First of all I would like to apologize for the delay on this chapter. I've been suffering from the mother of all migraines for going on four days now, which has also caused me to miss two days of work. So I apologize if some parts of this chapter seem clunky...but it's hard to concentrated when your brain is trying to beat its way out of your skull.

Enough about me...onto the reviewers!

Apollo Wings: Thank you so much for your continued support my friend. I'm really glad that your enjoy this story, hopefully as much as I'm enjoying your own!

Cycian: I'm sorry for the lack of Shepard/Tali interaction! I promise that I will be correcting that soon in the upcoming chapters!

aDarkOne: Yeah...Hock did make a lot of cliche' mistakes. He was an ass and deserved to die.

Bendoetz: Thank you for the review! I'm glad that you are enjoying this story!

Reason for rating: Language, violence

"Normal Talking" ; 'POV Thoughts' ; "Talking in foreign language to POV" ; "Talking over intercom"

Chapter 14

"Ladies and gentlemen this is your pilot speaking. We are currently over the wonderful planet of Tuchanka. The surface temperature is recording record lows with temperatures just slightly above boiling. During your stay make sure to check out the local high spots consisting of ruins, ruins, and oh yeah…even more ruins. And as a disclaimer, if you or any in your party happen to be eaten by the local wildlife, Cerberus holds no liability of their-"

"That's enough Joker." Shepard sighed tightening on the last restraining strap for his gauntlet.

All of those who were part of the Normandy's landing party were currently gathered around a large table within the armory. On the table between them lay just about every weapon or piece of armor available on the ship, and everyone was arming themselves to the teeth. They'd even managed to find a small enough suit, or rather a combination of suits, of armor for Merrill; which Hawke was currently trying to help her into fully. The rest of the crew were placing any weapon they could onto their armor's magnetic holsters and stuffing every pocket with thermal clips.

"EDI," he called starting to pick through the weapons on the table. "What is the latest intelligence report on Wrex?"

"Urdnot Wrex has made little effort to hide his actions on Tuchanka Shepard." EDI's mechanical voice responded. "Latest intelligence reports have indicated that he is currently trying to unite the Krogan, either through peace or force. He is currently holding his position of power in the ruins of what was once the capital on the largest continent of Tuchanka."

"Any reason why Wrex over any other clan leader?" Jacob asked placing a heavy pistol on his hip and picking up another.

"Wrex was with us back when we were going after Saren." Tali answered before he could.

"And considering the fact that we're heading to the krogan home world with a turian and a salarian in tow," Garrus added placing his sniper rifle onto its holster over his right shoulder. "It's best to be dealing with a krogan that you're on friendly terms with."

"Wrex will be our best bet for finding Mordin's assistant." Shepard followed up. Mordin had discovered not too long ago that his former assistant Maelon had been captured by the Bloodpack and taken back to Tuchanka. And given the history between the krogan and the salarian's…his fear for his former apprentice was understandable. And he gave his word that they would go to Tuchanka to find Maelon, dead or alive. "If there's a salarian on Tuchanka, he'll have a bull-eyes tattooed on his back with every krogan on the planet hunting him. So Wrex will be our best bet for finding him still in one piece. And Wrex is our best bet for figuring out what is wrong with Grunt."

The later was a problem that Shepard was more than ready to have taken care of. The tank bread Krogan had started acting out while they were on the Citadel, going so far as to nearly punch a hole clean through the bulkhead in his room. Grunt himself wasn't sure what was going on, but some of the imprints left on him by Okeer led him to believe that the answers would be found on Tuchanka.

"You sure you're going to need all of that?" Hawke asked across the table towards Grunt while helping Merrill into the last pieces of her armor.

Grunt had placed a shotgun onto each of his shoulder harnesses, as well as a heavy pistol on each hip. And now the krogan was turning a rocket launcher over in his hands. "We're landing on Tuchanka battle-brother," Grunt said simply folding the rocket launcher and placing it onto his lower back harness. "The home planet of the krogan. Trust me, the more weapons the better."

"Point taken," Hawke nodded picking up the new weapon Miranda had given him and attaching it to his hip holster.

He wasn't too keen on Hawke and Merrill bringing untested weapons onto such a hostile territory like Tuchanka. But at least they were both bringing alternate weapons with them. Hawke attached a shotgun and an assault rifle onto his back before placing a heavy pistol on his hip. In Merrill's case, seeing as how she didn't have the experience that Hawke did yet, he stuck with giving her a heavy pistol, a sub-machine pistol, and the strange rod weapon that Miranda had given her.

"Once we're on the ground I want everyone to keep your weapons holster," he ordered placing his trusted Paladin onto his hip. "Last thing we want is to start a war with the krogan."

"Shepard. ETA to drop zone ten minutes."

"Thanks EDI." Placing his rifle onto his back he looked back down at the table. A few minutes ago the entire surface had been covered in weapons, thermal clips, armor, and grenades. Now all of it was attached to his ground crew in one manner or another. "Let's do this."

Sitting on his makeshift throne deep within the ruins of Tuchanka, Urdnot Wrex, the makeshift ruler of the better part of what was left of the krogan race, was fighting the urge to fall back into his old ways. Wrex had never understood how or why one could one day wake up and decide to change their ways. After being a mercenary for several millennia he was content with his place in life. But that all changed with one chance meeting with the first human Spectre, John Shepard. And he himself had fallen victim to that which he did not understand.

"You're going against tradition Wrex! If you continue with this lunacy then the other clans will begin to pull away!"

The interruption broke him from his revere and reaffirmed the reason why he was ready to fall back into his old ways. Standing before him and this throne were two of the most irritating individual's he'd ever had the displeasure of working with. His brood-brother, Urdnot Wreav and Gatalog Uvenk had been arguing with him for the past several days. Neither of them could fully grasp the concept of why the Krogan needed to change. They wanted war, to fight; to back what they believed was rightfully theirs. But what they couldn't understand was that it was those very same thoughts that brought about the Krogan Rebellions and consequently the genophage.

If they were to follow down the same path again…it would end only the extinction of the krogan race. Yet if things remained the way they were now, it would still end in their extinction. No, the only way that they would survive as a species and perhaps one day be free of the curse of the genophage was to change. But stubborn pyjaks like his brood-brother and his bitch toy just couldn't understand that. He swore that if either of them mentioned the word 'tradition' one more time than he would shove his Claymore up their asses and pull the trigger until he emptied several thermal clips.

"And I keep telling you both," he sighed leaning forward and resting his forearms on his legs. "That our old ways, our 'traditions', as you put them; are the very reason why the krogan are in such a state. The only way to survive is for us to adapt and change."

"You're sounding like a human Wrex," Wreav grunted. "Soft. You spent too much time with that pyjak Shep-"

Wrex was out of his seat in flash and had Wreav's neck clenched tightly in his fist. "You finish that insult Wreav and I'll rip your throat out." He hissed pushing his brood-brother away. "Shepard was ten times the warrior you could ever hope to be 'brother'. And I will not stand to see such a warrior's memory insulted."

A low growl started rumbling deep in Uvenk throat. Things were spiraling out of Wrex's control, and fast. It was sheer luck that it was at that moment that one of the Urdnot scouts cautiously approached. "Clan leader, I bring word."

Uvenk and Wreav flashed the scout of death glare, but Wrex managed to keep his relief in check. He wasn't relieved that he didn't have to kill the two pyjaks. Far from it. He was just relieved he wouldn't have to deal with the fallout of their deaths. At least yet that is. "What is it?" He asked plopping back down onto his makeshift throne.

She scout gave a quick bow to him, completely ignoring the other two. His like for this particular scout went up tenfold with that simple move. He had quad. "Clan leader, a human vessel just landed on Tuchanka. They are heavily armed and making their way into the camp."

This was not what he'd expected. "The humans dare invade Tuchanka!" Wreav hissed reaching for his weapon holster. It was a good thing that Wrex had declared this area to be free of carried weapons. Led to fewer rash deaths. "We should respond with force!"

"Do not be foolish Wreav." Wrex dismissed. "The humans are as crafty as the salarians, as fierce as turians, and as smart as the asari. Should they have wished war on us…they would not have announced themselves as such." Turning back to the scout he motioned for him. "Have they made any aggressive actions since landing?"

The scout shook his head. "No clan leader. They are simply making their way here. And they have kept their weapons holster since arriving at the outskirts of our camp."

Resting his hands on his knees he thought for a moment. "Let them come," he decided. "But should they make any detours between their shuttle and our camp…kill them."

The scout bowed once again before leaving.

"You're abandoning too many traditions Wrex." Wreave growled. "Allowing aliens into our camp?"

"Too far Wrex!" Uvenk growled further. "The clan's will start to believe your weak for allowing them into our camp."

Listening to the two of them growling on was wearing him down quickly. But luckily for them, before he could vent his frustration on his fellow krogan he was distracted by a commotion near the rise to his throne. The human landing party was standing just below, held up by his hand selected guards. At first there was nothing of note about the group, outside the fact that there was an asari, a turian, a drell, a salarian, a quarian, a krogan whelp, and a lot of humans. His mind started to register the similarities of the turian when his eyes landed on the human in the lead. It shouldn't have been surprising…only one being in the galaxy could form such a group.

Standing upright in a rush he roughly pushed both Wreav and Uvenk out of his path. "Shepard!"

The human turned, said something to the guards standing in his path and marched right through them. This was definitely Shepard. He was the only human with enough quad to do something so bold. Roughly shoving the last few of his guards standing between him and his long lost friend he spread his arms wide. "Shepard!" He yelled again clasping the human in his arms and lifting him off the ground. "I knew that the Void wouldn't be able to hold you for long!"

"It's good to see you two Wrex," Shepard gasped.

Dropping the human he let out a throaty laugh. "Haha. Don't make me laugh Shepard. You're strong enough to withstand a few broken bones." Looking over Shepard's shoulder he got a better look at those following the Spectre. "Garrus," he acknowledged walking up to the turian. "What happened to you? You look like varren shit. It's an improvement."

Garrus laughed touching the side of his face and holding out his hand. "Oh, you know, just the usual. Fighting merc's and criminals. Figured you've gone soft sitting up on your throne, someone had to pick up your slack."

Taking the turian's hand, and squeezing it perhaps a bit harder than necessary, the two shook hands. Wrex was impressed that Garrus didn't even flinch. "You couldn't even if you wanted too."

Looking to the quarian at Shepard's side he felt his grin grow as he recognized the youngling. "Tali, my girl! How are you doing these days?" He asked holding out his arms.

Tali's eyes gained some mirth as she entered his arms. "Good, ouch! Wrex…take it easy! I like my ribs in one piece!" She laughed taking a step back from him.

With her so close he was able to get a good look at her. She'd grown…in more ways than one. "Still practicing those tricks with the shot gun I taught ya girl?"

"Of course Uncle Wrex," she chuckled. "They've been a life saver on more than one occasion."

The rest of Shepard's companions however Wrex did not recognize. There was a drell, an asari, a bunch of humans, and one who looked human but was far too small and didn't quiet smell right, a krogen whelping, and a salarian. The last of which he couldn't help but growl slightly at. If it was anyone else but Shepard…the salarian would be dead and all of the ones who brought it here.

"So Shepard, I assume this isn't just a social call," he began turning back and sitting on his throne. "But I still have to say. Glad to hear that the rumors of your death were just that."

Shepard scratched the back of his head in a move that Wrex came to recognize as the human being uncomfortable. Perhaps the only tell Wrex was ever able to deduce from him. "It wasn't a rumor Wrex." He said shocking Wrex. "The original Normandy was attacked and destroyed, and I ended up getting spaced with a breach in my suit."

Wrex's respect for the humans just continued to grow. "Huh…the benefits of a redundant nervous system right Shepard?"

"Yeah," Shepard shook his head. "Human's don't have that."

"Huh…that must've hurt like hell." He grunted. Shepard was as tough as a Maw. "But I take it that this isn't just some random social call Shepard, you never do anything without purpose. What do you need from me?"

Shepard motioned back towards the rest of his crew bringing the whelping forward. "I have a krogan on my crew Wrex. Something's…well something is off about him right now. We were hoping that you could give us a hand."

Pushing himself off his throne he took a few steps towards the advancing whelp. To its credit, the whelping didn't back down from his gaze. He liked him already. "What clan are you with whelp?" He asked trying to smell anything familiar about the krogan but finding nothing. "Were they all wiped out before it could be explained what is expected of you?"

The whelp stood up straighter. Good, at least it knew how to give proper respect. "I am Grunt, and I have no clan." It said drawing the attention of all nearby. "I am tank bread by the Warlord Okeer. My line distilled from –"

"This is no Krogan!" Uvenk protested stepping forward and roughly pushing the whelp. "This is the product of a syringe! It is no –"

The whelps, Grunt's, head-butt caught Uvenk by surprise. The fact that the whelp was able to bring down a krogan warlord with several centuries on him made his respect for the pup rise. The whelp started growling in warning as he stood over the fallen warlord. "I am pure krogan! You should stand in awe!"

Wrex couldn't hold it in any longer. "Hahaha! I like this one Shepard! But you should know whelp. That the name Okeer is a very old name here on Tuchanka. Very old. And very much hated."

"He is dead." Grunt responded simply.

"Of course he is." Wrex laughed again. "You fight with Shepard now. How could Okeer be anything but?"

"This is all very interesting an all," Shepard interrupted. "But perhaps you could tell us what is wrong with Grunt."

"There is nothing wrong with this whelp Shepard." He shrugged. "He is simply passing from a whelp into an adult."

"Wait a moment…are we talking puberty here?" The bald headed female human with the strange markings asked stepping forward. "Cause if we are…then fuckin-a Shepard. I don't think there are enough god damn tissues on board the Normandy to deal with this load."

"Can't we just take the boy to Omega?" Garrus asked taking a slight step back from Grunt. "You know…buy him a few dancers, a few bottles of ryncol…and just let things progress in the normal manner?"

"Blegh, I don't care what you other species do to celebrate the passing." He growled. "But here on Tuchanka, any krogan willing to prove that he is ready to be part of the clan must go through the Rite of Passage."

"No! You go too far now Wrex!" Uvenk yelled rising to his feet and blood still draining down his face. "You go against all traditions if you allow this…this falsity into our ranks! I will not – " Again his rant was cut short by Wrex rather than the whelp.

"You do not decide this Uvenk!" He growled giving the fallen krogan a swift kick to the stomach. He was more than tired of this idiot. "If he goes through the Rite it will be to join Clan Urdnot, not Gatalog. You would have no say in the matter either way." Waving off to one of his guard, the krogan nodded before turning and heading off. "It will be the Shaman who will decide."

Returning to his throne he plopped down. "Now Shepard. Is there anything else I can do for you seeing as how you've just brought me a potentially promising whelp?"

Nodding Shepard took a few steps closer to him, avoiding the writhing krogan on the ground. "A few weeks ago a band of Bloodpack mercenaries attacked a salarian research asylum. One of my crew members…his former protégé was stationed on that research asylum when it was attacked."

Leaning back in his throne he spread his arms. "Not sure what I could do for you there Shepard. Don't think I'm going to start shedding tears for dead salarian's anytime soon. So what concern is it of mine? You want to hunt down the ones that killed the salarian's or something?"

Shepard shook his head. "No. The Bloodpack didn't kill everyone. Maelon, the one were looking for, was taken by the Bloodpack and brought back here to Tuchanka. That is why we need your help."

"And why should we care?" Wreav growled. "The Bloodpack is part of the krogan. Why should we help you?"

"Because if Maelon is here on Tuchanka, and you don't know about it, then that means that someone is protecting or hiding him from your eyes." Shepard answered just as sharply. "And if that is the case, then it will not end well for the salarian, or for you."

Shepard had a point. Several of them actually. If one krogan clan had managed to capture a salarian and coerced him into working for them, then it could very well tip the delicate balance of power here on Tuchanka. "Clan Wrylock has close ties to the Bloodpack," he spoke cutting off his brood-brother before he could say anything else stupid. "They've been quiet for some time now. Too quiet. I sent a detachment of my best scouts towards their territory several days ago. None have returned."

"That sounds like our ticket then," Shepard sighed. "Don't suppose you have transportation readily available for us?"

Looking over to the side he saw the clan's Shaman approaching, his robes billowing slightly as he walked through the rubble. "We'll have a truck prepared for you by morning." He said rising and motioning for Shepard and Grunt to stand by his side. "But for now, we shall deal with the matter of the Rite."

The Shaman completely ignored everyone he passed in favor of heading straight for the whelp. "So this is the tank birthed then?" The Shaman kept a slight distance between himself and the whelp coming close only to move his head from side to side and to feel the strength of his arm. "Looks real enough…and smells right."

"Just because it looks and smells like one of us does not mean that it is so! This – this thing is no true krogan! It does not deserve to go through the Right!" Apparently Uvenk had woke up this morning and decided to piss every krogan above him off.

"You do not have cause Uvenk," the Shaman said harshly. "The Rights of clan Urdnot are dominant. Should he wish a place in clan Gatalog, you would have say. But as Urdnot is dominant, tradition pertains that he will submit to our Rights."

Uvenk seemed to perk up as the Shaman spoke. "If we are standing on tradition then I invoke my right of denial. My krantt stands against the whelp while he has none."

"You try my patience Uvenk!" The Shaman growled. "But he invokes correctly." Turning back around he faced off with Grunt. "You were tank bread whelp, and have no clan. Are there any who would stand as your krantt? To fight, to kill, and die at your side?"

Shepard stepped up almost immediately. "Grunt has been a loyal comrade and a good friend. Name our enemy and it will die."

That was the Shepard that he remembered. More krogan than human. And the Shaman seemed to share his sentiment. "Haha! A good answer! You understand some of our ways. You show great strength through your words. More so than can be said for most aliens – or krogans for that matter."

"Aliens don't know what true strength is!" Uvenk declared stepping toe to toe with Shepard. A dangerous decision for any who truly knew Shepard. "My followers are true krogan, possessing true strength. Everything about this human and his pet is a lie! And I will-"

Shepard did any true krogan proud by putting his head right into Uvenk's shutting the idiot up. The blow may not have been as powerful as his own, or the whelping's for that matter, but it was enough to stagger Uvenk and reopen the closing wound on his face making him bleed once more.

Uvenk, clearly not expecting such a reaction, shakily raised one hand to his head. His eyes wide with shock as he stared at his blood stained hand as it came away. "You dare-"

"Damn right I dare." Shepard hissed putting two fingers into the chest of Uvenk and making his stagger. "You insult my crew, my krantt, again. And I will kill you where you stand."

"Enough," the Shaman shouted, effectively saving Uvenk's life even though the foul would never admit it. "This whelp will pass through the Rite with his battle-master. And the Rite will decide whether or not he is true krogan or not." Pausing in his speech he turned and once again faced Grunt. "You and your battle-master need not face the Rite alone whelp. You may choose one other to fight by your side should you wish."

The whelp turned and looked back at the collage of possible companions behind him. "I choose my battle-brother, Hawke, should he be willing."

To say Wrex was surprised by the whelp's choice would be an understatement. He expected the whelp to pick a seasoned warrior like Garrus, or the drell, or even the asari. But instead he went choose the light haired human that had hair on top of his head and under his chin. What caught his attention most about the human however were his eyes. They shined brightly with an unnatural green tint.

"If that is what you wish Grunt then I'm game." The human said. "Still owe for that time – well for being on guard back on the Normandy when…well it goes without saying I hope."

Curiously the smallest human in the bunch, the one with the markings on her face and the long pointed ears, came up to the human, Hawke, and placed a hand on his arm. The green-eyed one in turn patted her hand, leaned in close to her hair. Whatever he said to her must've reassured her because second later she took a step back, her face much more composed. Curious. Were these two mated? He would never understand humans and their mating. Why if one of such good stock; like Shepard or maybe even this Hawke, limit themselves to only one mate? Surely other females desired to have strong children as well.

"Very well," the Shaman declared in a booming voice. "The krantt is composed. The whelp Grunt, wishing to take his place among clan Urdnot shall undergo our Rite of Passage with his battle-master Shepard, and his battle-brother Hawke. May your gods, and your ancestor's grant you favor."

Following close behind the krogan Shaman, Shepard kept his rifle out and at the ready. One never knew what to expect when on Tuchanka, or when dealing with krogan rites of passage. The only thing he was able to infer about what was about to happen was that they would need every weapon available.

While they walked through what may have once been a large steel drainage pipe the Shaman talked. "This is Tuchanka's most recent scar, the last surface city to fall in the rebellions. The keystone, the place Clan Urdnot's right, was at the heart of this once great city. It has survived wars and the passage of time. It endures – just as the krogan must endure."

As the tunnel ended the Shaman grew quiet. The land all around them was nothing more than piles of rubble and sand. Broken stone and steel stood tall all around them sealing them within what may have once been a great arena. Disturbingly, mixed in with the rubble on the ground were skeleton remains of beast and krogan alike along with empty shells of armor. Ruined columns of stone stood scattered throughout the valley while in the very center of the arena a single spire rose from the ground standing hundreds of feet into the air. Rings of stone jutted out from near its apex as support structures came down from the rings to the ground below. How such a structure could've survived the end of the krogan rebellions and the passage of the centuries was a true statement for the krogan.

"If you wish to truly join Clan Urdnot whelp," the Shaman continued walking towards the base of the spire. "You must contemplate the keystone and its trials."

Standing at the base of the spire, Grunt looked up at the massive structure. "What will happen?"

"Who knows." The Shaman shrugged before pointing towards a nearly ruined control panel. "You must survive, adapt and thrive. This is how the krogan are tested in Clan Urdnot. Prove your worth and consider yourself one of us."

The place was completely desolate of all life besides the four of them. "How do we know that the trial is complete?" Shepard asked.

The Shaman nodded towards the keystone. "Activate the keystone, listen to our tale. Let the hammer fall three times, survive the wrath of Tuchanka, and return to us a whelp no longer. This is all I can tell." Leaving the three of them at the base of the keystone the Shaman walked back towards where they came, stopping just before entering the tunnel. "Believe in your strength, and the strength of your krantt. And nothing will stop you." With those last words the Shaman entered the tunnel just as two large steel plates slid over the entrance sealing them inside the arena.

"Well, that was informative," Hawke breathed after the Shaman left. "Anyone else understand that?"

Taking the last step towards the control panel, Shepard wiped what must've years of sand off of its surface. "We have to activate the keystone three times." He said looking up again. "I take it each time we activate it…the wrath of Tuchanka will be drawn here."

"Great," Hawke mused scratching at the few days' worth of growth under his chin. "And what does that mean exactly."

"It means battle-brother that we get to kill lots of things." Grunt was smiling as he took his shotgun from his back and primed a thermal clip. "Hit the keystone battle-master. I'm ready."

Looking back at the control panel, there was one button, sticking slightly above the plane of the panel. Edges of it were chipped or broken. "Well," he breathed pressing down on it. "Here goes nothing."

As soon as his hand depressed the button, the keystone came to life. A recorded krogan voice echoed out through the valley as large piece of stone began a slow climb up the length of the spire. "First the krogan conquered Tuchanka…and mastered a natural world only we are fit to hold."

Once the rising stone was a few dozen feet off the ground it paused momentarily before plummeting back to the ground sending a bone chilling echo. "Bring 'em on!" Grunt growled readying himself. "This is gonna be fun!"

The atmosphere within the krogan camp after Shepard left with Grunt, Hawke, and the Shaman was only what Tali could describe as organized chaos. Many were setting up seats of sorts while others worked on setting up a large holo-projector. Would they be able to watch the right as it happened? She'd never seen Shepard fight from a distance. She'd either been by his side, or she was too far away to see it. And she was…conflicted on that. Part of her wanted to see this…while another part of her was beyond anxious and nervous.

"What is going on?" A small voice asked.

Merrill was standing next to her, looking as nervous as Tali felt. "I don't know." She answered honestly.

While some of the krogan worked to set up the projector and seating area, many more where gathered around a single krogan standing next to what was probably the last still functioning data terminal on the planet. The large screen above the terminal was filled with krogan writing. The only words she could make out where 'Shepard', 'Hawke', and 'Grunt'.

"It has been years since a whelp entered the Right of Passage," Wrex's deep voice growled next to her. Keelah. She would never understand how one so big could move so quietly. "This is one of the few forms of entertainment we krogan have left to us. You can't blame my clan for wanting to divulge in a little fun."

"Are they…taking bets?" She asked not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"Looks that way," Garrus said walking up to them. "What are they betting on exactly?"

"Just about everything." Wrex answered shrugging. "Who will get the first kill, who will get the most kills, who will die first, who will survive. You name it, you can bet on it."

Garrus leaned forward slightly squinting at the board. "Are those twenty to one odds against Hawke?"

Turning around Wrex looked back towards the gathered krogan. "Yeah, looks that way."

Garrus straightened up. "Well, if you'll excuse me then. I'm going to go and bankrupt your clan Wrex."

"Turian's," Wrex mumbled as Garrus walked away. "Just when you think you got them figured out you meet one like him."

The large holo screen suddenly came to life ending all conversation in the camp. Her heart started to beat faster as she saw Shepard, Hawke, and Grunt standing in the center of what looked like a giant arena. "Come on little girl's." Wrex was grinning in a way that made her more than a little nervous. "The fun is about to begin."

"On your right Shepard!"

Hawke's warning gave Shepard just enough time to turn and fire three rounds right into the head of a charging varren. The furless wolf like creatures had been pouring out from every crevice as soon as the hammer fell. Alone a varren was fast and agile, but a large threat. In a pact through…they were very deadly.

"Watch your back Hawke!" He yelled putting two more rounds into another charging varren.

Hawke ducked and spun in a low circle, the sword he held in his hands nearly cut the leaping varren in two as it passed overhead.

Any doubts Shepard had about Hawke's new weapon quickly died as the fight began. At first glance it looked and acted as normal heavy pistol that had been heavily modified. But as the varren pushed and got closer to the three of them, the weapon changed from its pistol like form as two blades extended from either side. Hawke fell into his element with the blade. Cutting and slicing anything that got too close to him while never receiving a single scratch in return.

All the while Grunt…was being well…Grunt. The tank bread krogan was yelling like a mad man, using a combination of his fist, head, and shotgun, against the onslaught of varren. "Is this all you got Tuchanka?!" Grunt shouted as the last of the varren fell. "Send me your worst Tuchanka! And I will send it to its grave!"

"Hey Grunt," Hawke's breathing was slightly irregular coming in and out in short pants. "You ever hear the expression 'be careful what you wish for'?"

Grunts overly large head tilted to the side. "No. Why?"

"Never mind." Hawke sighed nodding towards Shepard. "Let's get on with this. And hope that Grunt's wish doesn't come true."

"Having second thoughts yet Uvenk?" Wrex growled leaning back in his seat far enough to catch the eye of the other clan leader.

Uvenk merely dismissed the projection with a wave of his hand. "Fighting varren. Any pup can do that with his eyes closed. Give him a real challenge and this aliens and the thing will die quickly."

The betting area had gone nearly berserk as the outcome of the first round became clear. Grunt had scored the first kill, and all had survived. The bald human woman, the scared human male, and Garrus were all collecting winnings from the bet master and placing new bets as the odds adjusted for the next round.

"We'll find out soon if the whelp is up the challenge then." He said watching as the keystone rose for the second time. "Things only get tougher from here."

Unfortunately it appeared as if Tuchanka had heard, and granted Grunt's wish. As the keystone struck the ground for the second time the air was filled with an ear-piercing screech. The shadow that descended on them was the only warning they had, and it was just barely enough for Hawke, Shepard, and Grunt to roll out of the way.

What landed was something that could make even a high dragon look more appeasing to fight against. The smaller body combined with the almost serpent like neck and head and the long spiked tail made it almost look like kin to a dragon. But that is where the similarities ended. Instead of two massive wings it had four smaller wings on each side of its body. And instead of hard dragon scales its hide was covered in something more akin to tanned and hardened leather and large red spots covering its neck and body.

Hawke barely registered what Shepard yelled out. It sounded like 'Harvester' or something along those lines. But his attention was focused more on the red spots covering the beast that were now starting to move. Almost as one all of the red spots covering the Harvester jumped off its hide, landing on the ground as multiple legs slithered out from beneath them. Maker…they looked like giant spiders that had donned red steel armor.

A non-too gentle hand began pushing him away from the scene. "Don't stand around!" Shepard yelled in his ear still pulling on his arm as the Harvester took to the air again. "And put away your sword. Ranged weaponry only. It's really not a good idea to kill a Klixen up close."

Hawke didn't even have time to ask Shepard what he meant before one of the red insect like creatures was nearly on top of them. Shepard fired two rounds at the creature…and it exploded in a ball of fire. Talk about a defensive mechanism. Killing it was perhaps a dangerous as letting it live.

Another Klixen had moved around them and would've gotten the jump on the two of them, literally, had Grunt not appeared catching the oversized insect in mid-air and throwing it across the arena. "Best not to stand around." Leveling his shot gun at the thrown insect he pulled the trigger killing the creature a ball of fire. "You won't get any kills by hiding."

The three of them banded together, moving as one across the field never staying in one place for very long for fear of being cornered by the exploding insects. Just as the last of red bugs fell to a ball flame the world was filled with the pitched scream again as the Harvester swopped down again. Its hide was once again covered in Klixen that jumped off as soon as it touched the ground. Maker…the beast was acting like a carrying vessel for the insects. And at this rate…they would be swarmed over by the Klixen in no time at all.

Watching the Harvester fly away again he took note of its wings. "Hey Shepard, think you can hit that Harvester?" He asked trying back to the oncoming Klixen and firing a few rounds.

Shepard spared a single glance skywards before coming back to the ground. "Yeah. But it'd only be a waste of ammo. Those things are beyond tough and take a lot to kill."

"Think you could hit one of the wings?"

"Probably." Shepard responded as the three of them were forced to move again as the fresh wave of Klixen charged them. "It would only be grounded for a few seconds though."

Again the scream that heralded the arrival of the Harvester echoed throughout the small valley. "Just do it," he hissed. "And trust me."

Shepard looked like he was about to say more, but the appearance of the Harvester cut off anything he was about to say. Putting his assault rifle aside for the moment, Shepard pulled out the long rifle from his back. "Alright, we'll try it your way."

Shepard's aim was perfect as one of the Harvester's wings broke nearly in half at its base. The dragon beast screamed in pain as it plummeted to the ground sending a wave of dust and debris as it hit. "Keep the little ones off of me!" Hawke yelled charging head long into the cloud of dust.

A snake like head lunged right for him out of the dust. Razor sharp teeth passed within mere inches of his body as he spun to the side avoiding them. The dueling blades of his weapon arched down, cutting clean through the taught leathery skin of the dragon-like creature making it howl in pain.

Not giving it a chance to flee again, Hawke made a run at its body, sinking his two blades right up to the gun barrel into the junction of its neck and shoulder. It was a gamble on his part, one that paid out in full as the creature gave out an ear-piercing scream as it started to thrash. Gripping the hilt of his sword in two hands he pulled the trigger, firing a shot at point-blank range, before side-stepping yet again and roughly pushing and pulling the blade up along its neck covering him completely in the creatures red blood.

The dragon-like creature gave out on last defined howl, before collapsing from blood loss in a wave of dust and debris.

Wiping the blood and grime from his face he held his sword loosely in one hand as he walked along the length of its neck. He'd learned after fighting several dragons that even though it may look dead, it did not mean it was so. And sure enough when he got to the head he saw one red eye still open and moving. Staring at him definitely even though all fight had left it.

Holding his sword in two hands while reversing his grip he raised the steel high above the beast's head. Pausing for a moment he looked one last time into the defiant red eyes before bringing the sword down with all his strength, piercing through flesh, bone, and even the stone below. The dragon creature twitched one last time before its red eye slid slowly closed.

Putting one foot onto the massive head, Hawke yanked back on the hilt freeing the blade from the skull and nearly causing him to fall as he stumbled when it gave. Behind him was Shepard and Grunt, both looking winded slightly but none the less for ware. Shepard looked surprised, while Grunt…well the big guy looked upset.

Covering the space between them in just a few paces Grunt began poking him roughly in the chest. "That still only counts as one, battle-brother."

Wrex, like the rest of his clan, was stuck dumb as they watched someone do what very few had. This warrior that none of them knew was able to bring down a beast that even he couldn't. The Harvester was a beast revered almost as much as a Thresher Maw. The silence was shattered only by the small human girl sitting next to him and Tali, who jumped from her seat yelling at the top of her lungs, "Ma vhenan!"

As soon as she settled down slightly the little thing looked around, and finally noticed that everyone was staring at her. "Sorry," she mumbled seemingly trying to make herself even smaller. If that was even possible.

Shaking his head at her antics he turned back to the holo-screen. "I underestimated your mate little one," he said leaning back. "He is as good a warrior as Shepard."

The little one's skin went red, redder than even his head. These humans were such a marvel. Even after spending so much time around them he never understood how they made their skin change color like that. "What – what?" She stuttered. "What did you call Hawke?"

"He is your mate isn't he?" Wrex asked looking at the little one sideways. "You carry his smell all over you."

"Umm – well – I guess, no. Yes. Yes he is." She said more confidently as some of the redness from her dissipated. "Yes. He is my mate."

"Better make that fact well known to him," Wrex shrugged. "After that display all of the female's on Tuchanka will be sending in breeding requests for him."

A small hand slapped him across the shoulder. "Wrex!" Tali scolded her eyes narrowed. "Don't tease her!"

"I'm not teasing Tali," he chuckled. "The females admire strength above all else. Should he survive this last wave, Grunt will have the females lining up for him. As well as for Hawke and Shepard."

Tali stiffened slightly at his comment. It wasn't much, but he noticed it. Interesting. His little quarian was growing up it seemed.

On the holo-screen the hammer began to rise for the third time. "And now the real challenge begins."

Tali turned to him sharply. "What do you mean by that?"

"The keystone is no ordinary relic." Wrex explained leaning further back in his seat. "The keystone is in fact a maw hammer. Second only to one other."

Tali's eyes widened beneath her mask as recognition dawned on her. "A maw hammer? Wait…you don't mean…oh Keelah."

The little one was looking back and forth between Tali and himself. "What? What's going to happen?"

"The true test to gain standing in clan Urdnot is to survive against a Thresher Maw." Wrex could hardly keep himself from grinning. "No one has killed a Thresher Maw since my own trial centuries ago. It will be interesting to see if these three will be up to the challenge."

Resting against one of the ruined stone pillar's Hawke vehemently wiped at his brow trying his best to keep the sweat out of his eyes. Maker's hairy ball's was it hot on this world. The fact that he was wearing about fifty pounds of armor on his person or that he'd been running and fighting for his life over the past hour wasn't helping either. And the thick layer of Harvester blood that was caking both his armor and skin wasn't helping matters in the least. The smell was nearly enough to make him lose consciousness.

At least he wasn't alone though. Shepard was in nearly the same state as he, short breaths coming out more in pants and sweat covering every inch of his exposed head. Grunt however…Maker it wasn't fair. The young krogan was standing perfectly straight as if he wasn't even bothered by the extreme heat or exhaustion that he must've been feeling.

"How – how many more rounds do we – we have to do?" He asked panting slightly.

"Just one more." Taking in a slow breath Shepard righted himself looking back towards the large hammer.

Using his sword as makeshift cane he pushed himself upright. "Any idea what kind of beast we'll be facing this time around?"

"No." Shaking his head Shepard started a slow walk back over to the hammer. "But seeing as how the Shaman said that all we have to do is survive for five minutes after the third strike…I only pray that it's not what I think it is."

"All things bleed battle-master." Grunt spoke up taking a step towards the hammer switch. "If it bleeds…it will die."

The blades of his sword retracted leaving the overly large heavy pistol in his hands. Loading a new thermal clip into the chamber he saw Shepard doing the same. Once the both of them were set, he gave curt nod to Shepard.

"Whenever you're ready Grunt." Shepard said turning to face the arena once again.

Grunt's closed fist slammed unceremoniously into the switch nearly breaking the thing. Hammer began its slow rise up the length of the supports as the krogan voice spoke once again. "Now all krogan bear the genophage, our reward, our curse. It is a fight where the only goal…is survival!"

As the hammer struck for the third time, the very ground around them shook with it. The first tremor was light, barely enough to be called such. The second was nearly enough to knock Hawke off his feet. Maker above…what was coming for them?

Shepard's eyes had gone twice the size as normal, while Grunt…the young krogan was laughing full force as he held his weapon out ready for a fight. "Hehehehe…let the fun begin."

The ground just outside of the arena exploded upwards sending sand, stone, and steel high into the air. As the dust settled Hawke could hardly describe what he was seeing. A slender creature like a snake standing almost half as a tall as the keystone tower behind them appeared through the dust. The armored cone like head of the creature swiveled back and forth before coming to a stop facing directly at them.

"Shit." Shepard cursed as the massive head moved back. "Get behind cover!"

A green substance spewed forth from its mouth, coating everything between them and it in a thick layer. Shepard and Grunt had both immediately dived or hidden behind one of the many stone pillars in the area, while Hawke was just barely able to make it behind one as the green filth covered the ground where he once stood. The armor on his right arm however was not so fortunate. Some of the green filth had managed to land on his arm and he watched in horror as the armor covering his skin slowly disintegrated.

With one quick jerk he ripped the gauntlet off his arm and threw it aside. Mere moments later what remained of the gauntlet was nothing more than a stain on the stone ground. "What the fuck is that?" He cursed checking the rest of his body.

"A Thresher Maw." Shepard answered looking out from behind his cover. Doing the same Hawke watched in horror as the snake creature slithered backwards back into the ground. "Think of it as the ultimate galactic predator." Shepard continued stepping out from behind his cover while Grunt did the same. "Despite its size it's heavily armored with naturally thick scales. It has a special gland in the back of its throat that produces a natural acidic substance that can break down both organic and inorganic material. And it moves through solid ground as a shark can move through the open water."

"Maker's breath." Hawke breathed. "How in the Void do you fight something like that?"

"You don't battle-brother." Grunt cut in quickly. "This is my Rite of Passage, my fight. You and Shepard have done more than enough to help me to this point. But a chance to fight the greatest beast in the galaxy…you can both go to the Void if you think I'm going to hide like some pup."

A wall of sand rising and falling like water stretched outside of the wall of rubble from one end of the arena to the other. At least the creature was easy to track. "Grunt," Shepard hissed placing a hand on Grunt trying to keep him from leaving. "You're not doing this alone."

Grunt looked from Shepard's face down to where his hand held onto the krogan's arm. "I'm not giving you a choice battle-master." And with that Grunt roughly pulled his arm out from Shepard's hold and ran out into the open area of the arena.

Running out into the very center of the open area of the arena Grunt stopped and breathed in deep before letting out a shout worthy of any warrior. "I am Grunt!" He shouted. "I am krogan! Come and face me Maw! And I'll send you to the Void!"

The ground to his right exploded upwards. Within the shower of dust the ultimate predator of the galaxy showed itself to him. The large head swiveled from side to side before finally settling on him. "Hehehe…that's right Maw," he hissed gripping a shotgun in each hand and leveling them with the monstrosity before him. "Come to your death."

The Maw lurched forward coming right at him. Pulling the trigger on both of his weapons simultaneously he dove out of the way just as the maw's head crashed into the ground where he once stood. "Too slow!" He yelled righting himself, taking aim, and firing another shot from each weapon.

The Maw's head rose from the ground, completely ignoring the wounds that Grunt had just inflicted. Leveling his guns at the beast again he started pulling rapidly on the each trigger. "Just die already!"

He may have been throwing stones at the damn thing. The head started swiveling again searching for him. Well if it wanted him…it would get him. "I'm here!" He shouted throwing one of his weapons to the side and holding the other high above his head. "Come and get me!"

Just as the Maw's head turned towards him, Grunt took off running away from the beast. The Maw was falling right into his trap. As the sun was blocked by the Maw Grunt jumped, turning and falling onto his back. His both of his shotguns were discarded as he pulled another weapon off of his back. "Eat this."

Hawke was powerless to do anything as the Maw's mouth opened wide and descended upon the down Grunt. Both he and Shepard were running as fast as they could trying to reach their friend, but they were both too slow and could do nothing but watch as the Maw swallowed Grunt and the ground around him whole.

Shepard's strange blue magic flared to life as a ball of blue light formed in his hand. "Son of a bit – "

The back of the Maw's head exploded in shower of blood and bone. The snake body of the Maw stiffened once before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

Both men stopped in their tracks, both confused about what had happened. From the newly formed hole in the back of the Maw's head a pile of blood and gore spilled out onto the stone. From within the gore a lone figure began to rise to its feet. Slowly the figure of Grunt became more distinguishable as the blood and gore fell off of him in waves. In his hands the young krogan was holding the strange weapon he had picked up back on the Normandy. What did he call it again? A rocket launcher? Could such a small weapon really do so much damage?

Grunt took a few faltering steps towards them, pausing momentarily to regain his balance. The biggest smile Hawke had ever seen was plastered across his face. "Now that was fun. Let's do it again after we eat."

Hawke shared a look with Shepard. The two of them couldn't hold it in as they both started laughing as one. Grunt looked at them both curiously. "What's so funny? Aren't you two hungry?"

Their moment of triumph was cut short as a shuttle flew by overhead and landing just a short distance away from them. "Come on," Shepard managed to get out between short laughs. "Let's see if this is our ride out of here."

"Yes!" Wrex shouted jumping from his seat and nearly scaring Tali to death. "Finally! Another of Clan Urdnot has killed a Thresher Maw!"

All of the krogan in the camp began some sort of weird chant that sound more like rhythmic grunting more than anything else to Tali. Keelah, they could've started signing for all she cared right now. Shep – they were safe. A feat very few could claim after facing a Thresher Maw on foot.

"What do you think now Uvenk? Not such a bad – wait…where is he?"

Wrex was nearly turning himself around in circles as he looked around camp. Who was he looking for? Was it that rude krogan Uvnek? Actually…now that she thought about it she hadn't seen him since the start of the last round just before the Thresher Maw appeared.

Wrex, finally realizing that Uvenk was missing, started growling loudly enough to quiet down all of his kin in the immediate area. "That son of varren bitch." He cursed looking back up towards the screen. "I'm going to kill that traitor."

Looking back to the screen Tali saw what Wrex had. On the screen stood Shepard, Hawke, and Grunt. But they were not alone. Standing across from them was at least twenty heavily armed krogan. And one of them she could recognize as Uvenk. "Oh no."

Well...what did you all think? Please leave me a review and let me know!

Also...I've put in another, in my belief anyway, classic line from a movie series. Did anyone spot it? Leave a review and lets see who can guess it.

One last thing. I've been concerned with the length of these chapters. Do you guys like shorter chapters? Example would be cutting this chapter in half and releasing it in two parts instead of one. Or do you like longer ones like this one? Let me know what you think.