Today was the day. This was it. Music and image was always important in this industry but now it was time to do business. And this wasn't the business where you go to the library, have a seat and quietly discuss all the things that made up one's brand. No, this meeting was about Magenta Streak. Magenta freaking Streak, the greatest DJ in Equestria. The name alone was insanely expensive, working with her on projects was an honor among anypony.

The meeting was going to be deep in East Manehattan. She's only been able to go so far as the school because it was so expensive in there. A month's worth of allowance would disappear if she did. No, instead, she chose to go straight home to her ma and pa. Their home was nothing like East Manehattan's. Heck, it was nowhere near as private as any home in Equestria.

If you were to guess that their home was a townhouse, you would be correct. Far away from all the fanfare, a flight to school that would take fifteen minutes for even a pegasi like her. The townhouse wasn't even all that, despite it having two floors, it may as well just have one. At least there would be a lot more breathing room.

At least three blocks away were where Magenta Streak and Bright Snow lived. She could practically see it from her second floor window. The only one window in her room that wasn't even facing the city of Manehattan. She could gaze out of it all day. But scattered around her room were reminders of why she had to go out there into the storm slowly approaching Manehattan.

Posters of The Gold Sister lined her four walls. CDs of The Gold Sisters' greatest tracks, Magenta's Mixes, and even Bright Snow's dance photos. Stickers lined her keyboard where her computer lied. An old Z27 that had seen so much usage in the past. Two monitors sat on the corners of her desk, lined and decorated with the logos of The Gold Sisters and other artists she admired. She had it all. All she needed now was the bed set. Even her hair was done up in the official Gold Sister colors. Gold, magenta and white. Tied in pigtails, her mane was dyed to support Magenta Streak and Bright Snow. The Gold Sisters. The greatest producers of all time in her eyes.

Before they even moved to Manehattan almost a decade ago, Sunrise hadn't even heard of EDM. The sound was so new to her. When asked about it, The Gold Sisters were the first artists she was directed to. And their impact practically changed her life. They inspired her to make music. To step out of her comfort zone. And Magenta's story in itself was inspirational alone. To get the chance to actually work with them? No words could express the sheer amount of elation she felt in her heart.

"Sweetheart?" Sunrise pulled her red eyes away from the window and back towards the doorway her mother stood. She seemed worried. Her eyes were upturned, wider than usual as if she had just realized something critical.

Sunrise walked away from the window and stepped over everything that littered the floor. She almost tripped over a pillow and nearly crashed into her computer. But her wings flared and she managed to get upright again. As expected, her mother sighed and instructed, "You should take a moment to clean your room."

Sunrise stopped in front of her mother and kicked off a shirt that had gotten stuck on one of her rear hooves. "Maybe later. What is it?"

"Are you sure today is a good day?" Shimmering Light bounded around her daughter and jumped over the evidence of a lazy filly for the window. "It sure looks like it's going to pour down in a few minutes."

"I'll take a jacket." Sunrise walked over to her closet overflowing with clothes and grabbed a small dark green fliers coat. Would it cover her body was the question. It certainly was small. She's had that thing forever, a gift from her father. Almost outgrown but she refuses to get rid of or even donate it. It was as if her father lived on in it.

Shimmering could practically see her father in those eyes filled with determination. She just hoped that light would never fade out. "Well then... You better get going if you want to catch Bright Snow. Where did she say to meet you?"

"At the YouHoof Space in Downtown East Manehattan."

Whoo, those words alone were making her mother nervous. So much weight! Made clear by the way her wings all of a sudden fluttered. Sunrise chortled briefly and assured, "I'll be alright mom. I'm just meeting someone down there."

"Yeah, someone famous!" And she's officially freaking out. Here she goes ranting again. "What if they want to represent you? O-Or get you started through a mentorship? Magenta Streak is not an easy mare to get a hold of these days, I hear."

"Mom, relax. Here, sit." Sunrise nudged her mother towards her bed and sat down when she climbed on. She knew what she was afraid of: Being alone. Ever since dad passed away, she's been hovering around her daughter like a bee to honey. Once she was comfortable, Sunrise sighed and told her what she needed to hear.

"Mom, I get that you're lonely and sad since Dad died. Maybe you should get out some. Meet other ponies." She reinforced her suggestion by stroking her mother's wings and shooting her a smile. "Please? I can't stay around here forever. What if they do want to mentor me right after school? That means you'll be here by yourself until later. It's just life, mom."

Shimmering knew her daughter was speaking the truth. That when she was given the green light for life that she would take it. And her mother couldn't keep her from doing that. This was her only chance at going off for success here in Manehattan.

So in the end her mother sighed and replied, "Alright. I understand ... That my little filly's growing up so fast."

And here come the tears. Sunrise rolled her eyes before Shimmering grabbed her daughter and yanked her into a tight breathtaking hug. Ugh, it was always like this. If she were being perfectly honest with herself, being out in the rain was better than being home right now.

After a moment of hugging, Shimmering backed off and jumped off her daughter's bed. She sniffled away and wiped her eyes of those dastardly tears. The time has come to see her filly walk out those doors and become a changed mare. "Okay. I'm fine, I'm fine. Let's just get you going. You have your jacket, you have your umbrella, do you need money for some lunch? There's no telling how long you'll be out there. Do you have your wallet, do you have any money..."

Sunrise rolled her eyes while her mother droned on. This was going to take a while.

When the forecast called for rain, they weren't joking. When Sunrise stepped out the door, she instantly flipped up her hood the second the first drop of rain fell on her head of pigtails. Great, she thought it wouldn't get here until at least twelve. It was almost ten.

Once the door was closed, she spread her wings and took to the sky out of West Manehattan's suburban area. The region filled with nothing but townhouses, a few corner stores, and the one market one goes to get foot and maybe a toy. Everything else would be in East Manehattan. Even from above, you would be able to see the difference. West Manehattan was dark and gloomy, and East Manehattan was as colorful and bright as a rainbow. Usually on weekends she wouldn't head in that direction and instead stick to her neck of the woods. Where the hoofball courts and the stands were packed to watch Saturday's game. Where she would sit on the sidelines wearing a hoodie slurping from a homemade shake before a fight would break out.

Not today. Today she was flying through a torrent of rain that soaked her coat in two minutes and forced her to land in East Manehattan's streets. She ran past her school to get out from underneath the gallons upon gallons of water falling from the sky for some form of shelter. She found it when she ran under East Manehattan's golden entry arch, passing through the firm line of loyalty and change. Where the ponies go to lose themselves and forget where they come from. Except Magenta. She was the only one who constantly represents her side of Manehattan. The West.

Most of the business ponies who use this city as a playground were inside keeping their expensive clothes dry from the rain. But not her, she chose to walk through the pain with an umbrella on her head. Her destination? The tall building reaching for the sky. YouHoof headquarters. She was instructed to meet Magenta's contact over there in front of the building. Hopefully they would have a spare towel. Or would that make her seem rather ... Needy?

The streets of East Manehattan may as well be abandoned, perfect for a quick tour during her path. She spotted a lot of designer shops, high end businesses, fancy chariots—the taxi business must be bustling in this side of town because rich ponies were just too important to walk— and a lot of cameras to watch the streets for any Western Manehattanites. They just couldn't catch a break.

She passed by another record shop and nearly slid to a stop. There was another Magenta Streak collectible in the window! How man of those do they have here in Manehattan? She could barely find them outside of the city but there were so many in the city. Were The Gold Sisters going to expand or...

Right. They were disbanding. Saddened, Sunrise continued her trek through the wet streets of Manehattan for YouHoof. The plaza was right around the corner. She passed by the spot where Magenta was spotted with a possible girlfriend. Nothing's been confirmed, but she's been following those rumors closely. Then finally ... There it was. The giant plaza of YouHoof.

Sunrise had to stop in the rain and tilt her head back to take a full sip of the building's magnificence. From the deep red and white color scheme to the dark freshly cleaned windows. From the top one would have the honor of seeing all of Manehattan. Maybe even all of Equestria. One day, Sunrise. One day.

Now that she was here, where was her contact? YouHoof's plaza had a deep red clock with white hands in the middle reading twelve o' one. She got here right on time. So where was her contact?

"Hey, kid." Sunrise turned around and faced the entrance of YouHoof and saw an orange coated Earth Pony staring at her. She had a Light and brilliant amaranth mane cut short and a pair of scissors for a cutie mark.

She waved to her and said in a thick country accent, "Maybe get out of the rain before you catch pneumonia?"

Yeah, that would be the smart thing to do. But to step hoof inside YouHoof's headquarters? Wouldn't that be looked down on? Well whatever they could do was much better than standing out here ruining her mane. She ran across the wet streets and over to this very considerate mare.

When Sunrise was close, she waved her in and closed the door back. YouHoof's headquarters was slow today. The Space wasn't even being used and the lounge was almost dead save for the one pony sitting over there reading that Sunrise recognized. That was Rip Ya' Cord Out, one of the gamer vloggers! Holy buck, she was a legend!

Focus, Sunny, focus!

Sunrise turned around to directly address her hero. "Thank you very much." Why did she look familiar, like she's seen her before. She was a little older than her, but Sunrise has definitely seen her around. Maybe at school? Was she a YouHoof star?!

She nodded and replied, "No problem, kid. Let me guess. You're here to see Bright?"

Okay, she knows her from somewhere definitely. That voice was sooo familiar. But how? Sunrise cautiously answered, "Yes?"

"The sisters sent me over to get you. Magenta's been looking forward to this meeting for awhile. Ever since she heard a few of your tracks."

Holy buck. Magenta Streak's been listening to her music?! Sunrise's mouth almost dropped open. "You're joking," she said.

But she shook her head, "Nope. She's been listening so I'll take you to meet her. You thirsty? Hungry? It couldn't have been easy coming all the way from West Manehattan to the East."

Well she couldn't deny that. Bashfully, Sunrise stroke her hoof and glanced away. "Maybe a little thirsty."

"Follow me." She directed Sunrise over to a cafe setup on the side, void of any customers and only one employee. "I'm Babs Seed, by the way."

Sunrise silently gasped. That's where she's seen her! This is Magenta's girlfriend! Or so the rumors say. Sunrise needed to validate those reports. "Nice to meet you. Is it true that you and Magenta are ... You know?"

"Yes," Babs answered without a second to spare. "We've been dating for a few weeks now. And we're not slowing down. Hey Vandor!"

The pony referred to as Vandor was a unicorn stallion lazily surfing his phone from behind the counter of YouCafe. Must be YouHoof's refreshment center. As in restaurant chain. Vandor had a light blue coat as pristine as his light blue eyes. He had a short white mane and possibly a long tail. He may be the only employee on duty today. He seemed quite bored at this prospect.

When his name was called, he glanced up and smirked. "Hey, Babs. Long time no see."

Babs stopped when they reached the counter and scoffed. "Oh stop you see me everyday on average. Magenta likes her coffee black and straight from here. Care to hook my friend up with something? Put it on me."

Vandor finally moved his eyes from Babs to the mare accompanying her. His jaw almost broke. Who was this neon colored angel? The one stroking her chin trying to decide what she wanted from the menu. Why she wasn't even paying attention to him! Was it normal to have a heightened heart rate just serving coffee?

"Hi," he greeted. The second her eyes trained on his he knew he'd screw up. And screw up he did. "I'm Vamp Dor, I mean Vancor—Vandor! I'm Vandor!"

Well out of everything she was expecting from meeting a barista, she wasn't expecting an outburst. When she recoiled and didn't reply, Babs rolled her eyes and ordered, "Get her a Vanilla Strawberry frappucino, ya' mess."

"R-Right away!" Vandor whipped around and quickly went to work. Back turned, Babs glanced to Sunrise and winked knowingly.

"Someone's getting crushed~" she sang.

"So not," Sunrise denied. But that blush on her cheeks said otherwise. She's never been crushed on so directly. Or were they blowing this out of proportion? Maybe he's just nervous meeting customers and screws up his name everyday.

Drink completed, Vandor turned around with the cup in his hand and set it on the counter. "On the house! "He proposed. "We'll make up for it tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" She reached into her jacket and pulled out a small purse full of bits. "I can still pay."

"No need, this is for you, a gift from me." He nudged it forward with his muzzle accented with a smile the size of a banana. Well the drink did look really good. And it would be really rude to deny it after all of that.

Sunrise reached out and scooped it off the counter into her hoof. "Well ... Thank you, Vandor. I appreciate it."

Since she had her drink, they could finally escape. Babs walked around Sunrise and quickly pushed her along. "Yeah, thanks, see ya' later," she urgently said.

"Okay! See ya! Come back sometime! Seriously!" When Babs disappeared through the doors leading to YouHoof's studios, Vandor relaxed and slapped himself in the face. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Another screw up . Why ask her to come back, she's not gonna come back. She was just a friend. Ugggh!!

Well that was weird. But not uncommon for ponies like him. Safe behind closed doors, Babs relinquished her pushing and said, "He was totes crushing on you."

"No he wasn't." Sunrise quickly popped her beverage's straw into her mouth. Wow, this was really good. What was it again, strawberry something?

The hallway they were walking down was decorated with red carpet like YouHoof's color scheme. Along the walls were pictures of creators next to doors with their names on them. These must be different studios. They had their own private studios here, holy buck!

"Yes he was. You don't know him like I know him. He likes you. A lot."

No way. Sunrise rolled her eyes but a warmth buttered her cheeks. He wasn't that bad. Just nervous. It was kind of cute.

They soon stopped at an entrance reading The Gold Sisters on a plaque next to the door. Holy crap, they were here. This was it. She was about to meet her idols!! Babs knocked on the door and whispered, "Relax, I can see you shaking."

He pigtails may as well come undone thanks to all this vibrating she had going on. Sunrise closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm her racing heart. "Sorry," she apologized. "It's just that I've been waiting to meet them for so long. And I not only get that chance but also the possibility of working with them. I'm a little excited."

Looks like she snagged up the opportunity to skip the long line of Streakers waiting for a simple autograph and obtained a VIP to their lives. Many would pay at least forty bits just to meet her and snag a picture. And this girl was getting it for free. She'd better make the best of it.

The door handle was jiggled and pulled open by Bright Snow wearing a light blue robe. She locked sights on Sunrise and greeted, "Hey, glad you could make it. Come in."

Oh my stars, she just invited me in!! Bright stepped to the side so Sunrise could graciously enter as if she wasn't freaking out less than a second ago. Play it cool. Play it awesome. "Hey, Bright," she replied. "Thanks for giving me this chance."

"No problem, kid. Magenta's in the back working on something so come with me for now and we can talk a little bit."

Their studio was more like a small office slash lounge. Like her school's it had hardwood floors, multiple rooms, and sofas on the side. The walls were decorated with achievements and A wide hallway lead to the back where the lights dimmed noticeably, conducting to another door. Magenta was back there. She could hear bass drums kicking.

"Over here." Instead of leading to the back, Bright lead her over to one of the other rooms on the side. It was a meeting room. A place where their business was conducted. "Magenta will be joining us shortly. Thanks, Babs."

Looks like Babs wasn't going to be joining them. She nodded and headed to the back where Magenta was currently, leaving Bright with Sunrise alone. If Sunrise could get anymore nervous then she was sure she would faint. There was a wooden table with six comfortable chairs that Bright motioned to.

"Have a seat," she requested. "Let me give you the lowdown of what's going on today." Bright walked over to the chair directly across from her and took a seat in it. Her face changed into one of focus. She was no longer looking at fun loving classmate Bright Snow. Now it was Bright Snow the business mare.

"I'm sure you of all ponies know about my decision to leave The Gold Sisters," she started off. "But I promised Magenta that I would help her get a new label started. And the first pony I thought of was you."

Her? She thought of her first? Out of all of these ponies in Manehattan following in Magenta's example? To be sure she had the right mare, Sunrise pointed to herself confusedly. "Me?" She queried.

Bright laughed and nodded her head eagerly. "Yes, you. I know it's hard to believe but there's a reason. Magenta and I became so popular so quickly was because we had an interesting sound that set us apart. And you do too. Your music has a lot of potential. You just need to put it out there which is the hard part. And since no one really knows you exist in the field, Magenta's plan is to represent you and show you off. But she wants to make sure that it matches the overall aesthetic of the label she's hoping to form. Do you have your music with you or is it on Net?"

As fast as a bolt of lightning, Sunrise reached into her jacket and slid a flash drive across the table. "It's all in there," she answered. "From two years ago when I first started to this year. I also have them all backed up."

"Okay." Bright grabbed the Flash Drive and stood up. "So just to be clear, we're here to make sure your sound aesthetically fits with the theme of the label. And if so and Magenta wants to move forward with plans, she'll have to meet with your parents and or guardian to sign paperwork since you are underage. Follow me."

Here we go, here we go, here we go! don't screw this up! Sunrise bounced up from her seat and trotted with Bright Snow out of the office. They were going to the back this time. Her steps were mild and relaxed. Chill yet excited. She was finally going to see Magenta Streak away from the stages! Oh wait until mom hears about this!

Bright stopped and knocked on the door. "Wait, wait!"Magenta shouted. Wow she sounded so different when a mic wasn't in front of her face. Sunrise heard a clamor of giggling and something rather inappropriate that made Bright roll her eyes. She shook her head in Sunrise's direction, giving her a slight indication of what was going on in there. Jeez, give those two some privacy for at at least five minutes and clothes are thrown over heads.

"Okay, come in." Here we go. This was it. Bright pulled down the handle for one of the doors and pulled it open. Letting Sunrise into a future with noise, drama, and possible disappointment. But those risks she was willing to take just to get this one chance.

So sorry for the delay of updates. Things have been rather crazy lately. If you like this chapter go ahead and leave a !!