"STOOOOP HEEEER!", the booming voice of her arch enemy yelled and echoed through the sturdy, trapezoid shaped hallways.

Beastly statues, sitting in alcoves, holding torches, rushed by. Reliefs of ancient gods and heroes just a blurry impression.
Daring Do had not much time, to check how many of Ahuizotls minions were after her, but knowing him 'all of them' was a good assumption. So, like a pale golden lightning she chased along the way.

Falling stone block! A forceful jump. Wings flapped. Passed! But...

In an instant she let herself fall to the ground. Arrows! Centimeters over her head. Dodging, crawling, jumping.

No time to rest! The ground before her - suddenly gaped open. Evil grinning alligators waiting down in the pit.

Cautious she set one hoof on the small ledge. One step after another. Slowly. Her heart puckered like a pecker in her breast. Her forehoof got grip on one of the stone reliefs, representing some ugly guard demon.
Another step. Pebbles! she nearly slipped out and...

Snapping and growling beneath her hooves. Scaled creatures longed for the fallen boulders.

'That's all you'll get from me!', Daring grinned tense, brushing gray hair out of her face. Another step, another grip.

A sharp click!

Her magenta colored eyes went small.

'Oh. Horseapples!'

The stone head right before her very face opened its mouth.

Time stretched for a glimpse, as a red glow grew brighter in the opening.

One Blink. She let go.
Another Blink. She fell.
Blink. Fire bolted, the flames just inches from her wings as she spread them.
Blink. The added air resistance slowing her fall, alligators staring in vicious anticipation.
Blink. Scales, pointy teeth, gaping jaws. Water splashing as her wings finally got a hold.
Blink. She darted in a low arc between fire and teeth. Engaging flaps, desperately leaning in a sharp climbing flight, way to close to the rugged wall.

Daring Do emerged the pit and accelerated, as she recognized the stone door slowly grinding to a close.

"Nnnnnaaah!", clenching her teeth Daring pushed herself forwards. Scraping through the portal, the last moment possible.

"Celestias sake... I need a break." she leaned herself against a tree, panting for air. Even the boiling hot damp jungle and the mosquitos felt like a respite.

Daring took her topee off. Pulled out the arrow stuck in it without hesitation, dropping it. She hoofed inside the helmet, fetching a small golden disc.
Then she allowed herself a relieved exhale.

Plock!

'What the hay?' The spear stood planted in the ground still vibrating, just a hoof in front of her.

***

"So. Should work, I assume.", Sandy Gears spoke to himself, as no one else was here. Besides his new pet. But that was not much of a dialog partner. Especially as it was sleeping. And likely not very interested in the intricate details of aeronautical engineering.
Anyway. He could be proud. Fixing the engine, with just vines and wood logs. Not that this was the correct way to fix this highly advanced piece of aviation techniqe.
But, it wasn't like there were a workshop at hand.

The gray, orange haired earthpony walked around his very own invention. Aviator Mark II. Or should it better dubbed Mark III, he wondered - due to the major changes made lately. A standard flying chariot - used in all of Equestria. But with its own Steam-propulsion-engine. Brass boiler, pipes and exhausts and added wings Yes. He could be proud. And they laughed, as I said earth ponies can fly.

"GEARS! Start the damn machine!" Daring's yell jolted him out of his thoughts.

"Miss Do. I didn't expect you for another...", he answered loud.

"Darn it! Make it ready!"

Miss Do seemed to be in a hurry. She bolted out between the trees and took flight immediately once she had a free field. A dozen ponies in a very rural attire followed her, throwing spears or shot arrows. No gentlecolts indeed.

"Don't worry. We are set and ready. The boiler is heating-up since....", Gears wondered, if she would stop. No. At closer examination, it seems obvious that miss Do, didn't intent to....

He barely managed to jump on his machine, and open the steam valves, as Daring rushed past him crashing into the chariot.

***

The flying machine took up speed, roaring accompanied by minor explosions down towards the end of the plateau, leaving a trail of white and black fume behind.

Daring sat inside the chariot, looking at the scene behind. It was to loud to hear anything - but the way Ahuizotl jumped and threatened with his arms, she could imagine what he wanted to say.
A few stray spears missed the vehicle, as Daring's awareness suddenly got pulled towards...

"What the hay does this BAT in here?!", she jumped up, shivering, trying to gain as much distance as possible to the infernal animal.

"My new pet.", Gears, explained, visibly untouched.

"By the heavens. I BUCKING HATE BATS!"

With this the chariot turned over the cliffs edge and, with an exceptionally loud explosion, out of sight.

Moments afterward the vehicle ascended over the horizon flying in barely stable manner towards the sun, leaving the plateau, the temple goons, tribesponies and Ahuizotl, her blue furred, oddly dog shaped adversary behind - foaming with rage.

Author's Note

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Ghastly Gorge Productions

proudly present

Daring Do

And the Wrath of the Elder

starring

A.K. Yearling

Rainbow Dash

Derpy Hooves

Ahuizotl

book

Pankrazius

director

Alan Smithee