Somewhere...
It was unknown where. One thing Daring could tell for sure: she was captured and kept hostage. Oh, and one more thing: Ahuizotl had done it!
As unfair, as it was, her protests should do nothing: she was still tied up and gagged. At least her vision was not obscured, so she decided to look around.
She was in a hall. It was shadowy: there was not much light. Also silence hung there. Ominously.
"Where am I?" -- thought Daring to herself. She remembered not much. The look on Ahuizotl's face, when the lamp had turned out to be a fake! "I can't believe, -- thought Daring, -- I've laughed all the way to here!"
At least Gee was alright... was he not?.. After all, what had happened to him? Why had he been so... grim?
"Gee, -- whispered Daring, -- answer me!"
And the silence was disrupted. The door to the hall opened, and in entered...
"Hello?" -- called out Stealth Pun gingerly. What a disappointment for Daring!
She sighed and cast her gaze down.
The henchpony meanwhile proceeded, closed the door and approached the mare:
"I see you are finally calmed down. Honestly, I was worried about you..."
Daring, unable to speak, raised her eyebrow. Worried?
"I suppose, you are displeased to have found yourself tied up, are you not? Well, it is only temporarily. As soon, -- he inched closer, staring at her, -- as you give us out the lamp -- the actual lamp..." -- he pressed. Then after a pause: "You shall be free".
Daring mumbled indecipherably.
"Pardon", -- apologised Stealth and removed the gag from her mouth.
Daring spat. Twisted her tongue every way to warm it up, as it had become rigid. And finally spoke:
"Thank you, that's much better! Could you, please, loosen the ropes as well? My limbs have gotten sore, you know..."
"Oh, no, my boss has not allowed me to do that", -- refused Stealth evenly.
"Shoot!" -- cursed Daring Do.
"However he has allowed me to force you to speak... You will be tortured mercilessly, if you won't confess".
"So? Do you want to know about the lamp? Didn't you see it yourself? It blew up right in Ahuizotl's face, ha-ha! -- and she snorted. -- I have nothing you seek!"
But then it dawned upon her:
"Wait... I remember you! You stole my saddlebag!"
"I will not deny it: I did... Although I had no idea, what I was to deliver..."
"You had no idea", -- agreed Daring Do.
"So there is an actual magic lamp, isn't it?!" -- he exclaimed.
"Well... You saw it yourself, didn't you? And it turns out it isn't..."
"But my boss!.. He... told me it was!.."
"Ha! Do you actually believe whatever your boss tell you, huh?" -- asked Daring derisively.
"Oh, but of course! -- exclaimed Stealth indignantly. -- He is my boss, and I have to believe his every word!"
"A-a-and here I thought henchponies were stupid only in fiction..." -- mumbled Daring.
"You have proven to be quite wrong, Miss", -- said Stealth to her.
"Oh, really?.. Listen, -- decided she not to argue further. -- I will be honest with you..." She lowered her voice to a whisper: "There does exist an actual magic lamp! And Ahuizotl wants to acquire it".
"Huh! Well, I be!.."
"Yes, quiet! So: he can't find it, so he spies on me. He's ordered you to steal it, right?"
"Yes", -- he answered simply.
"Anyway..." -- she gave him a stern look, and then continued, raising her voice slightly: "Do you really think you should work for Ahuizotl? All he wants is power. Do you think he'll award you?"
"To be honest, -- he began thoughtfully, -- I've been doubting that... But at least he doesn't chase me all across Equestria..." -- he said with sorrow.
Daring paid close attention. Stealth proceeded:
"Apparently, not only in fiction are the good guys stupid! -- he quipped. -- Do you actually believe, that we are bad? That it makes our adversaries good automatically? That it makes good you or Her Highness Princess Celestia?! No. I think so not! Unlike Her Highness, my boss does not chase me around! Him -- I can please! Her Highness, however..."
He trailed off. Silence hung for a while.
Daring felt suddenly pity for the stallion: as villainous, as he was, he could be defeated and had potential to be good...
It was then, that she saw something flicker behind and above Stealth Pun. Having caught her sight were the words:
Chance to finish book.
Gee.
The words flickered and faded away.
Daring blinked in confusion...
Then it occurred to her, that that was a perfect opportunity for the plot progress! Indeed! For her adventure was still going on! And her soon to be published book was still being written! That meant, for her plot to progress now was just as good a time to insert a little twist into this adventure for her book... which gave her an idea...
"You know, -- she said to Stealth, starting off topic and reaching her point slowly, -- beside protecting Equestria I write fiction. So... in any fiction there is a conflict..."
"Do you, -- he said derisively, -- think you can talk me into being tricked? No. Now: tell me where you are hiding the lamp!"
"So you want to know that, huh? Unfortunately, I must disobey -- and here we have a conflict. Although I picture you as the bad guy..."
"Alright: bring it in, guys!" -- shouted Stealth, annoyed at Daring like nopony had been before!..
"There... are n-no guys, bad or good! -- exclaimed Daring worriedly. -- O-only the facets of a conflict!.. Uh... S-so I... wish to end th-this -- without fighting! O-o-or brute-forcing, you know?!" But her introduction was failing -- and here she had something for Stealth to offer!
As she was shouting out her words desperately, the doors to the hall opened, and in entered various unkind-looking creatures, as ponies, as not. Some griffins were amongst them too. Some felines were as well. It was honestly a mix!
The henchcreatures were carrying various kinds of tools, designed to torture. It cued Daring to finish her point quickly, lest she suffered!
"If you want to know where the lamp is, there is no need to be painful about it!" -- she squeaked.
"Unfortunately, -- spoke Stealth Pun, -- you must taste the pain, so you know what it feels like and so you be taught to... spill the beans, when ordered to!"
He remembered suddenly his bean incident: "By the way. Why did I spill actual beans, when I had caught you back then? Do you know?"
"Gee did it!!!" -- shrieked Daring Do, terrified at the prospect of experiencing pain of the most unimaginable degree and thus forgetting completely about her intention to keep him a secret.
"Who did it?" -- asked he without getting it.
"My genie!!!"
And all stopped, and everything fell silent.
"Yeah, right", -- said one henchcreature skeptically and was about to proceed...
But Stealth Pun motioned him to stop. Then approached Daring Do and whispered to her:
"The genie?? From the magic lamp??"
Daring nodded miserably, ashamed of her ill-considered actions. She was angry with herself: couldn't she have kept her mouth shut?
"Perhaps, -- Stealth raised his voice slightly, -- I might consider not teaching you a lesson". Then he returned to whispering: "I am going to head for the lamp. Until I find it, you shall stay here. However... -- he stayed quiet in contemplation for a while, licking his lips. -- ...I offer to you: name me the place it is hidden in, and, depending on your honesty, you will either be let free and even get to have your share of what is to be wished, or be tortured mercilessly and painfully, as I intended before", -- at the mentioning of her being tortured he raised his voice slightly again, so all about him could hear that. "Worry not, -- he whispered to her afterwards, -- unlike my boss I do keep my promises. I do not want power. All I want is really just some recognition and value".
It had left Daring dumbfounded for some time. Indeed, what was she supposed to do?! Was she actually to tell him the location??
For, be it known, the key to being the genie's master -- or mistress in this case -- was the lamp that contained him. As the inscriptions on the lamp explained, only those, who had banished the genie into the lamp, had the ultimate power to dispose of his freedom, and the rest might only enter an agreement with them or their affiliate -- the lamp. The acceptance of the agreement's terms and conditions should be signified by rubbing the lamp -- so naturally was Daring uncertain about giving out its location! Indeed, who rubbed the lamp, became the genie's master!..
But then she remembered something and barely contained an excited smile!.. She had wished to know, how to use Gee's powers best -- and it had granted her the perfect memory of the inscription she could have understood -- again, thanks to her wish. And the inscription said also, that a group of the genie's masters had to wish together, and if there were disagreements or... um... discordance amongst them, then they had simply no say! This all prevented the masters from fighting over the lamp. In-gee-nious, was it not? Oh, yes, right, right! Enough puns is enough... geez.
"Alright", -- said Daring to Stealth and gave him the lamp's exact location. She whispered it so quietly, though, that no creature in the hall heard her, except for Stealth, so then only three knew that secret place: Daring, Gee and Stealth.
"Very well, -- responded the latter. -- I may only hope you have not lied to me about it. Are you sure it is there? -- he asked, raising his voice slightly. -- For, if I come to there and don't find it..." -- and he cast an implying look at the torturing tools.
Daring gave a vigorous nod.
"It is splendid. You are wonderful. I wish I were not your enemy: I would really like to spend time around you", -- he allowed himself a polite half-smile.
Daring's look bore boldness -- for the sake of avoiding puns let's not say her look was daring, although there can't be a more accurate description. She allowed herself a defiant grin as well:
"Be careful with what you wish for!"
"How dare you?.." -- he asked meekly with a bit of sad complaint in his voice, though a corner of his mouth was twitching.
Daring could not help herself: Stealth Pun's not so stealthy pun had made her laugh out loud.
"Maybe, I should not treat you well, -- he said slowly. -- Look at yourself! You have no respect toward your capturers! I say, shame on you!" But he was only joking, although he would not allow anyone to misbehave upon his presence: though fearful of his boss, he had his own pride.
"Alright, -- he called, -- moving out!" -- and the assembly proceeded to exiting the hall, leaving Daring Do all alone.
Stealth Pun was marching down a corridor in Ahuizotl's lair. Now, that he knew where the lamp was, he intended to get it -- and then to demand of Ahuizotl something... he didn't know what. But, if Ahuizotl could wish himself anything he wanted, with the lamp, then why not have him fulfil Stealth's wishes? So was Stealth thinking.
But then it hit him: he himself could wish for anything he'd want! He even stopped. Of course!
"H-m-m-m..." -- he contemplated, rubbing his chin, and then exclaimed in excitement, even raising his hoof: "THAT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA!"
"What i-i-is?" -- demanded of him Ahuizotl, who stepped from-around the corner and blocked Stealth's way.
The latter stopped abruptly, as it had caught him by surprise. "Oh... h-hello, b-boss!" -- he greeted, teeth clattering slightly. That was unexpected!
"Well? -- prompted him Ahuizotl. -- What is a wonderful idea, Stealth?"
"Uh..." -- he uttered. He berated himself mentally for thinking he could outsmart his boss. "S-so, -- he began, -- Daring D-do has..."
"But wait, -- he thought, -- my boss knows nothing yet of where the lamp is..."
"...cracked, boss, -- he finished. -- She's told me whereabout she's hidden it".
"Yes, -- nodded Ahuizotl, surprisingly showing no excitement. -- But... how do you know it's true? That it's actually where it is, huh?"
Ahuizotl's calmness unsettled Stealth. Nervously he answered:
"Well, b-boss, I had a wonderful idea! I threatened to torture her, if I... l-learnt, -- he'd nearly let his plan's details slip, -- that no lamp had been found. A-and... I promised to let her go, if she told the truth".
"Rea-a-ally? How curious", -- contemplated Ahuizotl, stroking his chin.
"Well, at least she believed me, when I had told her so!" -- exclaimed Stealth, as he realised the boss might have misunderstood him and have thought he intended on keeping that promise.
"And you've been not... going to release her actually, have you?" -- asked Ahuizotl slyly.
"Well, it's all as you order, boss!" -- lowered Stealth his head obediently.
"Oh, -- Ahuizotl paused for a second. -- Well. Where does she hide it, then?" -- he asked, again, with a hint tinting his voice, as if he was insinuating something.
"In her house, boss".
"Huh? -- he raised his eyebrow. -- Just like that?"
"Well... no. There is some place... which, she bet, no one can find. So, maybe... if we... did torture her... she'd walk us right to it! Is it not a wonderful idea, boss?!" -- exclaimed Stealth joyously.
Ahuizotl pondered that:
"H-m-m-m. Yes... I suppose, it is... But, well, she might escape!"
"She won't, boss!" -- promised Stealth.
Ahuizotl squinted at him:
"Really?.."
Awkward silence followed.
"Um-m-m... boss... -- and Stealth gulped. -- Is something wrong?.."
"Well, I've been thinking, -- replied Ahuizotl, -- what are you planning, Stealth?"
The pony gaped:
"Huh?!"
Ahuizotl watched, for some time, his henchpony shocked, seemingly savouring the moments, until he spoke:
"You may be thinking yourself the smartest, do you not? Hee-hee-hee! But don't get so cocky: I know what you did!" -- he sneered. Stealth stepped back. "Don't you DARE think you may dream of getting that lamp! Or I'll... I... uh-h-h... I... will think of... something to punish you... so DARE NOT mess with me!!!"
Poor Stealth whimpered, his ears folded. Truly he was scared to death!
"Now, -- continued Ahuizotl, -- if you do know where she hid it, then MOVE!!!"
"A... a-a... a-alr-right!" -- he squeaked and galloped down the corridor, fearful of what might hit him, should his boss have found his efforts insufficient and thrown something at him...
"FOOL! The exit is that way!!!"
Almost tumbling, Stealth skidded to a halt, and then galloped in the opposite direction, nearly knocking Ahuizotl down in the process.
"Aargh! DAMN YOU for being so CLUMSY!" -- exclaimed the villain, barely managing his balance and setting off after Stealth shortly after.
Meanwhile Daring got bored of being tied up and having nothing to do. She wanted badly to stretch her every limb, wings included. She squirmed in her bounds. "Curse that Ahuizotl! -- she thought. -- Can he have not tied me up?!"
"And damn you, Gee! -- she thought. -- When I am in need of you, where are you?!"
As if he had heard her thoughts, Gee materialised with a "puff!":
"Well, well! Well, well! Well, well, well-well-well-well-well! Aren't you a sight for my sore eyes? Daring Do, my mistress!" -- he appeared to be admiring her, his genie hands clasped together.
"Where. In the name. Of. Celestia. Have. You. BEEN??!" -- bellowed Daring shrilly.
The genie even rubbed his apparently ringing ears -- yes, they did give out a ringing sound of just struck cymbals!
"Speaking of beans, -- he said. -- I dare hope you have not spilt any... have you, Daring?.."
"E-e-e-NOUGH with the PUNS already!!" -- exploded Daring.
"As you wish", -- he nodded meekly.
"O-o-oh... Just how I wish!.." -- hissed Daring. Then shouted: "UNTIE ME!!!"
"Oh, please, be quiet, Mistress! You may be heard!" -- fussed Gee, while fiddling with the knots. "Ugh! -- he complained. -- Just how tightly they must tie their knots nowadays!" -- and he shook his head in disapproval.
"...Enough. Messing. Around!" -- managed Daring not to go off, though she did quite literally fume.
"Oh!" -- the genie smacked himself on his forehead. "Of course! How silly of me, tee-hee!"
Seeing, however, that his mistress was about to get mad -- both angry and insane, -- he snapped whatever he had for fingers, and the rope... caught on fire!
Daring shrieked. Naturally! She tried to flee... and succeeded for some reason... She ran, until she reached the door, then stopped, catching on...
Then she turned around. The ropes had burnt to ashes, and the fire had apparently not hurt her.
Yeah, right, -- she thought. Figures.
She marched toward the genie with a cross look. Before she said anything, however...
"Thank me not, Mistress, -- declined Gee the inexistent thanks, raising his palm and half-lidding his eyes, -- my job is done here. Now -- to escape! Go!" -- and he was about to disappear...
Daring Do, while the genie was speaking, had recalled her sore limbs and was then stretching, as if there had been no tomorrow! Noticing him leave, however, she motioned him to wait, never stopping her exercises:
"Wait... Oh-h-h! -- she moaned. -- Before you... leave... Tell me... please... Ah-h-h!.. Why... just... why?? Why??!" -- she shrieked.
"Eh, -- the genie shrugged casually. -- You know, how it goes... Besides, haven't I done a great job fulfilling your wishes? -- he grinned. -- I mean, look at yourself! You're having an adventure worth being written down!"
"My adventure, Gee... oh-h-h!.. costs me... my... Aargh!.. Sore... limbs!.." -- and she rubbed her limbs. "Oo-hoo-hoo!.. Everything hurts!" -- she hissed in pain.
"Well, that's just great, -- shrugged the genie again. -- The more colourful the tale, the better!"
Daring glared at him:
"You are disgusting, you know that?!"
"Why? -- he opened his "palms" out, about to shrug. -- Because I do your bidding?"
"No, because you act like a jerk!"
"Mistress... -- he fell silent for a short while. -- You know too well, that I am bound to please you! The lamp, be it damned thrice, prevents me from screwing around!"
"Well, then... HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN IT ALL?!!"
"O-o-oh!.. So, you mean, you haven't figured it out yet!" -- exclaimed the genie, surprised and excited equally.
He rubbed his genie hands: "Alright, then listen!" And so Daring did...
As Gee had told Daring, every trouble, caused to her up to that point, was due to her wish to see the details she needed so desperately in her most recent book. She was, in a way of speaking, capturing her adventure -- so as the thief that had stolen her lamp for Ahuizotl, as her abduction -- everything was a part of a plot an unknown being was seemingly concocting, as it transpired. Truly Daring was not so sure, if Gee was behind that all... Granted, he was bound to serve her... but, apparently, his service was to set up trials for her, and that was not something she liked very much. And yet she had to admit: so far her adventure had turned out to be interesting... Oh, but the lamp!
She spoke to Gee:
"Gee, listen! Uh... A p-pony has found out w-where the lamp is..."
"Never worry, Mistress, -- dismissed Gee, -- I should know all too well he can't cause you any harm!"
"R-right, but, Gee, I... wish..."
The genie whipped his head in her direction upon hearing that:
"Yes!?"
"...Well... I want to be the only one, who may have any say of what for you to do..."
"If you wish no one, except for you, might dispose of my freedom... then, I'm afraid, I mayn't do that".
"But I don't want anypony to get in my wishing!.."
"I am under the lamp's control, -- he pronounced sadly. -- All you might do is to comply with the terms of the lamp's use, which state explicitly, that..."
"Yeah, I know... -- Daring said, annoyed. -- But how should I make sure nopony were to come, and to rub the lamp, and to become your co-master?"
The genie contemplated that...
...Then said suddenly:
"You know? Why shan't we say there is NO way for you to do it -- and call it an evening, eh?"
"J... Gee! -- Daring was shocked to hear that. -- Are you NUTS!!? Do you KNOW, what may happen, if we SPLIT the control over the lamp!? -- she shouted angrily. -- The future of Equestria may be at stake! Do you..."
"Alright! I see! Still... there is no thrill in being safe!"
Daring fumed silently, so mad at Gee there was no describing it! She struggled to spit some words... but none would come.
"What should I say, Mistress, -- the genie, smug with himself, shrugged. -- A story must be earned with hard work and perseverance -- not, that I'd know that: I haven't got to work hard to achieve anything!" -- he exclaimed in elation. "Please, hurry! Ahuizotl will get away, if you won't!" With those words said he made to disappear...
"Gee, this is ridiculous! -- barked Daring. -- I wish not to play this game any more!"
"Oh, do you not, Mistress? -- Gee's face lit up with a smile. -- I of all should KNOW you fret over your adventure!.. And if it shan't be complete... Well. My job shall be a failure. I may not allow that! The lamp commands me!" -- he cried dramatically. "Besides, -- he added, -- even if I might not give a huff as to what you wish or not, even then it would just BUG me, that you'd fled an opportunity to have fun! Isn't it just ever so RARE nowadays, m-m-m?" -- he asked playfully.
"All!.. All you want is!.. entertainment! Why, you selfish!.."
"Selfish? Moi? -- he feigned resent. -- I bet you my freedom you'll THANK me, when this be over! Accept the offer? Eh? What'll you say? Interested?"
Daring was speechless for a while, until she managed:
"There has got to be NO way this is happening... NO way!"
"E-e-yep! -- replied Gee happily. -- I fear of provoking your wrath, Mistress, -- but haven't you fallen victim to your own wish, hum?"
Daring only stared in miserable confusion.
"Welp! -- spoke Gee once again. -- You'd better run! I hear someone approaching!" He snapped his genie fingers, and a interdimensional hole opened up behind him, shining with a white light. He motor-mouthed: "Remember: chase means thrill, and escaping means excitement! Thank me later! See ya! By-y-y-y-ye!" -- and, as the light shone brighter, filling the room up, he disappeared with a noise.
Almost instantly immediately after that the doors opened -- and in entered a pair of the feline henchcreatures from before.
"Hey!" -- they shouted, as they saw Daring free.
"Uh-h-h... -- she uttered to herself. -- Bus-te-e-ed!"
Procrastinating no longer, she bolted for the opposite door to make her escape, with the felines in hot pursuit.
In her head, however, she was cursing so viciously the creatures, were they to have heard that, would have abandoned chasing her, fled far away and hidden under their pillows in embarrassment! Oh, Gee! What had you gotten her into?