//------------------------------// // Prelude // Story: Daring Do and the magic lamp // by Andy Ray //------------------------------// The legend has it, that deep in jungles lie a temple's ruins, and those ruins hide a mysterious lamp, commonly used to light up one's dwelling place... Well, OK, the legend claims this lamp to be not an usual lamp, but an ancient one, the type you see genies come out of. What? No, a genie has never been seen by any of the lamp's owners. In fact, that's what said owners have used this lamp for: to light up their houses. How it found its way to the temple, is a mystery. But some inquisitive minds did wonder at one point, how it had ended up there and why someone would have put such insignificant an object in a temple. Some speculated, it had still served its primary purpose: to light the building up. But the legend has it another way, otherwise there would be no legend, after all. It says, that this particular lamp cannot be used to just light up a house, no, instead it is used to summon a very powerful being... "A genie? -- asked Name Here. -- That's ridiculous! Why, one would have... totally seen a genie, if they existed!" "But aren't they, like, locked up inside the lamp? -- asked Name There. -- Like, how are they supposed to get seen, if they're just, y'know, inside?" Name Here looked at Name There. "Well, -- s/he said, -- there's got to be a bit more, than just fairy tales". "These are not fairy tales, -- countered Name There, -- they're genie tales". "It matters not! Be they what they may, they're still all inexistent!" -- exclaimed Name Here and resumed his/her craft. The two were at their workshop, talking about many things, including shoes, ships and shoe shipments, for they were shoemakers. And since they were ponies, it is clear they were horseshoemakers. But only in the sense of "horseshoe makers", for, had they been horse shoemakers, they wouldn't have been ponies, as horses aren't ponies. But the former didn't inhabit the land of Equestria (and even if they did, it is unknown and, quite frankly, completely irrelevant to this tale). Nor did genies, it seemed. Or rather it might seem... Daring Do set her quill down after a bit of contemplating. Then she stood up and started pacing. "This all seems... well, where could it go to?" -- she wondered aloud. Then returned to her desk and picked the quill up again. Then sank into contemplation. Then put the quill down, frustrated. "This tale can go in so many directions! And yet I can't just decide, to where! -- she sighed. -- I wish I could know that for sure... But will it be interesting? And..." "Did somepony say "I wish"?" -- a voice sounded suddenly, and Daring Do jumped, yelping. Turning around and revealing, it was nothing more, than a genie, she calmed somewhat down, despite her sudden visitor's being not quite so... mundane, as any other ordinary visitor. "Don't scare me like that!" -- she said rather demandingly. It seemed, as though no one had durst to interrupt her, with her creativity at its lowest. Even random genies appearing out of nowhere. "As you wish! -- said the genie with a wide grin. -- By the way, how do you wish me not to scare you?" "Just... don't", -- replied Daring, grumbling and about to return to her writing, as she was desperate for her tale to continue. Which it would, if there hadn't been an uninvited visitor! "Oh, no! -- kept the genie arguing, seemingly ignorant of Daring Do's frustration. -- If you ever get unsatisfied, my job will not be my job! Which is granting wishes to my master..." Daring ignored him, hard though it might be, completely unfazed by the genie's being in her house, unlike many ponies would have been. Either she was way too used to weird encounters -- seeing it, as she was a heroine of many tales of adventure, -- or she hadn't realised a genie, for Celestia's sake, had appeared!.. Why, even the most uncreative authors would absolutely be awestruck upon meeting an actual, living genie!.. Wait... Upon realising something that hadn't struck her just yet Daring turned to the presumably all-powerful being with something to say to him. It might seem, as if she had finally realised, who her annoying visitor was! Disbelief was expected -- who would believe they saw a genie, if they saw one, anyway? Perhaps, a simple wish might cast all doubt away? For isn't that the best way to determine, if a genie is an actual one or just pretends to be? "Genie, -- spoke to him Daring, -- I want you to go and entertain yourself!" Huh. A rather unusual wish to make, is it not? "Well, -- replied the genie, folding his arms, rather angry at her remark, than puzzled with the obvious lack of wonder at his presence, -- I would like to do just that!.. but, unfortunately... -- and he gestured with his arms, as if to shrug, -- I can't! Because, you know... I'm a genie!" -- he pointed to himself. "Well, what seems to be the problem, then?" -- enquired Daring, a bit angry. The genie only gazed at her silently. Then spoke: "I. Grant. Wishes. I don't. Do. As told. Understand? Weren't you supposed to know that already? Didn't you read the incantation on the lamp? -- and he pulled a lamp out of nowhere, one much like that a typical genie would reside in. -- Was it too dirty to read? Was it a poor lighting? Were your eyes glazed over? Did your head hurt too much for you to read it??.." "SHUT UP!!! -- roared Daring, as she burst with anger, eyes shut. -- My only wish is for you to GET LOST!!!" "Ah-ha-a-a! -- replied the genie. -- That I can do!" -- and he rubbed his... hands? Or rather hooves?.. together, feeling the unfathomable power surging through him. "One-two-three-four-five, you're it! Be I late or not, it's not your fault! Ta-da!" -- and he disappeared in a puff of smoke, which caused Daring to cough. "Ah! Stupid genie! I'd wish to set him free... but that incantation makes me reconsider that. So... I won't", -- and she looked around herself, worried, if the genie heard her or not. Because he could. That was his job, after all. The reader may be wondering: what was that incantation on the lamp and why was Daring supposed to know what it stated? How could she even manage (!) to keep herself calm?! Did she encounter genies on the daily basis?? Well, you see, this was not her first time meeting a genie. ...Well, it was her first time meeting an actual, living genie (!), but it was so far the only genie she had ever met, and so far it was the only genie, whom she'd met on multiple occasions already (so no wonder as to her lack of amazement from encountering him). That also explains her behaviour, doesn't it? This particular genie was in fact her acquaintance, you see. How did they meet? Well...