While Canterlot was continuing to prepare itself for Grogar's arrival, at the Castle of Friendship, preparations were already being made, particularly in the area around the Tree of Harmony. In fact, Twilight was contemplating something that had never been thought of in Equestria before. She stood before the corrupted tree and wondered that something needed to be done to protect Equestria's most important means of defense.

"Don't worry," she whispered to the tree. "I'm going to find a way to protect you and the elements."

"Twilight, you've been standing here for the past hour," said Spike, her dragon assistant as he flew over to her and landed next to her. "The tree is going to be protected."

"Not in the way that we are doing it," Twilight said, turning around to face the young dragon. "Something is telling me that the tree isn't safe here."

"But moving it to the castle of friendship? That is just going to attract Grogar more. In any case, he'll probably bypass Canterlot and bring his army here. I mean, your brother's protection spell will protect Canterlot, won't it?"

Twilight then began to think back to the Changeling Invasion of Canterlot and how Chrysalis managed to manipulate Shining Armor into weakening his spell so much that her army managed to get in and nearly conquer it.

"It's only a temporary spell, Spike," she remarked. "No matter what protection spell we put on anything or anypony, it's going to be broken either way. If we are to protect the tree, we can't have it be here."

"But the tree won't survive by being in a castle, won't it?"

"We'll find a way to keep it alive, Spike. We've just got to."

The more Twilight stood at the tree, the more she became despondent to protect the Elements of Harmony at all costs. She couldn't imagine them falling into the wrong hooves by any means necessary. Just then, a magic portal opened and Dr. Strange stepped out of it followed by his apprentice Chancellor Neighsay.

"Let me guess, you are trying to figure out a way to save the tree of harmony?" the magical wizard asked, catching Twilight and Spike's attention.

"Yes, Dr. Strange. I just don't feel like it should be here with Grogar looking for it."

"Well, there is a way to protect it," he said. "We move it to the castle and the magic of your castle will recharge its powers, but only temporarily."

"I agree with Dr. Strange," added Neighsay, tapping the medallion on his chest. "Leaving the tree here is what Grogar will be wanting us to do. There are two goals he is after: the Elements of Harmony and Alicorn Magic and he won't rest until he gets either one."

This made Twilight turn around and once again look at the tree with a worried expression. Neighsay was right, Grogar had those goals in mind.

"So, what are we going to do?" Spike asked.

"We move the tree," answered Twilight. "We move it into the castle and hopefully the elements will be protected. Dr. Strange, Chancellor Neighsay, I might need your help in moving it."

Honoring Twilight's requests, the sorcerer human and the sorcerer pony used their magic along with Twilight's and together, the three of them lifted the tree up from its roots. Spike gasped in shock and amazement at the sight of the tree being lifted out of the ground. Closing her eyes, Twilight charged up her horn further and with a sudden bright flash, the tree disappeared before their eyes.

…

A moment later, a bright light flashed from inside the castle, catching the attention of all who were going to defend the castle.

"What the hell was that?" gasped Quill, turning his attention away from building barriers with Gallus the Griffon.

"Seems like Headmare Twilight must have pulled something with the tree of harmony," guessed Ocellus. "Otherwise, how else could there be such a bright light?"

"Either that or a nuclear explosion," remarked Quill. However, Peter Parker had a clear guess of what was happening.

Just then, Twilight appeared before them all with Dr. Strange and Chancellor Neighsay at her side.

"The tree of harmony is in the castle," announced Twilight, firmly. "I want to have this whole area fortified as quickly as possible. Understood?"

Acknowledging her command, everyone got back to work in continuing to fortify the castle and the school.

…

Meanwhile, at Stark Enterprises' Equestrian headquarters in Canterlot, Starlight Glimmer was continuing to get herself comfortable being inside the Hulkbuster armor.

"It's…certainly different," Starlight remarked, trying to get the feel of the armor. "Are you certain that this isn't going to do me any harm, Mr. Stark?"

"No," replied Tony who was watching from behind a screen with Julia and several scientists. "The Hulkbuster armor is really easy to pilot."

"So he says," Starlight muttered as she shifted the armor into doing several steps.

From inside the screen, Julia and Tony continued to watch what was happening.

"Tony, do you think she'll get the hang of it?" asked Julia.

"It's possible. I mean, this pony can do anything with magic, right? We should trust her."

"Hey, I haven't questioned you on any decisions yet."

As Julia said this, Tony noticed the look of worry on his wife's face. It was clearly obvious to him that she was thinking about Rachel.

"You feeling all right?"

"Yeah, I'm just thinking about Rachel, that's all."

"She's safe and that's all that matters to us," reassured Tony, placing his hands on Julia's padded shoulders. Don't worry, we're going to see her again."

To Julia, those words were easier said than done. She was a mother and Rachel was her daughter and what's more, she couldn't imagine her life if something were to happen to Rachel. It was every parent's worst nightmare and Julia didn't want to live through it in any way possible.

Still, she had a high ranking job to do and proceeded to continue watching Starlight Glimmer get the feel of her new armor, watching her fire at several targets. Just then, the two bosses of Stark Enterprises were soon interrupted by Jim Rhodes.

"Thought I take a break from the prep work to see what is happening," he said, suddenly taking notice of Julia's distressed look on her face. "Let me guess, things going against you both?"

"No, I'm just thinking about Rachel, Rhody," replied Julia.

"She's safe, Chuckles," reassured Jim. "Hell, isn't that the reason why she evacuated in the first place? Still, I can't imagine the anxiety. I know it all too well."

The memories of his brother's death when Jim was just a boy continued to flood back.

"We're all scared, Julia," whispered Tony, pulling his wife into an embrace. "But, we are going to get through this. Isn't there an old saying that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel?"

Of course, the three well-connected friends had no idea how important those words would later on down the line.

…

Meanwhile, Razzle Fizzle was about to open up to the men behind Black Panther and Captain America about her decision to fight for the defense of Canterlot…