The Last Of Us Part 2’s ending has a secret that changes everything

The Last of Us fans have been discussing the potential true ending of Part II, and if true, it could change everything.

Since its inception in 2013, The Last of Us quickly became one of the most valuable properties for the Sony PlayStation brand. It’s why we’ve had a sequel, remaster and a remake, as well as a hit live-action series from HBO that has just begun its second season.

Despite Naughty Dog chief Neil Druckmann remaining coy on the prospect of The Last of Us Part III, we all know it's coming - it’s just a case of when. While we wait, Naughty Dog will probably re-release one of the two games once or twice more.

Check out The Last of Us Part II Remastered trailer below!

Before I continue, we will be going into spoilers for the final moments of The Last of Us Part II. So consider this to be your final spoiler warning.

After the emotionally draining events of The Last of Us Part II, Ellie returned to an empty farmhouse near Jackson, Wyoming, where she used to live with Dina.

During earlier moments of The Last of Us Part II, this farmhouse became a safehouse of sorts for Ellie, Dina and Tommy as they plot revenge against W.L.F, in particular Abby after she brutally killed Joel in an act of revenge after he killed her father when saving Ellie in The Last of Us Part I.

It’s left to open interpretation as to why Ellie returned to the farmhouse after encountering Abby for the final time when escaping the raider group known as the Rattlers in Santa Barbara.

In my opinion, after going through her hellacious trauma stemming from her time as a young teen with Fedra to the concluding events in The Last of Us Part II, I believe Ellie was desperate for calm and reflection of when times were perhaps a little less stressful. Despite expecting the worst, I also believe Ellie hoped that Dina would be waiting for her with her son, JJ.

However, fans on Reddit have their own theories.

“So what happened to Ellie after Part II?” asked Main_Badger_9363. “The real question is, did Dina break up with Ellie? The house is empty after Ellie returns from the Rattlers' base.”

“I don't think that the last scene of the game is showing Ellie returning from California at all (there is no evidence for it), but rather her last visit to the farmhouse months later after she returned to Jackson,” explained Yukikaze.

“Two things are for sure, though: Ellie has already started healing mentally by the end of the game, and her returning to Jackson means that she wants to try to make things right with Dina again,” they continued. “If she is successful or not, we don't know yet. But I think both Dina and she have much to gain simply from talking about it, regardless of the outcome.”

“There is also the case of Ellie wearing Dina's bracelet again during the last scene, which is not only a pretty obvious hint but also has the double meaning of showing how much Ellie has changed,” they concluded.

“I don’t think Dina would let Ellie back into her life that quickly. It seems a little out of character for Dina; she loves Ellie a lot, but is also shown to be super loyal, and Ellie broke that loyalty by leaving her and their baby,” replied Feelingfunnyfeelings.

“I don’t see the bracelet as proof they’ve reconciled since the last time we saw it. Dina gave it to Ellie in Seattle. I think it implies Ellie put it on for a ‘good luck charm’ to try and reconcile with her, but found the house empty instead. I do think Dina is going to be a part of the third game, if we get it, and their relationship is so important that they wouldn’t just get back together off-screen.”

Hopefully, all will be explained if or when The Last of Us Part III is released.