The smallest things can make all the difference.
When the world is the way it should be, Franken Stein is caught experimenting on his weapon partner, who promptly refused to be his partner any longer. The easy path.
In this world, Spirit Albarn chooses the hard path. Instead of distancing himself from Stein he tightens his meister's leash, working ever harder to control the madness inside him.
In this world, Stein sits in their shared apartment, directing a surly frown at a half-vivisected bird that is suffering in forced silence on the kitchen table.
After all, pressing against boundaries is a reflex Stein has always possessed.