Chapter 15: Malen the Battle Master.

Inside Tali's Dream:

Tali was dreaming of siting on a coast line with clear blue water washing on the banks on her home world Rannoch. She was enjoying the view when Malen walked up and sat beside her.

Malen:" So you're dreaming of your home? Do you dream of it often?"

Tali:" Yes I do. Though I have only seen vids and orbital views of it. It's the only place that Quarians can call home, but because of the geth we cannot live there. Speaking of which; why did you say that they had a life force? I don't understand how that could be possible."

Malen:" In the grand scheme of things Tali, is it so hard to believe that a being of metal can have a soul the same as a being of flesh? Are we so defined by how we are born or came to be? We are not the ones who instill the soul into bodies, just as we always have believed; however, the ones that can instill souls can do so into the bodies of their choosing or have one grow and fully mature over time. Are we so scared that when something that we created asks us what it is or if it is alive? We cannot create new souls Tali, but we can make bodies where a soul can grow in. A soul is not wholly defined by its vessel since the body dies and the soul lives on forever. Love can create life both directly and indirectly Tali. If the pieces are there then life will bloom, no matter the form. I believe the geth should at least be given a chance Tali. I know it's not something you might want to hear from someone you love, but if the geth were just becoming self-aware and the Quarians decided to destroy them, I would not blame the geth for wanting to hold on to what little life they had to understand."

Tali:" I never really thought of it that way though I still can't agree with everything you said, but I can admire you compassion for them at least. Maybe if there was an anomaly or geth that were not hostile towards organics then maybe there might be another way."

Malen:" I hope so Tali. I would hate to imagine the losses that a war between the geth and Quarians would bring, especially with the reapers on the way. Even if the Quarians got a upper hand on the geth, the geth might side with the reapers in order to live and then the reapers would improve the geth and the quarians could get wiped out altogether."

Tali:" I haven't thought about that. I have to remember that they are AIs that probably have a sense of self preservation, for their programs/true forms of course, and that they might go to the reapers for help if we somehow get an advantage over them."

Tali then remembers the impossible things that she has seen Malen do.

Tali:" Malen. Can you defeat the reapers and give us back our home?" She says in a soft and longing voice.

Malen:" I will do both Tali, but not in the way you might be thinking. If I were to simply destroy them both, or at least one, then I would destroy the chance for there to be peace between parent and child and I would be slaughtering millions of "children". I'm sorry Tali, but I will not simply destroy the geth for you: not when I believe there is hope for them. I know that you desperately desire your home world back, but do you really want it to be covered in war and death of so many innocents? Rannoch will not be the same if it comes to that, trust me."

Tali:" I…understand. I'm sorry for sounding cruel; it's just that we have never had pleasant dealings with the geth." She says in a slightly disappointed voice.

Malen:" It's ok Tali. No matter what happens I'll be right here with you." he says in a reassuring voice as he rests his left arm on her shoulders.

Tali:" Thank you."

They sit in the sand, an arm slung on their shoulders, for what felt like hours. After a while, Malen starts feeling something taping his right shoulder that was bugging him to no end.

?:" Malen..Maaaalen….Malen..." a voice repeated.

?:" WAKE UP MALEN!"

With this sudden outburst both Malen and Tali awoke to see Grunt standing to the right side of the bed with his head close to Malen's ear. Tali covered herself with the bed sheets with embarrassment and anger written on her face. Malen just had a look of annoyance as he got out of the bed and equipped his party cloths, pants, and shoes (the cloths he wore when he infiltrated the Thalmor Embassy).

Malen:" What is it that you need Grunt?" still looking annoyed.

Grunt:" We are going to Tuchanka to see what is wrong with my increased need to kill and fight and I want you with me since you are the greatest fighter I have seen by far."

Malen:" If you pick me to go with you then there might not be that much left for you Grunt. Hehe. Though if you are serious about the matter then perhaps I will join you, though on one condition."

Grunt:" That is?"

Malen:" Tali is coming with us as well. It will be a great way for her to practice her new "abilities"."

Grunt:" Sounds fine to me! We will be at Tuchanka within the next couple of hours. I wouldn't mind getting a bite to eat before then." He says as his stomach growls.

This gives Malen an idea to not only impress Tali, but the rest of the Normandy crew as well.

Malen:" I think I know of something that will hit just the spot Grunt. You should join us Tali: in fact, I'm inviting everyone to the mess hall to taste my delicious master piece."

Grunt is more than thrilled to see what it is that Malen will make while Tali has a slight dumbfounded look on her face.

Tali:" You can cook?!" she says curiously.

Malen:" When you live alone for so long you kinda have to know these things."

Malen walks over towards the elevator.

Malen:" The food should be ready in about 30 minutes. Join the others in the mess hall when it's ready. You won't be disappointed."

Malen:" EDI!"

EDI:" Yes Malen?"

Malen:" in 30 minutes I want you to invite everyone to the mess hall that can leave their post. That includes Joker since you can fly the ship yourself. That is if joker does not want to be dragged down to the mess hall by an anger storm atronach!" He says as implying to direct that last sentence at Joker.

Joker hears Malen over the intercom that EDI relayed towards his part of the ship since she knew what Malen was getting at with the last sentence. Wondering what the hell Malen meant by "storm atronach" he turns his chair around and sees an 8 to 10 foot tall "creature" made of rotating rocks and electricity radiating across its entire body directly in front of him ( no more than 3 feet away). Joker's reaction to seeing this atronach made him regret having that last drink he had 2 hours ago as he knew he now needed to change his pants.

Joker:" OK OK! I'll be there for the food, just let me get changed first." He says to reassure Malen's atronach and with slight embarrassment he tries to hide under his cap.

EDI:" Joker will be joining you in the mess hall in 30 minutes Malen."

Malen:" Good! Thank you EDI. Was there anyone who refused?"

EDI:" No. Seems like everyone aboard could use something to eat."

Malen:" They are in for a treat then!"

As Malen enters the elevator and goes up to the third floor, Tali and Grunt get ready for "dinner".

Malen exits the elevator and approaches the mess Sargent Gardner.

Malen:" I will cook the next meal if you don't mind Gardner."

Gardner:" well if it gets these ungrateful lot to stop bitching and whining about the food that is cooked then by all means."

Random marine:" We would rather eat a cooked bitch than this stuff Gardner. I say let him cook, couldn't be worse than this stuff."

Gardner took that as the casual insults he usually gets from the while Malen took that as a challenge to his cooking.

When Gardner stepped away from the cooking area, Malen immediately took his place and put on a chef's hat and pulled out a couple of pots, small plates, and ingredients that he put onto said plates.

Two of the marines whistled in impressed manners as they can see that Malen was going to take this seriously.

Malen turned the stove onto a low heat setting and waited for a little bit for the pot to heat up. After a little while Malen began adding in the ingredients as follows:

-4 cups chicken broth

-4 cups beef broth

-2.5 ounces bitter

-1 wooden flagon of flour

-1 cup diced carrots

-half a cup of diced onions

-Nirn root

-diced hoorker meat

-a splash of mead

- and sweet roll bits

Then Malen began to stir vigorously until the golden colored soup was hot. Malen then brought out soup bowls for Shepard, himself, Grunt, Miranda, Jacob, Thane, Jack, Tali, Chakwas, Joker, 2 marines, Gardner, Garrus, Samara, Kasumi, Mordin, Daniels, Donnelly, and Zaeed ( This is a very big pot!). He then poured the contents of the pot into each of the bowls he placed out and then put them on the table. Malen had finished in 29 minutes.

Malen:" Dinner is ready!" he shouted using the power of his voice to project his voice throughout the entire ship.

It took everyone who was not already present at the table about 3 to 4 minutes to get to the mess hall, though as soon as they got there the first thing they noticed was an enthralling aroma of a food that they never tasted. Each one took a seat at the table that was set up for them one by one, Grunt being the first and most eager. The sight of Malen in a chef's hat and apron surprised and entertained some that were present.

When all were present and accounted for Malen decided to speak.

Malen:" I hope you all enjoy what I have made for you all. The dish is called the " Potage le Magnifique". Dig in!".

And with that everyone picked up a spoon and began to eat the golden soup that had a heavenly aroma: Everyone except Grunt who decided to just pick up the bowl and plow his mouth into it. The way Grunt was eating would have killed everyone else's appetites, but as soon as the soup touched their mouths everyone experienced magnificent pleasure from the taste of the soup that they were distant of everything else around them. They lost themselves in the different textures and tastes that blended themselves so perfectly with one another. Many would have asked for seconds or thirds of this heavenly soup if it were not for the fact that the soup was also very rich: so much so that not even Grunt could ask for seconds. While no one had asked for seconds, there were enough people who ate that the pot was gone when Malen had poured the soup into all the bowls.

After a while of enjoying the soothing effects that the soup had on them, eventually Tali asked Malen where did he learn to cook this. Everyone's eyes were now on Malen.

Malen:" I actually learn to make this while on an assassination mission."

While everyone was a bit surprised by this, Thane was the one most curious about this.

Thane:" Why did you need to make such a soup and who was the intended target?"

Malen:" The soup was a means to get close to the target and the soup was poisoned. The intended target was the emperor of the continent Tamriel."

To be so close to an oligarchy of an entire continent is no small feat for anyone and greatly impressed everyone in the room, especially Thane.

Garrus:" That was the best damn thing I ever tasted."

Jack:" Damn right!"

Random marine number 1:" I love it so much that I want my dick in it!"

Random marine number 2:" I want its dick in me!"

Malen sigh in contempt at the marines comments but allows it to go by. Malen then got up and picked up all the bowls, Grunt being last.

Malen:" Give me the bowl Grunt!"

Grunt:" just let me lick it clean first!"

Malen:" If I let you do that then you will break the bowl!" he says as he yanks the blow out of Grunt's hands.

Grunt:" aww!" he says with feigned sadness.

After that everyone picked up their bowls and placed them next to the sink where Gardner took back his post and washed the dishes.

EDI: "We have arrived at Tuchanka Shepard."

Shepard: "Good. Mordin and Grunt; meet me at the shuttle."

Malen:" Actually Shepard you take Mordin and someone else, I'll handle Grunt's problem. I'll bring Tali along with me."

Shepard:" Soot yourself then. Garrus you ready for action?"

Garrus:" Do I always need to calibrate something?"

Shepard:" I will take that as a yes then. Will meet you all in the shuttle then."

With that Malen, Grunt, Shepard, Tali, Mordin, and Garrus took the elevator down to the shuttle bay, boarded the small shuttle and took off. Their destination was the landing pad in clan Urdnat territory. They landed on a small pad inside what looked like a dome of some sort. The shuttle doors opened and the 2 teams stepped out and proceeded down a small set of stairs to their perceived destination. There were 3 krogan standing guard at the door that entered the clan base. The 2 krogan on the sides of the door raised their shotguns at the teams in a defensive posture. The krogan in the middle of the guard was the one to address them.

Overcaptain: "The clan leader wants to speak with you." he said in a monotone voice.

Malen:" He sounds a lot like that Batarian guard when I first arrived to Omega." He thought to himself in an annoyed tone.

Overcaptain:" Talk to him soon, alien. If we decide you're not welcome, you'll know just before we kill you."

As the teams entered through the door Malen couldn't help but make a comment to Garrus.

Malen:"That krogan has a bigger stick up his ass than you do."

Garrus:" hahahahe good one, though there is a reason for it."

They walked down the flight of stairs to a hallway willed with broken stone on the floor.

EDI:" Urdnot clan reports use weak encryption. I see references to a captured Salarian in the logs of the chief scout. Also I have been unable to access local medical records. I suggest asking the local clan leader for assistance with Grunt's problem."

They opened the door on the other side of the hallway and walked into the main part of the base. There was broken stone in large piles everywhere. The teams proceeded up a ramp of broken stone to where a small group of krogan were gathered with two armed krogan blocking the top of the ramp. One of the guards stopped them before they proceeded any further.

Dais Guard:" Halt! You must wait till the clan leader summons you. He is… in talks."

Malen:" Finally a guard with some manners!" he thought to himself in surprise.

The guard motioned with his head behind him to indicate what he meant by "in talks". The teams saw a rather old but strong krogan sitting on a throne chair made of makeshift stone listening to another krogan in front of him. Based on the expression on the krogan who was sitting; that this talk was annoying him to no end.

Gatatog Uvenk:" You know what tradition demands—Clan Urdnot must respond. Your reforms will not go unopposed. You risk appearing weak at a critical time."

The sitting krogan looks to his left hoping for a distraction from this idiot and he got one in the form of an old friend.

Wrex:" Shepard."

He says as he stands up and proceeds towards Shepard while pushing Uvenk away.

The guards step aside for Wrex to meet Shepard. The teams walk past the guards and meet up with the clan leader krogan.

Wrex:" Shepard! My Friend! You look well for dead, Shepard. Should have known the void couldn't hold you."

Shepard:" Good to see that helping me defeat Saren has turned out well for you."

Wrex:" Ha! You made the rise of Urdnot possible. Virmire was a turning point for the krogan, though not everyone was happy about it. Destroying Saren's genophage cure freed us from his manipulation. I used that to spur the clans to unify under Urdnot."

Uvenk:" You abandoned many traditions to get your way. Dangerous."

Wrex's only response to Uvenk was a sizeable head-butt to Uvenk's head plate.

Wrex:" Speak when spoken to, Uvenk. I'll drag your clan to glory whether it likes it or not."

Wrex sits back down on his throne chair and the teams stand in front of him.

Wrex:" Now, Shepard. What brings you here? How's the Normandy?"

Shepard:" Destroyed in a collector surprise attack. I ended up spaced."

Wrex:" Well, you look good. Ah, the benefits of a redundant nervous system!"

Shepard:" Yeah, humans don't have that."

Wrex:" Oh. It must have been painful, then. But you're standing here, and you've got a strong new ship."

Wrex:" Takes me back to the old days. Us against the unknown, killing it with big guns, good times."

Wrex then notices Malen among the group.

Wrex:" Speaking of the unknown it seems you have a knack for recruiting species of all kinds. I am an old krogan and learned of many species on my adventures but I don't recall ever meeting a species like his." He says as he motions with his head towards Malen.

Malen walks up to the front of the group and takes a bow that is similar to the one that he gave Aria.

Malen:" Greetings to you clan leader Wrex. It seems that you are the only one who seems to respect other creatures, or at least just us. I am what you would call an Argonian, a reptilian species. While I see that you are reasonable and understanding at least compared to your clan members I will not take disrespect so lightly. So do expect to hear the sounds of broken bones if you here any krogan disrespect me or Tali."

Wrex:" Just meet you and I'm already starting to like you a lot. You carry yourself like a respected Krogan leader and one who isn't stupid. If you ever need a home you can join clan Urdnot; you would fit right in. It also helps a little that you look a little like a krogan, at least compared to the other species of the galaxy."

Malen:" I'll take that as a compliment then. I'll let Shepard speak first of the reasons why we are here then I'll speak for my friend here (motions to Grunt with his left hand) unless he wishes to speak for himself.

Wrex:" Very well then, Shepard?"

Shepard:" I'm looking for a Salarian. He was captured by the Blood Pack and brought here."

Wrex:" My scout commander can direct you. He's probably near the perimeter running target practice. Don't take too much of his time. I need a constant watch on the other clans."

Malen:" While you may be doing that for safety reasons you may come off as paranoid to others or even nervous. Judging from what I know of krogan society, being seen as paranoid or nervous makes you look weak. You should be careful about who sees this happening or perhaps you could take it easy on the watching and hire me as the clan's enforcer. I would like a job and you don't even have to pay me, Ha."

Wrex:" I like that confidence and bravado of yours, you would definitely fit in here. It's not just for this clan's safety I'm concerned with though. I watch the other clans to make sure that they are not doing something stupid and if they think that I show weakness just because I have the brains to look over my shoulder then I won't care if an "accident" happened to them."

Malen:" Well at least no one can say you don't have a quad or 2 HA!"

Wrex:" Ha! You and me are gonna be good friends. So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Malen:" It's my friend here Grunt. He seems to be having symptoms of increased aggression to the point that he can't seem to control it. He calls it a "blood haze". Can you shed some light as to what this could be?"

Wrex examines Grunt from his chair as Grunt steps forward so that Wrex could get a better look at him.

Wrex:" Where are you, whelp? Was your clan destroyed before you could learn what is expected of you?"

Uvenk looks over Grunt with judging eyes as Grunt is speaking

Grunt:" I have no clan. I was tank-bred by Warlord Okeer, my lone distilled from Kredak, Moro, Shiagur."

Uvenk:" You recite Warlords, but you are the offspring of a syringe!"

Before another word could be spoken, Malen approached Uvenk and head-butted him with enough force to knock Uvenk on the ground.

Malen:" Do you always love to disobey your superiors? Speak when spoken to Jackass!"

The amount of force that Malen hit Uvenk with was enough to silence Uvenk's ramblings for a short time which is an accomplishment in of itself. Wrex was liking Malen even more know and wondered if he should make him an honorary Krogan. Perhaps he would think of a rite that would show that Malen was worthy of being called Krogan and a clan member even.

Grunt:" I am pure krogan. You should be in awe."

Wrex:" Okeer is a very old name. A very hated name."

Grunt:" Of course. You're with Shepard. How could he be alive?"

Malen:" Actually that was my doing Wrex, or should I say my servants' doing."

Wrex:" If Shepard picked you for his team then I have no doubt that you can handle yourself in a fight with anyone."

Malen:" So what is causing his blood haze?"

Wrex:" There is nothing wrong with him. He is becoming a full adult."

Malen:" So he is just hormonal? Terrific!" he says with a little bit of sarcasm.

Wrex:" I don't care what alien's call it. Krogan undergo the Rite of Passage."

Instead of speaking in protest to this, Uvenk just walks away and up to where the Shaman is.

Wrex:" Idiot. So Grunt? Do you wish to stand with Urdnot?

Malen:" What is the Rite of Passage? I hope it isn't boring! Would like to relieve some stress by pounding something's skull into its ass."

Tali:" Malen. Could you perhaps calm down a little? You're acting a bit too much like a krogan for my tastes, though that's not always a bad thing. I got along just fine with Wrex here."

Wrex:" Indeed she did. She fights well for a quarian." He said with a chuckle.

Wrex:" it's not for me to say, Malen. The shaman will discuss that."

Malen:" what do you think Grunt?"

Grunt:" It is in my blood. It is what I am for."

Wrex:" Good boy. Speak with the shaman—he's over on the second lvel. Give him a show, and he'll set you on the path"

Shepard:" can't come with us Wrex?"

Wrex:" Wish I could, but I need to keep these shortsighted fools in line. Hunt well, Shepard."

With that the teams went down the stone ramp.

Shepard:" Alright, everyone meet up at the shuttle the missions are complete."

The rest of the group nodded and split off into 2 different teams. Shepard, Garrus, and Mordin went to the perimeter while Malen, Grunt, and Tali went up to the second floor.

When Malen, Grunt, and Tali got up to where the shaman is they noticed that Uvenk was also there and was making up for the time he spent not speaking in front of Wrex. Malen merely face palmed in annoyance that he would have to deal with this idiot again. The group approached the shaman while he was having a discussion with Uvenk.

Shaman:" You go beyond yourself, Gatatog Uvenk! The rites of Urdnot are dominant!"

Uvenk:" How do we know it will challenge him? He's unnatural! The beasts of the Ritre could ignore him like a lump of plastic!"

Malen:" beasts? Oooo we are gonna be killing things!" he thought joyfully

Shaman:" They know blood, no matter the womb. Your barking does not help your case."

Grunt:" I'll speak for myself!"

Shaman:" This is the tank-bred? It is very lifelike. Smells correct as well. Your protests ring hollow, Uvenk."

Malen:" I'm here to ensure that Grunt achieves clan status and no blabbering idiot with his hands tied is gonna get in our way!" he said commandingly

Shaman:" Now there is some spirit! Unlike those who only bark and show nothing for it."

Uvenk:" If this must stand on ritual. Then I invoke a denial! My krantt stands against him! He has no one!"

Malen:" If your krantt is as quadless as you then Grunt has nothing to fear from you and has all that he needs."

Shaman:" an excellent rebuttal alien, but Uvenk invokes correctly. Grunt, who is your krantt? Your allies willing to kill and die on your behalf?"

Malen:" I am. Name a target and it will die. I hope you name this idiot Uvenk here. As for the dying part, well…. I don't think I can actually die."

Shaman:" very convincing. You do seem very strong yourself and that just might tempt me to take you up on that request, unless Uvenk has something else to bark out."

Uvenk:" Aliens don't know strength! My followers are true krogan. Everything about Grunt is a…."

Before he could finish his insult, his mouth was closed shut by Malen's left hand and was lifted off the ground with his right hand, holding him just below the sternum. With a strong thrust of his hand Malen threw Uvenk through the window and into the wall on the other side of the glass with enough force to knock him unconscious and for stone to break off the wall and fall on top of him, ensuring that he would not get up anytime soon.

Malen:" Anyone else want to bitch about this!?" he said with an annoyed and angry tone.

The krogan from Uvenk's krantt looked over the edge of the broken glass and saw that their leader was not moving from underneath a small pile of stone. Their only response after that was to shake their heads no to indicate that they won't bitch about it.

Malen:" Good!"

Shaman:" HAHAHAHA! I like this alien! He understands! And since Uvenk is out right now I will assume he is withdrawing his denial. You have silenced their whining. Reason enough for me to like you. They're your problem now."

Malen:" Anything we need before we head out?"

Shaman:" To begin the Rite, only the candidate and his krantt are required. You love battle, don't you? the last gasp of a dying opponent? Bring your love of the fight to Grunt's trial, and he will succeed."

Malen:" ok then lead the way."

Shaman:" Excellent."

The shaman led the team to the transports and drove them to the place where the rite would take place. The path to the rite was in ruins though could still be traversed.

Shaman:" This is Tuchanka's most recent scar, the last surface city to fall in the rebellions. The keystone was at the heart. It has survived wars and the passage of centuries. It endures—like the krogan."

The structure above them was massive and at the center of it was the keystone.

Shaman:" If you wish to join Clan Urdnot, you must contemplate the keystone and its trials."

Grunt:" What will happen?"

Shaman:" Who knows? You must adapt. You must thrive, no matter the situation. Any true krogan will."

The shaman left the group after he had said his part and the team was left to face the trials unsure of what would happen. Tali had pulled out her shotgun, but Malen placed his hand on top of the gun and lowered it.

Malen:" I asked for you to join us for a reason. You said that you wanted to learn how to use magic? Then use what I taught you so far instead of your weapons."

Tali:" Well you didn't teach me all that much, but ok I'll try."

Tali puts her shotgun back on its clip on the back side of her waist. She raises her hands and holds them in front of her. In her right hand she ignites with fire as she readies her flame spell, and her left hand she lets a golden light envelop it as she readies a lesser healing spell.

Malen:" Good. I will use spells as well."

Malen raises both hands in front of him as he surrounds them with vibrant sparks of blue and white lightning as he readies an expert level lightning spell.

Malen:" You ready Grunt?"

Grunt:" More than ready! Hit the keystone!"

With that Malen hit the green button at the back of the area. In the background the team could see a large cylinder object being pulled up.

Intercom:" First the krogan conquered Tuchanka… and mastered a natural world only we are fit to hold."

The object slams down and creates a loud percussion sound.

Varens could be seen coming down raised stairs in the back. Malen motioned to Tali to take one of the small stair cases on the raised platform they were currently on. Malen then motioned to Grunt to take center stage in between the two of them while Malen took the stair case on the left.

Grunt:" Here they come. I'm ready!"

Varens slowly began to pour out and were running towards the small stairs to try to kill the people slightly above them. Grunt shot first as he unleashed round after round into the careless varens. The varens that didn't get shot to death by Grunt were making their way to the stairs that was closest to them on either side. Malen unleashed a torrent of lightning upon the unsuspecting varen and they were reduced to ashes in seconds. Tali shot out a cone of fire that engulfed all the varen that were 15 feet in front of her.

Even though that the spell was that of a novice level it still managed to burn the varen to a crisp in just a few moments of continuous use. Every now and then Tali would have to hide behind a column to recharge her magica reserves. She noticed that the more she used the spells she knows the more effective and efficient they became and learned how to use them more effectively.

It didn't take long for the entirety of the varen offensive to be decimated. The button on the keystone had turned green again signifying that they were ready for the next stage in the rite. Malen pressed the button and the hammer went up again.

Intercom:" Now all krogan bear the genophage, our reward, our curse. It is a fight where the only goal is survival!"

The hammer came down and the screech of a creature could be heard the same time the hammer had struck. A grotesque winged creature of considerable size landed in front of the raised stairs on the left.

Grunt:" Crawlers! Come to your death!"

The group positioned themselves in the same spots as they did the first stage of the trial, though Grunt ran back and forth to the side that had the enemies spawning from at the moment they did spawn.

Grunt picked off one Klixen at a time with several close ranged shotgun blasts while Malen electrocuted several at a time from a distance. Tali was having a bit more difficulty with these creatures since not only were they a bit tougher than varens, but they also explode after death. One managed to get a little too close to Tali when it died and exploded, damaging her suit and giving her a 2 degree burn on her left side.

Normally this would make Tali panic, but do to her immunity to poisons and diseases she was not that worried at all. She raised her left hand and let the golden light envelop her body. Her burn and any other damage from the explosion was gone as if it never happened.

Tali:" This is better medigel by a longshot!" she thought to herself with surprise and delight."

Tali was more careful with these creatures now since she didn't want more of her suit being destroyed. The Klixen had just kept spawning from those flying creatures whenever they land. This was getting repetitive and a little annoying to Malen.

Malen:" Can something different happen please." He said aloud.

And as if on que, after the last Klixen had died, no more flying creatures were seen above them and the button on the keystone turned green.

Malen:" Thank you! now let's see what's next or last."

Malen pressed the button a third time and the hammer ascended again.

Intercom:" The only goal is survival!"

When the hammer struck this time the team heard a large amount of rocks being shifted behind them. When they turned around to see what it was they saw a blue and purple tentacle like appendage jutting out of the ground.

Before anyone had the chance to shot at it or cast a spell at it, the tentacle submerged. A few moments later, the head of a very large creature sprang out of the ground to the team's right.

Grunt:" Finally an enemy worth fighting!"

Malen was curious to see how strong this large creature was, though he would need to piss it off enough to get it come closer to him and try to attack him directly instead of just spiting acid at him.

Before the thresher maw had time to fully submerge again, it felt one of it claw arms being pulled on with tremendous force.

Malen:" You're a feisty one aren't you?!"

Malen had jumped over the barrier that divided the area they were in and the rocky ground that the thresher maw sprung from and grabbed hold of one of its claw arms. With terrifying strength Malen fought off the thresher maw's attempt to get its arm back and was pulling the maw out of the ground.

While Tali has seen Malen do impossible things before it still did not lessen the feeling of pause. Grunt; on the other hand, was cheering Malen on.

Grunt:" Yea Malen! Pull that grub out of its hole!"

Malen:" I hope I don't ripe this things damn arm off before I drag him over the barrier." He thought to himself.

Fortunately the maw did not feel like ripping its own arm off to get free, though it continued to spit acid directly at Malen. While the acid could not hurt Malen or his dragon bone armor in any way, the smell that the acid was giving off was horrifying.

Malen:" Dear God what the fuck is that smell!? Smells like someone threw up a stomach full of shit and rotten eggs." He complained loudly.

While grunting and complaining loudly about the smell of the acid, Malen managed to drag the head and upper part of the thresher's body over the barrier. This would mean that about 1/5 of its body was now above ground. Even though that it was in a bit of a predicament now it only uses its acid spit to attack.

Malen:" Are you going to use your other arm or are you just going to spit!?" He shouted at it with a smirk on his face.

Seeing as it didn't have a lot of options at the moment, it raised its free arm, the left one, and swung it at Malen. To its dismay and shock, Malen caught the offending limb with his left hand and began to pull it. what the situation now boiled down to was a tug of war between Malen and the thresher maw using its arms as the substitute for the rope.

The thresher struggled violent against Malen to get its arms free but could not. Malen had to admit that the beast was strong in its own right, but Malen was stronger still. In a desperate attempt to get free the thresher thrashed backwards with so much might that it tore its own arms off since Malen didn't budge an inch. Green blood sprayed from its arm sockets in small fountains. In a blinding fit of rage and pain the thresher maw charged its mouth at Malen.

Malen:" Now that's more like it HAHA!" he said with a warrior's glee

Malen dropped the severed arms and jumped straight into the thresher's mouth. While Grunt didn't know the right word for it, he began to have a sort of guy crush on Malen now (not homosexual. It's the kind of crush one has for someone that they admire, and respect. Basically it's a fanboy crush sort of thing)

Tali:" And to think that I thought that things couldn't get any crazier. I should have known better, but I won't hold it against him."

Grunt:" GO MAN GO! TEAR IT APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT!" He shouted excitedly.

When Malen believed that he had reached the center of the thresher's body he began to surround himself with fire. The fire aura Malen surrounded himself with began to gradually consume the entire thresher.

The thresher maw screeched and screamed out so loudly from the pain of being burnt alive from the inside out that Tali and Grunt had to cover their ears. When the line of charred flesh had reach a visible point, the thresher's screams slowly started to die down until its head fell to the ground with a thud and crash. The line of charred flesh then reached the end of the thresher's head and maw. After a couple of minutes of silence save for the crackling sounds of flesh still burning and charring, a large part of the top of its head exploded out and Malen shot out from the epicenter of the small explosion. Malen landed on his feet with a crash as a small crater formed from the landing.

Malen was covered in charred blood and other burnt viscera.

Malen:" Well. That was both fun and unpleasant at the same time."

Grunt walked up to Malen and gave him a punch in the arm.

Grunt:" that was damn impressive Malen. Hope there is more to kill."

Tali:" Well you look… great. I think you should take a shower when we get back to the Normandy."

Malen" aaaaa you don't find me attractive like this?" he said jokingly.

Tali:" I always find you attractive, but it would be nice if you took one."

Malen:" will do then."

When the team was going to head back for pick up they noticed that the thresher maw corpse was blocking their way and it looked too broken down in order to lift out of the way. Just as the team was trying to figure out a way back to clan Urdnot base a shuttle flew overhead and landed not far from where they were.

Malen:" I don't think that is transport for us. Stay sharp."

Grunt:" Good! I want more."

The team moved to where the shuttle had landed, but the occupants had already moved out and intercepted them in a small area with several stone barriers that could be used as cover.

Uvenk:" You live, and you brought down the thresher maw. No one has done that in generations. Urdnot Wrex was the last."

Grunt:" My krantt gave me strength beyond my genes. Which are damn good."

Uvenk:" This will cause discussion. I wonder…. You say you are pure? No alien meddling in your construction? Just the warlord Okeer?"

Malen:" You changed your tone really quick. What are you playing at Uvenk?"

Uvenk:" Grunt will command much respect now. His strength may be artificial, but it is a tolerable loophole."

Grunt:" A what?"

Uvenk:" A reason to accept you. You are a mistake, but your potential could tip the current balance of the clans."

Grunt:" You spit on my father's name! On Malen's name! But now you stop ranting because I'm strong?"

Uvenk:" With restrictions. You could not breed, of course. Or serve on an alien ship. But you'd be clan in name."

Malen:" So what your basically saying to Grunt is that " We like your power, come join us. We won't like you there. We won't let you have hanky panky. And we won't let you be with the friends you made during your brief time of life, but hey here is some extra letters in your name". Grunt let's kill this asshat and his krantt of dipshits."

Grunt:" I couldn't agree more."

Before the first shot was fired Malen shouted:" Feim Zii Gron". Malen's body had become translucent and a thick fog enveloped his translucent body. Malen ran towards Uvenk and seemed to disappear into his body.

The shooting that just moments ago started now stopped as all eyes were on Uvenk wondering what was going to happen to him. It did not take long for them to find out what would happen.

A sickening crunching and squishing sound emanated from Uvenk's body. Uvenk only had time to scream in horror for a fourth of a second before he died from having all of his vital organs crushed at once. Everyone else expected for Uvenk's body to just fall to the ground dead. But it never did; in fact, the body stood upright, opened its eyes, the pupils had rolled to the back of Uvenk's head, and smiled.

Uvenk:" You look surprised hahahahe. Come and die! Heheheha." He said in a demonic version of his own voice.

No one knew what was going on right now or quite what had just transpired, but they all could agree on this much that Malen had killed Uvenk somehow and now possesses his dead body, which was actually not far off from what Malen did.

Uvenk's pack focused on the possessed body of their dead clan leader. Grunt took on a krogan to the left while Tali took on a krogan on the right. Malen/Uvenk took on the two krogan in the middle.

Grunt took down his foe with a tackle and shotgun blast at point blank range. Tali kept dodging her opponent's attempt to tackle her and she burnt him alive until he was quite well done. Malen shrugged off the shotgun blasts from the last 2 krogan like it was nothing before thrusting Uvenk's fist through the torso of the closest krogan and ripped out his spine. With a swift kick, Malen knocked down the last krogan onto his back and proceeded to impale him through the stomach with the spine of his dead clan member. The impalement alone would not finish off this krogan and Malen knew that. Malen pressed his foot onto the top of the krogan's left leg and grabbed his left ankle with his hands. With one swift movement Malen tore off the krogan's leg and proceeded to beat him to death with it until his head exploded (Just imagine Quan Chi's fatality from Mortal Kombat and you would get what Malen was doing to this krogan).

After the krogan's head exploded, Malen lazily tossed aside the severed leg. By the time Malen had finished killing the last krogan, Tali and Grunt were staring at him with different expressions on their face. Grunt was in awe by the "artwork", while Tali was a little disturbed by the brutality. Knowing that the job was done and that he had made his point he began to cast a fire aura spell from within Uvenk's body.

The fire spell caused Uvenk's body to slowly burn into ashes. A few moments of burning later, Uvenk's body was nothing more than a cloak of blackened ash on Malen and around him. Tali and Grunt could barely make out any of Malen's details as he was covered from head to foot in ashes. Malen slowly began to open his eyes and peered out of the veil of ash that covered his face. Grunt was mesmerized by how cool and badass Malen was looking right now. Tali saw things a bit differently. It wasn't so much the fact that he was covered in the ashes of his foe, but it was the way that he peered out. His gaze was probably the coldest and most emotionless gaze she had ever witness. His presence seemed to make the very air around them become as cold as space.

Tali:" Kela. That is not Malen I'm looking at. It's like I'm staring into the void itself. But why does he look like that? And why is he making me feel so cold on Tuchanka. Perhaps I'll ask him about that when we get back to the Normandy. Maybe I can asked him while he is repairing my suit." She thought to herself.

Malen straightened his back after a few moments of staring and shook off the ashes on him until at least some of his body's details could be seen.

Malen:" Well that was probably pleasant to look at. Anyways, we still need a way out of here since the road is path is blocked off."

Malen pondered over a way that they could get back to the base, and take Tali's mind off what he just did. It did not take him that long to figure out one.

Malen:" Could you give me some room please; I have an idea about how to get out of here."

Both Grunt and Tali gave Malen some room (about 10 feet away from him)

Malen:" A little bit further please."

Now Grunt and Tali were curious as to what Malen was planning, though they thought that Malen would show them once they gave him enough room. Grunt and Tali eventually backed away about 20 more feet away.

Malen:" Perfect! Now watch."

Malen bent over until he was on all fours. He then began to grow in size and Grunt and Tali wondered when he would stop growing. His size was not the only thing to change; for as Malen was growing in size, he also had large, spike like appendages start forming on his back. His armor was gone and his skin changed into a pale green color. His head extended a bit while it also adjusted to an all fours stance. His arms extended outwards and began to bend at different angles. A large membrane formed in-between each of the bends of his arm that made his arms take on the shape and function of wings. His tail grew much larger and longer. The scales of his body became more condensed and had the appearance of Malen's dragon scale armor, but all around his body. Horns grew on the top of his head and his eyes became a dark blue color.

It took Malen roughly 5 minutes to fully change his form. Both Grunt and Tali were both greatly surprised and confused as to what Malen had transformed into, and that he could transform at all.

Grunt/Tali:" well aren't you just full of surprises." They said at the same time but in different tones of voice.

Malen:" Krosis Tali Zorah Vas Normandy. I should have told you sooner that I can change at Fen. I am also sorry if my speech is hard to understand, it is a habit of Dii, mine while I am in this form."

Malen sounds much older now as well as genderless.

Tali:" What are you now then." She asks out of curiosity as she moves closer to Malen in order to examine him.

Malen:" I have taken a form more reflective of my Sil, soul. I am currently in the form of my fron. A dovah, dragon. The reason for my choice in form is that I can fly."

Tali:" So you want us to ride you back to the base?"

Malen:" Geh Tali Zorah, I do."

Tali was a little nervous about riding a dragon, but this seemed to be the way that Malen wanted to bring them back so she gritted her teeth and approached Malen's neck. Grunt was very excited about flying a large creature such as this "dragon" that he tried to get to Malen's neck first, but Malen turned his head towards him.

Malen:" Tali is sitting in the front Grunt. Climb onto my back Grunt and hold on to one of my spikes."

Grunt is a little disappointed that he does not get to ride upfront, but that still does not hamper his excitement as he quickly climbs up Malen's side and onto his back. Malen turns his head back upfront so that Tali can climb onto his neck. Tali carefully climbed onto Malen's neck, making sure to not pull or stand on anything she shouldn't. Tali sat right behind Malen's skull where his neck connects to his head and held onto one of the horns on his head. To Tali's surprise it was not as uncomfortable as she was expecting it to be.

Malen:" are you two ready? It's going to be the takeoff and landing that will be the worst part of the trip."

Both Grunt and Tali nodded their heads.

Malen:" Good now hold on."

Malen lifted and spread his wings wide as he flapped his wings downward. The sudden acceleration caused Grunt and Tali to fall down a little until Malen started to fly straight rather than just up. Once the initial take off was over, the flight was actually quite nice. The wind blowing in their faces and the sights to behold. Even though that Tuchanka was riddled with ruins as far as the eye can see, it was still an amazing sight to behold. As they drew closer to their closer to their destination, Tali couldn't help but think of something and she told Malen about it.

Tali:" how are we going to land on the landing pad? There is still the shuttle in the way."

Malen:" I know what I'm doing Tali. Don't worry."

Tali:" Ok."

They soon arrived at the dome that they first landed in and Malen began to lower his decent.

Malen:" I'm going to quickly change back once we are far enough down. I can levitate in my former form and can catch you with telekinesis. I know that sound difficult but Ov. I know what to do."

As they neared the bottom, Malen quickly transformed back into a argonian and caught Grunt and Tali before they hit the ground. Tali was dripping sweat at how close she was from hitting the ground, while Grunt couldn't stop screaming for joy like a kid on a roller-coaster.

Shepard, Garrus, and Mordin were still waiting for Malen and the others when they quite literally dropped in on them. After a feeling of a good jump scare, Shepard was glad to see the others had made it back.

Shepard:" Welcome back. How was the mission."

Malen:" It was a complete success."

Grunt:" It kicked so much ass!"

Shepard:" Great! You can fill me in on the way back after you check in with the Shaman."

Malen:" Will do."

Scene cuts away to when Malen, Grunt, and Tali get back to the Shaman.

Shaman:" You have passed the Rite of Passage, earning the honor of clan and name. Many survive, but it has been years since a thresher maw fell! Your name shall live in glory. Grunt, you are Urdnot. You may now own property, join the army, and apply to serve under a battlemaster.

Grunt:" Malen is my battlemaster. He has no equal."

Shaman:" Understood. Congratulations, Urdnot Grunt. Accept this token from Fortack. His weapons are the finest we have."

Malen:" Fare well then."

Shaman:" May your foes be strong enough to keep you sharp."

The team left the second floor and were in the hallway to go towards the shuttle when EDI popped in to add a comment.

EDI:" Killing the thresher maw has produced several breeding requests for Grunt. And 8 for Malen."

Grunt:" HA!"

Malen merely placed his hand over his face with embarrassment while Tali chuckled at how cute Malen looked when embarrassed.

When the group got into the shuttle with the rest, Garrus, Mordin, and Shepard couldn't help but notice that Malen was covered in ashes and smelled really bad.

Shepard:" Mind telling us why you look like you work in a coal mine and smell like a krogan toilet?"

Malen:" That's an interesting story to share."

Author's note: Unslaad Krosis that this took me so many months to finally update. I've been trying to get a job and I've had family stuff happening too. I hope you like this chapter even though it's so late. The next chapter will be called " A Shadow Blade No More" Please leave a review and pm me if you want to tell me what you think of that chapter.