Apple Bloom and Pip walked through the jungle terrain that same morning.
"Pip, are you sure you're reading the map right?"
"I am and I'm following my dad's old compass to make sure we're going the right way."
"Alright…" they kept going until they stopped at a waterfall and took a drink from the stream.
Pip looked at the map again and chuckled, "I still can't believe you bested Flim and Flam like that…"
"They had it coming to them since they were letting you fend for yourself out here."
He looked back at the map and scowled, "This doesn't make sense."
"What?"
"There's no waterfall on the map!"
"Let me see." she took it and saw that he was right, "Did we go the wrong way?"
"I don't see how. I followed the directions and they led us here. We should be close to the treasure by now."
She scanned the map and noticed how old it looked. A lot could happen in a long time… "I wonder…" she went closer to the waterfall and looked behind it to find an opening! "Pip! Look at this!"
He rushed over and smiled, "Great job, Bloom!" She went ahead into the opening. "Careful, watch your head and don't slip on the rocks."
"Gosh, Pip, I never took you as the overprotective type."
"It's about time I should be. I was assigned to watch over you and your sisters, but instead, I go on a crazy treasure hunt."
"It's crazy when you go find it yourself, but when you have someone with you, then it's an adventure worth having."
"I'm glad you're here, Apple Bloom…"
"Well, I'm just glad I found you before it was too late."
"And again, I'm sorry for not telling you…"
"Forget it. It's been done, so now we can focus on finding this treasure."
"You said it." he beamed as he took the lead and they started walking in a cave.
There was very little light in the cave and water was dripping from the stalactites, causing sound to bounce around.
"What do you think this treasure is going to look like?" AB questioned.
"Don't know, gold coins, diamonds, rubies…? Any other gem that's valuable."
"Think there'll be much of it?"
"It could be just a treasure in a chest."
"I guess we'll find out." they kept going until they reached the end of the tunnel and saw a bright light ahead.
They got out and gasped what was in front of them. Their mouths were wide open.
"It's… It's…" Apple Bloom tried to say.
"It's a building made of gold!" Pip said for her.
They stared in awe at the large temple made of gold, surrounded by jungle that kept it well-hidden.
After they were done gawking, they slowly went towards it. When reaching the double golden doors, there were strange markings on it and words were written in.
Apple Bloom read them out loud, "Beware, take what you need but not out of greed… Take a peek of what treasure you seek… For those who stay cannot get away…"
"Whoa…" Pip shivered.
"I know. I had a creepy feeling, too…"
The doors suddenly flew wide open, allowing them to enter in.
The couple gulped as they saw the dark hallway before them.
"Um, ladies first?" gestured Pip, giving off a cheesy grin.
She rolled her eyes and gradually walked in with him right behind her. Once they were in all the way, the doors closed behind them, causing them to both jump. Torches in the hallway lit them themselves up. The couple went down the hallway, bracing themselves for what they were about to find. When they reached the end, they saw in wonder of a large room full of gold.
"Oh…" AB started.
"My…" Pip gaped, "Look at this! Just a handful of stuff could make us richer than all the kings and queens in Equestria!"
"Maybe, but don't forget the warning… Take what you need, but not out of greed; take a peek of what treasure you seek; for those who stay cannot get away."
"What do you think it meant by that last line?"
"I don't know, but I don't plan on sticking around to find out."
"You got that right."
"So think, what do we need the treasure for so it won't be out of greed?"
"Hm… my aunt and the inn! Your parents will give me some bits that I would earn once we get back to Canterlot, but it won't last long and my aunt will be in debt again."
"And since I already have what I need, I don't need the treasure, but I will help you get some for you because you need it more."
"Let's try it…" he starting reaching for the pile of gold next to him and had thoughts focused on how the inn was trouble and needed the coins for just that. He lifted a coin up and waited to see what would happen. When nothing did happen, he gave a sigh of relief.
Then it was Apple Bloom's turn as she picked a coin up after she thought she was helping Pip out of his troubles. She also sighed in relief as nothing happened. They gave each other a nod and took as much as they could carry in saddle bags.
"I think we have more than enough." said Pip, "Let's get out of here."
They were about to when a voice said.
"Not so fast!"
They gasped and Pip gasped, "Flim and Flam?! How did you get here?!"
"Yeah! I took the map!"
"Ah, but we followed you as soon as you left our shop the other day." said Flim.
"So you sat idly by while I helped Pip get free from those hamster capturers?!" AB fumed.
"Well, what else could we do?" Flam used an innocent tone, "And it seemed you had the situation well at hoof…" he and his brother slyly grinned.
Apple Bloom and Pip blushed furiously blushed.
"Now back to the business at hoof… Since we have a deal…"
"I thought that was dropped when Apple Bloom…"
"We had a deal with the princess telling her where you were at. Our original agreement still stands." pointed Flim.
"And as long as we're here, we'll take our half of the treasure." Flam starts reaching out.
"Flam, no!" Pip shouted, "The warning! You can't take out of greed!"
The brothers laughed in amusement.
"Oh, come now, that was just a bluff to ward away any pony from touching the treasure!"
"You don't know that for sure!" Apple Bloom protested, "Why take that chance?!"
They laugh again and the both of them started reaching for golden bars. The couple held in their breaths, awaiting the pending disaster. When nothing happened, Flim smirked.
"See? What did we tell you?"
Suddenly, there was a huge boom that shook the whole temple and the floor started cracking, showing molten gold underneath.
"I dare say, brother, this is a major setback." said Flim.
"Indeed, brother. Let's hightail out of here!" Flam responded before they ran.
"Cowards!" AB shouted back, and suddenly, the floor under her gave away and she screamed as she was falling, but was caught by Pip's hooves.
He grunted, "I gotcha!" but he struggled to pull her up.
"What's wrong?!"
He sweated, "I… can't… lift you up…" She noticed her bags of gold, "You have to drop the gold!"
Her eyes widened, "But, Pip, what about-"
"I don't care! Just drop it!"
She let go of her bags and they dropped into the melted gold. With a single pull, he lifted her up and they ran out of the temple just in time to see it sinking into the ground.
They panted and trembled to the grass in relief.
"Pip… I can't believe… just why? Why did you give it up?"
"Because…" he faced her with the eyes that she loved so much. "You're my treasure…"
She gasped and her eyes welled with tears, "I… I am?"
He nodded, "I love you, Apple Bloom, and any pony would be a foal if they gave up a treasure that's right before their eyes…"
"Oh, Pip…" she embraced him and he returned it, "I love you, too…"
"I figured you did, since you did come after me and saved my life."
"Now you saved mine… I guess that makes us even."
"It sure does…" he moved her chin and they kissed.
"Hey, what happened to Flim and Flam?"
"About halfway back to Marendelle, I bet."
"I can't believe they would have left us like that! If I ever get my hooves on them…"
"Honestly, I'm done with having to deal with them. I never want to see them again. Let's just go back and pretend none of this ever happened."
"Does that mean we have to forget what we have gained on this journey?"
"No! No… That, I would like to keep…" he kissed her hoof.
She smirked before moving him into another kiss on the lips…
It was nightfall when they had gotten back to the castle and headed upstairs to Apple Bloom's room. It was dark and when she turned on the light, her two sisters were on the bed scowling at her.
"Oh!" she nervously chuckled, "Hi, gals…"
"'Hi'? 'Hi'?!" Scootaloo rebuked, "Is that all you can say? 'Hi'?!"
"Where were you?!" Sweetie demanded, "Do you realize how worried we were to find your bed empty?!"
AB sighed, "I know… I'm sorry… but I was so worried about Pip that I just had to go find him…"
Pip stepped in, "It's all my fault. I went on this crazy, dangerous quest, and if Apple Bloom hadn't come after me… I don't know what would have happened…"
"Just what was this quest?" Scootaloo questioned.
"Well…" Pip started and told the whole story. When he had finished, the sisters stood silent and gave no emotion. "So, please accept my apologies for not doing my duty and that I beg you to not tell your parents… Even though I deserve what's coming to me…"
"Pfft!" gestured Scoots, "Like we could care about that! We don't need watching over like every second!"
"Right," agreed Sweetie, "Our parents were overacting because of a thing that happened to our sisters six years ago, but there's nothing to fear now. So, it's alright, we won't say a word…" she winked.
He bowed his head and smiled, "Princesses, you are the best."
"Alright, enough of this sappy stuff and don't call us princesses!" Scootaloo made it across the room and hugged Apple Bloom; Sweetie did the same. "I'm just glad you're safe…"
"I'm glad, too… thanks to Pip…"
"You give me too much credit. You were just as capable at handling things yourself."
Scootaloo pointed out, "Just next time… Tell us…"
"So we don't have to worry all the time." Sweetie said.
"You're right. Never again will we hide anything from each other."
The sisters looked at her uneasily.
"Right…" Scoots's brow was slightly sweating.
"Never again…" Sweetie forced a smile.
The trio hugged for a while before Apple Bloom said, "Well…" she yawned, "It's been a long day and I need to rest."
"Me, too." Pip nodded, "Good night, ladies." He stole a glance to AB before leaving.
"Good night." the girls said.
"See you guys in the morning." Sweetie took her leave.
"Night, Sweetie Belle. See ya, AB." Scoots waved.
"I'll see you at breakfast, I promise." Apple Bloom crawled in bed.
Scoots nodded before shutting the door behind her and making it down the hallway.
"Everything okay?" Rumble asked when meeting her halfway before they went towards his bedroom door, "I know you were worried about Apple Bloom… but when I saw that she and Pip were back, I hope everything went over all right."
"Yes, it did. AB's back safe and sound. It seems she and Pip had a rough time, but they made it through okay."
"So, now everyone we know is fine and unharmed, does this mean we can…"
She smirked and wrapped her hoof around his neck, "I say that now is perfect time for anything…"
He smirked back and lifted her off her hooves, "Then we can redo what we did on our wedding night, only this time…"
"You got it…" she smiled as he carried her in and shut the door with his hoof.