Scrolls levitated through the air before landing squarely on the table in the middle of the vast library Anon and Twilight found themselves in. “These here, Anon, are maps of all the known magical disturbances to happen within the past thousand years.” She opened them up, pointing her hoof to one of the anomalies. “See how the magical energy around the area is disturbed and put out of balance?”

“I think so?” Anon said, scratching his head like the confused ape he was.

“Most of the disturbances are of a similar size and nature, but this latest one is a bit different.” She grabbed a makeshift map, one she must have made herself, and plopped it beside the other maps. “For starters, and mind the crude work, it’s bigger than the others, and is producing a different frequency of magical waves. It’s… off-putting to say the least.”

“Sooooooo,” Anon began. “Does that mean it poses a threat to the world, or is it off-putting in another way?”

“That’s the thing, Anon. I’ve never seen anything like this, and I don’t think anypony else has either. Either way, you are connected with it; the magic within you is of the same make, and that makes you vital to this investigation. Without the research I can gather from studying you, I wouldn’t be able to figure this out at all.”

“Speaking of that, you aren’t gonna poke me with any needles or sit me in a chair, and force my eyes open to see the horrors of war, are you?”

Twilight squinted her eyes. “No. What? Why would I? Never mind… What I need to do now is get us close to the anomaly, and see how each of our forms react to being in close proximity. Don’t worry, I can say with ninety percent certainty that everything will be fine.”

“Ummm, what about that other ten percent?” Anon raised a cautious brow.

“Certain death filled with agonizing pain from the magical imbalance the anomaly would put on our bodies. But don’t be afraid, Anon. This is for science, and what’s life without a little risk sometimes?”

Anon’s eyes went hollow. “A life well lived.”

“Then you’ll have no issues doing this experiment then, Anon.” She magically scooped him from where he was standing, and began to walk down one of the crystal castle’s many halls in order to reach the front door. “With a life well lived as yours, dying for science should be considered an opportunity.”

Anon struggled with all his might, tossing and turning every which way in order to escape Twilight’s magical grasp, but it was to no avail. Sighing, he crossed his arms, and put on his best 'pouty’ face as he was carried out of the castle.

* * * *

Twilight hummed happily as she flew through the air. Anon, however, was yelling at the top of his lungs for any of the ponies below him to listen to his pleas, as the mad mare he decided to work with forcefully carried him closer and closer to the anomaly that could spell his doom.

“Oh my cotton socks, could one of you little fucking horseshits help me out here!” Anon exclaimed, his voice cracking near the end.

But nopony listened.

I can’t believe, for once, I wish Thing was here to just assimilate everypony in her path, if only to save me from this situation. God, I’m such an ass.

“Hey, Sparkles! I’m not so sure this is a good idea? If we do die from this, then what are we gonna learn in heaven, or more likely, hell?”

Without skipping a beat, she replied. “That satisfaction in learning something new is absolute.”

Anon shut up instantly, stunned by her lack of foresight. Maybe the anomoly is playing tricks on her brain, ‘cause Twilight might do dumb shit, but nothing this stupid.

Anon then remembered one particular episode of the show where she caused a friendship problem in order for her to solve it, because it would appease her demi-god master, Celestia.

On second thought, maybe this is just in line for her after all.

Suddenly, Anon felt his chest grow heavy and his mind grow foggy. He reached a hand to his head, trying to cope with the growing haziness. “Jeez, what’s going on? I feel like I just got off a particularly rough carnival ride.”

Twilight felt what Anon was feeling, and sensed her magic start to grow more and more unstable, making her drop Anon a couple inches before catching him again.

“Fucking hell, you alright? Don’t tell me, we’re moments away from the anomaly, and we are about to see some serious shit?”

“Yes, now quiet down! I’m barely able to keep you floating with me as is.” She grunted, and slowly pushed forward. Each flap of her wings expending more and more of her increasingly decreasing energy. “Almost there… almost there.”

As the dizziness intensity grew stronger, so did the dread inside Anon’s chest. This is it. This is the end.

Suddenly, everything felt… normal. Too normal. “Twilight, why is everything righty side up again?” Anon asked, visibly perplexed by his life not being snuffed out.

“We’re in the epicenter of the anomaly, Anon. Honestly, even I don’t know.” Her horn lit up as she cast a spell on the anomaly, one that tried to make out its magical makeup, and why it was affecting their bodies the way it did.

“It seems the magical frequency is trying to match ours, and that’s why we were feeling so ill a moment ago. Somehow, in someway, as we got into the center of this magical disturbance, it managed to completely match our magical frequency. Imagine it like this, Anon. This anomaly just matched both of our magic DNAs so that they were compatible with each other. That… takes more magical power than I can imagine.”

“Oh,” was all Anon could reply with.

“It’s why you are able to survive in this world, even though your magical makeup is different from anyone in Equestria.” Twilight licked her lips. “I have to know more.” She reached out with her magic again, this time with more deliberate purpose, almost like she was trying to unlock some sort of box.

Anon’s eyes went wide. “Twilight, what are you doing?”

He didn’t get a reply.

“You better not be putting Equestria, and better yet, our lives at risk again. I just got over my sense of doom, don’t you dare bring it back again!” Anon pleaded, but it was to no avail. Twilight ignored his pleas, and focused squarely on her current task.

There was a light that was building in brightness and size next to Twilight.

“What did I just say!?” He screamed.

Twilight turned to Anon with fearful eyes, but she didn’t have time to reply as the light grew in size, engulfing her.

Fuck.

The light changed into a resplendent display of colors as it reached out towards Anon. Anon took note of how he was still in the air, even without Twilight’s magic. He figured it had something to do with the light before him, but as much as he was thankful for not falling to his death… again. He couldn’t help but be swarmed with fear as the light took hold of his form and swallowed him whole.

* * * *

“Anon, darling! Please wake up!”

Anon felt pain all over his body. He groaned, slowly raising himself from the cold ground. He shook his head, rubbed his eyes, and then opened them reluctantly. In front of him was The Thing, her features filled with desperate fear.

“Thing, what happened?” Anon asked groggily.

She answered his question by wrapping her hooves around him in a tight, warm hug. “Anon, thank heavens you’re okay. I was so worried.”

Anon returned the hug, concerned why Thingpone was acting the way she was. “Thing, it’s alright. I’m fine.” Anon finally got a look of his surroundings, noticing the menacing blood red sky, and the traces of pitch black clouds forming on the horizon.

Anon tried to let go of The Thing, but a few tendrils formed on her back to hold him in place. “Thing… what in the world happened after that lightshow a moment ago?”

After a moment more of holding her beloved, The Thing let the hug go. “Anon, whatever you and Twilight did today opened some sort of rift into another world. Maybe the one we came from, but I don’t know.” She stood up, offering a hoof for Anon to grab and lift himself up with. He took the offer with gusto, and they were both back on their feet and hooves again.

“So, bad news. Anything else I should know about?”

Suddenly, like lighting, a thunderous roar reverberated through the air. Anon ducked for cover, and The Thing stood on guard.

“Anon, we’re no longer the only ones who came through that portal.”

That update hit him like a freight train. He felt his stomach churn, and the need to puke rise within his chest. Anon, reluctantly, slowly got up again, took a deep breath to collect himself, and said. “Okay, follow up question. What in oblivion was that!?”

Thingpone didn’t have time to reply, as the visage of the creature who let out that monstrous roar peered over some houses several blocks away. It was as black as night, with some blue and purple highlights that glowed like the sea life found in the deepest parts of the ocean. Its face was almost unrecognizable, save for the large gaping hole in the center of its being. Hundreds of tendrils, thick as tree trunks, whipped and thrashed around in a display of its unimaginable power, decimating the buildings and ponies around it.

“I think we should get to running now.” Anon said, thankful he wore his brown pants today.

The Thing, however, stood her ground. Her mouth split further into her face, and sharp rows of razor sharp teeth began to emerge. Tendrils burst from her back, and eyes began to open with her legs.

“Thing, seriously, we need to get moving. Now!”

Anon was ignored. The Thing instead let out a shrill growl, as she let primal instincts start to take over. “NO! I MUST PROTECT YOU, DARLING!”

Anon looked at her, then the beast of a thousand nightmares, and back to Thing again. His mind was working in maximum overdrive, yet it could not escape the inner turmoil going on inside his mind. He subconsciously began to bite his nails, sweat dripping from his brow.

Suddenly to his right. POOF!

Then to his left. POOF!

“Alright, I know some serious shit is going on, but do you honestly need us for something like this. I mean, look at her?” The devil on his right shoulder began to explain.

“She has been nothing but trouble this whole time for you, and this is the perfect opportunity to let her do her thing and hopefully die from that monstrosity destroying the town. You’ve seen every episode of the show a thousand times. Give it a half hour, and bam! The magic of friendship will zap that oversized Lovecraft monster out of existence.”

“That’s a good point.” Anon said, scratching his chin in thought. “All right, I know you’re gonna chime in next. What do you have to say, shoulder angel?”

“Anon. She loves you, and yeah, she can be a pain in the rear, but you can’t leave her here to die! Besides, she could be crucial to helping save Ponyville from this disaster. I’m sure if you take her away from here, come up with a plan of attack, you two could put an end to this. Also, since I know you’ll love to hear this, you’d become local heroes.”

Anon’s features began to shift, a menacing grin forming on his face, and what appeared to be flames flickering in his irises. “Alright, you just sold me, shoulder angel. Tell Jesus I said thank you, and that I totally owe him a drink after all is said and done.”

The shoulder angel rolled his eyes, before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

Anon turned to his right again to see his shoulder devil giving him a judgemental look. “Your loss, buddy.” He said, before he also vanished in a cloud of smoke.

Anon took a deep breath, and then turned towards Thingpone. “Hey, Thing! I think I know a way we can kill that monster without getting us both killed.” His words still didn’t reach her, so he walked over to her and grabbed a hold of her midsection, it too grabbing hold of him. “Hey, please listen. I need you, Thing. You and me, we’re a team, a family, and family means nobody gets left behind.”

Thingpone’s eyes turned to pin pricks when she heard Anon mention her being like ‘family’. Her body slowly deflated from its enraged, combat state into what has become her default state of being.

Anon felt his arms come loose, and he slowly let go of the hug. “Come on, let’s get out of dodge so we can rock this joint later.”

Thank you, Lilo and Stitch.

Thingpone swiftly turned to look at him. “Do you really think of me as family, Anon?” She asked without any hesitation, her eyes practically growing in size as she anticipated his response.

Anon then realized how foolish of a thing it was for him to say that, even if it knocked her out of her psycho killer mode. He reached a hand behind his head and began to rub it. “I-I mean, in a way, yeah. You’re the only one from my world who is stuck here with me. Besides, you and me live together in the same house, and families live together. So yeah, we are a family.”

Alright, nice save Anon. A little more of this, and she could be your personal attack dog when you finally get around to getting that pony harem you always wanted.

Thingpone didn’t reply though, and instead walked up to Anon and rubbed up next to him. “Thanks, Anon. That means more than you could possibly imagine.”

Oh shit… oh shit, oh shit!

Anon looked down to see Thingpone contently rubbing up next to him, and he couldn’t help but feel really good about it. Alright, maybe not an attack dog after all. Perhaps she could get in on that harem.

Anon then remembered the restaurant incident. At least, only when I know she won’t take the whole harem with her. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine under that cute exterior lies one of the most menacing creatures in the universe.

Anon reached down and rubbed his hand through her mane. Before he could lose his train of thought, despite the lack of passengers, another thunderous roar made itself known as another set of buildings were demolished off in the distance.

“Alright, we should really get going now!”

Thingpone giggled. “Right.”

* * * *

“Right. Wanted to get going to avoid the current catastrophe in Ponyville, as if. You just wanted to take me on a scenic walk through the woods.” Thingpone smugly smirked, eyeing Anon in a playful manner.

“As much as you’d love that, no. I brought you here to do what you do best. Assimilate and evolve. Until it is done.” Anon heard the bushes shuffle around him. “Thing, you’re gonna assimulate all the bad ass creatures in the Everfree forest, and you’re gonna use all of their combined might to fuck up that Cthulu wannabe in town.”

The bushes rustled some more, Thingpone taking note of the hungry eyes staring at her and Anon. “Are you sure, Anon. There’s a possibility I might become a little… unhinged if I assimilate enough biomass in such a short period of time.”

Anon took a second to let that sink in. “You know, maybe this isn’t the brightest idea in the world.” He re-examined his surroundings. “Maybe we should find a different forest for you to devour.”

Thingpone raised a hoof. “No, no. I’m sure I can handle my inner instincts enough to go through with this plan. You did mention we were a team, though. Besides leading me here to do what I do best, except loving you, what is it you’re going to do?”

“Ah, yes. That.” Anon was about to follow up her question with an answer, when he suddenly stumbled and had a loss of words. Knowing he had little time to reply, unless he made himself look like he had no idea what he was doing, which was the case most of the time, he blurted out. “I am going to be the Mickey Goldmill to your Rocky Balboa.”

Thingpone raised a brow. “The who to my what now?”

Anon rolled his eyes. “I’m going to be the trainer, and you’re going to be my adorable little Pokemon.”

Thingpone was still giving him a questioning look.

Anon sighed. “Basically I’m gonna be the guy calling the shots, giving you directions, and letting you know how you’re gonna kick ass. Your commander essentially.”

Thingpone laughed. “Alright. If you say so.”

Anon wiped some sweat from his brow, exhaling some air he was holding in. I don’t think she bought that at all, but at least she played along. Anon then slapped both sides of his head to focus again. Alright Anon, you got this. This is just like one of your Japanese animes, and you got some of that protagonist plot juice.

He then looked to see Thingpone rearing up to go on an assimilating rampage through the Everfree. At least I hope I got some of that good boy juice.

Off in the distance came the distinct sound of Timberwolves howling, preparing for a hunt. Anon felt fear creeping into his gut, but soon found some of that fear dissipating as he gazed upon the confident, and ferocious form of The Thing.

Thingpone’s mouth grew in size, rows of razor sharp teeth making themselves known. Her eyes grew slitted, and her hooves transforming into claws, ready to sink into flesh. As she heard the sound of the Timberwolves running towards her and Anon, she grinned hungerly.

After a moment more of anticipation, the first of the timberwolves came in sight, ready to pounce. Thingpone, as well, was ready to leap, her front end lowering to the ground while her rear was raised.

Along with the first timberwolf was the rest of its pack, slightly smaller, signifying that the one in the lead was the alpha. Thingpone licked her lips, knowing which was the first one she was going to devour.

As the pack was around twenty feet from The Thing and Anon, the alpha jumped into the air, claws outstretched and mouth open to deliver a swift, killing blow. Thingpone, however, saw its attack coming a mile away, and dodged to the side. An explosion of tentacles erupted from her side, wrapping around the timberwolf. It yelped, and as much as it struggled, it could not free itself from The Thing’s grasp.

Slowly, the beast was dragged towards The Thing, the other timberwolves barking, both in fear and anger. As the alpha reached Thingpone’s body, another appendage sprouted from her side, a razor sharp claw at the end of it, latching itself around the side of the timberwolf. The wolf was now crying out for help from its pack, but they lost their voices in their throats, ceasing to bark.

Thingpone licked her lips as the alpha fully entered her body, the last remnants of his being sinking below her flesh. Thingpone closed her eyes, letting the rest of the assimilation process take place inside of her. After a moment, she opened them, glowing green like her prey.

“WHO’S NEXT?” She asked, a deep growl like purr following after.

The timberwolves shriveled their stature, none of them willing to be the next to attack. After a moment, The Thing took a step forward.

“SEEMS I MUST TAKE THE INITIATIVE. ANON?” The man in question gulped, taking a step back himself.

“Yes, Thingy?” He asked, starting to sweat nervously.

Oh, Jesus fuck, she just completely decimated that one timberwolf. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. I’ve read Frankenstein, I know what happened to Victor’s creation and how it bit him in the ass later on. Now she’s gonna do the same to me, I know it.

“TAKE COVER…” Thingpone said simply, before lunging at the closest of the timberwolves, her front hooves transformed into powerful, razor sharp claws. The timberwolf didn’t have time to react, and found his side being torn to shreds as The Thing dug her claws in, and filled its being with her cells. The timberwolf cried out, but it didn’t find its comrades, much in the same way they didn’t help save their alpha.

Finding the process taking just a tad too long for her liking, The Thing spread her body around the timberwolf like the blob, engulfing it in the gore that was her body. After a moment, a wood-like substance wrapped itself around Thingpone’s forelegs. She examined them with approval, and set her eyes on the last three timberwolves before her.

They looked to one another, knowing what they must do if they had any hope of overcoming their adversary. Getting into fighting position, they growled and let out their most fearsome barks before charging Thingpone.

She smiled. “PREDICTABLE.”

Thingpone’s sinister smile faded, as she face split open tri-fold, the skull beneath showing as a grim reminder of what was to come. After a moment it fell out onto the ground before the charging timberwolves, an army of tentacles bursting forth wrapping around the pack. They tore into their bark, digging deep within them.

Anon averted his eyes, his stomach finding it hard to keep in breakfast. He then heard the squelching noise of Thingpone beginning her assimilation process, and it was just too much for him to bear. He fell to the ground and let the forest floor have a taste of his morning meal. Coughing and hacking, he covered his ears as the sound got worse and more revolting.

He knelt there for what felt like days, weeks even, but eventually he mustered what remained of his guts to let go of his ears, and slowly turn around. He saw a grinning smile of Thingpone looking down on him with the same innocent eyes he found himself growing accustomed to.

“Are we done yet?”

She chuckled, amused by his words. “Oh, Anon. The fun has just begun.”

He gulped. “Oh, what lovely news…”

Author's Note

Finally got this chapter out. As you all know, it is one of two halves. It was gonna be one-mega-chapter, but popular vote wanted it split so new content could arrive quicker. Can't blame ya, really. It's been far too long since I've updated this story.

Anyway, I'm glad this is finally out for everyone to enjoy, and I await the feedback with anticipation. Maybe some sweating. Lots of sweating.