'R' Lone Prayer

Chapter 15

----- Flagship Arthra, Several Days Later -----

Nanoha: (And so, all sorts of things came to an end. From the day I met Yuuno-kun and Novena-kun until today... Now that everything's over, it seems like it all happened in an instant. We spent several days aboard the Arthra, until the aftershocks of the dimensional tremor subsided and that the Arthra had received some temporary repairs.

Yuuno-kun and Chrono-kun had been busy healing the wounded and I've been watching over Fate-chan while she's inside the brig. Shockingly and most surprisingly, Alicia Testarossa, who was dead when we first saw her, is now walking and talking as if she was never dead in the first place. The scientist said that a Jewel Seed, the same one Novena-kun had within him, had been transferred to her.

While debates are going whether they should extract it or not, it was later decided that Alicia keeps it since the Jewel Seed is acting completely normal as the energy is very stable despite its origin. Throughout her first few days, she has been talking to Fate-chan and Arf-san while also bonding over them like true sisters. It made me kind of jealous but I knew that family comes first so I'm letting Alicia-chan spend as much time with Fate-chan as she needed. I was also surprised that she takes the loss of her mother rather maturely and seems to know Novena-kun to some degree of personal level even though she had never met him before.

Novena-kun... he has been missing since the escape from that horrid place. Lindy-san has done everything she can to find him but to no luck... A lot of people here believed that Novena-kun's gone and isn't coming back but I refuse to believe he would just up and leave us like that... he promised... he promised that he would not die and that he would come back. I don't... want to lose someone so close to me and... I don't want to grow up in tears... knowing he was gone... and since then...)

As she was in deep thought, she and Yuuno are called to the meeting room where captain Lindy would like to have to give a few word to them. After for some time during the meeting, it was now nearing its conclusion as Lindy prepares to present a certificate for both Nanoha and Yuuno's effort during the entire incident.

Lindy: You demonstrated outstanding service in the resolution of this case. Even if it's a bit informal, I'd like to award you for your distinguished service.

She then turns around to face the two mages.

Lindy: Takamachi Nanoha-san, Yuuno Scrya-kun, thank you!

Everyone in the room gives an applause as Nanoha slowly takes the paper that Lindy hands as she bows to her.

Lindy: And... here.

The captain hands her a small box and inside, containing a medal with the word "TSAB" on it.

Nanoha: This is...

Lindy: Yes... it's a medal of honor for Novena Dale-kun's brave act of heroism in this case as well as a special thanks from everyone aboard the Arthra for keeping us safe. I want you to have it. In the case in which he would one day return.

Nanoha: Y-You mean-!?

Lindy: Yes, while just about everyone believed he had died a hero, I believed that he's still out there. Perhaps recovering and who knows, maybe you might be lucky enough to get to see him again.

She forced a smile in her face as she still believes it as well. After the meeting, Nanoha, Yuuno and Chrono walk together to the mess. Nanoha suddenly stops walking, prompting confused looks to the two boys.

Nanoha: Chrono-kun, what's going to happen to Fate-chan now?

Chrono: Though she had her reasons, it's an undeniable fact that she was part of a conspiracy in meddling with the dimensions. It's a serious crime. Usually, you get locked up for several centuries, if not more.