Chapter 6: The Elmheim Temple
The Deep Cluster, Deep Jungle, Elmheim, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
It didn't take long for everything to get packed and the five ponies to set off once again. Clockwork lost himself in his thoughts for a little while while he and the others walked. He thought over what had recently happened, his latest travels with Bright Eyes, his encounter with the Doctor, and...Twilight. He thought back to her smiling face and her sweet, intelligent voice. He couldn't help but crack a sad smile. I don't think I'll ever stop missing you, Twilight, he thought as he looked up towards the green, shady canopy of the jungle. I hope I never do.
Suddenly, the atmosphere around Clockwork and the others changed drastically. It was a change that could best be described as the feeling one would get if they were standing in the middle of an electrical field. The change of atmosphere had differing effects on the group. Colgate began to breathe heavily and her body started shaking slightly. The hairs on Clockwork's body stood up. Matilda began to feel itchy and uncomfortable. Bright Eyes began to grow sleepy and disoriented. And Daring began to feel like she was being watched from all sides and began to look around like a paranoid nutcase. "Did you hear that?!" Daring snapped as she looked at a nearby bush.
"There's nothing there," said Clockwork as he quickly examined the bush.
"Does anypony else feel...weird?" Bright Eyes asked as she struggled to walk in a straight line.
"We must be getting close," Matilda deduced. "The concentration of temporal and magical energies in the area is bound to cause some strange side effects. We must press on."
"Right," said Daring as she looked around the trail. "I remember the temple being...this way." Daring darted off the trail and the others followed in hot pursuit.
As they continued through the jungle, Colgate and the others began to notice odd things moving about the trees. Blurry images of animals that didn't exist in this world, futuristic devices, trains, and various other, shadowy visions moved about. "What are those things?" Colgate asked Matilda.
"Echoes," she replied. "Visions of others worlds and times that are being shown here due to the temporal energies of the rifts." Some of the visions were friendly and weird, such as four human children following a pair of beavers and a man with a childish smile and wearing a long, multicolored scarf running about. But others were more intimidating and darker, such as a human boy with black hair and glasses being chased through trees alongside his two friends by a group of shady men and metallic ghosts marching after a cluster of frightened ponies. Colgate shivered and Matilda placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Best not think about them too much. Just keep moving forward."
Colgate gulped, nodded, and followed Matilda's advice as she turned forward and tried her best to not focus on the shady echoes surrounding the trail.
Elmheim Temple Gate, Deep Jungle, Elmheim, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
"Ha! Here it is!" exclaimed Daring as she ran towards the golden structure that was situated in the middle of the jungle. "The temple's just down this trail!"
The others looked down the trail before them and could just make out a golden tower rising up in the distance. "So it exists in this world after all," said Clockwork with a happy smirk. "I still don't get how the temple's in the same place here as it is in an alternate universe that's a book series here."
"I'm sure it isn't normally," said Matilda.
"More stuff from the rifts?" Bright Eyes asked.
"Yes. I have a feeling that the temple was in a slightly different location here originally, as was the temple in your world, Daring."
They began to quickly make their way down the temple trail. "So both the temple here and the temple in Daring's world were moved?" Colgate asked.
"Yes," Matilda replied.
"Why?"
"Because this is where the source is. Whatever world holds the Elmheim Temple that contains the source of the rifts is affecting the alternate versions of the temple. Whether it's an intentional move by whoever's behind this or it's an unintentional side effect, I cannot determine yet."
Bright Eyes gasped and Colgate's mouth went wide as the trail opened up into a clearing filled with tons of tall, stone pillars. But, of course, the main attraction was the Elmheim Temple itself: a gorgeous and truly marvelous collection of golden spires, towers, and domes. There was definitely a sense of strong power emanating from the temple for a soft, electrical hum was reverberating through the air. The hairs on the ponies' bodies stood up and their muscles began to tighten. Daring reached into her backpack and pulled out a whip. "That Rainbow Dash could be here somewhere," she said.
As they walked, everypony prepared themselves for a surprise attack. Colgate and Matilda were more prepared for an appearance by Thalia or her pale, human accomplice. Thankfully, no obstacles came to greet them as they approached the front entrance of the temple.
"There's no turning back after this," said Clockwork as they reached the top of the stairs and came up to the front doors.
"Please, dearie, we passed the no turning back point a long time ago," Matilda chuckled. Both Colgate and Bright Eyes gulped and Daring wiped her sweaty brow.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Clockwork asked. "Let's head in."
Everypony nodded as Daring grabbed the handles of the doors and pushed forward.
The Elmheim Temple, Deep Jungle, Gaia, Winter, 1002 C.E.
The entrance hall of the temple certainly was not what Colgate had expected to see. She and the others had expected to step into a room with torches, cobwebs, and golden brick walls. Instead, they were standing in the middle of a clean foyer that one would normally see inside a mansion. The walls were covered in white wallpaper, the floor was jade tile, and, from the ceiling, there hung a truly spectacular chandelier that glistened with the bright and exuberant colors of a rainbow. Warm, welcoming sunlight poured in through the windows on both sides of the entrance doors. When the ponies looked out, they saw not a jungle but a series of clean cut acres of grass and flower beds spreading out.
"Wow," said Bright Eyes.
"Wow indeed," Clockwork added.
"You thought the jungle was weird. We're in the belly of the beast now, dearies," said Matilda. "Things will only get crazier from here."
"Oh goodie," sighed Colgate.
"I'll take on anything!" exclaimed Daring.
"Good!" said Matilda with a grin. "Now let's move on!"
The group decided to go through the door immediately across from the entrance. Through the door was a dark hallway filled with cobwebs, old lanterns, and walls covered in peeling, pink wallpaper. As soon as everypony had entered and they had shut the door to the foyer, the whole temple shook around them. "What the hay?!" gasped Colgate.
Clockwork turned around and opened the door to the foyer, only to find himself looking out into a large cavern with a pool of magma in the center. The heat was intense and he hastily shut the door once again. "Definitely not going back that way!" he said.
"This temple's a labyrinth. A magical labyrinth," said Daring as she began looking around anxiously.
"We better stick together then," said Bright Eyes. "We don't want to get separated in here."
"Right," said Matilda. "Everypony stay close."
The hallway they were in was devoid of doors. The only other objects in the hallway aside from the cobwebs and the old torches hanging from the walls were old painting of elite stallions and mares from Equestria's past. Bright Eyes gasped as a pair of eyes on one of the paintings moved. "Just keep moving," said Clockwork as he pushed Bright Eyes along.
At the end of the hallway, a single metal door was there to greet them. It was terribly rusted and it opened with ease. On the other side was a large room filled with empty prison cells. Dim, white lights hung from the ceiling and flies circled around them. The air smelled of cigarette smoke and toilet water and the floor felt dirty and rough beneath their hooves. The cells weren't entirely empty though. An occasional cell would have a chain or a chair sitting in the center. When Daring stopped to look in at one that had three chairs in it, all three chairs slid towards the back on the cell on their own accord. Daring didn't say anything but the look of uncomfortable fear on her face made it clear that she was definitely eager to get out of this particular room.
The next room was more like a room that one would find in a temple. It was a roomy chamber with bright, white and yellow torches hanging from the walls and odd, dusty boxes sitting in various compartments that were dug out in certain portions of the walls. A old fountain was situated in the center of the chamber but there was no water to be seen in it. Colgate approached one of the compartments and picked up one of the boxes. It was a wooden box but, despite being dusty, it felt like it was brand new. Colgate opened the lid and peered inside. Within the box, there sat a note that read: Just go to sleep! A cold sensation washed over her shoulders and she hastily closed the box and put it back into its compartment.
The room after this was a welcomed change. The ponies were now in what appeared to be a child's room. The walls were painted light blue and pink, the floor was covered in white carpet, and sunlight poured in through a nearby window. Matilda looked through the window to see that the room they were in was located at the top of a tall building. She could see humans walking alongside the street far below and the street itself was filled with carriages being drawn by horses. "Appears to be an early 20th century city," she deduced. She looked further and could see the ocean in the distance.
"Are those ponies down there?" Colgate asked as she peered down to the street below.
"No, dear. Those are horses. Completely different creatures," Matilda replied.
"I guess we better get moving then," said Daring.
"Must we? I actually really like this room," said Bright Eyes.
"She said that you'd come," stated a new voice. Everypony looked to see a little human girl with fair skin, blonde hair, and a white dress sitting on the bed.
"Where'd she come from?!" Daring asked.
"Nevermind that," said Matilda as she approached the girl. "Who said that we'd come?"
"Ms. Thalia. She said this would be the perfect time and place for you to come," the girl replied with a robotic expression.
"And...where and when exactly are we?"
"San Francisco, April 18, 1906."
Matilda's face became pale. "Matilda? What's wrong?" Clockwork asked.
"Everypony get out of the room now!" Matilda ordered. Before anypony could make it to the next door, the building began to shake violently.
"What's going on?!" asked Colgate as she held onto the bed.
"Earthquake!" Matilda cried. Everypony screamed as the building crumbled around them and they all fell into darkness.
Colgate awoke to find herself lying down on the floor in the middle of a massive, abandoned warehouse. It would have been pitch black if it were not for the series of yellow lights dangling from the ceiling. "Hello? Matilda? Clockwork? Bright Eyes? Daring Do?" Colgate asked as she stood up. She looked for any sign of the others but they were nowhere to be seen. Stacks of crates and junk lined the interior of the warehouse, creating long shadows that stretched over Colgate like lustful claws. Just then, the sound of shoes on concrete began to echo around her. "Who...who's there?!" For several long, agonizing seconds, the footsteps reverberated through the air and Colgate felt like she was going to explode from anxiety. Then a cold, menacing laugh joined the footsteps. Colgate wanted to run but her body had frozen in place. She eventually managed to turn around and, as she did, a figure came into her line of sight.
She instantly recognized the figure as the human that had met with Thalia in the jungle the previous night. Now that she could see him in the light, she wanted to learn nothing more about him. His face was abnormally white and a mop of black hair sat on his head. A permanent smile was carved into his face and black outlines covered his non-blinking eyes for his eyelids had been burned clean off. The man laughed again as he took a few steps towards Colgate. A large butcher knife was in his hand. He can't hurt me with that knife. As long as he looks at me, which shouldn't be a problem, I'm as tough as stone! she thought. But...that knife is still a little intimidating.
"Who...who are you?!" Colgate asked loudly after finally gaining the courage to do so.
The man laughed again and swung the knife back and forth. "I'm Jeff...nice to meet you, Colgate," the man replied.
"How do you-"
"I've taken some time to get to know you in the Memory Room." Jeff gave another chuckle and began twirling his long hair with one of his fingers. "I even know that your skin's as hard as stone right now. So I guess this knife wouldn't have any effect on you." He looked at his knife as he balanced it in his hand. "But...it doesn't matter. I can still have my fun...as long as I don't see you." He reached into one of his trench coat pockets and pulled out a small controller with a big, red button on it. He looked at the button and proceeded to let out another loud, chilling laugh as he turned to smile sadistically at Colgate. "Now...just go to sleep." Jeff clicked the button and every light in the warehouse turned off.
Colgate gasped as she heard Jeff running towards her in the darkness. She blindly turned away from the direction where Jeff was coming from and broke into a quick run. She tried to keep her breathing as quiet as possible as she ran through the darkness. Jeff's footsteps began to fade away but Colgate soon found herself running into a stack of crates. The loud sound of falling crates and splintering wood rang out. This was quickly followed by Jeff's signature laugh and more footsteps.
I need to find a door! I need to find a door! Colgate thought as she ran through the darkness. I can't die here! I won't die here! Whenever she would start to lose Jeff, she would run into another stack of crates and Jeff would start trailing her again. This process repeated for several minutes until Colgate finally decided to stop running. By some amount of luck, Colgate was blindly able to come across a place to hide. It felt like a table covered in a variety of quilts and sheets. She hastily and quietly slid under the table and waited.
Silence fell in the dark warehouse. Colgate listened as Jeff's footsteps reverberated around the interior of the room. All the while, she remained silent. Then...she felt something poke her side. It felt like a hoof. She wanted to gasp but she placed her hooves over her mouth to keep herself quiet. Something or somepony was lying next to her. However, Colgate decided to stay under the table for she felt safer under the covered table with a stranger versus being chased around in the dark by Jeff. After several minutes of Jeff running around the darkness and Colgate hiding, the lights came back on. Colgate was finally able to take a look at her surroundings.
The table she had hidden under was wooden. All of its sides were covered in layers and layers of sheets of various colors. She then turned to see what was lying next to her. A feeling of relief washed over her as she looked and saw an unconscious Bright Eyes. Oh thank Celestia, Colgate thought.
Just then, Bright Eyes began to wake up. Colgate quickly placed her hooves over Bright Eyes's mouth to keep her from making any noise. "Just keep quiet!" Colgate whispered into Bright Eyes's ear. "There's a maniac with a knife in this warehouse looking for me!"
Bright Eyes nodded as a sign that she understood what Colgate had said. The two mares held their breath as the heavy footsteps of Jeff began to draw closer to their location. Jeff came to a stop a few feet from where Colgate and Bright Eyes were hiding. The two mares' hearts began to race and sweat proceeded to roll down their faces. After a minute or two, Jeff turned around and walked off in a different direction.
"How are we going to get out of here?" Bright Eyes whispered to Colgate.
"We just have to wait for the right moment," Colgate whispered back.
Just then, Colgate heard a new series of footsteps. However, these sounded more like hoofsteps. Then a familiar voice spoke. "Found any of them yet, Jeff?" asked the voice of Thalia.
Jeff's signature laugh rang out. "Colgate's in here somewhere. She's decided to go and play hide and seek with me," Jeff chuckled.
Thalia let out a sigh and took a few steps in Colgate and Bright Eyes's direction. "She's over there." The two hiding mares gasped as the table above them was magically flung through the air. Thalia was standing a few feet away from them and Jeff was not too far behind her. "And, look, the pegasus with the weird eyes is with her."
"Run, Bright Eyes!" Colgate ordered. However, they quickly discovered that they couldn't run for their hooves were now being magically held to the floor.
"You can have your fun, Jeff," Thalia chuckled.
Jeff approached Colgate and Bright Eyes with the light button in one hand and his knife in the other. "Now where were we?" Jeff asked with a smile. "Oh, that's right! You were just about to go to sleep!"
"Why are you doing this?! What do you want?!" Colgate asked as she looked at Jeff and then at Thalia.
"Revenge," Thalia replied.
"Revenge?" Bright Eyes asked.
"Well, not just revenge. This is also just really fun for me."
Colgate looked as Jeff raised his knife and prepared to turn the lights off. No...I can't die here. I...I just can't, Colgate thought as she stared at her own reflection in Jeff's knife. However, before Jeff could turn off the lights, another laugh broke the silence. This one, surprisingly, didn't come from Jeff. It was giddy, joyful, and had a mischievous tone to it.
"Come now, dearie. Is that really a way to treat two mares?" asked a male voice. Colgate, Bright Eyes, Thalia, and Jeff looked to see a man with sparkling skin, messy hair, a leather vest, and a fur coat standing a few feet away from them.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Thalia asked.
The man gave a giddy chuckle and then bowed politely. "Name's Rumplestiltskin, dearie. Now I suggest you let those two go before things get nasty."
"Oh...but they've already gotten nasty," chuckled Jeff before he began to charge towards the man known as Rumplestiltskin. Rumplestiltskin simply waved his hand and Jeff went flying off towards the edge of the warehouse. Thalia sent a burst of dark magic at Rumplestiltskin but he simply deflected it and sent it back at her. Thalia shrieked as the repelled attack burned at her skin.
The evil clone glared at Colgate and Bright Eyes and snapped, "This isn't over." She then disappeared in a flash of light.
Colgate and Bright Eyes smiled as they realized that they could now move their hooves again. "Thank you," Colgate said to Rumplestiltskin.
"Oh don't mention it, dearie. But, now, you two must adhere to the agreement," Rumplestiltskin replied.
"Agreement? What agreement?" Colgate raised her eyebrows at the magical man.
"My services aren't free, you know. Your friend Matilda appeared in my castle through means of the strange workings of this fine establishment and she made a deal with me to have me rescue her friends, that being you, from whatever horrors that you were facing. In exchange, you, her friends, would have to get something for me."
"Whatever happened to just doing a kind deed without asking for anything in return?" Bright Eyes asked.
Rumplestiltskin shook one of his fingers. "That's not how I work. I can easily bring those two back and let the four of you continue where you left off."
Colgate shivered slightly. It was at this moment that she noticed a dark aura emanating from Rumplestiltskin. It was thick, heavy, and made Colgate feel quite scared...and a little sad. "You're as dark as them," Colgate accused.
"Oh, dearie...I'm darker." Rumplestiltskin leaned in closer to the two mares. "Much darker."
Why in the name of Celestia would Matilda make a deal with this creep? Colgate thought. "Fine," she said. "What do you need us to get?"
Rumplestiltskin let out a giddy laugh and extended his hand forward. There was a puff of purple smoke and a map appeared in his outstretched hand. "As you've come to realize by this point, this temple is a labyrinth. Constantly changing, constantly moving, constantly dangerous. This map will help guide you the room where you'll find what I seek."
"So what is it that you want?"
"An aspect of true love."
"True love? How exactly can we bring true love to you?"
"In this!" Rumplestiltskin smirked as he magically produced a small vial. Colgate cautiously took the map and the vial from Rumplestiltskin's hands.
"So how come you couldn't get it?" Bright Eyes asked suddenly.
"You see, my little pegasus, true love, shall we say, isn't exactly a product that I am able to obtain easily. True love tends to favor the light over the dark. You ponies are naturally good creatures, for the most part, so it should be no difficult feat for you in obtaining it."
"We need to hurry, Bright Eyes," said Colgate. "Let's get this done, find the others, and then find the source."
"That brings me to one, last thing, dearies," said Rumplestiltskin.
"And that would be?"
"As I'm feeling a bit generous today, I'll make you a second deal."
"How is that generous?"
"Because what I'm offering will help you ponies out. I've already asked you to find one aspect of true love in exchange for me saving you. Now, in exchange for me helping you find this source, all you have to do is find another aspect of true love."
"Another aspect?"
"Yes. True love has many forms, dearies. I want you to find a pure aspect of it and then, for our second deal, I want you to find a dark aspect of it."
"How can true love be dark?" Bright Eyes asked.
"Like I said. True love has many forms."
"I don't know," said Colgate.
"Maybe we should make this other deal," Bright Eyes suggested. "I mean, this place is definitely a labyrinth. It might take us forever to find what we want. But he can direct us through the labyrinth."
Colgate glared at Rumplestiltskin. "How can you do that?"
Rumplestiltskin waved his hand. "You know. Magic."
"Dark magic."
"Perhaps. But, from how things are looking right now, dark magic might be your best bet at finding what you seek. Besides, it's not like you're the ones using it."
Colgate and Bright Eyes exchanged nervous glances. After a moment of silence, the two mares nodded. "Fine," said Colgate. "We accept the second deal and we'll stay true to the first."
"Excellent! The path to the room you seek starts on the other side of that door!" Colgate and Bright Eyes looked to see that a new door had appeared in the room. They nodded to each other and began making their way over to it. "Oh, and a few words of advice for the future, dearies." They turned back to look at Rumplestiltskin. "I'd suggest being careful. All magic comes with a price and this place is full of it."
"All magic comes with a price, huh?" Colgate asked. "Even yours?"
Rumplestiltskin's face suddenly became quite serious. "Yes...even mine." The magical man then disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.
"Come on, Colgate," said Bright Eyes. "We've got some true love to find."