A/N: The end is near...are you prepared?

I don't own Mass Effect

The team entered the council chambers, weapons scanning left and right for hostiles. "I don't like this." said Garrus. They moved around the enterance atrium when Two Geth Troopers came down the stairs and fired at them, but were taken out before they got halfway.

They entered the courtyard before the council chambers and encountered more light resistance. The team worked together in clearing out the remaining Geth Troopers before heading toward the main stage where Saren was tampering with the Citadel's controls.

He turned to the approaching squad and lept ontop of his hovering platform. He primed a grenade and tossed it at them, the explosion forcing them into cover. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it in time Shepard." said Saren.

"In time for what?" asked Shepard. "The final confrontation. I think we both expected it would end like this." replied Saren. "You've lost. You know that, don't you? In a few minutes, Sovereign will have full control of all the Citadel's systems. The relay will open. The Reapers will return."

"I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve!" called Shepard. "You and your team survived our encounter on Virmire. But I've changed since then. Improved. Sovereign has...upgraded me." "You let that thing implant you? Are you insane?" asked Eric from his cover a little ways from Shepard. "I suppose I should thank you all. After Virmire, I couldn't stop thinking about what what you said about Sovereign manipulating me. About indoctrination. The doubts began to eat away at me. Sovereign sensed my hesitation. I was implanted to strengthen my resolve." said Saren.

"Now my doubts are gone. I believe in Sovereign completely. I understand that the Reapers need organics. Join us and Sovereign will find a place for you, too." "Sovereign's controlling you through your implants! Don't you see that?" exclaimed Shepard trying to get through to what was left of Saren's mind.

"The relationship is symbiotic. Organic and machine intertwined, a union of flesh and steel. The strengths of both, the weaknesses of neither." replied Saren. "I am a vision of the future Shepard. The evolution of all organic life. This is our destiny. Join Sovereign and experience a true rebirth!"

"We have to get through to him. Saren's still in there somewhere, hes gotta be." said Eric. "Sovereign hasn't won yet. I can stop it from taking control of the station! Step aside and the invasion will never happen!" Shepard called to Saren. "We can't stop it! Not forever. You saw the visions. You saw what happened to the Protheans. The Reapers are too powerful." said Saren.

"Saren you can fight this! You know this is wrong! You were a proud Spectre once, don't let innocents die like this!" shouted Eric. Saren looked like he was starting to struggle, "Maybe your right. Maybe there is still a chance for...unh!" he screamed and clutched his head. "The implants...Sovereign is tooo strong...I'm sorry, it's too late for me."

Shepard rolled to his feet, "It's not over yet! You can still redeem yourself!" he said to the ex-Spectre. Saren gave them all a sorrowful look. "Goodbye Shepard. Thank you." he put his pistol under his chin and pulled the trigger. Blue blood flew out the back of his head and he fell off his platform through the glass floor to the ground below.

The team ran up to the main console. Shepard immediately started using the data files they had aquired to gain control of the station. Eric looked down over the platform at the dead Spectre shaking his head, "In the end, he couldn't be saved." he said outloud. Liara stood next to him, "But he decided to end his life before he was forced to kill innocent lives. He made an honorable sacrifice, dispite what he has done."

"Vigil's data file worked. I've got control of all systems." said Shepard. "Open the stations arms. Maybe the fleet can take Sovereign down before he regains control of the station!" exclaimed Ashley. "See if you can open a comunication channel." said Tali.

Shepard activated his omni-tool, '...the Destiny Ascension. Main drives offline, kinetic barriers down to 40%. The council is on board. I repeat, the council is on board.' spoke a navigator. 'Normandy to the Citadel. Normandy to the Citadel. Please tell me that's you Commander.' said Joker.

"I'm here Joker." said Shepard. 'We caught that distress call Commander. I'm sitting here in the Andura sector with the entire Arcturus fleet. We can save the Ascension. Just unlock the relays around the Citadel and we'll send the cavalry in!' said the pilot.

"Are you really willing to sacrifice human lives to save the council Shepard?" asked Wrex. "This is bigger than humanity. Sovereign's a threat to every organic species in the galaxy." said Liara. "The council must be sacrificed for the greater good. Don't waste your reinforcements. Hold them back until the Citadel arms open up. Save the human fleet to attack Sovereign." said Garrus.

'Whats the order Commander? Come in now to save the Ascension, or hold back?' asked Joker. Shepard thought hard, lives were once again on the line and it was up to him.

Eric watched the Commander think over his decision. It was his call, and he wouldn't blame Shepard no matter which way he goes.

Shepard pressed his comm, "Opening the relays now Joker. We need to save the Ascension...no matter what the cost." The Marine smirked, always the paragon. "I hope you know what your doing Shepard." said Garrus.

X

Outside the Citadel, the Normandy followed by the large human fleet appeared through the relay. 'Alliance ships move in. We need to save the Destiny Ascension.' said the Admiral Hackett

On the Ascension, and Asari at the controls looked surpised, "Commander, we're picking up reinforcements!" The commander looked releaved, "Its the Alliance! Thank the Goddess!"

The fleet opened fire on the Geth ships, the rounds ripping the ships to pieces. The Geth returned fire taking out a couple of human ships, but the Geth were out gunned and outmatched. 'Destiny Ascension, you are all clear. Repeat, you are all clear.' said Joker as the last of the Geth fleet fell in ruins.

'The Citadel is opening! All ships move in! Concentrate on Sovereign!' ordered Hackett as the fleet went inside the Citadel. Seeing the Reaper in their sights, they began the assault.

X

Back inside the tower. The team looked down at the dead body of Saren. "Make sure hes dead." said Shepard. Eric nodded and went down to the lower level with Wrex and Liara.

Dropping down onto the grass covered ground below, the team of three walked toward the prone form ahead of them. Eric pulled out one of his pistols and fired twice in to Saren's head. "Double tap to the head Commander. Hes dead." said Eric into his comm.

Suddently, the building started to shake and red volts of electricity shot all around them. "What the hells going on?" shouted Wrex. The red energy struck Saren's body and it started to glow an convulse. There was a burst of red energy that sent Wrex and Liara skidding across the ground and Eric into a wall painfully.

The platform above collapsed sending the rest of the team tumbling into the lower level. They all looked up to see Saren's body stand up and start to pulse with red energy as it stumbled around. The flesh on the body started to burn away revealing the cybernetic construction underneith.

When it was all over, a Husk with glowing red eyes and chest stood before them. Its head snapped around and looked at all of them. "I am Sovereign! And this station...is...MINE!"

A/N: Cliffhanger! The final battle has begun folks, who will walk away from this? Stay tuned.