Author's Notes:

This will be the final chapter of the first Act of After! Felt like it was time for me to get back into the game. I know this took a little longer than I wanted it to, but it feels so satisfying to finally get this chapter out. I usually edit these notes as I write on. :P

Sorry if parts may be cheesy or rushed. There are some things that will be revealed somewhat quickly or instantly. To be honest, I don't think you would want to read 1000 words to find out this or that happens. As much as I like doing this thing. So yeah, you will be caught by surprise.

As for Act 2, I am most definitely going to write it all out first, then release it, similar to what I did with Regret. Act 2 will focus on the aftermath of everything that has gone down and will go down. Shit will happen. And 'oh shit' moments will occur.

And this is the story's temporary, but new, intro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO2XY9rwHz4

Enjoy!

Nopony can smell it, but combined with other gasses, one would think they left their eggs on the counter and they're beginning to rot. Of course, it isn't the case, but the questions that should be asked are, "Did I leave the oven on? Is the fireplace burning?"

Of course, the only way you'll get such an answer is either checking each individual heat or fire source---or suffer incineration because you had no time at all to think of such a question.

In the olden times, more than one hundred years ago, there was a small town, the largest within one hundred miles, that ran solely on Methane. It was a new gas to anyone who had even heard of the word. But it was useful in powering said town. Heat, electricity, or water.

It ran it all.

Then, one day, there was a leak in a pipe, far underground.

Legend has it that an operator went down below, away from everypony, to have a smoke, unbeknownst to him that there was ever such a leak.

Come five minutes after, no such town exists, every building, every home, every stallion, mare, filly, and colt lit aflame---a mushroom of dust and smoke rising high, high into the air.

Out of the three hundred folks who had lived there---one climbed out from the wreckage. He disappeared into history as The Lone Folkman of Canter Plains.

Ponykind was, from then on, aware of the dangers of long range Methane. One mishap, and an entire city could be in ruins---or worse, destroyed entirely. The leaders of Equestria were well aware of the dangers, and implemented a multitude of safety precautions---auto-closing pipes, making them thick, full on emergency shutdowns.

Of course, only two of those choices and others made it to the blueprints. The risk of a nationwide disaster was there, always there, lingering.

But life went on, and soon, this danger was forgotten to the world.

Of course---until tonight.

Four o'clock in Ponyville. The sun would be another two hours, maybe less, before starting to rise. The town was still quiet and peaceful. Families slept, strangers and friends mingled at whatever clubs were open at this time of night, or perhaps having a drink at the bar or an early---very early---breakfast at the nearby diner.

Even in the middle of the night, the town was still full of life. Quiet, but alive.

The hospital was always so quiet too at this time. Most of the patients had gone to sleep, but the doctors and the nurses were still up and about, many of them taking the night shifts.

Rainbow Dash knew all of them at this point. She was more acquainted with Stable, Redheart, and Cobalt, due to their frequent visits to check on both her and him. They were happy to let her stay in his room after transferring him.

This time, they brought him up to the third floor. First floor was declared a risk to him after...well---

Rainbow didn't mind, though. The view was more beautiful higher up.

Throughout the night, the two of them were checked on. Not frequently, but not rarely.

Mainly, it was Cobalt who checked on him, but after he called it a night, Stable---and in some cases, Redheart---was the one who helped make sure everything was running okay and that he was fine.

He was fine.

He was always fine.

He was strong, collective. He had been on the verge of death twice, and he was still kicking, fighting for his dear life.

A part of Dash wanted to believe there was a part of him fighting for her, too.

But---of course there was. After everything he, they had gone through, he still had something for her, something he believed he could salvage---something he could save.

Why else was he still a-

A muffled boom startled her through the silence, waking her up from whatever sleep she could have been in. Immediately after, the ground shook slightly, before stopping seconds later. It was as if a heavy weight was dropped in the room to her right. But of course, that was the problem.

The only thing to her right was the window.

Her breathing slowly fastening, she got off the chair and immediately looked out the window. Ponyville wasn't all too visible from this angle, but there was no possible sign of anything happening here. Where-

Canterlot! Dash thought in shock as her eyes quickly turned to the city of the mountain. A small, but definite mushroom cloud rose in the middle of Canterlot. Even in the dead of night, it was clear as day.

Suddenly, the entire city went out in a blink, its entire electrical grid seemingly collapsing. Of course, whatever non-electrical sources were available remained lighting, which---surprisingly, seemed to be few and far between.

Behind her, Dash could hear the sound of the hospital coming to life, in a heap of likely confusion and fear. Old, young, sick, healthy, they all opened their doors and made their way through the halls, asking what the noise was.

And sure enough, as soon as they looked outside and saw the rising cloud in the distance just moments later, they immediately sparked a small panic.

The girl began walking to the door, and as if on instinct, told him, "I'll be right back," before walking out into the hallway. Immediately, the clamoring of dozens of patients and others was louder and more fearing. Ponies were asking questions, demanding answers almost right away.

"What happened?"

"Are we under attack?"

"Is Celestia dead?"

"What do we do?"

Quickly, doctors and nurses began to try and either answer their questions---usually with a "We don't know" answer---or calm them down as best as they could.

"Calm down? Something just blew up in Canterlot, and I want to know if I'm in danger or not!" one patient argued.

Doctor Stable stepped in to talk him down.

"Sir, we don't know anything about what's going on, but when we do, we will let you know, but for now, you need to set a good example and return to your room."

At first, the stallion looked at the other doctors, and even Dash for a brief moment, but soon enough, he nodded in agreement, and slowly made his way back into his room. Stable looked at the other patients.

"That goes for the rest of you. Return to your rooms, and we'll let you know if anything else occurs."

At first, many of them were reluctant, but they too agreed to walk their way back into their rooms. Many of the doors shut slowly, others fast and loudly.

A few of them, however, were not as convincing, and quickly made their way to the exits, mentioning "Princess Twilight."

And what of Twilight? Surely, she was awoken somehow by the noise, and with it having been in Canterlot, it was more so her business. Closing the door to his room behind her, she made her way to the exit, as well.

Surely, Twilight had some answers.

Then again---maybe she had questions too?

Twilight turned her bedside lamp on, lighting up the dark bedroom.

Cobalt did the same.

The princess was well aware of the muffled boom, but was quick---not to mention, sleepy---to assume it was Spike, either having fallen off his bed or dropped something heavy. A common mistake of his.

But as the sound of clamoring and confused citizens began to grow, it was quick and clear that Spike was not the reason.

Something happened.

And it was enough to wake the whole town up.

Twilight immediately got out of bed and made her way to the door.

"Is everything okay?" Cobalt asked after her.

She turned to him as she kept walking.

"No," she said, "something's wrong."

As she opened the door to the hallway, she noticed Spike standing in her way, as if he too was to open the door. It was clear that he was still half-asleep, but alert enough to come to her.

"There's a bunch of ponies outside," he began, almost in a sluggish manner.

But it still felt blank. Not as blank as before.

He was improving, at least.

"Stay here," she instructed to him as she made her way down the hall, towards the main entrance.

As Cobalt passed by, Spike noticed him right away.

He smiled.

A matter of time.

As Twilight was closer to the main doors, the sound of an upset Ponyville grew clearer and louder. They were truly riled up. Definitely, it was that noise.

She didn't want to know what it was.

But yet, she had to.

She arrived at the front and immediately pulled the doors wide open, and was immediately blasted with questions, demands---and cameras flashing pictures of her.

Ponyville was alive.

At three-thirty in the morning.

Questions came in faster than she could think of an answer.

"What is going on?"

"Is this an attack on Equestria?"

"Do we do something?"

"Should we evacuate?"

"Do we go home?"

At first, she had no absolute idea what was going on, why they were asking all of these questions. An attack? Evacuate?

She looked at Cobalt. Even he was just as confused as she had been.

Then there came the question that helped her along.

"What can you tell us about Canterlot?"

That was when she turned her focus immediately towards the city in the far distance. Her eyes went wide, and she held her breath for a moment. Most of Canterlot was as pitch black as the night, save for whatever candles or torches were still lit. A large trail of smoke billowed at the edge of the city, towards the mountain side.

Was that an explosion? How many were hurt?

Is Celestia...?

Her own questions in her mind were drowned out by the bickering of the ponies around her. More questions, more demands, more statements, fears, cries, yells, more-

"QUIET!"

The crowd immediately died down. Every cry, every yell, every question and demand all stopped.

It was her turn to talk.

"I...I don't know what's going on, I..."

She paused, looking down at all of the confused and afraid citizens.

Again, she spoke.

"...I just woke up. Right now---I only know just as much as you do...and that's nothing. I know nothing."

One citizen spoke up.

"Have you tried to make contact wth Princess Celestia?"

She shook her head.

"Not as of yet. As I have said---I know nothing...BUT I will try to send her a message and get more information."

Twilight inhaled and held out her hooves. She exhaled a moment later.

"...But for now, I need everypony to please---stay calm. A panic is the last thing this town needs right now."

"So what are we supposed to do until then?" a mare from the crowd asked.

Twilight looked at Cobalt for a brief moment, unsure of what to say. He looked back to her in a way that said, "Be honest."

So she did.

"My best suggestion...is to just...go home and rest. And if anything happens, we will let you know as soon as we possibly can. I will send a letter to Celestia and assess the situation, but for now, please return home and stay calm."

For several moments, many of the citizens looked at each other, all reluctant and unsure of Twilight's instructions. But soon enough, they chose to listen, and began to turn around and head back to their homes. Within half a minute, the crowd had dispersed, almost as fast as it had formed.

Rainbow had arrived only after they left. She noticed Twilight standing just in front of the door. The two exchanged a quick, "Hey," but were nonetheless relieved and happy to see each other. They embraced in a warming hug, which helped against the cold breeze.

And that was when she saw Cobalt standing there.

It didn't take long for her to know why.

When she pulled away gently, she eyed Cobalt, then turned back to Twilight.

"I guess you two are a thing now?"

Twilight was quick to blush.

She nodded anyway.

"Good."

Rainbow hugged her again, though for a shorter time.

After pulling away again, she asked the princess, "Everything okay?"

Twilight knew she was most likely mentioning Canterlot. Wish a sigh, she briefly pointed towards the city in the distance and said:

"I don't know. I woke up to a bunch of ponies knocking on my door, only to find out Canterlot's been bombed, hundreds could be dead, and Celestia..."

She paused and froze, just staring at the ground for a few moments. She sighed again, closing her eyes and lowering her head.

"...I'm sorry. I'm just a bit on edge right now...what with...y'know."

She knew.

Twilight looked up to her.

"...How is he?"

Dash smiled to the princess.

"He's good...he's doing better."

Cobalt spoke up. "Has Stable been checking on him?"

She nodded. "He was even wondering where you were."

"He was?"

"Yeah, heh."

He chuckled briefly. "Well---I'll be heading there in the next few hours anyway. I'm sure he'll be able to handle it."

"Just take your time."

He nodded, giving another smile.

Dash looked around, noticing that ponies were wandering off in different directions. She looked back.

"Crowd?"

Twilight shook her head.

"We calmed them down. It's working, but...Dash, I don't know what to do. I really don't. I mean...what if this is an attack, and by Swift, no less? We're talking hundreds, maybe even thousands of lives! And I don't know-"

"Twilight."

Dash stopped her there.

"Stay calm, okay? Just breathe. It's gonna be okay, we'll figure it out. Let's just write a letter to Celestia, and see what happens from there...okay?"

For a moment or two, Twilight stared at Rainbow, as if unsure what to say next. But soon enough, she took a deep breath, and let it out gently. She shook her head in a way of keeping calm, even bending and letting out her hoof.

She nodded.

"Okay---let's g-"

The sound of multiple pegasi flying overhead stopped her.

For a brief moment, they circled over her home, before landing in front of it and them seconds later. The lights quickly exposed them, revealing to be members of the Royal Guard. Tattered, uniforms slightly ripped, they looked like they were in a mess.

A few soldiers were holding a small carriage, enough to fit at least two small ponies---the chances of Celestia or Luna being in there were low.

"What's going on?" Rainbow whispered.

The door of the carriage swung open, and two ponies quickly stepped out.

The lighting quickly revealed them.

"Shining? Cadance?"

Eyes wide open, Twilight ran to them and embraced her brother and sister-in-law in a warm and relieving hug. She held them close for several seconds. When she pulled away, she was quick to ask questions.

"Are you guys hurt? Is Celestia okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine. Celestia's okay, Luna too. They're evacuating Canterlot. I had to make sure you were okay."

"Yeah, I'm fine, but---how bad was the blast? It couldn't have warranted an evacuation, can it?"

For a moment, Shining looks at her in a confused manner, then takes a look at Cadance, who shows almost the same expression. He looks back to Twilight.

"You haven't heard?"

"...Heard what?"

Shining froze again, but he was quick to compose himself, and the explaining started.

"There's been an...explosion in Manehattan."

"...What?"

"They said Methane was the cause. They don't know how or why, but..."

He stopped.

"...But what?"

He looked down, then back up.

"Twilight, Manehattan's gone."

Her eyes went wide again, only slightly. She looked back to Dash and Cobalt, then back to her brother.

".....What?"

"There was a Methane treatment plant below the city. They said something or...or someone ignited it. There was a chain reaction. The explosion tore the city apart and it's...it's gone, assumed destroyed. The Methane---it's spreading across the country, like a---like a tidal wave. They've already reported explosions in Baltimare and even Fillydelphia. We've got soldiers evacuating areas that aren't hit yet, but they're expecting the wave to hit Ponyville and Canterlot within---maybe thirty minutes, maybe less."

Twilight's breathing got heavy with fear.

"W...What do we do?"

Her brother placed his hooves on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Twilight, I need you to help me evacuate Ponyville immediately. We've got a military safe zone already set up in the hills. I need you to move as many citizens away from town as possible. ANY place you possibly can. Apartments, hospitals---just get them out of there...okay?"

Gently gulping, Twilight nodded.

"Okay, good."

He gave his baby sister a quick kiss on the forehead and looked to Cadance.

"Keep an eye on her, okay?"

His wife nodded, they briefly touched lips, and Shining turned away, immediately starting towards the town.

"Alright, soldiers, on me!"

On instinct, all twenty soldiers surrounding the front of Twilight's home began to follow their captain towards Ponyville. As they walked on, Twilight looked back towards Cadance and Dash, who both looked to her for orders.

"Okay," the princess began, "Cadance, I need you to help me wake up the ponies on the edge of town. Help me escort them, okay?"

Her sister-in-law nodded with agreement. Rainbow piped up.

"I'll go warn the hospital."

Of course, Twilight knew she would choose it.

"Okay," she agreed, "Just be careful."

Rainbow nodded back---the two exhanged one last hug, and parted. Rainbow made her way for the hospital.

"I'll go with her," Cobalt added. "She won't be able to do it alone."

Hesitantly, Twilight nodded, "Alright. Please be careful too."

The two exchanged a brief kiss and parted too. Once Cobalt disappeared into the night, Twilight and Cadance immediately headed for the nearest houses just on the edge. They began to knock on the front doors of houses, yelling for whoever was inside to get out.

"It's an emergency! Get out!" they yelled to each individual house.

And as they knocked on the next doors, the previous houses began to come to life, starting with lamps, main lights, and then soon enough---their front lights turned on. Front doors began to open, and either ponies who had been sleeping, or others who only just went back home, looked around and noticed the two princess knocking door to door.

"Excuse me, what is going on?" one stallion said.

Twilight turned to him. "We're evacuating the town, you have to get out now!"

"Is this a drill?"

"No, there's a tidal wave coming!"

The stallion looked to his---perhaps his wife?---in disbelief, quickly playing it off as a stupid prank.

"Pfft," he started, "Sure."

"No, I don't mean-" she started, realizing her slip, but Cadance was quicker to inform.

"Look, there's a wall of ignited Methane heading straight for us. All cities on the east are gone and it's coming towards us. We need to evacuate as many ponies as we can and head for the hills, understand?"

The stallion's eyes went wide. He turned to his wife, then back to Cadance. With a quick nod, he immediately headed back inside.

"Only grab what you need!" Twilight yelled to those who could hear her.

Captain Shining Armor and his men of twenty marched their way to the town square. Even in the earliest of the morning, it was still alive with ponies---completely unaware of the dangers ahead.

But as soon as they entered the square, all eyes turned to them, and many of them murmured questions and concerns---drowned out by one another.

The marching stopped. Shining stood in front of the town hall and ordered all of the citizens present to come to him. Almost on demand, the citizens walked their way over and stood in front of him. When they were all present, he began to speak.

"Good evening---I am Captain Shining Armor of the Canterlot Royal Guard. I understand you may have questions and concerns regarding the incident you had seen to Canterlot not too long ago. We can say that it was the result of a controlled explosive by a member of the mob boss, Swift Shadow."

"Is he going to attack us?" a stallion in the back yelled.

Shining shook his head. "No. It was confirmed twenty minutes ago that Swift Shadow had been killed during a police raid in Manehattan."

The crowd was quick to cheer. Shining didn't smile or acknowledge that. He was quick to kill their applause.

"But that is the least of your concerns now."

The cheering stopped, and they all looked at each other.

"W-What do you mean?" a mare called out from the crowd, clearly confused.

Shining didn't answer the mare at first, as if troubled to compose the answer. But sure enough, bearing only limited time---he had no choice.

"There was a leak in one of the underground Methane treatment plants that Swift had worked in. One of his members ignited it. The blast has levelled most of Manehattan; the city is on fire and it is assumed lost. There are reports of Methane explosions in Baltimare and Fillydelphia. We have confirmations that it is moving west like a wall of fire, and is expected to impact Ponyville within at least---twenty six minutes."

That stirred a panic. The crowd began to yell in worry and fear.

"Twenty six minutes?!"

"We're doomed!"

"I don't want to die!"

"QUIET!"

The screams quickly died down, and they all turned to him---definitely eager for further words.

"I know you're all afraid, but the last thing we need for you to do is panic right now. We currently have a military safe zone up in the hills. We can take all of you---but we need you to remain calm and help us evacuate civilians. Help us help you, and none of you will die. Do you understand?"

The crowd became a mix of nods and, "Yes, sir" from various ponies.

"Good. Quickly return to your homes and pack only what you absolutely need. No non-essentials. Wake your neighbors, warn them of the situation, and tell them to pack up too. When you are ready, soldiers will escort you all to the safe point. We leave in ten minutes, let's get this done, folks!"

The crowd quickly dispersed, each heading home to immediately retrieve their valuables.

"McCloud," Shining pointed to one of his soldiers, "Ready the evacuation procedures."

"Yes, sir."

McCloud and a few other soldiers made the preparations, while Shining began to set up the siren---in case things were to move too slow.

He only hoped things didn't move too slow.

Within a couple of minutes, Rainbow was back at the hospital, Cobalt following right behind her.

As she ran in, she saw Redheart standing at the front desks. She ran up to the desk as fast as she could. Knowing she was out of breath, the nurse was quick to ask the pegasus what was the matter.

"Get all the patients you can, we need to evacuate the hospital now!"

Redheart was confused.

"What do you mean, why?"

"Kinny, please, just do it!"

Redheart looked at her. The only time Rainbow ever said her name was when it was---serious.

The nurse didn't hesitate from there. With a nod, she immediately raced to the backroom behind her desk. Inside the room was an assortment of office containers, drawers, and even some desks holding stacks of paper work. On the wall nearest to the door, there was a button behind a pane of glass. It was similar to a fire escape---but it was for the purpose of anything other than a fire.

A true emergency.

The nurse quickly flipped open the glass and slammed her hoof against the button.

Almost immediately, the sound of alarms filled the silence of the hospital---from the first floor to the third. Within seconds, door after door were pulled open by the residents inside. All of them held a mix of confused, worried, fearful, and even disgruntled faces. Some were worried there was another incident, whereas others simply wanted to go back to sleep.

"What's going on?" one patient yelled over the loud noise.

"We have to evacuate the hospital immediately!" Rainbow yelled just as loud.

"Why, what's the problem?" another patient yells.

Cobalt yelled out, "There's a wall of fire heading straight for us!"

"A what?!" the same patient yells, unable to hear it the first time.

"A WALL of FIRE," Cobalt yells louder. "We have to evacuate the hospital immediately! There's a military safe point up in the hills! We can take you there!"

The doctor motioned this all out at the same time. Luckily for the two of them, the patients were able to hear it, and were quick to agree. Almost immediately, patients not attached to medical equipment began to make their way to the exit, Rainbow, Cobalt, and the doctors motioning them out. A few doctors exited out, as well, motioning them towards the hills---where the military safe zone was now visible, lights making it even clearer in the dark.

Within moments, the amount of ponies entering from behind the walls was like a flood, all of them either wearing nothing or hospital cover. Even over the blaring noise of the alarms, Dash could still hear the sounds of panicking patients and staff.

"We're all gonna die, aren't we?"

"Oh goddesses, oh goddesses..."

"Where are we going?"

A mixture of questions. All the doctors, all that Cobalt---all that Dash could say was---

"You're gonna be fine! Just keep moving!"

And with the iights shining along in the hills---there was no reason for them to think they were wrong.

Down and down. The clock would soon be out.

Miles and miles away, Dodge Junction was waking up. Being a small city reliant on herding, farming, and gathering water---it was almost a necessity to awaken early. All of the citizens, known each other, greeted each other and passersby, as they moved along to start the day.

They were one of the few areas of Equestria who were not alerted right away of the Methane---heading stright for them now.

Taking them all by surprise, the Royal Guard showed up by air and by ground. Any citizen on the streets looked on in confusion. The noise and the ruckus surely could have woken others up who were still asleep.

One of the soldiers of the Guard stepped forward to address the quickly growing crowd.

"We are here on the business of Captain Shining Armor and Princess Celestia. We are here to evacuate this location to a safe area south of here---immediately."

One citizen stepped forward.

"Why is that?"

The ground began to rumble seconds later. Like a small tremor beneath them, only a couple had lost their balance. But it was enough to cause the citizens of Dodge to look about in question and confusion.

When the booms became audible in the distance, it was enough to prompt every single head to turn in that direction.

From behind the mountains---in the middle of the night, like a glowing tsunami---a wall of fire, of Methane constantly being ignited, came roaring through, straight towards them, dividing off, spreading out-...

Panic caused everyone to flee, in all directions. The Guard, or various soldiers, were able to gather the ponies they could, before running---or flying out of range. The tsunami of Methane roared, the ground shook like an earthquake. Despite Dodge living without a known sewer, bits of the ground burst out, shooting trails of fire. One stallion was unfortunate enough to have been caught in it.

They burned quickly.

Inside one of the homes, a child, awoken and startled and scared by the noise, the shaking, the roaring. He quickly got out of bed and looked outside, curious and afraid.

A brief gasp was all he had before he, his home, and the entirety of Dodge Junction was engulfed by the wave. Debris scattered, entire buildings were blown apart---the mass water tower that stood beside the town hall came crashing down, blown away from the wall by the immense wind force. As it slammed into the dirt and its water spilled, it was immediately swallowed by the flames.

Most of the townsponies had survived---most of them, and by the time they got to take a look back at their great town---it was gone, combusted into flames. Entire fields all around it too were burning and shriveling up.

The Guard was quick to move the citizens to a nearby safe zone---while others were quick to inform other areas of the loss.

Within a few minutes of motioning and directing, the last few patients and even the staff had finally made their way out of the hospital. The sounds of clamoring and shouting ponies in the distance grew with each passing second. No doubt---most of the town was asking the same questions again and again.

Who was going to answer their questions?

As the final patients exited through the doorway, Nurse Redheart asked if that had been the rest of them.

"Yes," Cobalt replied, "I think so!"

With a quick nod, Redheart went back into the back room and switching the alarms to remain on outside. The inside of the building was much more quieter now---even more so with the complete absence of everypony.

"Wait, wait," Rainbow said as she looked towards the doctor.

"What, what's wrong?"

Then she mentioned him---her friend, laying in a hospital bed.

She would have remembered seeing his stretcher come on by, yet not a single comatose patient came rolling by. Redheart wondered if he could have been one of the first to get out, especially with the condition he was in.

But she would've seen it.

And she didn't.

Rainbow mentioned going upstairs to see if he was possibly there, forgotten by everyone already.

"I'll stay here in case you need me or when you come back, okay?"

It was a suggestion from both Cobalt and Redheart. Nonetheless, Rainbow nodded to the both of them. Immediately, she made her way for the elevator. Pressing the button, the metal box was already on the first floor, opening to her. She stepped in, turned around, and pressed the button for the third floor.

For the brief few moments she was in the elevator, she thought of how she would get him down. If he wasn't here, she would most definitely still look in all of the rooms to be sure they didn't move him for some unknown reason while she was gone.

But if he was still there---how would she pull his bed, along with all of the equipment needed, through the hall, down the elevator, and out of the building as quick as she could?

His equipment was plugged into the wall. If they went out, it would only be a matter of time before he could stop breathing on his own, or before he convulsed and left her...alone and afraid.

Maybe luck could be on her side---right?

The elevator door slid open and the mare immediately raced to the right. His room was in the same spot as his first floor room. She was thankful they didn't make it confusing for her.

She repeated the number of his room in her head---over and over again, on a loop. A part of her was constantly hoping he wasn't there, that her brain slipped and they did roll him out safely.

But what if she never saw him again?

She reached the room---looked through the window.

He was still there.

It started to upset her a bit. They forgot about him, and he wasn't out of here.

But---at least he was okay.

Rainbow began to turn the knob to open the door.

It wouldn't budge.

It was locked.

Rainbow's eyes went wide, her voiced quickly tattered and hinted with shattered hope. "No no no NO...Please, it can't be locked!"

She twisted and shook the knob all she wanted and could---but the door would not move forward at all. At this point, she began to panic, her breathing slowly fastening. She tried to push the door open by banging against it. After a few tries, her shoulder began to get sore. Even after a few tries on the other side, the door still wouldn't move.

"COME ON!" she yelled loudly as she kicked the door. Every time, she failed to open it.

She tried to calm down, slow her breathing. It would be fine---he would be fine. She knew it. She just had to-

That was when the siren started to go off. In the pure silence of the hospital's indoors, and through the muffled loudness of the building's outside alarms, the loud siren started to go off, straight from Ponyville. It echoed far into the night. Everypony was sure to be startled.

It not only startled the girl---it scared her. Her heart raced faster, her eyes went wider. Her chest expanded, contracted, faster and faster.

It was coming.

She breathed in whatever she could take---and screamed into the empty hallways.

"COBALT!" she yelled his name. "COBALT!!"

She didn't know if he could even hear her. To think---she, Rainbow Dash---brave, fearless, and courageous---was screaming for help.

And she would hardly ever scream for help in all her life, as a child or as an adult.

Ghastly Gorge.

Griffonstone.

That---that time...long, long ago...

And here, right now, in this hospital---for him.

She was screaming for him.

To think that two months ago, she wouldn't dare do such a thing. She couldn't care less, that lesser part of her believing so.

But it's been two months.

A few seconds after screaming into the emptiness, she was running out of options---running out of time.

Then she knew what to do.

Without a second thought, she punched against the glass pane of the hospital door. Instantly, it broke into several pieces where she hit. She could feel the small shards piercing her skin, her hoof.

It hurt. Oh, goddesses, it hurt.

But she was able to unlock the door from within. Once it was done, she slid her hoof out and looked at it briefly. Tiny shards were lodged inside. Blood was dripping down, onto the floor. It made her wince---it was painful. It was gross.

So gross.

She quickly pulled out whatever shards she could and immediately pushed the door open. She flicked on the light.

There he was, on his bed---still as still as when she left him.

She smiled and hugged him to her desire. She apologized for leaving him. The girl kissed him on the forehead.

"Let's get you out of here, okay?" she suggested.

She looked around, at the equipment she had to deal with. An IV machine, a heart monitor, and what looked like a respirator. All of it was connected to him and plugged into the wall. Already, she was afraid of moving him. What if she unplugged it and he---he couldn't breathe, or his heart stopped pumping---or...?

Fifteen minutes. Not enough time to think.

Instead of sitting about and wasting the precious time thinking, she immediately started observing the machines, every bit and aspect of them---hoping there was something that could help her, aid her in any way or form.

When she looked at the shelves below the respirator machine, the girl started scrounging through what was there. She'd only seen these machines in town a hoof-ful of times. If she was right in remembering, then-...

Yes! She was! A portable battery---two of them, in fact---were sitting side by side on the bottom shelf! Useful in the event of a power outage, surge, whatever potential threat to a patient who couldn't be able to breathe on their own---they were a pure godsend to her!

Without hesitating, she took one of the batteries and fastly turned the machine around to look at its backside. Quick observations, she saw the compartment and opened it. Inside was a slot to insert the battery, and a tiny switch to activate it. As quick as she could, she jammed the battery into the slot---and flipped the switch.

A whirring sound was heard, signaling that the machine's portal component had indeed come to life.

And not more than a single moment later, the entire room began to shake, a distant tremble causing the paintings to become crooked, a cup on the night-stand tipping its way to the edge and falling to the floor---and the lights in the room to die, the machines and the powers of the building whirring down to a whimpering silence. Rainbow looked out the window.

Cell by cell, the town of Ponyville went dark and quiet. The siren in the distance slowly screamed down until it faded away. The alarms outside the hospital immediately stopped.

But the respirator still worked. Granted---the battery had a life of ten minutes---but it was enough.

She sighed. Relief.

Ten minutes was more than enough.

The girl looked at him.

"Let's get you out of here."

She unlocked the legs of the bed and pulled it towards the door. Once it was far enough from the wall, Dash moved behind the bed, making sure to hold on to the respirator, and started pushing. As it squeezed through the doorway, Rainbow thanked the goddesses it was skinny enough to fit.

Once the bed was through, she pulled the respirator with her. The mare was immediately greeted with a near pitch black hallway. The only thing keeping it lit was whatever outside lights shone through---purely dim---and the faint brightness of the respirator's light.

She was always afraid of the dark. The fear faded with age, but it still lingered.

But she had to move fast. She couldn't let her fears get her---nor him---killed.

With somewhat of an understanding of the hall's outline, Dash made her way to the elevator, slowly but surely, pushing the bed along and dragging the respirator with her. She knew the elevator was just as dead as the power itself, but hopefully, the backup was bound to turn on at any moment.

She just hoped it would turn on by the time she reached the elevator.

Step by step, the gentle echo-y clop of her hooves on the marble floor called out to the empty darkness. Her breathing quickened as she was faced with near pitch black. She gulped---always afraid something was going to happen at any moment, that something was going to jump out.

But it never did.

Using the monitor's light as an advantage, she shone it against the wall. Doors passed, then slabs of wall, then more doors. Again and again it went. But soon enough, she was able to reach the elevator. Still, the power was off.

She breathed a heavy sigh. It never took this long for the backup to turn on. It was either a few seconds or a minute.

It had been two.

Dash whispered to herself. "C'mon...c'mooon..."

Out of the darkness, there came the distant echoes of other hooves slamming against concrete. Where the door to the stairwell had been, a light had shone through. It was obvious it was Cobalt, most likely. It could also be Redheart.

She just wanted someone here right now, helping her in this darkness.

Maybe to cover up her bleeding too. She was feeling a bit loopy, anyway.

The door to the distance creeked open, and a pony came into view.

"Rainbow?"

Cobalt, thank Celestia, the mare thought out.

"I'm here!" she yelled, prompting the doctor to point the flashlight towards her. She winced slightly, but was glad to be in some form of light.

Cobalt rushed over to her.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Is he alright?"

He pointed to him for a brief moment, but noticing the monitor was still functioning, he knew that she had found a portable battery.

The girl nodded, assuring she was fine---then she lifted her bloody hoof up for him to see.

"Well...s-sorta." She fixed her eyes. Already in the past few minutes, she had lost a small, but good amount of blood.

"You need to bandage that up right away, understand?"

Rainbow nodded, but at the same time, shook her head. She pointed.

"I'll bandage it up when he's out of danger---okay?"

"Are you sure?"

Before the girl could reply, the lights flickered back on, though much dimmer than before, indicating that the backup power had been turned on---finally.

The two looked for a moment as they were both embraced by the light. Dash turned back to Cobalt and pressed a button on the elevator.

"I'm shure," she said, albeit a tad bit slurred.

Then again, she really hadn't slept all that much tonight. That was more likely the reason.

The elevator doors opened, its inside lights much brighter and normally lit than the rest of the hospital. Cobalt, having volunteered, helped Rainbow push the bed into the elevator with her. Once the bed and respirator were firmly in place, Cobalt stepped in and pressed the button to guide them to the first floor.

The doors closed and the box whirred on the way down. The doctor didn't hesitate to look at Rainbow's wound for the moment.

It was bloody, covered, and little bits of---glass? They were gently lodged in her hoof.

He was quick to suggest that she had broken the door window.

Guess it was quicker than looking for a key, he thought.

Who could argue?

"Are you sure you're fine?" he asked her.

She shook her head.

"We both know I'm not fine. I just don't want to---"

She shook her head, fixing her eyes slightly.

"---to take too much time....'cause if we stop, it could be too late."

Rainbow looked at him.

"---And I don't want it to be too late again."

Cobalt looked at her with a worrisome face, especially from those last words.

What did she mean by---again?

The elevator stopped; its doors opened. The lobby was empty and the lights were as dim as the third floor. But the girl was nonetheless glad to be on the ground.

Redheart was standing at the entrance. As soon as she saw the two of them making their way---dragging the bed along---she ran over to assist them. The nurse was just as quick to notice Rainbow's hoof.

"Rainbow, are you-" she was stopped.

Rainbow nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. Can we just get him out of here, please?"

Redheart said no more. She nodded and helped drag the bed along. The front doors of the hospital opened automatically. The three were the last to leave the hospital after so long.

Dash looked at Ponyville in the distance. It was still dark and powerless. She had only hoped everypony had gotten out, and that not one pony was still there, wandering---dazed and confused in the dark.

She tried not to think of it.

As they started descending down, the three of them were surprised to see five Royal Guard soldiers were standing at the bottom of the hill. With them, there was a carriage---more so a hospital carriage.

Before any of them could ask of it, one of the soldiers called out to them.

"On the orders of Captain Shining Armor and Princess Twilight, we are to transport your patient to the safe zone!"

"What about them?" Rainbow had asked, referring to both Cobalt and Redheart.

"They won't be able to fit in the carriage, but we will transport them too! Don't worry!"

"Can you tell us why the power had gone out?" Redheart asked.

"The power plants near Dodge Junction are gone, Dodge confirmed with it! We have about ten minutes before the wave reaches us! We need to get you folks to the zone now! C'mon!"

The soldier motioned Dash over. She turned to Cobalt, with a face that said, "Be careful."

"Don't worry about us," he mentioned, "Tell Twilight I'll be there soon, alright?"

The girl smiled and nodded to her friend, even giving him a hug.

Just in case.

The nearby soldiers were quick to take the bed and guide it into the carriage. A spot for it was available, able to fit perfectly. Dash could sit opposite of it, allowing her to keep a safe eye on him.

"Alright, get it to SWA immediately, go go!"

The soldiers quickly shut the carriage doors. Within seconds, the carriage started to move, and soon enough---as soon as Dash looked out the window, they were high enough in the air.

SWA? What did that mean? Could it-...

Sweet Apple...Acres?

They turned Applejack's home into a military safe zone?

She laughed a bit to herself.

I bet that'd give AJ a bit of a shock.

Her home being the only hope left for saving an entire town's worth of a population?

Not exactly something you'd see everyday.

As the carriage flew its way over Ponyville, Rainbow looked out the window. The town was still in the complete dark, but she was more or less able to see citizens carrying either flashlights or torches. From up so high, they were like a herd of ants, following each other in a straight line. Two pegasus Guards flew overhead.

Even though she herself was a pegasus, flying for most of her general life---just sitting in this small carriage, watching the world from above out of a small glass window---it was enough to make her even a little sick.

She turned away, looking back to him. He was still---still. In his hospital bed, he looked as if he was sleeping peacefully. In a way, that was true. Another way, false. But Rainbow chose to believe the first one.

The girl brushed his hair. It was a bit messy from all of the...the panic.

Soon, she thought, soon, he'll be okay.

Faint lights illuminated the insides of the carriage. The girl looked back outside and saw the magical---empty---town of Ponyville coming back to light.

And so did the siren. It remained blaring in what seemed to be the town Square, though if she looked hard enough, nopony was there. If she heard well enough, she could hear the hospital's alarms coming back online.

Who knew the sound could go this far?

After a few minutes of gazing at the skies or the ground---whatever could be seen, the carriage finally reached the Royal safe zone. As Rainbow had guessed, it was indeed Sweet Apple Acres. What was usually a place of quiet, breathtaking solitude at night was now a hotspot for every citizen in Ponyville. Royal Guard soldiers were stationed on every entrance, in a seemingly larger carriage---their base of operations?---and even near the barn.

The girl wasn't all too sure why they had chosen the farm as a safe spot. It could have been the reason that AJ's home used the old-fashioned way of power or lighting, rather than...well, what's heading straight for them right now.

As Rainbow's carriage finally touched down in front of the farmhouse, two guards opened the door. Rainbow was the first to climb out, the cool night's air blowing against her calmly. For all she knew, that wasn't even natural wind. Once she was out, they took his bed and carefully dragged it out until it was firmly on the ground.

"This way, miss," one of the guards said. Willingly, Rainbow followed, and as she did, she was given a well good look at her surroundings.

Ponies by the potential hundreds, either lined up or in an improper bunch, were standing around or laying on the ground---which was few and far between. Nearly all of them were standing about, wondering and hoping for the situation to end.

Dash could easily see herself amongst the crowd. Who wouldn't want this to end?

A mother looking for her missing child. Two friends hugging and comforting each other in this time, hoping and praying they would live.

Heartbreaking scenes all around---and the fire hadn't even reached here yet.

After a few moments, he and the mare were up to the porch of the farmhouse.

Sure enough, there was Applejack, talking with a soldier. It was a clear discussion about their doings here.

"Y'all couldn't find a better place up in the hills to place yer stuff? Mah farm ain't no hotel!"

"Ma'am, I understand your frustration. Trust me, I'm just as frustrated as you are. But right now, your home is the safest distance from the potential impact point of the wave."

"And how're y'all so shure the town is in any danger? Did y'all-"

"Ma'am, most of Equestria is powered by Methane, including Ponyville. If we didn't evacuate because we aren't sure of it, we could risk losing hundreds of potential lives! Your home is the only chance of saving these ponies."

Applejack seemed to be at a loss already. She knew there was no arguing with the soldier. Even with her counter-arguments---she knew he was right.

And it only made her feel more guilty. Sure, this place was safe for everyone in town, but this was her home too! Why couldn't they-

Her mind halted when she saw Rainbow walking towards her. Behind her---him.

She ran to her best friend and gave her a warm, embracing hug. She sighed with relief, knowing she was safe.

Even more when she knew he was safe too.

Applejack swallowed the spit in her mouth and began to speak.

"Y'all okay?"

With a nod, the girl replied, "Yeah, I'm okay. We're okay.

With a smile, the farm girl made her way over to her other friend---the one who was still asleep. Surprisingly, he was still in the same bed. Now that she thought about it---how could they possibly be able to move that through an elevator?!

It didn't matter. None of that mattered. He was here. He was okay.

Applejack motioned both Rainbow and the soldiers dragging the bed into her home. Immediately, they followed her in. Almost at that instant that they entered, the sound of the panic and the terror outside all---faded out.

Who knew the walls were that thick? Rainbow pondered.

As the five ponies entered the living room, a tired Apple Bloom was seen sitting on the couch, occasionally rubbing her eye, indicating she was still somewhat sleepy. She was quick to notice him and already began to tear up. Nothing kept her from finding things out eventually---even things like this.

She, of course, had long since known of his incident back in the city. According to AJ, it took whatever strength she had not to break down more.

Even the other two were there, most likely dragged out of bed during the evacuation. As Rainbow looked on at Sweetie Belle, only slightly asleep on the living room couch, she wondered where Rarity could be during all of this.

Pinkie? Fluttershy? Where were they? Out there with the rest of Ponyville, either confused like the rest, or scared out of their minds?

It was no contest that Fluttershy was surely afraid. If she could recall just right, didn't her house also run on non-gassed power? Wouldn't her home be okay too?

The only unfortunate answer at this point would be to wait and see.

Most likely.

The two soldiers placed the bed in the guest room---luckily, downstairs. They mentioned that they would be outside if Rainbow or Applejack needed anything, and then left. With the soldiers gone, the two mares were, technically, the only two ponies in the room. A small silence brewed for a moment. It was reasonable. What could they say to each other? What could they do? What could they-

His monitor began to beep. Ten minutes was near to out.

"Do you have an outlet I could-"

"Yeah," Applejack quickly answered, "near the guest bed."

Almost awkwardly, Dash walked away from her friend and gently pulled the bed with her towards the wall. Even with most of the home lit by candles or firewood, they still used some form of technology for other areas---perhaps to make the guests feel more like home?

It took a few seconds for the girl to notice the outlet. It was only barely behind the mattress, somewhat hidden. Rainbow took the cord to the monitor and quickly plugged it in.

The beeping stopped.

That oughta shut it up fo-

She was turned around. Applejack was standing right in front of her. At first, she wasn't all too surprised. She thought it was some kind of prank, possibly to lighten the mood, or maybe close to it.

Then the mare took Dash's hoof and placed it on her body.

She was confused.

"Applejack, what the hay are-...you...-"

Then she felt the bump. A small, tiny bump---but it was a bump. It was there.

She was feeling it.

Her friend spoke.

"Rainbow, Ah'm pregnant."

The pegasus froze. Hell, the whole damn world around her froze!

What?

How??

W-...

Of course.

That was why. Those nights. Manehattan. Was she right?

"...His baby?"

"His baby."

She was right.

The two of them didn't move for a long while. How could they? How could she? Pulling away wouldn't make it not true, and staying put---...

Dash looked down to Applejack's stomach. Then she looked up to her face. Then back down. Then back up. She didn't move her head, just her eyes. Was she thinking of what to say? What to do?

"...How far along?"

A question.

The farm mare swallowed quietly.

"A couple months---give or take."

Rainbow nodded.

"Good."

The air was a mixture of awkardness---confusion---maybe even jealousy?

She thought that was funny. Jealous.

She wasn't jealous. Not at all, she wasn't. She was---...she...was...

...What---was she?

The room shook. It was more so than the hospital. It was fiercer.

Only a matter of time. She knew it.

The lights flickered, but this time, they didn't go out. Even if they did, most of the house would still light up. The vibrations were still enough to cause them to stumble a bit, though only slightly.

Ponies outside screamed. It was muffled, but they could hear it surely.

"Stay here," Applejack told the girl.

She nodded, and with that, the farm girl ran out of the room as the vibrating began to cease. Once Rainbow could regain her footing, she quickly made her way to the window. Flipping open a single blind, she was still able to see the entirety of Ponyville.

The town was still lit, but she was still able to see a few lights occasionally flickering every now and again, as if having been somewhat damaged by the constant shakes and the outages. The alarm in the center of town even stuttered with its blaring noise, going out for a split second, then coming back on and continuing to blare. It only flickered a few times, but still functioned as meant to.

With the door wide open, Rainbow could hear the sound of soldiers screaming outside.

"We've lost Appleoosa! We've got two minutes! Get the rest of those citizens here NOW!"

Then the panic truly began.

By the time Dash had run outside to see the extent of the entries, it was almost like a stampede. The crowd was like a tidal wave, bursting through the front gates, some jumping over the fences. Ponies tripped and were swarmed by others running over them. Hysteria and confusion was just---it was rampant.

It really started to feel like the end of the world. The end of everything.

Was it?

She didn't even know.

Not even he would likely know.

The ground shook again. It was stronger. Ponies who ran fell flat on their faces, only to be trampled by those behind them. Soldiers continued to lead the civilians into the orchard. They screamed to whoever they possibly could have.

"Get inside! Get inside!"

It was endless. They just kept coming---and coming---and coming.

It really felt that way.

Ponies were led as far from the potential area of Ponyville as possible. In the far parts of the orchard where the wave was likely to hit, they were guided there. Several were screaming and crying. A lone filly was stumbling about, as if unsure where to go.

Her face---red with tears flowing down those cheeks of hers.

A soldier picked her up and carried her away. Rainbow could hear him.

"It's gonna be okay, honey. It's okay, don't cry..."

It's gonna be okay, honey. It's okay, don't cry...

Why did that sound like something he would say to her?

The last of the crowd made their way through the front gates, but Rainbow didn't move along with the rest. She knew Twilight and Cobalt were still out there. Redheart, Shining Armor, Cadance too---she couldn't dare leave until she was sure they were safe too.

The soldiers yelled to each other.

"One minute! We've got one minute!"

But she didn't move.

Not until they were safe.

The siren continued to blare. At the top of the distant mountains, it shone. It was faint, but it was there. She was well aware of what it was. As she looked on, the ground began to rumble. It was enough for her to hear, like a hundred jackhammers were going off below her. Tiny pebbles on the ground around her shook, trembled, and danced with the noise.

The light behind the mountains was moving. Smoke slowly billowed above the mountains, enough for her to see. Tiny little blips of fire would erupt over the mountain's horizon.

She was quietly begging for them to come.

It shook harder with each passing second. The bells rang with the vibes.

And they came---as if they heard her pleas, they all appeared over the near horizon. Twilight, Cobalt, Cadance, Redheart, and Shining, they were all there, making their way up the hill, to the gate.

They saw her and picked up the pace. Twilight was the first one to approach, running up to her and giving her a brief, but warm hug. Cobalt came second. They all made their way through. Shining was the last in the line of ponies to be sure they all made it.

They did.

Then she saw it.

They all saw it.

Appearing from behind the mountains, propelling itself forward and igniting everything in front of it---the wall of Methane was now visible to all of Ponyville. Everyone went dead silent in the background. They didn't say or yell.

For several seconds, the sounds of explosions and rumbling and crackling flames rang in the distance, and every second that passed, it got closer and closer, louder and louder.

Eventually, they all started to scream again.

"Go! Now!" Shining yelled.

They listened and go they went. Immediately, they started sprinting their way towards the farmhouse, towards the civilians, away from the town, from the fire. The rumbling got louder and the fire got closer.

Rainbow didn't follow them. She ran back into the house. Back to him. Twilight noticed her and followed. Applejack---she did the same.

Inside the house, Applejack found her sister, standing in the middle of the hallway, scared and afraid. She grabbed her and held her close. She ran back to Twilight and Dash, who had now found themselves in the guest room.

The farm mare saw the frightened girl clutch her bedridden friend tightly, arms wrapped around his body, as if holding him was going to make everything okay.

She could hear her whispers as they grew to normal sound.

"I love you, I love you. I'm sorry I hurt you. I love you, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Twilight was standing near her friend. Her horn gently glimmered, at the ready to do---whatever it was that she could.

Applejack looked out the window. The town was already inside. Gone? Nothing but rubble?

Nopony knew---not even her. She ran towards her friends and huddled close to them. She held her sister tightly.

The shaking grew. Pictures on the walls began to fall down and crack on the hardwood floor. The sound of the earth beneath them was roaring.

"Are we gonna die?" her sister asked her.

What kinda question is that? her mind said.

"No."

Was it a lie? The truth? Were the soldiers wrong?

The fire wasn't stopping. Would it stop?

The fire was shining through the windows. It was close.

She---they---could feel the heat.

Was this it?

Twilight's horn flared. The shield engulfed them.

Hey...it's me.

It's been so long since we've talked.

The last thing I said to you was that---I wished you would never come back.

Well...the last thing you heard from me.

...

I was wrong.

I want you to come back.

It's been three months. Three months ago, I said something stupid. You took it...you took it hard. You tried to argue with me, try to reason with me and see that I was wrong about you. I could see you struggling to not tear up, to not---to not cry.

You did a good job.

But you still walked out.

You walked out that night, and when you did, I didn't want to see you again.

And then...

And then Twilight...knew why I was so...hostile, so angry towards you.

A stallion.

The only real stallion friend that I've...

Well...the second real stallion friend that I've had. Heh.

I shake my head at how many mares I've made friends with, compared to ponies like...like you.

I used to have another friend---a long, long time ago. He was a stallion, just like you.

Probably still is.

...

We don't talk anymore.

But now, I spend my time, as I have for three months, watching over you in this hospital bed, hoping that the next time I see you, you'll open your eyes---and you'll either tell me you're okay or...or berate me for the things I did, the things I caused.

Caused to you.

...

I laugh a little bit.

You should have seen the wave. Imagine a wall of fire racing towards you---like a tsunami.

It was...

It was awesome---but at the very same time, it was---devastating.

Most of Ponyville was gone by the morning. Nothing but charred ruins and hollow skeletons of what they were. Hardly anything survived.

There were just a few houses left, some that were left unscathed.

That house that you---

...I know you didn't burn it down on purpose. I was stupid.

To think that those ponies spent so long trying to get their lives back on track after that night. Sure, the house was rebuilt in a week's time, but the memories...

Well...the memories were a lot harder to bring back.

And to know that their house, those new memories, were gone again, almost in the exact same fashion...

They'd think they were cursed.

I probably would---heh.

We moved on anyway. Almost as soon as we could, we left the farm, the 'safe zone' as they called it, and we started rebuilding our homes. Within a week, two weeks maybe, already a fourth of Ponyville was repaired---rebuilt.

The memories, like I said---...

...

Your house was fine.

Huh. What were the chances---right?

All that destruction, all that devastation, and your home is one of the few---the few come out unscathed.

I still thought it was incredible.

By the end of that first day, we knew the extent of the damage. An hour after us, Los Pegasus was hit.

A lot of them died.

Canterlot---we saw it. I remember when I saw the explosion. I thought nothing of it before the Guard came. I assumed it was an accident perhaps. Maybe a fire had spread out of control and caused a-...

Then I remembered.

It was the stallion---the one who tried to kill you?

It had to have been him. Too close in time.

...

Canterlot is gone.

Well---half of it or so. It just went up in flames, then it...just...slid down the hill. An avalanche of concrete---of wood---of mud and dirt---...

Of ponies.

Celestia's okay. She made it safe and sound. She and Twilight reunited the next morning. They laughed. They cried. You should've seen it. The princess of the sun, holding her student like she was her own child.

"It's okay, my little pony. It's going to be okay..."

...

We had Luna's funeral a week after that.

She didn't make it.

A lot of ponies didn't make it.

Everyone was expecting her to live like her sister. When she didn't---

We all cried. I know you would have too.

I know you weren't very close, but...you knew enough to be her friend.

...

Oh, goddesses...

How did everything go so wrong?

Was it my fault? Did I cause it somehow?

If I hadn't said those things to you...if we never went to Manehattan...

IF you never met Swift...

...

Huh.

The wave was a month ago.

A month---if one pondered on it well enough, it would feel like a year.

That's more what it felt like.

So long ago.

The town, most of it, was fixed by now. Ponies started moving back into the town. The lucky ones, those whose houses were spared the damage, moved back in with a cautious breath.

Applejack's farm was one of those lucky few. She never knew whether to feel proud that her farm saved hundreds, or feel guilty that she was still able to sleep in her bed, while others lost theirs.

Keep those precious memories.

As soon as it was possible, the patients were returned to the hospital within a day. Whatever rooms did not have patients, residents of the town temporarily moved in.

It was one of the few buildings that survived.

Built to last, they said.

I helped you move back in the same day. It took much lesser time with transport. Thank Celestia Shining provided us with a carriage. It would've been hell otherwise.

We were the first to enter.

It was strange, really, to enter the hospital and not see---anyone. Not a single soul. Papers and objects left where they last were the night before. We rolled you to the elevators and brought you back to your room.

It didn't take long to get you re-acquainted, plugged back in...

Make you okay again.

Every day since then, I would listen to the radio while sitting by your side. The channels were rare, and sometimes they would go out, but it was the only way for me to update myself on the rest of Equestria.

Almost no area was safe. Every city and every town was hit. Millions were confirmed dead within days. The toll rose every hour. It would go out, I would fix it for a moment, then hear that another town or another city was confirmed hit.

Day after day, week after week, more news---none of it any better than the last report.

Refuge camps were set up in the hardest hit areas. Ponies struggled.

It was like the world was ending.

I mean---in a way, it did, but...

Never mind.

The weeks moved so slowly, but at the same time, they moved so fast. One second, we were returning to a town of rubble and ruin, and the next---the houses were taller, thicker, stronger. It was still Ponyville, but at the same time---

---It wasn't.

Before I knew it, it had been three months since Manehattan. Even I had trouble trying to process it. So much in such a short amount of time.

And you slept through it all.

Heh.

I'll have to tell you when you...

...when you wake up.

But right now, at this moment in time, I'm sitting beside you, in a small pillowed chair. I grew familiar with this chair for a long time. In a weird sense, I was kind of glad I still had it.

It was uncomfortable for my back, but---I guess it somewhat helped remind me of you every time I sat down.

At some point after eight o'clock in the morning, Redheart walks in. We exchange warm smiles, she places down a vase of flowers at the window-sill, gives me a faint hug, and walks off.

We didn't say anything. Of course, we never said anything this early. It was only during the afternoons and evenings when we would talk.

If I knew that even the slightest noise would have a chance of waking you, I would have talked with her every single morning in here until you did. Of course, I was only kidding nopony but myself.

I walked over to the vase of flowers and looked at them.

Lilies and roses. I was always more of a daisy fan myself---but lilies and roses were close seconds and thirds.

Apparently, they were your favorite, too.

I never would have guessed we had things in common. You always seemed off to me in those early days.

Then again---I had a different mindset then.

For a brief moment, I turned my eyes to the landscape. Ponyville was not that far.

At first, someone who had been away from the town for so long would think, from a distance, the town hasn't changed all too much. But once they step hoof into the limits or see it closer---it was like looking at a completely new town.

Sugarcube Corner was larger, a higher and a wider structure. It was, now, easily visible from this very window. The destruction of the original shop didn't affect Pinkie all too much. Sure, she was upset that it was gone, but the excitement in her eyes when the potential to make an even better place was given to her---it made me smile.

Even with the potential to improve it or even enhance it, the Boutique was more or less the same as it had been. It was only partially damaged in the wave, so there wasn't much of a reason to improve upon it. A couple of rooms were different colors, and even some of the architecture was different, but it was more or less the same Carousel Boutique.

The Town Hall, being in the direct center of the Square and being lit commonly with candlelight, survived the damage. The mayor could have watched the wave pass right by her and not even have to worry about it.

I could only imagine that kind of sight.

A mixture of terrifying and beautiful.

It was a bit funny too. If I looked closely, I could see the exact areas, from here, of the houses that survived.

I could see yours too.

...

I can't wait for you to go back home. Home home. I bet you miss it. I missed my home---all those days I stayed in that city longer than I should have, and every single day I stayed here, in this hospital---waiting for you.

I mean...yes, I've gone home often. I check on Tank, make sure everything is up to speed, and then I come and visit you. But when things like...what happened last month---when stuff like that happens, I...

...Sometimes, I don't even want to leave.

I'm just afraid you won't be there anymore when I come back.

I know, I know---it probably seems silly that just three months ago, I...didn't give a shit if you never came back, and I'm suddenly head over hooves for you...

...Like I said---reasons.

All I know is that I realized my mistakes. I guess I'm just clinging to the fact that I still have yet to...make up.

I never got to before-...

...Well...you know.

Do you?

I turn around and face you.

You're still sleeping, like always. The doctors, the nurses, the ponies---none of them know if you'll ever come back to us, wake up and say you're okay, that you'll be okay, that everything will be okay.

I mean---I want to believe that. I want to think that any moment, you're going to open your eyes, look at me, and say something. I wouldn't care if it was sweet, dumb, or bitter.

All that I would care is that you said something---did something---for the first time in so long.

Just to know that you were okay.

And...as if my prayers had been heard and answered as I demanded, as I wished---...

You.

Woke.

Up.

I had to do almost a complete double-take.

The first thing I had noticed was the small, but clearly noticeable, fluttering of your eyes. They started off slow and gentle, but your eyelids---they showed the willingness to lift themselves up.

And they did. With enough effort---your eyes started to open.

Your heart monitor, I looked at it for just a moment, started to beep just a bit faster. It was never enough to worry me at this point, but this particular time did incite---something.

Obvious---obviousobviousobvious---

Your eyes were open.

Goddesses...now that I really, truly think about it---I missed those eyes.

I always liked the color. Never did say.

Your face---it was blank. Even then, it was almost as if there was something. Were you confused? Intrigued? Uncertain?

Judging by the look, you seemed more confused than anything. There was the occasional look that you were tired. You looked like you wanted to yawn or something, but couldn't at the last moment.

And you were---staring up at the ceiling for a bit. Did you know where you were?

I couldn't say or---do much, rather. I was holding my hoof against my mouth. I was in a mix between smiling, laughing, or full blown crying.

Hell---I wanted to do all three.

Who wouldn't want to?

I had to go to someone! I had to tell the doctors, the nurses, Twilight-!

...

But---what if I came back and you were gone again?

No, no...I'm just---

I sighed. I didn't want to leave you at all. Especially not now, not even for a second.

So I yelled, called out.

"HEY! HE'S AWAKE! HE'S AWAKE!"

You didn't seem to react much. Was it your hearing? Reflex issues?

Maybe your mind was still trying to catch up with you, but you didn't turn to me---at least, not right away.

But when you did...

Oh---when you turned to me and looked at me with those eyes of yours...those eyes...

I wanted to tear up. I wanted to.

And I did, a little. A few tears, here and there, falling down my face and dropping to the floor.

I let in a deep, but half breath, stopping.

And you talked.

"H-...Hi."

You seemed---surprised, maybe confused, you didn't know. I didn't know, either. Neither of us knew, and that was okay! It was more than okay!

I didn't care.

My breathing fastened as I heard your voice for the first time in---in months. It felt like years, but...it still gave that same, startling, pushing effect, no matter how long it had been or would have been.

I smiled, and as I did, I tried not to cry anymore. I tried to compose myself, but I knew it wasn't going to last very long---so I did with what I had.

My tired little head nodded to you.

And I talked.

"H-H-Hi."

I was more shaky than you. You weren't really shaky, just...parched, maybe?

The silence between us was---was...

It was something. Definitely something.

It was quiet for a few moments. During that brief time, you looked about, as if trying to ask something. Maybe you were having trouble speaking, but you didn't ask or even signal for help.

You were still able to talk regardless.

You asked a question.

"W...Where am I?"

A typical question after what someone like you had been through.

I answered.

"You're in the hospital---back home. You're home."

Faintly, you nodded. It was obvious you agreed with me.

And then you tried to get up. You struggled, but you tried. You were so weak. You hadn't moved in so long, but you tried.

I went up to you and held you down carefully.

"Hey, hey, hey...don't move...okay?"

You were breathing a little heavier. I wasn't putting any mass weight on you. Perhaps you were just tired out from trying to get up.

I kept you down, and you stopped trying eventually.

You kept looking at me.

Those eyes.

Looking right into mine.

I soothed you.

"Hey...it's okay. It's gonna be okay...it's me, okay? It's me, it's always me..."

I didn't know what to say. Be it cheesy or cliche or even romantic---I didn't care, I just wanted to keep you calm.

And it worked.

You looked so much calmer. I spent what must've been---well, felt like---minutes just looking at those eyes, that face of yours. So much better than it was so long ago.

I waited for you to smile.

Please, just smile.

Smile for me.

Smile.

But you didn't smile.

You didn't want to.

You asked the question.

"...Who are you?"

To Be Continued~