//------------------------------// // 4 The Die is Cast // Story: Thunderlane Bows Out // by Bronyxy //------------------------------// A week after his initial diagnosis from Dr Stable, Thunderlane set off to make the journey to the hospital. Geographically, it wasn’t far, but the distance in terms of what the visit represented was a gulf that he had to bridge through sheer determination and willpower. He was accompanied by those ponies dearest to him, each lending their support and trying to help him be brave to face what lay ahead. Thunderlane had only told his brother that he was going into hospital, but spared him the details; the three mares knew different, each realising that this may be the last time they could share with their friend. As Bearer of the Element of Loyalty, Rainbow respected the bond between the two other mares, but felt she had little in common with them. She did however recognise that they would take good care of Rumble if the worst happened and she had already made it known that in such an event, she would be there to oversee the colt’s flight training personally. Everypony hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Thunderlane entered the building first and reported to the receptionist, flanked by his closest friends and family. He was given a clipboard attached to which were two consent forms; one for either course of action. “The doctor will be with you shortly to go through your options” said the pretty receptionist with a smile. “Hey squirt” said Rainbow, recognising that what was coming was not for Rumble’s ears “Come on and show me your best moves, kid!” Rumble looked up at the Wonderbolts’ charismatic poster pony in awe and happily followed her outside, while she shot Thunderlane a heartfelt glance that conveyed a lifetime of love and respect. He returned her look with one of gratitude; gratitude for the intimate times they had shared, the times they had flown together, and the undoubted loyalty she would show to his brother if he didn’t pull through. No sooner had the rainbow tail shot out of the door than Dr Stable arrived and ushered the grey stallion and his two mare friends into an office where they could go over the details in private. Thunderlane sat impassive as the options were covered once more and the risks of each procedure outlined. Lyra’s forehoof stayed at her mouth, her eyes wide as the clinical details were spelled out, but she kept strong, as did Bon Bon whose stoic demeanour betrayed hidden depths to her personality, not all of which she had disclosed to her wife, but were well known to the other members of a super-secret anti-monster agency in Canterlot. Thunderlane said little, but signed his name on the consent form headed SURGERY, agreeing to the surgeons opening him up and fixing him if they could. Once he had finished, he flipped the page over and signed the next of kin forms listing Rumble, Lyra, Bon Bon and Rainbow Dash in their different capacities and Spitfire as executor to his will should the worst happen. With the paperwork in order he gave the stoic Bon Bon and the now tearful Lyra fond nuzzles farewell, before being led through onto a ward where he was to prepare for surgery. Once he had got into his gown he allowed himself one final look out of the window and saw the four most important ponies in his life; Rainbow Dash carrying Rumble on her back and Bon Bon hugging a grief-stricken Lyra. He was ready. An orderly came in and wheeled him into the anaesthetist’s room where he was laid on a trolley surrounded by unicorns in scrubs. They introduced themselves and one inserted a needle into his foreleg. “This will start to feel cold running up your leg and then you won’t know anything until you wake up again. OK?” said the anaesthetist. “Hey, thanks you guys” said Thunderlane, feeling the chilling numbness creeping up his leg. He still felt perfectly alert as he waited for his gradual slide in to unconsciousness and started to compose some last words that he could be remembered by in case he didn’t wake up. Then, in a flash, he was gone. *** “Hello Mr Thunderlane” said a voice from the swirling fog that clouded his consciousness. “It’s alright. You’re coming round …” he heard, but then it drifted away again. *** “Mr Thunderlane, you’re OK.” It was that voice again, but he still couldn’t focus. “It takes time for the anaesthetic to pass through the system …” *** “Hello Mr Thunderlane, it’s good to have you back with us” said the voice. He turned his head to see a medical orderly watching him closely. “What happened?” he asked. “Oh, it went well. The doctor will see you later to explain what they did, but in the meantime, rest.” He continued his groggy return to consciousness and felt the trolley he was on bump along a corridor until it ended up in a private room where he was left to recover. Just then the pretty nurse with the pink mane came in. He wished he could remember her name, but her name badge was obscured by another of those clipboards that all medical staff seemed to be carrying with them recently. “Hello Thunderlane” she said in a voice that sounded to him as if it had been spun from the purest silk “It’s very nice to see you again.” “I was worried I might die during the operation. Now I know for certain that I did, and I’ve gone to heaven” he quipped. “Oh, you flatterer” she teased “I can tell there’s nothing wrong with you!” When she had made him comfortable, she left to fetch the doctor, leaving him to get used to his surroundings. It was all pretty sterile and unremarkable, but at least he didn’t feel at all bad. “Ah - Mr Thunderlane” said Dr Stable walking into the room with another clipboard “I have to tell you we couldn’t have let that get any worse before it would have been impossible to operate successfully. Fortunately, the disease had not spread across both lungs and we believe we were able to remove all traces by taking out the infected lung. Thank Celestia you came to us when you did!” “So, I’m cured then?” asked Thunderlane. “I didn’t say that, but the early signs are that you should make a good recovery” Dr Stable corrected, playing down any guarantee of future fitness that his patient may have assumed from his positive demeanour. Nurse Redheart gave her patient another of her winning smiles that seemed to glide across her face with such ease, reinforcing the impression that the perspective from the clipboard carrying medical staff was positive, and he relaxed a little. She was a very attractive mare with a very nice smile … Dr Stable went on to outline his recovery time and his expectations once the wounds had healed, and Thunderlane did his best to focus, but found himself more re-assured by his calming tones rather than by the content of what he said. There was no escaping the severity of the operation after all, but the positivity he felt radiating from the two medical professionals in the small room gave him real hope. As afternoon turned into evening there was the sound of a scuffle outside his room that pricked his ears up. It sounded a bit like rush hour at Canterlot Central Station with lots of ponies all jostling amongst each other whilst a lone voice was clearly trying in vain to hold back the tide by informing that visiting hours hadn’t started. He recognised some of the voices and smiled, preparing himself for a flood of visitors. A cyan face with rose coloured eyes peered cheekily around the doorjamb. A second later, a pair of large purple eyes appeared lower down. “Hey big fella, a few of the guys figured you might need some cheering up!” “Bro!” called the other face. And with that, a pile of ponies tumbled in, despite continued protestations from the clipboard carrying orderly. Before it descended into a full scale riot, Thunderlane ushered Rumble onto the bed beside him and waited for the hubbub to die down before recounting the story to his audience of Lyra, Bon Bon and assorted Wonderbolts, all of whom were looking very happy to be there. Once he had finished, it descended into a party and none of the orderlies, whether carrying clipboards or not, decided to brave the rowdy crowd until visiting hours were at an end. The party atmosphere continued for the entire duration of visiting hours, some ponies having managed to sneak some illicit cider into the room and everypony having a really good time recounting their stories. Rumble was given honorary membership of the Wonderbolts and was listening wide-eyed to their daring exploits, while Lyra and Bon Bon found themselves very popular with mares and stallions alike. All too soon, the time had flown away, and the revellers, although delighted to share time with their friend were disciplined enough to recognise that there were others in the hospital, many of whom may not have been looking forward to recoveries like Thunderlane was, and so at the allotted hour began saying their goodbyes without being bidden. One by one, they all filed back out again, each sharing a parting witticism or bawdy comment in their turn. When the numbers had thinned out to the last five guests, Spitfire took her turn: “Hey Thunderlane, just to let you know there’s always a place for you with the Wonderbolts. Rainbow Dash here showed us the importance of loyalty once before, and I’m darned sure we’re not going to lose you on my watch!” Just as he tried to acknowledge the kind offer, Rainbow simply leaned in and covered both of their faces comically with a wing while she used the moment to give a heartfelt if very brief kiss, then she departed with the rest of the Wonderbolts having in that one quick action conveyed more to the patient than words ever could. Lyra and Bon Bon each kissed him too and then Rumble gave his big brother one last hug. “Thank you so much for your help Ladies” said Thunderlane “And you, bro, be sure to take good care of these beautiful Ladies for me.” “He’s a perfect Gentlecolt” said Lyra “Like his brother.” “Oh, now look what you’ve done, bro” he said in mock horror “They can’t tell us apart. Just make sure you don’t blot my copybook is all!” "There's no way they could mix us up" said Rumble quickly "I'm the cute one!" “Not the modest one, then?" said Bon Bon, lifting an eyebrow quizzically. "Yeah, maybe I'll grow into that too, some day!" “Well, are you going to escort us home now, you big handsome stallion?” said Lyra, putting a hoof on Rumble’s shoulder, just as Thunderlane would have done if he could have reached. Rumble turned to give his brother one last wave as both mares shot him a final smile farewell and once they had gone he lay back, dreading what the orderly would say when he came to clean up. However, all things being considered, he could live with that – it was just so great to be alive!