A/N: Thank you for checking out my fan fiction, Genesis of Exodus. It is the sequel to my previous story, End Game. I highly recommend you check it out, but it is not necessary. All major plot points and events will be explained as this story progresses. However, I encourage you to check it out.

I also appreciate any and all feedback given to me, this is my fourth fan fiction, my second big commitment one. So, feel free to leave a review, PM me, or anything else with questions, comments, or concerns about my story. I take all feedback fairly and equally, even if it's not implemented, it's still good advice.

So sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy Genesis of Exodus.


"

Corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst." -David Hume


It was a cool day on the beach. The sun gently peered over a single cloud in the sky. The waves majestically rolled over the sand, a brownish gold covered the entire beach. They hypnotically rolled back and forth, their sound coinciding with the cry of the seagulls. Nobody was in sight throughout the entire beach.

It had been exactly one year since the end of The Reaper Wars, a brutal slaughter of trillions of organic and synthetic lives by an ancient race of sentient starships called The Reapers. Despite the constant signs and warnings, particularly by Commander Shepard, they foolishly ignored the threat until they faced utter annihilation.

Luckily, Commander Shepard managed to escape Earth quickly after their arrival. He watched as his specie's planet, a four billion year old piece of the universe, was reduced to a rock of fire and dust. He travelled the galaxy, unifying everyone under the banner to save Earth and The Galaxy. They cured The Genophage, allowing a stagnant and dying species to rebuild; and they created peace between synthetics and organics, allowing for a lost home world to finally be reached and understand as well. They also built The Crucible, an ancient super weapon that held the key to defeating The Reapers.

Commander Shepard, along with the unified races of the galaxy, assaulted The Reapers on Earth, who had also captured and moved The Citadel there because of its link to The Crucible as a weapon. However, Commander Shepard and Admiral Anderson managed to get aboard The Citadel, opening the arms to dock The Crucible. However, despite the victory, Anderson died from his wounds while Shepard managed to activate The Crucible. The Reapers fell, at the cost of the new synthetic allies as well, and the galaxy was saved and could rebuild.

Anderson was praised as a hero, a true martyr against overwhelming odds, and lead the resistance against The Reapers. The Alliance could rebuild with the other races, helping to bring about a new era of peace for the galaxy. The Relays, Citadel, and planets all destroyed from the war could be rebuilt. Earth itself, slowly regained strength. Within the first year, about twenty percent of the planet's ecosystem had returned and the cities were all being rebuilt.

Technology was still the same, The Crucible wiping out all Reaper technology and making it useless for any purpose other than scrap metal. However; medicine, science, and engineering were all entering a golden age of unity and prosperity. Synthetic body parts began to emerge, becoming a vision of a better future. Newer treatment methods could someday cure diseases like Kepral's syndrome. And newer post-war architecture and systems of irrigation and transportation would someday lined every colony of every empire.

This, like many things, was still a vision of a distant future, one that would require many roads of hard work and struggle. However, much like the endless waves of the beach, the vision of the future will always come and go.

A couple appeared on the beach, holding hands as they walked down it. They both were extremely happy, to be blessed with peace in their life and each other. The couple in question was Daniel Shepard and Ashley Williams. Both of them had been through so much and still had much to go through in life.

Ashley had been shot, strangled, assaulted, and beaten countless times during and after the war. She had fought the war on Earth, The Cerberus Skirmish in London about two months after the war, and struggled over Shepard's comatose state. However, her greatest challenge was the kidnapping of her sister. Though, after weeks of painstaking and restless investigation, she still couldn't find her sister. However, she still always had hope that she was out there, somewhere.

Shepard had to face his internal demons, his conscience decision of Ashley over Kaiden and the constant loss of life he experienced. He had lost his parents, his squad, his friends and yet he survived. He sacrificed over 300,000 Batarians to stall The Reapers and Trillions of synthetic lives to end The Reaper threat. It weighed heavily on him, the thoughts and guilt pushing him down every day.

However, despite all of that, he still found grace in the presence of Ashley. She was truly a good friend, and a good lover. She also found comfort in him, able to rectify everything in her life around him. So the two walked hand in hand down the beach, silently giving each other little looks of love.

Finally, Ashley spoke, "Something on your mind, Skipper?"

"No... just remembering all the good times we've had this past half year," Shepard said as he reminisced. Shepard was promoted to Captain officially since he woke up. He regained control of The Normandy, the crew happy at his return and as Ashley as his XO. The two helped to rebuild Earth and The Citadel, enjoying their newfound freedom from The Reapers. Another perk was that Ashley and Shepard now had a very enjoyable relationship. The two could talk to each other and confide in one another very easily. Shepard and Ashley also now enjoyed a very active sex life, something which had only occurred twice between each other within the past three years.

Shepard and Ashley were also engaged, something he did as soon as he could walk again. He arranged to sneak out of the hospital and meet her at The Tower Bridge in London. There, he proposed and became the happiest he had ever been in the past three years.

"Normandy is really beautiful, especially now that it's back to its natural form," said Ashley as they walked down the beach.

"Yeah, just glad you're here to enjoy it with me," he said as he looked out towards the blue sea. "There's still a lot of work to be done, especially in Africa and Asia, but it's nice here." Shepard looked as Ashley bent over to pick up a shell. She looked at it, feeling the small grooves along her soft fingers. Then, tossed it aside as she went to kiss Shepard.

Shepard broke the kiss after a short period, "What was that for?"

"Nothing," giggled Ashley, "Just a bit of preview for what's to come tonight."

Shepard smiled, resuming to walk down the beach with Ashley's hand.

"We'll, I'd wish that was now, but we are meeting some people here," said Shepard as they came upon a small little hill right off of the beach. Not at all big, but just enough to give them a good look over the beach. Shepard and Ashley sat down on the grass, looking out at the sea.

A small shuttle ran across the horizon, dragging some form of pillar along the skyline. It reminded them both of the nearby construction of Paris, the site of the anniversary of The Reaper War. Paris was mostly fixed, along with several other cities like Berlin, Moscow, Madrid, Beijing, and Los Angeles. However, London was still in ruins, most Reaper forces decimating the entire city and carving it up for Human transportation and slaughter.

Then, a voice came from behind the two. "Hey," the deep voice said as they turned around to see Garrus Vakarian and Tali'Zorah Vas Normandy approach them. Shepard got up to give Garrus and bro hug and Tali a hug to.

"Good to see you two again," said Shepard, "It's felt like forever."

"Well, it's only been a month, but glad to see you too!" said Tali as she waved at Ashley.

"So Garrus did you bring the stuff?" asked Shepard.

"Three regular human beers,; two Turian beers, one of them triple filtered for the lady; and a Rhyncol for the big guy," said Garrus as he brought out several bottles. Garrus then looked over to see Wrex coming up the hill.

"Wrex," said Shepard as he met eyes with him.

"Shepard," Wrex simply responded, "So, you Humans really got this place back up and running by the looks of it."

"I suppose the million years of radiation on Tuchunka isn't that fixable," said Garrus.

"No, but we're Krogan, we can do whatever we want with that ball of dirt," said Wrex, "Besides, the new planets regained from The Council should suffice, we got back that old mining one after threatening to eat The Salarian Councilor," Wrex chuckled.

"I still feel that you could've made a great Councilor Wrex, and you two Tali," Shepard said as he looked at them. The Council had been reorganized in a more even manner following the war. Each species got one representative, except for The Ranchi who refused and only wanted to live in peace and alone. They were all offered positions, but all of them declined the positions.

"I'm more happy just leading the people on Tuchunka than in a meeting room," Wrex said, "Politics piss me off..."

"I think that's really why we all declined," said Shepard, "Besides, I think Sanders makes a great councilor along with your Aunt Tali," said Shepard.

"She certainly has enough experience," said Tali, "Maybe not with The Vorcha or Batarians, but we're all learning." "It's weird having your home world back, especially after only hearing about it as a myth for your entire life."

Then, Liara began to run up the hill, knowing she was late for the meeting. "Sorry, I had some other business to attend to," she interrupted as she reached the group.

"No problem," said Shepard as they all began to take their drinks. "Well... it's been a hell of ride you guys, and it's all over," he said with a smile. "And I couldn't have asked for a better crew to fight beside me than you." Shepard raised his bottle, "So here is to you guys! They bravest men and woman this galaxy has ever seen." They all took a drink, gulping down the cool liquid as they enjoyed their freedom.

"Ahhh," Garrus said as he stopped drinking, "So, the wedding is in two months, right?" Garrus asked as he looked at Shepard.

"Yeah, that's what we're planning," said Shepard, "We got the catering and locations done, we're finishing the invitations and finalizing some details." Shepard looked at Ashley.

"Well, I'm happy for you two, you deserve happiness after everything," said Liara.

"Well, so do you," said Shepard, "Garrus and Tali are a couple, and Wrex already has a kid."

"Two actually," said Wrex, "Krogan pregnancies last two months and we can pop them out real fast."

"Wait, two months?" Ashley said, "Damn, lucky for your women, most of us have about a nine month commitment to it."

"Speaking of which, where's your spawn Shepard," asked Wrex as Shepard choked on his beer a little.

"Well...um, kids are... a ways off I would say," he said as he glanced at Ashley, "I mean, not that I wouldn't ever like one." He stumbled over his words, "Or three or even two is fine or you know..." Shepard took another drink from his beer. "It's in the works."

"Anyways, I've been looking over some data recently you should hear," Liara said, "It's about Cerberus."

"What is it?" asked Shepard, "These guys just won't die."

"I think they might have," said Liara, "I've found little trace of their presence, so they've either completely collapsed from economic depression or have gone completely dark, which would require a ton of money to even operate at that level of secrecy."

Ashley though about the conspiracy she was told by Mikhail, the leader of Cerberus. Mikhail was a young, around nineteen or even twenty now, yet smart individual. He had managed to get a ton of funding through The Alliance, documents signed by Admirals and even The President. She confronted them, showing them the proof of their deeds to them. However, all of them denied it, or told her they were forced into it. However, they shared no details about anything, shrouding her in darkness.

"They're dead either way," interjected Wrex, "Everyone hates them and always will." "Shame Anderson isn't here, he'd whoop their ass again."

"Yeah," Shepard said. Images of Shepard shooting Anderson under The Illusive Man's control and Anderson dying in his blood flew through Shepard's mind. He couldn't believe it still, that his mentor and friend had died by his hand. But then again, that was common occurrence in his life, people dying because of his actions or lack thereof.

Shepard looked around at the crew, finishing off the last of his beer. "Well, what have you all been up to? Anything new?" asked Shepard.

The crew looked around at each other.

"Not really," said Garrus, "We've all just been rebuilding and fixing things."

"I hear that," said Shepard, "It's been tough, seeing all that death and destruction." "Plus, the nightmares don't help."

"We all have nightmares," said Tali, "Everyone who had some sort of exposure to that much Reaper Indoctrination has been having some serious mental issues."

Liara interrupted, "About 95% of the existing population is having some sort of mental issues, whether it be nightmares, hallucinations, or even Schizophrenia."

"It's that bad," said Ashley, "God... even dead these things still are terrorizing us." "I've been having some trouble with loud noises, the sound just reminds me of their constant roaring and screeching as they laid waste to Earth."

Shepard leaned over to Ashley, putting his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay," he said as he comforted her.

"Yeah," said Ashley, "But what about you, you've been having some tough nights." "I hear you mumble about Anderson and about some kid all the time."

"I'm fine," said Shepard as he looked at the crew, "It's just been hard adjusting back to this life."

"Shepard, you've been around more indoctrination than anyone in this entire galaxy," said Liara, "By most studies, you should be dead or crazy." "I'm concerned that these problems are very dormant in your mind."

"They're not and I'm totally fine," said Shepard.

"Skipper, you keep mumbling about choices and these ghosts around you while you sleep," said Ashley, "When you were up on The Citadel, something happened." "The doctor's say your brainwaves are very off and something is still bothering you."

"It's nothing," said Shepard as he back slightly away, "I just need time to move on, from all this death."

"Shepard, The Geth and EDI dying are not your fault," said Tali, "You didn't know it would kill them, and where ever they are, I'm sure they would forgive you."

Shepard wanted to believe that, he so desperately wanted to, but he knew it wasn't true. He had rejected peace, and rejected control, all so he could destroy The Reapers. He had felt dirty afterwards, dirty about all of choices, his inability to sacrifice himself for the greater good, all because he was too afraid of what it would bring. Maybe there would be peace, maybe it was all true, but he would never know because of his selfish actions.

Shepard looked down at his feat, trying to hide his guild, "I know," he said, "I just need some time and some more sleep." Shepard looked back up with a smile on his face, "Thanks."

"Anytime," said Tali, "We're always here for you."

"So, we should get going into town, correct," Garrus said to Shepard.

"Yeah, me and Ash got to get going for the base back at London as well," Shepard said, "The Normandy is officially done with construction and we got a tour with The President."

"So, your just flying him around Earth," said Wrex, "Then ending at Paris for the BIG speech." "How long is this thing gonna be anyway?"

"I don't know... three or four hours?" said Liara.

"You aliens can talk so long, we Krogan need three minutes at most to inspire," said Wrex. "I'll be sleeping with Joker at the back of the crowd."

They all laughed as they parted ways again, waiting to see each other at the celebration. Ashley and Shepard took each other's hands again.

"So, Shepard, what is the new Normandy gonna be like?" asked Ashley.

"Well, there are gonna be actually walls and actual lights and maybe a pool?" joked Shepard.

"Well, hopefully the bed will still be there," Ashley joked back.

"I certainly hope so, I really like that bed better than the old one," said Shepard, "It's softer and got better sheets."

"Well... I've only been in the first bed once," said Ashley, "So I wouldn't really know."

"Any bed with you feels like heaven," said Shepard.

Ashley laughed, "You are so cheesy!"

Shepard responded, "You love it."

"I love you," said Ashley.

The two walked hand in hand, back down the beach. They walked over the same footsteps they originally made. They eventually arrived back at the shuttle, entering it and starting its engine. Ashley sat next to Shepard, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Shepard... can I ask something?" Ashley softly asked to Shepard.

"Sure," said Shepard as he looked over the vehicles instruments.

"What was that whole response to Wrex's question back there?" asked Ashley, "You know... the one about the kids."

"I...uhhhh," Shepard muttered as he looked out the window.

"Shepard," said Ashley in a somewhat demanding voice.

Shepard took a deep breath, "I just feel... like it's too soon," said Shepard, "It's not that I don't want one, but right now... isn't a good time!" He said in an increasing tone.

"Okay," said Ashley, "I didn't mean to make you upset..."

"I know," said Shepard, "It' just a lot to take in." Shepard took hold of the vehicle, taking off towards London.