//------------------------------// // The Tale of Thunderlane // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic: Tales From The Stallion Six // by SuperPinkBrony12 //------------------------------// The Cutie Mark Crusaders searched all over town for Thunderlane, asking whoever they thought could help them. But they all had the same answer, they hadn't seen Thunderlane around at all. Then, Rumble got the idea to ask Fluttershy. Especially seeing as the two of them were childhood friends. "Hello Miss. Fluttershy." Rumble called sweetly, as he and his fellow CMC approached her cottage. "Hello to you too Rumble." Fluttershy replied "It's always a pleasure to see you. Is there something I can help you with, if you don't mind me helping that is." "As a matter of fact, yes." Rumble explained "We're looking for Thunderlane, have you seen him?" "Why are you so eagar to find him?" Fluttershy asked "Wouldn't you rather be out and about, enjoying this lovely Spring day?" "We're hoping that Thunderlane can tell us where to find Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo replied "But it seems like the both of them have just dropped off the face of Equestria. You wouldn't happen to know where we could find either of them, could you?" "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, but I haven't seen either of them at all today." Fluttershy apologized "I've been very busy tending to all my animals. Spring is a very important time of year for them you know." "What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked innocently. "Trust me, you're better off not knowing." Apple Bloom replied. Scootaloo decided to change the subject before Sweetie Belle asked something that she would regret learning about "Do you at least have some sort of idea as to where we could find them?" "Well, maybe you could try checking town hall." Fluttershy suggested "After all, the Ponyville Weather Team reports directly to Mayor Mare. Chances are, if they're on duty, that's where you'll find them. And if not, then The Mayor may at least be able to point you in the right direction." "Sounds like a plan." Rumble replied "Thanks for your help Miss. Fluttershy, see you around." "Goodbye Rumble." Fluttershy called, and waved until he was out of sight. She couldn't help but smile at how gentle and kind he was. "He's just like his older brother when we first met." she thought happily. "There's town hall, straight ahead!" Rumble shouted, a short time later. "I see it. Hang on tight!" Scootaloo called, and began to speed up. Her wings buzzing fiercely. She had never gone this fast before, while also towing three other ponies that were about her age. Needless to say, as town hall drew close, she began to feel exhausted. Suddenly, a voice called out "Stop!" Reacting quickly, Scootaloo braked as hard as she could. As she did so, she saw who it was who had shouted the warning. It was none other than Thunderlane, and he seemed rather concerned. Unfortunately, Scootaloo was going too fast to stop in time, and she and the other CMC shot past Thunderlane. They grinded to a halt a second later. "Are you alright?" Thunderlane asked, as he rushed over to the wagon. "I'm fine big brother." Rumble replied "You don't have to ask." "I'm just trying to keep you safe. You and your friends were going too fast." Thunderlane scolded. "So, I don't see what the big deal is." Scootaloo shrugged. "The big deal is that you or someone else could've gotten hurt!" Thunderlane said seriously "If you want to do that sort of stuff, do in a place where there's a lot of open space. That way you won't crash into anything, or anyone." "I'll keep that in mind for next time." Scootaloo said reluctantly "Say, have you seen Rainbow Dash anywhere?" Thunderlane shook his head "I'm afraid not. When I went to her cloud house, she left a note saying that she'd gone out to practice her flying skills somewhere. She didn't say where, or when she'd return. The only thing her note did tell me, was to come here and pick up the weather schedule for the next week." "Just great." Scootaloo complained "If only I could fly!" "Hey, I can't fly yet either, and you don't hear me whining about it!" Rumble snorted. "Don't start you two!" Apple Bloom interrupted. "Say, Thunderlane?" Sweetie Belle asked "How did you get your cutie mark?" "Yeah, you never told me." Rumble added "And Mom and Dad never said anything. They only said that you got your cutie mark just after I was born." "You really wanna hear my story?" Thunderlane asked. Rumble, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom nodded. Scootaloo said nothing, she wanted to hear Rainbow Dash's story, but she figured it was no use arguing with her friends. "Well, it all started back when I was living in Cloudsdale." Thunderlane began. As anypony will tell you, growing up in Cloudsdale can be quite rough. The city is among the finest in Equestria, and that gives it quite the ego. There is often a sense among the pegasi to ensure that only the best of the best make into the coveted jobs of being a Wonderbolt, or one of its many athletic teams. From the time they're out of diapers, pegasi are expected to live up to the high standards that Cloudsdale society places on them. Those who can't handle the pressure and the competetion are usually frowned upon, and mocked and tormented to no end. Such was the life of young Thunderlane, who was one of the pegasi that struggled to keep up with the others. He lagged behind his classmates in just about everything, including flying. And this to led to an almost un-ending stream of bullying. What was even worse was the fact that Thunderlane's mother had, until recently, been part of The Wonderbolts. She'd been a great friend of the new captain, Spitfire, who had become the youngest leader of the elite flight team since its founder, General Firefly I. But upon learning the news that she was pregnant, Thunderlane's mother had decided that the time had come for her to retire. And so it was, that one faithful day, she took her son with her to Wonderbolt H.Q. "Now Thunderlane, you stay right here until I get back." Thunderlane's mom said seriously. "Don't worry mother, I'll be good." Thunderlane replied. Thunderlane's mom simply smiled, and headed into the building to fill out the necessary paperwork to make her retirement official. That's when the trouble began. A trio of pegasus colts, known as Dumb-Bell, Hoops, and Score showed up, and began to make fun of Thunderlane. "Well, well. Look at what we have here." Dumb-Bell said to his two friends "It's weak link Thunderlane." "What's a second rate flyer like you doing in a place like this?" Hoops asked "This place is for Wonderbolt recruits only, and last time I checked, you weren't on the list!" "We don't need trash like you hanging around, giving this place a bad name!" Score said crossly "Leave now!" "I can't." Thunderlane said weakly "I promised my mother I'd stay right here until I got back. And I'm not about to break my promise." "Aw, did you hear that guys?" Dumb-Bell teased "Little baby Thunderlane promised his mommy he'd stay here until she got back. Isn't that just the cutest thing?" "I'm not a baby!" Thunderlane protested. "Oh yes you are." Score chuckled "I bet you still drink from a sippy cup!" "I haven't done that since I was a year old!" Thunderlane said crossly, tears starting to form in his eyes. "Aw, does wittwe baby Thundewwane not want to pway?" Hoops teased "Does he need his mommy to come and take him home for a nap?" He, Score, and Dumb-Bell, began to laugh and laugh. "Stop laughing at me!" Thunderlane said, in between sobs "It's not funny!" "Leave him alone!" an unfamiliar voice bellowed. Thunderlane looked up, and gasped. Standing in front of the bullies was a pegsasus colt that Thunderlane had never seen before. The colt had a coat that was light cyan blue, a bushy mane and tail that was midnight blue in color, and emerald green eyes that seemed to potray an aura of great confidence. "Butt out Soarin, this is none of your business!" Score said crossly. "Oh, it is too my business!" Soarin said seriously, standing between the bullies and Thunderlane "It looks to me like you were bully this innocent little colt." "And what if we were?" Dumb-Bell asked "What are you gonna do about it?!" "Keep making fun of him and find out!" Soarin threatned "I'm not looking to start something here, but you know I'll finish it!" "Ooh! Sounds to me like someone's got a death wish!" Hoops said menacingly "You wanna fight all three of us at once?!" "Whoever said anything about fighting?" Soarin asked "If you three are so confident in your flying skills, then what's wrong with a little 'friendly competetion'?" "What are you suggesting?" Dumb-Bell said crossly. "It's simple. I'm going to be participating in the next Wonderbolts try-out. And I want you three to sign up as well." Soarin explained "I'm going to be defending the honor of this colt you guys were picking on. If I win, you three will leave him alone, and never show your faces in my prescence ever again!" "And what if we win?" Hoops asked. "Yeah, what's in it for us?" Score added. "If you win, then I'll give up my dream of becoming a Wonderbolt. I'll leave Cloudsdale forever, and you three can pick on that colt as much as you like." Soarin explained "So, do we have a deal?" "You betcha!" Dumb-Dell smirked "And after we win, you're going to become the first ever pegasus to be banished from Clousdale forever!" He, Hoops, and Score, laughed and flew off. "Hey, are you alright?" Soarin asked Thunderlane, as he helped him to his hooves. "I will be." Thunderlane replied "But you didn't have to do that you know. You don't have to risk your dream for my honor." "And let those three bullies keep on picking you, fat chance!" Soarin said firmly "Something tells me that no-one bothered to teach those guys manners. And I'm just the pony to do it." "Well, if you're sure." Thunderlane said nervously. "I'm more than sure." Soarin said boldly "I will win, and those three will know the meaning of humility! By the way, I didn't catch your name. What was it? "Thunderlane." Thunderlane said shyly. "I'm Soarin." Soarin replied "Nice to meet you Thunderlane. Say, how would you like to be the flag holder for my Wonderbolt's tryout race?" "I'd love to, but I promised my mother I'd stay put until she got back." Thunderlane spoke up. "Relax, you'll only have to hold that flag for a moment at best." Soarin explained "I'll see you at the race." A short time later, Soarin, Dumb-Bell, Hoops, and Score, were gathered at the start line. Thunderlane was perched on a nearby cloud, holding the checkered flag that would officially begin the race. "You're going down Soarin!" Dumb-Dell threatened. "In the history books probably!" Soarin boasted "You, on the other hoof, will fade into obscurity!" "We'll see about that!" Dumb-Bell said seriously. "Let's just go, already!" Hoops complained. "Yeah, start the race!" Score demanded, glaring at Thunderlane. Sighing, Thunderlane raised the flag into the air. The race had begun. Unfortunately, all four racers sped past him so quickly that they knocked him off the cloud he was perched on. Thunderlane began to plummet to the ground. But he didn't get very far, when a sudden burst of violet-pink magic pushed a nearby cloud into his path. Thunderlane landed on the cloud with a thud, and was quite surprised when he didn't fall right through it. Strangely enough, the cloud still felt as soft as ever. Then, the cloud began to carry Thunderlane safely to the ground. Thunderlane looked around, but he didn't see anyone. "That's strange." he thought to himself "If no one is around, then why did that cloud come to my rescue?" Hoping to find some answers, Thunderlane began to study the cloud, as well as the ones around them. As he did so, he was unaware that he was working with thunder clouds. That was, until he kicked them, and the clouds gave off a loud bang! The noise ended up frightening a pack of butterflies. Thunderlane felt a little bit embarassed. "I didn't mean to scare them like that." he thought to himself "I hope no one was around to see that." "Uh, excuse me?" a female voice called shyly. Thunderlane looked down, and saw a pegasus filly about the same age as him. The filly had a yellow coat that matched quite nicely with the pink mane and tail styled into bangs, and behind them were a pair of innocent cyan eyes. Thunderlane couldn't help but blush slightly, as he thought that the filly was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. His thoughts were interrupted as the filly began to speak. "You startled my butterfly friends with your thunder clouds." the filly explained "They just wanted me to tell you, that they don't like it, and they want you not to do it again. If that's not a problem for you, that is." Thunderlane was about to question how the filly could understand the butterflies, when he spotted a trio of pink butterflies printed on her flank. Apparently, her cutie mark symbolized her ability to communicate and understand animals. If he hadn't seen it for himself, he never would've believed that it was possible for a pegasus to obtain such a cutie mark. "Sorry about that little filly." Thunderlane apologized "I didn't mean to startle them." "My name is Fluttershy." the filly responded. "Well, I'm Thunderlane. It's nice to meet you Fluttershy." Thunderlane said, as he came down from the cloud. "What are you doing down here?" Fluttershy asked. "I was about to ask you the same question." Thunderlane replied. "I've been coming down here ever since I got my cutie mark a few days ago." Fluttershy explained "The animals on the ground understand me better than the pegasi in Clousdale do. They all look down on me and make fun of me." "Welcome to my world." Thunderlane said seriously "I've had to put up with non-stop bullying for more than 2 years now. In fact, I was being picked on a trio of bullies not that long ago. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that." Fluttershy said kindly "I guess we're both kind of misfits." "I wouldn't say misfits." Thunderlane replied "We're just different from everyone else, that's all. I'm sorry I startled your butterfly friends. I promise I won't do that again, unless I absolutely have to do so." "I know what you mean." Fluttershy nodded "Kindness is always a good virtue to live by, but there are times when you have to put your hoof down and stand up for yourself. My friend Rainbow Dash taught me that." "Rainbow Dash huh?" Thunderlane asked "Isn't she the same pegasus that they say pulled off the thought to be impossible Sonic Rainboom?" "Maybe." Fluttershy explained "I didn't actually see it for myself, but Rainbow Dash says she did it. Then again, she's always a bit full of herself. Don't tell her I said that." "I won't." Thunderlane said honestly "Do you think we can be friends?" "Of course we can." Fluttershy replied "It's always nice to have friends that understand you, and friends that appreciate you for what you are." "Well, this has been nice. But I really need to get back to Cloudsdale." Thunderlane explained "My mother is going to throw a fit if she finds out I'm not where I'd say I would be." "You'll never be able to make back to Cloudsdale on your own." Fluttershy said seriously "But I think I know somepony who can help us. My uncle is a balloonist, and he's in charge of the balloon that runs from Ponyville to Cloudsdale." "And he'll give me a lift back to Cloudsdale?" Thunderlane asked "I don't have any money." "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll overlook it just this once." Fluttershy explained "After all, he's the one who's bringing down to the ground everyday. He's a very nice stallion." "I hope she's telling the truth." Thunderlane thought, as Fluttershy escorted him into Ponyville. "By the way, I think you might want to check your flank Thunderlane." Fluttershy pointed out. Thunderlane looked, and saw a storm cloud with a lightning bolt shooting out of it depicted on his flank. He was amazed. "My cutie mark!" he exclaimed "I've finally earned it! Oh, I can't wait to tell everyone!" "And from that day forward, Fluttershy and I have been firm friends." Thunderlane explained, as he finished narrating his story. "Wow, I never would've guessed that you earned your cutie mark like that!" Rumble exclaimed "You're so amazing big brother!" "So, what about the race? Did Soarin win?" Scootaloo asked, everyone else looked at her. They were shocked to see her expressing such interest in it. "I mean, not that I care about that, or anything." Scootaloo said bluntly, hoping to throw everyone off. "I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that." Thunderlane admitted "By the time I made it back up to Cloudsdale, Mom was already looking for me. I never got the chance to find out the results. And I didn't see Soarin again until just before The Summer Sun Celebration." "So, if we want to hear the rest of the story-" Apple Bloom began. "Then we've got to see Soarin!" Sweetie Belle finished "Come on Scootaloo, let's go find him!" "Do you know where Soarin is, big brother?" Rumble asked Thunderlane. "Now that, I do know the answer to." Thunderlane replied "He should be over by Rainbow Dash's cloud home. Chances are, Rainbow Dash has stuck him with housesitting once again." "Sounds great, let's go!" Scootaloo said eagerly, and once the rest of the CMC had climbed back into the wagon and strapped on their helmets, she took off as fast as she could.