Chapters My Little Pony x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic; Season 1
In the future...
Peter panted for air - he felt his muscles ache, and his ears ring. He was unable to feel his surroundings, nor pay attention to the battle raging around him. He had just fought with a threat that few could have even predicted. That few could have even imagined before. The fact he hadn't died yet surprised him.
The son of Princess Celestia, Thor, valiantly used his hammer, forged by the Sun itself - swinging it, and casting arcs of electricity. Thunder struck the foes - the myriads of hostile ponies, humans, and other creatures that believed in the cause of a mad, mad being.
The son of the Element of Generosity, Tony - felt his suit wearing down. It had its limits. Whatever functions he was able to perform were now hindered by a partially broken power source. Not even the ingenuity he received from his mother could be of much use. His arms produced beams of power to strike right through a massive beast that attempted to destroy him.
The son of the Element of Kindness was, at the moment, anything but the representation of that Element's offspring. He was now a massive beast that only partially resembled that of a human - with muscles that reached such impossible sizes that it was truly a miracle of either science, or magic - whichever granted Bruce this boon from birth. He pummeled at the waves of foes - his thoughts only of the protection of his family and country. Perhaps from this, he could associate it with kindness.
The son of the Element of Loyalty on the other hand, was a more straightforward example. Steve used a special shield - one decorated into the colors of the Equestrian flag and their symbol - the two circling Alicorns. His connection to the half-magic, half-scientific shield, made out of a rare material, had allowed him to use it as an efficient throwing disk; splitting foe after foe with ease, before returning into his hand magnetically.
The son of the Element of Honesty, Bucky was his comrade. One could confuse him for being an ordinary human - but with a metal arm, and a magically enhanced firearm, he was able to both beat and fire at his opponents with intense precision and lethality. The arm was a feat of ingenuity and allowed for many features - with many weapons hidden inside such as a flamethrower, and miniature rockets that tore through the enemy.
The son of the Element of Laughter learned much from his mother - the idea of valuing and cherishing life and his friends made his bow fire true. He pulled back the string and shot the various arrows - learning also from his mother how to utilize various tricks and tools into his arrows. It only took a bowstring, and a single arrow for him to defeat a myriad of foes with just one shot of a special high-pressure, explosive arrow.
The daughters of Princess Cadance and Captain Shining Armor, both armed with immense agility, and a pair of firearms each, all used their immense dexterity, and skill to gun down, and fight through them with their knowledge of martial arts - working together to synergize. Though one was older than the other, they each trained often, and were united through the effort.
And of course, there was the son of Discord - a mysterious man who produced magic from his very hands that could commit unbelievable, wonderful feats of chaos magic. To describe his actions would require an entire book of his own - for who better to cast volatile magic and use the power of the unexplainable than the very son of the Draconequus god?
The battle had been ongoing for hours. No victor seemed to be in sight.
And none saw that their foe - the titan of death, was close to the power that would ensure his victory once and for all.
Except, Peter was closer to it.
Peter panted for air - he felt his muscles ache, and his ears ring. He was unable to feel his surroundings, nor pay attention to the battle raging around him. The fact he hadn't died yet surprised him.
Though perhaps, this surprise was only temporary. There was no guarantee he could survive this. No guarantee that what he was about to do would even leave a single of his atoms standing.
But if he did not act here and now. there was indeed the possibility that it would all be over.
The injury meant nothing. The pain meant nothing. It did not distract him. It did not distract him from his goal. Not even the sound of his mother yelling out for him.
As Peter looked at the tool of immense change and power that sat on his very knuckles, as he stared down at the colors that each represented unthinkable forces that controlled the very life itself - and the infinity beyond it...
He wondered, deep in thought. Past the terrible injury that quickly sapped him of his strength and blood...
"How did it come to this...?"
My Little Pony x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic; Season 1
Many years ago...
"Peter!" Twilight Sparkle called out. The unicorn was always overworked. Always a little bit stressed. Always taking care of things - and doing so by the book. Literally, as her work always involved books. She was a student of Princess Celestia - a studious mare with the most rigorous work schedule. She was a skilled magic-user, and a skilled practitioner of science. She was also an avid bookworm who could read up to multiple books in a day.
But most surprisingly - she was also a mother. To one dragon - as an adoptive mother - and to one human, as a biological mother.
And a very odd human at that.
The young lad poked his head into the room, blushing as he did. "H-hey mom!" He called out. "D-Did ya need me?"
"Hey, just for a moment." She smiled - having stood before a bookshelf. "Can you help me lift up the bookcase and move it a little? I'm going to buy a new one and I think we ought to give it some room."
"Uh..." Peter looked at the only possible location of where the shelf could possibly be moved. "Isn't that going to start blocking the window?" He asked. Indeed, their house was special in that it had a very large window that gave a gorgeous view of their city - Canterlot.
Twilight Sparkle awkwardly chuckled. "U-Uh, well, it's not like the whole window is gonna get blocked...So, can ya help?"
"Uh...S-Sure." The teen disappeared for a second, and then awkwardly stepped into the room...And for whatever reason, he was wearing a bathrobe. Twilight was most curious at this odd getup.
"...Were you bathing?" She asked.
"...Yep!" The teen was easy to catch lying - for he was totally dry. Twilight squinted her eyes - but decided to keep quiet for now. Her horn sparkled - and the bookshelf began to glow as her magic enveloped it. The boy then leaned down and grabbed one of the corners of the massive bookshelf, before a surprising amount of strength allowed him to start lifting it and moving it. A feat most impressive, and shocking, considering the amount of strength it seemed to take. Finally, they had moved it by a solid meter, and gave space for the extra shelf.
It was at this moment that Twilight caught something underneath his robe. She already knew what it was and smiled softly. "So, Peter - I saw you bought some threads and stuff. Care to share with me the progress?"
"Huh?" Peter turned to her in surprise. "How...d'ya know that--"
"I think a bathrobe isn't enough to cover an entire suit. Now come on!" Twilight excitedly said.
With a sigh, Peter nodded. He loosened the bathrobe, and it dropped - revealing an explosion of blue and red colors. Underneath, he was wearing what appeared to have been a handmade suit, one that covered his entire body. It was made with a very elastic and insulated material, but it was clear that for the most part, it was a self-made craft.
Twilight clapped her hooves. "Oh my! You made that yourself?"
"Well, you do have books about tailoring and stuff like that!" He chuckled softly. "It's not done yet, I still gotta make a mask...I'm surprised you're taking it so well, though. I thought you didn't really support the idea of me...y'know..."
The unicorn sighed softly. "Your ambitions to protect and help others are admirable, and it'd be awful of me to deny you that. But I still want you to understand the whole value behind this concept. If you charge in without knowing what you're doing and why - you might end up hurting ponies and humans - and other creatures - even if you intend to help them" She explained. I read somewhere in a pretty good book - this saying...that With Great Power comes Great Responsibility. I think it's a little cliched, but..." She paused to chuckle. "It's a good message nonetheless."
"I understand, mom." Peter nodded with a sigh. In truth, he didn't understand - because it all seemed so straightforward to him. What else could he need to know apart from his desire to help others?
His ambition was to be a hero. After all - the powers he had were special. Unlike those of other humans. And it gave him the potential to do great things. Ultimately, he felt anxious - because the later he got to work, the more could suffer during the wait.
"Hey, Twilight?" Spike said as he entered. "Oh, hey bro." He smiled to Peter, who happily waved back.
"Hm? Yes, Spike?" Twilight turned her head to him.
"Princess Celestia sent a letter. Said she wanted to meet you." Spike said.
"Oh, just in time!" Twilight sighed in relief. "I wanted to bring up an issue with her!"
"An issue?" Peter asked.
Twilight nodded. "I read an odd story...one that could very well be a prophecy that might come true. I need to bring it up to her." She said and looked up at the Sun through the slightly tinted window for a moment. "...The Mare on the Moon...She...She may be coming back."
"The Mare on the Moon?" Peter raised a brow. "Mom, that's just some old fairy tale, isn't it...?"
"Yeah, bro's right." Spike nodded. "Come on Twi - I'm sure Celestia would've raised an alarm if this was something that could actually happen."
"No." She shook her head. "Every concern must be taken seriously. There's no other way. Now, if Celestia wants to see me - then let's get our things ready!"
Peter smiled. He felt excited about seeing the Princess again, for he admired her. Yet, this whole odd mystery behind the Mare on the Moon...He heard stories.
But if the stories were true...
Did it mean that Celestia's second son truly wasn't hers...?
***
"'Aight..." The orange mare adjusted her hat and excitedly took a step back. "Just like we practiced, sugarcube! Remember - don't overdo it, 'aight?"
"...Got it, mom." The long-haired lad sighed, preparing his right hand. It was completely chromatic, covered in metal. In-fact, there was nothing organic about it at all. The metal was no ordinary metal - and it was indeed a rare type. The type heard of only in legends.
"Pull 'yer arm back, Bucky..." The orange mare said. "Remember - this time, use less force than you did with the last one. Take it easy - give it a light bap, but don't sock it!"
"Ready." Bucky closed his eyes.
"Go!"
Applejack saw the fist collide with the bark of the tree. In the end, the apples had fallen off of the tree, and rolled along the grass.
However, the falling included the apple tree itself, which was promptly sent tilting and then croaking over to its side.
"Awww no!" Bucky cried out in desperation - holding his hair in his hands. "Mom! I'm--...D-Dang, I'm sorry! I didn't think--"
"It's okay, sugarplum!" Applejack smiled softly, laughing and attempted to get him to calm down. "It's alright! Trees can regrow! Eventually..." She said - muttering the last part. She was lucky that she had the smarts to give him a less remarkable and not too healthy tree to practice on.
Bucky could only sigh as he looked at his arm. "...Vibranium's really this strong, huh...?"
Applejack chuckled. "Remember that your buddy Steve has a whole shield made of the stuff. And it can pack a punch, just with a gentle toss. So, you ought to take the strength less seriously. Think of it as needing less effort for double the input - you get the idea."
"More or less..." Bucky awkwardly looked at his metal fingers.
"...Do you miss it, sugarcube?" Applejack sighed. "Your...old arm?"
"..." Bucky closed his eyes and sighed. "What happened, happened. If my arm's gone, then so be it. What I gotta do now is adapt and learn how to use this new one." He said, giving his hand a few testing motions, testing his fingers and joints - turning his wrist to make sure that he was in perfect tune with this instrument.
The incident that resulted in this - his attempt to save another's life, had cost him his limb. He thought about this - and he knew that there was no way he'd ever want to take it back. He cherished the fact his efforts were able to save a life. But what he didn't anticipate was the fact he'd remain so fixated on the new limb.
He hated to admit - but perhaps with a limb like this, it was better. More efficient, maybe? Even if he no longer felt touch, even if he no longer felt warmth...He had power and strength.
Applejack frowned and stepped forward, putting a hoof on his arm. "Limbs can be replaced, 'ah guess. But you have to understand that only one thing cannot be replaced. It's here..." She leaned in to gently touch his head, and then his chest. "And here. Your wits and your heart - they can never be let go of. Please keep that in mind, aight, sugarplum...?"
Bucky looked at her and awkwardly blushed, looking aside. "W-Where's this coming from? You don't gotta make this so sentimental..." He spoke. "But...thanks, mom. "I'll remember that."
Applejack gave him a big, warm smile - one of pride for the young man.
...
"...Also." She coughed. "Sugarcube, "ah know you're an enthusiast with the whole uh, gun department - but y'mind warning Big Mac 'fore you start using the shootin' range? You startled 'im pretty bad last time when he decided to go apple buckin' last afternoon..."
"Sorry mom - didn't mean to give Uncle Mac that kinda scare..." He awkwardly ruffled his hair with a smile.
"It's alright, hun." Applejack smiled softly at him.
...
Bucky coughed awkwardly. "Think I can just uh...pick it up and put it back the way it was before? I mean, it doesn't look all that heavy..."
"..." Applejack blinked at him and sighed. "Sugarcube, ya snapped the trunk in half. 'Ah think we can let it go."
"...Right."
***
"Y'know, nephew..." A young white unicorn awkwardly stood behind the short-haired man. "I think you may be getting a little bit crazy here...How'd ya even learn to make this stuff?"
"Genius doesn't gotta come from anywhere in particular other than the ability to put two and two together." He said, gently scratching his developing beard as he struck the piece of metal with his mallet. "Also, can y'stop calling me nephew? I mean, I get that's the case - and that you're my aunt and all, but I'm older than you. Feels weird." He coughed.
"Aight Tony!" Sweetie Belle smiled. "So, what is this thing supposed to be anyway?"
"Long story short?" He briefly glanced at her. "The final uh...piece de resistance , as your sister would put it. This is gonna be the mask. Complete with a primitive HUD system I've programmed into it that will do as the alpha build. Basically, it's all coming together.
"But..." Sweetie Belle scratched her curly hair with a hoof. "The whole thing looks like it's gotta weigh a bajillion tons...How're you gonna manage putting it on...?"
Tony sighed. He knew that Sweetie was a child - but it pained him to explain things he thought were otherwise obvious. "Basically, the suit is gonna have a weight relief system powered on the principles of basic exoskeleton suits. The power source is gonna be my arc reactor."
"The what?"
"The glowing thing, Sweetie Belle? The thing I've got in my chest?"
"Wait, you're gonna use that to power the suit!?" She squeaked. "B-But that might be dangerous! Won't you die if something happens to it?"
"Sparks of madness get the best results." He simply said, and continued to hit the metal with the mallet...
A gasp was heard behind them. "Tony!? Sweetie Belle!?" Gasped a white unicorn. "W-What's going on!?"
Rarity stood at the top of the basement stairs, and both the filly and lad turned around to look at her. Sweetie Belle gulped.
Tony put on a totally inconspicuous smile. "Hey mom. Just uh, tryin' to generate some ideas for you. For the next fashion line, and all that."
"Maybe if my fashion line involved science fiction! Tony - w-what is that thing?" She asked, hoof pointing...
At the standing shape of a large metal suit. One interlaced with wires and miniature devices, and what even appeared to be weapons.
Tony awkwardly chuckled. "Okay, right - so...Y'know how when boys get bored, they uh, get the inspiration to make something with their own hands? Or hooves, whatever. Well, I may have decided to build a little...Summer Break construction project. Kind of like a treehouse. You're cool with that, right?"
"That looks like a bit more than just a craft of some sort, that..." Rarity descended down the basement stairs and frowned as she looked at the suit. "Dear, is that...weaponized? F-For whatever purpose would you need a thing such as this...?"
"Well, lots of things." Tony coughed. "Peacekeeping. Saving the vulnerable from danger. Maybe uh, occasionally being able to get my way in certain arguments. Also, for bragging rights over the fact that I created it."
"Dear..." She sighed. "You need to understand that whatever you're making cannot just be used for harm! That's...That's not the right way." She frowned, putting a hoof on his hand - and making him let go of the mallet.
"Look, I was just kidding." Tony sighed. "I just think that if I'm onto something, I should pursue it. I might be making something really groundbreaking. There's not much reason to stop. I promise not to do anything crazy with it..."
"You could pay Diamond Tiara a visit and give her a scare though..." Sweetie Belle said under her breath, unheard by the two.
"Darling..." Rarity softly spoke to Tony. "Promise that you will always understand the importance of helping others - and being generous." She whispered. "This world is full of different creatures - all with their own ambitions, dreams, and hopes. Please value them too - and yours will be valued in turn. That is, as such, the golden rule."
"I know about karma, mom." He defensively raised his arms...But looked at his mom's patient, yet serious eyes. He sighed - admitting his own defeat as he lowered his arms. "Alright, I understand, mom. Sorry."
"That's quite alright, dear." Rarity smiled warmly at his ability to simmer down and put his ego aside - to instead understand the greater picture at play...
Rarity looked behind Tony, and at the suit. "You know darling, I must say that as much as I understand this is supposed to be but a prototype...You really don't need to be so...minimalistic. I mean, seriously - that grey color isn't going to do you many favors."
Tony groaned. "Mom, come on - I'm gonna probably discard it after a hundred or so test runs."
"That is no excuse!" Rarity exclaimed. "May I suggest adding something sparkly to the design? Something vibrant at-least? You could try to give it a cape!"
"No capes." Tony sighed as he approached his suit to put the mask on.
"Something to brighten it up, dear!" Groaned Rarity. "If my son is going to be piloting some kind of menacing superweapon, he should at-least be fashionable when he does it! Please? Just think of something fancy!"
"Practicality before looks, mom." Tony declared.
"At-least a paint job! Anything! Maybe a nice combination of gold and red colors?"
"That--" Tony pointed a finger at Rarity and curled it. "...is a decent Idea."
"Your mom does have an ideal eye for color, after all." The unicorn giggled.
***
The young lad ran through the forest at break-neck speeds. His muscular legs strained against the dirt as he locomoted himself as fast as he could across the ground. His breath was heavy - resembling the breathing of a tired bull more than anything. Yet, he pressed on. For through the woods, he was being chased.
Chased by a being as fast as he was - if not faster. He felt the air behind him break and whip. Something pursued him. Something that was determined to catch up to him.
Yet, his safety was in-front of him.
A finish line - marked by sticks.
With a triumphant yell, he slid through the fallen leaves and soil - his knees hitting the dirt as he received a much-needed boost in speed - just to make it.
But as he looked up - the trail of Rainbows had flashed right above him; and went far over his head and forward.
The blue pegasus broke through the finish line much sooner than him, and she broke through the finish line with a triumphant yell. She quickly stood herself by looping around a tree, and finally landed in-front of the young man.
Steve was left panting and gasping for air, picking himself up on his feet as he gathered himself as best he could. He wiped the sweat off his brow - the sweat heavy and pouring down his forehead.
"Not bad, kid!" Rainbow Dash giggled as she landed on the ground. "Not bad at all! Even though I gave you a head start, you still managed to get here impressively fast. Just two seconds before me! You're improving."
"Thanks mom, but..." Steve let out a deep breath. "I got a long way to go..."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up over it." Rainbow Dash smiled. "You've got hands, and you've got strength. I've got flight and speed. You're special in your own way!"
"Heh...I appreciate it..." He said, finally taking a deep breath. "Kinda crazy to think about it all. The way I am...It's not anywhere close to being an ordinary human. I feel like that should be kind of...concerning - in its own way."
"I ain't an ordinary pegasus either." Rainbow boasted. "But we're all special in our ways, and that's what matters. Focus on your strengths and use them to help others. Loyalty after all is what we can offer to be the best."
"A-Alright, well...Are we done with the speed training? I uh...really wanna get back to my shield...I think I've finally learned how to throw and catch it!"
"For real?" Rainbow Dash rose a brow. "No kiddin' either, huh? How'd ya learn that?"
"...Hard to tell." Steve said, picking up his backpack that he left by the finish line. "It's like the shield and I got some kind of connection. It's made of that weird metal I told you about - vibranium. It's almost like it got a mind of its own..."
"Could get some egghead to look at it." Rainbow Dash giggled. "Well, let's go then! We've got more trainin' to do!"
***
The young man adjusted his glasses as he finally focused on the task at hand. Sweat poured down his head as he understood that a single mistake could spell disaster. He crouched by the little nest, and carefully arranged it. He placed the brambles and sticks accordingly and placed the according set pieces.
And with the last pieces done, he was able to complete the nest. It was done just as instructed, and finally, it became a very attractive home for a pair of small white birds that landed side by side.
Approaching by his side was a yellow pegasus - who looked at his efforts. She studied it, and gave him a warm, warm smile.
"Great job, Bruce!" She spoke. Her voice was naturally quiet and whispery, but despite her naturally shy nature, she felt verry happy and even somewhat confident around the presence of her son. "You did a wonderful job! I'm so proud of you..."
"Thanks mom..." Bruce nervously chuckled, rubbing his head. "Won't lie though, I uh...was really worried this would turn out badly again, like it did last time..."
"That's okay! It happens...!"
"Well..." Bruce sighed. "It doesn't really happen, mom..." He said, looking at his hand. "It's... not exactly normal for boys to be able to suddenly get some kind of crazy super strength just because of getting angry...I...Hope the animals haven't gotten too scared of me after what I did..."
"I explained it to them." Fluttershy smiled warmly. "They understand everything, so don't worry about it. They forgive you - they just, uhm...They just know to keep their distance in-case they notice you start getting a little bit upset - but really! It's all okay!"
"Well, I sure hope so..." Bruce sighed. "I really wonder if there's anything good that can come out of this, though. Perhaps it would be best if I figured out a cure for it sooner than later..."
"You're perfect just the way you are, dear." Fluttershy told him, putting a hoof on his shoulder. "You really need to understand this. No matter what - you are the only Bruce Banner Shy in Equestria; and you are special. And whatever you were born with - you should never consider it to be a curse. You must only consider it to be you - and only you."
"Heh, uh, mom...?" Bruce shyly smiled. "You're...confusin' me a little."
"Just think I said something profound..." She softly giggled, leaning in to hug the boy - and so did he hug in return. "Now, we should go feed our friends in the Everfree outskirts."
"Okay! I'll keep you safe mom! Just uh, make sure to say something that will make me angry so that I can transform."
"I guess I can remind you to clean your room!" Fluttershy joked with a giggle.
In return, Bruce only chuckled a bit and waved his hand. "I think just letting Angel do some of his antics on me will be enough."
***
He aimed with the weapon that few ponies could wield. It was simple in one way - made of only two real moving parts; a curved stick, and a sturdy string between the ends to make a harp-like device. But it was complicated in another way - requiring such skill and tact fact for a first-time user it was impossible to wield.
But Clint, despite his young age, knew all the intricacies of the weapon like the back of his own hand. And he fired the arrow - the arrow that lodged itself into the corner of a banner. The banner at the time was not secured - for a pink hoof that kept it steady. The arrow landed not far from it.
One could assume that the pink mare was crazy for allowing herself to be up in the line of sight of a bow and arrow. Another could assume that the lad was stupid and insane for even allowing himself to aim anywhere close to his own mother.
But in the end - there was nothing more than an equal degree of trust. The trust for Clint not to miss, and the trust for Pinkie not to flinch.
"Otherwise, they'd call me Flinchie Pie!"
(Please don't break the fourth wall, Pinkie. It's not good etiquette.)
"What'dya say mom?" Clint blinked, unsure as to what he had heard or who she spoke to.
The mare giggled. "I said good job, Hawkeye! Your bow really gets the job done better than any hammer and nails!"
The lad hung the bow around his shoulder and uncomfortably rubbed his head. "Heh, okay mom. - y'know, since the one time i proposed that nickname doesn't mean it's gotta replace my real name."
"Okeydokeylokey!" She giggled and jumped down onto the ground.
As she did, Clint curiously looked at his work. He looked at the arrow he had ready in his hand...And finally, he opted to ask the odd out of blue question. "Hey mom, wherever did you get the idea of making these arrows for me?" He asked her. "I mean, I'm grateful, just...I don't think many can think of something like this."
Pinkie giggled as she bounced over to him. "'Cause everypony and everyone does what they think is right to be what and who they wanna be! Just because you got a bow and arrow doesn't mean all your arrows have gotta be sharp and pointy! Some arrows can make ponies and humans happy, and that's all there's to it!"
Clint listened to her and looked at his quiver. Her words weren't the easiest to decipher in one way, but they made sense in another way. He looked at her and smiled softly. He nodded once. "Got it. Okay, I guess we're done here, right?"
Pinkie Pie jumped once happily. "Yep, awesome! This is the first party done!"
"...First one?" Clint's eyes widened. "W-Wait, there's more today?"
Pinkie pulled out a piece of paper and read off of it. Clint's inhumanely sharp eyes, through the reflection of a nearby glass, were able to see that the list contained nothing more than a few scribbles and the words "party" repeated a few times.
Yet, Pinkie read it as if it was a proper document. "Two birthday parties, a graduation party, a bachelorette party, and a fireworks show!"
"Huh!?" Clint gulped. "You didn't tell me about any of those!"
"That's the whole point of parties! Surprise even the organizers!" She giggled. "Now come on, they're gonna need you for the fireworks show the most, y'know - so we can't be behind schedule!" She said, excitedly bouncing out of the room.
Clint murmured as he looked into his quiver - decorated lovingly with badges and patches provided by his mother. He saw the multitude of arrows he had left - all of which he fletched himself. Excluding a few special ones made by his mother. Confetti arrows, the fireworks arrows he knew he'd need, and even arrows that could make various noises as they travelled through the air. Even the arrows he had just used were specifically made to nail one thing to another - as in reality, it would not cause much damage to someone.
Yet, in his quiver, he always held one sharp arrow. One regular arrow. One real arrow. Self-defense was never out of the question. This much Clint knew
What Clint hated is the odd feeling that coarse through his veins. He knew that as strange, taxing, or at times monotonous it was to keep helping his mom set up parties, it was peaceful. No harm could come to him - more importantly, no harm could come to her.
...
But he hated that every time he looked at his quiver and closed his eyes...He could imagine this one singular arrow replacing all others.
Perhaps it was to be expected. In the end, who's ever heard of a bow and arrows designed for party making?
***
BANG!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
BANG!
The redhead woman sighed as she checked the pistol's emptiness and put it back on the table. She made a note of her performance. And then, with a flick of a button, she pressed the machine that allowed the paper target to come closer. She saw the bullet holes within it and studied over them. A "tsk" of disappointment came from her. She picked up a notebook and pen and wrote down. As she did, she spoke out loud that which she said.
"Note. Stechkin pistol, also known as APS. Suffers from much too high recoil. Using without stock is not recommended. Not to mention instability of automatic mode. Unsuitable for my purposes." She wrote down and put the pistol on the table. She moved onto another one - which was chrome-plated. In the chrome reflection however, she saw a flash of pink. She gasped, and turned around...
She relaxed when she identified her mother, who stood there with a patient smile. "Hey, sorry I didn't say anything. I didn't wanna disturb you..." Cadance smiled softly. "Is now an ok time?"
Natasha nodded softly. "Yes, mother. And don't worry. These have been a very loud series of handguns. It seems that not many gunsmiths value any degree of subtlety..." She spoke. While her mother was here, she did not shoot any of the weapons, but she would unload and check another one that she wanted to clear and observe from the inside due to a misfire that occurred earlier.
Cadance stepped forward to stand beside her daughter. "So..." She began. "What are you doing today, exactly? You've been in the range for quite some time now."
"Evaluation." The human girl flatly said. "I intend to use two handguns in unison. I need two that have expert recoil control, that are capable of easy reloading, and that also have a high magazine capacity. Stopping power is welcome, but optional - all I need to do is to shoot the head. The rest is easy."
The alicorn smiled. She was the Princess of Love, after all. Seeing her daughter so freely talking about guns, so nonchalantly, and not seeming to regard anything other than fighting and shooting was naturally concerning for the mare. She looked at her daughter and, in the end, let out a soft sigh.
"Well..." Cadance said. "I...suppose that you may need a good firearm. But...Natasha, I still don't get the need for all of this..."
The human put the weapon down and turned to her mother. She was feeling somewhat pensive, and unable to look her in the eye. "I'm sorry that I'm concerning and bothering you with what I do, mother..." Natasha sighed. "But if I have these reflexes, if I have this agility, then what I must do is to ensure that you are safe. You are an alicorn. You are in the center of attention, and there is great danger. And besides - when the Crystal Empire returns, you are going to lead it. And in that case, you are going to be exposed to even more danger. I need to make sure I can protect you, and our future..."
"Oh Natasha, dear..." Cadance hung her head. "You don't need to be this worried...!"
"I am!" The girl said with great anxiety to her tone. "Look, the Crystal Empire disappeared because of the power of one known as "King Sombra", correct? Well, this is the problem. There is no telling that he was destroyed. For all we know, the moment you ascend to the throne, he may very well come back when we least expect yet. I-I can't let it happen!"
"And it won't happen, dear." Cadance smiled, putting a hoof on the girl's chest, close to her heart. "Besides, you need to build your own life too."
"..." The girl sighed deeply. "I don't wanna leave you by yourself..."
"Who said I'm gonna be by myself?" The mare smirked softly.
"...Wait, you mean--"
Cadance giggled softly. "I can guarantee you for a fact that Shining is gonna propose sooner or later."
"How can you tell?" Natasha asked.
"I am the Princess of Love." Murmured Cadance. "This kind of stuff is basically what my energy is drawn from. Of course, I am gonna pretend to be surprised and all that. So don't you worry. I'll have someone taking care of me and watching over me. It's gonna be okay. What I'd actually like to talk about now is a bit more about you..."
"About...me?" Natasha gulped. "M-Mother, uhm...Well, I know that the recent gun purchases I've made have been pricy, but--"
"Not that." The mare giggled. "You're fine on that front. No, it's something else I wanted to talk about. But there's no easy way to put it anyway. I'm going to need you to travel to Ponyville."
"...Ponyville?" Natasha gulped. She did not want to be away from her mother. To her, everything about this proposal had a smell of distrust and worry. Why did she need to travel so far away? If something happened to her, how could she return on time?
Cadance however, only nodded. "Yes. Princess Celestia has requested that you stay in Ponyville for some time. The reason is that there may be a potential threat, and we need your eyes on it."
"..."
"..."
Cadance nervously smiled.
Natasha squinted her eyes. "Mom, I know what face you make when you're lying."
Cadance pensively sighed. "Celestia asked me to send you there to, well...M-Make some friends..." Cadance chuckled awkwardly and nervously.
"...What?"
The alicorn rubbed her head. "She...Kind of said that you're holed up in the firing range or in the gym, so she said that you ought to visit the train station, meet Twilight Sparkle, her assistant Spike, her son Peter, and also Celestia's son and nephew - Thor and Loki, and all travel together to Ponyville. Officially to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration, of course - but..."
"Friends?" Natasha scoffed. "Mom, I don't need-"
"Yes, yes..." Cadance sighed. "Look, please do it for me, okay? I understand that it's not something you may have considered doing, but I'd really appreciate it. If you worry about me, then, I think this is a wonderful way to make sure I'll be fine! I want you to be able to go out there and make sure you have ponies and humans who can, well...connect with you. And if you really want more motivation, think about it; if you make friends with Thor and Loki, then you have dependable allies. Peter apparently has powers of his own too! And there may be other powered humans in Ponyville!
"...I suppose..." Natasha looked at the ground, deep in thought.
"So..." Cadance coughed and continued. "If you can meet them, you may at-least establish a group of frie-- allies, who you can try and work together to fight threats! What if you need to be in two places at the same time? What if you meet some kind of threat that may perfectly suit you, but not someone else?
"Well..." Natasha nodded, then. "I can see that. With Thor's powers of thunder, with Loki's ability to shape reality to perhaps nearly any whim he might think of...And if we have Twilight's son, the spider human, from what I heard...That would indeed be a decent task force capable of addressing a multitude of threats..." Natasha nodded with every word.
"..."
"..."
Cadance's grin grew with her nervousness.
But in the end, Natasha nodded. "You make a good point, mother. I will pack my things." She said, and promptly walked off - her high heels click-clacking through the basement's halls."
Cadance in the end, sighed in relief. She was proud of herself for knowing just exactly what kind of motivation her daughter needed. Even if it really sounded a little ridiculous, from time to time.
As Natasha walked down the hallways, and made her way through the residence, she kept wondering about this whole concept. To team up? She always did things solo. She was of course Black Widow - the moniker she gave to herself.
Who would ever think that she played by someone else's rules?
...
In the end, she knew that if this means the potential to protect her mother, and her potential stepfather, and the Empire that they would soon lead...She needed allies.
Or "friends", As they were called now.
***
So did the tall mare, standing on the balcony of the castle. Her gaze was trained up - up at the sky. The Sun disappeared - the Moon began to appear. The Moon she had to gaze upon each time. The Moon that never failed to make her wince. Perhaps over the years, her reaction of surprise and even heartache was softer each time - but it never disappeared. Each time she looked, she felt intense unease.
The Moon was a stark, stark reminder of the past. The past she could not bear to neither accept nor be content with.
Only a few things in this life gave her a semblance of comfort. The first was her faithful student.
The second and third however were her sons. One son was truly hers, however. The other - had his mother taken away from him.
Taken away by the same mare who stood on the balcony.
Thor and Loki gave each other an uncertain look. They felt something was off. They felt this - aware that they and this mare were the only ones who could. After all, having divine powers would more often than not allow one to see things that others couldn't see. To feel things that others couldn't.
The drawback was however that sleep became difficult.
As Princess Celestia raised the Moon, she turned to the two boys. "Oh! My boys, is everything okay?" She gasped a little, almost instinctively identifying something was wrong. At best, perhaps they came to complain about one another. Most times it was because Loki did something mischievous, but at other times it was because Thor decided to take revenge. At worst, maybe something was indeed terribly wrong.
"We're fine, mother." Thor nodded. "It's just that..."
He frowned and looked aside.
Loki took initiative. "Do you feel the same thing we feel?"
"Whatever do you mean?" The alicorn frowned. This was not a question out of confusion and unsureness. As a matter of fact, she hated that she knew exactly what he was talking about. And so did Loki nod.
"...Is the prophecy true?"
"..." Celestia turned around to look up at the Moon.
"...Prophecy is not a good word. It makes us believe in truths that cannot even be objectively proven. But..." She sighed. "There is truth in the fact that the seal was never meant to be permanent."
Thor and Loki both knew this. But this is the first time in so, so long - that they heard these words from herself personally.
Celestia continued. "You two should understand this. No imprisonment and no punishment should be permanent. No act of retribution, vengeance, justice, or malice should ever have indefinite effects. It may seem that, face to face with a terrible being, that we should remove this obstacle forever and rid the world of it. She and I...We once fought this terrible beast - a beast that could control chaos and fill the world with madness...We confined him into stone."
"But..." Thor gulped a little, considering her previous words.
She smiled a little. "The seal will one day wear off. Maybe he has learned his lesson. Maybe not. But I believe it is for this reason both pony and mankind must be ready."
"Ready to fight?" Thor smiled, confident in his answer.
But he frowned. Celestia shook her head. "Ready to protect one another. Ready to help their friends." She smiled and turned around. "I know you two bicker often. I know you two feel yourselves to be opposites. Light and shadow, fire and ice, love and hate. But you need to understand that friendship is a crucially important thing. An aspect that to be without - is to be without anything."
"..." Loki kept looking aside. He did not want to debate or argue with her. Celestia was unsure why she saw this - for she feared the worst. Maybe he just respected her as the mare who raised and guided him for the last thousands of years. Or maybe...He despised her for making things come to adoption.
Yet, Celestia smiled warmly. "I want you two to understand the importance of friendship. And since you're already here...I can tell you this news now, rather than later."
"...News?" Thor and Loki said in unison. They never liked this word. Not from her.
And Celestia giggled. She knew this. "I think you too need to understand Friendship. As is the case with my faithful student and her son."
"Friendship...?" Thor scoffed. "Mother, come on now. What's going to protect Equestria? Friendship, or my mighty hammer?"
"Oh my." Celestia smugly chuckled. "Are you Thor, the God of Hammers?"
Thor blushed and looked aside, while Loki broke into laughter. Silenced as he caught an equally smug smile from Celestia.
"I can pull out the list anytime." She smirked. Loki blushed and looked in the opposite direction. She referred to a rather long, long, long, long, long, long list of Loki's antics that she could remind him of if she ever had to humble him.
"And to understand Friendship..." Celestia got back to the point. "I am sending you to Ponyville with Twilight Sparkle, her son and assistant - as well as Cadance's daughter. There are things I'd like for you to oversee, but most importantly, I want you to make friends - and understand what the value of Friendship is."
"This is nonsense..." Loki sighed.
"My brother is correct." Thor affirmed. "What good will this be to us when we should train our powers? When should we learn and develop as fast and effectively as we can?"
The two brothers looked at Celestia, who cast a look to the side. She sighed softly, thinking about her words. She was going to select them very carefully. She needed to make sure that her sons understood the gravity of it all.
"Thor, Loki..." She began. "You need to understand this. The reason why things...happened as they did...was because I committed this same very mistake." Celestia said. "You see, I did not understand what Friendship could do. Not what Friendship should have done. I believed that the Elements of Harmony alone were enough to accomplish the task that lay ahead of me. To stop Nightmare Moon --...No. To stop Luna."
"..."
Celestia sighed. "It was obvious that the Elements were a strong conduit of magic. But what I did in the end was wrong. I did not understand that there were other ways. I believed it was just raw power, and it had nothing else to it. That it could serve no other purpose. But as I look back, I realize...I could actually do more for it all!"
"...Mom..." Thor sighed softly. He understood what this was. It wasn't the first time, nor the last, that his mom reminisced about what happened. Loki witnessed his share of the same just as much. Both humans looked at each other.
Thor stepped forward, and put a hand on her side, looking at her. "It's alright, you did what you had to..."
"..." Celestia cast her gaze at the ground. "No. I did what I could. And that doesn't excuse anything. Nor does it excuse the fact that the future cannot allow for the same to happen. I need the Elements of Harmony to be powered by Friendship. It's the only way to...To make things right."
"..." Loki sighed and turned away from her. "Celes--...Aunt Celestia...Look." He put his hands on his hips. "We can't just chase fairy tales or hypothetical scenarios. We don't even know if my mother is coming back. Or at-least not when you think she will." He spoke. "If you ask me? I'd say that you shouldn't bother with any method that isn't proven. If Nightmare Moon comes back, she's spelling doom for Equestria. The only way to fix that is to use methods that worked once."
Celestia frowned deeply at his words. "By that logic, Loki...You may already be doing a lot of futile things, without knowing that maybe there's a better way."
...
Loki did not like her words. He only balled his fists and sighed very deeply. "I'm going to bed. Good night." He coldly said and walked off - the sounds of his footsteps echoing through the halls of the Canterlot Castle as he slipped away into the darkness of the shadows, out of sight.
Thor grit his teeth. "That oaf! The sheer disrespect. I should teach him a lesson in--" As he stepped forward, a hoof had prevented Thor from moving forward.
"Don't, Thor." Celestia softly said. "I understand how he feels. In my youth, in ways, I was like him. Impulsive and definitely thinking more with my emotions than anything else. But I don't think we should blame him for it. We don't really have the right to blame him for it." She explained with a pensive sigh. "In reality, it's...the fact that he suffered a loss that few of us can imagine. To lose your own mother - it's not something I would wish upon anyone, Thor. I may have lost my sister, and I'm already devastated. But what grief he feels, he must be feeling it so much deeper...so much...stronger."
"..."
Thor sighed as he looked at the shadows into which his brother disappeared. He looked back up at Celestia. "So...You said we're going with others? Your student, her son, her assistant, and Cadance's daughter...Why this group?"
"It's a start." Celestia smiled. "I don't expect you six to limit your Friendship circle to yourselves, though. You'll meet others who are going to set up this celebration. I expect you to make good friends with them."
Thor sighed. "Talking with commoners, though..."
"Thor..." Celestia narrowed her eyes at him.
"I-I mean..." The blonde lad coughed. "I'm very excited to make friends, Your Majesty."
"Hurry off to bed and get some rest, you scamp." Celestia laughed softly, gently waving him away as the lad jogged off with a chuckle.
***
The next day...
The little unicorn stood with her assistant and son beside her - in the large throne room, in-front of the three other figures. A large white alicorn with a flowing multi-colored mane sat on her throne, with two humans beside her. Twilight knew them as Thor and Loki - her son and nephew.
After the unicorn came to the room, Celestia gave her news. News of what she had planned for the little unicorn.
News that made the little unicorn stand there with an agape mouth, unable to comprehend what she was instructed to do.
Twilight gulped. "W-Wait, Princess, what do you mean?"
Celestia smiled softly. "Yes, Twilight. The Summer Sun Celebration is coming soon, and I would like for you to go with my son and nephew, as well as Cadance's daughter, and head to Ponyville to help set things up."
"But..." Twilight nervously frowned. "T-The thousandth Moon is here, a-and it's gonna mean that the Mare on the Moon is going to return! A-And--"
"Twilight." Celestia smiled softly. " I assure you, there's nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, and besides mom." Peter smiled. "We now have a chance to travel somewhere outside of Canterlot! I think it's gonna be pretty cool to see what's out there! We can meet new humans and ponies!"
"Your son's right, y'know." Celestia smiled softly. "I think this is going to be a great chance for you to make some friends and see what's out there. And I think it's going to be good for Peter and Spike, too." She said, then turning to Thor and Loki. "This applies to you two as well. One can only spend so much time being cooped up in the confines of the castle."
Thor folded his arms. "I get out sometimes!"
"Flying around Canterlot Mountain doesn't count, dear." Celestia chuckled, making the blonde man blush a little in shame. She looked back at Twilight. "Twilight, you are my most faithful student - and nothing will ever shake the faith and trust that I have in you. However, I really think that it will be for your betterment. And if anything, consider this an advance in your lessons. I will certainly appreciate it as a sign of good studentship."
Twilight couldn't help but pout. The offer was certainly enticing - to be able to please her teacher and make her proud. But would she really be capable of doing this? Having to make "friends" - an idea she had never considered to be before possible?
"If you say so, Princess..." Twilight nervously hung her head.
Celestia smirked. "Oh, and I've already arranged things. You'll be living in the Golden Oaks Library, not far from the City Center."
And then, Twilight's eyes widened and began to sparkle. Peter sighed and shook his head. "Oh Princess, you got her going now..."
"That sounds perfect, Princess!" Twilight bounced up and down. "Okay! W-Well, a library is great! I'll be able to do research and--"
"And make friends. Right?" Celestia smiled softly at her.
"...Y-Yes!" Twilight blushed, looking aside.
The alicorn sighed and giggled with a little shake of her head. "We'll be sending you off tomorrow. Thor and Loki will come with you."
"How will we be travelling?" Thor grinned with curiosity.
"By train. It's the easiest way to go." His mother said - and the lad frowned.
"We could always just teleport there." Loki sighed, having been appearing rather bored during this whole meeting. He sat with his legs crossed and looked to the side without much regard to the topic at hand.
This earned a raised brow from Celestia. "Nope. I'm gonna have to ask you all to refrain from using magic as a crutch. Magic isn't something that you should use for your own convenience, especially since you know that teleportation doesn't have such a good effect on non-magical creatures."
"She's right..." Spike groaned. "Sometimes when Twilight teleported me, I felt super nauseous. Apparently, it doesn't happen to unicorns..."
Loki groaned. He was the least excited of any here.
"Natasha, Cadance's daughter, will meet you at the train station tomorrow." Celestia said. "I ask you all to take this very seriously. There are many reasons which I am sure you all will understand later, but I ask you to bear with me for now, no matter how daunting or difficult this may all appear."
"Yes, Princess. We'll do this!" Twilight happily perked up, eager to please. Peter rubbed his head. "Uh...Where is Ponyville, anyways?"
"Just a way south." Twilight told him. "C'mon, Peter, Spike. Let's get our stuff ready." She said. With that, she bowed to the Princess and the young Demigods, and walked off - followed by Peter and her baby-dragon assistant.
Thor and Loki looked at each other, then to Celestia.
"Do we reaaaaaally have to go to some village in the middle of nowhere?" Loki asked, looking at her with puppy eyes.
"Yes, I mean..." Thor coughed slightly. "C'mon, it's not such a big deal to go there, is it? I'm sure that--"
Celestia looked at him with a stern, piercing gaze. Then, she gave the same gaze to Loki. "...We'll happily go." Thor squeaked, as they both gulped.
Author's Note
And those are the first and second prologues for this massive story! I will bring out the first chapter of the story of MLP x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic really soon.
This takes place in a version of Equestria, where the ponies and the humans would co-exist together in harmony. Sometimes...
And yes, The Avengers are the kids of the Mane Six and the Princesses. you will see more characters as well, in the future. Please don't ask me how Peter would be the biological son of Twilight, because I don't know either. I don't have a backstory yet.
Should I introduce the Equestria Girls stories as well, or should it be a separate entity from the main story? I need to know...
Anyway, I will bring out Chapter One soon. Just hang tight!
My Little Pony x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic; Season 1
Chapter 1: Friendship is Magic Part 1
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!
My Little Pony x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic; Season 1
Chapter 2: Friendship is Magic Part 2
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!
My Little Pony x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic; Season 1
Twilight and Peter walked along the dirt trail, with Spike in tow as he sat on the Unicorn's back, picking out bad apples and throwing them away. Peter was acting as extra help, using his webs to rip apples off of the branches before looking over them, his lightning-fast reflexes allowing him to rapid-fire the apple collection, quickly identifying the healthier and less healthier ones.
He stopped doing that however when some of the apples he started to throw away ended up bopping Bucky on the head, making the long-haired man scowl and glare at Peter. The younger lad nervously laughed, before starting to discard the apples more carefully.
Applejack smiled fondly and earnestly at the visitors to her farm. "Thank you kindly, Twilight, for helping me out. I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles!" She spoke, before letting out a hearty cackle.
Peter hung his head and shook it. "Poor guy..."
To that, Bucky scoffed. "Don't worry - mom has had to do worse bets when she'd lose against Uncle Big Mac."
Twilight only happily walked along, smiling wide at her new friend, glad to be in her company. It was refreshing to her - to have a friend. "No problem at all, Applejack! I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry..."
"I know, right?" Spike grinned, tossing away an apple, before it ended up bopping Twilight on her head, making the dragon nervously smile, and Peter cringe from second-hand embarrassment.
Twilight did not look amused by those words. "...Please, Spike. You've been lounging on my back all morning while WE worked."
"Exactly. You two are taking so long, I missed snack-time!" Spike retorted. To that, Peter decided to add onto, always one to defend Spike at awkward moments.
"...Well, uh... Spike has been pretty helpful!" Peter spoke. "He kept me focused by talking to me while we've been collectin' these things."
"...Hm, fair enough." Twilight muttered.
For a moment, Applejack and Bucky made eye contact. It was then when Applejack furrowed her brows at him, and made a gesture towards Twilight, signaling him something. Bucky sighed and decided to break the ice. He was, after all, supposed to make friends too. "So, how're you finding Ponyville, Miss Sparkle?"
"Pretty swell." Twilight said with a content smile. "I've only dreamed of having my own library to live in!"
"Does the fact anyone can come in not to bother you, though?" Bucky asked. "Celestia knows I'm not happy to have intruders on this farm, so..."
"That's uh, what the gun is for, isn't it?" Spike nervously chuckled.
Bucky forgot that he slung his M249 machine gun over his back, even to the point he had loaded in a STANAG magazine and had forgotten it was off safety. Sheepishly, he put the safety on. "...On occasion."
"I'm okay with the library being so opened to others." Said Twilight. "I mean, if I'm gonna be making friends, I might also just be okay with ponies and people goin' in without me expecting them. And that also means I might get to meet potential bookworms like me!"
"...You really gotta use that huge thing?" Peter asked, derailing the conversation in the same direction Spike did. "I mean, beatin' them up with that huge cyber arm thing?"
"Fists can't travel four- hundred meters to beat up a trespasser." Bucky said.
"How'd ya lose it anyway?" Spike asked, curiously leaning in to look at the metal arm. Bucky insecurely put his organic one over it, before then sighing and looking at it, defeated.
"...Accident." Bucky said.
"Sugarcube..." Applejack stopped. "Ain't no need to talk about it if ya don't want to!"
"Nah, it's okay mom." Bucky smiled softly. "I had an accident - fell off a train and uh... got my arm caught under the rails for a bit."
"O-Oh..." Spike felt his heart sink a little at the image. Twilight frowned at him, and Peter lost the perkiness and cheerfulness in his walk.
"Ah, crap... I'm really sorry to hear that, man." Peter said quietly - to which Bucky smiled and waved his other hand.
"Don't worry 'bout it. It was fast, pretty painless, too." Bucky said. "I did hit the ground kinda hard and passed out, so uh... Guess you could say I took it like a trooper."
With a shiver, Peter and the others continued walking. However, as they walked, Peter's highly accurate eyes caught the silhouette of someone sitting on a hill, against the tree. Curiously, he turned his head to it, and then gently nudged Twilight. "Hey, mom... I'll talk to him." He quietly said.
Bucky immediately noticed that Peter saw someone and narrowed his eyes as he put his hand on the grip of his gun - until he took a closer look and identified the figure. "Ah. Celestia's kid, right?"
"Kid?" Applejack scoffed. "Bucky, he's older than y'are."
Twilight nodded at her son. "Go ahead. We'll slow down a bit - uh, well, also go fast enough to make sure Applejack doesn't lose the bet." She spoke. Peter nodded, and immediately jogged up.
Thor sat on the hill watching the Sun, sighing softly as he sat with the hammer by his side, constantly looking at it.
"...Hey, big guy..." Peter cautiously and carefully approached, not one to anger someone who shot lightning from the sky. "You uh... doin' alright?"
"Ah, the spider." Thor smirked softly. "Do not worry, I am doing well. I am merely... monitoring the weather. Helping the fair citizens of Ponyville to forecast it."
"...But Ponyville's weather is manually controlled by the Pegasi." Peter softly admitted, nervously twiddling his thumbs now that he was debating with a God.
With that, Thor softly groaned. "...I do wonder what has happened of Loki, is happening of Loki, and will happen of Loki. I..."
"Aw man..." Peter sighed softly. "Well, I guess it's... I'm sorry man, I have no idea how it feels."
"It's fine, Peter." Thor softly said. "At the moment, what concerns me is the prosperity of my mother's land, and the safety of her subjects. And when Loki returns, I'll be there to either stop him, or make him realize the errors of his ways."
"...Well, I'll be here by your side, man." Peter smiled. "We're a tightly knit team, and nothing's gonna stop us together. We got this together."
Fondly, Thor smiled at him... And then...
They heard screaming.
Thor immediately rose to his feet, and the men looking at one another. "That sounded like mom!" Peter exclaimed.
"Quickly!" Thor shouted, immediately sprinting with Peter to the direction of the screaming. They ran through the main apple trees and got back onto the dirt road, running up to the group. "Subjects, what happened!?"
Yet, instead of a scream of terror or pain, the two mares were discovered to have been screaming with nothing but utmost joy and excitement.
"The Grand Galloping Gala!" Applejack and Twilight both cried out at the same time.
"Peter, we've been invited!" Twilight Sparkle cried out with excitement.
"Bucky! We got invited!" Applejack happily squeaked with her hat almost flying off with the amount of joy she felt.
***
The two mares excitedly bounce up and down. "The Grand Galloping Gala!"
Immediately, Spike let out a small burp. "...Huh, four tickets."
Twilight immediately clapped her hooves, excited and giddy about the invitation, and the possibility of attending an event such as the Gala. "Wow, this is great! I've never been to the Gala. Have you, Spike? Peter?"
The Dragon immediately scoffed, rolling his eyes. "No! And I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense."
"Frou-frou nonsense?" Peter couldn't help but chuckle. "C'mon man, the only frou-frou thing is the dresses. There's fun things to do there."
The Unicorn nodded. "Mhm, Peter's right, Spike. Besides, a dance would be nice..."
The phrase earned a surprise gasp from Applejack. "Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice! I'd love to go. Land sakes..."
Bucky acquiesced. "It's a good business opportunity."
"Exactly!" Applejack cheered at her son's words. "If 'ah had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til the cows came home. D'you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big Macintosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip!"
"It's a good plan, all in all." Bucky said. "We really need to start thinking how we can bounce back after a few expenses and a not-so-profitable harvest, at-least compared to the costs we've already gone through. Actually, if our money goes particularly well, I think I might invest in that M240 that's being sold on--"
"Ahem." Applejack squinted her eyes. "'Ah think you wanted to say that ya'd buy some very much needed farmin' equipment, right? And that you'd chip in to help Granny's hip?"
"...Oh, yeah." Bucky coughed. "...And just for the record mom, I'd only buy it after we'd help great Granny. I'm not that stupid with my finances."
"Ah, this is all if we even get there." Applejack sighed. "Ah'd give my left hind leg to go to that Gala..."
"I wouldn't give a leg on the account that I lost one of my arms already..."Bucky muttered. "But I'd probably see if I can trade the tip of my pinkie finger or toe or something." He joked.
Realizing the opportunity to help a friend, the Unicorn smiled wide. "Oh, well in that case, would you like to--"
Bucky's instincts kicked in. He immediately jumped to tackle Applejack, before turning and spinning with her. She yelped, and Peter had also reflexively shielded Twilight. A sudden projectile came in - crashing in and arriving with a bombastic blast of dust.
"Miss Rainbow Dash!?" Peter said. "Are you okay? That looked like a bad crash!"
"Nothing I can't handle, kid!" Rainbow Dash chuckled, though his words made her frown. "And it wasn't a crash! It was a crash landing!"
"Hey, on your left!" Exclaimed the voice of the young blonde man. Bucky found himself caught off-guard as Steve had jogged right past him, having been trying to catch up with Rainbow Dash from the ground.
"Tsk." Was all that Bucky could say, looking rather displeased at him.
"Soooo..." Rainbow Dash grinned. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?"
Rainbow Dash was rewarded with a scrutinizing and very skeptical look from Applejack, who raised a very displeased and rather upset brow. "Rainbow Dash, you told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'!?"
"Unlikely." Peter sighed. "I didn't notice anyone following us or something like that."
The Pegasus scoffed. "Ugh, no. I was busy napping, and I just HAPPENED to hear that you have an extra ticket?"
Both Twilight Sparkle's and Peter's hearts sank. They quickly glanced at one another, and Twilight had no idea how to move forward. "Well, yeah, but--"
She was unable to stop the cheering that came from the Pegasus, who pumped her hooves excitedly. "YES! This is so AWESOME! The Wonderbolts performing at the Grand Galloping Galaevery year! Oh, I can see it now..."
Rainbow Dash visualized the scene in her head, wrapping one hoof around the nearest target - Peter, and reaching out with her hoof to paint him a picture.
"Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly...Rainbow Dash! Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member!"
Steve chuckled, a little embarrassed by the fiery displayed his mom was pushing to the two mares. "Well, I mean, also for a good reason! Uh, I think the Gala would be a good opportunity for me, too! You see, Equestria always needed a proper hero, who reresents it, so if I could, I'd totally want to see if anyone would want to sign me up to show everypony and everyone that I'm the real deal. Maybe a campaign to show me and my skills off! Maybe even see if I can get a professional suit made for me, too. I'm thinking if I could propose my idea to that Prince - Blueblood, I think? Guy could definitely see if he can put my skills to use and put in a good word for me!"
"That's nice and all except..." Bucky cracked his neck. "Steve, we've always been friends - but you're forgetting that--"
"'Ah asked for those tickets first!" Applejack suddenly said, getting really close in Rainbow Dash's face.
"So?" Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Doesn't mean ya own 'em."
In a challenging manner, Applejack squared up and grits her teeth hard. "Oh, yeah? Well, I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket!"
More intense were the eyes exchanged between Bucky and Steve. There was a strange moment here - they were both good friends, even before the six Elements had united to face Nightmare Moon, but even then, there was a degree of intense loyalty to their respective parents, which was perhaps a match for their camaraderie.
Twilight Sparkle defused the situation as she stepped between the quarreling ponies. "Girls! These are my tickets. I'll decide who gets it, thank you very much. Whoever has the best reason to go, should get the ticket, don't you think?"
"Indeed." Suddenly said Bucky, interrupting what Applejack was about to say. "You know, I think logically, Miss Twilight, that ensuring the funds can go to the farm's equipment, wellbeing, and my defensive capabilities are quite paramount in terms of priority."
"I see where you're coming from." Said Steve before anyone else could give their two cents. "However, I believe a chance to build up a presence and relationship with the Wonderbolts and the Equestrian Royal Guard is a really good idea - especially since we'd like our team to develop connections and relationships with other organizations. Right?"
There was immense tension in the air. Peter chuckled softly, gently shimmying between the two other males. "Guys, guys, we can--"
There was a large rumbling sound - temporarily making the three think that another threat had appeared. However, all it was - was Twilight's hungry stomach rumbling. The Unicorn gently blushed and chuckled. "Listen to that, I am starving. I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch, and get back to you two, okay?"
"Fine..." The two mares sighed, and parted ways. Their sons nodded at one another. Understanding...Not agreeing but understanding that they'd have to return to this issue later.
***
Spike, Peter, and Twilight walked through the streets, the Unicorn's eyes hungrily scanning for whatever cafe or restaurant seemed most appealing.
"So, who are you gonna give the tickets to, Twilight?" Spike asked.
"Yeah..." Peter muttered. "I don't wanna scare you, but I got a feeling that whatever choice you make, their sons are gonna have a bit of a grudge about all this, huh?"
She only sighed. "I don't know guys, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry. So where should we ea--"
Having past Sugarcube Corner, the upper portion of its door blast open as a pink bullet darted through and crashed right into Twilight. Pinkie Pie rolled over the floor with her, and soon the tickets, which went up in the air, floated upon Pinkie's face.
"Ugh, m-mom!" Clint ran out through the door. "Come on, what gives!? We still gotta finish the cake and--"
Not identifying what had landed on her face, Pinkie started to shake her face to remove it. "GAAH! Bats! Bats on my face! Help...!" She yelled, then took a closer look. "Wait, these aren't...tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!?"
"Wait, for real!?" Clint's eyes lit up. "No way! Miss Twilight, thank you so much!"
"Yes!" Pinkie Pie started to vibrate with joy, jumping around and vividly imagining what it would be like to get to the Gala. "It's the most amazing, incredible, tremendous, super-fun, wonderful, terrifically, humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always, always, always wanted to go!"
"Wait, mom!" Clint yelled. "You're not gonna sing are--"
And Pinkie Pie began to sing, happily dancing around as she visualized it all in her head.
"Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me! Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me! Hip hip! Hooray! It's the best place for meeee~! For Pinkieeee~!"
"Ah, sorry about that, guys." Clint nervously chuckled. "But we really are thankful for invi--"
Pinkie Pie however had no intention of stopping, dancing and bouncing around. "With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and piñatas and pincushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sunbeams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!"
Clint proudly smiled. "It'd be really cool to get a chance to go there! I always wanted to see Canterlot up close, and helping mom organize a party there would rock! I mean, come on, it's not just a party - it's a party in Canterlot! How cool is that!? And also--"
Pinkie Pie had no intention of stopping.
"Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me! Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me! 'Cause it's the most galariffic superly-terrific Gala ever! In the whole galaxyyyyy~! Wheeeeeee~!
Pinkie finally simmered down, though her mind was still up in the pleasant clouds. "Oh, thank you so much Twilight!"
Twilight squeaked. "Uhm, actually-"
To make matters worse, Rarity and Tony had been passing by, and Rarity just happened to see some of the remaining tickets that were in Spike's claw as he picked them up from the ground.
Rarity gasped shrilly. "Is that...what I think it is!?"
Pinkie Pie nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!"
Both Rarity's and Tony's eyes widened with surprise. "The Gala!?" Rarity cried out. "I design ensembles for the Gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour...!"
Tony interrupted. "All the influential people I can meet for networking so that I can find potential investors..."
Rarity sighed dreamily. "It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet...him!"
All looked at the white Unicorn with confusion. "...Who?"
"Hiiim~!" Rarity was swooning through the street, practically stumbling and floating around with a dreamy look, thinking about the hypothetical situation of meeting this Prince. "I would stroll through the Gala, and everyone would wonder "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the Princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him , her nephew: the most handsome, eligible Unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts will melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say "Yes!" We would have a royal wedding, befitting a Princess, which is...hehe~...what I would become upon marrying HIM - the stallion of my dreams."
"I got a reason myself too!" Tony chuckled, proudly pointing a thumb at himself. "While mom was checking out what royalty is doing, I had the chance to take a look at some of the companies that invest in the Gala. Guess what? Turns out, they're gonna get a visit from a certain arm's company's CEO. Now, I know he's gonna have a bunch of security that wouldn't let anyone as much as fart towards him, but I'm gonna make sure that I get close to him. And by the time security can point their guns at me or cuff me, I'll show that old guy what I'm capable of. If I convince this guy - then I'm set on my designs. I won't need to ever worry about costs or anything. I'll build the perfect suit, the moment I'll have shaken his hand!"
"...They're both pretty dreamy about this." Peter muttered.
Rarity humphed. "Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can party! ...And prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph."
"She's got a point..." Tony quietly muttered.
In a sudden moment, Spike felt the tickets escape from his claws. "Hey!" He exclaimed. He could not prevent the rabbit that snatched them and ran over all the way to Fluttershy, who smiled softly at the sight of the tickets.
"Angel, these are perfect!" Fluttershy cooed.
Bruce sheepishly chuckled. "Uh, mom, I think this may be considered as theft."
Twilight sighed, trying to defuse the situation as she approached the Pegasus and her son. "Guys, I haven't decided who to give the tickets to."
It coaxed a gasp from the ponies and their sons. "You haven't!?"
At that moment, Fluttershy started to gently brush the dirt. "Excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else..."
Tony couldn't help it, leaning in curiously as he folded his arms. "Uh, Miss Fluttershy - you want to go to the Gala...?"
The Pegasus felt cornered, her eyes looking around anxious. "Oh, uhm, no. I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see...It's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wonderous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the Gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom...and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!"
"Mom has a good idea!" Bruce chuckled politely. "You know, I had something I wanted to do there myself! You see, there's this fascinating plant that grows - called the Tranquill Belle. It releases a sap - dripping downwards at a rate of about one droplet somewhere between one hour, all the way until twelve. I feel like if I can just set myself and my equipment there just right, then I could get a sample of that sap - safely without harming the plant.
"What's the big deal with the sap?" Twilight asked, curious at the botanical article she surprisingly hadn't heard about before.
"It has a unique property!" Bruce grinned. "A small sample will reveal it's DNA, which I believe is the key to certain metabolic agents that could help improve medicine. I recently discovered these effects in my reading. and knowing I might get close is exciting as is!"
Past the arguing, Twilight could not take it anymore.
"QUIIIEEEET!"
Although all stopped, all could hear Pinkie as she had a hard time stopping herself. "And then I said - Oatmeal, are you CRAZY!?...Oh."
Twilight sighed. "Okay - this is my decision, and I'm gonna make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with all this noise." She said, her stomach rumbling to make her point. "...Not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo.
***
Twilight groaned in frustration as she sat behind the table - the hunger starting to play on her nerves like a fork across the strings of a guitar. "Spike, Peter, what am I gonna do!? All five of my best friends have really good ideas to go to the Gala. Applejack and Bucky, or Rainbow Dash and Steve? Pinkie Pie and Clint or Fluttershy and Bruce, Rarity and Tony... Oh, who should go with me!?"
Unable to propose anything, both Spike and Peter sat there, unable to speak of any solution. However, a voice soon interrupted them all.
"Ahem. Uh, have you, like, made your decision?"
"I CAN'T DECIDE!" Twilight cried out, an outburst that spooked everyone at the table.
"...He just wants to take your order." Spike and Peter said at the same time, trying to calm her down. Twilight realized this and sighed, turning over to the waiter with a small but stressed smile.
"Oh, sorry. Uhm, yes! I would like a daffodil and...dai...sy...sand...wich?"
There was one issue.
The waiter from before was gone. There was no mustached stallion before them. Instead, there was a human - a human clad in a red suit, a mix of leather, rubber, and spandex. There was a black and red color scheme, the mask over his face having white pupils, much like the one in the suit Peter had designed. The suit appeared more of a combat suit.
More striking was the fact that he was armed to the teeth. There were two pistols on either side of his hips, holstered. On his back were two katana blades, sheathed in a cross position. There was a belt around his waist, the buckle shaped just like his own mask. There were, much to the concern of those sitting at the table, grenades, which were attached to his chest and hips.
"U-Uhm...W-Who are you?" Spike asked, raising a weirded-out brow.
"Moi?" The stranger said, smiling underneath the mask as evidenced by the change of his eyelid's position. "Why, I am your waiter! I am the Merc with ze Mo--,er, ze waiter vis ze menu!"
"...I highly doubt that." Peter muttered. "Listen pal, my mom just really needs her food. She's having a bad day and--"
"And I am here to get your food, oui? What would you like?" The man said, putting on a painfully fake French accent.
"No, seriously dude." Peter grits his teeth. "Can you just tell me who you are?"
"I am...Ze waiter's brother."
"...And what is the waiter's name?" Peter tilted his head, having become familiar with the name of the stallion who had served them during their stay in Ponyville, so far.
"Savoir Fare." The stranger said, looking rather proud of himself.
"...And what's your name, mister "Savoir Fare's brother?" Peter leaned in.
This immediately made the stranger gulp. Quickly he turned around to check the stolen nametag he had taken off of the waiter's apron. With a marker, he quickly changed it and place it on his chest.
My name is Savoir Faire Deux! Now, can I puh-please have your order!?" He barked.
"Hang on, but it says there..." Spike squinted, noticing the belt on the strange "waiter". He noticed one of the massive pistols, which made Peter uneasy to see Spike so close to a firearm, especially in the holster of such a strange character. "... .50 Action Express...Property of...Deadpool?"
"Mon Dieu!" The masked man exclaimed, putting a hand on his chest, and another over the pistol, which made Peter scared as he was going to unholster it, except he was merely covering it. "Non, ze word Zeadpoole means, er...'Waiter'! Zerefore, I am your waiter for zis evening!"
This feels somewhat inappropriate, Wade. Can we please be more racially sensitive?
What do you mean? He's doing such an amazing acting job! Y'know, we missed the golden opportunity by not trying to pretend to be Princess Celestia first!
Hey, stop! I know you like to break the fourth wall in the comics, series, and movies - but breaking the fourth wall in my story is uncalled for! Can you please integrate into the--
My apologies, author - I assure you we will do our best to contain--
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah! Okay, Wade - we're gonna get Celestia's tiara, get you a wig with her colors, and with a lil' bit of voice training, we can--
Impatient, Twilight's magic had removed the mustache - which left the stranger in nothing but his suit and the apron. He blinked down and looked at Twilight.
There goes the expertly crafted disguise...
"So, can I help you?" Twilight murmured. "I was hoping to get my food. Can the actual waiter come here, please?"
"...Fine, fine. You know, he's still getting paid for the time off I've put him in!" Deadpool rolled his eyes underneath his mask, quickly walking around the corner to pull out a tied-up stallion, who he freed. The waiter, who had his mustache shaved off and repurposed to be placed on Wade instead, only shakily walked towards the table, and collapsed to his side.
"...Uh, well..." Deadpool nervously rubbed his forehead, forgetting the sweat was underneath the mask. "You know, if the restaurant doesn't cover the loss of standard-waiter-issue facial hair and give him a bonus for being kidnapped and threatened at gunpoint, then at-least we know Equestria's essential workers gotta unionize! You can thank me for testing how fair this country's labor laws are!"
Peter barked at the stranger. "Hey! You can't do something like that!" He exclaimed, squaring up with Deadpool, angry and not afraid of the weapons that the Mercenary had on his belt and in the holsters. "You can't just threaten an innocent person like that! What were you thinking!?"
"Well!" Deadpool immediately spun around, and now appeared in a business suit, which was worn over his suit. "That was merely a stunt to get your attention, my eight legged - minus six - friend!"
"Some stunt that was!" Peter exclaimed. "You have to make up for--"
"I come to you with a business proposal you see." Deadpool leaned into Twilight, grabbing her hoof and starting to shake it.
"Is it about the TICKETS!?" Twilight suddenly snapped, noticing how intently the stranger was staring at the golden papers that she was already contemplating of tearing them up, due to the stress it was causing her.
"YES, IT's ABOUT THE TICKETS!" Deadpool yelled. Both Spike and Peter were now defensive, both standing up and blocking Deadpool's line of sight on Twilight. The red-clad stranger frowned and backed up, shrugging. "What? I thought she communicated through shouting and being all aggressive! But yes, it's about the tickets!"
"They're not for sale." Twilight groaned. "Can you please stop bothering me?"
"Oh, I'm not here to buy them!" Deadpool smiled. "Matter of fact, I'm not even here to ask for 'em! My proposal is related to them, but not how you think!"
At the fact someone wasn't trying to force Twilight into giving them these accursed tickets, the Unicorn suddenly perked up and smiled. "Oh! Well, please Mister Deadpool, go on!"
"You see...We here at Deadpool Solutions..."
LLC!
"...LLC have been working with cases of "not being able to choose what friend to choose to go to the Grand Galloping Gala with for many years, and this case is no different. We'd like to provide a solution for you, free of charge!"
"Free of charge doesn't bode well..." Peter whispered.
"Never mind that! What's the solution, Deadpool?" Twilight was smiling wide, excited to hear of a potential way out of this very unpleasant case.
"It's simple." Deadpool giggled. "You see, considering that your friends all have sons, who are somehow pretty good at combat, and have access to the kinds of a weapons that either give you a one-way ticket into the ICU or the morgue, I think what we can do here is quite simple. Have a fight to the death!"
"Oooh, I see, I see..." Twilight nodded along... Then, his words hit her. "...WAIT, WHAT!?"
"It's a sensible solution!" Deadpool smiled. "If ya can't share, then why not just take? Besides, by having them take one another out, you also keep the strongest guy around, and isn't that just grand? Why have five other guys when you just keep the best one around? Imagine how many things you won't have to share after that!"
"You're AWFUL!" Twilight shouted. "Look - can you please take this seriously?"
"Oh, but I am!"
Are not.
What do you mean - this is gonna be the deal of the century!
"You are NOT!" Twilight barked harder. "LISTEN! I have five friends and their sons who I am forced to choose between them! Do you think I want to leave four offended ponies and four offended humans as I go off to the Gala!? This is gonna jeopardize my friendship! My recent friendship!?"
The so-called "Merc with the Mouth" huffed, turning his head and upset. "Wow, you know what? I'm offended." Deadpool huffed, putting his hands on his hips. "Here I am, offering you an actual solution, which has a better chance of resolving things than having to choose your five only friends, and you brush me off! And here I am, standing in the rain, like a hardworking, desperate, and diligent businessman!"
"It's not even raining!" Peter exclaimed...Then took a closer look past his anger to see that Wade was indeed...soaking wet. He looked around, only to see a massive bicep above him, and a shield.
Also soaking wet was Steve, who nervously chuckled. "Uh, on your left?"
Twilight realized this too and looked up, to see that she was completely clear of rain, as Rainbow Dash had placed a hole in the sky conveniently right above her.
The singsong yet raspy voice of Rainbow Dash was heard from above. "Hi there, best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather!?"
Steve smiled at Peter. "Heya bro! Crazy weather, huh? Good thing this Vibranium's shield gonna keep ya bones dry. I gotta watch out for our team's second--uh, first in command, y'know?"
Twilight Sparkle blinked, unsure and shocked. "Rainbow Dash, Steve - what are you two doing!?"
The Pegasus gasped, feigning a lack of understanding. "Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on! So, I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace - that's all!"
"I'm in the same boat!" Steve laughed. "C'mon, I'd look out for our team's coolest and most skilled member as if he were my own bro!"
The Unicorn skeptically looked at them. "You're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra tickets by doing me extra favors...are you?"
"That would just be unpatriotic, Miss Twilight!" Steve exclaimed. "We'd never do something like that."
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash giggled nervously, gulping. "We'd do it for everypony!"
"...Well, I'm not comfortable accepting unwanted favors. I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now." Twilight said.
Rainbow Dash sighed. "Okay, fine." She muttered. With that, the cloud was patched - and rain started to freely pour down upon Twilight.
Meanwhile, Steve looked at Peter, and could only give a soft sigh, and nod his head. He removed the shield from above, and now Peter was under the torrent of rain. Rainbow Dash and Steve left, retreating for now.
"...Well, the rain really is heavy today." Peter muttered.
There was an opportunity. Two passersby noticed them.
"Whoa there!" Exclaimed Tony, who had extended his hands and produced his blasters. Using a Sonic Wave Emitter, he started to push the droplets away from Twilight, Spike, and Peter - using the power of movement and sound to cause a force that would take the droplets off their course. "What are you guys doing out in the rain!?"
"Indeed!" Gasped Rarity, approaching by his side. "Darlings, it's raining!"
"...We pieced that together, yeah." Peter mumbled. Rarity wrapped a hoof around Twilight and Spike, while Tony one-handed the rain-protection as he wrapped one of his armored hands around Peter.
"Come with us, before you catch a cold!" Rarity exclaimed, as she and Tony led them away.
Deadpool only stood under the rain, watching as everyone around him merely left. "...Well, an honest businessman never backs down. I won the battle - not the war, ya hear!?"
***
Twilight was covered in makeup; her appearance was now beautified immensely. She looked at her own appearance, guffawed at how beautiful she seemed.
In the meantime, Tony had been constructing something. Peter looked in awe, as the goatee-bearded lad worked with immense accuracy and efficiency.
"Whoa, so these are improved web shooters?" Peter asked, looking with sparkles in his eyes.
"Yep." Tony smirked. "These are gonna be laser-accurate, and this new substance it's loaded with is gonna make this stuff impossible to break out of!"
However, somewhere through the process, there was a sudden outburst, as Rarity was telling Twilight about beauty and the Grand Galloping Gala, the purple Unicorn immediately identified the caveat. "I see what's going on here. You're just buttering me up, so I give you the extra tickets. Well, it's not gonna work. You're going to have to wait for my decision, just like everyone else!"
As Twilight started to leave, Tony and Peter awkwardly looked at one another. Tony looked at the new web shooters, then at Peter, before coughing. "...Uh, did I forget to mention that the price was gonna be two of those tickets that your mom's got?"
The situation became awkward. Peter excused himself and ran after Twilight.
Twilight humphed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunc--"
Both Twilight and Peter were met by Applejack and Bucky. The mare had with her a whole array of pie-related foods, while Bucky held a variety of foods that humans would enjoy as well.
"Hey Peter." Bucky forced a smile.
"Hey Twi, did ya say lunch!?" Applejack cooed.
Twilight murmured. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Applejack giggled. "'Ah got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumbles, and apple Brown Betty. Uh, the desert, not my Auntie. What do you say there, best friend?"
"Yeah, best friend!" Bucky said, his smile awfully forced. "I got uh, Manehattan Pizza. Hot dogs. Uh, you like all those whacky Manehattan foods, right?"
Twilight's stomach grumbled in reflex to those words.
Applejack grinned opportunistically. "Is that a yes~?"
Twilight let out an angered cry. "No! I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Urgh!"
She ran off, and Peter had no choice but to accelerate after her.
Applejack frowned as she ran off. "Is that a maybe!?"
Bucky looked relieved. "At-least I can keep the pizza."
***
They finally arrived at the library - Peter walking alongside his mom, while Spike had gone home somewhere during the makeover, unable to stand it.
"Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating!" Twilight groaned.
Peter sighed softly. "You're telling me. Today, I ended up missing out on new web shooters, a pizza, and a chance to avoid getting soaked in the rain...All 'cause they were bribes."
Entering the library, they were met with the sound of humming and singing. To their shock, they saw Fluttershy, her bunny, and Bruce cleaning - removing the dust, mopping the floors, and removing any other dirt.
Twilight's heart sank at the sight of the innocent Pegasus falling to the corruption as well. "Fluttershy, not you too!"
Fluttershy turned around with a soft smile. "Well, hello, Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little Spring Cleaning for you!"
"Yep!" Bruce smiled. "Already done mopping the floor, miss!"
"It's Summer." Twilight muttered.
The Pegasus blushed. "Well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's and Bruce's idea."
Twilight and Peter both furrowed their brows. Twilight mumbled. "You're not doing this for the tickets, are you?"
Fluttershy nervously stammered. "Oh, no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel?"
Bruce blushed, the guilt weighing a little heavy on him. "Well..."
Fluttershy leaned in to listen to her rabbit - she was the only one who could understand him. "Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the tickets."
Frustrated, Twilight cried out. "No, no, no! This was all very nice of you, Bruce and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave!" She cried out, ushering the three out. However, the moment she opened the door, there was an explosion of confetti, and an obnoxious trumpet.
"SURPRISEE!" Pinkie cried out. Twilight was unable to do anything as Pinkie took her for a big dance, celebrated by not only the pink mare, but also other townsfolk.
"Twilight is my bestest friend, whoopie, whoopie!" Pinkie sang, all while Twilight attempted to stop her. "She's the cutest, smartest, all-around best pony, pony! I bet iif I throw a super-duper fun party, party! She'll give her tickets to the Gala to meeee~!
"PINKIEEEE!" Twilight yelled out.
Just in tandem, Clint had fired an arrow into the sky - which caused a big firework, which turned into the shape of Twilight.
"Yes Twi?" Pinkie asked innocently.
The Unicorn huffed in frustration. "At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the tickets."
"What tickets? What Gala?" Pinkie asked, fluttering her eyes.
"Yeah, I got no idea what you're on about, Miss Twi." Clint smiled just as innocently.
A pony suddenly inquired. "Gala? What Gala?"
Clint noticed his mom was about to spill the beans. "Mom, wait!"
Pinkie giggled. "Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has two extra tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!"
All ponies gasped with surprise. "The Grand Galloping Gala!?"
With that, there was an onslaught of compliments and offers from the surrounding ponies, all of them attempting to swoon the Unicorn.
"Have I ever told you how much I love your mane?"
I'll wash your dishes!"
"Would you like any help with your gardening?"
"I have a cartload of extra carrots!"
"I'll paint your cottage!"
Spike began to sweat. "What are we gonna do!?"
Twilight gulped. "We're gonna run!"
"I got this!" Peter exclaimed. With one arm, he was able to scoop up both Twilight and Spike, before using his webs to launch up into the sky. However, no matter how high he swung, there were ponies running and chasing underneath them.
Decisively, Twilight closed her eyes - and with her horn, teleported all three of them back into the library.
Spike and Peter both walked in disoriented, the sudden change making them both sick as they fell - Peter on the floor, and Spike right on top of him.
As Twilight shut the door, she leaned against it. Then, she let out the loudest groan of relief. She could hear the crowd outside began to disperse. She, Peter, and Spike were now in total silence.
She groaned once again. "Ugh, this is the worst! I never thought I'd be put into such a difficult position! If only--"
Then, there was a knock on the door.
"Twilight, Twilight!" Exclaimed a familiar voice. The Unicorn was frustrated and opened the door.
"Mayor Mare, I'm sorry but just because you're the mayor doesn't mean I am just going to give you the tickets, even if you wanna offer--"
"That would be wonderful..." Mayor Mare dreamily said. "But no - that's not why I'm here. Twilight, the humans - your friend's sons are about to wreak havoc! They're having a standoff!"
"W-WHAT!?" Twilight cried out in surprise.
"We gotta stop them!" Peter exclaimed. "Let's go!"
***
The streets of Ponyville were empty. There was a heavy sensation in the air, the kind that marked the sign of trouble. Something big was about to go down, that much was evident as the team of heroes was now separated and broken up into smaller groups.
Ironically, both Thor and Natasha were rather uninterested. For they were from Canterlot, the Grand Galloping Gala was nothing new to them. They both stood on the side, with a sense of tension and curiosity. On the other side of the street, they both saw the Mercenary, who waved with a comically large bucket of popcorn between his legs.
"They're going to tear the town apart..." Natasha softly hissed under her breath. "Thor, this isn't good. We're gonna have to intervene."
"Do we?" Thor asked, apparently more interested in the sight of the fight happening than actually preventing it. "I mean, look at things this way...We get to see something interesting, and these five are likely to just tear each other up and then regret it before things get...ugly. They might have to clean the town up - but I'm sure it won't be so-"
He was interrupted as the standoffish heroes started to prepare their weapons. Bucky loaded his M249 with a magazine of rubber bullets, while Tony raised his beam-firing gauntlets. Steve held his shield at an angle which indicated he was ready to throw it at someone, and Clint had taken out four arrows tipped with stun explosives, prepared to fire and incapacitate them.
The whole time, Bruce was slowly grunting and angrily sighing as he tried to diffuse the situation - they knew where this was going. No matter how many times he kindly asked them to stand down, and no matter how many times he politely asked that he and Fluttershy should get the tickets, and each time they brushed him off, it caused his veins to pop and his muscles to tense.
"Last chance." Steve scowled. "This isn't gonna go any other way. I'm gonna get my mom her chance to meet the Wonderbolts, and that's final."
Tony scoffed, setting his blasters to be more potent and high-energy, intent on using non-lethal but painful force against his opponents. "That's a very curious way to say that Rarity and I are the ones who'll make it."
"I'd like to see you try that. Bucky said, gritting his teeth. "If mom wants Sweet Apple Acres to have more funds and fix things up, then that's exactly what she's gonna get. I never disappointed Applejack..." He then chambered a round. "Not gonna start now, either."
"First time for everything." Clint softly said, not raising any attention to his body language as he prepared the arrows in a fluid motion. "Come on, you four are in the way of Equestria's biggest and best party!"
"I really urge you to...ugh..." Bruce tried to breathe to calm himself, but everyone noticed how his skin was changing hue, becoming a dull green, which was ever-so-slightly becoming more vibrant and emerald-like. "To reconsider this...Before someone gets hurt."
"Threatenin' us now!?" Tony smirked, the blasters starting to glow and warm up. "Funny that. I thought you were a meek nerd, this whole time. Gotta go all cucumber mode just to stand a chance against us, huh?"
The words were indeed causing Bruce's transformation to accelerate, as his biceps and triceps were starting to swell. abdomen becoming more pronounced, his lab coat starting to stretch and rupture.
"Guess that's the way it's gonna get, huh?" Bucky grits his teeth. "Last time to back off. Rubber bullet bruises take months to heal - and I'd hate to image what happens if I hit anyone in the eye."
"Then you better aim well, buddy." Steve grits his teeth, prepared to throw the shield. "Because I can throw this thing before your bullets can land.
"Heh. Yeah. You're the expert of projectile speed..." Clint said, pulling the arrow back.
"Enough. Let's get this done with before lunch." Tony gently adjusted the aim of his blasters.
"Let's." Whispered Bruce. His body was almost fully grown into the Hulk's, almost beyond the point of no return.
However, before anything can happen, a flash of purple came right between them. Gasping, the men immediately dropped their weapons - with Bruce's musculature quickly receding and becoming more like his normal self.
"Everyone STOP!" Twilight Sparkle cried out, not caring that she was just in the line-of-sight of some of the most powerful weapons. The fact had disarmed them all.
"Miss Twilight!" Steve smiled, immediately setting his shield down. "It's so good to see you! D-Did you uh, come up with a choice?"
"Hi Miss Twilight!" Tony said, immediately dropping his aggression to put on the politest look he could. "We're okay over here, but if you wanted to choose, we'd love nothing more than to pass it onto our moms!"
"Enough!" Twilight exclaimed.
"There you all are!" Gasped Rarity. "Tony, what is the meaning of this?"
"Bucky, what in tarnation is all this!?" Applejack angrily exclaimed.
"Twilight--" Fluttershy murmured, approaching the very frustrated Unicorn, who was on the verge of snapping...And once she saw everyone, once she saw everyone's gazes...They were expecting her to make a choice, but she just couldn't do it.
Twilight could not help it. She could only let out one frustrated cry of desperation and despair. "I CAN'T DECIDE! I just...can't decide! It's important to all of you, and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy I can't, I just CAN'T!"
Immediately, Peter and Spike came close, hoping to comfort her. Peter put a hand on her shoulder as he crouched by her side. "Mom, it's alright!"
This immediately earned concerned looks from the ponies and humans. They looked at Twilight with an immense tinge of regret, feeling bad over being so high-pressure on the poor Unicorn, and her son.
The orange pony removed her hat and held it close to her chest. "Twilight, sugar, I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don't want the tickets anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise!"
"...Me neither." Bucky said. "I'm not much of a Gala person anyway."
Fluttershy hung her head in shame, crestfallen. "Me too, I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful..."
"That was very bad from my side, too." Bruce said. "I shouldn't have lost my cool - knowing what usually comes of that..."
The pink pony approached, nodding with a frown. "Yeah. It's no fun upsetting your friends..."
"You got that right, mom." Clint murmured. "I think if my job is helping you make ponies and people smile, then this is probably the worst way I could go about it."
The white Unicorn hung her head in shame, sighing softly. "Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did."
"Same." Tony muttered. "Sorry about the pressure, Peter. It's not in the nature of a self-made guy to pressure my peers like that. I mean, if you were some loser, I would, but you're not, so...Agh, you get it, right?"
Rainbow Dash started to fly around, and Steve pumped his fists. "Yes! That means the tickets are ours. Haha! We got the tickets! We got the ticke--"
While she and her son celebrated, they caught the rather displeased look from the others, making them both immediately simmer down. Rainbow Dash coughed. "Y'know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway...Uh, I don't need those tickets either."
"Me neither." Steve shook his head, putting on a poker face.
The ponies came close to one another. "We all got so gung-ho about going to the Gala that we couldn't see how un-gung-ho we were making you..." Applejack said, holding her hat to her chest. At the same time, the humans who stood there felt awkward - however, it was under the initiative of Steve that they'd show their true apologies as well.
So, the blonde lad clad in the flag hung his head. "We're sorry too, on that account. I guess we all figured out today that we love our moms enough to kinda go to war over it, heh..."
"Not that there's anything wrong with it!" Clint said, piquing the curiosity of the others over the rather strange phase, though he quickly rectified. "I-I mean, really - except I'm pretty sure some tickets aren't exactly something we should be doing it over either. I mean, even if it's a big party..."
All were elated that an understanding was being reached, glad that the conflict was seeing some resolution. However, not all were happy. Certainly, unhappy was a red-clad Mercenary, who was in the background. He was yelling and biting his nails through his mask, however the absurdity he'd displayed background throughout the whole day was so expected and repeated, that he was easy to ignore.
Deadpool was jumping up and down now, waving his arms. "NOOOOOO! NO! STOP! STOP MAKING UP! YOU GUYS SHOULD BE MAKING THIS FANFIC COOLER BY SPLATTERING BLOOD AND GUTS EVERYWHERE! TURN THE PG UP TO AN R, COME ON! UUUUGH, WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET WOLVERINE IN THIS THING!? IF HE WERE HERE, THIS PLACE WOULD LOOK LIKE BORSCHT BY NOW!
You really have a strange penchant for inviting violence into such a heartwarming moment! This is a period of discovery and appreciation between these mares and their children, can you not at-least value some peace - appreciate some love and tolerance, you warmonger!?"
But he's totally right! Come on, remember when Marvel started cussing and stuff!? Remember how much gore we got with the X-Men? Remember how much gore we had in OUR movies!? Wasn't that the raddest thing ever!?
"Oh, how could I forget?" Wade's eyes fluttered with admiration and nostalgia. "How we rocked the internet having one of the few legendary R-RATED Marvel films! Ooooh, it's almost like it was yesterday, sniff..."
Yes, yes! Keep reminiscing about those days and don't focus on or interrupt anything!
Oh dear God, Wade! Snap out of it! Snap out of the nostalgia trip!
"Oooh, and then there's my upcoming movie with Logan and I! Or unless it's already over, that is. Ah, how many angry parents shall storm the internet, asking why I'm such a potty mouth, and why Wolvie's literally using edged weapons? Say, you think the bromance is gonna cause any controversies? You know these days you can't slap your own bro on the butt witout weird drawings being posted around and--"
THEY'RE MAKING UP! THEY'RE NOT FIGHTING ANYMORE! WADE! WADE! THE EPISODE'S GONNA HAVE A HAPPY ENDING!
"...OH, RIGHT! NO! STOP!"
Oh goodness... sniff... it's so...so precious! So magical! Friendship really is Magic!
Back to the scene, the Elements of Harmony and their children stood close, displaying bot shame, but also relief that their recently formed friendship didn't just crash and burn before their very eyes, that their legendary team didn't dissolve some days after its formation.
"We're sorry, Twilight." Everyone said at the same time. Now, with Twilight being the one to choose her words or her next move, everyone patiently waited to see what she would do or say. The Unicorn gave it a short moment of thinking...And then smiled.
"Spike, take a note." Twilight said. At that moment, Spike pulled out a paper and a quill, starting to write at his caretaker's command.
"Dear, Princess Celestia..." Twilight said. "I've learned that one of the joys of Friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning the four tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."
Spike nodded, and Twilight nodded back. With his dragon breath, the letter was sent away.
The words immediately caused a shout of surprised union from all, both the humans and ponies. "WHAT!?"
"...Guess that's all she wrote." Tony muttered.
"...Yes, that was all she wrote. Literally." Steve blinked at Tony.
Twilight humphed, smiling proudly and fondly at her friends. "If my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either." She said.
"Just like you said, huh mom?" Peter chuckled. "Great Power, Great Responsibility, yadda yadda?"
"Hah." Twilight giggled. "Glad you remembered it!"
Applejack frowned worriedly at the Unicorn. "Twilight, you don't have to do that..."
"Yeah!" Bruce frowned as he came close. "Miss Twilight, you really didn't have to do that! We wouldn't feel bad if you decided to go there by yourself!"
"Nope. I made up my mind." Twilight chuckled.
"Believe me." Peter chuckled. "If mom says she's made her mind up, she did. She's not a "takesy-backsy" person."
"But..." Fluttershy frowned. "Now you and Peter won't get to go to the Gala either!"
"Yeah..." Clint looked tense. "Miss Twilight, that kind of event is a big deal!"
Twilight shook her head, very pleased with her choice. "No. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me! So...I would rather not go at all!"
It earned a sound of adoration from all of them. "Aaawwww!
A moment after, Rarity sighed. "Well, this is heartwarming - though I'm not sure if there's anything on the same level as the..." Rarity had to let out a soft sigh to vent out the frustration and defeat. "The same level as the Grand Galloping Gala, but...Oh, dear, it shall suffice. I-I mean, what's the next massive that we may enjoy together?"
"The annual "Best pig rolling in mud" Awards! Right, Applejack?" Pinkie giggled, having checked her calendar. "Which is in two days, wasn't it?"
"Uh, even that's a bit too country 'fer me." Applejack slightly tipped her hat. "Rares - either way, whatever event we can enjoy, important things that we're gunna enjoy it together!"
"Yeah!" Peter smiled, having leaned down. "And we learned something too, I think...That some tickets are not worth starting a damn near Civil War over."
"Kid's got a point." Steve said - ignoring Peter when he reminded them that they were the same age. "We'd be better off actually pointing our weapons and fists at the bad guys - not each other. That's a fact."
Immediately, the sword-and-gun toting stranger immediately came in, wrapping an arm each around both Steve and Peter, smiling wide and acting all friendly.
"Hey, what do ya mean!?" The red-clad Mercenary laughed, trying to convince them of his point of view. "You guys going at each other's throats was like the best part of the day! C'mon, you guys sure you don't wanna vaporize each other just a liiiil' bit? C'mon, hey, lightning dude! You see that one in the red outfit, right? You should totally just zap him now! It'll be funny! And he'll grow any body parts he loses or whatever!"
"Hey, people don't regrow their limbs or stuff like that!" Peter barked at Deadpool, who innocently shrugged. Thor however was already preparing his lightning, except intending to fire it at Deadpool instead.
A moment later, as the ponies were hugging together with Twilight and showing the adoration over her decision, Spike suddenly started to gag and choke, as if he's sick. "Hghk! Urgh...Urk!"
"Hey, bro!" Peter turned to Spike. "You okay!?"
The other response was immediately from Applejack, who giggled with a smile. "Well, wallop my withers, Spike. Isn't that just like a boy? Can't handle the least bit of sentiment, eh?
Having to recoil a little to avoid a green flame, Spike suddenly burped. "Whoa, Nelly!" Applejack yelped. There was a flash of green, as a scroll had immediately rolled out, and washed over the air. Soon enough, the scroll appeared in Spike's claw.
"A letter from the Princess..." Twilight looked at the letter that had been given to them. "That was fast..."
Spike shrugged, taking the seal, holding the scroll open and unfurling it. He began to read it out loud. "My faithful student Twilight...Why didn't you say so in the first place?" He read, and then looked closer at the contents of the scroll. "Hey! Fourteen tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!"
"Hey, hear that?" Steve laughed softly. "They invited you two as well!" He said, looking at both Natasha and Thor. They both looked at one another and shrugged. This was nothing special to them.
This revelation coaxed a gasp from the others, happy to see this very sudden, and somewhat unexpected resolution. "We can all go!" Twilight happily said.
"Yes!" Peter pumped a fist. "Friendship destroying crisis averted, huh?"
"Uuugh." Deadpool gagged. "Come on bro, you can't say this sub-PG-13 stuff, man!"
"Hey, I'm not your bro!" Peter exclaimed. "You literally just barged in outta nowhere!"
As the ponies and humans cheered, there was a sudden noise that disturbed all of them. There was a rumbling sound - Twilight Sparkle felt her stomach grumble, and her hunger became apparent. She was, after all, devoid of food for almost the entire portion of the day.
"Ahem...Allow us to treat you to dinner." Rarity softly said.
"We can take you out to my favorite burger place?" Steve proudly smirked, putting his hands on his hips. "C'mon, nothing more Equestrian than a nice Equestrian meal, right?"
"Great way to apologize, son." Rainbow Dash giggled.
"And to celebrate!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie, wrapping a hoof around both Twilight and Peter. "Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!"
There was a moment however when Spike looked oddly upset for whatever reason. "How come I don't get a ticket to the Gala?" He murmured. However, there was a sudden choke and burp, and fire spilled out of his mouth once more. Another scrolled paper with a golden slip appeared, landing in his claws. "And one for you, Spike!" He read the letter, smiling wide and giggling softly. However, he noticed the adoring and endeared reactions of the others, so he tried to change his attitude, wiping his cutesy smile. "Uh, I mean, gross! I have to go too?" He said, though giggling the moment it became clear that the jig was up. The others laughed too - and together, they went to treat Twilight to her well-deserved lunch.
Despite the lack of bloodshed, Deadpool sighed as he leaned against a lamp post.
"You know, readers - you gotta admit. Even if we didn't see those guys turn each other into a red mist, this is just as heartwarming, isn't it? It makes me tear up a little, even...sniff!"
You were just egging them on to slaughter each other.
"So, what!? Maybe after seeing that display, I just realized just how truly magical Friendship is!"
I already made that reference. Now, can you kindly let the writer finish the chapter, so that the reader can finally view it?
If the writer bothers ya, we can always point a Deagle at him through the screen!
"A text-based Deagle, I presume?"
"Pssht, I'll only shut up if the writer promises I appear in more chapters!"
Fine. Not like I'll have much of a choice. Not to mention you're a big fan favorite anyways.
"Booyah! Equestria, get ready - cause the Merc with the Mouth is coming for--"
Wade, you promised.
"Oh, right, right, right, right, right, right, right. Shuttin' up. Ziiiiiiiiiiiiip!"
Author's Note
This is it! The third chapter of the My Little Pony x The Avengers: FiM Season 1 Crossover Series, at long last!
I bet that you guys didn't expect to see Wade Wilson (Deadpool) appear so early in the series, did ya!?
Anyways, I will bring out Chapter 4 of this crossover, soon!
My Little Pony x The Avengers: Friendship is Magic; Season 1
Chapter 4: Applebuck Season
The three watched the apple field. Bucky stood by his mother and uncle, prepared to get to work. Before them was a sea of apples - trees ready for gathering.
Big Mac hissed in pain a little - his damaged torso was covered in bandages.
Applejack, in the meantime, watched with utter delight, grinning ear to ear at the beauty of their Acres. "Boy howdy! I got my work cut out for me. That there are the biggest bumper crop o' apples I ever laid eyes on!"
Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup. Too big for you to handle on your own."
The words immediately set fear into Bucky's heart. He knew how his mother got in moments like this, when she was challenged, even as a remark. Bucky tried to shake his head at his uncle, alarmed. He saw the fire in Applejack's eyes, and this was a bad sign of things to come.
Applejack furrowed her brows at Big Mac. "Come on, big brother! You need to rest up and get yourself better. I haven't met an apple orchard yet that I can't handle." She grinned, nudging him right in the injured spot. He hissed in pain, frowning at her. "...Oops, sorry. I'll take a bite out of this job by day's end!"
"Guys, guys..." Bucky nervously laughed. "Let's just--"
Big Macintosh humphed. "Bitin' off more than you can chew is just what I'm afraid of!"
Applejack almost gasped. "Are you sayin' my mouth is makin' promises my legs can't keep!?"
"Guys..." Bucky coughed.
His uncle nodded. "Eeyup."
Applejack was utterly flabbergasted at the audacity of what he said. "Why of all the...! This is your sister Applejack, remember!? The loyalist of friends and the most dependable of ponies!?"
Bucky was grimacing, feeling as if he was being practically ignored at this point. "Mom, Uncle Mac doesn't mean it. Uncle Mac, come on, she--"
Yet, Big Macintosh was unable to stop, perhaps a little too fired up in this debate. "But still only one pony, and one pony plus hundreds o' apple trees just doesn't add up to--"
Applejack furrowed her brows and got up in his face, snorting air at him. "Don't you use 'yer fancy mathematics to muddy the issue! I said I could handle this harvest and I'm gonna prove it to you! I'm gonna get every last apple out of those trees, this Applebuck Season all by mah' self!"
"Mom, Uncle Mac's right..." Bucky nervously raised his metallic finger. "Look, lemme help! I'll even get those other kids to help us out with all this. I'm sure if we all grouped up, we'd get this whole harvest collected in like, a week tops. Just take it easy and-"
"Nuh uh!" Applejack pointed right at Bucky's face. "Sorry son, but Momma's gonna have to show her neighsayin' brother and all of Ponyville that 'ah'm the hardest workin' pony who'd never take her word's back - cause 'ah am the Element of Honesty and may Celestia smite me if I ain't sayin' the truth! Now er, go get some rest! Y'know, apart from your chores, you got a vacation! Now, shoo - I got a lotta work ahead a' me!"
Applejack took one last look at the Acres...All the apple trees, and all the apples...
She gulped.
***
The ground shook. The ponies screamed in terror. Was it a villain? Was it a natural disaster? What could have been going on?
"STAMPEDEEEE!" Rainbow Dash cried out at the top of her lungs.
A stampede of cows, all of them sprinting like a force of nature...Right into Ponyville, threatening to run right over the bridge.
Shaking up and down, Pinkie Pie couldn't help but giggle. "H-Hey! T-This m-m-makes my v-v-v-voice s-s-s-sound s-s-s-s-sillyyyy!"
"Pinkie Pie!" Natasha watched in complete shock. "What are you doing!? You need to run!"
Mayor Mare panicked, looking around and not knowing what to do in the face of the upcoming torrent of beef. "E-Everypony calm down! There's no need to panic!"
"But Mayor, whatever shall we do!?" Rarity cried out with desperation and drama in her voice, threatening to faint any moment now.
"Well, we can't really do much!" Bruce panicked, trying to gather as many small animals as he could out of harm's way. "Most of us got the powers and skills that hurt villains! We can't do anything to hurt those cows!"
"Indeed..." Thor hissed. "Otherwise, my lightning could have given Ponyville quite the barbeque!"
Tony tried to prevent his mom from falling over from shock. "Animal activism needs to have its limits! What do we do!?"
Peter yelped and shouted. He tried to attach his webs to one of the cows, but it simply took him, and now he was being dragged by them. Steve had no idea what to do, his shield could do nothing against a whole crowd of cows, and Tony's blasters were not an option due to their lethality. Clint tried to fire arrows which exploded into nets, but the cows easily ripped right through them. There was nothing they could do, for they didn't have the right skills to not only prevent the stampede but also do so nonlethally. It's not like Natasha could do much with her pistols.
Then, Rainbow Dash smiled. "Hey, look over there!"
It was however Applejack who ran in-front of the cows with her dog Winona by her side. She yelled at the cows, guiding them away from the town. The dog barked, urging the cows to completely run in the other way, to steer away from the canine.
"Yeeeeehaw!" Applejack shouted, making her presence very well known. "Other side, Winona! Put 'em up, girl!"
With the dog barking and yapping, it was enough to get the cows to start moving away from the bridge.
Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was eating popcorn. "This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen!"
"Me too..." Steve watched in excitement, sharing it with her.
Using her lasso, Applejack would start pulling the lead cow to the right. The cows would be forced to steer away from the town, and calmed down as Applejack had been able to round them all up. The cows were calming down, though it was clear something had spooked them.
"Hooey! Now what was that all about!?" She quizzed the cows, furrowing her brows with frustration.
The leading cow mooed but then cleared her throat. "Oh my! Begging your pardon, Applejack, but Mooriella here saw one of those nasty snakes...And it just gave us all the willies, don'tcha know!"
Applejack spoke with a big, sympathetic smile. "'Ah completely understand. Just next time, try and steer clear of Ponyville?"
The cow smiled, first at the pony and then at the dog. "We certainly will, Applejack. So long, Winona!" She spoke. Together, the cows left - now calm and no longer destroying everything on the way.
Peter approached with an awkward smile, dusting himself off. "Miss Applejack, you rocked out there! Heh, some heroes we are if we can't get the cows from flattening the town..." Peter muttered.
"Don't worry 'bout it, Parker-Sparkle, m'boy!" Applejack grinned. "Ya ain't exactly the wranglin' type, so it ain't an issue. I got my job, and I do my job better than anyone else! You just sit back and relax, the next time a stampede of cows or goats or whatever comes up here!"
Mayor Mare approached with wide-open eyes and was completely surprised. "Applejack, that was just...just..."
"Appletastic!" Pinkie Pie happily cried out.
"Miss Applejack, that was awesome!" Steve grinned wide.
"Aw shucks Steve, getting a herd 'a cows to go the other way ain't the hardest thing in the world."
"Even then!" Mayor Mare clapped her hooves together. "We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town!"
"Oh, I know!" Pinkie grinned. Clint immediately ran up to her, having to do so to close the distance he had made while trying to stop the cows. Once he was close, he and his mom hugged with one arm, both grinning wide.
"A party!"
Bucky sighed, watching from the distance. He wanted to help and handle the stampede together with her, but she didn't let him get involved. He sighed. Maybe she'd get tired and realize she wasn't able to do so much responsibility. At-least she'd relax later once she'd realize she needed the rest.
So, he'd hoped.
***
Steve, Tony, and Fluttershy entered the coffee shop together. There was an award ceremony, but the time wasn't quite right. They had half an hour to kill, so they opted to enjoy the time they had until then.
"Steve, are you sure you're not sure what pet you and Rainbow Dash would like?" Fluttershy asked as they approached the counter.
"Mom hasn't brought the issue up yet." Steve shrugged. "She'll likely just pick some kinda eagle or fast animal. I thought of getting a tortoise or something, seeing as I'm a big fan of shields, heh. Mom would probably laugh if I told her that idea though."
"Don't get a cat. Just don't." Tony muttered. "Opal is a demon. I gotta catproof all of my tools. Honestly, it's a pain in the--"
"Tony." Fluttershy frowned. "Opal is a sweet cat! She just likes her space and privacy, and she can be quite affectionate! A-Anyways, shall we get something? I'd love to drink some coffee, but we also need to be on time for Twilight. They'll be handing an award to Applejack!"
The two males nodded. Steve tapped the counter to the worker who had his back turned to them. "Hey, Barista - I'll have a cup of joe - that's "a cup of Equestriano" in fancy talk."
Tony smirked. "I'll have a cappuccino." He said, knowing that the Baristas would have to make foam art on it, which he always loved to erase with a spoon in-front of the workers just for fun.
"Medium iced latte for me, please." Fluttershy kindly and softly said, not wanting to make the Barista's job any harder.
The Barista sighed. "...Right."
Then, they saw the metal hand that reached for the machines and cups. All three felt their eyes pop open.
"Wait, Bucky!?" Steve exclaimed.
"Bucky!?" Tony lowered his shades, shocked.
"Oh hi, Bucky!" Fluttershy waved.
"...Yep." Bucky muttered, turning around. "Is that gonna be a large or medium cappuccino?"
The question was not registered by anyone. Tony couldn't hold back his laughter. "Hey careful with the Porcelain cups, big guy. I don't know if that custom-made super enhanced arm can handle this kinda boring job."
"Bucky, what are you even doing here?" Steve asked with concern. "Aren't you supposed to be on the farm!? Is this some kinda act of rebellion? Do you need money? Did you get into debt? Is the farm in trouble? Is--"
"No, Steve, listen, ugh..." Bucky facepalmed. "Look, it's my mom. She uh...Well, Uncle Mac decided to imply "she can't harvest the entire Acres by herself", which is true - though apparently mom takes EVERYTHING to heart. She told me I'm "on vacation" and that I should do something else while she gathers everything. So, guess I'm here..."
"This is gold..." Tony suppressed his laughter. "Really? A coffee shop?"
"Oh dear..." Fluttershy frowned. "That's alarming. I hope it's still okay for her to do our Bunny Census..."
Bucky muttered. "Oh no. Mom agreed to help with more things, didn't she?"
"...More?" Fluttershy's eyes widened.
***
On the podium in-front of the town hall, Twilight Sparkle stood with a few papers in her hooves, smiling and reading the lines. They were here to celebrate the feats of their friend, for Applejack was going to receive a reward. The entire town gathered, eager to cheer the hardworking Earth Pony.
Twilight softly coughed. "Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to---"
She was rudely interrupted as Rainbow Dash flew right in-front of her. "Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete. This week, she's gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it's gonna be so awesome!"
Steve happily flexed a bicep. "And she'll be helping me perfect my parachute jump to get it right in the center of Ponyville!"
Twilight nervously chuckled. "Eeeexactly...And--"
Pinkie Pie happily placed herself on the stage too, completely sing-song with her words. "This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time!"
"...And how's that related to Applejack?" Twilight murmured.
"Oh. Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me! Applejack makes everything great - so free samples for everypony!"
Through the cheers, Clint was able to raise his bow to the sky. "Oh, I'm gonna get Applejack's help decorating Sugarcube Corner to attract more ponies and humans for mom's debut running the store!"
"...Okay, grrreat." Twilight groaned. "Now, if I could just make a point without being interrupted, I--"
From the side, she was approached by a rather shy and anxious Fluttershy. Having returned from her trip to the coffee shop, she gently came closer to the Unicorn. "Uhm, actually, Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me, this week with the official Bunny Census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born, this season. She's gonna help gather them, using her wonderful herding skills!"
Bruce Banner Shy immediately raised an arm from the crowd with a grin. "And she's gonna be helping me run experiments on some apples to see if we can create a new sort of apples that can be harvested in the winter!"
By this point, Twilight was showing a great deal of annoyance. She looked around to see if there was anyone else intent on interrupting her. "Anyone else? Anyone? No? Well then, as I was trying to say..."
It was then when Mayor Mare was eagerly awaiting her chance to speak to the crowd. With no chance to speak, Twilight merely threw her papers aside and walked off the stage.
"Urgh! Never mind."
Mayor Mare coughed into the microphone, putting on her big politician smile, more than happy to take the spotlight from the Unicorn. "Ahem! And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize of the Pony of Ponyville Award to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend... Applejack!"
Though the cheering of the crowd came in full force, there was a strange lack of Applejack on the stage, that was supposed to celebrate said Applejack. Spike looked left and right, but there was no sign of Applejack in any direction.
"...Well." Tony folded his arms and looked around, raising both brows with a mildly surprised look. "Look at that. I had no idea that Miss Applejack learned how to turn invisible too. That's pretty impressive."
"Awkward..." The Baby Dragon murmured.
Then, through the crowd, there was a commotion. Walking through was Applejack, who was being helped by her son.
"Mom, listen..." Bucky muttered under his breath. "Seriously, you need to get some rest. You're suffering from sleep deprivation, and this is not gonna end up healthy. You have to give it a rest, okay? Listen, after this ceremony, let's just get you to bed, alright? I'll take up some of the harvest and help Fluttershy with her bunny counting thing. We'll just tell the others that we'll be there later and--"
"Bucky, that ain't gonna be necessary...Now, lemme get that award so 'ah can get back to business! N-Now, ah'm here, everypony! Comin' through! Ah'm here!" Applejack sleeplily said, nearly falling asleep while being half-carried by her son. Bucky cringed from second-hand embarrassment, noticing how tired she was and how the others paid attention to her exhaustion. He was unable to stop her as she broke out and kept walking right up to the stage, approaching the microphone and grabbing the award with one hoof, waving to the ponies with a tired wave.
"...Uhm, is that Miss Applejack?" Bruce tilted his head, quietly whispering to Fluttershy. "Mom, she looks seriously sleep deprived."
"...Oh my." Fluttershy muttered. "You might be right. Bucky wasn't lying at all...Oh dear, I hope she's going to be alright..."
"Thank ya for this award thingy!" Applejack said while the others were discussing her sleepiness. She looked at the metal on the trophy, smiling with a wavy and immensely tired smile. "Whoaa, it's so bright and shiny, heh! I sure do look funny..."
Clint and Bruce looked at one another curiously. "...Do you think she's also trying to do a comedy act to make us laugh? Maybe this is some kinda farmgirl humor?" Clint muttered.
"...I just feel sad to be honest." Bruce sighed. "She's definitely disoriented. I should really talk to her. If she doesn't sleep, then it can cause serious damage to her brain and heart!"
"Not like you'll be able to get through this crowd." Clint murmured.
Twilight scrunched her muzzle with uncertainty. She approached Applejack with her uneasy look. This was not the best ceremony she's ever had to lead. "Okay. Well, thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony!"
Applejack blinked tiredly as she started to walk off-stage, dragging the trophy with her as she practically started to sleep on her way off the stage. "Yep-yep! 'Ah sure love helpin' ponies...yaaaawn..."
Twilight muttered, slinking back to the rest of her friends as they looked at applejack. "Is it me, or does Applejack seem a little..."
"Tired?" Rainbow Dash scratched her chin with a hoof.
"Exhausted." Steve added confidently.
"Dizzy?" Fluttershy asked with worry.
"Practically stunned." Bruce sighed.
"Messy?" Rarity asked, earning odd looks from the others. She rolled her eyes. "Well, did you see her mane?"
"Honestly..." Tony murmured. "I would never get on a podium without my best suit. Can't imagine how much of a PR disaster this would've been if there were cameras and stuff."
"She's horribly sleep deprived." Bruce observed. "When was the last time she went to bed?"
Bucky had suddenly appeared, having snuck into the crowd, still in his Barista's apron. "...I haven't even seen her enter her room." He said, unexpectedly and startling the others. Tony looked at him, and then back at Applejack, who stumbled off of the podium.
"She seemed perfectly fine to me!" Pinkie Pie excitedly said. "Woo woo!"
Although her son always supported her, Clint raised an excited finger that curled back in. "...To be honest? I don't think so. Mom, Applejack is definitely tired."
"Oh, don't be a silly filly. Or, silly humanilly." Pinkie Pie waved a hoof with a giggle. "Applejack is just having a bit of public speaking anxiety!"
"I sure have been there before..." Fluttershy quietly muttered - all of them cringing as Applejack fell right off of the podium as she missed the stepps.
***
Twilight, concerned with the health of her friend, ventured into the Acres. By her side was Peter and Bruce, the latter coming as a doctor with genuine concerns over the Earth Pony's health.
"...Huh, the Apples really got to work on the harvest." Peter commented. "I mean, they've already gotten most of the apples near the way in."
"Well, Applejack and Big Mac always made easy work of the harvest." Bruce muttered. "Perhaps he's covering for her, and she's finally getting some sleep?"
"I'd really hope so..." Said Twilight. They walked further into the Acres, until they saw the orange pony. She bucked her hooves, striking the bark and allowing the apples to fall into the baskets.
"Hey, Appleja..." Peter waved, but immediately, he frowned upon seeing the sight. "...Oh."
Much to their shock however, many of the trees were harvested. Without Big Macintosh inside, the three began to fear the worst.
"She's not...all by herself, is she?" Bruce gulped. By the time they approached Applejack, she began to doze off. In the middle of bucking the tree, she slowed down. Instead, she began to lean against the bark and began to sleep, snoring obnoxiously.
Worried, the three approached her. "...Applejack?" Twilight whispered, trying to lean in to get the sleeping pony's attention. Yet, her words went nowhere. The Earth Pony continued to just snore.
Peter leaned in. "...Hello? Equestria to Applejack...?"
"...Miss Applejack?"
The sleeping pony did not relent, still snoring as her drool ran along the bark. With annoyance, Twilight leaned in. "Applejack!? APPLEJACK!?"
The Earth Pony gasped, completely caught off-guard.
Allowed to give a lecture about her family and the traditions, the pony felt a small spark of energy to return to her. "It's what the Apple Family calls harvestin' time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em!"
"...And you're doing this alone?" Bruce asked. "Oh! You're just taking turns with someone, right?"
"Why in Equestria would 'ah do that?" Applejack waved a hoof dismissively. "'Ah'm managing on mah own!"
"But why do it by yourself?" Peter asked. "It seems really counterproductive. If you finish now, you'll have a buncha time to yourself later, won't you?"
"Nuh-uh." The pony shook her head, determined in her stubbornness. "Big Macintosh hurt himself, so ah'll take care of tha' rest."
Bruce scratched his head, puzzled. "Didn't you have like a whole giant family helping you out? All the ponies with apple-related names? Like, Apple Fritter, Apple Tater, Braeburn..."
Applejack shook her head, sighing. "Naw, they were just here for the Apple Family Reunion. They actually live all over Equestria, and they're all busy harvestin' their own orchards. So ah'm on 'mah own, which means... "Ah should really get back to work. Ahem. Hint hint? Get back to work?"
"Miss Applejack..." Bruce tensely said. "I feel like this is probably not a good idea. Why not get some help? I'm sure there's lots of kind souls who would love to help you out with the harvest-er, "Applebuck Season"?"
"Why would 'ah need any?" Applejack rolled her eyes. "'Ah got all this handled with 'mah four hooves!"
"But doing all of this on your own looks...really tough." Peter said. "Come on, Miss Applejack, I kinda think this is not a good idea."
Applejack gave her inquisitors the stinky eye, looking a little surprised and angry with her tired eye. "Hey! Are you challengin' me!?"
"No, no!" The three said at the same time, attempting to not fan the flames of stubbornness in the pony's heart. "I'm just saying..." Twilight said. "Doing the whole harvest by yourself doesn't seem like the best idea, so I really think it'd be better if we gave you a hoof or a hand!"
"No way, and no hay!" Applejack mumbled. "I'm gonna prove to y'all that 'ah can do it! Now if y'all excuse me, ah've got apples to buck!" She barked, blowing her nose through her nostrils as she stormed off to continue bucking more apples.
The three watched in disbelief as Applejack completely rejected all of their help. As they stood there, they noticed the sound of footsteps. Bucky had approached, dressed as if he was headed for war. "Hey, I see you guys are seeing the issue I'm dealing with, huh?"
"Oh, hey Bucky." Twilight smiled. "Yeah, uh...What's the situation? Applejack looks a little bit...Off?"
"Yeah. She and Uncle Mac had some kind of argument. So, she's doing this whole thing on her own. She's not letting me help." Bucky grunted, preparing his tactical vest. Instead of bullets and grenades however, he had baby bottles and diaper packs. This earned a look from Peter, who looked him up and down.
"...Are you like, preparing for Foal War Two?" Peter said, trying hard not to laugh, but being unable to stop himself from doing so. Bruce tried to hide his chuckle, trying to do so with a cough.
Bucky rolled his eyes. "...No. Babysitting. Got hired for the evening to help out a family, who's going to Las Pegasus for the weekend, and they got triplets."
"...You're still bringing that though?" Twilight murmured with concern, pointing at a syringe. He looked at it and nodded at her.
"Yeah." Bucky said. "Some battlefield meds."
"...What kind of foals are you going to babysit?" Bruce asked, feeling the statement to be bizarre. Yet, Bucky rolled his eyes.
"Not for me. For myself." Bucky muttered. "Kids are scary. Aunt Applebloom's already a mischievous kid when she's bored, so I'm gonna need this if they decide to get rid of me so they can do whatever they want."
"I don't think the foals are gonna try to kill you, Bucky." Bruce chuckled.
"...Not taking chances. If the parents are taking a break from parenting this soon, then I gotta be ready for trouble."
"Man, we really gotta get Applejack to get you your job back." Peter remarked. "Is she actually not paying you? I mean, is it gonna be like a salary or...an allowance?"
"It's not about the money." Bucky said, starting to walk off. "I hate not having anything to do. And as long as I can't work at the Acres because my mom is being stubborn, then I'm gonna go crazy. Now, I'm gonna go into the hornet's nest...If I don't get back, tell my mom that I loved her. And that she should get some sleep."
As he walked off, Twilight looked at Bruce, and then at her son. Peter shrugged, looking around in utter confusion. "Is he always this dramatic?" He asked Bruce.
Bruce couldn't help but chuckle. "He's got a soldier's spirit, y'know? He came to the hospital with a sprained wrist, while I was helping Nurse Redheart. First thing he asked is how much his trigger finger is gonna delay."
Twilight tilted her head curiously. "What'd you tell him?"
"If I said "zero", he wouldn't be satisfied, so..." Bruce blushed. "I lied and made up that it'd be like, 0.3 seconds. He grunted but seemed okay with the answer."
"...Let's get back to the elephant in the room." Peter said, turning to Applejack in the distance, who still kept bucking apples. "Is she gonna be okay?"
"..." Twilight pursed her lips. "Let her do her thing. I'm sure she's gonna realize that she's gotta hit the hay sooner or later. Right?"
***
Applejack tiredly walked over to Rainbow Dash and Steve. Her eyes were not focused, her vision was a blur, and she did not understand how she was able to go from Point A to Point B. Yet, here she was, having arrived to help her friends, though at this point, she had no idea with what.
Rainbow Dash scoffed. "There you are!"
Steve was too busy doing burpees, pushing up and hopping up to box with the air. He was hyping himself up for the difficult trick ahead.
"Sorry!" Applejack murmured. "Mighty serious! "Ah was applebuckin' and dozed off, and when 'ah woke off, it was already late!"
"That's fine." Steve smirked. "Gives us more prep time. Right, mom?"
"Right." Rainbow Dash coughed, pointing her hoof at a massive seesaw, with a diving board above the raised end. "See that? You're gonna jump and launch me up in the air! I'm gonna do some tricks - flips, all that kinda stuff that the Wonderbolts are sure to notice if I have a chance to do it in-front of 'em!"
"And I got a role in this, too." Steve grinned. He donned the parachute, slipping his arms into it. "I'm gonna be on the same end as mom, and when we go up into the air, I'm gonna 'chute myself on the way down. Then I'm gonna land exactly in the town center, already painted a target there! I just hope the sweepers haven't removed it."
Applejack heard a bunch of noise - but she got one part right. She had to jump on the other end of the seesaw to launch the two up into the air. "...Ain't that a bit dangerous?"
"Nope." Steve waved his arm. "Mom and I thought of this all the way. We got this in the bag. Just don't fall down too hard, cause then I'll just be parachuting into farmland."
"Yeah, I don't wanna go into space either." Rainbow Dash remarked. "C'mon AJ, let's get this show on the road! Ready, Steve?"
"Yeah! Ready when you are, Applejack!" The lad said. He and his mother stood on the grounded end of the massive seesaw, eagerly looking at Applejack to climb the diving board.
Applejack needed a moment to even understand what was happening. She blinked again, tiredly and heavily. Yet, she made her way over to the diving board. She made her way to the top, and upon looking down at the ground to see her landing zone, her eyes began to spin and blur. She swayed side-to-side, dazed and confused as her vision doubled and tripled.
"...A'ight, here 'ah go...Whoa..." She was still unable to make heads or tails of the landing but decided to go right for it. She leaned forward and prepared to go into freefall.
WHACK!
Steve immediately cringed from second-hand pain, holding onto his own head as he watched Applejack fall right down on the ground. "Oooooh! Miss Applejack!? Are you alright!?"
The Earth Pony raised herself immediately, wobbling left and right from exhaustion. "A'hm fine! A'hm fine, eheh..."
Steve and Rainbow Dash looked at one another with confusion, the pony shrugging. Once again, she climbed the diving board. Once more, she jumped. The landing was botched once again and she fell down onto the ground, the dust kicking up into the air. And again, she went up. And again, she crashed down.
"Hey, Miss Applejack..." Steve muttered. "You don't look so goo--"
"What the hay!?" Rainbow Dash barked. "Urgh, I thought I was working with Ponyville's best athlete!?"
The shouting had managed to give Applejack a smidgeon of awareness, having her climb up the board once again. "You are! Just gimme a moment, I'll uh...There! 'Ah got an idea!" She said, rising on her legs to then pushing down with her front hooves on the seesaw. Slowly, the other side rose with Steve and Rainbow Dash. They both looked unimpressed, looking at her with confusion.
"...Uh, okay, "ah got it!" One more time, Applejack attempted to calculate the jump. However, she decided that the best way to go about it, would be to cover as much ground as possible so as to not miss the other side of the seesaw. And so, she jumped - spreading her limbs wide as she cannonballed right onto it.
The amount of velocity and weight Applejack brought down upon the seesaw caused Rainbow and Steve to fly up into the air, but it was more than the Pegasus intended. The intense force sent both Rainbow Dash and Steve high into the clouds. As Rainbow Dash flew away, a rainbow trail followed her over the entire town, and Steve went up into the air alongside her.
"AAAPLEEEEJAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!" They both shouted, their shouts fading into the distance, flying somewhere into the clouds.
"...You're welcome!" Applejack smiled. She stumbled on, for she knew she had more chores to take care of.
***
Twilight happily read the book on the balcony of her library. Yet, she heard a soft crash. She looked forward to seeing Rainbow Dash, who had made the balcony her landing zone. The impact was only softened, thanks to the flapping of her wings. Twilight immediately put two and two together, sighing.
"Can I help you...?" Twilight tensely asked, knowing that Rainbow Dash wouldn't crash unless something was totally wrong.
"I think somepony needs your help..." Rainbow Dash muttered.
Twilight sighed softly. "Let me guess...Applejack?"
"...Yep." Rainbow Dash groaned. Exhausted, she closed her eyes and took a rest, needing to recover after the intense jump.
Closing her book with frustration, Twilight felt herself groan. Yet, while she looked away in annoyance, she saw a shadow cast above her. She let out a yelp, barely reacting when the world went dark, once the parachute draped all over her. In the total darkness underneath the fabric, she could hear a shaken male voice.
"...Hi, Miss Sparkle." Steve softly said. "...I think I missed the landing a bit, huh?"
Twilight murmured with mild annoyance. "Yeah...Just a bit. I'm gonna have to get that pony to see reason, one way or another."
"Good luck." Said Steve, helping her out of the parachute that tangled them both. "She couldn't even see the landing zone, like a meter ahead of her..."
***
Applejack bumped her head against the apples that fell on her head, wincing in pain. She was dizzy, but not because of the concussion. Tiredly, she swayed and stumbled to the next tree, almost as if she was drunk.
On their way to help Applejack, Twilight walked alongside Tony, who whistled a tune on their way. Bruce followed them, hoping again that some medical expertise could help. Tony rolled his eyes as the scientist listed the different hazards of sleep deprivation.
"I don't get what's the big deal. We can get her some energy drinks and coffee and get her on her way." Tony said.
"Bad idea." Twilight said. "The answer is not to have her get full of sugar and caffeine. We just need to convince her to at-least take a nap. Or maybe we can get her to accept some help...Speaking of which, let me talk to her. Alone." Twilight said, noticing that Applejack was struggling to buck the trees, bumping her head into branches.
"You sure?" Bruce asked. "I was thinking of telling her that there is a certain threshold before the brain starts to develop permanent damage and--"
"I don't think she's going to process that right now, Bruce." Twilight said. "Listen, just wait for me here."
"Suits me." Tony said. "You wanna explore the Acres, Bruce? See if we can get you to find an apple that you can turn into an orange?"
"You're very charming, Stark." Bruce muttered. The two lads walked around the Acres, until a red shape caught their attention. The red Stallion leaning against the tree nodded at them, and the two took the cue to come close.
"Hey, Big Mac." Bruce smiled. "Good day, huh?"
Before Big Mac could say anything, Tony smirked mischievously. "Gullible says eeyup."
Despite the trap, the Stallion shook his head at Tony, though smiled at the scientist. "The day's alright. Watchin' sis try to have a go at the entire Acres has been probably more fun than Buckball."
"...Wow, he actually said something other than eeyup." Tony whispered.
Bruce looked at the injury on the Stallion's side. "...And how's that? I mean, the uh...The injury?"
"Just a few days, it'll be alright." Big Mac responded. "'Ah overheard what you were sayin' 'bout the brain damage. 'Ah hope AJ knows when to quit. I dunno if I can handle her bein' like this all the time."
"...Why is he so talkative all this time?" Tony whispered to Bruce. The scientist grimaced at Tony and nudged him in the chest, causing him to twitch.
"Sorry about that." Bruce said. "Tony's uhm...Tony."
"Tony Stark. " Tony insisted.
"...Ain't your surname going to be Belle?" Bruce asked.
"Tony Stark's got a ring to it. When I make my company, it's gonna catch on. C'mon, that guy, Filthy Rich? That's the kinda name of a rich prick who runs the town."
Big Macintosh frowned. "Mayor Mare runs the town. Filthy's just the type to spend money out of his problems."
"You don't seem to like him." Tony remarked.
"...He's part of the reason I stopped bein' talkative." Big Macintosh said. "But, if y'really gotta know, a'hm talkative cause 'ah worry about sis. Get her to take a break. A'hm not goin' through her either way."
"You can count on us." Bruce smiled. "I heard she wants to help out at Sugarcube Corner next, so, I'm sure she'll probably realize how tired she is by the time she gets to the kitchen counter."
***
"Mom, are you sure you need Applejack to help?" Clint nervously asked as he watched the apple farmer tiredly stumble around the kitchen, her eyes constantly going cross from sheer tiredness. "I feel like she could use a nap..."
"But Ponyville's expecting these muffins any minute now!" Pinkie Pie gasped.
"...But you could ask me to help out instead." Clint nudged her. "You know, your favorite arrow-slinging son who's been taught in the ways of party-making and baking and arrow-shooting?"
"Clint, y'know I love baking with you." Pinkie grinned - wincing at the sound of pots and pans falling over as Applejack fell onto the floor.
"A'hm okay!" Applejack exclaimed, resisting the urge to fall asleep on the floor as she got back on her hooves.
Pinkie Pie returned to the conversation. "But I really need your help on the decorations for Sugarcube Corner! And I'm gonna need those wacky things you call opposable things to get the job done! You get a head start, and I'll send AJ your way by the time we finish baking these muffins!"
Clint sighed. "Okay mom. If ya say so...I guess Applejack can help me set up that huge candy cane we wanted to put up near the entrance."
***
Twilight Sparkle ran to the hospital alongside Bruce, Spike and Peter. They were in a mad rush, for things were bad. Worse than bad, based on what they heard. Bruce took the initiative, quickly running to Nurse Redheart.
"We heard there's trouble!" He exclaimed, not even hesitating as he put on a doctor's mask. "What are we dealing with!?"
"We need all the help we can get..." The nurse frowned. She opened the flap to the medical tent - and inside was sheer horror. Ponies were sick, all throwing up or sick, moaning and groaning in sheer misery. "There's been a mishap with baked goods..."
"No, not baked goods..." Came the voice of Pinkie as she sat up, green in the face. "More like...baked bads!"
"What happened!?" Peter exclaimed. "Did someone put Earthworms into the muffins or something!?" He said, covering Spike's eyes in face of the terrible sight.
"I think you're onto something..." said the voice of Clint sitting in the tent, whose face was becoming very familiar with a bucket. He also had a massive bruise in his forehead, which wasn't helping as he occasionally threw up into the bucket.
"Clint!?" Bruce approached him. "What happened!? And... what's with the head trauma?"
"...Applejack." Clint said, gagging into the bucket. "After she helped mom bake, she helped me set up decor. We had a huge candy cane, and I guess Applejack didn't tie it up right, cause the thing fell right on me... Too bad I already tried the muffins after Applejack made them, cause I'm getting a double wha--" He interrupted himself to throw up once more.
"...Applejack..." Twilight felt her face blush with anger. She heard crunching to her side, grimacing when she saw Spike happily eat the poisoned muffins.
"Want one?" Spike smiled.
"...I guess if you eat gems, you can eat Earthworms." Peter muttered.
***
Applejack tiredly went through the Acres, bucking tree after tree. She was unfocused, hitting a tree but needing more than one buck to get the apples to fall into the cart. She would keep on walking, not able to pay attention. She started walking backwards, believing that's where she approximately left the larger basket behind. It was the reason that one step resulted in the cart she carried to topple and end up with her suspended in the air, the cart going vertical.
She wondered why she was seeing Twilight and Bucky upside down.
"Applejack..." Twilight sighed.
"Mom." Bucky grunted. "We need to talk now. This is serious."
"...Oh, Twi. Bucky." Applejack blinked, realizing who she was looking at. "...'Ah know what y'all wanna say - but the answer is still no!" She exclaimed.
"Mom, this is serious!" Bucky exclaimed. Not even giving his mom a chance to take care of the problem herself, his metal hand grabbed the cart and forced it to be upright, planting Applejack's hooves onto the ground.
"Hey! 'Ah said 'ah don't need any help!" Applejack grunted.
"Applejack." Twilight took a deep breath. "We just got back from Ponyville Urgent Care, and--"
"'Ah'm too busy to be lectured right now!" The orange pony huffed, walking forward towards another apple tree. Yet, the two followed her.
"We're here to help!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Mom..." Bucky grits his teeth. "You need to understand right now that helping others while being tired is causing others to get hurt."
"I ain't hurt." Applejack shook her head to shake off the sleepiness, barely able to correctly hear him past her foggy mind.
"No, I said you're hurting others..." Bucky repeated.
"Listen, 'ah'm sure the lecture you two are givin' me is mighty fascinatin', but I ain't here to discuss anythin' - not until I've finished all 'mah chores and wrapped up the harvest!" She exclaimed, bucking one of the trees. Yet, no apples came.
"AJ..." Twilight sighed. "Look, you're beating a dead..."
Buck! Yet, no apples came. Applejack tried again, and nothing.
"...Tree." Bucky and Twilight said at the same time.
"...I knew that." Applejack mumbled. "Bucky - Twi, y'all gotta understand two words. 'Ah got it."
"...Three." Bucky and Twilight said once again.
Applejack instead walked off, leaving the two behind. The two looked at one another, both exhaling through their nostrils.
"That pony's as stubborn as a mule..." She said - just noticing a nearby mule, who stood nearby. She blushed. "No offense."
"None taken." The mule smiled. Yet...Bucky did not like strangers at the farm.
"Hey, who are you? What're you doing here?" He muttered, becoming defensive. Twilight could not be bothered with it much; however, as other things were on her mind entirely.
***
Fluttershy and Bruce happily tended to the bunnies. Bruce would pick them up and give them quick medical checks, making sure that each bunny was safe and born healthy. He petted them each, showing the kind of affection that his mother would. They happily frolicked and bounced around. Then, they were approached by the orange pony.
Bruce was naive and oblivious - so certain that Applejack must have gotten some sleep, because otherwise, there was no way she'd even be standing. He convinced himself she'd taken a nap at some point.
Fluttershy smiled, walking up to Applejack eagerly. "Oh, Applejack! Thank you so much for offering your herding skills for the annual rabbit roundup!"
Applejack tiredly looked at all the bunnies, so sleepy that she even forgot why she was here and what she was doing. "Uh, why are we doin' this..."
Bruce chuckled, feeding one of the mother bunnies a carrot as he held her softly, petting her. "Well, Miss Applejack, we're gonna have to have a census for our bunny population! It's good to know how many bunny families we've got around Ponyville. It helps us keep an eye on the local ecology and such!"
"...Fine. Can we just get on with it?"
Fluttershy nodded cutely. "Certainly! But remember, these are bunnies we're dealing with, not cows. They're a timid bunch and need to be treated gently..."
"Indeed!" Bruce raised a finger. "Bunnies and all of their Leporidae brethren have evolved to be very reactive to threats, and they're some of the most difficult-to-catch animals! That's why if they see the slightest bit of danger, they're likely to let loose, their--"
Applejack snapped, gritting her teeth. "'Ah appreciate the lecture, but 'ah do NOT need any direction on corrallin' critters! Right, Winona?"
Applejack's trusty dog ran up to her, happily barking by her side. Bruce and Fluttershy looked at one another uncertainly, but they knew it was rude to reject her help, considering the way she'd come to help them. Fluttershy softly instructed the bunnies. "Okay little bunnies, I need you all to gather here in the middle." She softly said.
Bruce and Fluttershy both yelped however, when Applejack suddenly began to walk about with almost intense energy, waving her hooves in a circular motion around herself, before stomping her hoof in-front of a family of bunnies. "That's right, let's go bunnies! In tha' center, hop to it!" She barked out. "Put 'em up, Winona!"
Fluttershy squeaked. "Applejack, Winona, stop! You're scaring them!"
"Miss Applejack!" Bruce exclaimed, the mother bunny in his arms suddenly jumped out and started to hop away in panic. "Y-You gotta be a little easier on them! Please? They're--"
Yet, the dog and the Earth Pony were beyond convincing. The two began to immensely handle the census job. In-fact, they began to run around, bark, and shout at the rabbits, thinking that they would be easy to round up in one place. Yet, unlike cows, the bunnies were not so easy to manage. They were certainly not very obedient, for the shouting did not round them in the same spot. The bunnies would scatter and would begin to bounce and hop right through the perimeter. Applejack squeaked as a bunny managed to run past in-between her hooves.
"Miss Applejack..." Bruce felt himself shudder a little with annoyance, a vein popping on his forehead. "Please...Calm...Down. The bunnies need...to be handled with care and..."
"'Ah KNOW what ah'm doin', Bruce!" Applejack exclaimed, trying to jump and tackle one of the larger bunnies, but it simply bounced and forced her to faceplant. She grits her teeth. The whole time, Winona ran circles around Bruce, barking and yapping at a group of scared bunnies, many of which kicked Bruce to use him as a springboard to jump farther away, causing him to fall on one knee. Bruce was now anxious but also frustrated. His fingers dug into the soil, his teeth gritting.
"Winona!" Bruce cried out. "You need to...need to..."
Applejack grunted, trying to lasso one of the bunnies, but instead getting the rope around the lad's neck. "Bruce, don't get in tha' way, you ain't helping! Keep to the science, ah'm on the rodeo job!"
This comment made the vein on Bruce's head glow green. He grunted.
"Applejack...You...Need...To..."
Winona was practically barking in his ear.
And that was enough.
"You need to STOP!" Bruce shouted. Yet, his voice was not a mere human's. His voice came out as a lion's roar, the wave of sound causing nearby leaves to brush and sway. His shirt was ripped as his body began to grow, and his skin started to glow green. His muscles were now the same width as the trees Applejack had been bucking all day - each finger as large as the bunnies themselves.
"RAAAAGH!" The Hulk roared, his lungs producing a sound so loud that the birds sitting on the roofs of the houses in Ponyville flew away in fear.
There was deafening silence - the bunnies freezing in place as they stared at the massive, green monster. Even Winona began to whimper, immediately scurrying behind Applejack.
For a moment, realizing what had happened, the Hulk regained some humanity - and the immediate shock made him calm down. The Hulk stopped his roar and realized what he'd done. He quickly shut his mouth with his massive palms. "...Hulk says uh-oh..."
The bunnies each let out a loud, loud squeak of terror. Immediately, they turned tail and ran towards a random location. They indeed bunched up into one army of bunnies, but they were now on the fast, fast move away from the scary pony, dog, and green giant.
And much to Fluttershy's horror, she saw as the bunnies started to run towards the town.
"...Oh no..." Fluttershy whimpered.
***
"STAMPEEEDEEEE!" Rainbow Dash shouted loudly, warning the ponies as panic settled in. The wave of bunnies would run through the streets, kicking up dust and trampling over flowers - some taking a break to snack on them to calm their anxiety.
"I got this!" Steve said, quickly jumping onto the street to crouch and hold his shield, having not even asked what animal was stampeding this time. He shut his eyes, bracing for impact. However, when he saw the bunnies jumping past him, he blinked in confusion. "...Huh?" He let his shield down, which proved to be a mistake as a bunny jumped onto his head and kicked off of him, giving him a nasty whack on the head.
Meanwhile, a little further from the chaos, Thor and Natasha had been walking around the street, the both of them seemingly idle and not having much to do.
"You know..." Natasha said. "I'm feeling like we're not gonna be in Ponyville for too long." She spoke. Thor raised a brow at her.
"How do you figure?" He asked her. "I mean, our mothers seemed rather sure that we need to be here to assist Twilight in her quest for understanding Friendship. I do not think that call is ours to make."
"Oh please." Natasha waved a hand. "Think about it. Absolutely nothing happens in this town! Apart from Nightmare Moon's arrival and that little standoff everyone had over some tickets, what kind of action even happens around this town? This place is just quiet and not very active."
"So?" Thor asked. "You're not hoping that danger comes to Ponyville, are you?"
"Eh..." Natasha shrugged. "I just think that I'd be better off working for Canterlot's security, keeping an eye on anything that's going to endanger us. The way I see it - once our mothers see just how idle this town is, we'll be let go home. Just a few more days of absolutely nothing happening and--"
The two's quiet time was interrupted as the rumble shook the Earth, an army of rabbits having run right at them and past them, trampling grass and plants on their way. They both stood in the middle of the road in complete confusion, looking at how the critters made their way like a fuzzy tsunami. After the rumble, the street was dusty, with most flora either crumpled on the ground or partly bitten.
Thor and Natasha looked at one another. Thor couldn't help but chuckle at her. "Well then, I suppose some things do happen after all, don't they?"
Natasha grits her teeth, walking off and leaving Thor by himself. "Me and my big mouth..."
Further down the city, ponies began to scream - many starting to faint from horror. Not the stampede itself - but the sight of the flowers being trampled and eaten. Clint ran out of the medical tent and tried to hastily prepare an arrow with a net, but he could not aim past his nausea, which caused him to miss. The net-tipped arrow bounced off one of the store signs and hit him, ending up with him stuck in a sturdy net.
It was in the meantime that Twilight happily hummed along as she walked with Spike and Peter - but they turned the corner to see the myriads of fainted ponies and the kicked-up dust. Twilight gasped, running over to the terrified ponies of the flower shop. Peter ran up to them first. immediately preparing to take down any threats.
"Hey, what's going on!?" Peter cried out.
"The horror! The horror!" Cried out the red-maned Mare, Rose, as she fell into Peter's arm and fainted.
"It was awful! Awful!" A blonde Mare cried out, gasping in terror and horror as she waltzed over to Peter to fall into his other arm - the lad starting to shake a little as he held both unconscious Mares.
A lime maned-Mare then approached with a stumble to her steps. "A disaster, a horrible - horrible disaster!" She cried out, and fell on top of Peter, causing him to finally collapse with the three fainted ponies, pinning him to the ground, leaving Spike to try and help him.
Twilight looked at the flower shop to see Fluttershy and Bruce, who both tried to calm down the bunnies that were feasting on the several flowers. Fluttershy did not want to be intimidating nor assertive, and Bruce tried to help her. Yet, for whatever reason, he was shirtless, gasping as one of the bunnies bit his finger when he attempted to get it to stop biting a rose. He took a deep breath, knowing that if he went green now, then things would just start all over again.
Twilight watched with utter disbelief, blowing air out of her nose with frustration.
"Alright...enough is enough!"
***
Bucky and Big Mac stood on the hill watching Applejack work. They were observing her, not allowed to intervene as tree after tree was bucked. They both watched as Twilight and Peter entered the Acres, once again on their way to try and convince the stubborn Mare to stop.
"Hey, Miss Applejack..." Peter nervously chuckled. "Heeyy, so we're not saying we wanna help you, but we just wanted to let you know that there's a bit of trouble back in town. Y'know, the uh..."
Twilight did not have patience for her son's pacifistic approach. "Applejack! You've over-propelled both Pegasi and humans, poisoned ponies, dropped a huge candy cane on Clint's head, terrorized brand new bouncing baby bunnies, and got Bruce going green again! You. Need. Help!"
"I-I mean, I did say we're not here to insist!" Peter reminded. "We just think it'd be a really , really good idea!"
"No!" Applejack barked. "And 'sides, ah'm almost done! One more and... There!"
With one triumphant buck, she cheered.
"Yes!" Applejack said, a burst of energy returning to her as she waltzed over to Big Mac and Bucky with a big smile on her face. "How do ya like them apples!?"
Big Mac and Bucky glanced at one another and sighed. The red Stallion looked at his sister, then gestured towards the rest of the Acres. "How do ya like them apples?" He asked.
Applejack turned slowly - and her jaw nearly hit the ground. She saw red. Red apples that dotted many, many apple trees. She was not done with her job at the least, still having almost half, if not more of the same work she had already done. She blinked, stumbling in shock as she stumbled back. Bucky gently caught her with his organic and metal arm, holding her steady.
"Where...Where'd all those apples..." She stumbled. Bucky sighed, rubbing his mother's shoulders as if she was a boxer, and he was the coach in the corner, preparing her for Round 12.
"Just for reference..." Bucky said. "We've also got all the storing, the packaging, the processing, writing up manifests to see what's gonna go where, making agreements with our buyers, performing maintenance checks on all the farming equipment...You know. The kinda stuff we all do together." He muttered.
Applejack could not handle it anymore, and she fainted right in Bucky's arms. He easily held her with his strength, almost holding her like a cat.
Twilight galloped up with worry. Bucky gently set her down on a nearby bale of hale as everyone surrounded her with concern and worry. Twilight whispered, anxiously speaking.
"Applejack? Applejack!? Are you okay?"
Applejack's eyes fluttered open. "I...whuh?"
"Oh good, you're okay..." Twilight softly said. "You're okay. Applejack, listen, I completely respect the Apple family ways."
"...Which are doing things together." Bucky reminded his mom.
Twilight nodded to him, then spoke to Applejack again. "You're always there to help anypony in need - but maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside, and allow your friends and family help you?"
Applejack frowned. She felt the plucking on her pride's heartstrings, fighting for herself. Yet, she sighed and gave in, softly sighing. "...Okay, Twi'..."
Twilight humphed. "And I am not taking no for an answer--...What!?"
Pleadingly, Applejack looked up at her with puppy eyes. "Yes, Twilight. Please? 'Ah could really use 'yer help..."
The Unicorn smiled in adoration, and chuckled. Bucky felt his shoulders drop in relief, and he let himself fall into the same bale of hay.
"Bucky!?" Peter yelped. "Dude, you okay?"
"...That's a lot of stress off of my shoulders." He muttered.
His uncle laughed, Big Macintosh shook his head. "Eeee-yup."
***
Twilight dictated the letter to Spike as Applejack's friends were bucking trees. Rainbow Dash bucked a tree, and Pinkie Pie held the cart that they fell into. Bucky and Steve took turns punching the trees, one of which was enough to get the apples to drop. Clint used arrows that had a modest amount of pressurized air that rocked the trees, allowing apples to fall in. Tony nervously approached Bruce with Winona in his arms and got her to bark in his ear - causing Bruce to swell into the Hulk; however, instead of starting to furiously smash things, the Hulk began to gently shake the trees, allowing the trees to fall into a cart that Fluttershy helped carry away.
"Dear Princess Celestia..." Twilight told Spike as he wrote. "My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony could ever have, and she's always there to help anypony! Only trouble is, when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it. So, while Friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it's also about accepting what our friends and family have to offer." She smiled. "Your faithful student - Twilight Sparkle."
Applejack whistled, hollering everyone over to a table beside the barn. "How about y'all take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya!"
Bucky and Steve heard the call and immediately began to race each other, all while they carried full carts of apples. They were running with much intensity, sweating and panting - yet they were overtaken by Peter and Tony, who both raced as Tony used his leg-worn jets, while Peter swung from tree to tree. In the end, by the time they had arrived, everyone was panting from exhaustion, their race making them hungrily grab the ice-cold apple juice. The only one who took his time was the Hulk, who was so large that walking alone had the same speed as a steady jog. On his way, he began to calm down, returning to his human form with each step.
"Miss Applejack, this is awesome!" Peter said, hungrily drinking from the bottle. "Honestly, I never thought I'd be eating and drinking so much apple-flavored stuff since I arrived here, and I think I've been missing out."
"Good." Bucky whispered to him. "Do not let mom catch you having anything strawberry flavored. Just kidding. Mostly."
Applejack sighed, looking at everyone who had gathered around the table. "Girls, guys - 'ah can't thank y'all enough for this. 'Ah was actin' a bit stubborn..."
Bucky and Twilight smirked softly. "A bit?" They said at the same time.
Applejack blushed, sighing. "Okay - mighty stubborn. And 'ahm awfully sorry. 'Ah know the town gave me the Prize Pony award, but the real award is havin' you all as 'mah friends!"
The ponies and humans softly smiled, Rainbow Dash chuckling as she had her ego stroked.
Steve laughed. "C'mon, Miss Applejack, you know I don't do well with corniness and flattery and all that kinda stuff."
Tony smirked. "Okay Steve - you're actually not doing your work fast enough, and you better hurry up if you don't wanna be on quota." He spoke. Steve rolled his eyes, and the two laughed.
Suddenly, came the sound of grumbling. Rainbow Dash blushed. "Phew, that applebucking sure made me hungry!"
Clint felt his stomach rumble as well. "...Not gonna lie, I thought after that whole rotten muffin fiasco, I wouldn't wanna even look at food today, but this is pretty tough work."
"Speaking of which, I got just the thing!" Spike happily exclaimed, producing a handful of the poisonous muffins that had put half of the town into the ER earlier. Everyone looked at the pile of bad goods in disgust, recoiling.
"Ew, Spike, I threw them all away!" Pinkie Pie yelped. "Where'd you get them!?"
"From the trash!"
"Eeewww!" Came the united voice of disgust from everyone at the table.
Bruce shook his head. "Spike, I know that Dragons have their own dietary preferences, but we're gonna have to give you an examination after we're done here. I don't wanna find out you've got a bunch of tapeworms in your stomach!"
"They're Earthworms actually." Spike said, proudly taking a big bite. "Just a nibble? Come on?"
"Gross!" Everyone said at the same time, laughing as they walked towards the sunset, ready to finish the rest of their work.
Author's Note
Hi, everyone! I'm back! I'm so sorry for the 2-3 month (I think) hiatus, but I had a lot of things on my mind throughout the past few months. But with highly anticipation, here is Chapter 4 of the crossover! In the next chapter, Peter will introduce a new group of Avengers that would add more members over time, throughout the series. You might have to stay tuned to see who is going to be the first member of a new group that Peter would introduce!
