“And that’s the story,” Flash finished. Pausing to take a breath, he wiped his face and swallowed with difficulty; all this talking had made his throat parched. He looked around at the faces looking back at him from the crowd. He recognized Fleur de Lis, her face obscured by a black veil that matched the rest of her ensemble. Cintamani Stone and her daughters sat nearby in a row, stiff at attention in their plastic chairs. Dozens of others who had lost loved ones in those terrible days were spread out before him, waiting for him to continue.

Towards the back of the attendants, Flash spotted Princess Cadance, flanked by two Crystal House Guards and slumped in exhaustion. A sleeping Flurry Heart was in a baby sling, held against her chest. In the fallout of Zugzwang’s death and the liberation of Canterlot, it had turned out that she had taken it upon herself to take control of the sun and the moon for the rest of the world, even as she waited outside the dome with a battalion of Crystal Guards. She blinked up at him wearily.

He swallowed again and glanced over at Twilight, who was still nestled up against her brother’s side. She nodded softly. Flash took a breath and slowly turned back to the microphone.

“After Zugzwang died, his army was scattered,” Flash continued, his voice magnified over the crowd. “Although some of them escaped, with the aid of Royal Guards from other battalions, we were able to capture most of them and liberated the city. If it hadn’t been for my father, many of us wouldn’t be here.”

He paused. A great pressure was building up inside his chest, which felt like it was threatening to burst open at any moment. Taking a shaky breath, he tried to continue.

“But...but we still lost so many,” he stammered, blinking several times. “We lost friends...comrades...family...we…”

He choked on his words, the pressure now so great that he couldn’t speak. His head drooped beneath its own weight, his breath trembling.

Shining stood up and walked over to Flash, wrapping a foreleg around him and pulling the shivering pegasus into his embrace as his knees gave out.

“I can’t,” Flash sobbed into Shining’s chest. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right,” Shining whispered, gently stroking his back as he guided him away from the podium and had him sit down next to himself and Twilight. Twilight extended a wing over him and held him comfortingly as his sobs subsided. Sympathetic murmurs arose from the crowd, and many of them began weeping quietly themselves. Through his tears, Flash observed Cintamani leaning onto Talitha’s shoulder as the family embraced each other.

Princess Celestia stepped up to the podium and waited patiently for the audience to return their attention to her. “What happened during those days was undeniably tragic,” she said, the weight of the deaths evident in her posture, expression, and voice. Her soft tone was projected over the crowd. “We lost far too many good ponies.”

She looked around at the crowd. “But we survived. And we rebuilt. And though we have lost much, and we still have far to go, there is still much to be thankful for. Were it not for the bravery, generosity, kindness, and loyalty of good friends and family, of all of those who survived, many of us would not be here today. And this memorial is for all of us.”

Celestia lit up her horn and tore the tarp off the structure behind them, revealing the memorial. In the center of the structure stood a pair of statues cast in black granite; a Royal Guard in full armor and a young mare, both of them huddled together as if for warmth. Their faces were grim, but equally determined and alert, looking up towards the horizon. Three torches burst into light around them, the enchanted flames—peaceful azure, sunshine yellow, and brilliant emerald—flickering steadily. Behind the monument was a wall curved about in a semicircle. Dozens of names were carved into the black stone, the starlight white lettering seeming to shine against the backdrop.

“This memorial of the Days of Darkness will stand as a testament to the bravery of those we lost, and those who fought against the darkness,” Celestia declared. “Even as we honor their lives, we remember that even in the darkest, coldest times, there will always be the lights of faith, hope, and kindness, so long as we remember our inherent goodness.” She looked around at the crowd. “So long as we remember that we are not alone, we need not be lost in the dark forever.” She bowed her head in silence for several long moments, blinking repeatedly, then wiped her face with a wing and raised her head once more. “May…” she croaked out, then cleared her throat and began again. “May you all be blessed, and may Equestria be blessed. Thank you.”

She stepped down, signalling the end of the memorial service. The crowd stood and began to slowly file out of the park as the first strains of Amazing Grace rose from a trio of bagpipes wielded by Royal Guards. Some other ponies walked up to the monument, slowly parading before the wall of names to make their final farewells.

Shining walked over to his wife and embraced her gently. Flurry Heart woke up and cooed happily. “Dada!” she squealed, reaching up towards him. Shining smiled softly and kissed his daughter’s forehead.

Twilight observed this exchange with a ghost of a smile as her friends all gathered close to her. They watched as both Celestia and Luna slowly walked over the monument and stood in front of the statues, silently watching the parade of mourners.

Fluttershy hesitantly walked up to the Princesses. “Um...will you be okay?”

Celestia merely nodded, her eyes closed. Luna looked up and managed to smile. “We will be all right, given time,” she replied. “It may be a bit glib to say this, but this is not the first time we have been through a...difficult encounter.” She looked around at the friends and sighed.

“I realize that it will be a hard path before you...before us all,” she said. “But this is not a path that anypony should have to walk alone. I encourage you all to seek help. And to hold together. In the end, we are all we have.”

Celestia turned and looked up at them. She managed to smile, and for a moment, she looked almost like the kind, maternal Princess that the world knew and loved.

“Whatever happens from now on, however difficult it may be, do not be too hard on yourselves,” she advised them. “Even after everything that happened, you can still go home.”

Fluttershy walked up and hugged both of the Princesses. The others gathered in and joined in the embrace as the alicorns draped their wings around them all. They remained in the cemetery for several moments longer, simply holding each other until the alicorns slowly withdrew.

“You should get going,” Celestia said quietly. “Your train will be leaving soon.”

Twilight opened her mouth as if to protest without quite knowing why. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded, and led the friends back down the path and out of the park. Teams of unicorns were walking up and down the streets, clearing away the snow with their magic; Celestia had instructed them to hold off on Winter Wrap Up until after the ceremony.

“Come on, y’all,” Applejack urged, adjusting her stetson upon her head. “Let’s go home.”

The train rattled beneath their seats as it chugged down the rails, the countryside rushing past them. Much of the snow had melted over the past few days, leaving behind patches of white here and there, like fallen clouds amidst the fields of green. The leaves in the trees were just beginning to bud, and they waved at the train and its occupants as they passed. The sun was beginning to dip towards the western horizon, the first shades of pale red splashing across the sky.

The six mares and Flash watched the view in silence, sitting in a clustered group on a pair of benches inside the very last train car. The Celestia Star medals around their necks shone dully in the sunlight filtering in through the windows. The other occupants of the car kept their distance from them; whether either out of respect or uncertainty, they neither knew nor cared.

Rainbow Dash tapped the medal a couple times, bouncing it against her chest. “You know,” she admitted. “I don’t really feel like a hero.”

“Why not?” Twilight asked.

“I didn’t do anything special,” Rainbow Dash said. “None of us did, really. We just…” She shrugged. “I don’t know. We did what we had to.” She tapped the medal again. “And it...it just feels wrong. To be honored over this.”

Flash looked down at his own medal. The bright white star stared impassively back at him, cold and heavy against his heart. “Twilight, could you open the window a little, please?” he asked softly, not raising his eyes.

“Sure,” Twilight answered. She opened up the window a crack, allowing the wind that rushed past to enter the carriage.

With a sudden jerk, Flash yanked the medal off, snapping the ribbon in half, and flung the damned thing out the window. It disappeared into the thick, waving grass that grew alongside the tracks.

Twilight’s jaw dropped. “Why did you do that?”

“Because every time I looked at it, I was going to be reminded of everything that happened,” Flash answered hotly. “And I don’t want to be carrying that around every day.”

The mares all looked at one another, then Fluttershy pulled her medal off and threw it out the window as well. One by one, each of the other Celestia Stars were flung out the window, like a small cascade of shooting stars bursting from the train carriage. Almost immediately, the air in the carriage felt clearer and cleaner, and the silence between the friends became more comfortable. Twilight curled up to Flash’s side and was received by a wing draped over her shoulders, Applejack tilted her Stetson down over her eyes and relaxed into her chair, and Pinkie Pie began to hum a slow but cheery tune.

“We should do something when we get back,” Rainbow Dash suggested.

“Yes, something normal,” Rarity added. “Something to lift the spirits.”

“A party?” Pinkie Pie asked, perking up. “Just for us?”

“Just for us,” Rarity agreed.

Finally, the train pulled into the station with a hiss of steam and brakes. The friends disembarked from the carriage and exited onto the platform. Two familiar figures were waiting for them.

“Welcome home,” Starlight Glimmer greeted them as Spike hugged Twilight and Flash in turn. “Come on, let’s get back to the castle. Have you guys eaten? We can make something quick for you if you want.”

They descended the platform and started walking down the familiar road through the center of town, drinking in the comforting sights, sounds, and smells. Fresh spring flowers were already beginning to sprout from the vivid green fields. Ditzy flew low overhead, carrying Dinky in a small basket in her mouth. The odor of fresh bread from Sugarcube Corner signalled to all that the Cakes were just pulling a fresh set of baked goods from the oven. Lyra waved cheerily from outside Bon Bon’s Bonbons, plucking merrily at her lyre. Caramel and a visibly pregnant Sassaflash sat on the porch of their cottage, nuzzling contentedly; their brand new engagement rings shining in the setting sun, similar to the ones that Flash and Twilight wore on their wings.

“How have they been doing?” Flash asked Starlight as they continued walking.

“They’ve been improving,” Starlight reported. “They still won’t go out in public much, but he’s been talking to me more, and they both went participated in Winter Wrap Up. She still doesn’t talk much, but I can tell that they’ve both been looking forward to seeing you again.”

Flash nodded and nestled Twilight up against him. “It’s good to be home,” he sighed.

The setting sun cast the sky in amber and crimson. A soft wind rustled through the trees in the open field to the north of Ponyville, causing the leaves in the trees to rustle musically. Two ponies lay beneath.

“How you feeling?” asked the stallion in the gray, short-sleeved shirt.

“Chest still hurts,” the mare with the grayscale rainbow mane replied, curled up next to him. “But not as much anymore.” She paused for a moment, observing the leaves fluttering in the trees. “And I didn’t have any nightmares last night, either.”

Phillip Finder smiled and nuzzled Daring’s mane; the warm, sea-like scent of her mane soothed him. She let out a soft purr and pressed herself against him.

It was a miracle that both of them were still alive. It was only due to the quick intervention of a Crystal House Guard medic that Phillip survived his stab wound; he had awoken hours later in the Canterlot General Hospital, surrounded by his deeply relieved friends. Daring had come around not long after, and been moved to the hospital herself for further treatment. Both of them had recovered within two weeks and left for Ponyville with the others before the memorial ceremony, hoping to duck out of the public limelight before it could fully focus on them.

“Have you thought about what’s next for you?” Phillip asked.

Daring blinked. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“Daring…” Phil said slowly, his voice soft and uncertain, his shoulders slumped. “Too many ponies saw you. Too many ponies know you’re real.”

Daring nodded grimly. “And it won’t be long until they make the connection between me and A.K. Yearling. My home, my publisher, they won’t be safe anymore.”

“So what now?” Phillip offered, his voice going up slightly.

Daring raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Is there an offer in there?”

Phil swallowed. “Um…” He took a deep breath and began to speak slowly. “You could...maybe...stay here with me? W-with us?”

Daring paused for almost a full minute, then smiled and leaned up to kiss him on the lips. He kissed her back sweetly; their embrace tasted of cold apple cider and crisp air.

“I’d like that,” she admitted. “This town, our friends, you...they’ve been good for me. I’ve changed quite a bit since...since you knew me.”

“Yeah, you have,” Phillip admitted. “We both have.”

“And this is a quiet place,” Daring added. “I could imagine staying here.” She chuckled once, very softly. “And besides, neither of us are getting any younger.”

Phillip smiled and let out a low laugh. “You’re right. Neither of us is getting any younger.”

There was something in his tone, something hidden behind the veil of his words, that made Daring pause, her curiosity piqued. “What is it, Phil?” she asked, looking up.

Phil swallowed, staring up at the sky above them. A pair of songbirds were perched on a branch over his head, their peaceful twittering the only sound in the field. He took a slow, deep breath, and continued.

“Daring...I’ve realized something recently,” he said, slowly taking both her hooves in his own and staring down at them instead of at her. “I’ve realized that I’ve been dying since I was thirteen years old. It’s time for me to start living...and the rest of my life, what I’ve got left...I want to spend it with you.”

He reached into a pocket on the back of shirt and pulled out two small black boxes. He passed one of these boxes to Daring. She opened it up and gasped at what lay inside.

Daring Do was no stranger to gold jewelry: many of the treasures she had uncovered and collected would put the crown jewels to shame with their magnificence. But the simple piece laying atop the white cloth inside the little box was the piece that took her breath away. Before her eyes was a small but elegant golden ring, affixed to a golden chain. It glowed in the light of the setting sun.

“Daring Do,” Phillip Finder whispered, his heart throbbing in his chest. “Will you marry me?”

For a moment, Daring could only stare at the gift in overwhelmed silence, then with a choked noise that was half a laugh and half a joyful sob, she took the necklace out of the box and draped it over her shoulders. The little ring made her feel light and free, like she was floating on a cloud.

“Yes,” she answered, and hugged him tight. He kissed her deeply, salty tears stinging at both of their eyes. When they finally separated, he took his own engagement ring out of its box and placed it around his own shoulders.

“We should be heading back,” he sighed, slowly rising back to his hooves. “The others will be here by now.”

“Pinkie’s gonna go ballistic over this,” Daring chuckled, getting to her hooves as well.

Phil laughed. “Yeah, she is.”

They walked back to Ponyville, nestled up against one another as the first stars began to appear amidst the growing purple backdrop of the eastern sky. The softening zephyrs kissed their skin. Below them, the first streetlamps were beginning to illuminate the town of Ponyville as its inhabitants prepared to end their day.

“It’s good to be home,” Phillip sighed, wrapping his tail around Daring’s. His partner nodded in agreement.

Author's Notes:

Special thanks to Arexander for proofreading this chapter for me!

And with that, it is the official ending of the Phillip Finder series. It's not quite a happy ending, but it's as close as we could have gotten. I hope that you enjoyed these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them! Leave a like and comment if you enjoyed, and thanks for all the views and support!

Oh, and happy St. Patrick's Day.

Bye for now,

Josiah