//------------------------------//
// Chapter 33 
// Story: From The Gates 
// by Dirty Bit 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 33


Cope with the circumstances


Greed, Lust, Envy, and Gluttony gathered inside of the library while Sloth remained outside waiting for his siblings. Greed was lucky to know that Twilight trusted her to be alone with the other former homunculi in the library on their own. He took a deep breath "Okay, so now we know one thing we lack. Do we lack any other particular skills?"

Lust looks away "I do not seem to be lacking anything aside from regenaration myself...But what of Gluttony and Envy?"

Gluttony looked around "What are we supposed to be lacking again? I feel fine how I am!" His stomach growled as he looked down "I'm still hungry, though...I wanted more of those changelings!" He paused for a moment before he slowly shifted to grin at Envy.

The jealous pony glared at Gluttony "Don't even think about it..." Gluttony then looked away dejectedly.

Lust turned to Gluttony "I wonder if Gluttony is no longer the failed portal of Truth Father had constructed..."

Gluttony tilted his head before he remembered "Oh! You mean this?" He plopped down on his haunches and opened his mouth wide as he draped his forelegs over his lower jaw and tried to pull it down. When nothing happened, he tried again as he grunted with his next pull. He looked disappointed and confused "Ish shtuck!"

Envy winced at the voracious pony while he held his pose"I'm kinda glad it is...There's no way I'm gonna sit inside your stomach again!!"

Greed turned to Envy "Hey, Envy. Didn't you have an ability of your own other than transformation?"

Envy looked down "Yeah..." It then gave a slowly growing smile "I definitely remember..." Envy then grunted and tried to focus its shapeshifting power to turn into the desired creature. It then stopped as it looked down "Huh?" It then clenched its eyes shut and tried to do it again, but to no avail. The jealous pony opened its eyes to reveal an incredulous expression "It's not working..." It turned to the other former homunculi "I can't go into my other form! What the fuck is this!?"

Greed frowned pitifully at Envy "Damn...and you raised so much hell with that form of yours, too..."

Lust closed her eyes "Even if you did manage to retain that form, it wouldn't have been wise to unveil it indoors, let alone around an entire town of ponies unless you were willing to cause destruction..." She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

Envy growled "So I'm limited to just basic transformation and nothing else!? This is bullshit!!" It wore an expression of sheer outrage.

Greed smirked "With them changelings coming up from out of the blue earlier, I kinda feel sorry for you right now, Envy..."

Envy shifted its glare to Greed "What's that supposed to mean!?"

Lust nodded "He has a point. The letter Wrath has sent us must not only be a warning to the rest of Ponyville, but to you especially, Envy...If they were to discover your true identity as a changeling, I doubt that even anypony would be so forgiving..."

Envy flinched at the displayed fact and felt nervous and angered as it looked down and shifted into its original changeling form "I still can't believe I end up in a different world like this! The rest of you have it easy, but I have to risk so much!!"

Gluttony smiled "I wouldn't worry too much, Envy! Pinkie likes me for who I am! I'm sure she'll like you, too!"

Envy directed its narrowed and glowing eyes towards Gluttony as it hissed vehementy "Fuck...Pinkie..."

Greed laughed at Envy's visible hatred for the party pony "She is pretty accepting towards anypony she thinks as a friend. I'd say she's not too bad at all to hang out with!"

Envy growled at Greed "She's annoying! I think Rainbow Dash is asking too much for me to think that pink eyesore's a good friend!"

A thought crossed Lust's mind after Envy had lashed out at Greed "About Rainbow Dash...How did she manage to calm you down when Twilight told us the news on the changelings?"

Envy remained silent and looked away as if the other homunculi didn't matter to it anymore. Lust raised an eyebrow "Well, Envy? Won't you share with us how she was able to keep you at a managable level of behavior?"

Envy grunted as it transformed into its pegasus form "I don't have to tell you that! We only came here to discuss what we no longer have ever since we came into Equestria like this!" It turned back to the others "Let's just go meet the others and get Pinkie's stupid party over with!"

Gluttony looked sad "Her parties aren't stupid at all! They're fun and full of food!!" He sported a toothy grin that almost dripped with his saliva after the mention of food.

Lust nodded "Yes, we may as well get it out of the way so we can return to our daily tasks...Speaking of, have any of you learned anything useful when staying with your hosts?"

Greed rolled his eyes "Only that Twilight has to be the most study-happy unicorn I know. I just gotta learn more spells for myself so I can be more self-sufficient!"

Gluttony smiled "Pinkie taught me how to laugh and play! And she feeds me so much! She's my best friend!"

Envy looked away "Didn't learn a thing..." It then flinched 'Except for the fact that Fluttershy has a look that can kill someone...' Envy found it troublesome to distinguish the timid mare as an overbearing and naive bleeding heart, an unrivaled coward, or a crazy pony who hides under the guise of both the former possibilities.

Lust huffed with a smile "I thought as much...Shall we get going? I believe Greed made a 'Pinkie promise' that we wouldn't take too long here..." She laughed at the avaricious pony, who glared and growled at her.

Gluttony smiled "Yay! More fun and food! We should make sure that Sloth isn't sleeping again!"

Greed looked out the window and noticed the ponies outside cheering for the element bearers and making their way over to Sugarcube Corner. He smiled "Looks like that's our cue to get out of here. Let's get moving, everypony!" He trotted out the door with Envy, Lust, and Gluttony came shortly after. The lascivious mare was the last one out as she shut the door with her unicorn magic.
_____

Pinkie looked at all of the ponies mingling and sighed as she wiped a hoof across her forehead "Phew! Good thing we took care of this party! That was super duper hard putting up all those decorations!"

Rainbow Dash shot a deadpan stare at Pinkie "It only took you like twenty minutes, Pinkie...with the party cannon..."

Pinkie patted the hull of her party cannon with a proud grin "And I couldn't be more happier with the results! Now all we gotta do is wait for Greedy and the others to show up!"

Fluttershy looked down "I wonder why Greed looked so frightened after he hurt himself. Do you think he's afraid of how sharp his teeth is?"

Applejack shook her head "Ah dunno, sugarcube. He looked mighty confident when he bit himself and he didn't flinch none neither! Maybe somethin' was on his mind when he was demonstratin' his health?"

Twilight sat down at a table and stared into her glass of punch as she thought to herself. She remembered back when she watched Greed valiantly fend off the changelings on his own.

"I already told you that I'm born for this kind of thing! This is nothing! I have to keep you and the others safe, since you technically belong to me!"

"I'm a homunculus!!! I'm strong enough to handle this!"

Twilight continued staring blankly at her punch 'I...belong to him? What did he mean? Was he acting like himself when it comes to possessions or...'

"Twi? Twilight?"

"Hey, egghead!!"

Twilight snapped out of her thought and darted her head around when she heard Rainbow Dash yell "H-Huh? What?" She turned to see her friends and Spike looking at her with their own expressions of confusion and chuckled in embarrasment "Sorry about that, everypony. I kind of spaced out for a moment."

Pinkie nodded "I'll say! You barely touched your punch!!" She pointed to the glass of punch still full.

Applejack trotted up with a smile "T'ain't nothin', Twi. But Ah was askin' ya if ya knew what went through Greed's head when he hurt himself?"

Twilight looked up in thought "Now that you mention it, I'm not so sure myself. He seemed so confident, yet he wavered when he let his wound bleed out. Maybe he was wrong in his lecture on homunculi?"

Rainbow Dash tilted her head "Maybe his wound could heal fast, but not as fast as he thought it would? Then again, maybe it was something else with that look on his face..."

Twilight nodded "Could be. Maybe I'll ask him later once he arrives..."

"Monster!!!"

The element bearers turned to see the crowd quickly moving away and making way for the five former homunculi trotting through. Greed looked around and smirked "Heh, talk about rolling out the welcome mat! I'm surprised they aren't focusing on Sloth!"

The indolent pony laid outside the front yard of Sugarcube Corner and snored loudly while other ponies watched with caution and curiosity.

Another mare pointed at Greed "Get him out of here!!" She looked absolutely terrified when the avaricious pony trotted past her.

Twilight looked at the crowd "What's with everypony? Why are they treating Greed like he's an outcast?"

Rarity poked a hoof under her chin "Perhaps they're referring to that..." She shuddered at the memory "...form of Greed's earlier?"

Fluttershy began to shiver in fright "You mean that very scary one with those red eyes!?" She whimpered.

Twilight smiled "Oh! They're referring to his Ultimate Shield form!"

The other element bearers turned to Twilight and spoke in unison "Ultimate Shield form?"

Twilight nodded "Yes, it's nothing to be afraid of at all! It's just a unique spell that Greed knew in his time! Isn't it just amazing??"

Rainbow Dash shrugged "I'll admit, it looks cool. But it could be better..."

Applejack raised an eyebrow "What do ya mean by amazin', Twi?"

Twilight held up a hoof "I mean it's a spell that nopony else in Equestria possibly knows! It's similar to a carbonization spell, but it differs greatly in execution!!"

Spike looked around "Do you think everypony else would accept that, though?"

Twilight looked determined "Oh, they will! I'll need a microphone so I can get the message across!"

Pinkie pulled one out of nowhere with a grin "Here you go!" She hoofed it to Twilight and waited for her to make a speech.

Twilight levitated the microphone in front of her and cleared her throat before she spoke "Attention, everypony! May I have your attention, please?" She was pleased to see everypony present inside Sugarcube corner focus on her, including the former homunculi "For those who are highly concerned about Greed's alternate appearance-"

"He's a monster!"

"He shouldn't be here!"

Greed only laughed to himself at the ponies' reactions 'It's like these guys never saw anything strange in their life!'

Twilight scoffed "As I was saying...for those concerned about Greed's appearance, do not be alarmed. His second form's only a spell that he mastered on his own! I repeat, his second form is a spell he mastered on his own! There is absolutely nothing to worry about!"

The crowd traded glances and murmured to one another, most of the murmurs sounding unsure, confused, and skeptical. Lust looked around with calm gaze 'I wonder how they would react with my Ultimate Spear...' She inwardly smiled at the thought of somepony frightened by her power if they asked her.

Twilight continued "This shouldn't be the way to treat the newest additions to our town, everypony! They may be different, but they're just like us in every way possible!!" She shot the crowd a small glare.

Pinkie leaned in and spoke into the microphone "Yeah! And they helped us get rid of those meanie changelings for us, too! Don't you think we should give them a proper thank you for it?" She smiled at everypony.

The crowd murmured more, but they sounded more positive and understanding as their fear slowly washed away. Soon, they broke into a decent cheer for the former homunculi. Greed stood proudly with a smug smile on his face, Lust only flicked her mane and earned the many eyes of ponies who admired her appearance, Gluttony smiled and waved at those who cheered, but Envy only looked away with a distant expression 'Why should they even cheer for me? I only wanted to get rid of those changelings and nothing else...'

Twilight smiled when the mood shifted to a better one once more and set the microphone down as she trotted to Greed "Glad to see you could make it on time, Greed."

Greed smirked at the lavender bookworm "Well, I told you that I'm a stallion of my word. Did you ever think me wrong whenever I said something?"

Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile "I'll admit, I was a little skeptical, but I'm satisfied to know you can do a Pinkie promise without much of a problem."

Greed nodded "Yeah. I should be happy I didn't poke my eye out." He chuckled at his joke.

Twilight looked angry, but soon joined Greed in his laughter "Well, anyways. You're here now, so why don't we enjoy the party? Maybe you can tell me more about your form while we're here?"

Greed smiled "Sounds great. I could use some food, too. Those changelings worked up my appetite!"

Pinkie appeared behind Greed "You know where the food table is, Greedy!"

Greed looked back and jumped away from Pinkie as he yelped "How did you-"

Pinkie pointed to the table where Gluttony was "Just follow Gluttony and you'll be just fine! See ya!" She hopped away from the two unicorns.

Twilight shook her head with a smile "I tried to figure out how she does it, too, but it just happens. I hope you can deal with her shenanigans..."

Greed grinned his sharp teeth "I wanna know how she can be able to take somepony by surprise!" He wondered what would happen if he were to obtain the same set of skills Pinkie holds herself.

Twilight rested a hoof on Greed's shoulder and snapped him out of his avaricious state "Trust me, Greed. Don't figure out Pinkie. You'll only lead yourself to more pain." She spoke in a solemn tone before she smiled "Let's just head to a table so we can talk from there."

Greed rolled his eyes "Alright then. Lead the way." The two unicorns then went off to their table.

Lust watched them take their seats and chuckled to herself 'Perhaps Celestia was onto something with that note of hers...' She then looked away, only to find Rarity in her sight and flinched "Ah...Hello, Rarity."

Rarity smiled "Hello to you, too, Lust! While I was going around and telling everypony the battle was over, I just remembered to pick up the dress I made for you!" She levitated a box up to her for Lust to take. When the lascivious mare took it and opened it up with her own magic, she held a calculating glance as Rarity beamed "Well? What do you think?"

Lust levitated the dress Rarity made. It was similar to what she had worn in her old life, but was sleeveless and gifted with a choker that contained a ruby at the center. The skirt was at an acceptable length for her to walk around in it as well. Lust managed a smile "It is most wonderful...Thank you for making this for me." Now the lascivious mare would not have to feel so naked when around other ponies "Can I try it on?"

Rarity nodded "But of course, darling! I would like to see how it looks on you!" Lust hummed and levitated the dress as she carefully dressed herself in it. The fabric she used for it was soft and comforting as it slid across her purple coat. After Lust was finished putting on the choker, Rarity squealed in joy "You look so ravishing in that dress, Lust!! It is so becoming to see you donning such wondous attire!"

Lust sighed but smiled as she held up a foreleg and inspected it "Clearly, you give me too much credit, Rarity. Wouldn't you be more collected around your customers after you make outfits for them?"

Rarity blushed in embarrasment at her excitement "I suppose so. My apologies, Lust. It's just something about you makes almost everypony seem drawn to you..."

Lust looked around to see certain eyes looking at her, stallion and mare alike and smirked to herself 'I believe I know the only possible answer...' She shook her head at Rarity "It's nothing at all. Thank you once again for making this dress for me. I feel so much better with something covering me."

Rarity tilted her head "Do you feel self conscious about your appearance, darling?"

Lust nodded "More or less. You've helped me wash it away. I hope you do not mind me wearing this frequently from now on..."

Rarity smiled "Not at all. It is your own dress to do as you see fit, so long as you treat it properly. I'm glad you love it!" Rarity then noticed Gluttony about to eat the food table and widened her eyes "Wa-ha-ha~!!"

Lust turned to see and grunted to herself as she galloped over "Gluttony, no!"
_____

Greed and Twilight sat at their table and enjoyed their own meals as they talked more about the avaricious pony's Ultimate Shield form "So you wanna study it more, huh? Are you that fixed onto my form or something?" He said as he took a bite of his cupcake.

Twilight smiled "Well, if I study it thoroughly enough, I could possibly master the spell on my own time! Or maybe you could teach it to me and make the process faster!"

Greed laughed after he swallowed his bite "I think you'll have a better shot at studying! I'm not what you'd call a good teacher!" He then sipped at his punch.

Twilight nodded "I understand. But I have another question..." She said as a smile played on her face "What exactly did you mean when you said that I belong to you? Am I special to you perhaps?"

Greed spat out his punch with widened eyes when the second question was asked "H-Huh!?" He said as his muzzle dripped with punch.

Twilight's smile widened at Greed's reaction and she raised an eyebrow "Well? I'm waiting..." She spoke in a playful tone. All she received was silence from the avaricious pony as he stared at Twilight and her smug expression.


End of Chapter 33