Episode 24: C+L+O

In her room at Freedom Fighters Mansion, Zipp was doing some research on how to stop Opaline. But she kept hitting dead ends along the way. She was up for the past two nights doing research. She had bags under her eyes and her mane wasn't styled up in her usual style. Instead, it was down, covering half her face. Then Pipp came up to her.

"Zipp, it's 2 in the morning!" Pipp said. "Get to..." Pipp then saw the state her sister was in. "Oh... my... glitter! Zipp, are you okay?!"

"No, Pipp," Zipp said. "I've been up... for the past two nights..." She then yawned. "Trying to figure out any weaknesses about Opaline. So far... nopony in the world knows about her, except for Misty."

"Zipp, I think you've done enough for tonight," Pipp said. "Take a break. Go to bed." She then sniffed something. She then plugged her nose. "Ugh. But first... take a shower. Please."

"Pipp, I need to continue doing this!" Zipp said as Pipp was dragging her out of the chair. "Let me go!"

"No, Zipp!" Pipp argued. "You need to rest. Besides, your research will still be here tomorrow. Just go take a shower, then head right to bed."

Zipp then smelled herself and said, "Ugh. Well, I guess you're right. I do need to take a shower." She then yawned. "I'll... see you in the morning." She then headed into the bathroom.

Pipp sighed and said, "Oh, Zipp. You really shouldn't focus on research so much. Especially if it keeps you up all night." She then looked at Zipp's research, seeing how much dead ends it led to. There was even a picture of the engraving that Zipp took a picture when they went to the Breezie Night Market in what will eventually be Bridlewood. "So much research, such a big migraine. Trying to stop an Alicorn would take too much time. And it's not like Opaline's the only Alicorn. There's Twilight, Sunny, Nyx, Cadance, Guard, Flurry, along with the two royal sisters, Celestia and Lu..." She then cut herself off. She then got a realization.

Pipp then grabbed the picture of the engraving and inspected it. She then remembered what Opaline said when she came in uninvited to the graduation party of the Young 6.

"Wicked am I? Was I wicked when I asked to be friends when the three of us were fillies?"

Pipp gasped at that. She then grabbed a marker and wrote on the picture. She added the letters of Celestia, Luna and Opaline to the picture to tell Zipp who those ponies were who put on the engraving. She then put it back on Zipp's chart of research. Then she went to bed.

"Hopefully, Zipp will get the message," Pipp said.

The next morning, Sunny was with the Young 6 and Truemen, making breakfast for them. Outside, there was a storm. Not a big storm, but there was lightning and thunder going on.

"Has anypony seen Zipp?" Truemen asked. "She's usually up by now?"

"Not that I know of," Gallus answered. "But, you're right. She never misses breakfast."

"Nicole, is Zipp awake yet?" Smolder asked.

"Not yet, Smolder," Nicole replied. "She has been up for the past two nights doing research on Opaline. And the only one who has information on Opaline at all is Misty."

"Since she lived with her most of her life," Sandbar said.

"Don't remind me," came Misty's voice. She then walked into the kitchen.

"Morning, Misty," Sunny said. She then brought out a plate of pancakes and put them in front of Misty as she sat down at the table. "You doing better?"

"Yeah, I am," Misty said. "Sometimes, I wish I wasn't really taken in by Opaline. She's so..." She then sighed.

"I know, Misty," Sunny said, patting Misty's back. "I know. But hey, if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have met."

"Yeah, I guess that's true," Misty said.

Just then, Zipp came in quickly, Pipp following with an umbrella. Zipp then said, "Guys, we need to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!"

"What? Why?" Gallus asked.

"Pipp just helped me with a piece of evidence that I've been working on for months!" Zipp said. She then yawned.

"Zipp, you're on 5 hours of sleep," Pipp said. "You need more rest."

"No, you don't understand, I..." Zipp said before being interrupted by her own yawning. "Can someone whip me up some coffee?"

"Not when you're that tired," Sunny said. "Plus, why would we go see the two former rulers of Equestria?"

"You know that engraving back at the Breezie Night Market?" Pipp asked. "Well, I figured out who those names were. And it was at the graduation party for these six that helped." Pipp referred to the Young 6.

"What?" Sunny asked. "The graduation party? What has that..."

"Nicole, replay footage of the graduation party, mostly around when Opaline came back for vengeance," Pipp said.

"Playing, Pipp," Nicole said as the TV in the kitchen showed footage from the graduation party. Talking about when Opaline was lying about trying to be friends with Celestia and Luna when they were all fillies.

"Oh, that's right," Sunny said. "Opaline did say that she wanted to be friends with Celestia and Luna. But MC knew she was lying."

"The three names in that engraving stand for Celestia, Luna and Opaline," Zipp said. "So we must go see the two Royal Sisters now." She then yawned. "I'm gonna... fire up... the... X-Marestream."

"Not under that condition," Truemen said, walking up to Zipp. "I'll fly the X-Marestream. You need more sleep."

"Should we get Twilight and MC in on this?" Ocellus asked.

"Actually, they're at the Embassy setting up for MC's coronation," Sunny said. "MC's 18th birthday is coming up."

"MC really gonna miss out on this," Yona said.

"Indeed," Silverstream said. "Let's get going!" Then they all headed out. Misty used her magic and stuffed the entire stack of pancakes into her mouth as she ran out with them.

At the Acorn Embassy, the main hall was being set up for the coronation of MC. Twilight, MC and Sally were checking on the preparations.

"So, you ready for your big day?" Sally asked.

"I'm still a little nervous," MC said. "And that's really unusual for me since I faced death a lot in my life and always came out standing. My healing factor prevented me from dying."

"Right," Sally said. "Death doesn't seem to want you."

"So, MC, you have anyone in mind who will run the ceremony?" Twilight asked. "Someone to give your vows to you?"

"Already thought of that, Sparkles," MC said. Just then, a green flash came in from above them. From the flash came the Oracle of Delphius.

"I was tasked by Queen Sarah Crayton with handing Michael Crayton his vows," the Oracle said as he was hovering down. "Michael Crayton needed to understand what it means to be a true king. Putting others before himself first."

"Of course," Twilight said. "And I'm guessing Sarah Crayton will be making an appearance?"

"She wouldn't miss this for the multiverse," Sally said. "She's Michael's mother after all." The two girls then headed down the hall. MC and the Oracle stayed behind.

"Did you bring it?" MC asked.

"I have," the Oracle said. He then brought out something in a box. MC took it and opened it up. He then smiled. "I expect big plans for you and Twilight Sparkle in the future."

"Oh, believe me, I wouldn't want to mess this up," MC said. He then closed the box and put it in his pocket. Which is weird because the male Mobians don't usually wear pants. He then rushed towards Twilight and Sally. The three of them came into the room where they saw Sonic, Tails, Mutt and the Baby Terapod in one room.

"Alright, big guy," Sonic said, holding up a chili dog. "Time to eat up." The baby Terapod shook his head. "C'mon, Baby T. It's just one of natures greatest foods."

"Sonic, Terapods are vegetarians," Sally said. "You shouldn't be feeding him chili dogs."

"Oh well, his loss," Sonic said before throwing the chili dog up and catching it in his mouth. He then swallowed it.

"Sonic, you really should learn to respect nature for what it truly is," Sally said. "Baby T is the last of his kind, and he needs to be taken care of."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, Sal," Sonic said. "I can respect him enough. But still, Sal, you need to cut back. Relax. Kick it loose."

Baby T roared and the translator translated, "Yeah, Sal. Kick back and relax. Sometimes, you gotta juice it loose."

"Oh, my gosh," Sally said, annoyed. "All that research and he talks just like you, Sonic." The others laugh at the inconvenience.

"So, MC, you ready?" Sonic asked.

"Just about," MC said. "Just need to wait for my 18th birthday. Along with getting the proper ride to this place."

Meanwhile, in Equestria, at Silver Shoals Retirement Home, the X-Marestream landed. Truemen was piloting. In the cockpit with him was Sunny, Misty, Gallus, Sandbar and Smolder. Pipp, Zipp, Silverstream, Yona and Ocellus were in the back. Zipp was asleep on the couch in the living room area. But then she woke up when the X-Marestream landed.

"Huh?" Zipp asked. She then yawned. She then looked around. "Are we there yet?"

"We just landed," Truemen said. "C'mon, let's go." Then they all went out of the X-Marestream and towards the main entrance. Eventually, they walked down a hall towards where Princesses Celestia and Luna were staying.

Sunny knocked on the door. She then said, "Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? Are you in there? It's me, Sunny. My friends and I need to talk to you."

"Enter," came Princess Celestia's voice. Then Sunny opened the door and walked into the apartment of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

"Princess Celestia, we need to..." Sunny started to say before noticing something. Or rather, someone. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were not alone in the apartment. They were joined by Shade the Echidna.

"Shade?" Misty asked. "You're here?"

"Good to see you again, Misty," Shade said.

Sunny, Zipp, Pipp, Misty, Truemen and the Young 6 were surprised to see Shade with the previous rulers of Equestria.

"What are you doing here?" Misty asked.

"It's... a long story," Shade answered. "It was also a matter of time until you found out that Opaline was a fellow Alicorn with these two."

"C, L and O stand for Celestia, Luna and Opaline," Zipp said. "We found that engraving in the forest in Southeast Equestria. In the Breezie Night Market."

"So, you found it, huh?" Princess Luna asked. "I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out. Ever since she returned."

"Yeah, and she nearly took all the magic in the world with help from the Tree of Harmony," Smolder said, her arms crossed.

"Is there anything we can do to stop her?" Gallus asked.

"Over a thousand years ago, before we came down from Skyros, Opaline swore revenge on us for getting her banished," Celestia said. "Luna and I barely survived when she went on a magic stealing rampage. More agile than Tirek when he escaped from Tartarus. So, we had no choice but to banish her to the deepest part of Tartarus. Nopony has ever escaped from there."

"But it seems that Opaline has," Sandbar said.

"No... she didn't," Misty said. "Or at least not yet."

"Huh?" everyone else asked.

"When I was under Opaline's control, she had told me that she had finally escaped a couple days after MC's 18th birthday," Misty said. "And MC's 18th birthday isn't for another week."

"Oh, that's right," Silverstream said. "She came from an alternate timeline."

"Banished to this timeline by the Iron Mask, MC's Mom," Sandbar said.

"After the Castle of Friendship got broken by her in the alternate future," Ocellus said. "She must've been laying low after her escape."

"So we'll have two Opalines to fight," Truemen said. "Not cool. One Opaline is enough."

"What do Freedom Fighters do?" Yona asked.

"Perhaps we should let Princess Twilight know about this as soon as the Opaline we've been fighting is defeated," Sunny said.

"Yes, it's for the best," Misty said. "But right now, we have to focus on the Opaline that we know, then move onto the other one."

"And we need to know exactly where Opaline's lair is," Zipp said. "She'd probably go back to this... Skyros place."

"Skyros is forbidden to those who aren't Alicorns," Princess Luna said. "And only they are able to find it. And their royal guards there will not let anyone find it."

"So, we're gonna have to find out where Skyros is on our own," Truemen said. "Maybe their guards have descendants and they can tell us where Skyros is."

"That's gonna be hard," Princess Luna said. "The last time we were in Skyros was before Equestria was stripped from this world. And all the other Alicorns there have perished from fighting a dark creature that came from below the crust."

"Dark Gaia," Sunny said.

"Exactly," Princess Celestia said. "My sister and I were the only Alicorns when that happened."

"And if Opaline's still alive, she survived too," Sunny said. "Right now, we need to find Opaline's lair."

"All we know from her lair is that it's located in a place that has similar designs as the Arabic buildings in Aladdin," Zipp said. "And it's probably in the sky."

"Wait," Princess Celestia said. "Did you say Arabic style buildings and in the sky? That's Skyros." She then brought out a book and gave it to the Freedom Fighters that were there. "Here's everything that's left about Skyros. Share it with your fellow Freedom Fighters."

Back in Opaline's lair, Opaline and her army were preparing to get the assault on the Freedom Fighters ready.

"Okay, all of you, the time to take down those pesky Freedom Fighters is coming soon!" Opaline said. "The time to strike... will be on the 18th birthday of Michael Crayton, his coronation day! He thinks he should be king? I don't think so!"

"So what's the plan?" Scourge asked. "Ruin his coronation before he gets crowned?"

"No," Opaline said. "We'll ruin his day... by taking the ones he cares about first. We kidnap his fellow Freedom Fighters, and any ally that is with him. And especially..." Then an image of Nyx appeared above them. "Michael Crayton's precious daughter. You know how fathers are when they lose their precious daughters."

"Oh ho ho," Scourge said. "And if we take her, Michael Crayton may be vulnerable."

"But what about Twilight Sparkle and Sunny Starscout?" Allura asked. "They're probably going to be a liability when we do the raid. They might be there when it happens."

"That's why we take them down as well," Opaline said. "I won't be defeated by unworthy creatures who think they have the right to use their magic or powers under my rule. I will rule them all with my power!" She then cackled.

Back in Silver Shoals, in the X-Marestream, Sunny, Pipp, Zipp and Misty were checking out the book that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna gave to them.

"This book just might be the final piece of evidence that can lead us to Opaline's lair," Zipp said. "Twilight and the Freedom Fighters are gonna flip when they hear about this."

"But it's not gonna be enough," Pipp said. "We probably have the location of where Opaline's lair is, but we don't know where the place is."

"You're right," Sunny said. "We need to know where Skyros is." She then looked at the book. "It says here that Skyros has alternate names. Such as Murasia, Al-Ula, or Babylon..." She then groaned when a word that was burnt after the first letter of the second word of the alternate name. "Babylon G-something because the rest of that word is burnt."

"You think the rest of the Freedom Fighters might know about that?" Misty asked.

"Probably," came Truemen's voice. Truemen came out of the cockpit of the X-Marestream. "They probably have a lot more information than we do currently." Just then, the X-Marestream started taking off.

"Wait, who's in the pilot's seat?" Zipp asked.

"Silverstream, what are you doing?!" came Gallus's voice. Then the five of them went into the cockpit. They saw Silverstream piloting the X-Marestream.

"I just wanted to take this thing for a spin!" Silverstream said, getting excited. "I've never flown this thing before."

"And you're not gonna," Zipp said, getting into the other driver's seat. She then took control of the X-Marestream. "Next time, ask permission to fly this." She then yawned. "And right now... I'm still too tired to fly this thing."

"I'll take it from here," Truemen said. "Besides, it's better for the pilot to be fully awake then to be sleep deprived."

"Good point," Zipp said. "Silverstream, out of the seat."

"Fine," Silverstream said. "I guess I'll have to practice in it's simulation mode." She then thought of something. "This thing does have a simulation mode, right?"

"You'll have to ask Tails and MC, because they're the ones who made this thing," Truemen said.

"Time to go home," Sunny said. The X-Marestream was piloted away from Silver Shoals Retirement Home, and went back west towards the US.

Back at Freedom Fighters Mansion, MC was in his room, meditating in the middle of his room. Just then, there was a set of knocks coming from the door.

"Enter," MC said, his eyes still closed. Just then, Twilight and Rarity came in.

"Hey, MC," Twilight said. "Rarity thought it'd be best for you to be dressed up in some proper attire for your coronation."

"Right," MC said, opening his eyes and getting up. "The soon to be king must have the proper coronation outfit." He then walked over towards the bookshelf and brought out the Crayton Family Journal. He then turned to a page in the book and showed it to Rarity. "Here is... the proper coronation outfit."

"Ooh," Rarity said. "Yes, we must get this attire made for your coronation." She then brought out her outfit making gear, and she put on her red glasses. "Let's get to work." She then wrapped her ruler tape measure around MC's waist with her hands as she lifted a pen and notepad with her magic.

"You must be good of having control of your magic when you're working," MC said.

"Imagine how the other Rarity would be more productive if she had that ability," Twilight said. "She'd actually give up being human and move here permanently."

"I don't think so," Rarity said. "There is only room for one Rarity in this world."

"That got me thinking," MC said. "Whatever happened to the other Sunset Shimmer in that world?"

"That's... a good question," Twilight said. "The Sunset Shimmer that lives there is actually from Equestria. What happened to her counterpart?" She then shrugged her shoulders. "Meh, nothing to worry about. You should focus on your coronation outfit."

"Hold on, Sparkles," MC said. "I was thinking, it would be an honor if you accompanied me during the ride to the Embassy for the coronation."

"Really?" Twilight asked.

"I'd love it if you were there by my side when we arrive there," MC said.

"I... I'd be honored," Twilight said. "Rarity...?"

"Already thought ahead about it," Rarity said.

Over in Zipp's room, Sunny, Pipp, Zipp, Misty and Truemen entered the room and Zipp went to her desk. She put the book on her desk and opened it up.

"Okay, time to add this to my research," Zipp said.

"Zipp, are you sure about this?" Sunny asked. "We also have to be ready for MC's coronation. He's going to need all hands on deck."

"Speak for yourself," Truemen said, holding up his robotic hand. "I lost my arm to an alien. After a jerk from my dad's military school pushed me out and lied about me going AWOL."

"Hey, you exposed him for the jerk he really was," Zipp said. "And we wouldn't have gotten him exposed if it wasn't for your old friend from that school."

"Sure was," Truemen said.

"Do you think that Celestia and Luna will be able to help us out more with defeating Opaline?" Pipp asked.

"I don't know, sis," Zipp said. "But for now, we're just gonna have to keep our eyes peeled for her and her minions."

Back in Opaline's lair, in the basement, the villains were preparing a dungeon underneath the throne room. It was prepared for as many heroes they could get in there.

"Excellent," Opaline said. "And as soon as we get them in, I will take their power and become the most powerful fire Alicorn in the world."

"Fire, huh?" came Allura's voice. "Seems like you're being more with magic than fire."

"Huh, now that you think about it," Opaline said. "All members of the Nocturnus, I have a mission for you. Go to the Dragon Lands and capture every dragon there!" Opaline then smirked. "I'm going to be the most powerful Alicorn in the universe. Then perhaps, even beyond."

Allura gave a grimacing look towards Opaline as the Alicorn turned her back towards the leopard. Allura then left the room. She then came into a room where Scourge, Fiona and Imperator Ix were.

"Do you honestly think that Opaline will give us what we want when she's done?" Allura asked.

"You kidding?" Scourge asked. "She wants all the power to herself. Not if we can help it."

"I want to conquer the entire universe with my Nocturnus Clan," Imperator Ix said. "But if Opaline thinks she will be in charge of us all, she's dead wrong."

"Then we come up with a plan to take her down and take the power for ourselves," Fiona said. Then the four of them huddled together to come up with a plan to thwart Opaline behind their back. Unbeknownst to it, Opaline was watching them. And she was also coming up with a plan to dispose of her cohorts before they dispose of her first.

Back in Freedom Fighters Mansion, Rarity was finishing up MC's coronation outfit. It was red with blue shoulders and gold buttons and tassels.

"Now, all we need is your crown," Rarity said.

"The Oracle has got that covered," MC said.

"Oh, I actually can't wait to see it," Rarity said.

"Oh, you'll see it, Rares," MC said. "I'm sure you and the rest of our friends will be fascinated by it during the coronation. It's gonna be epic."

"I guess being around Sonic for so long has made you start talking like him," Rarity said.

"It's good to have friends by your side," MC said. "Even if they're different than you."

"Kinda like when Rainbow Dash and I were forced to do an adventure together," Rarity said. "Maybe we should have tried walking in each others horseshoes that week." She then finished up. "And... we're done."

MC smiled and said, "Thanks, Rares." He then removed the outfit. Rarity then used her magic to put it on a mannequin that was set up in his room.

"Now, just keep that nice and tidy until the big day," Rarity said. "I'll see you there at the big day."

"You bet," MC said. Rarity left the room and closed the door behind her. MC then brought out the box that the Oracle of Delphius gave to him earlier. He then opened it up and looked at what was inside. "Hopefully Sparkles will be wanting to accept this."

Back in Pipp and Zipp's room, Zipp was finishing adding the latest piece of evidence that could eventually lead to Opaline's lair and finally defeat her. Zipp still had bags under her eyes.

"Zipp!" Pipp called out. "It's almost 11:00 at night! Go to bed!"

Zipp then checked the clock. She then yawned and said, "You're right, Pipp. I think tonight, I'll get a good night's sleep. And take tomorrow off from investigating." Zipp then got up and headed towards the bathroom to get ready for bed.

Author's Note

Next Episode:
Royal Pain (Part 1)