What is the conclusion of The Outsiders?

The novel ends with many important events.

First of all, Johnny Cade dies as a result of the injuries he suffered when he entered the burning church to save the children trapped inside.  This is significant not only because he is a major character in the novel, but because he leaves Ponyboy with the important message to "stay gold".  This refers back to the poem that was embedded in the text in an earlier chapter.  

Next, Dally Winston is killed by the police after holding up an unloaded gun. After learning of Johnny's death, Dally holds up a store and then flees in fright. He contacts his friends, the Greasers, and tries to escape.  When he is confronted by the police he takes out a gun that is unloaded and is shot and killed.

Then, the trial for the death the Social occurs.  During the trial Ponyboy is found innocent and it is decided that the Curtis brothers can remain together. 

Ponyboy is left to deal with the physical and emotional injuries of the events in the novel. His physical woulds heal much quicker than his emotional ones.

Finally, the book ends using the exact words that it began with.  This is  a symbol of the journey that Ponyboy has been on.  It shows that he was able to work through all of the destruction that occurred throughout the story.  It provides symmetry in the novel as well.