A Curious Motive

“Two cupcakes extra sprinkles.” Pinkie set the pastries in from of Twilight and Anon. “Any plans for hearts and hooves day tomorrow Twilight?”

“Not this year,” she replied, “I should get to work on recreating the human timeline.”

“What about you Anon? Have a special somepony in mind?”

Twilight rolled her eyes and took a bite of her treat. Pinkie patiently awaited for an answer, no sarcasm or jest in her voice.

“There is one mare I've had an eye on.” Anon said flatly.

Twilight started and choked her cupcake. She tossed around frantically pounding on her chest till she cleared her airway.

“You can't inhale them Twilight.” Pinkie said. “Trust me, I've tried.” she focused back on Anon. “So who is she- Do I know her- If she lives in Ponyville I know her I know everypony that lives here,”

Anon rested his chin in his hand and let the pink mare rant on.

“I also know ponies from Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Fillydelphia, Appleloosa- Oh my gosh you didn't meet her when you went to Canterlot did you-” Pinkie’s face started to turn blue, “Because than I might not know her and if I don't know her I can't tell you if she has a special somepony or not- that would be the worst if-”

“Pinkie breath!” Twilight demanded. Pinkie stopped talking and took a comedic inhale. Her face returned to its normal color. Anon chuckled. When he turned to face Twilight she levitated out a paper and quill.

“How could you like a pony?” Twilight asked. “You're not the same species.”

“It's because she doesn't treat me like a different species.” Anon said, “She treats me as if I was a pony who just moved here from another city.”

“What like Lyra?” Pinkie said.

All three paused to take a glance at the mare in question. She sat in the back of Sugarcube Corner, staring at Anon through a newspaper with large holes cut into it.

“No,” Anon said, “The exact opposite of Lyra.”

“Well, who is it?” Twilight asked.

Anon smirked, “Well she is a purple unicorn,” He reached over and touched Twilight's hoof. Her face lite up and the spell holding the quill fizzled out. Before she could stammer a reply Anon pulled back. “She also has three gems for a cutie mark.”

Twilight's eyebrow raised and she turned to check her flank.

“Oh my gosh, you like Amethyst!” Pinkie said as she bounced around. “Are you going to ask her out?”

“It would be really late if you asked her now.” Twilight said and hesitantly added, “and I'm not sure asking her out is the best idea.”

“Relax Twilight it's just a date to get to know her more.” Anon sighed and slumped down in his seat. “You are right about it being late though.” Anon picked up his untouched cupcake and rotated it.

Pinkie deflated and whined at the turn of events.

“So I better not wait any longer.” Anon got up. “Pinkie where is she?”

“How would Pinkie kn-”

“She's at the park!” Pinkie interrupted.

Twilight gaped at her. Anon nodded and walked off. The two mares following close behind. The last mare in the shop donned a mustache she stole from her roommate and stalked after them, leaving Sugarcube Corner irresponsibly unattended.

=======

“I'm making a small fortune off you darling.” Rarity said taking Anon’s measurements again. “Honestly, how much longer is this going to continue?”

“Not much longer, but I’m not sure.” Anon replied. “Having to walk everywhere and eat healthy has been doing wonders for my physique. Not to mention most of my needs are paid for and my only job is being endlessly questioned by Twilight.”

“Didn’t you have to walk in your world?” Rarity trotted over to her sewing machine. She aligned the cloths and started to make the necessary adjustments.

“Not exactly we used automated travel in order to save time and cover larger distances.” Anon admired himself in the mirrors.

“Like taking carriages everywhere?”

Anon laughed, “That is the same comparison Twilight made.”

“Speaking of Twilight, is she almost done? We rarely see her.”

Anon slumped down. Rarity floated over the modified clothing and placed it over Anon. “Something the matter?”

“We are running out of things I feel comfortable sharing.” Rarity tilted her head, Anon explained. “If I had to make a comparison human technology is hundreds of years ahead of yours. I don’t want to alter your natural technologic evolution, but your species has magic making the comparison basically useless.” Anon rubbed at his temples.

“Pfft, you're worrying over nothing darling.” It was Anon’s turn to tilt his head and have Rarity explain. “If you share advanced technology with Twilight and explain the pros and cons she would be willing keep it secret, and if you're really worried, share the information with Princess Celestia. She has been alive for thousands of years. If anypony could have foresight into these things it's her.” Rarity folded all of Anon’s clothes into a bag.

“Thousands of years?” Anon whispered. He felt that scratch again. He tried to distract himself.

“Would you mind if I accompanied you back, I simply must see Twilight.”

“Not at all.” Anon grabbed his bag and held the door open for Rarity. After she passed he let the door shut leaving the boutique with noise of a ringing bell.

==============

Anon found himself on the other side of a creek. The water reflected a green tint and bubbled randomly. Sunlight barely pierced through the trees. He had been wandering around this forest for hours now without any sign of where on earth he was. A path of rocks lay in the middle of the creek. He took an experimental step on the first rock. When it held his weight he took a confident leap to the next one. The rock sank down under him. He managed to maintain his balance until the stone lifted and threw him to the other side.

“What in the world!” Anon turned and froze. A cragadile roared and stomped its way towards him. The beast opened its maw and lunged forward. It caught Anon’s arm as he stumbled back. He screamed. The cragadile wriggled back and forth in an attempt to rip off the appendage. Anon threw a fist at the creature’s nose. He cried out in pain as bone collided with rock hard hide.

The cragadile huffed at the pathetic attempt. It double its effort to remove the arm. In an act of desperation Anon’s fingers crawled along the rough surface of the cragadile’s face. When they felt a soft spot they dug in. The beast howled, finally releasing him. Crimson spouted from the injury, staining the ground below red. The cragadile spun. Multiple cracks rang out as the tail connected with Anon’s side. He fell to the ground gasping for air. The cragadile escaped back into the creek.

Anon grasped at his chest as he attempted to breath. His vision faded in and out. In a moment of focus he caught sight of a town past the forest. With what strength he could muster he got up and staggered to civilization, leaving the forest with a trail of fresh blood.