Broken Thunder

Thunderlane let out a dreadful groan as he felt the full impact of the floor rushing to wish him a good morning. His lack of consciousness now coupled with a pounding headache did not improve his feelings for this morning. He stood up, still dizzy from both his slumber and the collision, and peered outside the window, gauging how far along Celestia's sun was on its path. Once again, he groaned.

Blossomforth is gonna give me so much crap for this, he thought. Looking back at his bed, rather mournfully, he gave his wings a shrug of defeat and trotted downstairs. No nightmares. Can't really complain bout that, he mused, sneezing before seeing that his brother had already gotten a bowl of cereal.

“Hey Thunderlane!” Rumble greeted.

“Hey kiddo.” The elder responded, debating about how to start his day.

“So what are we doing today?”

“Well,” he began, “we're gonna head over to track here in a bit. But I need to take a shower and get a bowl myself first.” Rumble lack of response was his cue. With a definitive nod, Thunderlane took off upstairs, ready to wash off the filth and, hopefully, this cold.

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

Thunderlane stopped for a minute. Something on the very fringe of his mind was trying to contact him. Some old memory perhaps. What was that line from? He could have sworn it came from...Blossomforth?

Thunderlane simply shook his head, figuring the thoughts would wash off in the shower.

Thunderlane sniffled as they raced to where all the flying pegasai were headed, Rumble following close behind. His little brother quickly buzzed ahead of him.

“You're not getting sick are you?” He asked, genuinely concerned.

“Nah, I'm fine. C'mon, just over there.” He smiled, pointing a hoof at the rather large crowd from in and around the large dirt oval. The two of them were quickly spotted by Blossomforth.

“There you two are. When you said 'late' I didn't think this late in the morning. It's already noon.” The white mare teased.

“Yeah-yeah.” Thunderlane dismissed, barely containing his smirk. Rumble looked up at Blossomforth in confusion.

“Oh yeah. Blossomforth, this is Rumble. Rumble this is Blossomforth, an old friend of mine.” Thunderlane stated.

“You don't look that old.” Rumble stated matter-of-factly, eyebrow raised.

The white mare giggled. “Thanks, I'm glad somepony thinks so.” She said, casting a false, accusing glare at Rumble's older brother. Thunderlane shot her an annoyed look.

Soon enough, Rainbow started whipping everyone into shape. Blossomforth and Thunderlane were quickly separated to two different activities. The mare was busy stretching while the stallion was caught trotting laps around the track. He silently cursed his little brother, envious he wouldn't have to participate in any of these exercises, only watch them from the sidelines. Thunderlane was starting to break a sweat. Damn I'm outta shape, he cursed. However, the tangle of limbs Blossomforth managed to find herself in distracted from his bodies pleas for mercy. As he was about to pass her again, Rainbow was looking over everyone's progress.

“...Maybe a little too much flexibility Blossomforth. Uh, somepony give Blossomforth a hoof. Let's see some faster trotting Thunderlane. Good pace Silverspeed.” She said as she hovered by her athletes. The pegasus did as he was asked and picked up his pace, however reluctantly.

He wasn't entirely sure when, but at some point Rainbow Dash had taken off. Everyone noticed and took it as a sign for a break. After collapsing upon the ground in a heap of sweat and exhausted muscle, Thunderlane noticed Blossomforth was still, literally, in a bind. He sighed, but held a triumphant smile as he cantered over to her.

“Doing okay there Blossomforth?” He teased, already looking for a way to undo her knot of legs. Blossomforth simply groaned, again trying in vain to untangle herself alone. “You must be one hell of a colt magnet, being able to bend your legs like that.”

“I am not!” She defended, before realizing what that implied. She grew even more embarrassed at Thunderlane's laugh. She did notice, however, she was doing what she set out to do. She was helping him, if at her own expense. He was having fun, he was her friend again. Blossomforth smiled slightly as Thunderlane managed to slip a hind leg out from under her chin, ultimately saving her from her own limbs.

Eventually Rainbow Dash returned, and began to inform to group what the plan was for today. It didn't matter to him what the details were, it was just exercise, exercise and more exercise. With a sprinkle of training here and there. She dispersed to group to get ready for some flight drills when Thunderlane noticed Ponyville's Librarian, Twilight, and her little dragon friend fiddling with some strange fan.

“Now just what the hay is that?” He thought out loud as he slowly cantered over. Cloudchaser and Flitter had beat him to her, but had the same question in mind. Soon, a crowd was forming around them, all wondering just what this brainy little unicorn and her draconic brother were up to.

“What exactly does this machine do?” Cloudchaser asked, pointing a hoof at her inquiry.

“This,” Twilight began, rather proud to be presenting such a machine, “is an anemometer. It measures your accelerated velocity and translates it into wing power. Thus gauging you cumulative H2O antigravitational potential.” Everyone around simply looked confused. “Any other questions?”

Flitter perked up. “Yeah,” she turned to Spike, “what exactly does this machine do?”

“It tells you how fast you're flying and how strong your wings are.” The little dragon explained rather simply. There were murmurs of understanding throughout the crowd, and Thunderlane wondered just how more intelligent that dragon must have been than him, considering his company.

“Well that's an interesting little thing. Wanna place bets who's faster?” Blossomforth challenged, trying to stifle a cough mid-sentence. The stallion had almost forgotten about her competitive side after all these years.

Twilight's head perked up over the crowd at the sound, levitating a can of disinfectant. “Is that you again, Thunderlane?” She accused, floating the can over to him and spraying several times. “Please, we need to keep a germ-free environment.”

Thunderlane dodged a blast from the can. “It wasn't me, it was Blossomforth.” He protested, extending a hoof at the perpetrator.

Rainbow Dash dove in front of Twilight with a disapproving look on her face. “Don't worry Twilight,” she began, “Thunderlane's just cookin' up an excuse to spend Tornado Day in bed.” She beckoned him over. “Why don't you come over here and be our first test flyer, Thunderlane?”

Thunderlane simply rolled his eyes angrily. Always being accused of something or another. He threw an irritated glare at Blossomforth once she started to giggle at his misfortune. Nevertheless, he took his orders and flew off to the starting line as Twilight set up the anemometer. It's been awhile since I've flown like this, he realized. Let's hope I'm not too out of shape. His wings beat furiously behind him before he took off. Every fiber of his being was thrust into his acceleration. His form bolted past Twilight's fan, its blades spinning as if a storm flew by. Thunderlane stopped at the end of the track, slightly winded. Not bad for a few months out of practice, he grinned.

“We have 9.3 wing power.” Twilight announced. The crowd quickly swarmed around him and showered him in praise. Cloudchaser even rubbed his head, which he had no objections to. He stole a look over at Blossomforth, daring her to beat his record. She glared, angry at a completely different reason, and that reason happened to be brushing his mane.

“Not bad, not bad.” Rainbow declared before setting hoof on the starting line herself. She stretched, cracking various joints before crouching. With incredible force, she took off with legendary speed, exploding past the fan as if Nightmare Moon was on her tail. In her wake was a massive blast of air that knocked several ponies onto their backs. Twilight perked up, her mane disheveled, “16.5 wing power!”

Thunderline regained his senses. Guess she really does have bragging rights, he mused.

Rainbow flew up over the crowd. “Now listen up, if each of you can get your numbers up to at least 10.0 wing power by the end of the week, we'll no doubt set a new tornado speed record. We'll be number 1!”

The rest of the pegasai took their shot at the fan for the next few hours, each gauging near an average of 9.0 wing power. Blossomforth was soon up to the plate. She felt rather lucky to have been caught in her little tangle of stretching earlier, because now she was more than nice and limber. Her muscles were incredibly relaxed and felt rather light. Blossomforth burst forward, praying that if she would lose her wings, at least let it be after this. As she raced past the fan the fan as if her life depended on it, she had managed to pump out 9.7 wing power, which she was more than happy to brag about.

“So how do you feel about that Thunderlane?” She teased, flicking her tail under his chin. “I believe you owe me 40 bits now, since I was 0.4 higher than you.”

Thunderlane coughed. “Okay, new bet. Let's see who can improve the most, then we'll see who pays who.”

Despite how hard they had been working, or maybe the reason, Thunderlane kept waking up every morning feeling worse and worse. Quite literally falling out of bed, Thunderlane trudged on to the kitchen, feeling as if his brain was trying to escape through his nostrils. Of course, Rumble had already been up and fixed himself breakfast, the independent little colt. The younger pony looked up at his elder in concern.

“Mmph myph okamph?” He asked, a mouth full of cereal. Thunderlane attempted a grin, but his muscles ached everywhere. Perhaps due to the insane amount of exercise he's received for the past five days. He remembered Blossomforth looking somewhat ill as well, and he wondered if she felt the same way.

“Listen kiddo, you go ahead to the track and have fun with the other foals. I'm gonna head over to the hospital real quick.” He explained.

“Are you and Blossomforth gonna be alright?” Rumble asked, worry evident on his voice. Thunderlane nodded solemnly as the young colt put his bowl away.

“We'll be fine.” He reassured. He was rather surprised Rumble was worried about Blossomforth too, glad the two must have gotten along. “I'll see ya in a bit okay?”

“Okay.” Rumble replied as Thunderlane made his exit into the excessively bright sun.

His head felt as if it had been filled with murky water. Anytime he would tilt his head, a headache would arise on the other side, making his eyes watering slightly. He was sure the constant exercise and exhaustion wasn't doing well for his illness either, and he was positive he was gonna have to miss out today.

With a determined shake of his head, which he quickly regretted, he set hoof inside the hospital. Nurse Redheart saw him immediately, but hesitated upon seeing his condition.

“My goodness, are you feeling alright today Thunderlane?” She inquired, rushing to his side.

“I feel about as good as I look.” He joked, managing a slight smile. He knew from experience this was not the place to lie. The nurse quickly led him to a room, ensuring his safety and promising good care.

He soon found himself in a bed, equipped with a hospital gown. He was shocked how comfortable these beds actually were. In all his times of visiting, it had never been for a physical ailment, meaning he never got to rest on one of their beds. Not even for the nights I spent over here, he realized rather bitterly. He sighed in content and comfort, despite his condition and what it implied for the remainder of his day, or next few.

“Thunderlane?” He heard someone ask. Turing over to his left he found the mare in question.

“You're sick too?” He asked, rather unnecessarily. Blossomforth pouted, earning a light chuckle from the stallion.

“Yeah, thanks to you. Now we'll never know who wins the bet.” She complained.

“We're resting in hospital beds, sicker than a leftover storm cloud, and you're complaining about not being able to finish a bet?” She was still full of surprises.

Blossomforth rolled over, facing away from him as Dr. Stables entered the room.

“Well,” he commented, “I can certainly say I didn't expect to see you like this today, Thunderlane. As I understand it you two got yourselves a nasty case of the feather flu!” Using his magic, he levitated both their charts to confirm his statement.

“What is that?” Thunderlane asked.

“Just a simple little cold, nothing to fret about.”

“Then why are we in the hospital?” Blossomforth questioned.

Stable sighed. “It's nothing that's fatal nor causes permanent damage. It's just rather hard to get rid of and rather irritating to deal with. It's more of making sure no pony else gets sick. I'm surprised you two have never caught it before. Nevertheless, we'll have you out of here in a few days.”

“What about Tornado Day?”

“Oh yes, that. Well, you all will have to sit this one out.”

Blossomforth shot a glare at Thunderlane with minimal effort. Thunderlane ignored it and focused on Stable. “What do you mean 'you all'?”

“You're not the only ones with the feather flu. Speaking of which I should go check on them. You two get some rest, if there's anything you need just let one of the nurses know. I'll come check on you later in the day.” Stable nodded, content he could properly make his exit.

Blossomforth groaned, punching the side of her bed. “Way to go Thunderlane, now we're both gonna miss the big day!”

“Hey, at least neither of us lose any bits this way.” He tried to joke, only to get her glare once more.

“But we're missing the most important day for Ponyville pegasai! We're supposed to set a new record! All because you had to go and get sick!” She almost yelled. She didn't care much about the record, nor much about their stupid bet. There was something far more important she had planned on for the big event. Now, the very one she planned for ruined them.

Thunderlane rolled over in his bed away from her, rather disarmed by her outburst. He was, instead, trying desperately to remember the dream from the other night, or those before it. A far cry from what he usually does. Unfortunately Blossomforth interrupted his search.

“So...how come...you visit here every week?” She asked, all too cautiously. Thunderlane was taken off guard; she was usually rather blunt. More to the point, how would he answer her? First though, how did she know?

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Well, I asked Cloudchaser and Flitter why you might be headed to the hospital after I bumped into you a few days ago.” Her voice had a slight edge at their names, Thunderlane could tell. “They told me you go here once a week. How come?”

Thunderlane threw a dismissive hoof. “No I don't, I was just getting some sleeping pills that one time.”

“Then what did the doctor mean by 'I didn't expect to see like this today, Thunderlane'?” She asked in terribly inaccurate mock voice of Stable.

Thunderlane cringed. “Well, 'cause...I'm so damn fit he didn't expect to see me the hospital.”

“Oh yes, you certainly proved that at the track.” Blossomforth rolled her eyes. “So come one, what's the real reason?”

Thunderlane looked around the room, desperately trying to stray the topic away, hoping the mare wouldn't just shoot his lie down again. He figured he could at least tell some of the truth.

“Okay. I have problems sleeping. Whether it's from the nightmares or the insomnia caused by the nightmares I don't really get to rest. Well, not until this flu came along, thank Celestia.”

“What are the nightmares about?”

“Usually snow and ice and --” Thunderlane suddenly stopped himself, afraid to say his name.

“And what?” She asked. Thunderlane sighed. If she was going to learn, he would prefer it be from him rather than an orderly.

“Blossomforth, you remember how when we were foals we'd always keep secrets for each others? Like how you really hurt your wing that one time?” He reminisced. She gave him a nod, slightly embarrassed he brought up that incident. “Can you keep another one?”

“Of course.”

Thunderlane took a deep breath. Here we go. “When Rumble was born I was amazed at the little colt. I honestly wouldn't leave his side for a second, and would get pissed whenever my parents separated us for bed. Something in my head told me that I needed to look after him no matter what. That's exactly what I did. My parents thought it was cute, but I took it very seriously. Anyway, around his first birthday, my parents talked to me. They said they were glad I was so protective of him, and they might know why.

“When I was born, I apparently confused the doctors for some reason. They ran some tests or something, and through some medical mumbo jumbo and magic they found out...they found out I wasn't supposed to be born alone. I was supposed to be born with a twin brother, but he had died as a fertilized egg or something. They said it was a wonder only one of us died and not both. My mom didn't take this news very well, but my dad was simply thankful I was here with them.

“My parents told me this and I didn't take it very well. I would still cling to Rumble, but my parents could hear me cry every now and then. That's when I started having nightmares. Nightmares where my twin brother was pissed that I lived and he didn't. And, well, those nightmares never really stopped. He would always appear with snow and ice or something like that. That's why I started calling him Frostbite. Come to think of it, he's been getting a lot closer to me each time. But, yeah, that's pretty much it. I basically going crazy because the thought of having a unborn twin brother is eating away at me.” He explained, completely neglecting to tell her what her role was in his dreams.

Where he expected to see a shocked expression on her face, he found only a determined grin.

(A/N: Thanks again guys for the patience, and I'll reward you with a little fun fact. This story was originally supposed to be about Caramel and Twilight rather than these two.)