---Six months later---
I stood there, on stage, a microphone in hand. Equestria had been hard at work in its rebuilding process, and for most part, things had been going well - minds, hearts, and souls had healed, and the scars, though they would always be there, had slowly faded away from visibility.
Celestia had put the nation on hold for this week in particular, calling for an ‘emergency’ national meeting. Where we stood had been perhaps the largest atrium I had ever taken view of, its wall stretching for almost miles on end, covering a sizable portion of the citiy of Manehattan. This place looked like could hold millions at a time, and that’s of course what it was doing - I had no doubt in my mind that virtually all the nation’s citizens were attending this event, and all of the eyes gazing upon me proved it.
I cleared my throat, remembering that little graduation speech.
“We have dived into the mouth of Hell! We went into the Apocalypse kicking, screaming, and fighting! We triumped over our advesaries as one, and came together as brothers and sisters in our darkest hour of need! As allies, as friends and family, Equestria has driven back its demons, and stood firm in the face of death!
I then walked backstage, still talking into the speaker system. There, I met with a familar white unicorn, who quickly set on her pair of neon glasses. I tossed my phone over to her, and she nodded, plugging the device in with a cable.
"Some may say that despite our grand accomplishments, today is a time of mourning! I defiantly disagree, for this acheivement, this desire to stand up to the most threatening forces in existence, and scream to them: ‘You shall not take me’, is a crowning time to celebrate! We have rebuilt, and reclaimed our lives and land!"
Music slowly emerged from the walls as I continued speaking.
“We have done the impossible, people. We have pushed, and pushed, and all came out on top! As we suffered and warred our way to freedom, to the end of BEN, we stand here today as a message - that should anyone or anything stand in our way and threaten our lives, we, as a united people will stand and take every ounce of energy to push it back!"
The crowd began cheering
"I know we are tired! I know we are exhausted! But in the end, this is our victory! And I’ll be damned if we can’t celebrate this fine accomplishment!”
Then, the drop kicked onto to speakers, and I lifted the curtain, revealing not only the famed DJ, but endless tables full of food, and drink. That surplus of farming the last few months wasn’t for nothing.
“LET’S PARTY!”
I threw the mic into the air, walking offstage as the nation exploded in excitement around me, and immediately grabbed a tankard of mead from the table, along with my long-standing family.
“I love all you crazy bastards. Juggalos for life, all of you.”
I walked about, drinking and laughing, watching as the world danced the night away without a care. It ate, it drank, it smiled and laughed, and you know what?
That’s what life should be - a fun experience alongside the people you love.
....Or… not.
As I passed a glass door that lead out onto a stone deck overlooking the city, II took notice of a small group of people huddled in its corner, crying. I stopped for a moment, opening the door to be welcomed by the chilly March air, and immediately recognized the crew of distraught peoples.
Bon Bon.
Shining Armor.
Flim.
Cup Cake.
The Belle family.
I stepped forward, the six not yet noting my presence. I set my beer down on the balcony railing, placing a gentle hand to the blue baker’s shoulder.
“C-cup cake? Guys?”
“Oh- uh… hi… Nick…” Bon Bon added, the others barely turning their heads to acknowledge me.
“Guys… why so… gloomy? We fucking won! We did this shit! We beat this fool! It’s a time to be happy, people!” I cajoled, smiling and lifting the beer up again. “Drinks on me, alright? Huh? Huh? come on, let’s go get some munchies, split a bong!” I couldn’t help but reply in an upbeat, almost Pinkie Pie like tone.
“We… We’d love to say we’re happy, Nick, but…”
“...How can we be if the ones we held dear weren’t able to be saved?” Armor and Flim said, back-to-back.
“When you know the one you care about is dead, what matter of difference does getting revenge make for you?” Cup asked me, swallowing the mucous building in her throat.
“Absolutely bucking nothing.” Magnum said, letting his hat drop stories to the ground below as he planted his face into the railing.
“Exactly. They’re not coming back, and do I feel better with that monster dead? Barely!” His wife replied, suppressing a scream into her shoulder, and breaking down in tears.
“Guys… I…”
I stood there for a moment, taking another sip of my drink. As I took the glass from my eye, I was greeted with a flare of light above. I took a look upwards, only to see a set of colorful orbs of energy gently fly overhead and past the stadium.
Five to be exact.
Green and white,
white and purple,
yellow and orange,
pink and purple,
and yellow and red.
“Just because they’re dead, does not mean they aren’t looking out for you. It doesn’t mean they’re gone.” I finished, pointing upward, and giving everyone a gentle nudge.
I…” Flim began, his mouth open in shock as he took his gaze upward towards the spectacle.
I looked back to the sky, noting two more orbs of light, pale blue, float by.
And followed by another, brown and white.
Thank you mom. Thank you dad. And thank you, Discord.
“Everything’s going to be fine. Let’s go get some food, on me, okay?”