So, first story. Exciting. This takes place after my own version of the end to ME3, because, like many of you, I was DISAPPOINTED. Basically, if all goes as planned, I'll continue updating this with new sections going into the fates of different characters. I hope this chapter isn't too melodramatic.
Side Note: Shepard in this story is Paragon/Earthborn/Sole Survivor/Infiltrator.
It had been a beautiful city, once. Sprawling metropolis, Alliance headquarters, it had exemplified everything shining and spectacular about human progress and potential. Now it was cold, and wet. The sky was grey with thick, heavy clouds, and the land was black with rubble and wreckage. Massive pieces of twisted shrapnel stretched upward, like grasping fingers. In the midst of this, atop a fallen wall, stood Shepard and Kaidan. They surveyed the scene with tired eyes.
Kaidan pointed to a spot near the bay. "There. That's it."
"You sure?" asked Shepard, focusing on the place.
"Yeah. That's where I grew up. At least, in the neighborhood."
"The view must've been great."
"It was incredible. And now..." He crouched and scooped up a handful of ash. "How much of this do you think is human remains?"
Shepard continued to stare out at the shattered landscape. "Too much." She wiped a hand quickly across her eyes.
The wind carried the ashes from Kaidan's hand as he straightened. A shuttle screamed past overhead. Shepard watched it go.
"Look at that. They're already flying in supplies. How long do you think it'll take for us to rebuild?"
"Right now, it feels like forever."
"Hey." She set a gentle hand on his chest. "Right now it may feel like that, but just wait. It may be a long time before we're back where we started, but we'll get there. We just destroyed the most powerful threat the galaxy's ever faced. From where I stand, the future's brighter than it's been for years."
He smiled slightly. "Well, with you leading the way..."
"And you right there next to me." Shepard hopped off the wall, gesturing for him to follow her. "It's funny, though. When I was a kid, all I wanted was to get off this world, and now all we want is to come back."
"You don't know what you have until you've lost it?"
"I guess so. Still, I think we'll see Earth live again."
"Better start planning for our retirement home now, then."
"Exactly. I saw a great place by the beach..."
They wandered off into the waste, envisioning their happy ending.
They never set foot on their homeworld again.
There. That wasn't too wangsty or OOC, was it? I'm not sure if it's really realistic for them to never go back to Earth, but I liked the implication that even in a world where Shepard lives, it's not all flowers and rainbow bunnies. I'm always happy for ratings and reviews.