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Branded - Chapter 10 AKAME FEB 2ND, 2013

By Sodapop
Created: 2020-12-22 22:19:26
Expiry: Never

  1. 1.
    >You are Twilight Sparkle, protege of the great Princess Celestia.
  2. 2.
    >And the most heartbroken mare in all of Equestria.
  3. 3.
    >Why?
  4. 4.
    >Why had Anon said those things?
  5. 5.
    >Had he really forgotten you?
  6. 6.
    >And Fluttershy…
  7. 7.
    >Your rage swells at the thought of her.
  8. 8.
    >She did something to Anon, you know it.
  9. 9.
    >He would never stay in the same room as her, let alone be her special somep0ny.
  10. 10.
    >You limp back to town while trying to stop your tears.
  11. 11.
    >Anon needs you, you have to be strong for him.
  12. 12.
    >When you enter the outskirts of Ponyville, you see Spike walking with Sweetie Belle.
  13. 13.
    >"Hahaha- You think Rarity's bad, you should see Twilight in the morning! If I didn't wake her up, I don't think she would know what morning even is!"
  14. 14.
    >Sweetie Belle giggles at the purple dragon's boast.
  15. 15.
    >It relieves some of the pain to see Spike happy.
  16. 16.
    >"And that's not all, sometime-" *Buuuuurp*
  17. 17.
    >Spike belches out a scroll with Celestia's seal wrapped around it.
  18. 18.
    >Your assistant looks at the scroll then to Sweetie Belle and blushes.
  19. 19.
    >"Heh heh… Better get this to Twilight before-"
  20. 20.
    >You interrupt his recovery attempt by levitating the scroll towards you.
  21. 21.
    >Spike relaxes when he sees that you are the one stealing the message.
  22. 22.
    >He soon becomes worried again when he notices your broken down state.
  23. 23.
    >"Whoa, are you ok Twilight?"
  24. 24.
    >Wordlessly, you open the letter and read it.
  25. 25.
    >------------------------------------------------------------------
  26. 26.
    >My dearest pupil, Twilight,
  27. 27.
     
  28. 28.
    >It has recently come to my attention that you checked out a book from the restricted section of the Canterlot Library.
  29. 29.
    >While I normally would trust your judgement in your pursuit of knowledge, this time I feel that I must intervene.
  30. 30.
    >If I'm correct in my assumptions, the spell you attempted to cast is called "Soldiers Heart".
  31. 31.
    >The result of the spell is a marking appearing on the subject's chest.
  32. 32.
    >Twilight, you must tell me. Did you succeed? Was the spell casted successfully?
  33. 33.
     
  34. 34.
    >Urgently awaiting your reply,
  35. 35.
    >Celestia
  36. 36.
    >------------------------------------------------------------------
  37. 37.
    >The color drains from your face.
  38. 38.
    >Not only had the princess found out that you had taken a restricted book, but she was angry at you for casting that spell.
  39. 39.
    >…
  40. 40.
    >Maybe she would know what it does.
  41. 41.
    >Perhaps it's the reason Anon is acting so strange…
  42. 42.
    >You bite your lip, weighing your options.
  43. 43.
    >The sight of Anon defending Fluttershy enters your mind.
  44. 44.
    >You've made your decision.
  45. 45.
    "Spike!"
  46. 46.
    >The little dragon snaps to attention.
  47. 47.
    >"Yes'm?"
  48. 48.
    "Take a letter, and it's urgent."
  49. 49.
    >Spike pulls out a quill and paper, awaiting your dictation.
  50. 50.
    "Princess Celestia, I have indeed performed the spell, on Anonymous in fact. The marking you speak of has appeared, though I do not understand it's meaning. What exactly does the spell do?"
  51. 51.
    >The dragon continues to write as you finish your reply.
  52. 52.
    "Please respond quickly, Anon has been behaving…"
  53. 53.
    >You pause, not wanting to alert Spike or Sweetie Belle.
  54. 54.
    "Erratically… Your faithful student, Twilight. That's it Spike, send the letter."
  55. 55.
    >Spike obeys, rolling up the scroll and breathing fire onto it.
  56. 56.
    >The stream of smoke rushes off towards Canterlot as you await a response.
  57. 57.
    >You apologize to Sweetie Belle about stealing her company, before walking back to the library with Spike in tow.
  58. 58.
    >"What was all that stuff about Anon? Is he ok?"
  59. 59.
    >You haven't told him about you and Anon yet. Now doesn't seem like a good time.
  60. 60.
    "No, he's fine. Celestia is just worried about him."
  61. 61.
    >The dragon scoffs at your answer.
  62. 62.
    >"The princess is too wound up, she needs to mellow a little now and the-" *Urp* *Buuuuurp*
  63. 63.
    >Another scroll materializes from your dragon's breath.
  64. 64.
    >You hastily unwrap it and begin reading.
  65. 65.
    >------------------------------------------------------------------
  66. 66.
    >Twilight
  67. 67.
     
  68. 68.
    >This is grave news. You must bring Anonymous to Canterlot as soon as possible.
  69. 69.
    >The marking forces him to obey the mare he perceives as dominant.
  70. 70.
    >If the wrong p0nies were to discover this, his reputation, his life, and even his very being could be corrupted or lost.
  71. 71.
    >I will attempt to find a way to remove the spell, but I may need your help upon your arrival.
  72. 72.
     
  73. 73.
    >Celestia.
  74. 74.
    >------------------------------------------------------------------
  75. 75.
    >'Obey the mare he perceives as dominant…'
  76. 76.
    >So that's it!
  77. 77.
    >Fluttershy must have ordered Anon to forget about you!
  78. 78.
    >And…
  79. 79.
    >Ordered him to love her.
  80. 80.
    >Poor Anon…
  81. 81.
    >This was all your fault.
  82. 82.
    >If you could have just told him your feelings, and not found some stupid reason for him to stay with you longer…
  83. 83.
    >Maybe he'd still love you…
  84. 84.
    >You tap your head, reminding yourself of what's important.
  85. 85.
    >That's all just speculation.
  86. 86.
    >The only thing you know, is that you need to get Anon to come with you to Canterlot.
  87. 87.
    >…
  88. 88.
    >Even if you must force him.
  89. 89.
     
  90. 90.
    >You are now Anon.
  91. 91.
    >The events of this morning have left you a little drained.
  92. 92.
    >Despite Fluttershy's protests that you should stay home today, you decide to return to the Apple farm and resume working.
  93. 93.
    >The whole Applejack Rainbow Dash double team incident was probably just a one time thing… You hope.
  94. 94.
    >But you need the bits, and as they say: Money makes the world go round.
  95. 95.
    >As Sweet Apple Acres comes into view, you can make out Applejack carrying some apples into the barn.
  96. 96.
    >She notices you approaching and drops her apple buckets running over to greet you.
  97. 97.
    >"H-hey there, Sugarcube…"
  98. 98.
    >The farmp0ny stares at you for a moment before awkwardly shifting her weight around.
  99. 99.
    >"Look, Ah'm real sorry about what Ah did to ya. Ah needed relief something' fierce and, well… Ya'll could give it ta' me worrying about makin' some more mouths ta' feed."
  100. 100.
    >And~ this conversation got really awkward, really quick.
  101. 101.
    >Applejack hangs her head, trying her best not to tear up.
  102. 102.
    >Confound these ponies, they drive you to drink.
  103. 103.
    *Sigh* "Don't worry about it, Applejack. You're not the only one whose been acting up."
  104. 104.
    >She looks up at you, a small smile appearing on her face.
  105. 105.
    "Now, if you promise not to pull anything, I'd be happy to finish what I started earlier."
  106. 106.
    >She blushes, causing you to quickly clarify your statement.
  107. 107.
    "What I started in the cellar!"
  108. 108.
    >A deeper shade of red colors her face.
  109. 109.
    "…"
  110. 110.
    >"…"
  111. 111.
    "I'm just going to finish the paperwork."
  112. 112.
    >"Yeah, sounds great."
  113. 113.
    >You walk to the cellar entrance and descend the staircase, ready to complete what little work you had left.
  114. 114.
     
  115. 115.
    >After about an hour of filing, the paperwork is completely sorted and just needs Applejack's signature for a few things.
  116. 116.
    >Stepping out of the small office, you see the barrel you used for relief in your desperation.
  117. 117.
    >Next to it is a dark blotch on the ground.
  118. 118.
    >Most likely from the puddle of juices that escaped Applejack that night.
  119. 119.
    >You shake your head, ridding yourself of images of the past.
  120. 120.
    >Heading back up, you see Applejack talking with someone in the distance.
  121. 121.
    >You can't see who it is though, they seem to be wearing a cloak of some sort.
  122. 122.
    >As you approach the pair of p0nies, Applejack's visitor disappears.
  123. 123.
    >The orange earthp0ny turns to you and smiles nervously.
  124. 124.
    >"Well howdy there, Anon! All finished up in the cellar?"
  125. 125.
    >You look around, trying to find the p0ny she was speaking with.
  126. 126.
    "I thought I saw you talking with someone, was I interrupting something?"
  127. 127.
    >The orange mare avoids your gazes she answers.
  128. 128.
    >"Who, me? Nah, Ah was- uh- Ah was just talking to ol' Suntan here!"
  129. 129.
    >She motions towards the apple tree near her.
  130. 130.
    >"Now ya'll be good now, ya here?"
  131. 131.
    >Applejack shouts at the tree, attempting to convince you.
  132. 132.
    >You have to say, it almost works, minus the whole, you saw her talking to a p0ny and also…
  133. 133.
    "Trees can't talk, Applejack."
  134. 134.
    >"Well of course, not. But that don' mean they can't listen!"
  135. 135.
    >…
  136. 136.
    "Right…"
  137. 137.
    *Thud*
  138. 138.
    "Ow!"
  139. 139.
    >An apple falls from Suntan and bounces off of your head.
  140. 140.
    >You stare at the apple, then the tree.
  141. 141.
    >"She's sensitive."
  142. 142.
    >Applejack whispers, trying to hide her voice from the tree.
  143. 143.
    >No way.
  144. 144.
    >…
  145. 145.
    >Fuck it, you've seen weirder, might as well try to not get on the orchard's bad side.
  146. 146.
    "Heh, sorry Suntan."
  147. 147.
    >Another apple dislodges from the tree, this time seeming to fall at a slower rate.
  148. 148.
    >You catch it and look it over, then smile at the apparently sentient fruit-barer.
  149. 149.
    "Thanks, I'll eat it later."
  150. 150.
    >You return your gaze to Applejack and inform her of the cellar situation.
  151. 151.
    >"Hoo boy, Ah can't thank ya' enough, Anon. If Ah wasn't an Element of Harmony, who knows what could'a happened ta' us?"
  152. 152.
    >Poor Big Mac, never getting the credit he deserved.
  153. 153.
    "Anyway, I just need your signature on a few things and you're all caught up."
  154. 154.
    >"Well alright then! Go ahead and get those things ready and Ah'll be down in a little bit."
  155. 155.
    *Thump-thump*
  156. 156.
    >You nod and return to the cellar.
  157. 157.
    >This should't take more than a few minutes for Applejack to finish.
  158. 158.
    >As you set out the papers, you hear hoofsteps descending the stairs.
  159. 159.
    >Popping your head out from the cellar office, you see Applejack carrying some drinks.
  160. 160.
    >She smiles when she sees you.
  161. 161.
    >"Ah thought ya might be thirsty, Ah know Ah am!"
  162. 162.
    >The mare passes a bottle of cold apple juice to you.
  163. 163.
    >In that moment, you realize that you must have just crossed a vast desert, or ate a bucket of salt, or even-
  164. 164.
    >Thirsty is what you are, no need to come up with clever analogies.
  165. 165.
    >Who are you trying to impress anyway?
  166. 166.
    >You gulp down the bottle's contents and sigh contentedly.
  167. 167.
    "That hit the spot."
  168. 168.
    >Applejack laughs and enters the office.
  169. 169.
    >"So what do Ah have to do here?"
  170. 170.
    >You walk Applejack through the necessary procedures.
  171. 171.
    "Sign here, initial here. We need this in duplicate, this in triplicate, and this in dodeclicate."
  172. 172.
    >Several redundant forms later, Applejack looks like she's about to pass out from all the signing she's been doing.
  173. 173.
    >"Whew, is that all of it?"
  174. 174.
    "What's the matter, not used to this kind of work?"
  175. 175.
    >You chuckle at the worn out farmp0ny in front of you.
  176. 176.
    >"This ain't work, this is torture."
  177. 177.
    "Yeah, I guess that's true. The people who did this back home were always unhappy, very, very, very, very, very, very, VERY unhappy."
  178. 178.
    >You clean up the desk and file the forms in a neat folder before handing them to AJ.
  179. 179.
    "Anyways, do you mind if I head out now. Fluttershy's worried about me, and I'd like to let her know I'm ok."
  180. 180.
    >Applejack averts her eyes for a moment.
  181. 181.
    >"Right, Ah heard about ya'll… Uh- well Ah guess it's fine. Let me get ya your pay for today."
  182. 182.
    >As you follow her to the stairs, your legs give out from under you.
  183. 183.
    >You're suddenly very tired.
  184. 184.
    >A cloaked figure appears in the cellar with a flash of purple light and speaks with Applejack.
  185. 185.
    >"Is he gonna be alright?"
  186. 186.
    >"Yes, the drug you gave him just put him to sleep, though it took longer than I thought."
  187. 187.
    >You know that voice…
  188. 188.
    >"He is pretty big."
  189. 189.
    >"Come on, help me get him back to the library."
  190. 190.
    >It's that crazy purple unicorn! What is she going to do to you?
  191. 191.
    >With you're last ounce of strength, you attempt to plead with Applejack.
  192. 192.
    "Ap…ple…jack…"
  193. 193.
    >The orange p0ny looks at you with eyes begging for your forgiveness.
  194. 194.
    >"Ah'm sorry, Anon. But this is for the best, Ah-"
  195. 195.
    >Her words muffle as you fade into unconsciousness.
  196. 196.
     
  197. 197.
    "Ah! Ha- ha- haa-"
  198. 198.
    >You wake up strapped to a table in a dimly lit room, gasping for air.
  199. 199.
    >Soft orange light strains through a small window, indicating the coming twilight.
  200. 200.
    >"You're finally awake…"
  201. 201.
    >The all-too familiar voice makes your blood run cold, even while your chest burns.
  202. 202.
    >Turning your head, you can see the purple unicorn you met this morning.
  203. 203.
    >She looks like she's seen better days.
  204. 204.
    "Why did you bring me here? How did you convince Applejack to do this?!"
  205. 205.
    >The mare becomes disheartened from your questions.
  206. 206.
    >"I'm sorry, Anon. This was the only way I could get you here in such a short amount of time."
  207. 207.
    "For what?"
  208. 208.
    >Your captor looks at you, an expression of pain slowly beginning to show.
  209. 209.
    >"Anon, I'll ask again: How did you get the brand on your chest?"
  210. 210.
    >This again.
  211. 211.
    "I don't remember."
  212. 212.
    >The unicorn pauses before continuing.
  213. 213.
    >"When did you and Fluttershy begin seeing each other?"
  214. 214.
    "She's had an interest in me for a long time."
  215. 215.
    >"Yes, but when did you start to love her?"
  216. 216.
    "That's…"
  217. 217.
    >You think hard on this.
  218. 218.
    >The only date that comes to mind is yesterday, but surely you've loved her longer than that?
  219. 219.
    >Love doesn't just happen in a day, it takes time.
  220. 220.
    >…
  221. 221.
    >Why can't you remember when it happened?!
  222. 222.
    >Was it when she made all those cute advances on you?
  223. 223.
    >No… For some reason that wasn't it.
  224. 224.
    >Actually, you can't remember a single moment aside from those passes Fluttershy made at you.
  225. 225.
    >Thinking back on it, her propositioning you could easily have been misconstrued as rape, if you didn't love her already.
  226. 226.
    >None of this matters! The important thing is that you love her…
  227. 227.
    "It doesn't matter when I started doing it, what matters is that I do love her."
  228. 228.
    >The unicorn sighs.
  229. 229.
    >"I see. Anon…"
  230. 230.
    >You look away from her.
  231. 231.
    >"Anon, look at me."
  232. 232.
    *Thump-thump*
  233. 233.
    >Your head faces the purple p0ny.
  234. 234.
    >"Celestia told me about the spells effects."
  235. 235.
    "Spell?"
  236. 236.
    >Your confusion caused you to accidentally articulate your thoughts.
  237. 237.
    >"Anon… I'm going to order you to do something."
  238. 238.
    >FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!!!
  239. 239.
    >She knows about the brand!
  240. 240.
    >You struggle against your bindings, twisting your limbs in an effort to free yourself.
  241. 241.
    >"Anon-"
  242. 242.
    "Dun-da-da-daaa-da-da-DAAAAAAAAAA!"
  243. 243.
    >In your desperation, you bellow the Star Trek theme.
  244. 244.
    >"Anon!"
  245. 245.
    "Da-da-da-da-Da~Da~Da~dadada-DAAAA!"
  246. 246.
    >The unicorn raises her voice.
  247. 247.
    >"Stop!"
  248. 248.
    *Thump-thump*
  249. 249.
    >Your voice ceases going where no man has gone before.
  250. 250.
    >The mare recoils at your sudden inactivity.
  251. 251.
    >"Celestia, it is true…"
  252. 252.
    >She looks at you, tears welling in her eyes.
  253. 253.
    >"I'm so sorry, Anon. You wouldn't be like this if it weren't for me."
  254. 254.
    "Strapped to a table in a dingy room? No, I guess I wouldn't…"
  255. 255.
    >Her look of sadness grows worse.
  256. 256.
    >"Please, forgive me."
  257. 257.
    *Thump-thump*
  258. 258.
    >You open your mouth to comfort her, but she cuts you off.
  259. 259.
    >"Anon… Remember me. Remember us."
  260. 260.
    >…
  261. 261.
    *THUMP-THUMP*
  262. 262.
    >Your chest feels like it's going to burst.
  263. 263.
    >Pain fills your head as veins throb, causing you to become nauseous.
  264. 264.
    "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
  265. 265.
    >You thrash about on the table, banging your head repeatedly, adding to your already immense suffering.
  266. 266.
    >Twilight backs away slowly, horrified at the effects of her pursuit of magic.
  267. 267.
    >Your body burns with agony, nerves flooding your mind with pleas to escape this hell.
  268. 268.
    >The table is unable to withstand your spastic movements and begins to crack.
  269. 269.
    >Soon it gives way and shatters, freeing you from your imprisonment.
  270. 270.
    >You clutch your head as memories force their way into your mind all at once.
  271. 271.
    >*************************
  272. 272.
    >"A human? I've never heard of them before!"
  273. 273.
    >*************************
  274. 274.
    >*************************
  275. 275.
    >"I suppose I could try using my magic on that phone thing…"
  276. 276.
    *Beep*
  277. 277.
    >"Did it work?"
  278. 278.
    >*************************
  279. 279.
    >*************************
  280. 280.
    "What kind of spell turns hair into cheese?!"
  281. 281.
    >"A gouda one."
  282. 282.
    >*************************
  283. 283.
    >*************************
  284. 284.
    >"Everyp0ny knows that the sun orbits our planet!"
  285. 285.
    "Not where I come from. You see, the sun has a larger mass than our planet…"
  286. 286.
    >*************************
  287. 287.
    >*************************
  288. 288.
    >"Celestia has some kind of test for me. What if I fail it?!"
  289. 289.
    "Don't worry, she'll think you're great."
  290. 290.
    >"How do you know?"
  291. 291.
    "Because I think you're great."
  292. 292.
    >*************************
  293. 293.
    >*************************
  294. 294.
    >"I'm so sorry Anon. I- I didn't mean-"
  295. 295.
    *Cough* *Cough* "It's better than a newt at least."
  296. 296.
    >*************************
  297. 297.
    >*************************
  298. 298.
    >"Go home Anon."
  299. 299.
    >*************************
  300. 300.
    >*************************
  301. 301.
    >"Ah!"
  302. 302.
    >"Ah!"
  303. 303.
    >"Ah!"
  304. 304.
    >"Ah~!"
  305. 305.
    >*************************
  306. 306.
    >*************************
  307. 307.
    >"I love you… Anon."
  308. 308.
    >*************************
  309. 309.
    >*************************
  310. 310.
    >"Forget about Twilight."
  311. 311.
    >*************************
  312. 312.
    >Drool leaks from your mouth as you scream.
  313. 313.
    "RAAAAAAAAAGH!"
  314. 314.
    >Your fist collides with the ground, cracking the solid wood from the force and gashing open your knuckles.
  315. 315.
    >Blood seeps from your wounds and splatters the room as you swing.
  316. 316.
    *Crack* *Crack* *Crack* *Crack*
  317. 317.
    >A small crater now stares back at you from the floor.
  318. 318.
    >You stop pounding the ground, and cry.
  319. 319.
    >Seeing your newly subdued self, Twilight slowly walks up to you.
  320. 320.
    >"Anon?"
  321. 321.
    >You throw your arms around her and cry into her mane.
  322. 322.
    "What the fuck is wrong with me, Twilight? Am I just some cosmic plaything? Do I want this? I can't tell what this thing made me do and what I would have done regardless…"
  323. 323.
    >Twilight wraps a hoof around you and nuzzles you.
  324. 324.
    >"Shh~ It's ok."
  325. 325.
    >A wet warmness dampens your back.
  326. 326.
    >Twilight is crying as well.
  327. 327.
    >You burry yourself deeper in her neck while the sadness purges itself from you.
  328. 328.
    "I'm just so… fucked up."
  329. 329.
    >You wish you could hold each other in this comforting embrace forever, but slowly, you pull yourself away from her.
  330. 330.
    >The light has dimmed since you last saw it.
  331. 331.
    >You look out the window to gauge it more appropriately.
  332. 332.
    >…
  333. 333.
    >It hasn't dimmed, it's just being blocked.
  334. 334.
    >A dark silhouette prevents the light from entering the window fully.
  335. 335.
    >It stares at you with teal eyes.
  336. 336.
    "Ah- ah- AAAAAAHHHHHH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
  337. 337.
    >You scramble away from the window.
  338. 338.
    >The teal eyes pierce your mind, your soul.
  339. 339.
    >They surround you, mocking in their sight.
  340. 340.
    >"Love me~"
  341. 341.
    >"He he he!"
  342. 342.
    >"Love me~"
  343. 343.
    >"Love me~"
  344. 344.
    >"Love me~"
  345. 345.
    >"He he he he he he!"
  346. 346.
    "T-Twilight! Help!"
  347. 347.
    >You tremble behind your only source of protection. The only thing you have left in this world.
  348. 348.
    >Twilight snaps her head towards the window.
  349. 349.
    >There's nothing there. The eyes are gone…
  350. 350.
    >Your protectors gaze slowly returns to you.
  351. 351.
    >"Anon, we have to go to Canterlot. Princess Celestia said she would help us find way to lift the spell…"
  352. 352.
    >You stare at the window while you speak.
  353. 353.
    "Y-yeah…"
  354. 354.
    >The purple protector helps you up and begins to ascend a staircase.
  355. 355.
    "Twilight…"
  356. 356.
    >"Yes, Anon?"
  357. 357.
    >She stops and looks back at you.
  358. 358.
    "Please don't leave me alone until this is over… I don't think… I could go through that again."
  359. 359.
    >Twilight backs up to your side and smiles up at you.
  360. 360.
    >"I'll stay with you, always."
  361. 361.
    >Her reassurance calms you, and together, you begin the journey to Canterlot.

A message to all horsefuckers

by Sodapop

Amor fati

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Some old as fuck pastebin that some anon wrote back in 2014 but i wrote the[...]

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[WH] AN ECCENTRIC HOST (JUN 23 2014) DIATOMIC-GE

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(MLO) Mothershy *Finished* GOOD_GUY DEC 9TH, 2013

by Sodapop