The favorite place in Magenta Streak's mansion is in fact the studio. Not only is it the best location to make music in all of Manehattan. But it was also the quietest. Oh, and it was also the best place to shoot videos. But right now... Everything seemed mediocre for what they wanted. After all, this was the biggest news they have ever released so far. Bigger for this was better.

The only sounds in the studio were the squeaking of rotating chairs, and low breathing. Magenta and Bright Snow were facing each other on opposite ends of the Mixer Console deep in thought. The lights were low and the air was off. The display monitor above the mixer had a black screen with no graphic design symbol on it. Thus their planning process. The Gold Sisters' technique for effective marketing and a content strategy.

Bright turned to Magenta from her own studio chair and suddenly asked, "Is it really though?"

Magenta focused on her instead of her brooding and muttered, "...what?" What was she talking about? They were literally just sitting here not talking at all. Bright was a serious mystery sometimes.

"What if we didn't go all crazy and be simple with this?" Bright leaned her chair back and faced the ceiling. "I mean, how creative can you get with saying, 'We've left Starfire?'"

Magenta hummed and tapped her hooves together with an intense gaze on her Mixer Console. That was true. YouHoof viewers liked news to be brief, concise, and straight to the point. And as hard as they were thinking, it was going to be much longer than needed. Maybe something small and short was the answer, but with a big message.

She swiveled her chair to face Bright and quickly decided, "I have the perfect idea. How about we just make it a brief slideshow of text with maybe a few seconds of us? Complete with a small drum track?"

That would be really simple. So simple it wouldn't be like them. As a matter of fact, that was the answer for it. Bright nodded her head but replied, "Yeah, that could work. Although, we probably shouldn't discredit Starfire with a risk of getting sued."

Discredit? Magenta made a face of confusion and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Bright jumped out of her seat onto the carpet. "Well my idea was sort of like that but it involved..." She nervously tapped her hooves and whispered, "Burning their shirts."

Burning their shirts? As in fire, flames, and catastrophe? Magenta seethed through her teeth and leaned back. "Ehhh, we'll save that for a later. In case we run into some drama. Now how about something more peaceful? An attention grabber?"

"More grabby than us on screen?" Bright meant that to be a sarcastic jab, but she and Magenta widened their eyes at each other. Both had the same idea. The same bright idea that would put this block to rest. Bright grinned and bragged playfully, "I'm so talented."

"Buck yeah, you are." She and Magenta shared their hoof slap and hip bump before Magenta trotted out. "I'll get the huge roll of paper we have," she instructed. "You set up the camera and maybe work on a track. Simple, not extra."

Bright bounced around and replied, "Sure. Should we tease it?"

Magenta poked her head back in and glanced up to the ceiling to think. "Uhh... Yeah," she decided. Then looked back down to Bright. "Big News next Friday. We need to build up rumors and whatever before then." Then she ducked back out again.

Magenta shifted her playful attitude over from something less serious to something more serious when she traveled the halls. Making a video wasn't as hard to do as it was back when she and Bright were just starting out. Nowadays, it was as simple as making a new song. The hard part now was selling and marketing. Of course after the recording they had to get the rumor started. She had ponies to contact right now before they began shooting.

She reached into the pocket inside of her suit and pulled out her Z4 Smartphone. Oh, she had one missed call from Deep Light of Windbreez Records in Canterlot. Thankfully, she left a voicemail. "Hello, Ms. Streak. It's Deep Light. I just wanted to let you know we have two unreleased demos in case you need any. Send the word, and I'll be happy to send them right over. You have my contact info. Thank you for your time."

Demos, huh? That could actually help out. Magenta made a note to email her back after she got the roll of paper from the library she just walked into. Silent books stacked the shelves. Books covered in dust. She hasn't read in quite a while. Maybe she should take the time out to read. Or turn this library full of books into a secure archive. She stopped to consider it. Nah, this was a much more peaceful place to relax.

Magenta turned to the right of the library and started to dig around out of sight from the door. Then came back into sight with a white poster board balancing on her back. Most ponies could balance things on their backs. But since a Poster Board was one of the most lightest things out there, it was more of a challenge.

Magenta liked challenges.

Bright had everything setup when she walked back in. They would clearly be doing it in the recording booth The dim atmosphere provided the perfect aura for this video. Less amount of lights, semi-dark, semi-bright. Perfect. She walked over to the couch next to her instrument room and rolled it over. "Alright, what's the plan, Bright?"

Bright peeked out of the booth and answered, "Write down 'Starfire.' Then we rip the poster... Or at least try to. That one's pretty thick."

Magenta smirked knowingly and quickly grabbed a marker with her teeth. "Exactly. Let's make it humorous. Okay, I'll write down Starfire. How's the track?"

Bright ducked back into the booth but left the door open with a crack. "A basic bassline with a small rim shot, added to with a low-pass filtered drum kick that lasts zero point zero five seconds. Perfect."

Sounded good. But that was a small bit to what it'll really be like. After Magenta wrote on the board in big bold letters 'Starfire', she dropped the marker she was using recklessly and walked into the booth with it on her back. There were two stools with one occupied by Bright, and another that Magenta popped up into.

"Okay," she breathed. "Let's... Get awkward."

"—ly funny, you mean." Magenta and Bright glanced at each other for a few seconds in a tense silence. Then grinned and burst out laughing at Bright's joke. Whenever she was around, things were always fun.

Magenta sighed and calmed down her cackles. "Alright, let's do this. It's just one scene."

"You know it." A shared hoof bump later and they started acting.

---

It was really considerate how Magenta trusted Babs enough to go to the mall and buy things with her bits. Not many ponies she's dated in the past allowed that. Money was always tight. When she was younger and in high school with Magenta, colts would always try to date her by taking her out to cheesy places like the nearest fast food places. Now that Babs' mind went back to the past, she should've went past all of her insecurities and talked to Magenta. It definitely wouldn't have been easy. But it would've been worth it. For two reasons. One? Because she was bucking cute and had a thing for her too.

And second? She was the missing filly that everypony was looking for in Ponyville. Things would've been so much more easy.

But Babs wasn't here to think about the past. She was here to shop. One more store. The mall today was crowded. So getting through all these ponies was going to be a hassle. And it still is, despite the fact that everypony saw her by this point in time. The security that Magenta got for her was doing an excellent job with carrying her bags while enroute to their final destination. Having escorts was great. Maggy said she didn't enjoy having them. Strange. Babs was loving it herself.

The mall had two floors with the bottom below actual ground level, and the second on ground level. The one below held all the snacks, food, and fun stuff sprawled all over the place on clean squeaky flooring while the second had been covered in bright carpeting. Designer shops littered the entire mall. Including the electronics store. And cameras were flashing on her.

Once again, security doing an excellent job with keeping ponies back on her way to Golden Diamond Crown. The second top luxurious designer store in Manehattan. Ponies from all over the nation come here just to shop. And those are a lot of ponies. The shop here was quick and eventful, clearing the day's activities at the mall. Where to next?

The sun scorched her coat by the time she and her security stepped out of the mall onto the concrete sidewalks of East Manehattan. The air full of tweeting birds, talking pegasi, and singing ponies. And a ringing cell phone.

On her way to the chariot, she reached into her purse and pulled out her Z4. Apple Bloom? Once inside the chariot and comfortable Babs answered the phone with, "Hey, Bloom. What's up?"

"Hey." She sounded sad. Of course she did. Especially after everything that was recently said in the hospital. It must be kicking them in the flank hard. "Think you can stop by whenever? Or are you too busy?"

"Actually, Magenta has plans today with Bright. They were having a meeting this morning with some high profile ponies, so I'm and about today. I just got some shopping done. I'll head back to Magenta's to drop them off then I'll float on over. Sound good?"

"Yeah, sure. Sweetie's here too, just so you know."

---

It never occurred to Babs how faster it was to get to Ponyville by chariot than it was by Friendship Express. Celestia, if she had wings she could get anywhere she wanted to go at a much faster rate of time and speed. Even now she was landing in front of Sweet Apple Acres at the same time the train departing for Ponyville should be leaving the station. Heck she might even make it back to Manehattan before it even arrives.

Babs sighed and leaned her head back to face the sky. The vibration from the rocky ground under the wheels of the chariot ran over her coat then slowed to a stop. "We're here, miss," one of the drivers up ahead said.

Oh how Babs would hate to get out this awesome seat. Magenta lives the most lavish life. This is where hard work will get you. Or if you're dating a super celebrity. But the hard work never stops. To maintain this life you had to continue pushing forward.

After a sigh and opening of the door, Babs jumped out the chariot to the hot ground of Sweet Apple Acres. Home to her cousins. It's been years since they've actually spoken to each other's parents. The Apples because they're parents were... Gone. And Babs Seed's because they broke contact with most of Equestria. As a matter of fact, they definitely didn't know of Magenta Streak, Manehattan, anything really. It was one of the many reasons Babs moved to Manehattan. So she could actually get involved with something.

She didn't think she'd be dating an actual celebrity.

The trek up to the Apples' farmhouse was short and sweet. Tweeting birds, soundless atmosphere. It was the only peaceful part of Ponyville. Not to mention the literal sweetest.

Her hooves left the narrow path to the farmhouse unto its actual property. A small wooden home with two stories on flat dirt for land secured by a small picket fence. On the far right was a farmhouse holding hay, tools, and other items. The doors were left open so she could clearly see that somepony else was in there. Apple Bloom. She had her bow off again with that long maned emo look. Oh boy, here we go again.

Babs sighed and brushed off her black and white Mahlooho jumpsuit before making her way over across the dirt landscape. She could make her out sitting on a small bale of hay. She couldn't make out Sweetie. But she knew she was in here somewhere.

When a shadow crept into Apple Bloom's sight, she already knew who it was. She didn't have to turn around or anything. Only sigh to the dirt on the ground and greet, "Hey, Babs."

Babs placed a hoof on her back and applied soothing emotions. She couldn't see Sweetie anywhere, but she knew she was somewhere nearby. "Hey," she greeted. "How you holdin' up?"

Apple Bloom sighed and stood up to actually face Babs. And the nice outfit she was wearing. "Magenta's spoiling you already?"

Babs shrugged sheepishly. What else could she possibly say other than, "Yep, she is. Now talk to me. What's up?"

Apple Bloom looked back up to her eyes and answered, "Everything's going back to how they used to. You know, when she first left us. Rainbow's fallen back into depression... Sort of. Sweetie's getting to that point, and I'm just..." Apple Bloom just nudged some stray hay on the ground with a free hoof. "I don't know, I can't explain it."

Babs easily could. "You're all damaged by Magenta's words," she stated. Then walked around Apple Bloom deeper into the farmhouse. "You were all really close to Scootaloo before she left. The loss of your friend traumatized the entire town, but it definitely traumatized both of you. And I can see why." She turned around to face Apple Bloom and concluded, "You guys wanted to start where you left off. You wanted everything to go back to normal. To you being friends, to her being in the middle of the both of you making up The Cutie Mark Crusaders. But guys..."

Babs turned back around and continued walking over to a bale she kicked to the side, revealing Sweetie Belle with her back turned to them. She saw her tail flop out earlier before it was yanked back in. "Magenta ... Scootaloo doesn't want to be a part of that anymore. She's a business owner now. She has her own plans, her own money, and her own deals, and it's not here with you guys. And no matter how much you cry, shed tears, text, or even send 'we're sorry' letters to Manehattan, there is literally nothing you can do that will make her return. She found her place in Manehattan with the rest of the riches, fame, and glory."

Sweetie looked back to Babs and made a few signs to Apple Bloom with a glare. "You're just saying that because you're dating Magenta."

Of course they'd make denials. She was her girlfriend after all, but the reason she was saying that was just that. "Well you're not wrong about that, but you're also not right. I am her girlfriend, but way before this moment for years, I was like everyone else. A follower. And just like any follower, I was watching her. I was just another admirer like Sweetie. And we both know that Magenta isn't all about going back to her past or anything else. As a matter of fact, she focuses more on her future than on what happened yesterday. She's barely mentioned talking to you guys ever since that fight in the hospital. She's been reluctant to speak to you and instead focused on getting her label started. Both her and Bright."

Babs took a deep breath and solemnly said what they really needed to hear. "Guys ... She's moved on. She's gone and the only way she's coming back here to Ponyville is if business brings her here, her exact words. Other than that, she doesn't want to be in Ponyville. She doesn't even want to be in the same city as you guys. And whining, crying, and sobbing salty tears won't make her return."

Apple Bloom closed her eyes and let one more sad tear roll down her face. As harsh as the reality, she was right. Magenta wasn't worried about them. They were now just fans. Once again. They were no longer friends or even partners. At least she didn't blackball their families.

She nodded to Babs when she made her way past the door. But she had a feeling something else was coming. "And guys?" Yep.

They both turned their heads to stare at Babs' steeled expression at the entrance. "I'm saying this because I love the both of you like my little sisters. Don't forget about her, okay? Magenta may be very wealthy and her word may be law to some ponies, but ... She's still a pony. She's still flesh, bones, and beauty. And just like all ponies she has her ups and down. And just like all ponies the oldest of friends are the ones we truly need. I have a feeling she'll need you again someday. So don't give up so easily, 'kay?"

Then Babs trotted away from the door and left their sights and ears. The sound of her clopping hooves soon left their ears and once washed their environment in silence. Leaving them alone once more.

Next Chapter: Chapter 52 - I Quit Estimated time remaining: 38 Minutes