//------------------------------//
// The Crew 
// Story: Cutie Mark Crusaders: Treasure Hunters 
// by Epicdiscord214 
//------------------------------//

  The next day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived at the Canterlot Docks. They ventured through until they found Discord floating in midair getting a suntan.
“Discord,” Apple Bloom shouted. “I thought you said you were getting us a ship.”
“I did,” Discord said, “And I have. I'm the spirit of chaos, not the spirit of broken promises. CMC, I give you the SS Gale!”
The draconequus gestured his paw at the magnificent-looking ship and he Crusaders dropped their jaws.
“I know,” Discord said. “I'm awesome. Anyway, let me introduce you to the crew.”
As the 4 walked up the gangplank, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sneaked through the docks and climbed up the side of the boat. They came through the window while, at the same time, the three Diamond Dogs climbed the back of the boat and stayed there.
“This is going to be perfect,” Rover said. “Once the boat sets sail to Scorpan Island, we wait until the right moment. And then... We take the map!”
“Uh, boss,” Spot said, “What about the Discord fella? He's pretty tough.”
“I have a plan to deal with him as well,” Rover said. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small bag. “I had the Diamond Dog witch doctors make this. It's sleeping powder. One whiff, and Discord will be counting sheep for three days. Now, keep quiet and wait.”
Meanwhile, on the top deck, Discord was introducing the crew. Suddenly, Apple Bloom's stomach began to growl.
“I'm hungry,” Apple Bloom said. “I skipped breakfast just to sneak here.”
“Well, there's a kitchen below deck,” Discord said. “You three get yourselves a bite to eat. I'll call you when the captain arrives.”
“Captain,” Scootaloo asked.
“Did you think anyone would trust me with leading this ship,” Discord asked. “See, the last time I played Battleship, there was a flash flood in the end. No, I hired a special captain for this voyage.”
At that moment, the Cutie Mark Crusaders went down the stairs to the lower deck. They then gazed in amazement at the stacks of food on the table.
“Ooh,” Scootaloo said reaching for a chicken leg. “Don't mind if I do?”
Suddenly, a blue hoof shot through the food piles and slapped Scootaloo's hoof away.
“Not for you,” a voice said.
“Did we just see the food reject us,” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Well, now, I've seen everything,” Apple Bloom said.
“No, no, no,” the voice said. “I said it.”
Suddenly, a blue unicorn appeared from behind the table wearing a chef's had and apron. She had a blue mane and a moon-and-star Cutie Mark.
“Hey, I know you,” Apple Bloom gasped. “You're that magician unicorn that tried to humiliate Twilight. You kept calling yourself 'the Great and Powerful Trixie'.”
“Oh, you remember,” Trixie nervously. “Well, now, I'm the Great and Bountiful Trixie. After the whole Alicorn Amulet fiasco, I decided to try and find a new line of work. Welcome to job #26.”
“So Discord hired you to cook for this crew,” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I was hesitant at first because of his... track record,” Trixie said, “But he offered a pay I couldn't refuse. And what did he hire you three to be; cabin foals?”
“Actually,” Scootaloo said before her friends pulled her way.
“Don't say anything,” Apple Bloom whispered. “Remember, Discord said we can't tell any pony about the map.”
“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle said. “And I think that includes someone who made fun of our sisters and treated us like slaves.”
“Yeah, I guess you're right,” Scootaloo said.
“HERE YE, HERE YE,” Discord called from the upper deck. “THE CAPTAIN'S COMING! EVERYONE MUST BE PRESENT BEFORE THE CAPTAIN!”
“That's our cue,” Scootaloo said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Trixie climbed to the main deck and looked at the far end of the dock with Discord. There was a long, silent moment before everyone began looking at Discord.
“Discord, where's the captain,” Apple Bloom asked.
“Oh, great,” Discord complained. “You made me lose count of the boards on the dock. Now, I gotta start all over again.”
“DISCORD, WHERE'S THE CAPTIAN,” everyone shouted.
“Behind you,” a voice said.
The crew turned around and saw a dark yellow pegasus with a dark-brown mane. She wore an adventurer's jacket and a fedora. Her red eyes glared at the crew.
“No way,” Scootaloo gasped.
“What,” Apple Bloom asked. “Do you know her?”
“You don't,” Scootaloo asked. “That's Daring Do, the most courageous and adventurous pegasus in Equestria. She once worked with Rainbow Dash.”
“Really,” Sweetie Belle said. “Well, this should be an interesting trip.”
“Welcome aboard, Daring Do,” Discord greeted. He extended his eagle claw waiting to shake her hoof.
Daring Do reached out her hoof and grabbed ahold of Discord's claw. Suddenly, she felt an electric jolt coarse through her arm.
“OW,” Daring Do shouted. She looked and saw a joy buzzer in Discord's hoof.
“Oh, that gag never gets old,” Discord chuckled.
“You must be Discord,” Daring Do snared. “Now then, which ones are Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.”
“We're right here,” Sweetie Belle shouted.
“Good,” Daring Do said. “Now then, the four of you, to my cabin.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Discord followed Daring Do to her cabin.
“I still can't believe we're sailing with Daring Do,” Scootaloo cheered in glee.
“I'm... guessing you know Rainbow Dash,” Daring Do said.
“Oh, yeah,” Scootaloo said. “She decided to take me under her wing after a camping trip.”
“Already too much information,” Daring Do said. “Anyway, I don't usually travel in a group, but when Discord told me that you three have the map to Tirek's Treasure, I decided to make an exception. Now, which one of you has the piece with the X.”
“Right here,” Apple Bloom said holding up her piece of the torn map.
Daring Do took the map piece and put it in a vase.
“In case some pony does find out about the treasure, we can't afford to let them have the most important piece,” Daring Do said. “So for now, we've got to keep the map shred in my care. We can't afford to have anyone getting greedy. Yeah, I'm looking at you, Discord.”
“What,” Discord asked. “Moi?” He materialized a fake ruby in his paw. “It's just the Red Channel I want, Daring. The rest of the treasure is for you to decide.”
“Still, I'm having doubts about the crew you hired,” Daring Do said. “Azuizotle has a friendlier band.”
“Yeah, it might have been better if I did a background check on these guys,” Discord said. “But don't worry, if they want the map, they'll have to go through me. They can't beat me and they can't outsmart me. This head's like a rock.”
“I believe you,” Daring Do insulted. “Now, let's set sail and head for Scorpan Island.”
At that moment, the crew lifted the gangplank and dropped the main sails. The ship sailed out of the docks and Discord began to cheer. Everyone heard the music in the air.
“What's that sound,” Daring Do asked.
“I think Discord's about to start a song,” Scootaloo said.
“Oh, horseapples,” Sweetie Belle sighed.

“The seven seas are calling to us,” Discord sang,
“And answer it, we will
We don't know the dangers that lie ahead
But we know it'll be a thrill
When the sails drop and the wind blows fast
And the neutical obstacles are coming clear
We know only one thing that's a complete fact
Adventure's near”
“Adventure's near,” the crew sang,
“Adventure's near
Come a little closer because adventure's near
The wind in your face
Is coming to place
We'll get past everything we fear
Adventure's near”

Discord gestured his arms toward the Crusaders and Daring Do. The music was still playing.
“What,” Daring Do gasped. “No. No, no, no. I'm not singing.”
“Come on,” Discord said. “What have you got to lose?”
“My dignity,” Daring Do replied.
“Come on, please,” Discord asked. “For the kids.”
“Fine,” Daring Do sighed in annoyance.

“I don't know why I'm doing this
You've obviously lost your mind
I'm surprised that you're faithful
Honest and kind
I can't wait for this to be over
And I can get out of here
But for now, I've got to say
Adventure's near”
“Adventure's near,” the CMC sang,
“Adventure's near
Come a little closer because adventure's near
The wind in your face
Is coming to place
We'll get past everything we fear
Adventure's near”

Meanwhile, the Diamond Dogs and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon—unaware of each other—sang along.

“The treasure map is within reach
Just waiting to be grabbed ahold
Then, we follow to the red X
To the silver and the gold
We let them do the dirty work
We let them steer
I can practically see the treasure
Adventure's near”
“ADVENTURE'S NEAR,” everyone sang,
“ADVENTURE'S NEAR
COME A LITTLE CLOSER BECAUSE ADVENTURE'S NEAR
THE WIND IN YOUR FACE
IS COMING TO PLACE
WE'LL GET PAST EVERYTHING WE FEEEEAAAAR”
“ADVENTURE'S...” Discord sang.
“ADVENTURE'S...” the crew sang.
“ADVENTURE'S...” the CMC sang.
“ADVENTURE'S...” the Diamond Dogs sang.
“ADVENTURE'S...” Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sang.
“ADVENTUUUUUUUUUUURE'S,” everyone sang,
“NEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR”