Episode 25: Royal Pain (Part 1)

At Freedom Fighters Mansion, the alarm clock in MC's bedroom was going off. MC woke up. He rushed towards the bathroom to get showered quickly. He was already brushing his teeth. As soon as he finished, he gave a confident smirk.

"The day has come," MC said. Just then, in the reflection, a portal opened up behind MC. MC smiled as he saw his mother coming out of the portal, wearing royal attire. A red dress, a gold sash around her waist, a gold necklace with rubies and emeralds, red heels, and a gold crown with three small sapphires on the front three teeth of the crown over her red hair. "Hey, Mom."

"I'm so glad this day has come, Michael," Sarah Crayton said. She then brought out a hairbrush and started brushing MC's hair. "Your father and I had dreamed of this day to come. Although, he'd thought that the kingdom would still be standing and he would be alive still."

"Yeah," MC said. "But at least you're here."

"I wouldn't miss this for the Multiverse," Sarah Crayton said. She then hugged him. "I'm proud of you, Michael."

"Thanks, Mom," MC said.

"Now, you should get some breakfast," Sarah Crayton said. "I know you're gonna make a great king."

"I'll make you and Dad proud," MC said. He then headed out of the bathroom, and towards the bedroom door.

"I know you will," Sarah Crayton said. She then turned around. "And I know you'll also be ready for your greatest challenge." Sarah Crayton then opened a portal behind her and entered through it.

Outside of the Acorn Embassy, a lot of people were gathered in front of it, waiting for the royal coronation of MC to commence. Scarlet Garcia was reporting.

"I'm Scarlet Garcia, and I am standing right outside the Acorn Embassy, where the royal coronation of Prince Michael Crayton, soon to be King Michael Crayton, will be arriving here. Inside, many invited guests of the soon to be king are waiting inside. Such as the Freedom Fighters, the friends of Princess Twilight Sparkle, and their families. Many of us are awaiting the soon to be king's arrival. And maybe soon after that, the king... just might have his queen."

Outside of Freedom Fighters Mansion, a convertible limo was parked outside of the entrance, awaiting MC and his guest to come out. Then, the two of them came out. MC was wearing his coronation outfit that Rarity made for him. And Twilight was wearing her coronation dress she wore during her coronation as High Princess of Equestria, modified for her new body style. She also had silver heeled shoes and her gloves had silver fabric around the cuffs.

"This is it," Twilight said. "Your big day. When I became high princess, I was worried that everything was going to change. That my friends wouldn't need me anymore."

"You kidding me, Sparkles?" MC asked. "Just because you're the ruler of your land doesn't mean your friends won't need you. And... Omega and I might have accidentally helped with that since we blew up the support beams that held up the castle on the mountain."

"Well, if it wasn't for that, Nyx and Joshua would still be attending a school that would make them miserable for being different from all the other ponies their age," Twilight said. They eventually got into the limo.

When both of them sat down, MC said, "Driver, to the Acorn Embassy.""

"Will do," the driver said. Then the limo started moving towards the Acorn Embassy. As they were going down the streets of Station Square, a bunch of people were watching them. Twilight and MC were waving to the crowd as this was happening.

"Never thought I would see this day when I lost my kingdom," MC said.

"You'll get used to it," Twilight said. "When I first became a princess, all I thought of myself was just a princess whose royal duty was to just smile and wave."

"No way," MC said. "If you earned your title as princess, you must've been given a special reason. And you found that reason when taking on Tirek for the first time. Although, he seemed pretty easy to defeat."

"What makes you say that?" Twilight asked.

"We've seen Lynol take on a variant of him in the White Space," MC replied.

"Oh, that's right," Twilight said. "I still can't believe it takes a tech genius-slash-marksman to take him down."

"You know it," MC said. Eventually, they came across the Embassy.

Twilight and MC got out of the limo and walked towards the Acorn Embassy, both of them holding hands. When they got to the door, Antoine was waiting for the two.

"Come with me, Princess Twilight," Antoine said. "You are to be escorted to ze VIP section."

"Of course, Antoine," Twilight said. She then looked at MC with a smile. "See you in there."

"You got it, Sparkles," MC said. Twilight then followed Antoine away from the main entrance. MC then looked towards the front door. He then took a deep breath.

In the ballroom of the Embassy, a lot of invited guests were there, all dressed up in formal attire. The Freedom Fighters, Knuckles, the Mane 6, Sunny and her friends, the Young 6, Dulcy, the Chaotix, Shadow, Rouge, Olive, Midpoint, Cozy Glow, the families of the Mane 6, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, even Sarah Crayton was there.

All of them were waiting for MC to walk down the red carpet to where he would receive his crown, which was gold with an emblem that represented the front. The emblem was the shape of a dragon's head made out of a black diamond. The music started, which was MC's cue to walk down the red carpet. Everyone watched MC walk down the carpet and he arrived where he would receive his crown. Just then, a green flash appeared right in front of MC. Coming from the flash was the Oracle of Delphius.

The Oracle of Delphius smiled and said, "So, the time has come, Michael Crayton." MC nodded. He then took a knee and bowed his head. "Do you, Michael Crayton solemnly swear to govern the people you look after with justice and mercy as long as you shall reign?"

"I swear," MC said.

"Do you swear to bring hope to the people who depend on you as long as you shall reign?" the Oracle asked.

"I swear," MC said.

"Do you swear to rule your kingdom through peace, Harmony and love as long as you shall reign?" the Oracle asked again.

"I swear!" MC said, louder, looking up at the Oracle.

The Oracle then grabbed the crown and moved it towards MC's head. He then said, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I officially announce..." The Oracle put the crown on MC's head. "...King... Michael Crayton." Then everyone applauded as MC received his crown.

Later, in the courtyard, the Freedom Fighters, the Mane 6, Sunny and her friends, the Young 6, Midpoint, Cozy Glow, Olive and Shadow were all around MC.

"I still can't believe you officially became King after everything that has been done to you," Sally said. "You deserve this."

"But still, it's not right for you to have no kingdom to rule," Maria said. "I'm sure your kingdom was beautiful when it was still standing."

"No doubt about it, Maria," MC said. "You would've loved it. If it wasn't for your cousin."

"Julien?" Maria asked. "He destroyed your kingdom?"

"It was a long time ago," MC said. "I wanted him to pay for what he did. But... I knew that taking him down... wouldn't change anything."

"Which I would've expected a lot from you seeing how violent you are with those claws of yours," Twilight said. "But you've always held back. Why?"

"My claws are mostly used for slicing metal things," MC said. "Or anything that's not organic or wood. Sometimes."

"What about what you did to Scourge?" Sonic asked with a smug.

"That was one time," MC said.

"Well, I'm sure from now on, you'll be able to find a kingdom of your own," Twilight said.

MC smiled at that. He then thought of something. He then said, "Actually, Sparkles. There's... there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"What is it?" Twilight asked. Just then, the light from the sun was covered up. "Huh?" Twilight and the others looked up. Above the Acorn Embassy, there was the ship of the Nocturnus.

"The Nocturnus?" Sonic asked. Just then, there were pink flashes of light around them. Coming from the flashes were members of the Nocturnus, the Destructix and Allura.

"Seriously?" MC asked. "Had to be today?!"

"Take them down!" Allura shouted. Then they all charged at the heroes that were there.

The villains were fighting the heroes that were there. They were all focusing on a specific target. Scourge was taking on Sonic, Fiona was going after Bunnie, Sergeant Simian was taking on Truemen, Predator Hawk was attacking Rainbow Dash, Lightning Lynx was fighting Shadow, Flying Frog was dodging Antoine's sword, Allura was trying to freeze Blaze, and the rest of the villains were trying to take down the rest of the heroes.

"You Freedom Fighters are pathetic," Scourge said. "It's time you learn who the real king is, and it isn't your friend."

"You never deserved your title, Scourge," Sonic said. "You just take things as you see them for yourself."

"We'll see about that," Scourge said. He then hit Sonic's crotch with his knee, making the blue hedgehog fall down to the ground.

"Cheap shot, Scourge," MC said. Scourge turned his head towards MC's voice, and he got kicked in the face by MC's left foot. Scourge got kicked towards the wall. "You attack on the day of my coronation. You shouldn't have done that. Why are you here?"

"Oh, you really think it was you we were after?" Scourge asked.

"If you've come for Misty, then that's an even bigger mistake," MC said. "We got Midpoint ready to hit whoever gets her."

"Not this time," Scourge said. Just then, the sound of Nyx screaming came to MC's ears.

"Nyx?" MC asked. The heroes looked towards the voice and on top of the Embassy, two members of the Nocturnus had Nyx held in their grips. "No, Nyx!"

"Nyx!" Twilight called out.

MC growled and started charging up the building. Right before he could get her, the two members teleported away, taking Nyx with them. MC stopped in horror. He then turned around, seeing all the villains disappearing with pink flashes. Then the ship disappeared in a pink flash.

"NO!" Twilight called out. MC then jumped down and landed near Twilight. "Michael..."

"I... I was too late," MC said. "I couldn't save her." Twilight started crying. She then grabbed MC, hugged him tight, and cried into his left shoulder. "We'll get her back."

"But how?" Sonic asked. "We don't know where Opaline's lair is. That's the most likely spot where they could've taken Nyx."

"Actually... I've been looking into that," Zipp said. "Come on. Back to the Mansion."

In Opaline's lair, Nyx was locked up in a giant snow globe made of ice. She was trying to use her magic to get out, but there were runes specifically designed to prevent teleportation magic from happening in that room. Just then, Opaline came into the room.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the daughter of the only ones who can stop me," Opaline said. "Huh. Now that we've gotten to know each other face to face... you remind me... of somepony I've known a long time ago."

"I'm guessing it was Luna?" Nyx asked, getting angry. "In a way, I'm kinda her clone. Well, a clone of her darker self, Nightmare Moon. But, I wasn't completely like that."

"Oh, yes," Opaline said. "You do share some characteristics of Luna. But you act more like Twilight Sparkle and Michael Crayton. How is that possible?"

"I was being taken care of by Twilight when I first woke up," Nyx said. "She loved me and I loved her. She's my mother, no matter what. Whether I'm biological or adopted, we still love each other."

"Well, let's see if your parents love you enough to come after me," Opaline said. "So I can dispose of them completely." She then walked out of the room. She then looked at the two Echidna guards standing outside of the room. "Make sure no one else gets in or out." The two echidnas nodded as Opaline walked away.

Back at Freedom Fighters Mansion, the heroes were in the living room. Zipp brought out her board of where Opaline could be located. The heroes that were there were the Freedom Fighters, the Mane 6, Sunny and her friends, the remaining Cutie Mark Crusaders, the Young 6, Dulcy, Midpoint, Cozy Glow, Shadow and Olive.

"Okay, everyone," Zipp said. "I've been working this chart to locate where Opaline's lair could be located. According to Misty, it had to be somewhere in the sky, and it has Arabic Style architecture. And that place is known as Skyros."

"Skyros," MC said. "Never heard of it. Did this place have alternative names?"

"Actually, it did," Zipp said.

"What were the alternate names, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"Murasia, Al-Ula, and one name that has been smudged in the second word," Zipp said. She then brought out the book that Celestia and Luna gave her. "Here it is."

"Let me see that," Olive said. She then typed a couple buttons on her cyber patch and it scanned the words. It then showed the word underneath the smudge. "It's Babylon..." Then the word came up from under the smudge. "...Garden?!"

"No!" MC said. "No, no, no! No way are we ever asking those three for their help on this!"

"Who's he talking about?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"The Babylon Rogues," Sonic said.

"The Babylon Rogues?" Hitch asked. "Those three birds that raced MC, Silver and Blaze on Christmas?"

"Babylon Garden?" Twilight asked. She then got a realization. "Oh, that actually makes sense. Those three birds had to have a connection to the place. Nicole, we need to find the Babylon Rogues."

"No way... are we asking Jet, Wave and Storm for help!" MC said, angrily.

"Michael!" Twilight said. "Nyx is our daughter. We have to save her. And to do that, we need the help of the Babylon Rogues. Please. Do it for her."

MC looked at Twilight angrily. His angry look then turned into a sorrowful look. He then said, "Nicole, do what Sparkles told you."

"Locating the Babylon Rogues," Nicole responded. Then on the TV screen, it showed the zeppelin owned by the Babylon Rogues flying over the Grand Canyon. "The Babylon Rogues are currently in Arizona."

"Then let's move out," MC said. "Crusaders, you stay here. Spike, you watch them and Sparky."

"Got it," Spike said.

"Wait, what?" Apple Bloom asked. "C'mon, MC."

"Nyx is our friend, too," Scootaloo said.

"We have to go, too," Sweetie Belle said.

"Listen, kids, I know you want to help, but this is Opaline we're talking about," MC said. "She will take you all down if you get in her way. For now, we all need you to be here and safe." He then faced Sunny and her friends, the Young 6 and Dulcy. "As for the rest of you, you're coming with us."

"What?" Gallus asked. "We're just in training."

"Not anymore," MC said. "You've been training enough to be official Freedom Fighters. You all faced challenges using your natural skills, without the use of magic. You're all Freedom Fighters. Now, let's get going."

"What do you say, Shadow?" Sonic asked. "You in?"

"Someone has to be watching your backs," Shadow said. "Let's do this." Then the grown up heroes walked towards the door. Joshua looked around to make sure Spike wasn't looking. He then followed the others out the door without any of them seeing him.

The Freedom Fighters, the Mane 6, Sunny and her Friends, the Young 6, Dulcy, Shadow, Midpoint and Olive all went towards the hangar where all the airships were parked. Sonic, Tails, Sally and Shadow got into the X-Tornado, Sunny and her friends, the Young 6 and Joshua (without anyone seeing him) got into the X-Marestream. The rest of the heroes got into the Spirit of Freedom with the passenger box attached to the bottom of it. Then they all flew Southwest towards Arizona.

Joshua hid in the bathroom of the X-Marestream and kept quiet throughout the whole flight, which was hard consisting on how fast all three airships were going.

Eventually, they made it to Arizona, above the Grand Canyon. MC was piloting the Spirit of Freedom with Twilight sitting next to him. Twilight then pointed towards a direction.

"There! The Babylon Rogues Zeppelin at 11!" Twilight said.

"I see it," MC said. The three airships then turned towards the Zeppelin as it was on the move. The three airships were getting closer and closer to the Zeppelin. "It's only a matter of time until..." Just then, something came in on the radio.

"Well, well, well... if it isn't the Freedom Fighters," came a voice. It was the voice of Jet the Hawk. "What brings you here to my team's personal airbase?"

MC sighed and said, "We don't have time to deal with this, Jet. But right now, we don't have a choice. We need your help to get to Babylon Garden."

"And why would I tell you where Babylon Garden is?" Jet asked.

"Jet, what do you know about an Alicorn named Opaline?" Twilight asked. All that came from the radio was a gasp from Jet.

In the office of the Babylon Rogues Zeppelin, Twilight, Sonic, MC and Sunny were talking with the Babylon Rogues.

"So, you figured out that Babylon Garden is really the land of the Alicorns, Skyros, huh?" Jet asked.

"I still can't believe that Opaline has returned and taken it over, and we didn't even know it," Wave said.

"And you three are descendants of the guards of Skyros, aren't you?" Twilight asked.

"Yes," Jet said. "So, if Opaline is in the main Castle of Babylon Garden, it's not gonna be easy to enter. Only Alicorns and their royal guards are able to open the door. We lost our access a long time ago since Babylon Garden was lost for a long time."

"Lucky for us we got a couple of Alicorns here," Sonic said. Sonic and MC looked towards Twilight and Sunny. Twilight unfolded her wings and Sunny revealed her Alicorn form.

"Huh, that'll work," Jet said. "But it won't be enough if you're gonna stop Opaline." He then pulled something out of his desk. "You're also gonna need this. I heard you had the other six."

"The last Chaos Emerald," MC said. "This is perfect."

"Storm, get the Key to Babylon Garden," Jet said.

"You got it, boss," Storm said. He then headed out of the room. After he left the room, there was the sound of a huge mess being made. "Where is it? Where is it?"

"Hurry up, Storm," Sonic said. "I'm waaaaaiting."

"That sounds very 1992," Sunny said. MC laughed at that.

Just then, Storm came back in and said, "Oh, now I remember where it is. I put it in your desk drawer on the right side."

Jet looked towards the right side desk drawer and opened it up. Inside, there was a cube. Jet brought it out and said, "Now, let's get back to Babylon Garden." Then the cube started glowing. "Have your team follow the blimp. We're about to get there fast."

Then all the airships started flying fast towards Babylon Garden. A couple hours later, they came across an air space where the Key to Babylon Garden was leading them. Eventually, Babylon Garden came into sight.

"Is... Is that...?" Twilight asked.

"Babylon Garden," Jet said.

MC sniffed around. He then said, "I smell her. I smell Opaline. She's here."

"How can you smell her from here?" Jet asked.

"Enhanced senses, remember?" MC asked. "Land this blimp quickly."

"We need to get to that castle before Opaline does something bad to Nyx," Twilight said. "She needs us more than ever."

Eventually, all the air ships landed in a clearing big enough for all the ships to land. Eventually, all of the heroes got out of the airships. Well, except Smolder.

"Okay, everyone," Sonic said. "Let's find Opaline's lair, stop her and her lackeys, rescue Nyx, and go home."

"Hang on," Truemen said. "Where's Smolder?" Just then, Smolder came out of the X-Marestream, pulling Joshua.

"Hey, guys," Smolder said. "Look who stowed away."

"Ow!" Joshua said, angrily.

"Joshua?!" Twilight asked.

"I told you to stay back home," MC said.

"I couldn't," Joshua said. "Nyx is my sister. She helped me, and I want to help her."

"Not today," MC said. He then brought out his Super Warp Ring and threw it in one direction, but it didn't expand. MC looked towards it in confusion. "What the heck?"

"Yeah, apparently, only Alicorns are able to teleport things to and from here," Jet said.

"Dang," MC said. "Alright, Joshua, you can come. Just stay with Mutt."

"Got it," Joshua said. He then got closer to Mutt. MC grabbed his Super Warp Ring, then all of them started heading in one direction. MC was taking the lead. As they were running, Smolder and Dulcy were stopped all of a sudden. Then they put their hands to their heads in pain.

"Gaaaah!" Smolder yelled.

The rest of the heroes stopped and looked at the two dragons. Twilight then asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"

"My head..." Smolder said. "It's... ringing!" She then yelled in pain.

"What's happening?!" Dulcy shouted.

"Lynol, what's going on?" MC asked.

Midpoint removed the rings on his wrists. He then said, "Opaline. She's using the Bloodstone to control dragons."

"What?" Ocellus asked. "Opaline's trying to take the minds of Smolder and Dulcy?"

"Not just them," Midpoint answered. "She's also controlling these dragons that are about to ambush us." Then the group looked around, seeing all the dragons of the Dragon Lands coming right towards them.

"Oh, snap," Olive said.

Midpoint then grabbed some discs and threw them towards Smolder and Dulcy. The discs connected to the sides of the two teenage dragons, and their head pains ended.

"Huh?" Smolder asked.

"What was that?" Dulcy asked.

"Telepathic Control Blockers," Midpoint said. "Based on MC's telepathic immunity. These are just prototypes, so they won't last long."

"How long?" Smolder asked.

"An hour, two tops," Midpoint said.

"That should be enough time," Sonic said. "Spin and win time." Sonic then rushed around the group, creating a giant, blue cyclone, blocking the sight of them from the dragons surrounding them.

"You guys head to Opaline's lair," Jet said.

"Are you serious?" Twilight asked.

"This is our home," Wave said. "We're not gonna let that Opaline use this place as ground zero for her total control."

"Wave, Storm, let's do this!" Jet said. They brought out their Extreme Gear boards and started riding them. They went out of the cyclone to get above the dragons. "Hey, dragons! Come and get us!" The dragons attention were all brought up by the Babylon Rogues. They then chased the three through the garden to try and take them down. Unbeknownst to them, it was only a diversion so the heroes would go after Opaline.

Sonic then stopped the cyclone and stood next to the rest of the heroes. He then said, "Guess Jet has guts."

"Let's go," Twilight said. Then the heroes all ran in one direction towards where Opaline's lair was. Once they got there, Misty stopped seeing her former home once again.

"Oh, boy," Misty said.

"Misty?" Sunny asked. "Are you okay?"

"I never thought I'd be back here again," Misty said. "I used to look at this place and see what the world would have to offer from above. But now... all I see is all the tormented things I've gone through throughout my entire foalhood."

"Misty, you stood up to Opaline the last time you saw her," Twilight said. "You helped rescue Spike and Sparky, and you made a real bond of Friendship with us. And you got your Cutie Mark because of that. Misty... you're stronger than you think."

"Ya got that right, sugarcube," Applejack said. "Right now, this is where we need ya. Besides... we're gonna need a tour o' the place." Applejack smirked at that.

Misty looked up at the castle where Opaline has been staying at for who knows how long. She then sighed and said, "Okay. Follow me, everyone." She then headed for the door and opened it up. Then they all headed inside. As soon as they all got inside, the doors closed right behind them.

"What the heck?!" Twilight asked.

"She knows we're inside," Sunny said.

"That's right, Sunny Starscout," came Opaline's voice. "You're all brave to come into my humble abode, but I'm afraid that this is the end for all of you."

"Show yourself!" MC shouted angrily. Just then, a giant illusion of Opaline's head came in above them.

"You really think you have what it takes to take me down?" Opaline said through the illusion. "I'll make sure that you all get taken down today. Prepare... for the end... Freedom Fighters." She then laughed. The heroes all looked up at Opaline with angry expressions and defensive stances.

Author's Note

Next Episode:
Royal Pain (Part 2)