It's now 9:00 in the morning. Starlight Glimmer wakes up and stretches. Starlight trots to the kitchen and sees Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sitting at the table.
"Morning girls," Starlight said in a cheerful mood.
"Morning," Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo respond happily.
"You girls had a good night's sleep?" Starlight said, opening some cabinets to get the pancake mix.
"I did," Apple Bloom answer. "I dreamt of us creating a new flow of Friendship in the village."
"Sounds wonderful, Apple Bloom," Starlight said. She is starting to make pancakes.
"I slept well as well," Sweetie Belle said. "I dreamt that I was singing to everypony in the village at a karaoke lounge."
"Interesting dream, Sweetie Belle," Starlight now putting a fruit salad at the table. She is careful of the Zap Apples in the fridge. "What about you, Scootaloo?"
"I slept great. Seeing my aunts during the week and spending time with them, made me a lot better than I was when I first arrived here and living with you. I can't wait to see them in a few weeks."
"That's good, Scootaloo. Did you have a good dream as well?" Starlight asks.
"I did. I want to say its more of a vision."
"A vision?" Starlight looks at Scootaloo as she places apple and orange juice on the table.
"It was the entire town celebrating, finally at peace against those who wronged us in the past. It felt real seeing my aunts and my parents celebrating as well."
"Nice vision, Scootaloo," Starlight said as she goes back to making pancakes.
"Well, today's the day I'll be planting the seeds of the Zap Apples and the regular apple seeds from Sweet Apple Acres," Apple Bloom happily states.
"Apple Bloom. I will need time to study time magic. I need to reread some books of magic I do have to see if I have the right time magic. If not, then I'll have to ask some ponies to lend me a book of time."
"Take your time with that. Next year, Zap Apples will be ready. As for the apple trees, a few years at best."
"Quick question, Starly," Scootaloo said.
"I'm all ears, Scootaloo."
"What is it like on Nightmare Night here in the village?"
"One gigantic Nightmare Night party. Party Favor is in charge of all party events and celebrations. Knowing him, he already has a plan of action."
"How was it last year, Starly?" Sweetie Belle curiously asks.
"Nightmarish. Party Favor created a small scary maze using the trees we used to have. It gave everypony nightmares for a week. When Party Favor is in motion on what he wants for Nightmare Night to be, he delivers. I will say it was still a fun night, overall."
"Wow. Sounds awesome," Sweetie Belle replies.
"He is very secretive with his planning. I wouldn't be surprised if Party Favor has a party cave beneath his basement."
The girls giggle at the thought of Party Favor having a party cave. Starlight finishes making pancakes. She puts them on a big plate and uses her magic to carry the plate of pancakes to the table. She smiles and sits with the girls.
"Dig in girls," Starlight said as she smiles.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo each grab their pancakes and a good share of the fruit salad. Starlight grabs hers then hears a knocking on the door. She pardons herself and trots to the front door and opens. She sees Party Favor.
"Speaking of the devil himself," Starlight chuckles a bit.
"What?" Party Favor asks in confusion.
"Oh, never mind. What's up, Party Favor?" Starlight smile as she asks Party Favor.
"Well, with the success that you, Night Glider, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo accomplished, I want to throw a celebrational party. Just don't tell the girls. I want it to be a surprise."
"Sounds good Party Favor. What time to show up at the party?"
"Around 2:30. It'll give me just enough time to set everything up."
"Alright, then. Just to let you know, Apple Bloom intends on planting the seeds of the Zap Apples and regular apples we brought from Ponyville."
"Thanks for the heads up. I'll see you later, Starlight."
Party Favor leaves as Starlight closes the door. She trots back to the kitchen to eat her breakfast.
"Who was at the door, Starly?" Scootaloo asks.
"A friend that wanted to talk. It's all good," Starlight takes a bite of the pancakes.
The girls enjoy their breakfast in the kitchen. After eating, the CMC volunteer to help clean up. Starlight didn't want them to clean up but, they insist. Starlight trot to her office as the CMC clean up. After they finish cleaning up, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo trot to Starlight's office. They knock on the door first.
"Come in," Starlight answers.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo walk in.
"Starly, you got a few minutes?" Sweetie Belle asks.
"Sure. What's on your mind, Sweetie Belle?" Starlight calmly replies.
"Did you get a glimpse of what Applejack looked like when we fled from the barn house the other night?"
"Hmm..," Starlight thought back to the night when Night Glider gave her the warning. She starts remembering the aggressive farm ponies that were following their dog from afar. After much thought, she remembers seeing a red stallion and an orange pony with a hat. "Yes. When we followed you two in the Everfree Forest, I remember seeing two ponies. A red stallion and the other, an orange mare with a hat."
"I think we should start practicing our routine to welcome the new incoming visitors. Especially, Applejack and her friends. I believe in my vision, Applejack and her friends come to the village and try to take Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and myself back."
"Alright, the routine will not be that hard to perform. Also, what else you saw in your vision?" Starlight asks.
"I saw Pinkie Pie showing the untrustworthy in the village as Fluttershy enjoys what she sees. Twilight starts questioning everypony and looks around the town for us. Then they try to forcefully take us back after fixing a problem."
"Interesting vision, however, the part when they try to take you won't happen. Not on my watch and everypony else's watch. You three are our family. You three have done so much. You are entitled to a happy life."
"So, when should we start?" Sweetie Belle asks.
"After the Nightmare Night Celebration. We'll start our routine to lure ponies who wronged us in the past."
"Sounds good, Starly," Sweetie Belle responds.
"Starly," Apple Bloom calls out. "I'm gonna plant the Zap Apple seeds and apple seeds in the fields now."
"Alright, Apple Bloom," Starlight answers. "Sweetie Belle, give Apple Bloom a helping hoof."
"Can do, Starly," Sweetie Belle leaves the office to meet with Apple Bloom. The two trot out of the house together with the bag of Zap Apples and apple seeds.
"Starly, when should we build the house for my two aunts?"
"In a few days, Scootaloo."
"Good, I can't wait to see them again when they leave Ponyville for good."
"The village shall embrace their arrival on good notice. Lofty and Holiday were crucial for our Zap Apple gathering. They housed us during the time and showed love for you, Scootaloo."
"A stroke of luck that my aunts were still living in Ponyville, otherwise we would have been camping and could have been spotted by pony folk in Ponyville or worse."
"Agreed. Lofty and Holiday are blessings to us, and the village."
"So, what are you going to do now, Starly?"
"I'm going to practice on time magic. I don't have any plans for the moment."
"Alright, then. Mind if I help you?"
"Sure," Starlight grabs a few books of spells. "Help me find the page that demonstrates time magic."
"Can do," Scootaloo said as she opens the book to start scanning.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are planting the apple seeds all around the village. Night Glider and Double Diamond are aiding the two as they plant apple seeds. Apple Bloom tells Night Glider and Double Diamond to create an open space behind Starlight's house. That's where she'll be planting the Zap Apple seeds. After a while, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle finished planting the apple seeds all around the village except Starlight's backyard. The two check on Night Glider and Double Diamond's progress. They made more than enough room for the Zap Apples. Apple Bloom plants the Zap Apple seeds. In an instant, the Zap Apple trees grow with Zap Apples on them. Everyone around is amazed to see Zap Apples on the trees already.
"Zap Apples, already?" Sweetie Belle questions curiously.
"Wait, what time is it?" Apple Bloom asks.
"By now, it's 11:00," Double Diamond said.
"We have an hour until the Zap Apples disappear. Quick, everypony! We have a chance to gather our supply right now!" Apple Bloom loudly states.
Night Glider flies back, knocking on every door. She alerts everyone to come to the backyard of Starlight's house. They have Zap Apples to pick with limited time. Sugar Belle and several ponies make their way to the Zap Apple trees to start picking them. Party Favor answer the door but told Night Glider that he is busy preparing for a party later today. Night Glider nods and flies back to the group to help out.
Starlight and Scootaloo hear the commotion happening in the backyard. Scootaloo decides to check and see what's happening. As she goes to the back, she is shocked in amazement. The Zap Apples grew. She didn't think they'll grow with the limited time remaining from the Zap Apple season harvest. Scootaloo alerts Starlight. She comes out to see what Scootaloo saw. She, too, is shocked in amazement. Everypony is helping one another in gathering the Zap Apples.
"I didn't even know the Zap Apples will still grow. I thought it'll be the trees that'll grow," Scootaloo states.
"I'm surprised to see everypony working together to gather the Zap Apples," Starlight said.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle approach the two.
"Starly, I wasn't expecting this to happen. I thought the trees would grow, turns out that the Zap Apple gathering still have time left," Apple Bloom states.
"We have another twenty minutes before the Zap Apples are gone. We can use your help, Starly," Sweetie Belle said.
"Of course. I'll lend a hoof," Starlight answers as she trots to the Zap Apple trees. Using her magic, she picks a good portion of Zap Apples off the trees and places them in buckets.
Zap Apples continue to appear on the trees as everypony helps to pick at them. Apple Bloom bucks the trees as Zap Apples fall. After twenty minutes have gone by, the Zap Apples disappear. Starlight does an initial count of Zap Apples gathered. After a few moments, Starlight concludes the total of Zap Apples to be 250. Everypony is surprised by the sheer number they collected. Sugar Belle cannot wait to create treats in her store using the Zap Apples as the main ingredient.
Party Favor leaves his house to look for Sugar Belle. He figured that she would be helping Night Glider and the rest for the Zap Apples. As Party Favor meets up with the rest, he sees the buckets of Zap Apples. "Wow!" He blurts loudly.
Everypony turns to look at Party Favor.
"Hehe, sorry. I'm just shocked to see buckets of Zap Apples everywhere."
"It's fine," Sugar Belle said.
"Thanks. Also, Sugar Belle, I need a word with you."
"Sure thing."
Sugar Belle follows Party Favor away from the house to have a private discussion.
"I'm throwing a party for the success that Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo achieved when they brought home the Zap Apple seeds. With the Zap Apples that everypony gathered, would it be possible for you to make Zap Apple treats and cakes?"
"Yes. That was my initial plan. Knowing you are giving the trio a surprise party, I'll make sure my treats and cake are more than perfect. I should have enough Zap Apples to make and finish within a few hours."
"Perfect. I'll come by to check on you in a while."
"Sounds good, Party Favor."
Party Favor heads back home as Sugar Belle goes back to the group behind Starlight's house. Sugar Belle approaches Starlight. She needs a few moments with her. Starlight and Sugar Belle walk away from the group to have their private discussion.
"What's up, Sugar Belle?"
"Party Favor has asked me to make treats and a cake for the party later. I would like three or four buckets of Zap Apples to make the preparations for the party."
Starlight nods in understanding.
"Alright, I'll lend you four buckets of Zap Apples. Knowing your baking capabilities, you'll make awesome treats for the party."
"Thank you, Starlight," Sugar Belle smiles graciously.
"You're welcome, Sugar Belle."
The two walk back to the group of ponies. From there, Starlight gives a good portion of Zap Apples to everypony that helped out. Starlight announces that Sugar Belle will be getting four buckets for her shop. Everypony nods in understanding. They would want Sugar Belle to have the majority of the Zap Apples due to her fantastic baking abilities. Everypony goes their separate ways. Starlight tells the CMC to head inside. She'll be helping Sugar Belle with the buckets. The trio agrees and goes inside.
Starlight uses her magic to lift the buckets of Zap Apples. She and Sugar Belle trot to the bakery. On the way there, they see Party Favor organizing the party. Double Diamond, Night Glider, and several ponies are helping Party Favor arranging the party. Following the instructions that Party Favor laid out. Sugar Belle and Starlight enters the bakery. Starlight places the buckets in the kitchen.
"Alright, let's see what you can do, Sugar Belle. I'll keep the trio occupied in my house until the time is right."
"Sounds good, Starlight. Thanks for the help."
"You're welcome," Starlight smiles as she leaves the bakery. She sees Party Favor approaching her.
"Got a second, Starlight?"
"Sure," Starlight answers.
"I need you to keep the trio occupied while I set things up."
"That is my initial plan, Party Favor."
"Good. Glad we're on the same page."
"Sounds good, Party Favor. Also, send Night Glider or Double Diamond to pick the girls up so they can be surprised."
"Can do, Starlight," Party Favor said as he salutes to Starlight.
"Good. I'll see you later, Party Favor."
Starlight trots back to the house. She can't wait to taste the Zap Apple treats that Sugar Belle will be making. She hopes the girls will enjoy them as well. Starlight walks into the house to see the trio in her office. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are reading the books of magic Starlight has. They are looking for time-related magic spells for the apple trees. Starlight smiles and grabs a book. The girls spent the past hour searching for time magic spells. Scootaloo found something that relates to time.
"Starly, I found something."
"What is it?" Starlight trots to Scootaloo.
"This spell allows you to go forward in time. I think it can be useful for us."
"Let me see," Starlight said with a level of concern.
Scootaloo hands her the page to examine. Starlight read carefully and understood the magic's meaning.
"This can be helpful. However, I would be going to the future. The spell will send me to the future of my village. There isn't a spell for me to come back. You have the first part, somewhere in the book has the second part," Starlight said as she hands the book back to Scootaloo.
"Alright, I'll keep searching for the second part, Starly."
"Thanks, Scootaloo."
"No problem."
Scootaloo goes back to reading. Sweetie Belle found something eerie similar to what Scootaloo found.
"Starly, I believe I found the second part to Scootaloo's time spell."
"Let me see," Starlight said.
Sweetie Belle hands her the page to examine. Starlight read and smiles.
"Well done, Sweetie Belle. You've found the second part of the time spell. Now we have access of going through time. I need to practice these time spells. They'll be useful for future events."
"Awesome," Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said.
"Starly, I think I found what we need," Apple Bloom said. "I found an aging spell that speeds the process for the apple trees."
Starlight trot to Apple Bloom. Using her magic, she takes the book from Apple Bloom to examine.
"Yes, this is what we need for the apple trees. I'll be practicing this aging spell first. Then, I'll practice the time spells you two found."
"Sounds good, Starly," Apple Bloom cheerfully said.
"For now, let's play a game," Starlight said.
"What game you have in mind?" Sweetie Belle asks.
"A fun game. Parcheesi"
"Sounds good to us," The girls said in unison.
Starlight brings the board game to the table. The game should last for a while longer as Party Favor continues to set up the party. The girls wind up playing three games that lasted for two hours. While they were playing, Party Favor has finished setting up the party. Sugar Belle is still in the process of making a Zap Apple Chocolate Truffle cake. Party Favor asks Night Glider to bring the trio for the surprise party. Night Glider flies to Starlight's house and knocks repeatedly.
"Coming," Starlight shouts. Using her magic, she rolls the dice. The girls groan as Starlight answers the door. "Hey, Night Glider."
"Hey, Starlight. Were you playing a game with the girls?" Night Glider asks.
"Yea. Unfortunately for them, I've beaten them four times in a row."
"Wow. So, uh," Night Glider recollects her thoughts. "Party is ready."
"Perfect. Get in position."
Night Glider nods and flies back to Party Favor. She tells him and everyone to get in position. Starlight closes the door and trots back to the girls.
"Are you using your magic to cheat, Starlight?" Apple Bloom asks.
"Yea?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo chime in.
"No. I have no honor in cheating," Starlight reassuringly said. "Anyway, I have something to show you three."
"What is it?" The girls ask in unison.
"Follow me."
The CMC follows Starlight outside. As they follow her, they see party decorations. The trio is then startled by everypony shouting surprise. Party Favor unveils a banner to congratulate the CMC for their successful mission of the Zap Apple Gathering. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo jaws dropped in shock and amazement.
"Since you, three were successful in the Zap Apple gathering and apple seed gathering. Everyone in the village wanted to throw you three a celebration surprise party!" Party Favor shouts excitedly.
Everypony agrees.
"Well, it was more Party Favor's idea but, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to help create the party for you three. You three are our family after all," Double Diamond said.
"F-F-Family..," Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo said. They start tearing up in happiness. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo never thought that everypony else besides Starlight would consider them family. They feel blessed. They are happy. "Thank you so much, everypony! We consider everypony here our family too!"
"Now, let's get this party starting!" Party Favor shouts.
Everypony starts to party with the CMC. They danced, sing, play games, and have a good time with each other. After a few hours of partying, Sugar Belle comes out with a freshly baked Zap Apple Chocolate Truffle cake and Zap Apple cookies. Starlight calls for everyone to attend at the table. Everypony lifts their glasses of juices.
"A toast to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo," Everypony stands. "You three are our family. You helped us when we helped you. We are grateful to call you three, our friend. We are your family for many years to come," Starlight shouts proudly as everypony cheers loudly.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo cry in happiness. They feel the love and appreciation from everypony. Seeing the happy faces of everypony, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo now feel like their at ease with what has happened months ago. The hatred that lingered in their hearts during the Gabby Gums incident has deceased. They still feel betrayed by everypony in Ponyville for how they inflicted on them, friends, family. Someday, their judgment will come. For now, they want to enjoy themselves with the right friends and family they do have right now.
Sugar Belle cuts the Zap Apple Chocolate Truffle cake and gives everypony a good portion of it. Everypony felt like they are in heaven after the first bite. Apple Bloom is more impressed with Sugar Belle with her Zap Apple recipe. Sometime during the week, she'll help and teach Sugar Belle how to make Zap Apple jam.
After a few hours of celebrating more, everypony goes back home. Party Favor is quick to clean up after the party has ended. Everypony leaves with a smile on their faces. Starlight knows the trio had a good day. She hopes that Scootaloo's parents decide to stay in her village so she can continue to see Scootaloo. Seeing her smile and being happy brings joy to her. That is the same with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. The difference is, Scootaloo's parents know who she is while Rarity and the Apple Family does not. Starlight and the girls enter the house. She escorts the girls upstairs and tucks them in the bed. Kissing them on their foreheads as they drift to sleep. Starlight walks back downstairs and into her office.
"Scootaloo's vision," Starlight imagines Twilight Sparkle and her friends coming to the village. Questioning the village's belief and looking for Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. "If her vision comes true, we'll be one step ahead," Starlight now walks in a circular motion collecting her thoughts. "I hope Scootaloo has another vision that ties into the first one. For now, the calculations I can come up with are, giving them a spectator to watch their movements. Making sure that the girls remain in my house, upstairs at all times." Starlight stops walking in a circular motion. "Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash will face punishment for the hatred they unleashed at my foals. I will make sure they'll never hurt them and take them back as long as I live. As for their friends, they'll face the same punishment. Hatred will be their demise. Their friendship is meaningless compare to the one I build up in my village. My friendship will continue to expand. Soon enough, everypony in Equestria shall be, renewed," Starlight leaves her office and gets on the couch. She yawns as she lays down. "Let's see what tomorrow will bring," Starlight falls asleep.