//------------------------------//
// Rainbow Winds 
// Story: Birds in Bloom 
// by FeatherNote21 
//------------------------------//

	Applejack trotted up into the wooden treehouse to find it empty.
"The hay?" she whispered under her breath, noticing the makeshift ruby red CMC capes hanging on their hooks by the door. Applejack knew the three fillies never left to do anything without their capes. The orange earth pony spun on her hooves and trotted out only to be greeted by a douse of rainwater from above. Applejack looked up to see a pair of rosy red eyes peering over a small storm cloud at her playfully. 
"Seriously Rainbow?" Applejack said annoyingly, and removed her hat. The cerulean Pegasus fluttered down next to Applejack, and flicked her rainbow tail.
"Sorry AJ, I thought I was going to get Applebloom. Speaking of which, have you seen Scootaloo this morning? I have some new tricks I've been practicing that I want her to see." Rainbow Dash asked, eyes drifting over to the treehouse. Applejack placed her hat back on her soaking wet mane.
"Nope, but we should probably find her soon. Applebloom's missin' and I have a feelin' that they're gonna get in some trouble." she said, and Rainbow nodded. Applejack noticed some scooter tracks leading away from the treehouse.
"Let's start by followin' these here tracks." she said, and galloped down the trail, Dash flying high above.
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"Here we are girls, the laboratory of my parents." Scootaloo said, as she stepped off the scooter in front of the old stone building. Applebloom stepped off behind her, and dropped her helmet onto the ground next to Scootaloo's. The pale filly walked up next to Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle close behind. The orange Pegasus nudged open the ferns that  covered the entrance, and walked in, folding her wings at her side.
"My parents..." Scootaloo said, pausing at a picture of two pegasi. The stallion in the photograph was a pale gray with a bright red mane and tail, with lavender eyes that matched Scootaloo's perfectly. The mare at his side was a deep orange, dark gray mane flowing across her wings. A baby Scootaloo sat on her mother's back, smiling happily. Scootaloo picked up the picture and smiled weakly, tears forming at her eyes. 
"My parents...I didn't really know them since they died shortly after I was born, but I knew their names; Storm Crier and Mist Catcher. They...they died in an accident a few years ago here at the lab. They police never told me what exactly killed them..." the filly said. She wiped the cobwebs from the image, and her tears fell down her cheeks, staining the dusty floor at their hooves. Applebloom placed her hoof on her friends shoulder, her heart aching for the filly. Scootaloo looked at her, pale lavender eyes sparkling with grief. 
"Let's go Scoots. We have a cutie mark to find." she said, and Scootaloo nodded determinedly, placing the picture back where is had been.
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"Mother. Father." Feather said, and bowed at the hooves at the hooves of the two pale Alicorn rulers of Frostmare.
"Feather Note, we sent word of your acceptance to Princess Luna." her father, a pale blue stallion with a bright blue and white mane and tail said, ocean blue eyes flickering with pride. Feather's heart skipped a beat as she stood at the name of her mentor. Ever since she had been found that faithful night so long ago by her parents, abandoned by her true mother at the gates of Frostmare with her little twin sister Rain Flicker, the princes of the night had taken an intrest in her. When she turned a year old, Princess Luna took her as her apprentice to teach her magic, so she could become an Alicorn when she became older. As a reminder of that day, Feather had a black raven's feather braided in her mane that served as her source of magic.
"Father, I don't want to go to Canterlot." she said. Her mother's dark green eyes flickered with confusion.
"Why not?" she asked, flicking her pale blue-and-pale yellow tail.
"Because Ghost Song said she needed some help preparing for her flight test." Feather said quickly. She knew her best friend, Ghost Song, was a perfectly good flyer, and didn't need her help, Feather just needed an excuse to stay in Frostmare. Her mother nodded.
"Very well, but you have to write the letter to Princess Luna explaining why you aren't coming." she said, and Feather nodded. The turquoise filly spun on her hooves and quickly trotted out, nervousness a pit in her stomach about what Luna would say.