The afternoon sun shone down on the crowds gathered in front of the Fillydelphia Food Shelf and Pantry. The lights from several different cameras flashed and flickered like fireflies. Duke Blueblood stood before a podium upon a raised dais, facing the rows of ponies in front of him. To his left was Snake Eyes and several of his lieutenants, dressed in a ceremonial uniform and looking highly uncomfortable. To his right was Flash Sentry, Twilight Sparkle, Spike and Phillip Finder, their wounds from the battle two days ago bandaged, Flash’s broken wing in a cast. Quarter Deck stood right behind Blueblood. Joyful Sound stood at the threshold of the Shelf, smiling.

“I stand before the ponies of my city,” Blueblood stated, his voice magnified to carry over the crowd. “Humbled by my past experiences, and seeking your forgiveness. I seeked to make this city safer, but in doing so, I created an environment that oppressed you, broke the necessary trust between the City Guard and the ponies they were meant to help, and not only did I allow corruption to fester and spread, but I sanctioned acts of violence against my citizens. And for that, for allowing all of you to suffer, I am truly sorry.”

Canvas Glow and her mother could be seen in the front row, their heads bowed in grief. Pelorus, who was sitting next to with Duchess Canopus on his other side, gently reached out and took the filly’s hoof. She managed to smile weakly at him.

“But I swear to you, changes will be made,” Blueblood stated. “From this day forward, we shall build a new Fillydelphia, one built on trust and cooperation between the City Guard, the local government, and its citizens. One that helps out the disadvantaged members of the community instead of pushing them to the side. And I would like to dedicate the reopening of the Fillydelphia Food Shelf and Pantry, with the support of an indefinite grant, to that cause. If you ponies believe in this city as I do, and in each other as I hope you do, then I invite you all to join me in rebuilding this city in the image that it was meant to be.”

His words were greeted with resounding applause from the crowd. He paused to acknowledge the praise with a brief nod.

“Laying it on a bit thick, isn’t he?” Flash muttered to Twilight.

She giggled quietly. “Well, he is changing for the better. Progress is progress.”

Blueblood raised his hoof for silence. “We are also gathered here to acknowledge the heroes who helped bring change to this city. Were it not for their bravery and determination to find the truth, the corruption within the City Guard might have continued unabated. So, for their actions, I am proud to offer Princess Twilight Sparkle, Sergeant Flash Sentry, Spike the Dragon, and Sergeant Phillip Finder the Keys to the City.”

More applause erupted from the crowd as Blueblood levitated out four blue key-shaped medals on golden straps. One by one, he placed them over Twilight’s, Flash’s, Spike’s and Phillip’s necks. As he did so, he shook each of their hooves (or claw, in Spike’s case), giving them a generous smile as he did so.

When he reached Phillip, he shook the detective’s hoof firmly. “Sorry about that comment I made at the Blue Moon Festival,” Phillip muttered, just loud enough for Blueblood to hear him.

“It’s all right. I am sorry for the comments that I made,” Blueblood replied, accepting the apology with a nod.

Once the applause died down, Blueblood retook his place at the podium. “Thank you. And now, Pastor Joyful Sound, who runs the pantry, would like to grace us with a few words.”

He stepped back and allowed Joyful Sound to step up to the podium. “Thank you, sir,” she nodded to Blueblood. “And good morning, everypony. It is with joyful hearts that we are gathered here today, hopeful for positive change.

“However, we must be realistic. There is a long road of recovery ahead of us, and it will not be without problems,” Joyful continued. “One food shelf will not solve every problem in society; a City Guard cannot stop all crime. Change does not magically come from outside; it has to come from all of us, one pony at a time.

“In that spirit, I would like to offer this prayer.” She bowed her head slightly. Most of the ponies around them also bowed their heads in respect.

“We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end starvation,” Joyful prayed. “For You have already given us the resources with which to feed the entire world, if we would only use them wisely.

“We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out prejudice; for You have already given us eyes with which to see the good in all ponies, if we would only use them rightly.

“We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end despair, for You have already given us the power to clear away slums and to give hope, if we would only use our power justly.

“Therefore we pray to You instead, O God, for strength, determination, and willpower, to do instead of just pray, to become instead of merely to wish."

“Amen,” the crowd murmured as one, and with that, the ceremony was finished. Blueblood stayed for some final questions from the crowd of reporters, but Twilight and the others quietly took their leave, trotting away from the crowd.

Spike admired his new medallion. “Hey, what about Plum Dessert and Anchor Point?”

“I heard from Snake Eyes that they’ll be moving out of the city together,” Flash replied.

“I hope that they’ll be all right,” Spike said.

“They will be,” Phillip said.

Flash sighed in relief, shrugging his shoulders. “Glad that’s all over with.”

Twilight kissed him on the cheek. “We have some time before we have to take the train back to Ponyville. Is there anything you wanted to do?”

“There is one thing,” Flash nodded, his face falling slightly.

A half hour later, the four of them gathered around a single headstone in a great park that sat next to a tall oak tree. Golden and brown leaves slowly fell down upon their heads as they approached. Flash bent down and placed a bouquet of white roses before the stone.

“Bye, mom,” he whispered.

A strong foreleg wrapped itself around his shoulders and he found himself being pulled into Phillip’s embrace. Twilight and Spike also embraced him, and they simply stood in silence for several minutes as Flash allowed the last of his tears to fall like the dying leaves.

With a whistle, the train pulled away from the station, headed back to Ponyville. Sitting inside one of the compartments, Twilight watched the city of Fillydelphia, illuminated against the evening sky, disappearing into the distance. Spike was nestled against her side, dozing peacefully. Phillip and Flash were sitting opposite her in the compartment. Flash was holding his boomerang in his hooves, slowly turning it around and around.

Phillip looked at Flash with a long, sideways look, then cleared his throat. “Flash, may I talk to you outside for a moment?” he asked.

Flash blinked up at him. “Sure,” he said, rising. The two of them exited the carriage into the empty hallway, closing the door behind them. The train rumbled quietly beneath their hooves.

Phillip stared at the wall for a moment before taking a breath and speaking. “Flash, I wanted to say that you did aces. Really: I couldn’t have handled it better.”

“Thanks,” Flash nodded, giving Phillip a hearty slap on the back. “But I couldn’t have done it without yours, Twilight’s, and Spike’s help. Besides, you taught me a lot.” He smiled and looked down at the boomerang in his hooves. The Hearth’s Warming gift from his mentor had saved his life two nights ago.

“You’re right,” Phillip said, looking up at him for the first time. “I did teach you a lot. I taught you to be better than me, in so many ways.” He swallowed. “Flash, you know that I’ve done a lot of things wrong in my life. Made a lot of mistakes. And I don’t want you to be one of them.”

He reached beneath his vest and pulled out a rolled-up scroll, which he handed to Flash. “What’s this?” Flash asked, unrolling the scroll.

“My attempt to do something right for once,” Phillip replied. “I had it done up while you were still in the hospital.”

Flash studied the contents of the scroll, his eyes scanning them several times over. His face fell into an impassive expression as he stared at the words before him.

“It’s meaningless,” Phillip stated, looking down and slowly pawing the floor beneath him. “A formality. And if you don’t want to, I understand. But...I just thought that you...that I...that this was the best way that I could say…”

His stammering was interrupted by Flash suddenly putting both his forelegs around him and hugging him tightly. “I know,” Flash smiled, a joyful tear running down his cheek. “I love you, too.”

He pulled a pen out of his saddlebags and started to sign the scroll, but Phillip reached out and stopped him. “There’s one thing you need to promise me,” he said gravely.

“What’s that?” Flash asked.

Phillip gave Flash a serious look. “There’s a wall in the Canterlot Gardens. A wall inscribed with the names of every Guard who has died in action. I don’t ever want to see your name on that wall. Not while I’m alive.”

Flash pressed his forehead against Phillip’s. “Hey, don’t worry, chief. I’m not going anywhere. Besides,” he added with a grin. “You taught me how to survive. I’ll be all right.”

After a moment, Phillip managed to smile, happy tears sparkling in his eyes like stars. “Thank you, Flash.”

“No worries,” Flash smirked back, singing his name on the scroll. “It still needs an official signature.”

“Well, we know an official,” Phillip said, opening the door back to the compartment. Both of them reentered. Twilight looked up at them in confusion as Flash handed the scroll to her.

“What’s this?” she asked, unrolling the scroll. After a moment, her eyes widened as she read the contents:

“This sealed and signed document hereby serves as an official recognition that Phillip Finder is the legal adoptive guardian of Flash Sentry. ”

Twilight looked up at the two stallions. “Are you...are you sure?”

“As sure as I’ve ever been of anything,” Phillip nodded. Flash nodded as well.

Twilight smiled broadly and leapt up to hug them both, signing the scroll with her magic as she did so to give the new family an official, legal recognition.

“Oh, and Twilight,” Flash added, pulling himself out of the hug. “There’s something that I wanted to ask you.”

“What is it?” Twilight asked.

Flash gently pushed Twilight down onto her seat, then dropped to a crouch in front of her. He swallowed, his throat quivering as he fought against his own nervousness. Twilight tilted her head in confusion. “Flash, what is it?”

Flash closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and spoke. “Willyoumarryme?”

Twilight blinked. “Huh?”

Flash turned redder than a cherry tomato, clearing his throat. “I, I, I...uh...I meant…” He took another deep breath, then fixed Twilight with a steady gaze, gently taking her hoof in both of his.

“Twilight, I love you,” he spoke quietly, clearly and with the deepest conviction. “Will you marry me?”

Twilight stared at him, color flooding her cheeks. Flash cringed and let go, looking down at the floor. “Never mind, never mind,” he stammered. “I mean, if you don’t want to, that’s—”

A field of purple magic surround his head, forcing him to turn around to face the Princess and pulling him close.Twilight gently wrapped her forelegs around his body, being careful to avoid his injured wing, and kissed him full on the mouth.

“Yes,” she answered, happy tears glimmering in her eyes. “Yes, I will.”

Flash’s face split into a broad grin and he let out a short, joyous laugh. He hugged Twilight, kissing her again.

Spike awoke with a snort and blinked up at the group. “Huh? Why is everypony hugging?”

Twilight chuckled and used her magic to pull Spike into the embrace, ignoring his half-hearted struggling. After a moment of hesitation, Phillip joined the hug. The family remained that way for several moments, contentedly allowing the world to race by outside. They had all they needed in here.

Hours later, long after the sun had disappeared beneath the horizon and the stars had begun their dance across the sky, the train arrived in Ponyville. The four friends exited onto the platform, blinking tiredly.

Flash and Twilight waved goodbye to Phillip, who walked off towards his own home, before beginning their journey back to the Castle. Spike, who had fallen asleep again, rode atop Twilight’s shoulders; Flash and Twilight held one another close with their wings, their shared heat dispelling the chill of the autumn night.

“So how do you think the others are going to take the news?” Flash asked.

“We can worry about that tomorrow morning,” Twilight replied, nuzzling Flash. He nuzzled her in reply, humming happily.

They reached the castle and entered, making their way to the library. The door was wide open and the light was on; evidently, Starlight was doing some late-night research. They entered the library to find Starlight sitting at the table, levitating several crystal shards taken from the castle in the air. She fired a beam of magic at one shard: the magic reflected off the shard and onto the others, each beam collecting into a single ball of light that began to grow larger and larger, humming like a tuning fork.

“Hi, Starlight!” Twilight greeted her.

Starlight looked up and smiled brightly, dropping the shards. “Twilight! You’re back! What happened while you were in Fillydelphia?”

Twilight opened her mouth to begin her tale, but was interrupted by Flash clearing his throat loudly. He stepped forward, facing Starlight, who returned his gaze coolly.

“Starlight, I…” Flash paused. “I wanted to apologize for the way I’ve been treating you. I haven’t exactly been fair, and if Twilight was willing to give you a second chance, then I should too. It’s my duty as a Royal Guard to treat all ponies fairly.” He stepped forward and held out his hoof. “Can you forgive me for my behavior?”

Starlight stared at his extended hoof for several seconds, looking utterly bewildered. Finally, she smiled briefly and took his hoof, shaking it. “It’s all right. I haven’t given you a lot of reasons to trust me.”

“Maybe we can try to change that,” Flash said with a timid smile.

“So, what happened?” Starlight asked eagerly. “You’ve been gone for days!”

“Well, it’s a long story,” Twilight said, setting Spike down gently so as not to wake him.

“We’ve got all night, haven’t we?” Starlight replied, leaning back in her chair. With her magic, she summoned a pot of fresh coffee and three mugs.

Flash and Twilight looked at each other and shrugged. Settling down into the chairs, they began to tell their tale to their audience of one, their tale of a city, of hopes, of crime, and of family.

Author's Notes:

And thus, our tale finally ends on a happy note, with our family gathered all around.

I hope you enjoyed the Fillydelphia Solution, and that it has inspired you to seek the good in your life and to try to stand for others who cannot stand for themselves. God Bless, and see you next story!