Rannoch

by Quizzil

Nine years have passed since the defeat of the Reapers, and life in the galaxy has started to resume its normal course. There is one planet, however, that remains as scarred and lifeless as it was during the war; a silent graveyard of fallen ships left undisturbed for the better part of a decade. It is here that Shepard reflects upon the weight of her decisions. One-shot.

**I OWN NOTHING**

Rannoch

She never thought that she'd return to Rannoch.

She is standing on a small overlook, a previously scenic place, now scarred from a multitude of orbital strikes. A reminder of a battle long since won.

She isn't wearing any armor; just a jacket and sweatpants. The only gun she has is a small, quarian-made pistol. Admiral Xen gave it to her.

She remembers how the war lit up the sky, how the quarian ships looked so much like fireworks.

She remembers the horror, the incomprehension, of destroying an entire race. Of seeing them die and knowing that it was her decision. Her call.

She thinks of how Tali would have loved to see Rannoch. Sees her broken body, crushed under a beam on a distant space station. Tali died before the rest of her race did.

She remembers other friends as well. Wrex, Kaidan, Mordin, Thane, Legion, Miranda.

She remembers her squad on Akuze.

She's seen all of them die.

She sees them die every day, every night, over and over again.

She watches planets crumble and burn, though she knows they've long since cooled.

She died, once. Dead, but not allowed to remain as such. Never allowed peace, rest.

She was needed, they told her. A hero. An inspiration.

She has betrayed countless people, countless civilizations. The Batarians, the Quarians, the Krogan, the Geth.

She has saved more.

She looks up at the skies of Rannoch. So beautiful. Peaceful.

She is very tired.

Shepard tightens her fist around the small pistol, unshed tears in her eyes. She hasn't cried since she was a little girl. It's been years since she won the war, but it feels like no time at all has passed. She still sees their faces, still hears people screaming and sees planets burning. She should be happy. She should be relieved.

She raises her arm to her temple, gun in hand. Her hands are shaking, but she doesn't know whether it's from fear or anticipation.

She hears the shot before she feels it.

Shepard has died once before. It was terrifying, confusing. The darkness surrounding her had seemed so oppressive, so final.

Now, as darkness embraces her once again, all that Shepard feels is liberation.