"What do you mean they escaped?!" shouted Celestia in her royal Canterlot voice to a messenger pony, her rage thundering upon learning that Tirek and Cozy Glow had escaped from Tartarus. "Why didn't you stop them?!"

"And why is Tirek draining magic?!" added Luna also speaking in her royal Canterlot voice. "I thought his ability to drain magic was disabled."

"I…I…I'm not sure, your highnesses."

"Be sure that there will be consequences for this blunder for your superior and the rest of you, is that clear?" seethed Celestia, the anger in her voice scaring the messenger pony back towards the door. "Now go!"

Nervously saluting them, the messenger pony left as Celestia angrily fired a blast of magic into the ceiling of the throne room.

"I can't believe this is happening, Luna!" she cried, stepping down from her throne in anger. "How in the name of Equestria did Tirek regain his powers?"

"Something clearly must have happened inside Tartarus, sister," remarked Luna. "And I intend to find out how and why this managed to happen!"

But, Luna's words didn't sit well with Celestia. She was angry, she was furious at this atrocity. The fact that Tirek had escaped along with Cozy Glow was not sitting well with her.

"I myself put Cozy Glow inside Tartarus, sister," continued Luna. "And I intend to put her back in the same way."

"If it's war you want Grogar," seethed Celestia, snarling under her breath as she fired another blast of magic at a stained-glass window, shattering it. "Then war you shall have."

…

Just then, the doors to the throne room opened once more and the sisters were caught off guard by what had just happened.

"Your highnesses," called a herald, catching their attention. "His highness, King T'Challa of Wakanda wishes to speak with you."

The two sisters quickly calmed themselves down as T'Challa stood in the throne room, feeling somewhat awkward by what had happened.

"Oh, uh, excuse me," stammered Celestia, both her and Luna feeling slightly embarrassed by their behavior. "Forgive us, T'Challa. We didn't know that we were expecting you."

"I'm sure someone close to you must have told you that I was coming," he said, approaching the two sisters. "I have good news."

"And what is that?"

"Approximately 1,000 of my kingdom's soldiers are on their way here to Equestria to aide you in the growing conflict with Emperor Grogar."

This news caused the sisters to calm down slightly, yet their anger continued to boil.

"Furthermore," added T'Challa. "I have also come to introduce you to a warrior whom I recently appointed as one of my generals for the battle ahead."

"Who, pray tell?" wondered Luna. "Whom is it that you wish to introduce us to?"

Looking back to the door of the throne room, T'Challa motioned for the individual to step forward, a human dressed in metal with long black hair and a metal left arm while also wielding a long range gun.

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna," said T'Challa. "This is James Barnes, the White Wolf."

The metal armed human bowed to the two sisters, much to their shock and surprise.

"You can call me Bucky," remarked Barnes. "That's what everyone calls me."

"Of course," chuckled Celestia, motioning for him to rise. "So, you have been appointed as a general to King T'Challa, yes?"

"I have. King T'Challa gave me a second chance when others were unable to. As for my military background, it is compromised as a veteran of the second world war."

Celestia couldn't help but feel slightly touched by this statement.

"I take you have experienced the war."

"Yes, I actually severed relations with Germany and banished their ambassador from Equestria as punishment for the atrocities they were causing. 2,000 soldiers from Equestria were killed in the war."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I can assure you that I will do whatever it takes to help you win this war. I swear it."

"Thank you for your commitment, Bucky," said Celestia. "I can assure you that you are more than willing to lay down your life for the good of Equestria. King T'Challa."

"Yes, Princess Celestia?"

"When your warriors arrive, have them stationed within a 50 mile radius of Canterlot. There is no denying the fact that Grogar will want to strike as quickly as possible."

"I'll do whatever I can, Princess," the King of Wakanda replied as Celestia dismissed both him and Bucky from the throne room.

At the same time, Luna was also beginning to become enraptured with King T'Challa himself. She couldn't help but become attracted to him and it showed.

"Sister?" Celestia asked, noticing her sister's gaze at the dark skinned human king. "Luna? Luna!"

"Um, uh, sorry big sister," stammered Luna. "I just was…"

"Enraptured by King T'Challa, I see? Well, try to keep your feelings for him contained."

This caused Luna to stammer in shock and disbelief.

"What…what are you saying, Celestia? You sound like I have feelings…"

"No, but I can tell that you want to become friends with him on a more personal level. I know you aren't the most patient, but you must give it time. Besides, we have to focus on the growing war ahead."

The Princess of the Night was bewildered by this statement, however she knew her sister had a point. They had a growing war to focus on and any other diversion would result in even more severe consequences than Tirek and Cozy Glow's escape from Tartarus.

…

Meanwhile, T'Challa and Bucky were making their way from Canterlot castle back to the Wakanda Embassy and reflecting the visit from their perspective.

"They seem to like me as one of your generals," remarked Bucky. "I mean, in a good way, of course."

"Mr. Barnes, I know you are capable of fighting prowess that is unlike anything Wakanda has seen before. After all, I know you will never stop thanking me for giving you a second chance."

"Well, I am pretty sure that will stop eventually. But, its just that after Steve and I have been through along with the rest of our faction, I've often questioned myself at times, will we ever convince Tony that I was brainwashed into killing his parents?"

"Over time, you managed to convince me that you didn't kill my father, Mr. Barnes," remarked T'Challa. "I've learned that I cannot let vengeance consume me in a manner that could prove costly in the end. Mr. Stark must learn to let go of his past if we are to help this nation win its war."

…

Meanwhile, Tony sat outside a room in the Crystal Empire's main hospital where the Guardians of the Galaxy were being treated for their injuries. Shining Armor came out of the room and sat down next to Tony.

"They can be ready to talk in a little bit, Tony," said Shining Armor. "You all right?"

"Yeah," Tony muttered, rubbing his hand in his face. "It's just that…I don't know what's up, but I've been fighting a growing war with myself lately."

"What kind of a war?"

"A civil war between my good and bad consciences. I'd go into detail, but you wouldn't understand, Prince Armor."

Just then, the door opened and a nurse pony came out.

"Mr. Quill is ready to talk, Mr. Stark," she said and Tony sighed as he got up and made his way into the room where the Guardians were being treated for their injuries.

The reunion between Tony Stark and Peter Quill was about to begin…