//------------------------------// // The Tale of Black Mane the Pirate // Story: Cutie Mark Crusaders: Treasure Hunters // by iloveyouderpy //------------------------------// It was just another Friday morning for the fillies and colts in the Schoolhouse. Everypony sat close to their best friends and just talked, waiting for the teacher to enter through that front door and begin class. Most of the foals were discussing about what they were going to do over the weekend. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sat close to each other at the front row of desks. Applebloom was hit in the back of the head by a paper airplane. She turned around to see Diamond Tiara looking at her with a sinister look on her face. Applebloom felt angry and annoyed at Diamond Tiara, but she wasn't worth fighting with, so she just turned back around and continued chatting to her friends. The front door opened and Ms. Cheerilee walked in. "Alright my little ponies, quiet down please." she said in a gentle voice as she closed the door behind her. The classroom silenced and everypony's attention was now on Ms. Cheerilee. "Thank you. Today we are going to talk about the history of Ponyville." The class grunted in annoyance, for history was their least favorite subject. "History of Ponyville?" Scootaloo complained. "Nothing exciting ever happens here in Ponyville and Granny Smith already told us how Ponyville was founded." "Ah, but that's where you're wrong Scootaloo." the teacher said. She made her way to the back of her desk to get a better view of her young pupils. "Yes, Ponyville was discovered by settlers many decades ago but they weren't the first to be on this land." Cheerilee gave a slight dramatic pause to let the young ponies think to themselves. "Many battles during the Great Pony War have taken place right here at, what is now, Ponyville. Indian tribes had lived in these parts hundreds of years ago, but due to a strong blizzard, the Indian tribes had to travel south so they wouldn't freeze and starve to death." All the fillies and colts looked much more interested now, so Cheerilee decided she would draw them in even further. "And not to mention the pirates." "Pirates?!" most of the class spoke up. For a moment everypony began whispering to the pony sitting next to them, but it soon ended once their teacher began to speak again. "That's right, over three hundred years ago hundreds of pirate gangs sailed the oceans surrounding Equestria, robbing and sinking any ship they came across. But the most well known pirate at the time was Captain Black Mane. Has anypony here ever heard the story of Black Mane?" There was a long pause. The foals all shook their heads side to side. "Well, she was-" "Wait a minute." Sweetie Belle interrupted. Cheerilee and the rest of the class all looked at her. "Are you telling me there were mare pirates?" "Why of course Sweetie Belle." Ms. Cheerilee answered. "There were pirates of all genders and races throughout Equestria. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, Black Mane was the first ever mare to be captain of a pirate ship." The class all looked very interested at this moment. Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who usually never paid attention during class, were fascinated by this talk of pirates in Equestria. "Over three hundred years ago the oceans were ruled by many ruthless and savage pirates. But even the most brave of pirates feared the legendary Black Mane and her crew. They say she wore a green coat made from the skin of the Krakan and a hat made from fresh plucked phoenix feathers. She sailed on a battered up ship with pitch black sails, robbing riches from passing ships. She was also known for even attacking other pirate ships, emptying their boats of all treasure and food, and then leaving the ship behind in flames." The class was the edge of their seats. Their mouths wide open in amazement and fascination. "After years of robbing and pillaging Black Mane's bounty became so high that nearly every sailor in Equestria began setting out to find and bring Captain Black Mane into custody. With knowledge of this threat, Black Mane took a different route though a large river that ran through the Everfree Forest. Even at that time the Everfree Forest was feared and forbidden place. But Black Mane and her crew feared nothing and knew that this was safest route.She dropped anchor, gathered up all her treasures into one large chest, and carried it all around the forest, in search of a place to bury her valuables. Soon she came across a gigantic field and then buried the chest in a spot only she knew. About a month later Canterlot forces traveled down the river into the Everfree forest and captured Black Mane. She was brought back to Canterlot and was trialed by Princess Celestia herself. Black Mane hardly defended herself and honestly admitted to the crimes she had committed. She was given life in prison and died years later in her cell. Legend say that her treasure is still buried somewhere in Ponyville." "Wow." the whole class said in a chorus. The bell then rung and Ms. Cheerilee took all the foals outside to the playground. A group of colts were playing pirates over by the slide and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were by the swings talking badly about everypony in the class. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stayed close to the entrance of the school and just talked. "That was amazing!" Scootaloo spoke in excitement. "Pirates. Here. In Ponyville." "I can't believe one pony could force an entire country go out and hunt her down." Sweetie Belle said. "That would be the life." Scootaloo said as she began go deep into her imagination. "The life of a pirate. Sailing the world, finding adventure around every corner, an entire crew to do you bidding, and also the treasure." "Oh my gosh, that's it!" Applebloom shouted out. "What's it?" The white unicorn asked. "We all should go and look for that treasure." The yellow earth pony suggested to her friends. "That's an awesome idea Applebloom." Scootaloo said looking more excited than ever before. "Imagine, the adventure." "The riches." Sweetie Belle added. "And maybe we'll even our cutie marks." Applebloom also added. "Yeah!" The crusaders shouted together. "We'll be Cutie Mark Crusaders Treasure Hunters." Applebloom said. The Cutie Mark Crusaders did their group jump and high hoof. The school bell rang again. "Alright my little ponies," Ms. Cheerilee said making her way for the door. "playtime is over." The crusaders were the first in the building, even before Cheerilee. After a few hours class ended and all the foals and Ms. Cheerilee cleared out of the building. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stayed on the property to discuss their plans. "Alright Crusaders," Applebloom spoke. "we're 'bout to perform, probably, the most difficult attempt to get our cutie marks ever. So I want us all to be prepared. Scootaloo we're gonna need a map of Ponyville." "What happened to that map I made for us last year?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah, I might have accidentally threw that away." Applebloom said. "What?" Scootaloo exclaimed in rage. "But it's okay, because you're gonna draw another one." There was a long pause. Scootaloo gave Applebloom an angry look and then the silence broke. "Fine." Scootaloo said sounding annoyed. "Great." Applebloom said with a smile. "Sweetie Belle you're gonna need to bring out Cutie Mark Crusaders capes. And I'll supply us with shovels. We'll meet at the club house tomorrow morning." The group said their goodbyes and then headed home. Well, except Scootaloo who went into town to begin creating the second map of Ponyville.