The Thunder Twist Chronicle

The first thing I notice is something wrapped around the back of my head and covering my nose and mouth. There is also something similar to the feel of my goggles over my eyes. Then I remember. The show! I sit up quick as lighting and look around. I see that all the colors are muted due to the tinted goggles over my eyes. I also see that I am in a huge tree. The door to the room is closed, but I can hear some commotion goin’ on down stairs. I get out of bed and notice the weird contraption over my snout. I go to take it off, but as soon as my nose and mouth are open to the air I can’t breathe. I immediately slam the contraption back down on my face and feel the great relief of oxygen in my lungs. I want to take the goggles off, but I’m afraid something bad will happen like with the breathingmajig. I go over to the door and open it.
I see six ponies stand in the middle of room. Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Shining Silver. All have worried expressions on their faces, but when I close the door behind me, Twilight looks up.

“Oh,” she says, “You’re awake.”

“Yeah,” I respond, “Where am I?”

“We are in the library of Ponyville, my old home.”

“How long ago did it happen?” I ask, looking at the ground.

“Three days,” Twilight answers sadly. “You’ve been here ever since.”

“What are these weird things on my face?”

“Ah, yes,” she replies. “The mask was needed after your hyperventilation damaged you capability to intake air. It shoots oxygen directly into your lungs. You’ll probably have to wear it the rest of your life. On the bright side you can now breathe underwater.” She forces a chuckle. I’m not amused.

“And the goggles?” I ask.

“Well, due to lack of oxygen to your brain, your eyes were damaged causing them to be harmfully sensitive to light. After a year you may take them off when you sleep, but, like the mask, you will need them forever.” She says the last while turning her gaze from me.

Shining Silver walks up to me. We’ve become the best of friends since I returned to Canterlot three years ago. “I’m really sorry, Twisty,” she says. “I know this must be hard for you, but if you ever need anything I am here for you.”

“Thank you, Sil,” I reply, giving her a hug. I break off the hug and look at the other ponies in the room. “Has the funeral happened yet?”

Rarity speaks up, “No, darling. We were waiting for you to wake up. All the preparations have been made and we’ll be ready to start as soon as you are, dear.”

“Thank you, but I have one request.”

“What is it, dearie?”

“Can she be cremated, please? I want to keep her ashes with me.”

“Of course,” Twilight answers. “We’ll do it tonight, and the ceremony will be tomorrow.”

“Thank you, everypony,” I say. “I think I’ll go for a walk now.” I start toward the door.

Outside, walking around Ponyville, I quickly get lost in my own thoughts. I start thinking about Ma. She was the best mother anypony could ever ask for. Better yet, she was the best friend all ponies dream of. The last hour of her life was one of the best of mine, and then it all came crashing down.

I find that my feet have taken me to the bridge leading out of Ponyville. I look over the side and stare at my reflection. I see my normal red coat and my orange and red mane. The mask I have looks really weird, like one of those gas masks I’ve heard about in stories. It even was made to match my mane in color. The goggles have orange rims, but the tint is so black that I can no longer see my yellow eyes. As I’m watching the water, my eyes start to tear up, and my reflection turns to that of Ma. I begin to cry in earnest, racking with heavy sobs.

I don’t know how long I was there but when I finally calm down, it’s full dark outside. I get up and slowly make my way to the library. When I get there I notice that Ma’s ashes are in a small urn on the table in the middle of the room. I grab the urn and make my way up stairs to my room. Seeing as the urn is the only thing I’ll need to take, that is the only thing I put in my bag. I lay the bag next to my bed and solemnly crawl in. I’m out in ten seconds flat.

I wake up to a knocking on my door.

“Hey, Twisty,” I hear Sil calling. “The ceremony starts in one hour, so I thought I should come see if you’re awake.”

“I am now,” I reply groggily. “I’ll see you at the ceremony.’

“OK, see ya then.” I hear her walk down the stairs and out the door.

I get up and go take a shower, getting four days of stink off me. After I’m presentable, I go downstairs, find some paper, ink and a quill, and go back up stairs. I sit down at the desk, dip the quill and begin to write.
Dear Sil, I have left due to the circumstances, and I don’t know when I’ll be back, if ever. I want you to know that I love you. I always have, I always will. Please take care of yourself and please remember me. Forever yours, Thunder Twist.

I put the quill down, fold the paper in half then write her name on it, Shining Silver. I grab my bag, and I take the note down to the table in the main room. I notice that the funeral is about to start, so I head out. Instead of going toward the center of town, however, I walk to the edge, avoiding anypony I see.

“Ma, we’re going to see the world together,” I say as I spread my wings…