Tremors.
The spider perked up from her thoughts. As far as shady dreams of flies and bugs being trapped before eaten could count as thoughts.
She opened her twelve eyes and started searching for the source of those strange vibrations.

First it was the reflection of flickering light. A torch - however the spider had never seen an actual torch, nor did she know what it was in the first place.
The light was followed by some really really big creatures - holding said light in one hand.
She had never seen anything like this.
As far as she could remember she hadn't seen anything bigger then a rat down here.
This was... exciting!
So she crawled out of her soft comfy webbed hiding place onto the sturdy strings of her web. Not to brag, but she was quite proud of it. Not there were much occasions to brag about. Well anyways - now she was eager to learn more about those visitors.

The first creature was blueish, with a big protruding head and massive jaws. Small eyes . A long neck and a wide upper chest, narrowing to small but muscular flanks.
Sturdy feet and a tail ending in a strange grabby thing. Nothing too unusual, obviously.
It was followed by two four-legged fellows, who didn't have any of those wiggly parts on the ends of their feet. Curious.

"Aaaaah at last! We have found it!", Ahuizotl, standing in triumph, the waving torch casting a flickering pattern of light and shadows. After all this months of research, of hopes and fails. Finally!
The temples had been in a much more derelict state then expected - but quenching the lingering fear Ahuizotl dreaded - the statue had survived. And more important - Tlalocs Key shimmering golden in the hands of the stone likeness!

"I zaid we'll find zhe relik here. My studies on zis subject were advanzed, if I may say so, Herr Ahuizotl.", the blue being tilted his head towards his minions. Doktor von Marstall, had proven to be an extraordinary helper the last months. The grey coated dark maned scientist, had uncovered some most important hints, leading to this treasure. Mostly by intimidation and blackmaling - but who was he to object to his results?

"What ever the doctor said.", the other companion sighed, rolling his eyes in visible annoyance. It was no secret to Ahuizotl, that Manefred Pommel despised everything about the doctor. Starting by his arrogance up to his immense success in finding lost treasures.

"I even don't zink zat your friend Daring Do would have found zis plaz....", a lightning of rage jolted to Ahuiziotls body.

"NEVER! NEVER say her name. DO you understand! Not at such a sacred place!" Ahuizotl spun around, threatening this arrogant bastard with his finger, glaring furiously.

Slowly Ahuizotl approached the depiction of Tlaloc, holding back his underlings with a stern gesture. They were less than dust in the eyes of the great god, unworthy of setting hoof on even the lowest step of the stairs leading up to the monument.
The head with the protruding tentacle-like beard. The big all-seeing eyes. A strong body to lead and defend his subjects.

"It has been a long time, since I have seen you in all your grandeur, -" his normally barking voice dimmed to a low growling murmur. "- My Lord."

Yes, this one was the only king Ahuizotl would accept to bow for. The lord of his ancestors. Father of his kin.
What did his pesky henchponies even know, bowing for royal sisters? Children in the eyes of the rulers walking this world Aeons before them.

"Forgive me, my Lord, for I have to sin. Under your very eyes I have to take the key, you've guarded for all this centuries. But you know the truth. This is no act of greed, but a deed to restore the glory of you and your brothers and sisters.", torn between incredible triumph and the fear of divine punishment, Ahuizotl hesitated. His fingers only inches away from the golden object, held between the statues hands. Basically in a wedge form, engraved with the old language of his folk.
Few creatures, roaming the world nowadays, were able to read the sacred pictograms. For him the key, was covered in the old songs of his kin, praises to gods no one in this days could even remember, warnings to never betray them.

"Herr Ahuizotl, why do you hezitate? We need zis object for our plan to work.", the doctor spoke.

"Leave him, von Marstall. He knows better than you, what to do.", Pommel grumbled from behind.

The spider had rappelled herself just above the head of the blue creature. It was far more interesting then anything ever happened here - and she wouldn't miss any moment of this. Growling the intruder grabbed the golden thing and pulled hefty.
Some moments later, he ripped the item off the statues hands, tumbled a half step backwards.

"Ah ahahahhaha! Here it is!", the blue thing vibrated.

Moments after this the spider sensed the harsh vibrations of stone grinding against stone. The statutes hands clutched together with a cracking eruption of her web. But wait. it didn't stop! A deep, disturbing rumbling from beneath, waked her alertness. This was not good. The cave had never done this.... shouldn't do this!

Even the three intruders yelled something, she couldn't understand because of the noise rippling through the expanding threads of her home.

Without hesitation, the spider did the only thing, she considered useful and capped the string she hung on.
No moment to late, as the blue creature was whirling around and ran after his companions.
Out of the finally collapsing cave.

* * *

"Gentlecolts, our last venture turned to have been an incredible success.", Ahuizotls exotic appearance was a strong contrast to the medieval vaulted hall he stood in.

Bookshelves and small desks, holding precious historical artifacts surrounded the walls. Paintings of long gone masters covering the stone walls. Moonlight shimmered through the large arched windows, added to the few torches, filling the room with gloomy reddish light.
Gently Ahuizotl placed Tlalocs Key under a glass dome.

"But -" he proceeded, gesticulating "- This is just the first step, to our goal."

"After finding zhe key we need the lock.", von Marstall answered thoughtfully over his glass of Champaign.

Ahuizotl walked back to the desk in the middle of the room, where his minions waited.
Sitting down he mustered the two ponies. They knew parts of his plan. They knew of some of the dangers it would bring upon ponyhood. But nevertheless they were willing to help him.
Manefred Pomnel wasn't a mystery to Ahuizotl. His motive was money - and a cozy place in a future Equestria. An atorney - through and through. Adaptive and opportunistic - but at least loyal, as long as the odds stood for Ahuizotls plan.
Von Marstall. He was some kind of a riddle. A scientist from Germaneigh. Ruthless, egocentric and arrogant. Nevertheless a genius. His motive? Money - and the opportunity to see his ideas come to live. At least he said that.
But for now Ahuizotl had no reason, to mistrust the doctor. And as long as it stayed this way, he was way to useful.

"Anyway. We will find the lock. We will find the temple and we will free all its secrets.", Ahuizotl declared, watching his helpers over his joined fingertips.

"As long as Daring Do doesn't interfere with your plans, Ahuizotl.", Pommel spoke low, keeping his gaze.

"WHAT did you just say?!", Ahuizotl jumped up, bringing his face just an inch in front of his.

"I...-", gathering himself, Manefred proceeded "- I have to warn you. Even if you hate Daring Do. IF she gets wind of our plan - and I am certain she will, after von Marstall pressed answers from half of the archeological society - she might become a major problem for our project."

Anger build up in Ahuizotl. How could this cretin dare?! But just as his furor was about to take over, he focused. Why did Pommel keep so calm, smiled even?

"SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT?" he yelled, giving this little creature a moment to explain himself.

"Why not use her?", Pommel gave back, seemingly unfaced.

"WHAT? WORKING W...", the urge to hurt the brown pony grew to unbearable heights.

"No. I never said 'working' with her, did I?", Pommel smiled even more, as Ahuizotls anger subsided as fast at it had come.

"You have a plan?", Ahuizotl spoke.

"Indeed...."

Somewhere in a dark corner of the hall, a lucky spider spun a new set of sturdy threads and build a web. This new home was so much more exciting than the last one!

Author's Note

If you find something off, or strange or simple typos - please let me know.