A couple of days passed, and Daring began to worry: Ahuizotl hadn't made his move. Meanwhile her time was running out: Letterpress had said to her, that her book had been due. Very due. So now she was in the publishing house that published her books. There was a talk between her and Letterpress. She had shown him the tale of her quest, but that was not sufficient. Specifically Letterpress complained it was leaving too much potential:

"As a writer you must understand this better, than me: Daring Do must retrieve the lamp. Which she does. And? -- he paused, expecting an answer. -- The lamp is just calling for an adventure!"

"And that'll be in the sequel", -- answered to him Daring.

The publisher looked at her, unamused:

"You tell basically, more is coming in the next book of yours?? Well, for your information, if I were but a fan... I would scoff at this as at a joke! -- he snorted. -- Daring had rubbed the lamp and mastered the wishing... well, somewhat", -- he mumbled. Daring almost forgot nopony knew she was Daring, but rather knew she was Daring's creator and the author of the "Daring Do" series -- and nearly made a retort regarding her mastering the wishing, but remembered to bite her tongue back. Oops, she thought to herself. "That's, you know, -- continued Letterpress, -- just the beginning of the adventure!"

"Yes... So they tell me!" -- sighed Daring with a hint of mild annoyance in her voice, rolling her eyes.

"Who?? Have you... told??!" -- almost shrieked the publisher in disbelief.

"No! -- hurried Daring to calm him down. -- No, I haven't! But, well... O-other writers have been telling me about how they encounter bad fanfiction, and, well, -- you know how fanfiction is", -- she said, smiling sheepishly, as if she had been responsible for the bad fanfiction.

Letterpress only hummed.

"Well, be careful: nopony's publishing house pays you as much, as mine!" -- he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Thanks, -- thought Daring to herself, as if reminded of that not so important fact once again. -- I'll remember that!"

"So. There must be more..."

"Couldn't you at least release a teaser? -- pleaded Daring Do. -- There's only an outline for the adventure! Imagine: somepony -- or not a pony -- wants to steal the lamp! The heroine must protect it!"

"Alright, that's something, -- commended Letterpress her. -- And then? The bad guy steals it eventually, but Daring does the impossible and fights for the lamp? Then she wishes the bad guy away! And rights the wrongs he'd have done! And then the tale must resolve: either the genie gets freed... Right? Or something else..."

...Daring stood, impressed. "That... -- let she out, -- that isn't actually a bad idea! But... uh, wouldn't that impose a danger for Equestria as we know it?" -- she asked unsurely.

"Why, su-u-ure! -- reassured Letterpress her. -- Everypony loves it, when she saves another day! The griever the danger, the better!"

But Daring wasn't so sure about that. Of course, she did save Equestria from the perils Ahuizotl would cook up...

"If you do that, miss Yearling, I'll do the teaser, -- promised Letterpress her. -- So... deal?"

"Well... I... I'll... d-do... s-something, y-yeah", -- she said nervously. -- Something epic... yeah..."

"Only you can do that!" -- smiled to her Letterpress and waved her a good-bye.

So they parted. Daring, however, was still doubting that offer.

"Why don't you write something fictitious? For once?" -- enquired Gee from her. Yes, he was hidden from everypony's eyes in the fake lamp he had conjured for Daring, because being carried by her around was the only entertainment he'd had recently.

"Gee, -- muttered Daring to him, not ceasing her trot, -- let it be known to you, that my adventures are all the real ones, and this is the book about your adventure! That is, my genie adventure, Gee! I retrieved the lamp -- and bam! a genie appeared! Naturally the adventure isn't over yet! But... I... don't actually... wish for anything..."

"That is your problem, -- pointed Gee out. -- Aladdin would make the wildest wishes! Oh!.. The things he wished!.."

"Gee. I'm not Aladdin! -- reminded Daring him. -- And why do you keep mentioning him, huh? Did you actually serve him once?"

"No. So? I know the tale! In fact, back in my world I knew a fellow being, who had a job as a genie..."

"Wait, -- Daring almost tumbled, -- a job??"

"Why, yes. A sick mind, really. I don't get them. That's humiliating!"

For a moment Daring felt bad for Gee. The poor being never wished to fulfil the others' wishes. It was, in fact, a punishment of a sort. But how could she make him happy? It was, after all, not up to her to decide, whether to let him go or not. Despite how much Gee wished for the opposite to happen, he might not free himself, even if his master wished to let him. Not, that Daring wished: the lamp had told her, exactly why Gee had been confined, and she had made up her mind, that he had in fact deserved that. Perhaps, it might have been better, if she hadn't discovered the lamp in that wretched room she had wandered into, when she had been lost in that labyrinth.

But she just hadn't the heart to wish that right in Gee's face. What would that look like? "Gee, I wish I had sent the lamp back..." Wait, no, then Ahuizotl might have returned to study the temple's ruins more thoroughly and have discovered the lamp, which was the whole point of her quest. So... Perhaps, "I wish Ahuizotl hadn't stolen the map from me" would do? No, then the wish would have to be very complicated.

Daring shook her head: no, she mustn't send the lamp away. If only she could come up with a wish that would lift this burden off her shoulders!..

"So, -- the genie's voice returned her to reality, -- why are you bothered so much? You are a writer, aren't you? Well! What's the first thing a writer learns?"

Daring considered that:

"Huh. Well... A writer must know the written language..."

"No-no, the first thing they learn".

"Uh... How to hold a quill?.."

"No, I say "the first thing"!"

Daring paused, confused:

"Uh... The... the material they must write on?"

The genie, though unseen, lowered his head, as if facing a nuisance, and clicked his tongue in disappointment:

""The characters MUST face a challenge"! If it's an adventure -- there MUST be a challenge! Take yourself, for example: you have to weather the weather, whether you like it or not!"

"Whether it be fine or not", -- caught Daring on for him, chuckling at the suddenly brought-up tongue twister.

"Yeah! No matter the actual weather as well a hero MUST enter a whole new world! He must face an obstacle, overcome it and claim his award. Only then may he return home and have a very normal, ordinary life, ya hear!"

Daring let out a laugh:

"OK, geez, the nerve of you!"

"Come on! You wished to see your adventure, and here you have it! You find the lamp, there resides a genie, but now Ahuizotl's after you to claim the lamp!.. Isn't it what you wished for?"

"Well, I beg your pardon! I must commit my book, and the only thing Ahuizotl has done is trying to steal my lamp! He's been quiet and lying low ever since!.. Which is probably a good thing, you know: I've actually been thinking: endangering Equestria by letting a villain near a magic lamp... doesn't look like something a hero would do..."

The only response to that was a derisive snort:

"Pft! Where I come from that stuff happens every single time we decide to have some fun! And you know fun can't be had, if the plot, well, ends, before it's begun! And YOU of all the ponies MUST know: to make progress, one introduces a problem or two, and then watches the hero try to plough through! You? Worried about the fate of a mere land? Ha-ha! Don't make me laugh!"

"You think it a laughing matter?? -- shot Daring back in anger. -- This is not a mere land, you! If that were so... Darn, Gee, I don't even know what's there in your head, but it's got to be some sick, pardon my language, mind you've got there! You sound even more evil, than all my enemies put together have ever sounded!"

She finished, panting slightly from her outburst. Silence enveloped their surroundings for a while...

"Alright, Gee..."

"A sick mind, you say... Well... Be glad its wielder mayn't do, as he wishes! Or he'd show you!.."

"Alright! Uh..."

"Do you know the nature of evil?? I'd think you did!"

"Gee".

"Call me evil: that's what I am, because I plot stuff to happen, so you could write a damn book!"

"Gee!"

"No hero can live without a villain, so heroes come after villains! C'est la vie, you know".

"Gee-ee-ee! -- shouted Daring out, forgetting completely about her surroundings. -- Oops, excuse me! It must be really improper of me! My apologies, I wish I hadn't shouted it out like that!" -- said she to those, who turned their heads at her screaming.

Be careful as to what you wish for!

...Daring felt dizzy. Had she been daydreaming?

"Nice one, -- muttered the genie gloomily. -- I might not have wished wiser".

"What? Huh? Did you notice something?"

The genie only chuckled, somewhat darkly:

"I? Yes, I did, certainly! You've never "shouted it out like that", never gathered any attention and never had to apologise for your shouting out. But you did, however, gather my attention and have to apologise... or so I wish".

"Oh. Apologise? For what?"

The genie only sighed dejectedly. Puzzled, Daring kept silent in awkwardness, trying to revive her suddenly blurred memories.

Meanwhile so far away from Vanhoover it couldn't even be seen from that distance -- a conversation was taking place...

"So?!"

"Sir, as you said, I've spied on her and may know where she keeps the lamp".

"WHERE?!"

"...Uh. So, I heard her muttering something, and she seemed really to talk to whoever was messing with her, so it must be it! Sir, she must keep it within her reach!"

"WHERE exactly, darn you!"

"But, sir... Within her reach! Literally! She wouldn't part with it at any place! She takes it to a walk, and when at home, she won't take it out! Weird... She must be obsessed with it..."

"No, you fool, that's because she is WARY of thieves!"

Stealth lowered his head, ashamed. He couldn't still forget that time he had blurted it all out. How could he?! That was a mystery he hadn't given up trying to solve. What would make him -- he cringed -- spill the beans? "I swear, -- he thought to himself, -- I'm gonna hate anything bean-related for the rest of my life! Well, bye-bye to the bean soup, I guess. That's just oh so perfect!" -- he thought sarcastically. He didn't realise it, but he had just lived it up to his name...

"So, -- awakened Ahuizotl him from his thoughts, -- in order to steal it, I have to get close to her? Oh, GREAT!!!"

The pony flinched.

"Yeah, -- he said, -- in fact, she's only vulnerable, while sleeping, but even then she keeps the lamp so close to her there's no chance of fishing it out. Really!"

Ahuizotl mulled it over: "Hm..." -- but then he took notice suddenly of something: "WAIT! "While sleeping"?! YOU KNOW WHERE SHE SLEEPS??!"

This honestly scared Stealth a bit, he even crouched a little, but did answer:

"Um... Y-yes!.. A-as you ordered me, I-I spied on her and, w-well, I f-found out her l-living place..."

Ahuizotl jumped up and clapped his hands:

"Well! WHAT are we waiting FOR?!! If she never leaves her precious lamp, then she's going to go with it!" He stepped closer to his henchpony and put his hand on his shoulder: "Come on, my little pony! -- he made a motion with his other hand, as if showing the perplexed Stealth a beautiful landscape. -- We have a mare to capture!!"

"...Uh-h-h... S-sir... W-when y-you say it th-that way... -- he rubbed his neck's back in embarrassment. -- Well..."

"Talking, talking!" -- grumbled Ahuizotl impatiently, grabbed the pony by his withers and was off!

...then returned back, released the pony and asked him:

"So?! Where does she sleep?!"

"Sir, I'm not supposed to know that! -- exclaimed poor stallion, his cheeks reddening, as he thought about entering right into Daring Do's bedroom uninvited -- and that'd be creepy, he thought. -- I-I-I have n-never BEEN to her r-room! Sir! Do you keep me for a m... m-mare stalker?!" -- he asked indignantly, flushing all the same.

"What, I've thought you to be a stallion! Don't male ponies stalk female ponies?? Huh??"

"They... don't stalk them, sir!.."

"Oh, great, then whom do they stalk?!"

"Sir!.. I-I d-don't think they..."

"Listen, pony. I wouldn't hire a pony like that! The fact I hired YOU must mean, you ARE a stallion! And stallions are KNOWN to stalk MARES! Now LEAD THE WAY!!!"

Whimpering, poor Stealth, still trying to explain he hadn't meant he'd stalked stallions instead of mares, but rather that he'd not stalked anypony, proceeded to showing Ahuizotl the way to Daring Do's humble abode. By the time they would get to there it wouldn't be even evening, much less night... Still... When Daring Do returned, she would be in for a surprise!..

Daring was walking, her head low. She felt down: for some reason Gee was in a bad mood and seemed insulted by her. But what had she done?? She could not remember that, try, as she might.

There had been a conversation... They had been discussing her book... Yeah... And that she had better not have endangered Equestria... Yeah, that had been her worry... But then what had she said?.. Why was Gee so... dejected-looking? She had tried asking him about it, but he'd been unclear. That felt awful, because she couldn't even say, what she'd done wrong! How can one apologise, if he doesn't know, for what?

It bugged her, but answers wouldn't come, so the only thing left was to trot onward to whatever business she might have. For that day she'd only planned to meet Letterpress and to discuss her book with him. Indeed, her book was due, and what had she got? A mere outline of her adventure? By the way, what was Ahuizotl planning? -- she thought. She'd need to be prepared for whatever evil scenario he might have planned!

With those troubling thoughts she was approaching her house, her mind busy, and mood not light at all. She was going to sit it all through and to figure out, what to do, but no sooner did she come to the door any closer, than!..

A cloth was thrown on her head, so her vision was, well... worsened, and she heard somepony's voice... or rather, than somepony's...

"Ha! Surprise, mother of the children of the sun!.. Which may be the sun itself, if one considers the sun a she, but... what, if the sun is actually a father??? Ah, CURSE them for never stating THAT in the folklore!!!" -- cried Ahuizotl victoriously, as he was subjugating the squirming Daring Do, while trying to monologue thoughtfully on the subject of the sun's gender. Truly, when you say it rises or shines, it is rather hard to tell, if "it" refers to "her" or to "him"...

"OW!!!" Ahuizotl had just received a punch in his guts, because Daring was not one to be still, while being abducted. She almost freed herself, in fact, of the bag, although Ahuizotl was having none of that: "Oh, no, you don't!!!" -- then to his henchpony: "What are you STANDING THERE FOR??! I require assistance!!!"

Naturally Stealth was not to be asked twice, especially if it was his boss demanding help... He waisted no time in running promptly to the wrestling duo... and knocking the blindfolded mare on her head! What had Daring left to do? She nearly slipped into unconsciousness; as a matter of fact, her vision blurred a little -- not, that she had much of vision, what with the bag still over her head! She felt her head hurt -- and a sudden urge to take a day-off for the next week. Just so she could relax and do nothing... Could she really do MUCH, when her head hurt like that?

"To your service, sir!" -- barked an enthusiastic Stealth, almost standing at the ready.

"Alright! What are you WAITING for?!! -- barked Ahuizotl in response, somewhat displeased, that that simple solution hadn't come to his mind. -- Help me to tie her!"

It would be some time, before Daring would come to her senses. Her head had been a mess -- not because of her hairstyle, but rather of her head hurting. She had just wanted to lie there, immobile, and to forget about everything. She wouldn't even budge, not even stir...

She was being dragged on the ground. Her head's back could tell that. An occasional root would go all the way up her spine and hit her eventually on her head. It'd hurt. Ow. The ground was scraping her skin, and her wings felt some terrible discomfort. An attempt to try to open them would not do anything useful -- only tell her they were restrained.

She clenched her teeth and, hissing, tried to free herself. To no avail.

"Sir, if I may..."

"What is it?!"

"Um-m-m... Sir? She's... waking up..."

Daring felt her hind legs drop, and she stopped moving. The ground stopped scraping her, much to her relief.

"Now, now! Look, who's awakened! -- said Ahuizotl tauntingly, his voice filled with joy. -- Allow me to brief you: you are in a forest! Far away from your home! With no one to help you out! Ha! At my mercy!!"

He was almost beaming with joy. At long last his ancient foe was at his feet, and the lamp she'd stolen right from-under his nose was now within mere inches away from him! That elicited his trademark villainous laughter from him: "Woo-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-a-a!"

"Yeah! -- cheered Stealth, joyous himself as well. -- Go, boss!"

"Gee..." -- moaned Daring in a whisper.

"Ha! And now -- for my most victorious moment!" -- resumed Ahuizotl. He cleared the ground around him, then assumed a dramatic pose, as if he'd been performing on stage. He looked solemn. Then after a pause he began:

"It'd be hard. Very hard, in fact. Poor me was doing his best to award himself with a delicious victory!" He turned sharply to Daring and pointed an accusatory finger at her: "But YOU! YOU stole my precious award!!!"

"Oh-h-h, -- moaned Daring once more, for her head hurt still. -- Ahuizotl... have you lost it this time?.."

"Oh! You would NEVER admit it! -- Ahuizotl pretended to weep with dramatic flare. -- Anything, so you might have the lamp! But what's this trinket to you?!"

Daring tried to rub her forehead, but was reminded she was still tied up. She sighed:

"Alright. So, even I can say: if it were a mere trinket, you wouldn't have kidnapped me. Now, please, may I go home? Also could you point me to the next taxi stop to there? I'm also a bit broke, -- she smiled sheepishly. -- Would you mind my asking you to borrow me a dozen bits? I-I promise I'll return them!" -- she begged.

Stealth was trying to stifle a laugh, watching this scene unfold, while Ahuizotl was frozen in disbelief.

"Wh... what?! are you DOING?!! -- he shrieked, enraged. -- This is MY primetime, NOT YOURS!!!"

With those words said, not willing to perform an act any longer, he leapt at Daring's bound form and clasped a hand over her mouth.

"Quickly, Stealth! Bring me something to shut her mouth!"

The henchpony didn't make him wait for long:

"Here, boss! A handkerchief any lady would be swooning over and dreaming of getting!"

"FOOL!!! She's not worth being treated as a lady!!!"

All Daring could do was crying muffled screams in indignation.

"But -- whatever! Come on and bring that damn piece of cloth already!!"

Stealth flinched, but obeyed and hoofed it to his boss.

"Don't STAND waving this at me! I want you to SILENCE her!!"

The pony hurried to tie Daring Do's mouth shut, lest his boss had a stroke.

"And now -- behold!"

Ahuizotl, having exclaimed that, reached his hands into Daring's clothing and began rummaging in there.

"Oh, boss! -- uttered Stealth with slight concern. -- You have no manners!"

Ahuizotl only growled:

"Have I not called you "fool" enough?.. Does being a villain NOT entitle me to do nasty things?! -- he paused, as if waiting for an answer, but didn't bother. -- Now WATCH, LEST SHE ESCAPE!!!"

Daring wished internally she could have shielded her screaming-in-pain ears, whose screaming was doing nothing to alleviate the ringing in her head. As if Ahuizotl's rummaging hadn't been enough! That didn't actually feel nasty, thank Celestia! But knowing there was Gee inside a lamp made her a bit queasy. Her heart was skipping from the thrill, and she was feeling a cold running down her skin.

Plus, what was the most annoying thing among the other -- Ahuizotl's rummaging was tickling her, and she was tied up and could do nothing about that! Not even scream for mercy, because her mouth, as it may be remembered, was sealed with a handkerchief! Well, she could at least scream muffledly, but what would be the point? And so she couldn't help her squirming, although Ahuizotl seemed to be mistaking that for being uncooperative and tried to cease her movements. Obviously that wasn't helping. And the moment Daring thought she was about to explode because of that...

"Ha! Here it is!!!"

Ahuizotl had finally found the lamp in the most unusual place -- in her saddlebag -- grabbed it and raised it for the world to see his success. The lamp even shone to emphasise that.

"Oh! Tremble now, thou a pathetic excuse for a pony! For thou canstn't stop me now! WOO-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-A-A!"

This shriek of laughter shook the trees and startled a flock of birds (a several few, actually), as Stealth and even Daring stared at Ahuizotl in small shock.

"Sir?.." -- probed Stealth.

"Quiet!!! You must not interrupt my celebration!!"

The pony had to slam his mouth shut at that.

It was unknown, for how much longer Ahuizotl would express his joy, until... he noticed the look in Daring Do's eyes. It bore calmness... a little bit of smugness even... If one were to make a pun, one might say, her look bore, pardon it, boredom -- because she just looked, as if she knew, what was about to happen. This, in all honesty, puzzled Ahuizotl. He thought, if he had been in her place, he would have been at least terrified at his downfall. Come on! When his adversaries had been defeating him, he wouldn't have been so CALM!

He suspended his celebration, stepped closer to his tied-up opponent, bent over her, looked right into her eyes and asked her in displeasure:

"You! Haven't you realised it by now?! Must you always be so dense?! I am VICTORIOUS! I can BLOW you on spot!!"

"S-sir... M-might I ask you a question?"

"WHAT IS IT?!! Do you not see I am not getting enough out of my defeated enemy?!!"

This made poor Stealth flinch for the umpteenth time that day.

"Th-that is it, boss! Th-the lamp is in your possession. Must she really fear of something dangerous?.. I-it's not, as if y-you had j-just laid your c-claws upon a w-weapon?.."

He began trembling slightly in fear of his boss doing something unpleasant to him for his stupidity.

...But nothing came. Ahuizotl only stood there, and an apparently mischievous look in his eyes had to tell Stealth he was missing something, like a henchpony was supposed to.

"I-I feel so dumb, boss..." -- he mumbled and lowered his head in shame.

"Oh... So you are, Stealth, so you are!.. -- said Ahuizotl with a knowing nod and a crooked smile. -- For, you see... -- he stretched his arm and brought the lamp forth. -- This is no ordinary lamp! You had no idea... but you know, how it is: the staff must not know more, than their master! In fact, they must know even less! Now -- enough of this!"

He assumed a stance, lowered the lamp and prepared to rub it:

"Here comes the ge-e-enie-e-e!"

Smoke came whirling from-inside the lamp and started to envelope Ahuizotl and the area around him, expanding.

Ahuizotl laughed -- not his trademark laughter, but just a regular villainous laughter. He was slowly fading into the smoke. Stealth was standing nearby, astonished. He felt, as though the world had just turned upside down: had... had this lamp REALLY contained a GENIE for this whole TIME??!

"So... Boss! Has it been true?? As I recall... you told me there was NO genie in there! Wow, -- he told himself, -- this actually changes the price! I must get more, boss! You hear? Besides, -- he told himself once again, -- this has just gotten interesting! I mean -- AN ACTUAL GENIE?!"

Daring, who had been meanwhile lying there, tied-up and gagged, only rolled her eyes. If she could have, she would have said, that he should have probably gotten used to it, because that was what she had done.

In fact, she was scared a bit: the smoke coming out? Gee, what are you doing?

But she was worried for none: the smoke, with a sudden coughing sound, stopped coming out abruptly; only little puffs thereof were let out, as if the lamp had been coughing and spitting them out, -- and then a gurgling sound was made, as the smoke dissipated.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha... ha-ha-ha... ha-ha... ha?.." -- Ahuizotl's laughter died down, as he noticed no genie had come.

Silence settled down. Nobody moved for a while...

And then Daring lost it. The gag over her mouth was only severing the situation, as she could hardly breathe as it was: so hard she was laughing!

"Im... Impossible! -- wheezed Ahuizotl in utter confusion. He shook the lamp vigorously, desperate for it to work: "WHY WON'T YOU WORK?!" -- he shrieked.

Daring, meanwhile, was on the verge of slipping into unconsciousness: the laughter had not died a pitch. Despite her feeble attempts to get a grip and to calm down the look on Ahuizotl's face!.. It was insufferable! Pure gold!

Perhaps, it might have been the end of Daring Do, had Stealth not come over and assisted her. He loosened the gag slightly, as to allow for air to come more freely, then attempted slapping her face lightly to get her to her senses.

"Madame? Pardon me, if I am intrusive, but you look... um... livid? You must be choking!"

As he was trying to get Daring well, Ahuizotl was in the meantime throwing a tantrum. Because the lamp had been fake! He had thrown the vessel on the ground and was now stomping on it with both of his feet. His face... Well... With a face like that he might even have cried. He was letting out screams of pity and... resentment?

"Oh, boss, don't lose hope, I'm sure, with Daring Do in our possession we will reach it for sure! -- encouraged Stealth him. -- Then again... Are we actually pursuing a lamp with a GENIE?!"

But no answer, except for cries, came.

Finally Daring was so out of breath she couldn't even laugh any more, and so she managed to take a grip of herself... kind of. Naturally she was panting. Heavily.

"Oh, thank goodness you're OK! -- cried Stealth. -- Now, if you will tell us kindly, where the lamp is... There... is a lamp... isn't it?"

Daring was still out of breath, so nothing was said.

"Oh, come on, I'm not paid enough for this, so, please, do me a favour!"

This interrogation was interrupted by no one else, than Ahuizotl:

"STEALTH PUN! STOP GOOFING AROUND AND PROCEED TAKING HER TO MY LAIR!"

Author's Note

Daring asked for it, didn't she? Ahuizotl's playing it rough ! The heroine has gotten into trouble (uh-oh)! How will she get out of it?

Will she? Has Gee left her because of their mutual outbursts?

Finally, what will Ahuizotl do ? The fake lamp has played its part. What about the real one?

Tune in to hear the tale of Daring Do's adventure ! And stay tuned!