From The Gates

by Dirty Bit

Chapter 9

Everypony inside was shocked to hear that Cerberus decided to invade Canterlot. What was the dog's goal? The only one that was not shocked was Princess Celestia as she stood firm and turned to Luna "Luna, could you please go to the castle's nursery and bring out a ball? Then meet me outside with Cerberus shortly..." She then trotted towards the window.

Luna was at first confused about Celestia's request, but then nodded when she realized her plan. She galloped away, leaving the homunculi to be confused. Greed noticed Celestia about to go out the window "Hey, princess! What are you going to do about that mutt? You're not gonna take that thing on yourself, are you??"

Envy scoffed and smirked to itself "This I gotta see..."

Celestia turned to Greed with a smile "You'll see, Greed. It would be wise for you and your siblings to stay inside while I handle this matter with Luna. The ponies in Canterlot need our help!" She then flared her wings and soared out of the castle.

Wrath stood and gave a knowing nod "A true ruler at her finest. I never would've imagined seeing it for myself like this..."

Shining Armor turned to Wrath "Just what are you talking about? Of course Princess Celestia is a good ruler! Were you not under the care of a good ruler where you come from?"

Wrath chuckled to himself "If you want my story, I actually WAS a ruler..." This shocked Shining Armor "My rank before I came here happened to be Fuhrer. Or if the term sounds too alien, simply go by my other name King Bradley."

Shining Armor paused for a moment, then gave Wrath a serious gaze "King, hm? No offense to you, but you don't exactly seem like a king to me."

Wrath raised an eyebrow "Oh? And what makes you say that, my boy?"

Shining Armor glared "Because with how you considered Celestia's actions and how you claim were a ruler yourself witnessing it, you do not seem like a king anypony would turn to in their time of need. A king is to his people..."

Wrath paused when he heard those last words, then heard them in a different but familiar voice in his head 'A king is to his people!' Wrath simply shook his head with a smile "You weren't the first one to tell that to me...I never thought I would hear that from you as well."

Shining Armor's eyes narrowed "I'm just stating my opinion..."

Lust observed the small chat between Shining Armor and Wrath and focused her attention towards the guard captain. She examined the look in his eyes and then turned to Wrath while he smiled. The lascivious mare put two and two together and smiled to herself 'Looks like Wrath made his first friend since he arrived here. And another soldier to boot...Not to mention those eyes...' She stared intently at Shining Armor's eyes glaring at Wrath 'Just like him...I see where Wrath comes from...'

Greed stared outside the window and watched Cerberus walk around Canterlot and sniffed about. He felt slightly nervous 'What's that chick gonna do? Is she gonna tip that stupid dog our location and toss us out of here?? No, we can kick his ass easily...' The avaricious pony noticed Celestia reach Cerberus as the dog stopped in his tracks and growled at the princess after sniffing her.

Envy trotted over and lightly shoved Greed out of the way "Move over, Greed! I wanna see if she's actually as strong as these guys think!" The jealous pony had a devious grin while it watched the scene outside. The grin faded when it noticed the dog was held in place by a golden aura "What the hell!? How is she doing that!?"

Greed squinted his eyes and noticed that Celestia's horn gave off the same glow as the aura covering Cerberus 'Whoa...' He then stared at his own horn, then at Lust's 'Looks like me and Lust got ourselves an advantage here...'

He then noticed Luna gallop through the throne room levitating a rubber ball "Move please!" Greed and Envy moved out of the way while she took flight.

Greed watched and smiled to himself. Envy noticed this and sneered "What are you so happy about? Do you like Luna or something?"

The avaricious pony pointed to his horn with a smirk "As if! I'm just happy to have this thing ever since I came here! I wonder what its capable of!"

Envy raised an eyebrow "You mean other than jamming it up someone's-" A groan interrupted the jealous pony and it turned to see most of the guards surround Sloth while their spears shook in their trembling forelegs. Sloth gave a yawn and the guards flinched. Envy then chuckled when it realized there was a much better scene to view.

Shining Armor noticed the guards and called out "Stay strong, everypony! Don't let his size bother you!"

Envy interrupted with a snide remark "Yeah! Just watch out for his chains! They hurt like hell!" The jealous pony then broke out into a fit of laughter while Shining Armor glared.

Wrath turned to Shining Armor and gave a firm bow "Forgive Envy's juvenile personality. That one finds joy in other's suffering..."

Shining Armor turned to Wrath "You seem to have a very...unique family if you're all related."

The furious pony gave a friendly scoff "I'm only the newest addition." He looked away "Though I wish not to talk about it..." This made Shining Armor raise an eyebrow in curiousity while he remained silent.

Greed looked outside and his jaw dropped when he noticed what happened. Luna waved the ball in front of Cerberus and all three heads panted vigorously as they stared at it. Celestia released her hold on Cerberus, then Luna flew off while large dog followed after he hopped over the walls. Envy noticed and trotted over "Hey! What'd I miss? What happened?"

Greed uttered "A ball..."

Envy turned to Greed "Yeah, I noticed, but what happened after? Was it some kind of weapon?"

Greed slowly turned to Envy "They used a RUBBER ball to lure out a giant three-headed dog out of town! Instead of fighting it!"

Envy was now equally shocked "You're kidding!? We had to fight tooth and nail to kick that mutt to the curb and all they needed was a freaking ball!?"

"Surprised?"

Greed and Envy turned to see Celestia as she smiled at them while hovering out of the window. The two moved to give her room and she glided inside and landed "Cerberus can be easily handled if you know the right tactics. But then again, you're all new to Equestria and didn't know any better."

Envy gritted its teeth "Are you calling us stupid or something!?"

Celestia shook her head with a smile "No, just new. There's a large difference." She chuckled while Envy growled.

Greed raised an eyebrow "Is Luna leading Cerberus back to Tartarus?"

Celestia nodded "Yes. And it is of utmost importance that he is led back there. Cerberus is the guardian of Tartarus, and if left unchecked, there could be the biggest chance that an unspeakable evil would emerge from there."

Greed chuckled "Good thing we don't count, right?" He paused, and then felt nervous "Right?"

Celestia paused and stared down at Greed in silence. The other former homunculi, save for Sloth, stared at the two in uneasiness. Then Celestia laughed "Of course, Greed. After all, you were the one that wished to redeem yourself despite your towering avarice." Greed flinched and looked down in embarrasment. Celestia turned to Princess Cadenza and Shining Armor "Would you two agree with me if I were to carry out my final sentence?"

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza nodded "My choice has already been made as well. I await your word along with my husband."

Shining Armor bowed in reverence "I'm also ready, your Highness."

Celestia smiled and looked out the window 'A shame Luna won't be joining us...' She gave a mischievous smirk to herself "Then our respective judgement shall be carried out." She paused for dramatic effect "Not guilty."

Princess Cadenza took a deep breath and spoke "Not guilty."

Shining Armor gave the princesses an incredulous expression. Then he turned to see Wrath stand firm. He wondered what the furious pony meant about not sharing his personal background and why he chose to keep his eye on the guard captain most of the time. Shining Armor took a deep and slightly exasparated breath as he carried out his sentence "Not guilty..."

Celestia smiled "Then I, Princess Celestia, shall carry out the sentence of the homunculi known as Greed, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, Envy, and Sloth."

Envy perked up "Hey, wait a minute! You said we aren't guilty! Shouldn't you let us go or something?"

Celestia smirked at the jealous pony "You thought you would simply walk out of here? No. I have something planned for all of you, and you have Greed to thank."

Envy gritted its teeth at the avaricious pony and growled "Thanks a lot, Greed..."

Celestia nodded "We'll discuss it over lunch once Luna returns. Until then..." She turned to Shining Armor "You may call off your guards."

Shining Armor nodded and gave a gesture to the guards as they withheld and distanced themselves from the former homunculi and back to their regular duties.

Celestia smiled "Now that that's over. Why don't we-"

Wrath interrupted "Your Majesty, if I can make a request with my new freedom?"

The princess turned to Wrath with a raised an eyebrow "Ask away, Wrath. Or would you prefer King Bradley?" She smiled.

Wrath nodded "Whichever suit you. But as for my request..." He turned to Shining Armor "I wish to engage Shining Armor in a one-on-one duel..."

Shining Armor was surprised "What? Why do you want to do this? What is your goal?"

Wrath smirked to himself "I just want to know the strength and spirit of Celestia's Royal Guard for myself. Is that too much for someone-I mean, somepony like yourself?"

Shining Armor noticed the vigor in Wrath's eye and he glared a little "You don't seem the type to be fighting anymore. I have 20 years of battle experience!" He levitated a spear to his side as he held it with a look of resolve "I don't think you'll manage against me..."

Wrath nodded "I see..." He turned his body to face Shining Armor as flared open his swordlike wings while his own eye narrowed "Let us see how 20 years can do against 40 years..."