//------------------------------// // Chapter 48 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// It was one fine evening at Ponyville. Melody Aurora and Chaos Control were again seen having a romantic time at a small cafe. “Time just passes so fast,” remarked Chaos. “To think that the changelings are now living with us peacefully.” “Yeah, it’s been a month,” Melody agreed. “You know, I asked her if she had anything to do with Queen Myra, but it turns out that she didn’t know her!” “Seems that she’s got nothing to do with Queen Myra as well,” chuckled Chaos. Then, Scootaloo, one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders came to them. “There you are!” she called. “Scootaloo? What are you here for?” asked Melody. “Err, your mother’s got something very important. She wants you to come along.” “Really?” “Does that even include me?” inquired Chaos. “Err, you may, since Twilight needs at least err, five volunteers.” “Then I’ll come with you.” At the castle, Twilight Sparkle was waiting for them, with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Beryl, Raisin Brandy, Pepper Flake, Platinum Royale, Bloodthirst and Greenie Hats. “Wonderful, you two,” said Twilight when she saw Scootaloo escorting the couple here. “We’ve got something important to help somepony.” “What’s this all about?” Melody asked. “First things first,” began Twilight as she produced a sheet of paper. “This is a letter from a pirate in Trottingham…” “What!? PIRATE!!??” shrieked Pepper Flake, prompting the others to shiver with fear. What would a pirate want to do with them? “Please, Pepper, I’m not done with reading yet,” chided Twilight. “Anyway the pirate sent me this letter requesting that he needed around ten volunteers to help him.” “Help him? … for what?” shivered Platinum, being comforted by Bloodthirst. “He didn’t say, but somehow, he mentioned the names of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, which makes me feel puzzled.” “How did he know our names?” asked Apple Bloom. “Does the letter have his name written?” “I’m afraid no, he just signed ‘A pirate from Trottingham’.” “Maybe somepony there told him about us. We must have been famous all over Equestria!” boasted Scootaloo. “Very nice, but I’m not done talking yet.” “Oops,” she apologized with a glee. “You all are to meet him in five days, so I need you all to get prepared. I would expect all of you to set off to Trottingham on the day after tomorrow.” “Cool…” cried Greenie Hats. “I hope he and the others won’t be hostile to us,” said Sweetie Belle with a concern. “So do I hope for that,” agreed Raisin. “So, are all of you enough to go and help him?” “I think it’s okay,” replied Bloodthirst. “Alright, I’ll dismiss you all. I’ll be expecting the best of you the day you leave.” “Right!” All nodded with agreement. As everypony parted ways to leave home, Beryl approached Melody and Chaos. “Are you nervous?” “Uh, just a bit…” “Don’t worry,” cheered Chaos. “You won’t be alone. Beryl is always with me whenever I go with you. Remember the time we went to Zecora to learn about your hidden abilities?” Melody pondered for a moment. “Oh yeah, my hidden abilities! I just have no idea how I did it…” “Forget about it. I’m expecting for you to be well the day after tomorrow,” smiled Beryl. “Uh, okay…” “Good luck!” bade Chaos as the twins left. But Melody still felt uneasy. That night, Melody kept flipping and turning on her bed. She was still thinking, how would that expedition turn out? What are the threats awaiting her? At that moment, Twilight came in to check her out. “You’re feeling troubled?” she asked her. “I still feel uneasy, to be honest, Mom,” she replied. “I just don’t know what to expect for the next few days. Whether it’s just a normal expedition or it’s a journey filled with thrills, I don’t know…” “Relax, Melody,” calmed Twilight. “When I was about your age, I, too was nervous whenever Princess Celestia assigned me on missions or helping somepony, but in most cases, I managed to cope them all. You can be the same as me.” “I know that. I’ve been in many cases like this, but in this one…” “Don’t worry. Remember the charm you always wear?” Melody looked at it which was placed beside her bed. “You’ve been wearing this charm since the day you were born and your father died. By wearing this charm, I believe the spirit of your father is always there to protect you, and guide you through the dark.” “Yeah, I know. I really wanted to see him someday. Orion already saw him…” “Only time will tell,” said Twilight, before shedding a tear from her eye. “I do miss him, too.” “Anyway, good night, my daughter. May Princess Luna look over you,” she finished, and kissed her forehead. “Good night to you, too, Mom.” On the day of their departure, everypony gathered at the station to see them off. “Don’t boast too much, okay?” Rainbow Dash asked Greenie. “Buy back souvenirs for us if you can, Bug Sissey!” pleaded Thunder Clash. “I will, don’t worry.” “Don’t just stress too much, sonny,” Niku told Raisin. “Understood.” “Make sure she doesn’t get hurt, okay, Bloodthirst?” asked Prudence Aura. “Don’t worry. She’s safe with me around.” “Rely on your senses to do your best, alright?” asked Cheese Sandwich to Pepper. “Righty!” Meanwhile at a corner, Melody was still looking a bit glum. Malinae, Chaos and Beryl approached her. “Cheer up, Melody! You see you’re not alone in this trip!” pipped Malinae. “We’ve got whatever it takes to complete this task, so don’t stress,” calmed Beryl. “I know, thank you,” Melody forced a smile. “That’s my marefriend,” said Chaos. “Now let’s go gather with them!” Twilight briefed with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. A while later, she spoke to the mission-goers. “Alright everypony,” she began. “Scootaloo will be the leader for this expedition, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are assisting her. If you’ve got any doubts, please seek help from any one of them. I know from them well ever since they were fillies, so yeah, they might be uh… experienced, you know. And their nieces and nephews are among you all, so…” The others giggled when she mentioned Platinum and Raisin. “Hush now,” she continued. “You can get help from them, since they’ve got relatives among you.” “Roger that,” said Raisin. “Affirmative!” added Greenie. Then they heard the train’s sound coming into the platform. “Alright, I guess you know what to do,” said Twilight as the train came to a halt. “Good luck!” As everyone boarded the train, Twilight approached her daughter. “I’m counting on you too, Melody,” she said to her. “Good luck.” “Thanks. See you soon, Mom,” said Melody and hugged her before boarding the train. As it left, everypony waved at it. “Don’t really know what thrills are waiting for them,” said Applejack. “They should be fine. At least, they know how,” finished Rarity. It was a two-day ride to Trottingham. The train had to make stops at certain towns for the passengers to release stress. But eventually, they arrived. “This is so… mystical,” remarked Pepper upon arrival. Trottingham was a classical town, with ponies rushing and bustling. “Do you think they know the pirates?” asked Melody. “Let’s try asking them. Maybe they know,” said Scootaloo. An interview with one of the locals gave them the answer. “I know these pirates. They come and stop by here every two or three days for a few days.” “Have they ever threatened you?” asked Chaos. “No, of course not! Apparently our town mayor has recognized them as Trottingham’s helpers.” “Do you know where they drop by?” questioned Melody. “At the harbor, as always! They’d be loading stuff once they get there.” “Seems like that’s our solution,” concluded Apple Bloom. “Then we’ve got to get to the harbor to see if they’re there,” agreed Beryl. “Hope they won’t be those hostile pirates as we expected,” said Bloodthirst. “Totally agree,” said Raisin. It was a fifteen-minute walk to the harbor. When they reached there, it wasn’t quite busy. “I wonder where they are?” inquired Sweetie Belle as they approached an extraordinarily huge ship. Just then, out of nowhere, a dozen ponies, armed with guns, daggers and machetes sprung out and seized the group. Everyone was shocked and surprised. “Hey!” cried Raisin. “Keep quiet!” The one who seized Raisin spoke. “Or I’ll make your head burst with this gun!” He held the gun to Raisin’s head. “What are you going to do?” asked Apple Bloom, feeling annoyed. “As he said, keep quiet or I’ll have your head off!” The other pressed his machete against Apple Bloom’s neck, making her shiver. The rest remained speechless and scared. But Scootaloo, held by two machete-wielders was defiant. “I demand to see the captain!” she shouted. At that moment, a small, tan-colored, light gray-patched and golden-maned colt emerged out among the crowd. “Aha! Outsiders spotted! You’re not welcome among us pirates!” “So you’re the captain, huh?” smirked Scootaloo. “Hmph! What a kid! Tell these douches to let me off!” “I’m not your captain!” argued the colt. “And they’re not douches! My papa will be here to finish you all off!” “Oh yeah? Then bring your papa here, you little brat!” “You dare call me a brat!? Just you wait!” “What’s going on, son?” From the ship came down a white, brown-patched and brown-maned stallion with an almost formal attire and he had a compass as his cutie mark. “Dad, these outsiders came here for no reason and called them douches!” “You’ve got to listen to us!” cried Chaos. “We’ve got some reason to come here.” “Please, sir, we meant no harm!” added Apple Bloom. The stallion looked at the hostages, while the others held their breath. Then, he suddenly spoke. “Are you all… the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”