Fractured

The silence was deafening. Nobody dared speak as the repercussions of what Nathan detailed set in. The element of kindness silently cried as loyalty comforted her, herself holding back tears. For minutes, it continued as Nathan stared at the weathered table before the quiet was broken.

A deep, shuddering cough wracked Nathan's body as he raised both hands to his mouth and his body shook violently. The ponies stared wide-eyed and alarmed as he lowered them, revealing the crimson stains. Perhaps more alarming was his hauntingly empty expression.

"You know, we had a name for it too; MAD."

He stood quietly for a moment, staring at the blood, before continuing.

"Mutually assured destruction. In other words, we lived on the basis of fear. Fear, that the other would launch first. Fear that the other would take the plunge, decide the world and it's people was an acceptable price for even a miniscule chance of a pyrrhic victory."

Celestia regained her composure and spoke first, aghast at the very notion, used to centuries of relative peace.

"That is insane!"

"No."

Nathan wiped the blood onto his lab coat, leaving a stark red stain on it, and stared piercingly into Celestia's eyes.

"It's mad. We're all mad in one way or another."

Another bout of silence. Finally, Luna spoke, concerned, and addressing the blood-stained elephant in the room.

"Thou is clearly injured in someway. What afflicts thou?"

Nathan looked down at the red drops on his coat and gestured to his body.

"Radiation poisoning. There is no way that flush your people performed reversed the damage to my cells. In a matter of days, I assume, the last human alive will cease to be so."

The gather ponies all stood confused, shocked at the speed of events. Here was the new creature, who brings news of an entire people's history, and just as suddenly he was being taken away by a threat they had not heard of?

"There must be some way to fix this!", Twilight put forward. Nathan simply shook his head in response.

"It's much too late to reverse the damage. As we speak, my organs are probably reducing in efficiency. Soon, the symptoms will set in, and I'll die shortly thereafter. If my daughter is an indicator, I may live a week or two, maybe even three."

Nathan closed his eyes and sighed, leaning heavily against the table once more.

"At least I'll be with her soon..."

Nobody spoke at this, and instead watched as Nathan seemed to become lost in thought, respecting his right to look back at his memories. They were all he really had.

Daddy! Daddy! I'm going to school!

Why do you and mommy fight so much?

Push me on the swings!

Mommy, why are we leaving? Why can't daddy come?

I just want us to all be together forever!

As they watched, tears slipped down Nathan's face and onto the table, soaking into the old timber and leaving small circles of moisture as the only reminder of his pain having left a mark. Opening his eyes, Nathan quieted himself and spoke carefully after a moment, defeated by the familiar voices that had haunted his sleep for so long.

"I won't be a burden much longer, I promise you."

A moment later, a resounding smack carried around the room as they all stared in shock at Princess Luna, who held a look of rage as she stared furiously into the human's eyes.

"Thou makes promises thou cannot keep. Thy has experienced loss, but there is so much more! Thou is in mourning, thy heart is heavy, but thou cannot lose hope. Thou speaks of meeting again with thine family. The truth of the matter if thine family tis gone!"

Nathan stared in shock for a minute, but quickly turned to a burning fury as he reached for where his gun would have been slung behind him. Realizing it's absence, he instead clenches his fist, and uses all his self control to stop himself from grasping the equines neck, instead gritting out a chance.

"Make your point before I mark my last days with more violence."

Luna shook her head and sighed, softening her tone and putting a hoof on his shoulder in a sympathetic manner which was lost on Nathan.

"Very well. Humor us for a moment. Here in Equestria, our belief is this: What we have done in our life is far-reaching. Relationships and family are above all, but only so far. Thou hast lost thy child, thy wife, but all is not lost. Although the hast lost one path, the path where thy lives a long, gentle life, thy hast opened another. A whole world is now open to thou. Opportunities and years of life are available if only thou were to reach for them."

Nathan stood silently, saying nothing as he looked at Luna in a new light, thoughtful of his state of mind. Finally he shook his head.

"I can't. I can't continue with these thoughts, these fears haunting me. It's better this way. Nobody get's hurt because of me."

Luna stared hard into his eyes.

"Except thine self."

Thinking for a moment, Luna gave a smile of encouragement to the troubled human before turning to the elements assembled at the table, watching events with rapt attention.

"What we say must never leave this room. Each must carry the secret among themselves and never share it."

Nods of agreement came from each and Celestia appeared to nod in approval of Luna's actions, seemingly more concerned for Nathan's well-being.

Turning back to him, Luna spoke in absolute seriousness.

"We have already revealed our powers over thoughts and dreams, however, there is much more."

Taking a deep breath, Luna pressed on.

"We hold considerable powers over the mind. While not capable of erasing ambition, ideas, or memories, we can seal them away. Hide them. It would be as if thou had never had a past before your arrival here."

Nathan stared in surprise, not amazed by the concept, but the unimaginable choice it entailed.

I forget all my memories, my family, and my daughter, but I live out for however much I can make it, with no recollection of Angel and our happy memories. It would wipe the slate clean, open up new opportunities in life and remove the guilt, the anger, the sadness. I don't deserve it.

Yes thy does. Nopony deserves the burden thy carries. Let us help you. Let us remove thy burden and free you.

Nathan stared hard at Luna and back at the others, absorbing their looks of concern and sympathy. He couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe that such a world truly existed. It was... Breathtaking.

"This world doesn't need a person like me. I serve no purpose, have no goal.", he argued.

"Untrue. Thy has a need to help others. Your career, your goal, has always been in support of the safety of others. Study here, learn the ways of Equestria, and take up the cause again.", Luna returned, urging him.

Nathan closed his eyes eyes and felt the sting of tears once more as he tried to reach out to wherever Angel and his wife were. He tried to send all the love, compassion, and feelings he could with a single message.

I love you. I'm sorry.

Opening his eyes as tears slowly trickled down his cheeks, he stared into Luna's eyes, his anguish rolling to the surface.

"Do it. I can't go on like this. I have work to do."

Luna steps back and breathes in sharply, giving a reassuring nod to Nathan before closing her eyes and channeling her magic into her horn. The power grew to incredible proportions as the alicorn drew on her deep reserves as she mentally chanted the necessary phrases. Finally, the preparation was complete. She opened her eyes and shouted once before falling into the abyss that is the mind.

"Be free of thy burden and live!"