There was a knock on the door, I woke up first and sneakfully moved out of the bed and answered the door slowly.

"Morning, ugh..." I tried saying before rubbing my eyes to see who it was. "...Applebloom?"

"Howdy Bond." she replied. "Ya'll never guess what 'appened."

"I think I can, but tell me."

"The Sisterhooves Social was put a day back because of some freak accident that Granny won't tell anypony about. So the event is happenin' today!"

"I see, well whatever the freak accident was, that sounds like good news."

"It sure does, Applejack was surprised but then happy to hear, she thought that she would've had to miss it cause of ya friendship, quest."

"From yesterday, eh?"

"Yep, so ah came here to let ya know that if Rarity and Sweetie Belle wanna come along for the event, they're very much welcome."

"Okay, I'll let Rarity know, see you, Applebloom"

Applebloom then turned and trotted, probably back to the farm where the event would most likely take place. It had been a long while since I last was at the Sisterhooves Social, Sweetie Belle and Rarity were at odds over it last time, but they were able to make up for it before the event. I'm sure they would have a wonderful time, but then again, Rarity is pregnant and I'm not sure if her taking part would potentially harm her or our unborn foal.

I closed the door and walked back upstairs, Rarity was out of her bed, but she didn't seem to be well.

"Morning darling, I'm not feeling too well...oooh!" her cheeks bulged.

I stood back as she galloped to the bathroom, maybe the foal was kicking her stomach too much. I knew that it would be a little dangerous for her, looks like Sweetie Belle won't be able to go.

"Rarity love, I think you should take it real easy today." I advised. "Never mind what the ponies say about your boutique."

Rarity came out of the bathroom, looking a little better. "You're right dear, Carousel Boutique shall be closed for the day. Besides, Coco is doing a magnificent job with my other fashion store in Canterlot."

"By the way, Applebloom came to the door and told me about the Sisterhooves Social." I then told her what Applebloom said. "So at first I was thinking that you and Sweetie Belle should go, but it seems that you're not well today."

"I'm afraid not, I feel so horrible for Sweetie Belle. My pregnancy has let her down..."

I put my hoof on her shoulder. "Don't be, love, I'll be back later and you just rest easily."

"Thank you, darling."

We shared a loving kiss before I left the house. I should probably go and check on the apple family farm and see how it's going. When I arrived, I saw the apples sister doing some kind of chant.

"S-I-S-T-E-R-S! Which two sisters are the best?" Applebloom and Applejack chanted together. "We are! Apple Bloom and Applejack forever! Yee-hoo!"

"We're gonna win every competition at the Sisterhooves Social!" Applebloom boasted. "Those other fillies aren't gonna know what hit 'em!"

"Hello you two." I greeted.

"Howdy there Bond, got curious about the event?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, but that's not all." I told them about how Rarity was feeling and they understood.

"Well that's a bit of a shame, but that's nothin' to it." Applebloom said. "There's plenty of sister teams takin' part this year."

I then saw Big Mac who came out and was looking at them.

"Oh, hey there, Big Mac! Did you want somethin'?" Applejack asked.

"Eeyup." He replied before he was cut off.

"Hold that thought. Applejack, you are the most awesome sister ever!" Applebloom complimented.

"Aw gee-whiz." Applejack replied, laughing. "Well I think it's sweet that you hold that opinion, but-"

"It's not opinion! It's objective fact! You saved Equestria like a gazillion times, you're smart, funny, strong, why you're the best sister of all time! Probably the best Apple of all time! Right Big Mac?"

"Eeyup."

"And with you by my side, I'm guaranteed to taste sweet, sweet Sisterhooves Social victory! Go Apples, go, go, go Apples go!"

"Uh, Apple Bloom? I think Big Mac's got somethin' he wants to show you."

I then saw Big Mac who had something in his teeth, he grabbed it with his hooves and spun it around till it went in the air before neatly landing on the ground.

"Well, I haven't seen anything like that since I was a young filly in Fillydelphia." I said.

"Oh hey! Is that the toy we used to play with when I was little?" Applebloom asked.

"Eeyup!" He replied happily.

"Neat! Alright then! Let's get back to practisin'!" Applebloom jumped in excitement, going over to a set of bowling pins. "One more run-through of our jugglin' routine, make sure our harmonies are tight in our song, and see if we can't beat our best pie-eatin' time!"

I looked at Big Mac who was walking away and looking glum, I could tell that something was on his mind.

"Hold on, sugarcube, I need a minute to talk with Big Mac." Applejack said.

"Wait, mind if I handle it?" I offered. "I think he needs a heart to heat talk with another stallion."

"That may be a better idea and I trust ya. I'll just have a talk with my sister whilst you do that."

I nodded before going into the barn and seeing Big Mac working on an anvil and a hammer.

"Hey Big Mac, you all right?" I asked.

He sighed. "Yup."

"You sure? You seemed a little down back there."

"Nope."

"Come on now, you can tell me." I walked closer to him. "You feeling a little left out, because I'm pretty sure they don't mean to."

"Maybe..."

"Well if you are, then maybe I could help. I helped out Applejack over the family reunion and I've helped Applebloom with taking care of the farm. I think it's now time for me to help you, what do you say?"

Big Mac turned around and looked at me. "Ah'm just a little glum that ah'm the only stallion in the family, it ain't no fun not havin' a little brother to spend time with."

"I know how you feel, since I have a sister as I've already talked about to nearly everypony around here."

"Ah wish that for even just one day, ah could take part in the event, but ah'm not a mare."

Just then, I heard a bit of commotion from outside. "Applejack ya alright!?"

We trotted out and I gasped, there was Applejack on her side and her cheeks were somewhat green.

"I'm alright, Applebloom..." Applejack said slowly. "...just a little mighty sick..."

I glanced at the mess that she threw up and it was not a pretty sight. "You need to get in the house and be looked over." I advised. "There is no way I'm letting you continue with this setting up event."

Big Mac took Applejack inside and Applebloom and I followed, telling Granny Smith what happened. Sometime later, Applejack was in her bedroom and Applebloom was somewhat distraught over it.

"This can't be happening! Your extreme awesomeness is backfirin' on me!" she exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Apple Bloom, but it looks like we won't be able to do the event." Applejack looked at me and Big Mac. "Try and cheer her up, won't you?"

"We'll do our best." I replied. "Better help you out with finishing off the setting up."

"Eeyup."

We immediately got to work on around the farm, thankfully there wasn't much left and we got it done in no time at all. Soon, I heard a bell ringing.

"Lunchtime! Come and get it!" Granny exclaimed from inside the house.

"That's good, I'm famished." I commented.

Big Mac and I got inside and sat by the table, Granny Smith had the food out and it looked delicious. As we were eating however, I noticed Applebloom who looked very low after what happened to Applejack and seemed to be on her own world.

"Oh, it's no use, Big Mac, if I know my Apple Bloom, she won't come out of a funk this funky 'til her big sister gets back." Granny sighed,

"There's gotta be a way to snap her out of it." I replied. "She can't go on like this throughout the event."

Just then, I heard a knock on the door and Applebloom answered it to see that it was Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

"Hey Apple Bloom, the Social's gonna start in a few hours. Thought you might want to go with us." Sweetie said.

"Since Rarity and Applejack are both ill, you and Sweetie Belle can cheer on me and Rainbow Dash instead!" Scootaloo added.

"Pretty great they're letting you participate even though you're not technically sisters."

"Well, the Social's always had a pretty loose definition of what constitutes a sister." Granny said. "But as long as you share a bond that represents the spirit of the Social, you're in!"

A spirit of a social eh? I thought before I began pondering over it.

"So what do you say?" Sweetie asked.

"You coming?" Scootaloo added.

"Why not... got nothin' better to do..." Applebloom replied glumly. "Lemme wash up and I'll meet you in a little bit."

She then walked away and into the kitchen, I sighed along with Big Mac.

"Oh, such a shame we don't live closer to all your second cousins." Granny said. "You could maybe do the Social with one of them instead."

Suddenly, I saw Big Mac's face lit up, looks like he had an idea too.

"What is it, Big Mac? Y'all got an idea?"

"Eeyup!" He replied confidently.

"What? What is it?!" Applebloom asked.

"Why don't ah dress up as a mare and tell everypony that ah am a second cousin to you and that ah go by the name of Orchard Blossom."

I stood there with my eyes wide open, he cannot be serious!

"Say, that's a great idea and nopony will ever know 'bout it!"

"Wait, wait, wait." I intervened. "Are you sure you wanna do that, because there is a massive chance that it can backfire."

Applebloom looked at me. "Backfire, what do ya mean?"

"Like what if by some accident that the clothes you dress up in get torn or drowned in a pile of sticky mud, they would be of no use and then everyone would see you for who you really are."

"Then how else am I gonna be able to take part in the event?"

It was then my mind finally clicked with an idea. "Granny Smith, you mentioned about a spirit of a bond that represents a social right?"

"Errr, somethin' like that." Granny replied.

I looked at Applebloom. "Well then, why don't you go and ask Fluttershy if she can be your 'sister' for the event?"

"Really, she would do that?" she asked.

"I'm sure she would, you share a strong bond with her as a filly sitter, don't you?"

"Yeah, we do."

I then looked at Big Mac. "And Big Mac, why don't I be your 'brother' for the event tomorrow?"

"My brother?"

"Yeah, we can call it a one time exclusive event called the Brotherhooves Social. All we have to do is just work like a team as if we were brothers."

Granny Smith was in shock, but she smiled happily. "Well ah'll be knocked down with a feather, that is the smartest idea I've ever heard!"

"So you all agree to it?"

"Eeyup!" Big Mac replied. "And thanks Bond, I really appreciate you helpin' me out."

"And me too!" Applebloom added happily."

"Alright then, I best be going now and check up on Rarity. I'll be back later before the event starts."

"Okay Bond, we'll see ya around by then." Granny replied.

I smiled and left the barn and flew back home to see Rarity who was indeed taking it easy. I told her about today and she seemed impressed, even when I mentioned about being a brother for Big Mac.

"Well darling this is why I love you, you're always full of ideas when it comes to personal issues." she complimented.

"I love you too, because when you and I are together, we can help solve and overcome anything."

We kissed passionately and decided to have a bit of alone time for a while, after an hour or so, I hugged Rarity before I left the house to go back to the farm where a crowd had begun to take place.

"Today is our big day!" I heard Scootaloo boast.

"We have so got this. I'm gonna go sign us in." Rainbow replied.

"I guess I'm just a little jealous you two get to compete and I don't." Sweetie said. "But, at least I get to be here and cheer you on! I thought Apple Bloom was gonna be here too?"

"Guess she changed her mind." Scootaloo then saw Applebloom...and Fluttershy. "Hey, there you are! You ready to cheer on me and Rainbow Dash to victory?"

"Not quite, ya'll see very soon." Applebloom replied as she walked to the panel with Fluttershy, leaving Sweetie and Scootaloo confused.

I then saw Big Mac turn up with a smile and whispered to me what he had set up for our brotherhooves event and I liked it. It was then time for the event to start and Big Mac and I got ourselves lined up in position at the starting line.

"Welcome everypony to the Sisterhooves Social!" A well-dressed mare greeted. "I am Booth Barker and I will be judging the event, but first  we have a one-time special event for you all to watch. We have a brotherhooves social event featuring the only two stallions taking part, Big Macintosh and Prince Bond Racer who have created this exclusive course."

The crowd seemed impressed.

"They will be showing us how to make the most of an event as brothers! So cheer them on when they start, ready stallions?!"

"As ready as we'll ever be." I replied quietly.

"Eeyup!" Big Mac added.

The whistle blew and the event was underway, we first had to leap above a few haystacks and then turn to our left and leap across the mud pool. Thankfully, I was able to avoid contract but Big Mac wasn't so lucky, we hopped over a few barrels before climbing up a huge tub and landing in what was full of grapes, we stomped on nearly all of them which made into a lot of bottles of grape juice at the bottom.

Before I knew it, the finish line was in sight and just a few seconds before I crossed it, I slowed down slightly and Big Mac overtook me and crossed the line first and the crowd cheered in delight at the event. I had to admit, that was a good challenge and it felt good to get some exercise.

"What a splendid event by the team of two brothers!" Booth said. "To all the sisters taking part, this is how you take part and enjoy yourselves, good luck to all of you."

Big Mac and I left the area so the mares could get ready for their turn. I was drying myself off when Fluttershy and Applebloom came along.

"Wow, that was mighty somethin'!" Applebloom exclaimed. "My big brother crossed the line and he won!"

"Eeyup." Big Mac said, grinning. "Now it's your turn to win, we'll be cheerin' ya on."

Applebloom then walked to the starting line, but not before Fluttershy gave Big Mac a sweet kiss and joined Applebloom. Soon, the sisterhooves event was finally underway. It was a very close contest at several points, but in the end, the team of Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo crossed the line first and therefore were the winners and there was much rejoicing.

Sometime later after the event ended and all the decorations were taken down, I was on a hill away from the barn with Big Mac and Applebloom and we were all smiles about today.

"Well Bond, we wanna thank you so much for helping us out today, ya really gave me a chance to bond with the family closer than before." Big Mac said.

"Yeah me too." Applebloom added before looking at her brother. "But I would like to know why ya wanted to be in the event."

Big Mac took a deep breath and explained. "When you were little you used to look up to me, thought I was the best thing since Zap Apple Jam. Things are different now. Applejack's the hero of the Apple family, always runnin' off to save Equestria, an' I'm just here on the farm, doin' chores, helpin' out the way I can, nothin' special, nobody's hero, I guess I just thought... oh, never mind. Here I am about to start blabberin' on about my feelin's. You don't wanna hear all this."

"Yes, I do!"

"So when Bond suggested about that brotherhooves event, well, I could be somepony you looked up to again. Be your hero again. Even if it was for just a day."

Applebloom then began hugging him. "You're my big brother. You've always been a hero to me, Big Mac, and you always will be. I'm just sorry I haven't been lettin' you know that's how I feel. Guess both of us have been holdin' back when it comes to expressin' ourselves, huh?"

"Eeyup."

I couldn't say anything, the picture was worth more than just words. "But the important thing is that you both were able to solve the issues and still have a good time at the event when it mattered. Now I think it's time for me to go home, to my fiancé."

"That's aright Bond, I'm gonna spend some quality time with my big brother for just a little longer."

There was nothing more to say, I smiled, waved and flew from the farm and way back home. By the time I got there, it was sunset time and I opened the door to the smell of food on the table.

"Ahhh darling, you're just in time." Rarity said. "I'm feeling quite better and I am quite sad about missing the sisterhooves social."

"It's alright love, there'll be another chance to do that next time." I replied, wrapping her into a loving hug.

I then heard a knock on the door and I answered it.

"Oh hello, Miss Cheerlie."

"Hello Prince Bond, I hope I'm not interrupting." Cheerlie replied.

"No it's okay, what is it?"

"Well I need somepony to watch over a group of fillies who are going on a trip tomorrow, I'm not able to go as I have an appointment that I am unable to cancel."

"Say no more, I'll gladly watch over them for you tomorrow."

"Oh really! Thank you Prince Bond, I'll be going now."

I then closed the door and sat with Rarity and as we ate quietly and in love, I looked back on today and it was quite an event to be in. I think the Apple Family are so lucky to have me to save them, I'm sure Applejack is very happy to hear what happened as well.

I did wonder about one other thing, I hope Fluttershy and Big Mac keep getting closer and in love... Next Chapter: Crusaders Of The Lost Mark Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours