Lightning Dust remembered when she first met Rainbow Dash after graduating and moving to Cloudsdale. Although, she was a little disappointed in the state she found her in. Either Rainbow Dash had given up flying or was going on to another career. Because she stayed on the clouds in Cloudsdale and took up the role of being The Wonderbolt's Captain after Spitfire retired. How and why she retired nopony knew. Just something about family issues.
Lightning Dust grew attached to Rainbow Dash and stuck around her like they were best buddies. And although Rainbow Dash wouldn't admit it, she found Lightning Dust's presence to be quite comforting. Reminded her a little bit of herself. She and Lightning Dust would walk around the stadium where the Wonderbolt's trained and just chat for a few hours. She wasn't the other Lightning Dust, the one that betrayed and used her. Rainbow learned that this one was from Manehattan and had lost her parents when she was very young to some gas thing. Then was placed in an orphanage and just so happened to be in the same one with Magenta Streak, which was big news to Rainbow Dash. Magenta was an orphan?
The day she said that was the same day Magenta sent in the form to go on tour across Equestria. Although Rainbow Dash and Lightning had been friends for a few years, she never told Rainbow anything about her past. So to learn that she grew up with Magenta Streak was more than a shock. If it were true.
They were in a simple coffee shop at the moment fitted with dimmed lights that always receives ponies from the Wonderbolts, situated in a closed off booth in a dark corner together talking about it away from the rest of the ponies in the room, eating and... Beverage-ing.
"You seriously grew up with her?" Rainbow Dash asked. Then took a sip out of her drink. Lightning Dust had some meat on her, Rainbow could see that. Even she herself couldn't gain that much muscle. She did say that she worked out a lot.
Lightning Dust nodded and whispered, "Yeah. I remember when she first actually arrived at the orphanage with Bright Snow."
"She's an orphan too?" Rainbow whispered.
"Mmmhmm. Both of them were admitted together and have been unbreakable ever since. The only time you'll ever see them apart is when Magenta is in a photo for paparazzi, news channels, or is doing business, and Bright's at school. But other than that you will never catch them alone." Lightning Dust took a quick swig of her drink then happened to glance up at the television. At the great news on it. She spat out her drink all over the table and made Rainbow jump in surprise. "Seriously? No way! Oh, sorry, Rainbow."
Rainbow ignored that and turned to face the reason behind that spit take. There was a news report on about Magenta Streak... Going on tour?! "Whoa, really? Where's she headed?" Rainbow asked.
A pony afar from behind the counter raised a hoof and said, "She's going to the small towns! That includes Ponyville! Somepony said she's going to do an interview later on this evening!"
Rainbow turned back around and nodded in approval. Then looked to Lightning and asked, "Are you goin' with her?"
"Hopefully!" Lightning yelled, as if it were the most stupidest question. "Me and her are best friends! Well, I'm one of her best friends!" Right at that moment, a sliver of magic slipped into the room and morphed into an envelope in front of her face. After it fell on the table, Lightning picked it up and ripped off the side with her teeth. Then reached in and pulled out a letter. She flipped it open and read it aloud.
"'Dear, Lightning. How's life with the Wonderbolts? Haven't heard from you in a while. Hope this letter doesn't shoot right back, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm sure you've heard the news by now. But if not, I'll tell you. We're finally going on tour. Yep, Bright, Songbird, Sea Creature, a few other bands, and myself are finally touring Equestria. I've barely been out of Manehattan for more than ten hours my whole life. So touring for four days is pretty big for me and Bright. Mom's so fearful of it that she hid my letter. Yeah, that serious.
"'Inside of the envelope are four backstage passes for each show. We're leaving tonight and doing a show the night after in Trottingham. Just read the tickets for info. Your best friend, Magenta Streak.'" Lightning Dust dropped the letter and reached back in the envelope to pull out four Golden tickets.
"What towns?" Rainbow asked excitedly.
Lightning laid them out on her lap and read, "Trottingham, The Crystal Empire, Vanhoover, and Ponyville-slash-Cloudsdale. She's coming here too! I need to write her back."
Rainbow threw her hooves up and yelled, "Oh my faust, finally! A party! Pinkie hasn't done any good ones like this in so long! Let alone ever!" Rainbow looked back at the television and watched a discussion between the TV ponies talk about the upcoming sudden tour. It was a little fast. They just released the news about it and are going to do their show two days from now.
Lightning Dust scoffed and denied loudly, "It was not that fast! They've been promoting this for awhile. Nopony was paying attention to it though."
Rainbow looked back and deadpanned, "You're just saying that because you're friends with her."
"No," she denied playfully. Then laughed and added, "Magenta's been promoting this for a while and probably didn't realize it. You ever see those posters of Magenta advertising something around Ponyville?"
"Yeah?"
"If you actually read it, at the bottom it says, 'Equestria-Wide Tour Coming Soon'. But nopony paid attention."
While walking along the Ponyville dirt road, Sweetie Belle jabbed at a TV in a window displaying the news of Magenta Streak touring that Applebloom passed earlier that morning while on the way to Diamond Tiara's place. She stopped and made sign language with a grin. "I want to see her perform!"
Applebloom gawked and turned back to the television. Then back to Sweetie Belle. "What?! No!" She exclaimed. There was no way she was going to let her girlfriend see Magenta perform. Sweetie was hot. Really hot. Apple Bloom had to get defensive each time somepony would try their luck. And she didn't trust this Magenta Streak already.
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes then leaned up and pulled Applebloom's ear with her teeth. "Ow, no fair! Sweetie! I'm not a fan of hers! I can't just go and pretend I like it!"
Sweetie Belle let go of her ear. Then turned her back, sat down, and crossed her hooves with her muzzle high. "Aw, come on, Lavender, you're bein' unreasonable," Applebloom whined she walked over to her right, but Sweetie turned her head. "You can't be mad at me for not likin' an artist."
Sweetie turned and signed, "I'm upset that you're not giving her a chance. If you promise to at least go to the one in Ponyville, I'll understand. Pinkie Promise."
"Aw, come on!"
Sweetie sighed and signed, "Applebloom, I just want you to experience happiness away from working and me. You and I used to go to parties and dance like we've never danced before. Now you're all work and no play. Even I don't turn you on anymore. The sex is sad. It's like we downgraded."
Applebloom sighed through her nose and turned her head back to the TV rport. Sweetie was right. She was getting a little too serious. Out of all the ponies in Ponyville, nopony could say they worked harder than Applebloom other than Applejack and Big Mac. But even they had their fun moments. Applebloom became all serious outside of The Carousel Boutique. She at least wanted to turn Sweetie Belle on again. At least.
"Ohhh... Fine!" Applebloom caved in with a stomp of her hooves. "Ah'll... Buy tickets for backstage before they run out on our way to Manehattan. Let's just get the others and go already. It's noon and it takes two hours to get to Manehattan and another to get back." Sweetie stomped her hooves and grinned in glee. Then rushed up and nuzzled Applebloom underneath her chin.
Applebloom sighed but returned her nuzzle. At least she was happy. After a few seconds, Applebloom pulled back and motioned behind her. "Let's go grab 'em and move out. Not a lot of time."
***
After Applebloom and Sweetie grabbed Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, they walked to the station on the outside of Ponyville, boarded the train and got settled in with more passengers. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were a little conflicted. Evident by their constant questioning as they rode through Canterlot.
"How exactly do we find her?" Silver Spoon asked. That same question was asked so many years ago.
Applebloom turned and answered, "Well we know she hangs around East Manehattan. Babs will show us where that is. It's a private neighborhood, obviously for rich ponies. So we have to be careful. Make it be known that we're not sellin' anthing, we're lookin' for a pony. That's it."
Sweetie Belle tapped her shoulder and signed, "We're asking them if they've seen a purple haired pony?"
"Yep. Hopefully we can get some details and catch her. Hopefully." The rest of the trip was quiet, save for the discussion revolving around Magenta Streak finally touring all of Equestria. It flew around the car like a fly, eventually reaching Applebloom's poor mind.
Thankfully, they arrived at the station for Manehattan before she could explode. Sweetie's hoof holding just wasn't working sadly. Applebloom was the first pony to jump off the train and take a deep breath in of the Manehattan air and sounds. Then followed by her smirking friends and everypony else. She turned around and said quickly, "Alright, let's go, let's go." Then turned back and trotted towards the city with them behind her.
The first thing they noticed when entering Manehattan was its grandeur. It was big and it was tall. All the buildings—well most of them—were skyscrapers. Ranging from banks and legislature to businesses and colleges. After a few minutes, Sweetie Belle tapped Applebloom without looking away from her line of sight and motioned with her horn towards the building up ahead. It was an office building made mostly of glass that had a sign on the front displaying all the companies. There were a lot of those. And there were a lot of press.
***
After Bright out ran the ponies that were chasing her for an autograph once School let out, she quickly rode back home on Magenta's Scooter to grab her and Magenta's things. They were scheduled to go out of town tomorrow night. But decided to change it for tonight after they decided Magenta should play a live gig on the Net, as well as a live question stream for one hour on YouHoof. Not surprising. That's where it all began.
Once in front of the gates, Bright grabbed her key and unlocked the gate. Then bolted in and closed it back. The door was opened way before she even made it there with the scooter by Max who pushed out a few bags. Magenta and Goldhoof were next. Bright raised her mouth to the sky and yelled, "There she is!" Magenta turned and grinned at her sister. After trotting up and placing down the Scooter, Bright and Magenta hoof bumped and hip checked. "You excited?"
Magenta took a deep breath and yelled, "I'm thrilled!!! I'm finally seeing Equestria, that's more than exciting! I already sent out letters to our old friends from Quick Hooves. They're all going to the last one to see me 'at my best'. Can't complain, we are really great. Save the best for last, right?"
"Absolutely!" The two hoof bumped and hip checked once more before turning to their parents. Goldhoof was crying and Max was obviously trying not to. Bright rolled her eyes then pulled her mother into a hug. Goldhoof used her wing to sweep Magenta in too.
"You better hug me, young lady!" Goldhoof chided then nuzzled the two of their heads. "We're packing our things too in case there's an issue. We're not coming with you, but we'll be on our hooves."
Max pointed at Magenta and ordered, "You watch over your little sister, okay? Don't get too wild on those stages."
Magenta buried her face in his golden coat and mumbled, "I promise."
Max pulled back her hood for a moment and quickly kissed her head. Then shot it right back over. Magenta extremely valued her privacy. Just like everypony in this neighborhood. Once their parents let them go, the two grabbed their bags, as well as Magenta's biggest Synthesizer, and walked towards the gate. Just on time too. A long chariot was just pulled in by four ponies. An escort service. One of those stallions were kind of cute. To Magenta anyway.
Magenta and Bright walked down the steps while another stallion helped them with their luggage. They were extra careful with the synthesizer since it cost over two thousand bits. Apparently, Magenta was going to make some new tracks on the road. A pair of steps were placed at the entrance to the high chariot so they could hop on without hassle. Their bags were in the middle so they had no trouble at all getting in and settling down. Once the door was shut and the stallions were latched up once more, Magenta and Bright waved to their crying parents at the door. They waved back at the same time the chariot lurched, pulling them down the loop.
Bright and Magenta continued waving until they were out of sight behind them. Then turned around and faced the front of the chariot when they did. "Our first tour," Bright repeated. Then faced Magenta with a smile. "I hope I have enough time to teach the dance crew."
"We should," Magenta assured. The chariot they were riding in pulled out of the neighborhood gates and into the afternoon Manehattan streets. It was crowded. The chariot stopped at a light to allow the ponies to cross. Those same ponies started pointing at them over the top and yelling their names, waving and wishing them luck.
Magenta looked over her side and waved like a princess while Bright was on the other waving like a maniac. "We love you, Manehattan!" Bright cheered before they started moving again.
The road that guided them to East Manehattan Unique also led them straight to Manehattan High and the Label headquarters. So it was a straight ride through a few stop lights. And a later stop right at the conjunction of press in front of the building.
Magenta made a note in her mind to thank her manager for the security who made a clear path for the chariot to pull through. While they moved, Magenta waved at the ponies standing by watching. Including those mares on the sidewalk who were definitely from out of town. For one, they looked dirty. Everyone in Manehattan had on a suit or something. Even a necklace. But the only thing those ponies wore were bracelets that were obviously wearing down. Except the red maned one from school so many years ago. That was definitely Bab-whatever. She's cute.
Those ponies were just offering smiles and waves. Except the yellow one with the red emo hairstyle. She had her lips pursed and was just watching. The only unicorn there though was practically going gorillas. Jumping up and down, running in circles, and waving her hooves in the air trying to grab Magenta's attention. Well she definitely got it.
Magenta grinned then waved at her. Sweetie eagerly waved back. Applebloom was wondering if her hoof would fall off, she was waving it so hard. Magenta waved her over while Bright kept the press at bay with answers. Sweetie looked around, then turned back to Magenta and pointed a hoof at herself, unsure. It was confirmed with a nod.
Sweetie squealed and grabbed Applebloom's hoof. Then pulled her over to the chariot, biting her lip. Magenta leaned over and grabbed her hoof to shake. Sweetie squealed even louder like a lovestruck school filly. "What's your name?" Magenta asked amongst the clicks of cameras.
Sweetie made a gesture with her hoof in sign language. She couldn't talk. Magenta gasped then turned around. "Bright! I need an interpreter!" Bright Snow turned around from her side of the chariot and locked eyes with Sweetie, who squealed again.
She leaned into Magenta's side and asked, "What am I interpreting?"
"Sign language." Magenta turned back to Sweetie and asked, "What was it again?"
Sweetie made the sign with a grin while dancing on hoot hooves. She can't believe she's meeting Magenta Streak! And talking to her!! Wait until Rarity hears about this. Bright turned to Magenta and interpreted, "Sweetie Belle."
Applebloom was impressed by Bright Snow's skill in Sign Language. She wondered how long it took her to learn it. It took her two years. "Where are you from, Sweetie Belle?" Magenta asked.
Sweetie pointed to Applebloom and the others behind her. Then made a bunch of gestures to Bright. Once finished, Bright relayed, "My friends and I are from Ponyville."
"Oh wow! That's our last show location where I will be unveiling a few unreleased tracks! Bright here is going to be dancing for me, Sea Creature, and Songbird. All of which who should be coming out by now." Bright and Magenta looked over their shoulders towards the Press. The others were already out and talking to them. Sound Boost spotted Magenta and Bright's eyes and waved for them to come.
Magenta turned back around and reached down in one of her bags. "Tell you what, Sweetie Belle. Just because I like you, I'm giving you these. Your facial expressions are killing me." Magenta popped back up and presented her hoof towards them. There were two golden tickets in them with numbers and the term Ponyville. "Two backstage passes to our Ponyville concert. These are very expensive. Try not to lose them."
Sweetie's mouth dropped to the concrete floor wide open with wide eyes in a silent scream and hooves on her cheeks. She used her magic and calmly grabbed the tickets to mostly stare at them like the rarest gem. "I hope to see you there," Magenta added before she and Bright turned around and made their way out of the chariot towards the rest of the label.
Sweetie waved her off and showed Applebloom the tickets. Then darted back to her friends before she could respond and showed them too. Applebloom rolled her eyes, but was thankful to Magenta for gifting them with two one-hundred bit tickets. That would've drained her dry.
While Magenta was speaking to the press about the shows and the finale tracks in Ponyville, Applebloom got an idea. Magenta's a pretty well off pony. Big bits. Which meant she lived in East Manehattan! Maybe she spotted Scootaloo!
Applebloom trotted back over to the chariot and waited for her to get in. That Press was probably getting on her nerves. Or maybe it was time for them to go. She quickly raised a hoof to them and shouted, "Magenta!!" Magenta looked back down with Bright Snow, Sea Creature, and Songbird Serenade and grinned. Was she really that loud? "Have you ever seen an orange mare with a purple mane, mostly covered up walkin' through East Manehattan?"
Magenta's heart nearly stopped. Did she know her identity? She was the only one in East Manehattan with that description! Magenta and Bright shared a knowing glance that gave Apple Bloom the impression that it was a sore subject. Then focused back on Applebloom. Deciding to play with this just to know, Magenta leaned over and yelled, "Oh yeah! Plenty of times! Her and I tend to hangout at the mall every few days!"
So they have seen her! She knew it! Applebloom gasped and asked, "Do you know where she is or at least lives right now? It's very important that we find and talk to her!" Magenta was not expecting that look. Desperation. A lot of desperation. Not so much that she's begging, but it was certainly leaking from her eyes. It tore into Magenta's resolve. And it gave her a side she never thought she had.
Magenta shrugged and lied, "I don't know. I met up with her last week and she told me that she was touring Equestria. Something about finding memories."
That was her, Applebloom thought. That was definitely her. And we just missed her. Applebloom stomped her hooves and shouted, "Consarnit!" Attracting Sweetie Belle's attention. She quickly walked over and took Applebloom's hoof while she sighed to the ground. "Alright. Thanks, Magenta Streak."
Magenta and Bloom shared a glance before the chariot slowly began to move. This mare was obviously desperate to talk to her. But why? Was it about the past she doesn't know about? Did she know about her past?! Matbe she did and maybe she didn't. Regardless, there was only one way to find out.
"Hey miss?" Applebloom and her friends looked back up to Maagenta as the chariot began to pull off. "I said that she was touring Equestria. Every place, nook, cranny, town, and city."
Applebloom trotted a little after them and called up to her, "What do you mean?"
Bright poked over when the chariot sped up. Then pointed at Applebloom and answered, "It means she'll come to you! Better get home or you may miss her! Hope to see you at the concert!" Applebloom stopped running as the two ducked back down, riding off into the setting sun. She watched them with an open mouth and eyes wide in realization. Finding her memories. Scootaloo would go all over Equestria looking for those! Which includes Ponyville! She was heading right for them!
They were in the wrong town.
Applebloom grabbed Sweetie's hoof and tugged her back quickly through the news and press. And their friends who watched them go before running after them. Babs caught up with them first on the right side of Sweetie Belle. "Why are we running back to the train station?"
"We're in the wrong city!" Applebloom replied. She nearly knocked over a shopping pony who jumped to the side. Her friends caught up with her so they could hear her. "I just asked Magenta Streak about Scootaloo. Just in case she saw her. A pony with a magenta mane, an orange coat, and wears a lot of clothes. She said she not only saw her. But actually hung out with her at the mall and all that!"
Babs gasped and shouted, "What?!!" She trotted with Applebloom briskly onto the train station platform and into the train with everyone else. "So she's here! She's really alive and doing alright! But why are we leaving Manehattan if she's here?"
Applebloom dropped into a seat with Sweetie across from her friends and answered, "Because Magenta said she left last week. To find her memories by touring Equestria." The train whistle blew and the doors shut before the train began moving forward. "Which means eventually, Scootaloo will come to Ponyville. We're in the wrong city. And I just threw away a bunch of bits. At least Sweetie got her tickets." Applebloom leaned in and pulled the tickets out of her girlfriend's mane. "You're turning into Pinkie Pie."
Sweetie bit her lip and slowly made a sign. "I need to buy a pouch."
While they rode towards the Manehattan docks, Magenta had a lot on her mind. Particularly herself. She sure did do a lot of hiding. Yes she could admit it. Every inch of her body was hidden. Including the bottom of her hooves. She didn't want anypony knowing her color. But did that really matter for promotion when her whole entire missing life was a mere tear away? All she had to do was pull off the hood. Was it really that hard? Magenta needed some advice.
She turned over and tapped Bright's shoulder, but she was clearly ready for this conversation. She immediately said, "Yes, you should." Bright could tell Magenta was confused by that. "I think you should show the world who you are."
The rest of the group quickly turned around. "What?" Songbird asked. Then smirked and added, "You're thinking about showing yourself? That's a first. What brought that on?"
"Yeah," Sea Creature inputted.
Magenta sighed and looked towards the left, at the ponies waving towards her with a smile. Then whispered, "Years of mystery that nopony but my parents and myself know about. If I reveal myself, I may know about what happened."
The others looked amongst themselves. They didn't understand what Magenta meant by "what happened." But it didn't sound good. And it wasn't. But Magenta wasn't going to let those scars stop her from being her. And showing the world after five years of fame who she really was.
Magenta turned to Bright and said, "When
we get on that ship, I need my computer, my Synthesizer, and a camera. I also need to make a post to myStable. Okay?"
Bright shrugged and answered, "Sure."
After a few more minutes, the chariot pulled through a pair of steel fences and stopped a little ways away from the wooden walkway that led up to a giant cruise. It's engines were already going, but its passengers were standing to the side, looking at luggage. One of them was a purple mare with a purple scroll that had a red ribbon tied around it for a cutie mark. She was speaking to a few stallions, definitely the musicians going on tour with them.
The second the chariot stopped, the group of five ponies turned towards them. There were also a group of white quadruplet Pegasi with them. Must've been Bright's dance crew. The escort pulling the chariot unlatched themselves and quickly let out the group. Bright didn't need any stairs because she jumped out onto the concrete and stretched her body.
"Phew! What a ride! Hey, everypony!" She greeted to the group grinning at them. "Hope you are all ready for a real party!"
"Yes we are, Ms. Snow," the purple mare replied. After Magenta walked down the steps, she walked around the chariot and up to Bright, still speaking with the pony. The dancers on the side gasped and started squealing and pointing as she walked up. The other musicians followed their hooves and started muttering with smiles.
"Oh! Ms. Streak! It's an honor to have us with you!" The purple pony greeted. She ran forward and quickly shook her hoof. "I heard one of your songs when I was in high school? I have to admit my head was going up and down at a rapid pace."
"That's what my music's for. Do you know if this cruise has Net on it?" Magenta pointed to the aircraft.
"The captain said it does, yes," the pony responded.
Magenta nodded and muttered, "Great...great, because I need to send out a quick message. Now do I know you from somewhere?" Magenta walked around the mare in interest. Measuring every cure and bend. "Like, you're ringing a bell in my mind. But I don't know what bell it is. Bright, doesn't she look familiar?"
Bright zippes in and quickly looked her over. Then hummed with a hoof to her chin. "A little," she replied. "Went to school with us?"
"No, no..." Magenta denied. Then looked at her cutie mark. "Did we meet in the—" Magenta suddenly gasped and pointed at her face. "Hospital! We met in the hospital eight years ago!"
Bright gasped too and yelled, "Fuchsia Winds!"
Fuchsia Winds slowly nodded and confirmed, "Yes, that's my name." How did they know her? Barely anyone knows her!
"Oh my faust, how are you?" Bright greeted. Then pulled the confused pony into a hug. "It's me, Bright Snow! Remember? Hospital? You had a stomach bug and you were getting released that day? We watched movies in—"
"—the movie room, oh my gosh!!" Fuchsia interrupted. Now she remembered! Bright had shattered wings! She walked forward and circled Bright. "Look at you, all better. I see your wings healed up beautifully."
As they reminisced, everyone else was boarding the cruise, prompting Magenta, Fuchsia, and Bright too as well. The escorts had carried their stuff on the ship along with everyone else's. So they didn't have anything to worry about. Once they were on, the ship immediately began to float up into the air and leave from Manehattan.
Sound Boost checked his watch and declared, "Right on schedule! Six-thirty P.M. We're making great time. Everypony, be prepared for a quick practice. This is our very first Equestria-wide tour as a label and we need to be top notch."
Everyone began to unpack and setup their things for a quick session on the deck. Even Bright Snow was walking towards the quadruplets to show them some moves. But Magenta was busy taking out the computer and typing in on myStable through her account. She typed a message for her twenty million followers and read it to herself.
"Suit Off In Ponyville 11PM. Be there." She looked up and yelled, "Hey, sis!" Bright was showing the four ponies how to use their wings in a dance when she called. She looked back her way then said something to the mares before trotting over to Magenta.
"What is it?" She asked. Then looked down to where Magenta was pointing. Bright muttered the message to herself then looked back to Magenta. "Are you ready for it?"
Magenta pressed Send then smiled up to Bright. "Absolutely."
The Carousel Boutique was silent, it's doors were shut and locked since it was after closing hours. Six in the evening. The sun outside was beginning to set, casting the boutique in an orange glow. Everything was silent, save for Rarity's voice as she stared intently at the thread she was sending through the dress. "Almost there... Last package—" Twilight suddenly teleported in front of the table with a loud snap. The sound alone scared her enough that she cut off the machine.
"She's coming!" Twilight yelled. Rarity squinted her eyes at the Princess and slowly shook her head at Twilight. She had to be wayyy more specific. "Scootaloo might be coming back to Ponyville! Just come on." Twilight grabbed Rarity and teleported her back to the castle inside the library. Everypony was already there. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Hondo and Cookie Crumbles, even Shining Armor. They were all there. And the Cutie Mark Crusaders were in the middle. Applebloom was currently talking.
"Magenta Streak said she's actually met and hung out with Scootaloo!" She said. "But that she wasn't in Manehattan because she's searchin' for memories."
Celestia leaned in and assumed, "So she could actually walk into town and just be looking around."
Sweetie nodded and did her sign language that Twilight translated. "Magenta said that even she was coming to Ponyville and gave us two passes for backstage." Sweetie reached in her mane and pulled out the two tickets. Then presented them to everypony.
While everyone were fawning, ancient thoughts plagued Rainbow's mind. What would she say when she finally saw Scootaloo? 'Hi, I'm Rainbow Dash, and I nearly made you die.' Rainbow swallowed the huge ball in her throat a little too loud.
"What's wrong, Rainbow?" She turned to her left to Fluttershy. She was giving her a concerned look that nearly shattered Rainbow's hard heart.
"If she does come, what are we going to say to her?" Rainbow asked quietly. "I can't just say, 'I'm Rainbow Dash and I pushed you to your death.' I... I don't know what to do."
"We start from the beginning," Applebloom answered. She walked up to Rainbow and grabbed her hoof. "We tell her the story of how everything went down. Between myself, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. And how two foolish and selfish foals made the most grave mistake in Equestrian history. Ask for her forgiveness, then see where it takes us. That's all we can do."
The practice that evening was great. Turns out Fuchsia Winds was actually a manager of a band now. Obviously small time, but the band had apparently impressed Sound Boost enough to offer them the opportunity to Grand Tour with them. Four days with an expected house of five thousand per stadium, possibly more in Ponyville, was a big bonus. If this group could wow the crowd enough, Sound Boost may Co-Sign them with Starfire. It'd help them out with more bits.
Of course Magenta had her own thing going on with Bright Snow and her Dancers in Ponyville after they learned of the message on myStable. Magenta always needed the dancers in front of the decks. The Manager said that a microphone would be placed on her when she was on stage just for communication with the team helping out with the show. She just needed to be focused.
After practice, everyone settled in to the dining hall for dinner then hit the beds under the deck for a much needed break. The rooms were obviously very luxurious, evident by the velvet carpet, bedding, and much more. But Magenta couldn't sleep. Instead, spent her time underneath the covers staring up at the wooden ceiling with folded hooves. Thinking about the concert. The sound of the cruise's engines were the only sound. The moonlight shining through the window highlighted Magenta's worried face from her bed.
Without taking her eyes off the ceiling, Magenta took a deep breath and whispered, "Hey Bright?"
She heard her sister shuffle in the bed across from her. Probably adjusting to face her. "Yeah, sis?"
Magenta glanced in her direction then back on the ceiling. "...thanks. For being here, I mean. I know it's all going a bit too fast, even for you. You know I would never put you through something you'd never want to do."
She heard Bright giggle. Then sigh and reply, "Magenta... We do a lot already. Way before we were signed to Starfire. Remember middle school? When we accidentally started that lunch riot?"
Magenta chuckled and asked, "How could I forget? But still... Thanks."
"You're welcome. And remember: When you reveal yourself in Ponyville, you're doing it because you are tired of hiding who you are for money. And to find yourself."
"....yeah."