You can't call the days that changed our lives exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. It was simultaneously good and bad days. Of course, the most part of that time was bad for us. However, a little bit of good we could find.
But let's start again. Until that time, I, my mom, and my little brother Rumble lived in the same house. Father left us after Rumble was born. I think he doesn't need us. And even before my brother was born, my mother's life with him was terrible. Growing up, I understood it more and more. I am already an adult, so I can make money to take care of my family. My mother was no longer young she was retired. How do you think I make money? I recently became a Wonderbolt! Also I have a good talent for flying. And everypony wants to see Wonderbolt's shows, for which they pay good money. My mother was beautiful, smart, and caring. She always thought about us first and about herself last. My mother helped me choose to become a Wonderbolt. I would not have achieved anything without her. I loved her, love her, and will love her. And now I want to say a few words about my brother. I think he entered adolescence pretty early. Rumble already believed that he knew all about life and could make decisions on his own. But at the same time Rumble did not know much of his little life experience. So it was difficult for me to communicate with him. And Rumble did not too want this. Our brotherly love at this rate could have died away forever. Even if you will consider that Rumble has always tried to be like me. It seems that it should bring together us, but because of the different tempers it did not really work. So it would always be, unless for one terrible, but connecting moment of his and my life…
That day started out pretty good. We had breakfast, and then we went to do our business. Mom decided to read new book, Rumble flew to the school, and I went to the training. The only thing that this morning was different from the others days was that Rumble left home earlier than usual. But he said the reason of his desire to come to school so quickly. And the reason is this: his best friend Scootaloo suggested taking a walk before school, and Rumble agreed. "Sure. But don’t be late to school". Mom and I said.
Well, I flew to the Wonderbolt practice. My friend Soarin met me in locker room. His face seemed happy. "Maybe he has great news". I thought.
"Hi Soarin. I think you have something to tell me, don’t you? Give me a second to change clothes".
"Don't Thunderlane. Practice will not be all week!" Soarin screamed. "I don't know why, but Spitfire has just announced about this. I decided not to find out the details. Everypony have just gone. You're lucky you met me. Otherwise, you'd be waiting for a workout that's not going to happen".
"That's great! I so dreamed of finally taking a break from the evil screams of Spitfire. Thanks for letting me know". I said.
I said goodbye to Soarin and flew home quickly. I was afraid that Spitfire suddenly changes your mind. I didn't want it. No, I'm not lazy; I'm just so tired on training that rest will not hurt for sure. When I flew far enough from Cloudsdale, I chose walk on the earth calmly to the home, not to fly. I don't know why I decided that, but desire took up above me. I rarely just walked because of the training. That is why those walk was even a little uncomfortable. Namely, the closer I got to the house, the more my hooves ached. But I did not pay attention to it. And I was already here in front of the house.
"Mom, open the door please. There was no training". I shouted, expecting the mother's fright, because her son had never returned from training so early.
But my mother was in no hurry to let me in for some reason. Maybe she just didn't hear, so I shouted again, but in vain. Hmm ... it was weird. I left my keys at home. And I wonder how I should get in the home. But luckily, I noticed an open window. It was my way home! I easily flew up to the window and got to the kitchen, but there was not my mother. I decided to look for her, walking around the house. First I went to Rumble's room and then I went to my room. But there was no one there either. The last room I didn't go was mom's room.
"Mom … " I said quietly, walking into her room.
I finally found her, mom lied on her old couch. I thought she was asleep, but only for a moment. I approached her and saw something terrible. Mom's eyes were open, but her eyes were oddly open. I touched her, her body was cold. Goosebumps ran over my body. I put my ear to her chest. But immediately my hope vanished when I heard ... nothing. No breathing, no heart beating. There was no doubt: my mother died. Apparently, the heart stopped because of age. I got scared; there was a big lump in my throat. A tear ran down my cheek. My mom died, my mom died...
And suddenly I began to tremble. The thought that just occurred to me scared me. What about Rumble? He didn't know anything about death. He didn't know even about the hard sense of that word. Would he understand that? What should I do?
Of course I should tell him about mom's death. Because no one would does it except me. But first I have to bury my mom. Otherwise, it would be a shock to my brother, too. While Rumble is at school, I'll bury her. That was my plan. Even at the right moment, I remembered a single leaf with a single dying wish. She wanted these words will be written on her tombstone: "She loved her children more than her life. The eldest son Thunderlane and youngest son Rumble were always pleased her and never disappointed her".
I don't want to describe how the process of burial close to me pony was. After all, I think everyone saw it. I will say only one thing: the weather was quite clear in this day. There was only me of the relatives in this process, the other ponies were my mother's friends. I was extremely frustrated that mother's ex-husband was not. By the way I fulfilled my mother's dying wish. Those touching words about me and my brother were visible on her tombstone.
The evening came. School was over. Right now I have to tell Rumble about the death of our mother. I'm so nervous. I decided to fly up to the school and pick up Rumble. This conversation would not be easy.
Author's Note
This is first part of my first story, so don't get too angry
When I flew to school, Rumble was nowhere to be found. A lot of colts ran home, but my brother didn't show up. Why is he delayed? Or maybe I arrived too early? I had a little panic, but fortunately, I finally saw Rumble coming out of class along with Scootaloo. I think he told her something, but I couldn't make out their conversation. After a while I realized what they were talking about. Today, apparently, they had laboratory work, and Rumble with Scootaloo couldn't stop talking about this topic. I'm sorry I have to interrupt them now.
"Hey, Rumble, let's go home," I said. "I have a very serious conversation."
Rumble was immediately extremely surprised. He usually flies home himself, and suddenly I want to pick him up from school. It would be foolish to think that he would not be surprised.
"Thunderlane, what's up? Whatever it was, I didn't break the sugar bowl". My brother answered, but I did not listen to him, because Rumble would completely forget of this sugar bowl as soon as we would arrive home.
I guess that's what happened. As soon as we walked into the corridor, I started the conversation. I had to start a bit from a far, after all if I would tell Rumble simply "Your mother died", is unknown that he would tell (especially when he didn't even know, what death is).
"Today I did not have training, so I immediately flew home. And the thing that I saw raised that conversation. Listen to me carefully, little brother. That conversation is about mom. When I arrived ... she… she died. You don't know what that means. I will explain. Death is like a dream, but without breath and without a heartbeat. When a pony dies, it stops being alive. This pony doesn't exist anymore. He was, and now he's gone. This is a natural process; ponies usually die because of illness or because of age. The same situation happened with mom. Mom will not come back. I willn't tell you where she went. Take this news first. It's hard for you to understand, but you have no choice, Rumble. Mom is not coming back, and you have to understand that".
"You mean mom will not come back?!" Rumble asked shivering.
"I do. Mom's gone".
"But … but I love her! "
"And I love her. But it can be done nothing. We lost her".
" T-Thunderlane, please tell me this is just a joke".
"I'm sorry it's not a joke. Mom died, and we wouldn't see her again".
Rumble was paralyzed. He stood there, silent, looking at me. He couldn't say anything. It was necessary long ago to tell him about sense of death. Then perhaps it would be easier for him suffered this blow. I'm sorry I realized that thing too late. Rumble staggered on the spot, his hooves were not holding him. And he felt on the floor senseless. I quickly ran to the kitchen, typed water in my mouth and sprinkled on Rumble. But he didn't wake up. I tried to get him out of the blackout somehow, it's no use. Nothing like just put him to bed and hope that Rumble will soon regain consciousness. I could not go to sleep in my room, suddenly Rumble would wake, and I would not hear. And there would be no one to help him. So I lay down next to him, pre-covering him and myself with a blanket.
A strange feeling kept me awake. Mother died, brother lost consciousness and all this happened in one day. What should I do? I need help Rumble to understand this situation. Now he hasn't anyone except me. And I have no one except the creature that now lies unconscious next to me. I set myself a goal: until Rumble departed from his mother's death, I would not leave him. I would help him get away. Of course, it wouldn't be easy, but if I hadn't done this, I wouldn't forgive myself. By the way, I'm not saying that as soon as my brother all understands, I would leave him. No way! Rumble is the central of my heart now. But now the most important thing is that Rumble calmed down and realized that
our mother would not return. Oh, Rumble, I am so sorry that you learned the meaning of death in such a cruel way.
While I thought, Rumble, thanks Celestia, woke up and lifted a little from bed. I pretended to be asleep so Rumble wouldn't be embarrassed. But, apparently, my "sleeping" state even more confused him, and Rumble got out of bed and left the room. "What does my brother want to do?" I pondered and decided to follow him. I was shocked. Rumble went to mom's room. I didn't understand anything. Also, Rumble's face was not sad from our mother's death, nothing like that. Concern from what Rumble saw me on my bed was only on his face. Surely he didn't remember anything neither about mom's death or his loss of consciousness?
My guess was confirmed. As soon as Rumble entered my mother's room, I quietly crept closer to the door.
"Mom, why is Thunderlane sleeping on my …?" He asked, but he didn't finish. So he remembered everything. He remembered that mom died, and she was gone. I saw how hard it was for him.
" ... Oh no … No … No! " Rumble shouted quietly.
Rumble just sat on the floor and lowered his head down. He wanted to be sad, I was about to leave him alone, but suddenly I saw something unusual. It was night, and the moonlight lit up his face. And specifically moonlight lit up his cheeks, on one of which flowed a tear, symbolizing sadness. Oh my God! The last time when Rumble cried was many years ago when he was just learning to speak. It was so painful to see him with tears on his cheeks. I couldn't leave him alone. Rumble tried to throw it off his cheek, but immediately he cried and he couldn't already stop. "It's about time," I realized. Coming from behind, I hugged him. My brother usually breaks out of my hugs because he doesn't like them and thinks they're stupid, but not now. He only slightly flinched in surprise, but he immediately clung to me. I felt his wet tears on my body. And I did not hold back tears, and one tear dripped onto the mane of my brother. But Rumble did not hesitate, he stronger clung to me. Oh Rumble, don't cry, I am here. Everything would be OK …
But suddenly Rumble jumped out of my hugs, although before that he just snuggled up to me. On his face was obvious discontent or disgust. What have just happened? I was going to ask, but Rumble beat me to it.
"It's ... all because of me. It's my fault. I don't .. deserved your brotherly love." He sobbed, dropping tears from her cheeks. My brother just baffled me. I didn’t understand what he is talking about. Why did he blame himself?
"If I hadn't left home early and stayed a little while longer, if mom needed some water or something, I'd have brought it. But no! I left the house early. How could I ?!"
Oh no! Rumble thinks he's the cause of mom's death. I need to prove to him that he had nothing to do with this. I wondered how to explain it all. But there it was: Rumble flew out the open window. I quickly flew from homes to catch up with and to capture brother. But I lost sight of him because of the darkness. I flew all over Ponyville, but he was nowhere to be seen. Too bad there weren't any witnesses, because it's nighttime. I had to go home with nothing, hoping to find him the next day. Sleeping did not make sense, anyway, morning would be soon. And how could I sleep at the thought of my little brother was wandering the streets of Ponyville, not was sleeping in his room? My worst fears have come true. Rumble not only misunderstood mom's death, but he's gone. Now he was probably somewhere hiding from the cold and was thinking about his "fault".
I spent the next three days looking for Rumble all over Ponyville. Waking up from lack of sleep, because I was tormented by terrible feelings, I immediately flew over the city. Or I went on hooves, asking passers. But everyone told me they didn't see Rumble. By the way, while these three days were in search, I came up with a plan of how to reason with my brother that he's not guilty of anything. But I would tell you about it later. When I would find Rumble. Why I didn't ask anyone for help in the search? I thought no one should know about our loss or brother's disappearance. We don't need gossip. If the gossip gets to school, Rumble will feel forever awkward.
On the fourth day I finally found Rumble in a rather unusual way. As I walked on the ground with my head down, I felt a drop fall on my nose. But the rain was supposed to start tomorrow. And the sky was not a single rain cloud in sight. I looked up and saw a white cloud. I silently flew up there and finally saw what I had been looking for. Or rather, who was looking for. It was Rumble! Thank Celestia, I found him! Brother sat on this cloud and shed tears. The drop on my nose was his tear. Did he sit here all the time and I didn't notice? Or did he just decide to sit here today? Why now? Where was he? ... But who cares?! The main thing is that I found him. When Rumble sobbed, he had immediately bitten his hoof. So he still thinks he's guilty. And he punishes himself, biting himself.
With a quick movement, I clasped Rumble's body with my hooves. My brother tried to break free, but I held him tight.
"Let me go, there's nothing to pity me." He shouted.
"Rumble, relax. Follow me; I have something important to show you. Don't resist." I said, turning him to face to me with a sharp movement.
"No, I don't want anything. Leave me alone, Thunderlane!" Rumble answered. When he said that, I heard his voice trembled. Apparently Rumble was trying to eliminate the lump in his throat and not to cry. He realized that this conversation was about the mother.
"Don’t resist." I repeated and flew away from the cloud.
Surprisingly, Rumble decided to follow me. I must have intrigued him. Although Rumble didn't burn in special desire to go, purely on intrigue. Wings fly, although the brain did not particularly want to. It was the principle of his flight.
I executed the first part of the plan. I promised as soon as I found my little brother I'd tell you more about my plan. I'm sorry, but I can't yet. Otherwise it will not be interesting. I would say only one thing: while searching for my brother, a paper with my mother's dying wish was with me. You'll understand later why I did it.
I brought him to the cemetery. Although Rumble didn't know what this place was, he knew that this place wasn't going to be nice. Although the sun was shining clearly in the sky, the cemetery was not a joy. I think there's no need to explain why. Goosebumps ran over his body. He asked what we were here for. I kept silent because I didn't want to frighten him in advance, having told the truth. And Rumble understood I wasn't going to answer, so he didn't ask me in the second times.
Half-naked bushes grew around the cemetery. The graves of various ponies looked at us as we passed by them. Rumble nervously swallowed. I knew he was uncomfortable. Only would he not lost consciousness, as this happened a few days ago.
"Look, brother." I pointed my hoof to the farthest grave from the entrance. It was mom's grave. "This is called a grave. There, under the earth, is our mother. When a pony dies, his body is placed in a coffin and thus the pony falls into the ground, where it rests forever. I know it sounds scary, but it's true. But that's not exactly what I wanted to show you. Read this words."
"Ah, fine. She loved her children more than her life. The eldest son Thunderlane and youngest son … Rumble were always pleased her and never … disappointed her." Rumble looked at me in surprise. I smiled at him. But suddenly he got angry and shouted. "I don't believe you! Mom couldn't say those words. Well, she could only say that about you, not me!"
"No, little brother, you're wrong. She said those words. She even wrote them! Just take a look at this." I said, handing him a piece of paper with mom's dying wish. After he had read this paper, Rumble was shocked. He finally believed.
"Thоse ... those words really belong to our mother."
"Yes! Mom loved you, Rumble. It's not your fault she died. Do you believe me now?"
Rumble nodded and crawled to me. And I hugged him, feeling his tears on my body.
It was at this point I felt that I have not just related by blood me a pony. He was the dearest to me now, the only one who understood me. He needs me, and I need him.
"I really need you, do you really need me, too?" Rumble asked after reading my thoughts somehow. "I'm sorry, Thunderlane, for everything. I was foul. I don't know how to show you my brotherly love ... just don't leave me, please. Thunderlane, I need you!" Нe said that, and his cheeks were even more tearful.
"Rumble, little brother, you have nothing to apologize for. I promise I'll NEVER leave you. You're in charge of my heart now. I hope I'm in yours too. And yes, I need you, you have no idea how." I answered and put my wing on his back. And he touched me with his wing. Now the Rumble has calmed down and has realized it.
I don't remember how we got home together. I only remember that neither I nor Rumble felt such a strong longing, more joy for our reunion. I cooked his favorite dish: chamomile sandwich (I myself was not hungry, I did not wander the streets for four days and did not spend the night, Celestia knows where). That is how this happy day ended, even if it was with tears. Rumble fell asleep in his room and I didn't. I watched an unusual moonlight pass through my window. Then I saw a star shining brightly in the sky. "Mom, congratulate us, it ended well," I said quietly and yawned. Feeling faint, I turned to my right side and fell asleep.
Author's Note
Sorry for the delay with the new part. I had a broken computer, only recently I have been able to re-start writing.
