 Later on , it is Bigger Brothers Day in Marine World , where the Bigger Brothers and their boys attend to celebrate ( including Homer , Tom , Bart , and Pepi ) . After running into Homer , Tom begins to brawl with him , in a fight which rages across Springfield . In the end , Homer winds up getting poked on the back by a fire hydrant , breaking his spine , much to Tom 's shock . As a result , Homer is sent to a hospital on a stretcher , and Bart holds himself responsible for this . Later on , Tom sadly talks about how much he will miss being a Bigger Brother , while Pepi is sad over losing his Bigger Brother . Fortunately , Bart suggests Tom become Pepi 's big brother , to which they happily agree , and both Tom and Pepi walk out into the sunset holding hands . At the same time , Homer ( whose back is now fixed ) and Bart reconcile , as Homer teaches Bart how to brawl due to his experience with Tom . 
