A/N: I do not own Fallout 4 or the characters mentioned in this story.

General John Pershing had just closed his eyes when he felt the Vertibird begin its descent as the vertibird made its approach to Diamond City. He kept his eyes closed for a few more seconds before opening them and looked at his collegues in the vertibird with him.

Preston Garvey, Pershing's second-in-command, sat to his right with a determined look on his face as he focused on not throwing up. Preston wasn't nearly as used to flying on a vertibird as the other people on the air craft. In front of Pershing sat Elder Arthur Maxson who despite the now noticeable bags underneath his eyes remained alert and focused on the mission ahead.

The mission ahead being that the two powers needed to announce their victory over the Institute. After a quick discussion between Pershing and Maxson it was agreed that Diamond City would be the most appropriate place for the announcement, as it was home to the main radio station, and it was the sight of the first Gen 3 synth to operate in the Commonwealth.

The vertibird landed just outside of the entrance to Diamond City and the group got out of the vertibird. Pershing and Maxson both stood at the head of the group of Minutemen and Brotherhood soldiers as they began to head into the city when they were stopped by the appearance of Diamond City's mayor, Mcdonough.

"Gentlemen" he said as he walked up to Pershing and Maxson "As the elected representative of our fine city I welcome you." He held put his hand and both Maxson and Pershing shook it. His happy appearance then turned to annoyance as he asked "Why is both the General of the Minutemen and the Elder of the Brotherhood doing here at my city?"

Pershing didn't like how Mcdonough had called Diamond City his city, but that was not important right now. "Mayor Mcdonough, I am sure you noticed the large explosion to the north nearly an hour ago?" Mcdonough shook his head and Pershing continued "After a joint operation the Minutemen and the Brotherhood have destroyed the Institute.

Mcdonough's eyes looked like they would pop out of their sockets as he heard that. "Are you saying…." He trailed off.

Maxson answered him "Yes the Institute has been laid low by our combined forces, and we would like to use the radio station to announce that fact to the rest of the Commonwealth."

Mcdonough's shocked expression did not leave him, but he allowed the group to enter the city. Much of the populace which had been going about it's day stopped what they were doing to look at the group of Minutemen and Brotherhood soldiers as they moved their way through the crowded market. Pershing caught sight of the synth detective Nick Valentine who simply smiled and nodded his head in congratulations. Pershing nodded his head as well as he passed.

Someone must have run ahead to tell Travis of who was coming, because when they got to the trailer that housed Diamond City Radio, Travis Miles was out front. "It's all ready for you're speech"

Pershing smiled and thanked him quickly as both he and Maxson entered the trailer. They both took a seat in front of the same microphone, and after making sure that it was on, Pershing began. "People of the Commonwealth, this is General John Pershing of the Commonwealth Minutemen"

Maxson then cut in "And Elder Arthur Maxson of the Brotherhood of Steel"

Both Pershing and Maxson looked at each other and with a nonverbal agreement Pershing continued "I have no doubt that many of you saw the explosion in Cambridge some time ago and wondered what that was." Pershing paused for a second before continuing on "That was the Commonwealth's boogieman, the Institute."

Maxson then began "After years of you being afraid of the Institute and it's synths you are now free to live your lives in peace. "He paused gathering a breath and then continued "This is a victory that was achieved only by the hard-won sacrifices of Brotherhood and Minutemen soldiers"

Pershing then spoke "With the destruction of the Institute, the Commonwealth has been freed from the paranoia it caused, and we wish to see the Commonwealth stabilize. Please know that the Minutemen stand ready at a minute's notice to protect the people."

Not to be out done Maxson added on "And the Brotherhood will now be able to begin prosecuting operations against the Super Mutants in downtown Boston."

"But for now, please take pleasure in the fact that the Minutemen and the Brotherhood have achieved victory over the Institute. This concludes the broadcast." Pershing and Maxson laid back in their chairs.

Maxson looked over at him and said "I am going back to the Prydwen to address my soldiers, are you to remain here or do you want to go back to the Castle?"

"I need to get back to the Castle" Maxson nodded and then stood, thanked Travis and left, followed by Pershing. They quickly bordered the vertibird outside of the city and were then on their way to the Castle. The ride to the Castle was silent everyone either too tired to speak, or had to much on their minds. After a while the aircraft landed and the Minutemen portion of the group quickly dismounted and saw the vertibird off.

Garvey and Danse stood next to Pershing as they watched the vertibird leave. "Well that's done" Garvey said, he looked to the General "Now we just need to figure out about the future."

Pershing smiled but said "That can be done tomorrow, for now let's celebrate the fact that their will be a future for us to figure out"

"I can do that" Garvey agreed, and then the three soldiers went into the Castle, where celebrations were being held.

Despite their combined victory over the Institute, tensions soon rose between the Commonwealth Minutemen and the Brotherhood of Steel over how best to organize the post Institute Commonwealth.

Diamond City stood at the center of this conflict, as shortly after the Destruction of the Institute, Mayor Mcdonough was proven to be a synth spy and was summarily executed. Diamond City in the days after this event looked to be sliding into anarchy and confusion before the Commonwealth Minutemen occupied the city three weeks after the Destruction of the Institute.

Between this and other conflicts to many it looked as though the Destruction of the Institute would not bring peace to a Commonwealth that desperately needed it, instead it looked as though the Minutemen and the Brotherhood would slide into war.

A/N: It's hard to believe that I began writing this story back in December. I must say that I am quite disappointed in myself for letting myself take this long to finish it. But this story is now finished and I wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to this read this story.