[[Enjoy the story while listening to this heartfelt music.]]

The earth was dry.

It was horrible. Truly. Utterly. Horrible.

Rumble stood, as still as a statue, in a sea of nothingness but dry, and arid ground. The rocks were dust, and the dusts were rocks. The wind howled in a sickening attempt, as if to produce, a symphony for the damned. The sky was robbed of its warmth, deprived of its luxuriant beauty, and left to crush any who dared to breath, in a suffocating pressure that might perhaps give pause to the dead.

He refused to move. He refused to think.

For if he thought, he would understand. And if he understood, then he would start to feel things...

Apathetic. Dismayed. Anxious. Shocked. Awed. Terrified. Confused.

What were those words again? What did they mean?

Pain.

They all meant pain; in one way, or another.

Unthinkable. Unbearable. Unimaginable pain.

However, a fleeting thought, a silent whisper at the back of his mind chose this very moment, to question his unfortunate predicament. And it wondered for no ears to listen, if the feeling he was trying to suppress was truly known as : pain.

Immediately after, a shock-wave was felt. A few moments later, the pressure from the atmosphere lessened to a bearable degree. The ground shook with a tremor unlike any other while the sky swirled into a vortex of nothingness.

A subconscious urge compelled Rumble to look upwards. A primal impulse to see deep into the abyssal sky that belonged to him : it was the moon. Just a simple, full-moon.

The earthquake was amplifying in magnitude, uncaring for the night sky that revealed itself. While the latter was swallowing the disturbance in the air, and causing a great cloud of dust and small rocks to sail and disappear upwards.

The constellations above were now visible for the world to see, including it's single paralysed inhabitant. And while the lonesome young colt stared into the void, two voids stared right back at him. The one in the sky, and another one, sensed on the back of his mind. Somewhere. Watching. Lurking.

It was as inconceivable as to imagine the death of the Sun. However, and unfortunately, Rumble was forced to experience the aftermaths of those cursed moments.

The sky was cold.

It was quiet. Far, far too quiet to be natural.

The colt was deprived of the warm embrace of a night sky once more. His body temperature, lowering to a frightening degree, as to deny him the opportunity to even shiver from the cold.

Then again, as if the call for tranquillity was taken as an offence, the ground on which Rumble stood, trembled once more. The earth itself was being divided. Creating mountains, and pitfalls on the blink of an eye with each forming crevasses.

He was not ready. He was never truly ready.

It took him by surprise when he realised he was now falling. The earth gave way moments before, without him noticing his revoked stability. Plunging deep down below. Sinking to the other void who claimed him as prize.

Rumble fell, but did not scream. His vision blurred, but he did not panic. The pain he was feeling disappeared completely.

And part of his mind refused to believe that, his safety would now be assured beyond the graceful embrace of the nothingness.

Yet, before he became part of that void however, he would have sworn that a hoof was desperately reaching out for him. Far away, and close at the same time, as if hope and the undeniable realisation of being far, far too late were battling for control.

But he was far too deep to care any-more. What was the point in living, if it meant never feeling pain at all? Wouldn't that be similar to being dead? And why struggle to live, while knowing that all beings must die, one way, or another?

Why care to be saved one day, even by a divine being, if it meant suffocating in an endless nothingness, the day after? It pained him to admit it, but he failed on the very beginning. He moved when he shouldn't have done so. He thought when it wasn't his right to do so.

And as a consequence, he felt what was known as true pain.

He felt loneliness.

His heart was void.

~~~ [[ . . . ]] ~~~

Rumble slowly opened his eyes to the sound of muffled voices in his surroundings. He did not know why he was laying on his side, or resting on an elevated platform. He also didn't understand why he could not see his fore-hooves, despite having mentally recalled his member for the third time, to scratch his now twitchy muzzle.

But he had a sinking feeling that it might have something to do with the beings surrounding him.

So he slowly waited for his vision to clear itself. And once he was able to somehow guess where he was, his first instinct was to growl in annoyance. Immediately after, all sound in the room came to an abrupt halt.

An amaranth pink mare came to view in front of the colt, with a cold sweat. She somehow, managed to go pale upon seeing him, staring at her and blinking with no care for the world.

"Do-doctor St-table. I-I think the pe-pa-p-patient is awake," she said in between hyperventilation.

A few seconds later, Rumble heard a few metal objects being put on what he assumed was a metal tray. And afterwards, a cream caramel coated stallion came to view before him. He was about to go pale as well, with shock upon confirming the conscious colt, but Rumble had somehow expected this outcome, and wanted to see a different resolution being played instead.

"Hey! Doc. What's up?", he said as casually as any foal would say. Having the desired effect of waking 'Doctor Stable' from his shock. Her assistant was quick enough to fetch a clean needle, and filled it with a substance that would no doubt put the colt back to sleep, while also inhibiting his pain receptors.

"Don't worry, I can't feel a thing. If you know who Dr. Die-Stain is, then know that I'm the one he talks about during his seminars." He resumed with a chuckle, just for the added effect of reassuring the medical staffs.

Both the doctor, and his assistant's eyes went wide with recognition. The former, now hesitating to inject Rumble with the desired pain-killer.

"Please, don't put me back to sleep. You won't hurt me, even if you don't inject that sleep stuff on me. Plus, I promise to not move a single muscle. Well, aside from my mouth that is. And my eyes as well. OK, everything except my face?", he said with a nervous smile.

"Do-doctor?" interrupted the medical assistant who was feeling conflicted with what course of action had to be taken.

Doctor Stable himself checked the heart monitor, the respirator on the colt's muzzle, and other medical devices that were connected to the colt who was oblivious about them, until he noticed the stallion fidgeting with them.

He was made aware that he was breathing synthesized air and, had some kind of fluid going into his body via Intravenous therapy. It was something that he hated: being forced to act because of external interventions, such as medications and drugs.

Forced to not move his limbs when he wanted to. Forced to breath in the rhythm of the machine next to him. Forced to fall asleep when he did not want to go to bed, nor did he want to experience that strange nightmare.

To not be in control of one’s own body. That, was one of what Rumble truly hated.

"All right," the doctor said with a sigh through his surgery mask, and nodding for the mare to not inject the colt, as requested.

"And to think we almost panicked in there," he said while attempting to alleviate the mood. "That, would have been a first for me in almost thirteen years." He truthfully said.

"Do-do you think it's the right choice to be making doctor?" came the voice of the anxious mare once more.

A nervous sweat passed on the stallion's head. "Not really, nurse Chill Heart. As I said, it is a first time for me," he said with a gulp.

"But all signs the patient is displaying, shows us that, he truly isn't feeling anything, even before we administered him the injection. And because of that, the doloro-meter can be considered useless for this surgery," he concluded.

Chill Heart, on her part, lowered her head just slightly in understanding, and in pity for the small colt. Thinking of how a being so young, and full of potential, would see life while not knowing the limits of one’s own body.

"You know," said Rumble who broke the silence. "I still don't know why I'm here, or even what I just broke on me," he continued —the stallion went to wash his fore-hooves on a sink nearby, then beckoned his assistant to put a pair of clean gloves on them while throwing away the bloodied ones he removed previously, to check on Rumble's equipments earlier. All that, outside of the colt's field of vision.— "So, could you please tell me how I got here, and what part of me you are fixing again?"

Now Rumble was hearing murmurs and whispers from the medical staff. Figuring out that he would have to be denied the raw and salted version of what truly transpired.

It was all right, he figured. As long as he had a general idea of what happened to him, then that would do.

Occasionally, now, Chill Heart would glance up at Rumble to report on his current condition. And switch from looking at the medical devices, a metal tray to provide the doctor with the desired surgery items. And not to forget, the gore that the colt could not see due to his unique situation.

"Well,..." Chill Heart attempted to respond after a long pause. "One of your wings got caught up on something solid." — she glanced at the doctor who nodded his head in approval for her to resume. "And because every foal's wings are very fragile at first, they almost, always end up with complications." She attempted a forced smile, while Rumble heard a splash of fluid hit the flood.

"Scalpel," ordered doctor Stable. — The nurse quickly provided him with the item, then return to look at Rumble with a wince.

"That is why you were brought here thanks to your friends," one of his ears slightly perked up upon hearing that last word.

Friends. He was pretty certain he only had one, last time he recalled. Then again, maybe the nurse just assumed that the ponies he came in with were his friends. Since none of them would normally claim to be related with him as a direct family member. But who were they? He had no clue.

"...rents should be here in a few moments," concluded the nurse, to the confusion of Rumble.

"Could you repeat that last part please? I was thinking about something after you said 'friends'." said the colt.

Nurse Chill Heart looked for any indication of complications on the medical monitoring devices, then repeated herself once more. "Well, ..." — she looked at the stoic doctor, who seemed too absorbed in his duty to register her presence — "I was saying that your friends are probably still in the waiting room. And that your parents will be here any time soon."

"Oh! OK." was all he could say, before slowly closing his eyes, then resting his head on the surgery table. The nurse felt relieved to not disturb him any further. She just couldn't risk any complication with a patient still awake on an ongoing surgery. It didn't take an expert to understand what truly transpired at this point onward. One of his wings, or both are in serious damage. He's on a surgery operation, which by all means would scream that it cannot be less then gravely serious. All of this because, he did not pay attention to his surrounding, and got caught on something strong and solid. Strong... Solid...

Once he gets out of this operation, he just knew that he would get scolded by Dinky. His brother wouldn't risk losing his job, coming here on his first day of work. That would just be too crazy to imagine.

Rumble smiled at the display of envisioning Thunderlane, thundering -literally- in this hospital room to check on him. But that smile never lasted, for he was now too worried about his big brother. His job, his professional career, his passion and those he loves most. He would do anything to help his big brother.

Then, there came a question that never left him. A question that always found it's way at the back of his mind. Somehow.

'How much will it cost ?', he thought to himself.

Rumble tried to move his head in order to see the doctor, or more specifically, the open wound that was being worked on by him. It felt awkward and disturbing for him, to will his body to respond to his every command, and to fail repetitively. He even could not find the strength to move his head once more. And that alone brought him in a state of unease unlike any other.

'Why do I want to live again?', thought the colt. 'I will only bring more pain to T., to Dinky, and Mrs. Ditzy as well. I was careless, and because of that, they will have to pay for the surgery bills, as well as all the other medications I'm already taking. I don't want T. to see me like this. He always hides it, but I know that he cries because of me... Useless me.'

Rumble stared ahead of him, at the void that consumed his troubled mind. 'I've had so many accidents that the insurance company won't cover for us anymore. Bro is having trouble paying the house bills. I know it. I've seen the papers while he was too tired and slept on a chair, writing something. He even refuses for me to work too. I've heard other colts and fillies my age work in other places outside of Ponyville. All I do is take more space in the house, create an extra mouth to feed, and pile up more medical bills after medical bills for him to pay.', he presumed at last.

His sadness manifested itself to the world, in the form of a singular tear that fell on the operating table. Hover, and unbeknownst to him, Nurse Chill Heart saw the display. She silently took the syringe from earlier, and administered half the dosage that she wanted to inject. The colt's breathing hadn't changed. And the devices did not seem to register any problems as well. But she knew that the patient was now, and once more, taken in by the silent embrace of slumber.

She did not care about Doctor Stable's assurance that the colt would not feel any pain during the procedure. Nor did she want to have faith in this Doctor Die-Stain, despite his well known reputation as a neuroscientist and researcher. All that mattered, was that Rumble was feeling hurt.

Not physically, but emotionally hurt.

In her heart, she knew that it would be near impossible to compare herself to him. How would she feel if, she couldn't feel the hot rays of the Sun, the cool breeze of the wind, or the shuddering cold of the water, ever since she came to this would? How would she feel if she had no choice but to rely on second hoof descriptions, rather than actually being able to enjoy those moments with her own body? Truly, even Chaos would feel pity upon this young soul, right?

"Poor being," she muttered to herself, silently hoping, and praying that Rumble's luck would finally show itself.

~~~ [[ . . . ]] ~~~

[[Finalise this chapter, while listening to this short melody.]]

Outside the emergency operating room, a few couple meters near the entrance of the hospital's main doors, non medical staff ponies, and patient guests were allowed to remain in the waiting room, despite the early hours of the day.

A few came in as friends, while others were considered relatives, or family members. Some of them talked with each other, while others sought comfort and reassurance. In order to accept, or deny the reality of their situation. It was not an easy task. It was never an easy task. And amongst those ponies, two distinct groups however, chose to remain as silent and unmoving as they possibly could, waiting, thinking, hoping.

The first one was comprised of six young mares, all of whom were in their early twenties. They were all filled with sadness to a degree, especially a cyan pegasus, who had the unique trait of sporting a multicoloured mane. This one, chose to sit slightly further from her remaining party, out of guilt and shame. But still, close enough to receive the support and encouragement that everything would be alright.

The other group, comprised of three individuals, would have been considered as a strong family by any who passed by. All huddled together in their supportive embrace, they remained as if the world surrounding them had ceased it's time.

The dark grey stallion, who's wings were ruffled from exhaustion due to the long distance he had to cover. The soundless crying pegasus mare, who was so devastated that, her hold on a pale pink filly near her would seem to be as bone-crushing as it appears. And the filly, who seems oblivious to the pressing discomfort she was constantly receiving. Perhaps, thinking of this as her special punishment, for failing to protect the one she likes and respect.

The one, who might become crippled to the point of never being able to fly again.

Author's Note

~ 30/09/2017
OK everyone, this is chapter 2 of "True Friendship".
It has a few mistakes, here and there. And I might have confused a few people when it comes to the subject of physical, and emotional pain. But the overall is quite good in my opinion.

It might change in the future, when I re-read this chapter, then realise that it could have been better improved.

So that's what you get when you are learning to write a story, while actually maintaining a full-time job (besides other personal things).

I hope you girls and guys will love it.

~ 01/10/2017
Eeyup. Quite a few mistakes, as predicted. I'm glad that I'm not perfect. Because now, I can constantly seek to improve myself instead of assuming that everything is good.

~ 03/11/2018
WOW! It has already been a year?! WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING ?!
Welp! I was able to sort out my life, somehow. Finally coming to terms with the fact that I'll soon die. So yeah! Why not complete a few chapters along the way as well, right? It's not like my lifespan will get any longer.

And again, if you see a mistake in the writing PLEASE COMMENT ME ABOUT IT.

Also! You can support me via PayPal here : https://www.paypal.me/DarkAii

Thanks for your support, and make sure to follow me for more on FiM.
~Dark-Aii (Website.In.Progress)

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