It was Spring Break, and while others were off on vacation to enjoy the weather and sites, Spike was not so lucky.

Up in his family's attic, he and Twilight were looking over stuff. As Spike picked up a box, he placed it on the floor grumbling.

“Man, why do we have to work in the attic when we should be out there having fun enjoying our spring break like everyone else?” he complained to Twilight who had just placed a box down on the floor.

Twilight sighed at her little brother's frustration, “Spike, I know this is the last thing you wanna do to start spring break. But look at it this way, the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can do what we want.”

“I guess.” Spike sighed, still miffed about having to work during their break from school.

“Besides, you never know what sort of cool stuff you could find up here,” Twilight said, as she opened a box and pulled out a small hand print turkey arts and crafts, “Like stuff from our childhood. Remember this?”

“Hey, my hand print turkey!” Spike cheered, as he took the arts and crafts project, before shaking it around making turkey gobbling sounds.

“Cute.” Twilight giggled.

Spike looked into the box, “Hey, you're right, this has some old school stuff of mine.”

“And here's one with my stuff,” Twilight opened a box, and pulled out a telescope, “My first telescope. Oh, I remember all those nights I would sit out in the back looking up at the stars with this.”

“Hey, look at this. I invented this in shop class.” Spike held up two blocks of wood.

Twilight gave Spike a dry look and spoke in a tone to match, “You invented wood?”

“It's a bug killing system. I even wrote directions on one,” Spike explained, “Put bug on block A and push block B down until crunching is heard... Rinse and repeat.”

“Wow, you should bring that on Shark Tank.” Twilight said sarcastically.

Spike squinted at his sister, and spoke in suspicion, “You're making fun of me, aren't you?”

“Not at all.” Twilight replied with a fake smile.

Spike rolled his eyes, as the two continued picking up and taking down boxes to reorganize. After moving more boxes, Twilight spoke up, “Hey, Spike I'm getting a drink, want one?”

“Sure, thanks.” Spike replied, as Twilight went down the stepladder.

Spike deciding to take a break sat down on something covered by a tarp, “It's spring break and I'm stuck in the attic. I should be out there having fun. Anything's gotta be better than this.” he got up before looking over at what he was sitting on. Curiously he removed the tarp to reveal a big black trunk with a lock on it.

“I don't remember us ever putting this up in the attic. And why would it need a lock?” Spike wondered to himself. Consumed with curiosity, he grabbed a crowbar laying around and used it to break the lock off.

When he opened the trunk he saw it was loaded with old coats and jackets dating back hundreds of years ago, “Jeez, not even Rarity would want anything like these in her shop.” Spike picked one of the coats up, as something fell out of one of its inside pockets. He looked down seeing it was a rolled up parchment. He picked it up and unraveled it. When the parchment was unraveled it revealed a map of an island surrounded by water, and on the island was a trail with an X marking a spot.

“No way!” he gasped, “Is this a real treasure map?”

“Spike!” came Twilight's voice from downstairs.

Spike jumped at the sound of his sisters voice, rolled up the map and pocketed it in his pants. As Twilight came up she gave him a water bottle, “Here you go.”

“Thanks, Twilight.”

“Listen, mom and dad said we've worked long enough for now.”

“So we can call it quits?” Spike asked hopefully.

“Sure.”

“Awesome!” Spike cheered, “I got someplace to go, so I'll catch you later!” he left the attic, as Twilight watched him looking confused at his sudden desire to get out.

As Spike left the house he headed down the block, “There's one person who can confirm if this map is legit or not.” he told himself as he hurried.

Around the corner walked the Dazzlings who were taken by surprise as Spike ran past them, “Spike?” Sonata asked in confusion.

“Where's he off to in such a hurry?” Aria wondered.

“Let's find out.” Adagio suggested, as they ran after him.

When the three finally caught up to Spike, Aria spoke, “Yo, Spike!”

“Oh, hi, girls.” he greeted, while still hustling.

“You training for a marathon?” Sonata asked.

“No. I just have to get to Moondancer's.”

“Why's that?” Adagio asked suspiciously.

“I found something in my attic, and I need her to see if it's legit.”

“What did you find?” Aria asked.

Spike looked around seeing nobody else was outside. So he stopped to catch his breath, before gathering the trio around closer, and whispered, “I may have found a treasure map.”

“Treasure map?!” Sonata asked loudly, only for Adagio and Aria to clamp her mouth shut.

They looked around seeing nobody was around to hear them. They sighed in relief, before unclamping Sonata's mouth, “Are you sure about this?” Adagio asked.

“I won't know for sure until Moondancer gets a look at it.” Spike answered.

“Well, let's go together.” Sonata suggested.

“Ok, come on.” Spike said, as he and the Dazzlings ran off again.

The four finally arrived at Moondancer's place, and Spike rang the bell. The door opened, and Moondancer stepped out, “Spike, girls? What's going on?”

“Hey, Moondancer, up for studying something that could be a rare find?” Spike smirked, as he pulled out the rolled up map. Moondancer looked curious wondering what Spike was getting at, but let the group in all the same.

Later on inside the brainy girl's room, the map was laid out on a table, as Moondancer was looking it over using a magnifying glass while surrounded by notes. As she studied the map close, Spike and the Dazzlings were off to the side giving her some space to concentrate.

Eventually Moondancer put the magnifying glass down and turned to her guests, “Well, Moondancer?” Spike asked.

“What's the word?” Aria inquired.

Moondancer spoke, “What we have here... Is an authentic, legit, treasure map.” she smiled brightly.

“You're serious?” Adagio gasped.

“As a heart attack.”

The four surrounded the table to look at the map, “This is just amazing!” Sonata gasped.

“Whoever left this up in my family's attic in the past must've forgotten it was there.” Spike suspected.

“Wonder who it belonged to?” Aria said.

“Well, look down here.” Moondancer picked up the magnifying glass and held it over something written in the bottom right corner of the map.

They looked seeing the name 'Captain Hoofbeard', “Captain Hoofbeard? Who is that?” Spike asked Moondancer.

Moondancer pulled out a book from her bedroom's shelves, and opened it up to a page with the image of a a man dressed in pirate garb and had long black hair with a red streak tied into a curled ponytail, “Captain Hoofbeard; one of my most notorious pirates in history, and captain of the Salty Sea Dog.”

Adagio looked closer, “According to this he sailed around the waters close to the town. He must've hidden his old treasure map in the trunk you found in the attic.” she told Spike.

“And the coat it was hidden in is the one he's wearing right here.” Spike motioned to the black coat Captain Hoofbeard was wearing.

“So it is real.” Aria said in disbelief.

“It appears so.” Moondancer confirmed.

“This is unbelievable. We should try to find it!” Spike said in excitement.

“So do I!” Sonata cheered.

“Hold on, you two,” Moondancer stopped them, “It may be real, but we have no idea where this island could actually be located.”

“Maybe not us,” Adagio began, before smirking, “But we know someone who might.” Spike and Moondancer were curious.

Later on they were at an antique store owned by the Dazzling's Uncle Allegro. Inside the shop, Spike and the girls were seated, as a middle aged man with dark hair came over. He wore brown slip on shoes, jeans, a purple shirt covered by a dark blue vest. He pulled up a board featuring a huge map of the waters outside the city with plenty of notes corked to it.

“So, what've you got, Uncle?” Aria asked.

The sisters uncle answered, “Captain Hoofbeard did in fact sail around these parts hundreds of years ago, when the city was much different. He was both honored and respected by various pirates, and yet despised by other rivaling pirates and the law itself. But as notorious a pirate he was, he had a deep respect for us merfolk. He even had a relationship with one, just like you do Spike.” he winked.

Spike laughed sheepishly, before wondering about something, “So how did the map get locked in a trunk in my attic?”

“The house you live in, had in fact once been a home Hoofbeard was held up in. When he suspected his rivals were coming for him to find his map, he hid it up in the attic hoping no one would ever find it or go looking for it there.”

“Obviously his plan worked.” Aria said.

“This island on the map, do you have any idea where it might be located?” Moondancer asked the uncle.

“Fortunately, it's not too far. It's somewhere off the coast of the city going east,” Allegro began, as he showed them the map on the board, before grabbing a pointer stick, “If my own calculations of the map are correct. The island should be right around here.” he pointed to a spot on the map somewhere off the city's coast.

“Shouldn't be too long a boat ride.” Spike inspected.

“And fortunately, our uncle owns a boat for us to use.” Sonata added.

“Now hold on there, Sonata,” Allegro stopped her, “What makes you so sure I'm going to just loan you all my boat to go on some treasure hunt?”

“Because you love us?” Sonata smiled brightly.

“That may be, but this island is dangerous. You have no idea the kind of things you could run into out there.”

“Need I remind you, Uncle, that we've been dealing with dangerous creatures in our school's club?” Adagio reminded him of their exploits.

Allegro nodded recalling all the creatures and discoveries Adagio and her sisters have been dealing with since joining their school's club to help Spike and his friends, from hidebehinds, gumberoos, ghosts, wendigos, and befriending two succubi.

“You bring up a good point, Adagio.”

“Plus this could be a great find,” Moondancer added, “If we find it, we'll be famous.”

“And that could give our club some good publicity.” Spike put in.

“Do you even know how to read a map or anything?” Allegro challenged the two humans.

“No, but I do.” Aria reminded him, “You taught me how to read a map and use a compass.”

“And we know how to work your boat.” Sonata added.

“Please, Uncle, for us?” Adagio pleaded, as she and her sisters gave their uncle puppy dog eyes.

Allegro tried to resist, but he inevitably caved in, “Oh, ok. You got me.”

“Yes!” Spike and the girls cheered.

“We should make this into a Cryptid Club adventure.” Sonata suggested.

“Why not? I'm sure Lyra, Bonbon, and the others would love to search for some treasure.” Spike said.

“And it's a relief they haven't gone anywhere over spring break.” Moondancer put in.

“I”ll send them a text now.” Spike was about to send a group text, until he, and the girls suddenly received an alert.

They checked and saw it was from Lyra, “Lyra wants us to get down to Sugarcube Corner right away.” Spike said.

“What could be up?” Sonata asked.

“Let's go and find out.” Moondancer suggested, as they grabbed the treasure map, pocketed it in Moondancer's bag and hurried.

“Thanks again, Uncle!” Adagio thanked him.

“No problem, Adagio.” Allegro answered.

Spike and the girls ran before arriving at Sugarcube Corner, outside was Lyra, Bonbon, Kiwi, Supernova, Sunshine, Moonlight, Gallus, and the other members of the club, along with Twilight, and her friends comforting Pinkie Pie.

“What's going on?” Spike asked in concern.

“Oh, Spike, it's horrible.” Twilight said.

“What is it?” Moondancer asked.

“Sugarcube Corner is going out of business!” Pinkie bawled.

“What?!” Spike and the girls asked in shock.

“That can't be.” Moondancer said in disbelief.

“I'm afraid it is so.” came Mrs. Cake's voice, as she and her husband approached looking glum.

“Mr and Mrs. Cake?” Sonata asked in concern.

“We couldn't keep up with our payments due to increase in taxes,” Mr. Cake sighed, “If we don't get the money in four days, the bank is closing us down.”

“And I'll be out of my part time job!” Pinkie bawled her eyes out, as Applejack and Rarity calmed her.

“There-there, sugarcube.” Applejack rubbed her back.

“It's going to be alright, darling.” Rarity calmed her.

“How?” Pinkie asked.

“It'll take a miracle to raise up enough money to pay off the back taxes.” Mrs. Cake expressed her doubt.

Spike and Moondancer started thinking about it, until they came to a conclusion. Moondancer spoke up, “Cryptid Club members!” Lyra, Bonbon, and the rest of the club turned to her, “Meet me at my place asap for an emergency meeting.”

“What? But it's Spring Break!” Smolder complained.

“This is of vital importance, Smolder!” Spike ordered, making the girl back off.

“Uh, alright.” Smolder replied taken aback by Spike's insistence.

So the club followed Moondancer, while Twilight and her friends stayed behind to console Pinkie and the Cakes.

Later back at Moondancer's, the club members were gathered in the girls room, as Spike started explaining to them what he, the Dazzlings, and Moondancer have been up to in the last few hours.

“A treasure map?” Sandbar asked in shock.

“You're serious?” Gallus asked equally surprised.

“Uh-huh, according to Moondancer, and the Dazzlings Uncle Allegro it's legit.” Spike confirmed, as Moondancer showed them the map.

“The island is somewhere east of the coast.” Moondancer explained.

“So there is a treasure.” Ocellus gasped.

“O.M.Goodness!” Lyra and Bonbon gasped.

“That's just wild.” Moonlight gasped in her monotone voice.

“So exciting!” Sunshine cheered.

“And it's the answer to the Cakes prayers.” Adagio added.

“If we can find the treasure, we can give it to the Cakes to pay off the back taxes so they can keep Sugarcube Corner, and Pinkie can keep her part time job.” Spike explained.

“That's assuming the treasure really is there.” Kiwi reminded them.

“It has to be,” Spike said in determination, “Sugarcube Corner is a special place not just to us, but everyone in the city. The Cakes worked their lives to make that place as special as it is. For it to suddenly go out of business is a humongous slap in the face!”

“Spike's right,” Sandbar agreed, “We owe them so much for providing us with some of the tastiest sweets ever.”

“And a good place to hang out.” Silverstream added.

“Yona all for treasure hunt!” Yona cheered.

“How're we going to get there?” Smolder asked.

“Our uncle owns a boat,” Adagio explained, “We'll use it to get to the island and search for the treasure from there.”

“And you really think we can find it before pay day?” Gallus crossed his arms.

“We have to try.” Spike answered.

“Agreed,” Lyra stood up, “Club, we have a new mission. Find this treasure and save Sugarcube Corner!”

“For Sugarcube Corner!” Silverstream and Sunshine cheered.

“For Sugarcube Corner!” the others declared, as they looked to Smolder and Gallus.

The two realizing how important this was to their favorite sweet shop declared, “For Sugarcube Corner!”

“Let's pack the essentials we need and meet down by the docks bright and early tomorrow.” Adagio instructed.

Lyra nodded, “Cryptid Club, dismissed!”

So everyone left, as Spike spoke to Moondancer, “You better keep the map with you, Moondancer. It'll be safe here.”

“Sure thing, Spike.” the girl nodded.

“See you all tomorrow.” Spike said, as he left the house and headed for home.

As Spike walked, he thought to himself, 'We have to find that treasure. Sugarcube Corner's fate hangs in the balance. And we're not going to let it down.'

Author's Note

Captain Hoofbeard was a character featured in the IDW comic series arc My Little Pirate: Friendship Ahoy.