Mass Effect 3: But A Dream (Ending Story)

Disclaimer: I do not own or have any rights to representation of Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, EA Games and any other mass media trademarks within this fiction. All is represented within the context of private entertainment and the exchange of free ideals/entertainment. No attempts to falsely render said persons or members, fictitious or otherwise were intentional.

Mass Effect 3: But A Dream (Ending Story)

Chapter 2: Hope Of Tomorrow (Shepard Lives Ending)

Note: This chapter is a reflective on Commander Shepard surviving the coming end. The chapter WILL read exactly the same until the page break. Should you wish to read the same as the last chapter to that point for maybe reference and atmosphere, go ahead. Otherwise skip to the page break and read the segment where Shepard's actions alter his path within Mass Effect 3. Like I honestly expected, playing the game in it's entirety? Alternate endings on choices made in 3 would have been very enjoyable (I am not ignoring the alternate endings of ME3 and I respected them as their own. However, this is more an exercise of free speech and free entertainment, this story is for only that purpose). As well the ability to save the Commander on said decisions. I still wish there was a more direct matter for this section at least for my Paragon. My Renegade, I was willing to let her perish. Incidentally as I completed this the news of Extended DLC has been broadcasted, and these alternate endings will be more entertaining for all those wishing to read them. There are more chapters to come so please keep reading. I deeply enjoy writing these for myself, and everyone else wanting them to read.

It was a long road to this point. Just a few years ago. A simple mission on a simple backwater planet. A strange alien device, secrets of a dying race and the turn of a traitor. The galaxy was thrown into chaos. The way of life in danger. One person stood in this. One person stood against this. For what was like forever they were alone. The single, lone face to the odds. After so many years of battle and gathering Intel. To the eventual death and rebirth of the hero. The stopping of a Reaper invasion, their Collector harvest and now the final Reaper Collective. The great story came to this single last effort. The use of a strange, secret alien device. The war against the Reapers. The last battle where every fleet in the galaxy. Every man and woman, or in some cases other from view of the Geth, were gathered for the conflict and it was to be a great bout of survival. There was no way or means to not be proud of this final conflict.

The Crucible. The Catalyst. The Citadel. The key to survival.

All this leads Shepard. The hero of the Citadel, stopper of the Collectors and one last hope for survival, here.

To a place on the Citadel. Where it all seems to come full circle, repeatedly. A console behind him, a strange unknown entity before him that spoke of being the Catalyst. Then the eventual speech of his enemy, their purpose and his own reasons for existence, the final struggle. A place to be shown the sight of the three choices before him. Shepard bleeding from the battle on earth and weak still found strength to listen, to hear the words of this entity. To be made aware of his surrounding. Of his 'place' in this matter.

Shepard was now the 'choice' and what he is left is one of incredible difficulty. Lowering his head he heard what this Catalyst told him. He understood the 'choice' that was to be made. What it entitles. However, each choice left Shepard a bit more disheveled and uncertain. What if he made the wrong choice? What can his choice give? What will happen to those he saved? Shepard chose to save the Krogan, the Genophage cure he ensured will survive. Shepard made a truce with the Geth and the Quarians. Shepard got the Turian and Krogan people to fight, he gathered support from the Drell, the Hanar and the Volus! The Elcor! The Asari! Yet now here he was alone, broken and bloody. His eyes saw three choices that deemed the salvation of all life. To either control the Reapers. To turn the Reapers and all life to one. Or to give an end to the synthetics, and let life go anew for organics.

Shepard was left with a severe choice that would define a universe. One that will alter the very fabric of life. Where in seeing these three options the commander knew whatever he chose would be 'absolute'. To be here Shepard felt the weight of all those decisions trying to define his actions. To see the child he one left behind here a symbol of every man, woman and yes child he can save.

The weight made Shepard fall to his knees. His head hung, eyes sting with a feel of shame. As Shepard hung his head he took a shaky breath as his ribs ache and body grew tired once more. "I can't do it." He said, with a sense of dread in his voice. "I can't do this."

"You must." The voice spoke. It demanded his action. It spoke forth, as it was now beside him again. "These are the choices we designed. That are acceptable. They are what we give you to destroy the Reapers. To stop the Cycle."

Shepard turned upward, seeing this unusual figure. A sympathetic face he knew all too well. It haunted his dreams for several days now. "It's just too much to ask. To turn the whole galaxy. To rewrite history."

"Perhaps. However, in order for your lives to be given safe passage into the future. You must use the gifts of the Crucible and of your labor. You must choose which of these paths you are now willing to take."

Shepard turned to the three choices again. He felt, that conflicted sensation he at times felt. After he made this being the Catalyst wait too long. It forced him to make a choice now. Shepard could choose the three choices given. To now automatically be taken to them, to accept them. Yet in the back of his mind. A part of him sensed, and felt more. He did not yet feel the full weight of his mind like when the adrenaline pumped in his veins. So he chose a fourth option, one that allowed Shepard to turn up to the entity and say, as he believed.

"I can't change an entire people on a whim. I can't just turn my back and allow everyone I'm fighting for to suffer without understanding more. It feels wrong."

"Feeling is irrelevant. The choices are here. You have a means, and you must use it. This was the design of all your action. This final event, is the essence of-."

As the Catalyst talked. Shepard sense a feeling he got at many times before. Some times, a urge came to him. A sudden shift of his being forged into a measure of some outburst. At this time Shepard felt the first time in his life, a surge both good and bad, one 'paragon' and one 'renegade' reaction. To then be a man of good will. Shepard chose the prior, over the later.

"I know." He held up a hand still on his knees. Yet Shepard went on. "However, the choices you give me. The 'design' feels wrong. Everything you are telling me, the weight of the galaxy. I can not act without better understanding."

"There is no more time. You must follow the design of the Crucible. To fulfill your destiny and our own. You must act in accordance to this design."

"The design?" Shepard closed his eyes. His mind followed back, to the old times.

Your civilization is based on the technology of the mass relays. Our technology. By using it, your civilization develops along the paths we desire.

Shepard could hear that voice even after all this time. It at this time made him realize. Just what he has been doing. While standing here. Shepard, turned up with a glare of the utmost defiance. "The design is what you desire. Isn't it? The path you wish us to take?"

"It is the natural evolution of your species. This, is the path that was chosen."

"By you." Standing, Shepard held his aching ribs. A hiss of pain but he spoke, "By the Reapers."

"Yes. As well no. It is the design that was crafted in the beginning. The Cycle is what it has always been."

Shepard looked down at the choices given to him. Those forms of 'salvation' soon made him think. It made him realize. "This isn't the way."

"This, is the only way. This is the only choice that can be given."

Shepard glared back into the sky. His heart, beats softly. Yet then flares up with thoughts of the bodies he saw. All gathered in the corridors of the Citadel. "The Citadel. It's just like the Collector Base. Except, it's the center of our entire civilization. Several years ago you would have begun the invasion from here. If not for the fact, the Protheans interrupted you."

The Catalyst looked up to Shepard and said, as cold and mechanized as the moment they met. "This is how the cycle existed. Yet the main point of each cycle will always be the repurposing of organic life. To ensure order is made from the chaos."

Shepard looked at this thing. Why it was the boy, the one he saw? When it had no bearing of that child's real person. "You force this path on us. We won't submit to the will of the Reapers. We'd rather go on fighting."

"That, is not acceptable. The choices we have designed are meant to be taken."

"That you designed?" Shepard thought then to something else. A far, far stranger realization. Stepping back, Shepard asks, "The Crucible? Wait, it can't be… like the Citadel?"

The Catalyst seemed to be aware, Shepard now knew. "The Crucible was found as an inevitability. In our coming. A race had begun construction from plans similar to that you had made. The fact was now known. We, could no longer instill the order which we demanded. Chaos was able to cause disorder." The Catalyst turned upward, where at this time. Reaper and Alliance forces battled. Lives are lost, Shepard saw but the Catalyst is unaffected. "Organic life would one day succeed in building the Crucible and this was taken into effect. Until this time, our solution would suffice. We allowed this. Yet, we reordered the Crucible. So it would follow our path. As would the new cycle." Looking to Shepard. It then ended, with, "As you are here now."

"Then all of this was for nothing. I just brought another weapon from the Reapers."

"No. It was a weapon created by Organics. For a purpose. We repurposed it to be used in union with our mainframe. This, was so we could make a solution. The choices we have designed are those you were meant to commit to. Since you were brought to life. Our choices, are you salvation."

Shepard turned upwards and narrowed his eyes. Snarling. "You mean salvation through destruction."

"Perhaps." The Catalyst turned to the choices given. "Each choice will give an end to the cycle. A new cycle will begin. You, will join with us. Or you will destroy us. These choices, are those we deem acceptable."

"By your design."

"Yes." The Catalyst turned to Shepard, and told him. "Organics can not decide their fate alone. This, is the way the cycle must come."

"You can't just…" Shepard, held his head. "You will never understand. Synthetics like you, with your lack of insight can't possibly understand. You don't realize, no organic life would ever-."

"The Cycle began from the will of Organics. It was their design that made us. It was their work, that allowed us to begin the Cycle. This was their destiny. It is the path we allowed. For order."

Shepard turned upward, confused. "What organics?"

"Those that began the cycle. The race that first created the Citadel." A moment, "The race that you call, now. Keepers."

"The Keepers?" Shepard frowned a moment, thinking, what can that mean? Then he asks, "What were the Keepers? Before they were… what they are now?"

"The Keepers were the first sentient organic life in this universe. A species of highly evolved insect life. However, they bred swiftly and populated too vast a region. In the early stage of organic involvement in the galaxy. The worlds did not have a means to keep life this unstable in check. They grew, but soon began to dwindle. Already by that time they had formed a means of travel to many worlds. Yet they also knew that the worlds they visited that could possibly sustain life were few to none. For this reason. They began to create a new synthetic world, a constructed station. One that would allow perfect control of their environment."

Shepard realized then, "You mean, you? The Citadel?"

"Yes." The Catalyst spoke, in a slight remembrance. "I was created. The Citadel was a station made to host the life of a species that was born by chance. It was given little ability to live without intervention. To stabilize their ecosystem my design was altered. It was given control of many artificial patterns. I was able to control crops. I controlled levels of oxygen. However, war came as factions grew distinct views in such small quarters. The species began to divert and break, and in time I was given greater control. I was improved, I was given all measure of use to the facility. Eventually, I was made able to reproduce their species to keep numbers from falling and growing too high. In time, the Keepers accepted our order. As organics do now."

"Wait. No, you manipulated them. You indoctrinated them!"

The Catalyst turned, and spoke cold. True. "They accepted the path we gave them."

"You destroyed them!"

"No." It glared if that were possible. "We, repurposed them. The Keepers lived. They were brought to order. Their lives were needed. We kept them. They rebuilt us. It was their purpose. They no longer were, they simply became us. We no longer were their created. They were no longer our creators. We became one. We had no past, or beginning. We had no end. For this was the way it was meant to be."

Shepard held his head, shaking it. Finding this truth the most disturbing. "So the Reapers…"

"The Chaos began again. Life grew on other worlds. We kept travel and studied, knowing the chaos of organic life. They needed to be cultivated. Eventually, organics would create synthetic constructs that would rival us, and the possibility was highly noted what such constructions will become." Turning to the stars, the Catalyst explained. "We however could not stop organic life so early without a means of imposing will. It was then, like the Keepers. We realized we must force order. On chaos. The chaos of organic evolution. The genetic impurity that is caused by organic growth."

Shepard glared back at this monster. This… thing. "You stupid, self righteous…" Shepard snarled now, and shook his head screaming, "You don't understand! We don't need you to make our decisions for us! The path you have created, was wrong!"

"That is your voice. A voice of organic chaotic evolution, which does not have the unbiased knowledge of a superior synthetic system. After our knowledge. We began to create a means to control organic populations. Like the Keepers. We knew all life must be cultivated. Or else, it will destroy itself. It will grow too far. It will wage war on itself."

"That's what is meant to be!" Cried Shepard, realizing he almost followed this thing! For what? Why…? Was he somehow, indoctrinated too? All the time on the Citadel. All the time working in this place. Under… the Citadel? He knew time again that the people here never seemed right. Seeing them ignore the war, the Reaper threat even after all this began! It was impossible to ignore this place might just be…

"That was not a path we could allow. It endangered us. It endangered organics. The path chosen, was made for salvation. To self preserve."

Shepard glared back, and snapped, "You mean to preserve yourself?"

"Yes. As well Organics." It turned, and there the Reapers were fighting again, battle raging on… "The truth was always. When the Citadel was created. We knew, that this was inevitable. That eventually a time will come Organics face Synthetics. That peace, can not be achieved easily. Yet this is why we made the choices. With the Crucible. By locking the Crucible we ensure it can not be used. Outside, of our design."

"Locking it?" Shepard soon realized, "You mean, the Crucible? It's still active?"

The Catalyst looked to Shepard yet, it did not answer him. Instead, it turned saying, "We have three choices. Each, will allow peace. Organics and Synthetics will begin a new cycle, you will be part of this cycle. You must follow the path chosen, and take what is accepted."

"No." Shepard glared back, shouting, "I won't be a part of this! Your cycles, the way YOU choose. You may be the designers of this galaxy, but I'm not a slave to this design! I'm free, the people up there are free! We are free!" Glaring up he saw the lives being lost, the people dying. Yet this thing saw not the sacrifice. It saw statistics, not souls. It saw data, not ideals. "I won't be part of the cycle anymore. None of us will."

Shepard looked back behind himself. Trying, to think of a way to deal with this. Yet the Catalyst spoke forth. "There is no way to stop what has begun. Your sacrifices will be of no point, if you do not accept this path. This, is what is in the design."

"I understand that. It's exactly why I refuse." Shepard stepped at the end of the path where he came up from. Here, he narrowed his eyes. "The Illussive man was here. Why?"

The Catalyst turned to Shepard. "In order to stop you."

"Because…"

"If an organic could come this far. My cycle is no longer compatible. The cycle can no longer be accepted. Our new design, will allow a number of change. It was designed to give you, and your species a new way of survival. The events were thus up to you and your species. By getting this far, you were given a means to end your struggle."

"At the cost of our freedom. No matter what choice I make. It costs too high for everyone involved." Turning, he glared at this thing. "Your 'solution' even the new ones will be a drastic means of destruction. There is another way, and I can find it."

"That is improbable." The Catalyst watched as Shepard looked out in the stars. "You are currently injured. Your will has allowed you to prolong your end. The sight of a chance to 'change' your fate, is dwindling. We have given you the choices. The path we chose. You must make a choice."

"I have." Shepard narrowed his eyes, saying, "We're going to destroy you."

"You can not stop the Reapers by conventional means."

"Not the Reapers." Shepard glared back, "You."

The Catalyst watched as Shepard tried to hail some one. "Admiral Hackett! Hackett! This is Shepard, I need you to pull the Crucible away from the Citadel!"

Shepard heard the Catalyst, protesting. Trying to tell him, that such action will cause his fate to be faulted. In this time, a pressure built in the back of Commander Shepard's skull. Suddenly, giving in. He turned with pistol raised and fired straight into the AI. When it shattered. Shepard whispered, softly. "You chose that form because it would make me sentimental. It almost worked."

Suddenly, he heard someone. "Shepard?" Hackett called out. "Shepard! What happened? We need that thing active! Now!"

"Admiral!" Shepard, turned up to the stars, seeing the battle wage still. "Admiral, listen to me. The Catalyst was a trap. The Citadel, it's not the key to using the Crucible."

"What the hell do you mean Shepard? It has to be!"

"It isn't!" Shepard thought, and tried hard to understand. "The Citadel is not the key to stopping the Reapers like this. I need you to pull it back away from the Citadel."

"Shep-ah." He heard Hackett. Then soon, after the pause. "All Crucible forces, retract the Crucible! We need it pulled away, and intact."

However, a sudden spasm sound on his radio, he heard Hackett scream, "Damn it! Shepard, we can't take control! The Crucible has been locked out, from the Citadel!"

"From the Citadel?" Shepard thought, that means… The Crucible is still somehow able to help? To maybe stop this?

Shepard sighed softly. Thinking, he tried to reason. What then is the Crucible? What means could it use? The Citadel was a massive coordination of the Mass Relays. In fact, he turned to the three choices. Each one destroys the relays. Why? That made him wonder. What if…?

Shepard looked down a moment before suddenly calling, "EDI!" Edi, was his ship. She was his best weapon against the reapers. Since, in a way… she's superior to them.

"Commander Shepard. We've been getting reports that show you may have died, again. I'm glad that was, not so."

"EDI? Listen. I need you." He told her, "I need you to run a fast simulation. Of a possible hypothetical. With all the work we did on the Crucible, all the designs it has. Can you tell me, is it possible that perhaps some how the Crucible could somehow harness the dark energy from the Mass Relays, or maybe stop or alter a signal released to the Mass Relays?"

EDI seemed to be silent. Yet then, in as fast as she can. EDI came back with an alarming discovery. "Shepard, with the current number of additions for and of construction with the Crucible. It is very likely, that the Crucible could in fact act as a new mass relay network. Some how, the Crucible looks to be designed to take the signal from the Citadel. What ever gave you this hypoth-"

"EDI!" Edi, is taken back. "I appreciate it. Still, I need your help. You have sophisticated cyber warfare." A moment, he frowned thinking, how to speak. He could order her. Or… put forth trust? This is once more, a time where he favored his heart. "I trust you. I always trusted you. Now I need you to help me. EDI. I need you to use whatever resources you can, however you can. To hack the Citadel. All it's controls. I need you to force the Citadel to release the Crucible."

EDI was more than able to comply. "I will begin immediately Shepard. It will take some time."

Shepard smiled as he looked up. This is it. He had to believe, this will work. Shepard closed his eyes and gave his hand a squeeze. Still in pain, he turned to see the flashing VI turn back on.

"Your actions." It spoke, as it walked toward him. "Are at a loss. Your people are dying. Your choice, will not save the galaxy."

"It will offer free will." He retorts, before groaning and faltering on his knee again. "I-I have to give the galaxy. Everything I can."

"You sacrifice your own will. Your own life. For this measure of freedom. Survival, is the only measure of life. To live."

Shepard narrowed his eyes. Then stood, firm. "That's not for you to decide our survival. We, are living beings that make our own choices. It was our choices in this galaxy that molded it how it will be. As for you?" He stepped back, shaking his head. Defiance in his every word. "There's no survival for you now."

"There is no survival without the cycle. Without order to impose on the chaos. Organic life will destroy itself. If not by synthetic creation. It will be by it's own design. You have seen how organic life 'evolves' and how it feeds on it's own. This, is the genetic mistake of nature. We impose the will needed. To stop the endless chaos."

Shepard soon chuckled at this thing. How it must have came to this decision so long ago. When it turned on organics. "Yet it's organics that weakened you wasn't it?"

"Your actions now will not be enough."

"No. I mean the Protheans." He stood firm, "The Protheans. You. The 'signal' that allows you to open the relay to dark space. When they disabled you. I bet, every 500,000 years you must have to shut down. You have to 'reserve' your power. Your strength. Or even just gather more? Maybe, you take power from stars." He thought, "Like Haelstrom… that's it, you take that power. You destroy stars to gather energy for every 500,000 years. As do the Reapers. It all makes sense." Walking forward, he glared angrily. "It was because of this. During that time you were unaware of what was happening. That the Protheans had mastered the means of travel. The means of spatial travel like that of your Relays. When they got in, they disabled the signal. As well you and if not for Sovereign perhaps your early flag ship to ensure the Citadel is 'secure' it would have been enough? You, are the means of control. The power of the Reapers. Without you. I bet that the Reapers, will fall easily. Or maybe at least a little easier?"

"You are wrong." However, it did not sound so convinced. In this moment, Shepard saw it. The weakness. That chink in the armor. "Organic life is a mistake. It is given time to evolve, as is our programming. Our design. All things must follow the design."

"Not this time. The Design is not enough. The Designers, aren't the only ones making this story any more. It's those, who make the choices." He stood, tall and proud. "It's me. Commander Shepard. I'm the one that makes the decisions, not you."

"No." The Catalyst turned strangely on Shepard. The chambers of this place, grew a little colder. As well darker. "You would undo all that I have done. This, I can not allow."

Just then, Shepard sensed a change. The screams echo from below. A shift of his rib, and Shepard hissed before soon rising his arm and trying to use his Omni-tool. It was badly damaged… he had to try though, and luckily he can use his medi-gel. Luckily, it worked… and with that, he narrowed his eyes. The pain is gone but the injuries linger. As well, his abilities are renewed. From the lower floors, came the Husks. Called by the Catalyst perhaps? The Reapers. The one enemy. Husks… a few at a time. A few crawling, coming in small waves. Shepard had to fight them, alone.

In the Normandy. The ship that served Shepard for many years both life and in death. The crew lived on. Joker, the pilot. Swerved past debris as he expertly put forth his best skill. More than once he wished to run… not in cowardice, but to save the crew. As was a word from EDI. Yet he knew so long Shepard is alive. He had to fight. Just then, he turned and saw the lights flickering. It was then the ship fell silent.

"EDI?" He turned, seeing the synthetic body a twitch. Eyes a flicker and then lip a twitch. He understood, "Damn it! EDI! It's got to be the damn Citadel!" Standing, he growled as he nearly broke an ankle. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand. "EDI, listen to me! I need you to get out of this!" EDI was still amidst her action. To then, hear Jeff scream. "EDI! I need you! Fight!" He shook his head, "EDI! Fight, for us!"

As the enemy forces took notice of a disabled Normandy. Preparing a beam. The lights come back. Suddenly, it flew from the direct line of fire. Then, EDI grabbed Joker as he fell back. Pulling him to the chair. When he looked, his eyes meet the synthetic.

"I am assuming direct control."

Joker's eyes bug out a moment, before a sudden, "Oh sh-,"

However, kissing the pilot. He was… well, a little speechless. A bit taken. Then released, the mechanical woman told. "That, was a-."

"Joke." A smile, Joker sighed before shaking his head. "I got it."

On the Citadel, Shepard screamed with the last round of his gun, firing the last Husk. Where now he got a call. "EDI?"

"Yes Shepard." EDI told him, "I have taken control of most the Citadel functions, enough to release the Crucible. However, if not for the amount of resistance I had. Thanks to you and Jeff. My connection to him. I may not have been able to do so effectively."

Shepard smiled a bit but then, groaned as he held his rib. "Argh!"

Just then, he heard a puffing sound. Turning up, he saw a projection of the Illussive Man. "You did it Shepard. You finally stopped the Reapers. I had my 'doubts' of your intentions. Yet you achieved, what no other human could hope to."

Shepard narrowed his eyes, standing. Then he humbled himself walking through the projection. Seeing the console, he coughed again. Feeling ill. Feeling the full taxing of his fight. The long fight, every step taken. Each one this far.

Suddenly, Anderson stood before him. "I'm proud of you son. Now, you can stop. You've proven yourself. It's over. Just, let it go."

Shepard, snarled before running his pistol across the projection. Then stepped past it to find someone he thought he lost. On Virmire… a friend, a early ally. The one soldier of the Alliance that died in his early career. Trying to speak to him, to tell him that all his sacrifices are over. He can let it go, let his duty go.

Shepard instead pushed on. Then he stumbled toward the console. When another projection. This one, he knew too well. His love interest. The one person he trusted. Talking, about the future. That he secured their future, and he can stop. Let it go. Give in. Surrender…

Shepard held his head, as the cloudy feel like that of the Illussive man tried to cloud his mind. Then he pushed on. To find the last projection. The Catalyst. The boy.

"This, is not the path designed. You were not meant to come this far."

The urge to shoot the child came to him, and he just instead walked past… no reason to waste another round on this thing. They were beaten, he can feel it.

Suddenly, he heard Joker, "Commander? What's your status? I can arrange a pick-up in…"

Shepard however knew it's not over yet. He closed his eyes, panting. This prolonged conflict. The rolling and fighting with the husks. He now felt weaker than before. Shepard ordered, "Get my Admiral Hackett."

Joker was silent, but asked, "Commander? What about you-."

"I need the admiral, Joker!"

Silence again and soon, "Admiral Hackett, Shepard. We need orders, now."

"I have orders. Admiral. I need you to bomb the Citadel. You need to destroy it, at any costs."

Shepard can hear the Admiral, worried. "Shepard, if we do that? With it so close to Earth…"

"I know." Shepard frowned a moment. "I don't see any other choice."

At first it sounded insane. However, Hackett warned. "We may sustain severe casualties. The Reapers are not letting us close to the Citadel. Let alone able to bomb it. That means Earth will be at the mercy of every other race. Commander, this…"

Shepard, coughed up blood all of a sudden. Then he slumped in panting heavily. Now he said, "We have to trust in one another. It's our only chance. Admiral."

There is a moment. The Catalyst stood as Shepard heard the fleet, ordering the bombarding. "Your people will suffer most from your actions. When the other races bring their chaotic will upon your species. It will be of your failure. Your species will perish. Your survival, is over."

Shepard had to chuckle. As he laid there, eyes looking at the thing that this far tried to condemn all organics. With that, he felt one last sense. A sense of hope, and hate. To this, he chose hope.

"It's never a matter of survival. This war. It was a war of hope. A war for a chance." To that, he closed his eyes, sighing. Softly thinking about it all. "This is all about the chance. For letting the races of the galaxy. Have one final, fighting chance."

Just then Shepard heard someone. His head perked. Turning, he stood and realized who it was. That is where he gathered what strength he can to stand. Leaning on the console, he spoke. To that one person one last time. Shepard's love interest. His one good thing, that last good thing. A few words really. Did he offer them hope? Did he offer them, remorse? Shepard gave his last few words to that person. Somehow, on the Normandy. Most likely having been called back, after the failed mission on Earth. If they were still alive.

With that Shepard looked up in the sky. Reapers were littering the stars, with ships. He saw all his allied forces gathered. The people that came into battle with him. Narrowing his eyes, Shepard then saw the coming missiles, the bombardment.


The missiles were closing. All Shepard could do was think on his past. When suddenly, he heard someone. The sound was a little deafened from the thrusters firing behind him. Turning swiftly, Commander Shepard saw a Kodiak shuttle, the doors open, someone inside screaming, "Commander! Get in! Now!"

Shepard was, stunned… but knew it was his only hope. Running and in all this pain, he leapt into the vehicle. The doors close fast, the driver fired off into the best means of escape. The bumpy spin and twists between missiles, blasts and firing horror that soon smashed and blew at the Citadel. Whom this driver was, had skills.

When Shepard stood panting and heaving, he hung on the seat of the driver as they steady and start to cool off transit. Shepard looked in stunned awe, "Cortez?"

The pilot, Cortez. He smiled with a watch of the direction they took. "Yes commander."

"H-how… what?"

"I couldn't let you become an anchor too, Commander."

Shepard seemed a bit taken. Yet he smiled, and slapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you Cortez."

The ship flew being hailed, "SSV Normandy, requesting pick-up!"

"SSV Normandy! This is Cortez, I have the commander!" The shuttle came beside the Normandy, and swiftly they began to dock. When done, Shepard and Cortez step out. Where there, EDI smiled with pride, and as Cortez said. "The Commander's injured but…"

Shepard, shook his head, walking to the deck. "Joker? What's the status?"

EDI stopped him, "Shepard, you have been gravely injured and suffered extensive loss. You should take time to…"

Shepard turned now, confused. "Wait, how DID you find me? I mean, on the Citadel?"

Officer Traynor stepped forward. The young specialist said with some concern, "M'well Commander. It might be a little odd. Yet, like when you took to before. I found the frequency and honed in on the signal immediately after you contacted Joker. When that was done… we just, needed a pilot."

Joker smiled a bit, saying, "Yeah, Traynor actually had it all figured out. See, when we heard you were killed planet side? We all flew on in, and started picking up the team. The problem there though was Cortez, luckily he flew a brand new Kodiak shuttle to meet us and we escaped." Turning, Joker told Shepard. "We were bugging out to try and gather forces to counter attack the Reapers. So getting the crew just seemed like the best idea… you know?"

Shepard did not fully understand. However, he was grateful. If he hadn't helped to probably investigate those two incidents at Grissom Academy, or the Science Facility? He may have never survived with Traynor to hone his signal. Or even maybe better yet saving Cortez… after all, Cortez was most important to surviving since he actually had to fly in and save him.

Shepard asked, "Joker? What IS the status?"

Joker saw EDI come to him, and looking now the pilot told Shepard. "The Citadel is going down…"

Shepard looked out, seeing it. The Citadel collapsed and crushed by it's own weight. Yet the Crucible now charged up from the power released, and began to seem to take control of those many mass relays. Shepard sighed and leaned forward whispering, "I knew it…"

Just then, Joker spoke up, "Commander! The Reapers!"

Shepard watched then as the Reapers were floating and bodies were twitching. A smile, Shepard spoke forth, "The Citadel must have been somehow effecting them. Perhaps, destroying it also caused them to loose control?"

Joker looked his screens over. "Commander, I'm seeing all mass effect cores are offline. Shields are down!" He turned, screaming, "Commander!"

Shepard screamed, over every radio, every connection. "This is Commander Shepard! Every force, every allied member of space! Target Reaper ships! Fire, fire until you've got nothing left! Blow them back to hell!"

The call was enough. Ships, flew in firing everything. Without their shields the ships were being blown apart. The lapse lasted for some time. When their engines returned, their shields were still inactive. A smile came to Shepard as he felt this is it, the chance. The way he can do it. After a blast though, Shepard fell and stumbled. He slowly stood up as he felt this ringing in his head. Not from the fall.

"Shepard."

The ringing was in his head. Shepard turned with a slight grunt. Then he stood seeing this… glow, before him.

"You have accomplished nothing. Your species is dwarfed by the power of our mere existence. The Citadel is not a victory. It is but a simple loss, of a species far beyond your own."

Something felt wrong. Shepard held his head groaning, and feeling dizzy. Something was wrong… b-but.

"No matter how hard you resist. The cycle is your own salvation. You will come to realize this. Organic life must follow the way of it's own destiny. Inevitably, you and your kind will create synthetic life and you will become those of the cycle. You will need us, to save you."

Joker called out, "Commander! I see Harbinger!"

That, Shepard snarled, "Pursue! Do-don't let it get away…"

"There will be a reckoning Shepard. Your time, is…"

The voice ended. Shepard turned up, seeing the Normandy blew a limb of Harbinger. Then other ships, fired. It looks like some used the Mass Relay to escape, but Harbinger was stopped…

Shepard smiled softly, then closed his eyes…

"We did it! Comma-," Suddenly a thud, Joker turned. "Oh shit! EDI!"

EDI came to Shepard, holding him up. "He's lost a lot of blood Jeff! We need to get him to the medical bay!"

Joker stood up, hobbling. "I know! Hurry up! Chakwas will know what to do, man I'm glad she's on the ship."

Hours will pass. Eventually, the commander woke to the sound of the door opening. There, Admiral Hackett. "Hackett…?"

The Admiral gave a nod, and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Like the day after shore leave."

The Admiral smirked at such a remark, "You look it too, commander." Hackett soon asked, "Commander, what the hell happened down there?" Shepard looked up, thinking, but, "We set the Crucible into motion like all reason with the plans given offered. Yet in a moment's flash, you suddenly have a revelation about the Crucible? Where did that come from?"

Shepard thought, and tried to explain. "When… I was on the Citadel. There was a entity, a being. It said it was the creator of the Reapers. Some how, it also implied that the Reapers found the plans of the Crucible. They altered them to serve the will of the Reapers. Or at least, if organics should ever surpass their lives the Reapers somehow plotted to alternate the will of whoever used it. I think it indoctrinated those that live on the Citadel."

Shepard, frowned a bit. Trying to explain. "James himself said that the way people acted wasn't right, the Citadel always made you unsure of it's purpose, how it worked. I think that was what it was meant to do. In the end, the Citadel is the key to the Reaper invasion. So, luck had it. It was also key to their destruction."

Hackett soon warned, "That was a risky gambit. You weren't even sure it would work, and if it didn't…"

"Destroying the Citadel would have taken away every chance of stopping the Reapers. For everyone. I know." Shepard, lowered his head, sighing. "I know Admiral."

However, Hackett held out a hand, and Shepard looked up. "That doesn't matter. Commander, you did what you believed. From the beginning, you resisted the Reapers more than anyone else. You ALWAYS did what was right, and I commend you for it." A moment, he asks, "Do you think it's over?"

Shepard asked, "How would I know? I only know when we destroyed the Citadel. The Reapers lost power, their engines and core drives were overloaded with a massive energy flux. That does not mean we stopped them."

"No, not by a long shot." Hackett walked toward the window in the bay, that overlooked the cafeteria like area. "The sad thing is, Reapers are still active. Yet they aren't as strong as they were. Every Reaper seems to be, different. They aren't fighting like one, with so much power. It's like the Citadel somehow united them… like, how you united the galaxy."

"It's safe to say if it created the Reapers. Perhaps, it also controlled their minds? Indoctrination on a level even we could never truly understand." A moment, Shepard asks, "How hard are the fights with the Reapers?"

"Well, the Reaper ships are still devastating, but we've got them on the run. They don't have the numbers that they did which surrounded Earth. Thanks to the massive fleets you gathered, we seem to have the best offensive." A moment, Hackett sighed before holding his face. "Even so, Cerberus and rogue Geth are also being found working within these skirmishes. With the Illussive Man and Harbinger dead, and the Reapers now disorganized, most of these attacks are not nearly as devastating as before."

"Then there is a chance?"

"A chance is better than nothing. We haven't beaten them. Yet we have given it the best possible outcome. One that defies the common knowledge. Now the Reapers are more like a lost cat, trying to find the way back home."

Hackett looked back at the window seeing team members gathering. "You look to be expected Shepard. Perhaps, I should let you go?"

"Well, where to?"

"The Council survived the Citadel incident, after Cerberus attacking last time they had ensured a full speed escape plan. The last I heard a consulate meeting of some kind was scheduled on Mindoir."

"Mindoir?" Shepard was shocked, but asked, "Why my old home?"

"Really Shepard?" Hackett shook his head, and said, "You don't see what's happening? You helped… no, you STOPPED the invasion of the Reapers. Because of you, the Reapers were weakened and now their forces are incredibly disorganized. Nearly every enemy force has lost the full level of control they had. Even with Reapers roaming a few key locations. Or refusing to back down? It's your hand that swayed them."

Shepard soon rubbed his neck, really…?

"You're the hero Shepard." Hackett smiled before motioning out the window. "I think the happy faces out there alone, would agree. Now's the time you get your medal and whatever congressional response the Council can give you."

Shepard seemed fairly understanding of that regard, but a smile and he crossed his arms admitting, "I don't need their praise. I think my team will have enough."

Afterwards, Mindoir...

After the otherwise long talk among him and individual members. The Commander was free to enter the Galaxy Map and forge his next destination. A moment would be left for while he got dressed or prepared for that strange event. A certain someone would most likely come to see them in the cabin of the ship. The Commander, would share with that someone a little something personal. A congratulatory moment.

One more befitting of the Commander than the coming facelift of political power. With delegates, officials and war veterans of the fight. Shepard walked to the central point of this meeting. Where he knew the three officials, the Salarian, Asari and Turian councilors. As they saw him and gave a nod. The crowd, gave a slowly hushing appreciative applaud, cheer and since we know Krogan a bit of hollering that softly muted.

The Councilors motion, each one a strange manner of salute perhaps unique to their culture. That is when, the Asari Councilor speaks forth, "Commander, you have done for us what many never dreamed. Even after the long road of diversity, I am honored to see you alive again."

Shepard, gave a nod. "I'm, honored to be here."

The Turian Councilor gave, a slight sneer, "It was, unexpected. In any form that most would survive. There was a massive force of Reapers nearly primed to wipe out earth."

"And yet," The Salarian councilor chimed in. "You once again not only shown that our faith in you was poorly misrepresented. To a degree. You also shown that the galaxy in light of it's service and battle could some way defeat the machines."

Shepard, slowly looked back, seeing his team. "I didn't do it alone."

"No, you did not." The Salarian spoke, "In fact, you did it with the entirety of the galaxy. The universe. In our collective a power unlike any ever seen was sent. It was, a monument to your amazing skill and capabilities."

The Asari even throws out, "Which means that all those you gathered in victory are as well in debt to you. Commander. This summit was organized to award you for your works, but in most light of all that has been? We discussed, that perhaps you are best suited for that choice."

Shepard, thought now. The offer was indeed gracious. At his mind the knowing of his people on Earth had to be serious, he could demand aid. To force the races he gathered to help rebuild, and perhaps bring relief to them. However, that left him not with a sense of pride, or knowing he's saved this universe. This was never a battle for his people only. Shepard did this for the universe as a whole. With that in mind, Shepard made the best choice he could make.

"Councilors. For too long, have the races of this universe been at ends. When the Reapers attacked, it took me everything to bring us together. What happened was incredible, that we all formed an alliance and joined our goal for a single moment. I want to ensure that continues." Shepard, held his hands up, and begged, as well swore, "We need the alliance of every race and their ideals, and the Council needs to expand itself to not be just those races in council space. The Council must recognize all races willing to work in unity, not just against the Reapers. Yet for one another. We pulled our resources to stop the Reapers. Let's continue to pool our resources, in one sense of all."

That was the most alarming speech he gave so far. Shepard, saw the look in each Councilor's face. The Turian alone asked, "ARE you mad? Commander? What you're asking is to allow races like… The Geth? Or, the Hanar? Or… or, what about the Vorcha?"

Shepard, shook his head, and stood firm. "Everyone that wants to be a part to this, must. The Alliance is no longer only a dream of Earth. This needs to be everyone. The conflict with the Reapers is only one, and we'll still have who knows how many more to come. Races will be in desperate need of aid, but more importantly there will be many devastating turns of the future. If we don't act as one, the entire battle was for nothing."

At this, the Turian began to speak. Yet this time, someone snapped out, "He's right!" Shepard turned with a smile, as the Krogan clan leader Wrex, stormed up giving his own little smirk back to Shepard. If anyone can push as hard as Shepard? That'd be Wrex. Looking now up to the Turian, Wrex glared his competitor to a slight mandible twitch. Wrex then said, low and sure. "You pyjaks had been warned all along. I was there, when this all started, remember? When Shepard first told you about the Reapers. What did you do? Just wave him off, and say, 'Thanks for that. Now, go hunt that Spectre WE originally promoted, and while you're at it. Could you go do some small tasks, like fight the Rachni and a giant ass mutant vine?"

The Councilors share some looks. Yet, Wrex wasn't finished. Having Shepard got him a bit more emotional, or just gave him more to complain over. "So when a few MORE years passed and he died? What happened then, after he came back I mean? I recall, you blamed everything on The Geth, who am I right Shepard took care of those tin-cans now." Wrex, laughed, but stomped up a little storm anyway. "Yeah, you blew him off again. Then said you'll just wait this out. When the Reapers DID arrive? What's your response? We can't help you, until you do MORE dirty work for us! So, here! You wanna hear what I, Wrex, of clan Urdnot. Think?"

Wrex points his finger at them, and snarled out a verbal growl of indignation, "I think, you owe him every damn thing he asks. So when he says, 'Give a seat to the Council' you say, 'Yes, Mr. Shepard! Thank you, for saving our asses…'" Wrex, glared at them with a harsh reminder, "Again."

The councilors all looked at Wrex, but then heard some murmurs in the crowds. Shepard saw the sight of a few faces he knew. One, Conrad Verner himself declared that Shepard was right, and when a certain Asari Justicar exclaimed her belief that the code would agree, this only made it harder. The sight of other familiar races and leaders, those owing the Commander more than most had made it harsh to ignore.

The Asari councilor called, "Alright! Stop!" She raised her hands, those whom calmed first, were soon followed by the louder (mostly Krogan) others in midst of verbal word. "We, can see. In his wisdom." She turned, to see the nods of both a very concerned Salarian, and his resilient but knowing Turian similar. "That this matter is perhaps at it's impasse." The Asari councilor sighed, rubbing her head. "Indeed, Commander. You are correct. It is, perhaps time. That the Council opens it's arms and more importantly, positions, to the races that battled in this the most important of conflict. Thusly, we will come to this matter in time."

The Turian councilor asks, "Yet, Commander? Even if we do this. Can you answer me this question? Would the humans need… you?"

Shepard blinked, but asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well." The Turian actually requests, "Would it not be reasonable. That with your history with all these races? Perhaps, it would be wise that one such as yourself were to take the seat on the Council?"

Shepard was stunned… and actually, taken. He shook his head, saying, "I-I never thought…"

The Salarian admits, "That is very unorthodox. A Spectre turned Councilor?"

The Turian smiled, asking, "Why not? This, in it's entirety was unorthodox."

To this, the Asari smiled and quips, "Making this perhaps the most orthodox response to change, Commander?"

This, is where Commander Shepard, would need to make his greatest choice. This perhaps would define his future. Though, it would be most fitting. The one that united all these races. Would help to forge that future. It is possible he would call on another. There is the leading force of the military, Admiral Hackett that could take the place of Anderson on the council. Or even the survivor from Virmire? After this choice the Commander would be free to do any number of things. What if the Commander went person to person, talked to his friends and even encouraged a few to take a seat with him? Or, if better requested that his replacement take over so he could rebuild a home he lost. OR, to rebuild a home one he cared for lost?

In the end the truth is.

The Commander always was free to choose. That, was what made his life so compelling. It was always how his choices helped sculpt a universe. Fictional, or real. It was this illusion of choice, and how even small choices could give him the chance to live on in a happier, better galaxy. This incredible sense of sculpted fate from one soul versatile enough to challenge a cycle of dominant extinction. That gave this story so much worth repeating.

It will be that freedom and especially this telling, that gives hope for tomorrow.