Princess Celestia, while shaken and weakened from her ordeal, was unhurt and still sane. The city of Canterlot, along with the rest of Equestria, was relieved and overjoyed to have their Princess back.

That same day, a delayed Summer Sun Celebration was held in the Palace. Ponies from all over town gathered in the grand ballroom, cheerfully chatting as they looked forward to the rest of the year to come. Nowhere was there to be seen any sign of fear or despair or sadness.

Almost nowhere.

"Twilight, please, I'm fine," Celestia said with a smile, sitting near the front of the room with Luna, Twilight, Flash and Polaris. She was wearing a bright deep purple dress with her cutie mark displayed on her sides and on a medallion over her chest. The ensemble did an excellent job covering her bandages.

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked, brow knitted in concern. "You were just—"

"I was scared," Celestia admitted gravely, her face falling slightly. "Terrified, in fact."

"Your Highness, I'm so sorry," Polaris said, unable to look the Princess in the eye out of shame. "We should have protected you. I should have protected you."

"There is nothing to be ashamed of, Captain," Celestia reassured him, putting her hoof under his chin and raising his head to look at her. "You did everything in your power. And when the time came, you took control of the situation, provided this town with leadership and courage and hope." She smiled at him. "I'm proud of you, Polaris."

Polaris managed a smile. "And I'm proud of you two, as well," Celestia added, turning to Twilight and Flash. You and your friends did extraordinarily well, keeping calm even when everything seemed hopeless."

"It was never hopeless," Twilight said, taking Flash's hoof. "Not as long as I had my friends by my side."

At that moment, the drummer of the band on the stage began beating out a rhythm, signaling several couples to head towards the dance floor. "Enough talk," Celestia declared, standing and taking Polaris by the hoof. "Now, we have a party to attend."

"Huzzah!" Luna cheered, also standing. "Come, sister, let us take possession of the dance floor!" The friends cut a path directly towards the wooden dance section before the band, all of them smiling.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ballroom, Phillip Finder was leaning on the bar, nursing a shot glass of cider. He stared down at his reflection in the dark amber liquid, lost in thought.

"What's up?" a cheery voice said next to him. Looking up, Phil saw Pinkie Pie smiling at him. "Aw, come on, Phil, don't look so down! What's on your mind?"

"Nevermore got away," he grunted, looking back at his drink. "But that's not all."

"What's not all?" Pinkie asked in concern, leaning in close.

"On the floor of Nevermore's lab," Phil said. "A cigarette. Goldleaf, Saddle Arabian tobacco." His grip on the shot glass subconsciously tightened, nearly crushing the glass. "Zugzwang. He was there. He was part of this." He gritted his teeth, breath shuddering in his chest.

Pinkie laid a hoof on his shoulder. "Maybe he was," she said. "But look on the bright side. You stopped them. We stopped them." She gently turned him around so that he was looking into the ballroom, pointing out each of their friends. "See? They're all safe, and they're all happy. Because of you." She pressed a hoof against Phillip's chest, over his heart. He looked down at her hoof, then at her, his gray eyes shimmering faintly. "And as long as there are good ponies like you, bad ponies like them can never win."

Phillip swallowed. The bright blue eyes, sparkling with happiness and care, seemed to be scrutinizing his soul. "I'm not good," he whispered.

"Of course you are," Pinkie said. "You just need to be reminded of that once in a while."

That was when the band started up again. Phillip's ear twitched when he recognized the heavy drum beat. "Benny Goodpony," he identified the artist.

Pinkie grinned. "Now, come on! Let's party!"

Phillip turned to her. "By party, do you mean smile and laugh, make fools of ourselves on the dance floor, and forget all about tomorrow?"

Pinkie's grin grew wider than the crescent moon and twice as bright. "Of course, silly! That's what parties are all about!"

Phillip smiled back at her. "Only if you'll do it with me," he said, offering her his foreleg. She gratefully took it, and he guided her to the dance floor.

The party lasted long into the day. Everypony smiled until their faces hurt, laughed till their sides were sore, and danced till their hooves ached. Because there was nothing to be afraid of.

Author's Notes:

And that's the end. I hope you enjoyed the latest addition to the Phillip Finder series, and are looking forward to the next episode!