It was a cloudy day in Ponyville when Pinkie Pie was lowered into the earth. The entire town came out to watch the funeral. The aura of the funeral was a combination of sadness, relief, anger, confusion, and shock. Everypony by this point knew the truth about Pinkie Pie being the murderer but only a few knew the complex truth behind it. It wasn't until Twilight Sparkle came to speak that everything made sense. She spoke of the Rufus murders ten years previously, Pinkie's nightmares, and the accidental creation of Pinkamena Diane Pie. By the time Twilight had finished talking, nearly the entire town was in tears. Irena spoke next and she was joined by her parents, Edgar and Rachel Cross. Twilight stood next to Stormflower and Joan as Irena spoke. Stormflower could only feel sadness at the thought of how Edgar and Rachel were feeling. They had lost not one but two of their daughters in a period of ten years. That would be enough to destroy any parent.

Lots of ponies talked about Pinkie Pie. Most tried to avoid the topic of Pinkamena Diane Pie though it was unavoidable. By the end of the funeral, Pinkie Pie was seen as a victim rather than the murderer which Twilight felt was the right way to feel. Pinkamena Diane Pie was now seen as a different pony entirely. Everypony fell silent as Pinkie's coffin was shut and lowered into the ground. Her gravestone read: Here lies Pinkie Pie, a loving friend, sister, and companion, April 1, 983 - August 24, 1001; Here lies Pinkamena Diane Pie, the Cupcake Killer, June 1, 1000 - August 24, 1001.

Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity sat in silence in Sugar Cube Corner following the funeral. They could only think about the horrible truth and the sadness that overcame them. Within the span of little over a month, they had lost two of their friends. Twilight couldn't find any words to say to her remaining friends. She wanted to say something but she hurt too much inside. Applejack was still in shock, Fluttershy was using all of her strength to hold back a flood of tears, and Rarity was just speechless. Twilight excused herself from the table and walked outside. The clouds had begun to clear but it was still gray and dark outside. Suddenly, a familiar pegasus approached her.

"Mr. Storm," said Twilight as the father of her deceased friend approached her.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about your friend," he said.

"Go ahead. I know you want to say it."

"Say what?"

"You want to also thank me for finding Rainbow Dash's killer."

"I do thank you but I didn't want to say it due to her killer being...well...Pinkie Pie."

"Pinkie Pie wasn't the killer. I think I explained that quite clearly. Pinkamena was a different spirit than that of Pinkie Pie. I'm positive of that."

"I'm sorry. I really am."

"Thank you. I hope Pinkie Pie is happy now, and I hope Pinkamena got what she deserves."

"I can only assume that they both got was they deserved, eternal peace for Pinkie and eternal punishment for Pinkamena."

"I can't imagine it any other way."

Thunder fell silent. He turned away from Twilight and looked towards the sky.

"So what are you planning on doing now?" Twilight asked.

"I'm thinking that it's about time for my remaining family and I to head back to Cloudsdale," he replied.

"Is Stormflower coming with you?"

"I'm not sure. My guess is that she has other plans."

"Would these plans involve Joan Silver by any chance?"

"I would figure as much."

"They really do care about each other. I've seen it in the way they've looked at each other. Joan stayed by Stormflower's side as much as he could while she was in the hospital."

"I know. I'm not against Stormflower's choices. I just hope she doesn't cut herself off again like she did before all of this happened."

"Things have changed, Mr. Storm. Some changes have been bad, but some have been good."

"What about you, Twilight? What are you going to do?"

"I'm still not sure about that."

"You better think about it. If there was ever a time to think about the future, it would be now."

Thunder then gave a polite nod and walked away to join Caroline.

Twilight tried to find Irena and her parents but they seemed to be lost in the crowd. She eventually made her way back out of Sugar Cube Corner. The air was cool and crisp. Autumn was definitely on the way. Twilight took long deep breaths of refreshing air as she walked through the empty streets of Ponyville. The town was almost like a ghost town now. It wasn't that surprising. Most of the ponies in town were at the funeral anyway. She had just began making her way back to Sugar Cube Corner to see if she could find Spike when Stormflower appeared. She was alone.

"Hey Twilight," she said glumly. Her eyes were somewhat sunken and she still bore the scars left behind by the attack.

"Stormflower, how are you feeling?" Twilight asked.

"I've seen my better days."

"I think we all have."

"Ain't that the truth?"

"Have you seen Irena yet?"

"Yeah. I've talked to her, Edgar, and Rachel."

"How are they holding up?"

"Better than I expected. It helps them knowing that Pinkie Pie died in order to protect the remaining ponies in Ponyville."

Twilight thought back to Pinkie Pie dying in her arms. She knew that memory would haunt her until the day she died.

"Yeah," Twilight breathed. "She died a heroine."

"I just can't believe all of this. All because of that bastard," Stormflower snapped.

"Rufus?"

"Yeah. He started all of this. I can only hope that he stays locked up in that prison forever."

"Me too. So...what happens now?"

"Huh?"

"What are you going to do now? It's over. This is finally over. The murderer has been found and...taken care of, all of the bodies have been unearthed, and there's no more murders to worry about. What are you going to do now, Stormflower?"

"I've been thinking and I'm going to leave town soon."

"You're leaving too? Are you going to Cloudsdale with Sunkick and your parents?"

"No, but I plan to visit them more often from now on. If there's anything that this has taught me, it's that I need to cherish every moment that I have with my family. If I could rewind time and meet Rainbow Dash one last time, I would tell her just how much she meant to me."

"She's always going to be with us. She's never truly gone."

"I know. Sunkick told me about your conversation with her."

"He told you?"

"Yeah. I'm glad that you got to speak with her one last time. Sometimes, I can feel her watching me, looking out for me. It's not as good as seeing or talking to her but at least it makes me feel better."

"I understand. So, what are you doing exactly?"

"I'm leaving town with Joan."

"Not a really big surprise there."

Stormflower laughed and smiled for a few seconds.

"I'm thinking about starting a life with him. I have a feeling that he's gonna propose to me any day now."

"He better. You two are really good together."

"Joan and I probably won't be gone for that long though."

"What do you mean?"

"I might be coming back for something."

"What would that something be?"

"Scootaloo."

"What about her?"

"I...I'm thinking about adopting her."

"Really?!"

"Yeah. Do you not agree?"

"No! I think it's an excellent idea! Well...as long as Scootaloo is up for it."

"I hope she is. She's a great kid and she's grown so close to Sunkick. I feel that I've bonded a bit with her over those flying lessons and the time we've spent together. Besides, I think after what she's gone through, she needs a family to take care of her."

"Scootaloo's a tough kid, but I can see what you mean."

"I can just picture it now. Joan, Scootaloo, myself, and maybe another little foal just enjoying life together in a nice house in the country."

"That does sound nice. Just starting a family and settling down. Sounds perfect after something like this."

"Twilight, I just wanted to say thank you."

"For what? Helping take down Pinkamena?"

"Well that and...thank you for delivering Dashie's gift to me."

"It was no problem. I felt that I should deliver it to you after everything that's happened."

"I'll keep it with me always. I know Dashie would want me to do that."

"Yeah. She probably would."

"What about you, Twilight? What are your plans?"

"Your father just asked me that recently. I'm honestly not sure at the moment. Right now, I just want to focus on my studies, relax in Ponyville, and put this whole experience behind me."

"Sounds like a plan."

Twilight and Stormflower turned towards the sky as the clouds began to clear overhead.

"It's starting to clear up," said Stormflower. "Maybe it's a sign that things are going to get better."

"I can only hope so," said Twilight.

"Those investigators will be leaving town soon. At least that's something to look forward to."

"Yeah. I guess we better be heading back to Sugar Cube Corner."

Stormflower nodded and began following Twilight back to the shop.

"I still can't believe that it's all over with," Stormflower sighed.

"It certainly feels nice knowing that this is finally the end," said Twilight. The two mares stopped and looked towards the sky as the clouds began clearing up. Sunlight broke through the barrier of clouds, illuminating Ponyville with a golden hue.

"Yeah," Stormflower said with a smile. "It certainly does."