Shepard - We Fight or We Die

I stood for what felt like an eternity beside the glowing child, my eyes darting from the three pathways I had to choose from. It seemed ironic; I had worked so hard to change the variables; to bring together the galaxy so we'd have a greater chance at defeating the Reapers and now everything balanced on this one choice.

Do I even have a right to make this decision?

I knew whatever I did would change everything.

It dawned upon me that in circumstances like this, war, it might not be a surprise that the fate of the galaxy rested on this one choice. After all, it seemed like life enjoyed throwing curve balls my way.

I twisted the gun in my hand and tried to ignore the pain shooting up my arm. The glowing child, obviously some sort of AI that appears to the viewer in an innocent-like form, had persisted in saying that the best option was Synthesis. I couldn't help but agree. I did not want to agree with the evil Reaper AI but from what it had told me, Synthesis would allow me to leave this galaxy a better place.

And wasn't that what I was sent here for.

Destroy and Control both seemed like viable options until I gave them even a grain of thought. I couldn't possibly destroy the geth; nor could I wield a power as strong as the Reapers.

Without giving the glowing child a second glance I started limping forward; towards the brilliant column of light. Everything hurt; every bone and every muscle, but I couldn't stop now.

A few paces away I dropped my gun and pushed myself as hard as I could until I broke into a run.

Sorry mom.

My breaths came out erratically as I pumped my legs furiously, trying to build up speed.

And dad, I'm so sorry.

I saw the brilliant beam of light grow closer and I could feel a slight warmth emanating from it.

Garrus, I'll always be watching.

And I threw myself off of the platform and into the light. It felt like time slowed down and I was weightless, floating within the stream of warm, pure light.

This was it. I knew it. I could feel it.

Then my vision blanked and I saw them. I saw those who had given their lives for this war and for me.

Anderson.

Legion.

Mordin.

Thane.

And then I saw him, with bloodied armor he was sitting on the floor of the Normandy's cargo hold. He was leaning against the wall, his sniper rifle resting beside him. His face was tilted upwards and words and lights were flashing across his visor but his eyes were closed. Garrus' mandibles twitched slightly as the ship rocked, but his eyes remained closed.

Then suddenly I was back. The light was blinding but now it was more than just white. Coming from me, like ripples in a pond, shone a green light. It filtered through the white light and spread its own colour across the beam.

I felt the light pulling at me, almost as if it were asking my permission.

This is my purpose.

As I continued to fall I opened my arms wide and welcomed the light. It took from me, gaining the power it needed.

And slowly slowly slowly as I fell I began to lose feeling.

It was over.

I could feel myself become the green light as my body ebbed and flowed into the stream of raw power.

The war was over.

And as I let the light take me fully my vision faded.

I'll be waiting at the bar.

Written As: Viera Shepard

A/N: So I needed some sort of written closure after finishing Mass Effect 3. I think I'll also be writing a second chapter just to show Garrus because it was primarily leaving him that made me so sad.