What Happened in September...

Hydro wheezed, a large trail of blood behind him as he dragged himself away from the Everfree Hospital, gasping for air. He turned his head and looked down across his side, two nasty looking holes bleeding from where two bolts of magic had hit him. He recognized the singe marks around the wounds, having done numerous autopsies on ponies who suffered the same fate. He had been shot by somepony...but for what reason he had yet to remember. Memories were coming back to him steadily and he winced, remembering the day his apartment caught fire. Tears streamed out of his eyes as he whispered to himself

"Still can't remember...what happened in September. Back when everypony died...trails of blood right from my side. I can see now...the ponies were defeated, by something really strong. It seems very weird and wrong, it just doesn't belong...like it came out of this world..."

He rested his head on his hooves and wheezed, another flash of memories and words rambling through his head at an insane rate. Above all the commotion, he heard his own voice, weak and riddled with sadness.

***

June 7th - Town of Everfree - Four Months after Apartment Fire

"This is the recording of Doctor Hydro Gen, in the year of our Princess Celestia 1484, Town of Everfree on the edge of the Everfree Forest, southern portion. It's been about...four months now since I've moved from Ponyville...my work being forced to come along with me. As I predicted...Celestia did indeed pull funding for our project...regrettably, of course. The drug war in Manehatten might as well be lost and there have even been attacks in Ponyville as well as in Trottingham...it's a mess. I haven't heard from Angel since that night...and even then I don't really care for it anymore. Found out she was pregnant...believe it or not. She's made attempts to contact me, even told me in one of her letters that she would be waiting for me every Thursday at our usual spot at our favorite diner. I refuse to see her, as I don't think any more emotional bullshit is good for me right now. While our funding may be gone, I still have nearly unlimited resources from my dead parents old accounts...as well as a small fortune of my own. I'm so close...so very, very close to splitting the atom, I can taste it! As for...what Luna and I had discussed that one night...about Celestia and her recreating Equestria...I do wonder if it could be possible. Such an idea is murderous, traitorous even...but is it necessary? Is it horrible to do a deed that must be done, regardless if it's moral or not? Our children deserve better then this shitty world...but who could ever dare to make that choice, to destroy and create anew?"

Hydro sighed, setting down the small recording and looking about at his new lab. The whole installation was about the size of his last lab, all located in a basement underneath the Everfree Hospital. He had cut a deal with the physicians above, donating a sizable sum of bits to their medicine program. He scoffed as he made his way over to the Atom Machine "Meet in Ponyville...what bullshit. Does she even know what she might as well be saying? 'Oh Hydro, meet me, your traitorous ex-marefriend who's pregnant with your best friends foal, in the place that's now being attacked by murderous drug cartels and runs you the risk of getting shot or clubbed to death!'. Honestly, she's out of her fucking mind..."

He growled as he pushed his face against the visor like lens and booted up the machine, his horn lighting up with magic and his work resuming. Six clipboards floated around him as well as pencils, furiously scribbling as he spoke "Beginning test number one-forty-two. We have concluded upon several trial and error tests that parts larger then the atom will not split it, no matter how hard we collide them together or even how we collide them. We're going to try and move to the other spectrum of size: smaller. I am now moving this part here and..." He trailed off, eyes narrowed and his mind focused in concentration. He watched as one of the atoms floated by, and his eyes slowly moved over to the part his magic moved, a good deal smaller then the atom. His left eye twitched and the smaller part rocketed forward, hitting the atom with tremendous force. His eyes followed the atom which sailed upwards, but did not break. He sighed, growling as he moved a smaller part over "We'll try smaller...let's see."

He levitated a considerably smaller part over and used his magic to wipe the sweat off his brow, narrowing his eyes again and launching the smaller part towards the atom. The atom was once again hit and flung across the space inside the machine, but again, did not break or split. Hydro was just about ready to say 'To hell with this' when suddenly...a bright flash emitted from the atom, and it split in two. Hydro reared back with a frightened yelp as all the lights in his lab suddenly brightened and shattered, his machines powering up and beeping rapidly. He turned his head sharply towards the large plug in the wall that powered the atom machine and used his magic to rip it out of the socket, the machine powering down and the lab slowly returning to normal. He panted as he looked around, making sure the lab was stable before scribbling quickly one of his clipboards.

"Success!!!" he shouted with glee, a wide smile on his face as he spoke quickly while writing "Test number one-forty-two is a success! All data has been recorded and the result couldn't have been more astounding! Energy, power, so much of it!!! All stored within such a tiny little vessel! This has got to be one of the most amazing scientific breakthroughs in the history of Equestria! I won't reveal my findings to Canterlot...not yet. I still have to figure out how to harness this energy...maybe manipulate it even! Oh the possibilities, it's fantastic!" He smiled and put down the clipboard, sighing contently as he looked over at the clock on the wall. It was about midday...which made him frown. Today was Thursday, meaning that Angel would probably be planning to go to the diner. He frowned, looking towards the ground and thinking. He was still hurt over the events that had transpired months before, but he couldn't hide the fact that a part of him still longed to fix things. Perhaps he had been too rash...too unforgiving. He didn't know how he was going to handle the foal...it being Alexi's and all. He sighed, shaking his head and looking up towards the ceiling.

He sat there for a moment before finally throwing his hooves up towards the ceiling and shouting "FINE!"

~~~

If one thing was for sure, it was that Old Ponyville had seen better days. Most of the buildings had gone to hell, plastered with posters screaming 'Condemned', having shattered windows, and being covered with graffiti. Groups of guards patrolled up and down the streets, questioning everyone who dared to get close to them. Most of the shops had been closed, and barely anypony was walking about outside. Hydro quickly moved down the street, making it a point that he didn't want to be here any longer then he had to be. He really wanted to get back to his research with the newly split atom, but if he didn't get this of his chest now he didn't know if he could ever let himself live it down. He turned down onto Mane Street and immediately caught sight of the diner he and Angel always loved going to. He shifted his eyes towards the far back of the seating area, two tables to the right and one back...and saw her. He couldn't help but feel a wave of cold crash through him as he saw her, sitting on her haunches in the chair, her belly partially swollen from being with foal. She looked like she hadn't been sleeping in awhile, her sad eyes staring down at the uneaten omelet sitting on her plate. Hydro sighed, shaking his head slightly as he trotted forward towards the seating area.

The mare at the front pedestal looked up as he approached and said "Table for one?" Hydro shook his head and pointed over towards Angel, making the mare nod and let him through. He walked slowly through the seating area, weaving through the tables and other ponies trying to enjoy their meals. As he approached the table, Angel turned her head towards him and let out a soft gasp.

Her eyes widened as she whispered "H...Hydro?" Hydro sighed and nodded, watching as Angel smiled and eagerly motioned for him to sit. He did so, a slight frown on his face as Angel's smile faded a little bit and she asked "So...how've you been?"

Hydro immediately replied "Angel, let's not start this off by asking rhetorical questions. You cheated on me, my home burned down, and Celestia pulled the funding on our project which means I've been having to spend my own fortune on keeping it running." Angel's eyes widened as Hydro went on, his eyes narrowing and his voice indicating that today wasn't the day for patience "The only reason I'm here is to talk, and get all this bullshit off my chest so I can work with a clear conscious, got it?"

Angel nodded her head sadly and said weakly "It's...it's really good to see you again..."

Hydro scoffed "Really? Imagine that, you seemed well off already when you were staring up into my best friend's eyes as he plowed you like the Apple Family does their farm."

Angel cringed at that harsh statement and whimpered "Hydro...it was a mistake...I didn't mean to-"

Hydro waved his hoof in the air, shutting her up as he growled "Cut the bullshit and stop telling me it was a mistake or an accident or whatever! I want reasons, good ones."

Angel felt a tear down her cheek as she said "I...I was lonely...Hydro that night on our anniversary was the only night I got to see you for a month! You've been working non-stop at the lab for Celestia and I never got to have you for myself!"

Hydro's eyes twitched as he whispered venomously "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize trying to solve the problem of Famine for Equestria and saving the lives of thousands was cutting into our cuddling time." Angel whimpered as Hydro went on "Every night that I got to have with you was a privilege for me, a fucking HONOR! Being allowed to spend at least a night with the mare I love the most after having to deal with the world's bullshit, was the greatest reward I could have ever received or asked for! Yes, I was lonely too, but it was the thought of you that kept me going and trying to find answers so I could finally be done away with Celestia horseshit and be able to be there for you!"

Angel sniffed, tears rolling down her face as she whimpered "I'm sorry...Hydro I'm so sorry...I shouldn't have done it and I-"

Hydro held up a hoof, sighing "Just...don't, ok?" Angel nodded, listening as he spoke "I don't know about many things right now. My research has just hit a whole new level of intensity and that's going to be taking up most of my time, so I'm going to be gone more then ever now. Speaking of...where is that piece of shit Alexi anyway?"

Angel looked down towards the table and sniffed, whimpering "Left...went back up to Canterlot and I haven't seen him since. Once he heard I was pregnant..."

Hydro's eyes widened with anger and his horn partially glowed with magic, hearing the words that noone should ever have to hear. Alexi...abandoned her, refusing the responsibility, refusing to help those in need. He whispered "I'm going to kill him."

Angel looked up and shook her head "H...Hydro no...please. There's a reason he left...ok?"

Hydro scoffed and said "Oh? What, did you cheat on him too?" Angel shook her head rapidly, frowning at his words.

She spoke softly "There's...a reason I wanted you to come out here...it was something that you couldn't put into a letter. I had hoped that...if I told you some things and talked to you...that maybe we could try again." Hydro sighed and turned his head, looking out over the mostly ruined town. Could he do that to himself...throw his heart to Angel again, knowing full well that in her hooves she could easily break it again? He looked over towards her, her pleading eyes, the sadness covering her like a tight shawl.

He sighed "Angel...I th-"

"LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!"

An bolt of magic rocketed into the side of the diner, making the wall explode with the magical discharge. Ponies across the seating area and in the street dove for cover as a group of colts wearing red and green colored bandanas ran down the street, the unicorns of the group blasting bolts of magic backwards towards a group of Royal Guard. Bolts of magic flew this way and that, most of the bystanders fleeing or trying to take cover to avoid getting hit in the crossfire. Hydro flipped the table over and pulled Angel behind it, pulling her head against his chest and partially cover her with his own body. Bolts of magic flew over their heads, even taking a piece of the table away as Hydro shouted "Keep down! It's going to be ok, I promise!"

Angel nodded, whimpering "Hydro I'm scared!" Hydro gulped, lifting his head over the table just slightly so he could see what was going on. The two groups had taken cover in the alleys or behind carts and barrels in the street, shooting at each other or pelting sharp and deadly rocks towards one another. The unicorns were trying to throw their magic and block their enemies, sending the bolts flying every which way and making them collide with other buildings nearby. Hydro grimaced and brought his head back down, trying to think. They weren't safe there, or anywhere in Old Ponyville for that matter.

He whispered to Angel "Baby...listen to me ok?" Angel looked up, frightful but nodding. Hydro spoke quickly "We're not safe here, those bolts are flying around too erratically...we're going to have to move, ok?" Angel squeaked as Hydro went on "Listen...I have magic powerful enough to block and even turn those bolts away if they come at us, ok? When we move, you be my shadow, move exactly as I do and don't stray, ok?" Angel felt tears in her eyes and nodded, watching as Hydro peered over the table again and nod. He slunk back down and whispered "Ok I think we can ma-" He was cut off as Angel put her hooves on his cheeks and pulled him into a deep kiss, her form shivering against his. Hydro was stunned for a quick moment, his body freezing up before being immediately replaced with a raging fire that he thought he would never feel again. As they slowly pulled apart, they smiled, Hydro looking up again and shouting "Ok...let's get out of here, together!"

They jumped up, Hydro's white horn flaring as he turned back a bolt of magic rushing straight towards them. They galloped from the seating area, rushing over towards one of the alleys. They suddenly stopped however as more of the cartel ponies rushed out of it, adding their own magic to the fight. Swearing, Hydro turned them back and headed towards the other side of the diner, moving through the smoke but using his magic to make it breathable. Angel suddenly screamed as they moved towards the edge of the building, watching as more cartel ponies burst out of the opposite alley and shot towards the guards, pushing them back. Hydro looked over across the street, past the whizzing bolts of magic and flew back and forth. An empty alley rested across from him and he gulped, turning towards Angel who saw it to. Hydro nodded and Angel stuck close by him, watching as his horn flared white and listening to his shout "Alright, GO!"

They rushed out into the street, Hydro pulling Angel forward and stopping to deflect bolts of magic that shot towards them. "Keep going!" Hydro shouted, whisking away two more bolts and trying his best to keep them covered. A series of five bolts rushed out towards them, making Hydro gasp and light up his horn even brighter then before. Two of the bolts crashed into one another and a third spiraled away violently, but the last two had made it past. Hydro watched in horror as one of the bolts sailed over Angel, and the last smacked her right in the side. She screamed and toppled forward, falling into the dirt and growing still. Hydro shouted as he galloped over "NO! Angel!!! ANGEL!!!!" He dropped to his belly, picking up her head in his hooves and whispering "A...Angel? Angel speak to me baby!"

The mare let out a small whimper, her side bleeding from the gaping hole from the blast of magic. She whimpered as she looked up into Hydro's frantic eyes "H...Hydro? It hurts..."

Hydro ripped off his lab coat, pushing it against her wound and trying to get the bleeding to stop. He felt tears in his eyes as Angel gently put a hoof over his, his whispering frantic "Angel hold on...please just hold on! I'm not letting you go again please hold on!"

Angel smiled and pulled his hooves off of her side, pulling them towards her chest and whispering "Hydro...I need...to tell you something, ok?" Hydro stopped, leaning his face down close to his and letting his tears fall. He nodded and she whispered "Hydro...you're going to be a daddy....it's yours."

Time seemed to slow down as Angel gently leaned her head up and kissed him softly, whispering quietly "I love you...". He could do nothing but stare in horror as she laid her head back down into the dirt and let out a small sigh...her last breath.

He whispered quietly "Angel...?" She didn't respond, her eyes shut peacefully and her mouth set in a small smile. "Angel!" he shouted, gently shaking her as a wave of cold washed over him. He buried his face in her neck, his voice echoing out across the streets "ANGEL!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He sobbed, throwing himself over her body and not even caring about the bolts of magic that whisked by. He looked up as a bolt hit the corner of the building they were situated near and felt his horn flare up with white. "I can save you! I can save you hold on!" He looked up towards Canterlot and screamed "LUNA!!!!!!!!!"

With a bright flash of white, Hydro and Angel were gone.