In The Heat Of Passion

Rainbow Dash had been lazing around all week, saving her energy for her big date with Applejack. It was tomorrow. Tomorrow would be the revitalization of their relationship. Rainbow was simply elated, sighing with affectionate thoughts of her love's thick, straw-colored hair and her bright, emerald-green eyes. The cyan mare was stretched out on her bed, resting the day away. Earlier, she had planned to prepare for her date, somehow. But that never happened. How can you really prepare for a date when you don't know what the date has in store for you?

Rainbow Dash hadn't seen Applejack all week. She suspected that the apple-buckin' mare had purposely stayed away from her just to build her anticipation. If that was the case, then it had definitely worked. Rainbow was just itching for tomorrow to get here already. She let out a grunt of frustration and pulled her blankets up. Maybe she could slip out of consciousness till tomorrow.

"Alrighty," said Applejack, "I gotta get back to buckin'. I'll see you around!" She pecked Rainbow again and walked back home. On her way home, Applejack was coming up with a plot. One so shocking and exciting that just the thought of it made her squirm, and she bit her lower lip in excitement. She had a whole week to plan this, but it wouldn't take that long, or so she hoped.

She went to sleep that night with thoughts of her plans forming and swirling around in her head, and she giggled herself to slumber as the moon steadily rose into the night sky.

She awoke the next morning to a fine day, with the sun burning brilliantly, and a few clouds dotting the sky. She got up and started her morning journey into Ponyville. As she was walking along, her thoughts turned back to yesterday. It was such a relief that she was able to work things out with Rainbow. The plot that she was formulating in her head had to go off without a hitch. Applejack wanted dearly to prove her love for Rainbow, and this would do just the trick.

She went around town, spreading the story of her love for Rainbow and her plan to win her heart forever. To her surprise, everypony was accepting, and even happy for her. The townsfolk gladly agreed to help Applejack in her endeavor. She told each and every one of them that they were not to tell Rainbow Dash if they talked to her. Hopefully luck would be on Applejack's side and Rainbow would laze around all week.

Now came the good part. The part where her friends got involved.

The week had passed, and the big day was tomorrow, just around the corner. Everything was ready. Well, almost everything. She just had to head to Rarity's place for a minute, and check that everything there was ready.

She hummed to herself on the way to Carousel Boutique. She was simply buzzing with happiness. Applejack knocked on the door and not even three seconds had gone by when the door promptly opened. And there stood Rarity, with the looking as if she had just witnessed a miracle.

"Oh Applejack, you have no idea how long I've waited for this opportunity!" Rarity squealed.

"What in tarnation are you talkin' bout?" inquired AJ.

"Well, to be perfectly honest with you, I always wanted to dress you up. You're such a stubborn mare, always getting down in the dirty with farmwork! I feared I would never have the chance to prettify you!" Rarity replied.

"Scuse me?"

"N-Not that you aren't pretty already, dear! Just a figure of speech is all!" Rarity recovered nervously.

Applejack squinted at Rarity. "You alright, girl?"

Rarity giggled and waved a reassuring hoof. "Of course darling, of course! Maybe a little giddy. A chance like this doesn't come often you know."

"Alrighty then. Just remember: Ahm doin'this for Rainbow. I don't normally like dressin' up, but this is a special occasion."

"I understand. Now, let's begin!"

The following hours had included lengthy periods of time that Applejack had to stand still, a few accidental pokes with a needle, tightening and loosening of threads and ribbons, volumes of lace and the constant snipping of scissors. Multitudes of make up being distributed and brushed off.

Applejack suffered through it honorably, only giving a grunt or two in frustration, and maybe a muscular twitch of impatience. By the end of the day, she was in a dazzling dress of emerald that matched her eyes. Speaking of emeralds, several were sewn into the dress itself, sending sparkles and rays of green light out when light hit it at an angle. Applejack had had her hair brushed and combed, and it hung down her shoulders. Not in a braid, however.

No, Rarity had simply let her hair fall straight down onto her shoulders. "Quite fetching, if I do say so myself," said Rarity.

"Thanks."

"Now, all we have to do is wait till tomorrow."

"And how am Ah supposed to stay all fancy-like till then?" Applejack asked.

"Well I'll just zap you with a sleeping spell, of course! You can sleep the hours away, and when you wake up, you'll look as perfect as you do now!" Rarity replied

"Alrighty then. Just lemme know when yer gonna-"

BBZZZZTTT

And just like that, the farmer, all dressed up and ready for the date of her life, fell asleep in that very spot.

"Silly Applejack. You'll ruin your ensemble if you go off to do your own thing. Now, I'll see you in the morning," Rarity chuckled. She received no reply in response; however, that was to be expected.

The sun had barely broken through the clouds that morning, but there was enough light to wake Applejack from her magically induced slumber. The light had struck her face, tearing her away from a dreamless sleep. The country mare shook herself awake, only to be suddenly corrected by Rarity's voice.

"Now now dear, you shouldn't be shaking around too much! It will ruin all of my work! And you want to look your best for Dashie, don't you?"

Applejack groaned, still trying to rouse herself from sleep's comfortable clutches. She could hear Rarity's voice from elsewhere in the building.

"Where are ya, Rarity?" Applejack said, a little slurred.

"In here, Applejack!" Rarity's voice came from down the hall. Applejack followed the voice until she found herself in the dining room. Rarity was at the table, with two places set for breakfast. Breakfast consisted of some fruit and bread.

"I figured a light breakfast would do you good, Applejack. You have quite the day ahead of you," Rarity said.

Applejack sat at the table and sighed. She fiddled with her food, but didn't eat any of it. "Ah know..."

"Are you alright dear?" Rarity asked. "You look like something's wrong."

Applejack scuffed a hoof on the ground before pushing around her food absentmindedly. "... Ahm nervous. This day has to be perfect for Rainbow," Applejack explained. She took a bite out of a strawberry and chewed slowly.

"And it will be, darling!" Rarity cooed. "Trust us! We all know how much this means to you! We won't let you down!"

"Thanks Rarity," Applejack said. She took a few more bites of breakfast, feeling more motivated and energized by the minute. She gulped down some orange juice and set her glass down on the table.

Rarity led Applejack to the front room, grabbing a scarf and her custom saddlebags on the way. "Are you ready, Applejack?"

"I'm ready!"

Rainbow Dash had been waiting all day. She had been waiting all day for... something. Anything really. But nothing had come. No letters, nopony stopping by, nothing. Rainbow was getting nervous and impatient.

"What if she decided against tonight?" Rainbow said to herself. She sat on the edge of her home in the sky, scanning Ponyville for anything. Anypony. But she saw nothing.

Rainbow felt a tear form and slid down her cheek before she steeled herself and wiped it away before it could fall to the earth. She would wait until nightfall. Which wasn't that far away, judging by the sky. There were maybe two hours of daylight left. Once night fell, she would give up and go to bed. She didn't know what she would do the next day, or how she would feel, but she had to get through tonight first.

The minutes dragged on and on. Rainbow flopped this way and that, trying not to be bored. She would much rather fly out and find Applejack herself, but her gut instinct told her that if anyone came looking, they would find her here, at her home.

The time had finally passed. There were only a precious few minutes of daylight left. Only a quarter of the sun remained above the horizon. Rainbow finally let the tears flow. She had gotten her hopes up higher than she could fly, and they were dashed in the end. She sighed and stood up. The cyan mare had started towards her door, and lifted a hoof to turn the handle, but she stopped and turned around to watch the horizon.

She would wait until nightfall, like she said she would.

And just as the sun faded to nothing but a sliver, Rainbow Dash heard a voice from down below.

"May I speak to one Miss Rainbow Dash?" A familiar voice said.

Rainbow Dash slowly walked to the edge of her cloud and peeked over the edge. And who else would she see but Derpy Hooves, standing there in mailmare's uniform, cap included, with a messengers bag at her side.

Rainbow Dash said hesitantly, "What do you need, Derpy?"

Derpy smiled as her wings flared out to her sides. "Oh good! You're here! They told me you would be, and you are. That makes me happy! I would have been sad if you weren't. Because I'm on a mission, a super important mission to deliver something to you. And if I didn't get it to you by now, they would have been upset and-"

"Derpy!" Rainbow interrupted, "What do you need to deliver to me?"

Derpy reached into her bag and rummaged through it, her tongue sticking out in concentration. After a minute, she gave a little squee of excitement and pulled out... a letter.

"Who's it from?" Rainbow asked.

"I can't tell you! You gotta read it for yourself!"

"Well, give it here!"

"You come down here!"

"Derpy-"

Derpy whined and put on her best puppy dog face. Tears started to form in her eyes. Real or fake, Rainbow couldn't tell.

Rainbow sighed, rolled her eyes, and said, "Ugh, fine! I'm coming, I'm coming!" And with that, she glided down from her perch to land in front of the mailmare. She grabbed the letter. There was writing on the front.

To: Rainbow Dash

There was no return address, or anything stating who it was from. Rainbow tore the envelope open, unfolded the stationery that resided within, and read:

My dearest Rainbow Dash,

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting all day, but rest assured that it was necessary. Please follow Derpy into Ponyville. I'll be waiting inside. Can't wait to see you.

Yours, and yours alone.

Applejack

Rainbow Dash slowly looked from the letter to Derpy.

"You're... escorting me into town then?" She asked.

Derpy nodded violently, sending her cap to the ground and tossing her hair around rapidly. "Mmhm! Follow MEEE!" She said as she turned and started to canter towards Ponyville. "Oh, and no flying!"

Rainbow ran after her as fast as she could. "No flying? Why!?"

"No flying!"

Applejack stood in the center of town, next to a large tree. She was surrounded by her friends, and Twilight was going over, of course, a checklist.

"Okay everypony, this is it. The final checklist!" Twilight exclaimed, holding up a sheet of paper.

Her friends cheered, maybe a bit too enthusiastically. Twilight glared at them. They awkwardly quieted down and got back to business.

Twilight harrumphed and said, "Okay. As I was saying. Pinkie Pie: Party foods and drink?"

Pinkie hopped up and down excitedly. "Check!" Pinkie had donated many cakes and other sweets for the occasion, as well as making several flavors of punch.

Twilight nodded and checked that off the list. "Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy nodded and showed Twilight two turtledoves. They flew into the tree and settled there. "Check."

Twilight marked another task off her list.

"And last but not least: Rarity?"

Rarity nodded, and her horn glowed blue as sapphire. Her magic washed over her friends and the townsfolk. Everyone was suddenly dressed in fanciful party clothes, ready for a celebration. "Check! And thank you, Twilight, for helping me with that spell."

Twilight nodded. "You made the dresses after all! Okay, that's it! Food and drinks have been provided, dress clothes for everyone, doves are here, and the townsfolk are ready for the surprise! I have the show ready to go. One final task. Do you have the letter, Applejack?"

Applejack nodded. "Yep. Here," She said as she handed her letter over.

"Thank you. Derpy!" Twilight called.

Derpy popped into view, falling from the tree. "Whoooa! Oof!"

"Derpy, what in the world were you doing up there?" Twilight asked, rolling her eyes.

Derpy stared at her for a second. She shrugged. "Iunno."

Twilight shook her head. "Nevermind. I need you to take this letter," Twilight held up Applejack's letter, "to Rainbow Dash. Do you know where she lives?"

Derpy nodded emphatically. "Yeah! She lives just on the outside of town, in a cloud house!"

Twilight smiled. "Will you take this letter to her, and bring her back here once she's done reading it?"

"Sure thing Twilight!"

"Thank you Derpy," Twilight said as Derpy sped off, still in her dress. Twilight had an afterthought and sent a bolt of magic towards the mailmare. Her dress turned into a mailmare's uniform, bag, cap, and all. "It'll wear off by the time she gets back," She explained. Twilight turned towards Applejack. "Ready?"

"As Ah'll ever be."

Rainbow and Derpy had reached the edge of town. "Okay Rainbow! Just go to the center of town! Bye!" And with that, the mailmare Dashed of into the shadows before Rainbow could even ask a question.

Rainbow began walking and noticed several thing. First, it was dark. Sure, the sun had set, and by now the moon was begining to rise. It was a full moon tonight, and there was a faint light provided by it to see where she was going. The strange thing was, all the lights were out. Every single house was pitch black, with not a sound to be heard.

She kept on walking, however, towards the center of town. After a few minutes, she arrived at one of the many entrances to the town center. She couldn't see a thing other than a faint outline of the tree in the center.

She kept on walking till she was at the center, near the tree. Out of nowhere, an emerald light fell from the sky. It was a floating orb of magic, glowing a deep, intense green. It reached the height of the top of the tree and hung there, casting it's light through the entire square.

Rainbow stared at it, trying to figure out what it meant, when she heard a voice and saw somepony step from behind the tree.

"Rainbow, Ah'm glad you could make it."

"Applejack?" Rainbow Dash squinted as the pony stepped out from the shadows of the tree. As the figure came into the light, Rainbow Dash saw that it was indeed Applejack. "Applejack!"

Rainbow Dash stood there, completely stunned by what she saw. What Applejack looked like... Wow. "You... You look stunning!" Rainbow exclaimed.

Rainbow took another few seconds to stare at Applejack. She was dazzling. Her mane simply hung there, straight, down to her shoulders. It looked so soft, as if it had been brushed hundreds of times. She had put on some make-up for a change, and had put on glittering green eye-shadow. Her eyes sparkled in the low light. Applejack had ditched her hat and galoshes. In place was a silken dress, a simple, yet elegant thing that hung down almost to her hooves. It was adorned with lace and emeralds that reflected light at every angle. She had light green slippers on, made of suede. Two turtledoves flew in a circle around their heads before draping something over Applejack's head. It was simple golden necklace to top it off, adorned with a simple green crystal.

Applejack chuckled. "Cat got yer tongue?"

Rainbow still couldn't speak. Applejack chuckled again. "Come here, you silly filly!" Applejack said. She grabbed Rainbow and started turning in a circle.

"Applejack-" Rainbow started to say. She was cut off as Applejack leaned it, put her muzzled next to her ear, and said one thing. "Shh!"

As they plunged into darkness, shivers ran down Rainbow's spine. From the darkness, she heard music begin to play. It was a nice, soft melody. It wasn't fast or bumpy, but rather just the right tempo to dance to. And that's what the two mares did.

Applejack lead Rainbow in circles and waltzes as the music went on. "Applejack, I don't know what to say-" Applejack put a hoof to Rainbow's lips. "Don't say anything. Just enjoy the show."

Rainbow was about to ask what she was talking about when she saw a small white light jump into the sky. It exploded silently, but sent a colorful cloud of sparks across the sky. Fireworks.

As another explosion flashed through the sky, the music progressed, and the couple danced. The fireworks were the only source of light in the whole town. It looked like they were dancing in freeze-frames.

The music and fireworks increased in tempo. The couple danced, twirling faster and faster. As the music reached a crescendo, so too did the show in the sky. There was almost a constant light now, flashing any color from yellow to purple. As the music reached it's peak, Applejack leaned Rainbow back, and kissed her full on the lips.

It was a deep passionate kiss, filled with all of the emotions of the past few days. It started out slow with happiness, glee, love. The kiss turned fast and fervent as panic, terror, and fear coursed through their lips. The kiss, the one simple kiss that sealed their relationship finished strong, but gentle, with feelings of relief, rejoice and a sense of fulfillment.

As their contact broke, the lights in the town square came on, with all the townsfolk cheering their congratulations. A huge banner had been erected, with Congratulations! sprawled on it in orange and cyan paint. The townsfolk burst into dance as music began to pick up, courtesy of Lyra, Octavia, and Vinyl.

Rainbow stood there, stunned. "You did all this... For me?"

"It wasn't just me. Ah had a little help," Applejack explained. One by one, their friends appeared from within the crowd. As Rainbow turned to look at them, they each took a bow in turn.

Rainbow turned to Applejack. "It's all so... amazing!"

Applejack nodded. "You sure are."

Rainbow Dash blushed. "Stop it, you're making me blush!"

Applejack chuckled and pecked her love on the lips again. "Come on Rainbow, we have a dance to finish."

The townsfolk had receded to the edge of the square to let the couple have the final dance. The two twirled yet again in strange patterns, not sticking to any one dance. Rainbow leaned her head against Applejack's shoulder. Rainbow inhaled, and she could smell apples. She sighed. She was in heaven.

Applejack's muzzle was once again near Rainbow's ear. She took a small nip at it. Rainbow jumped in response. Applejack chuckled.

"Oh Rainbow."

"Applejack?"

Applejack looked right into Rainbow's eyes. Rainbow stared back, neither of them blinking.

"I love you."