Author's Note:

The final chapter of The Ferret Who Knew Too Much begins now! Yes, this was impossibly short, but I can promise you that the next story will make up for it with longer chapters, more action, and more suspense.

First and foremost, thank you God, for giving me this idea, as well as giving me the writing talent that comes along with it. You were there to tell me which things needed to be edited, what chapters needed to be rewritten entirely, and which things were necessary for the story. Thank you, Father, for my creativity and helping me get to where I am now. You deserve to be praised! Amen!

Secondly, thanks to all those who reviewed, specifically The Justice and Death, who enthusiastically reviewed and encouraged me to write up the next chapters. Also, big thanks to Nintendo-Spider151, SapphoSensei and Epsilon Zeta for reviewing as well. I don't think this story would have continued without your help, either. And to all those who favorited/followed, a big thanks to you guys as well.

A rewrite may pop up sooner or later, but once I get into the mood of another conspiracy/mystery story, I'm definitely going to look up more on the subject. There's a trailer for Trust No One that you can read in order to see what I have planned the next time I write a Yuuno-centric story.

So, without further ado, let's get to the ending~

Disclaimer: The fact that I don't own MGLN or any of the related characters is pretty obvious. I'm pretty sure this would have been a spin-off manga.

Final Chapter: All's Well that Ends Well

It would be over six hours before stability returned to Cranagan and for everyone to be put at ease. Having been warned in advance about Beatrice's plans, many ground soldiers, as well as the Wolkenritter, surrounded the inside and outside of the base in case they did try to invade it. When they heard that Beatrice and Jasper had been arrested, and Mariel and Pedro had been killed in the wreckage, they were told to remain on standby just in case any other members of the Silver Claw returned.

That did not mean, however, that normalcy was back in the TSAB. For starters, Yuuno Scrya was severely injured during the ensuing fights, and slipped into unconsciousness due to the effects of Mariel's mind-control spell and his own injuries. On the ride to the hospital, they had to revive him as he stopped breathing after they got in. Shamal was called from her guard duties to attend to Yuuno, and she and the other doctors worked tirelessly to save the archaeologist's life.

Currently, Nanoha, Fate and the others were outside Yuuno's hospital room, waiting for news on his condition. Fate and Hayate had heard the details second hand from Nanoha, and knew how worried she was. If anything, Chrono seemed to be more concerned, feeling partially responsible for what had happened.

"Do you think Yuuno will make it, Fate-chan?" Hayate asked nervously. "I mean, if he's as bad as Shamal says he is..."

"I hope so, for Nanoha's sake." Fate took an uneasy glance at her girlfriend, who looked as though the world had shattered before her eyes. "I can't stand seeing her like this."

"I can't stand seeing me like this," Nanoha muttered. She stood up and started pacing around. "But most of all, I can't stand seeing Yuuno in that condition. Why did he have to get involved in this mess? He didn't do anything wrong!"

"In our eyes, he didn't," Fate replied. "But in the eyes of the Silver Claw, he's a menace. He knew everything about their plans, and was planning on exposing them to us. That alone is the reason why he was kidnapped."

"And from what Chrono told us, he was also blackmailed into keeping silent. If he spoke about this to anybody, he was getting a bullet to the head," Hayate said.

"But I think he was still going to turn them in anyway, even if he weren't blackmailed or kidnapped. The fact that he jumped out of the back of the van in front of a moving car was evidence of that," Fate replied.

"I just hope he doesn't die in there," Nanoha muttered.

"Well, you don't need to worry about that possibility." Shamal peeked out of Yuuno's hospital room door. "He's woken up, and he's eager to see you all. I had to restrain Chrono from punching him in the face."

"Chrono did say he was going to beat him up once he came back," Hayate giggled.

"Come on." Fate stood up and put her arm around Nanoha. "Let's go in and see how Yuuno's doing."

"Other than feeling like I got hit by a wrecking ball, I'm alright. I really wasn't planning to jump out of the car," Yuuno answered. His voice was thick because of the anesthesia he'd been given earlier, but it did nothing to bring down the young man's spirit. If anything, he seemed much more relaxed. "I thought I was a goner."

"You almost were, ferret boy," Vita snapped. "Do you have any idea how worried we all were when Beatrice said you were dead?"

"I got a glimpse of that when Nanoha practically lit into me, and when Chrono punched me in the face," Yuuno responded, indicating his black eye. "I really am sorry for causing you this much trouble, guys. Honestly, I didn't mean to."

"We know, Yuuno-kun," Hayate said. "But in a situation like this, you didn't really have a choice. You got kidnapped and blackmailed for telling us what was going on. That's just what people in conspiracies do. They want to silence people who know everything about the situation at hand."

"I was almost silenced a couple of times, but they wanted to keep me as I would be pretty useful. I would've been involved in treason had you not figured out Beatrice was lying, Chrono," Yuuno said, looking over at the Admiral. "Thanks."

Chrono's hardened features relaxed into a smile. "You're welcome, Yuuno. As I told Hayate before, it takes more than bullets to kill you."

"Glad to know that you have faith in me," Yuuno replied, to which everyone laughed.

"Oh, by the way, what happened out there after I jumped out of the car? I heard a horrific explosion after I collided with the guard rail," Yuuno noted.

"As it turns out, the van that was going to transport you here veered off and flew off an unfinished bridge. It was a fifty foot drop, from what the workers told me," Fate answered. "Ten people died, including Mariel and Pedro, the driver."

Yuuno nodded slowly. "I see. I...I can't help but feel responsible for what happened to them," he said.

"What do you mean?" Fate asked.

Yuuno explained how Mariel had used a paralyzing spell that nearly killed him, and how he shrugged off its effects by shoving her into the dashboard of the car, causing Pedro to get distracted and veer off the road. After he was done explaining, he was met with only silence.

"It was an accident, but it still feels like I just killed somebody," he said.

"Look, you did it in self-defense. She was attacking you and you defended yourself in the only way you knew how," Vita replied. "If you hadn't done anything, you would have died right there in the back of the car."

"But-"

"No buts." Vita thumped him in the lead. "Their plan would've succeeded if you hadn't done that."

"I guess you're right," Yuuno replied. "There's no need to feel too guilty over what happened, I suppose."

"Either way, you need to take some leave time after this, Yuuno. You're overworked enough as it is, and after the kind of week you've been through, you need it," Chrono said.

"But, Chrono..."

The Admiral stared at Yuuno. Just stared.

"...Okay."

"Now that we have that settled," Chrono stated briskly, "we're going to be assigning you of the task of researching more about this Silver Claw that Beatrice and Jasper work for."

"Chrono, that's crazy!" Yuuno almost shot out of bed to respond. "I almost got killed by these guys, in case you've forgotten. And now you want me to get more information on them?"

"If it helps bring them down, yes," Chrono said. "Fate and Teana are working on the incident as fast as they can, but you were there to hear of their plans. We need you to do some more research on these guys, and find out who their leader is."

Yuuno growled. "I never get a break, do I?"

"Should've expected that when you joined the Bureau, ferret boy," Chrono replied.

Yuuno thought for a long moment. He really didn't want to deal with the associates of the Silver Claw again, but he knew that if he didn't, everyone would be caught off guard like they had been for the last week and a half. More people like Mrs. Froy and Joseph would die because of these people.

And his friends could be made targets once more.

"...Alright. I'll take it up, Chrono," he said. "After all, I owe you guys."

"You bet you do." Chrono pulled out a sheet of paper from his pocket. "Oh, and by the way, here's the bill from the last time you went to hospital."

Yuuno took it, and his mouth dropped open a couple of inches as he looked at the price. "Y-You're slapping me with this?!"

"I was going to pay it myself, but then you ignored me and almost got killed. Consider this payback for that prank you pulled last year, Yuuno," the admiral said. "I told you you'd get yours one day."

"...I hate you, Chrono."

"Feeling's mutual."

A few weeks later...

"Now, Yuuno-kun," Nanoha said, "try not to overwork yourself, alright?"

"I know, Nanoha," Yuuno replied through the communication window. "Hayate told me the same thing, as did Vita, and Arf, and Vice, and pretty much everyone else I know."

"Oh, good. I told them to tell you," she said. "I was worried that you'd ignore me for a minute there."

"I would never ignore you, Nanoha," Yuuno answered, "because I know that I'll probably get a Starlight Breaker to the face."

"Geez, you and Fate-chan say the same thing," Nanoha pouted. "Why does everyone say I'll do that?"

"Because you have a habit of doing that a lot," Arf replied, to which Nanoha growled.

"Well, thanks for checking up on me, Nanoha...for the third time today," Yuuno answered. "I don't want to keep you too long."

"Yeah, lunch break is almost over anyway. See you later, Yuuno-kun, Arf!" Nanoha said, and the window signed off.

"So, how does it feel to be a free man, Yuuno?" Arf asked.

"Oh, it feels great. I don't have to worry about being chased by a whole bunch of assassins who want me dead or to help a shady agency take over the government," Yuuno said. "Geez, I sound like character in a thriller novel."

"Well, technically speaking, you were. You got to see more stuff than I did! I was stuck doing housesitting while Chrono and the others got to do the cool stuff!" Arf pouted.

"Hey, I would trade housesitting anyday to being cooped in the back of a van with a bunch of assassins," Yuuno said. "But, I'm glad that Beatrice and Jasper were brought to justice, that's for sure."

"So, everything should be back to normal from here on out, right?"

"Well...I guess so..."

Arf looked up at the archaeologist with a quizzical expression. "What do you mean by that, Yuuno?"

"While two of the ringleaders behind this plot were arrested, I just can't help but think that this isn't the last time we'll be seeing these guys," Yuuno replied. "That's probably why Chrono wanted me to look into these guys' motives more."

"Besides, if they do come back here to harrass you again, we'll show 'em just who's boss," Arf declared, putting one hand to her chest for emphasis.

Yuuno couldn't help but smirk at his friend's confidence. "No doubting that, Arf," he said. "But for now, I just want to take it easy and not even worry about those freaks from the Silver Claw. I've had enough conspiracy plots for one week."

"And a half," Arf added.

Yuuno shook his head at his friend's technicality, but smiled anyway. "And a half."

Meanwhile, in a base far from the Bureau's...

"Well...that was quite disappointing."

The slender, dark haired man stood in front of the table, his hands tucked into the pockets of his black and gold jacket. A set of gold chains dangled around his neck as he turned to face those gathered. "It seems as though there's been a...setback in our plans."

"I knew this would happen! But no, you insisted that you send out those four hooligans to kill our intended targets!" the lead woman at the table yelled.

"I hate to agree with her, but in this instance I have no choice,"another man stated calmly.

"We have to do something in order to get into the Bureau and expose its lies!" the third member of their ensemble spoke.

"Relax, all of you. I have a plan that will ensure we get inside the Bureau on schedule, and on time," he said.

"But how, Jaguar? Thanks to Jasper and Beatrice, they already know about our organization."

"Plus, they've already sent out that Head Librarian to look up more information about us," the lead woman explained. "If he finds out who you are, they'll send in their top Enforcers after us and they'll shut us down!"

"Anybody got any brilliant ideas?" the second man said.

"Panic?" the third man said.

The woman scoffed and rolled her eyes. "That's your answer to everything!"

Jaguar raised his hands into the air, an amused expression on his face. "Everyone, relax. There's no need to get all wound up. I have everything under control," he said. "The Bureau will never find out who we are. And I will make sure of that."

"How?" the lead woman asked. "Those guys probably have guards stationed left and right ever since the attack."

"Oh, I have my ways of sneaking into their ranks." Jaguar smiled as he looked up at the computer screen attached to the wall. Yuuno's ID card was on the screen, along with his personal information.

"By the time the next year rolls around, Yuuno Scyra will no longer be of any concern."

Extra

"Trust No One" Trailer

Chrono sighed as he pushed over a cup of steaming coffee to Yuuno. "So, what else have you learned about the Silver Claw?"

"Well, so far, their leader, Jaguar, used to work for the TSAB years ago, but he was discharged for mutiny against it. More than a few of his followers joined up with him to support his cause. That's pretty much a rundown on the Silver Claw's foundation," the archaeologist replied, pausing to sip his coffee. He blinked at the sweetness of it. "Chrono, did you tell the cook that I don't put sugar in my coffee?"

"No. I don't really know about your coffee preferences," he said. "I told him just to put enough that it's not overpowering."

"Huh," Yuuno muttered. "I should drink it like this more often."

"Anyway, if you're done musing about your coffee..."

"Oh, right." Yuuno took another big swig of his drink and set down the cup. "As for a more detailed explanation..."

"Ugh..."

Yuuno stumbled over to the side of the wall, panting heavily and clutching his stomach. He didn't know what was wrong; a few minutes ago, he'd been perfectly fine, and the next thing he knew, his stomach was cramping horribly. He hadn't eaten lunch yet, and the only thing he'd had was a cup of coffee.

I really hope it wasn't something I ate this morning, he groaned, forcing himself to walk to the men's room.

He didn't get to the door. After a few steps, the pain became too much for him to handle. With a sputtered gasp, the head of the Infinity Library collapsed on the floor, writhing like a dying cockroach.

Footsteps sounded then, and someone gasped, followed by a set of curses in ancient Belka.

"Oh, crap. Shamal, get out here!" Vita yelled, running over towards Yuuno.

"Are you alright, Yuuno-kun?" Nanoha asked breathlessly, worry in her eyes. "I came as soon as Vita called me."

"I...I'm alright, Nanoha. Really," Yuuno said weakly. "It must have been indigestion."

"It's far from indigestion, Yuuno," Shamal corrected, coming back in the room. In her hands was Yuuno's coffee cup from earlier.

"That's my coffee cup!"

"Yes, and you won't believe what I found in it," she said. "I examined the contents of the coffee you drank, Yuuno, and I found out why you were so close to death."

Yuuno's eyes widened in horror. "W-What?"

"Your coffee was laden with enough arsenic to kill you."

"Is he dead?" the voice on the other end of the line asked.

Lincoln sighed. "Actually, there's been a hitch in the plan. His friends found him before it could take effect."

"We're going to have to try something else. I want you to come to the docks tonight. There's something there I need you to pick up."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Remember, Lincoln, there can be no mistakes this time. The longer he's alive, the longer he's a threat to our organization."

Yuuno sighed as he walked upstairs to his apartment. He was still confused as to why someone would try to kill him with coffee. It was a good thing he hadn't drank the whole thing, or else he wouldn't be alive right now.

The moment he opened the door, a burst of white smoke poured out of the room, enveloping him. It was sulfurous, and it burned his eyes and throat as he coughed. He stumbled backwards, but at that point the cloud was already covering the hallway. He heard another series of coughs join his, but he could barely hear anything over the sound of his own panicked, heavy breathing.

By the time Yuuno realized it was knockout gas, it was too late. He took one last desperate gasp for air, and everything went black as he slumped forwards.

Lincoln admired his handiwork as he tossed the sack that contained his precious cargo into the ditch. Just as it disappeared into the massive pile of trash, his phone rang. He didn't bother looking at the number as he answered it.

"Yeah?"

"Well? Is it done?"

A cruel smirk came onto Lincoln's lips. "You betcha."

"Hey, this thing's moving around!" the workman cried out, jumping back in horror as the sack started moving around even more erratically.

"I-Is it a wild animal or something?" the manager asked, looking ready to use his shotgun.

"Help!"

"What the-"

"Help! GET ME OUT OF HERE!"

"By the Kaiser, someone's IN there!"

"So, you're the archaeologist that the TSAB has been looking for, huh?" the man asked. "We don't get many of those around here."

Yuuno stared at the man with a wide-eyed expression. "Look, I just want to know what I was doing in a garbage pile and tied up in a sack. I could have suffocated to death!"

"I don't know, but if you ask me, that's the first time I've seen a murder gone wrong," the man said.

Yuuno felt his blood turn to ice. "M-Murder? Someone was trying to...murder me?"

"Well, since Lincoln failed to kill the archaeologist, it's up to us to go find him."

Venza sighed, hefting his cannon on his back. "You know, for some reason, I figured he'd fail," he groaned.

"Of course," Kia replied. "Lincoln is the weakest of our squad, you know. I'm surprised that the boss would-"

"Shh," Venza said. "I can sense his magical reading in the room. Either he's really weak, or he's hiding his power really well."

"Who cares? I'm in this for the money," Kia snapped. "Start charging the energy cannon."

"Whatever you say, Kia," Venza growled, taking the energy cannon off his back.

Yuuno looked over his shoulder to survey the damage the attack had caused. So far, the blast had set everything around him on fire, and more than a few bodies were sprawled out on the floor, lifeless. Thick, black smoke rolled into the building, threatening to crush him.

"Well, well, it seems the rumors were right about him, Kia," someone called out. "He does have strong defense."

"Yeah? Well, let's see if his offense is just as good," a woman replied.

Yuuno lowered his shield slightly to see two forms walk through the flaming hole in the wall. One of them was a very tall, lanky man who was carrying a plasma cannon that was as long as he was tall. He had bright red hair, and his red eyes burned into Yuuno's soul as he glared at him.

The woman next to him looked like a midget in comparison. She had long black hair tied into a long, slipknot ponytail, and her yellow eyes glinted with mischievous intent as they settled on him.

"Who are you?" he asked, getting into a defensive stance.

"He's Venza, and I'm Kia," the girl said. "We're agents from the Silver Claw. And we're here to kill you."

The story continues in the exciting sequel

Trust No One

Until then, that's the end folks.

God bless, and thanks for reading,

Iheartgod175