Epilogue
It's been about 8 months since the end of what is now known as the Great Interstellar War. Plumbers are still being sent to TSAB-administrated worlds to help with the post-war relief efforts.
Under Clayton's suggestion, a park was made in Death Valley, California on the attack site of the base, which started this war, with a memorial built within it listing all the names of the deceased or missing from both sides caused by this tragedy.
The memorial shows that the TSAB have actually suffered more casualties than the Plumbers and was considered to be one of the deadliest conflicts in TSAB history, although the Plumbers have already been through conflicts like this in the past, which probably gave them the experience during the war.
About 2 months after the last of the Plumbers left Mid-Childa, the Plumbers have decided to form an alliance with the TSAB and had established an Earth-based TSAB agency under the Plumber name as part of the TSAB expansion on Earth and to prevent government interference with the alliance. As a result, numerous TSAB staff or students who were forced to move out to join the TSAB decided to come back to Earth to work at this new agency that was originally suppose to be built near the destroyed base, but had to be moved further north due to environmental and agricultural issues.
Clayton, now promoted to major by his Plumber superiors, stands in front of the memorial along with many former TSAB and Plumber soldiers, including Ben, Gwen, Kevin, Michael, Jen, John, and Chris, in order to pay their respects with Clayton putting down a bouquet of flowers in front of the monument.
All of the surviving members of Riot Force 6 were present in the memorial. As Nanoha, Fate, Signum, and Caro are looking at the names, they found out that Hayate and Erio's names weren't listed, which confuses Clayton as well.
"Something is not right here, Rena and Toby's names aren't listed on the wall also." As the group tries to figure out an explanation, a Plumber ship soon lands by next to them and out came Erio, Hayate, Rena, and Jen.
"Happy to see us alive everybody?" Hayate smiled happily.
Everyone besides Clayton, who is still confused, becomes tearful to see their friends alive and well and rushed to hug them.
Clayton, still cautious, took a step back from them in order to figure out what isgoing on until Hayate's attention turns to him.
"You are probably wondering how we are alive right?"
"Yes, because we saw Leanna killed you with our own eyes. I am wondering how you guys could be alive and well."
"I don't know either. It felt like I was unconscious for a minute, then I found myself awake in the hospital. The same thing happened to the rest of them. The doctors who treated us called our awakening a miracle, but the injuries remained and we weren't allowed to get out until recently, which is why none of you have heard from us until now."
"I guess there are some questions that aren't meant to be answered. I am just glad that you all are alive. Go have fun Hayate." Clayton smiled.
"I will expect you to follow." Hayate rushes back to the still celebrating group.
Just as Clayton was about to join them, Paradox suddenly appears behind the monument. "You can thank me later."
"Paradox? You were responsible for returning our friends back to us? Why?"
"Sometimes good deeds don't come without a reward Clayton and your sacrifice for your friends only proves that. However, just because the war is over doesn't mean that there is no more danger happening to your world or theirs. I expect great things from you Clayton so keep it up no matter what danger lies ahead."
Clayton smiles as Paradox vanishes. "Thank you Paradox."
He then finally joins the rest of the group in the celebration of their friends' return.
He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts in the war, although everyone else in the group involved with stopping Scaglietti were also rewarded for their involvement.
A few moments later as promised, Fate was finally introduced to Alicia, which resulted in a tearful embrace, but refuses to move with her as she wants to stay near Clayton, whom she still sees as her older brother for taking care of her, but now also sees Fate as her older sister.
As Fate and Nanoha's house were destroyed during the war, they, along with Hayate and Signum, decided to move back to their original households on Earth until Cranagan is rebuilt and continued their work in the Earth-based agency. Because Clayton is a friend to both families, they often make contact with him through emails and video chatting. Clayton often comes to visit them whenever he makes trips to Japan either for vacation or business purposes.
Vivio got even more attached to him as she still sees Clayton as her father since he was the one rescued her from Scaglietti rather than Nanoha and Fate. She even shows both families a picture that she drew of her with Nanoha, Fate, and Clayton living happily together, much to Nanoha and Fate's embarrassment as it also implies that they have strong affections towards him by both families.
With Clayton's grudge over Mid-Childa finally subsided, he plans to visit there one day although he still refuses to move back as he feels that the good things that happened in his life were all from Earth.
In the end, Clayton stands up on a hill with Alicia right beside him, looking at the sunset wondering what the future holds for him.
All right, finally the ending of the story is reached. It wasn't as good as it turned out to be so I could understand some of the criticism that was given to me, but nonetheless I enjoyed making this story and will continue to make more in the future.
