I'm bored!
But you're reading.
I've read all these books already.
And...?
And I'm bored. I wanna
do something.
Things have been so
slow around here I don-
Twilight!
Twilight!
Ooh, Twilight, darling,
oh, thank goodness!
It seems that my-
Whew!
Got here as fast I c-
Yes! Finally!
We've been summoned! I wonder
where the map wants us to-
Uh, Twilight...
Where do ya think?
Manehattan! We've been
called to Manehattan!
Oh, I've simply been dying
to go back for a visit!
And now,
I return...with a purpose!
Hmmm. It looks like
you've been summoned
to this particular
neighborhood here.
We're off to solve
a friendship problem
in one of the busiest and most
vibrant cities in all of Equestria!
Isn't this exciting?!
Seems a hair odd,
though, don't it?
Map callin' me to a
big city like Manehattan?
You may be more of a
country pony at heart, Applejack,
but the map picked you two
because you're the best ponies to
tackle this particular mission.
But how will we even know
what our mission's supposed to be?
That neighborhood
probably has twice
as many ponies as all of Ponyville.
Pff. Kch. Ts! More like three times!
Why, it's not only home
to the Haypacking District,
it's also home to
the Fashion District!
Hmm, shame you weren't
called as well, though, darling.
You did end up quite
a fan of the hustle
and bustle of Manehattan
on our last visit.
It's such an exciting city,
and there's still so much
I'd like to do there.
So many museums and
historical landmarks to visit.
Not to mention all the libraries!
But this is your mission.
Don't worry 'bout me.
I've got plenty of...
books...to keep me...busy.
I just remembered something!
The Sisterhooves Social!
We'll have to miss it.
No tellin' how long
we'll be in Manehattan.
I sure hope Apple Bloom and
Sweetie Belle aren't too upset.
Oh, Manehattan, what you do to me!
Darling, are you all right?
Ponies move so fast here.
Not at all like back home.
Eyes peeled, ears open.
Eyes peeled, ears open.
Remember, Applejack,
you're in the big city now.
No moseying.
You gotta walk with
speed and confidence!
Yoo-hoo!
Move it!
Sorry 'bout that.
Ah, git outta my way!
Sorry.
Watch it! Heh...oh dear.
Butter my biscuits,
I can barely cross the
street in this town.
How'm I supposed
to help solve a-
There!
Yes, I think this is the one.
No! No.
Excuse me?
That hat clashes with your mane,
not to mention it's far too large
and will undoubtedly
obstruct your vision.
Oh, dear, none of these will do.
Oh, Applejack! Aw, good timing!
Here. This will do splendidly.
Oh, it's lovely!
Uh, how much would you like for it?
Oh, no no, please, please, keep it.
I can always make another.
Thank you!
And you thought we wouldn't
discover our purpose here!
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that wasn't it.
What?
I just saved that poor pony from
committing a terrible crime of fashion.
Well, she could've
been meeting a friend
who would've laughed
at her new hat
and then their friendship
could've been ruined forever!
And...mmm...it's possible.
Did your cutie mark glow
signifyin' a job well done?
Ye- No.
I suppose it didn't.
Still, a disaster was averted!
Averted?
You just lost me a paying customer!
Oh, my!
Oh, I-I-I-I-I'm s-so sorry.
I never meant to-
b*at it!!
Uh, please accept my sincerest
apologies for the misunderstanding,
and, might I add, what a
lovely establishment you have here!
You're right, Applejack.
The search continues.
Uh, 'scuse me, I was wonderin'...
Uh, friendship problem, anypony?
See, we've been sent here to..
A-A map summoned us and, uh...
If you could just
take a moment to, uh...
Friendship advice!
Anypony looking
for friendship advice!
Good grief!
This isn't working!
I'm not sure what
we're supposed to do.
To be honest, I'm still not even
sure what the map called me here for.
Oh, try not to worry, Applejack.
The map picked us for a reason.
Although, how we're supposed
to uncover that reason, I haven't a clue.
We can't possibly
approach every single pony
in town until we find out
what we're meant to DO!!
Please help us restore our
long-lost but beloved tradition,
the Midsummer Theater Revival.
There's a guest performance by
a local theater troupe, the Method Mares,
as well as games, food,
and much, much more.
This event promises to bring
our broken neighbors together
and restore our sense of community
but there's so much to do
and we need your help. Huh.
Darling, this is it!
The contact on the
flyer is Coco Pommel!
Oh, right!
She's the one who got
a job makin' costumes
for that designer friend o' yours.
Don't ou see?!
This must be why the map called us here!
Oh, and you were so worried!
Well, I suppose it's at
least worth lookin' into...
that is, if we ever get
off this street corner.
I can't believe you found my flyer.
Quite a coincidence, don't you think?
Applejack and I were specifically
summoned here to be of service,
and you, my dear friend,
are in need of help.
It's no coincidence, darling.
It's fate!
This Midsummer Theatre Revival –
what is it, exactly?
An outdoor play held
in the community park.
Many moons ago, local
theatre troupes would perform,
and ponies in the
neighborhood would help
make the costumes,
and design setpieces,
prepare food to share
during the performance.
Y'all do look like you're
enjoyin' each others' company.
Kinda reminds me of Ponyville.
It sounds lovely, darling.
It was,
up until several moons ago.
What happened?
That's Charity Kindheart.
She was a well-known
costume designer on Bridleway.
She started the Midsummer
Theatre Revival
as a way to share her passion
for theatre with the neighborhood.
No matter how busy she was,
she always made time for the Revival.
But when she moved away
to be closer to her grandfillies,
the neighborhood lost the
special tradition she had started,
and worse, the sense of
community it fostered.
Hey, I'm trotting here!
Nopony else stepped up
to take over for Charity?
I've been trying to,
but I've just gotten
a last-minute request
to alter costumes for
the cast of My Fair Filly,
and I'm afraid I haven't
made much progress.
Oh, there's just so much to do
to bring back the Midsummer Revival,
and my flyers haven't
attracted a single volunteer!
Say no more!
You finish up your work,
and by this time tomorrow,
you'll be up to your mane in
ponies who want to lend a hoof.
Applejack and I will
make sure of it!
You will?
You bet your boots we will!
Oh, I don't wear boots.
I find they chafe my
calves when I walk.
It's just an expression.
So you see, the Method Mares
are only available on this one day,
and we need all the help
we can get with preparation!
Eh, not a good time right now.
What am I saying?
It's never a good time!
Well? What do you think?
I got my own problems.
You think I've got hours to
dedicate to somepony else's?
Ah yes,
Charity's Midsummer Theatre Revival,
such wonderful memories.
So you'll help us?
Don't be ridiculous!
I run a very important oat and
hay import/export business.
I can't spare even a
moment for such things!
This is a nightmare.
Oh, not at all, darling!
It's quite lovely!
I think she was talkin' about
the Midsummer Theatre Revival?
I finished the alterations
for My Fair Filly,
but I've barely started the
costumes for the Revival,
and the Method Mares are
coming to the park tomorrow
for a costume fitting
and rehearsal!
Well, I could help you
with the costumes.
But what are we going
to do about the rest?
The park is in
desperate need of repairs,
and the sets still
need to be built!
Well I know a thing or two
about buildin' and fixin' things.
It's kinda, well, my thing.
Could be the reason the
map called me here!
You see, dear?
We went out
looking for volunteers
when all the help you
need is right here!
Uh-huh.
The map wouldn't have
chosen just Applejack and me
if it was more than
we could handle!
Everything is going
to be just fine!
Perhaps I spoke too soon...
Oh dear, you're right!
Are you sure you can
manage this by yourself?
Well, there's a lot to do...
but Rarity's right.
The map wouldn't
have called us here
if we weren't up
for the challenge!
You two go on and take
care of the costumes.
I'll see you at
the dress rehearsal.
I know it looks bad,
but I'm movin' as fast as I can.
Don't worry,
we've still got plenty of time.
Everything's going to be-
Ehm, excuse me?
Is this where the Midsummer
Theatre Revival
is supposed to be, perchance?
We're here for the dress rehearsal?
Oh, yes! We've just put the
finishing touches on the costumes.
At least those look professional.
We'll do a dry run of the play first,
and then the fitting.
No, wait! I haven't
got a chance to-
...reinforce the stage yet.
I just wanted to live
up to Charity's example,
to bring my
neighborhood together again!
The park is still a mess,
we haven't even thought
about what refreshments
to serve during the performance,
and even if we had,
we don't have a stage
for the Method
Mares to perform on!
It's hopeless...
just hopeless!
I don't understand.
The map summoned us here
to solve a friendship problem,
we've clearly found it, but why
did it send the two of us?
Why not Twilight?
I'm sure she could
have used her magic
to transform this
park in an instant!
I've been thinkin' the same thing.
I mean, I can at least see why
you're here – Coco's your friend,
and you have a knack for
costumes and all – but me?
I was never gonna be able to
finish a project this big!
We'll return to Ponyville as failures!
Why must this be, Applejack?
Why?
Wh-
Now hold on there. I'm not suggestin'
we pack up and go home.
And what are you suggesting-
And what are you suggesting?
I'm suggestin' we stop worryin'
about what we can't do,
and start doing what we can!
I think I've got a plan.
It won't be anythin' big or fancy,
but it'll be somethin'.
And somethin's gotta be
better than nothin', right?
I suppose so...
That's the spirit! Sorta...
Alright y'all, it's ready!
Should we go ahead and start?
Excuse me?
I'm Charity Kindheart,
I'm here about the
open design position!
I brought some
samples of my work.
I'm sorry I'm late.
I had the hardest time
finding my way here!
I just moved here,
and I keep getting mixed
up by the street names!
I had a map,
but I dropped it in a puddle,
which only made the street
names harder to read!
I see.
What is that?
I dunno, sugar,
looks like some kinda play.
Well, can we stay
and watch it please?
Please, can we, can we?
Oh alright, I suppose we
could stay for a minute.
Excuse me, but your
next appointment is here.
Alright. Send him in.
I'm sorry,
but based on these samples,
I just don't think this
is the place for you.
Don't get me wrong,
these clothes are all exquisite,
and well-made,
but more theatrical than avant-garde.
Have you considered
costume design?
I have a contact
on Bridleway!
If you're interested,
I can put you in touch with him.
And scene.
Charity, dear, is that you?
Hello, Mrs. Pearblossom!
I didn't see- oops!
Oh, let me help you, dear.
Are these the costumes
you've been working on?
Yes, I was supposed to
be finished by now,
but there's just so much to do,
and I still have a few
last-minute alterations
to make before
opening night!
I'm sorry I couldn't
get enough tickets
for everypony in the
neighborhood, I hope Mr.
Pearblossom wasn't
too disappointed.
I know Trotter on the Roof
is one of his favorites.
Oh, my dear filly,
don't worry about that.
We're so proud of you!
We shall be with you in spirit!
Thank you! You've all made
me feel so welcome here,
and have become
like family to me!
I just wish I could share this
experience with you and the others!
Eh, what's goin' on?
It's the Midsummer
Theatre Revival.
The Method Mares are performing!
The Revival. Mhm, yeah,
my pop used to bring me.
So nice of you to put on this
play for the neighborhood.
I couldn't have done it
without everypony's help!
I know it's not Bridleway, but-
Oh, pish-tosh!
It's perfect, dear!
Oh, you're such a dear,
thank you!
This is so nice.
Haven't seen the neighborhood
this friendly since
Charity moved away!
Thank you,
fillies and gentlecolts.
Please give a warm
welcome to the one
who made this entire event possible,
our neighbor, Coco Pommel!
Thank you all so much for coming.
The Midsummer Theatre
Revival was always
something that meant
so much to me,
and it seems it means quite
a lot to all of you as well.
I really can't take
all the credit, though.
My dear friends Rarity and Applejack
helped me ever so much.
Oh darling, please,
it was just a few costumes.
Aw shucks, I just happen to be
good with a hammer, is all.
To be honest, we had
much bigger plans to start.
When those fell through,
we decided to simplify.
This here was the result.
Oh, don't be so modest.
Coco and I were lost.
You bet your boots we were!
We just wanted to say how much
we enjoyed the Midsummer
Theatre Revival,
and how much it inspired us!
Oh yeah?
I used to think that to
help my community
I had to do something big, aheh.
Let's face it, in this day and age,
who has the time for
such a commitment?
But here, you did
something as simple as
building a stage and
putting on a play, and, heh,
look at how it's brought
everypony together.
I saw Coco's flyers for
volunteers but didn't think
anything I'd have time to
do would be that useful.
Now I wish I'd offered to
help, even if it was just
pulling a few weeds,
or planting a few flowers.
Not sure if you noticed,
but the park is far from bein' fixed up.
I imagine if you look
around you'll find there's
lots of little ways for
you to get involved
in changin' this
place for the better.
And I will!
And I don't think we'll be alone!
Yee-hoo!
We did it!
I understand now!
It all makes perfect sense!
Huh?
I know why the
map called you here!
You do?
If Twilight had used her
magic to fix the park,
it wouldn't have
fixed the real problem,
which is that these
Manehattan ponies didn't think
they had time to do
something for their community!
But by building that stage
and making sure the play went on,
you showed them that
just by doing something small,
you can make a big difference!
Well I'll be!
Seems you have more in common
with the Manehattan
ponies than you thought!
Heheh. But, all the same,
I'd sure like to head back
to Ponyville on the next train.
I want to check in with
Apple Bloom and find out
how the Sisterhooves
Social turned out.
Oh, absolutely, my dear.
Just as soon as I stop that
pony in the shop over there
from purchasing that
dreadfully hideous scarf!
Stop!
You're making a terrible mistake!