Episode 28: Made In Manehattan
Episode 28:
Made in Manhattan
Twilight Sparkle's eyes read a few words from the page of her book briefly before closing the book again, "Ehh…" she said before blowing a raspberry with clear annoyance and disinterest. She picked another book and also read a few words, quickly losing interest in that one too. She sighed and groaned as she placed it back on the tall pile beside her.
Ono was equally bored as he joined her by sitting stomach first on the other tall piles of books Twilight had created during her boredom. His front beak sticking out on the front edge of the book while his legs and tail feathers stuck out on the back edge of the book. Whenever Ono looked at a book Twilight had set aside, he too would look at it for a few seconds before placing it aside onto a pile he created on the floor. Both released a heavy sigh.
"I'm bored." Twilight said.
“Me too.” Ono said in agreement.
"Me three." Sunset's voice told them as she entered the room with the same expression of boredom and interest.
Spike looked up from his comic, eyeing them curiously, "But you're reading." He said, finding it odd that both bookworms would be bored of reading books and learning all about history.
"We've read all these books already." Twilight replied gesturing to the massive books on many, many shelves spread all around them inside this room.
“Every single one of them!” Ono added with emphasis from his spread out wings.
“And…”
“And we’re bored!”
“What about the Lion and Pony Guard patrols?” He asked hoping they could find something else to do.
“Already done. Nothing but quick and simple checkups on both kingdoms all week.” Twilight said.
“How about training?”
“We just did our last workout yesterday.” Ono said, without a change of emotion or expression while holding up a schedule and a dumbbell that he can easily lift up and down with. “Need another day before our muscles can fully recover for the next one.”
"Not to mention I just finished catching up on the many, many spells I missed out on while I was away from here." Sunset added. Normally she would be excited after learning more powerful magic with every passing day, but unfortunately today was not one of those days. “Anything new with Scar and his army?”
“Haven’t heard anything from him or his followers all week too.” Twilight said still not interested. Although relieved and grateful, she’s not about to needlessly put herself in danger just to find out Scar has planned for them next. “I’d be surprised if he tried to come after any of us right now.”
“He’s smart to the point even he wouldn’t dream of picking a fight he can’t win.” Ono added in agreement.
“Right. Right.” She remembered the princess recalling some of the things said during that meeting the other day and the discussion of Scar is included. “Anything you’d wish to do?”
“Something exciting.” Twilight said. “Like I wanna do something. Things have been so slow around here and I d—"
"Twilight! Ono!"
The princess, unicorn, egret, and dragon were startled when the sound of one of their friends' voices called out to them. The two quickly rushed on over towards the sounds of their friend’s voices in flight on towards the throne room, where the voice was coming from. Spike quickly followed after them. The doors busted open and the three saw their friend Rarity beside the magical map. Not only her but Fuli and Kion were there too.
Rarity sighed in relief, "Ooh, Twilight, Ono, oh, thank goodness! It seems that my—"
The sound of galloping hooves was heard from behind and the friends saw Applejack, along with Beshte coming inside the throne room at that moment too. Applejack panted once she came to a stop,
"Whew! Got here as fast I c—" She was interrupted when Twilight gasped at what she saw before her. Applejack's cutie mark was glowing!
Rarity, Beshte, and Fuli both walked closer, revealing that their cutie marks along with the latter two’s Marks of the Guard were glowing as well.
“Is it my turn too?”
“And mine too?”
Both Twilight and Ono hopefully smiled for a second before checking their marks too…
…alas, sadly unlike their friends, theirs weren’t glowing alongside them.
“Nope.”
“Sorry.”
Both Fuli and Kion said while shaking their heads honestly.
“Oh!” Both sighed with disappointment.
"Really itching to go on one of those friendship missions, huh?" Sunset asked with the looks they were showing enough to showcase their answer.
Much like with Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Bunga, and Rarity were summoned to Griffonstone. Applejack and Rarity were summoned by the map had called for this time around. Not only that both Fuli and Beshte were summoned too and will be joining them to whatever their destination is.
As happy as they were for their friends they still couldn’t help but feel downcast and left out of the much needed desire for adventure before groaning and face palming themselves onto the table.
“That bored, huh?” Fuli asked very understanding of her friend’s frustration. “I hear you both.”
“I just listened in to Zazu’s latest morning report and he found nothing worth our time in the Pride Lands.” Kion continued. “It’s still quiet and peaceful even with all things considered.”
“There’s nothing worth our time here or there or anywhere.” Twilight said while raising her head up from the table.
“I even just scanned the whole kingdom here and there and there is literally nothing going on in Ponyville.” Ono added equally frustrated as the princess. “Who would have thought that the one much needed day off for the first time in two years and this is what’s happening.” He took a calming breath. “I’m sorry it’s just this boredom is killing me.”
“Don’t worry you guys!” Beshte assured the best he could with a smile. “I’m sure you’ll both find something to do. You just need to keep on looking.”
“We’ll see…” Twilight said before focusing her attention on the glowing marks on his, Fuli’s, Rarity’s, and Applejack’s bodies. “…but all venting issues aside…” They all looked on at the glowing markings as the manifestations of the cutie marks emerged upwards and spiraled around one another before shrinking down to size much it when their previous friends were called When it hovered on over to a particular location Rarity was the first to react by squealing with excitement.
"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!"
“Lucky you.” Fuli sarcastically remarked. “And in case you hadn’t noticed I’m not exactly a fashionably excited lady.”
“Oh don’t you worry Fuli. I’m sure I can get you to at least appreciate a thing or two about fashion.” Rarity assured.
“We’ll see.”
Twilight examined the glowing symbols closer. "Hmmm. It looks like you've been summoned to this particular neighborhood here."
Rarity was so excited she hugged Applejack so tightly to the point she nearly couldn't breathe like Pinkie would to anybody, "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?" Applejack asked while seeing eye to eye with Fuli. "Map callin' me to a big city like Manehattan? I can understand it callin' for Rarity and Beshte since he's an easy going guy. But why me and Fuli?"
"You may be more of a country pony at heart, Applejack." Twilight explained. "But the map picked you because you're the best ponies, and members of the Guard, to tackle this particular mission."
"The same way the map knew Bunga and Kyoga were the right members of the Lion Guard to go to Griffonstone with Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash." Ono added.
"But how will we even know what our mission's supposed to be?" Fuli asked, "The place is basically a pony version of our city so there's twice as many ponies as all of Ponyville."
"Pff. Kch. Ts!" Rarity scoffed as she blew a beat-box raspberry. "More like three times! Why, it's not only home to the Haypacking District, it's also home to the Fashion District!" The unicorn stopped her gushing once she saw the frowns on both Twilight and Ono’s faces. "Hmm, shame you weren't called as well, though, darlings. You did end up quite a fan of the hustle and bustle of Manehatten during our last visit...even if one of you got to or had to travel incognito while you were there." She hesitantly brought up the last part.
Twilight looked on with a dreamily desire at the location on the map, resting her head on her hoof. "It's such an exciting city, and there's still so much I'd like to do there." Her wings opened up flapping while she floated up higher and higher while mentioning all of the wonderful things the city has to offer. "So many museums and historical landmarks to visit. Not to mention all the libraries!"
Ono’s eyes shimmered alongside the alicorn princess as he too pictured in his head of what he loves about Manehattan. “And there’s all of research and knowledge that comes with it. Not to mention all of the tall world-record breaking skyscrapers they have.”
Their friends couldn't help but find their heart’s desires admirable.
"But this is your mission." Twilight said reminding herself and Ono much to their own self-disappointment again.
"Right of course.” Ono chuckled a bit. "Don't worry about us. We've got plenty of…" He levitated Spike's comic book from his claws. "books… to keep us... busy."
Spike scoffed while leaning against his throne crossing his arms, "Heh!"
“I don’t suppose this means you’re up for a trade are you?” Fuli offered her ticket to Manehattan to Twilight and Ono. “I’m more than happy to give my spot to you both if you want it.”
“Me too.” Beshte also offered. “I don’t care if I don’t go either.”
“Tempting, but we respectively have to decline it.”
“The map is never wrong on making it’s calls.”
Both the alicorn and egret replied regretfully as much as they really wanted to accept it.
Rarity then gasped in shock. "I just remembered something! The Sisterhooves Social!"
"We'll have to miss it." Applejack sadly said seeing there is no way around it. "No tellin' how long we'll be in Manehattan. I sure hope Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle aren't too upset. We better get movin' if we're gonna catch the next train there."
“I’ll rush on ahead to the train station to get the conductor to stall for us!” Fuli vouched as she was the first to rush on out the door despite being vocal against going in the first place. “Goodbye, Kion, Twilight, Ono, Sunset! I’ll see you all when I get back!”
"Can't wait!" Sunset called back with a friendly and amused smile.
“Wait for us!” Beshte called after her as he and the other two ponies followed after her together. “And I hope something fun comes up while we’re away.”
“Good luck, guys and girls!” Kion happily called after them wishing nothing but the best of luck to them.
"Okay, we'll just…be here." Twilight’s shoulders dropped once he, Sunset, Ono, Kion, and Spike were left by themselves with the boredom already consuming them once they all left.
Just then Zazu came flying into the castle. “Ah, Kion, Twilight. Good you’re both here. I just got a report from King Simba that the antelope and impala managed to get into a fight together so if you two and the rest of the Guard can get on over stat that would be…great…Whoa!”
Next thing he knew, the four of them were all zooming out the door like the place was on fire.
“Okay. Good then. Carry on.” Zazu flew after them to make sure it goes smoothly.
"At least now they have something do. Actually…” Come to think of it, this sounded interesting to the baby dragon himself. “…this I got see!” He quickly rushed on after everyone to see what this current squabble in the Pride Lands is all about.
Later that day, the visiting party had just arrived in Manehattan and have just exited the train station.
Rarity quickly leaped forward, spinning around a lamp post, flipping her mane back, feeling a great wave of bliss and joy at being back here again.
"Oh, Manehattan, what you do to me!"
Applejack simply rolled her eyes along with Fuli while they followed after her next all while carrying a couple backpacks as they walked side by side. Even though Applejack knew her way around the place from past experience she wasn’t completely in love of the place like her fashionista friend. And since Fuli is not a girl who’s really enjoys these kinds of things shared Applejack’s lack of interest in what Manehattan has to offer. But they still pressed forward knowing that the map is never wrong when it comes to choosing said members of the Guard for a certain and specific friendship mission.
Beshte was the last to follow after them as he took it upon himself to carry Rarity’s large chest of belongings she brought with her for the trip. Not that he didn’t mind doing it considering he is used to carrying that kind of weight with his body weight. While not enthusiastic as Rarity or uninterested as both Fuli and Applejack he was optimistic about the whole thing feeling happy of being able to visit Manehattan once again along with gaining the pleasure of being able to help a friend in need.
As Fuli and Applejack both looked ahead they were bombarded by ponies, pulling taxi carts to take passengers to wherever they needed to go. They were all going as fast as they didn’t have time to properly react to all that’s going on in front of them. Applejack was never a big fan of highways, while Fuli for once is feeling overwhelmed by the upcoming traffic left and right. To her it was like being on the receiving end of an incoming stampede back in the Pride Lands.
“Whoa! Hey! Watch it!” She barked at the ponies who paid no attention to where they were going.
Beshte managed to withstand the traffic by standing his ground to the point every single pony went around him and kept their distance from him instead of mindlessly trying to trample him. “Excuse me! Coming through!” Just after that traffic rush went by he noticed both Applejack and Fuli gulping with their knees buckling up. "You both okay? Fuli? Applejack?"
"Darlings, you look frazzled." Rarity added sounding compassionate to the two.
Applejack shook her head to snap herself out of it, lowering her ears back, "Ponies move so fast here. Not at all like back home."
"But you've been to a city before." Rarity reminded her.
"Yeah, but the roads still give me the willies."
“Not to mention these ponies certainly haven’t been to Canterlot or Ponyville long enough to understand when proper road-crossing manners were invented.” Fuli added feeling very frazzled and frustrated with the traffic she just dodged seconds ago. “Another reminder why I didn’t want to come here.”
“What was the first reminder?” Beshte asked.
“The fact there are some ponies willing to take advantage of other’s generosity even though said pony has been nothing but good to them.” Fuli replied to which had Rarity looking on understanding of what she is talking about.
The last time they were here another pony in the fashion show contest stole Rarity’s original line of work to the point that it took the whole Guard all afternoon and night to put together a line in place of it. It brought the worst in Rarity that day, an unpleasant reminder of how being nearly broken can nearly turn someone into being the opposite of their true selves.
“Right that very particular day…” Rarity said trying her hardest to think nothing of it and to try to console her speedy friend. “…I understand what you mean by that darling. But everything is all good now, and I’ve learn to know when to draw a line that day. As for dealing with these kinds of ponies it’s just like with what Twilight and Ono would do if they were here. Trust your gut, and keep a sharp eye out. In other words, just keep your eyes peeled and ears open for anybody with a friendship problem."
“I’ll try.”
At the same time Applejack looked on at the crosswalk waiting for the first chance they can get to cross. All while saying to herself. "Eyes peeled, ears open. Eyes peeled, ears open. She ended up flinching when a police stallion blew on his whistle, allowing the ponies on the sidewalks the ability to cross.
But once they tried the other ponies beside them walked over faster than even they could have expected and the ponies from the opposite side also moved with the same amount of speed. It was like dealing with a stampede of animals in the the Pride Lands but faster.
“Geez. And here I thought my method of getting around was considered dangerous.” Fuli commented feeling aggravated again.
Seeing their struggle, Rarity was quick to offer some advice to deal with these street ponies, specifically the country pony who is looking on like she is a fish out of water here. "Remember, Applejack, Fuli, you're in the big city now. No moseying. You've gotta walk with speed and confidence!”
“Like how?” Fuli asked like she knows the best course of action here.
"Just watch me." Rarity crossed the street, easily and swimmingly bypassing the incoming ponies until she successfully made it across to the other side.
Fuli went next as she took a moment to get into a starting stance before sprinting on ahead into the traffic. Following Rarity’s advice she was able to swiftly pass and dodge every single pony in her way like passing slower cars falling a lap behind on a race track.
Applejack snorted like a bull and trotted her hooves, ready to cross with Beshte ready to walk beside him for comfort.
By putting his big body forward, he was able to make it by smoothly even while slowly since he isn’t as fast as the rest of his friends but still he made it across without much fuss from the other incoming ponies.
“Excuse me. My bad.” He said to a couple of ponies who had the misfortune of accidentally bumping into him.
Applejack however, was struggling a lot more as she kept on bumping into various city ponies. It was clear they had a real issue with manners.
"Move it!" One pony shouted.
"Sorry 'bout that." she apologized before continuing, only to bump into another pony.
"Ah, git outta my way!"
"Sorry."
"Watch it!" Two more ponies shouted rudely allowing her to pass.
"Heh… oh dear." By then Applejack had finally managed to make it to the other side. "Butter my biscuits, I can barely cross the street in this town. How am I supposed to help solve a—"
Rarity's gasp stopped her on her tracks and quickly got Fuli’s serious expression on ready to pounce at the first sight of trouble.
“What do you see?! Where?!” She said while darting her eyes around at the nearby streets and buildings around them.
"There!" Rarity pointed her hoof towards a young female pony purchasing a hat from a nearby stand, owned by an overweight salespony. The female pony placed a flappy green hat on her head, nearly covering her eyes while doing so.
"Yes, I think this is the one."
"No! No." Rarity quickly slapped the bit from the pony's hoof, preventing her from making a terrible mistake. At least in Rarity’s eyes alone.
"Excuse me?"
"That hat clashes with your mane, not to mention it's far too large and will undoubtedly obstruct your vision."
Rarity kindly removed the hat from the pony's head and began searching for a much better one from the stand but could find none of which would suite this pony better.
"Oh, dear, none of these will do." She pondered on what to do until she saw Beshte carrying her chest towards her. "Oh, Beshte! What good timing!"
Opening the chest, and trying to be careful of the top not hitting the back of Beshte’s head at the same time, she hummed and searched for the perfect hat to give to the pony in need of a new hat. She levitated a designer hat, colored in light purple and blue colors, that was the perfect ideal blend with her mane and eyes.
"Here. This will do splendidly." The unicorn levitated a mirror to the pony's face, and she smiled at the presented hat on her head.
"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!"
The pony galloped along, thankful and happy for her new hat and the generosity that came with it. Rarity smiled in satisfaction. She turned to her friends, smiling proudly. "And you thought we wouldn't discover our purpose here! Pff. Kch. Ts!"
Applejack, Fuli, and Beshte however weren't convinced.
"Yeah, I’d hate to burst your bubble but I'm pretty sure that wasn't it." Fuli said looking on unimpressed.
“Didn’t look like a friendship problem to me.” Beshte added in agreement.
"What? I just saved that poor pony from committing a terrible crime of fashion." The arched eyebrows she got from her friends (with Beshte’s more of a look of confusion) made it clear that what just happened was what they were summoned here for. "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?" Applejack asked dryly.
Rarity looked at her flank and shook her head at the obvious stated. "Ye— No. I suppose it didn't. Still, a disaster was averted!"
"Averted? You just lost me a paying customer!" The male salespony angrily remarked as he advanced on the four friends as to him it was a lost sale he needed to make a living.
"Oh, my! Oh, I-I-I-I-I'm s-so sorry. I never meant to—"
"Beat it!" He shouted at her while waving his hoof angrily to which had Applejack quickly dragging Rarity away to avoid the dispute getting worse for them. But not without Applejack smiling apologetically at him while Fuli quickly got in the ponies face ready to fight him should he lay a hoof on any one of them.
“If I were you I’d stay as far away from me as possible because if any of my friends get hurt because of you. And believe me when I tell you that I’ll will do more than just tackle you should it come down to that. Got it!”
The salespony gave a nervous smile while tipping his hat before backing away slowly with raised hooves back behind his stand while Fuli backed down so she can join Applejack in dragging Rarity away from the scene with Beshte following after them.
"Uh, please accept my sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding, and, might I add, what a lovely establishment you have here!" Rarity shouted while being carried away.
Once they were a safe distance away, they all stopped running and took a moment to catch their breaths.
“And now we can make that three things I hate about this place.” Fuli stated with a huff.
“Let’s just keep going.” Beshte suggested.
“Probably for the best.” Applejack agreed before they all proceeded to walk on ahead to their actual destination.
“So the search continues.” Rarity said once her friends let her walk on her own accord.
Sometime later the group of four all arrived at the town where the map directed them to go. It was a somewhat older looking neighborhood with wooden doors and curtain liners with. On the corner of the street, Fuli and Applejack attempted to speak to the ponies walking by, in hopes of finding out the friendship problem they needed to solve. But none of them were willing to hear them out.
"Uh, 'scuse me, I was just wondering'…uh, friendship problem, anypony?" Applejack lowered her ears once her first attempts fell short of successful.
Fuli tried next to try and get someone's attention, "At least have the common decency to hear us out!”
"A-A map summoned us and, uh…"
“Please?! Ugh!”
"Friendship advice! Anypony looking for friendship advice!" Rarity had took it upon herself to build her own little stand with a poster of pony friends on the top to approach the matter with Beshte standing by to give it full support, but the ponies just walked right past them, not even acknowledging them in the slightest.
Rarity sighed and covered her face with her hooves in disappointment. "Good grief! This isn't working!"
Applejack and Fuli both sighed as they approached the stand.
"I'm not sure what we're supposed to do." Applejack commented. "To be honest, I'm still not even sure what the map called me here for."
"Oh, try not to worry, Applejack." Rarity kindly assured. "The map picked us for a reason."
"Yeah, but for what purpose?” Fuli asked already irritated with the current situation. “I mean it’s not like the answer to that question is going to fly right into our faces…d-ooh!" She was interrupted when a flyer landed on her face no sooner that she said it courtesy of the wind that just blew by. "…Of course." She remarked in a deadpan tone of voice.
Rarity levitated the paper off of her face and read it word for word. "Please help us restore our long-lost but beloved tradition, the Midsummer Theatre 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."
After reading the flying, Rarity gasped with glee as she showed everyone the image on it. "Darlings, this is it! The contact on the flyer is Coco Pommel!"
"Oh, right!” Applejack commented as she recognized that name. “I know her! She's the one you got a job makin' costumes for that designer friend o' yours."
“Not to mention she used to be Suri’s assistant who needed help to step out of her shadow." Fuli bitterly added before realizing. "And if that’s the case then that must be why the map called us here!”
“Sure sounds like our friendship problem to solve to me!” Beshte agreed whole-heartedly.
"Oh, and you two were so worried!" Rarity said with a knowing smile to both Applejack and Fuli.
To everyone this did fit the bill, helping out an friend they once met in the past always is a common friendship problem to solve.
“Well not anymore.” Fuli said now more upbeat and confident than before.
"Well, I suppose it's at least worth lookin' into…" Applejack agreed this is worth investing into. "…that is, if we ever get off this street corner."
“I got this!” Fuli quickly assured before stepping forward and shouting to every pony. “Hey! Hey! HEY!”
“What?” One of the ponies wearing an orange hard hat asked accompanied with a group of construction ponies.
Pointing towards a rich and snobby looking pony up ahead she told them. “The boss says you’re fired.”
Hearing this every pony shocked and angered at the very thought.
“What?!”
“I’ll get him!” One of the workers pounded his hooves together as they got everypony to form an angry mob ready to start a riot against the business pony.
Fuli smiled upon watching every pony clear a path for them to make their way out of here while the others followed looking on in the cheetah's direction just amazed that even worked.
The group made their towards the house accompanied with the matching address on the paper and met up with Coco Pommel at her apartment home. A lovely balcony room on the third floor fit and designed to her liking, complete with with various design supplies, several fabrics, sketches of designs on the walls and various pins and measuring tapes. The kind pony happily made her guests some tea and delicious sandwiches for them to enjoy.
Coco sat on one of her pillow chairs while both Applejack and Rarity sat on the couch, and Fuli and Beshte sat comfortably on the floor.
"I can't believe you found my flyer." Coco expressed gratefully as happy she is to see her friends here today especially Rarity. "Quite a coincidence, don't you think?"
"The four of us were specifically summoned here to be of service, and you, my dear friend, are in need of help." Rarity explained before taking a sip of her tea, "It's no coincidence, darling. It's fate!"
Applejack took a bite from one of the sandwiches before asking the question. "This Midsummer Theatre Revival – what is it, exactly?"
"An outdoor play held at the community park."
Coco opened up a photo album she had placed beside her on her chair. The pictures depicted a lovely park, filled with fresh green grass and beautiful flowers all around a simple stage for ponies to perform on. She then pulled out images off an elderly earth pony with several little fillies putting on some costumes behind a stage. Some of the pictures showed a much younger Coco with the elderly female pony. It was pretty clear at first sight that they had a special friendship together. A lovely family like friendship together.
"Many moons ago, local theater troupes would perform, and ponies in the neighborhood would help make the costumes, and design set pieces, prepare food to share during the performance."
“Wow! Back then you all look like you're enjoying each others' company." Beshte commented.
"Yeah." Applejack agreed. "Kinda of reminds me of Ponyville."
"It sounds lovely, darling." Rarity complimented.
But Coco's smile faded as she then spoke sadly and what happened next. "It was, up until several moons ago."
"What happened?" Fuli asked in concern.
Coco pointed to the image of the elderly pony. "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."
Everyone including Fuli smiled when they saw a picture of Charity giving Coco the lovely orange and purple flower she always wore on her mane. Ever since then she has always carried that memento with her.
Once she closed the album, Coco walked towards her balcony, looking down upon the city she called home. "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."
“Not hard to see why.” Fuli commented as she joined her on the balcony and observed the continuing rudeness and unapologetic attitude every pony showed at every corner around the nearby buildings. “Clearly disappointing if you ask me.”
"Nopony else stepped up to take over for Charity?" Beshte asked.
"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!"
Rarity flipped her mane with confidence before telling her otherwise. "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, Beshte, Fuli, and I will make sure of it!"
"You will?" Coco asked with a wide hopeful smile.
"You bet your boots we will!" Applejack said in agreement.
"Oh, I don't wear boots. I find they chafe my calves when I walk."
“It’s just an expression.” Fuli clarified to which left the pony looking aside while blushing upon the realization.
The following day, the full party split into two groups as they got to work on finding ponies to help with the revival. As a first attempt, the four stood in front of a newsstand, where a stallion was stacking papers,where Rarity addressed the issue to him.
"So you see, the Method Mares are only available on this one day, and we need all the help we can get with preparation!"
The Newspaper Pony only shook his head in response. "Yeah, not a good time right now. Heh. What am I saying? It's never a good time!" He said right after a pony purchased his newspaper.
“And you’re sure making good on it!” Fuli sarcastically and irritably replied before they moved to try a different approach.
The group of four split apart into two teams in order to cover more ground. Rarity and Applejack moved to cover the east side while Fulit and Beshte covered the the west side.
The Lion Guard members first encountered a pony in a stand selling popcorn where they both tried their luck in explain the purpose of the revival.
"Well? What do you think?" Beshte asked hopefully.
"I got my own problems. You think I've got hours to dedicate to somepony else's?" The pony coldly replied.
“Maybe if you put some extra thought into her head and maybe a little more love into her heart so you’ll see why?” Fuli replied back equally cold and threatening back in the pony’s face.
“I’m sorry but I still stand by my decision!” The pony fearfully returned before fleeing.
“You’re welcome!” Fuli called out after him in disgust. “Ugh! Not that I expected that to work anyways.”
“Oh well. On to the next pony.” Beshte said trying to still be positive about all of this as they both pressed forward.
Elsewhere, Applejack and Rarity encountered a very rich looking pony at the park and explained to him their situation.
"Ah yes, Charity's Midsummer Theatre Revival, such wonderful memories." He commented while twirling his mustache.
"So you'll help us?" Applejack hopefully asked, only for the smile to turn into a frown of disappointment when the business pony laughed instead.
"Oh, 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!"
The pony laid down on a floating mattress and simply floated away on the lake without another word with his mind set on the matter, leaving the two ponies to worry about the revival.
It was pretty clear at this point nopony wants any part of this.
With their efforts futile the four all returned to Coco's apartment empty pawed and hoofed.
"This is a nightmare." Coco commented sadly over what had transpired today.
"Oh, not at all, darling! It's quite lovely!" Rarity said while admiring a hat Coco had recently made.
Fuli rolled her eyes in response. "I think she was talkin' about the Midsummer Theatre Revival? Not the hat, Rarity."
"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." Rarity offered.
"But what are we going to do about the rest?” Coco pointed out. “The park is in desperate need of repairs, and the sets still need to be built!"
That is where Applejack quickly stepped up to the task. “Well I know a thing or two about buildin’ and fixin’ things. It’s kinda, well, our thing since our friend Beshte knows full well of what that’s like."
“I’d be glad to help you out there.” Beshte happily replied. "It could be the reason the map called us here!"
"That's right!" Rarity smiled in agreement. "The map wouldn't have chosen just the four of us if it was more than we could handle! Everything is going to be just fine!"
"Maybe I spoke too soon…"
“You think!” Fuli glanced in her direction.
“Nope. Definitely.”
The park itself was worse than they thought. Through the years of being abandoned the plants had grown larger in size, wrapping itself around the benches and statues, all of them all rusted, worn out, and old. The benches were all old and weak with so many weeds that not even Spike could bare to count on his own. The old theater too was old, worn out, and looked little it was able to crumble apart at any moment’s notice. What seemed to be a simple job turns out to be much larger than they thought.
"Oh dear, you're right!" Coco said in despair.
“It’ll be okay.” Beshte quickly assured. “Both me and Applejack have seen worse.”
“Yep.” Applejack agreed even though she bit her bottom lip unsure if it’s possible. "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! Ya'll go on and take care of the costumes and get the food. I'll see you at the dress rehearsal."
“Okay. Good luck.” Fuli said before joining Rarity and Coco with what they need to do in preparation for the event.
Once it was just the Guard’s Strongest alone to deal with the park in front of them, Applejack gulped in worry at the huge and daunting task in front of them. But they were determined to see to it that the job is done no matter how long it takes.
Beshte got started by pushing a wheel barrel so he can use to gather and pull all of weeds and root inside of it. So far, he had managed to successfully remove a large portion of the weeds…out of the one small portion of the park.
Applejack did her part by mowing the lawns, because even with Beshte removing the weeds, the park still needed to be arranged. Beshte continued pulling the weeds off of the ground and place them into the barrel, which began to get too heavy from the excess load, causing it to tumble and allow all the weeds to fall out.
Applejack continued mowing the lawns, only to accidentally get mow her hat over when it fell off thanks to it briefly getting caught by one of the branches. To her it’s always frustrating and upsetting whenever that happens even though she can always rely on Rarity to help fix it.
Beshte tried to yank another pesky weed from the ground, but it was being really stubborn for the kind hearted hippo. He resorted to pulling on it with all of the might his teeth had to offer until it snapped off, causing him to tumble backwards into one of the statues. He jumped out of the way in time before it could fall on him, but not without knocking Applejack’s hat off which got crushed too when it landed.
“Sorry.”
Several hours later, all the weeds were finally gone, and Applejack had finally managed to clean up the remains. After all of that sweat and strength they mustered into this project the farm pony moved to place her hat down on a nearby park bench…only for it to crumble apart the moment it was placed on the bench due to it being incredibly old and worn.
After several more hours, the park was nearly perfect. It still needed a bit more work but it looked far better than before. Now they needed to prepare the stage and the benches, which were already broken from old age and disuse.
Applejack got to work painting the stage while Beshte got to work on the stage with a hammer. During which is where Fuli, Rarity, and Coco arrived with the dresses to which they all worked all day in making, and they all looked absolutely beautiful. There they saw things had improved but the stage still needs work.
Applejack dropped the paintbrush from her mouth once she saw them, "I know it looks bad, but we're movin' as fast as we can." She explained…right before getting her hoof stuck in the pain bucket.
"Don't worry, we've still got plenty of time." Rarity assured. "Everything's going to be-"
"Ehm, excuse me?"
The group of friends noticed four ponies approach them. They were the Method Mares actors and actresses that Coco had asked to perform at the revival. Two girls and two boys, with the older stallion serving as their leader.
"Is this where the Midsummer Theatre Revival is supposed to be, perchance?" He asked while adjusting his dark shades.
"We're here for the dress rehearsal?" The female pink pony wearing a french hat added.
"Oh, yes!" Coco said as she greeted them. "We've just put the finishing touches on the costumes."
The younger male Method Mare whispered to his female companion, "At least those look professional."
"We'll do a dry run of the play first, and then the fitting." The pink pony said as she approached the stage. The stage Beshte was still working on.
“Now hold it just a second there! I haven't finished-"
Once the pony stood on the stage, the roof above her began to crumble. Fuli quickly charged over and pushed both the pony and the hippo out of the way, shielding them from the collapse. A dust cloud formed around the area and once it cleared the stage was now in complete shambles. The roof was gone, the whole group gasped at seeing the whole thing completely destroyed.
"…reinforcing the stage yet."
Coco could feel her heart sink upon seeing this. All of that hard work they did was all for nothing.
Back at the apartment, Coco watched from her balcony the ruined stage and the improved park the only remarkable difference from their efforts.
She sighed sadly as she said in further despair. "I just wanted to live up to Charity's example, to bring my neighborhood together again! But 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 Mare to perform on…just hopeless!"
Rarity, Fuli, Beshte, and Applejack were all feeling down as much as her. They honestly didn't know what else to do, even if they did improve the park better than it already was their stage was ruined and it would take hours just to build a new one.
"I don't understand." Rarity said in a hushed tone, "The map summoned us here to solve a friendship problem, we've clearly found it, but why did it send the four of us? Why not Twilight or Kion or even Kyoga? I'm sure they could have used their magic to transform this park in an instant!"
"Or Ono!" Fuli added. "He sure would have scanned out and stood up to all of those rude and mean ponies who all refused to stick out their neck's for this performance. And I’m sure even Bunga would even been able to encourage friendship in a heartbeat."
"I've been thinkin' the same thing." Applejack said while wearing her now damaged hat, "I mean, I can at least see why you're here, Rarity. Coco's your friend, and you have an eye for costumes and all. And as for you Beshte, you are one of the kindest, optimistic, and strongest kindred spirits of the bunch even in the face of stiff, high up, noisy, and abrasive bunch of ponies – but me? I was never gonna be able to finish a project this big, even with help!"
“At least the park is cleaned up…mostly.” Beshte tried to make light of the situation to little to no avail.
Rarity fell back, where Fuli was quick to catch her while she placed a hoof on her forehead dramatically, "We'll return to Ponyville as failures! Why must this be, Fuli? Why? Why? Wh-" Rarity suddenly stopped mid-rant when Fuli placed her paw over her mouth.
“For starters, please stop. And second and most importantly, I mean yes things aren’t going like we expected it to, but I’m certain that none of us are suggesting that we call it quits.”
"Then what are you suggesting-" Rarity said muffled with the cheetah’s paw still on her mouth before removing it, "Ptoo! Then what are you suggesting?"
“I’m suggesting that maybe instead of trying things the hard way maybe we should try things the easy way, like trying to find a quick and simple solution to the matter instead.”
"Yeah!” Applejack agreed knowing exactly what the cheetah is saying. “So maybe we should stop worryin' about what we can't do, and start doing what we can!"
“And I think I might know how we can do it.” Beshte said as he too was on the same page as the others. “Nothing big or fancy but really just something simple and definitely something."
Applejack nodded her head in agreement on board with what the Lion Guard’s Strongest has to offer as she placed a hoof on Coco's shoulder to assure her once more. "And somethin's gotta be better than nothin', right?"
"I suppose so…" The pony responded sadly still unsure after the last two attempts to try to help raise her spirits didn’t go well.
"That's the spirit! Sorta…"
Regardless, both Applejack and Beshte now knew what they have to do.
Applejack hammered the last nail in place while Beshte held the last board in place. Both she and Beshte had used various pieces of the old stage in order to build a brand new stage. It wasn't exciting and fancy but it was definitely very modest in design, enough to certainly gain other ponies' attention. It was positioned at the entrance of the park with two lanterns hanging from its side for light.
"Alright y'all, it's ready!" Applejack said right after she placed the hammer on her tool belt.
Coco's eyes sparkled with what she is now seeing with everything looked exactly as it did when Charity was still around. Something that said pony would be crying tears of joy if she was around to see this.
Once Applejack and Beshte got off the stage, the Method Mare's leader poked his head out from behind the curtain. "Should we go ahead and start?" He asked.
Coco nodded her head and Applejack pulled the curtain open to start the show. Much like the stage, nothing too big and Broadway style fancy but the background was painted very well on cardboard and they done with impressive and great attention to detail. The Method Mare's leader played the role of a business pony behind his desk, while the the oldest of the female Method Mares approached, playing the role of Charity Kindheart.
The play itself showcases of how the Midsummer Theater Revival came to be. The actress had her hair styled exactly like Charity and wore makeup to make herself look younger.
"Excuse me?" She said in an elderly voice. "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!"
As the play went on, Coco was amazed when a pony walking by had taken a moment to notice the play and sat down to enjoy it.
Then an earth pony and her Pegasus son were walking by when the little filly tugged on his mother's tail. "What is that?" He asked taking notice of what’s in front of them.
"I dunno, sugar, looks like some kinda play." The mother replied.
"Well, can we stay and watch it please? Please, can we, can we?"
"Oh alright, I suppose we could stay for a minute." The mother walked over towards the stage before finding a nice good area for them to sit for a good view.
"I'm sorry, but based on these samples, I just don't think this is the place for you." the Method Mare actor said, making the Charity actress gasp dramatically. "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."
The curtain closed and the three ponies gave a small applause. Eventually, more and more ponies took notice of the play and smiles immediately appeared on their faces. Truth be told, most of them had grown up with the Midsummer Theater Revival plays, and now it was like remembering the good old times. More and more ponies gathered as they all took their seats as the play itself resumed.
The play carried on, showcasing the story of how Charity came up with the idea for the Midsummer Revival.
"Charity, dear, is that you?" an actress asked, dressed as an elderly mare.
"Hello, Mrs. Pearblossom!"
"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!"
Charity's story was truly a heartfelt and inspirational one, it most certainly reached the hardened hearts of many residents of the town. A construction worker pony walked by, curious as to what was going on.
"Eh, what's goin' on?" He asked a pony that had the look in his eyes love at first sight at the mare.
"It's the Midsummer Theatre Revival." She happily replied. "The Method Mares are performing!"
"The Revival. Mhm, yeah, my pop used to bring me." The worker pony removed his hat and sat down beside the female pony to watch a replay of his childhood past.
“Wow.” Fuli commented feeling amazed and feeling her heartstrings pulled slightly. “Who would have thought that the biggest and strongest would have come up with a simple and small solution that actually works?”
Beshte sitting next to her simply shrugged. ”Like my dad used to say “Don’t knock it till you try it.”
Fuli nodded in agreement before they both focused their attention back to the play.
The sun then set to pave way for the nighttime sky to appear and by then a large group of ponies had witnessed the play, even the ponies who declined the offer to assist from before, now realizing they could have done more to help. This simple gesture was enough to bring an entire town for the first time in years.
The actress playing Charity Kindheart and the actress playing her elderly friend played out the final scene of the story and how Charity had found a way to bring so many ponies together.
"So nice of you to put on this play for the neighborhood." The actress playing the elderly pony said.
"I couldn't have done it without everypony's help!" The Charity actress said. "I know it's not Bridleway, but-"
"Oh, pish-tosh! It's perfect, dear!"
Coco couldn't wipe the smile off her face along with the tears of joy. If Charity were here right now she would be definitely proud to see everybody together again.
An elderly pony in the audience tried to find a good spot and a male pony kindly moves aside, allowing her to take her spot. She smiled at his gesture, "Oh, you're such a dear, thank you! This is so nice. Haven't seen the neighborhood this friendly since Charity moved away!"
Coco blushed in delight upon hearing this. After all of this time she had finally accomplished her goal in bringing back the spirit of family and community that Charity had started long ago. Rarity and Applejack smiled proudly at their friend, congratulating her on a job well done and the two ponies hoof pumped each other with Fuli and Beshte both doing the same with their front legs.
Once the play ended, the audience clapped and cheered. The Method Mares bowed before the audience and their leader spoke up, "Thank you, fillies and gentlecolts. Please give a warm welcome to the one who made this entire event possible, our neighbor, Coco Pommel!"
The pony couldn't stop blushing red cheeks once the audience lifted her up and carried her on towards the stage. She stood before them, smiling with such happiness on par the day she quit being Suri Polmare’s assistant.
"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, Applejack, Fuli, and Beshten helped me ever so much."
The four friends waved at the audience who clapped loudly for them. Rarity and Beshte felt very comfortable while Fuli and Applejack blushed shyly. While Applejack's shyness was rather more of just the feeling of an audience, Fuli’s was more she couldn’t believe of how much everypony’s hearts turned around after the previous experience with the Manehattan ponies and all of it from a simple and small gesture. It was like her heart towards these kinds of ponies grew three times today much like when she rekindled her friendship with both Sally and Sassy.
"Oh darling, please, it was just a few costumes." Rarity humbly said to the audience thanking them for their hard work to make this all possible.
Applejack scratched the back of her neck equally humble as Rarity. "Aw shucks, I just happen to be good with a hammer, is all."
"All I did was suggest the idea that just happened to work.” Beshte also added equally humble as the rest of their friends. "Though we all probably won’t be here if it weren’t for Fuli to start looking at things from this angle."
Fuli simply shrugged with pink cheeks as she addressed to the audience, "To be honest, we had much bigger plans to start. When those fell through, we decided to simplify. This was the result."
"Oh, don't be so modest." Rarity shook her head at the very thought. "Coco and I were lost."
"You bet your boots we were!" Coco returned with a wink and a smile, to which was returned by both Applejack and Fuli.
After the play was over, the Method Mares and various other ponies happily chatted with one another, sharing stories, making new friends and sharing how much they loved the play itself. The worker pony even scored a date with the lovely female pony he just met.
Rarity, Applejack, Fuli, and Beshte all couldn't even begin to describe the happiness they felt at seeing everypony getting along. It was just like when both the Pride Lands and Equestria started forming a bond together. It was like two worlds under one big happy family.
The business pony who declined the offer to assist along with the pony whom Rarity gave her hat to when they first arrived, approached the group.
"We just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the Midsummer Theatre Revival, and how much it inspired us!" The female pony complimented.
The Business Pony removed his hat as he had his say in the matter. "I used to think that to help my community I had to do something big, heh heh. And 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. That said I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive a pony who’s been turning a blind eye towards a simple heartfelt request, young cheetah."
“Of course I can as much as you can do the same for what I said and did before.” Fuli kindly returned as they both shook on it.
“Deal!”
"I saw Coco's flyers for volunteers but didn't think anything I'd have time to do would be that useful." The female pony added. "Now I wish I'd offered to help, even if it was just pulling a few weeds, or planting a few flowers."
Applejack smiled as she extended her hoof, showing them the park and the stage, "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!” The female pony vowed with a smile.
"And I don't think we'll be alone!" The business pony also vowed before placing his hat back on and the two went back to speaking with their new friends.
Fuli then smiled when she noticed something glowing. "And would you look at it! A bright success much like the rising sun."
Rarity and Applejack felt a tingle and heard a ringing sound. Looking at their flanks they witnessed their cutie marks glowing brightly. The signal that told them that they had succeeded in their friendship mission here.
"Yee-hoo! We did it!" Applejack cheered before hugging Rarity, who kindly returned the gesture with both Fuli and Beshte joining in on the embrace, equally happy they had accomplished their mission together.
“And you know what else?” Fuli asked. “I think I understand it now!”
Rarity gasped as well as if she figured it out too. "Me too! It all makes perfect sense!"
“You do?” Both Applejack and Beshte asked in confusion as Rarity galloped ahead and purchased a hat from a nearby stand. One identical to Applejack’s current and now old previous hat, currently ruined from all of the park cleanup hardships it went through the last two days.
"We know why the map called you two here!"
"You do?" Applejack asked as Rarity replaced her old hat with a new and improved one.
"If Kion and Twilight had used their 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!" Rarity explained.
"And by instead focusing on the more simple things rather than the big stuff we were able to get through to everypony’s hearts to remind them of the friendship it brings together."
“Well I’ll be!” Applejack commented amazed herself.
“Looks like the simple things in life are the best things a pony and anyone else could ask for.” Beshte commented equally amazed.
“It sure is.” Fuli returned feeling equally amazed at her hippo friend as they ended up helping each other out more than they realized.
Rarity placed a hoof on Applejack's shoulder as she then said with a knowing smile. "Seems you have more in common with the Manehattan ponies than you thought!"
Applejack laughed in response. "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." Rarity suddenly gasped when she spotted something just across the street, "Just as soon as I stop that pony in the shop over there from purchasing that dreadfully hideous scarf!" She quickly rushed on over across the street to prevent that from happening. "Stop! You're making a terrible mistake!"
The three friends all laughed together as they watched their friend go off on her own accord to prevent yet another fashion disaster. Naturally, there are just some things really don't change when it comes a fashionable expert like her.
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Okay, so that leaves Kion and Ono for the Hooffields and McColts episode.
Let me guess the pairing for next season?
Spice Up Your Life-Fuli and Kynoga
Viva Las Pegasus-Kion and Beshte
Top Bolt-Ono and Bunga
The honey badger and OC went to Griffonstone, the cheetah and hippo went to Manehatten, all that’s left is the lion and egret to go to the Smokey Mountains. Oh the idea of Kion and Ono helping with THAT problem will be interesting.