The blazing heat from the afternoon sun radiated out amidst Sweet Apple Acres, saturating the air like a warm blanket. On the Apple family farm, Applejack and Big Macintosh were outside of the homestead digging a long, deep trench in the dirt.

"I tell ya what," said Applejack, wiping her brow from all of the physically exhausting labor of digging, "this might just be one of the best ideas you've ever had Big Mac. I always thought this patch of dirt needed a little somethin' to spruce it up a little, and a pond is perfect."

Big Mac nodded in agreement, and then continued to dig out more dirt. They continued digging for several more minutes until suddenly, a  metallic sound came out of nowhere as Applejack thrust her shovel into the dirt for the thousandth time.

"Another rock," she grumbled. "This one looks like it's the biggest so far."

Big Mac came over to help as Applejack tested the dirt around it to find the edge so she could pry it loose from the ground. Once she found it, they attempted to pry it loose, to no avail.

"It's not budgin'!" Applejack exclaimed, exhaustively.

After much more labor, it quickly became apparent that what they were unearthing was not a rock at all. Rectangular in shape, made from old wooden boards and rusty metal hinges, Applejack curiously observed the object as they finished removing the dirt from around it.

"Huh," she pondered quizzically, "it's almost as if it's some sort of--"

Apple Bloom appeared from behind them, atop the edge of the trench. "A treasure chest? Is that a treasure chest?"

For a brief moment of excitement, she wasn't sure if she wanted to jump down the several feet drop in front of her or go the long way around to safely get down. But she decided to hurriedly trot around the other side of the trench instead.

"I dunno," said Applejack. "But it sure looks like one."

"Well what are we waitin' for?" Apple Bloom replied expressively.

"Now wait just a minute," said Applejack, "we don't know what could be in there. It could be, um...something that's not ours, or somethin' bad!"

Apple Bloom groaned.

Big Macintosh looked somewhat uneasy. "You don't think..." His voice trailed off.

Applejack seemed confused for a moment, until she realized what she thought he was implying. "Nopony got buried here, Big Mac. Besides, this is fertile lands. Ya don't bury somepony where rain tends to gather."

Somewhat reassured, he came to the wooden box and dusted off the top. Two rusted metal hinges kept the top closed, but nothing in particular was holding them down.

"Come on, AJ," Apple Bloom begged, "can't we just see what's inside?"

"Oh, alright," Applejack agreed, and opened each of the latches keeping the top of the chest closed. With a loud, obnoxious creak, she opened the chest with both hooves. All three of them looked down into the chest with wide, curious eyes. Inside was simply a piece of cracked and crumpled parchment. The edges were torn in several places and the writings were nearly white-washed, but the general geography of Equestria could be made out.

"A treasure map!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

Applejack thought for a moment to first be rational and assess the other possibilities, but the excitement of the situation was too much for her to handle. "I can't believe we found a treasure map!" She carefully lifted the parchment from the bottom of the chest, and bits of dirt and dust rolled off of it. She blew some air over it to get a better look.

An inscription on the bottom right corner of the map caught her eye and she read it aloud. "Ye who possess this here map: follow the path marked wisely, and beware all obstacles. At yonder place where the X appears is where the treasure of Scraggle Beard the pirate be hidden."

"Scraggle Beard?" said Apple Bloom.

"I suppose ponies names were more descriptive back then," replied Applejack. Her mind raced at what needed to be done next. They couldn't just get up and leave. Who would take care of the farm? The map said there would be dangers, and she wouldn't willingly let her little sister embark on such a venture. There were just so many things that needed to be figured out or planned before she would feel even remotely comfortable going through with something as intensive as a real-life treasure hunt.

The answer was simple, Applejack realized. "We need to talk to Twilight."

"A TREASURE MAP?" Twilight exclaimed giddily. "Oh, I've always dreamed of going on a treasure hunt but I never thought I'd actually get to."

"So," said Applejack, "you think we oughtta plan everything out beforehand?"

"In most circumstances, yes, but there's only so much you can do to plan for a treasure hunt." She said the words as if she'd just eaten a deliciously moist slice of cake. "I've read countless fiction novels about them. Trust me, you can't prepare for everything."

"Well, I suppose that's true."

"I'll gather everypony right now," said Twilight as she rushed out the door of the castle and into Ponyville, leaving Applejack alone in her foyer.

The sound of hoof on crystal echoed from down the hall, and Starlight Glimmer came into the room.

"Uh, howdy," said Applejack.

"Hi," replied Starlight. "Did I hear something about a treasure map?"

"Yep," Applejack replied as she pulled out the map from a saddlebag to show her.

"Huh, it looks really old. Nothing like the old spells written on dusty parchment that Twilight has laying around."

"I didn't think it was that old." The excitement picked up in her voice. "Gosh, this really is somethin' special aint it? What do you think it leads to? Gold? Diamonds?" Applejack caught herself from becoming too excited. "I mean, I'm just a simple country gal, but I'd be lyin' if I said the thought of findin' buried treasure didn't excite me a little."

"It really is something special," replied Starlight. "Can I see it?"

Applejack gave her the map.

"Hmm, it's kind of difficult to make out, but it looks like the X is somewhere in the Southern Celestial Sea. Farther than I've ever traveled, that's for sure. Most maps of Equestria don't show the outer fringes like this one does."

In the lull of conversation, the sounds of claws on crystalline echoed from the other direction.

"Hello Applejack, Starlight," said Spike. He was reading a comic book and continued reading it with the pages obscuring his view until he'd reached them and his eyes widened. "Is that a treasure map?"

"Sure is," Applejack reiterated. "We found it while digging a trench out by the farm, and now we're just waiting for Twilight to gather everypony so we can figure out what to do."

"Wow, a real treasure map? That's awesome! Where's it lead?"

"Somewhere far," she replied, and then felt an odd sensation to the left behind her.

Pinkie Pie loomed over Applejack's flank as she observed the piece of parchment. "Ooh, is that a treasure map?"

"...Yes. Where in the hay did you come from?"

Pinkie motioned towards the door, which consequently opened to reveal Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity.

"There you are, Pinkie" said Twilight. "I was wondering where you were. So, no doubt everypony is up to speed, yes?"

"Yep," said Rainbow Dash, "I'm ready. Let's go!"

"Um, can we get a good night's rest first? I need to make sure all my pets are ready to be on their own for awhile," said Fluttershy.

"And I need to gather some travel apparel," added Rarity. "Something that says: adventure."

"Okay, hold your hooves," Twilight addressed everyone. "We'll get situated this afternoon, and we'll leave tomorrow at dawn. Does that sound good to everypony?"

A sea of nods and agreement were given to her.

"I'll get some ropes and adventuring stuff," said Dash. "I've got some novel-accurate Daring Do props that we can use."

Twilight rolled her eyes in dorkish delight as Rainbow Dash left.

"I'll pack us some snacks!" added Pinkie Pie.

"I need to fix up some things on the farm before we leave," said Applejack.

"I'll be at my cottage prepping my pets for my departure," said Fluttershy.

"Apparel," said Rarity, leaving Twilight, Spike and Starlight Glimmer alone in the foyer.

"So," said Starlight, "what should I do?"

"Well..." Twilight's voice trailed off, "actually, we need somepony to stay here in case any friendship problems would arise. I think you're ready to take on that responsibility."

Starlight wasn't sure whether to feel annoyed or happy to receive such a heartfelt compliment. She wasn't wrong, though. Everypony up and leaving Ponyville wasn't really a good idea, considering their reputations as bearers of the elements of harmony. Starlight didn't hold such a responsibility, so it was only logical that she would stay. "Well, I guess that's true...what about Spike?"

"What, me?" Spike replied defensively. "Friendship problems? Doesn't sound like something I'd be good at."

Twilight glared moderately at him.

Spike sighed. "Well, I am pretty great and powerful. I'm sure the skillset transfers over...if they have to..."

"I'm still not sure," said Twilight. "What if something that requires magic comes up out of nowhere and nopony in Ponyville is here to stop it?"

"Hey, I could handle--"

Starlight sighed. "You've got a point. I'll stick around here and hold the fort while you're gone."

"You sure?" Twilight replied.

"I'm sure."

"Thanks Starlight," Twilight replied graciously.

It really did mean a lot to Starlight that Twilight trusted her with such a high responsibility. It seemed like it really wasn't all that long ago since she redeemed herself and began the process of learning the value of friendship. After Twilight and Spike left to make preparations for their journey, Starlight became more comfortable with the idea of staying behind. She'd had plenty of adventures already, and was honored to keep things running smoothly in her teacher's absence.

The familiar morning sun rose slowly into the sky, lighting up Ponyville and reminding everypony who dared to be awake at such an hour that their beloved leader Celestia was watching over them. Outside of the Apple Family homestead, the sextet of pony adventurers plus dragon were doing their last-minute goodbyes and preparations for the undoubtedly long journey that they were about to embark upon.

"Now, you're sure you two can handle runnin' the farm while I'm gone?" Applejack asked Big Mac and Apple Bloom. Big Mac gave her an uninterested look, and Apple Bloom still seemed bummed out that she wasn't allowed to go.

"I'll take that as a yes, and a 'eyup'," continued Applejack.

Starlight spoke to Twilight. "How long do you think you'll be gone for?"

"I'm not sure, but it'll be at least a week or two. I've never traveled so far in my life, so I don't have much to go off."

"Well," said Starlight, "I wish you the best of luck."

"Thanks," Twilight replied with a smile. "You too."

Rainbow Dash was doing loops in the sky to pass the time, but eventually got bored and vocalized her desire to leave. "Come on, let's go!"

"Alright," said Twilight. "Well, here we go."

The seven of them began their journey with the morning sun directly in front of them, casting their shadows far over the landscape behind them. Pinkie Pie was playing the role of navigator as she held the map in front of her in the front of the pack.

Applejack stopped for a moment and gathered her bearings before trotting up to Pinkie Pie.

"Uh, Pinkie Pie?" said Applejack.

"Mhm?" Pinkie Pie acknowledged.

"You've got the map rotated sideways."

"Uh, girls?" said Twilight. "The train station is that direction."

She was met with briefly surprised stares.

"Oh," said Applejack. "Yeah..."