Broken Thunder

It didn't have a chance to go off. Thunderlane quickly shut off his alarm before it began its insistent chant. His hoof rested there, while the rest of him didn't.

Guess I should get up, he groaned. Despite his aching body, he rose from the bed. At least he didn't wake up in a cold sweat this time. At least he was safe.

Collecting his thoughts, he searched around his rather vacant room, making sure nothing was out of place. Satisfied, he went off to shower, hoping the shock from the cold water might wake him up enough to pay the Doctor his weekly visit.

Thunderlane stepped out of the shower and quickly dried off, thankful the water on the mirror prevented him from seeing himself. Finishing with his teeth, he quickly spat out the toothpaste and hurried out of the bathroom. With his tasks complete and smile on his face, he rushed out the door to quickly be done with the day.

The beautiful rays if the spring sun met his face, and he basked in its radiance. He happily trotted forward, the snow sending delightful chills through his fur. He slowed his pace, feeling no real rush as his hooves met the soil. He smiled at a passing friend as he cantered over the frozen lake. Thunderlane noticed his icy blue friend had a striking resemblance to himself.

Then he screamed.

Thunderlane found himself laying down in his doorway, head throbbing. He looked around frantically. No pony to be seen.

I'm still awake right? he worried. He cantered on, each step slightly quicker than the last. He kept a vigilant eye on its citizens without looking directly at them.

Everything seemed to be in order now. Lyra and BonBon chatting at a shaded table, Derpy making her rounds, the various stalls open despite the early hour, and he was sure he could find Rainbow napping on a cloud above somewhere. And she says I'm lazy, he huffed. All he had to do was get to Ponyville Medical, have his chat with the Doctor, and get home quickly so he could seclude himself without worry. Now it was getting there with his head still intact that was the issue. He then felt snow fall softly upon his muzzle.

“Hey Thunderlane.” Came the voice of Blossomforth, followed shortly by a tap on the shoulder. Thunderlane froze. With a deep breath he turned around to face the mare.

Only to face an empty street. His heart could have beat Rainbow Dash in a race. He slowed his breathing, regaining his fractured composure, and continued on his way. Turning around he now found himself on the ground, staring up at the mare in question, confusion clear on her face. Thunderlane could feel his eyes momentarily lose focus before he lifted himself back up.

“Are you okay?” She asked. Thunderlane had calmed himself slightly, taking solace that she was saying something more than a passing greeting.

“Uhh y-yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Just tripped a bit, no biggie.” He stuttered.

“You sure? You seemed to collapse. Oh wow you have some heavy bags under your eyes too Thunderlane! Is something wrong?” Blossomforth asked, concern evident in her query.

“Everything's fine. You don't need to worry 'bout me.” He defended.

“We really should get you to see a doctor though--” She started.

“I'll be fine, I'm heading there anyway.” He soothed. When did she start caring all of a sudden? He wondered. He quickly moved past her before she could ask what for. Sighing, he made the final leg of his journey in silence and, thankfully, peace.

Nurse Redheart knew his face all too well. She quickly ushered him in and showed the way to Dr. Stable's office, even though he could have easily found it himself. The beige unicorn was working through a patient's file by the time he walked in. Thunderlane didn't bother with formalities, sitting down on the opposite couch.

“Good to see you Thunderlane. You punctuality is getting better, your actually early this time.” Stable stated.

“Early? I thought this was when they actually started.”

“It is. However, this is early by your standards.”

“Thanks Doc.”

“Now let's get down to business,” He stated, putting away the folder, “did you sleep well last night?”

“Nah, I didn't sleep at all.”

“Did you take you medication?”

“...No.”

Stable sighed. “And why not?”

“Because I didn't want to. I didn't wanna dream.”

“Afraid of seeing Frostbite?”

Thunderlane groaned, ashamed he would admit to something like that. “...Yeah...”

“Thunderlane, this is starting to affect your physical health as well. Look at yourself. You look like you haven't slept in days.”

That's 'cause I haven't.

“Your little brother is coming over tomorrow, isn't he?” Stable asked, changing the subject to a, hopefully, brighter one.

“Yeah, Rumble'll be stayin' with me while my parents are on vacation.”

“That must be exciting.” He stated. Thunderlane simply nodded, and an awkward silence greeted them. Stable grew more concerned with every visit. With Thunderlane's mental health slowly declining over the past seven years, it has taken drastic effects. It's a wonder he's never been to the asylum. At least Stable felt like he was helping in that regard, but these visits honestly seem to make things worse. He was trying his damnedest to make sure Thunderlane didn't get committed, but he felt like he was the only one trying as well.

“Well, is there anything else I should know?” Stable asked.

“Yeah, actually. When I walked outside today I woke up in doorway.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like, I was walking outside, the sun shining down and the snow beneath my hooves, then I'm on a frozen lake with some guy, then I wake up in the doorway.”

“Who was the pony you were on the lake with?”

“Dunno, didn't get a good look at him. He seemed to look like me but with...my colors...reversed...” Thunderlane mumbled as a look of concentrated terror erupted over his features.

“It was Frostbite, wasn't it?”

Thunderlane nodded grimly, mouth still agape.

“Everything is fine Thunderlane. Frostbite can't get you here. Just think of the white mare and everything will be fine remember?”

He did as Stable ordered, the image of his only solace washing over him, cleansing him of the fear. He calmed, barely.

“Did anything else happen?”

“A friend of mine shouted at me, but from behind. I look back and...nothin'. I turn back around, find myself on the ground, and there she is, plain as day. She also seemed worried, and talked to me more than usual.”

“Really?” Stable asked as he leaned forward, thankful they now had a conversation piece to divert away from the dreams. “and is it strange that she was worried?”

“Well, I guess not. It's just...we haven't really talked in awhile. I guess it makes sense if I look like crap though.”

“And who is this friend of yours?”

“Her name's Blossomforth. We've been friends since we were foals, but as time went on....well...we just kinda drifted away.”

“And did you want this to happen?”

“No I...! No I didn't. It just happened and I didn't really do anything 'bout it, I couldn't.”

“Why not?”

“It was 'round 'bout the time this...” Thunderlane made a gesture towards his head, “...started.”

“Ah, I see.” Stable said. He stayed there, contemplating something. “Could it have been your reclusive nature that drove her away?”

Thunderlane almost protested, but the inquisitive look the doctor shot at him made him ask the question himself. “Maybe...”

“Another thing Thunderlane. In your dreams you say there is a white mare who sometimes helps you. Who makes the dream easier to handle?”

Thunderlane nodded.

“Is this mare Blossomforth?”

“...Yeah...” He said, growing agitated. He just wanted to drop the subject there.

“...Do you have feelings for this mare?”  Stable asked, cautiously. Thunderlane rose to his hooves, freezing Stable an icy glare. A glare he was slowly getting used to.

“I'm going home Doc.” He stated as he stormed out of the door and out of sight.

“Very well...” Stable sighed, though he was already alone. His hostility was getting worse.

Blossomforth stared at the stallion trotting away, incredibly confused and rather worried at what she had witnessed. She hated seeing Thunderlane like the way he was, but this was the first time in awhile they had actually interacted. It was one of the few times Thunderlane didn't choose to avoid her. She tried to push her concern out her head as she went on with her day, but she knew something was terribly wrong. She shook her head, a little agitated at herself.

This was Thunderlane! He was her oldest friend, even if he did kind of push her away. Well he wasn't pushing her away this time. Blossomforth had an obligation to find out what was going on and help him any way she could.

But where to start? She hadn't seen where he had left. Sighing, she left for the only reliable source of information she could think of, and headed off to find Lyra and BonBon.

Thunderlane had finally made it. It had taken him a few years, but he finally made it home. With a smile on his face, he went inside, happy to be away from the icy winds outside. He quickly went to his room and covered himself in a comforter, before seating himself at his desk. At his desk was an old journal, untouched for centuries. He just couldn't wait to make another entry. Before he could get started, however, he had to make some tea.

With his nightly refreshment in hoof, he eagerly dove into the novel in front of him. He raced through the blank pages, enjoying the tale with great admiration. Sighing to himself, he finally decided to retreat to his bed, still unsure why he sat down at the empty desk. He fell asleep almost instantly, ignoring the broken cup on the floor, and the howling blizzard outside.