"How was school?"
"Okay, I guess."
"Anything interesting happened?"
"Not really."
"You got homework?"
"No."
"..."
Thunderlane sighed internally. It was so incredibly frustrating to start a conversation with his brother. It was no surprise though, Rumble has been like this for weeks. The stallion could understand if this was just a phase, but he couldn't explain what caused his brother to become so distant this past weeks.
It was late. Night had already fallen and Thunderlane couldn't help the sudden loneliness he felt as he stared through the window, contemplating the void darkness outside. Never he thought that such feeling would actually happen as long he was with his family. Even if it was only Rumble.
'Do I really miss having her around this much?'He couldn't help but ponder. 'Sure, she gave me a lot of attention, more than anypony else did, aside Cloud Kicker. Yet, this doesn't feel right. Rumble... does he resent me? Why? Why would he? Maybe I'm just getting too worked up for nothing. Still, this is hard. I wonder how long he will be like this. Maybe I c-
Thunderlane's train of thought was interrupted by the echoes of loud bangs coming from his front door. Both ponies, currently at the kitchen, raised their heads in both surprise and alarm. The strenght behind those bangs was far too intense to be just a casual visit.
Thunderlane signaled with wing gestures for his brother to evade to a different room. He complied immediately without a word. At least Rumble still took Thunder's safety protocols with the utmost seriousness. After the countless times Ponyville faced extremely dangerous monsters and whatnot, both brothers had to come in agreement with how their life routines would have to change to adapt to these strange events.
The stallion slowly made his way through the hallway, the door entrance on sight. He jumped slightly as more brutal bangs followed after a minute of silence. Whoever was banging at the door, they better had a really good reason to be acting like this. Thunderlane was prepared, several things flowing into his mind in case of dealing with a impersonator. He had his fair share of changelings trying to fool him in the past years.
His hoof slowly approached the door. He was tempted to ask the visitor's identity, but opening the door abruptly would give him the element of surprise.
As soon he landed a hoof in the doorknob, he rotated and swung it forcefully to the side.
Only to come face to face with Rainbow Dash.
"Wha-"
Before he could even process what was happening the mare launched herself at him, burying her head into his chest. Muffled screams of agony followed right after, her wings embracing around him with unholy strenght.
Thunderlane was too shocked to react. He stood there, his gaze locked on the mare currently crying a river over his fur. What happened?! Why was Rainbow like this?! And why she came to him of all ponies to vent her pain?!
He stood there, patiently waiting her sobbing to calm down, it surprised him how violently her body was shaking through the ordeal.
This was troubling. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. This was Rainbow Dash. He loathed her since a long time, he never had any sort of affinity for this particular mare. And she didn't see him under a better light either. Yet... she came to him, for whatever reason. To see her end in such a miserable state, he wished that to nopony.
"Rainbow." The stallion desperately wanted to set her over a chair, but she was glued to his chest like her life depended on it. "Rainbow, talk to me, I need you to calm down. Breath in and out slowly, okay? It will help, trust me."
After what seemed like an eternity Thunderlane felt as the mare's body trepidation ceased at a snail's pace. Her breath slowly coming to a steady rhythm. The iron grip of her wings loosening and presenting the stallion with some relief.
"I..I'm s-sorry."
"Sorry... for what?" Thunderlane asked, his eyes raising as he saw his brother appearing at the bedroom door, a puzzled look on his face as he saw who was their late visitor. Thunder used his wings to advise his brother to leave. This wasn't a problem for Rumble to get involved.
But before anything else could be said another set of bangs came from the front door Thunderlane closed moments ago.
"What is happening?*"
"Rumble, get the door, be careful." Thunderlane requested towards the colt that was about to leave. The stallion stood quiet, alert for any signs of trouble.
"Huh, bro? Twilight is here..."
'Twilight?! Huh, probably came after Rainbow Dash.' Thunderlane frowned. This was getting really strange. 'Why is s-
"Lightning is here too..."
"What?" Thunderlane couldn't help but blurt out. What in the heck was going on?
"And Cloud Kicker...."
At this mention Rainbow jolted, her panicked expression surprising him before the mare bolted towards the nearest door. She flung it open, rushed in, and closed without a care in the world.
Thunderlane just watched as things took place, barely registering that Rainbow choose his room to hide in for whatever resson.
"And...huh... what's your name?" He heard Rumble ask from the front door.
"Oh, I'm Starlight Glimmer! Nice to meet you, huh..."
"Rumble." Said the unmistakable voice of Cloud Kicker.
"Oh, that's nice. And, huh... interesting." Starlight replied hesitantly.
"How so?" Asked another voice that belonged to no other than Lightning Dust.
"Well, we are here to meet Thunder, and we came along with Lightning, and end up meeting Rumble along the way, so... it's quite a coincidence." Starlight replied awkwardly.
"Are ya making fun of us pegasi?" Lightning retorted, sounding upset all of sudden.
"No! No, no, no, of course not! I was just-
"Girl, I'm messing with ya. I think it's kinda funny too, but it ain't like tagging along Twilight and Starlight is any different." Lightning said with a touch of humour and irony.
"I'm not sure if I understand that." Twilight said slowly. " I don't see the correlation any of these names could have."
"That's cause you're such a nerd, Twilight." Cloud Kicker replied, the giggles of Starlight and Lightning followed right after.
"Let's not deviate from the task at hoof, shall we?" Twilight said, sounding slightly upset. "Is your broth... oh, huh, hello Thunderlane." Twilight was caught off guard by seeing the older brother already at the doorstep.
"This is sure a late time to have a party." Thunderlane joked, although without any trace of humour. "Why, aside Lightning, are you all doing here?"
"How come Lightning is an exception?" Starlight asked in bewilderment.
"That's cause she's his marefriend." Kicker replied while winking at the stallion. Thunderlane frowned.
"For some reason that does not surprise me."
"Are you all done? Rumble has school tomorrow and I have wor-
"Actually you're off this week." Kicker quickly pointed out.
"My point still stands." The stallion said unfazed.
"Of course. I'm sorry for this but something really important came out lately and it concerns you." Twilight informed. Her eyes held a degree of anxiety that the stallion did not expect.
"Can we get in? I'm freezing my tail out here." Dust complained.
"Lightning, that's not a prop-
But before Twilight could berate the mare any further Thunderlane gestured for them to come inside. The Magic bearer did not expect him to allow them in so easily.
Correction. Most of them
Before Twilight could set a hoof inside Thunderlane blocked her entrance with a raised wing.
"Sorry, but I need more than a vague information, that might concern me, to even think about letting you in."
Starlight glanced at the stallion in confusion, her eyes shifting from him to Twilight. Why would he deny Twilight Sparkle inside his house?
"But why? I'm sure you can trust me." Twilight replied, unsure of why he was reluctant about having her in. Thunderlane snorted.
"And what makes you think I trust you?" He asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. Twilight felt apprehensive with this unexpected development.
"Well, I'm the Princess of Friendship." Twilight replied with a nervous smile adorning her face. Thunderlane was unimpressed.
"First of all, I'm not your friend." Twilight flinched but it was barely noticeable. "Second of all, I don't care about your friendship title. Call yourself whatever you want. I saw enough from you the past years to know who you will stand up for. And that's enough for me to not bother about what you do."
Twilight stood perplexed at his response. Never she had encountered a pony that would openly disregard her royal position so blatantly. Whatever the stallion had against her clearly wasn't something from recent events.
"I'm not sure I understand t-
"Chill Twi, I will explain Thunder being a jerk here." Cloud Kicker interrupted, her eyes glaring daggers at the stallion as she stood nearby him. "Thunderlane hates your guts because you covered all the crap Rainbow Dash inflicted upon us for all the past years. I think he drew the line after the Winter incident. You know? The one that could've killed many ponies?"
"Wait? What's that again?" Lightning asked, perplexed at the news. "I'm not sure I heard this one before. Was this before Rainbow becoming a Wonderbolt?"
"After." Was Thunderlane dry reply. "I was going to report Dash but Kicker begged me not to. I shouldn't have listened. It's fucking bullcrap that Rainbow gets a pass on everything."
"Ponies make mistakes Thunderlane." Twilight retorted, frowning at his sudden aggressiveness. "I cannot condemn them into a miserable outcome if th-
"That's bullshit! Bullshit, Twilight!!" The stallion snapped. "Why don't you ask Lightning? Ask her what happened with her after she made a mistake!! How many times she screwed up if compared with Rainbow Dash?! And guess who's still a Wonderbolt to this day!"
"This is getting interesting." Starlight commented. Twilight quickly sent a glare her way. "I-I mean... wow, this is really awful."
"Why is Starlight here anyways?" Thunderlane asked. He didn't mind the unicorn. Starlight was a nice pony, despite her awkwardness, he always enjoyed the few times he spoke with her.
"Oh, I was bored." Was her response. Thunderlane couldn't help the chuckle.
"That sounds like you alright. Yet, I don't think my house can take that many ponies. At least one of you have to decide if there's any real reason to be here."
"What's Lightning's reason?" Kicker wondered outloud.
"I get to play with him on bed. What other reason ya need?" Lightning replied with such mischievous that Thunderlane couldn't help the blush on his face.
"Huh.... what's yours Kicker?" Starlight asked after an awkward moment of silence.
"I get to be spectator of said play."
"No, you don't!!" Thunderlane immediately replied.
"Yes, I do. I'm your sponsor after all."
"How does that even make any sense?!"
"In a sense that nopony else would've helped you as much as I did, Thunder!"
Thunderlane flinched. He did not spect her retort to come out with such sharpness, the way she reacted was a sign he struck a nerve on the blonde.
Even Cloud Kicker was surprised with herself. She did not meant to sound irritated all of sudden.
"Oh, hum... I... sorry. I think I got a bit carried away." She apologized. Bashful at her own behavior.
"Thunderlane. Can we please get in?" Begged Starlight. The mare was starting to feel the chill of night getting to her.
"Y-Yeah, sure." He said distractedly, moving aside for the other mares to come in.
"How come you changed your mind so quick?" Asked Twilight. The princess was extremely confused by his behavior. The stallion shrugged.
"You didn't say please."
All the mares, including a very irritated princess, followed the stallion back to his kitchen. The lack of a living room was something that Starlight found odd and quickly pointed out.
"Well, I had to pick a house I could afford. This was the best at the time. It's big enough for me and Rumble. It's not like we expected visits so often anyways." Thunderlane explained to her. Starlight nodded slowly, unsure of how to react to the clear financial difficulties they had.
"It looks like trash, but it's cozy." Lightning commented, much to Twilight's embarrassment.
"Lightning Dust! You cannot say such thin-
"Yeah, it's trash. Hopefully we will get a better one soon." Replied Thunderlane, cutting Twilight's reprimand instantaneously. The princess was flustered, annoyed and confused all at once. "Still, don't be so mean Dust. This house was home for us for too long. I'm thankful for it... and Cloud Kicker for helping me keep it." He added. Glancing at the blonde with a thankful smile on his face.
Surprisingly, Cloud Kicker's only reaction was the intense sudden flush on her cheeks, which she was thankful for her fur covering it up a bit.
"Can you explain why you all here? Well, at least you three. Dust doesn't have to explain anyways." Thunderlane said, feeling awkward on regards to his new relationship.
"Of course. Thunderlane, do you happen to have a medical file at Ponyville's H?" Twilight asked, thankful they were getting to the point. The stallion shrugged.
"Yeah, me and Rumble. Especially for bad Feather Flu ocassions or the usual winter spread. Why?"
"I'm not sure most ponies know this, but their files are shared across all H's of Equestria. That way if you're travelling into any of these locations the local services will have a better idea of how to help you in case of an emergency."
"That sounds pretty helpful. Don't have to waste time telling your sad life story to a stranger every time you bust your nuts." Lightning commented crudely.
Starlight and Kicker were in a fit of giggles, Thunderlane chuckled while Twilight glanced at the Washout with clear annoyance.
"It is quite so. Also it helps the system to locate relatives faster thanks to that info. Which is why I had to come here." The princess faced the stallion with the utmost seriousness.
Thunderlane felt something was off at that very moment. Well, aside the late night visit obviously.
"Normally I wouldn't be the one doing this, but given what happened with your family, Thunderlane..." Twilight paused, unsure if she should continue. The stallion nodded his permission to allow her through. "I knew I have be the one to inform you, even if you don't like me or what I'm going to tell you."
"Just a heads up." Lightning said, bringing the attention of everypony to her. "I already know what it is, so don't expect me to react to it or anything of the sort. Actually we all know." She said while gesturing to the other mares.
Thunderlane frowned. He did not like this one bit.
"So you opened your mouth and spilled it to them before you adressed me on the matter?" Thunderlane asked. He couldn't help the anger that swept into his words. "Guess whatever you wanna say doesn't really hold any great importance for me."
"It does, you should listen to her." Cloud Kicker suggested. The stallion snorted in disbelief.
"Then how come you all know before I do?! What bullshit is that?"
"Just tell him, Twi." Lightning groaned, getting tired of seeing Thunderlane wanting to vent at somepony.
Twilight wasn't expecting this kind of reaction, but she couldn't blame him for making a good point. This should've been adressed to him first.
"Well, it-
"Wait!" Thunder raised a hood to halt Twilight's explanation. "Since you all know, whatever it is, I want your thoughts on it."
Lightning scoffed.
"Really? If that's so... I think you're better off not knowing."
Lightning's answer surprised the stallion. They both needed to be open and trustworthy if they wanted their relationship to work. Yet, Lightning was more keen on keeping something from him, which made Thunderlane extremely apprehensive.
"Kicker?" He asked towards his long time friend. The blonde looked completely lost.
"I... don't know really. I feel like it shouldn't matter, but... it's up to you to decide."
For Thunderlane that wasn't very helpful. He scratched his chin thoughtfully,
"Okay, so... why you're here again?" He asked towards the anxious alicorn. Twilight did not understand his inquiry. "Why bother coming here to tell me? If you told Lightning, well, she can just tell me. You didn't have to be here."
Twilight nodeed slowly. It was another good point, but the sense of obligation to a pony that resides in her town led her actions through. Thunderlane, despite extremely bad mouthed by Rainbow Dash, was still a pony under her care, regardless of social status.
"It's on my duty to see thorough things like this, personally. We may not see each other in the eye, but I respect you that much."
'Oooh, nice one sparkle butt.' Kicker smiled to herself as she watched the stallion's surprised expression.
Thunderlane wasn't sure what to say in return. Twilight clearly was being extremely polite about the ordeal, he couldn't just ignore her efforts to display how she valued him as a citizen.
"I guess so. Urgh, this sucks." Thunder huffed, he felt awkward about the situation. "I wish you would listen to us more often Twilight. You spend too much time with the same ponies. I understand you have your circle of friends and whatnot, but if you really want to understand both sides you gotta go around more often."
Twilight raised an eyebrow, a sheepish smile on her face as she thought his words carefully.
"I imagine you're referring to my... huh... extreme obsession with learning and teaching, which results in a lack of social skills."
"Color me impressed. Twilight Sparkle has become self aware." Joked Kicker, winking her way. "Let me know when you want to hang out, I have a ton of 'socializing' to help you with."
Dust rolled her eyes at the exchange.
"Sure, if ya want to find yourself on a bathroom floor, laying on your own puke, suit yourself."
"That was oddly specific Lightning. Regretting past decisions?" Countered the blonde with a devious smirk.
"I'm regretting meeting your stupid face."
"Alright, alright." Thunderlane raised a wing in between both mares, even if he was completely sure nothing was going to happen. "Look, Twilight. I... appreciate you came here this late for whatever reason, and-
"This isn't whatever reason Thunderlane! It's about your mother!"
Lightning's eyes widened at Twilight's boldness. Starlight and Kicker also stood perplexed at how she blurted out so quickly.
Twilight might aswell have struck him with a lightning bolt. He had few seconds to process what she just said before something inside of him snapped.
"OUT! OUT OF MY HOUSE! ALL OF YOU! NOW!"
All the mares jumped in shock at his sudden shouting. Lightning only jumped due how unexpectedly loud he actually can be, she anticipated some negative reaction. She trotted out of view while Starlight and Twilight couldn't help but stare in disbelief. Cloud Kicker, as soon she understood how things would get ugly, immediately made her way to the front door.
"But I d-
"GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HOUSE NOW SPARKLE!!!I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR FUCKING BULLSHIT! OUT!!"
His shouting was ear deafening, the mares backed away. Twilight slowly turned around, she was so sure he wasn't going to overreact, now she could only feel regret for not thinking this more throughly. She may have underestimated the stallion's feelings on the matter.
"L-Let's go Starlight."
The unicorn glanced towards Thunderlane, trying her best to express an apology of sort. But the stallion was too enraged to care.
They left without a single word uttered. Thunderlane only watched as they dissapeared, his anger slowly fading away as he felt the despair overtake him.
He felt he was losing it again. His emotions flaring so intensely from inside, it was impossible for him to contain them this time around. The pain was unbearable. He knew it was his own fault for letting this happen, but he couldn't help it.
He wanted to scream more, at the top of his lungs until all that flood of emotion left him for good. Vent out a lot he bottled inside for so many years. Yet, he knew he couldn't.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew better than letting it out. Rumble was there, and hearing his only family member going crazy wasn't going to do any good.
No to mention...
He was currently supporting his head on the nearest wall, his mohawk bending backwards, he remained hunched and seemingly hopeless.
His mother.
How dare she.
How dare Twilight threaten to taint the great memories he has from the one who gave him nothing but love and affection. The one that taught him valuable lessons of morality, who cherished him above anything else on the world.
Lightning was right. Kicker was right. He was better off not knowing. It did not matter anymore. She was gone and all his memories of their few years together were all that mattered.
'Dust knows.' Thought the stallion, sadness and apprehension filling his every being. 'What if she slips up by accident? Would she be able to keep it for herself for so long?'
And how long would that be? He couldn't tell if this relationship would go further than any of the two expected.
He wanted it to work. He so desperately needed this to work. He realized, after few weeks together, how terrified he was of losing her. The unknown that would follow if he lost her frightened him to an unspoken level.
He needed her so badly, not only because he was lonely and needed somepony to fill his social needs. Lightning understood him in a way nopony else bothered to try. Despite bold and seemingly uncaring at times, he knew it was her way of displaying her faith on him. It was weird and counterproductive for anypony that didn't known her as well as Thunderlane does.
He just couldn't understand her obsession with putting herself in danger so often, independently if this was her line of work.
Tomorrow was the day. They would visit McFly and try to work their way into a lot of topics, he was hopeful the retired flyer would be willing to listen to his crazy ideas. So much depended on tomorrow's meeting working out.
He breathed in and out slowly, an effort to bring some stillness to the surge of adrenaline shaking his body. He felt Lightning's gaze on his back, the mare keeping a safe distance for his own sake.
Minutes went by quietly. The racing thoughts in his head finally coming to a bearable clarity. He couldn't help the shame he felt for acting so out of himself, to a bunch of mares no less.
"Sorry." He whispered. His apology not really aimed at anypony in particular. The sounds of hooves ringed into his flattened ears, he remained still as Lightning approached him at a steady pace.
He felt smooth feathers reaching his back, moving up and down slowly, comforting him with timid movements as the mare remained at his side.
She didn't say anything. Lightning felt like she didn't have to. She was there, by his side, and that's all he needed to know. That's what this relationship of theirs was about, to be together no matter what.
"You want to eat anything?" She asked after what felt like hours.
Thunderlane was about to say no, but he thought better of it. Besides, he never would've guessed Lightning could actually cook.
"Sounds good. I... guess I will take a shower real quick." He replied morosely.
"Aww, really? I was hoping I could help ya out with that." She complained humorously.
Thunderlane couldn't help the sad chuckle that came in response.
"Maybe next time. I will just take a few minutes."
"Fiiiine. Take your time. It's not like I'm a chef or anything. Don't blame me if something gets grilled pretty bad."
Thunderlane shook his head in amusement. He slowly stood up, Lightning's wing leaving his back on the process. The fact he missed her touch right away didn't surprise him in the slightest. This mare knew how to keep him together.
He watched for few seconds as Lightning carefully went over to analyze the mess his kitchen was, apprehensive about opening any lockers whatsoever.
He just shook his head and made his way to his room. Lightning was perfectly capable of working her way around a kitchen.
At least he hoped so.
After checking the front door was closed, and locking it, the stallion tried to make a mental list of things for tomorrow's trip to Cloudsdale. He wasn't really expecting to be out all day, but better be safe than sorry. He also couldn't help the nagging feeling that he was forgetting something, whatever it was.
'It's probably nothing. Whatever it is I will remember by morning.' He decided after few moments of intense mental research. 'I think I left my towels on my bed.'
He reached for his door and opened without hesitation, only to found himself face to face with a very surprised Rainbow Dash.
It took seconds for his brain register what was happening, but the moment it did he felt like hitting himself for actually forgetting Rainbow Dash was hiding in his room!
"Oh, huh, I-I-I can explain.."
Thunderlane raised an eyebrow.
"Explain wha-
The stallion cut himself short. His eyes focusing on the things laying over his bed, which happened to be very specific magazines he forgot to lock away in a safe area.
His heart stopped for few seconds, Rainbow's extremely red face finally making sense to him. The worst of all was the obnoxious mag with a very specific Wonderbolt on a very suggestive pose.
"Fuck."