Tony Stark sat in his office at Stark Enterprises reflecting on both the personal and professional impacts of the conflict with Thanos. Of course, he and the Avengers managed to defeat the Mad Titan. However, there were consequences and repercussions, lots and lots of them.

"So much damage, so much damage," Tony sighed, looking at the latest reports on his company's stock. "Damn that Thanos turning half of the universe into dust. Wherever he is, I hope he is rotting in hell."

"Let me guess, Ton," he heard another voice that belonged to his friend, Jim Rhodes as he walked into his friend's office. "Thanos still on your mind?"

"You can say that, Jim. Take a look at how much damage he did to our company stock."

Jim took the papers and read what was on them. He couldn't help but sympathize with his close friend's dilemma.

"Well, I can understand its going to take time to repair this company," he remarked. 'But, look on the positive side. We're all in one piece and you and Chuckles are about to tie the knot in a couple months."

Despite the burden he was carrying, Tony smiled upon hearing this, letting out a small chuckle.

"Always reminding me to look on the bright side of life, eh, Rhodey?"

"You can say that."

Just then, another figure entered the room, Tony's fiancée and his company Chief Operating Officer, Julia Carpenter carrying a pair of coffee cups in her hands.

"I fully agree with him," the red-haired woman said as she handed her love his cup of coffee and kissing him on the cheek. "We've got a wedding to look forward to, you know. Figured out what our first dance song will be?"

"Not yet, Jules. But, whatever it will be, it will be reflective of our love for one another. You found your dress yet?"

"Now how am I going to tell you that?" she remarked playfully tapping Tony on the forehead. "I'm going to keep it a surprise until our wedding day."

This made all three good friends share a group laugh.

"Well, here's something that isn't a surprise," said Tony, getting up from his desk and walking over to a map of Equestria. "Our new company facility in Equestria. This is a golden opportunity for Stark to make its mark in a land where very humans exist."

"It does make you wonder though, Tony," wondered Julia. "What good are we going to get out of having a facility in Equestria? For one thing, their currency is far different from our own."

"Of course their currency is far different from our own. Not everyone has American currency, Julia. And besides, we can also keep an eye on that threat that happening there."

"That goat dude, right?" asked Jim. "Gogar or whatever his name is."

"Grogar, Emperor Grogar," Tony corrected, walking back to his desk. "And the sooner we get this goat penned up, the better it will be. In fact, we're gonna need everybody involved in this, even those I don't have the best of relationships with."

This made both Julia and Jim look at each other with concerned glances. They knew Tony was right, they had to once again work together with those who had sour relationships with him. Those included Steve Rogers, Dr. Stephen Strange and even Peter Quill of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

"Look Tony," suggested Julia, putting her hand on her fiancé's shoulder. "Why bring them into this mess? I know you are trying to set an example for all of us, but do you really have to be that flexible? I mean, you and Steve haven't really been on the best of terms since…"

"I'm aware of that, Julia," interrupted Tony, looking back up at her. "But, I've slowly started to come to terms with what happened. Is Steve still a snake in the grass for keeping the truth from me about my parents? Well, yeah. But, part of me feels like I should forgive both him and his friend for keeping the truth from me. Will I invite him to our wedding? That remains to be seen."

Right away, both Julia and Jim could see that Tony was grappling with his inner feelings about once again working together with Steve Rogers. In time, they were going to have all put those differences aside and defend Equestria from this growing threat.

…

Meanwhile, back in Equestria, a pony drawn chariot pulled up to the Embassy of Wakanda that was among Canterlot's newly minted Embassy row. Inside the chariot was a dark skinned male, young and vibrant. But, he was no ordinary male, he was T'Challa, the young king of Wakanda.

"Welcome to Canterlot, my king," another dark skinned male said as he welcomed him by bowing to him.

"Thank you, Abu," replied T'Challa, motioning for hm to rise to his feet as two human bodyguards walked him towards the embassy gates. "I see our embassy is up and running according to my standards. This is a momentous time for our kingdom, my friends. Wakanda has opened the doors to another kingdom much like our own. But, most importantly, any word from S.M.I.L.E. on the demon goat?"

"Nothing yet, my king. We have not been able to get any reports for the past few days. As far as we are all concerned, he is probably biding his time."

Stepping into his embassy's office, T'Challa sat down and reviewed recent reports concerning his kingdom's embassy in Wakanda.

"Well, make sure we have our kingsguard ready to come here in case it is necessary. For that matter, have the Dora Tribe on standby as well along with the Border Tribe."

"Of course, my king. For that matter, shall I also have your loyal general on standby to leave as well?"

"Yes, along with Shuri. I need her technical advice if I so need it. If Emperor Grogar is anything like Thanos was, so help me God…"

Hearing this, Abu stepped out of T'Challa's office and left his king alone to do his work. In fact, tensions all across Equestria were running high.

…

At the same time, Grogar was watching from a balcony his donkey soldiers undergo intense training under Proxima Midnight. Those who were following her orders were spared her fury, those who failed to follow her orders suffered her wrath.

"Well," he remarked to himself as he watched. "Despite your feelings, you seem likely to serve me well, Proxima Midnight. You all will more than likely serve me well, in fact."

"Of course, we will serve you well," said Ebony Maw, who stepped into the throne room. "Just as well as we served Thanos."

As he listened to Ebony Maw, Grogar turned around and realized that Ebony Maw was going to serve him just as well as the others.

"But, there is something you should know my loyal servant," he said, much to the confusion of the alien creature. "That I will not be the only creature of darkness you will be serving."

"And who do you speak of?"

"Oh, you shall see, my friend," chuckled Grogar. "For you see, I have the power to bring souls back from the dead and make them serve me."

Slightly confused, Ebony Maw followed Grogar towards a cauldron with the face of a goat on it in Grogar's likeliness.

"What is that?"

"The Black Cauldron," replied Grogar. "This is a weapon that has the power to revive the souls that are considered too dangerous to be in the rule of Lord Satan. But, why don't we start small, shall we?"

Stamping his front left hoof, a pair of donkey soldiers brought the dead body of a pony from Celestia and Luna's army. Throwing the dead body into the cauldron, Grogar stood before it and once again chanting an incantation, the cauldron moved and with a sudden boom of dark magic, a giant claw emerged, followed by a loud roar and then a giant hulking body emerged revealing itself to be a grizzly bear with a scar on the left side of its face. Immediately, it climbed out of the cauldron and made it's way over to Grogar.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Scarface," chuckled Grogar as the Grizzly Bear rubbed its head against Grogar's side. "Welcome back my loyal pet."

"This creature is your pet?" remarked Ebony Maw.

"Scarface is my companion and my enforcer," replied Grogar. "If anyone disobeys me, then they are a feast for him."

The scar faced grizzly looked up at the squid faced alien and licked his lips, causing him to recoil in slight fear.

"And that goes for you and your companions, Maw. Fail me, Scarface will kill you and send you back to Lord Satan's palace for eternity."

Heeding this order, Maw hastily bowed and stepped back, remembering the words his new master said of him. He didn't want to go back to the depths of hell and neither did his companions.

All that mattered to Ebony Maw was to avenge the death of his master Thanos in any way possible and he didn't care if he himself or anyone else that knew was to suffer along with him.

…

Meanwhile, having obtained all the information that had been given to her, Tempest Shadow and her companions followed Dr. Strange and Chancellor Neighsay through a portal and found themselves back home in Equestria…