//------------------------------// // Chapter 50 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// Pipsqueak ordered the ship to a complete halt. Then, he told the crew to lower two rafts to accommodate everyone. As soon as they set foot on the island beach, they felt a sense of creepiness all over them. “This is really spooky,” said Bloodthirst. “Too quiet,” added Raisin. “It appears this island really has a strange juju,” concluded Melody, looking at the surroundings. “You pretty sure?” asked Greenie. “She’s got a point,” replied Chaos. “The weak-hearted ones couldn’t even resist this creepy atmosphere.” “Thank Celestia Malinae isn’t following with us,” added Melody. “Yeah, anything in there would’ve scared her,” agreed Beryl. At another site, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Pipsqueak studied the map. “So this would be the starting point to the cave?” asked Scootaloo comparing the map with the scenery. “Close enough,” mused Apple Bloom. “I see that’s it. We’re at the beginning of the road leading to the cave,” he replied. He began to brief the group. “Alright everypony, we’re at the entrance to the road leading us to the cave. Whatever you do, don’t mess with Nature all around you. Is that clear?” “Aye-aye, Captain Pips!” “Yes, sir!” In no time the group was well on their way within the jungle. The jungle was moderately dark, with its path twisty and undulating. Along the way, Ticky Shanks, who was following Melody and Chaos, spoke to them. “Um, Princess?” “What’s the matter, Ticky?” “Does that orange pony seem troublesome to you?” “Why? No, she doesn’t. Scootaloo’s a nice pony.” “But I hate her.” “Why?” asked Chaos. “She called me a brat, you know that?” “Hmm, I think I know why,” replied Melody. “Huh?” “Because you were rude to her at the beginning.” “What do you mean?” “On the day we meet your father, I see you speaking tough to her. That prompted her to talk back to you. If you’d talked to her nicely, that would be different.” “But why is that so?” “Would you believe me if I told you that she was once bullied?” “She was… bullied?” “Yes, because as a filly, she still couldn’t fly. Furthermore, it took her a long time to discover her true talent for her cutie mark. So does her other two friends. But ” Ticky was stunned when he heard that. He remembered the moment when he was constantly picked on by seniors at his own school due to his small size. His thoughts of being rude to Scootaloo the other day made him feel ashamed. But the nice attitude of the other pirates and her seniors now gave him a sense of warmth. “I… I guess I was really wrong. I shouldn’t have been rude to all of you at the start. Otherwise she wouldn’t call me a brat now.” “Go and apologize to her,” encouraged Melody. “Perhaps she won’t regard you as a bad colt as everypony thinks.” “I’ll try.” A while later, they reached the cave. It had a huge entrance, and it was dark in the inside. “Alright, be careful not to run into some traps,” advised Pipsqueak. “I need some unicorns as volunteers!” “Unicorns? What for?” asked Bloodthirst. “He wants us because we can use our horns as a torch,” explained Platinum Royale, as she lit up her horn. “Then we can guide everyone in the darkness.” Platinum stepped forward, volunteering herself among the unicorn pirates. “Princess Melody, can you help them, too?” offered Pipsqueak, noticing her. “Coming up,” she replied, stepping forward. “Now, I want half of you all to lead the pack, the other half to be at the back to guard the group. This cave is very dark so make sure you’re in line and don’t get lost.” “Right!” Shortly, the whole group entered the cave. Melody led the front, while Platinum escorted behind. The cave was pitch black, but the brightness was enough to see through. After some distance, Ticky approached Scootaloo. “Err, Miss Scootaloo?” “Whassup? Just speak.” “I’m sorry that I’m rude to you the other day,” she apologized. “I didn’t know that you’re… you’re…” “Who cares about that?” said Scootaloo. “At least I know that my bullies knew their lesson, too. But anyway, apology accepted.” “*squee*” After about a fifteen minutes’ walk, Melody spotted something. “Can you see that? I see something shimmering!” “That must be the treasure!” called a pirate. “Keep moving!” The group sped up their steps. Surprisingly, what came up to them was a huge area filled with gold, gems and the rarest jewelries they have ever seen. “Wow…” gasped Beryl. “Unbelievable…” cried Sweetie Belle. “Yippee!! I’m gonna be a billionaire!!!” exclaimed Pepper Flake as she dived into the pile of treasure, swimming among them. “Uh, Pepper…” groaned Apple Bloom, face-hoofing herself. “If Spike was here, he’d gobble everything up already, especially the gems,” murmured Sweetie Belle. “Now that we’ve found them,” said Scootaloo. “Should we get to work?” “Absolutely,” replied Pipsqueak. “Have you all got the sacks?” “Yes, five of them!” a pirate replied. “Then stuff as many as you can and let’s leave this island!” Everypony immediately went into the task like a raging fire, scooping up any jewelry they thought valuable and stashed them into the sacks. “How are we going to do with them later?” asked Greenie Hats halfway. “First, we gotta have them analyzed by Trottingham’s jewel experts. Then we’ll have them safely kept at the town’s treasure fort.” “Isn’t that a top secret job?” inquired Raisin. “It is. We’re on high alert when carrying out such missions.” “That makes it daring…” said Greenie, remembering her adventure looking for Daring Do with her brother. A while later, all five sacks were fully filled. “Okay, that’s about it,” said Apple Bloom, satisfied. “Now time to head back to our place!” “Wait a minute, where’s Ticky?” asked Scootaloo suddenly. “He was with me just now!” blurted Beryl. “Could he be… hidden within the treasures?” Bloodthirst dug through the gold. Then there was an alarming call. “Help…!” His voice echoed from a direction deeper into the cave. “I’m taken away!” “He’s been kidnapped!” exclaimed Chaos as Pipsqueak’s face changed to horror. “WHAT!??” exclaimed Pepper. “Don’t worry, Captain Pips!” said Melody, approaching him. “We’ll try to get him back! Load all of your treasures onto the ship!” “I believe you, Princess Melody,” said Pipsqueak. “Get him back! I can’t live on without him!” “Let’s go!” ordered Melody as she turned around. “Chaos, Beryl, Bloodthirst and Greenie, come with me. The rest, help Captain Pips and the others to move the treasure!” “Right!” they all complied. “Are you sure where he is?” asked Bloodthirst. “Yes, I can sense his body aura. This way!” The four followed Melody deep down the cave. No sooner they found Ticky, tied by magic onto a column. “Something strange captured me. Then he tied me onto this,” he wailed, seeing them. “Don’t worry,” calmed Melody. “I got this.” Using her magic, she skillfully removed the magic. Once freed, he hugged her and cried. “It’s okay,” comforted Melody. “You’re safe now.” But the reunion atmosphere was rudely interrupted. “What’s that!?” cried Bloodthirst, alarmed by the sound of hoofsteps.