipped with a pouch of compressed air, which blasted Bucky away from danger as the branch missed him, falling and landing onto the dirt.

"Ugh!" Bucky coughed. He was flat on his rear, and his vision was blurred... But as it unblurred, he saw pink. A hoof was stretched out to him. Pinkie Pie, the mother of the man who saved his life, stood there.

"You guys..." Pinkie giggled. "I dunno why you're all so afraid!"

"We're not afraid!" Thor exclaimed. "But the enemy can lurk behind any shadow! Behind any--"

"So afraid." Said Pinkie. "You see, you can't just be afraid of every little shadow that gets in the way!" The pony said. "When Clint would be unable to fall asleep, because he was afraid of the dark--"

"...Thanks, mom." He sighed.

"--I used to tell him..." Pinkie gathered the group around her. "Sometimes, if you giggle at the ghosties, you realize they're not that scary at all! When I was a little filly, and the sun was going dooooownnnn~!"

"Tell me she's not..."

The humans watched as she began to sing - with the other ponies rejoicing with them. At-least the thoughts had pierced the thoughts of the team. Bucky looked at his rifle, and loaded in the next magazine, but this time, he kept his finger off the trigger. He watched Applejack laugh with Pinkie, and as the ponies and some other humans laughed, suddenly the woods no longer felt so terrifying. Not when they were all together.

***

They traveled for more minutes. The trek seemed to be easier - most obstacles were out of the way. However, there was much anxiety. They were coming closer to a showdown.

"We gotta be close!"

They stood before the rickety bridge. All would seem well, if not for the fact that the bridge was halfway disconnected, and only one side of the bridge remained, swinging over an abyss. The team hesitantly looked over it, and gazed at one another in concern, wondering how they'd get across.

"...Noooo idea how far it goes." Peter muttered as he kept trying to shoot his webs over the dense fog that permeated over the abyss below. However, no matter how far his webs went, there was no result. He could not find purchase on the other side, and nothing pulled him.

"..." Thor tried throwing his hammer, and yet, it kept safely returning without having struck anything. "...Peculiar. I feel as if this fog is--"

"Well, this shouldn't be a problem. You take a seat." Tony smirked, immediately leaping off the edge, much to the horror of the others. With the thrusters in his feet and arms, he started to fly over the fog - however, he found himself unable to hold on. Suddenly, turbulence had knocked him back, sending him reeling backwards into the dirt and grass.

"Tony, dear!" Rarity cried out in sheer horror. "Oh goodness, are you alright? Do you feel hurt?"

"D-Damn!" Tony's visor opened to show his face, he squinted his eyes at the fog trying to understand just what the issue was. "That's the kinda turbulence you feel before a hurricane..."

"I feel fine..." Muttered Rainbow Dash as she started to fly closer to the edge and was now reaching the same distance as Tony did - much to Steve's shock.

"Ma!" Steve cried out. "Hey, don't Let's go around and--"

"Relaaaax kid." Rainbow Dash giggled softly. "Look, this is pretty good air! Tony, fix your suit up. Meaaanwhile, I'm gonna go get us over. Lemme just tie the bridge over on the other side. You guys don't gotta move a muscle."

With that, the Pegasus flew over the foggy abyss, making Steve cry out in surprise as he tried to reach his hand out. At that point however, she was gone, and disappeared into the grayness of the fog.

Twilight approached by his side and smiled, putting a hoof on his arm. "Hey, it's gonna be okay! She looks like a good flier, you know? I'm sure it's gonna work out!" She spoke. Pensively however, Steve couldn't help but keep looking at the fog.

I'm not scared about what's gonna happen to her." He sighed. "...What's on the other side? That's what I'm worried about..."

***

Rainbow Dash laughed as she saw the rope bridge, disconnected beside a wooden post. She began to tie it but heard the sound of movement behind her. With a gasp, she turned around to see the shapes that came to her. They looked like Pegasi - wearing outfits that resembled Wonderbolts, yet not quite.

There was a moment of hesitation as Rainbow dash took a step back. In that moment, she felt a strange energy... There was something cold, like a cold Autumn night that sent chills to her spine. Then, on the other hand, she felt the presence of something...

Chaotic.

"Hey, who are you!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Hello, Rainbow Dash..." said the Pegasus in the center. "Allow me to introduce us. We are the Shadowbolts - Equestria's elite fliers. The most elite flight group, might I add."

"Oh yeah?" Rainbow tilted her head. "Doesn't feel like it - the Wonderbolts are the best ones!"

"We're faster than them." The center Pegasus dismissively waved her hoof. "Beaten their records twice over and showed them who's boss. You can have a place here with us - we'll get you the kind of fame and recognition an awesome flier like you deserves."

"Well..." Rainbow Dash rubbed her chin with a wing. "Okay? I'm really interested, not gonna lie..."

"Oh, but that's not all." Said another sudden voice... A mare?

The green mare approached with a smirk. She seemed oddly... familiar, even,

"Who are you?" Rainbow Dash muttered.

The green mare chuckled. "Well, I'm just an... associate." She spoke. "You see, we here at the Shadowbolts have access to a bit of... magic. And so, I've got an offer for you."

There was a green flash, and momentarily, the wings of the Shadowbolts changed. They became larger, stronger, with much more ornate and longer feathers, flapping proudly as they rose to the sky in mere milliseconds.

"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash watched in utter awe at the augmented wings that were now spotted by the mysterious shadowy Pegasi. "Those look so cool! Can they hit mach speeds?"

"Not ordinarily..." The green mare smirked. "Oh, but you? I bet you can. You're the type of flier that's perfect for these wings. You'd get all the use outta them."

Gleefully, Rainbow Dash galloped up and down a bit. "Awesome! Gimme just a second. lemme tie this bridge and get my friends overboard, and--"

"No!" The Shadowbolts and green mare exclaimed at the same time. One of the Shadowbolts came close to Rainbow Dash, practically pressing her muzzle to hers. "There's no time for that! It's either them, or us?"

The green mare approached with displeasure, looking at Rainbow Dash with a side eye. "You best consider the offer wisely. I'm not going to come back if you leave now. We need someone loyal and dedicated."

Rainbow Dash looked at the ground thoughtfully. Her eyes darted towards those giant wings, the wings that would give her the kind of speed and aerial acrobatics which were unseen before in Equestria - likely strong enough that she could even compete with Celestia herself.

But she looked at the other side of the fog - knowing who's waiting for her back on the other side.

Her son was, of course, one of them.

With a soft sigh, Rainbow Dash turned to the green mare. "Thanks..."

They smiled - grinned with malice and conquest, excited to know they had convinced and fooled the rainbow-haired Pegasus.

"For the offer, I mean." The Pegasus said suddenly, turning to the bridge and attaching the rope, securing the bridge and making it possible for them all to cross over. With the bridge secured, she smiled as she saw her new friends crossing over - but more importantly, her son.

Angrily, the Shadowbolts and the green mare turned into purple and green smoke, and flew away, while Rainbow Dash wasn't watching.

"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack laughed. "Took ya long enough!"

"Sorry about that!" The Pegasus retorted with a chuckle. "I just ran into someone who may have tested my loyalty a bit. Not like they came anywhere close enough."

"Well..." Steve folded his arms with a smile. "I know that you'd never abandon someone, even if they give you a billion bits. I know you wouldn't abandon your country either." He spoke. Rainbow Dash laughed, floating up to rub his head.

"Ain't you a patriot? Now come on everypony, that spooky castle thing is right over there!" She said, pointing a hoof at the silhouette of the ruins, which awaited the heroes in the darkness of the night.

Away from the group, the purple and green smokes turned into physical forms... There stood the dark and night-sky-like Alicorn... and the lad wearing green.

Loki sighed. "I'm sorry, mother. I thought--"

"Not your fault, Loki." Nightmare Moon smiled, rubbing his head with her hoof. "Even if this proves to be challenging, I am happy to be beside my son once again. Now, let's wait for them together at their destination. We don't want to make things anticlimactic for our heroes here, don't we?"

As they walked, Loki took one last look at the rear. He could see the distant group on the horizon, approaching the ruins. He could make out Thor's silhouette, and it made him wonder... if there was a different way to do this.

Maybe a way where they wouldn't need to fight.

***

Thoughtfully, Loki looked out of the ruined window. He gazed upon the Moon; it was not a day he anticipated; he truthfully had no idea the day would have come today. He anticipated it for long, but even the rumors and Twilight Sparkle's paranoia could not prepare him for the return of his own mother.

Though he did not understand... Was his mother, Princess Luna? Or was it... Nightmare Moon?

He was told she was ruthless, and yet here they were, working together.

"Hm." Loki sighed as he sat on the throne beside his mother. "I had hoped that maybe the Rainbow-maned one would appreciate the strongest wings in Equestria..."

"Do not fret, my son." Nightmare Moon sighed. "There is not much we may do with the stupid citizens of our country. That's why they need a strong and clever hoof and hand to guide them. Under the eternal night, they shall know how to obey those superior to them, those who may lead them to a world worth living in - not what my sister plans to enact upon this beautiful world."

"..." Loki sighed deep in thought, still looking out the window to look at the Moon no longer contained his mother. "What will you do to Aunt 'Tia? What will you do to Thor?"

"Thor will still be by your side." Nightmare Moon grits her teeth softly. "That is, if he wishes it... Should he deny you, then he can be pay off the remainder of his sentence on the Moon, along with his mother."

"W-Wait!" Loki gasped, turning to her. "Mother, but... That may not... I-I mean, that shouldn't be so. Thor is my brother. Whether or not he approves, he should not have to be placed on the Moon to be locked away! And neither should Celestia! For all the wrong they might've done, that doesn't mean they deserve such a senten--"

"And I do, Loki?" Nightmare Moon immediately growled, making Loki recoil slightly as he saw her furious eyes, her angered gaze that displayed her displeasure in his words. "Do you think I deserved this? A thousand years on the Moon because my sister deemed it the fitting punishment - even though I have been suffering under the shadows of her arrogance and disrespect?"

"But--"

"And of Thor?" Nightmare Moon sardonically scoffed, giving Loki the side-eye. "Think hard. Think very hard on how your relationship has developed. He is the country's favorite. All the attention goes to him - all the respect goes to him. Just like me, your "auntie 'Tia" has put you to the side. She thinks you're disposable."

"But that's not..." Loki felt her words sink into his mind. He could not find the words he needed to rebuke what she said. He was stuck thinking about her words, thinking about the vile truth he pushed away.

He remembered how it all happened... How, with Thor, he could not attain self-realization, nor self-actualization. His mother was enabling that anger inside of him that he tried to put away. He always thought that should have kept things amicable with his brother... But the more time passed, the more he considered that maybe he deserved his spot in greatness. That he deserved his shot at power and glory.

...

He narrowed his eyes angrily as he stared at the Moon. Nightmare Moon was right. She was the one who had to endure a thousand years on the Moon. Would Thor have done the same to him if he had the chance?

With a soft sigh, Loki understood that in this world, he was alone. It was only him, and his mother. Loki curled his hands into fists, and they slightly cracked, the vein on his neck popping as he breathed heavily, chest rising up and down.

"...You're right, mother." Loki said. "...I understand it all clearly."

At the words, Nightmare Moon smiled warmly. "I'm glad you see things from my point of view. Now, let's greet our "heroes"."

***

The group walked through the ruined hallways of the castle. The closer they came, the more anxious they all became. Bucky would check the corners with his gun, while Tony used the sensors on his suit to see where the potential threats may have been.

"...You know, I get no big readings here." Tony muttered as the radar in his suit absolutely lacked any signal. "You know, Miss Sparkle, part a' me isn't so sure there's even any "Elements of Harmony" here, if you say that they're pretty powerful and all that..."

"Have faith." Thor said. "You may not sense anything that metal toy of yours, but I can always sense my brother. He's here... And so is my aunt... I can sense their energy. And I can sense that they're waiting..."

"...Do you think that..." Natasha muttered, checking the bullet in her pistol. "Loki is with her because he's joined her?"

"Do not talk nonsense!" Thor immediately barked, his biceps bulging from fury. "My brother would not join Nightmare Moon. He's not going to allow himself to operate under some tyrant."

"But why is he there?" Steve immediately stopped, pinning towards Thor. "You need to explain one thing - what can we expect from your brother? If he turns against you, if he decides to fight us, then what are we supposed to do to fight him? Especially - what if he's joined by Nightmare Moon?"

"I am TELLING you." Thor shouted at him. "There is no chance he would--"

"Thor!" Twilight Sparkle suddenly exclaimed. The fact that she spoke and raised her tone surprised all, even Thor himself who had begun to view her as somewhat of the group's authority figure. As all attention was on her, Twilight softly sighed.

"Listen." She spoke. "Please, I want you to understand we're not trying to imply or say anything. We're not saying Loki is a traitor - but we cannot know what's waiting for us in these ruins. There's a chance that she might have lied to him about something. What if she's mind controlling him?"

"I..." Thor stopped talking and sighed. He looked at the ruins and hung his head. He looked at the group. "...Very well. You must be prepared for any unexpected feat. He wields chaos - meaning that he can do practically anything. He can impersonate anyone, manipulate physics, trick, and confuse those who fight him. If you're going to fight him, you're going to have to stay at the top of your game and catch him off-guard. Only the unexpected may defeat the unexpected."

"Then that's what we'll do if it comes down to it." Peter said. "If things get too hot, then we're gonna make sure we don't do the same tricks. We'll all mix our attacks up, go one by one, and--"

"Yeah, yeah." Steve waved his arm. "Come on, let's go get 'em. We don't need to wait longer than we've gotta."

"But--" Peter was cut off as the group started moving. Everyone was perhaps too anxious, and needed to get this over with, as they feared the longer, they delayed the encounter, then the closer Nightmare Moon would be to achieving her goals.

Applejack smiled at Peter as they passed by. "No worries sugarcube, everyone's got their nerves in a twist, but 'ah'm sure we've got this."

"T-thanks miss Applejack." Peter softly smiled. With the rest, he entered the ruins, preparing for an encounter with the villain... Though worse, possibly even villains.

***

They stepped into the room.

The group saw the strange pillars. They saw the stone orbs atop oh them, those that seemed to have some sort of engraving. There were five of them, and they stood untouched for what seemed to be ages.

"Are those it?" Bruce muttered. "I'm... somewhat surprised... I assumed they would have had more signs that they had some kind of power."

Pinkie Pie giggled as she bounced around them. "We could always put up some lights and streamers and stuff to make 'em more fun!"

"Wait, but this isn't right..." Twilight nervously paced around the pillars. "There are five! There were supposed to be six Elements of Harmony! Where could they be...!?"

"Hang on..." Peter turned around to her. "Mom, remember you mentioned that prophecy? Something about the... spark?" He asked. Twilight immediately gasped. It made her immensely excited as she understood there was a chance - those things indeed had a chance of working out.

"You're right!" Twilight said. When the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed!"

"But how are we gonna do that?" Tony asked. "I'm not sure I've made this suit weak enough to make just a spark... Do we need a match?"

"No, it must be something else..." Steve said. "It's gotta be magic or something like that... I'm sure of it. But how are we gonna..."

Twilight narrowed her eyes at the pillars and stepped forward. "...I think I've got an idea. Stand back, I don't know what will happen."

Peter's eyes widened as he tried to reach a hand out. "Wait, mom, hang on--!"

Twilight attempted to fire a spell - but there was a flash... Yet, nothing came. There was a shattering sound, and the columns had collapsed. And all of it came with terrible laughter... The terrible laughter as darkness flooded the room.

The group gasped. They saw the Mare on the Moon.

"Nightmare Moon!" They exclaimed...

And by her side, they saw him.

Her son.

"Loki!" Thor shouted. "What do you think you're doing? Snap out of it, brother! She is not who she claims she is! Your mother is Princess Luna, not this thing that believes herself to be such!"

Conflicted, the lad stood there totally frozen. "I--"

A hoof stopped him. Nightmare Moon smiled as she took a step forward to the group. "You do not need to anything, Loki. Just let me handle them. Just let me handle them. These foolish ponies... They believe some magical Elements of Harmony shall save them. Well, know now - ponies... You are too late to stop me. This night shall last forever - and the Elements of Harmony are not here! Now, bow down before--"

"Think you got that wrong." Steve took a step forward.

"What blondie said." Tony took a step beside him. He saw the spark of realization in the Unicorn's eyes, and it made perfect sense. "Miss Twilight? Take it away. Let's school Nightmare Moon on the Elements of Harmony."

"..." Twilight smiled widely, challenging the Alicorn as she took a step forward in-front of the others. "They're right. Nightmare Moon - your claim that the Elements of Harmony aren't here is baseless, and I can prove it! For the Elements of Harmony are right here!"

The Alicorn rose a brow and broke into hyena-like laughter. "Do not jest with me, Unicorn! What makes you think--"

Twilight puffed her chest, her voice now bellowing. "Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, and who along with Bucky showed how to face the truth... represents the Spirit of... Honesty!"

Suddenly, one of the pillars lit up. Nightmare Moon's eyes darted nervously. "What!?"

"Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, while her son Bruce prevented any harm going to it, represents the Spirit of... Kindness!"

Fluttershy gasped and smiled as magic began to surround her, making Bruce worried for a second as to what was happening to her.

"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, with Clint immediately spreading the cheer with her, represents the Spirit of... Laughter!"

Pinkie giggled happily as she began to float up into the air.

"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful Serpent with a meaningful gift, while Tony was the first to drop everything to immediately help. represents the Spirit of... Generosity!"

Rarity happily smiled at the necklace that magically appeared around her neck.

Twilight stomped her hoof as the room became enveloped in a magical aura that powered the ponies in the room. "And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, who always kept her son and her country in her heart... represents the Spirit of Loyalty!"

"You still don't have the sixth Element!" Nightmare Moon roared. "The spark didn't work! Loki, attack these--"

"But it did!" Twilight shouted. "It was a different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you..." She said, turning to the ponies and humans. "To see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!"

Twilight turned to Nightmare Moon as magic coursed through her very soul. "You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth Element: The Element of... Magic!"

"No, no! Loki, protect--"

Loki had no time to react as Twilight Sparkle levitated into the air, her eyes now glowing white as she was full of power. Suddenly, the humans all gasped as they saw magic swirl around them, the six ponies all floated up into the air as rainbows started to weave and fly around them, gathering as the Elements of Harmony had powered them and tapped into the magic within.

"What is this!?" The Alicorn cried out - the rainbows started to surround and entangle her. "No, nooo!" She shouted. The rainbows would cyclone all around her, and a bright flash of white had consumed everything around them. There was immense brightness which made all lose a sense of time and reality.

Peter felt his vision turn to normal. He had been defensively hugging his mother, protecting her from any danger that may have occurred. He looked around, sighing in relief to see that everyone was alright.

Bucky was coughing, the dust had kicked up into the air. He looked around to see that everyone was present. "Everyone okay!?"

"Peachy!" Pinkie Pie giggled. "That was awesome!"

"Wait, but what about Nightmare Moon?" Peter exclaimed, immediately standing up to see what had happened to the villain...

But there was no villain.

Instead, there was a young mare who laid in the cloud of dust, holding her face. She wasn't hurt - but she could not face the Alicorn that had just entered the room. With the Sun facing her, Princess Celestia stepped into the ruins.

"Princess!" Twilight happily exclaimed.

"Princess Celestia! Am I glad to see you!" Clint grinned wide.

Tony coughed under his breath. "...A bit late to the party."

Twilight ran up to Celestia, and they nuzzled one another. "I'm so happy to see all of you. I knew you could do it, Twilight."

"Hey!" Peter put his hands on his hips as he approached. "Didn't ya tell us that this was just some kinda tale, though?"

Celestia broke into a soft and pleasant laugh. "Peter, Twilight - I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her... However, you could not unleash it until you let true Friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well..."

Celestia frowned as she stood above the crying filly. "Princess Luna!... It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We are meant to rule together, little sister."

The now younger filly looked up at the white Alicorn with a sad gaze... And in the end, she ran in to hug the Alicorn tightly, nuzzling her.

Luna spoke - her once booming voice now childish. "I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!"

And so, the two sisters hugged. All watched with warmed smiles, even Tony showing vulnerability with a fond look, knowing that things have been settled. "All's well that ends well, huh?"

"...You're not about to cry, are you?" Natasha teased.

"...Huh, my sensors are warning of a light rain." Tony retorted, smirking at the redhead.

Finally, the two sisters finished their embrace, both standing up together, their differences far behind them. "Now..." Princess Celestia smiled softly. "Let's head back to Ponyville, and celebrate--"

There was a sudden noise.

"Look out!" Clint shouted, immediately jumping in-front of Celestia. It was in-vain - for all the others would experience the same danger. Immediately, the heroes - pony and human - would see the flying chains of green. They flew right at them, painfully striking them and starting to wrap around them to the point their limbs were unable to move, forcing them to be stuck.

"Gah!" Tony let out a shout - he tried to resist the chains, but not even the strength of his suit was able to get a result. With that, all eyes went to Thor and Celestia. Yet somehow, they were also unable to break out of the chains. They were so strong - stronger than the most potent material that they could have been found with.

It was much to the shock that Gods were unable to break out - and all turned their eyes to the direction from which the chains flew.

"...Loki!" Thor cried out. "What are you doing!?"

"Doing what is right." Loki whispered. "Oh, are you so shocked, brother? Shocked to see that I've opened my eyes? Nightmare Moon displayed the utter truth to me."

"Loki! My nephew! Stop this at once!" Celestia shouted, and gestured to Luna - who was not bound. "Your mother is here! There's no need for any of this! There's--"

"Luna is not my mother." Loki declared. The words were soul-crushing, immediately making the blue Alicorn filly gasp, taking a few steps back.

"...Loki?" Princess Luna nervously said, swallowing air as she tried to come closer. "What... What are you talking about? I-It's me! Your mother! I...I--"

"Nightmare Moon is who my real mother is!" Loki barked at her. "My true nature comes from her. We're one of the same. If Celestia has deemed to banish you for so long, if she cast me aside with her son..." He hatefully looked at the Sun Alicorn. "Then we do not deserve to suffer! I'll claim our birthright!"

The humans tried their best to resist the chains - but no amount of strength was able to break them out. They were enchanted, to the point neither Thor's magic nor Tony's suit could do anything about it.

"Loki, stop this!" Twilight exclaimed. "Please!"

"No!" Loki shouted. "The time is nigh that I am given the respect that I deserve! The future of me and my mother were robbed! The--"

However, in the moment of Loki's boasting and in the moment, he was about to incapacitate the heroes, he heard that obnoxious sound... the click-clacking of chains. Loki looked around, and then saw the light that made him smirk.

He saw Bruce Banner Shy, as he sneakily tried to undo the chains that held him back. Pointing his finger at Bruce, Loki fired a burst of green electricity which blasted Bruce away, making him slide back across the floor.

"You're utterly pathetic." Loki laughed as he approached Bruce. With the others restrained by the chains that levitated and coiled around them, the Chaos God did not consider the glasses-wearing man to be a threat at all. His heels clacked against the stone floor as he approached.

"I--" Bruce backed away, feeling threatened.

"Makes sense that a total weakling would be raised by an equally pathetic creature." Loki laughed... And committed the greatest mistake he could.

He pointed at Fluttershy.

The whole time, Loki was not looking at Bruce - having shut his eyes as he basked in the sheer misery shown by the captured ponies and humans, his gaze entirely elsewhere as he soaked in the victory. After all, his final opponent was a mere citizen with no fighting ability - was that not the case?

It most certainly was not.

Loki had no idea when the nerdy man had turned into a hulking, green beast of sheer brawn and muscle. The Chaos God's jaw had nearly come undone as the green knuckles smashed right into his face - for there was no longer Bruce Banner Shy.

In his place stood the green monstrosity, which had been born of the unimaginable rage that was experienced by him. Loki was sent reeling, blood coating the side of his face. The punch was tremendous and damaging, making him even shake a little from the enormous pain he felt. He looked up at the beast, angrily gritting his teeth.

"Whoa!" Tony looked with wide open eyes. "...And he didn't tell us he could do that the whole time!?"

"Fluttershy, why didn't you tell us!?" Rainbow Dash furrowed her brows. "I had no idea he could do that!"

Oh, uhm..." The yellow Pegasus chucked. "I didn't wanna invade his privacy!"

"You stupid beast..." Loki barked at it - green chains starting to slither around the enormous, green Bruce. "Do you not realize that you are dealing with a God? That you are dealing with the heir to Equestria, and--"

"Puny God."

The words went nowhere. Loki was picked up by the ankle of his foot, before he was rising up to the sky, then smashed to one side of the floor... Then again, again, and again. Even if Loki was the God of Chaos, the hulking beast had absolutely no qualms treating him like a mere ragdoll.

With Loki being distracted and in pain, assaulted by the muscular Hulk, the chains that bound the team shattered, for the Chaos God was unable to contain them around his captives. With that, the team felt their limbs, feeling relief that there was no more pressure that pained their bodies.

"Team!" Peter suddenly cried out. "Listen, the reason we've gotten captured in the first place is because we didn't work together!" He shouted at them. "If we wanna get this guy, then we need to work together!"

"Easy for you to say!" Natasha exclaimed. "How are we gonna coordinate?"

"...I got an idea." Steve said. "We can take turns!"

"Is this a school activity?" Tony scoffed as he began to charge his hand-blasters. However, confidently, Bucky placed a hand on his shoulder.

"He's right." He spoke. "We're gonna need to put all our strength into taking him out, but we can't get in one another's way.

"Then how do we do it!?" Clint asked, looking at all the arrows he had left.

Then, the idea struk Peter's head. "...Hey, remember what mom said? About how she realized that she and the others were the Elements of Harmony? Remember in what order she mentioned?"

"Yeah..." Steve nodded. "Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash, right?"

"Yeah!" Peter nodded. "Let's take that order - then I'll go, then Natasha, and then Thor!"

"What!?" Thor exclaimed. "I should be going first! I...I can fight my brother - I'm not going to let our connection get in the way!"

"That's not it." Natasha spoke. "You're going last because if anyone can deliver the kind of blow to incapacitate him, it's you. You're the son of Celestia. You have what it takes to get this done, Thor."

"Hmph. Fine."

"Then I'm up!" Bucky exclaimed. He ran up to Loki, who was currently fighting Bruce. Loki had used chaotic powers, teleporting around the green beast to try and flank him to then attack using his magic, firing green blasts of flame, as well as making stone fists appear in the air which he used to counter the muscular arms that tried to beat him.

However, Bucky would protect Bruce just before a particularly painful blast of magic came from Loki. Loki's attack went wide as Bucky slid in and uppercut Loki with his metallic arm, before then unloading his entire magazine into the God.

Loki blocked with his arms - magic allowing him to prevent the damages as the bullets harmlessly pinged off of him. He was going to use the attack to his advantage, levitating the bullets and then forcing them to come together and melt into one enormous projectile, which he raised right above the one-armed man.

"Bruce!" Peter cried out.

The hulking beast did not hesitate, jumping into the air to wrestle the gigantic bullet right out of the levitation, before throwing it on the ground right beneath Loki. The Asgardian had to jump away with a cuss.

"Tony!" Peter shouted.

"Way ahead of 'ya!" the man of iron was already in the air. He flew right at Loki and swooped him up into the air, before flying up and breaking through the ceiling of the castle. After he had raised Loki several meters up, he threw him back to the ground, while firing his blasters right at him, showering Loki i projectiles mid-fall.

It was easy to expect Loki would block them too, crossing his arms before his face - but that was part of the plan.

"Clint!" Peter pointed at the archer.

Clint smirked and pulled an arrow back, before shooting it right at Loki as he fell. Because the Chaos God was distracted by Tony's attack, the arrow collided right with Loki's side. The arrow was tipped with a ball of compress air, which forced him to start quickly flying away.

"Steve!"

Peter was not even able to finish saying his name by the time the blonde man had already jumped up into the air, then to uppercut Loki mid-launch with his shield. The Vibranium made the attack particularly painful, sending Loki back several meters. The combined assault and fast change of G-forces worked to exhaust and tire him, the attacks were less than lethal.

Loki attempted to recover to his feet. Anger was clear in his tone and face; he was furious and utterly livid.

"You are all so foolish!" He exclaimed, his arms glowing green as he prepared more magic. He would cause the ruins to move - making the bricks fly right at the humans. Tony was lucky - a brick was absorbed by his armor, while Steve was able to use his shield to prevent a brick from hitting him in the head.

"My turn!" Peter suddenly exclaimed. Before Loki could do any more harm, he shot out the webs from his wrist-mounted devices. Loki watched in sheer fury as his hands had suddenly become coated in the strange and thick silky spider webs. He looked in disbelief - and the fact he had such difficulty trying to break away from it.

"Aaaagh!" Natasha did not wait for Peter to call out her name. She ran up to Loki to roundhouse and kicked him in the face. The attack, despite being simpler than the others, was very methodical. She made Loki reel onto his knees and spin around, and now he was forced to look up at Natasha as she pulled out her pistol. She unloaded her entire magazine into him, the bullets hitting his jacket.

A green shield coated Loki - absorbing the bullets - however, he felt the bullets like powerful punches. In the end, he was able to use all the strength he had mustered in his hands to break the spider webs holding him. He rushed at Natasha, but it was time for the final piece in this fight.

"Thor!" Peter shouted.

Natasha was able to jump over and cartwheel right above Loki. The Chaos God did not anticipate how the thunder struck him. Thor flew in with his hammer raised to the sky, connecting with the clouds above to rain electricity above his brother. He knew Loki would handle it - he knew it would not kill him... But he hated doing it, nonetheless.

"Brother!" Thor shouted. "Just give up! You must stop this! This isn't the right way to--"

"Silence!" Loki's hands broke out with a green light that blasted against Thor's lightning, extending them to fire into his own brother's lightning. "You will not let me wither away into irrelevance, you... You're no..."

"Don't say it!" Thor shouted, tears in his eyes.

"You're no brother of mine!"

By that point, it was too late. Together, the ponies had gathered once more.

"Now!" Twilight exclaimed.

There was, once again, the blast of rainbows that swirled all around them. They enveloped Loki from all sides while he was fighting his brother, and they made the Chaos God unable to focus on both at the same time.

Thor fired more electricity while the ponies helped him - but he just needed to hold on just a little longer. "The Elements will take this hatred out of you, Loki! Just--"

"This is not the hatred within me! This IS me!" Loki yelled, his voice louder even if the thunder and magic tried to drown him out. "I... I will not let you erase me from history! Aaaagh!"

"Wait, stop, stop!" Princess Luna cried out. "The Elements... They're hurting him! He's in pain! That's not supposed to happen, that's not--"

The ponies hesitated with those words. They stopped the Elements, and that gave Loki the opportunity to regroup himself. With a flash of green, there was an explosion that produced a shockwave hard enough to knock all the dust off the bricks and stones.

"I'll be back! And when I am, I will reclaim my birthright!" Loki's voice shouted, as his form changed into the green smoke that coiled up in the sky, escaping through the roof.

"No, no!" Thor stuck a hand out... He tried to catch Loki, but in the end... The Chaos God's presence escaped and eluded them, leaving Thor without his brother.

In disbelief, Thor knelt on the ground. He looked at the roof and smashed the ground, enough to crack the ground. There was silence. All looked at one another quietly and shook their heads.

"Thor..." Princess Luna smiled sadly, sitting by his side. "We'll have a chance to bring him back. Let's go, okay? I'd really like to catch up with you."

"...Princess Luna..." Thor wiped his eyes. "Why didn't... Why didn't the Elements work? Why did they work on you, but not on him?"

Luna smiled softly as she stroked his hair. "Because I was deep in my soul, ready to ask for forgiveness, and accept it. Thor? Please call me auntie. Okay? I... really wanted to hear that for a long time."

"...Yes, Auntie Luna." Thor smiled sadly and rose to his feet. With that, the humans and ponies headed outside, towards the sunrise - and towards Ponyville.

***

Despite the awful events of Loki's disappearance, the town was partying - with the return of their second Princess. With the world recovered from the threat of eternal night, the ponies were unable to take it all in quietly.

The humans smiled as they watched the town party, each gathered at the edge. Twilight Sparkle was just told by Celestia that she'd stay in Ponyville, which made the Unicorn full of glee. With that, Peter approached the group, having been by her side.

"Hey guys, did ya hear?" He smiled wide. "Guess mom's gonna move in!"

"Y'know..." Tony chuckled softly. "I'm not into greeting new people cause that's a bit beneath me, but I'll make an exception for ya. Welcome to Ponyville."

Clint grinned, leaning in to shake hands with the other lad in a manly manner. "Well, hey, welcome! I guess mom is gonna host another party, huh?

Natasha crossed her arms as she watched the group, sighing. "I guess I must reveal that I'll stay here too. I want to... see what it's like outside of Canterlot for once."

"Then that makes three of us." Thor smiled - shaken after the events, but still able to smile. "I want to stay here too. I can only assume if Loki comes back, he may seek the Elements of Harmony."

"We're happy to have you here, nonetheless." Bruce smiled kindly, though earned a playful nudge from Steve.

"Yeah." Steve scoffed. "And now, the next time we run into some huge threat to the world, don't hesitate to turn into the huge green guy, eh?"

"You expect to face more world dangers?" Bucky asked, having watched the party quietly the whole time. "Hm. You're really expecting trouble, huh?"

"Might as well get ready for it." Peter spoke. "And hey, even if it doesn't seek us out, we shouldn't just let things like this happen to the world. If you ask me, we gotta protect it. I mean, we're all pretty good at fighting stuff, aren't we?"

"Fair point." Tony smiled. "Guess our group needs a team name though, don't it?"

"...What to name it though?" Natasha pondered. "Better not be something bad."

"...Hm... I feel like it should start with an "A"." Steve said.

"Oh, self-indulgent, are we?" Tony smugly looked at Steve.

"...Oh, I got an idea." Peter smiled, raising a finger.

Author's Note

And thus, ladies and gents, The Avengers are officially born.

This has been the second chapter of the My Little Pony x The Avengers Season 1 crossover story! I will bring out Chapter 3 for this story real soon. Please bear with me and hang tight!