A stunned audience stares at the conversing ancients, Sweetie Gluttonia facepalming in embarrassment while Linn and the Princess look on with dropped mouths.

“Either name is fine by me, Greed,” Solaris states. “You can even call me Sun Worm if you wish. You know, worm to worm -- we worms have to stick together. Worms of an apple-”

“Okay, stop,” Greed interrupts. “Now you’re just mocking me.”

Solaris becomes appalled by this. “What? Why -- I’d never! Besides, I’m a worm, too. Well, I’m currently an equine, but I can still BE a worm. So it doesn’t make it mockery if I’m the one doing it.” He casually drops with a shrug.

Greed deadpans. “That’s stupid logic, and you know it.”

“Noooo. It’s Solaris logic, fun logic. And you love it,” He raises a forehoof, “Come on! Team worm -- up high!”

A moment of silence plays out, causing Solaris to clear his throat awkwardly as his forelimb is still lifted.

“Ahem. This is where you say, ‘Down low!’, and we shake hands- er, hoof… and hand.”

“I’m not falling for that,” Greed responds, sighing. “Good to see that you’re as moronic as ever,” He turns away from Solaris, facing Sweetie Gluttonia. However, the sun alicorn shoots Sweetie a wink and a ‘thumbs up’ via his wing feathers.

“Let us be off, daughter. Per your request, the celebration’s preparations have already been taken care of.”

Sweetie nods, turning to Linn and Cadence. “Do you two want to come along? The Caverns are extremely lovely, and I promise that no harm will come to you both.”

“Of course not,” Greed comments with a half bow. “They’ll be my honored guests for this event,” He raises an index finger, “But only for this event.”

The duo ponders on this for a moment. On the one hand, they wanted to be there for Sweetie, especially with the baby in her womb. But on the other, this is Greed they’re talking about.

One of the most ancient threats to Terraria, just as ancient as Abaddon, Lucifer, and many more, was now just casually inviting them to his realm. Despite the assurance and presence of Sweetie Belle… this was just too bold and dangerous of a chance to take.

The duo, with regretful features, shook their heads in unison.

“I’m so sorry, Sweetie,” Linn said. “It’s just… Greed has a certain history in Terraria, as I’m sure you know…”

Cadence nods hesitantly. “It’s just too dangerous for us to be there, as much as we’d love to…”

Sweetie nods in understanding, walking up to the duo before bringing them both into a joined hug.

“We’re so sorry,” Linn said.

“It’s ok,” Sweetie responds, gently breaking away from the group’s gesture. “I’ve come to accept this about my father. Look… I know he’s done some terrible things-”

“Some terrible things?” Cadence inquires, deadpanning.

Sweetie rolls her eyes. “Okay, a lot of terrible things…” She chuckles, “But even still, and despite all of that, he’s an amazing father. The greatest, even. I can’t…”

“We understand,” Linn responds with a smile, a hand going behind her neck with sheepish laughter. “This is going to be one awkward family…” She looks over to Greed.

“No offense.”

Greed shrugs. “Meh. As I said, you’ll be safe during the duration of this event. Just don’t go down into my Caverns afterward -- accidents could happen.”

Suddenly, Solaris casually drapes a wing over Greed’s left shoulder, causing Greed to turn to them with a narrowed expression.

“Isn’t this great?” The alicorn beams a smile.

“You’re touching me…” Greed drops, annoyed.

“Everyone’s getting along so well!”

“I hate all of you.”

“Let’s turn that hate into bait and go on an ancient-bonding fishing trip! Oh! I’ll go call the Angler!”

“I’d rather be the bait and get eaten than have you lot anywhere near me,” Greed grabs onto Solaris’s wing, taking it off, “Also, stop touching me.”

Both Greed and Sweetie Gluttonia start to take their leave, the demi-ancient saying her goodbyes to the remaining Camelot Royal Family members.

Terraria’s own Trixie enters the anomaly Greed had manifested, and Solaris waves a forelimb towards his fellow ancient.

“I’ll have the fishing poles ready, my fellow worm!”

“Die.” Greed dismissively responds, entering his portal with Sweetie following close behind him, the anomaly closing shut as a series of Platinum Coins falls onto the ground.

And greedy bystanders flocked to pick up the pieces.

Both Sweetie and Greed traversed through a golden realm on an alluring mystical pathway, flickers of portals and windows emanating around them. These ‘windows’ portrayed greedy individuals indulging in their deepest desires, and streams of transparent energies of varying colorations seemingly fed the realm itself.

“So predictable,” Greed comments. “All forms of life will do nearly anything for some shiny bits and bobbles.” He chuckles. “And that’s only one form of greed. And it all flows into us, my sweet.”

Silence ensues as the duo continues their trek.

“Alright,” Greed breaks the silence. “What’s on your mind, Sweetie? It’s not often you stay silent like this -- except when you’re in thought.”

“I… I think it’s time, father,” Sweetie responds, looking away with worry on her features.

The duo paused on the path.

“You’re referring to Steven, yes?” Greed inquires, looking back over his shoulder.

Sweetie nods. “Yes…” She brings a hand over her heart, “Now that I have a child of my own… I,” She sighs, “Dad… did I do the right thing with big sister Rarity?”

Greed turns around but lets Sweetie continue.

“I took Steven away from her and Lucifer to give him a chance. If they had raised him, he would’ve become just like them. Conniving… scheming…” Her eyes reflect her sadness.

“Heartless.”

Greed closes his eyes and raises his head. “I don’t think it’s so black and white, my child.”

Sweetie jolts to attention. “What do you mean?”

Greed opened his eyes, looking at her. “Nothing that is written is ever absolute. Destiny can be defied, and fate can be changed. Absolute knowledge can always have possible misinformation, and influence isn’t always influential.”

The daughter of Greed drew a slight blank. Her father had always spoken cryptically when it came to such affairs. Riddles and philosophy that always had a meaning to them.

“I always stepped aside to allow you and your sister to live out your own lives, to make your own decisions. Along with the comfort of knowing that I will always be there to pick you up should either of you ever fall. And so, I offer you one piece of advice, daughter.”

She nods. “Yes?”

Greed raises an index finger. “Take the chance, and see what happens.”

Sweetie swallows a lump in her throat. “Y-you’re not suggesting…?”

Greed nods. “Let them meet each other.”

“B-but what if… what if her influence on him changes him. He’s made so many great friends, father. He’s… happy. I don’t want to see him lose that.”

“That’s fair. But by keeping his true nature a secret, he’s also incomplete. Besides, as I said, there’s no guarantee that will happen, but there is the chance it will.” Greed suddenly manifests a pair of golden transparent dice, their dots made of various gems with the highest value of 6 and the lowest, 1.

“Take the chance, my sweet,” He gracefully steps sideways, lowers his right arm while shaking his closed fist, and opens his palm, “And roll the dice.”

The makeshift die rattles and rolls across the path, Sweetie looking on in anticipation. The dice come to a stop, spinning in place on their edges before setting on two singular dots.

AKA: Snake Eyes.

The dice suddenly explode into golden shining energy, and this energy soon consumes the entire realm in one blinding aurora, causing Sweetie to shield her eyes.

---

Sweetie opens her eyes, shock and awe instantly taking over her features. She was now in an all too familiar setting, with beautiful and expensive furnishings decorating the room.

Her room.

However, a sudden male groan makes itself known, and the demi-ancient, with a face of recognition, turns towards an elderly man who is lifting himself up on her bed.

“Wh-what just happened…?” Steven the Clothier inquires. “I was just in Hometown, in my room preparing for the day, then this sudden golden-” His eyes widens as he notices Sweetie Belle.

“Wait… I’ve seen you in town before. Yes, you’re always with Linn and the Princess. Congratulations on the pregnancy, by the way.”

Sweetie was simply at a loss for words. “S-Steven…”

He was here. Her nephew was here.

Steven tilts his head, narrowing his eyes in curiosity. “Pardon me, ma’am, but I seem to have the faintest feeling that we know each other.” He rubs the back of his head, “It’s so strange. I know that you’re in town from time to time, but I just can’t-”

“You do know me,” Sweetie gently interrupts. “More than you could ever realize.”

Steven gawks at this before absorbing his surroundings. “I-I don’t entirely understand. Who are you, truly? And… where are we?”

Sweetie steels her nerves and clears her throat. It was now or never, and her father’s actions had now made sense to her.

“My name is Sweetie Belle Gluttonia, as I’m sure you already know,” She spins an index finger all around the room. “This place is called the Caverns, or realm of the Worm King. And, as such… this is your home by birthright.”

Steven’s eyes widened. “B-birthright? Wait, who exactly are you to me?”

Sweetie takes a breath with closed eyes, exhaling.

“I am your aunt, Steven. I’ve been your guardian without you even knowing about it… and we have a lot to talk about."

Next Chapter: Chapter 105 - Twilight's Turmoil. Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 41 Minutes