AN: I do not own the Fallout series.
The Railroad Ending, Good Karma
Introduction, narrated by Ron Perlman
The Sole Survivor, the woman who cheated time in Vault 111, who had faced the Wasteland to find her son, had instead changed the Commonwealth forever.
The Sole Survivor, narrated by Ron Perlman (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Choosing to fight alongside the secretive Railroad as Agent Wanderer, the Sole Survivor struck at the heart of the Institute, freeing the Synths that they had enslaved and freeing the Commonwealth from the terror they had sowed. Though she lost the chance to reconnect with her son, the Sole Survivor did not regret her choice. For the first time ever, both human and synth alike were free from the Institute's tyranny.
Embracing the idea that everyone deserved a chance at life, regardless of what they were, the Sole Survivor gave rise to a Commonwealth without fear of the Institute's machinations or the dogmatism of the Brotherhood of Steel. Though she had lost her family, her nation, and her home, the Sole Survivor did not fall to despair. She gave hope to the hopeless and stood as a light shining in the darkness.
The Railroad, narrated by Desdemona (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
After following the Freedom Trail and discovering the secretive Railroad, the Sole Survivor found allies who could help her in her hunt for the Institute. Accepting the moniker 'Wanderer' from Desdemona, the Survivor aided them in their plight to liberate the enslaved Synths. In the end, she inspired rebellion among the Synth ranks and overthrew the oppression of the Institute.
Though the Synths were free, and the Institute was no more, not all was well. The Sole Survivor, compassionate and just, could not agree that every action the Railroad took was fully justified. The mind wipes, the manipulation of Liam Binet, the refusal to help the people of the Commonwealth. Every dubious act weighed on her and a rift grew between Wanderer and Desdemona, one that would never fully heal.
The Institute, narrated by Father (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
When reunited with the son that she had lost, the Sole Survivor did not find an innocent child that had been stolen from her by the Institute, but a grown man who would not recognize the humanity in his own creations. Given the choice of her remaining family, or the lives of the Synths, Agent Wanderer couldn't make the selfish decision. At her son's deathbed, the Sole Survivor wept for the loss of the child stolen from her, and the innocence that had been corrupted by the Institute.
It was not enough to free the Synths, the Railroad had to ensure that the Institute could never harm anyone ever again. The Institute was destroyed and its inhabitants, both human and synth alike, were scattered across the Commonwealth. Though the Railroad and Synths celebrated their victory, it was tainted with uncertainty. Without the Institute, no more Gen3s could be made ever again. The Synths were free, but they were the only of their kind that would ever exist.
The Brotherhood of Steel, narrated by Arthur Maxson (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
The Brotherhood had fallen. They were dogmatic and unshakable in their resolve that Synths were abominations to be destroyed, not victims of the Institute's cruelty. Beyond reason, the Railroad had no choice but to destroy them or risk being destroyed themselves. The Prydwen and all aboard, including Elder Maxson himself, were killed. Brought down by the machinations of Agent Wanderer.
Though another foe had been broken and Glory had been avenged, the destruction of the Prydwen did not ease the Sole Survivor. Shame and guilt flooded her as she remembered Danse, Haylen, and the innocent squires. The Fall of the Brotherhood of Steel only furthered the ever-growing distance and distrust between Agent Wanderer and Desdemona.
The Commonwealth Minutemen, narrated by Preston Garvey (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Help Rebuild the Minutemen)
After saving the settlers from Jared's raiders, the Sole Survivor found herself sympathetic to the Minutemen's cause and helped where she could, though her loyalty remained to the Railroad and the synths. Despite this, the Minutemen began to thrive once again, ensuring that all the citizens of the Commonwealth, both human and synth alike would be protected at a minute's notice.
When the Institute was destroyed and the synths freed, the Sole Survivor spent less and less time working with the Railroad and more leading the Minutemen. Though there was some truth to Desdemona's words and violence against synths happened too many times, the Sole Survivor, still helped where she could, making the Commonwealth a safer place for everyone.
Deacon, narrated by Deacon (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
It was one hell of a fight, but finally, the Institute was gone, and the synths were free. 'You can't trust everyone'. Words that Deacon lived by, and they had saved his hide plenty of times. Still, it was nice to know there were exceptions to every rule and the Sole Survivor sure as hell was the exception to that one.
Deacon couldn't help but be wary of the growing divide between Des and Wanderer though. He couldn't pretend that everything the Railroad did was on the up and up, but still. In any case, he was sure as hell glad that he had Wanderer at his side, together, the Institute never knew what hit 'em.
Codsworth, narrated by Codsworth (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Codsworth continued to serve his mistress faithfully, just as he had all those centuries ago before the War. The old Mister Handy would settle down in Sanctuary, content to spend his days tending to the settlement's needs. At last, the two old relics had found a place for themselves in this new world.
Piper Wright, narrated by Piper Wright (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
At long last, the Institute was gone, and Piper couldn't say she was going to miss them. She and Nat kept publishing the truth from Publick Occurrences, though her stories were a bit more warmly received now. She and Blue kept wondering the Commonwealth now and again, always looking for the next big scoop.
Nick Valentine, narrated by Nick Valentine (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Complete Long Time Coming)
After decades of struggling with the memories of a life he never lived, Nick Valentine finally found some form of peace with the help of the Sole Survivor. Though both Eddie and the Institute may have been gone, there were still plenty of cases to be cracked in the Commonwealth for Nick and his new partner, and plenty of justice to be dealt.
Preston Garvey, narrated by Preston Garvey (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Help rebuild the Minutemen)
Preston was grateful to see the Minutemen rebuilt stronger than ever under the Sole Survivor. Though he knew her loyalties lied with the Railroad, he was still proud to call her General and to fight for her. With the Institute now gone and the Railroad busy helping the Synth refugees, the Minutemen were ready to pick up the pieces for a brighter and safer tomorrow in the Commonwealth.
Paladin Danse, narrated by Paladin Danse (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Spare Danse during Blind Betrayal)
Though Danse would eventually come to accept his true nature, he was horrified to see the destruction of the Prydwen and the deaths of his former Brothers. He could not forgive the Sole Survivor for her actions, even if he could understand her reasoning. Danse left the Commonwealth and was never heard from by the Sole Survivor again.
X6-88, narrated by X6-88 (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
The destruction of the Institute shook X6-88 to his core. He wondered the Commonwealth aimlessly for months, keeping himself alive out of pure spite. Eventually, he channeled his despair and anger into a furious vengeance and hunted down the Sole Survivor. Though she offered him the chance to be his own person, X6 refused and was killed. Another synth the Railroad couldn't save.
Cait, narrated by Cait (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Cure Cait of her addictions)
After getting her addictions cured at Vault 95, Cait kept on traveling with the Sole Survivor. After a lifetime of looking out for only herself, it sure as hell was nice to have someone she could trust to watch her back. There were plenty of fights to get into and she couldn't wait.
Curie, narrated by Curie (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
After the Sole Survivor freed her from Vault 81, Curie quickly embraced the new freedoms offered to her by the Commonwealth and her synth body, only occasionally forgetting things such as breathing and sleep. As she said she would, Curie continued to discover new innovations in the field of medicine and even began teaching it to others. At long last, Curie felt as though she had contributed something to the world.
Hancock, narrated by John Hancock (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Hancock was happy to see those Institute bastards get what they deserved, happier still to see it was the Sole Survivor who sent them sky high. He kept travelling with the Railroad Agent, helping good folks and hurtin' the bad ones, human or not. Still, he never strayed from Goodneighbor for too long, even without the Institute, someone had to make sure it stayed free after all.
MacCready, narrated by Robert MacCready (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Complete Long Road Ahead)
After getting Prevent from Med-Tek with the Sole Survivor, MacCready was relieved to hear it worked a few weeks later and that Duncan was alive and well. The Sole Survivor and MacCready parted ways soon after, but the mercenary would forever be in debt to the Railroad agent.
Strong, narrated by Strong (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Strong continued to follow his new leader, happy to crush things for her. He continued to search for the Milk of Human Kindness, even more eager to gain its strength when he found out it helped the train-people crush the Insta-Tut and their fake men.
Diamond City, narrated by Piper Wright (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
With the Institute gone and 'Mayor McDonough' exposed, Diamond City was finally free of the Institute's influence. Though the Railroad were to thank for their liberation, the thanks went unsaid, not that they minded. Still, for the first time in centuries, Diamond City could chart its own course and be the Great Green Jewel of the Commonwealth once more.
Goodneighbor, narrated by John Hancock (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Goodneighbor flourished following the Institute's destruction, though things were still tense with Diamond City, even after McDonough got the boot. More than a few Synth refugees ended up at the Ol' Neighborhood and under Hancock's protection, as a favor to the Sole Survivor. Cause human or not, one thing was certain in Goodneighbor, it was Of the People, For the People.
Bunker Hill, narrated by Kessler (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Bunker Hill had taken one hell of a beating during the battle, and it took them some time to recover. The caravans kept the caps coming in though and repairs were steadily underway. Thanks to Agent Wanderer's intervention, the Hill was still a Railroad safehouse and synth refugees kept traveling to the old memorial, ready to begin again.
Vault 81, narrated by Overseer McNamara (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Give Austin the cure)
Vault 81 began opening up more and more to the Commonwealth following Austin's recovery thanks to the efforts of the Sole Survivor. A new surplus of compatible tech from the Institute ruins gave the Vault a chance to thrive once more.
Covenant, narrated by Amelia Stockton (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Save Amelia Stockton)
After killing Dr. Chambers for her crimes, the Sole Survivor returned to Covenant with several Railroad heavies in tow. Despite the townspeople's efforts, the settlement fell to Agent Wanderer and the settlers were scattered to the winds. The town was resettled following the Institute's destruction…. As a new safehouse for the Railroad.
Sanctuary, narrated by Sturges (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Sanctuary became a boom town following the Institute's destruction by the Railroad. Trade from Bunker Hill gave a steady flow of caps passing through the settlement… and more than a few Synth refugees looking to leave the Commonwealth. The Sole Survivor never visited much though, only occasionally popping in to check on the Synths, or to visit the vault on the hill.
The Raiders, narrated by Bosco (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Kill all named Raider bosses)
With the death of the rabid warboss, Bosco, the raider empire in the Boston ruins fell to pieces. A hundred different splinter gangs formed and warred among themselves. The fighting was a mixed blessing to the Railroad, the disarray meant less organized attacks on their safehouses, but it also meant that the roads were more dangerous than ever.
The Gunners, narrated by Captain Wes (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Kill Captain Wes)
The death of Captain Wes through the Gunner forces in the Commonwealth into chaos, as different factions fought for dominance. Though the fighting was destructive, it also kept the Railroad exactly where they liked to be: out of the spotlight.
Quincy, narrated by Clint (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Kill Clint)
With the traitor Clint dead, Quincy was quick to fall in chaos left by Captain Wes's death and was eventually reclaimed by the people of the Commonwealth. Among the settlers were several Railroad agents and Synth refugees, looking to set up a few new safehouses in the reclaimed city.
The Forged, narrated by Slag (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Kill Slag)
After Slag was killed by the Sole Survivor, the Forged were leaderless and left vulnerable. They joined the already chaotic raider wars and were quickly wiped out. Saugus Ironworks was left abandoned for the scavengers.
The USS Constitution, narrated by Captain Ironsides (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Side with the Crew of the Constitution)
The loyal crew of the U.S.S Constitution celebrated its successful venture and escape from the dastardly Weatherby Savings and Loans. The sight of the mighty vessel careening through the Boston skyline was surely an awe-inspiring sight for all. The good Captain Ironsides began drawing plans for the next voyage to the Atlantic to begin its approach to China.
The Cabot Family, narrated by Jack Cabot (Railroad Ending, Good Karma, Side with Jack)
Jack and his family mourned Lorenzo, none more than Jack himself. Despite everything he was and did, Jack loved his father greatly and was devastated he could not free him from the cursed crown. Despite his ideas of an expedition to the Mojave, Jack found he could not abandon his family now that Lorenzo was dead. He and his family passed away peacefully after several centuries of life. Only Edward Deagon inhabits Cabot House now.
The Yangtze-31, narrated by Captain Zhao (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Captain Zhao returned to his home in the Yangtze, after 200 years of penance in the ruins of the city he burned. As he reached China's shores for the first time in two centuries, his hearth swelled. He hoped his capitalist friend would find her own peace, as Zhao had.
Kent Connolly, narrated by Kent Connolly (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
After the fight at Milton General, Kent knew he had his fill of adventure. Seeing the Railroad deal justice to the Institute and free the Synths reminded him that there were still heroes out in the world, and he found himself leaving the Memory Den, no longer needing to escape to the past. Still, he would never forget that for just a moment, the Silver Shroud had leapt out of the comics and been made a reality.
Pickman, narrated by Pickman (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
When confronted with the artist Pickman in the bowels of his gallery, the Sole Survivor -albeit reluctantly – spared the madman. Pickman continued to hunt down raiders, turning the monsters into works of art whose beauty only he could appreciate.
Dr. Virgil, narrated by Brian Virgil (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
After curing himself, Brian Virgil was recovered from the Glowing Sea by the Sole Survivor. He was to learn of the Institute's destruction by the Railroad and left the Commonwealth for greener pastures in disgust. Despite this though, he least comforted by the knowledge that any remnants of the FEV lab had been completely destroyed, as well as relieved to know the evacuation had been activated before the detonation. The loss of the Institute's equipment set back any immediate hope for a cure for the FEV virus for some time, however.
Scribe Haylen, narrated by Scribe Haylen (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Scribe Haylen was hit hard by the destruction of the Prydwen during the Battle of Boston Airport. The Brotherhood's betrayal of Paladin Danse and the Sole Survivor's betrayal of the Brotherhood later was too much for the young Scribe. She deserted the Brotherhood shortly after the battle and narrowly avoided the Railroad's raid on the Cambridge Police Station. Haylen left the Commonwealth for parts unknown and was not heard from by the Brotherhood again.
Shaun, narrated by Shaun (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
Shaun returned to the Old North Church alongside his mother. Though he didn't realize it, while he wasn't the Sole Survivor's real son, the woman loved him as a son regardless. After fighting for so long, Agent Wanderer had her son, regardless of what form he took. Synth, human, it didn't matter. Shaun was the son of the Sole Survivor and that was all that either of them cared about.
Kellogg, narrated by Conrad Kellogg (Railroad Ending, Good Karma)
After over a century of life, Kellogg finally met his match in the bowels of Fort Hagen and the grizzled old merc faced the justice that had he had evaded for so long. His body was buried in a unmarked grave a few miles south of Hagen. Those who knew him agreed it was far more than he deserved.
Closing narration, narrated by Ron Perlman
So ends the story of the Sole Survivor, another chapter in the annals of the history of humanity. But the tale of humanity will never come to a close, it is the eternal struggle, a conflict with no prize, a war without end. And war…war never changes.
AN: This, this was probably the hardest of the ending to come up with it. I'm pretty sure only the Bad Karma version will be worse. The Railroad. What can I say about them that hasn't already been said? Whether you agree with them on Synths or not, one thing is certain, they need more time to be developed.
The Railroad is an interesting concept, they have a killer aesthetic as these sort of steam/diesel punk freedom fighters, but they weren't given much development. Then again, the same can be said for the other factions too: The Minutemen? A bunch of barebones quests based on settlement building. The Institute? Shallow designated bad guy faction with very little shading. The Brotherhood got the best writing, because God forbid there be a Fallout game without the Brotherhood of Steel. That's not to say I don't like them, no, there one of the coolest and most iconic parts of Fallout, but we already gotten 3 (arguably 4) games about them, give us new stuff about these new factions.
I'm ranting, I'm sorry, but my point still stands.
You know the drill, next chapter is the Bad Karma ending, can't wait to see what I manage to pull out of my hat this time. Take care, folks. - Bones