The Meteor Shower

The Carousel Boutique of Ponyville was a safe haven for all ponies who loved fashion. For those who didn't, it was neither safe, nor a haven. A prison was much more accurate, at least, in Applejack's mind. She stood atop the pedestal Rarity used for fitting ponies for what felt like the fifth hour. There was obviously a mistake somewhere in asking Rarity and a few of their friends for help in looking good for the meteor shower she was sure that she would miss if they didn't finish in the next hour.

"Perhaps a saddle will complete the ensemble", Rarity suggested, holding up the green, emerald encrusted saddle for everypony to see.

The extra froufrou caused Applejack to shake her head frantically. She shot the group watching her torture a panicked expression.

Twilight came to her rescue. "Rarity, I don't think a saddle and a dress is appropriate for a simple meteor shower", she said.

"It does make the dress appear too formal", contemplated the fashion unicorn.

"Yeah", agreed Pinkie Pie, "That's for dances and galas and meetings between ambassadors for discussing trading laws!"

"Yeah, that", Applejack said, having no idea what her pink friend had just said. Aside from the apple-printed lacings and frills that hung from the white trim, Applejack thought the dress was perfect. She knew better than to say something. If she had to take three minutes to remove the additions, Rarity would have to spend three days deciding what to replace them with.

"Very well", she said. "I believe that will be it, Applejack. Unless somepony can think of anything else that she may need to look extra fabulous for her date."

Four pairs of eyes stared intently at Applejack. Her friends were so solidly focused on her there was no way of telling what they were thinking. Nopony even blinked for several minutes, until the awkward silence was barely disturbed by Fluttershy.

"I think you should wear earrings", she whispered.

"Ah ain't wearin' none", Applejack snapped, "Y'all can't even beg me."

"Maybe not", Rarity agreed shrewdly, "But I'm sure Thorny would just love to see how it brings out your eyes."

Bringing the colt in as ammo struck one of trapped mare's heart strings. Shyly, she murmured, "Ya think he'd like it?"

Twilight nodded. "If nothing else, it will definitely make you stand out more to him."

Pinkie chipped in with, "Yeah, Applejack, he'd really like to look into your eyes when you tell him you love him!"

The farm pony swallowed hard. "Ah don' have none…"

"Not to worry", said Rarity optimistically, "I have the perfect pair for you. And don't fret over bacteria—I have never worn this particular pair before." From the next room, a cherry wood box floated in surrounded with Rarity's magic aura. It opened on the way to the two standing ponies, allowing two ruby earrings to depart their only known home. They were cut into the coincidental shape of apples. Rarity attached each to Applejack's listening organs. She stood back to admire the effect they had on the farm pony's appearance.

"Wow", Pinkie Pie commented, "They're really pretty on you! Even more than the cupcake earrings Derpy got me for my birthday!"

"They bring out your eyes", Twilight pointed out.

For the time being, Applejack didn't so much care about how her friends thought she looked. Her doubts and fears lay with what the colt she was trying to look good for thought. "Y'all think Thorny'll like it?"

"He'll love it", Fluttershy declared matter-of-factly, "I'm sure he will."

The Pegasus's almost unnatural excitement put Applejack's stressed mind at ease. She even managed to take a relaxed, almost relieved, breath. The circle of smiles were practically anvils clinging to her heart to bring it down to a normal speed. Rarity adjusted the dress here and there to fix the smaller deficiencies. Aside from her self-muttering, the room remained relatively quiet. Everypony just waited for one of the others to speak, leaving no openings for conversation.

Knock Knock Knock!

The new sounds startled the ponies on the inside. Fluttershy jumped with a squeak. Three more raps on the front door confirmed that the first set wasn't the white noise of silence. Rarity levitated it open to reveal Rainbow Dash hovering just on the other side. "Hey, AJ!" She flew in, to everypony's surprise.

"My, Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here?" Rarity inquired, not at all censoring the true shock and amazement at her cyan friend's visit.

"Just came by to make sure Applejack wasn't nervous about tonight", she answered, "Thorny's an awesome guy and…" Her reply transitioned into a low murmur. "…I think you'd be pretty good together."

"My, is that a bit of feminism I hear, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity teased.

Rainbow huffed and sent her eyes on a trip around their sockets. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyway, just make sure ya don't mess it up, Applejack."

Applejack nodded, but found it hard to even open her mouth with the fiery blush overtaking her face. Since Rarity had nothing more to do to her dress, she stepped down from the small stage to sit with her friends on the couch Twilight conjured up at the beginning of their visit. The other girls made room for her extra poufy dress to fit. Rarity pulled up one of her mobile stools to sit in front of them. The expression Applejack received from her hinted that the unicorn was teeming with a barrage of questions for her. She exhaled and braced herself for what Rarity wanted to get out of her.

"Have you any plans of what you are going to do tonight?" was the first question.

The dressed up mare nodded. "Sort of", she answered to appease her friends, who she knew were all as curious as the shameless gossip girl asking. "Ah'm gonna tell'im sometime right after the shower after a walk."

"How romantic", breathed Rarity, "Just like the sunset when Linen confessed to me…"

Applejack looked around for any means to become invisible. She never pictured she would be in a situation even remotely close to one like this. The clock on the adjacent wall told her there was still some time before she got to leave.

"When's he getting here?" asked Rainbow Dash impatiently.

"Fifteen minutes or so", Applejack replied. Fifteen agonizing minutes. The group's spokesmare attacked her with question after question, most of which Applejack needed translations for. The occasional inquiry came from the others, and she was happy to answer those, less personal questions. Deep down Applejack knew they all had good intentions. This was her first shot at a relationship, and they all wanted to know what she felt and wish her the best of luck while at the same time trying to eliminate the nervousness she denied having.

For the most part, her friends were helping. That was, until Pinkie Pie asked an innocent, honest question. "Are you going to kiss him?"

The very room they sat in felt the stiffness of Applejack's embarrassment. She swallowed as hard as she could to evict the lump in her throat, and hopefully get rid of the fact that such a question was asked in the first place. The expectant stares from the ponies burned on her skin to the point of causing mild hyperventilation. To her greatest fortune, the fifteen minutes trapping her within the walls of the Carousel Boutique were up.

Knock! Knock Knock Knock!

"Ah got it!" yelled Applejack in a sprint to the door. She opened it in the opposite manner she used to fly to it. Slowly, she revealed to everypony that Thorny waited on the other side.

He smiled, but only until he realized that the fancy-dressed pony who let him in was Applejack. He blinked several times just to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. Thorny took in every detail that Applejack added onto herself. The green dress he couldn't believe was clinging to her sported what he considered cabin-based patterns. Different shades of the zigzagged, crossed, and ran over diamonds and other patterns associated with old western style dress. Somepony had braided her hair and let it fall to the normal left side, and held it in place with red ribbon tied into the shape of a bow. That led him to her ears and face, which provided the small space between them with glowing beauty.

His speechlessness hit the whole boutique like a plague. Nopony dared to so much as think about opening their mouth and spoil the moment for the two farmers. The silence carried on until it became awkward shortly before evolving into annoying. Rarity clopped a hoof rather loudly against the floor. The sudden noise snapped Thorny and AJ from their thoughts of how good the other looked. The stallion cleared his throat, permitting the fluster to melt away in a hearty laugh. "Howdy, everypony! Uh, what're y'all doin' here?"

"Only to see Applejack off on her very first date", spoke Rarity innocently for them.

"Date?" Thorny repeated, "Applejack ain't say nothin' about a date."

Twilight was next to say something. She had to keep Thorny from assuming Applejack tricked him or something to that effect. "What Rarity means is: This is Applejack's first outing with a colt. We only anticipated it was a date. Sorry, Thorny."

Applejack tried her luck at a smile to reassure him, and it worked. Too bad Thorny was a teasing pony. "Ah didn' say it was a bad thing. Applejack's a mighty fine gal to go out with!"

There was absolute truth to his statement, yet the way he said it suggested he was merely bantering the red-faced mare. If there was another reason Applejack was dressed up other than appealing to his eyes and heart, she would have decked Thorny. To tease her privately was one thing, but outright embarrassing her in front of her friends was a death sentence. If only she knew that was a compliment.

Fluttershy felt the tension. Thinking quickly as to avoid Applejack's explosive temper, she said, "Excuse me, everypony, but I think the meteor shower is going to start soon."

It was subtle, but just what Applejack needed to get as far away from the boutique and her friends as she could. "Oh, that's right!" exclaimed Applejack. Grabbing Thorny, she left through the door with him in tow.

"Have fun!" Pinkie Pie called after them.

"Don't do anything you'll regret and bring her back safe!" Rainbow Dash threatened.

Thorny succeeded in unhooking his hoof from Applejack's just in time to see her suddenly slow her trot down to a light walk. He chuckled. "Realized there ain't no fire, huh?"

She sighed. "Yeah."

She was acting strange for some reason unknown to him. He had a feeling that it was best to wait until they stopped at wherever it was they were going to stop to watch the shower to say something. For now, he enjoyed walking beside her. The light of the full moon fell over them, bathing the two in cool, silver light. The crickets played a concerto of relaxing melodies. Fireflies danced in time to their cousins' music. Fog drifted up from the moist grass, transporting the ponies to a place where nothing could disturb the peace.

Thorny tried to keep his gaze fixed to the path ahead, but somehow kept ending up back on the pony in front of him. Everytime Applejack looked back, he whipped his gaze back to where it started, and so repeated the cycle. She didn't mind, and was actually comforted by the fact that her efforts to look pretty weren't in vain. She continued to lead him to the place she picked out to watch the shower. From what she saw, they weren't the only two going to watch it. Some of the Pegasi had moved the clouds and were camped out on the low hanging puffs of water vapor while the wingless townsfolk set out lawn chairs, blankets, and whatever else they had for a comfy view of the meteor shower. Some even resorted to using their balconies and roofs.

She and Thorny wouldn't be bothered by them. Their spot was secluded, so only ponies following them would have a chance at upsetting the night. White Tail Woods came into view a few minutes after they left the main parts of Ponyville. Applejack strayed off the path almost immediately. Thorny followed her through the trees to a clearing, where a tall hill lie in wait. One small climb later they were sitting down upon it.

Thorny wanted to say something about Applejack's dress, but she seemed preoccupied with keeping her gaze to the ground. She didn't know what to do or say. She didn't plan this far ahead, having not thought about getting this far. For now it was just enough she got to the hill without a nervous breakdown. She might have gotten accustomed to being within conversation range with Thorny, only now he was within heartbreaking distance. The wrong word could be a landmine, and kaboom, her life was over. Then again, silence was no better. She chose to start off with a less dangerous subject.

"How's Whistle doin'?" she asked.

He chuckled. "She's still barkin' at'er shadow. I let her go off with June an' Apple campin' with the Cutie Mark Crusaders."

"Ya think they're gonna get their Cutie Marks in campin'?"

He laughed. "They got a better chance at meetin' a two headed pony! Ah gotta cut'em some slack, though. At least they're havin' fun tryin'."

Applejack smiled at the fact that her sister and her friends hadn't the slightest clue about how to get a Cutie Mark, yet they never gave up no matter how many times they went home in need of a bath. She went on in the conversation. "Yer hoof okay?"

"Fine. Ah'm a tough pony", he stated proudly.

"Ah know."

"Ya okay, Applejack?"

She pretended like he should have been imagining the dress on her and her jumpy attitude. "Huh?"

"Ah ain't blind Applejack."

When she finally turned to Thorny, she found a stern, but concerned expression. Her lungs pushed a sigh from her. Her reserve of excuses was now dry. Nothing remained to delay the nervous inevitable. Well, except she had no starting line. "Ah really don' know where t' begin…"

"Start with why yer all prettied up an' go from there."

The answer was easy, getting it out was not. It was one of the things she was going to tell him anyway, so she may as well just get it out of the way. "Ah…jus' wanted t' make sure you thought Ah looked good…"

Her voice was on par with Fluttershy's, cluing him in on exactly what was going on. He smiled. It was time he confessed a few things too. First, he needed to get a smile out of her. "Ya don' need a fancy dress t' look pretty", he admitted, "Ah like the way ya look all the time."

The blood pumping organ in Applejack's chest slammed against her ribcage, rendering her breathless. Her blood was rushing to her head, but she refused to look away from the stallion's honest smile. His eyes twinkled in the starlight above, drawing more air from the mare. Her subconscious took over from there. Slowly, she stood up and worked her way out of the dress. She placed it on the ground next to her. Since they were so small and she secretly liked them, the earrings stayed.

"So…Ah look good jus' like this?"

He nodded. "'Cept…there's somethin' missin'." A few seconds passed before he removed the hat from the back of his neck. He placed it on top of Applejack's head. "Yer jus' not Applejack without a hat."

Despite how the whole day of preparation was one big waste, Applejack couldn't come up with a better time than now to tell him what she had fully admitted to herself twenty-four hours ago. "There's somethin' Ah need t' tell ya, Thorny."

He leaned forward. "What?"

"Ah—"

"Thorny! Wow! I finally found you!"

Both ponies turned from the other's eyes to see an orange Earth Pony galloping in a beeline right for them. She stopped about five feet from them to drop down and catch her breath. Applejack and Thorny exchanged confused glances. Thorny shook his head to silently say that he did not know who this mare was. Her gasps slowed to a stop. That's when she pulled something out from her saddlebag and presented it to Thorny. It was a bandana. Hoofmade from expensive materials from what they could tell.

"I made this for you, Handsome", she cooed.

Two red lights went off simultaneously: Applejack's angry jealously light and Thorny's I-should-get-the-hay-out-of-dodge light. His skin needed saving from Applejack's burning glare, so he quickly said, "Do Ah know you?"

"Know me?" the mare asked, offended, "It's me, Tiger Lily! The girl with the hugest crush on you since you came into Ponyville!"

"Sorry", Thorny apologized, "But Ah ain't never seen ya before."

"Are you crazy!?" Lily bellowed, "We spend so much time together working in the orchard and cleaning out my attic!"

She hit a little close to home for both of the ponies receiving her yells. That's when Applejack recognized her. "Hey! Yer that pony who was in Twilight's attic cuz ya couldn' sleep!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about", Lily snapped, "I've been working on something nice for Thorny for days so that he would confess his love for me!"

That was just what Applejack was told to do by Twilight! She didn't know what was going on, but she had her fill already. "Yer trottin' a dangerous line, Par'dner", she warned.

By now Thorny began to back away from the growing dispute. Two upset girls in conflict with each other could be very dangerous. Applejack stepped in front of him, as if to shield him from the crazy pony trying to give him a bandana. She refused to back down, taking her own step toward Applejack.

"I'm not letting anypo—"

"Lily stop!" called Twilight from the tree line.

"Twilight?" they all said at the same time.

The unicorn rushed up the hill. "Lily, you have to stop this. Nothing you know is accurate right now."

"What are you saying?"

"Last week." Twilight straightened up. "When I was helping you with your insomnia you were accidentally hooked up to both machines I was using. Many of Applejack's memories and ambitions transferred to your subconscious as you slept."

Lily blinked. "That's ridiculous."

"You're coming with me whether you like it or not", the lavender pony remarked. She charged up a spell. "Are you going to make me do this?"

She shivered at the light the librarian's horn was generating. "Alright, fine, but only to prove that I'm doing this because of my feelings."

Twilight let her go first so she could keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Peace returned slowly, and soon re-engulfed Thorny and Applejack. Now that it was officially uncomfortable, neither of them could find a relaxing place to sit. Thorny cleared his throat. "So, what was it ya needed t' tell me?"

"It's gotta be obvious now." She crossed her hooves. The moment was now ruined, and so was her shot at confessing to Thorny in a memorable way.

"Yeah." He smiled. "But Ah still wanna hear ya say it."

She didn't know how he did it. He managed to get her back on the spot and truly gave her the chance to redeem the purpose of the night. She inhaled deeply, looked deep into his eyes, and told him, "Ah like ya Thorny. More than Ah've ever liked anypony before…Ah think Ah might love ya…Ah don' know Ah'm not good at this feeling stuff…"

"Maybe Ah can help ya figure out." He leaned forward toward her face.

Applejack froze. Was he really doing what she, thought, feared, and really wanted him to do? There wasn't anything in the world that could have prepared Applejack for the sensation that Thorny's lips brought her. The warmed from the spot on her cheek surged so powerfully through her that it reached the heavens and lit up the sky in the form of a flashing meteorite overhead.

She always fantasized the first kiss she ever got from a boy would last as long, and be on her lips, but for now it was plenty more than what she had hoped for at the beginning of the day. She melted into his body after her muscles acted on their own. He responded by pulling her into a hug so they could watch the meteor shower together.

Maybe this love thing ain't so bad…

The End

I think I'm going to cry. So much love.

Let's give a big round of applause for the OC winner Tiger Lily, who is Nova P. Dancer's OC. I can safely assume this is the same Nova Dancer who has recently joined out humble society as a fellow writer.

I thank you all for your submissions, it was a really tough choice.

Chapter Trivia:

The reason it took me so long to write this update was that I couldn't find a way to get it to flow evenly, which eventually turned into rewriting it altogether.

In the first version, Applejack was to only be in the Boutique with Twilight and Rarity, meeting the others along the way to Thorny's.

Story Trivia:

Characters:

Thorny is the last OC I created for the Mane Six. Consequently, he was also the hardest to develop with a back story. At first he was to be a pony with supernatural powers and a horrible past, but that melted away and months later came up with what we all know now.

June Berry and Apple Sprout came later into the picture, some five or six months later to give Thorny's life a little something of family and to keep my interest level in him up.

Development:

This story was the hardest by far to write. I'm sure those of you falling it before the initial rewrite at the beginning know that. It was hard for me to write for Applejack and Thorny since I had run out of time for an exciting adventure plot to underlie the romance.

Easter Eggs: *Non-plot Spoilers*

For those readers who read across my stories: you may have noticed three things are very odd about the timelines. I wrote them in such a way that I have three "Easter Eggs", so to speak. They are:

Event Difference: Instances where stories feature the same events, but with many different aspects.

Time Paradox: Instances where events happen at seemingly different times in Equestria.

Pony Arrival Paradox: The fact that each story hints that the main OC may or may not have been the first in Ponyville, whereas evidence from another story suggests the opposite.