Well, here it is. Something for my fellow Mass Effect fans.
For those of you who don't know how a story like this goes I'll explain: you read this part, the introduction, and then select a chapter/ending.
(F/n)= First Name.
(L/n)= Last Name.
(E/c)= Eye Colour.
(H/c)= Hair Colour.
=== Shepard's Apartment, The Citadel ===
A smile creeps across your face as you watch the party from the second floor balcony. Your friends and crewmates, the Normandy crew, enjoying themselves. The drink is flowing nicely, the music is good, people are dancing (in Shepard's case quite shamelessly). Others are in more quiet areas enjoying good conversations, swapping stories and laughing.
Everyone's having a damn good time.
You yourself had decided to catch a breather having just spent some time on the dance floor, and feeling ever-so-slightly embarrassed at having done so. Still, you were enjoying yourself and you're by no means going to apologize for it.
'It's nice to see everyone in one place for a change. People I know both old and new, all together.' You think to yourself as you look around the room, your (e/c) eyes alternating between all of your friends.
It's just then that you find your mind taking you through your past. The path that lead you to where you are now...
You were originally born and raised on Earth, living a pretty normal life for an only child with two parents. All your life though you'd been fascinated by space travel. Even as a child the thought of leaving the planet, seeing new worlds and meeting the various alien races that you shared the galaxy with. As soon as you were old enough, you joined the Alliance Navy.
As luck would have it, you were a naturally talented soldier, over the years and with much blood, sweat and tears you rose through the ranks and reached the rank of Lieutenant.
That same week, you were contacted by none other than Captain David Anderson himself, the first N7 Marine. He explained that he'd heard about your skill at arms and unwavering bravery, and was offering you the chance to join his crew for the shakedown run of a prototype frigate. Honoured and awestruck, you agreed.
Upon joining the crew of the SSV Normandy SR1, you're life was changed in ways you couldn't have possibly imagined...
Between the events of Eden Prime, hunting the rogue Spectre Saren, saving lives and fighting armies of Geth, you befriended your squad and crewmates. While you got to know everyone very well, you became especially good friends Jane Shepard. Despite the impending threat of the Reapers, as long as you all stood together and you had Shepard's leadership, you had a chance. You had hope...
Following the original Normandy's destruction and Shepard's death, Shepard's warnings about the Reapers were outright dismissed and ignored. Even by the Alliance. Feeling betrayed and utterly disgusted, you left the Alliance Navy and became a mercenary when everyone went their separate ways.
Two years afterwards you had become a more bitter and ruthless man, and found yourself on the infamous station, Omega, where you had been contracted to take out an up and coming gang lead by a ruthless Krogan. You didn't know their names and frankly, you didn't care, you just needed the credits. After a long and arduous battle with said gang, you emerged bloodied yet victorious, but upon leaving their base you were surprised to be confronted by... Shepard?
Shepard had been revived by Cerberus and was building a new team to combat an alien race called the Collectors, who were responsible for the destruction of the original Normandy. Despite your concerns, you joined Shepard once again. In doing so you made more friends, and were reunited with a few old ones, too.
After defeating the Collectors, Shepard was detained by the Alliance for the destruction of the entire Bahak System; which thankfully delayed the Reapers, but at the cost of the lives of many Batarians. Much like before, everyone went their separate ways. You yourself were lucky enough to be offered a chance to rejoin the Alliance, with your former rank, too. You accepted.
Then it happened... An inevitable, unyielding and unwavering nightmare realized. The Reapers had arrived. And Earth was their primary target. Amidst the chaos and destruction, you reunited yet again with Shepard... And so here you are, leaning on the railing overlooking the living room. Clad in your Crewman's Outfit. After running into old friends, fighting both the Reapers, Cerberus and even Shepard's clone, you all got some shore leave.
'Damn, now that I think about it, I've been through a lot.' You think to yourself, glad that your mind isn't flooded with worries of Earth for a change. Today you could spend time among your crewmates; your friends both old and new.
From the corner of your eye you catch movement approaching you. You see it's one of your newer friends, James Vega.
"There you are, Romeo." He says as he stands next to you. James and yourself get along pretty well, you're both tough, affable and honest soldiers. Plus, like everyone else, he's assigned you a nickname.
"Hey, James." You reply, matching his smile as you stand up and turn to face him, "How are you holding up?"
"Ah, you know, no complaints." He replies with a shrug, a smirk on his face, "Nice moves earlier, by the way."
"I wasn't that bad was I?"
"Nah, don't sweat it. You've got nothing to be ashamed of. You were better than Shepard, at least."
"That's a relief..." You say with a chuckle, "I'll give Shepard credit. She really knows how to throw a good party. I haven't had this much fun in years."
"She does. Better question is: How're you holding up?" There it is. You're Vega-approved nickname. The reason why your nickname is Romeo of all things is because, well, during your time as a member of Shepard's squad, a certain female crewmate caught your eye. You had kept your feelings to yourself, fearing you would be rejected.
James however quickly picked up on your hidden feelings, and thus nicknamed you Romeo. And to be honest, you don't really mind the choice either, as he doesn't call you it when in the presence of a certain someone...
"Oh, not bad." You reply.
"Still haven't told her, huh?" Your friend asks as he crosses his arms, already knowing the answer you will give. You had promised yourself you would finally inform that special some of how you felt.
"No..." You sigh as you cast your (e/c) eyes to the floor. Disappointed with yourself, "I guess I just missed my chance..."
"Don't sweat it, (Y/n)." James tells you as he pats you on the shoulder, an act that helps you feel better. You bring your attention back up to him and shoot him a small smile, "Who knows, maybe you'll get your chance soon..."
His words confuse you slightly. They almost sound ominous, actually.
"Sorry, Romeo, gotta go." Before you can say anything, James leaves and heads downstairs. Thinking he was just teasing you, you shrug it off. Unaware of what your friend had in store for you...
=== Small Timeskip ===
About half an hour later and you've found yourself at the bar, chatting with Grunt and Wrex. Who are comparing their experiences with Thresher Maws, or rather the times they killed them, of course. Funny enough, you were around for both occasions.
"I'm tellin' ya," The Tank-Bred Krogan says, "my first Thresher Maw kill tops all of yours!"
"Why's that?" Wrex asks casually after taking a gulp of Ryncol.
'Here we go...' You think.
"Me, (Y/n) and Shepard, low on ammo. Fighting waves of Tuchanka's wildlife, all on foot." Grunt states, "Besides, every time you killed a Thresher Maw with Shepard, you were in that cosy Mako."
'Dear sweet lord, don't remind me about that thing!'
"You're preaching to the quire there, you little Pyjack! In case you forgot, I was the last one to kill a Thresher Maw before you during the rite of passage. And cosy? Ha! As if!" The more seasoned Krogan retorts, "It may have been a tough old thing, but it wasn't comfortable. (Y/n), you can back me up on that, right?"
Both Krogan look to you expectantly.
"Well, yeah, between bad suspension and getting flipped upside down, we were pretty lucky to even hit anything in the first place." You answer sardonically, "Heck, I can't even count the amount of bruises I got from that thing tumbling down mountains."
"If you say so..." Grunt says.
Just as you get up from your stool to grab a drink, a familiar Info drone floats over to the three of you, adorable bow-tie and everything.
"Hey, Glyph." You greet him with a broad, cheery smile.
"Greetings, Lieutenant (L/n)." He replies politely.
"Something you want to tell us?"
"That is correct. But not you. I have a message for Wrex and Grunt from James Vega." Glyph says, "He says it's all set up."
"About damn time..." Wrex states as he takes another gulp of Ryncol and rises from his seat at the bar, Grunt following suit.
When you're about to ask what Glyph meant, he floats down the hall.
'What did he mean by that?'
Looking behind you, you see your two Krogan friends look to each other, smile widely, share a nod and look to you. Seeing all this makes you feel uneasy.
"...Wrex? Grunt? D'you mind telling me what's going on?"
"Heh heh heh..." Grunt laughs as he places his hand on one of your shoulders, Wrex doing the same on the opposite shoulder as they lead you into the living room.
Upon arriving in the living room, you are greeted by the sight of all of your friends, some sat down, some stood up, all of them looking to James as he stands in the middle. A smirk laying on his lips when he sees you.
"Ah, glad you could join us, (Y/n)." He greets you.
"Wasn't expecting a Krogan escort, though." Joker chuckles from his seat. Something is up, and Joker's probably in on it. Same goes for Grunt and Wrex.
"What's going on, James?" You ask.
"We're about to start playing seven minutes in heaven. We're gonna use Shepard's closet. Plenty of space for it." James answers, his smirk not leaving his face as he continues, "And guess what? You're going first."
This news shocks you. Your eyes widen as everything starts to make sense now. James has probably been planning this for a while now. On the other hand, this could very well be the chance you've been hoping for, the chance to tell your crush how you feel about her. Feeling more hopeful and confident, you decide to go with the flow.
"Okay, I'll play." You say with a shrug, "How're we going to play it without a hat or bag?"
"I have the solution, Lieutenant (L/n)." Glyph states, "I have compiled a list of people who wish to play. When you are ready, I will send a random name to your Omni Tool."
"You've thought of everything, haven't you..." You state sarcastically as you shoot James a knowing look.
"Uh huh." He replies coyly, "So, you ready to get started?"
You smile, "You bet I am..."
The endings are likely to take time to finish and come out. Please have patience.
Also, I'll say it now and now only, there will be no Andromeda characters.Feedback and criticisms are always welcome.
Until then. :)