A/N: Hey, guys! It's me! MBAV fan66! And I have the final chapter to Dark Days: A World In Ruins!

So, TiredOfBeingNice might of started this thing, but now I'm finishing it! Lol! I'm so sad that this is the last chapter to our little project together :( But it must be done.

This will be my final author's note for this story, because I'm graciously letting my Fanfic Buddy have the honors of writing the final author's note at the end of this chapter. So, be sure to read the end author's note to hear what TOBN has to say.

This has truly been a fun and amazing exprience for me and I am glad that it was with my Fanfic Buddy, TiredOfBeingNice. So, I would like to say thank you fanfic buddy for giving me this chance to experience my first ever collaboration story with you! Lol! We made a pretty good team, if I do say so myself! Lol!

This epilogue is gonna get me all misty eyed because of all of the love that you're gonna experience while reading it. So, no more sad stuff. Just tears of joy, remembrance, and celebration.

So, enough with the mushy stuff and let's get this epilogue started! Lol! Oh! And neither TiredOfBeingNice nor I own the song "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boys II Men. That right belongs whoever was involved in making the song. And please bare with me on the song. I was trying to do it like TOBN does it in her stories. Lol!

So, I hope you like it and enjoy and don't forget to review! And a very BIG thank you to all of you who've stuck around to read our little collab together! Thank You!

Dark Days: A World In Ruins

By: TiredOfBeingNice and MBAV fan66 (too emotional to speak at the moment)

Chapter 10: Memorial

One Year Later

It has been one whole year since that horrible day the Lucifractor exploded for the first time and Stern had declared World War III on Whitechapel and the world. One year since the tragic events of losing loved ones and seeing other innocent lives being lost. One year since his defeat and ridding the town of those vile and vicious monsters that were roaming around afterwards, along with the destruction of the Lucifractor.

And in that one year, a lot had changed.

Now the whole world knows that the things that go bump in the night aren't just fiction anymore, but are very much real. Some of the supernatural creatures were at first afraid that the humans would shun and hate them and treat them like garbage. And that it would lead to segregation and discrimination among the two sides, but luckily that wasn't the case. The two sides had come together and put aside their many differences for the greater good of both communities.

Both sides worked together peacefully, side by side, in rebuilding Whitechapel. Most of Whitechapel had already been rebuilt and repaired after the Lucifractor event took place, but there was still a lot of work to be done. People from all over came to help in the rebuilding efforts of the town. Some from other towns and some even from other countries, like the United States. It was a glorious thing to see. The events of the Lucifractor had truly changed everything, but for the better, now it seems.

Having his best friend back, actually really did help Ethan cope with losing Sarah and his dad, a little bit. He no longer was as quiet or bitter. He did have his moments when he would get all sad and depressed and break out into tears whenever he thought about her, but it was getting better now. And he realized that he wasn't the only one who was missing them as much, too. He had his mom and sister right there by his side with him and his friends too. He was glad to still have them all in his life. It had brought them all even closer together as a family. And he knew that deep down, that it wasn't good-bye forever for him and Sarah. Just...a really long 'see ya later' kind of good-bye. And he was ok with that.

Benny and Erica has really grown as a couple. Erica has been really great about Benny's blindness and has been helping him around a little. She was like...his seeing eye vampire, if you will. And since Benny's blindness was caused my magic, his grandmother, Evelyn had sworn to look for a way that might be able to reverse it and give him his sight back. But Benny was in no hurry. He kind of enjoyed Erica waiting on him hand and foot a little...until the vampire started to get really annoyed by it and threaten to remove every last ounce of his blood from his body if he didn't stop taking advantage of her. So, he quit...kind of.

Stella and Rory were glued at the hips, now. They went everywhere and did everything together. The two were inseparable. And since she was an orphan until she turned eighteen, the Keaner's where nice enough to take her in. They loved Stella like a daughter. They were so glad that their son had found true love in her. And once school started back up again, Stella had wanted to give going to public school a shot. Stella had asked Rory to turn her into a vampire so she can be with him forever. Rory agreed to do it, but only after they graduated. Stella was cool with the idea of having to wait. What's a few more years to enjoy being human while it lasted, right?

The Vampire Council, after they had returned, had even allowed Jesse back in town again, since he was part of the fight against Stern. So, far he's been on the straight and narrow about the rules. And he too, as hard as it's to believe, would get down in the dumps whenever he thought about Sarah, too. Even to go as far as to shed a tear or few. And he would never admit it though, but he sort of saw Ethan and his friends as friends, too. Of course he still couldn't help, but to torment Ethan at times, but it was all in good fun and sometimes they would even have a little bonding moment and would laugh about it together. Whenever nobody else was around that is.

So, here it is. On the first anniversary of that day. The whole town, supernaturals and humans alike, all gathered around in Whitechapel's square on a cloudy day to hold a commemorative memorial service to honor that day and all those who have lost their lives then.

Anastasia took her place up on stage, as many watchful eyes looked up at her. She cleared her throat as she began to give her speech.

"Citizens of Whitechapel! Supernatural and human alike! We all gather here today, to commemorate the one year anniversary of that fateful event that changed our lives forever." she began. "The day an evil power crazed wizard named Stern had used a supernatural weapon called the Lucifractor, to declare war on all who opposed him. But thanks to a very brave few souls, he had failed in his conquest to rule over us."

The crowed cheered in excitement and glee, at her speech. Anastasia gave the crowd a moment to cheer before continuing.

"But sadly we had also lost a few of those good souls in the war. And we shall never forget them and they will always live on in our hearts forever for the sacrifices that they have made for us to ensure that we live to see another day. Let's us have a moment of silence to honor their memory." spoke Anastasia, wholeheartedly.

Everyone stood there with their heads lowered in silence, as they remembered those who have fallen during the crisis. People like Sarah Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Fox, and Ross Morgan. All who have fought and died bravely in the line of duty.

After the moment of silence was over Anastasia spoke again. " Now then! On a more better note, I'm glad to present you all with this monument, which not only will never let us forget those dark and tragic times that happened during the war, but it will also remind us of the positive that had came out of it, as well. Of uniting two different worlds together and bring us closer as one. So, that we now all can live together in peace and harmony, side by side as equals. Humans and supernaturals as allies!" she praised with hope and glee in her voice.

The crowd of people roared in cheer and praise again, before quieting down once again.

"Now I know that it might take sometime to adjust for everybody around the world, but I do hope that Whitechapel will serve as a reminder and as a beacon of hope that no matter the difference in spieces, we are all the same at our core. Beings that have feelings and emotions just as everyone else in the world does. So, let's not let our differences drive us apart, but instead bring us together as one." concluded Anastasia smiling happily, as the crowd all cheered and whistled at her speech.

"Now! Without further ado! I present to you, Whitechapel's very own monument! The Lucifractor Monument!" declared Anastasia proudly, as she clapped and turned to face the covered monument as it was being unveiled to it's citizens.

There stood a very giant sized replica of the Lucifractor on a stone squared slab thing. On all four of the stone's sides, was a little bronze plaque that read 'In remembrance to all those who have lost their lives during the World War III of Whitechapel. May this monument serve as a reminder to all those who fought bravely and to the unification of the human world and supernatural world. From a time that seemed so dark, a light had emerged and shone it's light to the world. Giving us a new hope and enlightment for the future.'

The crowd roared with excitement and happiness at their new monument that stood in the center of town. Representing their new found hopes and dreams for the future.

Anastasia then quieted down the cheering crowd of people, as she had more to announce.

"Now, joining me here on stage, to sing us a song to pay remembrance and to honor those who have lost their lives, whether they just died as an innocent bystanders or from risking their very own lives so that we may see tomorrow, are some of those heroes who lead the fight against Stern and won!" announced Anastasia, clapping along with the crowd before walking off stage.

Erica then came out on stage, holding Benny's hand and leading up on stage. They both had headset microphones on their heads, as the music soon began to play and the crowd went silent.

Benny took Erica's hands in his and let out a calming breath, as he began. "Sorry. I never told you. All I, wanted to say." he sang softly, as he looked into Erica's eyes. "And now, it's too late to hold you. 'Cause you've flown away, so far away-ayyy." he sang shifting his pitch up and down like a pro at the end of the verse.

Erica smiled at Benny and then began her verse. "Never. Had I imagined," she sung beautifully, "Living without your smile." sung Erica evening out the tone. "Feeling, and knowing you hear me. It keeps me alive!" she sang, raising her volume. "Alive!" she repeated hitting that high note perfectly.

They both then looked out towards the crowd as they continued to sing, this time in sync with on another, as they sung the chorus part.

"And! I know you're shining down on me from heaven! Like, so many friends we've lost along the way! And I know eventually we'll be together!" they both sang matching each others pitch. They faced each other again, smiling while continuing to hold hands.

"Together!" sang Erica proudly.

"One sweet day!" followed Benny happily. "Eventually I'll see you in heaven..." sung Erica softly in a slight whisper.

Then Benny felt someone take his other hand, which he could sense that it must of been Ethan. He looked over at his best friend and gave him a heartfelt smile, which Ethan returned. Then Ethan began the next verse.

"Darling, I never showed you." sang Ethan wonderfully into is headset. "I never showed you." repeated Benny in a quiet tone, smiling before Ethan continued. "Assumed you'd always be there."

"I thought you'd always be there." echoed Benny's voice into the mic.

"I, I took your presence for granted," sang Ethan's voice wavering just a little, as he wiped a tear from his eye with his free hand and smiled, "But I always cared." he said lifting his voice up some, as Erica repeated the last part with emotion. "But I always cared."

"And I miss the love we shared!" sang Ethan with all his heart, truly meaning it.

"And! I know you're shinning down on me from heaven! Like, so many friends we've lost along the way! And I know eventually we'll be together!" they all sang together in harmony.

"Together!" sang Erica, as the boys followed with "One sweet day!" "Picture a scene in heaven..."she sang.

The crowd then started to cheer loudly; as Erica, Benny, and Ethan paused for a few seconds and the music played on for bit until it was time to sing again.

"Although, the sun will never shine the same," came Rory's voice from behind them, as he walked up to them with Stella by his side, both also wearing headsets, he then took Erica's other hand in his as Stella held his other, "I'll always look to a brighter day!"

"Lord I know! When you lay me down to sleep," sang Stella's melodious voice as it rang out amongst the crowd, "You will always listen as I pray!" she sang in harmony with Rory, coming in near the end, with such meaning and passion in their words, both smiling while staring each other in the eyes lovingly.

Then they all broke out into the chorus line, singing in perfect harmony with each other and joyfully, as they let their emotions out through the song.

"And! I know you're shining down on me from heaven! Like, so many friends we've lost along the way! And I know eventually we'll be together!"

"Together!" sang Erica and Stella, matching each other perfectly. "One sweet day!" Ethan's, Benny's, and Rory's voices rang out afterwards.

And then suddenly the clouds that were blocking the sun, suddenly opened up and down shined the sun's warm rays upon the gathering of people there. Spreading it's warmth and happiness amongst everybody. As it hit the Lucifractor Monument, the purple orb seemed to radiate in a purple aura, but not it wasn't like the purple glow that once caused so much heartache, pain, fear, and destruction. But instead, a kind of glow that filled hearts with renewal, happiness, peace, and hope. Signaling a new beginning.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Keaner, Mrs. Morgan, Jane, Mrs. Weir, and even Jesse then all walked out onto stage to join the song.

"And! I know you're shinning down on me from heaven!" they all sang, as they began to sway from side to side, with their arms over the person next to them shoulders. "Like, so many friends we've lost along the way! And! I know eventually we'll be together!"

"Together!" sang Erica and Stella, raising their octave and putting their hearts into it. "One sweet day!" they sang, joining the group but raising their voices up and down with the boys together in harmony.

Then there was a pause as the music's melody continued to play for a bit and then Erica sang, as she looked Benny his sunglasses covered eyes. "Sorry. I never told you." she sang softly, as Benny quietly sang a "oooh" to follow. "All I, wanted to say." the two finished together slowly, as the melody began to die down.

As soon as they had finished, the crowd of people erupted into a roar of an applause for the group up on stage. They all looked at each other, some with watery eyes, as they smiled and then they all took a bow.

Unknown to them, up in the clouds; Sarah, her parents, and Mr. Morgan were all watching the very touching and heartwarming moment/performance from heaven. They all had huge smiles on their faces, as Sarah wiped a tear from her eye.

"They were right. Eventually we'll be together again. One sweet day." she spoke softly, as she just knew it was gonna be true, deep down in her heart.

A/N- Thanks again to my fanfic buddy, for generously letting me take the final Author's Note.

AND GEEZ! DID SHE DO GOOD, OR WHAT?!

Fun Fact: I don't cry when I read sad books or sad movies. But this is the FIRST time someone actually make me shed a tear. A rare moment. Thank MBAV fan66 for that. You broke me, fanfic buddy. You broke me :'(

But yup. The bittersweet ending. Wasn't the song so appropriate for the moment? I loved this. This was wonderful.

Of course, I wouldn't have done it without the brain of my dearest fanfic buddy, MBAV fan66, and without her ideas and her contribution and time to this story, it just wouldn't have happen. Good stories don't happen in a snap or a blink. We actually been planning this since February. To be more specific, I had asked my fanfic buddy to do this with me on February 5th, an idea I randomly had, and then she and I brought it all together into a story.

I am getting this pretty lengthy, probably because this was my first [and hopefully not last] collaboration story, with anyone, actually. So I hope to do this again with anyone. Just throw me a PM, and I'll consider it ;)

But yup. Thanks for reading this. Took a lot of time, on our side. We thank the readers.

I, with a heavy heart, put 'complete' on this story, and bid you farewell until the next story.

TOBN, out!

In Fangs, We Trust