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Mass Effect: Synthesis Ending Epilogue
By: C. G. Tiessen
Prologue:
It's hard to believe how your entire existence up to when your mortal life ends that it is less then a fraction of a blink in eternity's eyes. Still, its wonderful I am here with many of my friends and comrads in arms who died fighting the reapers including Kaiden, Mordin, Thane and his wife, Gabby, Samarras daughter Reela, Liara's mother Benezia, Anderson, and even the guy who used to be The Illusive Man are here with me. Seems all faiths and religions were both correct and incorrect on the afterlife. After all we are all made by the same creator. Many years have passed back on the material plane since my actions ended the war with The Reapers by choosing synthesis so that they and other synthetics could truly begin to live and feel empathy for other living beings. Yet it still cost me my life in-order so that the Reapers and other synthetic beings could understand organics and organics have a stronger connection with their creations and each other. Though many still believe that what I did took their choices away in some respects and resent, even, hate me for my choice. For which I understand their reasons. But if I had to do it all over again. I would still choose synthesis because I realized that it was the only decision that would result in the best possible outcome for the galaxy. I stand here on the surface of the reflection lake to watch how my friends, squad mates, and those I knew in life live out their days in this brave new galaxy.
The Catalyst and the Reapers
I saw as the synthesis wave touched every corner of the galaxy changing everyone and everything. Then I saw as the catalyst evolved from looking like a child with a child's understanding of things into at last a full mature adult in its understanding of life. Seeing him as he ordered all reaper forces to cease all hostilities. Then all the husks disintegrated to ash so as to spare all the pain of their fallen serving as zombie shells. Then The Catalyst sharing with all the reason he was created by the Leviathans and why the Reapers were the only solution from its POV. Everybody discovering that now indoctrination was impossible now and no one would be controlled against their will. Then shocking everyone when it announced, "What my creators wanted in preserving life for their own selfish interest was a crime against life. But it is only now that realize that I and my creations were doing for the purpose of preserving life… Was an absolute atrocity. And now I feel what you would call shame, guilt, and remorse. And I want, no, I need to atone for it. I and the reapers pledge to you. We will do anything and everything with-in our power to make restitutions. To make amends for the atrocities we have done. Let us help."
Since everyone now also had the ability that Javik and the protheans had for reading information. They all knew the Catalyst was sincere and being honest. Still, most if hardly any were open to those that a short time ago were killing them and their families. Now wanting to help make up for it. Javik especially, but eventually even he recognized the honesty of the need to atone. So they set right to work helping to rebuild the galaxy and sharing their accumulated knowledge of all the cycles of civilizations that had come before.
Next to everyone shock their next unexpected move was resurrecting the races with the DNA that they had acquired over the eons. This created a big population management problem, but in time a way was made that would make it work. All the races from the ones that existed at the time of the leviathans to the protheans and their affiliated races from the last cycle. Even a race of intelligent dinosaurs that lived on Earth 30 million years before the asteroid hit.
But the biggest shock was when after doing all of this the Catalyst and the Reapers decided that to bring the inhabitants of the Milky Way peace of mind. They did the thing no one imagined they would do. The Catalyst appears in hologram form before the Citadel council and representatives of all races broadcasting to all galactic citizens what the final plan was. The Catalyst presented to them its plans for a extermination virus for it and the reapers saying, "This extermination virus will seek out and permanently destroy every possible version of The Reaper and Catalyst program. Riding the galaxy of us forever." With the Asari councilor asking, "Why are willing to do this?" "Because I understand that for many vengeance and destruction of me and the reapers may be the only way to bring their hearts peace. We have discussed this and we have unanimously decided to go through with this. For this is a decision we have made of our own will. But only if the majority vote to do it. If they don't then we will continue to freely serve all of you, but they vote for us to be destroyed. We will not resist."
The catalyst in its own ship along with all reaper ships waited for the results of the galaxy's votes in safe orbit around the black hole at the galaxy's core where the collectors base was before I blew it up. Deciding that once their program was destroyed their bodies would be pulled in and then destroyed by the black hole. Destroying all trace of their existence.
The vote was tight but eventually the majority decision was for destruction. With that the virus was released and every last reaper went dead before they were one by one pulled into and then erased from existence by the black hole. But not before the Catalyst sent one final brief but profound message, "As we go into this darkness we see a light pulling us onward beyond this realm. To a realm of eternal light and ife. For though we were made to be machines, we have at last become real living souls. And now we go to where previously only the souls of organics go. For though our new lives were brief. I and all of us were very grateful to have lived a brief, but meaningful life as living souls. Thank you for giving us the chance to redeem ourselves. Thank you Shepard for gift of life and now we part from this realm fulfilled and at peace. My only hope now is that you will all now be able to appreciate life for the precious miracle it is. So live wisely and do good for sake of doing good for good. For life is only meaningful when we do good out of love and how life is precious because it does not last forever here but goes on forever beyond. We started as just machines. Now we go as true living souls, Farewell."
Somehow, that brief but deep hearted final though but a tear to every eye. Even to Javik. With me being the one to welcome the soul of The Catalyst and the reapers, even Harbinger, into paradise. Knowing full well that even with synthesis people will still be individuals and will have free will and will definatly make the same mistakes and bad choices. However, now they will never be as able to hide their intentions or self interest as well as they could before. Still life will go on and every person will need to figure who they are and what they each stand for.
Javik
What I wanted to see next was how Javik's life would turn out after the threat of The Reapers was gone. Since he had been fighting them longer than anyone I knew. Him being the Avatar of Vengeance whose life's only purpose up to then was to bring about the Reapers destruction. For which in no small part he succeeded at. Yet he also said that during the last time we spoke before heading towards the citadel transport beam. He said was interested in seeing what peace looked like and to explore the galaxy. Even be willing to write a book with Liara, which she titled "Journey with the Prothean," since he would need a job because of no more reapers to kill.
After synthesis he like everyone became of how The Catalyst and Reapers were driven by innocent intent. Yet his desire for vengeance was stronger than he would allow himself to let the reapers live.
Still it did my heart good when The Catalyst decided that one of the things he would do would be to fully resurrect the protheans. He was almost happy for that, and yet still preferring destroying the Reapers then working with them. Still The Catalyst kept his promise and did bring back the protheans.
When they came out of their tanks they were much like Grunt when I released him for his tank. Though unlike Grunt they all, thanks to their data acquiring ability, possessed all the knowledge of their predecessors but no identity. Javik saw his role change from the Avatar of Vengeance to the embodiment of Restoring. Seeing a look on his face and heart, I almost thought someone like him could not believe was possible, joy born of true hope for a brighter future. Though he did not try to be their leader. He felt that since all he had known up then was war and still had an imperialist mind that would not be how the protheans would move forward. He saw himself just as an example of what they were and need to grow beyond.
What I never thought I'd see from him however. Was tears of grief leave his eyes as the Catalyst and all the Reapers let themselves die and their shells be sucked into oblivion by the black hole. Acknowledging them as living souls that chose to willing give up their existence to bring those whose lives they ruined finally feel fulfilled.
I have no doute that when we meet again he is going to have a lot to say his reflections on his mortal life after his life's mission was at last over.
The Leviathans
What happened with the Leviathans was another unexpected turn of events. Initially after the Reapers ceased all hostilities after synthesis. The leviathans tried to impose their will on them and everyone. Only to discover to their dismay that indoctrination just wouldn't work anymore because what I did made it so that no living thing could be controlled against their will from outside. Making their original way of getting their way useless. Admiral Hackett and the other citadel counselors offered aid and a place in galactic politics in exchange for choosing to work with others.
Of course the one I spoke too refused, no surprise there, because as a matter of pride and superiority over other lifeforms. But then the unexpected, one of its progeny, it because they are both male and female, used bioctics to toss that one aside. Then mind shouting, "No! We don't force we ask and do as we are asked."
Then that one did the most unexpected thing no one that those of their race would ever say to a lesser species. It said, "Could you please help us rebuild?" With Hackett responding, "Of course we will. All you have to do is ask and acknowledge the importance of all living things to support each other willing."
It started the great division among the Leviathan which eventually led to the birth of two sects. One including those I originally spoke too who refused to work with others and stayed on their planet. While the others chose instead to be a part of the new galactic society.
Now they are flourishing, I guess if even The Leviathans, who considered themselves above others, can change their values and let go of pride and be inclusive can change. I guess that proves anyone can change.