Author's Note

As of, the recent episode, "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" this chapter has been rewritten to match in with the timeline.

Chapter 2 (Rewrite): Setting The Festival

The next morning, Apple Bloom got up and helped her family out with their chores around Sweet Apple Acres.

After she was done, she was free to meet up with her friends at the CMC Clubhouse. But all the same, she still kept thinking about the nightmare she had last night.

'It sure has been a long time since I've been to that place.' Apple Bloom thought. 'I wonder how Ruby's doing? Besides her, I wonder how Mitta is? Even if that place was scary, I am still a little worried about them. I'd sure hate it, if something's bad happened to.......'

She had just arrived at the clubhouse, when suddenly, a loud whoop was heard, breaking Apple Bloom out of her train of thoughts, as she looked up to see Scootaloo flying in the air with her scooter. After she landed back down to the ground, the little orange pegasus screeched to a stop, before she got off from her scooter and jumped happily around Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom, you'll never believe this!" Scootaloo cried happily.

"What? Are the Wonderbolts here?" Apple Bloom guessed.

Scootaloo stopped momentarily and replied, "No! The next best thing that's happening! Rainbow Dash is coming back to Ponyville! She's coming home! She's coming home!"

With that, Scootaloo resumed bouncing around happily. Apple Bloom couldn't help but smile happily at her friend. Rainbow Dash had been out of town for several weeks on another trip to Griffonstone, to visit her friend Gilda, and explore more of the Griffon Kingdom. And for the past weeks, both Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash have been sending letters to each other, to keep in touch.

Scootaloo then took out a letter from her saddlebag and showed it to Apple Bloom, "And she's coming home tomorrow!” the little pegasus squealed happily as she continues to bounce happily. "I just can't wait to hear all the awesome, thrilling, spectacular adventures she had in the Griffon Kingdom when she gets here!"

"That's great Scootaloo," Apple Bloom replied.

"I know right?!" Scootaloo squealed before she got back onto her scooter and drove circles around Apple Bloom. "I'm just so excited for my big sister to come home! I can just fly right about now!"

With that, Scootaloo zipped away and let out another joyful whoop.

Just then, Sweetie Belle came.

"Hi Apple Bloom!" the unicorn filly greeted happily.

"Howdy Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom replied, returning the greeting. "How are yah today?"

"I'm doing great!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed happily. "I'm helping Rarity and Pinkie Pie out in setting up the Nightmare Night Festival. This actually the first time I ever get to help Rarity with some big event. She must really trusted me a lot."

"I'll bet," Apple Bloom replied. "Well, have fun with that, Sweetie Belle. Let me know how it goes."

With that, Apple Bloom began to walk away, before she was stopped by Sweetie Belle, who asked, "Where are you going, Apple Bloom?"

"Just looking for something to do." Apple Bloom replied, while secretly thinking in the back of her mind, 'And to take my mind off of the nightmares.'

"Well then, how about you do something with me?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I think everypony in Ponyville could also use your help in setting up the festival."

Apple Bloom smiled, before she replied, “Alright! Let’s go!”

For the rest of the day, the two fillies have been running around Ponyville, helping in the preparations for the Nightmare Night Festival. Big Mac was setting up a huge tent for some apple treats from the Apple Families, when a rope came loose and the whole place nearly collapsed. But thankfully, Apple Bloom quickly caught the rope in her mouth, and both she and Sweetie Belle quickly hammered it back down to the ground with a pin, securing the tent.

Next, they helped the Cakes in baking all of the treats for Nightmare Night. Apple Bloom had a lot of experience in the baking department from Granny Smith and Applejack, so she was a big help in the bakery.

Later, the two girls helped Button Mash and Pipsqueak setting up some games for the festival. Button Mash was testing a high striker out, when Sweetie stopped him and swapped his pickax for a mallet to use. Button Mash quickly slammed the hammer down on the lever, sending the puck all the way up where it hits the bell.

“YEAH!” Button Mash cheered, along with Bulk Biceps, who just came by, while Sweetie Belle smiled happily for the young colt. Secretly, she placed a spring beneath the lever.

Pipsqueak was setting up the Spider Toss game and was applying some wet glues to the webs with a brush, when he accidentally stepped in and got his front left hoof stuck in the bucket full of glues. Apple Bloom then came over and started pulling on the bucket, while Pipsqueak was pulling his hoof, and the two got in a tug of war. After a while, Apple Bloom lost her grip on the bucket, causing both her and Pipsqueak to fell backward. Pipsqueak landed on his flank, while Apple Bloom fell into the webs. When she tried to get out, it didn't take long for her to see that both she and Pipsqueak are now in a "sticky" situation.

Meanwhile, with Scootaloo, the young pegasus filly was on her way back from Sweet Apple Acres, on her scooter pulling a wagon with a huge jug full of apple cider, while thinking about Rainbow Dash and singing a song about her.

After awhile, Ponyville was starting to come into view as Scootaloo got closer. She hadn't gone far, when she heard the sound of a colt screaming, "HELP!"

Screeching to a halt, Scootaloo turned to look in the direction where the voice came from and raced off to the rescue.