//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: From The Gates // by Dirty Bit //------------------------------// Chapter 18 Figure It Out Applejack stared up at Sloth in diligent silence, trying to figure out how somepony so lazy could be so physically fit. The indolent pony only stared back with his uncovered eye and unchanged toothy frown. He gave a quiet tired moan once in a while as the two continued their staring contest. Finally, the cowpony broke "Ah jus' don't getcha, Sloth! Why do ya consider anythin' and everythin' a pain? Do ya think that way with yer family?" Sloth groaned "That's different...they're a different pain..." He then slowly popped a joint in his neck as it gave a deep and loud crunch. Everypony around him quickly ceased their activity to gaze upon the indolent pony. Applejack sighed "Maybe ya really do need a little push after all..." She smiled up at Sloth "Don't worry, Sloth! Once we head back t' Sweet Apple Acres, we'll have ya up an' ready t' work tomorrow!" She then chuckled to herself "Maybe Ah oughta introduce ya t' my older brother Big Macintosh once we head back..." Sloth moaned in complaint "Work is a pain..." Applejack scoffed "It'll be more of a pain with that attitude! But Ah'm sure y'all had some past experience with how yer size is showin'!" She then looked at the indolent pony's forelegs "Uh, not that it's my business or anythin', but what's with those chains on yer legs? Were ya captured one time?" Sloth slowly lifted his left foreleg as his chain rattled "No...I use them..." Applejack tilted her head "Fer what?" The indolent pony, not in the mood for a demonstration, only answered "Giving pain..." Applejack was unamused "It's nothin' but pain with ya..." She then remembered a certain obscure detail about him back at Canterlot castle "On second thought, Ah have another question if y'all don't mind me askin'..." She pointed to Sloth's cutie mark "What's with yer cutie mark? Never seen anythin' like that on anypony!" Sloth was at first confused, and then turned to look at his cutie mark. When he remembered the Ouroboros symbol on his flank he simply replied "I'm a homunculus..." Applejack raised an eyebrow in bemusement "Homuncu-whatnow?" Sloth repeated "Homunculus..." He then laid down and lulled himself to sleep. Clearly the indolent pony was in no mood for more conversation. Applejack groaned to herself 'That pony's in fer a rude awakenin' once he heads back to th' farm...' Her ears perked up and she yelped when Pinkie jumped over her while giggling "What in the hay-OOF!" She was then battered away by an angry Envy who roared threats while pursuing the party pony. Rainbow Dash zipped over Applejack while she picked herself up, but Fluttershy stopped by Applejack to see if she was okay. The cowpony noticed Fluttershy and smiled "Ah'm alright, sugarcube. But what in tarnation is goin' on with Pinkie an' Envy?" Fluttershy shifted her eyes as she tried to find a proper response "Pinkie thinks she's playing...tag..." She looked ahead with Applejack to see Pinkie effortlessly avoid Envy's charging by hopping away like she usually does. Fluttershy sighed despondently "Do you think we should give Envy some time to herself?" Applejack turned to Fluttershy "What makes ya say that, Fluttershy?" She then looked ahead at Envy "Also, why do ya think Envy's a mare? That there's a stallion iffin' Ah ever saw one!" Fluttershy tilted her head "What? But Envy looks so feminine...How can you be sure she's a stallion?" Applejack shook her head "Well he certainly ain't no mare! Ah mean look at 'im!" She noticed Envy shout curses while Rainbow Dash lifted Pinkie away from the jealous pony. Fluttershy looked away "Well, aside from that, something tells me we should give Envy some time to herself so she won't feel so bothered by us...J-Just a suggestion is all. I mean, I would gladly befriend her whenever, but she seems so...harsh..." Applejack raised an eyebrow at Fluttershy "Ya mean let 'im wander off and cause problems willy nilly? Ah'm willin' t' side with yer opinion, Fluttershy, but we all saw how him an' Rainbow Dash were actin' at th' library! Besides, Rainbow Dash already stuck to 'er word that she's gonna be keepin' an eye on Envy since they're livin' together!" Fluttershy looked down with a sigh "I guess your right..." She then perked up and had an idea "Maybe if I can convince Rainbow Dash, I could teach Envy how to be more kind around other ponies before she learns how to be loyal!" Applejack smiled "Well if Ah can try an' make that large stallion Sloth know how to appreciate work, then maybe y'all might have a chance at makin' Envy stop actin' all saddlesore...Want me t' help?" Fluttershy smiled at the cowpony "I would very much like that." She frowned for a moment "I don't like seeing the two of them fight..." The two trotted over to Envy while it continued to spew curses up at Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Pinkie looked up at Rainbow Dash with an oblivious smile "I appreciate the help, Dashie, but I can run just fine! I think we're making Envy pretty mad!" Rainbow Dash gave a deadpan stare at Pinkie "That pony's already mad at you, Pinkie..." She then glared down at Envy "And I sure as hay ain't letting her down for your sick threats, palm tree head!" Envy ceased its insults and threats and glared back at Rainbow Dash "You're just getting in the way! Bring her down so I can pay her back for her stupid crap!" Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at the jealous pony and succeeded in fueling more of its ire. It then remembered that it had wings, and with a wicked grin, Envy unfurled them as it glared up "I'm coming for your sorry ass!" Fluttershy noticed and was frightened at the thought of Envy harming Pinkie "Stoooop!!" She called out feebly, but she managed to earn the attention of the three ponies. The timid mare then sighed in relief "I-Is it okay if we talked?" Envy glared at Fluttershy "Kinda in the middle of something here! Stay out of this!" Applejack gave Envy a stern look "Would ya jus' simmer down fer a moment? Yer actin' foalish with how angry y'all are!" Rainbow Dash looked down at her friends "Don't worry, you guys! I have things under control! I can handle Envy even with Pinkie in my arms!" Envy glared up at the cyan pegasus "Let's prove that theory!" It went to fly up, but her tail was caught and yanked down by Applejack. The jealous pony glared at her "What the hell!? I said stay out of this!" Applejack glared back at Envy "An' Ah asked ya t' simmer down! Fluttershy wants t' say somethin'!" Envy turned to Fluttershy as she circled the ground with a foreheoof "Um...Rainbow Dash? Can I ask you a favor?" Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow in confusion "Sure, Fluttershy. But why are you acting so hesitant?" Fluttershy took a deep breath 'Okay, you can do this...I'm sure she can understand if you ask nicely enough...' She looked up at the cyan pegasus "While I'm aware that you and Envy are going to be roommates for the time being...I was wondering if I could maybe teach Envy how to be kind before she learns anything else?" Rainbow Dash was now exasperated "You're still on about that? Fluttershy, this pony's a jerk! I don't you to get hurt!" Pinkie Pie giggled "Be careful, Fluttershy! You don't want Envy to tag you now, do you?" Applejack looked at Envy, then up at Pinkie "Uh, Pinkie? Ah don't think Envy wants t' play tag..." "Heh, of course not!" The group turned to see Greed trot in with an amused smirk "Say, Rainbow Dash? Mind letting Pinkie down so she can show Gluttony around? He's almost ready to eat your whole house!" Pinkie Pie smiled "Oh yeah, that's right! I still gotta show Gluttony where the cupcakes are! Thanks a bunch, Greedy!" She looked up at Rainbow Dash "You can let me down now, Dashie! I gotta make sure he's satisfied!" Rainbow Dash gave a cautious glance at Envy while it glared back at her "You heard her! She wants to see Gluttony, so leave her alone!" Envy went to lash out at Rainbow Dash, but then a hoof touched its right shoulder. The jealous pony turned to see Fluttershy with a small smile, and paused for a moment at her gesture. It then sneered as it swatted away the hoof "Don't touch me. I've had enough of it from everyone around me..." Fluttershy drew back her hoof while her ears drooped "Um...you mean everypony?" Envy looked up at Rainbow Dash "Fine, but she'll get hers soon!" Rainbow Dash switched glances between Fluttershy and Envy before slowly setting Pinkie down. The party pony then hopped away while humming a cheery tune. Greed watched Pinkie exit the scene and gave an impressed smile "Would you look at that?" He then turned to Fluttershy "If you managed to keep Envy from causing pain then there's hope for that pony yet!" Envy glared at Greed "Hope for what?" Fluttershy smiled "Hope for you, Envy. If you could learn a little kindness, then maybe you won't be so cold around everypony..." Envy glared at Fluttershy "I'm okay the way I am! Why the hell should I show anyone kindness?" Greed gave a taunting smile "It's pretty fun once you get used to it! You should try it sometime!" He chuckled to himself, but did not expect to be bucked away by Envy's hindlegs. The avaricious pony flew into Sloth and bounced off of him after his hard landing. The indolent pony stirred from his slumber "...Who threw that?" Applejack turned to Envy "That's a mighty kick ya jus' did! An' against yer own brother?" Envy scoffed "Please, that was just a tap...Besides, he deserved it! The bastard..." Fluttershy trotted over to Greed and helped him up, and was surprised to know that he was chuckling. When she inspected his teeth, she gasped and jumped back "Y-Y-Your teeth!" Greed ceased his laughter "Yeah, what about 'em?" The timid pony pointed a shaking hoof "Th-Th-They're sharp!" The avaricious pony grinned "Then I guess I'm okay..." He then turned to Rainbow Dash "Hey, Rainbow! Lemme borrow Envy for a moment! I'll come back!" Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes "No way! Wherever that pony goes, I go!" Greed rolled his eyes "It's only gonna be for a minute, geez...You have my word! I don't exactly lie to other ponies!" Applejack smiled and tipped her hat "Greed's not so bad after all! Ah think we can trust 'im, Dash!" The cyan pegasus growled, but sighed in defeat "Fine, but you better bring Envy back here! I don't want you weaseling your way out of this!" Envy scoffed as it trotted past Rainbow Dash "Stop acting like you own me, you prismatic prick!" It flicked at Rainbow Dash's nose with its tail as it followed Greed. Fluttershy reluctantly waved "Um...See you around, Envy..." Envy only replied without looking back "Fuck off..." End of Chapter 18