Chapter 2
A Demanding Manager
Everypony watched as Countless Coloratura came out on stage. There were strobe lights and backup dancers. Coloratura sang a techno pop song and everypony watched with delight as she rehearsed. Even Neo was enjoying the performance and he wasn't really into this type of music.
When the rehearsal was over, everypony clapped including Neo. They were all impressed by the rehearsal.
Coloratura went to see her manager Svengallop and he thought the performance was spectacular, especially the costumes, choreography, and vocal effects that he had designed.
Applejack thought that was strange, Svengallop wasn't exactly complimenting Rara on her performance, he was only complimenting her on the bells and whistles he came up with to make her Countless Coloratura.
Rarity said Applejack misunderstood. She said it takes a lot of hard work to make those things and Coloratura's performance wouldn't exist without them. Applejack thought that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Neo agreed with her, even he doesn't have designs like that when he performs. Everything Neo had in his concerts were all his own idea and designs.
Coloratura wanted to go rest in her trailer and Pinkie Pie mentioned that right now she was scheduled for a meet and greet with the schoolponies. Svengallop thought that was unnecessary and a waste of time and he wanted to cancel that event. But Coloratura wanted to do this anyway, she enjoyed meeting the schoolponies and it was her favorite part of the festival.
Applejack was happy to hear that and she knew the schoolponies would be happy to hear that as well.
As Coloratura met and greeted schoolponies, she had a special contest for them. She was going to give certain schoolponies an opportunity to sing with her onstage at the concert the next day and the schoolponies were very excited about that.
Applejack watched Coloratura and said that was more like the Rara she used to know. Pinkie Pie met with Coloratura's manager Svengallop and said she had everything ready that he had requested. Svengallop said that these things were all for Countless Coloratura and now he wanted some things for himself. He gave Pinkie Pie more demands and he wanted to have them in 24 hours. Pinkie Pie gasped and said that would be impossible, but Svengallop said that if he doesn't have what he demands by then, he would cancel Coloratura's performance.
Neo watched everything and he didn't like this manager at all. Applejack saw what happened as well and she said she would talk to Coloratura.
After Coloratura finished greeting schoolponies.
Applejack approached her and said, "Uh... Hey, Rara, you mind if I talk to you about your manager?"
"Sure, what about him?" asked Coloratura.
"Well, while you were meetin' with the schoolponies, he was demandin' all sorts of stuff from Pinkie Pie."
"Svengallop works very hard as my manager, AJ. So if he needs some things when we're on the road, I don't see anything wrong with that."
"Well, do you see somethin' wrong with him tellin' Pinkie that if she doesn't get those things by tomorrow, he'd pull you from our charity festival?"
Coloratura made a shocked look, "What? But he knows how important charity is to me. And leaving the festival would completely ruin my image! "
"I'm afraid Svengallop doesn't give a pickled pippin about your charity work."
"That's not true! Svengallop has always supported me in all my interests. You're just saying those things because you're jealous!"
"Jealous of what? A pony who hides behind a veil so thick she can't see when somepony's usin' her? No, I'm not jealous of that, Rara!"
Coloratura got angry and said, "I am not Rara! I am Countess Coloratura! And while we may have been friends when we were young, we have clearly gone in different directions!"
Feeling disappointed, Applejack just walked away. She went over to Neo and told him about the argument. Neo felt bad for Applejack and he knew Svengallop was a terrible, selfish manager.
"It just ain't right!" said Applejack. "He's manipulatin' her, and she's just not seein' it. But there is no way I'm lettin' that lousy Svengallop use my friend like that!"
"I agree Applejack," said Neo. "And I think I know how we can prove to her just what kind of asshole pony he is."
Applejack gasped at his language but calmly said, "How?"
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
Neo told Applejack his plan and Applejack immediately went into action.
Applejack went to see Coloratura again and called her by her new name.
"Wow AJ, you said my real name," said Coloratura.
"I said your new name," said Applejack. "But I saw the real you hangin' out with those schoolponies yesterday. And I know somepony that'd prefer if you stop doin' those little events."
Coloratura sighed and said, "Ugh, not this again."
"Come on now. You've just got to give me a chance to prove what I'm sayin' is true."
"And just how are you going to do that?" Coloratura asked in a suspicious tone.
"Do exactly what I say. We'll see if that Svengallop truly has your best interests at heart."
End of chapter 2.