Branded - Chapter 12

>"Are you ever going to get up?"
>You paw at the purple unicorn standing next to your bedside.
"Mmmm, five more...  zzz..."
>Twilight sighs as she nuzzles your head.
>"Fine... I'll help you get started."
"Zzzzz..."
*Splash*
"VIBRATION IS BACK!"
>You shout as cold water is poured over you.
>The bedsheets become soaked by the icy cold torrent, forcing you to leave the once comfortable mattress.
>Twilight removes the covers while wearing the biggest grin you have ever seen.
>How did she even get water that cold? It's like she stole water from the resting place of the Ponetanic or something.
"Y-y-you'-r-re e-evil-l-l."
>Your ominous glare is somewhat undermined by your chattering teeth.
>Twilight rolls her eyes and smiles at you.
>"Yeah, yeah. Go ta-"
>She stops herself.
>"Uh... A shower will warm you up. I know how much you love your morning routine!"
>The studious mare's eyes dart around the room before settling on you, accompanied by an awkward smile.
>Reluctantly, you shuffle to the bathroom.
>Does it matter though? It's not like they'll have a-
>The bathroom lights turn on as you enter, revealing the throne of all thrones.
>A solid gold toilet worthy of King Midas himself glows in the corner of the restroom.
>You can feel the tears welling in your eyes as you close the door.
>It's... beautiful!
>Moments later, you are taking the most elegant shit of your life.
>They even have toilet paper.
>Maybe this is a room reserved for foreign dignitaries?
>Ending your idle thoughts, you finish the first of the SSS and strip before beginning the second in a, you guessed it, gold shower.
>…
>Maybe not everything needs to be gold.
*Shhhhhhhhhhhhh*
>The brief shower warms you from your hypothermic state and helps you mentally prepare yourself for the day.
>That Machina character had said there might be a chance that the brand could be removed.
>It's not much, but a candle is better than nothing in the darkness.
>You can't just live your life being a slave to whichever mare can manage to get you alone.
>As hard as she tries, Twilight couldn't protect you forever.
*Sigh*
>Twilight...
>When this is over, you should take her out again. Treat her to a dinner that is actually romantic.
>That's what couples do, right?
>You smile to yourself.
>Of course, you could always take a shower afterwards...
>The shower handle squeaks as you shut off the water.
>As luck would have it, you manage to find a towel on a stand closeby and use it to dry off.
>Unfortunately, however, there is no razor for you to shave with.
>Two out of three, not bad.
>Though you will have to bump the castle down to a 4.5 stars rating, instead of 5.
>Twilight greets you as you exit the bathroom.
>"Ready to go, Anon?"
>You grab your shirt from the floor and put it on.
"Yeah, but can we get breakfast first? I'm starving."
>You ruffle Twilight's mane, eliciting an annoyed laugh.
>"Of course! We'll stop by the mess hall for a quick bite before meeting with Machina."
>With that, you follow Twilight out of your quarters and to the mess hall, before heading to the castle proper.

>To say that the Canterlot Library is big, is incorrect.
>To say that it is colossal, is incorrect.
>To say that it is singlehandedly the most prodigious housing of books that this, or any other dimension will ever see, might come close to describing the sheer scale of the building you now stand in.
>You're pretty sure foals have gotten lost in here and were never found again.
>They probably still wander the aisles, hunting p0nies foolish enough to enter their world of the written word...
>"Ah, Ms. Twilight Sparkle and Anonymous, good to see you both."
>You both search the area for the disembodied voice's source.
>"Up here."
>Slowly, your faces drift upwards and you see a somewhat large unicorn standing on a tall bookshelf.
>Well, the side of the bookshelf, actually.
>Machina slowly walks down the shelf and calmly stands next to you.
>You blink in disbelief at his defiance of the most deadly son of a bitch in space.
>"Ms. Sparkle, it's an honor. We've never been properly introduced, I am Head Librarian Machina, at your service."
>The gray stallion places a hoof across his chest and prostrates himself to Twilight.
>"Oh no, I'm the one who should be honored! You're one of- no, you're THE leading authority on Magic Theory. I read your Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Magicis when I was studying the fundamentals of magic casting with Celestia!"
>Machina's eyes widen when Twilight mentions his work.
>"For you to understand those complex theorems at such a young age... No wonder you were able to decipher the 'Soldier's Heart' spell."
>'Soldier's Heart'? Was that the spell that had branded you?
>"Ah, that's right..."
>Machina renews his easygoing stance stance and looks between you and Twilight.
>"It's fortunate that you both are here. Ms. Sparkle, I will need your help in finding a way to remove the spell."
>Twilight tilts her head in confusion.
>"Me?"
>The scholar chuckles at Twilight's bewilderment.
>"You read my work, what's the first thing to do when dispelling a piece of long-lasting magic?"
>Twilight closes her eyes and thinks for a moment.
>...
>...
>...
"Uh- Twili-"
>"TURN THE SPELL ON ITSELF!"
>Her exploding voice blasts you into a nearby bookshelf as it resounds through the library.
>Fortunately, Machina catches you in a gray field of magic before you hit the wall of knowledge.
>He turns to Twilight like a proud teacher while he places you carefully on the ground.
>"Very good!"
>You feel the air grow cold around you as the library distorts.
*Flash*

>You are standing in a... void? You guess?
>The whole place is a featureless, white nothing.
>'Hi... I'm a mac...'
>No really, you swear that you can hear it.
*Gasp*
>"Is this a Zero-Point Dimension?!"
>Twilight studies the white void intently.
>You're not sure what she's looking for, the emptiness is all-consuming.
>"Yes, I often use this place when creating new spells. We have free access to the library from here with but a thought, and we do not need to worry about damaging anything through our tests."
>Machina notices you tense up when he mentions damaging things.
>"N-not that we will need something that drastic, of course!"
>His unconsidered words do little to calm you.
"So, what's the plan?"
>"Simple really. Ms. Sparkle?"
>Twilight ceases her analysis of the fascinating nothingness upon hearing her name.
>"Order Anonymous to be subject only to himself. Exactly like that."
>"O-order..."
>Twilight hesitates, an uncomfortable air showing around her as she faces you.
>She takes a deep breath before she speaks.
>"Anon..."
>All senses focus on your mare.
>"You are subject only to your self."
>...
>"Did it work?"
"I- I don't know."
>Machina regards you carefully.
>"Hmm... Ms. Sparkle, please order Anon to jump."
>Your gaze meets with Twilight's again.
>"Ok... Anon, jump."
*Thump-thump*
>You hop in place.
>Shit.
>"Oh..."
>Twilight sulks at your obedience.
>"Damn, I was worried about this."
>The gray unicorn scrunches his face in concentration for a moment.
>Several ancient tomes are pulled from thin slits in space, along with another volume that you and Twilight recognize.
>The book that started this obsequious ordeal floats in front of you.
>Machina hoofs through one of the aged journals he summoned as you and Twilight stand in discomfort.
>Even though it was Twilight doing it, you don't like being ordered around like some dog.
>Judging from Twilight's expression when she had commanded you, she wasn't too keen either.
>"Grr... Of course it has a negative feedback loop."
"What does that mean?"
>The academic p0ny speaks without stopping his reading, his face scrunched into a frustrated grimace.
>"It means that you cannot just be ordered to be free, the spell will not close itself off or dissipate itself."
>Twilight's mane falls over her face as she hangs her head.
>"I'm sorry, Anon."
>You smile at the purple unicorn and tousle her hair.
"Hey, that was only the first try. We'll get this!"
>Twilight perks up at your hopeful words.
>"Yeah!"
>You both turn to the gray stallion standing to the side.
>"Hmm…  Well, at least we can minimize future problems. It seems the spell will accept a command to obey only one specific mare."
>Keeping his snout buried in his book, Machina points a hoof at Twilight.
>"Ms. Sparkle, order Anon to obey only you."
>The stallion's bluntness surprises you, but this does make the most sense. Only Twilight would be able to control you and since you're already together, there wouldn't be any…
>Rape.
>"I- I-"
>Twilight shakes her head.
>"I can't do that!"
>She…
>…
"What?"
>Twilight bites her lip and backs away from you.
>"Ms. Sparkle, please tell us why you won't."
>Machina presses her, trying to elicit a response.
>"I just can't. There has to be another way!"
>"Ms. Sparkle, this IS the most efficient way at our disposal, to protect Anonymous."
>You take a step towards Twilight and reach out to her.
"Twilight, it's ok. It's just an order-"
>"No it's not!"
>Her voice cracks when she screams.
"Twilight… "
>"I'm so sorry, Anon. *Sniff* I know that you are depending on me *Sniff* But I'm afraid."
>You kneel next to the trembling mare and stroke her neck.
"Afraid?"
>You see the dread in Twilight's eyes when she tearfully gazes at you.
>"Fluttershy made you forget about me. She made you love her! What if I were to do something like that?!"
>You wipe away Twilight's tears as she continues.
>"And the way you screamed when I ordered you to remember... I thought I was hurting you! What if I change you somehow? Make you something you're not…  I- I don't want you to change! I love YOU!"
>She tightly embraces you, her tears staining your shirt as she whimpers into your chest.
>You wrap your arms around her and give her a reassuring squeeze.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine! I'll just be under your control and no one else's. I trust you."
>"But that's just it, Anon... I don't!"
>Twilight's voice quiets to a whisper so only you can hear.
>"I- I'm still in heat and-"
"Twilight, we're already dating, I don't think that-"
>"You're not listening to me! Last night- Last night I-"
>She details how she clopped next to you several times last night.
>Each time after which she would attempt to sleep, only to reawaken with a stronger burning sensation.
>It must have killed her to for you to be that close, knowing that she could use you for her relief.
"Twilight…"
>"I'm so fucked up, Anon."
>That was the first time you have ever heard Twilight swear.
"Heh…"
>You begin to laugh.
>"Heh, heh, heh… Ha ha ha ha!"
>Twilight stares perplexingly at you, trying to understand why her coltfrien- er, boyfriend is laughing at her.
>"Anon?"
"We're all a little fucked up, Twilight. You and I, just happen to make each other a little less fucked up when we're together."
>A smile begins to form as the purple mare processes your advice, but it is quickly dispelled by a frown.
>"I'm sorry, Anon. But I just don't trust myself to be your sole commander. What if I-"
>You hold her hoof in your hand and pull it to your chest.
 *Thump-thump*
>	*Thump-thump*
 *Thump-thump*
>   *Thump-thump*
 *Thump-thump*
>*Thump-thump*
 *Thump-thump*
>*Thump-thump*
>Your hearts beat as one for a brief moment while you embrace Twilight.
"I understand, Twilight, but this is the best way…"
>The stallion to your side chimes in, reminding you that you and Twilight are not alone.
>"Here's a suggestion: Why not just order Anonymous to not obey Fluttershy?"
>Machina's idea could work. It would prevent you from being ordered by Fluttershy and would ease Twilight's mind.
>Glancing into the purple eyes you've come to love, you ready yourself to move forward.
"Is that ok, Twilight?"
>"I- I guess so."
>Twilight's uncertainty shows, but she puts on a strong face and takes a deep breath.
>"Anon, never obey Fluttershy again."
*THUMP-THUMP*
>You fall onto your side, prompting a worried cry from the purple unicorn.
>It fells like someone just punched you in the temple.
>Propping yourself up, you give Twilight a reassuring smile.
"I'm ok, I'm ok."
>She squees while she hugs you, nuzzling your face affectionately.
>"Eh-hem."
>Twilight helps you up and you both glance at Machina.
>"There are a few things that you should know, since you refused to take my suggested route."
>His words echo across the void.
>"First, any new orders given to Anonymous will supersede old ones, so we must still be careful. Second, Metaphysical commands like the one Ms. Sparkle just gave, are enormously taxing on Anonymous' mental state and should be avoided."
>Your silence continues.
>*Sigh* "Lastly... there might be a way to remove the brand that we CAN use."
"What?"
>"You knew of a way to remove it and you didn't tell us?!"
>Twilight is fuming.
>Seeing her paw at the ground and beginning to snort, you stroke her mane in an effort to calm her down.
>Reluctantly, she abandons her hostile pose and stands up straight.
>The timeworn books all disappear in a similar manner to their appearance, leaving only the three of you in the void.
>"I'm sorry, it is a spell that has only recently been finished. I would have liked to avoid it, but the longer this drags on, the worse off Anonymous will be."
>This is very true.
>Even with Fluttershy unable to command you now, how long until Applejack or Rainbow Dash catch you away from Twilight?
>Or worse, Rarity.
>She couldn't possibly protect you 24/7 for the rest of her life.
"All right."
>The silver maned stallion nods and you feel the air grow cold once more.

>As the warm sunlight shines on your face through the grand Library windows, you can't help but smile.
>You'd love to see Fluttershy try to rape you now!
>...
>What the fuck is wrong with you?
>No, seriously, who the fuck want's to see themself get raped?
>Twilight approaches her scholastic hero as you try to regain your obviously lost sanity.
>"Exactly what spell do you have in mind, Machina?"
>The gray stallion sways slightly, fatigue showing on his face.
>Was he tired from just two teleports?
>Well, six, but Twilight could easily perform over a dozen without showing any signs of exhaustion.
>Then again, she IS the most magical p0ny in Equestria…
>"It's a spell that I have been working on my whole life. It's the culmination of all my years of Magic Theory and the work of previous generations of my family. I need to grab my notes before we can begin."
>He shakes his head to regain focus.
>"This won't hurt Anon, will it?"
>Twilight gives Machina a very serious look.
>It's so adorable!
>"No, it shouldn't. I'd be happy to show you my notes, if you would like."
>"Please."
>You walk up to Twilight and rub behind her ear.
>"Anon~"
>She feigns a whine at you, though the underlying enjoyment is easily heard.
>Oh right, sensitive ears.
"Heh, sorry."
>"Very well. If you are ready, I will show you to my study."
>Following Machina, you venture deep into the recesses of the Canterlot Library.

>"The restricted section?"
>Twilight studies the many works situated on several shelves in a large circular room.
>"Yes and no, many of my family's spells are indeed contained here, but only the low level ones like astral projecting or creating weapons of pure magic."
"Or mind control…"
>Machina pauses.
>"Yes."
>A soft rumble reverberates through the room as a pale gray glow surrounds Machina's horn.
>The floor opens to reveal a staircase descending into darkness.
"Why is it always the basement?"
>"It's not. That way is to fool possible intruders who think just like you."
>Machina walks to the other end of the opening, opposite the top of the staircase.
>He sticks out a hoof over the crevice and begins to walk.
>Up.
>He climbs an invisible staircase as you and Twilight stare in awe.
>"Come on. My lab lies in the sky."
>You and Twilight stand at the foot of Machina's stairway to heaven, contemplating taking the leap of faith.
>Twilight is the first to brave the ethereal incline, shakily moving up the first few steps.
>She peeks back at you over her shoulder, seeming to float in the air.
>"It's not so bad, Anon! Once you get used to it…"
>One nervous gulp later, she begins to ascend once more, leaving you alone in the library.
>Nowhere to go but up, you guess.
>Carefully, you raise a foot then slowly lower it over the chasm.
>It meets something reminiscent of glass.
>You apply more pressure and lift yourself into the sky.
>Telling yourself not to look down, you follow Twilight and rise upward.

>As you climb, the scenery waxes to an open sky, overlooking all of Equestria.
>You can see the castle below you, along with Ponyville and the Everfree in the distance.
>The sun shines across the land, more beautiful than you could imagine.
>You wonder if this is what pegasi feel every time they fly…
>Soon, the sky grows dark and gives way to the reach of space.
>A large floating building comes into view between the sun and the moon.
>The stars flicker while comets hurdle through the aether.
>Machina sure has a flare for presentation.
>When you reach the laboratory, you see Twilight running to and fro examining objects excitedly like a filly eying her presents on Hearth Warming Eve.
>"Ooh, ooh, this is a barometer! And this is a hydrometer! And- and- *Gasp* Is that a necrometer?!"
>That's the love of your life, graciously studying her surroundin-
>"Sweet Celestia, an original copy of the Pony Sutra… Oh my~ I'll need to try this later…"
>…
>Well, she's still the love of your life… and dear god, the things you are going to do with her when this over.
>Ha, ha, ha~ Total vaginal muscle control.
>You adjust yourself as Machina approaches you levitating a silver container roughly the size of a cigarette case.
>He opens the case, revealing a collection of syringes filled with multi-hued liquids, and removes the syringe stocked with a glowing blue substance.
>Craning his neck to the side, Machina inserts the needle into a vein and presses down on the plunger with his magic.
>His veins expand as the fluid is absorbed into his blood stream, but soon return to their normal state.
>"This stuff is getting less effective…"
>The stallion closes his silver case with a *click* and sighs.
>He notices your prying eyes and speaks.
>"I've been up  for two days straight, not counting today. That stuff is concentrated magic that replenishes my reserves. I'm going to need it if I want to help you."
>That's comforting.
>"I should probably warn you about the spell we'll be using on you."
>That, is even more comforting.
>"As long as Ms. Sparkle listens to me, you should be fine. If not… I can't really predict the results."
>Well, now you are just plain relaxed.
>Your life and mental wellbeing are in the hooves of a junkie scholar armed with experimental, unpredictable magic.
>Don't panic, everything will be fine… right?
"Great."
>"Follow me then. Ms. Sparkle! Please come along as well!"
>…
>"Ms. Sparkle?"
>Twilight is sitting on her haunches and speed reading through several old volumes of literature, discarding them as she finishes.
>A large stack of books dealing with magical properties of living creatures lies in her discard pile, and she's working on a nice sized heap of books about interspecies physical relations.
>Why this stuff is in Machina's personal collection, you'll never know.
>You walk up behind Twilight and read over her shoulder.
>A common area ignored by most interspecies partners is-
"I'll have to remember that spot~"
>"AHHH!"
>The purple p0ny screams and jumps into the air.
>You catch her as she returns from orbit and look into her eyes.
"Come on, we can study this stuff later."
>Her face changes from its usual purple to a cute shade of magenta.
>"O-okay."
>You cradle the bookish mare, transfixed by her gaze.
>"Eh-hem."
>Your face joins Twilight's amongst the catalogue of crimson colored countenances.
>"Sorry to interrupt, but the sooner we perform the spell, the better off we'll be."
>You place Twilight back on the ground and you both proceed to shuffle back and forth awkwardly before following the gray stallion.
>He leads you into an immense glass chamber filled with research materials.
>Through the scattered papers and hastily written notes you can see the horizon below you.
>It's a little disorienting actually.
>"This is the spell."
>Twilight scans the room, confused as to which paper the large unicorn meant.
>"Which one?"
>"All of them. Each page is a piece of the spell."
>You pick up a page and attempt to decipher its contents.
>Ten seconds later, you give up. You recognize the letters, but the words might as well be written in ancient Babylonian.
"Can you give us the short version?"
>Machina thinks for a moment then begins his lecture.
>"It's difficult to summarize properly, but the spell is more or less something that will allow Ms. Sparkle and I to interact with you on a subconscious level. 'Soldier's Heart' is a spell that binds itself to your mind, hence why you are unable to disobey an order once it is received. By entering your mind, we will effectively be able to sever the link between the spell and yourself, thus dispelling the brand."
"Well that doesn't sound too bad."
>Yes it does.
"What do I have to do?"
>"YOU will be unconscious."
>…
"What?"
>The stallion stares you down.
>"If you were awake, it would be too risky to enter your mind."
>"What do you mean?"
>Machina turns to Twilight and explains.
>"Tell me Ms. Sparkle, how many thoughts does the average p0ny have in any given minute?"
>Twilight thinks for a little while, but is unable to come up with an answer.
>"This could range from tens to hundreds of thoughts in the span of minutes, but it is not those thoughts that are the problem. It is base impulses, countless ideas and scenarios the mind creates on a whim. Scenarios like, 'What if Twilight were to die?' or 'I wonder what a giant dildo rampaging through Celestia's anus would look like?' ideas like that manifest in your mind, where Ms. Sparkle and I will be."
"Th… That last example was-"
>"In other words, your thoughts would interfere with our mission to free you."
"Yeah, but about that thought you vocalized-"
>"Once Ms. Sparkle and I enter your mind, we will navigate our way to your core and break the spell. Ms. Sparkle, are you ready?"
>You look down at the purple unicorn at your side.
>She looks to you for reassurance, which you give by nodding.
>"Yes."
>Machina smiles and levitates his silver syringe case into the room along with a chair for you to sit in.
>As you take a seat, he opens the canister and removes one of the syringes filled with a green fluid.
>You feel the needle press against the base of your neck, behind your collar bone.
>"Anonymous?"
>You pause, you never were one for needles, but if it's the only way…
>Twilight places a comforting hoof on your hand.
"Do it."
>More pressure from the needle causes it to pierce your skin and you feel its contents enter your veins.
>A warm sensation spreads through your body as your vision blurs.
>The last thing you see is Twilight's loving eyes before your slip into unconsciousness.

>You are Twilight, companion of the now unconscious human, Anon.
>He is sleeping peacefully. Machina has given him a sleeping potion powerful enough to make Anon sleep for several hours.
>"Alright, Ms. Sparkle, are you ready to begin?"
>Taking a final look at Anon, you face the silver stallion.
"Yes, let's save Anon!"
>"Of course."
>Machina closes his eyes in concentration.
>The room swarms with gray magic that begins to circle Anon.
>A bright beam from Machina's horn strikes you in the chest while another ray connects to Anon.
>Your vision distorts into a tunnel and Machina's study vanishes.

>Where are you?
>Tall glass buildings pierce the sky.
>There isn't any kind of plant life in sight and everything has a very rigid and sterile fell to it.
>The ground seems to be made of something similar to stone, but is gray and rough, not smooth like the streets in Canterlot.
>A black path divided by a yellow line runs between the buildings.
>A road of some sort?
>Surveying your surroundings, you see several more structures.
>Blue receptacles with markings resembling letters.
>Giant metal containers filled with trash.
>So this is Anon's mindscape?
>Machina trots next to you as you navigate the urban jungle.
>"I've never seen anything like this. Could this be what Anon's home was like?"
>Anon had told you stories of humanity's accomplishments before, but you had always doubted him.
>But seeing these structures is very convincing and you find yourself wondering if more of Anon's whimsical tales were true.
>You enter an area filled with signs adorned with bright, flashing lights.
>Anon had called these, 'neon signs' you think.
>They were beautiful, but their presence only serves to confuse you even more.
>You have no idea where you are going.
"What exactly are we looking for?"
>"Admittedly, I'm not sure. I'm an expert on p0ny psychology, but humans obviously have a vastly different sense of aesthetic. Likely the most notable structure though."
>In the distance, you see a large construction looming over other buildings.
"What about that?"
>The scholar follows your pointing hoof and sees the massive structure.
>"Might as well try it, we have no other leads."
>And so, the odyssey through Anon's mind begins.