Time.
Space.
The Void.
Things which have no end, but which also have no beginning.
Reality.
Fiction.
What exists and what does not? What are each and all but just a single part of a greater whole. One that marries both in acceptance and states that they just simply are? What one perceives to be true and what one perceives to be false means nothing if one cannot be compared to another. Right?
My head spins, and continues to spin, as it has seemingly done for as long as I can recall. I can no longer see what envelops me, what encapsulates my body as my vision continues to be blurred by that light. That intense, blinding light. An angelic radiance displaying every possible color perceivable. One that utterly reassured me that everything would be alright. A shining that rid one's mind of all thought completely. My body refused to move as the radiance grew brighter and brighter.
And it fared no better below, with my lower half practically lead, both extremities refusing to move as if they were chained to the ground, impossibly heavy, weighed down even further by what remains of a once broken psyche. At this point, they could be classified as nothing other than immovable objects, with even God himself being unable to coax them from their state. But that was false, for I knew...
Another form touches mine, an aura envelops me, wrapping its arms around me, causing my existence to shake in its presence. And at the same time, my concentration finally broken, my body loses its power to go on. I can already feel the last vestiges of consciousness being pushed from my faltering frame. My knees first give out, followed by my legs, and then, lastly, my body. I quickly collapse. Defeated. Simply, and utterly, defeated. Forced to bow.
But the power around me...wouldn't let me. My collapsing form was pulled away, even though I wasn't done, forcing me back from the growing light. Or was it darkness? I could no longer tell. And as I alone flew backward, drifting away from my mortal coil, I knew that the task most paramount to success, the one entrusted solely to me...would remain forever uncompleted. Forever undone. Forever a testament to my failure.
But this was wrong.
It couldn't be.
This HAD to be done.
It caused me to ask myself...What's real? What's not? The very questions that plague every instance of sentient life from the dawn of their existence. And questions that will continue to do just that for the remainder of their lives. However...in the end...do these questions even warrant answers? Does one even need explanation for them? Do we need answers to justify that we just simply...exist? That we simply...are?
For me alone...I, above everyone else, knew.
And my burdens will became mine once again.
"-and it is due to their combined efforts that the Council stands before you today. It is for this reason that we award the Palladium Star to the entirety of the Citadel Fleet and the Fifth Fleet of the Systems Alliance for their bravery, courage, and sacrifice in saving the Citadel."
"But of course, they are not the only ones who have made sacrifices to stop Saren in his mad gambit to take the Citadel."
"There are thousands of others that gave everything, even their lives, to stop him."
My daily morning routine. Muttering, wincing as my consciousness began to wake, grimacing that I was cruelly being dragged away from my deep slumber. Ripped from the warmth of my covers. The last bastion of pleasure a man had before one's droll morning routine followed. The most awful feeling in the world really. As I awoke this time however, I found my eyes beginning to blink furiously, trying to adjust to the beams of light now assaulting them. Already, my morning had decided to take a shit all over the rest of my day. God did I hate when that happen. Sunlight coming through your window at just the right angle to start hitting your eyes. Awful.
I then-
"Oh my god, he's...he's waking up! Get the doctor!"
"Yes, there were many individuals such as this in the final fight against Saren and his Geth here in Citadel Space."
"But one's ultimate sacrifice in particular stands far above the rest."
"Dozens of personal testimonies have been submitted since their last act, greatly detailing how they had given their lives to prevent Saren's plans from coming to full fruition."
I then immediately found that my mouth was dry, my nose stuffy, and I then lazily rubbed my face in a further attempt to come to. Because something seemed off. Someone apparently watching me sleep be one of them.
Then I blinked twice when I realized the second being that there was a tube currently coming out of my nose. And then a third when I realized I was butt naked save for a half-off cover and wispy hospital gown.
And then I found my head feeling like shit. As my arms. And my legs. And my entire general body I suppose, no need to be stingy here. Everything fucking ached. And I was in a hospital room. Nurse currently coming over to smooth over my worries, still my panicked expression, attempting to calm me as I wondered where the hell I was, as the last thing I remembered was-
"We are here today in the Citadel Tower to commemorate this individual especially."
"And to commemorate them in their pursuit of the villain responsible for the attack, Saren Arterius."
"They displayed valor and dedication going above and beyond what was asked of them at every opportunity."
"Their every action epitomized what Humanity stands for, and everything Humanity has to offer to Galactic society."
And I had to ask the obvious as everything came flooding back to the forefront of my mind.
"Where...where am I?"
"I'm sure you're alarmed," the nurse only quietly replied, smile soft and reassuring, skin quite soothing to feel as her hand was placed on my own, warm eyes comforting to take refuge in. "But everything's okay now. You're alright."
"What...what happened?"
The nurse's smile disappeared as the reality of the scenario ensued.
"You've been in a medically induced coma for the past several days. I'm sorry."
WHAT?! I-
"Only several days huh?"
"...yes, that's correct."
"For their actions in repelling the Geth attack on Eden Prime, the Turian Hierarchy awards them the Star of Palaven, for upholding the safety and integrity of their very society and populace, and how they were responsible in deterring any further incursion from the Geth, saving thousands of lives in the process of doing so."
Then the nurse turned around to the doorway as someone rapped on the room's door, opening it as soon as she responded it was okay for them to come in. And my eyes widened once I finally realized-
That my doctor was human. Just like my nurse.
All of us were human.
I could tell by looking.
And that forced me to come to terms. Come to terms with the fact that...
That I was finally back home.
That the months long journey I had had aboard the Normandy, fighting alongside its crew, wandering the stars, stalking Saren and Sovereign after Eden Prime...had all finally come to an end. All the sights I had seen, all the experiences I had, all the people I've met...it was all over. My bizarre experience in the Universe of Mass Effect was finally over and done with. It only took me brutally bleeding to death for my time to officially end.
If only I had tried to get myself killed sooner.
"For their actions in the Traverse, the Asari Republics are awarding them the Star of Thessia, for preserving the lives, ideals, and cultures of people past and present, responsible for saving various Prothean ruins and Human colonies under threat there from the Geth."
And I guess I would be lying if I didn't say I was a little bit remorseful.
As awful as my experience was...it was something NO ONE would ever experience. Never in their entire lives.
Well...I mean I did. And that was totally random. And it's not like I'd ever tell anybody. And if one person has, you think there might be at least one other that-
No. Stop. Shut up.
The uniqueness of wandering the stars, flying around in space, seeing alien planets, meeting alien people, shooting alien things...I experienced that alone.
And it was...interesting?
I mean, those were things that you think everyone would wish for if given the chance, wasn't it?
But no, I had realized that wasn't for me. I didn't need all that pressure man.
To be honest, I was glad to finally just be back home. Know that I wasn't insane. That it had just been the old 'I was in a coma the entire time and it was all a dream' cliché. Maybe. But it didn't even really matter WHAT it was.
I was back home, back where I belonged, which was all that-
"Akrak wroak meoak doak," someone suddenly croaked from behind the doctor, hidden beyond the doorway.
"Oh, thank you Saler. I can't believe I forgot it," the doctor quickly responded, receiving a chrome clipboard from a gray hand.
...no.
"For their actions on Virmire, the Salarian Union is awarding them the Star of Sur'Kesh, for epitomizing the very spirit of cunning, but still acknowledging when the ultimate sacrifice must be made, as not every scenario can be won without casualty."
Nooo.
"I want a mirror!"
"Excuse me?"
"I WANT A MIRROR!"
The nurse took a step back, shocked at my sudden outburst, looking at the doctor in turn, also obviously concerned. But they acquiesced to my demand regardless.
I immediately gripped the sleek looking thing from her hand and held it up to my face, eyes already peeled open as they prepared for what they would find, mouth twisted in fear in case I-
NOOOO.
"And lastly, for their heroism, the Systems Alliance is awarding them the Star of Terra, for their representation as a paragon of humanity, displaying courage going above and beyond the call of duty in their final hours."
And in that mirror...
I saw...
I saw...
I saw the fucking face of that douchebag Alexei Leonov.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"
One Week Later.
"So... you're really leaving then, huh?"
The Quarian simply stood where she was, just a little ways away from the entrance of the hospital, holding her hands behind her back, looking down shyly at the ground, apparently reluctant to say the complete truth straight to our faces.
"Well...now that I've recovered...there's no reason for me to really stay. With the data Shepard gave me...my pilgrimage is over. So I...I already booked a flight back out to the Flotilla."
"I'll be sad to see you go then," Garrus replied to her, limping forward on his crutch. She tentatively returned the hug he sent her way. "I really enjoyed all those talks we had Tali."
"Same here," I added, receiving one for my trouble next.
"You have our numbers so...if you're ever in trouble, just give us a call. Alright?"
"...thank you Garrus. I...I will."
Then as the Turian began to turn back toward his wing of the hospital, coolly sauntering away, deeming not to let her see the tears impossible for Turians to create drip down his cheek, I decided to do it.
"And Tali..."
"Hm?"
"If your father ever asks you to send Geth parts back to the fleet...just don't."
"I'm...I'm sorry?"
"He's currently trying to find ways to fight the Geth Tali. One of which is by testing Quarian weapons on ones completely rebuilt from spare parts sent back to his ship. Talk him out of it. Please. It could threaten your entire fleet, let alone his ship and everyone aboard it if things go wrong."
"W-what? My father would never-"
"Oh and if the Admiralty Board ever deems to send a team to Haestrom...tell them not to Tali. Yes, the star's aging worse than Macaulay Culkin. And no, that information's not worth an incursion into Geth Space and a great loss of life."
"What-"
"And lastly...it was nice meeting you Miss Nar Rayya. Stay safe out there."
"Wh...uh...a-alright...it...was...nice meeting you too Shield...um...goodbye."
And with that...the Quarian Machinist left the party.
"They have faced many obstacles in their life, joining a profession their family name had already been widely known in."
"The odds against them were countless, with few in this galaxy being able to survive the trials they had to endure throughout their history."
"But it is a testament to their will that they marched on regardless, casting aside the past that hounded them."
A Couple of Days Later.
"So, what's your answer Garrus?"
"Look I-"
"Chellick?!"
The teal-eyed Turian stood stiff, casually glancing over his shoulder, face lighting up like a Christmas tree as soon as he saw me.
"I heard you were still alive and kicking," the C-Sec big wig said while he turianed around from Garrus' bedside, smiling widely. Or whatever you called that face Turian's made when they were happy.
"I'm disappointed you never visited Chellick! What's been going on with you man!?"
"Ah, I apologize for that. Things have been pretty busy at the office. Directing C-Sec's reconstruction efforts and bringing some semblance of law and order back to the Wards has taken away what little free time I had left."
"Ah, right. I heard about that on the news. Yeah, congrats on your new promotion...Executor."
"Please, just Decian. I'd prefer to have a first name basis with those who've bled alongside me."
"Ah, okay. If you say so Chellick."
"Hmph, I don't think I have ever asked about that Chellick. How did HQ rope you into that role?" Garrus asked from his bed.
"Well...when you're a part of the team that cleared the way for the Normandy, and partially responsible for restoring communications throughout the entire station, you tend to earn yourself quite a few commendations," the new Head of C-Sec deigned to reply. "And after seeing the other candidates they were currently looking at, I thought I'd take the offer before they made an even worse choice...any men better suited for the role than I were lost in the attack."
"...well...again...congratulations."
"Thank you," Decian replied, straightening himself. "I'm sorry I can't stay much longer, but my schedule no longer allows me such pleasures. I have to pin medals on half a dozen officers still in E-Wing, and I have to thank Saddick and Lamont for their role in getting me my brand new office while I have the chance."
"Ah, well in that case...have fun," Garrus replied.
"Always a pleasure Chellick," I added.
"The feeling's mutual. And I want a definitive answer next time I ask Vakarian," the new Executor replied before leaving the room, nodding one last farewell as he went.
And I then stared at Garrus for a good while before he eventually folded and clarified the situation for me.
"He wanted to know if I would rejoin C-Sec now that everything was over. They currently have a lot of positions they're looking to get filled as quickly as possible, and not enough bodies to do it."
"Ah...and are you?"
Garrus only shrugged. "I told Shepard I wouldn't but...every time I'm about to decline, I think back to my father. How he would feel if I..." He took a moment to pause, and then, his face suddenly oozed with resolve. "No. Being part of the Normandy...I've learned a lot from my time onboard. About eliminating threats immediately. Regardless of the cost. You know...Shepard was always right. I will reapply for Spectre training. It will probably kill my father...but I've got to try. If that doesn't work, I don't know, I'll probably do just about anything...except go back to C-Sec. I'm done with them. No more red tape. No more politics. From now on, I do things my way."
"Alright then. Pave your own way Garrus," I decided to respond, though his answer definitely didn't sit well with me. I definitely didn't like how Shepard had polluted his moral code. Made him her little mini-me but... "...everyone has to walk their own path. If you do that...just make sure it's your own choice. No one else's."
"Trust me Shield. This is-"
"And make sure you never trust guys named Sidonis."
"-what I, uh, I...right. Uh...thanks Shield. Yeah...and...and it was an honor to fight beside you."
"...same Garrus. If you ever need help-"
"Yeah. Just call."
And we both said our goodbyes...as I think we both knew that this was the last visit I would pay the Turian Agent before he eventually left the party.
"These reasons are why the Citadel Council hereby awards the Palladium Star as well."
"But indeed, these medals are poor compensation for the ultimate sacrifice they made in the end."
"Which is why we are also commissioning a statue of their likeness to be made and placed in this very chamber."
"We are fortunate to have had such a hero fighting for us and all those of Citadel Space."
Several Days After.
"So... you've got it made then huh? Planning to take their offer?"
"Yes," Liara replied, looking down at the meal in front of her, though I truly doubt she was actually examining it so thoroughly, more likely just lost in thought. "Being offered a position on a Prothean expedition...one actually planned by the Council's Committee on Paleotechnology...to a place like Ilos no less...an event like that was one of my wildest fantasies...and...and with all the Prothean disks the Normandy's recovered, and that Anderson has allowed me to take for study, I'll certainly be kept busy...but-"
"How could there be a butt? That's awesome!" I replied enthusiastically, attempting to cheer her up, though it was definitely difficult in as depressing a setting as the hospital cafeteria we were in. "Sounds like you're living the dream-"
"I...Shield..."
"Hm?"
"...you heard the recent statements the Council's made, haven't you?"
I sighed as her real reason for talking came up.
"...I have."
"Can you believe it?! How they don't believe Shepard or her warning! About the Vision! Or the Reapers! Or even Sovereign itself, despite seeing it first-hand! How they're saying it was of Geth design! Or that it's a Prothean dreadnought they found in deep space, or-"
"I know Liara. I know it's frustrating, alright? But without any kind of evidence, you know-"
"Please don't tell me you're like the rest Shield! You believe Shepard...don't you?"
"...of course I do Liara. And you know Garrus, Tali, Anderson and the rest of the Normandy does too. Don't pretend you're in this alone okay? Don't try to carry that burden yourself-"
"But they're not saying anything! They're all silent! Even when they're interviewed, they don't talk about Vigil's warnings! After everything we've seen, everything we've been through, don't we owe it to those that came before us? Owe it to her!?"
"Liara."
"I...I'm sorry."
An awkward silence fell over our table as she calmed down.
"...so..." I messed around with the nasty food in front of me. "...about Wrex...I heard you were the last one to see him before he went."
"Oh...yes. I...I ran into him near the spaceport just the other day."
"Can't believe he wasn't even planning to say goodbye before he left. The bastahd."
"You know Wrex isn't one much for words," she replied downcast.
"Hah...yeah...did he happen to mention where he was going?"
"He didn't...but he did mention something about making up for all the year's he's been running away. Though I'm not exactly sure what he meant-"
I certainly did. And though I'm definitely a little salty that the Krogan Battlemaster left the party without saying goodbye...I still couldn't wait to see that Krogan nation Urdnot Wrex would give birth to in a couple years. Definitely looking forward to that. Oh joy. And I guess...on to my last piece of business.
"Hey Liara."
"Yes?"
"Uh...I just wanted to say before I forgot...if you ever get into trouble...or...you know, if you ever need help...or if you're contacted by anyone about...uh...Shepard...contact me alright? I consider you a friend, and, uh, friends...help each other. You know? So...call me if you ever need anything. Uh..okay?"
"Oh...thank you Shield. I appreciate your offer. And I extend the same to you as well. I would be glad to lend you aid if you ever have need of it."
"Oh...thanks Liara. I, uh, appreciate it."
"..."
"..."
"Shield..."
"Yeah?"
"...do you wonder...if she might still be out there? Waiting for us to find her?"
"...I'm sorry?"
"They never found her body. So I-"
"Liara."
She paused. And then the Asari began to apologize for her out of line comment before I quickly cut her off.
"She'll be back."
The blue Asari then looked up at me in surprise, probably shocked by the fact that anyone in the galaxy shared her unusual optimism...or was it obsession?...with the Commander. That there might just be some small chance...but my answer was given for a different reason. It wasn't because of blind hope. It was because I knew my statement was fact. Despite all the differences from the game. There was no way-
Ah.
And after a bit more small talk, our awkward rendezvous came to an end, we said our goodbyes, and the last squad mate of the Eclectic Eight, the Asari Scientist...left the party.
"Please, everyone rise, and let us remember the name of the individual who made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat Saren and the Geth. The hero that was made during the Battle of the Citadel."
"The one who is truly, A Hero of the Citadel!"
"Our first and only Human Spectre."
"Commander Jane Shepard of Mindoir and the Human Systems Alliance, you-"
I clicked a button on the remote, flicking off the television as my boredom finally reached its crux. Because even space ceremonies were apparently as boring as shit. I was expecting a tasteful slideshow of Shepard, or some kind of grand reenactment of the battle, or a fancy light show, or you know...stuff.
Ah, it didn't matter.
The only thing that truly did was that I was still alive I suppose. Despite EVERYTHING.
Like a jackass, whatever great power to be that put me here in the first place decided to keep the status quo, preserving my life and prolonging my suffering only further. Even though I REALLY wanted to die with Saren back then. What an epic end that would have been. God damn that possibly all-powerful/non-existent higher power. Though...
...did I die?
I don't know. Didn't I just lose consciousness? Didn't my blood pressure just drop too low from spraying blood everywhere like a sprinkler? Did Saren even really stab me through my armor in the first place? Yeah, he did. Of course he did you idiot. There was blood everywhere. It looked like the kool-aid man splooged all over my chest. But did it even really matter since everything turned out okay?
For me anyway?
Oh god dammit.
I've been over this more times than I can count already. I didn't actually care about any of it. Apparently I wasn't going back home any time soon, that was the fact of the matter. Not unless I wanted to take the coward's way out. So, home, school, family, and friends, guess I won't see you for another three years. Yippee. Lucky me.
No, I was in it for the long haul. Apparently. All because of her. And I owed it to her to make everything right before she got back since I was kind of responsible for...dammit. There wouldn't be any more fucking around. There wouldn't be any more wishing everything would go better than expected, hoping for the best. There wouldn't be no more nothing. I couldn't rely on her anymore. Or on the crew of the Normandy. No, I had to take things into my own hands now.
Because I have my health. I have the knowledge. And I have til 2185 CE to get shit done.
Who the fuck knows WHAT I could do with two years' time.
Certainly not me.
So I'll nut up Shepard. I'll make you fucking proud you fucking psychotic biotic. But God do I hate you. But I'll make it out so well, prevent so many tragedies that this Galaxy won't even resemble the train-wreck ME3 was when it finally comes around. That's the truth. You can bet on it.
Every action of mine from here on out in the world of Mass Effect would be effecting massive changes in it.
I promise you that, every single one of them would be...Mass Effective.
I'll die trying to keep you all from experiencing that disappointing ending if necessary.
Or my name isn't Marauder Shield.
CUE M4 Pt II by Faunts (If you listen to one song in this story, by god, let it be this one. DUUDDUDUDUDUUDUDUDUDU EPIC GUITAR RIFF GO)
September 11th, 2183 - Council Chamber, Battle of the Citadel
Because she wouldn't-
She wouldn't make it she realized.
The impact would be too large. It was coming in too fast. She didn't have enough strength left in her body to make it the rest of the way to safety. To meet up with the rest of the group just on the other side of the fallen debris. No...her life was over. She had realized that as soon as Sovereign had delivered that final blow to her body. But she had fought regardless hadn't she? Because she wouldn't go out on anyone else's terms but her own.
Her fate was her own.
And so...
She decided her final fate would be to save another's life. Save another's life instead of her own. One that she still owed coincidentally, fortuitously for her. So she'd pay him back one last time. For everything she did. All the wrongs, all the accusations, all the...
Her face was stoic as the figure remained still, standing tall despite the coming end, shrouded in the shadow of the oncoming debris, seemingly waiting as its final moments went by, seemingly ignoring her presence entirely.
Good. She didn't want him ruining this like he did everything else.
And then she shut her eyes, preventing a shocking tear from leaving one of them, letting forth a violent blast of kinetic energy, her mass effect fields completely enveloping the man, flinging him backwards out of harm's way with a single act. She could only hope it had been far enough as Sovereign's last will began screeching throughout the Council Chamber, metal appendage scraping against the Citadel Tower, destroying the window and stage beneath entirely, impact sealing her fate, her feet lifted off the ground from the sheer force of the impact, her body thrown through the air, feeling searing hot metal against her skin as it-
Reminded her of Mindoir.
Of everything she had lost that day.
Everyone she had lost.
Mom...
Dad...
And she knew...
...I'm home-
...
...
...
...Fin.
Afterword
Alright. Awesome. So. First-
HAHA, SHIELD'S ACTUALLY ALIVE! Pulled the ol' 'how the hell can they still be alive' cliche! Ah, the ol' switcherooni. I mean, I hope you guys didn't expect the story to solely concern Shepard from here on out. Though I considered it. But no. Forget that noise. Now we get to see Shield's juicy growth and actual changes to the plot! I mean, I wouldn't expect anything as bold as killing off the main character from the likes of this story man. I mean, I even said in an AN myself that no ME1 SI story ever kills their main character off at the end. Even this story ain't that special. So if that revelation and lack of commitment to Shield's death deeply upset you...I don't care lololol
(Reason for Writing)
And I guess I'll next elaborate on how this story came to be if you toughed it out this far. I think I essentially mentioned in the Foreword of Chapter 1 that I just got salty about ME3's ending and decided to write a story for the hell of it. And I mean, it's not wrong but...basically, I just wanted to write a story retconning everything in ME3.
Cut out the Starkid, have the Rachni dying off actually matter, Geth's actions not contradicting their entire species' dogma established in ME2, make it so that the Illusive Man didn't just turn into Goldfinger and send an army of Bond mooks to fuck shit up because it was funny, and so on. And then I thought, oh, if I'm gonna do a fanfic on that, might as well start from ME2 to show how all the changes transpire. And because ME2's plot is kinda weak. Collectors show up out of the blue and take thousands of people at a time and no one bats an eye? Or tries to really even investigate? Cerberus is the ONLY one? Hell, Steve actually escapes an attempt, so the Collectors' methods obviously aren't perfect. I feel like ME2 could have also benefited from the more centralized focus of you taking down the Reaper's allies and indoctrinated agents, instead of just taking on the Collectors because they're picking on humanity (because we're special like that).
AND THEN, since I was already going to do ME2 and ME3, I was like hey, fuck it, might as well do ME1! And what's the best way to instigate all these changes? Obviously by writing in a Mary-Sue character who's already played it all! Duh! Except unlike ME2 and ME3, ME1 is the world-building game, and literally set the direction for the rest. If ME2 or ME3 seemed off, it's because they didn't fit the setting ME1 set up for them. So ME1 is already pretty perfect. Save for Feros, every main mission has big ramifications, and affects your 'choices' (OR SHOULD HAVE) in all the sequels. Really wouldn't change a single thing in it. But that would be pretty fucking boring so I couldn't just throw in a SI and have them herp-de-derp all the way through the events of the game. Though that's literally what Shield did.
(Genre)
So I decided to try to spin this into some kind of fail fic since I haven't really come across many of those. Have the SI semi-realistically approach things as one would in their scenario, failing harshly due to how fucking badass everyone is compared to them and how little talent they actually have. And have the crew react accordingly instead of loving them regardless of their ineptitude. So that's pretty much the gist of why Shield always failed and why Shepard hated him. Partly because of humor, partly for the realism of some schmuck getting thrust into the scenario, but mostly because it was the only thing I could really think of to make this semi-unique, and set up more dynamic character growth and relationships for the character going into the future. A lot of stories have the SI be bad-ass assuredly by the end of the first book...and have trouble on where to go from there before they peter out completely. So I hoped to avoid that pitfall here. Though I'm sure having a SI fail constantly is as boring as one that constantly succeeds. Look I tried alright?!
Which leads to another thing, if you're still reading this...respekt. I know most people would have skimmed over by now, I mean fuck this guy, his drivel ain't worth my time. And I mean...it isn't. But thanks for sticking through it so far loyal reader! I really appreciate you taking the time of day to actually humor me. Thanks. Anyway, in Mass Effect 1, Shepard beat Saren, in ME2, Shepard beat the Collectors, and in the finale, Shepard beat the Reapers. Shepard succeeds in the original trilogy, no matter who plays. Most of the time. So most SI's actions don't even matter. Unless the author were to go out of their way to fuck shit up, no matter what, Saren loses, Shepard wins, and the galaxy goes on like it always has. Despite Shield's 'failures'...he never once caused Shepard to Critical Mission Failure. Despite Shield always failing at his own goals...he still helps Shepard achieve the ones that really matter. And I guess I wanted to draw attention to that for some reason? I don't know. I guess what I'm really saying is that this will change once we get into the good stuff. Set the universe up for the REAL changes.
But the MAIN theme of this particular story and Shield's Overall Journey (that you might have noticed) were Finding the Truth and Finding Yourself. Real wholesome lessons. Did he learn the value of either these things? Ever learn from them? Nope. But I hope you did in some small way reader. That after spending at least an hour skimming through every chapter and closing this page, that at least one piece of this story is taken with you. And if you found nothing of value at all in the last 50 chapters, then let me hit you with some REAL knowledge. Mundane Matter Monday- Did you know that it takes Pluto 248.09 Earth years to complete one orbit around the sun? Pluto will actually complete its first full orbit since its discovery on Monday, March 23, 2178, just a few years after Neptune turns 2?! Which in the Universe of ME means...Happy Belated Birthday Pluto! You're still just a one year old baby 200 years in the future!
(Unanswered Questions)
And since there were going to be sequels, I didn't want to give every single backstory and reveal for Shield from the get-go. ANOTHER pitfall of most SI's! It kind of sucks to leave so much unanswered but...ah, that's just the direction I decided to take in the end. Sorry reader. How did Alexei Leonov get to Eden Prime if he was dead? How did the Graybox get an individual so knowledgeable about the ME universe? What will happen to Ashley and the others?!
Another story, another day. Though questions like "Who was the Broker Mole on the Normandy that Gellix mentioned?!" and "What happened to the SSV Erros?" can be answered in this story alone if you read the Codex Entries for their respective chapters. I will leave the hint that the Broker Mole was code-named Agent Revenant. And I'll also ask you who on the Normandy has a name that relates to ghosts. And who was present when Shield came up with that ridiculous Shadow Broker backstory?! And are you still parsing through this behemoth of narcissism and jungian nightmares? Because props to you if you are. You've actually almost made it to the bottom. Kudos to you!
Though one last thing. Shepard...oh Shepard. My largest regret with this story. Shepard and not giving her enough screen time or insight into her character and moral code. She's pretty well-disliked from what I've seen, and that's definitely my fault (though I'm sure she'd still be pretty polarizing regardless). But Mindoir REALLY messed her up. Like a lot. In Chapter 20, I hoped to kind of show how normal and nice a girl she could have been had it not been for that tragedy. Shepard had a lot of ghosts hanging over her afterwards, as she always held herself responsible (the name Eluam ties into that if you ever wondered who he was), and always questioned why she was one of the only survivors. Really wish I could have delved more into that struggle but...that's for another story now I suppose.
And in the end...I guess who IS the hero is the final question. Was this Shield's story? Or Shepard's? Though Shield is the main character...was he really the protagonist? Isn't Mass Effect Shepard's story? What did Shield really even do?! And the answer to that is eyuh. I'll leave that up to you random reader. Your own interpretation is as good as mine. Wow, this story hits so many levels bro. 2deep4me. But thanks for reading! Though we did hit some rough patches, some long, long, LONG breaks, through all the twists and turns, it was ultimately a lot of fun going on this journey with you guys! Can't believe it's finally over. And it only took two and half years. Check Profile for anything you missed. Now I can finally lay the spirit from the nether realm who typed all this back to rest. And thank goodness too as it was really starting to get rowdy during these last couple of months.
...it's really been one hell of a ride. The best.
CREDITS
Thanks to Unity9, Of-Light-And-Shadow, XRaiderV1 (First Favorite!), fate's mask, Silver Wolfos, Ariaelyne, jbcerberus91, Lanilen, Knight Zulu 97, DaKappaMAN, Michae1ange1o, LordGhostStriker, starlordscassette, DangerousGames87, nlaj1, DarkComedy, GrimKid98, Triggs, MidnightFenrir, Qinetiq, Vulcanic, Zealot492, Woffie, TheWalkerChronicle, Septon, ty7769, Tactus501st, Tahkaullus01, Hachichiyyin, Jace Spicer, Dekuton, artilyon-rand, exillion, Dracconnis, Wolfund, baconelk, FORD B, Blaze1992, Oyshik, BJ Hanssen, Cousland, , CakeFoundry, Pelineal-Whitestrake, CandaianMapleLover, MrHam31, Revliledpembroke, pyrothekid, Lord Mortem, Yorkmanic88, maesde, AmethystPone, RavenousReader06, Blinded in a bolthole, griezz, Doombug, Original Heartless, Tusken1602, Justsomerealguy, Lil'Manuel G, and joshuahiersekorn especially for leaving this story a review! I appreciate it gang! Same to all the Guests viewers who did the same!
Special Shout Out to alienvx0 for pointing out on how to actually spell Shephard's name.
Lit List of our Gold Star members - Elvizfonz23 for their Positivity. winddemon199 for their Good Taste. TehUltimateAZZHOLE for their Ego-Boosting. Excisium for their (Maybe) Beautiful Mind. And neverendingZero for their Blackmail (the bastahd).
Real Respect to Toothless is best for giving this story the Most Reviews.
Same for Mondrial for helping me find so many typos.
Appreciation to Rainsfere for giving extremely compelling insights into the story's characters, and allowing me to elaborate further on the nature of their motivations.
And lastly, Props to NathanHale2 for being Act 1 and 2's Beta Reader. If someone sees him, tell him I said thanks!
Oh, and Fuck You Dan.
Thanks for the game Bioware. Thanks for hosting this story Fanfiction. And thanks again for reading reader!
Tune in next time for Mass Effective: A Hero Lost!