Crossover Saturday (Stumbleine meets Branded)

>*Knock* Knock* Knock*
>…
>*KNOCK* KNOCK* KNOCK* KNOCK*
Come on, Applejack…
>You sit and wait for a moment more.
>But it doesn’t seem like anyone’s answering the door.
>A little flustered, you step off of the porch and head towards a nearby window.
>You peer into what seems to be the Apples’ living room.
>…no sign of anybody…
>Swell…
>Your breath fogs up the glass as you exhale disappointedly.
>Suddenly, the quick patter of youthful feet softly rises from around the corner.
>Still peering into the window, you hear them approach and stop behind you.
…Any luck around back?
>”No, none. Sorry Anon, I don’t think anyone’s home.”
>You sigh, then turn to face your new friend.
>The only other human you’ve seen in ages.
>A young, eleven year old boy.
>Also named Anon.
>What a coincidence.
>”She’s not home. What do we do now?”
>You walk around past Young Anon and take a seat on the porch stairs.
I don’t know, buddy. We need a mare we can trust…
>…not that you completely trust Applejack after… recent events.
>But she’s the only one you can think of.
>Young Anon walks past and sits down next to you.
>”…Can I see it again?”
>You look to him…
>…he probably still can’t grasp the concept.
…Yeah, sure.
>You grip the collar of your shirt, and pull it down so the left side of your chest is visible.
>…Twilight Sparkle’s cutie mark.
>Young Anon looks it over.
>”So, if she were here, she could tell you to do anything, and you’d have to do it?”
>You release your collar and take a deep breath, followed by a satisfying exhale.
Yup. And if any other mare comes close, they replace it, and they get the power.
>The younger Anon nods.
And that’s why we need that escort. Running into any other mare could be… dangerous…
>He twiddles his fingers and nods.
>”Yeah, especially when so many of them are going through… well, you know.”
>You poke the inside of your cheek with your tongue and nod.
Exactly. And of course there’s… her, who we REALLY don’t want to run into.
>Young Anon looks to you, and throws on an awkward smile.
>”Heh. She’s like that even in the Equestria you’re from, huh?”
>You nod.
Ohh yeah.
>”…you too…?”
>You stare at him for a moment.
>…You know his meaning.
>…
…Yeah. Me too. More or less.
>You look away and stare off into the distance.
>It’s silent for a minute as the thought of the traumatizing yellow pegasus enters both of your minds.
>”…where are we going, anyway?”
>The smaller Anon’s voice snaps you from your daydream.
>You look over to him.
Oh, well… Twilight’s place, I’m thinking.
>Young Anon’s expression visibly changes.
She brought me here by accident from my Equestria… I’m thinking she should be able to send me back, too.
>Young Anon shuffles in place a bit.
>”…I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Anon.”
>You raise your eyebrow.
Why not?
>He bites his lip a bit.
>”…I dunno… she kind of creeps me out. She’s so… cuddly and… protective…”
>You laugh, and rustle his hair a bit.
>Young Anon recoils.
>But you notice that smile on his face.
C’mon, man. She’s probably just being motherly.
>…That word stings your tongue a bit as it leaves.
>He exhales a single breathy laugh, then looks off toward the path to P0nyville.
>”Yeah… I hope.”
>You join him in his gaze.
>…
>”…I have a friend that I think we can trust.”
>You both turn to look at each other.
>A friend?
>Really?
>Things might be looking up.
Who is it?
>Young Anon gets up off the stairs and stands up, stretching his back.
>”Berry Punch.”
>You let out a single sarcastic laugh.
Berry Punch? The town drunk?
>”Hey,” he says as you stand up as well, stretching your legs. “She’s really… nice. She’ll protect us.”
>You look down to your little buddy.
>His eyes so full of certainty.
>…not like you have much of a choice.
…Alright, we’ll give it a shot. Do you know where she’d be?
>”I think so.”
Good enough. Let’s go.
>”Alright!”

>You and Young Anon peer over the bush you’re hiding behind.
>There it is… P0nyville...
>The town seems nearly empty.
>Only a couple of mares walk about outdoors.
>Most p0nies must be busy inside.
>Doing work, enjoying the indoors, or…
>…Taking care of their personal needs…
>…
>You shake the thought from your head.
>You and Young Anon duck back down behind the bush.
Okay, little buddy. We can’t be seen, not by anybody. Not until we find Berry, anyway.
>He nods.
We’ll stick to alleyways and whatnot until then. Then you sneak over to the bar, grab Berry, then we head over to the library. Sound like a plan?
>”Yeah, sounds like a plan.”
Perfect.
>You and Young Anon shake hands.
Alright… let’s do this.
>You and your human companion silently make your way from the bush to the first house in P0nyville.
>Planting your back to the wall, you peer around into the open street, checking if any mares are present.
>…none.
>You look behind you and wave for Young Anon to follow.
>The two of you quickly pop out from behind cover and lightly jog over to the next house, stopping and lurking in the alley between them.
>You peer around the second corner.
>And quickly dart your head back behind it.
>”Anon, wha—“
Shh!
>You grab Young Anon’s arm and pull him behind a dumpster, sitting and waiting.
>You can hear two pairs of hooves begin to walk past, and the mumble of conversation.
>Your chest starts to burn, and you grip it tightly with your hand in an attempt to relieve the pain.
>Young Anon looks to you with worry.
>Biting your fist so you don’t groan, the pain passes, and the two voices begin to die out in the distance.
>You exhale a breath of relief, then pull down your shirt to take a look.
>“…A lyre.”
>Huh…
Not sure who this is.
>You whisper.
But it doesn’t matter. Come on, let’s hurry.
>You pop out from behind the dumpster and check the coast.
>It’s clear.
>You motion to Young Anon, and you both dart out from the alley, hurrying to a fountain and ducking behind it.
>You both put Solid Snake to shame as you crouch down and scurry along the sides, then dart to the other side of town, hiding in another alley.
>”There,” your youthful friend says, pointing to a building not too far away. “That’s the bar. She should be there.”
>You observe the building.
You sure?
>The door of the building suddenly swings open, and a magenta p0ny comes stumbling out, nearly falling over.
>”…Yes.”
>You laugh a little.
Alright, well… get her over here.
>Young Anon nods.
>”Berry!” he shouts.
>Your heart skips a beat.
>You slap a hand over his mouth and shush him.
What are you doing, kid!? Do you want us to be found?!
>”Sorry…” he mumbles through your hand.
>You really hope no one heard that.
>…well, apparently you were wrong, because the hammered Berry Punch is now looking this way.
>Young Anon waves at her to get her attention.
>She eventually spots his little arm moving and proceeds to stumble over.
>You lean against the wall in the alley and wait, for what seems like minutes, for Berry to arrive.
>Soon, your chest starts to burn once more.
>You grip your left pec and strain as the mare arrives.
>”Hey there, Anon…” you hear slurred.
>You glance over to the duo, only to see Berry Punch slap her lips onto his, burrowing her tongue deep.
>What the fuck!?
>You reach over and pull your underaged friend away quickly.
What are you doing!?
>Young Anon looks up to you like he wants to say something.
>”What are YOU doing?" Berry blurts. "Stop that!”
*Thump-Thump*
>You release Young Anon.
>”Now what’s all this…?” she walks up to you. “Another muman?”
>The smaller Anon of the two of you steps in between.
>”Berry, this is my friend. He needs your help. Could you do us a favor?”
>She stares at the little boy.
>Then smiles.
>”Sure, kid. Anything for you.”
>She strokes his hair.
>”But you gotta make it up to me later…” she says, beginning to stroke his fingers.
>What the fuck is going on?
>The youthful Anon blushes a bit.
>”O-Okay…”
>Berry smirks.
>Then she turns to you.
>”Alright, I’ll help ya out. Tell me your name.”
*Thump-Thump.*
Anon. My name’s… Anon.
>She looks to you perplexed.
>Then back to the other, smaller Anon.
>”Wait… the both of you are named Anon?”
>You two look at each other, then back to her, and both nod.
>”Huh… funny how that works.”
>She nearly falls over, catches herself, then steps out of the alley.
>”Alright, what’re we doing?”
>You step up next to her, out of the alley.
>You’re feeling far more confident now that you have a mare ally on your side.
I need you to… escort me to Twilight Sparkle’s place. Can you do that for me?
>She looks up to you.
>Then laughs.
>”What, am I your entourage?”
Heh. Yeah, kind of…
>She snorts.
>”Alright, whatever. Come on, Anons. Let’s go.”
>A feeling of mild relief washes over you.
>Finally... some safety.
>You and Young Anon step out into the open, following closely behind Berry Punch.
>She smells of wine, and she sways a little as she walks.
>You stray away from the line of houses and begin walking through the middle part of town.
>A couple more mares are beginning to show around.
>Some give you sultry looks, others mumble about you as you pass.
>But luckily, none seem to be more dominant than Berry, who is gleefully striding through town past these mares.
>One of them saunters up to the two of you with half lidded eyes.
>"Hey," she says, getting awfully close.
>You back up a bit.
>"Another human, huh...? Equipped with those... magical fingers..."
>She tries to give them a lick, but you pull away.
>"How about you and I--"
>"Hey, BACK OFF, skank!" Berry screams.
>The mare almost jumps back in surprise, eyes locked on Berry Punch fearfully.
>She glances over to you once more, then quickly trots off, looking over her shoulder at your angry ally.
>Berry keeps still, eyes focused, before swaying a bit again and laughing.
>She looks up to you.
>"...Entourage." she says with a wink.
>You're stunned... then snap out of it, giving a quick laugh and a thumbs up, before you continue walking again.
>Young Anon looks happy, proud to have made a good call.
>You let him know this through a pat to the shoulder and a smile.
>After a couple minutes of walking, and no threatening run-ins with any mares, Berry speaks up once more.
>"We're close, right Anons?" she asks over her shoulder.
>You look to your younger human friend, who nods.
>You nod too. You know the way.
Yeah, shouldn't be too much longer.
>"Good," she says. "Because I'm dying for a--"
*CLINK* *Clink* *Clink*
>The sound of glass hitting the ground, then rolling, grates against your ears.
>A full bottle of wine careens past you.
>Berry Punch snaps to attention.
>"Hey!" she calls, beginning a drunken sprint, "That's just what I need!"
>She bolts off after the bottle, which has sped off to the left, behind a few houses.
Hey!
>You yell, beginning to sprint after her
>You snag Anon's arm on your way.
Come on!
>Berry disappears out of sight around a building, and you hurry to follow her.
>She's really fast for a drunk.
Berry! Wait, come back!
>You call, no longer conscious of the dangerous stunt you're pulling.
>You round the corner and look...
>...But she's nowhere in sight.
>Panting and frustrated, you slam your fist into the house beside you.
Damnit! Our escort is gone!
>Young Anon stays silent.
I knew we couldn't trust a drunk!
>"Hey!" he starts, "That's rude! Berry Punch was just trying to help!"
>Now it's your turn to stay silent, still angry.
>"Plus, she got us really close. We can just sneak over now!"
No...
>You say.
Don't you get it? Now all those mares know we're here!
>You yell, facing little Anon.
>His face contorts to fear.
>Must be your yelling.
>But you don't stop.
Our cover is already blown!
>"Anon..."
And if ANY mare comes by, they can just tell me whatever the hell to do, and I'll have to fucking do it! We can't have that!
>"Anon...!"
What!? I'm-- ugh...
>You grip your chest as the burning sets in once more.
>Oh... no...
>You drop a knee and grit your teeth.
>What... who...
>...It finally stops.
>You quickly snag your collar and pull down your shirt, taking a look.
>...
>...Three pink butterflies.
>The blood in your veins freezes.
>"Anon... behind you..."
>You raise your head, but don't turn around.
>Not now...
>"...Is that true what you said, Mr. Human...?"
>That voice...
>You remain still.
>You look up to your friend.
...Anon, run.
>...
RUN!
>You get up and attempt to start sprinting.
>But you're tackled by something around your waist, knocking you to the ground.
>Another wine bottle crashes to the ground next to you.
>...That little--
>"Anon!" your young friend calls. "Cover your ears!"
>You lift your hands from the ground quickly, and--
>"No, don't!"
*Thump-Thump*
>You lower your hands back down.
>"Please, look at me."
*Thump-Thump*
>You spin around on your back and face the yellow pegasus herself.
>Fluttershy.
>"Anon..."
Anon, run!
>He takes a few steps back, but doesn't run, staying still, thinking of a way to help you.
>"Mr. Human, please listen."
*Thump-Thump*
>You're all ears.
>"...I love Anon, more than anything. We were meant to be together... him and I..."
>She begins to tear up.
>You're disgusted, laying on the ground forced to listen to her.
>"Anon..." you hear your friend say from behind.
Anon! I told you--
>"Please don't talk."
*Thump-Thump*
>"...Thank you."
>She looks up to the eleven year old boy standing not too far away.
>"I need him... and he needs me. I know it. Please..."
>...oh no...
>Don't say...
>"Help me catch him. Please, bring him to me."
>...
*Thump-Thump*

>You are Anon.
>Young Anon.
>And your heart just skipped a beat.
>Did Fluttershy just say...?
>She flaps her wings and hovers off of Anon.
>He stands up and stands still, unreadable from behind...
>...then he turns around.
>And gazes right at you.
>Right through you.
>...You didn't want to run before.
>But now...
>It looks like you don't have a choice.
>All is silent...
>...Then you push off your outside foot and book it as fast as you can back into the center area of town.
>You can hear the slapping of shoes against pavement start up behind you.
>Anon's giving chase.
>"Please, get him! Hurry!"
>Looks like Fluttershy isn't letting him do it alone.
>P0nies look up curiously to the sound, then leap out of the way as you sprint past.
>You aren't looking behind you, you have no idea how close he is.
>You head into the market place, jumping up and over one of the carts, hoping your childlike agility proves useful.
>But Anon isn't out of shape. You hear him begin to close it.
>Franticly, you think of the best way to get to Twilight's.
>If you cut through this alley here, you can--
>Shoot!
>You feel a pair of hands grab your legs.
>Instantly, you topple over to the ground.
>Anon dove, and just managed to snag above your ankles.
>Incapacitated on the ground, you flail your legs as quickly as you can.
>You feel your heel slide free from his grip, and it connects with what feels like his cheek.
>He stifles a loud groan behind you, weakening his hold on you.
>You can hear beating wings close in.
>Using this opportunity, you flail your legs once more, managing this time to squirm free.
>And just like that, you pop back up on your feet and take off down the alley.
>As you sprint between the reverberating walls, you fail to hear any pursuing footsteps.
>You gotta capitalize on that!
>Hurrying further and further down, you pop out the other side, into the main square.
>Darting your head back and forth, your eyes catch glance of a large tree.
>You swing your head back around to check.
>Anon and Fluttershy are at the opposite entrance, covering ground quick.
>You waste no more time, and sprint as fast as you can toward the library.
>As you get close, a sinking feeling in your chest takes over.
>But you ignore it, slamming into the door and careening into the main library area.
>Twilight, who seems to have been grabbing a book from the wall, nearly falls over in surprise.
>"Anon??" she bellows, slamming the door shut with magic and approaching you.
>"What have you been doing? Where were you? Why were you running? Are you okay? Have you been talking to other p0nies again!?"
Twilight--
>"You can't be doing that, Anon! I need to keep you safe, the world--"
Twilight!
>Your snap locks her next few words in her mouth.
Please, I need your help, another human is--
>The door bursts open again.
>There stands Big Anon, gripping his chest and wincing as he eyes out the library.
>His eyes lock with yours.
>Twilight's mouth gapes.
>She's speechless.
>He takes a step into the library.
>You step back.
Twilight...
>You say, focused on Big Anon.
>She doesn't respond.
Tell him to stop.
>You look to her.
>She's not moving.
Twilight, please...
>Anon begins walking at you faster.
Tell him!
>"I...I..."
>Anon breaks out into a sprint.
TWILIGHT!
>"STOP!"

*Thump-Thump*
>You drop to your knees, panting.
>Thank God...
>What a horrible experience...
>It... didn't even feel like you were in control of yourself at all...
>You almost... gave Anon to Fluttershy...
>You place your hands on the ground and heave.
>"Are... are you...?"
>You look up.
>Your eyes meet with the purple unicorn's.
>Twilight Sparkle...
>...No, not the same one.
>She's not your special somep0ny.
>But...
>"Are you... a human too...?"
>You take a few more stamina-giving breaths, then stand on your feet.
...Yeah... yeah, I am. I--
>A yellow blur flies into the library.
>Fluttershy positions herself above you all in the library, then locks eyes with Young Anon.
>He ducks behind Twilight.
>She then looks to you.
>"Mister, please! Get him!"
>You stare at her, still a little tired.
>Then laugh.
>You pull your shirt down, and show the left side of your chest to Fluttershy.
>Her eyes shrink, and her mouth gapes.
>Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark.
Not today, Flutterbutt.
>She's stunned.
>"I...what is...?"
>"FLUTTERSHY!"
>And just like that, she realizes where she is.
>Twilight is staring daggers into her.
>...That's an understatement.
>She's more like... staring claymores into her.
>With a quick eep, Fluttershy zooms back out the front door.
>Twilight slams it shut with magic.

>"So another human? From another Equestria...?"
>Twilight says perplexed.
>You nod.
Yeah, it... seems that way. The Twilight I know was practicing magic, and she... accidently sent me here.
>Twilight nods.
>She keeps Young Anon very close to her.
>Wow... she really is protective.
>"And... that brand on your chest..."
>You're taken aback for only a second.
>...Then you realize.
>You flaunted it to Fluttershy.
>She must have noticed it.
>How could she not have?
>You smile, then stretch the collar of your shirt down.
>Her eyes are full of bewilderment.
Some kind of forbidden spell.
>You say.
It makes me... obey whatever dominant mare is in the room.
>Twilight looks absolutely entranced.
That's why I was attacking Anon. Fluttershy caught wind of it and tried to use me against him.
>Twilight nods once more.
>"Amazing... and this was in the restricted section of the library?"
>You nod, then put your shirt back.
Yeah, but I wouldn't recommend it.
>You say with a laugh.
>Twilight smiles awkwardly.
>"So, can you send him back?" Young Anon says from behind her.
>Twilight thinks for a moment.
>"I... think so. I recall seeing a spell like that SOMEWHERE..."
>She quickly trots over to the wall of books she has, flinging out several at a time and opening them around her, scanning the pages as they orbit.
>You walk over to Little Anon and place a hand on his shoulder, watching Twilight go.
>"...Aha! Here! I got it!"
>The other books drop to the floor, and Twilight walks over with one left.
>"This should send you back to the universe you came from, so long as they are parallel... your Equestria is like this one, right?"
>You nod.
To a tee. Right down to Fluttershy's actions.
>Twilight instinctively scowls at the name as she continues to read.
>"...Got it. Okay, second Anon, I'll need your signature."
My...?
>"Just stand still."
*Thump-Thump*
>You do so.
>Twilight walks over and places her horn onto your belly.
>You can feel some kind of force pull, tingling around where her horn is touching, as if it's absorbing something.
>She releases it.
>"Good."
>She picks up the book once more, then, focusing, she closes her eyes.
>A moment passes...
>...Then, she shoots a beam out of its tip, tearing through space in the center of the room, creating a portal.
>"It worked!" she exclaims.
Yes!
>You cheer.
>You've never been so happy!
>"You're all set to go, Anon." Twilight says with a smile. "Go on!"
*Thump-Thump*
>You're free to move once more.
>You approach her and place a hand on her shoulder.
Thank you, Twilight.
>She blushes a little.
I'll make it up to you. Or, parallel you, I should say.
>You give her a wink.
>She blushes even more.
>"I, um... well... oh my, Anon~..."
>You laugh.
>You then turn to your little buddy.
Hey man,
>You start, walking over and kneel down to his level.
>Young Anon is smiling the biggest you've ever seen.
I couldn't have done it without you, bud. I owe you my deepest gratitude.
>"Of course, Anon! Us humans gotta stick together!"
>You both smile and laugh.
...Sorry about earlier.
>He doesn't say anything, then taps your chest.
>"Not your fault. Get that fixed asap, okay?"
>You laugh.
It's a promise.
>You hold out your fist.
>He holds out his own, and you two collide them together in an epic human-to-human fist bump.
Catch you later.
>Little Anon nods happily.
>You stand back up, and begin walking to the portal.
>Twilight watches with high expectations.
>Well...
>You think as you stand before it.
>...Here we go!
>You jump in, and space around you begins to contort.

>You fly out quickly, stumbling as you land and fall over.
>You hit the ground and wince a little in pain, but you quickly stand back up and brush yourself off.
>It's... dark...
>...Where are you?
>You observe your surroundings.
>It looks a little like... Twilight's basement.
>Only...
>You walk over to the structure in the middle of the room.
>...You don't remember this table being here.
>It's got straps over it.
>Like some kind of...
>...
>You quiet yourself and listen.
>You can hear mumbling from upstairs.
>You focus.
>"......do you think he made it back?"
>It's the voice of a young boy.
>Is that... Anon...?
>"I'm sure he did," you hear.
>That's most definitely Twilight.
>What the fuck...?
>"Now hurry upstairs... but first..."
>You hear a sigh.
>"A hug...?"
>"Please...?"
>It's silent.
>You begin approaching the staircase.
>"...Thank you, Anon. Now go upstairs."
>You hear the pitter patter of feet on wood.
>...You didn't leave at all...
>Suddenly, you hear the door open as light pours into the basement.
>It blinds you a little, and you back up just a bit out of instinct.
>Soon, it closes, and you can hear hooves descend the stairs.
>You know who it is.
Twilight...
>You say, just as she steps off the final stair.
What's goi--
>"Be quiet."
*Thump-Thump*
>You feel your vocal chords lock up.
>Twilight grins.
>"So... it really does work..."
>What is she...?
>You throw on an angry expression, and frantically point to your throat.
>You take a step toward her.
>"Stop."
*Thump-Thump*
>She grins again.
>Her pupils begin to shrink a little.
>...What...? Is she...
>Crying...?
>...No, those aren't tears...
>That's...
>...Blood.
>"Sit down on the table."
*Thump-Thump*
>You comply, and walk over to the table and take a seat.
>"This is toO gOod to be tRue..." she says, approaching you.
>You can't say anything.
>You can't move.
>What is she doing!?
>"Two Anons? Two humans? It's liKe a drEaM cOmE TrUe..."
>Tears of blood stream down her face.
>Your heart absolutely sinks in your chest.
>She gets really close, and grins the most disturbing smile you've ever seen.
>...You aren't leaving...
>You're stuck here...
>With...
>...
>...[MOTHER]

The End.

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