Hey everyone! Today, I start another story, a crossover between Mass Effect and Pokémon, named Mass Effect: Partnership. At first, I thought about it as a combination of three universe Guyver/Halo/Mass Effect, but since Guyver isn't much known among the readers and we have hundreds of Mass Effect/Halo crossovers, I tried something different. And I liked the idea of Pokémon present in Mass Effect series.
For some, it may sound unmatchable, but I think it can work out on its way. Well, let's go on with it! I hope you like it.
"Hey" - Normal Speech/Translated Speech (for Pokémon and Aliens)
"Hey" - Comm Channel and Video Logs
Chapter 1 – Aboard the Normandy
"It's beautiful, isn't?" A man said as he admired the view he was witnessing.
"Yeah, this is actually the first time I get to see the Earth from this angle. It's memorable…" A shorter being next to him agreed.
"Well, this is actually the second time I see it from space, but it was long ago when I was still 18 years old."
"And a week later, we met each other eh?" The being chuckled in amusement.
"Yeah, you were pretty miserable that time." The being glared him frowning its eyes. However, it only made it chuckle as it knew it was so very true.
"Thanks for the cheer up, John. I really needed that back there."
"You're welcome." As he said that, he heard the intercom channel.
"Commanders Shepard and Blade to the bridge. Commanders Shepard and Blade to the bridge."
"Let's see what they want with us, shall we?" The man asked. The being nodded and followed him suit.
(Character Introduction)
The man you saw is called John Shepard. He was in born in April 11, 2154 and also in space. His childhood was spent on ships and stations as they transferred from posting to posting, never staying in one location for more than a few years. Following in his parent's footsteps which were Alliance military, he enlisted at the age of eighteen. Few years after he was graduated as a Systems Alliance military officer, he helped Elysium forces achieve victory after defending the planet against batarian slavers invasion which gave him lots of medals and honors from the Alliance fleet. Also, he was invited to join the N7 program which highest ranking military training course in Alliance systems. After much hard work, he was not only able to graduate, but also earn the Lieutenant Commander rank. Now, he's an executive officer aboard the SSV Normandy which is going to take her flight into missions.
The being next to Shepard is called Blade which a name given by Shepard himself. Blade is a Pokémon from Gallade specie. He has a white lower body that consists of bold rounded hips with strong legs; his torso is thin and colored in a balance between the blue of his upper body, and the white of his lower body; sharp orange hornlike protrusions stick out of the chest and back; his arms are shaped like tonfas, with extendable blades in the elbows; his head resembles a gladiator's helmet, with a white face and a grayish colored head crest; he also has spikes on the sides of his face. That all means he's the rare version of his specie. Blade has a dark past which led him to join the Pokémon Division at the Alliance Academy on Earth. However, due to this past of his, he wasn't able to trust any humans at the time, until Shepard found him. At first, Blade tried to avoid him because of his mistrust towards humans, but after some time, he began to see that Shepard only wanted to help him and that's how they became friends. Soon, he joined Shepard as his Pokémon partner in Human-Pokémon military training. Both graduated together in the Academy and they're fairly known as great team by their colleagues and friends. Blade was also with Shepard when they were battling against the batarian slavers on Elysium and he also made some remarkable feats in protecting the locals against the invaders. He also earned honors from the Alliance and joined the Pokémon Division of the N7 Program. There, he and Shepard participated several nasty training operations which required strong teamwork between human and Pokémon partners, but thanks to their friendship, they were able to overcome the challenges and graduate. Blade also earned the Lieutenant Pokémon Commander rank. Now, alongside Shepard, he was aboard the SSV Normandy which was taking her first mission outside the Sol System.
(End Character Introduction)
As they headed towards the Normandy's bridge, they were greeted along the crew. Most of them were humans, but it had its share of Pokémon aboard too. Both Shepard and Blade were much known to the crew and they were usually a subject in conversations among the members.
The Normandy was currently moving to the Charon mass relay which was located just next to Pluto. It was where the Normandy was going to make her first relay jump out of Sol System towards the Exodus System where a certain planet demanded her attention.
Reaching the bridge, they got sight of Nihlus Kryik, helmsman Jeff "Joker" Moreau and Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko and Razer which his Pokémon partner from Grovyle species. Nihlus was a turian that they met two days before they joined the Normandy crew and he was the Council Spectre assigned to oversee and report the Normandy progress to the Citadel Council. Neither Shepard nor Blade showed any disagreements at the time towards the turian, much to the latter surprise. Most of the humans and Pokémon despised the turians after the First Contact War where the turians attacked one of the Human-Pokémon colonies called Shanxi to prevent their fast space expansion. After so much bloodshed, the Council intervened and ended the conflict. After that, the Alliance joined the galactic community at the Citadel and earned an embassy there.
Shepard and Blade didn't really know Joker and Alenko very much since it has been only a day they had boarded the Normandy when she was still preparing to leave Earth. But Blade knew a bit of Razer. He was an acquaintance when Blade was still training at the Academy. He was still stunned to believe that Razer was going to be one of his crew colleagues in the future.
"1500 is good. Your captain will be pleased." Nihlus said as he left the bridge. "Shepard. Blade." He greeted when he saw the Commanders.
"I hate that guy." Joker said once Nihlus had walked away.
"Nihlus gave you a compliment… so you hate him." Alenko retorted.
"Remember to zip up your jump suit on the way out of the bathroom, that's good! I just jumped us half away across the galaxy and hit a target of the size of a pinhead, so that's incredible!" Joker shot back. "Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him onboard. Call me paranoid."
"You're paranoid!" Alenko replied without missing a beat. "The Council helped funding this project and they have the right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment."
"That's the official story and only a fool believes the official story." Joker pointed out.
Flight Lieutenant Jeff "Joker" Moreau was the Normandy's helmsman, and from what Shepard and Blade has seen, he's a fairly competent one. Most people just call him Joker, the reason being his rather snide sense of humor and snarky comments, at least that was what they thought.
Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko was the head of the Normandy's marine detail, meaning that he was the one every marine on the ship answered to. He was a biotic, an individual that had telekinetic powers due to exposure to element zero in the womb.
"Yeah, I think this mission has something more than what captain briefed us." Razer commented as he stood next to Kaidan with his back rested on the wall.
Staff Sergeant Razer was Kaidan's Pokémon partner. He is a Grovyle, a Pokémon with dinosaur-like features. His hands have two claws and its feet are more bird-like and its two tails now have a leafy appearance. His has three long leaves on its wrists and a large leaf on top of its head. His underside is red, with a belt-like green stripe on its belly. His service record isn't known that much, but if he was selected for this mission then it's safe to assume that he's a promising soldier.
"See? Even Razer agrees with me." Joker said proudly.
"Well, I also have to agree with Joker. I've been having this thought since Nihlus joined us onboard." Blade said. Truth be told, having a Spectre onboard for a merely shakedown mission was definitely odd.
"Commanders." Both Alenko and Razer stood up and made a salute.
"At ease, people." Shepard and Blade said unison.
"So, a Spectre presence here makes us doubt the real purpose of this mission huh?" Shepard remarked not even slightly surprised at his recent thoughts.
"Pretty much and Nihlus is kind of scary, sir." Joker said.
"Relax Joker. We met him 3 days ago and he's nice." Shepard commented.
"That's what he wants you to think." Joker nonchalantly said.
"Joker! Status report." Captain Anderson ordered through intercom.
"Just cleared the mass relay, captain. Stealth systems engaged, everything looks solid." Joker reported
"Good. Find the comm buoy and link us to the network. I want mission reports relayed back to the Alliance before we reach Eden Prime."
"Aye aye, captain. Better brace yourself, sir. I think Nihlus is headed your way."
"He's already here, lieutenant. Tell Commander Shepard and Commander Blade to meet me at the Debriefing Room." Anderson ordered.
Joker shook his head, cursing his stupidity.
"Haha you deserved this one." Razer chuckled in amusement.
"Yeah yeah, stupid me. You got the message, gentlemen?" Joker replied directing to Blade and Shepard.
"Yep, we're on our way." Shepard said as he and Blade left the bridge.
"I wonder why the captain is always angry when he talks to me." Joker said thoughtfully.
"I can't possibly imagine why." Kaidan said sarcastically.
As Shepard and Blade headed towards the Debriefing Room, they overheard Navigator Pressly speaking to Engineer Adams via intercom. It sounded to be a very serious matter.
"Pressly." Shepard greeted as he got closer.
The navigator saluted. "Oh Commander Shepard. Commander Blade. Congratulations, looks like we had a smooth run. You're heading down to see the captain?"
"Something troubling you, Pressly? Is it about Nihlus?" Blade asked concerned.
"Sorry, Commander Blade. Just having a chat with Adams down in engineering. Didn't mean any trouble, but you have to admit something's odd about this mission. The whole crew feels it."
"Do you think the Alliance brass is holding out on us?" Shepard inquired. Of course, he knew that himself, but he actually wanted to hear the crew talking about it. At least, it proved he wasn't going crazy.
"All we're supposed to do is test out the stealth systems, but why Captain Anderson is in charge? And there is Nihlus. Spectres are elite operatives, top covert agents. Why send us a Spectre and a turian at that on a shakedown run? This doesn't add up. " That was the human despise for turians trigging.
"That's what we have been thinking too. We'll see if we can get some answers with the captain." Shepard assured.
"Good luck at that, Commander Shepard and Commander Blade." Pressly saluted again and focused back on his work.
As they proceeded again, they noticed yet another chat that got their attention. Corporal Jenkins and Doctor Chakwas were not far from them, so they could make out what they were talking about. It seemed, not much to their surprise, that Jenkins was having the same doubts as most of the crew and was arguing with Chakwas preferred to believe in the official story.
"Corporal Jenkins. Doctor Chakwas." Shepard greeted.
"Commander Shepard. Commander Blade." They saluted in almost unison.
"Same doubts as the others, Jenkins?" Blade asked.
"Yeah, I can't stop thinking about this. What do you think, sirs? We won't stay on Eden Prime for too long, will we? I'm really itching for a real action."
Dr. Chakwas sighed in disbelief. "I sincerely hope you're kidding, corporal. Your real action usually ends with me patching crew members in the infirmary."
Doctor Karin Chakwas was the ship's head medical officer. Like her rank suggests, she is an expert on military medical area and was selected to be stationed on the Normandy. She also has a Pokémon partner, an Audino named Linda, who is her assistant. She is a bipedal, blue-eyed, pink-and-cream-colored Pokémon. The upper section of her face is pink, as are her floppy ears, exempting the tips and curled lower extensions which are cream-colored. The sides of her chest and arms are also pink, somewhat resembling a jacket, although the tips of her forelimbs are cream. her small tail is lumpy and white, similar to soft serve ice cream and rabbits.
"You need to calm down, Jenkins. A good soldier stays cool even under fire." Shepard said.
"Yeah, any uncontrolled action might risk your life." Blade added.
"Sorry, sirs. It's just that this waiting is killing me. I've never been on a mission like this before, now with a Spectre onboard."
"Just treat this like any other assignment you had and everything will work out." Shepard assured. Blade nodded in confirmation.
"Well, it's easy for you to say. You both proved yourselves on Elysium against those batarian bastards and everybody knows what you can do. This is my big chance! I need to show the brass what I can do!"
"You're young, corporal. And you have a long career ahead of you. Don't do something stupid to mess it up." Shepard said it blankly. He knew those types of soldiers all too well. Always ready for a firefight, thinking it's like a video game. Those were the first to fall if not severely injured.
"Don't worry, sir. I won't screw this up."
"You better not. Well, we gotta meet the captain. See you later." Shepard said as he and Blade went on their way.
"We'll need to keep an eye on him if he's going to this mission with us." Blade whispered to his partner. Shepard silently nodded, knowing full well the danger that the young corporal was walking into.
Finally, they arrived at the room and saw Nihlus there already waiting, but no Captain Anderson.
"Shepard. Blade. I was hoping you'd get here first. It will give a chance to talk." Nihlus greeted warmly.
"Talk? About what?" Shepard inquired.
"I'm interested in this world we're going to, Eden Prime." Nihlus resumed. "I heard it's quite beautiful."
"Yeah, it's like a paradise."
"Yes, a paradise. Serene, tranquil, safe. Eden Prime have become a symbol for your people, hasn't it? Proof that humanity and Pokémon can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but also protect them. But how safe is it really?"
"You're not fooling me around with that talk, Nihlus. I know you're hiding something." Blade interrupted.
The turian looked at him and did the turian equivalent of a smile. "You're right, Blade. There's something I wish to tell you both, but this is a matter to be discussed when Captain Anderson arrives." Nihlus returned his gaze to Shepard. "Both of your people are still newcomers. The galaxy can be a dangerous place. Is the Alliance truly ready for what is to come?" Nihlus nonchalantly asked.
"Well, we can't really say that since we don't know what we are dealing with." Shepard replied.
It was then that Captain Anderson entered the room, overhearing some of their talk. "I think we should tell them what's really going on." He said directing to Nihlus.
"Actually gentlemen, this mission is far more than a simple shakedown run." Nihlus began.
Blade sighed. "Get on with it. There's no need for this suspense, you know."
"But this is a serious matter, Blade. We're making a covert pickup on Eden Prime. The research team there unearthed some kind of... beacon during the excavation. It's Prothean." Anderson explained.
Shepard and Blade's eyes widened in surprise. "Didn't the Protheans vanish 50,000 years ago?" Shepard asked incredulously.
"Correct, Commander. But their legacy still remains. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drives, it's all related to Prothean technology." Nihlus replied.
"And the last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years. But Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study." Anderson stated.
"Obviously, this goes beyond human and Pokémon interests, Commander Shepard and Commander Blade. This discovery could affect every species in Council Space." Nihlus added again.
"Nice to see the Council is helping us on this one." Shepard replied jokingly.
"They send their regards." The turian joined. "And there is one other thing I'd like to point out. I'm not here only because of this mission." Nihlus paused. "I'm also here to evaluate you two."
"Evaluate us?" They asked in unison in total confusion.
"Yes. I heard about your feats while on Elysium and I must say, I'm truly impressed with the way you dealt with the invaders. With this, I think you two would make a fine addition to the Spectres."
"The Alliance has been pushing this for a long time." Anderson began. "Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy. We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council's power and authority." Anderson paused again. "If they accept a human in their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."
"I want to see both of your skills personally. Eden Prime will be the first of many missions together."
"Shepard, you will be in charge of the ground team. Secure the beacon and get it on the ship ASAP. Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission."
Shepard turned to look at Blade who nodded. "We're ready, sir. Just give the word."
"We should be getting near Eden-"
"Captain, we have a problem." Joker's voice came over the comm, effectively killing Anderson's would-be orders.
What is it, Joker?" Anderson asked, a little irked at being interrupted.
"Transmission from Eden Prime, sir. You better see this." Joker answered, his tone indicating the utmost urgency.
"Bring it up on screen." Anderson ordered, already getting a bad feeling in his gut.
With that order the captain, everyone turned to the screen that flared to life. The camera was shaky as it portrayed a battle. Various marines and Pokémon could be seen fighting an unknown hostile force. The sounds of unfamiliar gunfire and more than a few explosions blasted out of the speakers. One of the marines, a woman, rushed up to the camera.
"Get down!" she ordered followed by her Pokémon partner making covering moves, addressing the cameraman. The camera was pushed to the ground as the four got a good look of her firing another burst from her assault rifle. The camera shook around more, the cameraman apparently unable to get a good steady grip. They thought he could see a few fleeting glances of whatever was attacking the marines, but the camera never focused or settled long enough to get a good look. The camera suddenly turned to another marine, this one a man.
"We are under attack!" he stated. "Taking heavy casualties! I repeat: Heavy casualties! We can't-" his sentence was interrupted by an explosion that was a little too close for comfort. "Need evac!" he resumed after the explosion subsided. "They came out of nowhere! We need-" he was interrupted again, this time for good as blood splattered on the screen, likely from a fatal gunshot wound.
Then came a noise. A shrill noise that sounded like a cross between an eagle screeching and a ship taking off. All the marines stopped their fire as they saw something that made their jaws drop. The camera swiveled around and upwards at the thing they were staring at.
It looked like some kind of giant, mechanical squid in the sky, crimson lightning seeming to dance from its tentacles.
The cameraman couldn't hold it steady after that. More gunfire. More explosions. A brief shot of the marines running away. And then the transmission was lost to static.
"Everything cuts out after that." Joker reported. "No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead. There's nothing."
"Reverse and hold at 38.5." Anderson quickly ordered.
Joker did as he was told. The video reversed and froze on that robotic squid. Blade noticed Nihlus's mandibles flare out ever so slightly. He wasn't good at reading Turian expressions yet, but if he had to hazard a guess, he'd say Nihlus was expressing shock or awe. Whatever that thing was, it must've been huge, the way it almost took up the whole screen.
"Status report." Anderson barked, not taking his eyes off that image.
"Seventeen minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance ships in the area." Joker reported.
"Take us in Joker. Fast and quiet." Anderson ordered. "This mission just got a lot more complicated."
"A small strike team can move quickly, without drawing attention. It would be our best chance to secure the beacon." Nihlus suggested.
Anderson nodded and turned to the two commanders. "You'll find all the firearms and armors you'll need on deck 2. Tell Alenko, Razer and Jenkins to gear up as well. Once the four of you are ready, meet Nihlus and I in the cargo hold. You're going in." Anderson instructed.
"Engaging steal systems." Joker reported. "Somebody's been doing some serious digging here, Captain."
Shepard and Blade stood in the cargo hold on deck 3, ready for action. Shepard was using the N7 standard Onyx light-armor, and he had two weapons on him; a Mantis sniper rifle and a Predator pistol which were defaultly used by Alliance soldiers. That was best suited for his designation since I was a sniper expert and preferred tactical combat than frontline assault. As for Blade, he was using the specific N7 Onyx medium-armor modified specifically for his specie; no Pokémon-specific firearm since he was agile and relied on fast melee combat, with Shepard providing cover fire. Also, his psychic abilities make him an excellent ranger almost like his partner, in case of heavy enemy activity in the battle area.
Kaidan Alenko, Razer and Richard Jenkins stood on either side of the commanders; they were his ground team. The human marines had similar armaments as Shepard and Razer had his Alliance medium-armor specifically for his specie and just like Blade, he relied on his natural abilities while in combat.
"Your team's the muscle in this operation, Commander." Anderson began. "Go in heavy and head straight for the dig site."
"What about survivors, Captain?" Alenko asked.
"Helping survivors is a secondary objective." Anderson stated. "The beacon's your top priority!"
"Approaching drop point-one." Joker reported as the cargo bay doors opened, wind howling and whistling as it did.
"Nihlus! You coming with us?" Jenkins called over the roar of the wind.
"I move faster on my own!" Nihlus called back, checking the sights on his assault rifle before moving in. He jumped out as the Normandy slowed.
"Blade, accompany Nihlus! Make sure he stays safe!" Shepard ordered loudly to his partner.
Blade nodded before he jumped out. "Roger that! Be careful out there, Shepard!"
"You too, buddy!"
"Should I go too?" Razer inquired to Kaidan, probably worried for his comrades.
"Permission for Razer to follow the others, Commander?" Kaidan asked.
"Granted! Watch those two backs for me!" Shepard shouted half-jokingly.
Noticing it, the Grovyle chuckled. "Roger! Count on me!" He said as he jumped out as well.
"Nihlus' team will scout out ahead." Anderson elaborated. "They'll feed you status reports throughout the mission. Otherwise, I want radio silence."
"Ready, sir." Shepard called out with a nod.
"The mission's yours now, Commander! Good luck!" Anderson called.
"We are approaching drop point-two." Joker reported as Shepard, Alenko and Jenkins got into position. Chief unfolded his pistol, ready for action. Once the ground was close enough, he leapt out without hesitation, Jenkins and Alenko not far behind.
The moment Shepard hit the ground, his pistol was already trained, ready to shoot. Alenko and Jenkins followed suit, keeping their rifles drawn as the Normandy flew away to a more secluded position. "Ship perimeter secure, Commander." Kaidan reported.
"Keep your weapons drawn and your guard up." Shepard ordered.
"Yes sir!" Both marines complied.
"Shepard? You read me? This is Nihlus." The Turian's voice came over the radio.
"Loud and clear." Shepard replied.
"What's the meaning of this? I thought I had myself clear that I moved on my own!" Nihlus said trying to not bark to give away their element of surprise.
"Don't worry. They can do more than keep up with you. Besides, I wouldn't want a Spectre dying with me around." Shepard replied jokingly.
He heard Nihlus chuckle over the radio. "If you say so, the help is appreciated. Anyway, this place got hit hard. Hostiles everywhere. Watch your backs." He said before clicking off the radio.
Shepard turned to the marines. "Let's move out, people!"
"Yes sir!"
As you may have noticed, there is no general information about Pokémon in Mass Effect. I'm coming up with them right now, try to thinking about the best suited ideas for that kind of info. But rest assured that Chapter 2 is coming up with the first codex and it will proceed with one or two per chapter. If you have ideas that you'd like to share and help, it's appreciated.
Warning: Pokéballs do not exist here!
Please review!