Upstate New York
New Avengers Facility, Parking Garage
11:41 p.m.
The party had died down at least an hour ago. A lot of people left in droves, others lingered still, but it seemed everything was growing quieter at the New Avengers Facility. It seemed that way partly due to Twilight and Stark being the only two present in the parking garage.
They walked side by side, the dimly-lit garage littered with very few cars. It was nice, serene. A stellar change to the thunderous party that had thankfully ended. Mostly.
“You know, you didn’t have to walk me to my car,” Tony said, finally filling the silence between the two. He shot out his right hand and pressed the “unlock” on his set of keys. “It’s nice, though. And hey, play your cards right and you might get another date if I’m up for it.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “This clearly wasn’t a date, Tony,” she deadpanned, barely smiling. “I still haven’t forgotten that you’re taken. What was her name again? Pepper, did you say?”
Tony almost didn’t nod. Almost. Twilight didn’t notice the subtle change, chuckling, “You’re just trying to get under my skin, as usual.”
“… Yeah,” Stark shrugged, shaking his head to exit his stupor. He stopped next to the driver’s seat of his car. “It was worth a try. But I appreciate the company nonetheless. Good company is hard to come by these days.”
Twilight tilted her head slightly. “How so?” she asked.
“Did I say that? No, I meant it’s fine, right? Yeah, everything’s good,” Stark quickly explained, struggling to hold his keys. “By the by, you might want to take advice from that walking marshmallow what’s-her-face and get your beauty sleep tonight. I’ll be bringing something special for tomorrow, something to help you and your friends speak face to face with the world’s leaders.”
He spoke abnormally fast, even for him. He was fumbling with his keys, trying to find the one that would make the car run. He never he even got in yet.
“Are you okay, Tony?”
He dropped his keys, a sharp but quick clash of metal on concrete. Twilight looked from the keys and slowly up to Stark. His palm rubbed his eyes, sliding down to scratch his stubble. “Huh? Yeah, never better. Just a little tired. Long day and all. Why, what’s going on with you?”
Twilight opened her mouth, but Tony beat her to the punch. “Oh, in fact, what’s going on with Rogers? I saw you and Dash talking with him for quite some time outside,” he said, keeping the focus off of him for a change. He reached down to pick up his keys.
Frowning, Twilight huffed, but answered regardless. “Steve was feeling a little down because… well…”
She stopped. She didn’t know if she should tell. It was clearly Steve’s personal business, as he had mentioned hours earlier. He didn’t want any other help besides what he already had. But… was that enough? It had been two years, and Steve still had no trace of his long-lost friend. Would it be right to ask for outside help?
No way to tell unless she acted.
“Well, he’s just been having some trouble finding an old friend of his that had gone missing a couple years ago.” Twilight stamped her hoof on the concrete below her nervously, looking away momentarily. “Do… do you by chance happen to know the name… James Barnes?”
“Rings a bell,” Tony said, eyes shifting back to his keys. “Not a particular bell, but it rings.”
That was an answer. Twilight said, “Well, Steve’s been having some trouble lately… trying to find him and all. I don’t want to see him so caught up on this issue, especially since it’s his best friend.”
“You kind of have a duty to uphold friendships, huh?” Stark asked, smiling.
Twilight looked away, blushing at that. “I just want to see that he can save his best friend. And maybe… if it’s not too much trouble… maybe you could help find him?” Tony slowly looked to her. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but you were telling me earlier how you have access to something called a ‘personal satellite’ and how you can spot almost anything on the planet without being detected! So, I was hoping—”
“Hey, breathe.” The command was sharp, to the point. Twilight slowly closed her mouth, hadn’t realized how quickly her heart rate had become. Surprising. He really should watch what he says around her. It must’ve been the drink. He tends to reveal some personal tech he’s been working on after a few shots. Stark faced her this time and stated, “Now, I think this is Rogers’ personal business, and I don’t think he’d want me butting in on it.”
“But—!”
“We all have a lot on our plate right now, Twi. Maybe later, maybe if Rogers actually wants me to help him. And I want to hear it out of his mouth. But right now…” Stark clenched his fist, his keys digging into his palm as he looked away, breaking contact with the youthful Alicorn.
He cleared his throat, let his hand relax. He really needed to watch that. “Now’s not a good time… especially for me.”
Twilight’s expression deflated like a leaky balloon. She watched as Tony turned back to his car door, finally opening it. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, eyes large and hopeful.
He paused. Tony didn’t even look at her. His thoughts were only Pepper. Her long, strawberry blonde hair flowing down her lean, slender shoulders. That smile that drove him wild now seen as just a memory. Most of everything about her was seen as just a memory. Just visions. Just the past.
Like a lot of things.
Many too much, even for Stark.
“Maybe later, Twi,” he replied, simply, with little to no emotion. “Maybe later.”
Twilight sighed and lowered her gaze, but nodded regardless. She heard the car door close, bringing her attention upwards to see the car backing up. It was an incredible machine, a machine she’ll have plenty of time to study during her stay on planet Earth.
Tony Stark drove away from the New Avengers Facility that night rather quickly, leaving the Princess of Friendship alone in his rear-view mirror.
Staring at him the entire time.
wow: the hidden tension between friends (i.e. Steve and Tony) is so thick you could cut it with a knife...
Hoo, boy...
Twilight really wants to help Steve find Bucky, even going to Tony to ask for his assistance. But of course Tony can't help because its not his business to pry into without Steve's consent. Besides, right now Tony has his own problems to deal with, what with him and Pepper taking a break from their relationship and him still feeling guilty and responsible over what happened with Ultron. But honestly, it wouldn't be a good idea asking Tony to help find Bucky, especially when he finds out about you-know-what.
Oh goodness! Tony is still making those marshmallow cracks about Miss Rarity the Marshmallow Pony.
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Well this is awkward...
Maybe later might be too late to talk about this...
Oh, dear. I hope Twilight knows something about relationship mending.
Sorry Twilight, but I have to agree with Tony on this one. At least for the moment, he should stay out of it.
God damn it Sparkle, you just had to make me bring this back
It might as well be your new Cutie Mark.
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Marvin says it all
Someone give Tony a hug. Give him lots of hugs.
What is the timeline right now? Is it before or after Civil War?
7800555
Just before it goes awry. The synopsis shows this, and the chapters make it clear as well.
I will let you guess what will happen when the ponies meet the world's leaders.
things are really starting to get heating up!! Keep up the Good Work!
7798711 True story.
7798777 Poor Stark. Man's in need of some help.
7798818 If only Twilight had ever gone a date before. Nerd.
7799242 Doesn't it always, though?
7800418
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If only Star could give Tony what he needs...
7800555 Before Civil War.
7801146 Thanks a ton!
The tension between Tony and Twilight has been perfectly nailed here.
Is it weird that in my head I'm seeing Starlight, Twilight and Rainbow in the final battle at the end. Not trying to impose my ideas or anything just asking if that's a weird scenario or crazy thought process.
Been bugging me a while.
7806878
As in Twilight and Starlight VS Rainbow?
7806878 It's not crazy at all! It's actually pretty interesting...
7807292
If Rainbow chose not to stay with Twilight and Starlight, could her speed and athletic abilities be enough to face 2 smart, resourceful, powerful and skilled spellcasters?
In my opinion, Rainbow would rather stay loyal to Twilight and Starlight.
7807138 thanks
7807138 more like they are all trying to help the cap or at least Starlight and Twilight are and Rainbow goes to find Zemo and confronts him at the same time T'Challa does and hears his story. But again this was just something in my head for awhile and not trying to influence and writing
7807292 thanks
7807420 sorry about the multiple replies one was meant for Jd
My phone sucks at stuff likes sometimes plus I just woke up
That usually doesn't help with writing
Ooh real bad time to bring that up.
Seems like Steve is not the only one with baggage on his plate, Iron-Man is clearly having some issues that involve Pepper. Now of course we know their relationship has always been rocky at best, one minute they want to keep it strictly professional but it's clear Tony likes her as more than just another assistant. Even if Tony wanted to help Steve find his best friend, with all the stress he's got going on it's not a good time (Then again, if he knew of the girl Steve himself left behind years ago he'd find he's not alone). For now, if I were him, I'd say it would be best to leave a friend's issues to their own and would probably only help if they want me too.
On one hand, if Pepper is clearly distant from Tony for now, Twilight 'would' have a chance at least in this canon. But on the other hand, because Twilight and Tony have been good friends the last thing she'd want to do is cross any lines especially since he clearly cares about Pepper too much to 'not' think about her. The topic will come up again eventually, but now's probably not the best of times at the moment.
I guess the Avengers have a lot on their plates at the moment, especially Tony and Steve. Seems like not the best time for the ponies to make First Contact with Earth.
I have a bad feeling if Twilight does try to help Steve find Bucky it won’t go the way she hopes it does.