"Li'l sis! Wake up!"
Yaaaaaaawn...what? I slowly began to wake up
"Big brother? What is it?" I asked curiously.
"Carrie, come on. I made a delicious breakfast." Mason smiled as he kept shaking him until I was finally up, wearing nothing more than my grey shorts and white shirt. "Come on."
"Okay..." I let out a yawn as I got out of our bed, started to put on my clothes as we headed downstairs and saw everyone was here. Ren, Kaede, and Kodiak were helping out in the kitchen while Jamie was reading a book that says "The History of Equestria".
"Oh, good morning Carrie and Mason." Jamie greeted us with a wave before looking back at his book.
"Ahh, good morning guys." I waved at them before rubbing my eyes as both Ren and Kaede walked to the table with Kodi carrying a plate of a bunch of pancakes on his back, and they had whipped cream and a cherry on top. "Whoa!"
"Hey Carrie, how you hanging?" Ren winked at me with a grin before me and big brother sat down.
"I think I'm doing well, Ren." I yawned before smiling softly and looking at Kodi, still holding the plate of pancakes. "Hm? What's up Kodi?"
"Duh, it's your! I hope you like it! Mason and the others made this for you!" Kodi barked happily, his tail wagging in joy.
"F-for me?" I asked in surprise before taking the plate off his back. "Wow! Thank you all!"
"Don't mention it. Mason taught us a little on how to make it, well all except for Ren and Jamie." Kaede sighed.
"Yeah, that was the only thing I was good at making." Ren chuckled, rubbing his head bashfully. "As for Jamie...Mason helped him out on making the pancakes, but it was kinda difficult for him."
"Sorry if I messed things up again. I haven't gotten any sleep the other night due to having a study session with Twilight." Jamie sighed before turning a page on his book. "Right now, I'm reading everything I can about Equestria."
Mason let out a sigh before turning to me with a deadpan expression and said "Apparently, Jamie told us this morning that he had to continue reading that book for a while. One is where he checks it out and reads it, the second time is where he writes everything down in his journal, and the third is to study everything about it."
"Jeez, it's like he's trying to study for an exam." Ren sighed, sweat-dropping a little. "I mean, we haven't been going to school due to us being here in this world."
"Yeah well, I want to keep up my studies, even about studying this world and being trapped in it, too." Jamie retorted before taking a bite of his pancake.
"Yeah, but there's a thing called 'over-study." Kaede pointed out.
"Don't worry guys, I'll be fine." Jamie assured with a small worried grin. "Besides, I've done this a lot back then."
"Wow, he must be extremely smart as Twilight." Kodi muttered, which I nodded in agreement.
"Oh well! At least this taste so good! Thanks big brother!" I chuckled before eating my pancakes.
"Don't mention sis." Mason smiled before saying "By the way, we need to head over to Rarity's shop."
"Huh? Really?" I asked curiously. "Why's that big brother?"
"It's just...some stuff I have to do." Mason said, covering his mouth with his scarf. Huh? Wonder what my brother wants to do so badly?
"Oh yeah, speaking of which, I have to go over there as well to help Rarity out on some new clothesline." Kaede said, remembering about it.
"Oh, new clothesline?" Ren asked as Kodi hopped on his head and laid on it.
"Yeah, she says it's for a very important customer for her." Kaede explained.
"I see." Ren nodded with a smile. "Well I gotta go to Fluttershy's cottage."
"Huh? Why? Is she teaching you about love again?" Mason asked.
"Wait? Love again?" Jamie asked curiously, getting his eyes off the book.
"Yeah! She and Ren are lovers!" I pointed out, surprising Jamie.
"What?! Y-you have a girfriend?!...And it's that Pegasus?!" Jamie exclaimed in shock.
"Well yeah." Ren shrugged. "I know it sounds weird, but I don't mind."
"O-oh...I see. Sorry for overreacting there." Jamie sighed before saying "It's just that...it's weird for me to even hear about interspecies relation."
"Interspecies what?" I asked curiously.
"In other terms, two different kinds falling in love." Mason clarified.
"Yeah, this is actually quite a development. I should write that down later." Jamie said, returning back to his book.
"So anyway, yeah, it's that. Also about Kodi." Ren said, much to our confusion.
"Why? Is there something wrong with Kodiak?" Kaede asked in worried.
"Well, have you guys that he's getting a little bigger?" Ren asked. Actually, come to think of it, I did seen him get a little bigger for a while now. "Plus, he's getting a little heavy."
"I'm telling ya Ren, I'm feeling fine." Kodi assured with a soft grin before letting out a burp. "Excuse me."
I let out a giggle as I said "Yep, excuse you Kodiak."
"I see." Mason nodded. "Well, I guess me and my sister should be heading our way once she's done, okay sis?"
"I'm already done." I said, much to his surprise. He saw my entire plate already finished.
"Huh...guess you were really hungry, eh?"
"Yep! It was so delicious as always!"
"Thought so." Big brother rolled his eyes playfully before clearing his throat. "Alright, let us be on our way."
"Okay! Bye Ren! Bye Kaede! Bye Jamie!" I waved goodbye to them.
"See ya later, Carrie. I'll see you by noon." Kaede said with a smile.
"Yeah, bye..." Jamie waved goodbye, not bothering to look over to us as he was too busy with his book.
"See ya Carrie!" Ren waved goodbye back to us.
"Bye!" Kodi waved goodbye with a happy bark as me and big brother left the home-ship and began heading over to Ponyville. While walking there, I turned to Mason and asked "So what is it that wants you to go over to Carousel Boutique?"
"Well...let's just say it's a special surprise for a little someone." Mason winked at me, much to my confusion. Wonder who's he talking about? Wonder if it's...Huh?
"Hey! Look over there!" I pointed out to see smoke coming out somewhere in Ponyville. Mason became alarmed to see it as he widened his eyes and said "Oh no, that's coming from the same direction from Carousel Boutique!"
"Oh no!" I gasped. "What if Rarity and Sweetie Belle are in trouble?!"
"Come on!" Mason grabbed me and held me by the shoulder before running towards the scene.
We finally arrived to town and found Carousel Boutique before Mason immediately kicked the door opened with all his might as he settled me down as we rushed into the scene.
"Is everyone okay?!...Huh?" Mason blinked in surprise, finding nothing burning and seeing two ponies sitting on the table. One was a light gray pony with blue eyes and had brown mane and tail and his Cutie-Mark had three footballs on it. The second was a dark pink pony with an indigo color mane and tail and had light blue eyes. Her Cutie-Mark had three cookies, only two of them looked like they were bit off while the third remained fine.
We all stared at each other, wondering what's going on here.
"Uhh...hi?" I waved slowly at them as we heard footsteps walking down the stairs as we saw Rarity coming down.
"What on earth is going on?!" Rarity demanded before noticing me and my big brother. "Mason? Carrie?! What on the devil are you doing here?"
"We saw a fire coming from your shop and thought you and your sister were in trouble." Mason explained. "But it seems like it was a false alarm."
"Yeah but, why was there smoke coming out of the shop?" I wondered.
"We can explain..." We turned to the ponies walking towards us with smiles on their faces. "Names Hondo Flanks and this is my wife, Cookie Crumbles."
"Hello there sweetie." Cookie Crumbles waved at me, causing me to wave at them while Mason looked at them with a raised brow.
"Oookay..." Huh? Guess he's confuse about the names. Well, they sound pretty funny. "Sorry about breaking down your door." Mason bowed, apologizing to them for breaking down Rarity's door.
"Nah, it's alright. I'll go and find a repair pony to fix that up." Hondo assured.
"Indeed father." Rarity nodded, examining the door as it was still crooked from Mason's powerful kick.
"Father? Wait, are they your parents?" I asked curiously, which Rarity nodded and replied "Why yes. Though, I told them a lot about you and your brother, and also your friends."
"So you're these humans that appeared from that giant rock outside of Ponyville. Nice to meet you all." Cookie Crumbles smiled towards me and said "And also to you, sweetie."
I giggled and blushed before saying "You too Miss Cookie."
"It is an honor to meet you Mr Hondo Flanks and Mrs. Cookie Crumbles." Mason bowed to them like a gentleman, which made Hondo laughed.
"Why, thank you." Hondo bowed back at him. "You know, you're quite the gentle-pony. Wouldn't be a surprise if you start dating my daughter."
"Father!" Rarity exclaimed in embarrassment while Mason became surprised of that. I, however, smiled slyly at that. Mason and Rarity...hmm, well, that would be a perfect match. Rarity acts like Elena, well except for the drama queen moments of hers.
"Kidding, I was just kidding sweetie!" Hondo laughed, causing Rarity to sweat-drop and sigh.
"So anyway, Mr. Hondo-"
"Please, call me Hondo, Mason." Hondo winked, much to Mason's surprise.
"R-right...anyway, I was wondering where did that smoke come from?"
"Ah right. You see-"
"I'm done!" We turned around to see Sweetie Belle walking towards the Dining Hall with a bunch of plates in her hands. It looked like pancakes except they were all burned up. "Oh hey Mason! Carrie! What are you guys doing here?"
"Hi Sweetie Belle!" I waved at her before saying "Big brother brought me for something he wants to do."
"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity gasped. "W-what were you doing earlier?!"
"Making breakfast for mom and dad before they take their leave for their vacation." Sweetie Belle replied, much to her confusion.
"V-vacation?!" Rarity exclaimed. "Is that this week? As in 'starting this very instant' this week?!"
"Yep!" Sweetie Belle nodded before settling some of the breakfast down, and man, it sured looked....all burned up.
"How do you even burn juice?" Mason wondered aloud with a raised brow.
"Oh! Umm...Is that apple sauce?" I asked curiously, seeing her put a bowl filled with blacked burned liquid.
"Nope, it's toast!" Sweetie Belle answered innocently, much to my confusion. But...how do you even turn toast into liquid?
"Oh...Okay." I shrugged with a soft smile. Oh well, guess i shouldn't let it bother me too much.
"Besides! This week while mom and dad are off on their little honeymoon! Me and my sister are gonna have the bestest time two sisters could ever have!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed happily.
"Really?!" I asked in excitement. "Well I guess that goes for me too since me and my big brother are gonna spend a lot today!"
"That's awesome! Oh wait, I better go and grab my stuff from Dad's wagon!" Sweetie Belle said before taking off.
"Well, she seemed energetic." Mason commented.
"So, now..." Rarity turned to her parents with an incredulous look. "When you say a week...is that, um...seven whole days?"
"And six nights, I know! Such a short time to spend with your little sis." Cookie Crumbles smiled.
"I see, so you must be going to your honeymoon, eh?" Mason asked.
"That's right! Besides, I know our daughters will get along just fine." Hondo Flanks assured before noticing Rarity not eating her breakfast. "You're gonna eat that?"
"Eh..." Rarity handed him her plate of burned orange slices, which he happily delighted to eat.
"Do not worry Rarity, I'll make you some breakfast. Besides..." Mason bent down and whispered something in Rarity's ear, which made her widen her eyes in surprise.
"Oh my! That's such a nice thing to do, Mason!" Rarity smiled happily at him. "I'll let Kaede know and ask her to go and help out on the clothesline I"m working on. Remember, it's a very important task to do for my client."
"I understand, but if it's alright..." Mason looked at me for a second before whispering to her ear again.
"Of course, you and Carrie may stay here. Besides, she might spend some time with Sweetie Belle while I work on my long to-do list." Rarity sighed in relief.
Huh? What are they talking about? I only heard Rarity, but not my big brother. Man, now I'm more curious to know what are they saying! Suddenly, we heard a loud crash from behind me as I looked behind and became surprised to see Sweetie Belle with a bunch of bags around her.
"Just a few necessities." Sweetie replied with a big grin, causing Rarity to sigh and Mason to raise a brow.
"For a filly, she's got a lot of muscle." Mason muttered in amazement.
"Well, we should get going." Hondo said with a smile before turning to my big brother. "And I hope you take care of my daughters, and I hope you weren't planning on dating my Li'l Rarity."
"Father!" Rarity exclaimed, blushing red, along with Mason.
"R-rest assured Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles, I wouldn't do such a thing as that." Mason shook his head, using his scarf to hide his blush. Tee-hee, I guess big brother's too embarrass to even admit that.
"Alright! We'll see ya next week!" Hondo exclaimed before he and his wife grabbed their bags by using their magic and ran out of the house, with Rarity and Sweetie waving goodbye to them as they quickly got onto a carriage and was off. Wonder how they got it so fast?
"Now..." Rarity spoke up, walking back to the shop with Sweetie by her side. "Let's get that kitchen all cleaned up."
"Cleaned up? But we haven't even eaten yet." Sweetie reminded her.
"Well now, Sweetie Belle, I appreciate the gesture, but we simply can't eat this breakfast." Rarity pointed towards the food Sweetie Belle made earlier. "It's burnt."
"It's not that burnt." Sweetie answered as she looked over at the burned and black liquid on the plate.
"Don't worry, like I said before, I'll help out make you all breakfast." Mason assured with a serious look.
"What? B-but Mason darling, I wouldn't want you-"
"It's quite alright. I'll be happy to do it for you and little sister, Rarity." Mason cut her off as he headed over to the kitchen. I walked next to Rarity and Sweetie and said "Don't worry Rarity, my big brother is very strong and kind, though he's stubborn sometimes, he's very helpful with anyone."
"Yes, but I didn't want him to overwork himself." Rarity said with worried.
"Well, how about we help him?" Sweetie offered.
"Oh, er..." Rarity looked at her sister with an unsure look as she said "O-of course, er...in one moment, Sweetie Belle. Let me just get things started."
"Okay!" Sweetie nodded as we walked into the kitchen and saw Mason about to make breakfast.
"Hm? Rarity? Sweetie? Carrie? What are you all doing here? I told you all that I was making breakfast for you all." Mason reminded us.
"I know, but we decided that we want to help out as well!" I explained with a big grin.
"True." Rarity nodded. "Besides, you need some help. After all, the breakfast I wished is a very proper one. I can show you."
"That's...okay Rarity, I can handle it." Mason assured.
"Please, let me help you. I'll show you. Besides, I don't want to overwork yourself for me." Rarity shook her head with a soft smile before using her horn to lift a bowl with her magic and grabbing some ingredients and putting them into the bowl before mixing them.
"Well...I guess I do need all the help I can get." Mason softly smiled as he began mixing the bowl with Rarity. We waited patiently for our turn to be ready, but fifteen minutes later, they settled down four plates of eggs down the table along with some glass of juice, some french toast along with syrup, much to our surprise. But...I thought Rarity said we could help.
"Hey! What about us?! We want to help too!" Sweetie exclaimed.
"You are!" Rarity nodded with a weak grin. "You...can...put the garnish on the plates."
"You mean this parsley?" She asked as we spotted it on the counter.
"Yes." Rarity nodded as I grabbed it and walked over to the plate of eggs.
"Oh, so all we have to do is put it on the plate of eggs?" I asked curiously.
"Of course Carrie, just do it a little easy, please." Big brother told me, focusing on the mixing bowl. "Just like back home when we were served with something like that. You can do that, right?"
"Of course we can big brother!" I nodded with a determined look before I slowly put it down on the plate of eggs while Sweetie did the same with another parsley as she used her horn to bring a stool over before standing on it and attempted to put the second parsley on Rarity's plate of eggs.
"No, that's too slow!" Rarity exclaimed, causing Sweetie to nearly fall off before regaining her balance. She tried again until... "Careful! Back up!"
Rarity came over and tried to make sure Sweetie didn't fall off the stool, which started to wobble. "Looking for perfection here..." Rarity muttered.
"Whoa, whoa!" Sweetie accidentally lost her balance and fell on me, causing me to fall off until I grabbed the table's cloth in hopes of not falling off until I accidentally caused it to launched the breakfast into the air when I pulled it too hard.
"Oh no!" I gasped until Mason noticed and immediately caught all the plates before they landed on the ground. Unfortunately, the juices that they spilled onto him, much to our surprise.
"Not too bad. Thank you, Mason." Rarity sighed in relief as she softly smiled at my big brother, who sighed and replied "It's no problem Rarity."
"Big brother! I am so sorry that happened!" I apologized.
"Yeah, me too!" Sweetie added.
"It's okay Carrie and Sweetie Belle, it was just an accident. You two didn't mean it." Mason assured with a soft grin.
Man, I really messed up, but I know I can make up for it somehow!
Kaede's POV
Ahh, it feels good to take a little stroll towards Carousel Boutique. I even had my stuffed cat toy, Coco, with me in my arms. Soon after I arrived to the shop to help out Rarity on those new clotheslines, I saw Rarity and Mason cleaning up the place.
"Hey Rarity, Mason." I greeted them, gaining their attention.
"Ah, hello there Kaede. You arrived early." Rarity said in surprise.
"Yeah, I just didn't feel like being late, that's all." I answered honestly with a light chuckle before taking a look at the floor, seeing some juice spilled. "What happened here?"
"Sweetie Belle and Carrie happened." Rarity sighed. "They were trying to help me and Mason make breakfast, but this happened."
"Don't blame them Rarity, they were trying to help at least." Mason assured with a soft grin.
"You're right about that." Rarity nodded. "Though, I wished they be too careful on how they do things."
"Well they are kids, so they're still learning." I reminded her. "Speaking of which, where are they?"
"Oh, they're in the laundry room bringing in the dirty towels we used to clean up the spill." Mason answered.
"Oh, I see. Well I guess that's one way on how they could help out." I shrugged with a soft smile.
"Speaking of helping out, I need you to do me a favor Kaede." Rarity said, turning to me with a soft smile. "Do you mind if you make the clothesline while I go make Carrie's little surprise."
"Huh? Me?" I asked incredulous. She's tasking me on making the clothesline for her. "A-Are you sure about that? I mean, I'm only known for making costumes, and I'm still learning to make clothes, you know."
"Don't worry, I have faith in you. And if you messed up just a little, I can always go and fix it." Rarity assured.
"Well...okay." I said with a smile.
"Thanks darling, now then let me go and check on how Sweetie Belle and Carrie are doing." Rarity said as she walked outside and let out a gasp. Me and Mason looked at each other in concern before heading out ourselves, finding both Sweetie Belle and Carrie hanging some clothes on a line. Seems like they were trying to dry to them off.
"I told ya we could be some big help!" Carrie said with a grin before noticing me. "Oh, hi Kaede!"
"Umm...hi there Carrie." I waved slowly at her with a weak grin.
"So...surprised Rarity?" Sweetie asked, eager to have her sister be happy. Unfortunately, it was the opposite.
Rarity looked behind the young girls with a shocked look on her face as she exclaimed "Am I? You washed my incredibly expensive one-of-a-kind designer crocheted wool sweater?! Do you know how hard these things are to come by?!"
"Wow, that was a mouthful." Carrie muttered as Sweetie asked "What's the big deal?"
"Girls..." I spoke up with a worried look. "The big deal is that in the heat of the sun, wool..." Unfortunately, as the sun shined brightly at the clothes, the sweater immediately shrunked, too small for even Rarity to even wear. "Shrinks..."
"Oh...sorry." Sweetie and Carrie apologized in unison.
"Nng..." Rarity had a frustrated look before taking a deep breath and soon calmed her rage down. Oh good, that's a relief. "Well. Back to work. Come along Kaede, we must create."
"Right, I'll get right on those new clothesline." I nodded with a soft smile as we both headed back inside until I noticed Mason walking towards his sister and Sweetie Belle.
"I'll go and try to fold the clothes up." Mason said, walking over to the clothes as he began taking them down from the line.
"We're sorry?" Carrie said as Mason sighed and said "It's alright Carrie. Just go and play with Sweetie Belle and please stay out of trouble, alright?"
"But...we were only trying to help..." Sweetie sighed as she and Carrie sadly walked back inside of the Carousel Boutique. Poor girls, they just want to help their siblings out, but only making things worse. Back then, my step-sisters always forced me to do things and made me do them over and over again until I get it right. I just...feel terrible for them.
Later
While I was bus making those new clothesline for Rarity's customer like she asked me to do while she worked on with Carrie's surprise and Mason was helping out the place, since he was waiting for it to be done. I started to think about Carrie and Sweetie Belle. The poor girls...Maybe I should go check on them.
I put down my sewing string before leaving my working space, finding both Carrie and Sweetie Belle drawing something.
"Huh? Hey girls, what you two up too now?" I asked curiously, walking towards them.
"Oh! We're making these drawings for big brother and Rarity so that we can forgive them!" Carrie replied with a big grin on her face. "I know they'll both love it!"
"Yeah! I know they'll love it Carrie!" Sweetie nodded in agreement as they finally finished their drawings.
"Done!" They both shouted in unison before looking at each other and letting out some giggles. I looked over their drawings and saw cute little drawings of Carrie and Sweetie Belle standing with each of their own siblings. I know Carrie was raised by a wealthy family from Europe, but she developed such a close bond with her brother and she wishes to be useful just like Mason. The same goes for Rarity, despite her dramatic moments, she's very generous and caring. She even gave me these lessons of sewing that I never even heard of from my classes.
"Wow, these drawings looks amazing! I can't wait for Rarity and Mason to see them!" Sweetie said in excitement while Carrie rubbed her chin in thought.
"Yeah but, I feel like it's missing something..." Carrie wondered while Sweetie realized what she meant she rubbed her chin with her hoof in thought.
"Yeah, but what?..." Sweetie thought as well. They then noticed something glimmering from behind me as they looked back and got up from their seats, walking towards a chest filled with sapphires.
"Whoa..." They both muttered in amazement.
"I'm not sure they'll like you two using that stuff. Those are very special sapphires stones Rarity found a while back." I said with a concern look before realizing what I said. "Though, I don't know where she could've gotten them from."
"Don't worry Carrie, I'm sure they'll understand!" Carrie assured with a grin as they both grabbed as many sapphires from the chest, much to my shock, and began using glue on the paper and attached them to their papers. Oh, this can't be good!
Soon, I saw both Rarity and Mason coming down the stairs with Rarity using her magic to carry a fabric with scissors and Mason carrying a bunch of folded clothes.
"Ah Kaede, just in time." Rarity said with a smile. "I just came by to see if you were still doing the new clothesline."
"Yeah, j-just a little a break." I chuckled nervously, much to their confusion.
"What's going on, Kaede?" Mason asked.
"W-what? No! Nothing is going wrong at all!" I lied, trying to make sure that they don't know about what Carrie and Sweetie Belle are doing. Mason and Rarity raised brows at me, getting suspicious of me.
"...Alright, what are they up to now?" Mason demanded. I sighed sadly, having no choice but to tell them what they done. Unfortunately, both Sweetie and Carrie immediately came out with happy expressions on their faces as they held the pictures they made for their older siblings, with the sapphire blue gems glued to them.
"Hi big brother! Hi Rairty! We both made a special drawing for-"
"AHHHHHHHH!" Rarity screamed in shock, backing away in fear while I made a worried look while Mason widened his eyes at his sister and Sweetie Belle.
"C-Carrie! Please don't tell me you used those gems from the chest?" Mason asked.
"Yeah?" Carrie nodded with a confused look.
"Carrie's right, but we know that Rarity has more in her work room..." Sweetie said, also having a confused look.
"But girls, those were the only ones left Rarity ever own!" I pointed out. "That's what I was trying to tell you girls!"
"Oh..." They both muttered in shock before noticing Mason's stern look and Rarity's shocked expression as she exclaimed "Exactly! These are extremely rare baby blue sapphires! I need them for one of the outfits fro the client! The one I assigned Kaede to help out!"
"Rarity wait, it's my fault, don't take it out on them. They didn't know!" I pleaded before saying "Despite me trying to tell them."
"We're sorry." Carrie and Sweetie Belle apologized sadly.
Mason soon dropped his stern look and sighed. "Carrie, Sweetie Belle, what are we going to do with you?"
"Oh! We can paint together?" Carrie thought, not catching on what Mason meant. "Or maybe ride bikes, play chess, sing a song, play some video games with Ren, or-"
"That's not what he meant!" Rarity exclaimed angrily.
"She's right." Mason said, giving his sister a stern and calm expression, which made her smile sheepishly.
"Now I have to go and find some more of these gems!" Rarity said, walking towards the door.
"I'll come too. Carrying a lot of gems might be too hard for you." Mason said, walking towards the door.
"We'll go and help you guys out!" Carrie said with a happy smile.
"Yeah!" Sweetie nodded in agreement.
"No!" Rarity pleaded before clearing her throat and said "N-no thank you."
"Though, I guess you girls can help out by picking up the papers and stack them back in order, neatly. Put the pens and pencils back exactly where you found them, and please find something to do that doesn't create a large mess for us to clean up." Mason said sternly before sighing and turning to his sister. "Please Carrie, you're only making things worse. Just...please sit down and wait for me to finish with something. It is a very important thing."
Carrie sighed sadly and said "Yes big brother..."
"Thank you." Mason softly smiled before he and Rarity took their leave. I remained silent and looked at the girls with a sad look. I feel so bad for them, and they didn't deserve this much harsh.
"Geez louise, can't we do anything right?" Sweetie Belle said, making an upset look on her face.
"Guess we can't." Carrie said, feeling upset that her brother doesn't want any of her help.
"Carrie...Sweetie Belle..." I turned to them with a small grin. "They're doing something very important for a special someone, and they don't have more work getting in the way. I hope you understand."
"Okay..." Carrie sighed before she and Sweetie Belle turned around and began heading upstairs. I sighed and began to head back into my work room and began finishing up the dress. Well, I guess I can understand their reasons, they were like me when I wanted to help out my step-mom and my step-sisters, but they like to ridicule everything I do. I just...understand how they feel.
Later
Phew....finally. It took about an hour or so, but I'm finally done making these dresses. Even without the sapphires, I say they look amazing. Hmm, you know, it's been a while since I last check up on both Sweetie Belle and Carrie, I should go and see them.
I got out of my work space and headed upstairs to go and check on them, only to find Rarity's inspiration room completely organized.
"Oh hi Kaede!" Sweetie Belle greeted me.
"Hey girls..." I said, looking around the place with amazement. "Wow, did you girls did all this?"
"Yep! You like it? We clean this place and organized it properly." Carrie smiled happily.
"I say we outdone ourselves." Sweetie nodded.
"That's great girls, hopefully Mason and Rarity will like the hardwork you did to clean up her place..." I soon noticed a bunch of naked pony mannequins. Strange, didn't Rarity said that she was working on the special surprise for Carrie in here?....Oh no.
"What? What's wrong Carrie?" Carrie asked in worried.
"She's probably so excited by the way how we cleaned up this place that she's speechless!" Sweetie guessed, which made Carrie smiled.
"Oh! That has to be it!" Carrie nodded. Nope, that's not it at all! Don't worry Kaede, I'm sure that you can fix it up! You got plenty of time before-
"Sweetie Belle! Carrie! Kaede! We're back!" Oh no, this is bad! We immediately turned around to see Rarity and Mason entering the inspiration room with smiles on their faces.
"I take it you and Sweetie Belle behave yourselves while we were gone, Car-" Mason paused upon seeing the entire inspiration room was clean, including the mannequins which contained the special gift for Carrie.
"Surprise!" Both Carrie and Sweetie Belle announced in unison as Mason and Rarity walked over to the mannequins. Their shocked expressions turning into anger.
"My inspiration room! What did you do? What did you do?!" Rarity demanded.
"Caroline Hunter! Why did you clean up the place?!" Mason asked in a stern and angry look.
"B-big brother, me and Sweetie Belle saw this big mess in Rarity's room..." Carrie started, twiddling her fingers with nervousness.
"So we thought we'd clean it up for her." Sweetie Belle finished. "And we did a real good job organizing everything."
"Yeah! We did a good job, right?" Carrie said, pointing over to a bunch of folded fabric and such on the ground.
"This wasn't a mess! It was organized chaos!" Rarity exclaimed. "I was just about finished planning on a very special fashion line, and you two...you went...you put everything away!"
"But every time we made a mess, you two get upset." Sweetie Belle argued.
"Because you girls don't know what you're doing! That's why we told you girls to sit down and wait for us or go play outside and instead, you!" Mason clenched his fists in anger and yelled "I'm disappointed in you Carrie! You should know better not to do stuff such as this!
"But...we were only trying to help..." Carrie said, feeling terrible for this.
"And it would be the only way to make you two happy." Sweetie added, looking down in sadness.
"Happy? Happy?! I..." Rarity started gritting her teeth in anger.
"Carrie, Sweetie Belle...please leave and go play your games somewhere else. I'll call you both in for the special surprise later." Mason demanded.
"But big brother-"
"Now!" Mason yelled. "I'm trying to have Rarity make something very important and you just want to drive us nuts! Just go and don't try to ruin anything else that will affect her work!"
"Yes...what he said." Rarity nodded, causing Carrie to widened her eyes in shock, even I was surprised by this. I guess all that helping both Carrie and Sweetie Belle might've gotten them over the edge.
Carrie continued to look at him until she formed an angry look at her brother and exclaimed "Fine! I don't need you then! I was trying my best to help out people like you do and instead, you never want my help! Well then fine! I don't need you then! I don't need a brother so selfish and stubborn as you!"
With that, Carrie immediately ran off with tears in her eyes and ran out of the room, surprising us all as Sweetie chased after her and yelled "Carrie wait!"
Before Sweetie left, she looked at both Rarity and Mason with a glare before taking her leave in pursuit in Carrie. Both Mason and Rarity were shocked upon seeing all this, they were speechless by what Carrie said.
"Carrie..." Mason muttered. I turned to them with an irritated and upset expression and said "Why would you guys say that to them?! They were trying to help out!"
"We know Kaede dear, but..." Rarity tried to say something, but couldn't find the right words. "Umm...eh...."
"I just didn't want them to keep ruining things. I was just telling them to play somewhere so that Rarity can continue to work on the special surprise for Carrie!" Mason explained, feeling terrible for what he said to Carrie. "Now look at what I've done...Why did I say that?..."
"I know, but they didn't know! They were trying their best in order to get your attention and see how useful they could be!" I explained.
"I know Kaede, but I really needed to finish up Carrie's dress." Rarity retorted.
"Yes, tomorrow's her birthday after I found out the other day when Twilight handed me a calendar to know about what month we are in here in Equestria." Mason explained sadly. "I just...wanted her to feel happy. But now it seems that I ruined it. I came here and asked Rarity to make it for her, and did all her chores so that she could get to work on it."
"I see..." I nodded before letting out a sigh. I looked at them with a sad look and said "I'll go and look for Carrie and Sweetie Belle."
"Kaede wait!" Mason said, grabbing ahold of my hand. "Please tell Carrie that I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say all that."
I looked at him and saw how he really felt: Depressed and heartbroken. He really does mean it. I then softly smiled and said "Alright. Just stay here you two and get to work on that special something for Carrie."
Mason and Rarity nodded, still feeling terrible for hurting the girls' feelings as I rushed out of the place and in hopes of finding them. I better find them quickly, who knows what those two might end up doing.
Where could they be? After my little talk with both Mason and Rarity, I began searching them out around Ponyville, but nobody has seen Carrie nor Sweetie Belle. The only place I haven't checked is Sweet Apple Acres, but if they're not there...I could only think of the worst.
"Hey Kaede!" Huh? Isn't that Ren? I stopped and turned around, seeing both Ren and Kodiak running towards me.
"Ren? Kodi? What are you two doing here?" I asked, a little surprise to see them here.
"Eh, we just finished up with Fluttershy. Apparently, she told me that Kodi is starting to grow up, meaning that he's almost turning 1." Ren explained with a shrug.
"Yep! I'm actually pretty excited to finally be getting a growth spurt." Kodi grinned.
"Really?" I asked incredulous before realizing what I was doing earlier. "N-never mind! Right now, I need to find Carrie and Sweetie Belle!"
"Why? What happened?" Ren asked.
"Well...let's just say they both had a fallen out with their older siblings." I answered, rubbing my hand bashfully.
"What?!" Ren and Kodi exclaimed in shock.
"Mason and Carrie...had a fallen out?" Ren raised a brow before crossing his arms with an incredulous look. "I find that hard to believe."
"Come on Ren, Kodiak! I need you two to help find them! I already searched around town and the apple farm is the only place that I hadn't checked out!"
"Okay, okay, Kay! We'll help ya out!" Ren assured.
"Okay, let's...wait, did you just call me 'Kay'?" I asked in surprise. Ren rubbed his head bashfully and said "Yeah, it's a nickname. Like it?"
I blushed a bit before glancing away and muttered "W-whatever. Let's...just go already."
"Alright, alright. Let's go guys!" Ren said before we all ran through the path that leads to the Sweet Apple Acres. We finally arrived to the place and looked around the farm till we noticed Carrie, Sweetie Belle, who were talking to Applejack and Apple Bloom.
"Sweetie Belle! Carrie!" I called for them, gaining their attention.
"Huh? Oh hi Kaede, Ren, and Kodi." Carrie greeted us with a soft smile as we ran towards their side and Kodi nuzzling her leg.
"What are you all doing here?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"We came searching for you, that's why." I replied, angering Carrie a bit as she turned away and crossed her arms as she exclaimed "If you're here to take me to Mason, then you can forget it."
"Wow...she really did had a falling out with him." Ren said in surprise.
"Yeah, she told us what happened." Applejack explained. "We found them crying around through the orchard fields and talked with them what happened. I'm surprise that Mason of all ponies would talk to his sister like that."
"Well, he was getting stressed out from all the help they both were trying to do." I said before realizing what I said as I raise my hands up and said "Not that I'm irritated about that at all."
"It's okay Kaede, we know that you aren't mad. Just mad at our older siblings." Sweetie Belle sighed.
"Wow, you girls and your siblings really are mad at each other." Ren said in surprise before saying "Back home, me, my sister, and my brother never fight all the time."
"Lucky..." Carrie sighed before blowing some of her hair sadly. Poor Carrie...
"Yeah, we even tried to get them to maybe convince their siblings to participate into the Sisterhooves Social." Apple Bloom said with a concern look. "Despite Mason being a boy."
"What's the Sisterhooves Social?" I asked curiously.
"It's a competition where sisters alike compete in strings of events and wins a trophy on whoever wins in it." Applejack explained with a smug look. "Me and Apple Bloom compete in it every year."
"Wow, that's neat." Ren commented.
"Yeah, but I bet both Mason and Rarity won't even bother to go there since they said it's 'uncouth'." Sweetie Belle said in extreme sarcasm on that last part.
Kodi gasped before saying "That's terrible!...What's uncouth?"
"I think it means something that's lack good manners or perfection." Ren shrugged.
"Rarity thinks everything's uncouth." Applejack rolled her eyes before saying "But I'm sure Mason doesn't think so. I'm sure he'll participate in it."
"But sis, isn't it for girls only?" Apple Bloom reminded her.
"Yeah, but I'll talk to Granny Smith on making it an exception." Applejack assured with a grin. Carrie scoffed and said "Yeah right, not after what he said. He thinks I'm useless..."
"That's not true Carrie! He says that he's sorry for what he's done." I said, trying to tell her, but she crossed her arms and looked away. I sighed and realize that she and Sweetie Belle were too angry to even listen to us.
"Kaede's right. Just give Rarity and Mason some time alone and they'll come around. Brothers and sisters always do." Applejack assured as she and Apple Bloom hugged each other with grins on their faces. I started to think about what she said, realizing that didn't imply my step-sisters since they never show sympathy towards me at all back when I was younger.
"Not sisters like Rarity and Mason." Sweetie Belle responded, angrily.
"Yeah." Carrie nodded in agreement.
"Come on, now." Applejack said with a grin. "Apple Bloom and I got some chores to finish up on. Maybe you all can help out."
"You sure you want us to help? We'll just messed everything up!" Carrie whined.
"Oh come on, that's just stinking thinking." Applejack waved it off before walking over to a tree and said "Watch."
She then kicked the tree, dropping some apples from the tree. She then grabbed a bruised apple that a worm appeared out of it. Okay, eww. Soon, I noticed Ren clutching upon his stomach, his face nearly turning green.
"You alright Ren? You don't look so good." I asked in worried.
"Y-yeah, I'll...be fine." Ren assured.
"Really? Because you looked like you're about to puke." Kodi pointed out. Huh, wonder what's got him under the rug. Soon, Applejack threw the apple away as Apple Bloom caught it, who pulled out a bucket and placed it on her head. They both giggle and laughed as they continued to put rotten apples into the bucket like it was a game.
"Good catch there, Apple Bloom! Whoo!" Applejack chuckled.
"This is a chore?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously.
"Since we can't sell the bruised apples, we gotta collect them all for the pigs to eat." Applejack answered before kicking another apple into a bucket.
"Whoa, it looks so fun." Kodi said, panting as he let out his tongue and became excited to help out.
"It sure is." I smiled. "So what do you say everyone?"
"We can stay here and help Applejack and Apple Bloom with their chores, that'll make Carrie and Sweetie Belle feel better." Ren suggested, which I nodded in agreement. That sounds like a good idea.
"It's a lot of work, so we make a game out of it. Wanna try?" Apple Bloom asked, putting the down bucket before hopping into the air and bounced another apple with her flank and have it go inside the bucket.
"Um, okay!" Sweetie Belle nodded with a small smile as Applejack kicked an apple towards her and Carrie. However, the apple landed on Sweetie Belle's horn instead. "Ow!" She said, rubbing her head with her hoof.
"Wow, that really hurt, huh?" Carrie asked in worried.
"It sure is. My sister, or my 'un-sister' told me once that a Unicorn's Horn are the most sensible part of our body." Sweetie Belle explained. "Though, it's such hard work."
"That's why we do it..." Apple Bloom spoke up as she and Applejack said "Together!"
"Hmph, Rarity never wants to do chores together." Sweetie said with an irritated expression.
"Same goes with Mason." Carrie scoffed, feeling angry again. "He always does the chore without me or anyone else doing it for him or helped him out."
"Don't feel bad girls." Ren assured. "They love you both, and they really didn't mean what they said, right Kay?"
"Right." I nodded with a smile before turning back to the girls. "They both never meant what they said. They're probably back home, regretting what they said."
"Hmph! Yeah right." Carrie said. I sighed and realize that Carrie still wouldn't listen to me. I can see how both Mason and Carrie are related now.
"Well if it makes you girls feel better, we can help you out in Applejack and Apple Bloom's chores." Ren offered, which brightened up their smiles.
"Really?" They both asked in unison.
"Sure, that's what friends do anyway." Ren chuckled with a big grin.
"Yeah! I can help out too!" Kodi added, eager to help out as well.
"Same here." I nodded.
"Yay!" They both shouted with joy.
"Alright, come on everypony." Applejack called us over. "Let's get to work."
"Got it." We nodded before she and Apple Bloom led us over to a large cylinder bucket. She placed several groups of grapes and called Apple Bloom.
"Apple Bloom! You're up!" Apple Bloom raced over to the large cylinder bucket and bounced happily until she caught up with her sister and jumped into the bucket. After, she began pounding her hooves on the grapes. "Hey Ren, Kodi, do you mind if you help out Apple Bloom out as well?"
"Sure." Ren nodded.
"Okay!" Kodi barked. Ren took his shoes off as he and Kodiak began crushing the grapes with Apple Bloom. Applejack walked over and turned a faucet that was attached to the bucket and poured some grape juice down on it.
"You're...making...grape juice?" Sweetie Belle asked in surprised.
"Really?!" Carrie asked in amazement before frowning a bit. "I never done it before, and I don't think my big...I mean, Mason done something like that before."
"Yeah, even Rarity would call the fashion police on me if I got grape juice anywhere near her precious outfits!" Sweetie Belle added.
"Well that's silly!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she let out a loud stop on the grapes, causing a bucketful of grape juice to splash onto Applejack.
"Apple Bloom!" Applejack turned to her, feeling irritated.
"Please, Applejack, she didn't mean-" Unfortunately, Sweetie Belle and Carrie weren't expecting to see Applejack jumped into the bucket and dove straight towards Apple Bloom, playfully tackling her and began laughing.
"How do you like them grapes, you little whippersnapper?!" Applejack chuckled as she rubbed the grape juice on Apple Bloom.
"Ahh..." I said with a smile before noticing both Sweetie Belle and Carrie's faces turning into bright grins, and it seems like they're really enjoying seeing those two get along. Soon, I saw Ren getting hit in the face with grape juice as he looked down and playfully glare at Kodi, who was holding a small smudge of grape juice on his paws.
"Heh heh, oops?" Kodi grinned until Ren threw grape juice at his face and before you know it, they started a grape juice fight, along with Applejack and Apple Bloom.
I turned to the girls and said "You know, we could join with them as well."
"Really?" Sweeite asked incredulous.
"Yep! Come on!" I exclaimed with a bright smile as I took off my shoes, along with Carrie as the three of us joined into the big bucket and began the grape juice fight as well. We began throwing the grape juice at each other, laughing as we kept enjoying it. Carrie got hit in the face by Ren accidentally in the face as she licked it and smiled.
"Mm...delicious!" Carrie said with a big grin, causing us to laugh. You know, I feel like they're starting to feel better.
"Hey, heads up Kay!" Huh? Oof! I was hit in the face with grape juice by Ren, who smiled sheepishly at me as I gave him a smirk and raised brow. Oh well, it was pretty funny anyway.
"Oh, you're so in for it now, Ren!" I said, before making a ball out of grape juice and throwing it on his sweater as we kept doing this for hours and hours until it started to get dark. You know, this was a fun experience! I never done something like this before! Not even with my step-family at all!
Later
Soon after, we went over and gotten ourselves clean up from the grape juice fight. After taking some baths with me and Ren giving the girls some scrubs and such, Applejack decided that we should camp out tonight. We headed to the orchard fields as Ren made a fire while me, Carrie, and Sweetie each carried a bag of marshmallows in our hands. Applejack and Apple Bloom came back with twigs in their mouths before putting it in the fire, making it ablaze.
We then began roasting our marshmallows as Carrie let out a chuckle and said "This is the best day I ever had! Thanks for spending time with me and Sweetie Belle, Ren, Kodi, and Kaede."
"Anytime." I nodded with a smile, blushing a bit.
"Yeah! Like I said before, that's what friends do." Ren reminded her as he was wearing his Pac-man T-shirt since his sweater is being dried off from the grape juice. "Besides, we're glad you girls are having fun."
"Yep! You guys are great!" Sweetie grinned as she and Carrie were done roasting their marshmallows. "Thank you for everything!"
"Your welcome." I chuckled.
"So when can we eat our marshmallows, I'm so starving!" Kodi said, feeling his tummy rumbling.
"Not till they're fully roasted, Kodiak." Ren reminded him with a light chuckle. Suddenly, that's when we heard them.
"Sweetie Belle! There you are!"
"Carrie! Thank goodness I found you!"
Huh? Rarity and Mason? Wow, it kinda took them a while for them to regret for what they've said to their own sisters. I'm guessing its because Mason was waiting for Rarity to finish Carrie's special dress gift. We saw them running through the orchard with relief on their faces, happy to find each of their own sister. But unfortunately, both Carrie and Sweetie Belle wasn't relieved to see either of them.
"Oh hi un-brother." Carrie said, not even looking at her brother.
"And hello un-sister." Sweetie Belle spoke up in full sarcasm. "What are you doing here? Better be careful, you might get some dust on you."
"Uh oh...this can't be good." Kodi muttered, which Ren and I nodded in agreement as we all looked at each other, eager not to get involved with them in this conversation.
"Oh, Sweetie Belle! Carrie! We want to apologize! We are not better off without each of our sisters!" Rarity pleaded.
"Please Carrie! I-I didn't meant to upset you! I was very busy when I asked Rarity to make an important gift! It's very special!" Mason explained with a sad look.
"It's alright. Me and Sweetie Belle learned that we weren't better off without her a sister or a brother either." Carrie said, looking at her brother with half-lid eyes.
"Yep, spending the day with Applejack, Apple Bloom, Ren, Kodiak, and Kaede made us realize that." Sweetie Belle nodded before looking at her sister.
Rarity and Mason smiled softly at them as Rarity said "Oh, Sweetie, you don't know how happy we are to hear-"
"And that's why I'm adopting Applejack as my big sister!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, hugging Applejack's leg, who became shocked of this.
"And also, I'm adopting both Ren and Kaede as my new big brother and sister!" Carrie said, hugging me and Ren by the arms as we became shocked to hear that.
"What?!" Mason and Rarity gasped.
"What?!" Applejack and Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"What?!" Me, Ren, and Kodi yelled. They're not serious, are they?!
"C-Carrie, you're joking right?" Ren asked incredulously. "I-I mean, I already have a sister and brother back home! I may think of you and Mason as a brother and sister, but this kinda gone too far!"
"Same here! I-I'm not sure if I even have the skills to be call a big sister to you." I added with a concern expression.
"Sure you do! You care about us and never tell us how 'useless' we are!" Carrie said with a smile.
"And a sister and a brother are someponies who loves and takes care of another sister or brother. You guys and Applejack are the real brothers and sisters!" Sweetie Belle added, giving a quick glare towards Mason and Rarity.
"H-hold on, Sweetie Belle and Carrie! Don't get ahead of yourself here." Applejack said, feeling unsure about this.
"Besides, she's my big sister!" Apple Bloom argued.
"Yes, true, but-"
"And I'm Carrie's older brother!" Mason added, feeling shocked and heartbroken from this. "Carrie! Please, I didn't mean to say those words! It was just an accident!"
"He's right, but-" Applejack was soon cut off as Carrie said "Maybe Applejack, Ren, and Kaede can be your older siblings. Just to teach you two how to be a better brother and sister."
"That I agree Carrie." Sweetie nodded as they both hi-fived each other while Mason and Rarity remained shocked by this revelation. Should I tell them that we're two years younger than Mason?
"But, we don't need lessons on how to be a good sister and brother!" Rarity exclaimed as she got to her knees and looked at Sweetie Belle with a pleading look and continued "I-I promise! Listen! I'll show you how to cook my favorite quiche! Or, or, I'll show you the proper way to beautify your mane. Won't that be fun? Hm?"
"And Carrie! I swear that I'm telling the truth! I never meant to hurt your feelings! Please!" Mason begged, darkened his face.
"Hm! You want us to go home with you two, so we can do what you guys wanna do?" Sweetie asked, feeling angry and annoyed by this.
"Uhh....yes?" Bad answer Rarity.
"Just forget it!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed before storming off. "Come on Carrie! Let's go!"
"..." Carrie remained silent as she watched her brother with a sad look, seeing how serious he was before she turned back and followed Sweetie Belle. I saw a tear forming Mason's face, causing us to feel bad for them.
"Mason..." I muttered, feeling bad for them.
"Well, that apology went swimmingly." Rarity sighed sadly until Mason began to walk away. "Mason darling, where are-"
"Just...leave me alone for a bit." Mason walked away, causing us to feel heartache just by seeing him like this. Poor Mason, he didn't mean to upset Carrie by saying all those mean stuff earlier and now he's feeling the consequences....
"Come on, let's go after Mason!" I said, much to Ren's surprise.
"What?" Ren asked until I grabbed his hand and dragged him, following after Mason while Kodi, Apple Bloom, Rarity, and Applejack remained behind. We soon arrived to a hill top of the apple farm, finding Mason leaning against a tree with a darkened look on his face.
"Mason." I called him, catching him by surprise.
"Oh, Kaede, Ren, didn't see you two there..." Mason sighed before looking away. "I thought I told you guys that I want to be left alone..."
"Mason, we need to talk to you!" I pleaded. "I know how you feel!"
"Same here." Ren nodded with a serious look on his face, but he never looked back. "Look, Carrie never meant those words to you! She does care for you!"
"But she chose you guys over me. After everything I've done for her and protected her when mom and dad left, this is what I deserve." Mason sighed as he held over his bamboo pole. "I feel like such a useless brother..."
"No you're not! Carrie really does love you!" I exclaimed, surprising him and Ren. "All she ever wanted was your attention and prove that she could be helpful just like you! You always protected her, and helped everyone out! She wanted to be just like you!"
"R-really?" Mason asked, looking over us with a shocked expression before letting out a tear. "She...wanted to be like me?"
"Yeah, from what I've seen when we spend with her all day, she just wanted attention, love, and to feel useful to people." Ren added with a grin. "I know she does. Trust us, we know this by experience. You're not the only one who has siblings, you know?"
Mason looked at us for a smile until he let out a soft smile. "Yeah, you're right. Thank you guys."
"Anytime!" Me and Ren said, nodded to him. He soon got up and put his bamboo pole around his back and asked "So how can I make my sister forgive me?"
"Well there is this event where siblings compete in events to strengthen their bonds." I said, remembering the Sisterhooves Social event Apple Bloom and Applejack talked about.
"Really?" Mason asked, brightening his expression.
"Problem is...it's for only girls." Ren smiled sheepishly while rubbing his head bashfully.
"Great..." Mason sighed while crossing his arms. "Now how am I going to prove to Carrie that I do care for her."
"I can help." We turned around to see Applejack, Rarity, Apple Bloom, and Kodi walking towards us, with the husky having marshmallows in his mouth. "I'll talk with my Granny Smith about making an exception for you on the Sisterhooves Social event. After all, this event is the only way in order to make you two reconnect with your siblings."
"Applejack speaks the truth, darling." Rarity nodded, walking towards Mason with a soft smile. "I don't care how uncouth it is! If this is the only way on how to reconcile with Sweetie Belle and Carrie, this is our chance Mason!"
"Rarity..." Mason muttered before smiling softly. "Alright, I'll do it."
"That's great to hear!" Applejack nodded as Ren turned to her and said "Thanks Applejack."
"Nah, don't mention it. Oh, and Mason, Rarity, just a little word of advice for you two to keep in mind." Applejack said, gaining their attention. "Don't let their words get to ya. Being brothers and sisters is like...apple pie. You can have amazing apples, and you can have a wonderfully crispy crust, but only together yo can have a perfect apple pie."
"But apart, all we are is just a pile of mush and some crumbly dry mess." Rarity said, figuring out what Applejack meant.d
"Mmm....I like apple pie." Kodi said, drooling in thought of it.
"I understand, thank you for your words of wisdom, Applejack." Mason thanked her, which she tilt her hat in honor of him. "And don't worry, we know what we need to do."
"Exactly!" Rarity nodded with a determined look.
"It might sound risky, but I'm sure I know how we can help out." I said with a smirk.
"Same here! I don't want you guys and your sisters to stay mad at each other forever! I want to help too!" Ren said, determined to help out as well.
"Ren...Kaede...everyone..." Mason soon smiled happily at us as he said "Thank you all."
"Now gather around everypony, I got a plan." Applejack said with a smirk as we formed a circle, as we began to hear her out. I don't want Carrie and Sweetie Belle on hating both Rarity and Mason on forever! This is our only chance in order to get them to like each other again. I know we can do this!
The Next Day
This it, today was the annual event of the Sisterhooves Social to begin. Apparently, Me, Kodi and Ren woke up very early and brought Carrie to the event as Mason and Rarity were preparing for the plan we made last night. We encountered both Applejack and Apple Bloom on the way to the Sisterhooves Social event. We watched over some sisters going through a pie eating contest with a pair of ponies wearing blue handkerchiefs shot their hooves as soon as they finished eating their pie. The referee walked over and handed them a ribbon, causing them to grin happily with apple pie crumbs on their faces.
"So tell me again why we're wearing these handkerchiefs?" Kodi wondered, seeing that he's wearing a red handkerchief.
"Like Applejack said, we need these handkerchiefs in order to identify our team members." Ren explained.
"Yeah, after all, that is part of the plan." I whispered to him, reminding him on what we're supposed to do in the race.
"Got it." Ren nodded.
"Well...I guess it's a good thing Rarity nor Mason aren't here." Sweetie Belle commented as we passed by more fun filled events as she scoffed "Do I see 'uncouth' written all over this contest?"
"Well...maybe a little." Carrie said sadly. Huh? Is Carrie having doubts on what happened yesterday?
We all looked at each other with concern as Apple Bloom decided to change the subject by saying "Whoa, look at the size at that pig!"
She pointed towards some pigs rolling on the mud with their blue ribbons attached to them. Ahh, they are so cute!
He sure is a cutie." Applejack added with a grin.
"Yeah." Ren nodded in agreement while Sweetie Belle became irritated and stated "That's the last word Rarity would use."
She then began mimicking her and said "Oh my, what a repulsive monstrosity! This thing needs a head to toe makeover!"
"Yeah...but Mason wouldn't mind calling it cute..." Carrie muttered, glancing away. Ooh, poor Carrie.
We looked at each other in worried, wondering what to do with them until we heard some horns blowing. "Oh! It's almost time!" Applejack exclaimed as we began to walk towards the event while Sweetie Belle and Carrie remained standing still.
"You guys go on ahead..." Carrie said sadly.
"Yeah...we can't even do these events without a sister and Carrie doesn't even have a sister." Sweetie Belle added, showing some tears.
"Well don't worry!" Ren smirked as he took off his red scarf and handed it to Carrie and Applejack did the same thing as she wrapped a green scarf around Sweetie Belle's neck. "Because you are joining in on this rest with Kaede! Right Kay?"
"Right!" I nodded with a smile as Carrie and Sweetie Belle became overjoyed that we were gonna participate with them.
"T-thank you!" Carrie and Sweetie Belle exclaimed, hugging us as Apple Bloom look at Sweetie Belle with a glare and said "Just. One. Day."
She then smiled, but Sweetie Belle didn't mind as she continued to hug Applejack while Carrie hugged me and Ren.
"Thank you so much Ren and Kaede! You two are great!" Carrie thanked with a smile.
"Anytime Carrie." Ren chuckled before winking at me, knowing that phase one is complete. Now to move on phase two...
Suddenly, we heard a sound coming out of a megaphone as we turned around, seeing the crowd joining in as a green old pony who I believed is Applejack's grandmother, Granny Smith began to make the announcement.
"Is this thing on?" Granny Smith wondered aloud through the megaphone. She accidentally rotated the megaphone backwards and placed her ear towards the front. "Ehh...I don't think this thing is on."
She then turned to us and said "Hello!" through the megaphone, but it wasn't even on.
Big Mac came over to her side and whispered through her ear, pointing at the megaphone, which made her widened her eyes.
"What is the...oh. You have to say so. Confangled modern doohickeys." Granny Smith said. Huh, guess she hasn't gotten used to them? I'm guessing she must've gone through some age where technology were barely known here. Though, I'm curious...how old is she? Not that I'm being rude or something.
She then raised her hoof from her rocking chair and smacked the megaphone, causing it to twirl around until it switched to the right position. "Now, the event you've all been waiting for! The Sister Soci...The Socialhoof...Oh dabnabbit, you know, the big race! We have five teams this year for the event! So you all head on up to the finish line, you hear?"
Big Mac whispered something to her ear before Granny Smith said "Eh? The start line!....That what I said."
"That's us!" Sweetie Belle whispered excitedly towards Applejack.
"Yeah! Same here!" Carrie said with an excited grin before turning to Ren with a sad and apologetic smile. "Sorry if you can't join in on the fun, Ren. This is for girls after all."
"Nah, it's okay. Applejack was planning on making an exception, but Granny Smith said no." Ren shrugged before winking towards me, which I smiled and nod.
"Okay, but at least we can race together Kaede!" Carrie smiled happily, as I chuckled and said "Same here Carrie! Now come on, let's get to the starting line."
Carrie nodded as we headed over to the starting line with Ren and Kodiak standing in the sidelines with the other ponies who came watching the events. Me and Carrie stood next to Applejack and Rarity as the former said "Good luck out there!"
"You too Applejack!" I nodded with a determined look as Apple Bloom came and pointed her hoof on Sweetie Belle's flank and said "One. Day. Okay?"
"Got it." Sweetie Belle nodded, brightening Apple Bloom's smile as she took her leave. Soon after, we all became tense and waited for the horn begin. Just remember Kaede, the plan. You just gotta stay in the mud and wait for Mason and Rarity to switch places with me and Applejack.
"And may the best sisters win!" Granny Smith announced as she continued rocking her chair. "On your marks...get set..." As we and the others sisters readied ourselves, Granny Smith moved too far on her rocking chair and accidentally poked her eye with the megaphone. Ooh, that's gotta hurt, right? "GOOOO!"
We immediately started off in a jog. As the others jumped over the mud, both Carrie and Sweetie Belle jumped over cheerfully while me and Applejack looked at each other and nodded before jumping, but not over the mud, but into the mud. Eww, I'm all covered in mud. I just hope I'll be able to wash it off later.
"So...is phase two complete?" Huh? Oh right, that was Mason and Rarity as we were now inside a magic bubble with them, which Rarity made in order not to be covered in the mud...yet.
"Yeah, it sure is." Applejack nodded, answering Mason's question as she took off her hat and scarf, as I took off my red scarf as well and handed it to both Mason and Rarity. "Just remember, use my hat to cover your horn and cover your bodies with mud, that way they won't find out it's you two."
"Got it." Mason nodded.
"And hurry before Carrie and Sweetie Belle wonders what happened to us." I added, reminding them that we don't got enough time left.
"Of course! Thank you!" Rarity smiled as hugged me and Applejack, but then was covered with mud.
"Please relax Rarity, think of it as a mud bath." Mason assured with a soft grin.
"Y-you're right! Just stay focus Rarity! If this means getting our sisters to like us again, then we should do this, no questions ask." Rarity said to herself before forcing a big smile. "Wish us luck."
"Okay." I nodded before she released her magic bubble, covering herself and Mason with mud before leaping out, pretending to be us. Me and Applejack peeked out of the mud and saw Carrie and Sweetie Belle looking at 'us' with worried looks as 'we' exited out of the mud pit.
"Are you two okay?! You had us worried!" Carrie asked in worried as Mason, pretending to be me, nodded with a grin.
"Great! Come on! Let's keep going!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed as the two teams began catching up with the other teams.
I then glanced at Applejack and asked "So now what?"
"Don't you worry, just wait a moment." Applejack assured as we kept peeking out of the mud pit, watching the four siblings racing out each of the other sisters. I'm surprise that Carrie hasn't found out that the one she's racing with is actually Mason, covered by mud. Oh well, I guess she's too young to even found out herself.
We kept watching the race, and I gotta say, they're really good and some of the events we're the same things we were doing yesterday. The grape juice stomping, the apple catching, and such. Wow, I'm not sure if what we're doing yesterday where either chores or practicing.
Soon after completing the last leg, they began racing each other, along with another pair of sisters as they continued to run and jumped over a track ledge and took a big leap to the finish line, causing a large dust cloud to appear. It took a few seconds as we saw Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Carrie, and Mason didn't crossed the finish line as they were a few feet away from it, but the other pair of sisters did as they were awarded with a blue ribbon and were carried off by the crowd, congratulating them on their win.
"Ooh, so close!" Apple Bloom exclaimed with a smile.
"You almost won!" Kodi added.
"But at least you all had fun." Ren shrugged with a grin.
"Yeah! We did had fun!" Carrie said happily as she hugged Mason and said "You were amazing Kaede! I don't even care that we didn't win! I had so much fun!"
"Yep! Same here Applejack! Thank you for everything!" Sweetie Belle excitedly hugged Rarity, smiling so happily at her as Rarity returned the favor by hugging her back. Ahh, I feel so happy that they're started to like each other again...yet.
Soon, I noticed Carrie forming a sad look, which Ren noticed.
"Hey, what's wrong Carrie?" Ren asked curiously and worried.
"Nothing, but...it would've been more fun if Mason was here." Carrie said sadly. "I wanted to apologize to him for everything what I said yesterday. He's my big brother and I want to apologize to him and thank him for taking care of me all those years. I wished...I can see him again."
"Actually, you can." Rarity said with a smirk as she took off the hat, revealing her white horn, shocking the young girls.
"R-Rarity?!"
"Mason?!" Sweetie Belle and Carrie gasped as they both shook off the mud off their bodies. Wow, I don't know how they gotten all the mud off their bodies, but they got skills.
"But I don't understand, if you're here, then where's Kaede and Applejack?" Carrie wondered as we both got out of the mud pit and shook ourselves clean.
"We were inside of the mud pit the entire time." I explained with a chuckle.
"Yep! We switched places over at the very first mudhole." Applejack added as Carrie and Sweetie Belle looked at their older siblings with shocked expressions.
"So...we did everything together?" Sweetie Belle asked, surprised to hear this.
"That we did, little sister." Rarity nodded with a smirk. "Well, except for the start line."
"But you guys finished together!" Kodi said, barking happily.
"So...you all were in on it?" Carrie asked, which we nodded. "And you did this...for us?"
"Yes sis, we did it for all of us." Mason said, benting down to Carrie's height. "I'm sorry if I yelled at you. It wasn't nice for someone like me to say that to you. I was very busy with Rarity because she was making you a special birthday gift for you."
"Birthday gift?" Carrie wondered before gasping in realization. "No way! I totally forgot about my birthday!"
"Yeah, I learned about the other night when Jamie was getting used to this place and began having reading sessions with Twilight. I wanted to give you the perfect gift, so that's why I asked Rarity to make a perfect dress for you." Mason smiled, causing Carrie to look at him with amazement.
"So that's why you were doing Rarity's chores while Kaede went and did Rarity's new clotheslines! So that you can have her make my gift, right?"
Mason nodded at his sister's question and replied "Yes, sorry for everything. For yelling at you and not understanding your feelings."
"It's alright Mas...I mean, big brother. I know!" Carrie giggled as she and Mason embraced in a hug, causing us to go "Aww" on them. Carrie then looked back at us and said "You guys can get into the hug as well!"
"Us?" I asked in surprise.
"Yeah! I mean, like I said before, you and Ren are like brother and sisters to me!" Carrie chuckled, surprising us all. She really does think of us as her older brother and sister, not because she chose us when she was angry with Mason, but also because after spending some time with her, she thinks of us as family.
"Thanks Carrie! T-that's really an honor to be called your older brother." Ren chuckled.
"Yeah, same here." I smiled as we came over and hugged them while Rarity and Sweetie Belle hugged each other, happy that their bond was re-connected. We then ended our hug as I said "And I'm proud to call you my little sister."
"Thanks Kay!" Carrie giggled as Mason smiled and looked at us and said "And I'm happy to call you guys my family."
"Ahh, thanks Mason. That really means so much." Ren chuckled with a big grin as Mason got up and crossed with his arms with a smug look and said "Though, I am two years older than you, which makes you the little energetic brother."
"He got you there, Ren." Kodi chuckled, causing Ren to smile sheepishly and sweat-drop a little.
"Yeah, he sure did..." Ren admitted, rubbing his head bashfully.
"Well now that it's all settle, I think we need to celebrate!" Applejack decided, which we all agreed.
"That I agree Applejack darling." Rarity nodded.
"Okay, so where?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously with a soft grin.
"The spa, of course." Rarity answered, causing us all to laugh. Oh, Rarity... "No, I-I-I'm serious."
"Right..." I muttered, sweat-dropping. Oh well, guess old habits are too hard to give up on anyway.
Later
Soon after going to the Ponyville Spa, which I gotta admit it was the most relaxing thing I've ever gone to. I think I'm gonna make it my favorite place all over this town, but anyway, we headed back to the Carousel Boutique as Rarity showed Carrie her new dress, and it was like a princess's dress, it was pink with hearts all over it with a sapphire blue gems as a necklace. Carrie fell in love with it and thanked her brother for thinking about a great gift as that. Though, Mason told her that she should thank Rarity for making such a wonderful gift for her, which Carrie thanked by the way.
After receiving her birthday gift, Mason helped Carrie with braiding her hair while Rarity did the same with Sweetie Belle and soon after, we were greeted by Spike, who apparently wanted to see us how we're doing and also asking Rarity for some assistance. So, we all decided that maybe we should send another letter to Princess Celestia, telling her how much closer we are.
"So what should we write to the Princess?" Kodi wondered.
"I'll start!" Sweetie Belle offered as she and Carrie looked at the mirror, seeing how their hair looks. Soon, Sweetie Belle cleared her throat and began speaking.
"Having a sister or brother is just about the bestest thing in the world. But it sure isn't easy." Sweetie Belle stated as Rarity went up next.
"I agree that being brothers or sisters is a wonderful thing, but it takes teamwork."
"Sometimes it's about compromising. Sometimes it's about accepting each other's differences." Mason said, ruffling his sister's hair a bit, which made her giggle.
"But mostly, it's about having fun together." Carrie finished the letter as Rarity said "Even if it means getting your hooves a little bit dirty."
"A lot dirty." Sweetie Belle snickered.
"A little bit dirty." Rarity argued.
"A lot dirty."
"A little bit dirty!"
"A lo-"
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Spike stopped the sisters from arguing as he exclaimed "How about 'a medium amount of dirty, not too little, not too much, just right'?"
"Deal!" They both nodded and hugged each other, causing us to smile at them. It's good to finally see them bonding again, that's very nice of them.
Soon after Spike send the letter and took his leave, Carrie immediately decided to put it on and five minutes later, came out looking so beautiful for such a young girl.
"So...how do I look?" Carrie asked, feeling a little shy.
"You look awesome!" Ren clapped.
"Yeah! Like a real princess!" Kodi agreed as he let out a bark.
"It's a masterpiece." I commented.
"Amazing..." Mason said with a grin.
"Beautiful! I love it!" Rarity smiled in delight. "This was the best present I could ever make!"
"Thank you all! You too big brother!" Carrie immediately hugged both Rarity and Mason, catching them by surprise.
"Why...thank you Carrie." Mason smiled.
"You know, you two really did work together in order to get them to bond with you guys again." I stated. "Seeing you two this close makes me think you're a couple."
"Wait, Rarity and Mason are a couple?!" Kodi gasped, completely shocking Rarity and Mason.
"What?!" They both exclaimed. "No way! We're not a couple! We're just friends!"
They both looked at each other in shock, realizing that they just said the same thing together, causing them to look away and blushing.
"I think that blushing says otherwise." Ren chuckled with a grin.
"Wow! Imagine them dating each other! Wouldn't that be romantic?" Sweetie Belle teased as she nudged Carrie, who giggled and nodded in agreement.
"I hear wedding bells ringing." Carrie added, furthering embarrassing their older siblings. I laughed upon seeing Carrie and Sweetie Belle just talking about both Mason and Rarity dating each other. Wow, wouldn't that be a surprise? Actually, Ren and Fluttershy are dating each other so I guess anything's possibility. But you know, hearing Carrie calling me her big sis is really nice. But...can I really big a good sister to her? I was treated miserably by my own step-sisters back in the past...No, of course I can! No need to feel worried! I'm unlike my sisters, I'm someone who you can rely on! I promise that I'll be the best sisters with Carrie, that I'm sure! I don't know if my step-family are wondering if I'm gone, but it doesn't matter...because I have a new family here in Equestria, and it's Ren and the others.
To Be Continued