"...."

"...."

"Y-you want me...t-to be your special somepony?"

"N-no! Not like that! what ah...ah meant was...uhh..."

"What did you mean?"

"Uhh..umm...ah said it wrong."

"..So you don't want me to be your special somepony?"

"Ah don't know! Ah just figured whether...you'd want to go to the ball with me."

Applejack covers herself with her stetson, feeling embarrassed. Anon looks away, feeling the same.

"You could've just asked that instead." He mumbles. "I get surprised easily, okay?"

"Roger." She whispers behind her hat.

A long, awkward silence follows. Neither party speaks, nor do they look at each other. The amber sun slowly descends with the moon slowly rising from it's slumber. Anon and Applejack remain rooted to the orchard, Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be seen. Whatever the two wanted to say, they would have to say with utmost confidence, for they needed someone to break this unusual atmosphere.

Anon stared at Applejack from the side of his eyes, looking at the earth pony. She was looking at him behind her stetson as she lowers it to show her eyes. The two make contact, but neither of them spoke.

Their eyes met, and still they didn't speak.

Anon reached out, boldly taking the step to break the current mood. He reaches for the stetson, and grabs hold of it. Applejack shows no resistance as he pulls it further down, fully showing her face.

"S-say what you wanted to say this time." Anon stuttered as he looks down at the emerald grass.

"Anon..."Her voice trails off.

Her heart started to beat heavily once more. Her hooves went sweaty and her eyes couldn't stop staring at the human.

"Anon...would you like to be my date for hearts and hooves day?" She breathes heavily after expelling the statement, as though it was quite an arduous task in saying it.

Anon stood up, sighing before he looks at Applejack. He walks towards her, and picks her up.

Anon smiled sadly at Applejack.

"Sorry, I can't." He said.

"W-why not?" Her brows furrowed and her eyes pleaded for him to say that it was a joke. It had to be a joke, right?

"I've seen this happen before where I came from." Anon replied. "And frankly, me saying yes right now won't make things better."

'Of course it would! Of course it would make things better! It would make me the happiest mare in Equestria if you accepted it! So why aren't you?' She screamed in her thoughts.

"Why won't it?" Applejack's voice had already started to crack from the increasing depression that the rejection caused. "Why won't it make things better Anon?!"

He petted her head as his other hand held her close to his body. She glares at him with watery eyes, her mouth grits her teeth as she falls into a state of an angry depression.

"Because all of this...all of these feelings you have...they aren't real." He explained. "They're just leftovers from what you felt with Spike."

"H-how would you know any of that?! How?!" She punches his chest, quenching her anger. Anon just stood there and held her, taking in the punches she threw.

"In this situation...well, I'd be a 'rebound'. I'd be the guy you spring onto when you feel all alone and depressed. I'd be the replacement Spike for you to love...and honestly, I don't want to be loved like that." He cups her cheek, wiping the lines of tears that came down from her eyes. Her beating slows to a stop as she starts to listen more.

"I know you love Spike more than me, and I accept that. But you can't just go around and find another substitute right off the bat once you lose grip of the one you love." Anon sits down with Applejack sitting on his lap. "As much as I'd love to be your date for hearts and hooves day, there will always be a part of me that thinks that you see as Spike."

"But ah don't see you as Spike! Ah really don't!" She pleads to him.

"Well, how am I supposed to believe you?" Anon looks to the side, dejected.

Applejack stares at the sad human, and moves his head to face her. She didn't mind about her appearance. She didn't mind about her bloodshot eyes and the teary streaks that line down from it. She didn't care about her constant sniffling.

All she wanted to do now, is to prove that this...'love' is for Anon, and Anon only.

She hasn't done this before, and she's sure to make this her first.

It's sure to teach that human that she means business.

And so,

She kisses Anon gently on the lips.

The soft texture that they soon feel surprises both of them, Anon the most. His eyes widened as she claims his first kiss softly. His arms felt compelled to bring her closer to his body, to press her lips more against his. His eyes calmed down as they looked at Applejack's, which were closed.

He didn't dare to push any further than this, and neither did Applejack. Their mouths remained shut for the entire duration, locking away their tongues. But it doesn't mean that they didn't enjoy it.

Applejack felt a strong fire rage inside her body, which calmed her greatly. Dopamine flooded her entire being, feeding her pleasure as she cherished these few moments.

Anon could do nothing more than just hold the mare tight. He felt reassured as they kissed, for he knew that she truly did love him.

And before it would drag any longer, the Applejack pulled back, ending it. She panted lightly, nuzzling Anon as she rests herself on his body. She didn't feel like going back home to her bed tonight, so she resorted to using her human as a warm bed.

"Ahm gonna ask ya again Anon."

"Mm."

Ponyville Town Square: 9 in the evening.

The night is in bloom, and the residents of Ponyville know it. The town hall stands proud in the middle of the square, blaring lights to the town square around it. Lamps that display different colors  shine in every patch of the ground whilst one shines on a large, grand disco ball which is situated at the top of the town hall.

Stands are lined around the edges of the square, leaving ample room for the couples to dance, whilst small choirs, wherein which Big Mac is situated in one of them, singing proudly as he swoons the lonely mares that flock close.

Fluttershy managed to fit herself into the choir too as she sings behind the ruby stallion. Despite her not having a stallion to dance with on this very night, she was satisfied with just singing and enjoying the night with those who sang with her.

Twilight flew about in circles, speaking to all the stall owners as a checkup. The stress had already built up dangerously inside her after an hour of maintaining the ball. She's had to relocate colts and fillies that wandered too close to 'affectionate' couples and not to mention, desperate mares who would cling onto one of them and never let them go. Despite all of this, they all didn't stress her as much as the sight of two ponies kissing or nuzzling each other.

Pinkie Pie was whizzing around, trying her hardest to cheer up the stragglers and the loners, which often leads to two situations where a): She would dance with them, be it male or female. Or b): She would become a pony hug pillow for those who cry. Fortunately, her iron-clad will is strong enough to repel the depression that the ponies emanate, but it won't last forever.

Rarity was constantly being courted by Spike, who wore a pink tuxedo for the occasion. She had no job for the evening as she had already finished it, unlike the others. This turned out to be worse as she stares longingly at the bridges that connect to the square, hoping for a lone stallion to meet her eyes and save her from her own depression. Spike, on the other hand, persevered and stayed by her side, despite her not paying attention to his compliments.

Applejack was maintaining her stall with Applebloom and Granny Smith. She wore a worn smile, a smile she uses for when she works at the stall. Her eyes occasionally look around, looking for Spike to come across their stall. Tonight was going to be a long night for her, and she'll have to be a tough mare to get through.

Anon slowly walked across the bridge, briefly meeting eyes with Applejack as she looks over. He smiles sadly before nodding to greet her.

She repeats the action, before looking away as she fails to maintain her tears.  

Anon was going to be alone tonight, like he had always planned. He knew he had to be alone, and he was expecting Rainbow Dash to be as well. He never believed the fact that she was bringing a stallion for hearts and hooves day, he was sure of it. He wanted to mock her the moment he saw her, to mock the fact that she was a liar.

He contemplated on whether to punish her by coming with Applejack, but he immediately shot it down the moment he realized that he would be using somepony for his own benefit. He truly wanted to accept Applejack's offer, but he knew that it would be better if she chased her first love, because he knows that she hates losing.

With a rose on one hand and the other in his pockets, he wears a fake smile as he enters the town square. All eyes fall upon him, but they quickly scatter the moment they realize that he was alone. Anon felt embarrassed to even walk among these ponies, not to mention the fact that he was the tallest there, which meant that he pretty much stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Welcome Anonymus." Mayor mare greeted him as he walked past her. She was on the second floor, observing the happy atmosphere and also looking around for any activities that might be deemed too 'mature' to be happening.

"Hey." He spoke.

"It seems like you're going solo tonight."

"Yup. You too? Or do you have a stallion chained up in your bedroom for tonight?" Anon joked. Mayor Mare was the only pony who could handle his vulgar jokes, mainly for the fact that it was a refreshing thing to hear instead of politely-worded statements that came from any other pony besides Anon.

"Oh, rest assured, I have no stallion to comfort me tonight."

"You and me both."

He waved goodbye to the mare as she leaned on the railings, looking at him.

'Poor stallion.' She whispered.

Anon wandered aimlessly, speaking to ponies and visiting the stalls. He tried to enjoy the evening, but he could never get stuck in. Eventually, he ended his social activities by sitting on the fountain near the bridges. He could see Rarity in the landing of the town hall, waving towards somepony on the bridge.

"Glad you could make it, Rainbow Dash!" She shouted.

Anon quickly perked up. His sights matching Rarity's as he saw Rainbow Dash's head bobbing up and down on the bridge. He stands up to get a closer look.

Only to see a surprising sight.

A teal skinned stallion walked beside her, wings present.His mane was phthalo blue and he wore a sweet smile as he walked alongside Rainbow Dash. She pointed towards him, shouting out "HEY! YOU SEEN ANON YET? I NEED TO BRAG TO HIM ABOUT THIS!"

Anon quickly sat down, his state returning to it's former condition. He wouldn't, no..he couldn't accept the fact that she truly kept her word when she mentioned this mysterious stallion. A small part of him figured that she was telling the truth, but his confidence caged it and threw it away.

He didn't even know why he felt sad about all of this. He was only proven wrong about something, that was it.

Rainbow Dash catches a glimpse of Anon through the crowd of ponies. His black suit made it hard for her to see him until one of the lamps briefly went across him and the fountain he sat next to. She spoke to the stallion next to her to walk with her to the fountain, to which he agreed to.

"Don't worry, it won't be for long." She said.

"Alright then." He replied.

Meanwhile, Anon sighed heavily as he stared at the dark floor. He heard the clops of two ponies, once of which he already knew. He looked up to see Rainbow Dash in her dress, alongside her stallion.

"See? I told you I had a date!" She gloated. "So who's yours, Anon?" She looked down at him.

She expected him to say Applejack, but she got no response.

"I bet you're going to upstage me with that dress you have! Well look here, because I look better than you could ever be." She sticks her tongue out.

Again, no response.

"Anon? Anon?! Are you even paying attention to me? Where is your date mare anyw-"

"I don't have one." He truthfully said.

She needn't speak no more.

Her planned speeches were cut short as she heard those words.

"You don't have a date?" She said.

Anon stood up to the two, wearing a monotone expression as he walked passed them.

"Nope." He just said as he walked away with his hands in his pockets. "Have fun with your date." He looked back on them, and smiled.

Rainbow Dash looked at Anon, speechless. She wanted to say something else to grab his attention, but she couldn't find anything. There was nothing more to add to their conversation. So all she could do was to watch him slowly walk away.

"Anon..." She whispered.

Her stallion looked at her, pitying her. "I'll go on ahead and find Spitfire." He spoke. "Thanks for bringing me here Dash."

Rainbow Dash only nodded as her stallion left the scene, leaving her all alone in the fountain.

The calm night watches over Anon as he walks past the bridge. All of his friends see him pass by as he did so, but he didn't mind. All he wanted was to go back home and sleep at this point.

His hand clutched the rose tightly, drawing blood. There was no reason for him to be holding it anymore, but maybe, just maybe...he would stumble across a mare just as lonely as him.

Maybe he would see her crying and give her the rose he has been holding. Maybe he would have salvaged the night after all. Maybe she would end up being his marefriend and possibly more.

He hoped that it would happen, but in reality, he's just another alien that walks around in this world. He came to the ball for minutes and then immediately left without a word, dateless throughout. He even contemplated on why he even came if he was just going to wallow in misery and then leave the next minute.

Anon unbuttoned his suit and his shirt. He unbuttoned the topmost part of his shirt to free up his neck and he removed his tie and shoved it into his pocket. There was no point trying to look handsome, so he might as well make himself comfortable.

He saw a nearby bench which faced the moon. He sat on it and relaxed as he stared at the sky.

"What am I doing with my life?" He sighed. "Walking like a dateless loser into some event. And then Rainbow had to ruin it all by showing up with whatshisface." He groaned.

He looked at the rose, staring at it as he opened his hand to show the bleeding that it caused.

"Love hurts." He chuckled.

The chuckling soon died down into light sobbing as his eyes began to water. Finally, his loneliness got to him, never letting go. His sobs got louder and louder, and his eyes got redder and redder. He brought up his knees and shoved his face into them, muffling his sounds as he cried.

No-one would hear him, and no-one should. There aren't a lot of opportunities for Anon to let everything out of his system, and this was one of the rare moments. He wasn't going to waste it, that's for sure. Everything he had shoved inside, every insult he took in and every single hits that he took, he all cried out.

It felt relieving, to him of course. All he wanted was to not let his friends see him like this, to not let them see the kind and caring human in such a weak state. He would never live it down if they ever found out.

He lifted his face, all wet and with a thin line of snot dribbling down his nose. He looked at the moon once more.

"Don't judge me, Luna."He chuckled. "You've probably cried too."

He could feel himself calming down after letting it all out. He wiped his face on his sleeve, right after apologizing to Rarity for what he was about to do. He sorted his hair and simplified it, letting it form a fringe around his face.

"I like that look better, that dorky one." Came a voice.

He looked to see the dark silhouette of Rainbow Dash to his left, panting and her dress in disarray.

"Look who's come to brag." He said as he buried his mouth in his knees, sulking like an infant. "Are you on your way home with whatshisface?"

"Oh, Soarin?...He's just a friend I asked at the last minute to come with me." She smiled sheepishly. Anon glared daggers at Rainbow Dash, making her flinch.

"...Sorry." She apologized.

"It's alright." He shrugged off.

"I-I kinda though that you were going with someone."

"You heard?"

"....Mhm."

"I said no."

"Thank you."

"What?"

"It's nothing."

Rainbow Dash walks up and sits next to Anon, knocking down his knees so that he sits properly. She takes out his tie from his pockets and orders him to tie it up again.

"You need to look more of a gentlecolt." She said.

"Leave me alone. I need my alone time." He grumbled.

"I made a promise to never leave your side after that accident, and I intend to keep it." She replied as she leaned on his shoulder.

Anon smiled.

Rainbow Dash shuffled to his lap, smiling all the while.

"Why did you never ask me out to hearts and hooves day?" She questioned.

"You're too clingy." Anon mumbled. She punched him on the arm as he chuckled. "But to be honest..." He held up his hand and rubbed her cheek. "I was waiting for you to ask me."

Rainbow Dash looks away with a mighty blush forming on her cheeks.

"I-it's not like I wanted you to be my special somepony." She mumbles away from his ears.

"I'd make a great special somepony if you'd asked. I'd be more grateful for somepony to actually like me, rather than the fact that they asked me out." Anon turned back Rainbow Dash's face to his. "To be honest, you're the closest I have to a special somepony."

"T-thanks." She smiles.

Anon hugs her deeply, breathing in the perfume she brought to the occasion. Rainbow Dash quickly pushes him back.

Next Chapter: D-don't look at that. Estimated time remaining: 47 Minutes