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

  A few days later, down the deck, the Cutie Mark Crusaders walked down the stairs and saw Trixie over the stove. She was reading a cookbook and dropped ingredients in the pot. Soon, she noticed the Crusaders over the counter.
“What do you want,” Trixie asked rudely.
“I thought chefs were nice to their customers,” Apple Bloom said.
“It's my day of from niceness,” Trixie said. “Besides, didn't the three of you play a part in embarrassing me the last time I came to Ponyville?”
“Hey, if it wasn't for us, you'd be ruling Equestria with an iron hoof,” Scootaloo said. “And we're not the Cutie Mark Do-Nothings; we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”
“Oh, really,” Trixie asked. “How's your crusade working out for you, munchkins?”
“What's your problem, Trixie,” Sweetie Belle asked. “What have you got against the world?”
“Oh, no,” Trixie snapped. “I'm not the one with the problem! It's the world who seems to have a problem with me. I loved doing magic as a filly. In fact, when I performed magic tricks at my 10th birthday party, that's when I earned my Cutie Mark. As I grew, so did my ego. One thing led to another, and I found myself in Ponyville nearly being an Ursa-Minor's midnight snack. When Twilight beat it before me, I was humiliated and I was forced to work at a rock farm. I thought I could use a magic boost, but the whole plan backfired. I apologized, but the magic business was still empty. So, I accepted many jobs until I became the chef for someone who can create his own food.”
“You mean Discord,” Scootaloo asked.
“No,” Sweetie Belle answered sarcastically, “Prince Blueblood.”
“It's just... whatever I do, everyone else resents me,” Trixie said. “And it all started with my first visit in Ponyville. Perhaps it would have been better if I left it alone.” She put her utensils down slowly and brooded.
The Crusaders went around the counter and approached Trixie.
“Don't you think that maybe it wouldn't have been better,” Apple Bloom asked. “When was the last time you boasted about yourself? And don't you suppose that if it wasn't for your visit, Twilight wouldn't have learned a lesson of friendship and take a step closer to becoming a princess?”
“Yeah, I heard about how Twilight having her own title,” Trixie said.
“So, in a way, you helped Twilight become a princess,” Sweetie Belle said.
“You really think so,” Trixie asked. “I suppose that's a technicality, but it's good enough. Thanks, you little munchkins. I'll be in the storage room. I got a gift.” Trixie walked to the back.
“I still can't believe that's the same Trixie,” Scootaloo said. “It's too bad there's no Cutie Mark for sympathy.”
“Yeah, that's true,” Apple Bloom said.
“Hello, Cutie Mark Lamers,” a voice said. They looked at the corner and saw their rival grinning at them.
“Diamond Tiara,” Sweetie Belle recognized. “What are you doing here?”
“Take a wild guess,” Diamond Tiara said.
“You're here for the treasure,” Scootaloo asked.
“Well, I'm not here to play shuffleboard,” Diamond Tiara answered. “SILVER SPOON, NOW!”
Suddenly, Diamond Tiara's accomplice brushed past the Crusaders and took their map pieces. When she was done, she was standing beside Diamond Tiara.
“Here they are,” Silver Spoon said. “We got all the map!”
“Silver Spoon, one of those pieces is a piece of their capes,” Diamond Tiara said pointing at the red fabric in Spoon's hoof. “All right, blank-flanks, where's the piece?”
“I think peace can be achieved by ending all war,” Scootaloo joked. “I didn't take you for a hippie pony, Diamond.”
“You won't reveal,” Diamond Tiara asked. “Fine. I didn't want to use hooficuffs, but you left me no choice.”
The Crusaders were scared. They were trapped in a corner and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon was getting closer. They didn't see a way out.
Suddenly, Trixie walked out of the back door with a cake in the air. She wasn't aware of the pair of bullies.
“Now, I saved this cake for me,” Trixie said, “But I think it might make me a better pony to share.” Suddenly, she saw the bullies. “Well, who are you?”
“TRIXIE, THAT'S DIAMOND TIARA,” Scootaloo said. “THEY TRIED TO BEAT US UP!”
“Is this true,” Trixie asked.
“Uh, no,” Diamond Tiara lied.
“Then why do you have a shred of their cape in your hoof,” Trixie asked.
Diamond Tiara looked and saw that Trixie didn't see the map pieced under the red fabric.
“Well, there's an explanation,” Diamond Tiara said. “You see, there's a treasure map and...”
“I've heard enough stories,” Trixie said. Suddenly, she pulled a rope and a loud whistle screamed into the air.
Then, Daring Do and Discord appeared and captured the bullies. As soon as they saw the map pieces they had, they swiped them back and hid them in their pockets.
“Take these stowaways to the brig for the remainder of the voyage,” Daring Do ordered.
“I'm down with that, homie,” Discord replied. He snapped his paw and the two bullies disappeared.
“Well, Crusaders, it looks like we owe you a debt,” Daring Do said. “Who knows the trouble those two could have done?”
“Thanks, captain, but we don't deserve it,” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah,” Scootaloo said. “If any pony deserved the full credit, it's Trixie?”
Trixie was surprised by what she heard.
“The cook,” Discord asked.
“Yeah,” Sweetie Belle said. “If it wasn't for her, we'd be in serious trouble.”
“Is that right,” Daring Do said. “Well, Ms. Trixie, you've earned my trust.”
“You should come by the show tonight,” Discord said. “I've chosen a pony who's an excellent singer.”
“You mean it,” Trixie asked out of breath.
“I swear on my mother's cotton candy,” Discord vowed. “Chaos Scout's honor.”
“Thank you, captain,” Trixie burst in excitement. “Thank you, Discord. And thank you, Cutie Mark Crusaders. Nothing can possibly go wrong now?”
She had no idea how wrong she'd be until the bond between her and the Crusaders would be broken.