2 Days Later...
Moore rose his hand to his head in a salute as the casket came down the aisle. Around him, ponies were lined up in rows, each with their particular "mourning" outfits. They mostly consisted of black, and none had bright colors. To his right and left, Frank and Jack each saluted to the casket as well, neither of them happy to be where they were. It was the funeral for the fallen. A while after the attack in Seaddle, it was decided that instead of individual funerals, the dead would all be honored in one ceremony, that would last as long as it needed to. The scent of roses hung in the air as ponies tossed them into the path of the caskets, honoring those that had passed. Moore gave a quick sniff as he tried to control his own emotions. He couldn't help but feel that he was responsible, even though everyone said he did his best.
"With great victory... Comes great sacrifice." He heard Frank whisper to him. Moore gave a slight nod, then turned his attention back to the funeral. Across from him, Jessica, Jacob, and Derek saluted as well, each of them in their respective uniforms. Another casket passed, and the name of the deceased was given, along with requests of old stories that others had with the dead pony. The priest called for anyone that had known the soldier personally, and if they had anything to say. A young light red filly stepped up, along with a mare holding her hoof. Moore recognized the filly as the one that had thanked him for saving her life when he first arrived, and nearly shed a tear. The young one had lost a family member no doubt, but who it was, he couldn't be sure. The young girl placed one brightly colored daffodil on the coffin, along with a picture of her holding the hoof of a larger pony.
"I'll miss you daddy." She said as she said a tear. Moore sighed while ponies around her cooed. He briefly lowered his head, overcome with guilt over watching the child carry so much grief. The filly explained how her father had been inspired to join the SRTF after Seaddle, and how he had given his life to save a younger colt at the battle of Neigh York. She looked up to the casket and kissed her hoof, placing it on the casket.
"I love you." She said as her mother rubbed her mane. The priest went on to say he would not be forgotten, and would always be remembered as a brave soldier. The casket went away, and the family left to see him buried. Moore looked down the aisle, and shed a tear from grief when he saw this one. It was human sized, and only one human had died in Equestria. This was Hank's casket. He looked down to the ground as he felt a surge of guilt run through him, and briefly looked up the aisle, where Rainbow Dash was saluting in a custom made outfit for SRTF veterans. There were tears in her eyes when she saw the casket, and the bottom of her lip quivered. Next to her, Twilight placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder, and looked down at the casket as well.
"You think she'll be alright?" Frank asked in a hushed whisper. Moore sighed and dipped his head, shaking it.
"I don't know..." He said. Frank nodded and gave his CO a quick pat on the back before returning to his position in a salute. The casket came to a halt in front of them, and the priest announced everything.
"Here is Private Hank Daniels. One of our Guardians. He bravely succumbed to several severe bite and slash wounds of Chaos Ponies, even fighting while being extracted by Staff Sergeant Moore. He fought long and hard during his short life, and in times like now... It is important to remember that he knew this could happen. But he risked his life anyway, because he knew that it was the right thing to do." The priest said, his glasses slightly falling from his face. He smiled and placed a hoof on the casket, patting it gently.
"Daniels was a brave man, giving up everything he knew for the sake of others. We commend him for that. His sacrifice will never be forgotten amongst us." The priest continued. He patted the casket once more, nodding as he backed away. Moore lowered his hand and stepped forward. Looking around, he could see the grief stricken faces of many, with some questioning eyes. He focused on the casket, giving it a quick pat, sighing. He reached down toward his hip, and reached for the pistol that Hank had carried while he was alive. It had been recovered after the militia in Seaddle had deemed the area safe. He observed it for a second, then looked back to the casket. He sighed again, and shook his head. Behind him, Frank stepped forward, placing his own hand on the casket. He was quickly followed by Jacob and Derek. All of the men looked to Moore and nodded. Looking back down, Moore thought about that last image of Hank, breathing heavily as blood trailed out of his mouth, while he cried for his dead mother. Moore felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked to his right, seeing Jack with an understanding stare. The Specialist nodded, patting his shoulder. Moore finally took the pistol and lifted it, placing it gently on the casket.
"I'm sorry Hank..." He said as he hung his head, He gave the pistol a quick pat, then withdrew his hand, leaving his other hand on the casket with the others. He heard what sounded life hooves, and looked over. Rainbow had walked up to the casket, her face stained red from tears. She looked down to her chest, and observed the red stone that was incased in her pendant. She gently took it and observed it for a moment, sniffing to hold back more tears. She gently flew up to the top of the casket, placing the pendant just beneath the pistol. Moore smiled and patted the casket, glad to see Rainbow coming to grips. She sighed and flew back down to the ground. After a few minutes, Moore and the men had finished saying their goodbyes to their friend and fell back, returning to their saluting positions as the casket was carried away. Another casket came down the aisle...