Things weren't the same. At least for Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were even more disbanded now than they were years before. As if time had stopped, they were back where they were at the beginning.

Rainbow Dash was no better. Twilight feared she had dropped back down into her depression on a more major scale. She wished she could assist, but as a Princess of Equestria, she had bigger problems dropping onto her desk than what went on beyond the Castle Walls. She wished she could help out Rainbow Dash. But she had stopped talking by this point. All the way gone, she had fell once again.

On the opposite side of Ponyville, Apple Bloom seemed to cease everything and decided to mope around with Sweetie Belle underneath the tree on Scootaloo's Hill.

But Magenta? Scootaloo herself? She was getting ready for a very important business meeting. Their problems weren't of her concern, she had a lot more eggs to fry. One of the top designers gifted her with a great Magenta colored suit that went well with her mane and tail. This meeting would do well for her to wear it.

Save for Bright who would be joining her shortly, it was just her and Magenta. Babs went out to "play the racks," as shopping were called in Manehattan while she and Bright set things up for their label here in Manehattan. It was going to be a tense meeting. Magenta and Bright knew the name well. Zesty Gourmand.

Before Magenta was even on the scene and—based on her age—before she was even born, she first started out as a restaurant critic here in Manehattan. And was a huge influencer in either the success or failure of a business. After some drama around that, she moved to Canterlot and started again there where ponies actually paid her. But more troubled occurred that involved the Mane Six. And her being looked down upon by any small business up there.

But some businesses still invested their time. And bits. People paid her to "change their looks" in Canterlot by rebranding into something more profitable. And soon after a few years, if you were "Endorsed by Zesty," you were a big name. A simple word of mouth and you became an industrial lead. And finally her word became law. Three simple words assured your success. And a few negative ones could end it.

This was important. This was why Magenta slapped a tie on her suit. This was why before the sun even rose she was cleaning the source of her family's riches. she hopped in the shower, ate some breakfast, brushed her teeth, then grabbed her favorite suit.

Her mirror had never seen this much usage before. Maybe it would get even more when she is nominated for a reward. Maybe.

The sun's rays were blaring through her curtains, bathing the room and her body in a light magenta. Her clothes were greeted with its embrace. As for herself, she paid it no mind. Too infatuated was she with the her thoughts too even notice. Her reflection was barely even acknowledged, despite looking at it directly. Her mind was brooding over a realization that was so looked over, yet so obvious:

This Mare's name on anything meant your dream's life or death. It could even be a lie.

Magenta stopped straightening her tie in her bedroom mirror and muttered, "I just realized how gullible ponies are."

She stuffed her hooves into some expensive violet hoofshoes and made her way out the bedroom door. The halls were quiet and serene. The sounds were different than yesterday. Today were one of those tense days when an important outcome revolved one outcome. The world grew still and quiet. As silent as Manehattan Unique was, the Mansion was even quieter. Magenta's hooves sounded like bombs going off in her mind. She could only imagine what would reverberate when she was still.

The five senses were enhanced. The floor felt softer than usual the entire trip to the second floor's living room and sighed with the weight of a parent dealing with a foal when she walked out into sight of Bright. Sitting on the family couch with a wine glass in her hoof. No wine in it, but it matched her choice of wear.

A completely white suit. White trousers, white coat, white shirt, and white tie. It always confused Magenta how she was able to tie it. She had no magic and ones hooves would not be able to tie one without it. Either way, she looked amazing. And she as worried about having a spouse. Keep dressing like that and someone would grab her attention.

They've been standing in the center of their estate's grand foyer watching the front doors for almost twenty minutes now. Despite their strict scheduling Starfire did teach them a few things such as always be early to prepare. The carpet would need to be replaced thanks to Magenta's pacing. Over time there would just be a horizontal groove right there in the center of the floor. But she couldn't help it. Magenta was naturally a worrier. Bright Snow on the other hoof was standing in front of the stairs leading up to the second floor was standing by watching her with a drink in her hoof. Waiting for a change. This was always the ritual. Bright was the physical muscle while Magenta was the brain. That's how tings worked when they were foals, that's how they worked now.

Magenta stopped her pacing and turned to her sister. "Are we on schedule?"

"Always." Bright took a lazy sip of her cranberry juice and added, "They should be here really soon." Right on cue, the door bell's ringing resonated around the Estate. In the library, the studio, and all the floors. "They're here."

Perfect. Magenta brushed a piece of lint off her suit and smoothed back her mane. "Good. Let's go greet them properly."

They both walked from the living room to the doors of the estate in sync. This could either help make or break their future Record Label. Thus the reason Magenta's hooves were stuffed with imaginary lead. This would either be the cause of great embarrassment or great success. To either be a laughing stock to Starfire or put them in her shadow. The true journey would begin at this meeting.

After a deep breath, Magenta pushed open the front door of the mansion to see not Zesty Gourmand, but Sea Creature waiting for them on the left. She's been here for awhile, both she and Songbird Serenade stargazing the sun rising over the top of a Chariot at their gates. The one holding their needed clientele. Zesty Gourmand. Their guest had finally arrived and no late than they would be.

Magenta shut the front door behind her and used the switches behind the columns to open the front gates. Then stood by and waited for them to approach. Their chariot was slow and graceful. Slow enough for a quick word. Sea Creature looked down to her right towards the sisters and informed, "Tensions are rising inside of Starfire."

"Tensions?" The news of tensions inside her former label had her intrigued. She knew things weren't going to go well when she and Bright left Starfire. As a matter of fact, it was too early for any kind of conflict over her. But the fact that there seemed to be a change already was interesting. She glanced up when the chariot stopped at the steps and asked, "How tense?"

"Gold Spoon's been silent. She's never silent. That means she's planning something, according to some of the other executives."

"She's waiting for the signs, the press, all of that. Let's work on step one. Greetings, Ms. Gourmand. A pleasure."

Zesty Gourmand. A unicorn with a light magenta-ish gray coat, thin eyes, and a seriously off gray short mane style. She was wearing a completely black suit and holding a folder in between her wings. Her dark magenta eyes scanned the grounds of the Mansion with her two bodyguards. Two buff gray stallions who could be twins with standard dress wear. Not really undercover, but still. Zesty made her way up the steps and replied, "Magenta Streak and Bright Gold. An honor to meet you both in the flesh."

She shook hooves with them both before Magenta waved to her two associates. "This is Songbird Serenade and Sea Creature. They're going to be attending the meeting today. I hope that is okay."

Zesty waved along her timidity and replied, "Of course, let's just get to the meeting first."

"Right. Follow me." Bright walked to the doors and pulled them back open for their guests. And once they were in, she turned around and slowly shut the doors with a quiet click. Keeping out nosy eyes and ears from watching their interaction.

Zesty couldn't believe she was inside Magenta Streak's famed mansion. The biggest estate in Equestria. All the velvet, the flash, the glamour, the chandeliers! Oh everything was just beautiful. Zesty stopped in the middle of the foyer and let out a pleasured hum. "You have a wonderful home," she commented.

Magenta made her way towards the Mansion's west wing with Bright and replied, "Yes, this is what non-stop hard work looks like. We're going into my library today."

After a quick trek, they were sitting at a table in the middle of Magenta's grand bibliotheca. The walls were colored in all the different shades her book collection could manage. Princess Twilight, eat your heart out. Bright and Magenta were flanked by Sea Creature and Songbird Serenade, and Zesty was flanked by her two bodyguards across. She's clearly been through partnerships enough to vouch for herself. Magenta and Bright didn't need much muscle to tackle the Canterlot Elite, but there was still some smart cookies in the rest of the basket who could cheat them that they need to watch out for. You may think they're chocolate. Turns out their raisins.

Magenta started off the meeting like the business mare she knew she was with, "As you know, Bright and myself are the Gold Sisters. Highly sought out YouHoovers, highly valuable, one show from us brings a lot of credit to businesses. Labels are kicking other artists out just so they can have some room for us on their team."

Zesty nodded and replied, "So I've heard. News of your reign spreads through Canterlot fervently."

"Right. Well Bright and I have a plan, non disclosure. We need stores. Music stores. We want them all from everywhere we can get to, including in Canterlot. But we know we have to go through you in order to get them in there. What do we have to do to get the music in your stores?"

Zesty sat back and rubbed her chin. Magenta and Bright Snow have a lot of money. So much actually, it's insane. She could ask for anything. But she was also dealing with a very powerful pony. Young, yes. But very powerful in the music industry regardless. And apart from their food, Equestria loved to party. Without music there were no parties.

Zesty pointed at her and replied, "Since you're a big name and I don't have to do much, I'll allow you to sell in those stores for a portion of your profit. I'll test it out at five percent at first, then we'll see where it goes. It's rare to see Magenta Streak and Bright Snow on the shelves in Canterlot. But then again, a lot of Manehattan originals aren't on Canterlot shelves. You would be the first if this goes well."

Bright shared a look with Magenta. Then focused back on Zesty and confirmed their deal. "Deal... But I have a feeling that you're not going easy on us because of our name."

Zesty smiled and admitted, "You're right. You do a lot of good things, you two. Mostly to the ponies in Canterlot. Most of my own clientele make great pay simply because the products that you endorse in Manehattan spread to Canterlot too. So simply taking a picture of you two in latest Canterlot garb? That gets them bits. Which in turn gets me bits. So if you sell in stores, no matter what happens, I get paid from your presence. We'll start small right now for two seasons and experiment with this. After which, I'll up the rate depending on your progress. Does that sound pleasant?"

"Absolutely." Magenta and Bright reached into the pockets of their coats and pulled out their pens. Then asked, "Where do we sign?"

---

Today, it was Rarity's turn to start talking to Rainbow Dash. She just didn't even try. Rainbow Dash wasn't going to listen. Three days since she heard about what happened, and it was just like many years ago. A full decade has passed and Rainbow Dash didn't seem to get better. But this time she brought backup.

Business at the Carousel Boutique was slow, and Sweetie Bell was out and about doing something. Hopefully she was with Apple Bloom or the rest of her friends. Sweetie may have gotten better, but all of this Scootaloo drama left her unpredictable. But either way, she was out. And since the shop was slow today, it was entirely okay to bring her in.

At the current moment, the sewing machine at the bottom of the Carousel was going on and on. The sounds of an engine were flowed up the stairs into the empty second floor. Into the bathroom, the kitchen, and soon out a cracked window letting in warm air from Ponyville. Rarity was facing the front entrance of the store but she was far from focused on that instead of her project. Right now the client she was making this for needed this tomorrow for a party. Rarity didn't need a lot of stress like watching over Rainbow Dash. But then again, it wasn't as stressful like it used to be.

Although, she could go for that break. And it seems that Break just arrived. Rarity glanced up through the darkness of her boutique to the front door when somepony knocked. She glanced over to Rainbow Dash's pale form for a second on her living room couch feigning sleep directly across on the other side of the building, then used her magic to unlock and open the front door. The chime went off for a moment, then in walked Lightning Dust. And not the one she befriended as a filly.

But the one Magenta Streak actually had as a friend. The really strong one that puts Bulk Muscles to shame. She must've gotten out of another workout. She had a light blue towel around her neck that was a hue lighter than her light blue coat. Her Light Gray Mane was matted to her face with sweat. Actually, her entire body was matted with sweat!

Before she could say a word, Rarity bounced up from behind her with a gasp and shouted, "Oh no! Take this outside now!"

Lightning Dust trained her eyes on Rarity for a second before she was obnoxiously picked up by her magic. Rainbow Dash—still moping—was next in line. Then the door was opened and they were both floating out of it. Rarity walked out behind them with her head held high and a prance in her step. "I do not need sweat and tears in my shop at the same time! It is just too much! Not too mention, grotesque!"

She dropped lightning Dust on her hooves facing away from the door, then placed Rainbow Dash on her back. Lightning Dust had huge eyes aimed ahead before Rarity slammed the door to her shop shut. Then it was quiet once more Lightning sighed and glanced up to the pony on her back. Rainbow Dash. Pale as the sky when it's about to rain. She sighed and flew off into the air with her. She knew the story. It's because of Rainbow Dash and Ponyville that Magenta lost her wings, Rarity told her. And Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle took it the hardest.

But while Sweetie Belle was dealing well with this, Rainbow Dash was pretty much dead by this point. She's been taking it the hardest out of everypony in Ponyville. She's barely been eating, moving, exercising like Lightning was used to seeing her do. The sky wasn't even the limit anymore. It was lower. She tended to stay on the ground and sleep in trees, according to Applejack. Those trees just happened to be on her farm of apples. Twilight said she even stopped reading after a while.

Well Lightning Dust had a fix for all of this.

She flew up to the highest cloud over Cloudsdale and landed on it. The one hanging directly over Twilight's castle. From here they could see all of Ponyville, let alone a good half of Equestria. The air was thin, it became difficult to breathe. Good. She shifted her body so Rainbow Dash would fall over onto the cloud's puffy white surface on her back. "Alright, Rainbow!" She shouted. Then turned and looked down to her confused expression. "Let's do this."

Rainbow glanced around awkwardly. "Uhh... Do what?" She whispered.

Jeez, she sounds like Fluttershy, Lightning Dust thought. Once, she was on her hooves, Lightning walked closer to Rainbow Dash and placed a wing gently on her back. "We're going to do a little test, alright?" She walked Dash over to the edge of the cloud and pointed to the ground below of Ponyville. "What do you see down there?"

When Rainbow Dash had her eyes focused on the entirety of Cloudsdale, Lightning Dust pulled her wing back and slowly backed away. "Well I see the Cloud Factory, ponies moving, the Rainbows, lights, birds, clouds obviously... Uhhh... A few other wonderbolts. I think I see my parents... Wait, why—" She never finished her question.

All she saw was a giant mass of light blue coming for her first. Then a whirl of hooves before she was bucked over the ledge. Hard. All she heard was ringing and a pain in her chest. Everything hurt. The wind was flailing her mane left and right. All into her face, all into her eyes. It hurt. A lot.

Rainbow Dash slowly rotated her body and eyed the incoming ground of Scootaloo's hill. The same hill where they buried Scootaloo. She widened her eyes and desperately flapped her wings hard enough to soar back up into Ponyville's sunny skies with a destination for Lightning Dust, and that mouth of hers she was going to put her hoof into.

While Rainbow Dash was falling to the ground, Lightning Dust leaned over the edge nad watched her. She watched her flip, she watched her soar back up, then she watched her land next to her and punch her in the shoulder with the pain of a bee. "What the buck was that?!!" She yelled. "I could have died!!!"

Lightning Dust nodded and replied with little to no care, "Uh huh, yeah, right. Now answer this question—"

"You tried to kill me, I'm not answering your question! I'm getting out of here!" She turned around and proceeded to walk away with a destination for the ground. There was no way she was going to hang out with a pony that tried to kill her. Uncool!!

"What was the difference between what just happened to you and Magenta?"

Rainbow Dash stopped walking away and slowly glared over her shoulder to Lightning Dust. Her eyes smoldered. "What did you say?" She growled.

Lightning Dust walked closer and got down into Rainbow Dash's face since she couldn't hear her. She asked in the exact same tone, "I asked 'what was the difference between what just happened and Magenta?'"

"Magenta lost her bucking wings and almost died. I still have mine—"

"She doesn't care about her wings." Lightning Dust turned around and walked towards the ledge of the cloud to flop down. Her eyes stared down to the ground far below them. "Magenta couldn't care less about them," she sadly explained. "She knew she used to have wings years ago. When she first floated into the Manehattan, she was told that by the nurses in the hospital. That was ten years ago, and you seriously think that's still bugging her? Buck no, Rainbow Dash, she's fine. Have you been in her mansion? Have you seen where she goes, what she buys, what she can afford, what she can even do without wings? She's flying higher than any of us. When we grew up in the orphanage together, we weren't really all that concerned about it. As a matter of fact, she kept her entire body covered up to increase her brand, not her scars. Yeah, she had scars she liked to hide, along with her face. But she didn't really care about the wings or any of that. It helps her grow. Wings don't matter. It's her music and what she puts on Net that does."

Rainbow Dash sighed and looked away. But Lightning continued. "She's not mad at you girls, she's mad at the last real memory she had of all of you: She pretty much died after you all laughed at her. But even she knows and acknowledges that if you didn't, she wouldn't be Magenta Streak. Bright wouldn't have a sister and would be about as lonely as a skunk. And who knows what else."

Since Rainbow Dash seems to have calmed down, Lightning stood back up and made her way back over to Rainbow Dash. She was listening. Her blue coat was slowly returning. Lightning didn't know it could fade in the first place, but it did. She stopped next to Rainbow Dash and pointed to the left where the Everfree Forest was and pointed out, "Scootaloo was humiliated, she was embarrassed, she ran away, then died in there."

Next, Lightning pointed to the right towards Canterlot. "But she resurfaced after flying through blades of steel and metal, losing her wings, her memories, how to read, how to walk, and lost comfort from her wounds beyond Canterlot in the city of Manehattan. And became practically the biggest star Equestria has ever seen, a millionaire at the age of eighteen, has ponies playing her music every single bucking day, and doesn't even have to really do anything to get paid anymore. As a matter of fact, I remember her telling me that she goes to sleep at night and wakes up the next day with more money coming into her account. I know it doesn't work out that way, since it takes about two months for Royalties to actually come, but she gets paid by literally doing nothing on other platforms. Thousands upon thousands of bits, Rainbow! She's rolling in dough faster than anypony ever!"

Lightning Dust sighed and used her hoof to turn Rainbow's head by her chin to face up to her. The wind calmed down the atmosphere with serenity. "Rainbow Dash," Lightning whispered. "Magenta moved on years ago. Because even she knows nothing can be done but to. Don't you think it's time for you to do the same? The rest of Ponyville has. Yes, it hurt. Yes, it was painful to see and watch. But nothing can be done. The only thing you can do is move on and stop trying to correct the past. Because you just can't."

Rainbow Dash sighed and looked towards Canterlot. Behind it was the city of dreams. A city you needed to have big bits and be willing to risk it all just to succeed. And Scootaloo managed to succeed. Why did Rainbow continue forgetting that? She was fine. She was doing great up there in Manehattan. Making millions of bits while she herself was still struggling to get back into the air after crying over her.

Lightning Dust could see she was reaching her. So she patted her on the back and asked, "I'll see you tomorrow, alright? I have a few drills I need to run."

Still exercising? Lightning was big enough to carry around Bulk Muscles. She didn't need to get any bigger. But Rainbow looked over her shoulder and nodded. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow. And Lightning?" Before she could fly off on the opposite side of Rainbow, Lightning looked back to Rainbow's smile. "Thanks. I think I really needed to hear that."

"I know. That's why I did it." Then with a subtle wink, she jumped over the edge of the cloud and soared back home. Rainbow idly wondered what she did for a living apart from being in the Wonderbolts. She had a nice house. A really nice one. A house that the Wonderbolts alone can't provide her. Eh, who cares? She looked back to Canterlot and focused on her future. And not her own, but Scootaloo's.

She was like a daughter to her. Maybe she was crying because she felt like she lost her own filly. Maybe one day she'll actually have one. But Magenta's success is going to allow that regardless. She has way more than enough funds to start a family. And this is what family does. Cry for the other until they couldn't cry anymore. Then move on with the thought that they would have a better life. Just like Scootaloo. She was fine. She was okay.

Next Chapter: Chapter 51 - A Day To Plan Estimated time remaining: 50 Minutes