I woke up the next day and since I'll be over at the farm helping out for the family reunion, I guess I should clean myself up. So with a quick shower and drying myself off, I got myself dressed and nomming down food at lunchtime since it was already the afternoon. I guess with all the stuff happening, I seem to be getting tired a lot.

Oh well, today and tomorrow should be quiet days for me, it'll be good to meet a lot of other ponies part of the Apple family, even though I'm technically not a member of the family, but I may be an exception and that I'd be willing to help with the work.

So after my lunch, I left my home and began walking over to Sweet Apple Acres. When I arrived, I saw the barn doors wide open. I walked over and inside to find the apple family working over the preparations already.

"Well howdy Bond." Granny Smith greeted, "Yer here to help us?"

"Hi Granny Smith, I sure am." I replied, "And to prove it, I shall be using no magic or wings."

"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed, approving of what I said as he was pulling a few haystacks to the outside.

I then noticed Applebloom going over a pile of letters and Applejack on top of a ladder, grabbing a box that must be full of something.

"Ha! Found 'em!" Applejack said, "Well hey there Bond, glad you could make it."

"The feeling's mutual."

Applejack then dropped the box to the ground which created a bit of dust.

"Aaa-choooo!" Granny Smith sneezed which knocked her back slightly.

"Heh. Gesundhoof." Applejack said as she got off the ladder and on the ground.

"Why, thank you, Applejack. Ah still can't believe it's been almost one hundred moons since our last family reunion. Aw, ah remember it like it was yesterday."

"Well, you have been talkin' about it pretty much every day since then."

"Apple Bloom! How them RSVPs comin' along? Who's showin' their muzzle at the reunion?"

"Everypony!" Applebloom exclaimed.

"Everypony? Feathers on a goat, are you sure?"

"Well, I got RSVPs from Apples from Yonder Hill, Hollow Shades, Galloping Gorge, Foal Mountain, Apples from Fillydelphia, Tall Tale Town, and all the Apples from Appleloosa!"

"Guh?"

"Oh! And how could I forget? Manehattan! Babs is comin'! I get to see my favourite cousin!"

Applebloom then jumped around in excitement and I had to admit, it would be good to know how Babs has been doing since she was here last time and learnt her lesson about friendship.

"Ah think we're gonna need a bigger cider trough."

"Wow...now that is lot of apples coming around." I said, "Good thing you have me here for the reunion so we can have the event on time."

"Indeed sugarcube, we probably will need it." Applejack replied.

Soon, I got to work with helping Big Mac out with preparing the stalls, building a stage by the barn and laying out an obstacle course that went from the barn and up to the orchard hill.

When we were done, it was already sunset and we walked into the apple home to find an apple pie and drinks made on the kitchen table and the rest of the family sitting down already. I sat by Applejack and Big Mac took the end seat of the table.

"Whooeee! Looks like the family's grown tenfold since the last reunion! I'm gonna be busier than a worm in a rotten tomater tryin' to get everything ready!" Granny Smith exclaimed.

"Ah could always help out." Applejack said.

"Me too." Applebloom added.

"Eeyup."

"Don't forget that I'm helping out too." I intervened.

"Oh, ah sure would appreciate that. Granny's a little rustier in the giddy-up since the last time the Apples all got together."

"You may be a tad old, Granny, but you're as feisty and full of spark as ever-"

"Who you callin' old?!" Granny Smith interrupted who seemed offended.

"Uh...ah just meant...Why don't you let me take over puttin' the reunion together this time 'round? Then all you need to worry about is enjoyin' yourself."

"Hmmm. Alright, young'un, you got yourself a deal. You are in charge."

"Ah won't let you down, Granny. You just tell me what the reunion needs, and ah'll take care of the rest."

"Ah'll do better than tell you what the reunion'll need, ah'll show ya!"

"But let's tuck in first, before we do." Applebloom intervened, reminding us of the food on the table.

After we were done with the food, Big Mac took the dishes to wash up whilst the rest of us took a seat by the sofa as Granny Smith pulled out a photo album book, probably full of photos of the apple family from generations.

"So if I may ask, how long has the Apple Family been hosting this event?" I asked as she began opening up the album book.

"We've been hostin' these things at Sweet Apple Acres every hundred moons since we first planted roots here in Ponyville." Granny Smith replied.

"Hey, who's that?" Applebloom asked.

"That'd be your Great-Great-Auntie Applesauce when she was just about your age. Now, she used to go by another name, but everypony started calling her Applesauce after half her teeth fell out when she was makin' apple jam. Yeah. Never did find them teeth in all those jars."

She then turned a page to the next page of photos.

"Hey! That's you, Granny!"

"Sure is. Apple family's been workin' on that same old quilt since our first reunion...but nopony told me you actually had to knot the end of the thread!"

Applebloom giggled whilst Applejack was in thought.

"Okay, so ah'll need to get new quiltin' materials, fabric, needles, thread. You've really been workin' on the same quilt since the first reunion?" she asked.

"Surely have, ah don't think we're ever gonna finish that dog-gone thing!"

"Hey, what's goin' on here?" Applebloom asked.

"Well, you know us Apples enjoy a good fritter..."

Granny Smith then pointed to a photo of what looked like Applejack as a baby who had eaten a plate full of apple fritters.

"D'awww, she's cute enough to cause diabetes..." I commented which got me confused looks from the others, "...never mind."

"That's how we figured out your sister had the appetite of a full-grown stallion." Granny Smith pointed out, nudging at Applejack's stomach.

"Better get twice as much honey and flour, then...fifty more buckets of apples...more oil...wood for the fire..." Applejack said to herself.

Granny turned over another page for more photos.

"Now, stick an apple in my mouth and roast my rump! This one sure brings back memories. Y'know how Babs is your favourite cousin? Well, Apple Rose is mine. The two of us entered the seven-legged race every reunion...but we never won a single one of them races."

"Races. We'll need cloth ties, finish line...Not much to a seven-legged race. Hmm..."

"And, of course, we can't forget to take the big family photo! We always snapped a photo in front of the barn at the end of every reunion, let's us see how our family's grown!"

"Photo in front of the barn. Got it."

"You sure have some great memories of these reunions, don't cha?" Applebloom asked.

"Indeedy, and ah'm lookin' forward to makin' more at this one. Oh, ah'm sure everypony is, and ah do mean everypony! We got the whole family together this time 'round! Who knows if they'll all be able to make the next one?"

"That's true! Busy as everypony's lives are gettin' these days, chances are pretty slim we'll be this lucky next time 'round." Applejack added. "Don't worry, Granny, ah'm gonna make sure this is the most memorable reunion we've ever had! Ah'd better get started...ah've got some plannin' to do!"

"Do you want me to help?" I offered.

"Sure, you are here for a reason after all."

Applejack and I got off the sofa and went upstairs into her bedroom and we went over a lot of planning and preparation, it took a lot longer than I thought as well as it was already night time.

"Now are you sure you're okay with being in charge of the reunion, cause this could be a mountain of a challenge for you." I said.

"Ah'll be okay with it, as long as ah have your help, we should be able to pull it off." she replied.

"Alright...well it's been a long while, I think we should call it a night."

"Okay and feel free to sleep by the sofa downstairs."

"Alright, thanks."

We then heard a door open to see Applebloom.

"Apple Bloom! What are you doin' up?"

"Ah was gonna ask you the same thing." Applebloom replied.

"Ah can't sleep. My gears are turnin' in my head about this reunion!"

"Yeah...ah can't wait to see my cousin Babs. We're gonna do so many fun things together..."

"Fun? That's just the beginnin' of it! Granny Smith handed me the reins of this reunion, and I'm gonna make the most of it. Apple Bloom, I've got so many things planned you won't even have a minute's rest!"

We saw Applebloom suddenly falling asleep and Applejack smiled.

"Trust me, little sis. This reunion I'm puttin' together is gonna be worth the wait."

"I'll take her back to her bedroom, goodnight Applejack." I said.

"Thanks...goodnight sugarcube."

I then picked up Applebloom and put her on my back and left Applejack's room and over to Applebloom's room, I dropped her off into her bed slowly and placed the duvet on top of her and left her room. I then walked downstairs quietly and to the sofa to find a duvet cover already on it and with Big Mac standing beside it.

"Is this for me to sleep with?" I asked.

"Eeyup, goodnight Bond and sleep well, we gotta lot of work to do tomorrow." Big Mac replied as he went up the stairs.

"Hehe, I guess so." I said quietly as I got on the sofa and pulled the covers on me as I laid down and began to fall asleep.

It was the next morning and I got woke up by both a cockerel crowing out when the sun rose up and Applejack who pulled the duvet away from me.

"Rise and shine! We don't have much time!" Applejack said.

"Okay, just let me get myself prepared first and I'll join you." I replied.

I then got off the sofa, trying to wake myself up before getting to work. When I was ready, I followed to the outside to start with bucking the trees and collecting wooden baskets full of apples. Next was collecting fabrics from Carousel Boutique so we could design the decorations around the farm and Rarity was happy to let Applejack take a lot, I snuck in a quick kiss between her and me before Applejack and I moved to our next stop which was collecting lots of other foods from Sugarcube Corner and we mostly got jars of honey from Pinkie.

"Don't forget the glitter!" she exclaimed as she poured out a lot of glitter which fell on Applejack, covering her in dark gold.

I giggled on the inside before we went back to the farm. Next was brining in a lot of water in small buckets, so we had Rainbow Dash come along with a raincloud and bounced on it several times to cause a rainfall, Applejack of course got wet as I stood back, but she shook the water off before getting an electric shock, I giggled again but quietly.

Lastly, we collected piles of wood and placed them in a long row before putting down several cauldrons full of something, it had to be apple-related I think, we had Spike used as a lighter who burped out one huge flame which got the firewood now cooking.

Spike and Dash left the farm after we were done, the whole farm was now ready for the reunion event.

"There, I think that'll do it!" I stated.

"And just in time, too." Granny added, pointing to a rumbling noise.

"They're here!" Applejack yelled.

Soon, loads of ponies turned up with a few wagons and one blimp. Among them, I did remember a few of the apple family ponies, such as that stallion who was cleaning in Canterlot when I was with Rarity, Braeburn who I hadn't seen since that incident at Appleloosa, Carrot Top who I get carrots from, Cheery Jubilee who was there to cheer on Applejack back at the rodeo and Babs Seed who turned up quietly but smiling.

"Apple Rose! Ohhh! Ooh, this is more excitin' than when it rained frogs!" Granny Smith exclaimed as she went over to her old friend.

Soon, Applejack took to the stage and I stood alongside her so I could be welcomed.

"Howdy, y'all, and welcome to the Apple family reunion!" Applejack greeted. "My name's Applejack and a few of you may know this alicorn beside me. He is Bond Racer and even though he may not technically be part of the apple family, he has helped saved our flanks in more ways than one."

"And I can vouch for that after the way ya'll tried to save Aaaaaplloooooosa." Braeburn commented.

"That's right, cousin, so everypony make sure you welcome yourselves to him nicely, cause he's a real close friend of ours and we love him so."

I blushed slightly but smiling, "Thanks Applejack."

"Now with that introduction out of the way, ah just want to let y'all know that ah got a real big day planned for ya! We're gonna start off with an obstacle course for the young'uns, and some fritter makin' and quiltin' for the not-so-young'uns. And there's lots more to come after that! Hope y'all enjoy it!!"

The ponies then cheered and soon the event was about to begin, I walked off the stage and was greeted a few of the ponies. I then saw Applebloom looking down.

"Where is she?" Applebloom asked herself.

She then felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Babs smiling.

"Babs!"

"Cuz!" Babs replied as they shared a relative hug.

"Ah know it hasn't been that long since we've seen each other, but-"

"-It felt like forever!" they both said.

"Hey there Babs, how are things back in Manehatten?" I said to her.

"Oh hi Bond, it's much better now that I've learnt to be a better friend as well as having my big sister help me."

"That's great to know."

"I can't wait to tell you about my new school!"

"Ah can't wait to hear all about it!" Applebloom replied.

"Jeepers, where do I start? Okay. So first day-"

"Babs! So glad you could come!" Applejack said, cutting her off.

"What am I, gonna miss out on spendin' time with my favourite cousin? Forget about it!"

"Why don't you two head over to the obstacle course?"

"We kinda wanna catch up a little bit first..."

"Don't you worry. There'll be plenty of time for family bondin' while you're racin' against your other cousins."

"I have an idea, just wait." I whispered to them quickly.

We then saw other fillies having their front hooves tied with other fillies.

"Alrighty, ponies! Ready to have some fun?" Applejack asked all the fillies.

"Whoa, is that the finish line? It's like a mile away or somethin'!" Babs exclaimed.

"Actually, that's just the marker where you go on to the next leg of the race."

"There's more?" Applebloom asked.

"Much more. Trust me, ah have put together somethin' you are never gonna forget. After the seven-legged race, you're gonna wanna hurry up and head over here, where you'll be bobbin' for apples!" she then showed a quick demonstration, "Then you'll run around these trees fifty times until you're real good and dizzy. Then you'll jump these big wooden hurdles. And then there's the final leg, where you'll balance plates on your head while sayin' "Pappy pony picked a pluck of prickly pluffnuggets" over and over and over again. Last pony standin' wins!"

Then there was complete silence between all of us.

"Seriously?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Seriously! C'mon, y'all! Let's start makin' some memories!"

Oh great, the stubborn Applejack is back, I thought to myself.

"On your mark...get set...go!"

The fillies then began to race away as I looked on.

"Whooeee! Lookin' good, everypony! Ooh, better go check on the quilt."

As soon as Applejack turned her back, I trotted along behind the fillies and no sooner we were away form the farm, I galloped onwards and stopped in front of Babs and Applebloom and I quickly untied the rope between their hooves.

"Why did you do that, Bond?" Babs asked.

"So that you can continue with your catch up whilst Applejack isn't around to stop it." I replied. "So please continue, we'll just walk the rest of the way on this course."

"Okay, so as I was saying..."

Babs went on to tell Applebloom and me about with the help of her sister, she was transferred to a new school in Manehatten by her parents and that on her first day, she was welcomed very politely and friendly. She also said about how much more attention her parents have been giving her and how much more loving and welcoming her home has become.

"Well I'm very pleased to hear about how far you've come since your lesson." I commented.

"Thanks Bond." Babs replied before looking at Applebloom, "So how are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?"

"They're both doing great, Scootaloo is now getting lessons from Rainbow Dash on how to be a great flyer." Applebloom replied.

"That sounds cool."

"Look, we're back at the farm now. Let's go get some apple fritters." I said.

"Okay." they both replied.

We grabbed a few apple fitters and they were tasty, even more so since Apple Fritter was making them today. After we had our snack, Applejack came to check up on us.

"There you are, young'uns, your fellow Apples are waitin' for you to join them." she said.

"Applejack, ah get that ya want this to be like a super-awesome reunion, but you're rushing everything." Applebloom replied.

"Oh that's that a hooey, there'll be plenty of time to bond with Babs and everypony else when we do the hayride."

"Hayride?" Babs asked in confusion.

Soon, I saw several ponies getting on a cart with hay laid out so it looked more comfy.

"Alright, everypony! Step right up, take a seat, and leave the drivin' to these stallions!" Applejack said pointing to two stallions who were ready to pull. "Now, ah know y'all have been workin' real hard makin' some awesome memories. And in all of our past reunions, we always had a nice and relaxin' hayride around the farm. Which is why ah decided to change things up a bit, and try somethin' just a wee bit more excitin'. So let's get this show on the road! Giddy-up!"

Applejack then bucked the cart and the stallions pulled the cart away and they were going quite fast too....I sighed, thinking that this could only end in trouble, I galloped alongside the cart just in case.

"Where in the world does that girl have us headed? The west orchard?" Granny Smith asked.

"Eeyup." Big Mac replied.

" What?! I was jokin'! Why, we haven't tended those fields since all the trees went and got-"

She was then cut off when went through the trees and spotted...bats!

"What are those?!" I exclaimed.

"Wowza! Never seen real fruit bats before!" Babs commented.

Soon, the fruit bats swooped down and made a huge annoyance to us, so all the ponies bailed out of the cart as we stopped to look at the runaway cart smash right into and through the apple family barn...the bats flew away, but the damage was done...the barn collapsed into several pieces and was now one huge mess.

I watched in shock, seeing that the barn they had was now destroyed, I saw Applejack beside me as she began to cry.

"Ruined. Everythin' is ruined." she said whilst sobbing.

I gave her a loving hug, cause she really needed it as Granny Smith came by.

"I'm so, so sorry." she sniffed.

"Don't be Applejack, it was an accident, I'm sure everypony is alright." I assured.

"But it's not alright. Just look at this! The barn and all my plans for the perfect family reunion are completely destroyed!"

"Maybe that's a good thing." Applebloom said without thinking through it.

"How can that possibly be a good thing?"

"Applejack, you had us so caught up in all the doin', we haven't had a second to enjoy the company of the folks we've been doin' it with!" Granny Smith said.

"Really?"

The other ponies nodded and agreed.

"Oh, Granny Smith, here you let me be in charge of creatin' great memories, and the only thing anypony's gonna remember about this reunion...is that it was the worst one we ever had."

"Oh, hey now...everypony's still here, ain't they? Still plenty of time to make good memories! You've just got to give everypony a chance to actually make 'em"

"The family photo! Guess we can't take it in front of the barn this year...unless...Everypony! Ah have one more activity!" she announced.

"Applejack..."

"Trust me, Granny Smith. This'll be one we'll remember for all the right reasons."

"I'm guessing a musical number will be involved?" I asked.

Music began to play which answered my question...although it had been a while since I heard a musical number.

Applejack began to sing as I heard Country music which got all the ponies excited as we began to work on the barn.

Raise this barn, raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Together, we can raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Up, up, up, go the beams

Hammer those joints, work in teams

Turn 'em round quick by the right elbow

Grab a new partner, here we go

We were underway with rebuilding the exterior.

Raise this barn, raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Together, we can raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Finish the frame, recycling wood

Workin' hard, you're doin' good

Turn 'em round quick by the right elbow

Grab a new partner, here we go

By then, the ponies were dancing away whilst finishing off the exterior.

Raise this barn, oh, raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Together, we can raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Slats of wood come off the ground

Hold 'em up and nail 'em down

Turn 'em round quick by the left elbow

Grab a new partner, here we go

Applebloom then joined in the song.

Look at us, we're family

Workin' together thankfully

We Apples, we are proud to say

Stick together the pony way

Bow to your partner, circle right

Get down if you're scared of heights

Forward back and twirl around

That barn's gonna be the best in town

The apple family joined in as I continued to tap my hooves, watching everything I saw unfold.

Raise this barn, raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Together, we can raise this barn

One, two, three, four

Take your brushes, young and old

Together, paint it, bright and bold

Turn 'em round quick by the left elbow

Grab a new partner, here we go

The barn was now fully rebuilt, all was left was to paint it and I took care of it as they continued to sing and the music began to slow down.

We raised this barn, we raised this barn

Yes, we did

Together we sure raised this barn

Yes, we did

Being together counts the most

We all came here from coast to coast

All we need to strive to be

Is part of the Apple family

Before the music ended, Applejack set up a camera, ready to take a photo. We all got in the frame just in time when the music finished as the camera flash went off.

Soon it was sunset, the event was over and all the apple family ponies from across Equestria were packing up and leaving.

"Ah can't wait for the next reunion!" Applebloom said to her cousin.

"Me neither!" Babs replied.

"Ah mean, obviously we have to get together before then!"

"Obviously."

I smiled at them both before walking over to Applejack who was washing herself in the basin.

"Oh, you did it, Applejack! You put on a reunion that everypony will remember!" Granny Smith complimented.

"Just had a couple minor hiccups along the way." Applejack added.

"Yeah, just a couple."

It was then nightfall when we took all the decorations down and stored away the haystacks and apples. The apple family were going over the new photos that I took during the rest of the day, whilst me and Applejack were outside with a piece of paper and a pencil.

"So Bond, mind if you help me with the letter?" Applejack asked.

"I'll gladly help out" I replied as I grabbed the pencil and paper with my magic as Applejack began to speak.

"Dear Princess Celestia" Applejack began, "Today ah learned a great lesson about family, which, if you think about it, is really the first group of friends you ever make. Turns out that when you're with folks you care about, you don't have to do much to make that time memorable. Even the simplest of activities can take on a whole lotta meanin'! And you'll find that you'll remember the "who" long after you've forgotten the "what". Your humble subject, Applejack"

"Great letter Applejack, I'll make sure to give it to Twilight when I get back shortly."

We then noticed two shooting stars whoosh through the night sky and I saw Applejack shed a tear of happiness, this made me believe that her parents are not around which made me sad, since I know how she feels too well.

"Well Applejack, it may not be my place to say it, but if they were here among the living, I'm sure they would've been very proud of you today." I said.

"No worry sugarcube, you're right." Applejack nodded before she placed a hoof on my shoulder, "Me and the apple family also wanna say thank you for all the help you've given us since yesterday, we really mean it."

"It was my pleasure and in some way, I felt like I was part of the apple family."

"Well from the way ah see it, you are one of us...just like the seven of us when we're all together, we're like one big family too."

"I guess you're right...I better go now, I'll see you again, Applejack."

"Alright Bond, have a goodnight and safe walk home."

Applejack and I shared a friendly hug, before she gave me a cheek kiss which surprised me.

"Sorry about that, Bond, but that's how much you mean to the Apple family now."

"That's okay, as long it's like that, no harm done, goodnight to you too."

We then waved as I flew out of the barn with the letter and all the way back to Ponyville. I knocked on Twilight's library door and Twilight opened it.

"Oh evening Bond, how did the apple family reunion go?" Twilight asked.

"In a way, it was very touching, seeing several ponies altogether as one family...Applejack wrote a letter about it which I have here." I replied as I gave the letter to her.

"Great, I'll make sure Spike sends this when he can...oh and about family, I also see it the same way that Applejack does. When we're together, we're one loving family as well."

"Thanks Twilight, that means a lot. Time for me to call it a night, have a goodnight."

"Goodnight, Bond, sleep well."

We then shared a friendly hug before I walked back to my house, it had been a while since I saw it as well. I walked on inside and took off my clothes and got into bed. I never thought planning and preparing for a huge family reunion would be such hard work, but it was all worth it in the end, despite the barn getting knocked down before being rebuilt.

As I began to sleep, I started coming around to the idea that I am now apart of the apple family as well as a family relative to many others and in addition to having Rarity as my marefirend...I absolutely love it! Next Chapter: A Birthday Surprise Estimated time remaining: 14 Hours, 3 Minutes