> Daring Do and the search for the Winter Pearl
>  by DemonWriterX
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Stolen power
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Stolen Power" 


Daring Do entered the maze of the Ivory Temple of the White Tiger. She had been searching for the infamous Winter Pearl. A delicate, white orb, rumored to bring about an eternal winter throughout the world, if its power be put into use. As frightening as that was, Daring Do had no reason to worry as she would recover the powerful artifact and put it in the Canterlot Museum to be admired by thousands. The Winter Pearl would also be under the watchful eyes of the Canterlot guards and the princesses themselves.

Daring Do wiped the sweat off of her brow. The humidity of the rainforest was beginning to wear her down. She had been traveling in the dense jungle for over twenty days. She had dealt with itchy mosquito bites, sticky quicksand and the occasional venomous flying snakes but she pushed through while following a worn-down map, made hundreds of years ago. She managed to stumble upon the map on an expedition to the sister temple, The Ebony Temple of the Black Jaguar. There was no treasure, instead, she found the map in a hidden chamber. Now, she stood at the entrance of the maze to the Ivory Temple. It was dark. The only source of light was the moon. In the tall trees, she heard the soft sounds of the nocturnal insects. Her ears went up when she heard a slight “snap”. She turned her head and peered into the trees. She scanned the tree line and saw a pair of yellow eyes. She instinctively went to her whip until she saw the pair of eyes fly up and perch onto a branch. She sighed when she saw it was just a native bird. She relaxed when she took the map out from under her pith helmet. The map showed her the path to the Ivory Temple but it didn’t hold a hint on how to navigate the inside of it.

In order to protect the treasure, the inhabitants of the temple created the maze to confuse robbers from stealing the powerful artifact. She placed the map back underneath her helmet, having fulfilled its purpose. She picked up a sharp stone from the ground and scraped it across the stone wall of the temple’s maze. Sparks of cinders flashed in front of her, making her smirk in satisfaction. She grabbed a convenient torch from off the wall. She took out a small rag from her saddle bag and a bottle of alcohol. She always carried a bottle for long adventures, just in case she needs a break. Unfortunately, she took a lot of breaks as the bottle was nearly empty. She used the last of it to dampen the rag before tying it to the torch. With the rock, she created a spark from off the wall and immediately lite it on fire. With the new source of light, she concluded she would have a few hours to make it in and out of the maze.

She titled her helmet down and began to determinedly traverse through the maze. Throughout the years of adventuring, she knew that there was always a secret to get through traps or mazes safely. All she had to look for was the hidden signs. Signs helped the inhabitants get through the maze safely while keeping thieves out. Luckily, Daring Do was not a thief. Her eyes narrowed on the walls, checking for any type of markings etched on the walls, floor of ceiling. She bit the inside of her cheek, knowing that each minute she waste staring at the walls, the torch will burn up and she’ll be trapped in the dark. She decided to take another look at the map. Her eyes scanned across the itchy page, trying to find a clue. Her eyes stopped at the middle of the map, which showed a crude drawing of the Winter Pearl. Above it, there was an upside-down triangle containing two lines, titled downward like a pair of claws swiped down on it. Her head shot up as she lifted the torch. She looked again at the walls and there, etched into a stone, were the two slash marks. She wasted no time as she galloped through the maze. She took a left, a right, another right and a left turn again, following the markings. She was constantly glancing at her torch, calculating the time in her head. The flame was growing weaker, which meant she only had less than an hour. She raced down the hall, taking another right turn before finally entering the chamber of the infamous Winter Pearl.

It was a large tower corridor. In front of her was a single aisle of stone, leading up to the pearl. The aisle was twenty-five feet in Below it was a dark abyss. One slip and a pony could fall to their deaths. Luckily, she had wings. When she looked up, she could see the tip of the pyramid as the moonlight perfectly landed on top of an ivory pedestal in the middle of the room. The Winter Pearl was embedded inside the chest of obsidian tiger, surrounded by tall white pillars. She noticed how the pillars acted like anchors, holding the tip of the pyramid up. She knew there must be a trap in place, as the pillars could crack and jeopardize the integrity of the structure. She slowly walked towards the pearl, tip toeing her way over to it. She didn’t want to accidently trigger another trap. She was only a hoof-length away from statue. She licked her lips in anticipation as she reached out. She froze when she heard a familiar hiss of a certain pet cat. She whirled around and found herself face to face with the animal kingdom’s monster ferocious wild cats…plus a pet cat.

“Daring Do, what a surprise…” a sultry voice said with a chuckle. Daring could practically see the sarcasm dripping out of Ahuizotl’s mouth when he spoke.

She blew a strand of her mane out of her eyes. “Ahuizotl.” She began with a smirk. “How nice to see you again, how long had it been? A month, a couple of months? I’ve been gone far too long without seeing your striking face.”

“Sixty-three days.” He said with a growl before shrugging his shoulders. “But who is counting?”

“Do you really think you have a chance to beat me, Ahuizotl? After all these years of trying and failing…when have you ever won?” She smiled.

“Hmm, funny. But if you believe I’ll be handing over the Pearl to you, you are more than mistaken. Miss Do.”With a snap of his tail, his cats attacked.

The black panther leapt into the air, its claws extended. Daring Do anticipated the attack, flying up into the air in a reverse somersault. She kicked the jaw of the large cat, sending it back towards Ahuizotl. It shook its head and roared in anger. Daring Do narrowed her eyes, glaring straight into the panther’s gold eyes. The cheetah and the tiger attacked in unison. Daring flew to the right, avoiding the cheetah’s attack. But the tiger slammed its paw against her head, sending her to the ground. She swiftly punched at the tiger, slamming her front hoof into its head and sending it off her, yowling in pain. The cheetah followed through, leaping above her. Daring Do leapt into the air, did a back flip and kicked the cheetah in the stomach. She sent the spotted cat over the edge but the cheetah was quick to hand onto the edge, barely hanging on. Daring Do flapped her wings, softening her landing as she touched down onto the floor with ease. Daring ducked when the panther attacked once more. With another swing, she grabbed onto the panther’s scruff and threw it into the tiger. The two cats collided, leaving them booth disoriented and out of the way. The bobcat was easier to take out. One buck and it skidded across the aisle. The white cat hissed and leapt forward. Daring Do prepared herself to deflect the feral feline, but it flew over her head, landing behind her. It was a distraction. Before she could react, she was grabbed from behind by Ahuizotl. She let out a scream when he squeezed her. Ahuizotl chuckled at her pain.

“Tsk, tsk Miss Do, you should know to never turn your back away from me!” He said with a snap of his very sharp teeth.

Daring Do painfully let out a smile. “W-well…y-you are an a-affectionate ugh..hugger…”

“You have gotten in my way long enough!” He tightened his grip on her, making her cry out. He let out a loud cackle as he watched her struggle in vain. “But, perhaps, if you beg…I will show you mercy, eh? Miss Do-AH!”Ahuizotl yelled out suddenly, unexpectedly releasing Daring Do from his death grip. She fell to the ground, coughing as she began to take in air. When she turned around, she saw Ahuizotl curled up in a ball, shouting and writhing in immense pain. His hands reaching to his lower back. Daring blinked when she saw a stallion in a black cloak and hood, walk over Ahuizotl and up to her. She let out a small smile, slowly lifting herself up, wincing as she did. She suspected Ahuizotl might have cracked one of her ribs.

“Thanks for the help.” She weakly muttered to the stranger. She heard the stallion chuckle, making her raise a brow at him.

“Help you…? Oh, no Mon chou.” The stranger said gently, with a smooth voice that could lull a pony to sleep. “He was in the way. Just like you.”

“What?” Without any warning, the stranger punched her in the side. She fell to the ground, clutching her side, writhing in pain next to Ahuizotl. She gritted her teeth, glaring hatefully at the stallion. “If you will excuse me, I have a mission to complete.” The stranger strolled up to the statue. She and Ahuizotl watched helplessly as the mysterious stallion plucked the statue off its pedestal, concealing it under his robe. Just as Daring feared, a trap was triggered. The pedestal began to crumble as the temple began to shake.

“Oh dear,” The stallion covered his mouth in mock horror. He snickered when he calmly stepped over them. “I would love to stay and chat but, I prefer to not be buried alive.” Daring growled when the stallion disappeared into the maze, leaving them behind. She clenched her teeth, mentally scolding herself for not seeing the cheap move. She forced her wings open and flapped. She slowly lifted herself up to her hooves. Pieces of the temple began to fall around her. She turned to Ahuizotl, who was struggling to lift himself on all fours.

“Ahuizotl! Stop acting like an idiot and let’s go! The temple is going to bury you if you don’t move your flank!”

Ahuizotl let out a disgruntle groan. He tried to lift himself up, but collapsed once more. “I cannot! He has done something to my back, I cannot move!” With pieces of ivory crumbling around them, he chuckled softly. His head resting onto the cold floor. “It looks like this is the end of me…Daring Do.”

Daring rolled her eyes. “Ever thought about going into drama club? Come on!” She placed his arm around her shoulder and attempted to pick him up. She flapped her wings desperately but Ahuizotl was too heavy.

“What on earth are you doing?” He shouted. “Leave me! You stupid, ungrateful pony! I do not need your help!”

“Is this how you always act when someone is saving your life!” She let out a grunt, trying to drag him out. His weight suddenly became lighter. She turned to see his loyal cats at their master’s side, resting his arms over their own bodies. With the new help, the cats and Daring Do began to run through the collapsing maze. She looked at the flaming torches. They were almost extinguished. She pressed herself forward, picking up their pace. With one final turn, they all ran out of the temple just before it collapsed into rubble behind them. Daring Do and the cats fell to the ground, exhausted. Ahuizotl let out a hiss of pain when they dropped him.

“Medigos! A little more gentle!” He growled at Daring who pulled herself out from under him, giving him a direct glare.

“Thanks to your lackey, I lost the pearl! Do you have any idea how much money I lost! Not to mention how powerful that thing is!” She shouted and stomped her hoof.

“Save your childish tantrum!” He argued. “He was not my lackey; I came on my own accord with my pets. We were following you to get to the pearl first and destroy it!”

“So, you were after the pearl! I knew it! And... wait, you wanted to destroy it? I thought you wanted to use its power.” She said, giving him a suspicious look, not entirely believing him. She knew Ahuizotl and how he was a liar. He snorted at her words.

“Of course, I wanted to destroy it! I heard rumors of a pony wanting to get his dirty little hooves on its power in order to plunge the world into an eternal ice age!”

“How do I know you are not lying…” She asked. He raised a brow at her.

“I know you like making jokes, but I cannot tell if you are being serious. You do know I value the heat and humidity instead of the cold! I despise the cold!”

“All right! All right!” She said, rubbing her forehead. “Stop acting like a foal, I believe you. If he wasn’t working for you…then who was that pony?” She had never encountered a pony that moved as fast as that stallion did. She let out a low growl; she wanted to get her hooves around his neck. He took her treasure and she was determined to get it back.

“I might know the identity of who took the pearl.” Ahuizotl mentioned slyly, gaining Daring Do’s attention.

“Who is it?” She demanded. Her question only made Ahuizotl laugh. She gave him a glare. She really hated his laugh. It sounded like a hyena, scrapping it nails against a chalkboard.

“Please, you have made me laugh enough for today. I will never tell you.”

Daring Do flicked her mane back. “Fine…” She stated calmly. “I’ll just leave you here then. Without my help you won’t be able to move for days from that hit you took.”

“You are bluffing. You cannot help me. You are not a doctor.”

“You’d be surprised at what I can do, Ahuizotl.” She said, giving him a playful smirk. ‘I’m more than just a treasure hunter.” She turned away from him, flicking her tail at him like a whip. She headed towards the tree line. “I really have to get going. Have a nice night!”She began to walk away, counting the seconds until he changed his mind.

“W-wait!” He called out. She stopped in her tracks. He only lasted three seconds. “I will tell you who he is if you help me.” She turned back to him. “But only if you heal me!” She bit her lower lip in thought and nodded.

“Deal. But you better hold still.” She walked back over to him and climbed onto his back. He cringed in pain.

“I asked you to heal me, not stand on me!”

“Would you shut up! This is the only way to fix you!” He turned his head away from her. Daring cracked her neck and placed her front hooves on his shoulder blades. With a deep breath, she reared back on her hind legs and struck down, hitting right between his shoulder blades. The sudden shock of pain made Ahuizotl leap up onto all fours. He whirled at Daring in a rage.

"What are you doing?! Are you trying to kill me, you stupid, uneducated-!”

"You're standing, aren’t you?” she interrupted, holding a bored look on her face. He opened his mouth at her to argue but found himself in fact, standing on all fours. He shut his mouth. “Now it’s time for your end of the deal: Who was that pony?”
> Trust
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CH 2 TRUST

“Where are we going, Ahuizotl?” Daring Do demanded. They had been walking through the humid rainforest for over two hours. Ahuizotl was leading the way. He ignored her question when he pushed down a set of thick branches with ease. Daring was reminded how she had to stay on the tips of her hooves.He still hadn’t told her the name of the stallion and if he decided to go back on his word. She won’t have the strength to fully defend herself.

“You ask too many of these questions,” Ahuizotl began, glancing back at her. “Where are we going? We are we going?”He said in a high pitched tone, mocking her. “Bah! It is getting tiresome.”He pushed down another set of branches, which came crashing down in front of her. She angrily flew up to his face.

“Hey! Watch it! You almost crushed me back there!” Ahuizotl pushed her away with his tail and wagged an index finger at her.

“In my culture, the word “almost” means “nothing”, which means, nothing happened to you. You are alive…unfortunately.” He said, muttering the last part under his breath. She glared at him.

“Whatever. I still want to know. Where. Are. We. Going.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” He said, waving her away. “You will know soon enough, Miss Do. We are already here.” Ahuizotl pushed aside a thick brush revealing a camp full of Aztec Ponies. The Ahuizoten. The followers of Ahuizotl. Daring saw over fifty warrior ponies gathered around a large bonefire. One look at Daring and they pointed their sharp spears at her. It was a trap! She immediately landed on the ground taking out her trusty whip from her side. She snapped it towards them. Her teeth clenched around the handle, ready for any type of attack. The ponies advanced towards her but saw Ahuizotl step in between them.

“Enough with the formalities,” He began with a slight tired tone. “regrettably, she is a guest.” The ponies glanced at one another, raising brows and whispering amongst each other. Daring’s eyes darted back and forth at them, slowly back up towards the trees, just in case. Ahuizotl became impatient and slammed both of his fists down on the ground. The sudden force shook the ground are them, multi-hued birds flew out of the trees, cawing in distress. The ponies swiftly huddle together, quivering in fear, dropping their weapons as they did.

“Enough!” Ahuizotl barked. “I am in no mood to deal with you all now, so somepony deliver my dinner to my tent right now or all of you are getting thrown in the fire!”

The ponies instantly scattered. They all hurried to a nearby fire pit. Sitting on top of it was a cauldron filled with boiling brown soup. They worked quickly to chop up vegetables and throw it into the cauldron, fearful of their master’s wrath. The Aztec ponies are nomadic. They lived off the land and away from other modern ponies. Daring Do realized that the only reason they follow Ahuizotl is because they see him as a protector and their leader. With undying loyalty, they will follow Ahuizotl to their death. Daring pitied them. She knew Ahuizotl. He was just using them as his personal goons for his schemes. Daring Do put away her whip and looked up at Ahuizotl, who signaled her to follow him. She, along with his cats, walked through the campsite. The camp had tents set up to accommodate an individual pony and families. There was large fire pits scattered nearby to cook meals. The camp was designed to quickly disassemble and relocate at a moment’s notice, in accordance to Ahuizotl’s own lifestyle. When they continued to walk, Daring saw mares tending to the weapons and clothes, while the males gathered the food to cook. Surprisingly, Daring noticed a few fillies and colts running around the campsite. Once they saw Ahuizotl, they immediately ran towards him. Daring froze in fear when they began to climb on him like he was their personal jungle gym. She thought Ahuizotl would throw the poor kids off of him but instead he gave them a small smile. She blinked at him. She never seen him smile so kindly before. He was usually ruthless. With his tail, he picked up the kids one by one and put them back on the ground.

“No, no playing today, ninos.”

The kids let out a collective “aww”, their heads bowed down in disappointment.

“Go on, go back to your mothers.” He told them sternly, pushing them all gently with his hand. They did what they were told and scurried away. She glanced up to Ahuizotl, who still held a warm smile until his eyes darted at her. His smile quickly went back into a scowl. Daring decided to not say anything when she followed him towards the end of the campsite. There was a rectangular-shaped tent, much larger and extravagant than the others. The perfect size for Ahuizotl. The cloth was made out of the finest blue and gold fabric. Daring had a strong suspicion that he may have stolen the material since it reminded her of the fabrics made in Saddle Arabia. The interior was just as extravagant. At the entrance, there were five sets of large pillows for his cats. The immediately took their respected spot as Ahuizotl went to his own pillow in the middle of the room. There was a small table set out and everywhere Daring Do looked, she saw statues, accessories, and things all depicting cats. She did not realize how much Ahuizotl’s love for cats was in the range of obsession.

“All right Ahuizotl,” Daring Do began, taking a seat on a spare pillow in front of him. “No more wasting my time, tell me what I need to- “

“Please, Miss Do,” he interrupted with his palm out. She frowned. “I am bound to tell you what I know since you healed me. It is a tradition in my tribe to keep out promises, even to our enemies…” He let out a growl at the last word, but took a breath, calming himself. “At least let me have my meal first.”

On cue, a small orange filly walked in with a tray of food on her head. On the tray there was bread and a bowl of soup. Daring gawked at the sight of the small filly, struggling to keep the tray steady. One misstep and hot soup will go everywhere. The tray wobbled precariously side to side with each step the filly took. Daring put out her hooves.

“Maybe I should- “

“Leave her be.” Ahuizotl said with a hard tone. He let out a disappointed sight at the filly’s poor service and put out his tail. Daring moved to her whip, ready to protect the poor child from his temper. Instead, Ahuizotl put out his index finger and straightened the filly’s head. “You must keep your chin up. Back straight. Chest out.” He said with a bored tone. As if he said it numerous times before. “Now walk.” This time, the filly and the tray was well-balanced. Ahuizotl nodded at her when she stopped beside the table. “Well done. Now, set the tray down with your neck straight.” Slowly, the filly did what she told. The tray slid from her head and smoothly onto the table. The filly turned to Ahuizotl, waiting further instructions. Ahuizotl smirked.

“Well done. Now, bring her meal…” he ordered, rolling his eyes as he pointed at Daring. Daring Do kept a straight face, pretending she didn’t notice his rudeness. The filly ran out the tent for a moment and came back with a new tray of food.This time, she walked more confidently and placed the tray in front of Daring.

“Muy bien.” Ahuizotl said. Even though Daring’s knowledge of Ahuizotl’s language and his tribe was limited, she did understood praise when she heard it. The smile on the filly’s face indicated to that. With a wave of his hand, he sent the filly away. Daring Do looked down at her meal and stared at the it. It could have poison. She thought. She pushed the tray away and her eyes moved to Ahuizotl, who bit off a mouthful of breath and swallowed.

“Do not be picky.” He chided, picking up his bowl of soup. “If somepony places a meal in front of you, it is considered rude not to eat it.”

“No thanks,” She replied with a frown. “I’m not hungry.”

“Fine.” He shrugged. “I suppose I should get this ‘thrilling’ visit over with…” He put down his bowl. “The pony who has the pearl is called Blanco de Bouve.”

“Blanco?” She repeated. “Never heard of him.”

“Of course you would not have. His is originally from Maris, a city known for its vass museums filled with art and various items of wealth.” He took a sip of his soup. “I do not know much about him but…he supplies valuable treasures to ponies who can afford to hire him. He is known for frequenting the black market and stealing from museums.”

“So he’s just some petty thief.”

“I would not call him petty, Miss Do.” Ahuizotl said in a low voice. “You saw what he did to me and to you. He is not um…” he began to snap his fingers trying to figure out the right word before landing on the right one. “-a weakling. He is clearly experience in combat.”

Daring pursed her lips and tapped her hoof against her chin. “Judging from the way he attacked you…and me, he was aiming for our pressure points. It’s a hard art to master, so he must be a skilled fighter but, who is he working for?”

“That is hard to say because I do not know of the answer. I do know this…you are familiar with the legend of the Winter Pearl, no?”

“Sure, the pearl is regarded as a sacred artifact to the Ococztet Tribe that used to live there. There was the legend on how their God, Tlaloc, used the pearl’s power to save them from a drought. On a high mountain, on the day of the winter solstice the pearl caused the land to be covered in snow. But, the magic of the pearl made it snowed in that region, non-stop for a hundred years.” She blinked, the thought dawning on her. “Wait…the winter solstice is in a few weeks!” She got up. She couldn’t afford to waste any more time. She would have to track Blanco down and intercept him before he could reach his buyer. But, it’s hard to track down ponies in the rainforest, disappearing without a trace. She let out a groan. “It will take me days before I could pick up his hoof prints.”

“It seems you are in a slight dilemma, Miss Do.” Ahuizotl said, a grin plastered across his muzzle. Daring cocked her head at him. It was then she put the pieces together.

“You know where he is…” She said. “You know where he took the pearl!”

“I am surprised you caught on so quickly.” He mocked, Daring decided to let it slide. “Yes, I know where is heading. He is going back to his homeland to give the pearl to his buyer in Maris. He is attending a party in a museum called, “Petite’s Jewels and Artifacts,” but there is a small prob-!”

“Wait, how do you know this?” Daring asked with suspicion.

“Two weeks ago, I was frequenting the Black Market, it was there when I heard the rumors of this pony and the pearl. Naturally, I did not want to deal with eternal snow and ice, so I decided to find the pearl first and destroy it.” Ahuizotl let out a sigh. “But the temple remained elusive to me, that is until I saw you with a map leading to the temple and well, you know what happened after.”

“How could I forget?” She said with a hard tone, rubbing her sore side. “And what do you mean by ‘problem’? There’s no problem I can’t handle. I handle you pretty well, don’t I?” She sneered. Ahuizotl growled at her.

“Funny.” He said dryly. “But you will never enter the event without the location and it is for married couples only.” Daring stared at him for a moment, stifled out a laugh before bursting in loud laughter. Her head thrown back as she clutched her sides.

“Please! A married couple? Who the hay made up that stupid rule?” She wiped a tear from her eye, ignoring Ahuizotl’s glare. “I can work around that, I would just have to get a pony who can help me and…” She looked up at Ahuizotl, who took another sip of his soup, while keeping his eyes on Daring. She took a step back, mouth agape in shock.

“You got to be kidding me, you want to come with me!”

“To seek my vengeance on the pony who paralyzed me!” Ahuizotl shouted before he cleared his throat. “And to also destroy the artifact.”

“No thanks. I prefer to not work with an ego maniac, who tried to kill me multiple times in his stupid traps.” Daring Do turned away from him, heading out. “And I want to preserve the pearl, not destroy it!”

“You are foolish to preserve such a powerful totem!”

“I am a mare of history! It belonged to a lost race of ponies, it deserves to be admired!”

“You need my help, Miss Do.” Ahuizotl said sternly, which made her scoff at him.

“Please, what do you have to offer? I’ll tell you, nothing.” She stomped her front hoof at him. “This involves going in undetected. Blanco could run if he gets one look at you a mile away or one smell of your breath.”

“And he’ll run in fear from your witty remarks.” Ahuizotl countered. Daring Do smiled and batted her eyelashes at him.

“Why Ahuizotl, are you calling me witty? I’m flattered; I guess you aren’t as dense as I thought.”

“How very adult of you.” He responded with a dull tone. She flipped her mane back.

‘Besides, I am a professional in disguises. You, on the other hoof, aren’t exactly ‘small’ or ‘approachable’.” She said, making air quotations with her hooves. Ahuizotl put his hand to his chest in offence.

“I am plenty approachable!” He argued. “As for changing my appearance, I might have something that will be of assistance.” With his tail, he reached over to a clay urn. He reached inside and pulled out an emerald amulet, surrounded by silver and engraved with symbols. It was attached to a silver chain.

“What is that?” Daring Do asked, peering at the green oval gem with interest. She had never seen anything like it. The symbols depicted a picture of a chimera engraved into it.

“This amulet will me of extreme help, Miss Do. The Amulet of Metamo. Metamo was a creature who can change his form at will, each amulet he made turned him into any creature he could think of and this one, could change me into a pony.” Without a second thought, he put the necklace around his neck. The emerald began to glow brightly, emitting a pulsing light that enveloped Ahuizotl in a blinding veil. Daring Do put up her hood, shielding her eyes. As quickly the light appeared, it was gone in a quick flash. Her eyes widened at the sight of what appeared to be a pony version of her enemy.

He was an earth pony, with dark blue fur and a black mane. A little taller than most earth ponies and slim. He still had his yellow eyes, and he wore the same golden necklace, bracelets and the one earring. Fitted to his new size. The amulet hung loosely around his neck. He looked at Daring Do, seemingly discouraged by her silence. He looked at himself in a small frown. He clapped his new hooves together; he would have to get used to not having hands for a while. He looked up at Daring, tired of the silence.

‘Why are you staring?” He demanded.

“You know…" she started slowly, “You look so… ugly. You look exactly the same!” She dramatically gasped, covering her mouth in mock horror.

He scoffed, rolling his eyes as he walked past her.

“As always, your sense of humor is compatible with the back end of a mule,” he smugly retorted. She shot a glare at him. “We will leave for Maris in the morning, until then…” he pointed to the opening of the tent, "Get out, you shall sleep outside.”

“Hmph! Gladly! This place smells like cat litter anyway." she replied with her head up high, taking her leave. She looked over at the Aztec ponies, finding them heading into their own tents. Daring Do looked up at a nearby tall tree, one large enough to not be pushed down by Ahuizotl and tall enough to not get caught off guard. She shot up toward a high branch, set herself down, and looked down toward Ahuizotl. He waved goodbye to her with a grin across his face, making her cringe at the gesture. Daring watched him go back inside, she leaned back against the trunk of the tree, resting her hooves over her stomach. Trust was not a thing easily given to the likes of Ahuizotl. She knew once they get a hold onto the Pearl he would try to kill her. For now, she was safe up in the trees.
> Contentment
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CH 3 CONTENTMENT

Daring Do woke up to the sounds of macaws and song birds. She sat up on her branch and rubbed her sore back. She yawned and groaned from a slight pain in her side. She lifted up her vest and saw a very large purple bruise. She suspected it came from Ahuizotl from nearly crushing her to death and from Blanco, when he struck her. She would have to apply medication to it as soon as she can. She licked her hoof and brushed her mane back, glancing at the forest canopy. The view made her forget about the pain for a moment. She put her pith helmet back onto her crown and looked down at the campsite. She saw a few of Ahuizotl’s tribe preparing breakfast. She watched a handful of ponies going into the rainforest to pick the nearby fruit, herbs and mushrooms. A dozen ponies took the ingredients to chop and separate into portions. The herbs and mushrooms were used to prepare soup. Her nose perked when she smelled fresh bread. There was a fire pit made out of mud and stone that the ponies used as an oven, coming out of it was loaves of bread. At the sight of so much food, she felt her stomach growl. She would have to scrounge up something to eat. She flapped her wings, ready to fly off to the nearest banana tree but her ears perked when she heard something below her. She looked down and saw a young orange pony below her branch, trying to reach her. He was sweating profusely and struggling to keep himself up in the tree. Her eyes widened, he had no safety harness and was climbing up with his bare hooves, all the while carrying a sack in his mouth.

“Hey!” She grabbed him by the scruff and lifted him up on her branch. The pony dropped the saw in front of her, panting from exhaustion. “All right!” Daring began with a snarl. “Talk! What exactly were you doing? And you better tell me right now or else somepony is going to have a long, long fall!” She gave him a hard poke, making him dangerously teeter over the edge.

“N-No!” gasped the orange earth pony, forcing himself back against the solid tree trunk. “I-I was just bringing you your breakfast!” He hugged the tree in fear. “Please don’t push me out of the tree!” He cried. Daring Do arched a brow at him and the sack. She opened it slowly. She was surprised to find freshly picked oranges and not poisonous snakes ready to bite at her face. She blinked and glanced up at the pony, who was shaking in fear.

“What did you bring this?” She asked softly.

“M-Master Ahuizotl said you are a g-guest. As his guest, you get to have breakfast first, h-he wants you to have breakfast along with him.”

“Hmm…that’s convenient; I was getting hungry.” She smiled and licked her lips. She tore into one of the oranges, savoring its sweet taste. “Thanks.” She said, her cheeks full of orange slices.

“Y-yes…” He cringed when he accidently glanced down from the tree. “H-He said you did not enjoy the stew from last night and ordered me to get you something fresher.”

“He did?” She questioned, slurping up the last remaining juices in her hoof. The stallion suddenly turned a shade of green. The height was finally getting to him. Daring could not believe Ahuizotl was capable of being kind yet…she remembered how the children acted around him and the filly from last night, who appeared glad to serve him. She swallowed the last bit of orange and wiped her mouth with her hoof.

“That was…nice of him to do.” Her muzzle scrunched at the orange peels. “These aren’t filled with poison, are they? Cuz if they are, so help me, I’m taking you with me to the afterlife!” She said, grabbing him once more and shoving his head towards the edge.

“N-no! They’re not poisonous! I-I promise they are not!” He cried out. She gave him one last look of disdain before retracting her hoof.

“Okay. I believe you.” She said; taking another orange. The pony sighed in relief. Daring smacked her lips, licking the juice. “These are pretty good. I’ve never tasted oranges this sweet before.”

“I-I am g-glad you l-like them, Miss.” The pony said, his body still wrapped around the tree trunk.

“Say, where is that so called “master” of yours?”

“H-he is in his tent, preparing to go to the marketplace, he said you should meet him inside.”

“Alright, I’m done anyway. Thanks for the oranges, kid.” She flew out of the branch and landed on the ground with a soft thud. The pony’s eyes widened when he reached out to her in desperation.

“No! Wait! Miss!...Miss!...I can’t get down! Come back!”




Daring Do entered the tent to find Ahuizotl, talking to an older Ahuizoten warrior. The old warrior had white ware paint that covered his orange fade coat. His neck and ankles were decorated with bands of gold and he carried a long staff in his right hoof. Daring noted the old stallion had a scar down his left eye, the eye was milk, indicating that he was blind. It seemed the two of them were having an intense conversation. She jumped back and hid behind the thick fabric of the tent.

“Should you really go with that mare, my lord? Isn’t she your sworn enemy?” The old pony said with a stern and gruff voice.

“It cannot be helped, Izel.” Ahuizotl replied with a tired tone. “Unfortunately, we must work together to find the pearl.”

“Please, my lord, she might betray you. Why don’t you take one of the warriors here with you? Teicuih has been coveting you for many months now.”

Daring Do almost gagged to think any pony found Ahuizotl “attractive”.

“I have no time for her nonsense.” Ahuizotl stated in a stern tone. He picked up his magical amulet with his tail, giving it a look. “No, Miss Do is a more than capable warrior. As much as I loathe to admit aloud, she is intelligent and quick.”

Daring Do smirked at his words. Izel rolled his eyes and shook his head. “She is an annoyance, Lord Ahuizotl.”

Ahuizotl hummed. “Yes. As an immortal mosquito.”

Daring smirk dropped into a frown. Ahuizotl sighed when his white cat rubbed against his arm. He gave it a pat on its head. “As always. It will be your job to protect the tribe and my little princess.”

Daring Do’s ears perked in interest. She saw Ahuizotl picked up his cat with his ears low. Daring stuck her tongue out in disgust from the sudden gesture.

“You be a good girl to Izel, Princesa.” Ahuizotl cooed. His cat let out a soft mew in response. Izel chuckled softly taking the kitten into his hooves.

“You do not need to worry about her, My lord, or your other cats. I will take great care of them until you return.”

“Of course.” Ahuizotl said, regaining his composure. “You may take your leave.” Izel bowed at him and exited the tent. He glanced at Daring, who whistled innocently until he walked away, shaking his head. Daring Do smirked and strolled inside.

“So that mangy thing is a girl huh?” She said out loud. Ahuizotl shot a glare at her.

“She is very special and very fierce!” He said proudly, shaking a fist towards the ceiling. Daring looked at her hoof in boredom.

“Yeah, she’s a real battleaxe. Are we going or what?”

“Patience.” He growled. “First, we must have the invitations for the party, without them we will have no way inside.”

“You’re joking. We actually need the invites? Can’t we just sneak inside?”

“No. It is in a museum. It will clearly have security.”

Daring Do cursed under her breath. She was forced to agree. It made her even more annoyed by the inconvidence and working alongside Ahuizotl.

“How are we suppose to get the invites?”She asked. He walked passed her, ignoring her question and heading outside. Daring Do scowled, sucking in her cheek. She followed him out. Once outside, he was supplied with a small saddle bag and quickly surrounded by a hoofful of children.

“Where are you going, Lord Ahuizotl?” asked one small filly, nudging at his arm.

“Yeah where are you going?” asked another foal. Another actually climbed successfully on Ahuizotl’s back.

“Why are you leaving again?” He asked. Ahuizotl grabbed the kid off of his back and put him down.

“I will be back soon.” He explained. The children let out a collective ‘aww” and nudged at him again.

“When will you play with us?”

Daring was surprised at how the children acted around him. It was as if Ahuizotl acted as their uncle or father figure. Ahuizotl smiled at them and pointed behind him, towards his tent.

“I will play with you all once I return, I give you my word. For now, why don’t you play with the cats? They’ll be lonely without me.”

“Really?” One filly said, wagging her tail in excitement. He gave her a nod and nudged the children along and out of his way. “Now go on, all of you…” The children cheered and ran towards the tent. Daring arched a brow at Ahuizotl.

“They won’t get hurt by them, will they?” She asked.

“The cats will be fine.”

“I meant the kids.”

He scoffed. “My cats will not harm the children. Now come and follow me.”

They left the tribe without a word of goodbye. Ahuizotl put on the amulet, transforming himself into his pony form. She took a closer look at his pony form. He had a cutie mark that resembled an Aztec temple. She noticed his tail was short and his shoulders were broad. He was not the most muscular pony but he was fitter than some. He strapped on the saddle bag and continued leading the way. Daring Do walked behind Ahuizotl as he continued to give her the silent treatment. But she had ways of getting him to talk. She began to pester him with the same question over and over again. ‘Where are we going?’ She might have sounded obnoxious but she enjoyed watching him squirm. He continued to ignore her so she decided to ask him other questions. He finally gave in.

“We are going to a market place deep in this rainforest. We will purchase the tickets there.”

“How do you know about the tickets?”

“When I heard about Blanco, I also heard about a couple trying to sell their tickets away. They found a buyer and now, we must buy them for ourselves.”

“What if they are not there?”

“I sent a scout last night. He told me the tickets are still there but he did not know for how long.”

Daring Do let out a hum. She gazed at their surroundings as they trudged over tree limbs and bushes.

“So, the kids seems to like you…” She began, Ahuizotl ignored her. “I don’t really like kids. I don’t know what to do with them. How’d you make them like you anyway? Did you give them gold or candy?” She laughed at her own joke.

Ahuizotl felt his forehead throb from hearing Daring Do’s voice and manic questions. He never realized how much of a talkative pony she can be. They usually have a small conversation, he would monologue, she would respond with a quip and then he leaves her in a trap. After a while, Daring finally stopped talking. Ahuizotl raised a brow at the sudden silence and let out a sigh of relief.

“How long till we get there?” Daring asked. He flinched at the sound of her voice; dreading the journey ahead.

“A few more hours.” He said with his teeth clenched.

“A few more!” She exclaimed, right into his ear. He flinched away and Daring chuckled silently before catching her breath. “This is taking way too long. We could fly wherever it is we are going. If only you had wings, flying is so much better than walk-!”

Ahuizotl suddenly whirled around in a rage.

“Would. You. Be. Quiet!” He snarled, baring his teeth with his nostrils flaring. “All you have done is talk and talk and talk!Porque hablas tanto, mendiga!”

“Hey! Yell at me in something I understand! I can’t talk back if I have no idea what you’re saying! You stupid ape-monkey- dog… pony… thing!”

He stopped and almost expected the earth to shake from his anger. “I have just about enough of you!”

“Me too! You sensitive filly!” She retorted, slamming her hoof down in protest, sizing him up. He puffed his chest out, trying to out size her in his own pony form.

“Stubborn mule!” He yelled.

“Cat-lover!”

“Half-breed!”

“Your one to talk, you freak!” She spat. Her spit hit his muzzle. He snarled, wiping it away.

“Ill-mannered, ugly mule!”

“Egotistical sociopath!”

He slapped her pith helmet off of her head, making it land in the mud. Next thing they knew they were wrestling and rolling around in the same mud. Daring Do slammed his face into the wet soil, making him sputter out the brown sludge. He bucked her off of him, making her land on her back. He leapt on top of her and shoved mud into her mane and face with his hooves. She yelled out and shoved him to the side; rolling on top him. They both fought, with teeth bared and hooves filled with rotten leaves and wet dirt to make the other as dirty, or injured, as possible. After a solid twenty minutes, they both finally separated, due to exhaustion, both covered head to tail in thick, heavy mud.
Daring wiped the mud from her eyes and grabbed her pith helmet; wiping the mud from it before placing it back on her head. She glared at Ahuizotl who was still wiping the mud from his eyes.

“Way to lose your temper, Ahuidolt-l!” She said, lifting herself out of the mud pit.

“You are the one who had started this! This is your fault!” He argued, rising to his hooves, “We cannot go to the market looking like this!”

“I say it's an improvement: now no one has to see your face.” She grumbled. She tried to shake her mane loose and groaned finding that it was already beginning to hardened in the blazing heat, “Oh great, that’s just great! The mud is starting to get hard.”

“Oh, what a disappointment,” He mocked, holding a pout.

“Oh shut up, I’m going to find a waterfall.” She said and slapped her tail across Ahuizotl’s muzzle; covering his face in mud again. He let out a low growl, wiping the mud off of his face, and followed Daring Do.



It wasn’t long ‘till they reached a large waterfall. The water was a beautiful crystal clear blue; with small fish swimming along the bottom. The waterfall cascaded down a rock ledge with a roar. Daring separated herself from Ahuizotl, who was splashing his face with the refreshingly clean water. She found a nice and semi-private place behind the waterfall and it was far enough away from Ahuizotl. She took of her vest, placing it on the ledge making the water wash away the mud. She took off her helmet, put it to the side, and began to wash herself underneath the water. She scrubbed furiously, trying to get rid of the dirt, worms, and rotten leaves stuck to her coat.

Ahuizotl glanced at Daring Do, who was now trying to get the mud off of her mane. He silently casted a curse on her to try and have the mud permanently stuck in her mane. He took off his saddle bag and dived into the water, the mud washed away from his body as he swam. He breached, his mane and body now clean. He stared up at Daring Do who had her back to him, completely oblivious to his existence. He noticed that her mane had gotten longer since the last time he had seen her, now reaching her shoulders. He noticed a curious sight, with her vest gone, he saw jagged pinkish lines on her upper back. Scars, obviously caused from her dangerous profession. He could tell that they were caused by constant battle. The question remained if he was the one that caused some of them or all or all of them. He frowned when he noticed a large grey bruise on her side. He watched as the clumps of mud continue to fall off, revealing her shimmering gold coat. Her grey-scaled mane gleamed in the light of the sun as she delicately ran her hooves through it.

Daring turned around, her hooves over her chest and saw Ahuizotl staring at her with a stupid, blank expression. Her nose recoiled in disgust. “A little privacy, please?!”



Ahuizotl blinked, snapping out of his daze. He rolled his eyes, scowled and turned away from her and dived down into the water again. Daring Do shook her head in disbelief before continuing to wash her sore side. She turned back towards Ahuizotl and saw him swimming gracefully through the water, doing cartwheels and corkscrews. She wondered if he swam often. He popped his head out of the water and dived backwards; reaching to the bottom and seemingly grabbing some plants.


Daring Do pulled her vest out from underneath the waterfall and moved to the bank. She wrung any excess water out her vest before putting it back on. It was damp but she didn’t mind. Anything to feel relief in the humidity of the rainforest. She grabbed her helmet and put it back on her mane, her trusty whip and pack strapped to her side.

“Come on, Ahuizotl!” She called out, walking down the side of bank. She watched him swim towards the edge of the water, climbing up on the dry edge and slipping on his saddle bag.


She noticed how dry his coat was; as if the water had never touched him. She guessed it had something to do with whatever creature he was; water not sticking to his fur, like an aquatic mammal. In his hooves, he had what appeared to be moss.

“What’s that for?” She muttered as she wringed out her mane. He put the moss up to her face, making her almost gag from the smell.

“It is for your injury.”

Daring pushed his hoof and his moss away from her sensitive nose. “I’m not hurt.”

“I saw the bruise.” She blinked and instictivly touched her side. He tilted his head at it, confirming his suspicion.

“Yeah. It’s not a big deal.” She said, giving him a shrug. “I’m used to it.”

“It is swollen.”

“Yeah, but after a couple of weeks-“

“This moss would help with the pain and inflammation.” Ahuizotl pressed, lifting the moss back up to her again. “I use it for myself from time to time.”

“Is it…safe?”

He rolled his eyes and placed the moss on her hoof. She cringed. “Use it if you like, or throw it away. I do not care.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. Even though the moss smelled horrible, the sore pain in her side was worse. She lifted her vest up and rubbed the moss against it. It stuck to her like a bandage and provided instant relief. She smirked and made a mental note to use it again in the future.

“Thanks.” She muttered.

“Let us go, it is almost noon and we only have a few more hours.” Ahuizotl said, looking up at the sky.

“How are we going to get tickets to the party and to Maris in the black market?” She asked. “I mean, it can’t have everything right? And I don’t have a lot of bits on me.”

“You will be surprised, Miss Do… The pony we are about to meet has the tickets and everything we need.” He said with a smirk of confidence.

“And who is that exactly?

“You know him by the name of… Cabelleron.”
> Propeganda
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daring Do and the search of the Winter Pearl

Chapter 4

“Propaganda”

Daring Do peered out from the bushes. She and Ahuizotl stood at the edge of the forest, staring into a small village full of shifty ponies. Most of them concealed their faces with colored hoods; some had tattoos plastered across their bodies, and others carried swords and knives strapped to their sides. Daring Do pulled her head back from the leaves and faced Ahuizotl.

“Those are  some 'average-joes' in there.” She said. Ahuizotl shrugged.

“Please… they all fear me here.”

“Not when you’re a pony, they’re not.”

“Hmm that… would prove problematic. I can’t change into my true form and walk in with you; they’ll surely recognize us. And these types of ponies would sell us out for a bag of apples and a loaf of bread to our enemies.” He said, crossing his arms. "It would be something I would do as well. We cannot expect any less from them." He glanced back at Daring. "They will surely notice you." 

“Lucky for us, I know how to disguise myself.” She said with a smug smirk as she took off her hat. "Hold this for me, will ya?" She placed her hat on top of Ahuizotl's head when she pushed passed him. Ahuizotl's nostril flared and immediately removed it, slamming it to the ground. Daring walked along the forest edge, hiding behind the thick brush. She was watching the vendor stands, looking for something suitable to wear. A golden necklace caught her eye, it had small rods arranged in a row, probably stolen.  She took out her whip and once the vendor had his back turned she swung her whip and snatched the necklace. She caught it in her hoof and put it on. She moved on and found a clothing stand, It was filled with expensive silk and egyptian cotton. She grabbed the first dress she saw with her whip and avoided getting caught. It was a red victorian style dress, with a v-neck collar, puffy veil short sleeves and crinkled bottom that covered her cutie mark and with black embroidered jewels across the chest. There was one word that came across Daring Do’s mind:

Skanky.

Daring Do let out a groan, knowing that she would be pushing her luck if she tried to grab another dress. She reluctantly put it on and placed her whip and vest underneath the dress. With a quick brush of her hair and some forest sap, she curled her mane; letting it fall to the side of her head. She made her way back to Ahuizotl, who now had a dagger in his mouth, as he kept watch over the village.

“Where did you get that?” She whispered, her eyes darting back to the village. He turned towards the sound of her voice and noticed her choice of disguise. He almost swallowed the dagger in shock. His eyebrows shot up and his eyes slowly moved up and down as he examined her wardrobe. Up... and down.... Up... and d-

“Stop. It!” She growled, her face turning red with embarrassment. “It was all I could get, okay?”

He went to put the dagger into his saddlebag, and missed a few times; his eyes still on her (or more specifically: her body). She stomped her hoof, making him look up at her. “Hey! My eyes are up here! Stop looking at me!” She placed her front legs close together, trying to cover herself. She felt that his eyes were on her for too long. “And where in the hay did you got that dagger?”

“I stole it….” he started, but shook his head and turned away from her. “I got it when you were gone... You are going to attract more attention!” he suddenly snapped, “We are suppose to blend in, not stick out!” he said pointing at her dress.

“Please, drama queen. I’m sure nopony will notice."

Cheers and whistles rang throughout the village as every male caught sight of Daring Do. She tried to ignore their constant cat-calls as they called her from the side of the street as she and Ahuizotl walked down through the dirt path in the middle of the street.

Ahuizotl stood behind her, his eye twitching in irritation. He didn’t like so many eyes on Daring. Before he could catch up to her he noticed a chestnut stallion stroll up to Daring; blocking her path. He had a eye patch over his right eye with tribal tattoos around his neck. The stallion was sporting a grin as he looks over at Daring.

“Well, Hello~beautiful~” he starts, Daring Do’s eye twitched, she was tempted to punch that stupid grin off his face. She flicks her mane back calmly.

“Well aren’t you… cute?” She strained, with a southern belle accent. She was pretty convincing when she used one of her many accents. It worked before and it never fails. Ahuizotl glared down the stallion, who didn’t seem to have noticed him or was actively ignoring him. The stallion suddenly put his arm around Daring’s shoulder bringing her close to him.

“Cute I am, doll-face. Why don’t you and I spend some quality time together at my stand?” He began to lead her away from the path. Before she could break his forearm, the stallion was quickly slammed against the wooden frame of another vendor’s stand by Ahuizotl. Her eyes widened when she saw a flash of metal from his dagger. Ahuizotl held the deadly blade up to the stallion’s throat. The stallion quickly turned white in fear  from Ahuizotl’s eyes. Everypony around them suddenly went silent wondering what might ensue. None of them didn't want to intervene. It was every pony for themselves. 

	    “If you ever touch her again, I will slice up your body and feed your rotting corpse to the vultures! but not before I cut out your only good eye and chew it between my teeth!” He said with a menacing growl, almost like a lion.

Daring Do blinked in shock and felt a chill run down her spine. She had never heard him spit out threats like that and never in that voice. The villagers that had crowded around the stand slowly began to back away; fearful that they too would be on the receiving end of the stallion’s wrath. Ahuizotl pressed the blade closer against the stallion’s adams apple; he gulped, cold sweat running down his face.

“O-okay, o-okay!” he cried. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll leave h-her alone!” Ahuizotl removed the blade but instead of letting the stallion walk away, he picked the stallion off the stand and threw him over his shoulder, making him fly over the crowd into a fruit stand behind him, making it collapse on top of the pony. He was breathing heavily in a feuling rage. Daring had seen Ahuizotl get angry before, but he was in a fury. He teeth grinded against each other seeing the crowd’s eyes on him. He stomped his hooves at them in irritation, and pointed the dagger at them.

“What are you all gawking at!” Everypony turned their eyes away instantly, making Ahuizotl put away his dagger, grumbling profanities under his breath as he walked up to Daring, taking her hoof into his in a harsh pull.

“Come on!” he growled, as they began to walk down the dirt path.

“Hey! Would you calm down, you're hurting my arm!” she demanded. When he ignored her she yanked her sore arm from his. She scanned the road up ahead and found an alleyway, she forcefully pulled him into it.

“What the hay is your problem!?” She shouted, throwing him in the middle of the alleyway, like common trash. “Don’t you ever you ever grab me like that! Ever! I’m not a bag of luggage that you could pull around! And what happened back there!? I was going to handle that guy myself until you went all psycho!”

“You should be thanking me!” He retorted. “You seemed to be enjoying all of the attention!”

“Enjoying? Are you serious? Why would I be enjoying--”

“Then why did you pick that dress?!”

“Because it was the only thing I could get, okay!”

“I am sure there are others you would have gotten!”

“Well I didn’t!” she sighed in frustration. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked; rubbing her reddening arm. 

He held his breath for a moment before exhaling slowly, calming himself down. He sat down rubbing the sides of his head. He had gotten carried away. But the way those males had been acting and how that stallion treated Daring… what was he supposed to do? They sent him over the edge. He let out a shaky sigh as he put his hooves on his pulsing head; he had drawn more attention to them because of his outbreak. He was the one who made the mistake… not her. He looked up at her; she was facing the entrance of the ally rubbing her bruised arm. He let out a sigh and faced her.

“I- I am sorry,” he said. Daring Do turned around; surprised by his apology. “I overreacted, and I… I shouldn't have grabbed you so forcefully.” His voice lowered to a whisper as he looked at ground.

Daring bit her lower lip and sat down, “Its… okay?” she said slowly, scratching her mane awkwardly, “Still… that stallion did deserved it, I think eating his eye was a bit over excessive”.

Ahuizotl chuckled softly, “Did you see the look on his face?”

Daring let out a laugh, “Hysterical! Did you notice the crowd? You scared them pretty good.” She said, giving him a nudge in the shoulder. 

They both began to chuckle. She looked up at him, this was the first time she has heard him laugh; actually laughing, not his insane maniacal laugh, but a normal genuine laugh. She stood up, and flicked her mane back. “Come on, the quicker we find Caballeron, the quicker I can get out of this stupid dress.”

Ahuizotl cleared his throat, and looked down the alleyway.

“We are fairly close to where he is at.” he began, “If I am correct, he should be around this corner.”

Ahuizotl took the lead as they walked down the maze of alleyways. After taking a left and walking for a few minutes they came to an abrupt end. A wire fence separated the alley in half, boxes and other debris sat on either side of the fence. Daring thought that they had reached a dead end but before she could ask Ahuizotl strolled down the alley and turned to face one of the red bricked buildings. Daring Do caught up to him and saw that he was standing in front of a metal plated door with no handle and a sliding peep hole. Ahuizotl put out his hoof and knocked three times, making the metal door rumble. The peep hole suddenly opens to reveal a set of green eyes.

“Sí?!” the pony began in a harsh voice. ”What is it? What do you want?” he demands.

“Caballeron?” Ahuizotl asked, with a brow raised.

“Sí, it is me! Who are you? and who is-!” his eyes widened noticing a beautiful mare beside the blue stallion. His eyes lower slightly.

“Well hello there…” Caballeron said suavely. Daring Do silently gagged but covered it with her hoof. She would have to play along for now. She batted her eyes at him letting out a girlish giggle that she can mustered out towards him. Ahuizotl rolled his eyes and bit the inside of his cheek. Caballeron shut the peep hole.

“Just a moment!” he called. She and Ahuizotl heard a set of crashes and furniture being moved. They both exchanged looks as they heard Caballeron inside.

“Wake up you idiots! We have a guest! Get this place cleaned up!

…

No, no not under the rug!

You! Get the drinks! Hurry up!”

“This ought to be fun” Daring groaned, she pulled at the fabric of her dress. “I am definitely going to tear off this dress and burn it”

“I’ll be happy to tear off that dress” Ahuizotl replied with a frown. Daring whirls to him her mouth agape. He looks back at her noticing her expression, he blinked letting the thought process in his mind. His face suddenly turned red. “I-I do not mean that!” he sharply whispered. Daring looked back to the door.

“Stallions…” she said under her breath, “No control.” 

Before Ahuizotl could respond, the door opens revealing Caballeron. He motioned Daring Do to enter.

“Please, make yourself at home” he smiles politely. Daring let out a smile walking past him.

“Why...such a gentlemen” she said in her southern belle accent, she flicks her tail at his muzzle making him sneeze. Ahuizotl quickly followed behind, they entered a large red room, the windows were covered with black curtains and the only source of light was candles and a string of swing light bulbs on the ceiling. Inside the room, there was expensive art on the wall as well as artifacts. In the middle of the room was a golden tassel rug with Indian style of art, on top of it was a table, with red pillows as seats. The room smelled like cheap cigar smoke and sweat. Daring and Ahuizotl turned to hear the door closed. They both see Caballeron’s hench ponies come out of the shadows appearing behind Caballeron, who walked up to Daring taking her hoof.

“A pleasure to have you in my humble home, Miss?.....” he starts bowing his head slightly.

“Maybelle…” Daring replied. “Just...Maybelle” Caballeron let out a throaty chuckle and tried to kiss the top of her hoof. Daring pulled away quickly grabbing Ahuizotl’s arm. “And! this is my sweet boo...umm, Quinn, my bodyguard!...can't be to careful around these dangerous parts” she said, Ahuizotl eyes widened slightly but was silent. Caballeron let out a  frown.    

“Ah...I see, very good...now what is that you are here for?" He asks sitting down from across the table. Daring and Ahuizotl sat down in front of him, one of the hench ponies, who was wearing sunglasses brought over to them a pitcher of water and glass cups. He pours the cool water into their cups serving to the trio before taking his place behind his boss, sitting down beside the other two hench ponies.

"We are here to acquire some tickets to a party in Maris for the Petite Museum" Daring replied sweetly. "We wanted to steal some priceless art, but they only gave the tickets to rich and married ponies!" she cries, putting her hooves over her chest in a dramatic pose. Caballeron elbow one of his hench ponies wearing a fedora, making him take out a red hoofkerchief from his pocket and placing it into his boss's hoof. Caballeron gave Daring the hoofkerchief that she used to dry her crocodile tears unknown to Caballeron who thought they were real. Ahuizotl couldn’t believe how dense Caballeron really was. "I know, since you are so popular, Mr. Caballeron, that you might have some tickets?"

"You are in luck, a couple came a couple of weeks ago to trade with me the tickets in exchange for a cheap necklace" He said, he sends the hench pony wearing sunglasses into another room after a few minutes he came back placing the two white tickets into Caballeron hoof. Daring let out a smile reaching out for them.

"Oh how wonderful, I'll just take these and-!"

"Not so fast, my dear." Caballeron said pulling away the tickets.Daring pulls back her hoof, clenching it slightly. "There is the matter of the fee."

“Yes...the fee.” Daring said, sucking in air. “How much?” She knew she and Ahuizotl did not have enough bits if its Caballeron asking for a price.

“Well….” he pressed his lips together in thought. “I was thinking one thousand bits for each ticket, but since its for a beautiful mare such as yourself, I have a proposa.l”

“What type of proposal?" 

"Well, there are two tickets and you need a companion to come with you, what if you and I got to Maris?" He smiles, he picks up his glass of water taking a drink. Daring let out a small laugh. like that was going to happen.

"You're too kind, Mr. Caballeron…" she starts.

"Please, Doctor Caballeron." he emphasise, before taking another drink.

"But I am taking my dear husband, Quinn" she said taking Ahuizotl's arm. He pulled away instinctively turning to her.

"I am not your husband!" He shouts, Daring swiftly kicked him making him jump his leg hitting the table making it bounce. He shoots a glare at her, rubbing his sore leg to see her eyes lower silently saying to him with her eyes "You were suppose to play along!" Ahuizotl realized his mistake but it was too late to take it back. Caballeron brow raised becoming suspicious. Daring notice his hench ponies going for their weapons, wooden short staffs  strapped to their sides. She had to think of something. She let out a cry pulling away from Ahuizotl as if struck, putting the hoofkerchief to her eyes.

"How can you say that? I thought you loved me! After all we have been  through together, you have the audacity to say that you are not my husband?!.... and to think that I am now pregnant  with your foal!"

Caballeron spit out a spray of water to the side before coughing abruptly. The hench-ponies looked at each other in surprise not sure what to do with this situation. When they were distracted amongst themselves, Daring Do winks at Ahuizotl, who nods. He slams his hoof on the table making the glasses fall on their sides, spilling the water.

"You know that it’s not my foal!" Ahuizotl shouted. 

"How dare you!" Daring shouts back, she swings her hoof hitting Caballeron in the face making him fall to the side, causing the tickets to slide across the room. Daring let out a smirk hiding it behind her hoof. "Oh my! How clumsy of me" She was quickly by his side lifting him up to his hooves, he clutched at his swollen cheek and spits out blood.

"Oh Doctor! I am so sorry, I was trying to hit my ungrateful husband….are you all right?" She looks over to Ahuizotl giving him a nod. Ahuizotl stood up.

"You cry over me one moment and now you are with another colt!" He goes up to Caballeron, Daring moves away from him as Ahuizotl grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him up to his face. "You have some nerve!" 

The hench ponies stood on their hooves taking out their weapons to pull away Ahuizotl from him. Ahuizotl pushes Caballeron back making him crash into them, making them all fall to the ground. Daring picked up the tickets from the end of the room putting it safety under her dress. Caballeron jumps to his hooves, pointing at her.

"Stop her! She has the tickets!"

The hench ponies each grabbed a staff and ran towards Daring Do. The chestnut stallion reached her first and swung his staff at her head. Daring Do ducked with just enough time to spare; her mane fluttered in the wind created by the staff. It continued on its path, flying over her head, and sailed directly into the face of the pony next to her assailant. The other pony stumbled back. Taking advantage of his disoriented state she bucked him square in the face. His sunglasses shattered; sprinkling the floor with black glass. The white stallion shook his head; droplets of blood and shards of glass splattered onto the floor. Jerking his head he threw his glasses aside; letting out a snort he scraped his hoof across the floor and lowered his head. Daring Do blew a stray strand of hair from her face, pawed the ground, and charged at the white stallion. She, however, hadn’t counted on her dress getting in the way, and three steps later found herself cursing as she felt her leg catch on the hem of the dress. She crashed onto the floor; looking up she saw the stallion grin at her misfortune. He reared up and prepared to deliver a blow to her head. She tensed and closed her eyes; bracing herself for his hooves to crack down on her skull. 

She opened an eye to see Ahuizotl tackle the stallion. Ahuizotl’s head slammed into the white pony's forehead, a loud thwack was heard as their heads collided, which was followed by a loud bang as they crashed into a side table.  Ahuizotl picked himself up from the unconscious stallion, and stumbled away from the broken furniture, his eyes were spinning and his forehead was bleeding. He had barely just finished straightening his eyes when the chestnut pony struck again. Daring Do was caught off guard and yelped as his staff hit her sore arm. 

Quick to counter, she reared up and kicked down and hit the high end of the stick. The lower end of the staff seesawed into the chestnut pony's face, causing him to drop it. Now free from the restraint of her dress she jumped, unfurled her wings through the cloth, and flapped. Her hooves made contact with his face and took him all the way to the ground. The chestnut pony slid across the room and slammed into the white stallion who was just waking up. Daring Do turned around and saw Caballeron reaching for the tickets,

“Ahu- Quinn! Get the tick-” she was cut off when  the gray henchpony tackled her. Ahuizotl heard her and made a dash for the tickets while she struggled with the gray stallion. Caballeron saw Ahuizotl coming for the tickets and retreated back behind the couch. Ahuizotl grinned smugly at his cowardice and picked up the tickets, tucking them away in his saddlebag. Once he was sure they were safely secure he turned to see if his help was needed.

The gray stallion pinned Daring Do to the ground, but before he could deliver a blow, Daring Do kicked him in the stomach; sending him halfway across the room. He landed on his side, but he was up again within seconds. Daring Do picked herself up and took a step back, taking the corner of the rug in her hoof. She faced the last hench pony who had picked up the staff of one his friends in his mouth. She let out a smile and waved. The stallion, charged full speed towards her. Daring Do calmly stood her ground, and then, as he was closing the final distance between them, threw the rug over his face and took to the air. 

[He tripped and slammed into the wall behind her. Completely entangled in the rug, and unable to see where he was going, he continued to swing his staff around blindly. 

“Whoa!” Daring Do exclaimed as she dodged his stray staff. After thinking for a moment she motions to Ahuizotl. Once she has his attention she points to the bumbling stallion, the rug, and then the wall. A quick nod from Ahuizotl was all she needed.

The gray stallion blinked as the rug was ripped from his head; his eyes adjusting to the (not brightly) lit room. He looked up to see the mare, with a growl he went to swing his staff at her, but stopped when she snickered and pointed to her left. He turned his head to his right only to be rammed by the stallion accompanying her. He flew into the wall and slid to floor in a crumpled heap. With all of his hench ponies unconscious, Caballeron quickly ran out of the room and escaped out the back door.

Daring Do and Ahuizotl opened the metal door and bolted down the alley way.

"That was a good act you have done" Ahuizotl said, turning a corner of the alley, Daring galloped behind him.

"Yeah, I can't believe how easy it was to get him off guard" She replies. They both ran out into the marketplace to find a crowd of twenty hench ponies carrying wooden staffs in their hooves and mouths. They skid to a stop finding Caballeron in front of the small army. He points his hoof at them.

"There they are! Get them!" he roars, making the army advance upon them. 

"Oh feathers!" Daring yelled. She jumped into the air with her hoof extended; hitting a stallion in the face causing him to collide into three ponies as they all crash into a fruit stand making oranges and apples fall into the crowd. Daring began bucking the fruits into her attackers in a barrage. Ahuizotl took out his dagger as two ponies ran towards him ready to strike him down with their staffs. He swung his dagger in a upward motion and sliced through the wood. Pieces of wood went flying everywhere. The two ponies looked at one another, their staffs whittled down to a nub, then to Ahuizotl in utter disbelief. Ahuizotl let out a grin as he delivered a swift uppercut to both ponies; cracking their teeth and making them tumble backwards. He looked up to see that ten ponies had circled Daring Do. Acting quickly he ran towards the small mob of ponies, aimed for the center and jumped; landing neatly next to Daring Do.

"Do-- you have-- your whip?" he asked, between breaths. Daring Do yanked it out from under her dress and let it unfurl to it’s full length. The end snapped up with a loud crack. The encircling ponies backed up a few steps to avoid the sting of the whip.

"Never leave home without it." she grinned, looking at him out of the corner of her eye, but still paying attention to the enclosing army, "What do got planned?"

"Quickly, tie this to the end!" he handed her his dagger and she quickly tied the end of her whip to the handle; creating a makeshift, but deadly, "mace". She puts the handle of the whip in her mouth.

"Better duck" she mumbled. Ahuizotl goes down to the ground and puts his hooves over his head. The ten ponies ran towards them making Daring swing her whip in a circular motion. The blade grazes across the ponies scalps, taking off the top of their manes. Daring flicks her whip down and saw the ponies all frozen in place seeing how close the blade came at them, they all drop their weapons in panic and ran, leaving Caballeron alone to face Ahuizotl and Daring, she puts the handle of the whip in her hoof and smiles innocently.

"Would you like a haircut too, doll-face?" she said with her southern accent. Caballeron let out a yell of fright and took off running away from them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daring Do and Ahuizotl ran deep in the rainforest, making sure that no pony followed them. The sun was setting and the forest turned dark, they walked back to where they found the waterfall. They sat down at the bank in front of the water, breathing a sigh of relif. Daring took out the pair of tickets showing them to Ahuizotl.

"Looks like we don't have to worry buying a train ticket anymore"  Ahuizotl took the tickets reading it over.

"Hmm, a train is provided for us, how fortunate….it says it leaves in three days at Manehatten"

"Yup" she sighs, falling on her back at the moist earth, she stares up at the twilight sky seeing a few stars beyond the tall trees, the sound of the waterfall could lull her to sleep with its cascading waters. Ahuizotl fell on his back beside her, staring up at the sky as they both watched the moon being risen. "You know…" she began softly. "This is why I love the rainforest so much, so I can see this" she smiles.

"You can see the same thing anywhere else" he mentions bluntly. "It's the same sky"  She shoots him a sideway glance.

"Thanks for that, Captain Sunshine." She sneered.

"I perfer the sun than the night, the night is too cold" He takes off his amulet, turning back to his true form. He let out a yawn, his canine teeth shining in the moonlight as he stretched his arms out. Daring lifts her head up turning to him.

"It's not that cold." she replies. Ahuizotl rubbed his hands on his arms.

"To you, but to me, it is too cold" he argues.

"You are such a foal, I really hope we get that pearl because I don’t think I can stand your whining" she let out a snicker at her own joke, only to have a gallon of water splash on her, drenching her dress. She sits up in a shout finding Ahuizotl laughing loudly at his own prank as he held a large banana left in his hand-tail.

"You jerk! Now I’m freezing!" she shouts angrily. She puts her hoof out to try to punch him but the water on her dress restricted her as she felt the fabric began to tighten. Ahuizotl rolled on his side clutching his stomach as he watched as Daring tried to punch him only to come up half-way. "Stop laughing! It's shrinking!

She pulled at her dress, but found it impossible to take off herself. She elbowed Ahuizotl in his shoulder making him stop laughing.

"Come on! I can't take it off, I need your help!" she said, he put his hand under his chin, leaning on his elbow facing her.

"Now who is whining?" he grins.

"That's not funny, besides you said you be "happy to tear off this dress" she said slyly. He sits up with a blush across his face.

"I told you that I did not mean it, in that way!"

"I know, I know! Just help me take this off" she said brushing him off with her hoof as she turns her back towards him. He let out a snort.

"Fine!...where is the dagger?"

"Are you crazy?! You want to stab me!? Just rip it!"

"I need the dagger!"

"No! You don't need it!"

"¡Yes I do!, what else do you expect me to use?! My teeth?!” He put his hands on the collar of the dress and pulled back harshly. Daring Do gagged. She pulls away from him clutching her throat.

“Not like that!” she shouts before letting out a cough. He threw his hands up.

“Por favor!” he exclaimed, “Do you want me to help or not!”
> Morning after
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CH 5 Morning After 

CH. 5. "secrets"







Daring Do couldn’t sleep. How could she with her arch enemy sleeping just a few feet away? She glanced up at Ahuizotl. He decided to sleep in the most unusual way, sitting up. It was a little strange and creepy. He almost looked like a stone gargoyle. She asked him about it when he settled into place before drifting off to sleep.

“I am a light sleeper. I will know if somepony tries to disturb our campsite.” 

“Really?” Daring asked, laying down close to the kindling fire. They used her dress as the kindle. 

“I have wonderful selective hearing.” 

Daring couldn’t help but to roll her eyes at his sense of pride. She knew he really wasn’t such a light sleeper. For years, she spied on Ahuizotl at night. It was usually because he stole an artifact from her. She wanted to map his habits and to figure out where he hid the treasures. Most of the time, she would set up above him. Either hidden on top of a tree branch or above a tent. He never suspected a thing. She turned back to her book, turning the page. 
Since she couldn’t sleep, she decided to read. She 
wanted to read more on the legend of the Winter Pearl. The creation of the pearl was centered around magic but by earth ponies, not unicorns. That fact surprised her. It told of a story about a shaman, who during a great drought, created the pearl to bring down snow. It was a blunder on the shaman’s part because he wanted rain, not snow. Yet, it had the same effect. She turned the page and read about a short ritual, involving two lovers, who gave up their lives to save their tribe. Their blood activated the full potential of the pearl. She rubbed her temple and scowled. She wanted instruction as to how to locate the pearl, like a spell or even a counter spell just in case it became activated. But instead she read a warning, if the pearl is put into use for a second time, it will bring devastation. Not salvation as it did before. The blood sacrifice was a hint to the type of magic the shaman used. Black Magic. 
Daring sighed and closed the book. She tries to stay away from black magic yet, when she first read about the pearl. She realized it wasn’t going to be safe in an abandoned temple. She thought she was the only one who knew about it. She couldn’t believe how wrong she was. She rested her head on her forearms and sighed again. All she could think about is the pearl. The winter solstice was only two and half weeks away. She has to find it before some nut case destroys Equestria. She felt her arms begin to shake. She lifted her head up in a jolt. She body began to seize up. She held herself. She was letting fear overwhelm her. She closed her eyes and let out a breath. She immediately calmed herself down. She needed to have a clear mind. Fear makes her hesitate. Fear creates mistakes. She can’t afford to make a mistake. 

“What is wrong?” 

She turned to Ahuizotl. His gold eyes penetrating the dark, like a cat’s. His eyes shifted back and forth at the tree line behind her. 

“Did you heard something?” He said, softly. He kept his voice low as if there was somepony listening in. 

She shook her head. “No.” She whispered, and pushed her book back inside her satchel. 

“I heard you breathing strangely. I assumed-“ 

“You didn’t hear anything.” Daring said and settled her head back down to her foreleg. She turned her head away from him. “I was just reading.” 

She heard him hum. “I see.” She shifted slightly and closed her eyes. One eye shot open when she felt Ahuizotl walk up beside her. She sputtered and lifted her head up at him in boredom. He threw a bit of wood at the fire, making the flames grow in size. 

“You haven’t slept.” He said. 

“Like I said...I was reading.” She leaned against her hoof and with her other, shooed him away. “But don’t let me interrupt your beauty rest.” 

He snorted at her. “You need to rest.” She stared at him. “I can remain awake if you-“

“I don’t need you to-!” She rubbed her forehead, feeling it crease in annoyance. “No thanks. I'm just going to sleep for a few hours. It’s almost morning anyway.” She turned away from him and rested her head down. Ahuizotl said nothing, instead he stared at the fire, until his eyes became heavy. 

A stream of light broke through the trees and hit Daring Do’s face. She stirred, then mumbled. She rubbed her eyes feeling the heat becoming unbearable. Her movements caused Ahuizotl to slowly opens his eyes causing him to looked down his vision still blurry. He saw a yellow object in his arms. He moves his hands down to feel the feathers in between his fingers. He let out a sniff, and felt hairs tickle his snout. Daring’s eyes shot open feeling something ruffling her feathers, when she looked up, she saw Ahuizotl. He must have gotten cold in the middle of the night and grabbed the closest thing that gave him warmth. She let out a blush feeling his fingers stroke the middle of her spine, separating her wings. Her eyes narrowed angrily.

“What. are. you. doing?” she said through her teeth. Her voice was enough to startle him. He pulled away in a panic.

“Heiole!” he exclaimed only to fall into the water nearby. Daring sat up and flapped her wings, trying to get the feel of Ahuizotl’s hands off of her. Ahuizotl popped his head out of the water, sputtering and spitting. He put his hands on the edge trying to pull himself. He looked up to see a very angry Daring Do.     
"Next time, stay on your side!" she snarled and gave him a punch on the top of his skull. Ahuizotl let out a shout of pain as Daring turned away to retrieve her hat. He rubbed the top of his head, feeling a bump begin to form on his cranium. He dragged himself out of the water, grumbling angrily. He glared hatefully at Daring Do who placed her pith helmet on her head before slipping on her shirt and strapping on her whip.    
"I'm going to find some breakfast." she said, with a bit of anger in her voice.

"Fine." he snorted. "Do what you want.”     

Daring flew into the forest flying to the top of the trees, out of sight from Ahuizotl. He shook his body letting the water slid off. He digged into his saddle bag getting out his own breakfast. It was wrapped in paper held together with one piece of twine. He unties it revealing a large piece of bread mixed with mushrooms.He licked his lips, enjoying the savory taste of his meal. His ears twitched when he heard a set of hooves hit the ground. He swallowed and turned around. Daring dropped an assortment of fruits and vegetables, she had found a few oranges, some bananas and mushrooms.
She looked up at Ahuizotl, who stared at her as if startled.

"What?" she asked, irritate.  She sat down taking an orange. "Don't think I'm going to share with you.”     
"I do not want any" he retorted. "I already ate, you be greedy as much as you want, your flank shows it.” he sniffed and  turned  away from her.

"Are you calling me fat?!" she accused, she unconsciously look behind her before back at him, finding a grin across his face. Her cheeks grew red, she took an orange ignoring him as she ate her breakfast. "Whatever…." she muttered quietly. "I'm not fat.” 

Ahuizotl chuckled silently to himself as he took out the tickets from the saddle bag, giving it one last look. He read over the tickets, seeing where the train station is located in Manhattan and the type of train they should take, but underneath it there was a small print. He bought the tickets closer to his eyes as he read it over, he cursed loudly, causing Daring to look at him.

"What?" she muffled; her cheeks full of banana and orange. He turned back at her, showing her the tickets.

"We have a slight problem"

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"I can't believe I am actually doing this." Daring said to herself as she and Ahuizotl stood in front of  a chapel, titled Fifteen minutes or less, Swift Weddings. She and Ahuizotl were in disguise in the middle of the city of Manhattan. Daring wore a pair of large sunglasses, a bright green coat and wore a yellow fall hat. Ahuizotl was in his pony form, wearing a black wool hat, a thick jacket and a bright blue scarf covering his mouth. He put his hoof at the door.

"Let's go." he said.

"Wait!" she shouted, stopping his hoof from opening the door. "Are you sure we have too?...Can't we just get a forged document? I mean, a wedding certificate! Don't they have some in the black market?!"

"For the last hundred times, no! and wedding documents are very difficult to forge and not sought after, it is a very easy plan, we get married today and present the document to the official when we go to the train in twelve hours….now let's go.” He reached out to take her hoof only for Daring to retract it away from him.

"Touch me….and I will break your hoof.” 

"Be reasonable!" he shouted, slamming his hoof down.

"I am reasonable!" She argued. 

"Then be logical!"

Daring let out a scoff. "Logical?...what's logical about what we are doing? Getting married?"

"If you are so worried about the engagement rings, I have already purchased them." 

“You did what?!”

He reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a black box and opened it. Inside there was two golden rings attached to thin silver chains. Daring reeled back, the worst thing was seeing her name engraved in the inside of the ring.

"When did you have the time-! Nevermind! That's not what I mean!"

"oh….I understand it now" he slowly started," its because I am an earth pony, you prefer a pegasus like yourself!"

"Are you being dense?! I mean this whole situation! I don’t want to get married, not with you anyway." he rolled his eyes, putting the rings away in his saddle bag.

"We will get a divorce as soon as we destroy the pearl, I do not wish being married to you as much as you do not wish to be married to me. 

"Fine, but when everything is back to normal, we will never tell anyone or bring it up ever again!"

"Agreed, now shall we go in?" he said motioning her to the door.

"I thought the stallion was suppose to open the door for the lady." She questioned, snarkily.

"For the love of-!" he grabbed the handle and yanked the door open. A small bell ‘tinged’ as Daring and Ahuizotl walked inside.

"Hello," A young mare wearing a red tie and purple collar greeted. "My name is Coco Pommel, how may I help you?" She asked sweetly. 

"Hello," Daring Do replied with a strained smile, "My…dear sweetheart and I want to get m-married." she said, grabbing Ahuizotls arm. 
"We are… e-eloping? And we need- er want to get married as soon as possible."

"Oh how romantic..." Coco sighed as she stared dreamily off into space. With a shake of her head she was back to reality, "I'll be happy to get you fitted for your dress while your colt-friend gets into his tux."

"M-my d-dress?" Daring stuttered as Coco pushed her towards a door marked 'Fillies Only'.

"Of course! I work here part-time; most of the dresses here are mine!" She closed the door behind them, while Ahuizotl was taken into another room by her male co-worker. She pulled Daring Do onto a platform and looked her over, running through the catalogue of dresses in her mind. "I think I have the perfect one for you, free of charge of course."

One quick change later, Daring stood in front of a three sided mirror, completely dumbstruck at her reflection. The dress was a ball gown if she ever did see one. The neckline curved out and down like a heart, not too revealing but just enough to be risqué. The front of the dress was adorned with diamond-cut emeralds, and a green ribbon wrapped around her waist in a pretty little bow. Daring stared at her reflection and frowned. Which didn’t go unnoticed by Coco.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Daring just stared at her hooves, all the confidence that she usually stood with gone.

"I look… silly" she muttered.

"Oh no,” Coco fretted, “I’m so sorry! Is it the dress? Is it not your style? Should I-"  

"I-it's not your fault!" Daring said quickly. "It's-it’s me. I'm just… not the type of mare that looks good in a dress. Especially a wedding dress." she murmured, holding out the dress’ hem forlornly.

"Hmm,” Coco tapped her hoof on her chin, “I think I know what the problem is. You just don't feel like a bride. I think I have just the thing to fix that!” She started to head towards the back room, but stopped and faced Daring Do, “Would you mind closing your eyes for me?"
Daring complied and heard Coco Pommel run across the room and back. She felt her hair being pulled back and split into three sections and then tied after a minute or two. Once her hair was back in place she felt Coco place something over her head and then take a step back to admire her work.

"Okay… you can open them now."
Daring Do opened her eyes and gasped. Her hair was delicately braided and placed over her right shoulder and she wore a veil over her face. As she stared at her reflection her view of the dress began to change. Daring felt her eyes start to tear up, she blinked rapidly to prevent them from spilling over, to no avail. As they slid down the side of her cheek she shook her head and hastily wiped a hoof across her face. She turned away from the mirror and saw Coco smiling gently up at her.

"You look beautiful" she said softly. Daring Do inhaled sharply. Why am I getting so emotional over a stupid dress!? Daring Do doesn’t cry. Not ever. She looked back at the mirror. She always wore her smelly shirt and hat, her coat was always caked in dried mud and sweat from the humidity of the rainforest. She always thought it’d be impossible to get her into a fancy dress, let alone a wedding dress. And yet here she was, about to get married; not out of love but under false pretenses, and definitely not with a special somepony. Despite this, she let out a small smile. Looking at herself one more, all done up, she felt like she was truly beautiful.

"T-thank you." Daring’s voiced hitched, “I-I love it.”
Coco smiled widely and clapped her hooves, "Oh I’m so glad you liked it!” She grabbed Daring Do’s arm and pulled her towards the door, “Let's hurry and take you to the altar, I'm sure your future husband just can’t wait to see you!"

"Oh joy…" Daring Do muttered under her breath.
She was forced into a hallway where she saw Ahuizotl pulling at his tuxedo collar uncomfortably. Coco pulled out a bouquet of white roses and placed them in her hoof before leaving them alone. Daring strolled up to Ahuizotl and he turned to look at her. His bored expression instantly vanished once he got a look at Daring Do in her dress. Ahuizotl’s eyes widened and his jaw made an audible ‘pop’ as it dropped open. He quickly looked away and faced the door that led to the altar. He felt like the room suddenly became about ten degrees hotter as sweat ran down the side of his face.

"So what are we waiting for?" she asked dully.

"T-there i-is a c-couple of p-ponies inside." He stuttered as he fanned himself with a pamphlet. She raised her brow at him.

"Are you okay? You're sweating. Is the tux too tight or something?"

He tugged at his collar and nodded, refusing to look at her. "You’re not going to faint, right? Do you want to change in a bigger tux?" she asked pulling at his sleeve. He stepped away from her.

"Do. Not. Touch me." he said. She lowered her eyes and let out a huff.

"Well saw-ree, your highness!" she said sarcastically, "That's the last time I'll ask if you’re okay, stupid half-donkey!"

"Youlookbeautiful."

As soon as the words were spoken he clapped a hoof over his mouth. Ahuizotl mentally slapped himself for blabbing. Daring Do whirled around and saw him rubbing his face in embarrassment. She looked down, pulling the  bouquet close to her chest.

"R-really?" she asked quietly. Ahuizotl grunted and nodded his head.

"Yes…" he started, staring at the oak doors. "You look like a bride, it suits you." He could practically feel his brain facepalm itself. estupido, estupido, estupido! Why did you say that? He was growing impatient with the couple inside. Fifteen minutes or less it says, Fifteen! Shouldn't they be done by now?

"Thank… you?" she replied. "You too… but like a groom, I mean."

Before he could respond, the door burst open and a couple walked out; giggling with content as they held their marriage certificates in their hooves. Daring peeked inside the chapel and saw a very strangely dressed pony standing behind the altar. He was wearing a large, extravagant black wig, a shiny, diamond encrusted white jumpsuit, and dark sunglasses. He beckoned them to enter. Daring Do and Ahuizotl looked at each other in surprise, then at the pony, and back to each other. With a shrug, Ahuizotl took Daring Do’s arm and began to walk her down the red carpet as an old mare began playing the wedding march on the organ.

"Is this how ponies get married in cities?" Ahuizotl whispered.

"Not particularly," Daring replied, "Ponies usually only come to these types of chapels if they want a quick wedding. Didn’t you know that?"

"Of course not! This is beyond ridiculous, where is the blood sacrifice? The goblet of wine? The seven virgins that accompany the bride to confuse evil spirits? Don’t you ponies know anything?"

Daring Do gave him a confused look, “... Ok, you and I have completely different weddings in mind."

Soon, they reached the altar and faced the officiant. He gave the couple a kind smile before clearing his throat, "Names?" he asked, looking at the documents in front of him, pen in hoof.


"Maybelle." Daring Do answered.

"Q-Quinn." Ahuizotl responded.
The officiant scribbled their names down and placed a large leather bound book over the papers.
"All right, face each other"  Daring and Ahuizotl followed the directions that followed. "We are gathered here today to join these two ponies in holy matrimony….Now, I'm sure the groom has the rings?"Ahuizotl pulls out the box, taking out the two rings, giving Daring his own ring as he held onto hers. "Very good, now…Do you, Quinn take Maybelle to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, love and cherish till death do you part?"

"I do." Ahuizotl said sternly. Daring let out a blush but quickly looked down hoping that he wouldn't notice. She was acting like a school-filly, it's not like she was really getting married.

"Place the ring over her head." The officiant instructed, Ahuizotl gently placed the necklace over her. Daring saw the gold ring fall, shining in the light as she saw her name, beautifully inscribed in it. She held it in her hoof, cherishing it silently, even if it was Ahuizotl who gave it to her.

"Now do you, Maybelle, take Quinn, to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, for better and for worse, till death do you part?"

"I-I do" Daring said, placing the ring over Ahuizotl's lowered head. The officiant close the book in a slam before saying the last line.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Suddenly everything screeches into a stop, Daring mentally hit herself in the head. She had forgotten about that! She looked up at Ahuizotl and felt his hooves lift her veil up placing it behind her head and leans in. Oh feathers! he’s really going to do it!? She shut her eyes and reacted on instinct.
Ahuizotl was on the floor clutching his swelling cheek, Daring slowly opened her eye and let out a gasp finding her hoof, extended in a punch. The officiant eyes widened and took off his glasses doing a double take on the bride and on the cursing groom who was suffering.

"M-maybe…we should skip the kiss, shall we?" he smiled nervously.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daring and Ahuizotl walked down the streets of Manehattan, dressed into their normal disguises. Ahuizotl had the marriage document in his saddle bag as they both silently walked down the bustling city. He had an ice pack strapped to his right cheek, his eyes lowered in anger as they both tried to get back to their hotel. Daring walked silently behind him, he hadn't talked to her in over thirty minutes. She scratched her mane awkwardly, she trotted beside him giving his a small smile.

"Hey….you still mad?" she asks innocently. He let out a grunt in response refusing to acknowledge her. "Come on, its not that bad, it will go away in a day…maybe two?"

They both made it to their hotel, entering into the privacy of their room. Daring locked the door behind her, watching Ahuizotl go into the bathroom. She followed behind seeing him take off the ice back to reveal a deep purple bruise on his cheek now three times its normal size. She took an exhaled of air through her teeth wincing slightly. Ahuizotl touched his cheek and let out a whimper flinching from the pain, he opens his mouth and reached in with his hoof taking out a molar. His eyes widened and he whirls at Daring in a glare.
She let out a nervous chuckle.

"A-at least it was….one?" she said. Ahuizotl eye twitch.

"One?...." he starts in a chuckle. He chucks the molar to the floor. "One?! this is the fifth tooth you knocked out of my mouth in the years we know each other!"

"Well can you blame me!?" she shouts from his verbal attack."How many times did you put me in your stupid dungeons and traps?!"

"That is completely different to what happened!" he yelled, going up to her.

"What?!....what happened?! Oh! You mean when you tried to kiss me! There was no kissing, we didn't agree to kissing! And you were going to do it!" she accused poking him in the chest.

"Of course I was!" he said as he slapped her hoof away. "Isn't that what you do at weddings?!"

"Yes, but ours was fake! F.A.K.E.! Fake!" she turned away from him in a huff going to one of the two beds. "I can't wait till this is over so I can get a divorce from you!"

"Ha! That would prove difficult Miss Do, since we would have to get a divorce a year from now" he sneers. Daring turned to him, seeing his grin. "Oh yes! A year! You are stuck with me, the great Ahuizotl for one year!"

"W-what?...you, you lied to me! You said we would get divorce once we get the pearl!"

"If I told you the truth you would'ent have complied to the marriage"

"Why you-! You dirty little-! You…y-you…you!...." she pulled her mane in a frustrated anger. "I HATE YOU!" she throws the only thing that was close, a pillow.

It hit Ahuizotl on his head bouncing off of him in a soft flop. He frowned with a brow raised towards Daring, who let out a inchorehabtle shout before going under the blankets her face, down on her other pillow. Ahuizotl stomped back to the bathroom, snatching his ice pack and placing it back on his cheek. He stared at the mirror in front of him, seeing the reflection of Daring's form under the blanket. He let out a small frown, putting the ice pack down. He rubbed his head and let out a small smirk coming up with an idea. He silently walks out of the bathroom and tipped toed towards Daring. He licked his lips and  gave her a shove, making her fall off the edge.
He let out a snort of laughter, seeing Daring stood up in surprise. She looked at him seeing him laughing to himself. She let out a smile grabbing her pillow and slammed it across his side making him stumble back onto his own bed. She quickly began hitting him repeatedly stifling out a set of giggles hearing him continue to laugh at her soft hits.

"S-stop laughing!" she laughed. She threw the pillow on his chest and laid on top it. Ahuizotl looked at her, getting out a few laughs. She tilted her head on the pillow towards him. "…..I-I'm sorry, for….you know, hitting you at the altar, it was….instinctual" she said embarrassedly.

"Fair enough, I apologize for not telling you about the divorce year and for….trying to kiss you" he responded, looking at the side. Daring put out her hoof and gently touched his swollen cheek. He blinked back at her in surprise and saw her let out a small smile.

"You always knew how to take a hit." she said jokingly. He stifled out another chuckle.
> Indifference
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CH 6. Indifference

Daring Do and Ahuizotl waited by the Manehatten train station. They both watched from afar, safe behind the train station's sign, as they watch ponies step up to the rosy red train. They were being greeted by a very large minotaur, who  only wore a black tie. Daring Do adjusted her binoculars, zooming in on the minotaur. She noticed that he was checking their papers and invitations. If any pony forgot their marriage certificate or their invitations, they were denied and thrown clear across the station. She and Ahuizotl had the luxury of seeing an example when two young couple forgot their marriage certificate. They didn't put up much of a fight when they were thrown like common garbage.  Ahuizotl and Daring adjusted their disguises; Daring wore a red coat and a black beret, while she hid their weapons in her bag, while the tickets and marriage certificate were strapped safely in Ahuizotl’s satchel. 

Daring put down her binoculars, seeing enough information from the guests and the guard. She passed the binoculars to Ahuizotl.

“Interesting how they hire some muscles just to greet some ponies,” She said with indifference. Ahuizotl lifted the binoculars up. He hummed in agreement. 

“Most of these ponies are aristocrats at best,” Ahuizotl said, eyeing them closely. “Most are young newly weds, and a few have reached their expiration date; it is logical to hire some protection for them but, it might be difficult for us to blend in with this crowd, as you are wearing a bargain brand coat, as I wear a dirty piece of fabric that you found at the lost-and-found.”

“We are running low on funds!” She snapped. “Thanks to you buying these stupid rings, we can’t afford even one hoofkercheif, let alone a fur coat.” She heard him let out a grunt. She turned away from him, looking back at the train. She unconsciously put her hoof up to her neck, feeling the ring underneath her coat. “Just try and act like you're important… and by that I mean just act like you usually do.”

“We might need to resort to stealing, take your pick,” he said, looking over his shoulder. He hid the binoculars back into the satchel. 

“No, we’re not stealing from these ponies." Daring said sternly."I’m fine with stealing from the black market but not from these ponies.” 

“Do not be so stubborn, you might as well be a mule rather than a pony. We will become an item of suspicion if we do not act like we belong and your attitude is not upheld like that of a lady.”

Daring let out a snort, making Ahuizotl cringe when he heard the mucus. He hated it when she did that, but it proved his point.

“You want to see snooty, I’ll show you snooty! Come on!” She grabbed his arm and began to drag him behind. Ahuizotl narrowly grabbed their bags as they made their way to the guard. The minotaur raised his brow slightly at the sight of the young mare dragging a young stallion as if he was part of the luggage. He put out his hand, stopping them.

“Hold it right there little filly, where are your tickets? Iron Will can’t let you in without the proper paperwork.” 

“Oh for the love of-!” Daring started, with the snootiest voice possible. She reached into Ahuizotl’s saddle bag and threw the tickets at the minotaur, slapping them right into his face. The minotaur stumbled to catch the falling tickets. He let out a snort of annoyance and steam escaped from his nostrils. Ahuizotl looked at Daring warily- he did not want her to ruin the only chance they had getting into Maris.

“Now show some respect, little filly,” The minotaur started, his voice becoming assertive. “Iron Will did not take this job to take some bunk from some spoiled heiress- now show me your marriage certificate.” he demanded, crossing his arms. Daring narrowed her eyes at him, almost challenging him. She took out the certificate and gave it to him calmly. He looked it over.

“It says here you got married... yesterday?” 

“Yes, is that a problem?!” Daring snapped. Iron Will opened his jaw but did not had the chance to respond when Daring grabbed his tie. She gave the tie a good yank, bringing him down to eye level. “I didn’t come all this way just to meet some muscle-headed idiot, standing, in my way!" She snarled with a low voice. Iron Will gulped. "I didn’t marry this dull stallion for nothing either!” she growled, tilting her head back at Ahuizotl, who furrowed his brow at her. Iron Will let out a nervous chuckle. “Now… Let. Me. Inside.”

“Uh… g-go right ahead Miss! uh, here’s your tickets and certificate, and your room number is 53.” he said quickly, handing the items back to her. Daring snatched the objects from him and entered, flicking her tail with her nose up high for a dramatic effect. Ahuizotl followed closely behind before a hand from Iron Will stopped him.

"Maybe you should rethink about being married to a battle axe, huh amigo?" He whispered. Ahuizotl let out a chuckle.

"I...will keep that in mind, amigo." He walked past him, meeting with Daring Do as they entered in the train cart, who let out a laugh at the corridor.

"Did you see that?" She whispered. "I told ya I can be classy." She winked, giving him a tough nudge in the shoulder.

"Perhaps classy is not the word I would use." He said, rubbing his arm. "Now let's find our room, shall we?" 

They both walked through the narrow train carts. They had to stick close to one side of the wall to let other ponies through. One the way to their room, they passed by two aristocratic couples. The mares, were dressed in the fanciest dresses Daring had ever seen. They even had elegant fans with embroidered gem stones. They took one look at Ahuizotl,  while their husbands were having a conversation with each other, totally oblivious. Except for Daring Do. 
The mares both eyed his physique, letting out a few soft giggles. His brow raised at them, but decided to ignore them as they walked by. Daring looked back on the mares and gave them a glare, making their eyes widen in fear. Daring let out a "humph!",  flicking her mane back.

“Vultures…” She said under her breath. She glanced back at Ahuizotl who was looking at her with a small smirk. She reeled back, turning her head away from him. 

“What?!” she asked harshly.

“Nothing,” he said swiftly. “Nothing at all, Miss Do…”

They found their room number and slid the door open. Inside, they were amazed by how much effort had gone into it. There was a large queen-sized bed with the best silk fabrics and plush pillows. Along side it was a small coffee table with assortments of the finest fruits and vegetables. They had a large window with red curtains, and sitting on the shelf was a bag of bits in a gift basket.

"Wow, now these are some gifts,” Daring smirked, digging into the basket as if it was Hearth’s Warming Eve. "These snotty ponies know how to live!  There's at least a thousand bits in here!" She exclaimed.

"They even have jewelry for you and a leather jacket for me… hmm, perhaps when this is over I should steal from these trains." He said stroking his chin in thought. He could get used to this type of lifestyle.

"Please, you should just stick to the jungle." Daring said, rolling her eyes. They both turn, hearing a knock on their door. Daring quickly cleared her throat, going into character. 

"Um… Who is it?" She called as she opened the door. Her eyes quickly widen, seeing a white unicorn stallion. He had piercing, ice-blue eyes and a black mane tied in a ponytail. He wore a dark, blue suit with a white tie, and had a cutie mark of a black compass.

"Bonjour madam," he smiled gently with a thick accent. "I couldn't help but to notice you come in after facing our friend outside." 

"O-oh," Daring stuttered. "You, um, saw that?"

"No need to feel embarrassed- I would have reacted the same way from coming so far from my own home." 

Ahuizotl narrowed his eyes at him as he came up behind Daring, trying to make himself known to the unicorn, but found his existence completely ignored.

"May I say, madam, that you are a very striking young mare," he smoothly said, taking her hoof into his own. Daring let out a light blush, but pulled away.

"Thank you… I guess." she said, twirling her mane in her hoof.

"If you like… perhaps we could have a drink by the bar hmm? As friends of course; you are married, yes?"

"M-married?" She questioned.

"Yes married, to me," Ahuizotl said with emphasis. He put his arm around her while glaring down the unicorn, imagining the unicorn strung up over a pit of venomous vipers. The unicorn stared at him boredly, uninterested by him. Ahuizotl felt his temple throbbed in anger and took a step towards him. “Me voy a desprenderse,” He growled fiercely. Daring held back a breath but pretended she didn't hear it. She knew it was a threat.

"Ah… what an accent you have there. It seems you and I are alike in ethnic quality." He said calmly and turned back to Daring. "My offer still stands… perhaps I will see you soon?" He smirked and walked away. Ahuizotl watched him go and shut the sliding door in a loud bang. Daring pulled away from his arm, going to the fruit bowl on the table.

"Can you believe that guy? ...What a smooth talker- good thing I’m not the type to fall for those things." Daring chuckled  before diving into the bowl of grapes.

"That was Blanco de Bouve." Ahuizotl said. Daring spat out the grapes, making the fruit bounce off the wall.

"What? The jerk who sucker punched me?!" She growled, wiping the juice off her lips.

"And the one who disabled me," Ahuizotl mentioned with irritation in his voice. "He must be on his way to his homeland."

"That means...he has the pearl here!" She said, becoming ecstatic, but it was quickly shut down by Ahuizotl’s disapproving gaze. 

"That is a possibility but… it is difficult to assume." He replied.

"Well there's one way to find out." Daring pushed aside the fruit bowl. "I would have to meet him for a drink… and after the week I've been having? I seriously need one." 

"Yes, of course... you would accept an offer from a playcolt."  She shot him a glare, not enjoying his tone.  

"I think you need to stick your muzzle out of my business before I break it." Ahuizotl bit the inside of his cheek.

"He is nothing but a male looking to find an easy mare." He blurted out. She whirled at him.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" She hissed. Ahuizotl stood his ground, turning a blind eye from her. She felt her cheeks puffed up in anger and bewilderment at his words. "You really think I'd fall for a guy like that, just because he called me pretty?” Ahuizotl said nothing and Daring's voice became louder. “I don't think you know me as well as you think, Ahuizotl. Since you would know I don't care what any pony thinks about me. Especially from you!" She spat, her face red with a fury. Ahuizotl's mouth contorted in an angry scowl. "How dare you think that I am some sort of naive little filly!"

"He is the enemy!" He roared in retaliation, their muzzles almost touching.

"So are you!"

He pursed his lips. He could feel ever portion of his body shaking in unrelating frustration. He sputtered in irritation and grabbed his own mane, pulling it down. He desperately wanted to lock her in one of his dungeons, right now if he could! He also wanted to place that Blanco pony in a death trap. He felt his fur standing on end like a feral lion ready to pounce, ready to sink his teeth right into Blanco and shake him like a rag doll.
Daring noticed Ahuizotl eyes dilate in anger and how much he was trying to hold it together. She couldn’t help but recoil in disgust. Why does he care about what she does? She could do whatever she wants. But...She took a deep breath and massaged her temple. She did not want to fight with him; fighting just makes her tired in the end. She took a few deep breaths to become calmer- she really needed a drink.

"We… need to lighten up," she said softly, going up beside him. Ahuizotl looked at her with a frazzled look on his face. She elbowed him slightly. 

"Let's go down to the bar… get some hard apple cider." 

"What about Blanco? I thought you wanted a drink with him.” She rolled her eyes and shrugged.

"Not my type… I'm an expert archaeologist and treasure hunter who can find temples with a snap of a twig, and you’re a smart guy that could get through dangerous temples and somehow made a tribe of ponies to follow you… I think we can do some snooping around to see if the pearl is here or not." She grinned. "Besides… we might surprise Blanco." She winked. 

"I could use a drink." Ahuizotl smirked. "And when night falls, we will look around the train when every pony is asleep."

------------------------------------------------------------

"We are now leaving the Manehatten station, towards the city of Maris. Please enjoy the ride," said the male conductor over the intercom. Ahuizotl and Daring made their way towards the bar. Inside the train carts were other ponies enjoying their lunch on white clothed booths. Classical music was playing at the end of the room by three orchestra ponies, and the bar was made out of red oak, with every assortment of drinks set on glass shelves.Daring and Ahuizotl sat on the bar stools, seeing no sign of Blanco. The bartender went up to them. He was wearing a grey vest and had a handle bar mustache.

“What will it be, Miss? ...Wine? Red or white?”

“Give me two hard apple ciders on the rocks,” she replied. 

“Are you sure?” the bartender questioned as he poured in the two shot glasses. “It is very strong.”

He slid the drinks towards them. Daring drank it down in one gulp, slamming the empty glass down. She let out an exhale of air. The bartender and Ahuizotl blinked in surprise. 

“Yeah, I know. Let me have another.” The bartender glanced at Ahuizotl who glanced back at him. Daring tapped her hoof on the counter impatiently. “Come on, pour me another, I can take it.”

Ahuizotl looked at the drink in his hoof. He took one whiff and the smell of apples overwhelmed him. He took a gulp.
He immediately began coughing. The liquid stung his throat and made his eyes watered. He began having a coughing fit as he looked back at Daring who had finished her third shot and was going for a fourth. She let out a sigh, a tint of red appearing over her face as she elbowed the flabbergasted Ahuizotl in his side.

“Come on! Can’t take a little drink? Bartender… pour me another- actually just leave the bottle!” she said, grabbing the bottle like it was some sort of mystic treasure. Ahuizotl had never seen that side of her.

“Are you an… alcoholic?” he asked slowly, his voice hoarse from the horrible drink. The bartender gave him a glass of water, which he took gratefully. Ahuizotl did not want to experience another apple monstrosity. Daring let out a hearty laugh, making the ponies enjoying lunch turn towards her in a cringe. 

“Of course not!” She laughed. “This is just my favorite brand; I could drink this whole bottle!... Do you dare me?” she grinned.

“I do not believe that is wise.” 

"Do you not drink in your tribe?" She asked. 

"I...find such things, trivial, and negative to one's mind and body." He said as she took another drink. She sniffed and nodded.

“You're right… better slow it down… slow, slow, slow.” She pours herself another glass. “Come on alcohol resistance, don’t fail me now.”  That made Ahuizotl become nervous.

It wasn't long until she was dancing on the countertop.

“Oh~ ninety-nine bottles on the pyramid, ninety-nine bottles of mango juice! T-take one down, pass it around! Nine… ninety-nine bottles are still on the pyramid!”

Most of the ponies were laughing at the ridiculous sight while some cringed at her unsophisticated ways. Ahuizotl stood at the side, watching the embarrassing sight. Never in his years would he have thought of Daring as a drunk. He had never even drank two glasses of wine, and Daring had finished a whole bottle of her brand.
He regretted not bringing a camera.
The bartender leaned towards Ahuizotl, who was holding back his laughter.

“Maybe you should take her back to your suite to sleep it off before security comes… but feel free to come back- she’s a real laugh.” The bartender chuckled. Ahuizotl nodded accordingly; they couldn’t risk getting thrown off the train like riff-raff. He stepped off from his seat and grabbed Daring from behind, putting her over his shoulder.

“Come along, Miss Do. I think everypony has heard enough of your singing,” he said, heading back to their room calmly.

“Hey, where...are ve goinng?” She smiled, slurring her words slightly. She lifted the bottle up to her lips, then raised her brow when she found it empty.

“Shoot… gone already. Who drank the whole thing?" 

"You did. Miss Do."

"It was that dirty cheater Conquista, wasn't it?" Daring muttered. "That's the last time I go out on a date with him. That hog, he’s not one to share." Ahuizotl silently listened as she continued talking to herself. "He owes me money, now that I think about it a-and Indiana! Where is he?” She said smacking Ahuizotl’s back as she looked around the hallway. He bounced her back to make her stop moving around. “That stallion said he was going to get me access to the gambling tables in Las Pegasus!” She placed her head lazily in between his shoulders and let out a sigh. “I really need the money, Indiana…” she groaned. “And no I will not be your date! You old coot!” She shouted at the air, her fist hitting Ahuizotl's shoulder again.She continued talking about ponies he had never heard of until they made it back to the privacy of their room. He threw her on the bed and locked the door. She moved on her side sluggishly, staring at Ahuizotl as she hugged the bottle.

“Who are you?” She muttered. “You look… familiar? Are you, uh… one of Ahuizotl’s goons?”

Ahuizotl let out a small chuckle. If he had known how she acted when drunk, he should have just offered her a drink. It would have made things easier. She would have been easy to capture.

“No, I am Ahuizotl, remember?”

“Ahui?... Why are you here?” She muttered. She felt something fall out of her coat and saw the golden ring attached to her necklace. “Hmmm… what’s this? How pretty.” She took it into her hooves lovingly, staring at her own reflection.
Ahuizotl sat down, letting out a yawn. He would have to stay awake to make sure she didn’t wander off. While it was amusing to see her confused and in a lighter mood, it put their plans for the pearl on hold, until she sobers up.

“I gave you that.” he answered.

“Yeah?... Are we married?” She asked softly. He let out a small grin.

“Yes, we are.”

“Are we on our honeymoon?”

“Of course we are, we are going to Maris.” He let out a soft chuckle. She let out a loud yawn, curling up against a plush pillow, abandoning her empty bottle.

“Hmmm… I always wanted to get married, how nice.” She let out a giggle, letting out a few hiccups while waving her hooves. “I remember, I remember, I liked the ring you gave me. It was a nice gesture engraving my real name into it.” 

“Really?... Anything else you would like to say?” he pressed. It may be his last chance to get some real honesty out of her, and he wanted to milk it a little longer. She let out a frown, looking away from him.

“I watch you sleep…” she admitted. He blinked. He had expected something else, like an embarrassing secret. “I don’t know why… I sometimes watch you for an hour or two, before I could go back to sleep.”

He was usually a light sleeper- the act of her watching him should have woken him up.

“I’ve been doing that since the time you took the crown of Aruhabii.” She continued.  She had been doing it for five years. How unfortunate and disturbing- where were his guards during this? “Sometimes… I even have nightmares about you.”

“What… types of nightmares?” he asked slowly.

“You know, you kidnapping me, sticking me in one of your stupid dungeons… and gloating, then you leave me, and then… I die.” she whispered. She let out a shudder, remembering a distant memory. He lowered his eyes to the ground. He had dreamed of getting rid of her, but she usually escaped from his dungeons and traps, no matter how flawless they could be. She escaped every time, semi-harmed, but alive. Why would she have these nightmares? She seemed so fearless on the outside.

“But not recently. I’ve been having some really nice dreams,” she smiled, tapping her forehead. “And even though your're annoying-” he frowned. “And arrogant…” he crossed his arms. “And a little slow.” S-slow?!

“You're alright.” she admitted.

Ahuizotl suddenly felt conflicted; from their time together, what did she mean to him? A fearless, intelligent, young mare with the eyes of flawless rubies that could strike his fearless warriors into submission. A mare that could navigate through the thickest of jungles, who could fight against his pets with one wing broken, and escape a collapsing temple with only seconds to spare. She is a worthy opponent, he admitted. He always admired the way she fought- always with a sense of grace and determination, with the power to stay calm during a life and death situation. The way she flicked her mane when she won an argument against him. The way her hips swayed and-

He hit himself, literally smacking his own jaw.

He staggered shaking his head.

No, they are enemies, and this ”partnership” did not change that. They would remain bitter enemies, fighting hoof to fist, forever, if needed. He still had his mission to conquer the land, and she would not deter him, not in the slightest. He stood up, getting a sense of determination and indifference as he went up to her.

“Just remember, Miss Do,” he said darkly. She blinked dumbly at him, seeing his canines. “You shouldn't be so trusting,” he sneered.

She put out her hoof to him and unexpectedly stroked his cheek. He reeled back, his ears becoming unbearably hot. She let out a small laugh from his reaction.

“You're cute when you get all serious,” She giggled. He felt his face grow hot from annoyance and embarrassment as his lips twisted into a scowl. She turned her back to him, her laughter dying and replaced by loud snoring. He rubbed his chest, moving his amulet slightly, as he watched her chest rise and fall, her delicate wings twitching slightly.

He placed his chin on the bedside, let out a sigh, and watched her sleep.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blanco made his way to the front of the train in his private room, looking behind him to make sure no pony had followed him. Once it was clear, he slid the door open to his dimly lit room, making his way inside and locking the door behind him. He pulled open his coat, taking out a cigar from his pocket. His horn glowed, lighting the bud of the cigar as he placed it in between his lips, taking in the smoke. He blew out, watching the rings float towards a corner, before letting out a satisfying sigh.

“How long do you plan on hiding there?” he asked, finding a familiar griffon waiting patiently for him in the corner. She wore a long black dress. She had a white coat and a black eagle head with bright orange eyes. Her pupils dilated, her lion tail swinging side to side.

“What have you found out?” she asked, getting straight to the point of their conversation. He turned his head towards her.

“Two mares seem to be influenced by me, making them unusable to our employer, one with the last name Maynott and the other Kingsberg. There was one mare that I did not get the name from." He breathed in the cigar, the ember glowing brightly in the room before he blew another puff of smoke.

"But her lover is a jealous colt at best.” He let out a grin. “The way he looked at me, it looked like he had fixed my death. He even said something quite terrifying in his native language.”

“How… unfortunate,” she said slowly, with sarcasm in her voice. “A husband protecting his wife from a mareanizer? How unthinkable.”

“I asked her to have a drink with me,” he continued, “but instead brought her husband along… How annoying.” 

“But they are lovely ladies…” he mentioned, tapping the cigar bud and making the ash fall on the tray on his nightstand. “Stole a kiss from the Maynott mare.”

She rolled her eyes at him.

“You are supposed to see if they are pure, not fool around in the baggage area.” she said sternly.

“How do you know of my secret place?” he said playfully, wiggling his eyebrows at her. “You are getting jealous, my Jem.”

“Jemina,” she emphasized, her eyes narrowed. “I am not interested in your antics, but I will get rid of the Maynott couple and Kingsberg before we reach Maris. I will just kick them out for something small.”

Blanco slid his way towards her, leaning on the wall beside her as he stared at her silently. She pressed her back against the wall, letting out a warning growl. He let out a satisfying smirk, breathing in his cigar and blowing out a heart-shaped puff of smoke. He lit his horn, making the smoke cloud glow orange.

“Begone, Blanco.” she growled, bearing her claws. Her wings flapped outward, making the smoke disappear. He let out a snicker and leaned back closer to her.

“To correct, you are in my room, but if you wish to stay, we can at least have a little fun, yes? ....My Jem.” He whispered into her ear. She let out a disgusted scoff, slapping his cigar out of his hoof before stomping out of his room, and shutting the door loudly behind her.

“Well!” he huffed, straightening his suit as he picked up his cigar. “That was foalish.”
> Feelings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CH. 7 Feelings

Daring Do woke up and faced the waxing moon. She sat up, rubbing her eyes as she took a look around; her head throbbed in pain. She groaned and rubbed her head, muttering “Stupid hangover,” under her breath. Daring swiveled her head around the room, her brow arched in realization. “Wait, how did I get to my room?” She looked down at her bed to find Ahuizotl sleeping silently beside her. She jumped slightly, but noticed he had  his chin resting comfortably on the edge of the bed. She put two and two together and knew it was Ahuiziotl who brought her back. She must have went over her limit. She hadn't drank that much since Saddle Arabia, and that was because she was celebrating. It had been years. She would have to work on her bad drinking habits. But for now, she needed to find the pearl. 

“Ahui…" Daring whispered. "Ahuizotl, wake up.” She whispered but a little bit louder. He opened his eyes, his yellow pupils shining like a cat’s eyes. He sat up, cracked his neck and faced her.

“Ah. So the alcoholic is finally awake.” He mused as he stretched his legs. 

“Shut up." She snapped. "I am not an alcoholic." She said, jumping off of the bed.

"The first step is "admittance", Miss Do." 

"What time is it?” She asked, ignoring his last comment. Ahuizotl glance up at the moon and clicked with his tongue.

“Midnight. Fairly close to one in the morning.”

“Good. Everypony must be asleep by now. Ready to do some snooping?” She threw off her coat and beret, revealing her camo vest.

“What is the plan?” He asked as she opened their suitcases.  She took out her whip and placed her pith helmet on the top of her head. She took out Ahuizotl's weapon and threw the dagger at him. His eyes widened in fear and dodged the blade. It landed right on the bed. The blade's tip had sunk itself into the mattress. He whirled at Daring and shot her a look of contempt. She smiled apologetically.

“Uh… oops? Kinda forgot you don’t have hands.”

He rolled his eyes and picked up the dagger's handle with his teeth and placed it into his satchel. 

“We’re going on top of the train.” She began, opening the suite’s window.  Her mane flickered as the fierce wind hit her face. She looked out at the fast moving train checking at the roofs of the carts. Flying out, wasn't an option for her. If she tried to open her wings, the force of the wind will make her barrel roll straight to her death.

"Is that really wise?" 

She moved her head back inside. "We can't afford having the other guests hear us, or see us. The roof is our best bet."
The amount of noise the train generates along with the wind outside, no one would be able to hear them. “Something also got me thinking, If Blanco does have the pearl here, he must keep it in a safe place.”

“Perhaps he keeps it in his bedroom.” He replied. “Somewhere close, somewhere he can guard it, where no one else can enter.”

“Maybe. But I don’t think he’ll keep something important like the pearl under his bed, I was thinking more like the bag storage area, near the back of the train. He might have a safe back there." She stuck her head back out and positioned her whip. She focused on a small metal handle that sat on top of the train. She snapped her whip out, immediately grabbing the metal handle. She pulled, making sure it was tight enough to jump over. It was. 

"Yes, but perhaps we should investigate his bedroom fir-"

She turned back at Ahuizotl and let out a laugh.

“Race ya to the back~” She said and jumped out. 

Ahuizotl rushed to the window to see her swing her self on top of the train, landing with ease. She balanced herself against the wind, gaining her bearings. She glanced down at Ahuizotl and grinned. He mirrored her grin and removed his amulet, turning back into his true form.  He placed the amulet in his satchel alongside his knife. it was easier to climb up using his hands instead of hooves. He went up beside Daring who was enjoying the feel of the wind against her face, she gave Ahuizotl a look and took off running,  beginning the race. He let out a soft chuckle and ran after her. He jumped, almost cat-like and twirled in the air, landing from cart to cart keeping up behind her. Daring turned back and was impressed by how easily he was keeping up with her, but he was still lagging behind.

“Come on Ahui, getting slow in your old age?” She said, letting out another laugh. He jumped to the next cart, and let out a scoff. He knew she was trying to get under his skin.He saw the last cart, the storage cart, and quicken his pace running past Daring. Her eyes widened as she saw him leap over her, directly landing on the last cart. She jumped and landed in front of him.

“Cheater.” She accused. "Must be easy with those hands of yours. The train is slippery, especially on hooves." He let out a soft laugh.

“It is not my fault if you are slow..." He replied, giving her a poke on her forehead. She shuffled back and snorted. "It must be because of that large belly of yours. Must be weighing you down.” 

“L-large?” She looked at herself sheepishly, her hoof going to her stomach. Ahuizotl chuckled as she began to prod and poke it. Her mouth morphing into a frown. He didn't realize her confidence could be shaken by just mentioning her weight. He tested her resolve, her will, her experiences...nothing could sway her. But, having a simple belly, makes her feel embarrassed. He flicked at her pith helmet, making her look up at him.

“You are not the only one who makes jokes, Miss Do…"

"Yeah. Well, whatever, I know it was a joke." She said crossing her arms. 

"You have a perfect form.” 

She glanced up at him and blushed. 

“R-really?...I mean, yeah!” She flicked her mane back. “Whatever, I knew you were joking. Always.”

She focused back to the task at hoof. In between them, was a hatch that lead to the inside of the cart. She turned the round handle opening it. Ahuizotl peered inside, to make sure it was clear. He took his head out and nodded, signaling her to jump inside. She silently landed on the wooden platform. She moved out of the way for Ahuizotl crawled inside, closing the hatch behind him with his tail. The cart was filled with suitcases, handbags and a few wooden boxes all strapped and piled high together to the wall and close to the ceiling. 

“Wonderful,” Ahuizotl began bitterly. “There must be a thousand bags here, how much do these ponies need to bring?”

“We got all night to look, I’ll go high, you look low.” She flew up to the top and began to look through the bags, moving aside clothes and opening every single pocket she can find. Ahuizotl frowned but with three hands he could open three bags at a time, but it was minimal to the sheer amount of it all. He found a golden necklace stashed behind some dresses and quickly stuffed it into his satchel. His head buckled when he felt a harsh slap, behind the head. He whirled to find Daring glaring at him.

“No. Stealing.” She growled. He let out a growl of annoyance as he rubbed his head returning the necklace back where it was. Satisfied, Daring returned to her own side of the search, but kept a close eye on Ahuizotl. A couple hours passed as they looked through the last of the bags but found nothing. 

“This is beginning to seem like a lost cause.” Ahuizotl said, tossing a suitcase aside. “We should have been looking in his room.”

“It can't be in his room” Daring replied, tossing a bag over her shoulder. “He can’t be that stupid.”

“But what if it is there? All I am saying is we must make sure our search isn’t in vain until we look through any possible location.”

“Well…” she tapped her chin in thought. “I guess you are ri-! Wait…” she whirled to the door and heard a set of hoofsteps. “Do you hear that?”

A flash of light shined through from the cart across from them. They both dive to the floor hearing two pony guards making their rounds on the train. Daring looked up at the  hatch, they have to leave before they were discovered and she didn't have her disguise to try to act her way out of this situation. She takes out her whip grabbing the wheel of the handle and pulled. And Pulled. And Pulled. Her eyes darted back to the door, she grinded her teeth as the whip fell.

“Ahuizotl, you idiot!” she whispered. “You locked it!”

“Nonsense!” he chided. He put out his hand tail grabbing a hold of it. “You are not pulling hard enough!” He pulled, and pulled and pulled counter clockwise. It wasn't budging. He cursed under his breath. Their hearts began to quicken as the guards pulled open the door in the cart in front of them and was now heading towards them. He swiftly brings out his amulet going back to his pony form.

“We are going to have to improvise."

“How?! In case you haven’t notice but I am not exactly “in character” right now!” She said, motioning to her camo. Ahuizotl put his hand over her mouth but it was too late.

“Hey, did you hear that?” One of the guards said. Daring eyes widen. She heard Ahuizotl slew out a sentence that sounded like curse words in his language. They saw the lights from the flashlights shining back into their cart. Ahuizotl began to process the situation, instinct was telling him to fight, he had the knife but he was certain Daring would not like two dead guards. They have to do something, and they have to do it now. Ahuizotl shoved Daring  onto one of the large wooden crates making her land on her back, going over her. 

“W-what are you doing!?” she whispered angrily. She heard the guards coming closer. Ahuizotl managed to slide the two them closer to the wall, hugging it close while also moving suitcases in front of them. “Get off me,  you creep!” she said punching against his chest.

“Stop struggling! you are going to have to trust me, Miss Do!” He replied, they heard the door clicked. The door flew open and Ahuizotl pressed his body closer to her, wrapping his arms around her in a heated embrace. Daring froze, her eyes on the guards as they shone their flashlights up and down the cabin. Daring could hear how fast Ahuizotl's heart was beating by how close he was to her. The light crossing over to them for one tense moment before moving along. The guards couldn't see them. One of the pony guards scratched his head. 

"Weird. I thought I heard some pony in here." He said. His partner was still shuffling along the cabin before he let out a grunt. 

"Yeah. I thought I heard it too. Must have been the train or something." 

"You don't think it was a...g-ghost...do you?" 

"Don't be ridiculous! Come on! We are finished in here." 

"Okay, y-yeah." The two guards turned around and closed the door behind them. It took a couple of minutes before Ahuizotl got off of Daring. It was silent between Daring and Ahuizotl, he pulled away from her, his eyes fixated on the door as she fixed her vest. Her face was flushed and was refusing to cool down. Her eyes darted up at Ahuizotl who had a shade of red across his face. She put her hooves over her lips, unsure on what to say.

"I…. apologize" he began breaking the silence. She kept her head down. "It was the only thing I have thought of, perhaps I overstep your...uh...c-comfort zone." He cleared his throat. "If you wish to hit me...at least do not hit my jaw, I do not wish to lose any more teeth.”

"F -forget it," She shrugged her shoulders letting out a soft chuckle. "It worked, didn't it?" She snatched her helmet from the floor placing it under her arm. Ahuizotl watched her as she hopped off the crate heading to the door. 

"Let's hurry and go back to our room, we'll look at Blanco's room tomorrow"

"Right..." He muttered, following behind her. As they walked back to their room, she noticed that he kept his distance from her, which she preferred. She wasen’t sure if it was because he thought that she would hit him or from that little embrace he gave her. It might have been both. Her nostrils flared, she could still smell his scent. Musty, but it had the smell of the jungle. Her cheeks grew hot again, remembering the way he held her so gently, it happened so quick but he didn't really hurt her and the way he held her in place, almost protecting her. She felt her heart quicken, cold sweat running down the back of her neck as her breathing began to staggered from her realization. She enjoyed it. She enjoyed his arms wrapped around her, his strength,his gentleness, his-No. no, no, no. She shook her head banishing the thoughts.

"What I'm I thinking?!" She thought angrily. That meant nothing. She had to be logical. It was part of a plan, a ploy, a trick, a lie! Why is she overthinking it?! She nodded agreeing to her thoughts, it was nothing and Ahuizotl?....he's not even her type.They were both quiet, not exchanging glances at each other until they made it back at their room. Daring was the first to enter, heading to the bed and collapsing on it tossing her helmet on top of one of furniture. 
She went underneath the blankets, wanting to hide herself away but she glanced back at Ahuizotl expecting him to say something. Maybe about the bed. She saw that he laid down on the floor beside the bed, resting his head over his hooves getting himself comfortable. She let out a small frown nibbling her lower lip slightly. She expected him to at least argue about her relinquishing the bed. She moved her hooves under the blankets feeling the warmth and the softness of the mattress and remembered Ahuizotl’s hatred for the cold. 

“Hey Ahui-” she called, his ear perked up at her. “ You know...this bed is big enough for the both of us...you can sleep up here if you want.”

He tilted his head at her wondering if he heard her correctly. She let out a huff at him, turning to her side and facing the wall.

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine, more space for me.” She rested her head against the pillow, the blankets completely covering her. She felt part of the bed sink in, the mattress springs creaking as she felt Ahuizotl go under the covers.  She pressed herself against the wall not wanting to brush up against him. He let out a yawn.

“How interesting….” he whispered lowly. She lifted her head slightly. “Are you actually being more considerate, Miss Do?”

She let out a small laugh. “I can kick you off anytime I want, you know?”

“Perhaps….or I can kick you out.” he said slyly. 

“Is that a challenge?”

“Does a Pegasus has wings?”

“Ooh...so witty” she said rolling her eyes. They both let out a soft chuckle. She let out a loud yawn, her eyelids suddenly felt heavy. “Y-you're lucky…. I’m too tired, just don’t hog the covers.” she warned before falling into a deep sleep.

She woke up feeling the train jolt over the tracks. Her eyes snapped open and saw the rays of the sun. She decided to sleep a little longer. She shifted in her covers and felt a weight draped over her side. She looked down to find Ahuizotl’s arm resting over her shoulder, but not only that, he was pressed up against her as if he was hugging her. Her brow furrowed, how many times does she have to tell him to stay on his own side? She tried to push his arm off, but it made him squeeze his grip on her. He let out a sigh rubbing his head against one of the pillow, refusing to wake up. She let out an exhaled of air, staring at the blank wall in front of her. She was too tired anyway.
From their years of fighting each other, she would have never expected them to be working together, let alone sharing a bed. She looked down on his arm and place her hoof gingerly on it. She stroked his fur gently. It was rough, and he smelled. She was used to the smell because that exactly how she smells when out in the rainforest for too long. Does she smell like that now? She pressed her nose close to her arm and sniffed. She slapped her hoof against her face. No much worse.
She stinks. She placed her hooves on his arm again and pushed. 

“Ahui...Ahuizotl! wake up.” she whispered loudly, shaking his arm. She heard him let out a disgruntle groan. 

“What is it?…” he muttered, with his eyes still shut. 

“I need to take a shower….Do you mind?” She irritably said.

He let out a set of angry mutterings, still half-asleep. He pressed his muzzle against her mane and breathed deeply. She freezed up feeling him turn his face, his cheek laying against her itchy mane.

“You smell fine, go back to sleep.” He tightened his grip on her, making her let out a small gasp of air.

“Seriously, I need you to let go or I’ll get really mad!” She said still struggling against him. Too tired to fight her, he loosened his grip turning away, covering his head with the covers. She sat up shooting him a glare, which he did’it see. She flew off the bed and took off her vest, gathering a new set of clothes out of their suitcase, placing her sweat-covered vest in it. 

“I’ll be back soon.” She said and flew out the door to the washrooms. Ahuizotl lazily pulled the cover off over his eyes to see the door close behind her.          

Knock.knock.knock

Ahuizotl let out a loud groan, throwing the cover aside.

“Do not tell me you forgot something, Miss-” He opens the door to find a griffon standing  in front of him. She had on a black dress that draped over her flank. She had orange eyes and black feathers of her eagle head as she had a white torso and wings.  She had on a  ponytail. She had her claw up, almost smugly as she looked him over.

“Forgive me…” She started, she had a harsh russian accent. “Did I wake you?” She flicked her finger at his bed hair. She gave him flirtatious smirk but Ahuizotl let out a loud yawn.

“As a matter of fact, you had.” He sternly says. She pulled her hand back. “What is it that you want?”

“My name is Jemina, I am the one in charge for all the guest going to Maris to arrive at La Petite’s Museum and also for the competition.”

“Competition?” he boredly repeated, only half-listening with his head against the door frame. He really wanted to get back to bed. She gave him a forced smile. 

“Why yes, that all of the couples have to be required to participate in-”

“This wasn't on the invitation” He states, lifting his head. “I have never heard of this”

“Well now you are... its based on a theme of romance”

“Oh from the gods.” he whispered under his breath. “What type of ridiculousness do I still have to endure?” he asked the annoyance in front of him. She handed him a pamphlet.  

“All that you need to know is in there, I’m sure to see you at the first event...handsome” she winked. Ahuizotl did 'it acknowledge it,  his eyes were on the paper.

“Hmm mmm, yes...is this all?”

“Well...yes but-!”

Ahuizotl slammed the door shut, silencing her. Jemina scowled at his behavior before stomping away.

“What a crude stallion” she muttered turning a corner to find Blanco waiting for her. She gave him a glare. He was pressed against the wall with a cigarette in between his lips.

“He did not fall for you? tsk, tsk” he said with false disappointment. “What a shame, my gem”

“Be silent” she growled as she sat next to him. “This is good, this couple may be the one that we need”

“Perhaps...but I still think I can get to his darling little wife” Blanco said tapping the bud of his cigar.

“He does seem the “neglectful” type” she mused. From the way he treated her. She might as well be a wall.  “Do what you can, but don’t just focus on her we still need to limit our decision”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ahuizotl opened up the pamphlet reading over the “workshops” of the competition, they have to pick which out of the three to do but if they fail at the one they choose, they would not be allow to go to the museum, ruining their plans in case they cannot find the pearl on the train.   His brow furrowed together as he read each one carefully, becoming more and more mortified.

	WORKSHOP #1 History Triva
History of Equestria! Battle against other couples to win!

Doable. 

He has read many books on the history of Equestria and with Daring Do, it might be easy for them to accomplish. He looks down the pamphlet reading the next workshop.

WORKSHOP #2

Kissing game. Each couple will pick a word out of a hat, the word will be a type of kiss which the pony would have to do to their spouse in front of their peers. 


Ahuizotl recoiled instinctively. ‘what type of games are these?!’ he put his hoof up to his cheek, remembering the last time he tried to kiss Daring. He did not want to lose another tooth. He decided that they will skip that one. The only thing that was left was the last workshop.

WORKSHOP #3

Cuddling your spouse, while your heart rate is monit-.


Ahuizotl slammed the pamphlet shut, crumples it up into a tight ball and throws it in a corner. He had enough. There was no way in Tartarus he would do the last one. He would rather not do any of them.  He crawled back into bed, he will at least get a few minutes of sleep before he would have to tell Daring what they had to do.
> Petite
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Daring Do CH 9




An ear-piercing whistle screamed loudly, announcing the arrival of the train to the citizens of Maris. Once the train doors opened, the station was flooded by the elite and upper class couples, who were greeted by the impressed stares of the citizens.


Daring and Ahuizotl stood on the cobblestone road as they watched the employees direct the couples towards their next and final destination. Daring shifted her gaze to the couples being corralled like sheep. She moved her beret back, pretending to fix it as she counted how many couples there were left. Originally there were twenty-five couples and due to some “unscheduled stops”, ponies were forced off the train for failure to “complete documentation,” as quoted by Jemina when addressing the less than furious couples. Counting Ahuizotl and herself, only fifteen couples remained.


“Look there.” Ahuizotl whispered as he looked down at their suitcases, not wanting to draw anypony’s suspicions, before he casually pointed. In the distance, dragging his hooves, was Blanco. He had his head low--any lower and his muzzle would have touched the ground. His head was unkempt and loose, and even his suit was wrinkled, with his tie out of place. The only thing missing was a grey cloud over his head. He was walking ahead of the guests, heading towards the hotel where they would be staying at.      


“Wow…” Daring started. “He looks depressed.” 


“Let him sulk,” Ahuizotl replied harshly, not wanting to waste any sort of charity onto him. “It seems we must head towards the hotel.” 


The city of Maris was a marvel of artistic quality that left Daring awestruck. The streets were paved with cobblestones and the buildings stood side by side with a red brick foundation adorned with metal roofs. However, the greatest marvel was the Tower of Maris, made entirely out of black metal, criss-crossed with supporting beams as it stood with the height of a mountain. Even the smell was warm and heavenly, coming from fresh baked bread being taken out of ovens and the fine cheeses displayed at windows. It was enough to make Daring’s mouth salivate. She noticed that most of the citizens were wearing the finest accessories and clothing. From the look of things, it seems that the city gathered an assortment of the wealthy. 


With Ahuizotl dragging the bags, they both entered through the hotel doors, outlined with gold. Inside was even more luxurious. Everywhere they turned, there were red carpet floors and fine furniture. The ceiling was decorated with works of art while marble pillars held up the foundation of the six-floor building. As the guests stood in line in the lobby, receiving their keys, Daring noticed that a room was being hidden behind a black curtain with five ponies in black suits standing guard. Her eyes narrowed slightly towards a sign on the curtain titled, “Showroom, not to be open until 6:00 pm."


Her ear twitched once she felt Ahuizotl's hot breath as he whispered, "I counted twenty-five guards...It might be difficult to retrieve the pearl, if it's here. "


She bit the inside of her lip and rotated her head, getting a good look at the lobby. The other twenty guards were scattered in the lobby, surrounding the guests as they carefully watched them. She mentally cataloged each of their faces and where they were stationed. 


"They are going to show the artifacts--so the pearl must be here," she replied with a flat tone, trying not to think of a darker intention of the heightened security. "Maybe they are here to get rid of wannabe thieves."


She watched as an old couple walked passed them. An old stallion wearing a monocle and handlebar mustache made eye contact with her and gruffed happily, giving her a small smile, along with his wife, who wore a pearl necklace. Daring gave them a polite smile before they turned away, heading to the front of the lobby.


She heard Ahuizotl crack his neck, loosening his shoulders as he tried to relax. He felt as if they walked into a trap--no, they did walked into a trap. There was no paparazzi, no reporters, no cameras...and no witnesses. It was all private and only he and Daring were the only ones who knew of the dangers. With only three days before the Winter Solstice, finding the pearl was becoming crucial. 


"May I have everypony's attention, please?" called Jemina loudly over the ponies' conversations. Ahuizotl and Daring glanced at each other as they stood at the end of the group, listening intently towards her, with eyes to the exit, just in case something went awry. 


"I would like to present the pony in charge of this museum!" she began with a fake smile. Daring brows arched in concern, looking into the griffin's eyes that she could have sworn they were glossy. Jemina stepped to the side, letting a pony walk up. "Monsieur Petite!"


Daring felt her breath hitch once she saw Petite walk into the room, coming up behind Jemina. He was a tall colt, taller than Ahuizotl, with slim long legs, but he was built. His coat was blacker than coal and his mane was shades of grey, pulled back loosely with the appearance of ash. He wore a dark blood suit with a white collar. He had golden eyes narrowed in a stony expression that it would make anypony shiver in fear. He blinked slowly and dipped his chin down in greeting. 


"Velcome, my friends." His voice was like gravel, deep and strong. "I hope you enjoyed the train trip, and continue to do so during your stay in the hotel. Your room keys will be handed out by the staff, and by six, I will reveal most of my artifacts that I had gathered over the years."


"I think he meant stole..." Daring said under her breath, low enough for Ahuizotl to hear. Everything about Petite was putting up warning flags. He looked shady and he sounded like a liar. This was the pony that they were looking for, the one that wanted the pearl's power. The couples clapped politely to their host before settling down, waiting for their room keys to be passed out by the bell hops. She and Ahuizotl waited patiently for their room key, but the bell hops went passed them as if they were invisible. She let out a small scowl as they deliberately ignored her and Ahuizotl. She watched as the crowd began to disperse, heading onto the golden elevators. 


"Excuse me, Sir and Madam." 


Daring and Ahuizotl were startled as they were met by Petite, and the atmosphere immediately went heavy. She was completely off-guard. He had walked up to them so silently that she did not see or hear him coming. From up close he stood a head above Ahuizotl, his height so overwhelming that Ahuizotl had the urge to take a step back. Yet, he stood stilll, puffing out his chest slightly, not wanting to be challenged. 


"I am here to present you with this special key," he stated, putting out his hoof towards them. In his hoof was a golden key, with a golden tag to match. In the tag the number 2 was engraved into it. "Congratulations, those are one of the best rooms in the hotel, along with the other two I passed out." 


"Only three?" Ahuizotl questioned, narrowing his eyes at the key suspiciously before lifting his gaze up onto Petite. "Whatever for?"


Petite let out a deep chuckle, as if he heard a joke. "You two won, correct? Jemina expressed how you two passed in a game with the highest points. The winners get the top floor suites." 


Daring shot Ahuizotl a glance, reading each other's expressions. She let out a small smile towards Petite. 


"Oh how extremely generous," Daring sighed happily, taking the key out of Petite's hoof. She flinched slightly from how cold he was. "Tell me, who were the other two lucky, lucky winners?"


"To a lovely old couple, the stallion had a monocle..." Daring swallowed and felt her hair stand on end. Her eyes darted to the elevators and found the couple inside of one. chattering happily to each other on the room they won. "...And a couple wearing matching outfits." With her eyes still on the elevator she saw the next couple. They were both wearing white and blue. She felt herself tense up as the doors slowly began to close. The two couples had smiles so large, that it seemed as if it was happiest time of their lives. It made her stomach lurch. She wanted to shout to them of the dangers she was uncovering. The pool suddenly became smaller....They were the finalists for an unknown threat. The doors closed, cutting off any chance she wanted to take, and heard Petite's voice before moving on as he said with a small smirk:


"I hope you enjoy your stay....I promise it will be the happiest time of our lives." 





They felt the elevator come to a complete stop, but as the doors opened, there was hesitation. Daring was chewing the inside of her cheek, feeling it becoming swollen. Ahuizotl bent his knees slightly in a stance as he stared at the empty hallway in front of them. 


"We are near the flames...Miss Do." Ahuizotl said solemnly. She let out a small hum, the key tight around her hoof she pushed forward, entering the hallway. Ahuizotl was soon by her side, checking their surroundings before the elevator doors closed. The hallway was dim, for there were no windows towards the outside world. Yellow lamps lit their way down, revealing three doors. Their room, labeled with gold, was at the end with the other two rooms at the left and right walls. It was like they entered into a box. Daring entered their key into the lock with prejudice, letting out a scoff from the intense atmosphere. She let out a long and calming breath, turning the key, propping open the door. 


"There is nothing wrong here,” She said as she walks into the room. "The museum viewing is in five hours and until then we....we..."


Her eyes widened, noticing how large their room was. It was as if she entered into an apartment. At the left side there was a large Queen size bed with white silk sheets and large French doors leading to a stone balcony outside with the view of the Tower of Maris. The floors were hardwood with fine furniture, complete with a large vanity mirror and stone fireplace, and a full size kitchen with a fridge on the right side. Immediately Ahuizotl dropped the bags inside, heading straight for the fridge.


"This is full of food!" he exclaimed, opening the fridge doors and examining the contents inside. 


Daring walked towards a small table, seeing a personal gift basket for them. Wrapped in a red velvet bow and held in a hoof woven basket, it contained two loaves of banquettes, a wheel of white cheddar and a champagne bottle with pink liquid inside, with no tag or title of what type it was. Not that it mattered to Daring, as she greedily took it out of the basket. With a clear thought, she sighed as she set it off to the side. As much as she hated to admit, she needed to have a clear head when preparing her plan for the winter pearl. 

Locking the door and dragging Ahuizotl out of the kitchen, they began planning and figuring out a plan. 


"If the winter pearl is guarded, it will prove difficult to grab, or get close to it," Ahuizotl said before taking a satisfying bite into an apple. 


Daring nodded as she stroke under her chin. “We need to watch the guards, watch their routine, find an opening and take it.” 


“Anmf afmhar?” Ahuizotl muttered earning a puzzled look from Daring. He swallowed. “And after?” 


“Run?” 


“Very amusing, we won’t get far, what if it’s connected to an alarm? it will alert the guards, or if we do manage to get the pearl the possibility of a guard seeing us is high.” 


“Then what do you suggest?” she said coyly, crossing her arms over her chest. 


“If I had my cats then we-”


“But we don’t, now do we?” she teased. 


“If I had my army-”


“And we don’t-”


“We need a distraction.” He placed a hoof over his mouth as he stared at the ground in thought while he bounced the half-eaten apple in the air.  “If we have a distraction, something that make the guards leave their post, we can grab the pearl and destroy it at the spot….then escape.”


“A distraction huh?” Daring swiped the apple once it was mid-air, biting into it before Ahuizotl had the chance to take it back. “Sounds good-” She swallowed. “But what type of distraction?” 


“I suppose if something were to happen with….Petite?” He grinned, with a swift motion he takes back his apple, a crunch ringing between them.  


“Kidnap him?” Daring let out a smirk and smacked his hoof the apple,  now one-third its size,  just enough for one more bite, land in her open hoof. “That might work-” She stuffed the apple into her mouth staring at Ahuizotl who gave her a scowl. She stifled out a laugh before she was silence with a knock on her door. 

Her eyes narrowed as she went into character, with a calm stride and swallowing the last of the apple she answered the door. 

She was greeted with a pitiful sight. A tall, flimsy-looking sand-colored Unicorn stallion stood before her, with thick glasses as big as plates, and wearing a “size-too-big”  brown suit with a blue bowtie shamelessly crooked.  His cutie mark was three bamboo reeds in a blue china pot. An archaeologist or a record-keeper if Daring had to guess. He held a clip-board underneath his left arm as he shakily fixed his glasses in front of her. 


“H-hello Madam-” He muttered, suffering from an apparent stutter. “I-I am Monsieur Petite’s partner, N-Neve.”


“Neve?” she repeated her eyes lower in boredom at his mono-toned voice, she was afraid if he continue talking she might fall asleep. 


“Y-yes, I am just here...to uh g-greet you, and y-your husband and to remind you t-that the reveal starts at 6:00 at night.”


“Yes, thank you-” she strained giving him a smile. She was starting to doze off. 


“O-oh good, and h-how are you liking your stay?”


“Oh I and Quinn love it so much, especially these rooms...and our privacy.” She said, adding more intensity on the last word. Hoping that he will take a hint. He fixed his glasses clumsy and fumbled for his clipboard. His eyes gaze down the white piece of paper attached. 


“I-I see, Ah! y-you are M-Maybelle and Q-quinn...the newlyweds.” He cleared his throat and pulled at his collar. “H-how long were you married exactly?” 


“A couple of weeks-” she answered quickly. “But we knew each other for months!”


“O-oh how wonderful. I hope t-to meet a mare as pretty as you.” he smiled awkwardly making her roll her eyes mentally. 


:”I’m sure you will, now if that’s everything I really must get ready.” she said slowly closing the door.


“O-oh yes, of course, M-miss!” he stammered nervously, his head tilting towards the door following it as he kept his white eyes at Daring. “I-I really must get back anyhow, P-please enjoy the complimentary Champagne, I-its non-alcoholic and have a g-good day Mi-!” 

She closed the door before she could hear the last word and let out a groan.


“Ugh-weirdo.” she said letting out a shiver as she heads back to Ahuizotl. “Guy gives me the creep, not to mention that he sounds annoying.”


“A strange pony-” Ahuizotl agreed. “But he seems harmless and very weak, we should not worry about him.” 


“Yeah, Petite is the one we should be thinking about and I already have a plan for a distraction.” 

> Sickness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daring Do CH 10



Dusk came quickly.


Daring and Ahuizotl were dressed in the finest attire money can buy or at least money that was given to them. Daring was in a tight fitted red gown that was so constricting that she thought she might not be able to stay conscious from the lack of air entering into her lungs. Her grey-scaled mane was up in a tight bun as she wore white diamond earrings. The soft balm of bright red lipstick moved across her lips in slow precision.

She let out a small scowl at the mirror. She looked so different when she gets all fancy. She could only hope that they don't get in the way once their plan comes together. Their plan is to get close to Petite, which will be Daring's job to "woo" him into following her after the party. Ahuizotl will provide the guards with a little bit of a distraction by telling them a half-flank lie that would make them leave their post but, this plan depends on where the pearl might be. 


"You look beautiful-"


Daring blinked and looked at Ahuizotl from the mirror, finding his reflection standing behind her. He wore a black suit and tie, his mane was slicked back with gel and tied into a small pony-tail and on his right ear he had on a very familiar golden ring. 


"Y-you're wearing the ring-on your ear?" she questioned. He shrugged his shoulder slightly making the ring shake slightly. "Mares wear their rings on their necks...males can too, but I prefer to have it on my ear." he smiles. “Much easier to see while I wear my amulet…”


Daring felt her chest tighten making her put up her hoof touching her own ring. She didn't know why she was feeling so...happy. She jumped slightly hearing a cork pop. She turned to see Ahuizotl holding the bottle of pink champagne in his hoof. 


"Care for a drink before we head to the party?"


"Isn't it a bit early to be celebrating?" She chuckled walking up to him as he poured the sparkling drink into two small glasses. 


"Eh-why not?" he smirked picking up his own glass, Daring mirrored back his expression as she takes her glass. 


"Why not is right." she said. "Cheers-"


"Cheers-" Their glasses let out a small clang and they place their lips on the rim, the drink was cold and the taste sweet. It tasted as if they were drinking fresh pomegranate with a mixture of strawberry and lemonade. Daring smacked her lips on the peculiar sweet-tasting drink. It wasen't bad, in fact she wanted to have another glass. Ahuizotl cheeks puckered suddenly seeing the empty cup down letting out a satisfying sigh. 


"This drink is very sour!" he exclaimed. 


"Sour?"


"Yes, it's very good, like coconut water mixed with many limes."


She let out a snort of laughter. "I guess we taste things a bit different than-come on, before we are late, you remembered the plan right?"


"Of course, what do take me for, a fool?" 


She shook her head heading out the door. "Too easy." 




The party was very elegant, the tables were dressed in white tablecloths with two chairs for each couple. The room was decorated with crystal chandeliers and the floors were riddled with rose petals. Every couple were dressed in their best, trying to out due the others. Daring scoffed slightly as she saw many mares hold out a small pout with their chins up high as they examined eachother's outfits. 
Outlining the walls were glass cases inside them held each artifact that Petite was presenting. This drew Daring's attention as she was immediately drawn to the treasures. She was amazed and a little jealous of Petite's vass collection. She was surprised to have found The Emerald of Hishi, The staff of the magician, Eurio (which was over a ten-hundred years old). The pearl necklace of the Ancient Queen of Arabia, Ethea and The Hooflet of the Gladiator and Athere the ancient spear. The list grew as she walked down the line of cases, growing extremely envious with each artifact she analyzed.  


"I can't believe Petite was able to get all of these artifacts..." Daring whispered to Ahuizotl, the irratance of her voice showing. "He even got The Amber Stone of the Great King, Unicornia!" she proclaimed loudly which prompted many harsh shh's from the other guests. She let out a small growl as she continued with a low whisper. "I was looking for that piece for months before I realized somepony else took it! and now I know who...."


"It must have cost him a fortune to get all of these mystical artifacts and-" he let out a loud gasp full of shock, bolting to a glass case three boxes down. She swiftly follows to find Ahuizotl's eyes wide with his face shoved against the glass. 


"What? what is it?" Daring asked looking at the artifact. 


"The Ahuizoten Amulet!" he exclaimed. It was a thick necklace decorated in gold with a large blue gem with red flakes inside it. It was a large necklace, too large for a regular pony to wear but perfect for someone like Ahuizotl. "This belongs to me!"


"Really?" she said arching a brow. There were many things that Ahuizotl thought that were "his".


"Well....it is in my birth-right but it is mine none less," Daring rolled her eyes. "when there were more species of Ahuizotl, the chiefs would wear this amulet as a sign of power, I thought it was lost forever...and yet, this pony has it!" He let out a irritable snarl. "I must take it back! It's part of my heritage!" he said lowly, all he needed to do was break the glass and run. Daring quickly grabbed his arm pulling him away. 


"Later! right now we have more important things to do!" She said through her teeth as she struggled to pull Ahuizotl away from the case. She eyed the many security personnel who were stationed on each corner of the room and spread out on the floor. She did not want to get kicked out or gain any suspicion early. 

She reeled back once she found the colt of honor, Petite, who stood right in front of her and Ahuizotl. 


“How are you two enjoying the party?” he asked politely in a gruff tone. Daring immediately became tense by how silent he snuck up on them. 


“It’s-amazing…” she said, holding a small smile. “Especially the artifacts...did you find them yourself?”


“No.” he admitted sternly. She blinked by his bold honesty. She expected him to lie like many other frauds she meet over her years as an archaeologist. “I’m not much of a hiker or explorer but I do love the history behind the artifacts which is why I hosted this party, to share the many fascinating stories behind each and every item.” he let out a small smile, almost in excitement. “History is fascinating, not every story is the same, it can be anything from discovery and loss, or romance and death.”


“Wow…” Daring breathed. “That’s exactly how I feel.” She smiled widely only to catch herself once Petite let out a chuckle. 


“My, a kindred spirit...tell me are you an historian as well?”


She pulled at her collar slightly as he leaned in, almost staring right through her. “Well, in a way... but I do love history.”


“How wonderful, I am sure you will enjoy my new attraction for my mini-museum.” 


“New attraction?” Ahuizotl spoke suddenly. Petite let out a small nod at him, he put out his hoof motioning to a server who swiftly came over to them. The same pink champagne was in small champagne glasses. Petite picked up a glass gently taking a small sip before Ahuizotl and Daring took one for themselves as Petite continues. 

“Yes, I heard about a rare item which was a source of great power, the story behind it was so unbelievably extraordinary that I had to to have it with the collection.”


Daring and Ahuizotl glance at eachother before placing their empty glasses down on the server pony’s tray. They look back at Petite who was pre-occupied with Neve, who rushed swiftly to him and whispering (which was mixed with a bit of stammering) into his employer’s ear, who listened intently before moving his eyes back towards them.


“You two should find your table, I shall be unveiling it in an hour and dinner will be served as you take your seats. Neve please make sure everypony is….comfortable.” He pressed. 


“Y-yes sir..” Neve muttered pulling at collar nervously before turning back to Ahuizotl and Daring who quickly gave him a polite smile.”H-hello again, Sir and Madam...umm I hope you are not too terribly bored.”


“No, we are fine.” Ahuizotl answered dryly finding the stallion's voice annoying. “We both enjoy this soiree...and its notable items.” 


“Oh g-good-I’m not one for history, I’m more of a record-keeper and planner...like this party for one, Monsieur Petite likes to keep to himself, hosting a-a party like this must be putting a strain on him...h-he hides it well…”


“That’s interesting-” Daring said her eyes following Petite as he made his way behind the stage. “but he sure must know his history as well as...legends?” 


“O-oh yes, he is neck deep in his readings....w-which is one of the r-reasons why he made me his right-hoof colt t-to plan this extravaganza, he wanted to share his new findings to other ponies...s-so u-unlike him, b-but it was nice to see h-him out and about..” Neve suddenly looked at his watch and his eyes went wide. "O-oh dear! The unveiling! I must go, p-please go and take your seats I shall warn the other guests." 

He turned swiftly almost tripping over his own hooves as he beelined for the stage, disappearing behind the curtain. 


"I suppose we should take our seats, something either preferable vantage point to see the pearl..." Ahuizotl mentions as he looked for the right spot among the many tables. 


"There..." Daring motioned with a nod of her head, to the left side of the room. "There are no guards there and it's in the back..." 


"Perfect-" Ahuizotl took a step forward. "We should sit and-...and..." He blinked rapidly, seeing the room spin and the colors turn to shade of pink. He suddenly felt a jab in his side snapping his vision back to normal. 


"Hey, what's the matter?- you zoned out for a second..."


He rubbed his forehead and looked at Daring with a deadpanned look and muttered. 


"Que paso? Eh ay..donde? Que? Mis ojos-"


"Whoa! Whoa-I don't understand- why are you talking like that?" She placed a hoof on his forehead only to retract it back from feeling an intense heat. 


"Whoa! Hey!...you're burning up-don't tell me you got a cold?" She said with a small grumble. He pulled away and shook his head. 


"I-I'm fine..no I am fine...it is just the room, I got-confused, for a moment." He rubbed at his eyes seeing dots of pink go by. 


"You sure?" Daring asked tilting her head.


"Yes, of course." He pushed forward heading quickly to their table. He needs to focus on retrieving the pearl. He cringed seeing the pink dots come back. He shook his head ignoring the unbearable heat that began to fill his chest.
He was not fine. 

> Questionable advances 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Questionable advances" 


Daring and Ahuizotl sat side by side as the lights went dimmed and the stage illuminated. Ahuizotl rubbed at his eyes again, the swirls of pink was blending into the yellow stage lights making it look as if it was a painting of Vincolt Van Gogh. The voices of the other guest sounded like they were muffled or gargling marbles. His ears flicked rapidly as he tried to get the sounds to come together for a meaningful collection. His eyes shifted as he felt Daring place her hoof on his shoulder.

"Ahu-...are...okay?" 

He blinked as his vision suddenly cleared from looking at her. The pink colors suddenly shifted themselves around her form, giving her an aura. The warm glow made him blink dumbly at her piercing, ruby-colored eyes. She felt her place her hoof next to his cheek that he could not help but lean into, letting out a content smile. His head suddenly jerked to the side from a sudden slap, clearing his eyes from any sort of pink. 
He clutched at his cheek painfully.

"What are you doing!?" He whispered harshly. She tilted her head at him as she crossed her hooves.

"Sorry-but...you were acting kind of weird." She stated. "It's like you were out of it-you were staring at me for a few minutes..." 

He let out a snort rolling his eyes. "I did no such thing, I was sitting here until you suddenly attacked me-it must have been your imagination." he accused before turning away towards the stage with a foul mood.
She arched a brow as she slowly turned her attention towards the stage as the curtains open. Yet, her thoughts about Ahuizotl still lingered. He was staring at her. She was not imagining that. When she touched him on his shoulder, he did not react until she touched his cheek. The one thing that surprised her, and the reason that she slapped him, was that he let out-a growl. It was not an angry one that she had heard before but it was a soft and deep. The only way she could describe is that it was a growl of passion. 
She gave him a side-ways glance finding his attention focus on stage. She curled her hoof inward until she suddenly a surge of frigid air came up her hoof. A shiver escaped her lips. With her arms wrapped around her she watched as Petite and Neve take the stage. 

"Thank you all for coming-" Petite proclaimed through a microphone. "I am please to share in this new discovery of a new artifact to add to my private collection-"

Daring and Ahuizotl leaned in with anticipation as they saw Blanco, dressed in a dark blue suit wheel in a small table with a rectangular shape object sitting upon it, similar to the glass cases that held the other objects. It was covered in a dark red cloth hiding its contents to be revealed in dramatic
fashion. 

"It is thanks to this stallion, Monsieur Blanco!-" Petite exclaimed placing a hoof behind Blanco's back with pride. "Who had received it, please let's give him recognition for his wonderful efforts to bring the artifact here!"

The guest erupted in thunderous applause, while Daring and Ahuizotl clapped politely while they scan the room looking for any sort of openings in the guards rotations. Daring eyes widen slightly as she saw Jemina, off leaning on the wall, next to the stairs of the stage. Daring's eyes narrowed in deep suspicions as she saw Jemina scanning the room and jotting down on her clipboard every few seconds. Once her eyes made it to Daring's table the archaeologist shifted her eyes back towards stage. Once the clapping died, Petite turned to Neve. 

"And I would like to thank my assistant Neve  for planning the event! It wouldn't have been done without him!" 

Neve let out an awkward smile as the crowd erupted into a short applause. Anouther cold wind washed over Daring making her curl inward slightly. She let out another soft shiver as she rubbed her arms trying to keep the heat from escaping. Ahuizotl glimpsed back at her and came over her in concern. 

"Miss Do?-what is wrong?" He asked. She shook her head.

"Nothing-nothing...I-I'm j-just cold..." She blinked rapidly as she saw dots of pink appear. She pulled her head back but saw that the dots weren't going away. She shook her head, gazing back to the stage. 

"And with no further distractions!-" Petite exclaimed placing a firm hoof on the cloth. "I
present you with-" he pulled down the cloth making it fall to the floor with a small thud. 

"The Winter Pearl!" 

Daring jerked back, rocking her chair as she stared wide-eyed on the stage. The Pearl, the one that they were seeking for, with the color matching it's name was now-pink. She rubbed her eyes, thinking it was a trick as she heard the crowd oohs and ahhs. 

"This beautiful, flawless, white pearl is from the temple of-"

The sound muffled as Daring covered her ears shaking her head.

"No-it's pink!" She snarled underneath her breath. "Is he color-blind?" 
She shook in her chair, the cold temperature in the room was becoming unbearable. Ahuizotl clutched at his tie, loosening it as he felt a wave of heat take over him as he stared at the pink pearl. He turned away but saw the whole room swimming in pink. His head swiveled back towards Daring who pushed herself away from the table, stumbling towards the exit making her way to the corridor of the hotel. 
He followed promptly forgetting everything they had planned as they hurried back towards their room. 
------

Even with the windows open, his temperature refused to go down. He pulled at his tie letting it fall to the floor along with his coat and shirt until he was bare, but felt no change. He moved to the freezer in the kitchen, opening it and pressing himself against the cool steel.

"I-I'm so cold!" shivered Daring, she rubbed her arms trying to heat herself up but she felt as if there was a constant cold wind blowing on her. "C-close those windows!" She snapped finding the source and shutting them angrily. 

Ahuizotl opened his mouth wanting to tell her to leave it open but found himself struck by her appearance. Her tail swished and bounced with each step she took. He saw her haughtily slam the balcony door shut, her hair whipping back as she wrapped her arms around herself, his eyes moved down from her neck to her shoulder, tracing down her side towards her curves and hips. 
He moved away from the fridge, his full attention on her. 
Daring's shoulders shook and hug herself tighter, she couldn't understand why she was still cold. Her head shot up as she felt Ahuizotl placed his chin on her left shoulder. At first, she wanted to tell him to get off of her but was entranced by the sight of his yellow eyes and the heat emitting out of him filled her with a welcoming warmth. She unconsciously pressed her muzzle up against his neck. She let out a soft sigh relaxing against him. Ahuizotl breathed in deeply, taking in her scent until burying his face into her mane. She pulled away from the sudden touch. 

"What are you-!" 

She was shoved against the balcony door with his lips latched against hers in a heated kiss. She was forced up on her hind legs with her back pinned against the cool glass with her wrists pinned above her head by Ahuizotl's hand tail. He managed to tear off his amulet before pinning her against him. She felt her knees buckle as his hands roam up and down her sides.
His kiss was ferocious in its hunger while she kissed him back just as fiercely and savagely. His hand on her wrists was like a boa to its prey, in fear of her escaping. The kiss was hard and smothering that neither of them wanted to separate even for a breath. She didn't know why she was kissing him, the thought never lingered long as she was suddenly taken over by an unfulfilled desire that could only be managed by Ahuizotl. 
She let out a small eep as she was scooped into his powerful arms bridal-style while never losing momentum from his lips kissing her neck. She let out a fit of laughter from his ticklish lips after he found a sweet spot on the nape of her neck. She wrapped her hooves around his large muzzle lovingly, never wanting him to stop as he carried her towards their bed. 
With a toss, their blanket was up in the air, their mattress bare for them as they fell. With arms wrapped around each other and their lips tugged up in flirtatious and greedy smiles continuing from where they left off, the blanket draping them softly. 
-

The sound of songbirds sang at the balcony stirring Daring from her sleep. She rubbed her cheek against something warm and solid before slowly lifting her head up. She was met with the sleeping face of Ahuizotl, his arm was draped around her slim body while she was resting her head against his chest. She tilted her head lazily towards him watching him continue to sleep peacefully with his lips pursed tightly together. She was suddenly struck with a desire to kiss them. 
She couldn't understand why she felt lighter and much happier until she realize what had happened between them. 
Last night's exploded into her mind like shockwaves, his hands, the sighs, the growls and every intimate kiss. Her face flared up as pulled away in a jolt, the memories filled her making her cringe, shut her eyes and hit herself on the forehead wondering what sort of stupidity possessed her to kiss, let alone let him kiss her! 
She put a hoof up to her lips only to wince finding them sore. Her heart began to race, and her head rocked, becoming dizzy. She had never wanted this, she never wanted to become close, she never wanted to have a relationship with her enemy,it was her number one rule! Never date your enemy! 

Ahuizotl stirred from feeling her sudden jolt and slowly lifted his head to find her staring at him with a look of shock which turned into shyness and embarrassment from their current position. She was draped by his hand while she held the blanket they were sharing, up to her torso while looking away with her lips together and eyes half-closed. A deep tint of red covered her cheeks and ears. His pulse quicken from the look of her. Even with the recognizable embarrassment she looked like a goddess, the blanket her sheet of clothing as her mane off to the side covering her one eye holding a seductive look through her ragged mane. He put out his right hand wanting stroking her mane only for her to flinch from his touch.

"No!" She slapped his hand away, startling him. 

"What is wrong?" He asked sitting up slightly. 

"I-I never wanted this to happen!" She pulled away throwing his hand tail off of her back, her teeth gritted together. "None of it!" 
It was as if she was possessed last night, all common sense thrown out the window. She ran her hoof through her hair trying to figure out why, sure his eyes are amazing to look at and he had a good "figure" but it did not mean that she liked him because of it, even if he was strong, intelligent and...gentle, some of the time. 
She doesn't love him. She can't love him. Then why did she let him kiss her?!

"I-don't understand..." Ahuizotl slowly said scratching his chin. "You seemed to have enjoyed yourself last night-" 

Her cheeks immediately turned red remembering bits and pieces. They must have kissed each other for an hour until their lips became raw that they both fell asleep into each other's arms. She shook her head. 

"N-no, no! I...I don't know why I did that!" She cried out desperately, clutching her head. "I was just-it was normal! And..and then we...we-!" 

"Kissed? Yes that is exactly what had happened-" he responded calmly. "Not that I did not mind, of course." He purred running his hand through her mane. She slapped his hand aside. 

"Stop it!" 

"Why?" He asked grabbing her hoof, she tried to pull it away as she saw Ahuizotl bring it up to his mouth, holding a grin. "You weren't complaining before, my dear." He gave her a tender kiss on top of her hoof making her blush deeply. She forcefully wrenched her arm away. 

"Stop! Whatever happened last night was nothing! S-so just forget about it!" 

He grabbed her hoof again and pulled her forward. She went still as she found his face inches away from hers.

"What if I don't want to?" He softly growled, she shivered, unexpectedly making a blush that was so obvious that made a small grin tugged at his mouth. 

"W-What are you saying?" She shakily replied. She heard him click his tongue in thought but he could only shrug. Daring eyes darted back and forth wondering what could have lead up to that kiss, the last thing she could remember was that they were sitting at their table as the Pearl was revealed. 

"The Pearl!" She shouted abruptly. She pulled at her mane. "We never got it!!" 

Ahuizotl sat up, realizing the seriousness in their situation. "We only have two days of the winter solstice-we need to retrieve it before then." 

"We could have retrieved it if it wasn't for you!" Daring punched his arm away escaping from his grip and she jumped out of bed. 

"Me?!" He replied with annoyance as he followed her. "It seems everything I do is my fault, isn't it?"

"Of course it's your fault! You're the one who kissed me!" She yelled jabbing an accusing hoof at his direction. 

"You could have said no!-most of the time you were kissing me! Do not even try to deny it!" 

"Watch me!" A snort of anger escaped from her nostrils as she stomped away from him, heading towards the bathroom. He followed her as he spoke.

"You can't walk away from this! Admit it!-you "enjoyed" it!" He whispered with a sly grin. Daring stopped, her eyes shut tightly. 

"No...no I did not!"

"Yes! Yes you did!-" he leaned into her ear, his lips pushed back, revealing his canines. "I still remembered what you said to me..." 

She bucked him back, hard. He was thrown straight on his back. He gritted his teeth as he lifted himself back and found Daring with her eyes narrowed, her lips in a straight line. 

"I didn't mean it-Ahuizotl..."she said before turning away from him, with her head low. "So....please don't read so much into it and just forget it." 

He blinked as he sat up watching her go into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. He let out a bitter scoff as he rubbed at his temple. How can he forget about it? 
The many kisses they shared, was that really nothing? Their passions, their laughter, their whispers..was that really nothing?
He let out a soft growl, the words they exchanged before they fell asleep, echoed in the back of his mind. 

Was it really...nothing?

> Mistakes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The faucet was left running, memories of last night played over and over in her mind. She wanted to drown it. She wanted to forget that it ever happened but she couldn't get rid of the heat growing in her cheeks. She splashed the cold water on her face in desperation, trying to rid herself of the embarrassment. 
She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror for five minutes and shivered as her wet mane dripped down her neck and shoulder. The moments of last night flashed in her head making her covered her face instinctively in shame. She let out a groan making herself fall on the white tile, her back hitting against the jade colored wall seeing the scene play out in her mind. 



She let out a soft giggle as his fingers stroked through her mane gently. The blanket from their bed, draped over their shoulders giving them comfort and warmth. Her cheek rested on Ahuizotl's chest. Hearing his large heart beat, she sighed as she laid curled up underneath his arm. He had on a large grin, chuckling deeply as if a joke had been said between them. She leaned into his warm hand, shifting slightly underneath his tail that was wrapped around her waist. 

"Traditional or white dress?"  He asked, continuing their conversation.

"There's a difference?" Daring replied with a smile, her interest peaked. They had been talking about his tribal life for an hour. "What's traditional?" 

Ahuizotl rotated his wrist, his fingers outstretched as he imagined it. "You will be dressed in the finest blue and green silk with accessories made of pure gold." 

She smirked. "I kinda like that." 

"And of course you will bare me my offspring, yes?" He purred with his hand running through her mane. Daring let out a small blush and turned away. 

"I don't know, I think your planning too far ahead."

"I am serious..." He whispered with a slight growl. "How many?" 

Daring's ear twitch from his hot breath and gave him a sly smile. "Just one foal, any more and I might just go crazy...."

"Just one?" He exclaimed, he leaned down giving her a small kiss on her temple. She let out a small snort from his act. Seeing him act so gentle towards her was something she never thought possible. "I thought you might be the type that would want more than that..." 

"I...I don't really know if I do." She replied slowly with her eyes down to his hand. She placed her hoof over his large knuckles. He caught her hoof and brought it up to his lips, peckering her with sweet butterfly kisses.

"Do not worry about that..." he said softly and kissed her hoof one more time. "One is enough."

She bit her lower lip from his affection before replying in a quiet voice.  "How many would you want?" 

He didn't need a second to respond. "Twelve." 

She let out a loud laugh. "Twelve!? Oh no, I am never giving you twelve. That's too many."  

Ahuizotl shared in her laughter. "I always wanted a large family."

She gave him a playful push which spurred him to wrap his arms around her in a tight embrace. 

"You're beautiful, it makes me wish to ravish you." he whispered running a finger down her cheek to underneath her chin. She smiled and caught his hand, pressing her lips against his palm. He tilted his head at her as she looked at him with deep love in her eyes. 

"Do you now?" She said flirtatiously when her lips left his hand. A flash of pink circled in his pupils making him lean forward giving her a quick kiss on her ear.

She let out a small shriek,making her ears fall flat. "You flirt!" She accused playfully, her own eyes shining bright pink.  He let out a deep chuckle giving her a wolfish grin.

"I have been called worse than that, my dear." 

She slapped his arm aside. "Stop. You're becoming needy..." He lifted her hoof once more.

"Can you blame me, my dearest?" He smirked, Daring let out a laugh. 

"So you added an est? Is that suppose to make me more vulnerable to your charms?" 

He went foreword trying to sneak a quick kiss to her neck, she leaned back making him come up short. She held back a laugh hearing him growl in excitement. 

"You're playing hard to get." He said, running his hand-tail down the back of her head. 

She ran her hoof down his chest, the motion made him grin wider. "I think you're just trying too hard." She gave him a chaste kiss on the lips and pulled away once Ahuizotl wanted to go longer. 

"Now who's the flirt?" He accused. She let out a small blush. He grabbed at her hoof looking straight into her eyes. "I desire you...I desire you enough to want to keep you by my side for all eternity." She felt his fingers tug at her ring attached to her chain. 

"A-Ahuizotl..." She felt her heart skip a beat. 

"We can have more nights like this, my sweet flower....and in the mornings I can give you anything you desire, let it be gold or a mountain." He put the ring up to his lips making her blush deeply. "I promise on my life that I shall be faithful to you as long as I expect the same from you...this may seem to be rash but..." His eyes locked with hers, it took all of her will to not turn away. " I want you to be my mate because of how much I love you." 



The memory was gone once she hit herself on the head, a deep blush across her face. There was no escaping it. 
She kissed him.
She kissed him, he kissed her, and they both fell asleep in eachother's arms as if they were a part of a romance! 
The worst part of the whole thing is that she told him…. she loved him. 
She banged the back of her head against the wall. Why did she say that she loved him? Throughout her whole life she had never had a relationship with another male. Sure she went on dates but it never went anywhere because they either got scared off by how confident she was or she, herself, scared them off by threatening them. She gave up on finding a "soul-mate" and focused on one thing, adventuring.
Trekking through the harsh, humid rainforest gave her more life than what a male might give her. Fighting criminals added the excitement, escaping death traps added the adrenaline and retrieving artifacts was all the love she needed.
So what does she know about "real" love?
Does a kiss between them really changed how they felt about each other? Before they were enemies, then they were partners and somehow a kiss had changed all that. She couldn't love him, she can't love him! It was impossible. 



Ahuizotl was pacing. 
His mind was trying to find sense of what could have lead to this outcome. Last night was something he will never forget. During his long life, he had never met a mare like Daring Do. As leader of his tribe ponies he had power, wealth, intelligence and was an obvious target for other females who wished to joined him but...his appearance proved to be too frightening to some and his wealth proved to bring in females who wished to bathed in the riches. In the end, he never had any interest, until Daring came into the picture. 
She is strong, intelligent, skillful and determined. Everything he ever needed in a mate. He just never thought it would be Daring. Yet, she has drawn away from him. The first time they met, she was irritating. 
The way she cracked jokes, laughed at his expense, escaped from his traps and took back artifacts he worked hard to steal. She was more than formidable. She was also obnoxious. He became obsessed with her, something that came unconsciously as he pursued her. It was always him stalking her, he never thought about it at first but, he enjoyed battling with her. Matching wits, trading fists, stealing from one another. 
He bit the inside of his cheek in thought. Last night, something spurred inside him, their journey and time together made it obvious that he wanted Daring to become his mate. Even in the beginning.  She was perfect to become a queen beside him. 
The way she kissed him, held his hand, looked at him.
He placed a hand over his muzzle as a small blush grew. The way she said that she loved him. He considered that to be true, unlike Daring who had other thoughts. No matter how much she protests that she never did, he could not believe it. It was all truth, everything from last night was the ultimate truth. Why deny it?  His new feelings for her was proving difficult to manage. 
The bathroom door suddenly clicked causing him to turn to find Daring, standing inbetween of the doorway, holding a stern frown. 

"Let's get something straight..." She began with a growl. "Everything that happened last night, "never" happened, got it? And if you breath a word to anypony once we go our separate ways, I'll make sure to find you and break your nose." 
She slammed the bathroom door and stomped her way towards the fridge.
Ahuizotl bit the inside of his cheek. His hand-tail wagging slightly. He never noticed how fiercely beautiful she looked when angry. He watched how Daring began pulling vegetables and fruit out of the fridge, stuffing her mouth. She chewed quickly, devouring everything in sight. He knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to forget through food. 
'What a glutton.' He thought, but he too had a desire to eat just to make his troubles disappear. It proved to be quite distracting. 
The sound of frantic knocking grabbed their attention, Ahuizotl swiftly snatches his amulet off the floor(left from last night) and put it on. Resuming his pony form, he answered the door. 

"Oh-I uh..hope I did not wake you." 

Ahuizotl blinked once he saw Neve, the shaking stallion fixed his glasses making Ahuizotl frown. 

"No. You did not...state your business." He demanded. He did not want to deal with him right now. His tone made the stallion jump slightly making him turn embarrassed. 

"Um..by any chance, have you s-seen the couple, staying in the room beside yours, sometime during the reveal last night...." 

Ahuizotl bit the inside of his cheek. "The matching couple?"

"Y-yes sir..."

"I....me and my wife-" he strained at the word. "Departed to our room early and we have not seen them..." Suddenly Neve turned nervous, which made Ahuizotl’s brow arch. "Why? What has happened?" 

"I-it could be nothing...nothing at all..." Neve rubbed at his hooves. "And I don't want to c-cause alarm but...t-they have been missing since last night....and we already checked their rooms, their bags are still there." 

Ahuizotl eyes widened slightly. "Missing? And since last night?" 

"I-it could be nothing..." Neve said, his shoulders shaking. "Petite told me to not worry about them...but I fear the w-worst." 

"What makes you say that?" Ahuizotl said, prodding him on more information. Neve glanced up at him, avoiding his eyes. 

"I-it's nothing...I'm being silly and n-naive...they must have went into Paris for sightseeing. Yes, Yes, t-that must be it." 

"Have you seen something?" 

"N-no....it's just....." Neve took a shaky breath. "P-petite is different now..." 

"Different how?" Ahuizotl pressed taking a step forward. Neve took a step back letting out a shaky laugh. 

"It's nothing!...I'm being s-silly! I get nervous on the most s-simple things!" He turned away. "I must go." 

Ahuizotl did not stop him, instead he watched him hurriedly go to the elevator, wiping his brow feverishly before disappearing behind the sliding doors. Ahuizotl shut the door and rubbed his temple.
He can't really remember much of the guests from last night. He can't really place where the missing couple were in his memory. He turned his attention towards Daring. She must have seen them. It could be nothing and that the couple might have gone sight seeing like Neve has stated but, from the way he acted, it could not be ignored. 

"Miss Do." He called, making her head finally come out of the fridge. She gave him a raised look before swallowing what bit of food she had."Had you seen the couple with the matching outfits at the reveal?" 

Her head tilted at the question. "Um, I think so...yes, yeah I saw them, they were sitting near the stage."

"So they were there...." He muttered to himself. “Something is wrong.” he said out loud, making her walk up to him. Not coming in close like before, keeping her distance. 

“Who was at the door?” she asked. 

“Neve.”

“Neve?” She let out a scoff. “And he was asking about the couple?”

“Yes, he said something very peculiar about Petite, there is no escaping it...we must find the Petite immediately.” There was no time to evaluate their current relationship, they have less than two days before the winter solstice. Daring would have to push her thoughts about Ahuizotl deep down in her mind, burying it. She would have to worry about him later. At least something good might happen when they take back the pearl, finally getting far away from him. 
> Knowledge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daring Do Ch 13


Daring Do managed to pick the lock of the missing couple’s door. Ahuizotl nudged the door open and peered inside while Daring provided look out from behind. Once they saw they were safe, they stealthily went inside. Daring closed the door behind them and saw Ahuizotl go immediately into their personal bags and belongings.

“This is most suspicious,” Ahuizotl said aloud as he took out clothes and jewelry. “How could they leave these behind for more than twenty-four hours?”

“Not to mention the cash.” Daring Do said when she found their bags of bits right on the kitchen counter. She set it back down and walked around the room, hoping to find more evidence of their whereabouts. She feared that their lives were in danger because of the winter pearl. She did not trust Petite, something about him makes her wonder if he brought everyone here to be used in some way. What it was, she has no idea.

“Well, well, well…” Ahuizotl started aloud, holding out a letter from the colt’s suitcase. “This is incriminating.”

Daring immediately went to his side. “What? What is it?”

Ahuizotl passed her the letter. “It seems this colt was putting up a facade.”

“What?” Her eyes scanned the letter and gasped from the scandalous words she found. The letter was a mare, not from his wife but from his mistress who lived in Maris. It seemed the colt only pretended to be close to his wife but was actually tired of her always suffocating him. He felt that he couldn’t get away from her obsession over him and found comfort in the new mare. In the letter, she gave him instructions on where she lived and where they could run away together. It seemed the husband was having one last hurrah with his wife before he decided to run off. Daring gave out a disgusted scoff and tossed the letter back to Ahuizotl.

“I hate colts like him. Unbelievable cowards.” Daring made her way over to the mare’s suitcase and found the wedding photo of her and her husband. Her mouth fell into a sad frown and gently placed the photo back. “She probably found the letter, she probably already knew...why else did she bring this?”

“He must have run off and his wife followed.” Ahuizotl mused when he walked up to her. It wasn’t long until the wife did return. Heart-broken, but safe. Daring was glad she was safe but she was filled with anger for the colt who left her. If there was a problem with the marriage, they should have had a divorce. Instead, he gave his wife one last good memory before salting it with an equally bitter one.
Daring and Ahuizotl decided to continue their mission, stealing the winter pearl. The two went to the bar to scout out the security. Daring was in a simple dress and Ahuizotl, in his pony disguise wore his shirt and leather suit. Daring sipped quietly as she saw that the room with the artifacts was again closed off by red velvet ropes and curtains. She noticed the security ponies making their rounds and every hour they switch with new ones. She realized there was a 3-minute window. It wasn’t much, but it was doable.
She turned back to Ahuizotl, who was poking at his salad, obviously deep in thought. He hummed as if he knew Daring looked at him.

“We will have to do our deed once every pony is asleep, we will sneak above from the roof and we will have to lower ourselves aside the room.” He said quietly and took a bite out of his salad.

“But how will we do that without equipment, all I got is a twelve-foot rope…” Daring replied, taking a sip of her apple cider.

“It is no trouble if I change into my other form, I will merely jump down and you fly in.”

“Can you make that jump? I mean we will be on the fourth floor!”

“I can do it.” He said calmly. Daring nodded and stared into her drink. Her reflection blinked back at her. As she thought, she couldn’t get last night fully out of her head. She had thought if she continued on their mission to the pearl, she would forget about their passionate views on one another. She was confused on when it started. When did she fell for Ahuizotl? The villain who time and again forced her in a trap and stole from her. Does she even love him at all? Inside, when she asked her reflection that question all she got was a shrug. She shook her head and took another sip of her drink, her reflection disappearing.





“I want you to be mate because of how much I love you.” Ahuizotl proclaimed with no hesitation in his voice. His thumb and index rubbed the ring from her necklace, making her blush.

“I…” She felt her mouth quiver when she gently touched his hand. “I have never experienced love before, Ahuizotl.” She admitted. She had never told anypony that and it felt as if she was revealing a dark secret when she continued. “I am afraid...when this is over, you and I...it will all be a dream.”

Ahuizotl blinked and smiled gently at her. “The great Daring Do?...afraid of love?”

“Don’t laugh.” She warned, her eyes narrowing in quick anger. “You have no idea how much I have been used…”
He bit his tongue and gently dropped her necklace back onto her collarbone. “I did not mean to question you, I know exactly how you feel.” She turned her body towards him when he stared at the ceiling, like a patient talking to his psychologist. He let out a sigh. “As the last Ahuizotl, I often feel utterly alone...I wished to one day to meet my mate who was like me but I found it was not meant to be. Being the leader of my tribe, others in the jungle alway sought for my power and try to use me by bringing me beautiful daughters to wed.” Daring lifted her head up in interest. “Some were afraid and most played their part to try to sway me and or try to tempt me. After I saw through their ruse...and I always refused because they never loved me.” Daring sighed softly at him. They really were one of a kind. She never realized how much they had in common. She ran her hoof back onto his hand, making him turn to her with a small smile. “But I suppose I do not have to worry about that now.”

“And I suppose, I wouldn’t mind to have you as my mate.” She said before giving him a kiss on top of his muzzle. “You will be the first when I say, I love you.”





She jerked from the sudden memory and accidentally dropped her drink to the ground. She cursed under her breath, making Ahuizotl arch a brow at her. When she stretched her front foreleg out, another pony managed to grab it for her.

“My dear, are you alright?” Daring faced Petite who placed the empty glass back on the table. “It seems you are a little tired…”

She immediately gave him a smile, going into character. She bent her wrist at him. “Oh no! Just a little clumsy!” She gave him a fake laugh which made him smile at her.

“Oh, my mistake,” Petite replied. “But how are you two? Did you enjoy the museum?”

“We saw the reveal of the pearl,” Ahuizotl replied and leaned forward towards Petite. “But, we would like to see it again, would there be another reveal?”

“Unfortunately no,” Petite replied quickly. “I sent it away to be polished by Neve.”

Ahuizotl and Daring exchanged glances which made her try to continue the conversation. She batted her eyes innocently at Petite. “What a shame...I didn’t get a good look last night. Are you sure there is no way to see it?”

“I’m afraid not Madam.” He said gently, bowing his head to her. “But you will see it again in the summer when I donate it to the Maris Museum.”

Ahuizotl ears went up. “The Maris Museum?”

Petite nodded.”Yes, its beauty must be shared. In fact, I’m donating my whole personal collection! History must be shared, not hoarded. Hopefully, after this weekend I will have the papers ready.”

-----------------------

Daring closed the door of their room behind them and collapsed on the bed. “Well, our plan went down the drain.” She said, followed by a loud groan. But Ahuizotl ignored her and paced in the room. She tilted her head at him and stared at him for a moment before turning away. “Ugh, knock that off, I’m already getting nauseous.”

Ahuizotl stopped. “He mentioned that the pearl will be in the Maris Museum in the summer.”

“Yeah?” Daring replied boredly. “And he is donating the rest of his collection too…” She suddenly sat up. “Wait a minute-”

“How can he expect it to be summer when he is going to use the power of the winter pearl?”

“Unless Petite was never going to use it in the first place.” She jumped out of the bed. “It means he may not know about its real power!”

“Which means somepony else does....” Ahuizotl said darkly.
> Secrets
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“SECRETS” 


It was dusk and the rest of the couples had gone back to their rooms for the night, except for one. There was a bar at the end of the dining room which Ahuizotl noticed when he saw Blanco, drowning his sorrows with alcohol for the past two days. At first, Ahuizotl just ignored him as he thought his existence was now meaningless since his job on delivering the pearl was finished. But, once Daring and Ahuizotl realized that Petite could not have been the one in charge, they decided to go to Blanco and find out the truth. 
Ahuizotl maneuvered himself on top of the ceiling. His large nails digging into the roof as he stealthily moved along until he was right on top of the disheveled Blanco. He had mountains of glass shot glasses around him and had his chin on the table, obviously too depressed to go back to his room. Ahuizotl scanned the room and watched the bartender go into the employee’s kitchen. Ahuiztol slowly reached down with his tail and snatched the white unicorn. Blanco immediately let out a yelp but Ahuiztol clamped his muzzle shut with his fingers. 
He climbed quickly along the sides of the building, avoiding the windows and being seen by the guards. Ahuizotl tossed Blanco against the rooftop. The white unicorn shook his head and stumbled to his hooves, ready to fight. Unfortunately a lasso fell right on top of him, he was spun around, the rope twisting around his body and forced to the ground. Blanco’s horn immediately glowed blue making Ahuizotl place a horn lock over it. It was a metal plate used by the guards of Maris to take in unruly unicorns and Ahuizotl managed to steal one. 

“Let me go!” Blanco roared. “Who dares do this to me?” He shouted, violently struggling against the rope. Daring tightened the rope with a harsh tug. 

“Now, calm down!” She commanded. “Or else we are going to have a bad time together…”

Blanco glared in the darkness and saw Daring Do come into view, instantly recognizing her from her pith helmet and camo gear. He let out a gruff. 

“Daring Do...I see you have finally tracked me down. How is your side?” He remarked with a knowing grin. His muzzle was immediately slammed against the roof by Ahuizotl’s hand tail. Blanco spat out blood and turned to see Ahuizotl glowing dangerously at him. 

“Remember me?” Ahuizotl said with a low voice. Blanco smirked through his bleeding mouth. 

“I see you are walking, hmm usually when I attacked, the victim takes weeks before they could walk again...I sense you know a bit about that, Daring Do?”

Daring tossed the rope down. “It's not that hard to figure out pressure points. All it takes is an anatomy book.” She tapped against the metal helmet on Blanco’s head. “Comfy?”

Blanco’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?” 

Daring flicked her mane back and rolled her eyes. “Please, like you don’t know...how about the winter pearl?” 

“And who you work for.” Ahuizotl growled when he walked besides Daring. 

Blanco let out a snort. “Sorry, thief and boss-conventionality. You understand me, don’t you Ahuizotl?” 

Ahuizotl response was snatching Blanco from his hind legs and dangling him over the edge of the building. Blanco’s eyes widened from the height and without his horn, he couldn’t teleport to safety. Daring rushed forward in sudden fear for Blanco’s life.

“I understand I don’t have much patience.” Ahuizotl said darkly, giving the unicorn a shake. “And you know all about my temper, Monsieur Blanco.” 

“Y-You are bluffing!” Blanco shouted, his eyes fell on Daring Do. “You can’t just stand aside and let him do this!”

Daring’s eyes glanced over to Ahuizotl, but his eyes were staring straight at Blanco with a stern and serious gaze. She knows about Ahuizotl’s cruelty, especially to his own tribe members who refuse to follow his orders and about the times he had left her in a sinking temple and deadly trap. But, she felt this was different. She let out a bored sigh and leaned against the brick layering. 

“I don’t know, after you sucker punched me back at the temple and stole the winter pearl from me, I’m kinda considering it…”

Blanco began to sweat. “Y-you cannot be serious!”

Daring turned her head away from Blanco to polish her helmet. “Well, think about it this way...you just gave away a powerful artifact that could plunge Equestria into non-stop winter to a dangerous buyer. If you don’t tell us who it is, than I could just walk away and grab a drink by the bar….” She gave Blanco a small smile when she leaned forward. “Any suggestions?” She asked batting her eyes at him. 
Blanco gulped and looked down.

Ahuizotl let out a small hum. “My arm is getting a bit tired, Miss Do and it seems Blanco made his choice.” 

Daring sat down and ran her hoof along the brick wall, a small pout forming. “I guess you are right, Mister Ahuizotl.” She turned away and motioned her hoof at Blanco. “Just toss the guy and we can go get a drink.” 

Ahuizotl grinned and made a motion with his arm, making Blanco scream out. “Alright! Alight! I’ll tell you!” Blanco was tossed back onto the roof, he let out a grunt from having the air knocked out of him. Ahuizotl crossed his arms while he watched Daring circle around Blanco like a predator to his prey. He chuckled softly at the sight of her. 

“I was contacted by Petite’s assistant, Neve, to get the winter pearl for Petite and for his Museum.” Daring let out a scoff at Blanco’s answer. 

“You can’t honestly think that Petite only wanted the pearl just to display it in his museum.” Daring said with a snap of her teeth. She was losing her patience with the unicorn. “And what about the ponies invited to this place? Something is not right about that.” 

“L-Look, Miss Do...I just got paid a mountain of bits from Petite to get the pearl and to escort the aristocrats here. I was told by Neve that Petite wanted only the pure couples and to get rid of the rest who were unfaithful. It was a strange request but I got paid! Handsomely! No doubt.” 

Daring’s brow arch. “Pure?”

“Yes, yes.” Blanco nodded. “Petite is a fan of faithful romances, he only wanted to bring the best aristocrats here to promote his museum. If you are doubtful of me, go ask Neve! He told me so himself!”

Daring glanced up at Ahuizotl, who gave her a nod. They have gotten all the information needed from Blanco. Daring suspected that Blanco was kept out of the loop from the real plan for the pearl. She thought Petite couldn’t have known about its power but she was wrong. She would have to talk to Neve, the nervous pony must know about Petite’s true plan and action for the pearl. Daring gave Blanco a pat of the head, making him scowl at her. 

“Thank you so much for your time. Anything else you want to say?” She asked and Blanco gave her a glare. She clicked her tongue and motioned her hoof back to Ahuizotl. “Okay...how about to him?” 

Blanco let out a short series of curses towards Daring. She laughed loudly at him and banged on his helmet. “I don’t think so!” She sang. “Better hurry, it’s getting late and I am so tired. Ahuizotl on the other hoof seems like he’s ready to take you away...and between you and me, he is still pretty mad when you paralyzed him. He might want to get even.” She gave out a short “Shhhh” in between her teeth, showing him a painful expression. “I might see you again in a wheelchair.” 

“Alright! You little witch!” Blanco yelled. Daring gave him a smirk as Ahuizotl was silently laughing behind him. “There is one small thing. Petite wanted to make sure everypony was as pure as they were when they arrived. There is a pink drink you should avoid.” Daring eyes widened and whirled to Ahuizotl, who also looked at her in shock. “It is almost like a love potion but instead of “falling in love”, it makes the ponies who drink it either lust for their partner or avoid them. It is very potent…”

“L-lust?” Daring repeated, clutching her head. She felt the ground sway from underneath her. 

“Yes, depending how much you drink it...just earlier today, a couple split up after they consumed one glass of the drink.” 

Ahuizotl covered his mouth feeling his stomach lurch from the revelation. The bottle from the gift basket, it was filled with the powerful potion and during their recent conversation with Petite. He had a glass. He covered his eyes and closed them tightly, is that the reason why he is infatuated with Daring Do? He was under a spell. The night before, they were under a spell. None of what happened was real.