The tolling of bells sounded throughout Ponyville as the autumn leaves fell to the ground. The cemetery was packed with mourners, each of them looking to get a glimpse of the two freshly-dug graves which had been added.

Beside the graves stood the Elements of Harmony, a human and a night elf, the latter two with their heads bowed and the former six dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs as they fought back tears.

Princess Celestia came forward and addressed the gathered mourners, her voice cracking with emotion.

"Citizens of Ponyville," she said, "we are gathered here today to mourn the loss of two of our dearest friends, and lay them to rest. They gave their lives to defend us from a threat the likes of which we have never seen before. And were it not for their actions, as well as those of Navitas and Baegon here, the consequences would have been much worse."

Navitas and Baegon nodded meekly as Celestia continued.

"Although at one point, we saw these two as our enemies, I think I speak for all of us when I say that now, they are our friends... and our saviours. They have done so much for Equestria in the short time they've been here, which we always remember them for."

She looked out over the cemetery.

"Does anypony else have anything they would like to say?"

Navitas raised a hand. Celestia nodded and moved aside as the elf approached the speaker's platform.

"When I first found out that Zorann and Luxxoria were Horde, my immediate reaction was hostility." she said. "As far as I was concerned, they were my enemies, people I should treat with suspicion and hatred. But once I took the time to get to know them, and learn their story, I began to see them as allies. I began to see them... as friends."

She wiped her eyes as she continued.

"Zorann may have been the threat I saw in my dreams, but we must remember that he was not acting of his own free will. Do not hate him for what he became. Instead, remember him for what he was... a good friend, and a stalwart ally."

Gentle applause filled the air as the townsponies applauded Navitas' words. She stepped down from the platform, which allowed Baegon to come forward.

"Navitas has pretty much said everything I was going to." he said. "But I will add that although we were once on different sides of a meaningless conflict, I eventually cast aside my prejudices and embraced their friendship. They were good friends, and I'll never regret having met them. Er... that's pretty much it."

He stood down and turned to the graves.

"Light preserve you, brother and sister." he muttered, as the Elements of Harmony approached the platform as a group.

"It is true that Zorann and Luxxoria were our enemies." Twilight said. "But they have made up for what they did. In fact, I can see some among you who fell victim to their attack, now walking among us once more thanks to Zorann's resurrection spell. They have also saved our lives on several occasions, as well as taught us much about the world in which they live."

"Yeah, and they were super fun to party with." Pinkie said. "To be honest, I was really jealous about the fact that Luxxoria could make cakes just as well as I could!"

A small chuckle came from the crowd.

"They were really cool to hang out with." Dash added. "Literally, in Luxxoria's case. And Zorann's strength as a bear was awesome. At first I hated them, but now I have nothing but respect for them. I may be the Element of Loyalty, but Zorann and Luxxoria outclassed me in that. They kept their loyalty to Ponyville... until the end."

She stifled a sob. Pinkie Pie draped a hoof around her neck as Applejack spoke up.

"As the Element of Honesty, Ah could tell that those two were mighty sorry fer what they did, and that they were real keen to make it up ta us. And they did, time and time again. First they helped us ta fight off the Horde, and then they brought back all the folk who died. Their remorse was genuine, and so was our friendship. And Ah can honestly say... Ah'll miss 'em a lot."

Rarity was the next one to speak up.

"They always said they had had enough of fighting. And now, they are... although not in the way anypony wanted. How ironic it is, that they found the freedom they wanted... through that which plagued them the most. It is thanks to them that we find ourselves enjoying peace once again. And I for one intend to make the most of this wonderful gift they so selflessly bestowed upon us."

Several murmurs of agreement sounded off from the mourners as Fluttershy took to the stage.

"Um, I don't really know what I can say that hasn't been said already. We all have memories of them which we will keep forever. I for one have a scrapbook of memories, which I will cherish for the rest of my life, as I live it the way they would have wanted me to."

She stepped down as Princess Celestia took her position.

"Does anypony else have a eulogy?" she asked.

The mourners shook their heads. Celestia nodded and turned to the coffins nearby. Her horn ignited, and both coffins were lowered gently in to their respective grave. The dirt then rushed in, completing the burial process.

"It is with great sorrow," Celestia said, "that I commit their bodies to the earth they fought to defend. May they find everlasting peace in the afterlife. Thank you, Zorann and Luxxoria, for everything."

She turned back to the mourners.

"For Zorann and Luxxoria!" she yelled.

"For Zorann and Luxxoria!" the mourners yelled back.

"For Equestria and the Alliance!" Navitas and Baegon added.

"For Equestria and the Alliance!" the mourners shouted.

"FOR PEACE AND HARMONY!" they roared together.

"The ceremony is over." Princess Celestia said. "We must now look to the future, but not at the expense of the past."

The mourners saluted one last time before trickling out of the cemetery, leaving behind the Princess, the Elements of Harmony, Navitas and Baegon.

"I must return to Canterlot." Celestia said. "I am honoured to have seen them into the next life, but I'm afraid my royal duties cannot wait any longer."

Twilight nodded and nuzzled her mentor, who returned the gesture warmly before vanishing in a blaze of white light.

"Do you think they liked their funeral?" Navitas asked.

"I'm not sure." Baegon replied. "I think they would have."

Navitas smiled.

"Come on, everypony. Let's get to the wake." said Twilight. "We can reminisce all we want there."

The eight of them nodded and together, they made their way out of the cemetery, chatting fondly about memories of old.

On a hill overlooking the cemetery, two figures watched events unfold. Both of them shimmered in the mid-afternoon sunlight as they observed their friends leaving.

"That was some funeral." one of them said. "Wasn't it, Lux?"

"It was indeed, Zorann." Luxxoria replied. "It was indeed."

The two of them shared a laugh before they turned around, placed their hands on each others shoulders and walked away.

A few steps later, the two spirits vanished.

And soon, the cemetery was quiet once more.