Chapter 8:

Reclaiming The Temple - Part 4:

Home Sweet Home

After Twilight has entered through the gates, more soldiers of the Dark Army appeared from behind another gate that leads to inside the temple and approached her. But it didn't take long for Twilight to defeat them with her magic and aerial combat skills until she defeated another big Ape Commander, knocking off his armor and defeated him.

When the enemies were defeated, the door behind her opens and Celestia and Luna walk in as the next door ahead of them opens up revealing a room inside.

"If Slash's forces were here, there will certainly be more of them in the temple," Celestia predicted.

"That's just great! More of those Monkeys to take care of!" Spike commented sarcastically.

"Don't worry, they won't be in there for long," Twilight said with a hint of determination as she walked off to deal with those in the temple.

"I think she's getting a little overconfident with herself," Spike commented in a whisper, following behind her as the two sisters smile at them.

Twilight and Spike entered the room and looked around the place as the two Royal Sisters entered as well behind them. While they are exploring, Twilight and Spike then saw what looked like some kind of green pool of some kind. While they were looking at the strange pool as wisps of light rose from it, Celestia and Luna walked by them as Luna accidentally swatted Spike with her tail. Twilight shook her head as she saw Spike face-planted and slid down the wall across from her. The next gate in front of them opened as Celestia and Luna walked in and smiled with a sigh.

"Ahhh, Home Sweet Home," Celestia sighed happily.

"Yes, it's so good to be home once again," Luna agreed with her older sister.

Inside the room, there's a large statue of an Alicorn standing with pride with butterflies fluttering all around it.

Twilight gazed inside and was astonished by the beauty of the temple, "This place is so beautiful. Can we explore?" Twilight asked, looking at the Royal Sisters.

"Of course, Twilight. We'll meet you at the doors to the balcony," Celestia said as Twilight sets out to explore the place and Celestia and Luna smiled.

While Twilight and Spike were exploring the place, they have a few encounters with more Ape Creatures that were inside the temple, but even they were no match for Twilight as she managed to defeat every one of them, making the temple a Primate-free zone. After dealing with those intruders, Twilight and Spike meet the Royal Sisters at the gates at the back of the temple.

As the four made it to the balcony of the temple, "Uh, Twilight. We're not in Manehattan anymore," Spike commented as he looked out.

Twilight wondered what he was talking about but as she looked ahead, she gasped and her eyes were filled with disbelief, shock, horror, sadness, and more. All around her there was destruction everywhere. Everything was destroyed, and beyond the horizon, she saw many distant lands blanketed in shadow.

"What happened here?" Twilight asked in horror and confusion.

"This is what Slash and the Dark Army have done…," Celestia replied in a saddened tone, looking out at the darkened lands.

"...He has put all the other kingdoms of Equestria under their iron rule of fear and darkness," Luna added with a grim expression.

"I wanted to see where I came from. But I didn't know it was going to look like this," Twilight said, feeling very devastated to see the land looking like this.

"Yeah, this Slash pony really made this place like a dump. Oh, no offense," Spike said, turning to Celestia and Luna.

"Non-taken young dragon," Luna said as Celestia bowed her head and closed her eyes.

"This was once our home, Twilight. A symbol of hope to Alicorns, Ponies, and all creatures alike. Home to peace, harmony, and friendship. But together we can make it our home again…reclaim what was rightfully ours," Celestia said with the first hint of determination Twilight heard since they left Canterlot.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked in confusion.

"What Celestia means is that our time for heroics has passed, but with your help, we might be able to defeat Slash once and for all," Luna explained to the younger alicorn, sounding just as confident.

Twilight, however, shook her head looking very unsure, "I…I can't, your highnesses. I just found out what I am. I'm just not sure if I can change the world," She told them.

Celestia leaned down to Twilight's level and gave her a radiant smile, "But you can, Twilight, you can. Remember, you are the Alicorn Warrior, a very special creature…," Celestia reminded and encouraged her.

"Yes, you have given hope to me and my sister again…," Luna added.

"And if you can give us hope, then you can definitely give hope to all of those out there," Celestia further encouraged Twilight as she gestured a wing to the outside world.

"I may not know what help I'll be against Slash and the Dark Army. But I'll try…" Twilight said, feeling unsure at first, but then had a look of determination as she faced the royal sisters, "I will try,".

"Not without me, you will, sis," Spike said, promising to stand with Twilight no matter what. Twilight smiled at him and hugged him.

"Good, that's all we can ask. Now come with us, Twilight. We have something for you," Celestia said as she and Luna guided Twilight and Spike back inside the temple.