Chapter 6:

Reclaiming The Temple - Part 2:

Making An Entrance

After moving statues back in place, and dealing with a little insect trouble, Twilight, Spike, and the Princesses continued on until they reached another gate in front of them.

"The past is prelude, tomorrow a dim promise…," Celestia prayed, talking to the gate.

"...Allow us entrance, do not reject us," Luna finished, also talking to the gates.

Twilight and Spike looked at each other with confused expressions, why were the royal sisters talking to the gates?

"Um, are you two making that up or is it supposed to be some kind of secret code?" Spike asked, scratching his head.

"It should open for us. But it appears that there must be a disturbance. It seems our fears have been realized," Celestia replied as she and Luna turned to face Twilight and Spike.

"Realized what?" Twilight asked, raising a brow.

"That they have desecrated the interior as well. Seems as though we'll have to open it the old fashion way," Luna suggested, "Twilight, make your way through the connecting rooms and restore every statue you can find," She instructed Twilight, pointing to the tunnel above and next to them with her wing.

"Will do," Twilight said, nodding but noticed that the tunnel was too high to jump.

"But can we get some help to get to the connecting rooms, please?" Spike asked for a boost.

"I think we can help with that. Hop up," Celestia said as she and Luna headed over the ledge and stood on her hind legs while keeping her front hooves on the wall and Luna stood behind on her own hind legs while keeping her front legs on Celestia, the two becoming a makeshift stepladder.

"Okay, looks like the princesses are finally coming to life," Spike commented, whispering.

Twilight and Spike then headed on over and climbed up onto Luna and Celestia and jumped onto the ledge of the tunnel.

"Be careful, Twilight. Slash's forces are surely on their way," Celestia warned.

"And no doubt have set traps for you in there," Luna added.

"Well, that's just good," Spike commented sarcastically.

Twilight and Spike then entered the tunnel to find the other statues to restore. That is until they came across a large rainbow-color crystal in their path. "Whoa, take a look at this delicious beauty. Guess it's Snack Time!" Spike said as he drools and licked his chops while Twilight felt something drawing her to the crystal.

But just when Spike was about to chow down on it, Twilight suddenly started kicking, whacking, and even blasting it until it broke up into little pieces and were absorbed into her body like magic. Spike was surprised and shock to see Twilight go all crazy like that.

"Hey, Twilight, what was that all about?! I was gonna eat that!" Spike demanded indigently.

"I don't really know, Spike. I just felt like I just had to hit it and when I did, the power of a thousand suns and moons surged through my body," Twilight explained.

"Uh-huh, well anyway, I think maybe you should just need to sleep better and I'll be sure to stop bothering you. You really deserve to have eight hours of sleep," Spike suggested.

"Forget I said anything, Spike. Let's go find those statues," Twilight laughed, shaking her head.

So they continued their search to restore the two other statues. But while they were walking through the tunnel, hooting was heard and Twilight and Spike peaked out from behind to see the first statue being guarded by three soldiers of the Dark Army. But luckily, Twilight has quickly came up with an idea and whispered her plan into Spike's ear. After understanding the plan, Spike stepped out as the Ape Creatures turned their attention to him.

"Hey, you Monkey-Brains! Come and get me if you can!" Spike taunted, blowing a raspberry.

Angered and insulted, the Ape Creatures began running towards the little Dragon until Twilight appeared in front of them and used her magic and new aerial combat skills to defeat them, "Whoa, my magic seemed stronger for some reason" Twilight noted but saved that thought for later as she and Spike worked together to push the first statue into place.

"Okay, that's one statue. Now we just gotta find the second one," Twilight said as they continued looking.

But it didn't take long before Spike spotted the second statue in the tunnel near them and tapped Twilight's shoulder. "Um, I think I found it, Twilight. In there," He said, pointing to the tunnel.

Twilight and Spike then entered the tunnel and began moving the statue. But just when they started pushing, coming down around them were three more of those giant white spiders. Yet, having had enough of these encounters with these monsters, Spike thought of something and then jumped onto Twilight, grabbed her by the head, holding it like a rifle, and pointed her horn at the spiders.

"Alright, you big arachnids, this thing's locked and loaded. Don't move or I'll let you have it," Spike threatened.

The Spiders screamed and quickly made their retreat. After they left, Spike laughed as he let go of Twilight and raised a brow at him. He raised his claws in surrender, smiling sheepishly, "Sorry," He apologized.

Twilight sighed and then she and Spike got back to work and have finally restored the second statue into place. With the two statues restored, Twilight and Spike walked their way through the tunnel to find the way out. It wasn't long before they came across a giant red door with some symbols on it.

"Think this is the way out?" Spike asked Twilight, being a bit skeptical.

"Only one way to find out, Spike," Twilight replied, lighting her horn with her magic and tapping it on the door.

Suddenly the door flipped and Twilight and Spike found themselves where they were with Celestia and Luna standing below them with gates now opened.

"That's quite an entrance, Twilight. There might be hope for us yet," Celestia complimented as she and Luna entered, with Twilight and Spike gliding down and following right behind them.