Broken Thunder

Blossomforth trotted her way through the town, searching for the unicorn - earth pony duo of Lyra and BonBon. Lyra had managed to find her instead, and beckoned her over to their shaded table. Blossomforth was glad having to see some familiar faces.

“How's it going Blossomforth?” Lyra asked. She smiled at her unicorn friend in return.

“Nothing really, I was just wondering if you two could help me figure something out.”

“Like what?” BonBon asked, taking a sip of her shake.

“It's about Thunderlane. He's been acting really strange lately, and it's starting to freak me out.” She explained. At the mention of the gray pegasus, BonBon's features mutated into a scowl, while Lyra's remained a friendly smile.

“You mean that crazy bastard?” BonBon hissed. Blossomforth looked at her, disgusted at the insult, while Lyra gave her a disapproving look

“Don't gotta be so rude Bon.” The unicorn scolded.

“It's true and you know it! He's dangerous! I'm surprised he's able to stay here in his condition!” She spat.

“Bon!”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” Blossomforth demanded, not willing to let this mare insult her oldest friend any further. BonBon was about to speak again, only to have Lyra summon a zipper on her mouth and zip it shut. She sighed in exasperation.

“It's nothing. Are you two friends or something?” She asked, turning to the pegasus.

“Yeah, since we were foals. It's just today was the first time I've actually talked to him in...well...years really. He seemed incredibly stressed out, and wouldn't tell me why.” Blossomforth admitted. Lyra thought for a moment.

“All I really know is that he sees the doctor like once a week, I don't know what for though. Maybe Cloudchaser and Flitter would know.” Lyra stated, turning over to BonBon. “You gonna behave now?” She asked motherly. BonBon frowned at her as the zipper disappeared.

“Alright, well, thanks Lyra.” She said and she took her leave.

“Not a problem!” Lyra shouted back, before asking BonBon why so disliked Thunderlane so much.

Blossomforth hated the idea of asking those to help, especially if Thunderlane was involved. Those flirtatious sisters always got on her nerves, and the way they treated him was despicable. She let out an agitated sigh, guessing she had no other options in getting the answers she wanted.

She found the two perched on a cloud, laying lazily about. She landed upon their cloud and cleared her throat, causing both of them to see her.

“Oh hey there Blossomforth.” Flitter said gingerly.

“What are you doing here?” Her sister asked, completely uninterested.

Blossomforth let a breath she had been holding. “I need your help with something,” She tensed, “it's about Thunderlane.”

The sisters' eyes lit up at the mention of the gray pegasus. Blossomforth may have not seen much of Thunderlane, but with these two she certainly heard about him. They had affectionately targeted him countless times, which irritated the hell out of her.

Agitation aside, she had a job to do.

“What's with him?” Flitter asked.

“I was wondering if you two know anything about his weekly doctor visits.”

Cloudchaser must have seen something was up, as she began orbiting the white mare. “And why do you wanna know so bad? Hm?”

“Because I'm his friend and I want to help him, rather than stalk him constantly.” She jabbed.

“You're his friend? How come we never see you with him then?” Flitter countered.

It was a wondrous miracle how Blossomforth managed to contain her anger.

“Yeah, if you were his friend, you would know he has troubling sleeping. So he goes there to get some drugs.” Cloudchaser briefed, still flying around her.

And I really don't wanna know how they found out he has trouble sleeping, she seethed.

“Thanks.” She hissed through gritted teeth, before taking off.

She found herself back home, still rather pissed at the sisters bragging about having knowledge of Thunderlane's issues, but doing nothing to aid him. The only thing that made her more angry was that she had her answer now, but had no idea how to help. Simply pestering him about his well-being is  probably something his doctor already did. She really had no idea how to handle it.

She settled to wait for tomorrow and see if she couldn't get her old friend back, but right now she only wanted to nap.

The insistent knocking woke Thunderlane up the next morning. He sighed happily, knowing that he both woke up from slumber, and couldn't remember his dreams. Today was off a great start. He sniffled and sneezed over the edge of his bed. Okay, maybe a good start. He sure as hell didn't want to get sick, but if it got him some sleep the it was okay with him. Groggily, he stumbled over top the door, a small smile etched on his face. Before he could properly open the door a silver flash knocked him to ground, choking him with its tiny hooves.

“Thunderlane!” Rumble shouted, ecstatically latched around his neck.

“Get...off...me.” Thunderlane pleaded. The little colt complied and stared in awe up at his brother. Thunderlane shook his head and looked behind him.

“Is it just you and the bags?” He asked. Rumble nodded excitedly.

“Uh-huh. Mom and Dad already left for Trottingham.” He announced.

Nice, the elder brother thought sarcastically, don't even make sure the poor kid gets here safe. He sighed. He didn't really expect anything else.

“Well c'mon kiddo. These bags aren't gonna unpack themselves.”

“But it would be really cool if they did!”

“Oh, the bits I would pay for that.” Thunderlane joked, rousing laughter from his kin.

If Thunderlane's parents were off to Trottingham, then Rumble would be staying with him for quite a awhile. For first time in a long while, he was thankful for the fact. It had been a long time since they had spent time together, or at least for this long. A simple fact made itself clear to him, before retreating back into his mind; if Rumble was here, his nightmares could, and would, worsen. Rumble brought him out of the dark contemplation and into another one.

“Hey Thunder. I heard Mom and Dad talking about how you have trouble sleeping sometimes. Is it true?” He asked, a look of pure innocence and ignorance on his face.

Thunderlane sighed, unpacking the last of Rumble's things. “Yeah, it is. But it's nothing to worry about. It only happens every now and then.”

“What happens?”

“I...Sometimes I just can't sleep.”

“But how do you wake up then?”

Thunderlane couldn't help but smirk. “I don't. I just get up like I did wake up.”

Rumble's face contorted in confusion, not understanding the concept of insomnia.

“So if Mom and Dad are gonna be gone a week and a half, do you need to start goin' to school here?” He asked.

Rumble shook his head. “Nope, we're on spring break.”

Thunderlane nodded, rather satisfied he wouldn't have to deal with school again, even indirectly.

“Well, since I can't think of anything to do, wanna head to Sugarcube Corner?” He suggested.

Rumble was out the door quicker then Thunderlane thought possible. Coughing into his foreleg, he followed, hoping Rumble wasn't already there.

Blossomforth cantered lazily throughout Ponyville. The afternoon was well underway, and her day was incredibly uneventful thus far. She had no new information on Thunderlane, and when she tried to pay him a visit he wasn't there.

A flier interrupted  her thoughts as in landed upon her face. She peeled it off and looked it over.

“Mandatory meeting for all Ponyville Pegasai?” She read aloud. She looked up and noticed Rainbow Dash dropping identical fliers all over the town.

“Library tonight! Be cool or be mule!” She announced as she practically dumped the contents of her bag on the ponies. Blossomforth looked at the flier once more before tucking it under her wing. She knew Thunderlane would be there, she could talk to him then. But what would she do in the meantime?

Evening came around rather quickly for her tastes. She trotted inside as Rainbow Dash ushered everyone in. Once in the crowd, she began to maneuver her way around to try and find the gray pegasus. However, Rainbow decided to start up almost immediately after her search began.

The lights give in to darkness, and she was all but blind. A projector came to life, landing on a presentation screen on the other side of the room. It started playing some outdated educational film discussing the importance of rainwater, and how every city in Equestria must do heir part to help Cloudsdale. Or something along those lines. She was too busy searching for Thunderlane in vain.

The lights came back on, catching the white mare's attention. Rainbow Dash hovered at the front, pulling down some chart and lecturing about some record set by Fillydelphia. Blossomforth's attention was still on her current objective. She absentmindedly heard somepony cough, however it stopped the Rainbow's speech.

“That coughing better be from a popcorn kernel, Thunderlane.” Rainbow threatened, pointing an accusing hoof somewhere in the front of the crowd. “Nopony's getting sick on my watch.”

Good, now she knew he was here, at least. Blossomforth would just have to wait after this boring meeting to catch him.

After one final rally of confidence, the ponies began to take their leave. Being near the back of the crowd, Blossomforth was one of the first to exit the library. She waited outside, hoping to catch the gray pegasus on his way out. Sure enough, he came out while a few others flew over him. Thunderlane had looked considerably better than the before, even sporting a contented smile on his face.

“Hey Thunderlane.” She greeted. The gray pegasus turned to her and trotted over.

“Oh uh, hey Blossomforth. W-What are you doin' here?” He asked, nervously glancing away.

“Just attending the mandatory meeting like we were supposed to.” She said simply.

“Oh, yeah. Think we can beat that record?” He asked, striking up conversation.

“Maybe, but Thunderlane you sure you're okay? After we bumped into each other yesterday I kinda got worried. Why did you have to visit the doctor anyway?” She questioned.

Thunderlane was taken aback, surprised by her sudden interest. “Uh, just for a...” He shook a hoof dismissively, “thing. Like I said it's nothin' worry about.” He finished, coughing into his foreleg away from her.

“You're not getting sick like Rainbow Dash said, are you?” Blossomforth worried, taking a step closer.

Thunderlane rubbed his hoof across his muzzle, sniffling. “Nah I'm fine.”

Blossomforth remained unconvinced, but at least he looked a lot better than he did the other day. She took comfort in that fact. “So when are you gonna be at the track tomorrow?”

Thunderlane hadn't given it much thought. “I dunno. I wanna bring my little brother along though, so maybe later in the morning.”

She couldn't help but tease him a bit. “Just so you can sleep in, you lazy bum?”

“Hey I'm not lazy!” He protested, provoking a giggle from the mare.

“Oh, I know. So you're bringing your little brother tomorrow? I don't think I've ever met him.”

“No, I don't think you have.” The gray pegasus look thoughtful, searching for a memory that wasn't there. “Well cool, he always likes meeting new ponies.”

“Alright, see you tomorrow Thunderlane.”

“Yeah, see ya...”

Thunderlane eagerly walked into the house, thankful Blossomforth was kind enough to keep him away from the cold. She couldn't stay, however, and the alicorn quickly took off to some unknown destination. He wanted her to stay, but his voice wouldn't reach her through the hail.

It's not like she left him utterly alone at least. Just the simple sight of her brighten his day, and now she was offering him safety. The house had been left prepared for him. The beautiful furniture covered in mild, the bile coated rugs, and the sickly corpses burning in the fire. It really was a lovely place, and even though he felt a grave plague infesting him, he had never felt safer.

He hastily and hungrily finished his meal of expired food, ready for Blossomforth's return. Sure enough, the alicorn made it home covered in snow, but quickly shook it off as she laid down near him as he rested his mangled head amongst the filth.

“How did you get this place?” Thunderlane asked. She smiled.

“You gave it to me, when you were older. I'd thought it'd only be fair to share this shelter with you after that act of generosity.” She explained. Thunderline grinned happily, basking in the beautiful scent of rot and decay.

“Did you know it never snows during a plague? They say the mind is clearest when diseased.” She said.

“Really?” Thunderlane asked. The door behind them swung open. A pale cyan stallion stood almost camouflaged against the raging blizzard outside. Snow billowed in slightly, only to melt away when in came in contact with the corpse-fire's light.

Thunderlane knew this stallion, and knew what he brought. His coat as blue and pale as those unfortunate to die in his winter torrent, his eyes as white as the canvas of madness he painted upon, his mane as black as his namesake.

“Frostbite.”