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

  In the jungle, the boat-wreck tossed Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Daring Do into a bunch of vines. They tried to move, but they were more tangled.
“Well,” Scootaloo said, “That could've been worse.”
“Could've been worse,” Daring Do repeated in confustion. “We haven't been on this island for two minutes, and already, we lost our financeer, our crew, our ship...”
“Our dignity,” Sweetie Belle added.
“And now, we have 2/3 of the map,” Daring Do groaned. “The whole plan backfired.”
“Hey,” Sweetie Belle said looking around. “Where's Apple Bloom?”
“Last time I saw her,” Scootaloo said, “She was going like this: 'AAAAAAHHHHH'!”
“Hold on,” Daring Do said pulling out her sword. She used it to cut the vines and let herself go. She did the same to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. “Now, on to other matters: Scoolatloo, what did you mean when you said you can't fly? You're a pegasus.”
“What are you asking me for,” Scootaloo asked. “I don't know. The highest I did fly was a few feet from the ground... on my scooter... up a ramp. I can barely fly, just like Sweetie Belle can barely do magic and Apple Bloom is barely strong.”
“We can deal with all that later,” Daring Do said. “For now, we've got to find your friend and find a place to hide. No doubt the pirates will come looking for us.”

“Hello,” Apple Bloom cried. She was a half-mile from the others, but also tangled in vines. “Any pony there? I could use some help!”
Suddenly, she heard something move in the bushes behind her. Apple Bloom looked, but only saw shadows and darkness behind the shrubs.
“This isn't funny,” Apple Bloom said. “No pony had better scare me.”
Suddenly, Apple Bloom looked and saw a large creature with wings towering over her. Apple Bloom put on a scared face.

“Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle shouted. “Apple Bloom! Where are you?! 
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Daring Do were searching behind every tree and bush for their lost friend.
“I can't find her anywhere,” Scootaloo said.
“I really do doubt that saying you can't find her will help us search for her faster,” Daring Do said.
“I'm just stating a fact,” Scootaloo said.
As the group continued searching, they stopped when they heard slight snickering.
“This isn't funny,” Daring Do said. “Stop laughing.”
“Stop,” Scootaloo asked. “We haven't even started.”
“Then where did that noise...” Daring Do asked.
Suddenly, a whole swarm of little, filthy creatures appeared from above. They threw lassos at the ponies so fast, Daring Do didn't see them coming until she was already hogtied. The other two were tied up also.
“This is either really good or really bad,” Sweetie Belle said.

An hour later, the little creatures carried the ponies that were all tied to sticks the creatures carried upside down.
“What are these things,” Scootaloo asked.
“I've read about them,” Daring Do said. “They're trolls.”
“I thought trolls were kind, gentle creatures that help princesses and get couples together,” Sweetie Belle said.
“You watch too many movies,” Daring Do said rolling her eyes.
Suddenly, they were carried to an entire village of trolls. They saw cottages and dancing trolls and weapons sharpened. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were frightened at the sight of the environment, but Daring Do kept a brave face. Suddenly, a large figure landed from the sky. It emerged and revealed itself with a mane, claws, large wings, and an enormous body.
“A gargoyle,” Daring Do whispered to herself.
“I don't understand,” Sweetie Belle said. “Who are you?”
“I am Bengunn, son of Scorpan,” the gargoyle said.
“Scorpan's son,” Daring Do asked. “But that means you know where...”
“Don't interuppt me,” Bengunn said. “You're very clever to find my father's island. Unfortunately, you won't live to find the treasure.”
Suddenly, Apple Bloom appeared out of the crowd.
“STOP,” she shouted.
“Apple Bloom,” Daring Do, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo asked in unison.
“Don't hurt them, Mr. Bengunn,” Apple Bloom said. “They're my friends.”
“Oh,” Bengunn said. “if that's the case, I apologize for the discomfort the trolls gave you three. I just hate it when this happens. Release them.”
The trolls untied the ropes and Daring Do, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo was free. The Cutie Mark Crusaders hugged each other.
“Would some pony mind telling me what just happened,” Daring Do asked.
“Bengunn found me in the jungle,” Apple Bloom said. “I thought he was going to eat me, but he told me he was a vegetarian. He told me he was Scorpan's son and he took the responsibility of guarding the treasure.”
“If that's so,” Scootaloo said. “Then maybe we don't need the map. You can take us to the treasure.”
“Oh, right,” Apple Bloom said. “I didn't think of that. Come on, Bengunn. Take us to the treasure.”
“Yeah... about that,” Bengunn said nervously. “You're gonna laugh when you hear this. See... I forgot where it is.”
“You what,” Daring Do asked.
“When I was a kid, my dad told me to protect Uncle Tirek's treasure,” Bengunn explained. “But since centuries passed and no pony came to take the treasure, I kinda blocked the location out.”
“You couldn't tell the location to the trolls,” Sweetie Belle asked. “I mean, they do seem loyal to you.”
“Seriously,” Bengunn asked. “You want me to give highly sensitive information to these guys? Look at them.”
Everyone saw a pair of trolls that keep bumping into each other over and over.
“Yeah,” Bengunn said. “They may have the warrior spirit of a Canterlot guard, but their brains combined is like that of a Changeling.”
“But I read that trolls have average intelligence,” Daring Do said.
“Their intelligence comes from their magic,” Bengunn explained, “And when they lost all that in the Leech River, they weren't the same.”
“The leech what,” Scootaloo asked.
“Follow me,” Bengunn said.

A few minutes later, Bengunn showed the CMC and Daring Do a stream with a blue glow. The water was illuminating a mysterious shine.
“What is this,” Sweetie Belle said reaching her face closer.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Bengunn said pushing Sweetie Belle away. “The Leech River is the last thing a unicorn wants to touch. One splash, and your magic will be absorbed into the water.”
“Whoa,” Sweetie Belle exclaimed backing away.
“What happens to the magic after its drained,” Apple Bloom asked.
“I don't know,” Bengunn said. “I never figured that out. But the point is, if you fall in, you'll be powerless before you say 'cannonball'. And back to my original point; I don't know where my Uncle Tirek's treasure is hidden. It's been so long.”
“Well, wherever it is, we've got to keep low,” Daring Do said. “There are pirates after us because we have 2/3 of the map. So if there's anything you can do for us.”
“Right now, the best I can do is give you a place to stay,” Bengunn said.
“Thank you,” Sweetie Belle said. “That's very helpful.”
“Anyway,” Bengunn said clearing his throat. “Welcome to Scorpan Island.”