I was woken up by the flashing on my cutie mark, I noticed Rarity's was flashing too and it woke her up.

"Uhhh, what's going on, darling?" Rarity asked. "Oh, my cutie mark."

I got out of bed. "Looks like we're needed at the castle, no time for breakfast."

"We can get some in the castle before we do anything else."

"Good point, let's go."

Rarity and I left our home and walked to Twilight's castle and went straight to the kitchen to grab breakfast. Once we were done we walked to the throne room where Twilight and the others were.

"Morning girls." I greeted.

"Both mine and my dear's went off this morning." Rarity replied.

"Mah cutie mark went off as well, so what now?" Applejack asked.

Twilight stopped looking glum and felt happy. "Yes! Finally! We've been summoned! I wonder where the map wants us to-" Twilight was then cut off.

"Uh, Twilight..." Spike said, pointing to her cutie mark, causing Twilight to sigh.

Then Applejack's cutie mark as well as Rarity's and mine flew up and on to the map and they stopped, hovering around a big city.

"Where do ya think?" Applejack asked.

Rarity squealed in delight. "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 neighbourhood here." Twilight said, pointing to a section of the city.

"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?!"

"Nothing is more exciting than being with you, love." I replied before kissing her on the cheek, causing Rarity to giggle.

"Seems a hair odd, though, don't it? Map callin' me to a big city like Manehattan?"Applejack asked.

"You may be more of a country pony at heart, Applejack, but the map picked you three because you're the best ponies to tackle this particular mission." Twilight replied.

"But how will we even know what our mission's supposed to be? That neighbourhood probably has twice as many ponies as all of Ponyville."

"Pff. Kch. Ts!" Rarity dismissed. "More like three times! Why, it's not only home to the Haypacking District, it's also home to the Fashion District!"

"Which reminds me, do you think Coco would wanna come with us?" I asked.

"That's a good question, but she's working at the boutique in Canterlot now." Twilight replied. "So it can't be her who needs help."

"Then who...oh god no...not her."

"Suri Polomare? No it couldn't be...has to be somepony else." Rarity said.

I pondered. "Maybe Babs Seed, she does live there."

"Hmm, that might be a good answer, but ah don't think she has any issues." Applejack asked. "But ah guess it wouldn't hurt to ask when we get there."

"It's such an exciting city, and there's still so much I'd like to do there." Twilight said. "So many museums and historical landmarks to visit. Not to mention all the libraries! But this is your mission. Heh heh. Don't worry 'bout me. I've got plenty of...books...to keep me...busy."

Rarity then gasped. "I just remembered something! The Sisterhooves Social!"

"We'll have to miss it. No tellin' how long we'll be in Manehattan." Applejack said. "Ah sure hope Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle aren't too upset."

"Oh I'm sure they'll understand, this is an important quest." I assured. "If you could tell them right away, then at least they'll know where we'll be and besides, I'm sure Applebloom would want us to check up on her cousin."

"Ya right there, partner. So what are we waitin' for, let's get goin'!"

Applejack, Rarity and myself left the castle and after a word or two with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, we caught the train to Manehatten. The journey was quite a bit of a long one, but eventually we arrived at the station. We got off the train and left the station to soak up the sights of the city, it had been a while since we were last here.

"Oh, Manehattan, what you do to me!" Rarity exclaimed as she spun around a lamppost.

I chuckled. "Not even a baby bump slows you down."

Applejack gulped, even though we were here before, it was obvious that she wasn't used to a city like this.

"Darling, are you all right?" Rarity asked.

"Ponies move so fast here. Not at all like back home." Applejack replied before muttering, "Eyes peeled, ears open. Eyes peeled, ears open."

"Remember, Applejack, you're in the big city now. No moseying. You've gotta walk with speed and confidence!" Rarity showed her trot across the road and I followed.

Applejack had a bit of trouble getting past, but eventually she made 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-"

"SCV ready!" I said out of the blue, cutting her off. "Uhhh, that wasn't meant to happen."

Rarity laughed before we continued walking the streets. After a while though, we didn't seem to find any one who had a friendship problem until we saw a flyer blowing away before it hit me in the face.

"Owww..." I groaned.

"Oh goodness me, the wind is unbecoming here." Rarity said as she picked up the flyer.

"What's it say?" Applejack asked.

Rarity read the letter. "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 neighbours together and restore our sense of community but there's so much to do and we need your help." she then gasped. "Darling, this is it! The contact on the flyer is...Babs Seed?"

"Babs Seed? Why does she need help with a theater?" I asked.

"Maybe it's a filly school assignment or somethin'." Applejack said.

"Don't you see?! This must be why the map called us here!" Rarity replied. "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."

"We will eventually, if we knew where the school was." I said. "Where is it again?"

"Applebloom says it's by the theatre we're goin' to." Applejack replied. "Good thing we were able to tell them about it."

"And it's a good thing that Coco gave us a hotel room to share before we left, it'll be no problem for us to sleep." Rarity said happily.

Soon, we found the filly school and as we got there, we heard the bell ringing, looks like school was over and among the fillies that came out, Babs Seed appeared with her cutie mark on show, a pair of scissors as Applebloom said a while ago.

Babs gasped as soon as she was us. "I don't believe it! Applejack!"

"Babs! How are ya doin' cousin?" Applejack asked putting her hoof around her.

"Much better now that you're here. Say, wanna come to my home, my big sister would like to meet you."

"That's kind of why we came here, we found this flyer with your name on it." I said showing the paper. "Could you tell us more about it?"

"Sure I can as soon as we get to my home, my parents are out in town tonight so it'll be me and my big sister."

We nodded and followed Babs to her home, we passed a theatre along the way that said Midsummer, but there appeared to be some letters missing, I guess it's fallen on hard times. Soon though, we arrived at Babs home which was quite inviting on the outside. She opened the door first and we followed.

"Hey big sister!" Babs called. "I'm home and I got a cousin and friends you should meet."

"Oh a cousin? I'll be right down in a minute." I heard a cheery voice reply.

"Just make yourselves comfy at those sofas, this won't take long."

"Thank you very much, Babs." Rarity replied.

"You've really grown up to be a proud filly." Applejack added.

"Thanks cousin." Babs replied before she went upstairs.

Soon, Rarity, myself and Applejack and Babs were around the sofa, catching up on what had been happening since we last saw her.

"Applejack and I were specifically summoned here to be of service, and you, my dear friend, are in need of help." Rarity said. "It's no coincidence, darling. It's fate!"

"This Midsummer Theatre Revival, what is it, exactly?" Applejack asked.

Babs explained. "Well, as part of big assignment we're all meant to do on our chosen subjects, I chose to a study and research on theatres and this one kinda got me interested. What I know so far is that it's an outdoor play held at the community park. Many moons ago, local theatre troupes would perform, and ponies in the neighbourhood would help make the costumes, and design set-pieces, prepare food to share during the performance."

"Y'all do look like you're enjoyin' each others' company. Kinda reminds me of Ponyville."

"That does sound kinda cool." I added.

"It was, up until several moons ago." Babs continued before she got out her book and pulled up a picture of a mare. "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 neighbourhood. No matter how busy she was, she always made time for the Revival. But when she moved away to be closer to her grand-fillies, the neighbourhood lost the special tradition she had started, and worse, the sense of community it fostered."

"Hey I just saw a photo of somepony familiar." I commented, pointing to a photo. "Isn't that Coco Pommel?"

"You're right, dear this must've been when she was a filly." Rarity said. "Ummm Babs, do you think you lend us one of those photos of Coco?"

Babs rubbed her head. "Umm, I guess I could, but I do need some of these photos for this assignment."

"Just the one photo will be fine, we don't need more than that." Applejack assured.

"Okay, here you go." Babs took out a photo of a filly Coco and Rarity put it away in her saddle bag. "By the way, what's that big bump on your stomach, are you expecting anytime soon?"

Rarity blushed. "Oh umm, not for another three months, I can still move around and be generous."

"Gettin' back on topic 'ere." Applejack intervened. "Nopony else stepped up to take over for Charity?"

"Well, a few days ago, I heard that a unicorn mare came to this city to try and revive it, but she hasn't made much progress. Because I learnt that there's just so much to do to bring back the Midsummer Revival, and this flyer which is part of my assignment doesn't seem to have helped."

"A unicorn mare, a few days ago?" I asked.

"Hmm, wait that sounds familiar." Rarity said before gasping. "Sassy Saddles!"

"Sassy, ya mean that unicorn mare who tried to take over your boutique in Canterlot?" Applejack asked. "That would explain where she went after ya kicked her out."

"I have to ask Babs, how do you know so much?" I asked.

"I've lived in this city ever since I was a baby." Babs replied. "I know every short-cut in this part of town too. I was also thinking, maybe if could help out Sassy, it would help with my assignment."

Rarity pondered, of course working with Sassy would probably cause another headache, but maybe it would be different this time. "Say no more! You finish up your assignment and we'll help out with Sassy. Applejack, Bond and I will make sure of it!" Rarity said confidently.

"You will?" Babs asked.

"You bet your boots we will!" Applejack replied.

"Thank you so much!" Babs exclaimed. "I can go to bed and finish off my work."

"And don't worry 'bout us, we're stayin' in a hotel room not far from 'ere."

Applejack, Rarity and me left Babs home and with the address, we walked to the hotel and found our hotel room before night time arrived. Rarity and I took the double size bed in one room and Applejack took the sofa, so we ere all comfortable and fast asleep.

The next morning came and our first goal was to check out the theatre which did look run down, however the doors to the entrance were open, looks like somepony is here already. We walked inside and the interior was somewhat worse, some of the chairs were broken there were a few stage lights missing.

We then slightly gasped when we saw a familiar pony on stage looking over dresses that look like they were just made.

"Huh, who's there?" the familiar voice asked before turning around.

"Sassy Saddles." Rarity said.

"Rarity?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"We're here on a quest and it seems that we have to help you." I replied.

"Help me, help me with what, run me out of another town?!" Sassy snapped.

"Don't get ya needle in a haycloud." Applejack warned. "We're also here to help out on my cousin's assignment and if we do this, she'll be able to finish her school work."

"Oh, you mean Babs Seed, she's your cousin?"

"Darn tootin', we want to help revive this 'ere theatre, but we wanna know where to start."

"Plus, this is your chance to prove that you have learnt from your mistakes, where you want to admit it or not." I added.

Sassy was no longer mad, but she was now sad and looked at the dresses. "This is a nightmare."

"Oh, not at all, darling! Those dresses are quite lovely!" Rarity assured.

"I think she was talkin' about the Midsummer Theatre Revival?" Applejack corrected.

"When I came here to find a job relating to fashion, I was given the role to bring back this theatre, so far I finished the alterations for My Fair Filly, but I've barely started the other 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 said. "And this time, we'll take it slowly and carefully."

"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." Applejack boasted. "It's kinda, well, my thing. Could be the reason the map called me here!"

"That may be good news, but the park is in a poor and unbecoming state, it would need to be taken care of first."

"Leave it to me, I'll take care of the fields." I said.

"You see, Sassy? All the help you need is right here!" Rarity declared. "Everything is going to be just fine!"

Sassy then smiled. "Oh thank you so much, thank you!" she exclaimed before calming down and looking at Rarity. "Then...I am very sorry for what I did at Canterlot, I promise to never rush forward with an idea unless you want me to."

"Apology accepted, Sassy and thank you."

We left the theatre and Sassy guided us to the park and we gasped, I had never seen such a run down park like ever.

"Perhaps we spoke too soon..." I commented.

"Oh dear, you're right!" Sassy added. "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!" Applejack said. "You two go on and take care of the costumes. We'll see you at the dress rehearsal."

Applejack and I wasted no time in cleaning the whole park. It was a good thing that I was here, who knows how long it would've took if I hadn't gone along. Just an hour later and the whole park was completely clean, the only thing left to do was to restore the outdoor stage which took much longer but in the end, it was done and restored to a peak condition.

The costumes that arrived with Rarity and Sassy, it was kinda nice to see them working together on costumes and not against each other.

"Wow, you did an excellent job!" Sassy praised. "This park is now magnificent and the stage is set too. Now we can begin with the revival."

"In that case, I better go and get my cousin, she'll be wantin' to see this and learn more towards her assignment." Applejack leapt off the stage and walked out of the park, probably to Babs house.

Shortly, a group of ponies arrived, they must be the Method Mares, although how come one of them is a stallion? But we didn't have time to ponder over that, Rarity and I stood back whilst Sassy took care of the rest. Soon, it was time for the play to start and to my surprise, I looked to my left to see a small crowd had gathered and Applejack and Babs were among them.

"Should we go ahead and start?" a stallion asked on stage.

We nodded as the crowd began to get bigger and soon the play began. It was a long one too, but Rarity and I were smiling through it as we held on together. After a while the play was over and the audience cheered, we joined in, I found it amazing too as the cast came on and took a bow.

"Thank you, fillies and gentlecolts." one of them said. "Please give a warm welcome to the one who made this entire event possible, our neighbour, Sassy Saddles!"

Sassy then came on stage with a big smile. "Thank you all so much for coming. When I learnt about The Midsummer Theatre Revival, I realized that it was always something that began to mean 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, Bond and Applejack helped me ever so much."

The audience cheered at us.

"Oh darling, please, it was just a few costumes." Rarity said.

"Aw shucks, I just happen to be good with a hammer, is all." Applejack added. "To be honest, we had much bigger plans to start. When those fell through, we decided to simplify. This here was the result."

"Uhhh, I think it's alright for us to take some of the credit, but the real star here is Sassy." I said. "She was willing to over a new leaf so she could help out with the revival and now, I think she has found her calling, even though it's not exactly running a fashion store."

"Oh I'll have plenty of chances to run a store." Sassy replied. "But doing this was a big chance of a lifetime."

Sometime later, word began to spread across Manehatten about the event and Babs was able to use it as part of her assignment. As we were waiting for our train back home, our cutie marks were flashing, we knew that our job here was complete.

Rarity was the first to gasp. "I understand now! It all makes perfect sense! I know why the map called you here along with us!"

"You do?" Applejack asked.

"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 helping out Sassy with 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!" Babs said. "But still, thanks to you all, I passed my assignment with flying colours!"

"Just like I knew you would, sugarcube." Soon, our train arrived and it was time to go. "Well, we better get goin', I want to check in with Apple Bloom and find out how the Sisterhooves Social turned out."

"Oh, absolutely, my dear." Rarity agreed. "Same with Sweetie Belle...and Sassy, I hope you take good care of yourself in Manehatten."

"Don't you worry, Rarity I will...and thank you again for helping me out." she replied. "I will remember your generosity and all you've taught me." she waved as we boarded the train.

It was the start of the evening by the time we got back, Applejack yawned as we got off the train.

"Well I better hit the hay, see ya'll next time." she said before trotting to her farm home.

Rarity and I walked back to our home and we walked straight into our bed, it had been a long few days and were sure to let Twilight know how we got on as soon as we could. As I slept away, I thought back on the two days, it was good to see Babs again but it was also surprising to see Sassy Saddles. It seems that she has finally understood what Rarity is really about and that a loving, generous and beautiful mare...and she's my fiancé! Next Chapter: Brotherhooves Social Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 15 Minutes