Manehatten, the city of beauty and elitism was built on the foundation of filth and corruption. Its buildings stood tall on the world as if telling everypony, 'Feel my might!' And below the majestic buildings were the scavengers, the thieves that lurked in every ally. Shady ponies selling contraband and them selves at every corner. But the filth of the back alleys wasn't the only source of the corruption; the majestic buildings them selves housed their share of corporate criminals as well. Still, ponies went about their lives, trudging the hustle and bustle and didn't seem to notice, or care.

This was Scootaloo's view on the city. Of course she had a bad take on Manehatten. Why wouldn't she? The reason she came to the city wasn't under favorable circumstances; not that anything ever was but she knew she did it to herself. She had no idea where she would be tomorrow but she knew it wasn't going to be here. She had finished what she set out to do. She longed to return to Ponyville but she knew she couldn't go back, not yet. The pain was still raw inside her. A pain she didn't know how to handle, so she ran because she knew only time can mend... mend most. Some wounds were too deep, even for time. She buried those painful memories deep down; in a place where they would never hurt again. She knew she was hurting more than most would have imagined, even those closest to her. She was tough, and never showed pain. Because pain was weakness, or so she believed.

It was late evening and Scootaloo walked the streets, hungry and unsure where she was going to eat. Money wasn't the issue, she had plenty. Nor was the selection of food, this was Manehatten after all. She wasn't particular where she ate either, simply, she couldn't decide. She passed a blues lounge while walking. She could hear a sultry voice and slow jazzy blues music through the walls. She stopped to listen, reminded of a happier time when things were't so complicated or forlorn. She loved her... Sweetie Belle and Sweetie Belle loved her. She reminisced how she loved to hear Sweetie Belle belt out the blues like no pony could. It was these memories that led to her decision to enter the lounge to eat and watch the show, just like old times. To hell with it.

Scootaloo entered the lounge and was greeted with thick smoke laden air. Ponies sat at the bar drinking away their sorrow, puffing on fat cigars. Others danced in the middle of the room and some just sat on the couch watching the show. Her eyes scanned the room for an empty table but she stopped once she saw the pony who was singing. A pony she never expected to see again. A white unicorn with a curly purple and pink mane. A unicorn she loved. Her jaw dropped in shock as she stared. Impossible, after all this time she still can sing the blues. This is... amazing. My love... Sweetie Belle. I've missed you so. She was instantly greeted with a flood of emotions, heartbreak and guilt were the strongest but there was a spark of joy. It nestled its self in her heart and grew, spreading a warm feeling through her body. She couldn't believe it. Just by happenstance she walked in and happened to find her long lost love. She is still as gorgeous as ever.

"Another Miss Belle!" A patron from the bar called out.

"Sorry, that's all I'm doing tonight. I'll sing more tomorrow."

"What can I get for you, pegasus?" The bar tender grunted as Scootaloo approached it.

"Would it possible if you could deliver a message to the singer. You see we used to be good friends but we haven't seen each other in so long."

"Why don't cha just go back and talk to her?" The bar tender said annoyed.

"Please if you could just tell her to meet me at that table over there." Scootaloo pointed to a table off to the side.

"Ugh, fillies." The bar tender rolled his eyes and stalked off toward the stage; disappearing from view behind the curtain.

She wondered if she made the right choice as she took her seat at the secluded table she pointed out. She wasn't even sure why she couldn't just go back there and talk to her. She just felt like she couldn't approach her like that after all these years. She had no idea what she was going to say. Did she even have anything to say? No words, no actions or force in all of Equestria could undo the past; so, she was stuck with the first question she asked herself. Would Sweetie Belle even want to talk to her? She could hear footsteps approaching her from behind. Her heart was racing but she didn't turn her head, she stared straight forward.

"Scootaloo?" An unsure voice said from her side. She turned her head in the direction of the voice and her eyes met two big emerald eyes. "Oh my Celestia! Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle said excitedly talking a seat at the table. "How did you know I was here?"

"I didn't. I just heard some amazing blues and thought this would be a nice place to get a bite to eat. It's good to see you."

"Wow, what are the chances? What are you doing these days, we have so much to catch up on."

"Well I'm not doing too much these days. I was here for a few months doing a class thingy but that's over and I'm not sure where I'm off to next." Scootaloo said looking at the table. She couldn't bring herself to say why she was really there. She feared Sweetie Belle would never speak to her again if she knew. "What about you? I see you still sing the blues as amazing as ever..."

"Well, I have two jobs. This is just for fun. I work in the music store right down the road part time and I write music for Bridleway musicals."

"Wow! I always knew you'd go places with your talent. Bridleway...that's amazing. No singing career? What happened with that record contract you were offered?" Scootaloo's insides twisted as she asked, she was treading into dangerous territory. Her friendship hung on by threads and she was nearing a subject that could sever that thread.

"Oh, that... well it didn't go over. It came down to two things, I had the talent but he would never get me headlining any shows because I wouldn't sleep with him."

"Oh, that pig." Scootaloo said in disgust.

"Yeah he was trying his best to be the gentlecolt too. Kept buying me things, kept trying to take me to fancy restaurants, kept hinting he liked me. I had to tell him I don't swing that way and wasn't interested. He got really nasty and told me that if I didn't sleep with him or let him have his way with me I wasn't going to get anywhere in the industry. He tried to guilt me and he even tried to force himself on me but I got away. I ran so fast and so far that night."

"I'm so sorry Sweetie, I would have beat him to a pulp for you." Sweetie Belle giggled. She loved it when Scootaloo got protective over her. She thought it was cute.

"I actually tried again with a different label but it was almost the same thing, no pony can just be honest it seemed. I was pretty much black listed after I ran out on that label. It worked out in the end though I was woking at a music store when a producer came in looking for somepony who could write music to a simple chord progression in his new musical. I told him I could do it and he liked it so much he hired me to write more music for him. And he even put me touch with several other producers. I'm kind of a free lance composer but I love it." Sweetie Belle explained excitedly, she always did get excited about music.

"Wow, you overcame so much and look at you now! Lounge singer and a composer for Bridleway! I bet those record companies are feeling a bit stupid for putting you on the black list. You never went to the police about those two though?"

"No, I was scared. The city was bigger than I remembered it when Rarity always took me. It scared me and then that happened and I thought that was how the industry worked." Sweetie Belle shook her head. "Still, I like where I'm at now. And if I ever feel like singing, I come here." She smiled at Scootaloo. "What about you?"

"Well, after you left Ponyville I joined a traveling circus doing extreme stunts. It was fun and I was quite popular until I broke my leg. I didn't wait for it to heal properly and I was back doing stunts when it snapped again. The circus said they couldn't have me, I was losing them money... So after that I've just been traveling here and there." Scootaloo looked down at the table caught in her musing. The circus ponies were a strange bunch but they took her in as family for a short time; and for that short time, she felt like she belonged.

"Have you been to Ponyville recently?"

"I was there a few months ago. Not a lot has changed either. Just Ponies have grown up and gone on with their lives. Apple Bloom, last I knew, was working on the farm but I didn't see her." Scootalo smiled looking at Sweetie Belle. "Remember our days as the Cutie Mark Crusaders?"

"Yeah, those were the days. So much fun we had and all the trouble we got into." Sweetie Belle said laughing. "Remember the dance?"

"Sweet Apples Acres Cider Gala, first day of cider season, our first date." Scootaloo said remembering the days leading up to the dance, remembering how nervous she was about confessing her feelings to Sweetie Belle. Her annoyance with Apple Bloom's constant teasing but also thankfulness for doing the most wonderful thing a friend has ever done for her.

"I remember after the dance too. The first time we made love, it was magical." Sweetie Belle said dreamily as she looked Scootaloo in the eyes.

Scootaloo blushed a little as she remembered her first intimate moment, one she thought would bind them together forever. She remembered the softness of her fur, the tenderness of each kiss, the ecstasy she felt as Sweetie Belle held her tight through her first orgasm and the love she felt after as they fell asleep in each other's hooves.

Scootaloo gazed into Sweetie Belle's eyes. Those big green eyes she loved so much. They stared at each other for a moment, a moment where everything stood still. Then as if on queue they both slammed their forehooves on the table pushing them selves up and leaning over the table into each other. They began to kiss each other furiously, tongues intertwining. Scootaloo could feel the fire in her heart as a new emotion surfaced. Love.

"Oh, Scootaloo, I missed you so much." Sweetie Belle whispered. "After the music thing fell through I wanted to come back to you but you had left. I'm so sorry." She kissed Scootaloo on the lips.

"I've missed you more than you can imagine. I'm sorry too. I should never have -" Sweetie Belle put a hoof over her mouth.

"Shh." Sweetie Belle brought Scootaloo into an embrace. "Want to come back to my place?"

"Yeah. I'd like that." Scootaloo didn't know what she was getting herself into but it seemed Sweetie Belle wasn't interested in the past. Maybe she just wanted her best friend and lover back. She only hoped they could be close again because she was still very much in love with her.