>Finally
>A long, painful week of work is over
>Even better?
>You have the weekend, and then all of next week is vacation
>You are going to cuddle that mare of yours until she breaks in half and then splits into two separate little Jackies
>Then you're going to cuddle the everloving shit out of them until they split into four
>Physics and bones be damned, that is your goal
>Hearing a distinct lack of vidya or music from your room, you gauge that everyone is in the living room while kicking off your boots
>"Hey Anon, check this out!"
>"Shhh, quiet."
>"Come on, my legs are tired..."
>"You think I'm not sore all over, and in the most annoying way?"
>Yup
>They're definitely definitely in the living room
>Sounds like a new song and dance routine
>You could go for that
"Good thing I don't feel like going to my room, I guess I better go to the living room."
>You speak as casually and as loudly as you can, much to the stifled joy of an earth pony
>You round the kitchen corner to see both Shine and Jacky sitting ramrod stiff
>Prism is laying near the furthest wall, her back to the pair and her eyes glued to a laptop screen
"You aren't gonna watch?"
>"I really don't want to."
"That's rough. Alright, what's up?"
>"Sit!"
>They speak in perfect sync
>You're a little blown away by that but alright
>You sit down with your legs crossed
"So what's up?"
>"We know that you have all of next week off so we have prepared something for you."
>Again, they speak in perfect unison
>Even their tones are the same, though it makes them sound more neutral
>Or is it focused?
"You're gonna be mimes miming each other so it's like when you set up a mirror against itself?"
>"Sorta."
>Wow
"...you're good. So are we now one voice away from a barbershop quartet?"
>"Anon?"
"...yes?"
>"I love you."
>Hearing that from Jack is always a thrill
>But
>Sparkler said it too
>Is that part of the gimmick?
>While you wonder whether or not it's ok to say that back to both of them, then stand up
>With practiced motions, they spin around once to their right and shoot up to standing on their hinds legs
>"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..."
>They point their front legs away from each other
>Like a windmill, they rotate their legs toward each other while taking a few skittering steps on their hind hooves
>You'll admit, the frontal view you're getting really isn't bad
>"sion?!"
>Their outside hind legs hike up, leading to
>Oh damn
>They're actually balancing themselves quite well
>Their front legs dart away from each other
>Rather than think that they would be looking at you, they seem to be staring dead ahead
>"HA!"
>Their final pose involves them angling themselves against each other
>The top of their front hooves clap together
>Clop
"Wow. That's some good syncing."
>Only now does it hit you
"Wait, isn't this from Dr-"
>In an instant, both ponies are enveloped in such a brilliant light that you can't help but recoil and cover your eyes
>The heat, too
>It's like a bonfire was started with jet fuel not five feet from your face

>It takes some time for you to be able to even attempt to open your eyes but the heat left as soon as it came
>As cool as you'd like to be, you can't be anything more than a flashbang victim groaning while curled up on the floor
>"Oh crap, I'm sorry Anon! I didn't think it would put out that much!"
>That sound
>They're still speaking in unison
"No. No, good trick. Glad to know I can get nuked from a dance."
>You'd like to be angry but you could settle for being able to see again
>You feel what can only be Jack's hoof petting your head while you lay there
>She's gotten a lot better at not accidently boxing you
>When you feel the sun leave your ocular cavities you manage to get a glimpse at the prime suspect
>Wait
>Suspect
>Singular
"Oh my God."
>Not only is the carpet singed, but the mare sitting before you isn't Jacky
>It isn't Sparking Shine either
>It's a bright orange unicorn with an almost blood orange mane
>And her eyes
>Pitch black, with a faint purple and green gleam behind them
>"Hey there good looking. What's cooking?"
>You feel a sickly weight drop in your stomach
>You bring yourself to sit up, unsure of what the hell just happened
"Oh my God."
>Did they
>Did they just fuse together?
>Is this some Dragon Ball shit or are we talking Megami Tensei rules
>WHERE THERE ARE NO RULES
>Mistaking your shock for glee, the unicorn giggles and ignites her horn
>And it does ignite, like a flare
>Bright red aura that flickers yellow fills the space above her head
>Until it begins to lower and spread throughout her mane
>The grin she gives is one of absolute superiority
>She stiffens her body, flexing in some ways
>Only now do you realize that she's a mix between Jack's rock solid body and Shine's scrawny form and almost shaggier fur
>"You better get ready for the fight of your life, Anon. Because I'm not holding back anymore."
>The voice
>That voice
>It isn't just like it's both of them talking at the same time
>The inflection
>The tone
>It sounds like Shine if she were more fulfilled in her desires
>Or Jackenstein if she had that more devil-may-care attitude
>Wait
>She's an actual Jackenstein now
"Oh my God."
>You sound far more manic the third time around
>Enough that it breaks her out of her show
"Oh God! Are you two dead?!"
>"W-what?! No, we're not dead you weirdo! We're just fused."
>In an attempt to regain her mojo, the fusion mare stands on her hooves and strikes a pose of bring her front down, her rear up, and raising one of her front hooves
>"I'm Lemon Burst!"
"OH GOD YO-wait."
>Granted, the pose has stirred up definitive reaction
>But the name
>You honestly forgot if Jacky ever told Shine that her name was Lemon Pepper
>Whether or not it actually is, or ever was, you have no clue
>But she said it was, so who are you to argue?
"...you're serious, aren't you? How..."
>You have so many questions and not enough brain cells to articulate them
"How did you do this?"
>Burst lays down on her side, provoking you to gawk at her body
>And you do

>"Practice. And remember when we were playing that fighting game and I kept picking those characters that were actually fused from two others?"
"And that I still kicked your ass? Damn skippy, and this new form isn't going to stop me from winning."
>Fusion Mare frowns and rolls her eyes
>The gleam makes them an absolute black hole for your attention
>But the same could be said of nearly everything else about her
>Even the horn is a fair bit longer, with the spiral three times as tight
>"Well I brought it up with Jacky and then we decided that if magic can make me turn fire to ice, and if my limit so far has been imagination... why not try to fuse? That way I can do absolutely everything."
>Burst grins again
>"Which means that I'm no longer held back by this human world. I can follow you everywhere and not just be a burden. I can use my magic for something truly befitting of my status. And I can finally do everything to you that I've always wanted to."
>The words she speaks are so violently charged with so many emotions you're wondering just how excited she is to rip you a new one
>Or rip a part of you off
>Or rip the world to pieces with the newfound ability to open doors and use utensils without requiring oral manipulation
>...
>Should you be worried about this?
"I have? Many questions."
>"Fire away, stud."
"How did you know that this would work?"
>"I knew it had to."
>Well that just beats all
>You sigh after a second of trying-and failing-to form words
"Well fucking great job at it! You almost blew both of yourselves to ashes!"
>"It's fine! We watched the anime that game was based off of and there was no issues there. We just had to be unified in our spirit and our goal."
"Do I need to ask what that is?"
>Before she can answer, you follow up
"Lemme rephrase: should I ask what that is?"
>"Yes, and yes."
>Lemon Burst's horn finally starts to subside
>Only in that the physical horn itself is shimmering, leaving her mane to droop
>It's a completely unorganized mess
>While it's befitting of Jack, you have to remember that Sparking-for some reason-always preferred her hair in roughly the same style
>You aren't sure why she prefers it but you admit that you can't see her having it any other way
>"My goal is simple. It's to be better."
>The emphasis on "better" makes it sound like the final authority on the matter
>An all-encompassing idea that you can relate to
>"And judging by your gaze... I can tell that it is already working."
>The way she lifts her higher hind leg away from the lower proves that...
>Yup
>Yes
>Yeah huh
>It's a better view
>You inhale
>Stare
>Keep staring
>...
>...
>...
>Exhale
"Maybe."
>With a sniff you force all of your male brain to scramble into a flight or fight situation
>You only choose flight for one reason; decency to third parties
"PrIsM!"
>You bark with a parched throat
"Why did you let this happen?"
>"They wouldn't listen to me and to be honest, I already know how Jacky sees you. I don't need to go deeper down that rabbit hole and I appreciate it if you leave me out of this situation."
"Oh Christ."
>Lemon Burst, picking up on your mixed dread and defeat, giggles again
>"Wanna learn why I decided on Lemon BURST?"
>This is going to hurt


>Though you had your hesitations, you lack the capacity to resist Burst
>The only pony who could help you instead raised the volume of her music to max
>You'll remember this
>After thirty seconds of being alone
>"Yes... YES! Finally, a throne!"
>...
>...
>...
>After five minutes
>"Ha, you lasted this long? Well take THIS!"
>After thirty minutes
>"You think I'll give up after this? Not a chance!"
>...
>...
>...
>After an hour
>"Don't mistake this for a break, Anon. I have over two years of hunger, and you're going to feed me."
>After two hours
>"Remember our first time? I sure do... open wide!"
>...
>...
>...
>After four hours
>"Ha ha ha ha ha! HA HA HA HA, YES!"
>After eight hours
>"This magic... I'll make it a part of you. Why else do you think you haven't been able to escape?"
>...
>...
>...
>After an... unknown... amount of time, you finally come to your senses
>You aren't sure if you actually slept, or if you were just exhausted
>As hazy as your memories are, you're not sure if you are more astonished by how everything tingles rather than feels numb
>Or by the fact that the fused mare is still in one shape
>Completely spent from the near one-sided war, she lays on top of your torso
>Gently snoring
>She doesn't at all look, feel, smell or even taste like your beloved dork
>But...
>It's familiar enough to confuse your mammalian brain
>You can tell which plays were out of Jackenstein's book
>But so much more was completely new
>Nevermind the multitude of expressions and words
>You struggle to lift your arm up
>If you could just get to your phone to check the date...
>Your strength falls short and your hand falls
>The sound of the back of your hand hitting cell phone is enough to make Burst stir
>"Hm... don't tell me, I..."
>She looks genuinely confused at first
>Even after locking eyes
>"Anon? So what we did..."
>You're not just embarrassed but far too drained to speak
>She looks behind herself and grins
>"So it wasn't just a dream. Finally!"
>Lemon Burst nuzzles into your chest so ferociously she ends it with a sudden bite
>"I'm not letting go of this. No more second best. No more dead weight. No more fear."
>Though the gleam in her eye says that she could rip a bear apart for another round, the way her front legs shake when they stretch up to reach your face says that she put herself past her limit as well
>They stop short and rest on your shoulders
>"I'm perfect now. I'll never weigh you down. We can do everything, and go everywhere."
>She yawns, going limp
>"Perfection... tha t ' s . . . m e . . ."
>Her fatigue reminds you of your own
>Your eyes close soon after

>You wake up with a sigh and a groan
>Where was once tingles are now just little needle points of tenderness
"Gah... I'm alive..."
>You say that with some sense of relief
>You really thought you were dead
>Granted, if you could choose one way to go, it would officially have to be that
>You reach down to pat Lemon Bu...
>...
>...
>Wait a second
>You recognize that mare mane
>It's the mane of your main mare
"...Jack?"
>Your neck pops at the movement
>Laying on either sides of you are Jackenstein, and Shiner
>Both of them look severely roughed up beyond mere bed head
>And...
>There is an exceptional amount of evidence of the last few days on them both to an almost perfect mirror
>At least you can establish that pony magic isn't playing on MegaTen rules
>Where there are no rules
"I... is this going to be weird?"
>Shine is the first one to move
>"Weird? What could ever be weird abo...?"
>When she raises her head to look at you with the warmest smile on the continent, she notices that you and her are not alone
>With a creeping sense of terror, she sees Jacky on your opposite side
>Curled up and sleeping as peacefully as ever
>"W... what?!"
>Shine recoils, though her spindly limbs don't have nearly enough strength to cause her to stand, nevermind even sit up
>"Impossible... IMPOSSIBLE! THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PERMANENT!"
>The horror in her scream is genuine
>"NO! NO, I... F̷̬̦̀U̷̦̲͊C̶̭̉͛K̴͇̈̾! JACKY, WAKE UP!"
>"Mmm... next time I'm wearing your hat..."
>"THERE WON'T BE A NEXT TIME, IT UNDID ITSELF!"
>The screeching makes her open her eyes
>The first thing she sees is a desperately distraught Sparky
>"...oh..."
>Rather than sound fearful, she lets out a heavy sigh
>"...don't tell me that I'm..."
>You don't know when you have ever heard her sound this sad
>Where do you step into this?
>You can't just be a passenger
"Hey, it's... it's a good thing that the fusion ended. Otherwise who knows how badly things could have turned out if something went haywire."
>Both of them look to you
>One stabbed with embarrassing defeat
>The other crushed with reality that comes only from truly sweet dreams
>"Who CARES if it went haywire? It was supposed to be permanent!"
>"...I liked being able to hold you for a change, Anon."
>How do you proceed?
>When you're talking to one of them, it's always easy
>Even when they were... technically one, it was simple enough to figure out
>But both of them refuse to let go
>Both of them were a part of that maelstrom of...
>Whatever happened
"Hey, why don't we..."
>You need to be very careful with your wording
"...lemme rephrase. Why don't I make us some breakfast? Then after that..."
>Think, Anon
>You know these girls
>These dorks
>Wait
>DORKS
"You've seen the Mortal Kombat games. But have you seen the movie?"
>Both of them perk up
>At what bait, who knows
>"Isn't the story mode the movie?"
>"You won't be long, will you?"
>So much for their synced up minds
>The way they curl up, almost defensively, shows that neither are ok with you getting up
>Whether or not it's a good sign, their movements are mirrored flawlessly
"I won't, I'll whip up something quick. And yeah, it is but I'm talking about the OG Mortal Kombat movie. The one that started it all."
>They look at each other
>Whether or not through some sense of empathy or lingering magic, they exchange a series of looks
>"Hurry up."
>"And bring juice."
>They remain staring at each other while speaking
"S-sure... any preference?"
>"Orange."
>They speak as one again
>Well alright then
>This is apparently going to be a thing
"Alrighty then. In that case, why don't I..."
>...
>...
>...
"You, uh... you gotta let go of me first."
>"I know."
>Another unified answer
"I mean it. And... maybe I should get a... a towel?"
>"No."
"...no?"
>"I'm not cleaning up."
>Their gaze shifts to you
>They share a look of intense focus
"Alright...still gonna need to get up."
>"In a minute."
>If you weren't so used to them being weird you would find this concerning