“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”

Celestia's sun greeted me in a warm embrace the first moment I woke up. I rubbed my eyes, bothered by the light at first, then yawned as I realized that it was morning. I pushed back my apple decorated blanket and jumped off my bed. I nearly stuck the landing too, that is, until I landed on all fours and hurt my hooves in the moment and fell. I guess I can't get a cutie mark in gymnastics either.

"Apple Bloom, come down here!" Uh oh, she heard me.

"Sorry Applejack!" I called. It took me awhile to fully adjust to waking up. When I had, it was the usual: breakfast, chores, and Cutie Mark Crusaders. I pushed the chair to the wardrobe's mirror and examined myself. My red mane was a mess, Rarity would scream if she saw me like that. Definitely need to comb. I took a brush through my hair a few times before tying my prized ribbon in my hair. Good, all set. I hopped off the chair and trotted towards the kitchen thinking about what'll happen today. Sweetie Belle promised she'd help for it.

"Come 'ere Apple Bloom," Applejack called again. My ears fall flat. Chores already? I didn't need to go far to see what Applejack needed. She stood at the doorway and waved me over. She looked awfully sad and worried. I went to her and gasped.

"Have you seen her?" I shook my head. Why would Scootaloo's mom ask me that?

"Nope, sorry Miss Pirouette." Why are all of them sad? "Why? What is it?" She shook her curled pink mane frantically.

"My poor Scatenata!" Pirouette cried out. I peer over at Applejack confused. She sighed and shook her head. "I can't find the dear anywhere!" I stop, realizing my teeth were grinding together. Applejack placed a hoof on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry to hear that, we'll help ya look for her. Don't ya worry 'bout a thing." Pirouette smiled as she wiped fake tears away. For a pony who's so worried, she had the time to dress up in her namby pamby way. From her orange coat to her fluffed up pink curls, the unicorn was always dressed to impress. Always. She sniffled and 'composed' herself, though she was always composed.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," She smiled as her voice wavered. "She just....she just never came home last night. I was sure she came here." She glared at me a little, but it ended abruptly.

"Well, get along now. Don't worry about a thing." Pirouette didn't need a pony to tell her twice.

"Just...thanks." She waved off as she trotted away immediately. Applejack turned towards me, frowning at my behavior.

"What the hay was that?" She scanned me from top to bottom. My ears fell again.

"I don't believe her," I said, frowning myself. I walked towards a basket. Applejack must have bucked the trees earlier when I wasn't awake. I twisted around; Applejack wasn't there. I plopped on the ground and sighed.

Is she okay? I thought, then rolled my eyes. Of course, she probably went away earlier to do tricks again. Or watch Rainbow Dash practice. Its probably the latter.

"Pirouette is a busy mare, I reckon you talk to Sweetie Belle." A bag was tossed and hit me directly. I grumble and strap it together.

"I still don't believe her." She trotted towards me and pushed me forward.

"I don't know the whole story on their relationship," She started carefully. "She still cares for her. Give her a chance. If you could give Luna a chance, I bet you can do the same for her." Luna and Pirouette are two different ponies completely. One is a misunderstood princess and the other a vain drama queen. We've learned that ever since she came to Ponyville that Nightmare Night. Its been years since then, we've learned so much. We still hadn't found our marks, but we've grown closer and found new editions. Sweetie Belle is much better at magic, Scootaloo started to fly not too long ago, and me? I just started bucking the trees. Its easier now that I'm almost Applejack's size.

"I'm pretty sure she's with Rainbow Dash again, but I'll check with Sweetie." I hugged her tight and then galloped away toward's Rarity's. Sweetie Belle was probably at Rarity's for her dress. Rarity designed them for us just for tonight, Sweetie Belle took liberty to persuade Rarity for them.Sweetie Belle was frantic just to find a date. I can't blame her. Diamond Tiara was sure to be there and mock us. I smile as I see Ponyville in the distance. Everything is calm as ever when I do enter. Merchants had their stores open and venders are lined up prepared to sell product. The towns ponies seemed cheerful as they wondered about. I laughed as fillies and colts played around me. It was calm and serene.

"What I'd tell you?" Oh, its Rainbow Dash! I waved to her as she finished her shift.

"Rainbow Dash, how are you? Is Scootaloo with you? Did you see her?" Ever since they became sisters, they hung out together. I waited for the inevitable-

"I haven't seen Squirt today." Rainbow Dash answered as she kicked the cloud she perched on. "Apple Bloom? You okay there? Is everything alright?" I shook my head.

"She wasn't with you at all?" Rainbow shrugged.

"Now that you mention it..." Rainbow thought for a while. "Naw, didn't see her. I even waited for her but she didn't show up! She stiffed me!" My jaw dropped. Scootaloo would never forget something like that. She practically begged] for Rainbow Dash to train her. The shock was hard to adjust to, but when I did, I ran for Rarity's. Sweetie was there. She had to be there. There's no doubt in my mind she was. There is not a doubt in my mind...not a doubt.. I think I ran to fast for my own good, I rammed into ponies or they jumped away. Either way, I couldn't just trot my way there. I heaved as I found my way to the boutique, then entered immediately, looking around at everything in sight. Mannequins with dresses decorated the main room of it fancy like. It was like nothing changed throughout the years.

"My word, Apple Bloom!" Rarity scolded. "Didn't anypony tell you to knock first?"

"Have you seen Sweetie Belle? I have to ask her something." Rarity paced around, picking up a mannequin that was knocked over. Oops, I must have done. She smiled as if it hadn't been knocked over.

"Ah yes, she's upstairs darling. Just...clean up first before you enter. Your dirtying my precious floor with dirt." I looked to the doorway and back. Dirt trails lead to my spot. I sighed and nodded, defeated. I turned towards the mat and wiped the dirt clean away fast to see her.

"Thanks Rares!" I ran up the stairs with a smile on my face. Sweetie Belle was probably with Scootaloo; she wasn't with Rainbow Dash after all. Pirouette might not have caught her leaving to see Sweetie Belle. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Sweetie Belle, Scoota---" I rammed into the bed immediately upon arrival. Sweetie Belle gasped, her magic instantly picking me up to help.

"Apple Bloom? You okay?" I cocked my head towards her. Is this some sick joke?

"Have you seen Scootaloo? I was just-then Ponyville-uggghhh!" I fell back against the bed, my head leaning down. Sweetie Belle rubbed her hoof in my mane.

"Not today, why? I saw her last night. She was very excited." Sweetie Belle's eyes widen. "Why, what it it? Did she tell you?" She clapped her hooves excitedly and held mine tight as she shook them.

"Te--"

"She told me she'd wait for me! It would have been so cute to see! I knew you wouldn't say no! All those romance books have been right all along!"

"What-"

"We practiced for a while. She was bad at it at first, but she got the hang of it. I just can't believe she didn't tell you all the work that was in---"

"SWEETIE BELLE!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I couldn't compose myself. What the hay was she talking about? I pushed her hoof away and stepped in front of her. "What the hay are you talking about? Pirouette came over. Scootaloo didn't tell me anything. What's going on?!" Sweetie Belle gasped and fell back.

"So she didn't-"

"Didn't tell me what?" Sweetie Belle paced around until she found what she needed.

"What's the box for?" She put her hoof in my face as her magic opened it.

"She wouldn't possibly tell you without this! She saved her bits for it. Though, she didn't bother to hold it herself. Said something about 'losing it if she had it.' I'm not sure. She was so excited when she showed me though." A ring sat in the box. It was a beautiful silver, engraved with words that Sweetie Belle refused to let me see. Was that... for me? It couldn't be.

"Sweetie Belle.."

"Scootaloo was the pony to ask Rarity for your dress personally." Sweetie Belle smiled a little. "She wanted it to match. I tried helping her last night with everything. She wouldn't say she was, but she was nervous. She's too Rainbow Dash to admit she was nervous." Sweetie Belle continued to pace around. I looked away. I did that to her,she's scared because of me. She's scared for Scootaloo. Where was she?

"She did all that for the first school dance?" For me? Sweetie Belle turned her head to face me again.

"Of course, she wanted it to be where she proposed. Why wouldn't she?" My legs wouldn't hold me anymore. They made me fall. I covered my face to block out Sweetie as tears dripped down my cheeks.

"Apple Bloom..."

"I-I thought she was with you...."

"Wait-she wasn't with you?" I shook my head.

"Pirouette came over and asked. I just thought...." Pirouette is not a reliable source of anything. Too high and mighty for her own good. You would have thought she was a Princess. I felt something pull me.

"Its okay, don't worry, I'm sure she' fine. She's strong-she could handle herself. She might be preparing as we speak. She didn't tell me everything."

"Swee---" Sweetie shushed me again. She rubbed my mane again as I quieted down. Why is she-I heard muffled sounds from downstairs. I tried listening in, only to hear parts.

"----and then she just disappeared!" Oh, that's why.

"I know Rares, I know." Was that Applejack? I could tell she was pacing, I could hear her.

"---There's no possible way! I thought it was a lie!" Rarity's voice wavered as she yelled. Applejack didn't answer as she paced.

"Rainbow Dash didn't see her either."

"Its like the case....from Manehatten..." Rarity's voice fades, wavering as she spoke as if she was whispering. She didn't believe her own words.

'What case?' I whisper towards Sweetie. She shook her eyes and thought for a moment.

'I don't recall much. Something from Manehatten.'

"It can't be anything like that case." Applejack snapped. "She's just...."

"Its exactly like it darling..." Rarity's voice trailed. "We need to notify them, Applejack. We need to for her sake. If we don't---"

"Hold your horses! We can't go 'round making assumptions." Applejack, what are you holding back?

"We can't just stand here!" Rarity argued. I grew impatient. They knew something-whatever they knew, it was big. I was rid of Sweetie's embrace as she moved forward to the top of the stairs. She gestured me to come forward as a loud burst was heard from the door.

"Guys, come quick! Twilight just wrote to the Guards after what we found!" Rainbow Dash's voice was recognizable. Something made me shiver; it won't end well.

"What is it darling?"

"Well, on with it!"

"Fluttershy...she found track marks. Squirt must have skidded."

"What's that got to do with anything?" My stomach falls. Uh oh. Sweetie looked towards me. Was she scared as me?

"That's just it, Squirt skidded. She skidded and we found her scooter and helmet. It was covered in blood, but without a Scootaloo."

Author's Note

Scatenata is the Italian word for Wild, rambunctious.