When the CMCs and Cozy Glow encounter a haunted house near the place where Apple Bloom's parents died, they are in for a treat this Nightmare Night.
When the CMCs and Cozy Glow encounter a haunted house on Nightmare Night, which just happened to be near the place where Bright Mac and Pear Butter died, the four fillies discover many horrors that they can't unsee, with a sense of fright and discovery for Apple Bloom as she digs deeper into her parents' lives and how they died.
It was a Tuesday afternoon and all of the fillies and colts in Cheerilee's class were excited about the Nightmare Night party at school tomorrow, especially Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. All the students were discussing who they would dress up as and how much candy they were going to get trick-or-treating.
"Say, Apple Bloom, who are you gonna be this year?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I can't say I've given it much thought," Apple Bloom replied.
"What!?" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle cried in unison, "Nightmare Night is tomorrow!"
"I was thinkin' y'all could help me," said Apple Bloom.
"I don't know," said Sweetie Belle, "I already know what I'm going as!"
"And what's that?" Scootaloo asked.
"A demon fairy!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"You know Rarity would never approve of that," said Scootaloo.
"Dang!" Sweetie Belle said, "Then I guess a regular fairy!"
"What about you, Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom asked, "Who're you gonna dress up as?"
"Dang, beats me," Scootaloo said, "I guess I didn't give it much thought either." Then an idea hit her. "Those ghost stories that Rainbow Dash always tells around this time of year!"
"What about 'em?" said Apple Bloom.
"You know, I might as well be a ghost with a severed head!" Scootaloo said.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shuddered.
"Nice costume choice, Scootaloo," a filly said.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders turned around to see who the voice was coming from. It was none other than Cozy Glow.
"Oh, hey, Cozy Glow," Scootaloo said, "Thanks. Who are you being?"
"Little Red Riding Hood of course!" Cozy Glow exclaimed.
Apple Bloom, without thinking, trotted up to Cozy Glow. "I'm the only one who doesn't have a costume idea! It ain't fair!"
"It's OK, Apple Bloom," Cozy said, "Do you want to be the Big Bad Wolf?"
"Sounds like fun!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shook their heads frantically in response.
"What's wrong with you two? It doesn't matter what you dress up as," Apple Bloom said, "If Mom and Dad were still here, they'd bust your flanks! You can be anything you want on Nightmare Night and I'm not lettin' you tellin' me how to live my life!"
Her friends sighed.
"She's got a point," Sweetie Belle said.
"No kidding," Scootaloo said, "It's not just her not knowing her parents for very long." Scootaloo's eyes welled up with tears. "Or in my case, not ever."
Sweetie Belle hugged Scootaloo. "Don't cry, Scootaloo. It's gonna be OK."
Scootaloo sniffed, hugging Sweetie Belle back. "Thanks, Sweetie Belle," she said, wiping her tears with her hoof.
"You're welcome," Sweetie Belle said.
Then the bell rang a few minutes later, all the students racing excitedly out of the schoolhouse. After everypony had left, only Cozy Glow, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo remained. The four friends looked at each other in silence. Scootaloo was the one to break that silence.
"Why don't you come over to Rainbow Dash's with me? I can't wait to hear some awesome ghost stories!" Scootaloo said.
Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Cozy Glow shared a quick glance at each other, thinking.
"Hey, Scootaloo. How was school?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Great! I was just about to ask you the same thing about Wonderbolts practice!" Scootaloo replied.
"It was aight," Rainbow Dash replied, "Hey, aren't you having a Nightmare Night party tomorrow?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Scootaloo exclaimed, excitedly fluttering her wings, "And I will have the spookiest costume in all of Miss Cheerilee's class! I'm gonna be one of those horror stories you always tell! A ghost with a severed head!"
"Holy shit! Scootaloo, are you sure that'll be school appropriate?" Rainbow Dash said.
"Sure it will! We're gonna have a costume contest and whoever has the best costume wins!" Scootaloo said.
"Well, if you fucking say so," Rainbow Dash said.
"What? Does the best pony in Equestria object?" Scootaloo said.
"I didn't say that!" Rainbow Dash said, "Alright, you can wear that for Nightmare Night. It'll be so funny when they piss on the floor!" She snickered, eventually falling on the floor and laughing.
"I guess," Scootaloo said, "Tonight could you tell us ghost stories? I've gotta convince the others to have a sleepover at your place!"
"I can so do that shit!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a huge smile upon her face, "Go knock yourself out, kid!"
Scootaloo nodded and headed to the Clubhouse.
Chapter 3: A Trip to the Clubhouse and Straight Home Again
Scootaloo trotted up the stairs of the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse and opened the door. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Cozy Glow looked over towards the entrance and saw Scootaloo.
“You’ve totally gotta come over tonight!” Scootaloo said, “I’ll make it seem like the most rad sleepover ever!”
“Scootaloo, I thought we discussed about this!” cried Apple Bloom, “We ain’t goin’ to have no...” She paused. Then, she suddenly gasped. “A sleepover ya say?”
“Yeah!” Scootaloo said, “It’ll be fun!”
“I don’t know if a slumber party with Rainbow Dash this close to Nightmare Night seems like a good idea,” said Sweetie Belle.
“Yeah, consider her scary stories,” Apple Bloom said with a shudder.
“Oh, c’mon guys! Don’t act like such chickens!” Cozy Glow said, “So what if she tells scary stories? It’s not like something’s gonna go after us.”
“Cozy’s got a point, guys,” said Scootaloo.
“But we remember how scared you were that one night,” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said in unison, “You couldn’t sleep ‘cause you thought the Headless Pony was on the loose.”
Scootaloo blushed and flashed a nervous smile. “I-I don’t remember that at all. There’s no way in Equestria I-I’m afraid of anything.”
“Look at your face now,” Cozy Glow said, “Are you still sure you’re not scared of anything?”
“Crap, you got me,” Scootaloo said, “But don’t tell Rainbow Dash! If she finds out that I’ve lost my cool, she’ll flip!”
“Uh huh,” the others said in a non-interested manner, “We promise.”
“What’s wrong, guys?” Scootaloo asked.
“Oh, now you wanna know!” Apple Bloom said, “What the hell’s goin’ on here, Scootaloo? I thought we told you about this already at school! Don’t try to force us to do something we don’t wanna do!”
Scootaloo hung her head and cried. “I just wanted to have fun with you guys tonight! I understand if you don’t wanna come because she’s gonna tell ghost stories no matter what!” she rage quitted.
“Scootaloo, wait!” Apple Bloom called, “I didn’t mean it like that!”
Scootaloo, her face red with anger and with hot tears streaming down her eyes, turned around to face Apple Bloom. “DAMN YOU!”
Scootaloo trotted to the door and stormed out of the Clubhouse, with the door slamming violently as she left. So she stomped all the way home, where she was greeted by Rainbow Dash.
“Scootaloo, are you OK?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“You wouldn’t understand!” Scootaloo sobbed.
“Don’t say that. I’ve been there for you through all these years. Surely there’s something you can talk to me about,” Rainbow Dash said.
“No, I’m fine,” Scootaloo lied, “I’ll just be in my room crying and crying until they....”
“They what?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Scootaloo shook her head, unable to hold in more sobs. “Never mind.”
So she went to her room and locked the door. In her bedroom, Scootaloo crawled into her bed and hid under the covers. Also hiding her head in her pillow, muffled crying could be heard from where Rainbow Dash was.
Rainbow Dash didn’t know what to do. She felt so bad for her younger sister and the very filly that she’s been taking care of for quite a while now--- how long was it again? Rainbow Dash shook her head. There was no reason to put her thought in something as worthless as that now. Now she had to do something about Scootaloo. No, she decided to give her time and when she was ready, they’d talk about it. She couldn’t force Scootaloo to do something she didn’t want to do and she knew that.
Then, Rainbow Dash knew just what was going on, or so she had a good guess to what was going on to make Scootaloo so down in the dumps. So she flew to Scootaloo's room and knocked on the door. "Scootaloo, may I come in?"
Scootaloo peeked her head out from under the covers. "If you want to see me in most unbadass way, then hell yeah. Make your freaking way in here."
"Scootaloo, I for one know firsthoof that I can't always pull off a cool demeanour all the damn time," Rainbow Dash admitted, "Sometimes, ponies are gonna see the ugly parts, but who cares? It doesn't matter how much of a badass you are, it only matters if you are true to yourself. I understand that at times it can be hard, I agree. You've gotta put on a facade and be strong, but not always. You can talk to me. It's way better than you just hiding up here and waiting for depression to develop."
Scootaloo sniffed. She emerged from the door and fluttered into Rainbow Dash's hooves. They embraced each other in a hug. "I love you, Rainbow Dash," she said.
"I love you too, Scoots," Rainbow Dash replied, "Now it's getting late. Get to bed. You have a big day tomorrow."
"I feel something odd," Apple Bloom said, "And I have no idea what it is."
"Is everything OK, Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I think. I just can't stop seeing my parents for some odd reason," she said, "I swear I feel them somewhere in the classroom!"
"Maybe it's just the wind," Cozy Glow suggested.
Scootaloo gasped. "Guys, you know what this means, right?"
"And what's that?" Cozy Glow, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle asked.
"Rainbow Dash once told me if you're feeling odd presences in a room, it means that the ponies or creatures are attached to the place where they died after death," Scootaloo said.
"But why are they here? They never were attached to Miss Cheerilee's school!" Apple Bloom cried.
"Maybe they're just attached to it because they wanna see their youngest daughter on Nightmare Night," Cozy suggested, "Now that you mention it, I did feel a cold draft just a second ago. And I'm seeing desks move right before our very eyes!"
"Dang, you're right, Cozy!" the three fillies exclaimed, "And there's no sign of Snips or Snails using their magic!"
Cheerilee trotted up to Cozy Glow, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. "What's all this nonsense about ghosts? Ghosts have never been proven, girls."
Apple Bloom stared at Cheerilee in horror. Her friends waved their hooves in front of her to bring her back to Equestria, but it was no use. "Then who are those two familiar figures standing in the middle of the room? They're here for me, so they must be related to me in some way."
Cheerilee gasped. "Bright Mac and Pear Butter!"
"You see them, Miss Cheerilee?" Apple Bloom said, "Oh, I can't believe my parents are haunting the school, searching for their youngest daughter who was born right before their death! That means something!"
Long-Lost Reunion Lyrics
Apple Bloom: Something's ahoof, I can feel it I sense something, can you hear it? Can you see it?
Mom and Dad, is this a sign That you're still out there In this life of mine?
Oh how I've missed you so More than you'll ever know I can't hug you, but anyway Here I go
Happy Nightmare Night You've come back And I don't know whether to feel Excitement or fright
I'm discoverin' something, I can feel it in my grasp Yet you're ghosts Something I can't quite clasp
Could this be The long-lost reunion I've always waited for?
Oh Could this be?
I turn around and see You're everywhere I can't get rid of you And I don't know what to do
Then you hold me in your hooves Tell me everything's OK With your kind ghostly whispers Making me have the shivers
Oh, should I be Happy or afraid? It's my call Living most of my life in a crusade It's my choice whether I'm excited or afraid
I admit, this encounter gives me the chills Yet filled with many excitable thrills
I think I like this long-lost reunion It shows that they love me And wanna see how I'm doin' in school
I think I like this long-lost reunion Forget about the delusion Confusion
I think I like this I think I like this I think I like this
“Thanks for suggesting this, Scootaloo, " Apple Bloom said, "I think that one of Rainbow Dash's ghost stories is sure to help me figure out why I was visited by the ghosts of my parents!"
"Yeah, we're sorry for turning you down before," said Sweetie Belle, "Some friends we are."
"No, it's OK. I know you didn't want to come and I couldn't force you to," Scootaloo said.
Cozy Glow turned to Apple Bloom. "Do you think Rainbow Dash will know what the mystery is with your parents?"
"It's worth a try!" Apple Bloom chirped, "Hell, she's the best dang ghost story teller I've ever known!"
"I think in Equestria even," Scootaloo added.
"But what are we waiting for?" Cozy Glow said, "Let's go! We don't wanna be late!"
So Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Cozy Glow ran as fast as they could until they reached the Cloudiminium.
Rainbow Dash peeked out the window and saw them. She excitedly flew to the door and opened it. "Hey, guys! What brings your friends here tonight, Scootaloo?"
"They finally came around to staying the night. And what better night to tell ghost stories than Nightmare Night!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"That it is," Rainbow Dash replied, "Well, you fillies have fun." She briefly paused to catch her thoughts. "Wait, it's Nightmare Night. Aren't you gonna be late for trick-or-treating?"
"There's no trick-or-treating this year," Sweetie Belle lied.
"Then how come I see fillies and colts around Ponyville gathering candy?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Sweetie Belle turned red with embarrassment while the other three flashed a nervous smile.
"Maybe you could take us," Cozy Glow suggested.
"Sure I will!" she said, "Uh, did you guys even bring your costumes?"
"It's in my room," Scootaloo said, "I'll go grab it." So she tried to flutter her way to her room, but couldn't stop collapsing.
Rainbow Dash zoomed over to help her. "Just a sec, girls!" She caught Scootaloo in her wings. "Scootaloo, I know how damn bad you wanna fly and I don't want you to stop trying, but are you ready for the truth?"
Scootaloo sniffed. "I'm bracing myself any minute now," she said.
"Take your time," Rainbow Dash said with an affectionate smile.
A moment passed.
"OK, I'm ready." Scootaloo said.
"Scootaloo, you know I encourage you to keep trying 'cause I love you. I hate to break it to you, Scoots, but there will never be a day where you'll fly like me or be in the Wonderbolts."
"So, you're saying I'll never fly?" Scootaloo said.
"Don't take it too seriously, kid. I wanted to tell you that earlier, but I was afraid of how you would react," Rainbow Dash.
"Now knowing that I'll never fly is a bust, but that just makes me wanna try even harder!" Scootaloo said with a smile, "And you'll still catch me when I fall, right?"
"Damn straight," Rainbow Dash said, smiling at Scootaloo. "Just take it easy going to get your costume, alright."
Scootaloo nodded. "Sure thing, Rainbow Dash!"
So she ran to grab her costume and put it on. "Come, guys! I brought yours too!" Scootaloo said.
"I'm good," Apple Bloom said, "I'll search the house for any traces my parents left behind."
"Is something troubling you, Apple Bloom?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Apple Bloom sighed. "At school, I saw the ghosts of my parents. Applejack said they died right after they gave birth to me," she said, "So it was strange seeing them again. What were they doing at school? Were they looking for me? I thought you of all ponies would know about paranormal encounters."
"That's strange," Rainbow Dash said, "I'll see if Applejack noticed anything odd too."
"Thank you, Rainbow Dash," Apple Bloom said, "Maybe she'll know. But for now, I'll go with Sweetie Belle and Cozy Glow to get dressed for trick-or-treating."
"Sure thing," Rainbow Dash said. She pulled out her cell phone and texted Applejack.
Soon enough, Applejack replied and said that she did see some weird shadows the other night appearing to be Pear Butter and Bright Mac. But the reply also showed that she denied it and swore that the images were nothing and that ghosts don't exist.
"Ghosts exist too!" Rainbow Dash said.
The CMCs and Cozy Glow emerged in their costumes, ready to go.
Rainbow Dash looked over at them, flying over and giving them their pumpkin buckets. "You ready to go?"
"Yep!" all four said in unison.
"Alright then," Rainbow Dash, "Let's get this son of a bitch started!"
Cozy Glow looked at the CMCs. "Does she always swear?"
"Pretty much," Scootaloo replied, "But who cares when she's the coolest pony in Equestria?"
On the trick-or-treating path, Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Cozy Glow spotted several different fillies and colts going to every house in Ponyville. Every house seemed to have similar decorations: fake spiders and cobwebs, Nightmare Moon turning back into Princess Luna, and jack-o-lanterns on the front porch that have been carved by those fillies and colts and implanted with a candle by their parents.
As they neared Sugarcube Corner, which Pinkie and Cheese decorated overboard for Nightmare Night like they always did, Apple Bloom blushed when she spotted Pop Fly, Sweetie Belle at Button Mash, and Scootaloo at Diamond Tiara.
"What are you weirdos staring at?" Cozy Glow said. She then understood. "Oh yes. Your crushes. I should've guessed."
"Do you have a crush, Cozy?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"No way!" Cozy Glow cried, flustered. She eventually gave it up. "It's Rumble," she said.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo gasped all at the same time. "That's the pony who never wanted a cutie mark!" they cried.
"Yeah, that's him," Cozy Glow said, "Why did you force him when he didn't want a cutie mark?"
The Cutie Mark Crusaders were silent.
"Never mind," said Cozy, "Let's continue having fun."
The next house they approached was Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie let them take as much as they wanted. Next, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Cozy Glow trotted on to Carousel Boutique, and then to Sweet Apple Acres Farm. There, Apple Bloom lowered her head in shame.
A few more houses they passed and then the night was finished. But that was when Apple Bloom spotted it. She pointed to Ponyville Cemetery. The quickest route, however, was to cross the woods and reach it.
"Are you sure you wanna do this, Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah, we should really turn back," Sweetie Belle added, "That route doesn't look safe."
"Goddamn pussies!" Cozy Glow shouted, "Let's go in there and help Apple Bloom! Are you really gonna back off now when your friend has an important mission that she wants to discover her family life? Am I the only one who seriously realised what friendship was because of Diamond Tiara?"
"Yeah! We can't leave Apple Bloom hanging!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exclaimed.
So all of the fillies ran into the woods after Apple Bloom to aid her in her search.
Rainbow Dash zoomed after them, immediately catching up to them, but accidentally leaving a Sonic Rainboom behind.
"Holy crap, that was awesome!" Scootaloo said.
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. "Shit, that was too fast." She shook off the nervousness. "You guys really need to wait for the adult here. You can't go off by yourselves."
"We understand," the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Cozy Glow said.
"Good," Rainbow Dash said.
They examined their surroundings.
"Where the fuck are we?" Rainbow Dash said.
"I don't know," Apple Bloom replied, "But I guess we'll just have to find out!" She gestured to her friends and Rainbow Dash to come. "C'mon, guys!"
So everypony followed Apple Bloom until they were face to face in front of a haunted house.
"This is it!" Apple Bloom said with a quiver in her voice.
Scootaloo glanced at Sweetie Belle, Cozy Glow glanced at both of them smack dab in the middle.
"I'm not going in there," Scootaloo said.
"No way in hay!" Sweetie Belle cried, huddling onto Scootaloo and Cozy Glow as Apple Bloom went on ahead.
As Apple Bloom got closer and closer to the abandoned house, the ground shook below her hooves. "Guys, take cover! I think whoever's here found out we're here!"
They all huddled together, clinging onto Rainbow Dash.
"I'm scared," Scootaloo said.
"Me too," said Sweetie Belle.
Apple Bloom took a few deep breaths and continued forward.
"Apple Bloom, no! Please don't go any closer!" Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Cozy Glow cried, "You don't know what dangers lie ahead!"
The ground below their hooves shook even more until a big hole was dug around them.
"Alright, I'm gettin' the chills! Let's call this a night!" Apple Bloom screamed and ran as far away as she could from the house. She hid behind Scootaloo, Cozy, and Sweetie Belle.
"Do something, Rainbow Dash! You're so much braver than the four of us!" Scootaloo cried with tears in her eyes.
Rainbow Dash began to fly towards the house, but was stopped abruptly when she was grabbed by a creepy hoof. "H-holy shit! Le-lemme go!"
Scootaloo tried to fly after Rainbow Dash, but she kept getting scratches from falling on the ground. Soon enough the hole was restored and Scootaloo fell in.
"Scootaloo!" the other CMCs cried. They canter to Scootaloo, but get grabbed as well.
Cozy Glow was the only one left and boy was she scared. But what choice did she have? She had to try and save her friends at any cost. "Let my friends go!" she shouted.
The ghost ponies floated towards Cozy Glow. Cozy shrieked in fear, spreading her wings and tried to fly away from their grasp.
"J-just wh-who are you and why do you want me and my friends?" Cozy Glow trembled, "Sh-show yourself!"
Out from the shadows from the inside of the house came silhouettes of two innocent ponies. "You intruded on secret territory and now your friends are ours to do as we please!"
"No!" Cozy Glow said with tears in her eyes and a terrified look on her face. Cozy Glow then knew what she had to do. "Sorry if this is a little rude, but get outta my way!" She flew as fast as she could to the entrance doorway, which slowly and creepily creaked open to reveal Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash sitting by the fire. But before she could enter the mysterious house, the two ponies blocked it.
"Who are you?" Cozy Glow said again.
The two ponies smiled as they led Cozy Glow inside.
"What're you gonna do with me?" Cozy Glow said.
"Nothing," said the male ghost pony, who was revealed to be Bright Mac.
"Oh, it's so fun to scare young fillies when you're dead!" It was Pear Butter. "Trick-or-treat, sugarcubes!"
Apple Bloom looked up to see them. Of course! This was where her parents grew up!
"Mom, Dad, I can't believe it!" Apple Bloom said, "I knew it was you but nopony believed me when I saw you at school!"
The ghost of Pear Butter floated closer to get a good look at her daughter. "Apple Bloom, is that you?"
"I'm sorry we didn't live to see you grow up, kiddo," the ghost of Bright Mac said.
Apple Bloom's eyes welled up with tears with how excited she was to see them again. "If only Applejack and Big Mac were here to finally see you again."
Pear Butter attempted to touch Apple Bloom's face, but being a ghost, her hoof went right through the living. "They never believed in ghosts, sugarcube."
"I doubted 'em at first too, Mom and Dad! Really, I did!" Apple Bloom said.
Bright Mac and Pear Butter smiled at each other.
"If it's not too much, may I ask you why I saw you at school today?" Apple Bloom asked, "I was both scared and excited at the same time! Uh, Mom, what's the word?"
Pear Butter smiled at Apple Bloom. "I think you're damn near lookin' for a silly word, sugarcube," she said endearingly.
"That's a question for me then, Apple Bloom," Bright Mac said, "All I've got is scarcited!"
"That's it!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, "Of course! That's the word!"
"Excuse me, Apple Bloom's mom, what exactly were you doing today at school?" Cozy Glow said.
"My, you have impressive manners, my dear," Bright Mac said.
"Shut the hell up, you!" Pear Butter said teasingly, nudging him. She turned to Cozy Glow. "We have a connection to Cheerilee's Schoolhouse," she said.
"What sorta connection, Mom?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Hush up and listen, sugarcube," Pear Butter said. She put a hoof to Apple Bloom's muzzle. "Believe it or not, your sister attended Cheerilee's school when she was about your age. We promised that we would never let anypony hurt her, but we still had to hide the best we could during parent-teacher conferences," Pear Butter said, "There was always a chance that we'd be frowned upon between the Apples and the Pears just like we were as foals. Oh, I remember just how much we got into trouble just for love when we were younger, so we moved here. But we've been watching over Applejack ever since. "
"Why does this place look like a freaking ghost town?" Scootaloo asked.
"You can't say that!" Rainbow Dash whisper-shouted, nudging her.
"Oh, it's OK," Pear Butter said, flashing a smile, "We're dead, you don't need to worry about our feelings!"
"Don't say that, Mom. You always need to consider the feelings of other ponies!" Apple Bloom said.
Pear Butter smiled warmly at her daughter. "You've grown into quite the young lady, sugarcube."
Apple Bloom turned red with embarrassment. "No, I ain't."
"Somepony needs to learn honesty from her sister," Bright Mac said.
"I know my good amount of honesty, Dad," Apple Bloom said.
"If you say so," Bright Mac replied.
"Now on to your question, sugarcube," Pear Butter said, "What's your name?"
Scootaloo wanted to look good in front of Apple Bloom's parents since this was her first time meeting them, even if she was talking to ghosts. They were still her parents and she wanted to make a good impression. But she didn't know whether or not to play it cool since they seemed so laid back. She finally made her decision. "Hi, I'm Scootaloo." But then she couldn't help it anymore. She squealed. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! This is so cool! I'm talking to actual ghosts!"
"Well, this was once a beautiful hideout where the both of us could live freely from the rest of our quarreling families," Pear Butter explained, "They just don't know love can't be stopped even if you're families hate each other." She sighed. "So we made this place our little farm and then we got married. Then we decided that we didn't wanna stay hidden from Equestria because we were ponies in love too, so we moved to Sweet Apple Acres and had your brother."
"Big Mac," Apple Bloom said.
"Yep," Bright Mac said, "He was the cutest foal though he would deny it now." He laughed.
"But you, Apple Bloom, were the cutest little apple o' the bunch," Pear Butter said, "But after we had Big Macintosh, we settled down for about a year or so before we thought about having ourselves another foal. Your Granny Smith tried to kick me out as always, but I perserved and had Applejack."
"I knew that Applejack was younger than Big Mac, but I didn't know how many years apart they are!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, "What about me?"
"Our forbidden love didn't last very long, sadly. So, after we had you, the both of us ran away back to the house where it all began, hoping that they would never find us," Pear Butter said.
"Applejack said you died right after you had me," Apple Bloom sniffed.
"Now, now, sugarcube. Wipe your teary eyes," Pear Butter said, floating over to the tissue box and grabbed her daughter a tissue.
Apple Bloom grabbed the tissue. "Thanks, Mom," she said, "I really wish I could hug you."
"Me too, sugarcube," Pear Butter said, "Me too."
"May I ask how you two died?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It's getting late, sugarcube. You and your friends can go upstairs to the bedrooms if you like and we'll talk about it in the morning," Pear Butter said.
So Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Cozy Glow, and Rainbow Dash trotted up the stairs, where they were met with three rooms. All three bedrooms seemed to have creaky floorboards and damaged doors, but surprisingly there were still no signs of danger. In fact, the first room was decorated with a bunk bed and a couch that could be pulled out to become a bed. The second bedroom included two beds, whereas the third contained only one bed.
"This certainly has been a weird night," Rainbow Dash remarked, "Which room do you want?"
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo ran to the first room. Same with Cozy Glow. That left only two rooms for Rainbow Dash to choose from: the middle room with two beds or the far right room with only one bed. She wanted to be close to the fillies just in case they had nightmares, so she chose the second bedroom, and fell fast asleep. And so did the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Cozy Glow.
It was 9:15 A.M. when Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Cozy Glow woke up and galloped downstairs for breakfast. But there was none prepared because ghosts don't eat. But as they neared closer and closer to the kitchen, breakfast was indeed ready and sitting on the table: apple and pear oatmeal.
"When's that lazy bum gonna be up?" Cozy Glow asked.
"She usually likes to sleep in a lot," Scootaloo replied, "The earliest that she's ever gotten up was 10:30 or 11:00."
"What's the latest?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Dang, it's lunchtime by the time she usually wakes up," Scootaloo said, "12:30 to be exact."
"Holy crap!" Cozy Glow exclaimed.
"Yeah," Scootaloo said.
Pear Butter and Bright Mac floated over to the table. "Morning, girls. Did you sleep well?"
"I slept like a foal!" Apple Bloom said.
"Pretty well," Sweetie Belle replied.
"Same," Cozy Glow said.
"Where's your other friend?" Pear Butter asked.
"Oh, Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo said, "Her lazy arse won't wake up until 12:30."
"Oh dear!" Pear Butter said, "Then save some oatmeal for her, sugarcubes."
"Yes, Mom," Apple Bloom said.
"Yes, Miss Pear!" the others said.
As Apple Bloom ate, she sighed.
Her mother flew over to her side. "Why the long face, sugarcube?"
Long-Lost Reunion (Reprise) Lyrics
Apple Bloom: At one point I'll have to go home Forget about this long-lost reunion All the experiences I've known Ever since I got to see you again
Past the breaking point Back to the disappoint I wanna stay here with you Where you won't disappear From view
So I won't forget About this long-lost reunion Until then and only then Will you be in my heart Making a brand new start
So thank you for This long-lost reunion But I have to go I hope you know That I love you so
* * *
Scootaloo trotted up the stairs and knocked on the door. "Rainbow Dash, we're outta here, so you might as well wake up and have breakfast before we leave."
Rainbow Dash awoke abruptly and zoomed down the stairs, grabbing Scootaloo in her hooves. As soon as she got to the table, she set Scootaloo down as she wolfed down her oatmeal. "Damn, this tastes so good! Thanks!"
"You're welcome," Bright Mac and Pear Butter said.
"Before we go, how did you die?" Apple Bloom asked.
"That's right," said Pear Butter, "We were gonna answer that this morning. Are ya sure you can take it, sugarcube?"
Apple Bloom nodded.
"We couldn't bear any more hiding from our families," Pear Butter said, choking on her words, "No matter how long we lived, they would never stop trying to separate us. So we.... pulled the plug ourselves."
"Mom, that's terrible!" Apple Bloom said, "I'm so sorry to hear that you took your own lives just 'cause the Apples and the Pears were sworn enemies. But don't worry because today everything's changed between each side of the family and of you were still alive, I'm sure that both sides will approve of your love. "
"Are you sure?" Pear Butter said.
"Yep. I'm proud to be an Apple and a Pear and I ain't afraid to let the whole damn Equestria know it!"
So Apple Bloom ran up to the ghosts of her parents to hug them regardless if she'll just go through. "Thank you, Mom and Dad for everything!" she said, "I'll sure miss you."
"Don't tell Applejack, but you're free to visit us whenever you want," Pear Butter said.
So they were off. Apple Bloom returned home to Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith. Scootaloo returned home with Rainbow Dash. Poor Cozy Glow went home to Tirek, who was also now reformed and was more of a loving father than he ever was before.
