The First Ever Brotherhooves Social
The First Ever Brotherhooves Social
The First Ever Brotherhooves Social
The sun rose on Sweet Apple Acres. In a room with a window pointed to the west a large, built, red stallion felt the beginning of the morning. Big Macintosh trained himself to be sensitive to that morning light. His eyes opened up. His body rose. The day was beginning.
Downstairs, Big Macintosh examined a couple boxes with small print instructions. Behind him, at a table, Granny Smith rocked back and forth, humming an 'old song' as she would call it. Big Macintosh shook one of the boxes and out popped a pill. He shook the other to pop out two pills. He placed the medicine on a plate next to some leftover applesauce and set the plat by Granny Smith. "Thank you, Macintosh." Granny Smith smiled.
"It's no problem, granny."
"Always so dutiful," Granny Smith commented.
"You’re my granny. It's the least I can do." Big Mac smiled at her, giving her a sense of ease.
"Darn eyes of mine gave out too long ago," Granny Smith sighed.
"The bull horn the other day couldn't have helped," Big Macintosh chuckeled.
"Darn new fangled contraptions. Who are they making these things for?"
Big Macintosh left Granny Smith to her rant as he returned to the kitchen. His own body demanded nourishment, and applesauce doesn't cut it for a pony of his size. He needed carbs, so Big Macintosh grabbed a bag of flour and began working on some pancakes. His favorite thing about pancakes is how fast they cook. Before long he had a plate stacked five high and laced with syrup. He placed the plate on the table right next to a stack of papers about Sweet Apple Acres' finances. Granny Smith had fallen asleep at the other end of the table.
For hours Big Mac worked on the papers. The Sisterhooves Social had just happened the other day and he had to make sure they recuperated every bit and then some. Of course, due to the female heavy size of Ponyville's population, and the rather strong community they had, he was sure the Sisterhooves Social had brought back every bit and more with a wealthy profit, but that didn't change any of the paperwork involved. To his surprise though, this year's social was so successful they had made double what they had made last year. Most of the bits would go into repairing the farm though and the fortune would dry up in a matter of days, but that was all the better for their farm equipment.
A broom flew by Big Macintosh's face. He turned to the assailant. "I could use some help cleanin' up," Applejack smiled.
Big Macintosh turned to the broom. "On my way."
Big Macintosh surveyed the land in front of him. Cleaning up the Sisterhooves Social was going to be a nightmare. Beside him, Applejack spat out a broom she brought with her so she could talk. "Good turn out, huh? With all the bits we made we can fix up the barn good as new."
"It's always a good turn out," Big Macintosh chuckled, "plenty of sisters all 'round town."
"Well, yeah," Applejack shrugged, "but that just means more bits into the farm." Applejack smiled as she grabbed the broom she spat out earlier with her mouth and began the clean up process.
Big Macintosh turned back to the mess, and then his mind turned back to the profit. "You know," Big Macintosh started, "what do you think about hosting a Brotherhooves Social?"
Applejack turned to her big brother and spat out the broom again. "Sounds like a great idea but Ponyville doesn't have a whole lot of brothers." Ponyville doesn't have a whole lot of colts either.
"Doesn't mean there aren’t any."
"I suppose you're right about that, but these things cost a lot of bits to host."
"If we stick to a budget and reuse some of the props we could make a small profit," Big Macintosh explained.
Applejack thought it over for a moment. She looked over at Big Macintosh. "Well all right then!" She finally hollered. "Who am I to argue with bits to be had."
"Brotherhooves Social?" The grey pony read with confusion? His spiky ice blue mane swished from side to side as he inspected the poster. "This a typo, Big Macintosh?"
"Nope. This year, Sweet Apple Acres will host the first ever Brotherhooves Social, Northstar," Big Macintosh answered with a smile. He was rather excited to get the chance to host such an event.
"Well, I guess I can't ignore a chance to show off in front of Cosmic," Northstar laughed. "Sounds like a blast, though. You apple pony go all out with the Sisterhooves Social."
"Well," Big Macintosh turned his eyed away, "we probably can't afford to go all out, even though we're reusing a lot of props, but we'll still have something."
"Status quo is still god, huh? Still, makes sense. Count me in, though." Northstar let a grin spread across his face. "And I suppose Applejack will be there too?"
Big Macintosh sighed. "You still pinin' after her?"
"Applejack is just such a beautiful mare!" Northstar's eyes drifted off to some faraway place that will never happen. "Those emerald green eyes, the cute little freckles, the smell of her hair, those toned legs."
"All apple family members have toned legs." Big Macintosh eyed the stallion.
"But hers." Northstar sighed contently. "See you later, Big Mac."
"Don't call me that," Big Macintosh sighed. He didn't like that nickname very much.
Big Macintosh picked up the pile of posters and continued along his way around Ponyville, handing them out to the few stallion that passed him along his way. A strong gust of wind, however, picked up the pile of posters off his back and discarded them around Ponyville square. "Dangit," Big Macintosh cursed.
"Help! I'm being gobbled! I'm being gobbled!" Called out a voice from under a poster.
Big Macintosh heard the plea and turned his attention to a pipsqueak of a colt who had gotten wrapped in one of his posters. It was Pipsqueak. "Pipsqueak..." Big Macintosh rolled his eyes, "it's just paper."
"Oh." Pipsqueak stopped struggling and found he could easily slip away from the hungry poster. "Thanks, ugh?"
"Big Macintosh," Big Macintosh answered.
"Thank you, Big Macintosh," Pipsqueak properly answered. He turned his attention back to the poster. "Brotherhooves Social?" He read aloud.
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh answered. "Have any brothers, Pipsqueak?"
"Oh no. I have four older sisters," Pipsqueak answered, the fear of god on his face. "It's horrible. They always pick me up and dress me up and mess with my mane! You know what they wanted me to be for nightmare night!? A princess! It was baby blue and pink! With frills. So… much… frills…"
Big Macintosh could tell the tiny colt had been traumatized for quite a few lifetimes. "Ugh, well, buck up." Big Macintosh patted Pipsqueak with a single hoof as big as the pinto colt himself.
"Oh, thank you," Pipsqueak snapped out of his frilly nightmare and turned back to Big Macintosh. "Can I come to the social anyway? It sounds like fun."
"Well, sure," Big Macintosh drolled. He needed to drum up some extra business if he wanted to make a profit and, possibly, make this an actual annual event.
"Oh boy! I can't wait!" Pipsqueak smiled as he skipped off, causing Big Macintosh to worry for the poor colt.
"Pass that sign over here, Apple Bloom," Applejack called out.
"All right, Applejack," Apple Bloom called back, dragging over the Sisterhooves Social sign. "What are you going to do with it?"
"'We're going to repaint it for the Brotherhooves Social."
"Brotherhooves Social?"
"It was Big Macintosh's idea," Applejack informed her, "it's the like the Sisterhooves Social but for the brothers around Ponyville."
"Wow, that's a great idea!" Apple Bloom jumped. "Wonder what gave Big Macintosh the idea?"
"Well, he's hardly the first one in the family to pitch the idea," Applejack started to explain, "but, since Big Macintosh does most of the finance stuff on the farm he figured out we could make some extra bits if we plan it right. One of those things is reusing props, so let's get paintin'."
"All right!" Apple Bloom yelled out excitedly. The two grabbed a couple cans of paint and some rollers and started to paint over the sign with some red paint. "This is fun, Applejack."
"Glad to hear it," Applejack smiled back.
"What are we doing, Big Mac?"
"We need to paint over a new sign for Sweet Apple Acres 'cause the other one fell."
"Sounds boring."
"Eeyup. That’s why I dragged you out here."
"Meanie."
"Just grab this roller and start painting."
"Fine. Hey, Big Mac!"
"What?"
"You got some paint on you."
"Where?"
"There!"
Applejack couldn't help but recall that old memory. Way back when Big Macintosh wasn't busy all the time with farm work and paper work, but now she gets to make these memories with Apple Bloom. "Enjoying yourself?" Applejack asked.
"You bet!" Apple Bloom replied.
"Brotherhooves Social!" Snips piped at the top of his lungs. "That sounds awesome!"
"Do you have any brothers?" Big Macintosh asked.
"Only the best kind of brother," Snips replied, his face turned up in pride. "Snails!"
"Yep!" Snails replied, affirming his best friend. "We're spit brothers."
"Spit brothers?" Big Macintosh asked. In response, Snips and Snails spit on their own hoof and shook them together.
"And that makes us spit brothers," Snips answered.
"Right," Big Macintosh answered, "well then c'mon down to the Brotherhooves Social tomorrow if you're up to some real brotherly challenges." Big Macintosh began to feel like a carriage salespony.
"We'll be there once we're done at Twilight's place," Snips replied.
Apple Bloom sat next to a newly pitched tent. Applejack had asked her to set up one of the more gender-neutral colored tents and for a filly her size it was quite a bit of work. "Why they gotta make tents so big?" Apple Bloom complained aloud, legs and mouth sore.
"Well, it's gotta fit a lot of ponies," Applejack answered in the distance, freshly baked lunch on her back. "Hope you're hungry!"
"Thanks, big sis!" Apple Bloom cried out, the smell of food reenergizing her.
"T'aint a problem, and you earned it," Applejack patted her little sister.
The two sat under a tree, enjoying the shade and the warm baked apple goods. Applejack cherished moments like this. The fatigue of hard work in her legs, the smell of apples in the air, and good company. She could think of few ponies she would like to share this moment with more than her sister.
"These are great, Applejack! Your best batch yet!"
"These are great, Big Mac! Your best batch yet!"
"It's the same thing I cook every time."
"If you didn't have an apple on your bum I would bet you would have a stack of pancakes."
"They're just easy to make is all."
"That doesn't change that they're really good. What's the occasion?"
"Well, you've just been working really hard lately. Ever since you came back from Manehatten. I figured you earned some lunch."
"Thanks."
"Say, what was Manehatten like?"
"Terrible!"
"Really?"
"Eeyup! You know why?"
"Why?"
"I missed everyone. The farm. Granny Smith. You."
"I missed you too."
"You did?"
"O'course."
"Yeah, I did make some really good fritters today, huh…" Applejack stared at the confection. There was just so much nostalgia in that single moment, like a wave. "Glad you enjoy 'em."
"I always enjoy 'em! You’re the best big sister a little sister could ask for! I enjoy everything you make."
"Glad to hear it," Applejack smiled.
"You got your work cut out for you, big guy," Spike told Big Macintosh while seated on his back. "Not a whole lot of colts here in Ponyville."
"I've been told that," Big Macintosh ignored the statement, "and when did I give you permission to ride me?"
"All right all right." Spike jumped off Big Macintosh. "Brothers huh? Can't say I have any of those… I think."
"You think?" Big Macintosh questioned.
"I don't really know if I have brothers or sisters. I don't even know who my parents are for that matter."
"You seem rather well-adjusted about that," Big Macintosh replied.
"I guess it's because Twilight did such a good job raising me," Spike stared off in the distance of the library.
"Cherish that bond, Spike."
"What do I do what do I do!?"
"Get her some warm apple juice."
"Right. Darn it she's still crying."
"She's just a baby."
"I'm just not that good at handling babies."
"Well mom and dad aren’t here. We got to do something."
"Poor Apple Bloom."
"She'll be all right."
"What makes you so sure of that?"
"Because she's got you for a big brother and me for a big sister. Between the two of us, come rain or shine, she'll be just fine."
"You know, you're right."
Spike looked back and up at Big Macintosh. Both had a warm, nostalgic smile. "I always do," Spike told him, looked back at the poster. "I may not have any brothers but you don't mind if I show up anyway, right?"
"No problem, Spike."
"Thanks." Spike went on his way, somewhat lighter than when he had arrived. It seemed like the Brotherhooves Social would play host to a number of different kinds of 'brothers.' Big Macintosh smiled to himself. Tomorrow seemed like it was going to be a good day. Still, he had posters to put up and hand out. Bits are, always, an issue.
"And done!" Apple Bloom proudly proclaimed. "The field is clean!"
"Hoo-wee that was a lot of work," Applejack wiped her brow, "now to start set up for the Brotherhoof."
"Looks great," Big Macintosh commented as he arrived.
"You expected less?" Applejack sarcastically teased. "Brother, I am offended," Applejack said with a grin. "How'd advertisin' go?"
"Not bad. I got some ponies interested."
"Well that's good. All we got left here to do is some heavy labor stuff."
"I guess that’s my queue," Big Macintosh amusingly replied.
"Well we got some time first. Hungry?" Applejack offered her brother some hospitality. "If you don't mind that they're cold I got some leftover apple fritters from earlier."
"I could do for a bite." Big Macintosh placed himself under a familiar tree. His hooves a little sore, but nothing that would stop a pony of his physical and mental fortitude.
"Say, Apple Bloom, why don't you go fetch them leftover fritters?"
"Right away!" Apple Bloom saluted and took off like a bullet.
Applejack set herself down under the familiar tree. She looked over at her brother who was merely content to close his eyes and fiddle with his sprig. It felt a little too quiet between the two. "Apple Bloom sure is growing," Applejack started, "hard to remember she was once a little baby we had to nurse to sleep with stove top apple juice."
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh answered back.
"Oh c'mon. Don't you have more to say?"
"Nnnope." Applejack gave her brother a playful kick. "Fine fine. She's a bundle and a half of energy."
"Try two bundles. Maybe we put too much sugar in that juice." The two shared a good laugh.
"T'was your idea."
"And it was a great idea. As Twilight would say, I think, the experiment was a success."
"Applejack talking science?" Big Macintosh drolled. "That’s new."
"Hush you. 'Sides, once she's a little older she'll be able to take on more chores, and you'll have more time to handle the finances and paperwork."
The sprig in Big Macintosh's mouth dropped a little. "Eeyup…"
"Little filly surprises me every day!" Applejack almost hollered with over-exuberance.
"Does she?" Big Macintosh looked off to the side.
"Yep, always tryin' and sometimes even provin'. Surprised she still doesn't have her cutie mark. You need to see her at work, Big Macintosh."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right."
Apple Bloom came speeding back with the tray of cold apple fritters balanced on her back. "I'm back!" She announced. She placed the tray in front of Big Macintosh and turned over to Applejack. "What'd I miss?" She asked, as if expecting something.
"Oh nothin'. Just talkin'," Applejack smiled.
Big Macintosh dug into the plate of cold fritters. Despite their now slimy texture the taste was quite pleasant. Applejack sure has gotten better at cooking.
"Check 'em out brother!"
"You made apple fritters?"
"For you!"
"Oh, thanks."
"How are they?"
"Terrible! I need water! Water!"
"Oh don't be like that!"
"My throats on fire."
"Well golly, these are terrible. Water!
"You've improved," Big Macintosh told Applejack.
"O'course! No apple pony worth her or his salt would be caught dead with a burnt fritter," Applejack replied.
Big Macintosh grinned, picked himself up and walked over to the large wooden sign that would need to be hung over the gate. What was once a pink sign with purple letters is now a red sign with orange letters. Big Macintosh couldn't help but feel a little flattered that the sign carried his own color scheme. He tied some rope around his yolk and the sign and got started on hauling the heavy thing into the air and over the sign pole.
"Glad to see your muscles haven't gone to mush yet," Applejack called back to him. "I was beginning to be fear you was made of pancakes, Big Macintosh!"
Big Macintosh hauled the sign into place. "Now would be the part where you hammer the dang thing," Big Macintosh groaned under the weight.
"You heard him sis," Applejack turned to Apple Bloom. "let's get started."
"I 'ear 'uh!" Apple Bloom talked with a hammer in her mouth.
"Right, I'll go fetch the ladder. Why don't you keep Big Macintosh company," Applejack didn't really ask so much as told her. She galloped off to the far off shed where the ladder had been deposited.
Apple Bloom turned over to Big Macintosh. His face started to turn red from the strain of the sign. "You okay, Big Macintosh?"
"I'm fine," Big Macintosh said in-between breaths. Next time he would have to make sure the ladder was close by before hauling up a heavy sign post.
"Okay." Apple Bloom turned to the horizon, waiting for Applejack to return with a ladder in tow.
It would be a few more minutes before she would return, though. Big Macintosh looked down at the filly he once struggled to calm down, but since that time Apple Bloom had grown up while his back was turned, and now her back had was turned towards him as she waited for Applejack to return. He took a deep breath to steel himself against the physics that transpired against him. The sign is heavy.
"I'm back!" Applejack finally announced, dragging along a ladder. "Glad to see that sign hasn't gotten the better of you."
"Just hammer the darn thing," Big Macintosh strained to say.
"Right." Applejack sheepishly grinned. She placed the ladder in front of one of the wooden beams that would support the sign. "You're up Apple Bloom."
"Leave it to me!" Apple Bloom was up the ladder in a matter of seconds and expertly placed the nail into the wood before she began to hammer away like a mad mare. At the base of the ladder Applejack struggled to keep the thing steady as each hammer reverberated down into her body.
"Apple Bloom."
Hammer hammer hammer.
"Apple Bloom…"
Hammer hammer hammer.
"Apple Bloom!"
"Yeah, sis?" Apple Bloom looked down at her now wall eyed sister.
"I think it's done."
"Oh? My bad." Apple Bloom grinned, finding the sight amusing.
"S'all right." Applejack shook her head to dislodge her eyes from their, hopefully not permanent, positions. "On to the next beam," She announced, her eyes in proper place.
The ladder was repositioned at the second beam and Apple Bloom had once again shot up the thing in seconds. This time Apple Bloom was careful not to overdue the hammering. One, two, three, four, five hits and the nail was securely in place. Big Macintosh could feel the weight lifting from his shoulders as the sign hung in place, supported by a couple of nails somehow.
"Looks good," Applejack commented.
"It does." Big Macintosh looked over at the family effort. It took the three of them to hang it.
"We do good work," Applejack commented.
"We sure do, Applejack!" Apple Bloom commented. Applejack patted her little sister on the head. Big Macintosh returned to the tree. His shoulders were killing him.
Setup had gone smoothly for the most part. The festivities that were prepared for the event weren’t as extravagant as the Sisterhooves Social since, as stated, they couldn't afford to go all out and buy a lot of new decorations. The set up was even smaller, but it was something. Tomorrow would be a celebration of male bonds between brothers, an event that Big Macintosh felt bitter irony in not being fully able to compete in.
"Wha'cha thinkin' about?" Applejack interrupted his train of thought.
"Nothing in particular," He lied.
"Don't lie to me," Applejack asserted, "I know your tells."
"It's nothing, Applejack. You don't got to know every thought in my head, do you?"
"I guess." Applejack shrugged. "It's just you've been kinda… down lately."
"What do you mean?"
"Like, down. Big Macintosh, you've just been kinda unhappy looking lately. When I saw you propose the Brotherhooves Social you looked so darn eager about it, well, how could I say no?"
"I'm fine," Big Macintosh tried to brush Applejack's worries off. "I ain't unhappy."
"Now I know that's a lie."
"Applejack, just drop it."
"Drop it? Have I ever been a pony that dropped things?"
Big Macintosh began to feel annoyed. His sister's bull headedness was not one of the easiest things for him to deal with. "How I feel ain't your business," he proclaimed, turning around, and heading back to the main house.
"And where do you think you're going?" Applejack yelled back.
"To the house. I still got paperwork to do."
"Hidin' behind your papers now, huh!"
"I wish I didn't have to…" he muttered.
Numbers are not Big Macintosh's favorite subject, but the duty had fallen on him to handle the finances of Sweet Apple Acres. Granny Smith taught him everything he knew back when his shoulder span was actually smaller than his head and Granny Smith still had some spring left. He was eternally grateful to Granny Smith for the lessons, though. He'll keep the farm going, no matter what. He always told himself that every time he found himself at the table, crunching numbers and chewing erasures. He hated the work, but the farm meant too much.
Applejack appeared soon enough. She looked at him, turned her nose up, and left to her room. Big Macintosh sighed and turned back to the papers. Bills, expenses, and paperwork. He let his head fall to the desk. All for the farm. All for the farm.
Midnight. He had fallen asleep. "Dang it," She cursed aloud. "Now I'm behind."
"Behind what?"
Big Macintosh jumped out of his chair. "Who's there!" He questioned to the darkness, afraid for his sanity.
"It's just me." Apple Bloom appeared in his field of vision. "What are you doin' staying up so late."
"I… I was just doing paper work and I passed out."
"Paper work?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah, bills and stuff, gotta do them to keep the farm running."
"Sounds borin'."
"Sure is." Big Macintosh chuckled as he picked himself up. "What are you doing up so late, Apple Bloom?"
"Well, I was having a hard time getting to sleep so I thought I would raid the pantry," Apple Bloom unashamedly admitted.
"You know, I think I got something to do the trick."
The kettle started to steam. Inside it apple juice was beginning to boil. Big Macintosh, a pinky frilly mitten in his mouth, carried the kettle over to a couple of empty cups and poured the out the juice. "Warm apple juice," he stated.
"This will help me get to sleep?" Apple Bloom asked inquisitively.
"Eeyup. Apple family secret, so don't share it with anypony."
The idea of keeping a secret got Apple Bloom's attention. "You can count on me," she saluted.
Big Macintosh smiled. "Oh, wait here." Big Macintosh ran back to the pantry. He was looking for his own secret ingredient. A small jar of cinnamon. He smiled as he picked it up with his teeth and returned to Apple Bloom. "My personal secret ingredient," he joked.
Two secrets in one day. Perhaps she would get a secret keeping cutie mark. "You can count on me, big bro."
Big bro. Two words he hadn't heard in such a long time. He pushed off the top of the jar and began to sprinkle the spice into the juices. "Here you go, little sis." Two words he hadn't said in such a long time. The two smiled at each other as they drank deep of the warm juice. Whoever found out about this miracle elixir was a genius of the highest caliber. Big Macintosh could feel his eye lids getting heavier. He wasn't going to get any work done, and he didn't care. "Ready for bed now?" He asked.
"Sure am," Apple Bloom replied, eyes already closed and head nodding off. Soon enough she had fallen completely asleep.
Big Macintosh took the two cups and placed them on the dining room table, right next to the incomplete forms and papers. He took a deep breath and exhaled. He couldn't care less about the papers right now and come what may he will make sure the farm stays up. For his family. For himself. For Apple Bloom. For now, he returned to the fireplace and fell asleep.
Applejack had watched the whole thing. She heard the patter of hoof steps and came to check on everything when she heard Big Macintosh's heavy form hit the ground. She watched as Big Macintosh lit a fire, filled the kettle, and helped Apple Bloom finally get some sleep.
Quietly, Applejack stepped over to the table. It was covered in half filled papers and sheets of numbers. Nothing made sense to her and she feel guilty that she had no idea how to handle. She turned back to Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom, and she sighed.
"Welcome to the Brotherhooves social," Big Macintosh greeted a pair of brothers. "I see you were able to make it, Northstar."
"Applejack is here, right?" Northstar looked around, scanning the area for the perfect country mare fantasy. "Besides, I needed some reason to drag this hoofhead out of his room." Northstar motioned to his little brother, Cosmic, a purple-maned yellow pony.
"I was on the final world of Super Pony Land!" The colt protested.
"C'mon, Cosmo," Northstar protested, "you gotta get some fresh air."
"Fresh air is for the weak!" The nerdy colt protested ", and you're just here to show off in front of Applejack".
"Hey hey not so loud." Northstar turned back to Big Macintosh. "Least you managed a decent turn out, though."
"I'll say," Applejack blurted in.
"Huh, oh hey AJ!" Northstar's eyes lit up. "What are you wearing?"
Applejack sported a white shirt over herself. "I thought I would dig this thing out for the occasion."
"PULL!" Somepony yelled launching a salvo of water balloons.
"What the!" Applejack yelled out as some of the salvo missed their target and pelted her. "Aw shoot. I'm all wet…" Applejack groaned.
Northstar's face had gone stiff. So had the rest of his body for that matter.
"North…" Cosmic poked his brother.
"Something wrong with him?" Applejack asked.
"Hmm." Cosmic gave his brother a rather hard buck.
Northstar yelped in pain. "I'm fine!"
"You sure?" Applejack asked.
"I'm fine, Apple Juice."
"Applejack."
"What you said." Northstar gave a cheesy grin and tried to excuse himself. "C'mon, Cosmo, let's try some of the games." Northstar grabbed Cosmic and bolted off.
"That was odd," Applejack commented.
Big Macintosh had a look of total exasperation. He looked over to his sister. "Why are you wearing that…"
"This is suppose to be a brother day right? Well last I checked my brother gave me this shirt," She replied.
"What's this?"
"A shirt."
"Yeah but… why?"
"I don't know."
"Yes… but… well…" How could he tell her how she looked…
"Greetings, fellow brothers," Came a new voice. Big Macintosh and Applejack turned to the new pair of brothers to show. Well, they weren't brothers.
"Twilight… what are you doing?" Applejack asked with mild amusement.
"Who is this Twilight?" The baseball cap wearing mare replied. "I am Dusk Shine." Twilight tried to look as boyish as possible. Something about it Big Macintosh found unsettlingly adorable.
"I told her I was going to come here," Spike made his presence known, "and she said something about studying and a possible lesson to be had from this."
"Still afraid you're going to miss a friendship report?" Applejack asked.
"A little." Twil- I mean Dusk grinned. "This is a celebration of brotherly affection and no science ever benefitted from not gathering data."
"You've made your point, Dusk," Applejack joked, "so come on in. Don't let a pretty mare like me distract you." Applejack and Tw- I mean Dusk shared a good laugh before sh- I mean he stepped through the gateway and into the event.
"Don't see that every day," Big Macintosh replied, somewhat stunned.
"Don't see what every day?" A British voice answered and asked.
"Oh, hi, Pipsqueak," Big Macintosh greeted him.
"Cheerio, Big Macintosh. I made it for the Brotherhooves Social."
"You have any brothers, Pipsqueak?" Applejack asked.
"No. Just… four… older… sisters…" Pipsqueak fidgeted around, looking high and low, left and right as if just acknowledging their existence would summon the gaggle of mysterious sisters that plagued Pipsqueak's life.
"How about you just get inside and make yourself comfortable," Big Macintosh gestured to the Brotherhooves Social grounds.
"Thank you very much," Pipsqueak replied with enthusiasm as he skipped along inside.
"You sure gathered all sorts of colts for this event," Applejack replied.
"Can't be too picky," Big Macintosh replied, "now when are you going to change that shirt?"
"What's wrong with it?" Applejack was truly clueless.
"It's… well… you see… forget it…" Big Macintosh decided it wasn't worth the aneurism. "It's time for the events anyway."
The first event: The pie eating contest. Big brothers race to devour pies while little brothers bring the pies over the big brothers. Rules forbid little brothers from running to grab a pie until the elder brother finishes the first pie. Three pairs of brothers sat at the table. On the right most end sat Northstar with Cosmic looking bored in front of him. Next to Northstar sat-
"Snails?" Big Macintosh looked at the lanky colt.
"Yep." Snails grinned as he sat at the table, less than half of Northstar's size.
"But who's your 'little brother'?" Big Macintosh asked.
"That would be me!" Snips piped up below Big Macintosh's field of vision.
"Okay." Big Macintosh stared at Snail's puny body and then at Snail's stout body. They weren't winning anytime soon.
To the left of them sat Caramel and Noteworthy. "You're related?" Big Macintosh asked.
"Like, totally," Caramel replied.
"Brothers from another mother," Noteworthy added.
"Got caramel pie?" Caramel asked.
"I hope the lot of you are ready for some apple family pie!" Applejack entered the scene. Northstar, Caramel, and Noteworthy forgot how to breathe.
"I'd like to eat some of your pie," Noteworthy commented.
"Good. Cause you are," Applejack innocently replied. Big Macintosh could have bucked Noteworthy straight to Canterlot. "On your mark!" Applejack started. "Get set! Go!"
Northstar tore his eyes away from the sparkling mare, hard as it was, and planted his face straight into the pie. In a matter of seconds it was gone. "Cosmic!"
Cosmic didn't hear his brother. He was too busy staring off into space in bored disinterest. "Cosmic!" Northstar yelled again. Cosmic didn't hear a thing.
"Dude, Switch with me!" Noteworthy yelled at Caramel. "I want some pie."
"No way, man. This stuff is too good." Caramel grinned, bits of crust stuck in his teeth.
"Oh skrew it." Noteworthy ran up to the pie table and just started to eat from there. Or at least he was.
"Oh no you don't." Applejack gave Noteworthy a hard buck. "No cheatin'!"
"But… I just wanted pie…" Noteworthy moaned, clutching his side.
"We have a winner!" Big Macintosh announced. "Snails and Snips."
"What!?" Caramel complained. "Little scrawny-" Caramel's mouth fell open as he looked towards the small pair of colts. Snails downed the pies like a conveyer belt. Every time Snips placed a pie in front of him Snails would use his newly learned magic to pry off the pan and down the pie in a single bite. Snips himself had proven to be unusually light on his hooves. He just seemed to glide along the ground. Like magic! It probably was magic. "That’s cheating!" Caramel argued.
"No," Applejack countered, "eating from the pie table is cheatin'. Snails is still eating the pies and Snips still has to run up to the table to grab one. No cheatin' here." Applejack wryly smiled.
Big Macintosh placed a tiny plastic trophy before the two colts. They had simple responses. "More please," Snails asked.
"He's got a magic hole in his stomach," Snips added.
"I'm sure." Big Macintosh smiled.
"Cosmic! What where you doing?" Northstar grabbed his younger brother. "You were supposed to grab me those pies."
"Huh? Oh, yeah, forgot."
"Little brat."
"Big jerk!"
"Puny punk!"
"Giant ass!"
"I look nothing like uncle Jack." Northstar gave Cosmic a noogie. "Take this you tiny runt."
"Stop it!" Cosmic replied between fits of laughter.
"I remember when you used to give me those," Applejack laughed, "what happened."
"I put on two tons of weight," Big Macintosh replied.
"You're right," Applejack laughed, "I forgot how scrawny you used to be.
"You're too small, Macintosh!"
"I'm taller than you."
"By an inch, and you're supposed to be the big brother."
"I'm just a late bloomer."
"You gotta get bigger!"
"I'm fine as is."
"Oh yeah!"
"Hey! Ow! That hurts!"
"Can't be a big brother if your lil sister can do this."
"Hey, watch it, Appleja- OW! Oh yeah!"
"What, hey, ow my head!"
"Guess if you tried that on me you'd crush me," Applejack commented.
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh affirmed. "What's the next event."
"Oh, I got Apple Bloom to do the mud wrestlin' event."
"All right all you namby pamby ponies! It's time to get down and dirty in the mud!" Apple Bloom announced. "Who's up for some mud wrastlin'!"
"I'm Pipsqueak the mud-wrestler," Pipsqueak boldly announced, earnest to prove his manhood by playing in the dirt, "and who accepts my summons to a fight!"
"It's kind of a two on two event, Pipsqueak. Who's your second?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Oh." Pipsqueak looked over to the crowd. "Who wants to be my brother?" Pipsqueak asked, unknowingly putting on his cutest face. No pony stepped forward.
"I guess… we can make an exception." Apple Bloom felt a little sorry for Pipsqueak. "So who's going to take on this mighty mud wrastler."
"I'm game." Spike put himself forward. "Plus I heard mud is great for cleaning scales."
"Go get 'em, little bro," Dusk cheered.
"Dude, what's up with Twilight?"
"A new challenger approaches. Hooves will fly at this location!" Apple Bloom announced.
Spike threw himself into the ring. "The answer lies… in the heart of battle," Spike said in a very serious tone.
Pipsqueak stepped into the ring. He stretched a foreleg and assumed his battle pose. "Let's fight like gentlemen."
"I don't get it," Apple Bloom commented, "but get wrastelin'!"
Spike threw himself onto Pipsqueak. His claws gave him an advantage in the muddy terrain since it was hard for either of them to move.
Still, Pipsqueak had his own trick. He pried Spike off himself. Spike tries to counter with another grappling attack, but Pipsqueak managed to duck in under it. Spike registered the whiff too late as Pipsqueak flashed and socked him straight in the face. And then again… and again… and again… and again… "Rolling Thunder!" Pipsqueak announced as he delivered one last blow to Spike, launching the dragon into the air and turning his back as Spike fell to the ground.
"Oh, wow, didn’t see that coming," Apple Bloom commented. "Normally the second would come in now?"
"Oh, that's me!" Dusk announced. "As Spike's older brother it is now my duty to fight for his honor… right?"
"Twilight, are you okay?" Apple Bloom had to ask.
"I'm Dusk today," Dusk replied.
"Suuuure… Dusk… okay… Dusk vs Pipsqueak?"
Dusk jumped into the ring. "Don't worry brother, I will avenge you."
"Twilight… don't you think this is going a little too far?" Spike just had to ask.
"Actually, this is kind of fun," Twilight admitted… I mean Dusk! "Anyway, Pipsqueak, I'm ready for you!"
Pipsqueak only had one chance. Beat her in a single blow. He wound his tiny hoof back. "Corkskrew-"
Twilight tipped Pipsqueak over. "I win!" Dusk announced.
"Winner, Twilight!" Apple Bloom announced.
"It's Dusk today!" Twilight stated adamantly.
"Well, unless a second shows up, I guess… Dusk and Spike win," Apple Bloom announced as the sky began to dim. "Ugh, where'd light go?"
"That was hardly a gentlemanly fight." A thick English accented broke the silence. At the center of the arena a pile of muck was beginning to grow.
"I agree with that sentiment." Another think English accented agreed with the first.
"But Pipsqueak is just the youngest of the Victorian siblings." A third voice.
"For now, Dusk Shine, you face us." And a fourth voice.
The mound of mud exploded, revealing four pinto mares that surrounded themselves around Pipsqueak. "We are the Victorian sisters! The older sisters of Pipsqueak and we are his second!" They all announced at once.
"Where did they come from?" Spike asked no one in particular. "Isn't this against the rules?"
"Yeah! It is!" Apple Bloom asserted. "Pipsqueak and his sisters are disqualified on account of sneaking extra fighters into the ring. How dare you insult the honor of the mud wrastelin' ring!" Apple Bloom jumped down from her post and asserted herself before the mares. "I oughta pop you for pulling this kind of shenanigan. I mud wrastle here, dang it!"
"Terribly sorry!" The eldest sister replied.
"You better be." Apple Bloom eyed the mare before turning back to address the crowd. "Winner! Dusk and Spike!"
"Awwww…." The crowd groaned, deprived of the chance to watch five mares wrestle in the mud.
"We did it, Spike!" Dusk announced with glee as she held the dragon in the air with her magic and spinning him around her.
"That's great and all, Twilight… I mean Dusk... We beat up a little colt… but if you keep spinning me I'm gonna… I'm gonna…"
"Greetings Twilight… I mean Dusk…" Big Macintosh waved to the mare that was pretending to be a stallion.
"Oh, hey Big Macintosh. Who won the pie eating contest?"
"Snips and Snails surprisingly enough. For a little guy Snails sure can put pie away."
"Oh yeah, he's got quite the stomach. I've been meaning to put some research into it," Dusk said with full seriousness. Much like Pinkie Senses, the mechanics behind Snail's tummy eluded her. She hoped this would end with fewer injuries, though.
"You participated in the mud wrestlin' contest?" Big Macintosh asked, noting the mud all over her and Spike.
"Yep, and won!" Dusk jubilantly held up her trophy. "I never got first place for a physical excursion before!"
"That’s because our opponent was Pipsqueak." Spike pried himself away from the trash can, his stomach void of any content. "His sisters snuck into the ring so he was disqualified for having too many seconds or something."
"Wait… his sisters snuck in?" Big Macintosh questioned.
"Yeah, it was the weirdest thing. The sky got all dark and they just popped out of nowhere," Spike described the scene.
"Odd…" Big Macintosh drolled. "Well, congratulations on winning."
"Thanks," Dusk replied.
"I gotta get going now. Later, Twilight." Big Macintosh went on his way.
"It's Dusk!" Twilight groaned.
"Twilight, really, why are you doing this?" Spike asked.
"I thought you wanted a big brother." Twilight looked to the baby dragon. "I mean, I can't actually be one. No spell can do that. At least I hope no spell can, but I figured I could pretend for you."
Spike just started to laugh. "That sounds so silly."
"Hey, I'm trying to be nice to you here," Twilight replied, annoyance in her voice. "I mean, why else did you want to come here."
"I don't know," Spike replied, "figure it would be fun to spend a day around guys for once," Spike told her.
"Oh…" Twilight looked down. "I guess you wanted a day away from me."
"I would never want that."
"Huh?" Twilight looked back to Spike.
"You’re like my sister, Twilight. The best sister a dragon could ask for."
"But you said you wanted to come here."
"Yeah, I did, but I'm even happier you came with me." Spike smiled up to the most important being in the world to him. "This has been really fun."
"You know, it has been." Twilight smiled back down to him. "You know, I also wanted to do this so we could have some fun together. Just the two of us."
"Really!"
"Yep. So what to next?"
"Boar racing!"
"Boar racing?"
"We're so sorry, Pipsqueak!" The eldest replied.
"We didn't know that sneaking in like that would get you disqualified," The second eldest replied.
"We just couldn't bear to see our adorable little brother getting hurt like that!" The third eldest replied.
"We just had to come to your rescue!" The fourth eldest replied.
"You did that for me?" Pipsqueak asked, curiously.
"Of course! You're our little brother!" All four of them tackled him, holding him up, and embracing him in a family hug.
"You four… are my favorite sisters ever!" Pipsqueak cried.
"You're our favorite brother ever, Pipsqueak!" The four of them replied, all five of them now bawling their eyes out.
"Wait, how did you know I was here?" Pipsqueak asked.
"Oh, silly."
"We follow you wherever you go."
"To town, to school, to the bathroom."
"You're never alone, Pipsqueak."
"Never ever ever."
"We're always close by."
"Making sure our precious brother is safe."
"Because… we're so afraid you might get hurt."
"You girls…" Pipsqueak, disregarding some of the creepier aspect of the exchange, felt touched that his sisters worried so much about him. "Thank you."
"That'll be three bits each," Applejack told the pair of brothers.
"Oh, sure, of course," Northstar replied.
"You ever sell anything that doesn't have apples in it?" Cosmic questioned.
"Isn't he cute," Applejack replied, mildly annoyed. "No."
"Apples are the best," Northstar replied.
"Glad to know some pony here has their head on straight," Applejack replied.
"Aww, thanks."
"You're only saying that because you can see through her shirt," Cosmic finally said.
"What! That’s a lie! C'mon, Cosmo!" Starlight grabbed his brother and bolted in another direction.
Applejack scratched her head. "I don't get it. I don't normally wear cloths anyway."
"So take off the shirt," Big Macintosh told his sister. The irony was that the pie slices were selling like hot cakes.
"It's fine, Big Macintosh. Besides, the race is about to start."
"I suppose I do need to go host that."
"Oh leave that to me. I mean you goin' and participatin'!"
Big Macintosh raised an invisible eyebrow. "Participate? With who?"
"Look down, big guy," Applejack laughed.
Big Macintosh looked down. Below him stood Apple Bloom. "Since I didn't get to race in the Sisterhooves Social the other day Applejack recommended I race with you in the Brotherhooves Social." She smiled as wide as she could. "Can I can I can I!?"
"I guess it's not a problem." This was entirely new for Big Macintosh. He never got to race in any of the obstacle courses, and with Apple Bloom? How in sync could they be?
"Great! Now why don't you all go head for the starting point and we can get the show underway," Applejack told them.
Big Macintosh placed himself at the starting point. Besides him, Apple Bloom jumped up and down, excited for the race. "I guess you really like obstacle courses," Big Macintosh commented.
"Yep!" Apple Bloom giggled, "but this is also the first time I get to race with you, big bro!"
"It is." Big Macintosh smiled.
"Yo, Big Mac," Northstar called to him. "Participating in the race with your little sister?"
"Looks like it." Big Macintosh turned to him. "Managed to convince Cosmic to race?"
"Yep," Northstar replied.
"Only cost him twenty bits," Cosmic added.
"My brother, the shrewd businesspony," Northstar laughed. "Well good luck to you."
"Good luck you too," Big Macintosh added.
"Hey, what about us." Spike appeared between the two.
"And who are you racing with?" Northstar questioned.
"Twilight of course," Spike added, gesturing to the purple unicorn.
"Not Dusk anymore?" Apple Bloom laughed.
"No," Twilight responded, "in retrospect it was pretty silly, but I did have some fun."
"Well then good luck to everypony! … and Spike!" Apple Bloom hollered.
"Howdy all!" Applejack called into a microphone. "Welcome to our first every Brotherhooves Social race."
"Woo! Applejack!" Northstar yelled out. "Rocking that… microphone… yeah… microphone…" Big Macintosh was going to smack Northstar.
"Can you be anymore embarrassing?" Cosmic groaned.
"I think it's sweet," Apple Bloom commented.
"Yeah, if you're thick as a brick and want to get girl germs. Ew," Cosmic gagged.
"Still afraid of cooties?" Apple Bloom smiled.
"Cooties are a real threat to colts everywhere. They make us act like… that." Cosmic gestured to his brother. Northstar just continued to stare at Applejack, him face plastered with serene dopiness. "The last thing I want is to end up like that."
"Is that so," Apple Bloom laughed.
"Now why don’t we get the show on the road. On your mark!" Applejack yelled. Each pony dug their hooves into the ground. "Get set!" Big Macintosh snorted. "Go y'all!" Applejack signaled the beginning of the race.
Big Macintosh shot off like a runaway train. There was no way any of the foals or Twilight or Northstar could keep up with him.
"Wait for me, Big Macintosh!" Apple Bloom cried out. Unfortunately, neither could Apple Bloom.
"Sorry, Bloom." Big Macintosh slowed himself down allowing Apple Bloom, and everypony else, to catch up.
The first obstacle was the mud pile. "Wait for me, Applejack!" Northstar yelled out as he galloped through the mud, Cosmic behind him taking advantage of the tail wind.
"Nnnope. C'mon, Bloom." Macintosh stepped into the mud. His heavy steps plowed through the muck, throwing mud everywhere and clearing an easy path for Apple Bloom to follow through.
Up next, the buckets. "Dangit," Big Macintosh cursed under his breath as he saw the buckets come into view. He slowed his pace down, allowing Apple Bloom to overtake him.
Apple Bloom expertly navigated the buckets, possibly because she had done this so many times before. "C'mon, big bro. It's easy!" She cheered.
Big Macintosh came down to barely a walk as he placed one hoof in one bucket and another hoof in another. Easy, sure. He stepped from one bucket to another, occasionally knocking one away and choosing to ignore it. "Just a little further," he muttered to himself.
"Catch you at the end, Big Hooves!" Northstar called out to Big Macintosh as he overtook him on his own bucket course.
Big Macintosh huffed and picked up his pace, knocking over and away more buckets than he should have, but now was not the time to be thinking about that. "Ready, Bloom?"
"Darn' tootin'!" Apple Bloom was back by his side. "The next obstacle is the crates!"
"Crates now?" Big Macintosh smiled. "Bloom, bite my tail!"
"Okay!" Apple Bloom hopped up and bite down on Big Macintosh's cropped tail.
"Here we go!" Big Macintosh took off like a crazy train. The crates came into view, and he had no intention of slowing down.
"Hurry up, Twilight!" Spike called down from the apex of mount crate-more.
"Sorry," Twilight apologized, "I guess the first two parts took more out of me then I realized."
"Hey what's that?" Spike pointed to a red blur coming up on another lane.
"Is that Big Mac-"
Big Macintosh exploded through the crates. The sheer force of the nonsensical explosion actually knocked down everypony else from their own crate challenges. Big Macintosh looked behind him to make sure Apple Bloom was all right. Apple Bloom had the widest grin he had ever seen. "'at 'as aw'ome!" She said with tail in her mouth.
"Eeyup!" Big Macintosh smiled back.
Big Macintosh skidded to a stop in front of the next obstacle, the pie table. Apple Bloom let go of his tail. "Wowee! We're gonna need to do that again sometime, big bro!"
"Sure, little sis," Big Macintosh beamed down, "now eat your pie."
"Curse that Big Macintosh! Making me look bad in front of Applejack!" Northstar cursed as he climbed the crates again.
"Because you can do that all on your own," Cosmic chided.
"I'll have you know all my fumblings are part of a perfectly executed plan to make Applejack fall madly in love with me."
"Is that so?" Cosmic questioned the elder brother.
"Yep! By pretending to be a complete dork around her my adorability factor increases."
"That makes no sense."
"That’s 'cause you're not a stallion in love."
"Celestia help me if I ever start acting as stupid as you do," Cosmic gagged.
"When that happens I'll be sure to teach you every trick I have for capturing a filly's heart." Northstar grinned as he finally reached the top again.
"Your resume is depressing," Cosmic chided as he jumped down.
"Aren’t you the wise guy."
"I was taught by the best."
Northstar grinned from ear to ear. "I know, and I'm so proud. Now to finally eat some pie!"
The hay bale push was nothing before the farmer ponies and now Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom rounded the corner for their next challenge, stomping grapes. "Leave this one to me, big brother." Apple Bloom wore a face of determination. "Just launch me up!"
"Here you go!" Big Macintosh grabbed Apple Bloom's tail with his teeth and launched her into the grape barrel.
"Heya Big Mac," Spike called out from a parallel barrel.
"Spike!?" Big Macintosh's mouth dropped. "But we passed you!"
"All is fair in love and war," Twilight called out from behind the juice barrel.
"Wait," Big Macintosh had to slow down, "you're in love with AJ too?"
"What! No!" Twilight fumed in anger. "This is supposed to be war. Really, Big Macintosh."
"My apologies." Big Macintosh blushed at the oddly-cute-when-angry pony.
"Apology accepted." Twilight smiled.
"Big Macintosh, the grape juice…" Apple Bloom sighed.
"Oh, right!" Big Macintosh fumbled the jar around while Twilight expertly maneuvered her own jar with her magic. The race was back on.
Apple Bloom jumped out of her barrel and took off with Big Macintosh."Quite makin' googly eyes! We have a race to win!" Apple Bloom berated her elder brother.
"Yes ma'am." Big Macintosh resigned himself as he picked up his speed. Twilight and Spike had a bit of a head start, but he was sure he could catch up. "Next stop is the apple buckin', right?"
"Yep," Apple Bloom smiled, "my specialty."
The table of Apples came into view. Twilight and Spike had already reached the table, but Twilight was throwing the apples at Spike only a few at a time and Spike proved a lousy catcher. This was Big Macintosh's and Apple Bloom's shot. "Now!" Big Macintosh called back to Apple Bloom who overtook him to take her place by the catching barrel. He had seen Applejack do this a million times. Hopefully emulating her technique would be enough. He launched himself into the air and onto the end of the table. The apples were launched into the air, and overflew their mark.
"Guess you're too big to try that one." Apple Bloom smiled back amused at the event. "Don't worry I got 'em!"
"Nice one," Northstar called to him, "nothing like Applejack though. She's always so graceful and-"
"Lover boy! Race!" Cosmic yelled at Northstar from the apple barrel. "Throw them already!"
"Oh! Right!" Northstar called back.
"Looks like this one is going to go to Team Spike and Twilight!" Spike jeered.
"I thought it was Team Twilight and Spike we agreed on," Twilight laughed.
"Same difference," Spike dismissed as he caught the last apple. "See you all at the finish line!"
"Almost done," Apple Bloom called back to Big Macintosh.
"But not done enough," Northstar commented as he tossed the last apple, not even bothering to make sense. "You sister is mine, Big Mac!" Northstar took off.
"When did this turn into a race for Applejack?" Big Macintosh struggled to understand Northstar's thought process. He looked back at the mess he caused.
"And done!" Apple Bloom proudly called back. "Let's go, big bro! Applejack's honor is at stake!" It was?
"Penalty!" Applejack yelled at Twilight. "You can't use magic at the egg event."
"What!" Spike cried. "Where does it say that!"
"Right here." Applejack pointed to the [strike]Sister[/strike]Brotherhooves race rule sheet and, right where it mentions the egg balance event, bold words specifically stated usage of magic is forbidden.
"Oh." Spike stared at the sheet. "What's the penalty?"
"Five minutes out of the race," Applejack stated.
"What! We're gonna lose!" Spike cried.
"Rules are rules, Spike," Twilight lamented.
"What happened to all is fair in love and war?" Spike commented back.
"Love? You like Big Macintosh, Twi'?" Applejack asked, raising an invisible eyebrow.
"What? Big Mac and I?" Twilight blushed. "No no. He's so big and I'm so… not," Twilight stated as if it was some universe abiding fact. "This is… supposed to be war."
"And Team Space Case takes first place!" Northstar announced as he emerged from the chicken coop, an egg balanced between him and Cosmic.
"Space case is right," Cosmic commented with deadpan humor.
"Well looky here, I didn't think you could make it this far, Northstar!" Applejack hollered to him.
"For a stallion in love anything is possible!" Northstar proudly stated.
Applejack felt confused for a moment before finally understanding Northstar's weird behavior. "Well, I didn't take you for a coltcuddler there, Northstar. Though, I can tell you for sure Big Macintosh likes mares."
"What!" Northstar's head shot straight up, launching the egg with it. "What! No! I like mares too!"
"Hey, Idiot! The egg!" Cosmic tried to get Northstar's attention, but to no avail.
"Oh?" Applejack tilted her head. "Oh! So you like Twilight!"
"No! I like-"
"Eggs!" Cosmic yelled in frustration.
"Eggs?" Applejack questioned.
"Eggs!" Northstar ran back inside the chicken coop. The two emerged from the coop, an egg balanced between their noses.
"Speaking of eggs," Applejack looked back to Twilight. "Your five minutes are up."
"Finally!" Spike sighed as he ran back to the coop with Twilight behind him. The two emerged again, this time with Spike holding the egg. "Any rule against this?"
Applejack flipped through the [strike]Sister[/strike]Brotherhooves race rule sheet. "No," she grumbled. This was definitely cheating, but not against the rules.
"Fingers, gotta love 'em." Spike smirked.
Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom emerged from their own coop, an egg balanced between them. Egg handling was part of their family lineage. Neither of them was going to drop it. "Easy as pie," Apple Bloom remarked.
All three eggs were placed in the basket at the same time, and with it each pony (and a single dragon) galloped off.
The final stretch and obstacle came into view. A bumper they had to jump over and into the finish line. "I'm gonna win, Big Mac!" Northstar called out.
"Nnnope!" Big Macintosh called back.
"For lady Applejack's honor!" Apple Bloom cried out.
"What was that about Applejack?" Twilight asked.
"We're racing for her honor, apparently?" Spike answered, perched atop Twilight.
"When did you get up there?"
"APPLEJAAAAAAAACK!"
"Pipe down!"
"Guys, we're approaching the bumper."
"Isn't this cheating?"
"Winner is gonna get a kiss!"
"When was that decided!"
"Nnnope!"
"Jump you idiots!" Cosmic was finally able to get everyone's attention right before they all crashed into it. They all jumped.
Big Macintosh landed with a very loud thud that could have shaken all of Equestria. He strained to breathe as the shock worked its way through his body. He opened his eyes. The finish line lay before his eyes.
"I did it!" Northstar whinnied. "I've won Applejack's heart!"
"You've done what now?" Applejack questioned.
"I won your heart… you know by coming in first place…" Northstar tried to explain his train of thought. It was going nowhere.
"Really?" Applejack didn't understand, "but congratulations on winning the first ever Brotherhooves race, Northstar and Cosmic."
"Yes!" Cosmic jumped in the air with joy, the first actual and genuine emotion he expressed all day. "Who's number one, we're number one! I'm number one! And-" Cosmic noticed everyone staring at him. Blushing, he cleared his throat and then his expression. "I mean, where's my twenty bits."
"So, fair maiden Applejack," Northstar started, "I am ready to receive my prize. Something about a kiss."
"When and who decided that!" Big Macintosh roared.
"It's all right, Big Mac." Applejack smiled and turned back to Northstar. "Pucker up, big boy."
"At once, my lady." Northstar closed his eyes and pursed his lips. His mouth met with Applejack's. At once he wanted to embrace her body, but held himself back. He found solace in a single, long kiss. Their tongues met, tasting one another. Albeit, he did not expect Applejack to use so much tongue. In fact she was practically licking his face. "Hey, Apple-" Northstar opened his eyes. He was kissing a dog.
"Whoa there Northstar, Winoa is a lady of fine standards you know," Applejack teased.
"Ruff ruff!" Winoa possibly agreed, causing Northstar collapsed to the floor. Winoa continued to lick his face contently. Dang dog!
"Yeesh. Teenagers and their kissing," Cosmic groaned while sticking out his tongue.
"Oh I think it's sweet," Apple Bloom retorted.
"Of course you would. You’re a filly," Cosmic dismissed Apple Bloom, right before she pecked him on the cheek.
"I said the winner gets a kiss." Apple Bloom smiled.
"Apple Bloom!" Big Macintosh called out her name, face filled with horror. He thought he would need to protect Applejack from Northstar's advances, not stop Apple Bloom from kissing colts.
"Ew! Cooties! Cooties! Get 'em off!" Cosmic jumped. "C'mon, bro. We need to get out of here!"
"But! My kiss! Applejack!" Northstar found himself being pulled away by the tail. "Applejack! I love you!" He yelled out.
"Applejack! I love you!" Northstar yelled out as Cosmic dragged him away from the social. "Okay you can stop that now, Cosmo. You're scraping my stomach."
"Sorry, I just needed to get out of there fast." Cosmic let go of Northstar. His face was plastered with a decisively mischievous grin.
"Hm? Cosmic? You got something evil on your face." Northstar pointed out.
"Oh? This? I just managed to get a kiss from Apple Bloom."
"Huh? Then what was with the whole cooties reaction?"
"Oh, that was an act."
"An act?"
"Yes. While you tried to woo Applejack by being adorably dorky, a plan I find completely lacking in integrity, I played a clichéd aloof colt. Given the opportunity I knew Apple Bloom would kiss me just to mess with me if given the opportunity and will probably continue to smother me in feminine affection just to mess with me."
"Wait," Northstar's eyes shot open, "you're acting like you don't like it to provoke her into kissing you more!"
"More or less," Cosmic replied.
Tear streamed down Northstar's eyes. "I'm so proud of you!" Northstar tackled Cosmic into a brotherly embrace.
Cosmic smiled. "I figured you would be."
"Okay! Now you need to teach me some tricks. How can I get Applejack?" Northstar already had his brother in a death hold. Nothing was going to stop him from winning over Applejack.
"Of course, big brother. I just hope you have big pockets."
"Oh you so evil."
Big Macintosh stared at the hundred of papers before him. His eyes were tired just looking at them. He sat himself down as if to actually tackle the mountain of work, but found himself incapable of making the first move on the work. "Dang it, just start already," he told himself, "t'ain't gonna get done any other way." Still, his body refused to move.
Big Macintosh looked outside a window. Outside, Applejack and Apple Bloom were cleaning up the Brotherhooves Social. He wished he could be out there with them, but he had put off the paperwork from last night and now had to pay the price. He would be up all night working on bills, payments, inventory checks, and profit analysis.
"Macintosh," An elderly voice called to him.
"Comin', Granny Smith," Big Macintosh called back. He turned away from the papers and made his way to Granny Smith.
"Could you read this for me?" Granny Smith held up a medicine box, the instruction print too small for her tired eyes to read.
"O'course," Big Macintosh replied. He actually knew the dosages by heart now. He opened the box and shook out a couple of pills. "Here you go."
"Thank you, Macintosh." Granny Smith took the pills from him and downed them with a cup of water.
"No problem, granny," Big Macintosh replied, returning to the dining room full of papers.
In the dining room filled with papers Big Macintosh found Applejack. "Hey," he said, "glad to see you ditched the shirt."
"I still don't get it," Applejack replied, but choosing to think over it no more. "This all the papers you gotta do?"
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh replied.
"Seems like hard work. I look at this stuff and it goes over my head."
"Granny Smith taught me when I was little," Big Macintosh said as he sat himself down to return to the work. "Somepony's gotta do it, and I'm the only one," he sighed.
"Yeah, somepony does have to do it…" Applejack looked down at the papers. "You know, I also wanted to apologies about the other day. When I was being all prying."
"Apology accepted," Big Macintosh replied.
"That sure was easy," Applejack laughed a little. "But, listen, I also want to say that, well, I care about you. You've just been actin'… different lately. I ain't gonna pry further now, but remember I do care about you, and I want to see my big brother smile like back when we was just little foals."
Big Macintosh smiled a little. "Thanks Applejack… but right now… I really need to finish this."
"I won't stop you, but for one more thing." Applejack ran to the kitchen and back. She returned with a plate of fresh apple fritters and a cup of ice cold apple juice. She placed the meal right next to Big Macintosh. "Since the last fritters of mine you had were cold, I went and made you some fresh warm ones."
"Thanks, smells good." Big Macintosh turned to his sister. "I'll be fine. I've pulled all nighters before."
"Good to know." Applejack smiled. "Just, when… and if you're ready to be honest with me, can you let me know."
"Sure."
"Thank you." Content with the answer, Applejack returned to the field. She still had some cleaning up to do.
Big Macintosh looked at the plate of fritters. He took one and bit down.
"Oh no! I am not having another one of your fritters."
"But I worked on the recipe!"
"No way! Last one I had almost melted me."
"This is different!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"No!"
"Yes! Wait."
"Here you go!"
"Hey wai- mph mph mph."
"Well?"
"These actually aren’t half bad, AJ."
"See!"
"Give me another."
"No way. You're getting fat."
"No I'm not. My growth spirt is just finally kicking in."
"Catch me if you can, then!"
"Applejack! Wait up!"
"Ha ha ha!"
"Applejack! Siiiiisteeeeer!"
Big Macintosh sighed. "Still a little burnt," He laughed. He looked back to the papers. Suddenly, this was nothing.
"What a nice letter, Applejack," Twilight commented as Spike finished writing up Applejack's letter to Celestia.
"Glad you think so," Applejack replied.
"Man, my claw is killing me," Spike groaned.
"Need some ice, little bro?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, for sure, big sis," Spike replied.
"You two seem awfully close." Applejack smiled.
"I guess racing together is a great way to bond," Twilight laughed as she made her way to the kitchen. "Sure was fun. We'll have to compete in the Sisterhooves Social next year too. Oh, is that allowed?" Twilight asked.
Something lit up in Applejack's head. "Of course you can. If you can get Spike to wear a dress," Applejack laughed.
"What!" Spike shot up.
"Oh! That’s an excellent idea and could provide lots of valuable data!" Twilight's face lit up with the possibilities.
"I never agreed to this!" Spike cried out.
"Oh calm down, Spike. I'm just teasin'," Applejack giggled. "Anyway, I gotta head out."
"Oh? I was just about to fix up some lunch," Twilight sighed.
"Yeah, cold sandwiches I bet," Spike chided.
"A properly built sandwich is high in nutritional value." Twilight retorted.
"Maybe another time, but I need to go ask Fluttershy and Rarity for some favors right quick." Applejack turned to the doorway. "Take care, Twi'," She called back as she ran off.
"So we're goin' campin'?" Big Macintosh sighed, eyes heavy from pulling an all nighter of paper work.
"Eeyup," Applejack replied.
"In our own acres?"
"Eeyup."
"Why?" Big Macintosh questioned.
"Because," Applejack started, "I want the three of us to have some happy memories together."
"Hm? Three?"
"Over the past few days, I've been having lots of fun with Apple Bloom, and it reminded me of when we was small. I thought it's great that I can make these kinds of memories with Bloom, but you didn't get that opportunity, Big Macintosh." Applejack looked down. "Even more so we've been growing distant. You're all alone in the house staring at papers if you're not working while I'm out here hogging Apple Bloom away from you, even by accident. Heck, if I'm not doing that I'm off with them crazy pony friends of mine getting in some crazy adventure."
"It's all right," Big Macintosh replied, "Apple Bloom looks up to you and I would never try to take time away from you bein' with your friends."
"But it's not all right," Applejack replied, getting close to Big Macintosh, "We're a family, and family is suppose to be close. You have another little sister, and that little sister needs remindin' that she has a big brother."
"So you want us to go campin' to bond?" Big Macintosh asked.
"Eeyup!" Applejack smiled back.
"Applejack," Big Macintosh smiled, "thank you." He may not have a little brother that looks up to him, but he has two incredible little sisters.
"I'm just doin' something we should have done the moment Apple Bloom bucked her first tree," Applejack turned back to the path, "I wish you saw it."
"I'll just have to be sure to catch every other first she has."
"Good, 'cause Rarity is going to teach me how to do paperwork."
"Huh?"
"I said you need to get out more, and I ain't helpin' by being selfish and keepin' all the paper work on you." Applejack smiled.
"Why, thanks Applejack."
"It's something I should of done sooner anyway." Applejack nodded. "Also, how was the profit range for the Brotherhooves Social?"
Big Macintosh looked down for a moment. "We profited, but not by a lot. Not enough to justify the effort anyway," Big Macintosh sighed. "I suppose that's the end of the Brotherhooves Social."
"And the Sisterhooves Social," Applejack added.
"What!? But that's always profitable."
"Yeah, but that's so we can be more profitable my making a Siblinghooves Social." Applejack lit up. "A day for all brother, and sisters, and sisters who have brothers, and brothers who have sisters. I'll work on the name later."
"That’s a great idea," Big Macintosh replied. "Wonder why no pony thought of it before?"
Applejack laughed. "I guess the Apple family is made up of a bunch of silly ponies."
"Guess so," Big Macintosh replied.
Applejack stopped. "We're here."
"Big sis! Big bro!" Apple Bloom called back, a small tent pitched next to her. "Do I pitch a tent or what!"
"Eeyup, you sure do." Big Macintosh replied.
"Now then, why don't you get to cookin' up some grub," Applejack replied as she pulled out a pan. "Hey Apple Bloom, have you ever had some of Big Macintosh's pancakes?"
"Nnnope," Apple Bloom replied.
"Well then, what are you waitin' for, Big Mac? Your little sisters are starving."
Big Macintosh laughed to himself. "I can’t have that. I need to make sure you're fat so no colts try and take you away from the farm."
"Oh you don't need to worry about that," Applejack laughed, "if Northstar thinks he can get a kiss from me he's gonna need to buck a few trees first."
"Well then, pancakes, comin' up, for my little sisters."
Dear Princess Celestia,
Howdy, this is Applejack. I'm writing to you about something I learned that's more than just friendship. It's about family and loved ones. My brother, Big Macintosh works himself to the bone to get the paperwork in Sweet Apple Acres done every day. When we were young the two of us were nigh inseparable, but as time went on we grew apart, and I can't rightly say it's all his fault. While I'm having the time of my life adventuring with friends, working the farm, and raising Apple Bloom he has to coop himself up in the house or work to keep the farm afloat, and, until recently, I never realized how lonely he must have felt doing it all.
I'm not sure if you've heard of our Sisterhooves Social event, but it's a day to celebrate sisterly bonds. Well, the day after, my brother comes to me with an idea for a Brotherhooves Social and we decided to host it. While setting it up, Big Macintosh and I got into a fight. I kept trying to get him to open up, and he wouldn't have it. I didn't get it at first, but later is when I finally did realized he's kinda lonely. Apple Bloom spends all her time looking up to me, so during the Brotherhooves Social I had told Apple Bloom to participate in the race with Big Macintosh. The two had a blast, even if they didn't win.
I guess you could say I learned that we need to cherish our family bonds. I've done Big Macintosh no favors by refusing to learn to do paperwork for so long, and Apple Bloom has been deprived of a big brother for too long. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a camping trip waiting for me.
Your subject,
Applejack
"What a lovely letter." Celestia remarked to myself. "Sisterhooves Social... that sounds like such wonderful fun I can have with my only family." Celestia gazed through her window out into the starry night sky. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it too, little sister." Celestia smiled.
"INDEED, BIG SISTER!" Luna replied from across the hall.
The First Ever Brotherhooves Social
The sun rose on Sweet Apple Acres. In a room with a window pointed to the west a large, built, red stallion felt the beginning of the morning. Big Macintosh trained himself to be sensitive to that morning light. His eyes opened up. His body rose. The day was beginning.
Downstairs, Big Macintosh examined a couple boxes with small print instructions. Behind him, at a table, Granny Smith rocked back and forth, humming an 'old song' as she would call it. Big Macintosh shook one of the boxes and out popped a pill. He shook the other to pop out two pills. He placed the medicine on a plate next to some leftover applesauce and set the plat by Granny Smith. "Thank you, Macintosh." Granny Smith smiled.
"It's no problem, granny."
"Always so dutiful," Granny Smith commented.
"You’re my granny. It's the least I can do." Big Mac smiled at her, giving her a sense of ease.
"Darn eyes of mine gave out too long ago," Granny Smith sighed.
"The bull horn the other day couldn't have helped," Big Macintosh chuckeled.
"Darn new fangled contraptions. Who are they making these things for?"
Big Macintosh left Granny Smith to her rant as he returned to the kitchen. His own body demanded nourishment, and applesauce doesn't cut it for a pony of his size. He needed carbs, so Big Macintosh grabbed a bag of flour and began working on some pancakes. His favorite thing about pancakes is how fast they cook. Before long he had a plate stacked five high and laced with syrup. He placed the plate on the table right next to a stack of papers about Sweet Apple Acres' finances. Granny Smith had fallen asleep at the other end of the table.
For hours Big Mac worked on the papers. The Sisterhooves Social had just happened the other day and he had to make sure they recuperated every bit and then some. Of course, due to the female heavy size of Ponyville's population, and the rather strong community they had, he was sure the Sisterhooves Social had brought back every bit and more with a wealthy profit, but that didn't change any of the paperwork involved. To his surprise though, this year's social was so successful they had made double what they had made last year. Most of the bits would go into repairing the farm though and the fortune would dry up in a matter of days, but that was all the better for their farm equipment.
A broom flew by Big Macintosh's face. He turned to the assailant. "I could use some help cleanin' up," Applejack smiled.
Big Macintosh turned to the broom. "On my way."
Big Macintosh surveyed the land in front of him. Cleaning up the Sisterhooves Social was going to be a nightmare. Beside him, Applejack spat out a broom she brought with her so she could talk. "Good turn out, huh? With all the bits we made we can fix up the barn good as new."
"It's always a good turn out," Big Macintosh chuckled, "plenty of sisters all 'round town."
"Well, yeah," Applejack shrugged, "but that just means more bits into the farm." Applejack smiled as she grabbed the broom she spat out earlier with her mouth and began the clean up process.
Big Macintosh turned back to the mess, and then his mind turned back to the profit. "You know," Big Macintosh started, "what do you think about hosting a Brotherhooves Social?"
Applejack turned to her big brother and spat out the broom again. "Sounds like a great idea but Ponyville doesn't have a whole lot of brothers." Ponyville doesn't have a whole lot of colts either.
"Doesn't mean there aren’t any."
"I suppose you're right about that, but these things cost a lot of bits to host."
"If we stick to a budget and reuse some of the props we could make a small profit," Big Macintosh explained.
Applejack thought it over for a moment. She looked over at Big Macintosh. "Well all right then!" She finally hollered. "Who am I to argue with bits to be had."
"Brotherhooves Social?" The grey pony read with confusion? His spiky ice blue mane swished from side to side as he inspected the poster. "This a typo, Big Macintosh?"
"Nope. This year, Sweet Apple Acres will host the first ever Brotherhooves Social, Northstar," Big Macintosh answered with a smile. He was rather excited to get the chance to host such an event.
"Well, I guess I can't ignore a chance to show off in front of Cosmic," Northstar laughed. "Sounds like a blast, though. You apple pony go all out with the Sisterhooves Social."
"Well," Big Macintosh turned his eyed away, "we probably can't afford to go all out, even though we're reusing a lot of props, but we'll still have something."
"Status quo is still god, huh? Still, makes sense. Count me in, though." Northstar let a grin spread across his face. "And I suppose Applejack will be there too?"
Big Macintosh sighed. "You still pinin' after her?"
"Applejack is just such a beautiful mare!" Northstar's eyes drifted off to some faraway place that will never happen. "Those emerald green eyes, the cute little freckles, the smell of her hair, those toned legs."
"All apple family members have toned legs." Big Macintosh eyed the stallion.
"But hers." Northstar sighed contently. "See you later, Big Mac."
"Don't call me that," Big Macintosh sighed. He didn't like that nickname very much.
Big Macintosh picked up the pile of posters and continued along his way around Ponyville, handing them out to the few stallion that passed him along his way. A strong gust of wind, however, picked up the pile of posters off his back and discarded them around Ponyville square. "Dangit," Big Macintosh cursed.
"Help! I'm being gobbled! I'm being gobbled!" Called out a voice from under a poster.
Big Macintosh heard the plea and turned his attention to a pipsqueak of a colt who had gotten wrapped in one of his posters. It was Pipsqueak. "Pipsqueak..." Big Macintosh rolled his eyes, "it's just paper."
"Oh." Pipsqueak stopped struggling and found he could easily slip away from the hungry poster. "Thanks, ugh?"
"Big Macintosh," Big Macintosh answered.
"Thank you, Big Macintosh," Pipsqueak properly answered. He turned his attention back to the poster. "Brotherhooves Social?" He read aloud.
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh answered. "Have any brothers, Pipsqueak?"
"Oh no. I have four older sisters," Pipsqueak answered, the fear of god on his face. "It's horrible. They always pick me up and dress me up and mess with my mane! You know what they wanted me to be for nightmare night!? A princess! It was baby blue and pink! With frills. So… much… frills…"
Big Macintosh could tell the tiny colt had been traumatized for quite a few lifetimes. "Ugh, well, buck up." Big Macintosh patted Pipsqueak with a single hoof as big as the pinto colt himself.
"Oh, thank you," Pipsqueak snapped out of his frilly nightmare and turned back to Big Macintosh. "Can I come to the social anyway? It sounds like fun."
"Well, sure," Big Macintosh drolled. He needed to drum up some extra business if he wanted to make a profit and, possibly, make this an actual annual event.
"Oh boy! I can't wait!" Pipsqueak smiled as he skipped off, causing Big Macintosh to worry for the poor colt.
"Pass that sign over here, Apple Bloom," Applejack called out.
"All right, Applejack," Apple Bloom called back, dragging over the Sisterhooves Social sign. "What are you going to do with it?"
"'We're going to repaint it for the Brotherhooves Social."
"Brotherhooves Social?"
"It was Big Macintosh's idea," Applejack informed her, "it's the like the Sisterhooves Social but for the brothers around Ponyville."
"Wow, that's a great idea!" Apple Bloom jumped. "Wonder what gave Big Macintosh the idea?"
"Well, he's hardly the first one in the family to pitch the idea," Applejack started to explain, "but, since Big Macintosh does most of the finance stuff on the farm he figured out we could make some extra bits if we plan it right. One of those things is reusing props, so let's get paintin'."
"All right!" Apple Bloom yelled out excitedly. The two grabbed a couple cans of paint and some rollers and started to paint over the sign with some red paint. "This is fun, Applejack."
"Glad to hear it," Applejack smiled back.
"What are we doing, Big Mac?"
"We need to paint over a new sign for Sweet Apple Acres 'cause the other one fell."
"Sounds boring."
"Eeyup. That’s why I dragged you out here."
"Meanie."
"Just grab this roller and start painting."
"Fine. Hey, Big Mac!"
"What?"
"You got some paint on you."
"Where?"
"There!"
Applejack couldn't help but recall that old memory. Way back when Big Macintosh wasn't busy all the time with farm work and paper work, but now she gets to make these memories with Apple Bloom. "Enjoying yourself?" Applejack asked.
"You bet!" Apple Bloom replied.
"Brotherhooves Social!" Snips piped at the top of his lungs. "That sounds awesome!"
"Do you have any brothers?" Big Macintosh asked.
"Only the best kind of brother," Snips replied, his face turned up in pride. "Snails!"
"Yep!" Snails replied, affirming his best friend. "We're spit brothers."
"Spit brothers?" Big Macintosh asked. In response, Snips and Snails spit on their own hoof and shook them together.
"And that makes us spit brothers," Snips answered.
"Right," Big Macintosh answered, "well then c'mon down to the Brotherhooves Social tomorrow if you're up to some real brotherly challenges." Big Macintosh began to feel like a carriage salespony.
"We'll be there once we're done at Twilight's place," Snips replied.
Apple Bloom sat next to a newly pitched tent. Applejack had asked her to set up one of the more gender-neutral colored tents and for a filly her size it was quite a bit of work. "Why they gotta make tents so big?" Apple Bloom complained aloud, legs and mouth sore.
"Well, it's gotta fit a lot of ponies," Applejack answered in the distance, freshly baked lunch on her back. "Hope you're hungry!"
"Thanks, big sis!" Apple Bloom cried out, the smell of food reenergizing her.
"T'aint a problem, and you earned it," Applejack patted her little sister.
The two sat under a tree, enjoying the shade and the warm baked apple goods. Applejack cherished moments like this. The fatigue of hard work in her legs, the smell of apples in the air, and good company. She could think of few ponies she would like to share this moment with more than her sister.
"These are great, Applejack! Your best batch yet!"
"These are great, Big Mac! Your best batch yet!"
"It's the same thing I cook every time."
"If you didn't have an apple on your bum I would bet you would have a stack of pancakes."
"They're just easy to make is all."
"That doesn't change that they're really good. What's the occasion?"
"Well, you've just been working really hard lately. Ever since you came back from Manehatten. I figured you earned some lunch."
"Thanks."
"Say, what was Manehatten like?"
"Terrible!"
"Really?"
"Eeyup! You know why?"
"Why?"
"I missed everyone. The farm. Granny Smith. You."
"I missed you too."
"You did?"
"O'course."
"Yeah, I did make some really good fritters today, huh…" Applejack stared at the confection. There was just so much nostalgia in that single moment, like a wave. "Glad you enjoy 'em."
"I always enjoy 'em! You’re the best big sister a little sister could ask for! I enjoy everything you make."
"Glad to hear it," Applejack smiled.
"You got your work cut out for you, big guy," Spike told Big Macintosh while seated on his back. "Not a whole lot of colts here in Ponyville."
"I've been told that," Big Macintosh ignored the statement, "and when did I give you permission to ride me?"
"All right all right." Spike jumped off Big Macintosh. "Brothers huh? Can't say I have any of those… I think."
"You think?" Big Macintosh questioned.
"I don't really know if I have brothers or sisters. I don't even know who my parents are for that matter."
"You seem rather well-adjusted about that," Big Macintosh replied.
"I guess it's because Twilight did such a good job raising me," Spike stared off in the distance of the library.
"Cherish that bond, Spike."
"What do I do what do I do!?"
"Get her some warm apple juice."
"Right. Darn it she's still crying."
"She's just a baby."
"I'm just not that good at handling babies."
"Well mom and dad aren’t here. We got to do something."
"Poor Apple Bloom."
"She'll be all right."
"What makes you so sure of that?"
"Because she's got you for a big brother and me for a big sister. Between the two of us, come rain or shine, she'll be just fine."
"You know, you're right."
Spike looked back and up at Big Macintosh. Both had a warm, nostalgic smile. "I always do," Spike told him, looked back at the poster. "I may not have any brothers but you don't mind if I show up anyway, right?"
"No problem, Spike."
"Thanks." Spike went on his way, somewhat lighter than when he had arrived. It seemed like the Brotherhooves Social would play host to a number of different kinds of 'brothers.' Big Macintosh smiled to himself. Tomorrow seemed like it was going to be a good day. Still, he had posters to put up and hand out. Bits are, always, an issue.
"And done!" Apple Bloom proudly proclaimed. "The field is clean!"
"Hoo-wee that was a lot of work," Applejack wiped her brow, "now to start set up for the Brotherhoof."
"Looks great," Big Macintosh commented as he arrived.
"You expected less?" Applejack sarcastically teased. "Brother, I am offended," Applejack said with a grin. "How'd advertisin' go?"
"Not bad. I got some ponies interested."
"Well that's good. All we got left here to do is some heavy labor stuff."
"I guess that’s my queue," Big Macintosh amusingly replied.
"Well we got some time first. Hungry?" Applejack offered her brother some hospitality. "If you don't mind that they're cold I got some leftover apple fritters from earlier."
"I could do for a bite." Big Macintosh placed himself under a familiar tree. His hooves a little sore, but nothing that would stop a pony of his physical and mental fortitude.
"Say, Apple Bloom, why don't you go fetch them leftover fritters?"
"Right away!" Apple Bloom saluted and took off like a bullet.
Applejack set herself down under the familiar tree. She looked over at her brother who was merely content to close his eyes and fiddle with his sprig. It felt a little too quiet between the two. "Apple Bloom sure is growing," Applejack started, "hard to remember she was once a little baby we had to nurse to sleep with stove top apple juice."
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh answered back.
"Oh c'mon. Don't you have more to say?"
"Nnnope." Applejack gave her brother a playful kick. "Fine fine. She's a bundle and a half of energy."
"Try two bundles. Maybe we put too much sugar in that juice." The two shared a good laugh.
"T'was your idea."
"And it was a great idea. As Twilight would say, I think, the experiment was a success."
"Applejack talking science?" Big Macintosh drolled. "That’s new."
"Hush you. 'Sides, once she's a little older she'll be able to take on more chores, and you'll have more time to handle the finances and paperwork."
The sprig in Big Macintosh's mouth dropped a little. "Eeyup…"
"Little filly surprises me every day!" Applejack almost hollered with over-exuberance.
"Does she?" Big Macintosh looked off to the side.
"Yep, always tryin' and sometimes even provin'. Surprised she still doesn't have her cutie mark. You need to see her at work, Big Macintosh."
"Yeah, I suppose you're right."
Apple Bloom came speeding back with the tray of cold apple fritters balanced on her back. "I'm back!" She announced. She placed the tray in front of Big Macintosh and turned over to Applejack. "What'd I miss?" She asked, as if expecting something.
"Oh nothin'. Just talkin'," Applejack smiled.
Big Macintosh dug into the plate of cold fritters. Despite their now slimy texture the taste was quite pleasant. Applejack sure has gotten better at cooking.
"Check 'em out brother!"
"You made apple fritters?"
"For you!"
"Oh, thanks."
"How are they?"
"Terrible! I need water! Water!"
"Oh don't be like that!"
"My throats on fire."
"Well golly, these are terrible. Water!
"You've improved," Big Macintosh told Applejack.
"O'course! No apple pony worth her or his salt would be caught dead with a burnt fritter," Applejack replied.
Big Macintosh grinned, picked himself up and walked over to the large wooden sign that would need to be hung over the gate. What was once a pink sign with purple letters is now a red sign with orange letters. Big Macintosh couldn't help but feel a little flattered that the sign carried his own color scheme. He tied some rope around his yolk and the sign and got started on hauling the heavy thing into the air and over the sign pole.
"Glad to see your muscles haven't gone to mush yet," Applejack called back to him. "I was beginning to be fear you was made of pancakes, Big Macintosh!"
Big Macintosh hauled the sign into place. "Now would be the part where you hammer the dang thing," Big Macintosh groaned under the weight.
"You heard him sis," Applejack turned to Apple Bloom. "let's get started."
"I 'ear 'uh!" Apple Bloom talked with a hammer in her mouth.
"Right, I'll go fetch the ladder. Why don't you keep Big Macintosh company," Applejack didn't really ask so much as told her. She galloped off to the far off shed where the ladder had been deposited.
Apple Bloom turned over to Big Macintosh. His face started to turn red from the strain of the sign. "You okay, Big Macintosh?"
"I'm fine," Big Macintosh said in-between breaths. Next time he would have to make sure the ladder was close by before hauling up a heavy sign post.
"Okay." Apple Bloom turned to the horizon, waiting for Applejack to return with a ladder in tow.
It would be a few more minutes before she would return, though. Big Macintosh looked down at the filly he once struggled to calm down, but since that time Apple Bloom had grown up while his back was turned, and now her back had was turned towards him as she waited for Applejack to return. He took a deep breath to steel himself against the physics that transpired against him. The sign is heavy.
"I'm back!" Applejack finally announced, dragging along a ladder. "Glad to see that sign hasn't gotten the better of you."
"Just hammer the darn thing," Big Macintosh strained to say.
"Right." Applejack sheepishly grinned. She placed the ladder in front of one of the wooden beams that would support the sign. "You're up Apple Bloom."
"Leave it to me!" Apple Bloom was up the ladder in a matter of seconds and expertly placed the nail into the wood before she began to hammer away like a mad mare. At the base of the ladder Applejack struggled to keep the thing steady as each hammer reverberated down into her body.
"Apple Bloom."
Hammer hammer hammer.
"Apple Bloom…"
Hammer hammer hammer.
"Apple Bloom!"
"Yeah, sis?" Apple Bloom looked down at her now wall eyed sister.
"I think it's done."
"Oh? My bad." Apple Bloom grinned, finding the sight amusing.
"S'all right." Applejack shook her head to dislodge her eyes from their, hopefully not permanent, positions. "On to the next beam," She announced, her eyes in proper place.
The ladder was repositioned at the second beam and Apple Bloom had once again shot up the thing in seconds. This time Apple Bloom was careful not to overdue the hammering. One, two, three, four, five hits and the nail was securely in place. Big Macintosh could feel the weight lifting from his shoulders as the sign hung in place, supported by a couple of nails somehow.
"Looks good," Applejack commented.
"It does." Big Macintosh looked over at the family effort. It took the three of them to hang it.
"We do good work," Applejack commented.
"We sure do, Applejack!" Apple Bloom commented. Applejack patted her little sister on the head. Big Macintosh returned to the tree. His shoulders were killing him.
Setup had gone smoothly for the most part. The festivities that were prepared for the event weren’t as extravagant as the Sisterhooves Social since, as stated, they couldn't afford to go all out and buy a lot of new decorations. The set up was even smaller, but it was something. Tomorrow would be a celebration of male bonds between brothers, an event that Big Macintosh felt bitter irony in not being fully able to compete in.
"Wha'cha thinkin' about?" Applejack interrupted his train of thought.
"Nothing in particular," He lied.
"Don't lie to me," Applejack asserted, "I know your tells."
"It's nothing, Applejack. You don't got to know every thought in my head, do you?"
"I guess." Applejack shrugged. "It's just you've been kinda… down lately."
"What do you mean?"
"Like, down. Big Macintosh, you've just been kinda unhappy looking lately. When I saw you propose the Brotherhooves Social you looked so darn eager about it, well, how could I say no?"
"I'm fine," Big Macintosh tried to brush Applejack's worries off. "I ain't unhappy."
"Now I know that's a lie."
"Applejack, just drop it."
"Drop it? Have I ever been a pony that dropped things?"
Big Macintosh began to feel annoyed. His sister's bull headedness was not one of the easiest things for him to deal with. "How I feel ain't your business," he proclaimed, turning around, and heading back to the main house.
"And where do you think you're going?" Applejack yelled back.
"To the house. I still got paperwork to do."
"Hidin' behind your papers now, huh!"
"I wish I didn't have to…" he muttered.
Numbers are not Big Macintosh's favorite subject, but the duty had fallen on him to handle the finances of Sweet Apple Acres. Granny Smith taught him everything he knew back when his shoulder span was actually smaller than his head and Granny Smith still had some spring left. He was eternally grateful to Granny Smith for the lessons, though. He'll keep the farm going, no matter what. He always told himself that every time he found himself at the table, crunching numbers and chewing erasures. He hated the work, but the farm meant too much.
Applejack appeared soon enough. She looked at him, turned her nose up, and left to her room. Big Macintosh sighed and turned back to the papers. Bills, expenses, and paperwork. He let his head fall to the desk. All for the farm. All for the farm.
Midnight. He had fallen asleep. "Dang it," She cursed aloud. "Now I'm behind."
"Behind what?"
Big Macintosh jumped out of his chair. "Who's there!" He questioned to the darkness, afraid for his sanity.
"It's just me." Apple Bloom appeared in his field of vision. "What are you doin' staying up so late."
"I… I was just doing paper work and I passed out."
"Paper work?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah, bills and stuff, gotta do them to keep the farm running."
"Sounds borin'."
"Sure is." Big Macintosh chuckled as he picked himself up. "What are you doing up so late, Apple Bloom?"
"Well, I was having a hard time getting to sleep so I thought I would raid the pantry," Apple Bloom unashamedly admitted.
"You know, I think I got something to do the trick."
The kettle started to steam. Inside it apple juice was beginning to boil. Big Macintosh, a pinky frilly mitten in his mouth, carried the kettle over to a couple of empty cups and poured the out the juice. "Warm apple juice," he stated.
"This will help me get to sleep?" Apple Bloom asked inquisitively.
"Eeyup. Apple family secret, so don't share it with anypony."
The idea of keeping a secret got Apple Bloom's attention. "You can count on me," she saluted.
Big Macintosh smiled. "Oh, wait here." Big Macintosh ran back to the pantry. He was looking for his own secret ingredient. A small jar of cinnamon. He smiled as he picked it up with his teeth and returned to Apple Bloom. "My personal secret ingredient," he joked.
Two secrets in one day. Perhaps she would get a secret keeping cutie mark. "You can count on me, big bro."
Big bro. Two words he hadn't heard in such a long time. He pushed off the top of the jar and began to sprinkle the spice into the juices. "Here you go, little sis." Two words he hadn't said in such a long time. The two smiled at each other as they drank deep of the warm juice. Whoever found out about this miracle elixir was a genius of the highest caliber. Big Macintosh could feel his eye lids getting heavier. He wasn't going to get any work done, and he didn't care. "Ready for bed now?" He asked.
"Sure am," Apple Bloom replied, eyes already closed and head nodding off. Soon enough she had fallen completely asleep.
Big Macintosh took the two cups and placed them on the dining room table, right next to the incomplete forms and papers. He took a deep breath and exhaled. He couldn't care less about the papers right now and come what may he will make sure the farm stays up. For his family. For himself. For Apple Bloom. For now, he returned to the fireplace and fell asleep.
Applejack had watched the whole thing. She heard the patter of hoof steps and came to check on everything when she heard Big Macintosh's heavy form hit the ground. She watched as Big Macintosh lit a fire, filled the kettle, and helped Apple Bloom finally get some sleep.
Quietly, Applejack stepped over to the table. It was covered in half filled papers and sheets of numbers. Nothing made sense to her and she feel guilty that she had no idea how to handle. She turned back to Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom, and she sighed.
The First Ever Brotherhooves Social
"Welcome to the Brotherhooves social," Big Macintosh greeted a pair of brothers. "I see you were able to make it, Northstar."
"Applejack is here, right?" Northstar looked around, scanning the area for the perfect country mare fantasy. "Besides, I needed some reason to drag this hoofhead out of his room." Northstar motioned to his little brother, Cosmic, a purple-maned yellow pony.
"I was on the final world of Super Pony Land!" The colt protested.
"C'mon, Cosmo," Northstar protested, "you gotta get some fresh air."
"Fresh air is for the weak!" The nerdy colt protested ", and you're just here to show off in front of Applejack".
"Hey hey not so loud." Northstar turned back to Big Macintosh. "Least you managed a decent turn out, though."
"I'll say," Applejack blurted in.
"Huh, oh hey AJ!" Northstar's eyes lit up. "What are you wearing?"
Applejack sported a white shirt over herself. "I thought I would dig this thing out for the occasion."
"PULL!" Somepony yelled launching a salvo of water balloons.
"What the!" Applejack yelled out as some of the salvo missed their target and pelted her. "Aw shoot. I'm all wet…" Applejack groaned.
Northstar's face had gone stiff. So had the rest of his body for that matter.
"North…" Cosmic poked his brother.
"Something wrong with him?" Applejack asked.
"Hmm." Cosmic gave his brother a rather hard buck.
Northstar yelped in pain. "I'm fine!"
"You sure?" Applejack asked.
"I'm fine, Apple Juice."
"Applejack."
"What you said." Northstar gave a cheesy grin and tried to excuse himself. "C'mon, Cosmo, let's try some of the games." Northstar grabbed Cosmic and bolted off.
"That was odd," Applejack commented.
Big Macintosh had a look of total exasperation. He looked over to his sister. "Why are you wearing that…"
"This is suppose to be a brother day right? Well last I checked my brother gave me this shirt," She replied.
"What's this?"
"A shirt."
"Yeah but… why?"
"I don't know."
"Yes… but… well…" How could he tell her how she looked…
"Greetings, fellow brothers," Came a new voice. Big Macintosh and Applejack turned to the new pair of brothers to show. Well, they weren't brothers.
"Twilight… what are you doing?" Applejack asked with mild amusement.
"Who is this Twilight?" The baseball cap wearing mare replied. "I am Dusk Shine." Twilight tried to look as boyish as possible. Something about it Big Macintosh found unsettlingly adorable.
"I told her I was going to come here," Spike made his presence known, "and she said something about studying and a possible lesson to be had from this."
"Still afraid you're going to miss a friendship report?" Applejack asked.
"A little." Twil- I mean Dusk grinned. "This is a celebration of brotherly affection and no science ever benefitted from not gathering data."
"You've made your point, Dusk," Applejack joked, "so come on in. Don't let a pretty mare like me distract you." Applejack and Tw- I mean Dusk shared a good laugh before sh- I mean he stepped through the gateway and into the event.
"Don't see that every day," Big Macintosh replied, somewhat stunned.
"Don't see what every day?" A British voice answered and asked.
"Oh, hi, Pipsqueak," Big Macintosh greeted him.
"Cheerio, Big Macintosh. I made it for the Brotherhooves Social."
"You have any brothers, Pipsqueak?" Applejack asked.
"No. Just… four… older… sisters…" Pipsqueak fidgeted around, looking high and low, left and right as if just acknowledging their existence would summon the gaggle of mysterious sisters that plagued Pipsqueak's life.
"How about you just get inside and make yourself comfortable," Big Macintosh gestured to the Brotherhooves Social grounds.
"Thank you very much," Pipsqueak replied with enthusiasm as he skipped along inside.
"You sure gathered all sorts of colts for this event," Applejack replied.
"Can't be too picky," Big Macintosh replied, "now when are you going to change that shirt?"
"What's wrong with it?" Applejack was truly clueless.
"It's… well… you see… forget it…" Big Macintosh decided it wasn't worth the aneurism. "It's time for the events anyway."
The first event: The pie eating contest. Big brothers race to devour pies while little brothers bring the pies over the big brothers. Rules forbid little brothers from running to grab a pie until the elder brother finishes the first pie. Three pairs of brothers sat at the table. On the right most end sat Northstar with Cosmic looking bored in front of him. Next to Northstar sat-
"Snails?" Big Macintosh looked at the lanky colt.
"Yep." Snails grinned as he sat at the table, less than half of Northstar's size.
"But who's your 'little brother'?" Big Macintosh asked.
"That would be me!" Snips piped up below Big Macintosh's field of vision.
"Okay." Big Macintosh stared at Snail's puny body and then at Snail's stout body. They weren't winning anytime soon.
To the left of them sat Caramel and Noteworthy. "You're related?" Big Macintosh asked.
"Like, totally," Caramel replied.
"Brothers from another mother," Noteworthy added.
"Got caramel pie?" Caramel asked.
"I hope the lot of you are ready for some apple family pie!" Applejack entered the scene. Northstar, Caramel, and Noteworthy forgot how to breathe.
"I'd like to eat some of your pie," Noteworthy commented.
"Good. Cause you are," Applejack innocently replied. Big Macintosh could have bucked Noteworthy straight to Canterlot. "On your mark!" Applejack started. "Get set! Go!"
Northstar tore his eyes away from the sparkling mare, hard as it was, and planted his face straight into the pie. In a matter of seconds it was gone. "Cosmic!"
Cosmic didn't hear his brother. He was too busy staring off into space in bored disinterest. "Cosmic!" Northstar yelled again. Cosmic didn't hear a thing.
"Dude, Switch with me!" Noteworthy yelled at Caramel. "I want some pie."
"No way, man. This stuff is too good." Caramel grinned, bits of crust stuck in his teeth.
"Oh skrew it." Noteworthy ran up to the pie table and just started to eat from there. Or at least he was.
"Oh no you don't." Applejack gave Noteworthy a hard buck. "No cheatin'!"
"But… I just wanted pie…" Noteworthy moaned, clutching his side.
"We have a winner!" Big Macintosh announced. "Snails and Snips."
"What!?" Caramel complained. "Little scrawny-" Caramel's mouth fell open as he looked towards the small pair of colts. Snails downed the pies like a conveyer belt. Every time Snips placed a pie in front of him Snails would use his newly learned magic to pry off the pan and down the pie in a single bite. Snips himself had proven to be unusually light on his hooves. He just seemed to glide along the ground. Like magic! It probably was magic. "That’s cheating!" Caramel argued.
"No," Applejack countered, "eating from the pie table is cheatin'. Snails is still eating the pies and Snips still has to run up to the table to grab one. No cheatin' here." Applejack wryly smiled.
Big Macintosh placed a tiny plastic trophy before the two colts. They had simple responses. "More please," Snails asked.
"He's got a magic hole in his stomach," Snips added.
"I'm sure." Big Macintosh smiled.
"Cosmic! What where you doing?" Northstar grabbed his younger brother. "You were supposed to grab me those pies."
"Huh? Oh, yeah, forgot."
"Little brat."
"Big jerk!"
"Puny punk!"
"Giant ass!"
"I look nothing like uncle Jack." Northstar gave Cosmic a noogie. "Take this you tiny runt."
"Stop it!" Cosmic replied between fits of laughter.
"I remember when you used to give me those," Applejack laughed, "what happened."
"I put on two tons of weight," Big Macintosh replied.
"You're right," Applejack laughed, "I forgot how scrawny you used to be.
"You're too small, Macintosh!"
"I'm taller than you."
"By an inch, and you're supposed to be the big brother."
"I'm just a late bloomer."
"You gotta get bigger!"
"I'm fine as is."
"Oh yeah!"
"Hey! Ow! That hurts!"
"Can't be a big brother if your lil sister can do this."
"Hey, watch it, Appleja- OW! Oh yeah!"
"What, hey, ow my head!"
"Guess if you tried that on me you'd crush me," Applejack commented.
"Eeyup," Big Macintosh affirmed. "What's the next event."
"Oh, I got Apple Bloom to do the mud wrestlin' event."
"All right all you namby pamby ponies! It's time to get down and dirty in the mud!" Apple Bloom announced. "Who's up for some mud wrastlin'!"
"I'm Pipsqueak the mud-wrestler," Pipsqueak boldly announced, earnest to prove his manhood by playing in the dirt, "and who accepts my summons to a fight!"
"It's kind of a two on two event, Pipsqueak. Who's your second?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Oh." Pipsqueak looked over to the crowd. "Who wants to be my brother?" Pipsqueak asked, unknowingly putting on his cutest face. No pony stepped forward.
"I guess… we can make an exception." Apple Bloom felt a little sorry for Pipsqueak. "So who's going to take on this mighty mud wrastler."
"I'm game." Spike put himself forward. "Plus I heard mud is great for cleaning scales."
"Go get 'em, little bro," Dusk cheered.
"Dude, what's up with Twilight?"
"A new challenger approaches. Hooves will fly at this location!" Apple Bloom announced.
Spike threw himself into the ring. "The answer lies… in the heart of battle," Spike said in a very serious tone.
Pipsqueak stepped into the ring. He stretched a foreleg and assumed his battle pose. "Let's fight like gentlemen."
"I don't get it," Apple Bloom commented, "but get wrastelin'!"
Spike threw himself onto Pipsqueak. His claws gave him an advantage in the muddy terrain since it was hard for either of them to move.
Still, Pipsqueak had his own trick. He pried Spike off himself. Spike tries to counter with another grappling attack, but Pipsqueak managed to duck in under it. Spike registered the whiff too late as Pipsqueak flashed and socked him straight in the face. And then again… and again… and again… and again… "Rolling Thunder!" Pipsqueak announced as he delivered one last blow to Spike, launching the dragon into the air and turning his back as Spike fell to the ground.
"Oh, wow, didn’t see that coming," Apple Bloom commented. "Normally the second would come in now?"
"Oh, that's me!" Dusk announced. "As Spike's older brother it is now my duty to fight for his honor… right?"
"Twilight, are you okay?" Apple Bloom had to ask.
"I'm Dusk today," Dusk replied.
"Suuuure… Dusk… okay… Dusk vs Pipsqueak?"
Dusk jumped into the ring. "Don't worry brother, I will avenge you."
"Twilight… don't you think this is going a little too far?" Spike just had to ask.
"Actually, this is kind of fun," Twilight admitted… I mean Dusk! "Anyway, Pipsqueak, I'm ready for you!"
Pipsqueak only had one chance. Beat her in a single blow. He wound his tiny hoof back. "Corkskrew-"
Twilight tipped Pipsqueak over. "I win!" Dusk announced.
"Winner, Twilight!" Apple Bloom announced.
"It's Dusk today!" Twilight stated adamantly.
"Well, unless a second shows up, I guess… Dusk and Spike win," Apple Bloom announced as the sky began to dim. "Ugh, where'd light go?"
"That was hardly a gentlemanly fight." A thick English accented broke the silence. At the center of the arena a pile of muck was beginning to grow.
"I agree with that sentiment." Another think English accented agreed with the first.
"But Pipsqueak is just the youngest of the Victorian siblings." A third voice.
"For now, Dusk Shine, you face us." And a fourth voice.
The mound of mud exploded, revealing four pinto mares that surrounded themselves around Pipsqueak. "We are the Victorian sisters! The older sisters of Pipsqueak and we are his second!" They all announced at once.
"Where did they come from?" Spike asked no one in particular. "Isn't this against the rules?"
"Yeah! It is!" Apple Bloom asserted. "Pipsqueak and his sisters are disqualified on account of sneaking extra fighters into the ring. How dare you insult the honor of the mud wrastelin' ring!" Apple Bloom jumped down from her post and asserted herself before the mares. "I oughta pop you for pulling this kind of shenanigan. I mud wrastle here, dang it!"
"Terribly sorry!" The eldest sister replied.
"You better be." Apple Bloom eyed the mare before turning back to address the crowd. "Winner! Dusk and Spike!"
"Awwww…." The crowd groaned, deprived of the chance to watch five mares wrestle in the mud.
"We did it, Spike!" Dusk announced with glee as she held the dragon in the air with her magic and spinning him around her.
"That's great and all, Twilight… I mean Dusk... We beat up a little colt… but if you keep spinning me I'm gonna… I'm gonna…"
"Greetings Twilight… I mean Dusk…" Big Macintosh waved to the mare that was pretending to be a stallion.
"Oh, hey Big Macintosh. Who won the pie eating contest?"
"Snips and Snails surprisingly enough. For a little guy Snails sure can put pie away."
"Oh yeah, he's got quite the stomach. I've been meaning to put some research into it," Dusk said with full seriousness. Much like Pinkie Senses, the mechanics behind Snail's tummy eluded her. She hoped this would end with fewer injuries, though.
"You participated in the mud wrestlin' contest?" Big Macintosh asked, noting the mud all over her and Spike.
"Yep, and won!" Dusk jubilantly held up her trophy. "I never got first place for a physical excursion before!"
"That’s because our opponent was Pipsqueak." Spike pried himself away from the trash can, his stomach void of any content. "His sisters snuck into the ring so he was disqualified for having too many seconds or something."
"Wait… his sisters snuck in?" Big Macintosh questioned.
"Yeah, it was the weirdest thing. The sky got all dark and they just popped out of nowhere," Spike described the scene.
"Odd…" Big Macintosh drolled. "Well, congratulations on winning."
"Thanks," Dusk replied.
"I gotta get going now. Later, Twilight." Big Macintosh went on his way.
"It's Dusk!" Twilight groaned.
"Twilight, really, why are you doing this?" Spike asked.
"I thought you wanted a big brother." Twilight looked to the baby dragon. "I mean, I can't actually be one. No spell can do that. At least I hope no spell can, but I figured I could pretend for you."
Spike just started to laugh. "That sounds so silly."
"Hey, I'm trying to be nice to you here," Twilight replied, annoyance in her voice. "I mean, why else did you want to come here."
"I don't know," Spike replied, "figure it would be fun to spend a day around guys for once," Spike told her.
"Oh…" Twilight looked down. "I guess you wanted a day away from me."
"I would never want that."
"Huh?" Twilight looked back to Spike.
"You’re like my sister, Twilight. The best sister a dragon could ask for."
"But you said you wanted to come here."
"Yeah, I did, but I'm even happier you came with me." Spike smiled up to the most important being in the world to him. "This has been really fun."
"You know, it has been." Twilight smiled back down to him. "You know, I also wanted to do this so we could have some fun together. Just the two of us."
"Really!"
"Yep. So what to next?"
"Boar racing!"
"Boar racing?"
"We're so sorry, Pipsqueak!" The eldest replied.
"We didn't know that sneaking in like that would get you disqualified," The second eldest replied.
"We just couldn't bear to see our adorable little brother getting hurt like that!" The third eldest replied.
"We just had to come to your rescue!" The fourth eldest replied.
"You did that for me?" Pipsqueak asked, curiously.
"Of course! You're our little brother!" All four of them tackled him, holding him up, and embracing him in a family hug.
"You four… are my favorite sisters ever!" Pipsqueak cried.
"You're our favorite brother ever, Pipsqueak!" The four of them replied, all five of them now bawling their eyes out.
"Wait, how did you know I was here?" Pipsqueak asked.
"Oh, silly."
"We follow you wherever you go."
"To town, to school, to the bathroom."
"You're never alone, Pipsqueak."
"Never ever ever."
"We're always close by."
"Making sure our precious brother is safe."
"Because… we're so afraid you might get hurt."
"You girls…" Pipsqueak, disregarding some of the creepier aspect of the exchange, felt touched that his sisters worried so much about him. "Thank you."
"That'll be three bits each," Applejack told the pair of brothers.
"Oh, sure, of course," Northstar replied.
"You ever sell anything that doesn't have apples in it?" Cosmic questioned.
"Isn't he cute," Applejack replied, mildly annoyed. "No."
"Apples are the best," Northstar replied.
"Glad to know some pony here has their head on straight," Applejack replied.
"Aww, thanks."
"You're only saying that because you can see through her shirt," Cosmic finally said.
"What! That’s a lie! C'mon, Cosmo!" Starlight grabbed his brother and bolted in another direction.
Applejack scratched her head. "I don't get it. I don't normally wear cloths anyway."
"So take off the shirt," Big Macintosh told his sister. The irony was that the pie slices were selling like hot cakes.
"It's fine, Big Macintosh. Besides, the race is about to start."
"I suppose I do need to go host that."
"Oh leave that to me. I mean you goin' and participatin'!"
Big Macintosh raised an invisible eyebrow. "Participate? With who?"
"Look down, big guy," Applejack laughed.
Big Macintosh looked down. Below him stood Apple Bloom. "Since I didn't get to race in the Sisterhooves Social the other day Applejack recommended I race with you in the Brotherhooves Social." She smiled as wide as she could. "Can I can I can I!?"
"I guess it's not a problem." This was entirely new for Big Macintosh. He never got to race in any of the obstacle courses, and with Apple Bloom? How in sync could they be?
"Great! Now why don't you all go head for the starting point and we can get the show underway," Applejack told them.
Big Macintosh placed himself at the starting point. Besides him, Apple Bloom jumped up and down, excited for the race. "I guess you really like obstacle courses," Big Macintosh commented.
"Yep!" Apple Bloom giggled, "but this is also the first time I get to race with you, big bro!"
"It is." Big Macintosh smiled.
"Yo, Big Mac," Northstar called to him. "Participating in the race with your little sister?"
"Looks like it." Big Macintosh turned to him. "Managed to convince Cosmic to race?"
"Yep," Northstar replied.
"Only cost him twenty bits," Cosmic added.
"My brother, the shrewd businesspony," Northstar laughed. "Well good luck to you."
"Good luck you too," Big Macintosh added.
"Hey, what about us." Spike appeared between the two.
"And who are you racing with?" Northstar questioned.
"Twilight of course," Spike added, gesturing to the purple unicorn.
"Not Dusk anymore?" Apple Bloom laughed.
"No," Twilight responded, "in retrospect it was pretty silly, but I did have some fun."
"Well then good luck to everypony! … and Spike!" Apple Bloom hollered.
"Howdy all!" Applejack called into a microphone. "Welcome to our first every Brotherhooves Social race."
"Woo! Applejack!" Northstar yelled out. "Rocking that… microphone… yeah… microphone…" Big Macintosh was going to smack Northstar.
"Can you be anymore embarrassing?" Cosmic groaned.
"I think it's sweet," Apple Bloom commented.
"Yeah, if you're thick as a brick and want to get girl germs. Ew," Cosmic gagged.
"Still afraid of cooties?" Apple Bloom smiled.
"Cooties are a real threat to colts everywhere. They make us act like… that." Cosmic gestured to his brother. Northstar just continued to stare at Applejack, him face plastered with serene dopiness. "The last thing I want is to end up like that."
"Is that so," Apple Bloom laughed.
"Now why don’t we get the show on the road. On your mark!" Applejack yelled. Each pony dug their hooves into the ground. "Get set!" Big Macintosh snorted. "Go y'all!" Applejack signaled the beginning of the race.
Big Macintosh shot off like a runaway train. There was no way any of the foals or Twilight or Northstar could keep up with him.
"Wait for me, Big Macintosh!" Apple Bloom cried out. Unfortunately, neither could Apple Bloom.
"Sorry, Bloom." Big Macintosh slowed himself down allowing Apple Bloom, and everypony else, to catch up.
The first obstacle was the mud pile. "Wait for me, Applejack!" Northstar yelled out as he galloped through the mud, Cosmic behind him taking advantage of the tail wind.
"Nnnope. C'mon, Bloom." Macintosh stepped into the mud. His heavy steps plowed through the muck, throwing mud everywhere and clearing an easy path for Apple Bloom to follow through.
Up next, the buckets. "Dangit," Big Macintosh cursed under his breath as he saw the buckets come into view. He slowed his pace down, allowing Apple Bloom to overtake him.
Apple Bloom expertly navigated the buckets, possibly because she had done this so many times before. "C'mon, big bro. It's easy!" She cheered.
Big Macintosh came down to barely a walk as he placed one hoof in one bucket and another hoof in another. Easy, sure. He stepped from one bucket to another, occasionally knocking one away and choosing to ignore it. "Just a little further," he muttered to himself.
"Catch you at the end, Big Hooves!" Northstar called out to Big Macintosh as he overtook him on his own bucket course.
Big Macintosh huffed and picked up his pace, knocking over and away more buckets than he should have, but now was not the time to be thinking about that. "Ready, Bloom?"
"Darn' tootin'!" Apple Bloom was back by his side. "The next obstacle is the crates!"
"Crates now?" Big Macintosh smiled. "Bloom, bite my tail!"
"Okay!" Apple Bloom hopped up and bite down on Big Macintosh's cropped tail.
"Here we go!" Big Macintosh took off like a crazy train. The crates came into view, and he had no intention of slowing down.
"Hurry up, Twilight!" Spike called down from the apex of mount crate-more.
"Sorry," Twilight apologized, "I guess the first two parts took more out of me then I realized."
"Hey what's that?" Spike pointed to a red blur coming up on another lane.
"Is that Big Mac-"
Big Macintosh exploded through the crates. The sheer force of the nonsensical explosion actually knocked down everypony else from their own crate challenges. Big Macintosh looked behind him to make sure Apple Bloom was all right. Apple Bloom had the widest grin he had ever seen. "'at 'as aw'ome!" She said with tail in her mouth.
"Eeyup!" Big Macintosh smiled back.
Big Macintosh skidded to a stop in front of the next obstacle, the pie table. Apple Bloom let go of his tail. "Wowee! We're gonna need to do that again sometime, big bro!"
"Sure, little sis," Big Macintosh beamed down, "now eat your pie."
"Curse that Big Macintosh! Making me look bad in front of Applejack!" Northstar cursed as he climbed the crates again.
"Because you can do that all on your own," Cosmic chided.
"I'll have you know all my fumblings are part of a perfectly executed plan to make Applejack fall madly in love with me."
"Is that so?" Cosmic questioned the elder brother.
"Yep! By pretending to be a complete dork around her my adorability factor increases."
"That makes no sense."
"That’s 'cause you're not a stallion in love."
"Celestia help me if I ever start acting as stupid as you do," Cosmic gagged.
"When that happens I'll be sure to teach you every trick I have for capturing a filly's heart." Northstar grinned as he finally reached the top again.
"Your resume is depressing," Cosmic chided as he jumped down.
"Aren’t you the wise guy."
"I was taught by the best."
Northstar grinned from ear to ear. "I know, and I'm so proud. Now to finally eat some pie!"
The hay bale push was nothing before the farmer ponies and now Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom rounded the corner for their next challenge, stomping grapes. "Leave this one to me, big brother." Apple Bloom wore a face of determination. "Just launch me up!"
"Here you go!" Big Macintosh grabbed Apple Bloom's tail with his teeth and launched her into the grape barrel.
"Heya Big Mac," Spike called out from a parallel barrel.
"Spike!?" Big Macintosh's mouth dropped. "But we passed you!"
"All is fair in love and war," Twilight called out from behind the juice barrel.
"Wait," Big Macintosh had to slow down, "you're in love with AJ too?"
"What! No!" Twilight fumed in anger. "This is supposed to be war. Really, Big Macintosh."
"My apologies." Big Macintosh blushed at the oddly-cute-when-angry pony.
"Apology accepted." Twilight smiled.
"Big Macintosh, the grape juice…" Apple Bloom sighed.
"Oh, right!" Big Macintosh fumbled the jar around while Twilight expertly maneuvered her own jar with her magic. The race was back on.
Apple Bloom jumped out of her barrel and took off with Big Macintosh."Quite makin' googly eyes! We have a race to win!" Apple Bloom berated her elder brother.
"Yes ma'am." Big Macintosh resigned himself as he picked up his speed. Twilight and Spike had a bit of a head start, but he was sure he could catch up. "Next stop is the apple buckin', right?"
"Yep," Apple Bloom smiled, "my specialty."
The table of Apples came into view. Twilight and Spike had already reached the table, but Twilight was throwing the apples at Spike only a few at a time and Spike proved a lousy catcher. This was Big Macintosh's and Apple Bloom's shot. "Now!" Big Macintosh called back to Apple Bloom who overtook him to take her place by the catching barrel. He had seen Applejack do this a million times. Hopefully emulating her technique would be enough. He launched himself into the air and onto the end of the table. The apples were launched into the air, and overflew their mark.
"Guess you're too big to try that one." Apple Bloom smiled back amused at the event. "Don't worry I got 'em!"
"Nice one," Northstar called to him, "nothing like Applejack though. She's always so graceful and-"
"Lover boy! Race!" Cosmic yelled at Northstar from the apple barrel. "Throw them already!"
"Oh! Right!" Northstar called back.
"Looks like this one is going to go to Team Spike and Twilight!" Spike jeered.
"I thought it was Team Twilight and Spike we agreed on," Twilight laughed.
"Same difference," Spike dismissed as he caught the last apple. "See you all at the finish line!"
"Almost done," Apple Bloom called back to Big Macintosh.
"But not done enough," Northstar commented as he tossed the last apple, not even bothering to make sense. "You sister is mine, Big Mac!" Northstar took off.
"When did this turn into a race for Applejack?" Big Macintosh struggled to understand Northstar's thought process. He looked back at the mess he caused.
"And done!" Apple Bloom proudly called back. "Let's go, big bro! Applejack's honor is at stake!" It was?
"Penalty!" Applejack yelled at Twilight. "You can't use magic at the egg event."
"What!" Spike cried. "Where does it say that!"
"Right here." Applejack pointed to the [strike]Sister[/strike]Brotherhooves race rule sheet and, right where it mentions the egg balance event, bold words specifically stated usage of magic is forbidden.
"Oh." Spike stared at the sheet. "What's the penalty?"
"Five minutes out of the race," Applejack stated.
"What! We're gonna lose!" Spike cried.
"Rules are rules, Spike," Twilight lamented.
"What happened to all is fair in love and war?" Spike commented back.
"Love? You like Big Macintosh, Twi'?" Applejack asked, raising an invisible eyebrow.
"What? Big Mac and I?" Twilight blushed. "No no. He's so big and I'm so… not," Twilight stated as if it was some universe abiding fact. "This is… supposed to be war."
"And Team Space Case takes first place!" Northstar announced as he emerged from the chicken coop, an egg balanced between him and Cosmic.
"Space case is right," Cosmic commented with deadpan humor.
"Well looky here, I didn't think you could make it this far, Northstar!" Applejack hollered to him.
"For a stallion in love anything is possible!" Northstar proudly stated.
Applejack felt confused for a moment before finally understanding Northstar's weird behavior. "Well, I didn't take you for a coltcuddler there, Northstar. Though, I can tell you for sure Big Macintosh likes mares."
"What!" Northstar's head shot straight up, launching the egg with it. "What! No! I like mares too!"
"Hey, Idiot! The egg!" Cosmic tried to get Northstar's attention, but to no avail.
"Oh?" Applejack tilted her head. "Oh! So you like Twilight!"
"No! I like-"
"Eggs!" Cosmic yelled in frustration.
"Eggs?" Applejack questioned.
"Eggs!" Northstar ran back inside the chicken coop. The two emerged from the coop, an egg balanced between their noses.
"Speaking of eggs," Applejack looked back to Twilight. "Your five minutes are up."
"Finally!" Spike sighed as he ran back to the coop with Twilight behind him. The two emerged again, this time with Spike holding the egg. "Any rule against this?"
Applejack flipped through the [strike]Sister[/strike]Brotherhooves race rule sheet. "No," she grumbled. This was definitely cheating, but not against the rules.
"Fingers, gotta love 'em." Spike smirked.
Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom emerged from their own coop, an egg balanced between them. Egg handling was part of their family lineage. Neither of them was going to drop it. "Easy as pie," Apple Bloom remarked.
All three eggs were placed in the basket at the same time, and with it each pony (and a single dragon) galloped off.
The final stretch and obstacle came into view. A bumper they had to jump over and into the finish line. "I'm gonna win, Big Mac!" Northstar called out.
"Nnnope!" Big Macintosh called back.
"For lady Applejack's honor!" Apple Bloom cried out.
"What was that about Applejack?" Twilight asked.
"We're racing for her honor, apparently?" Spike answered, perched atop Twilight.
"When did you get up there?"
"APPLEJAAAAAAAACK!"
"Pipe down!"
"Guys, we're approaching the bumper."
"Isn't this cheating?"
"Winner is gonna get a kiss!"
"When was that decided!"
"Nnnope!"
"Jump you idiots!" Cosmic was finally able to get everyone's attention right before they all crashed into it. They all jumped.
Big Macintosh landed with a very loud thud that could have shaken all of Equestria. He strained to breathe as the shock worked its way through his body. He opened his eyes. The finish line lay before his eyes.
"I did it!" Northstar whinnied. "I've won Applejack's heart!"
"You've done what now?" Applejack questioned.
"I won your heart… you know by coming in first place…" Northstar tried to explain his train of thought. It was going nowhere.
"Really?" Applejack didn't understand, "but congratulations on winning the first ever Brotherhooves race, Northstar and Cosmic."
"Yes!" Cosmic jumped in the air with joy, the first actual and genuine emotion he expressed all day. "Who's number one, we're number one! I'm number one! And-" Cosmic noticed everyone staring at him. Blushing, he cleared his throat and then his expression. "I mean, where's my twenty bits."
"So, fair maiden Applejack," Northstar started, "I am ready to receive my prize. Something about a kiss."
"When and who decided that!" Big Macintosh roared.
"It's all right, Big Mac." Applejack smiled and turned back to Northstar. "Pucker up, big boy."
"At once, my lady." Northstar closed his eyes and pursed his lips. His mouth met with Applejack's. At once he wanted to embrace her body, but held himself back. He found solace in a single, long kiss. Their tongues met, tasting one another. Albeit, he did not expect Applejack to use so much tongue. In fact she was practically licking his face. "Hey, Apple-" Northstar opened his eyes. He was kissing a dog.
"Whoa there Northstar, Winoa is a lady of fine standards you know," Applejack teased.
"Ruff ruff!" Winoa possibly agreed, causing Northstar collapsed to the floor. Winoa continued to lick his face contently. Dang dog!
"Yeesh. Teenagers and their kissing," Cosmic groaned while sticking out his tongue.
"Oh I think it's sweet," Apple Bloom retorted.
"Of course you would. You’re a filly," Cosmic dismissed Apple Bloom, right before she pecked him on the cheek.
"I said the winner gets a kiss." Apple Bloom smiled.
"Apple Bloom!" Big Macintosh called out her name, face filled with horror. He thought he would need to protect Applejack from Northstar's advances, not stop Apple Bloom from kissing colts.
"Ew! Cooties! Cooties! Get 'em off!" Cosmic jumped. "C'mon, bro. We need to get out of here!"
"But! My kiss! Applejack!" Northstar found himself being pulled away by the tail. "Applejack! I love you!" He yelled out.
