Garrus and Anderson radioed over they made it to an emergency shelter. Liara lost a lot of blood. The Doctors gave her electrolytes and brought her pressure back up, she is going to be alright, but will take time to recover her consciousness. I'm just so happy the one person I fought this entire war for is safe. Once everything is over, I'm going to make ********* drag Kai's soul to the worse hell imaginable. Admiral Hackett is patchinng through. He's reporting the Reapers are leaving for darkspace. Multiple fleets are reporting the same, and the worlds of many species. The converted abominations fell dead. The Catalyst is keeping his side of the bargain.

Admiral Hackett asks 'what on Earth is going on?"

I tell him "It's over Admiral. We won."

Admiral Hackett for once breaks his stoicism 'Thank you lord. The Reapers surrendered?"

Ughhh…. "I made a deal with the Reapers. I have a lot of explaining to do."

Admiral Hackett asks "what do I tell the boys?"

"Tell them to pop the champagne and celebrate."

********* asks "who are you talking to?"

I tell him "It's the leader of the Alliance. The Reapers are leaving."

The Catalyst says "I've fulfilled my part. Now you will ascend me."

********* says "I promise I will, but first, Put the Reaper's into hibernation. I don't want them coming back."

The Catalyst explains "I cannot. The cycle has not been completed. Once I am free, they will awaken one day."

********* thinks "can you put them into sleep mode for 50,000 years?"

The Catalyst says "Initiating repair and data analysis mode. The Reapers will be occupied for 500 years."

********* sucks in his lips, pondering the offer "That works for me. See you in a bit Shep." Before they depart, my friend flashes an evil grin the second before a bright flash and booming thundercracks take the two. I wait patiently, planning my next move. The war is finally over. Our work isn't finished. It will take years to repair the damage. Maybe the Rachni will be kind enough to help out. The queen does owe me a favor. I should call my mom.

********* has returned, clapping the dust off his hands. He looks rather pleased with himself.

I ask him "what did you do?"

He says "I took him to the Source, but before I did, since the Catalyst loved learning so much, I gave him the grand tour of samsara. Most of the lower realms. Hahaha! I dragged him through most of the horrible places you can go, all the while his incompatible soul was kicking and screaming begging me to let him go. You should have seen it Shepard. The regret I was feeling from him was priceless. After enough, when I was tired, which took some time, I threw his butt into the Source. Hehehe he is in so much pain there. That's what happens when you're a humongous piece of shit."

I ask "any chance he will come back?"

********* happily says "Oh no. I got a friend making sure of that."

I ask "what now?"

********* blinks, his smile vanishes. He is thinking... "I'm not sure. Usually after completing an adventure, I take a break, but this is a special universe. I need to see Tali and make sure she's safe."

I grib my friend's shoulder "go to her and live the life you fought for. I'm going to find Liara. I'll message you once I know more. Then meet us back at the apartment. Thank you again for all your help. I'm blessed to have you as a friend. If you weren't here helping me, I'd be dead and not able to be with Liara. I'll always remember that. Tali is fine. I'm sure of it. But in case she's not, let me know which gods we need to kill. I'll walk through Hell with you."

********* says "Thank you Shepard. My intuition is telling me Tali is okay, but my anxiety is begging me to find out for sure. I'll see you soon."

********* turns into a humanoid mist of luminous gold particles, phasing through the window. The stars are dim compared to his glorious form. He looks like an angel falling to Earth.

My heart, or in my energy form my toroidal field generator is racing a hundred miles a minute. Tali has to be safe. She has to be. Gravity is too slow. I descend down into this world faster than the fundamental force of nature assists. The clouds obscuring my vision dissolve from my vision once I break through the sky. Need to find Tali. I'm over Europe. That sad little Island in the northeast with really bad food is where I need to go. My omnitool is getting a signal. I open the app that lets me find Tali… shit. "Cannot be located." Please be ok. This happens when her omnitool is powered off. She might have forgotten to charge it. Instead, I input Grunt's omnitool address. I fly so fast the GPS can't recalibrate fast enough. Damn it! I overshot. I have to reduce my velocity. It takes me 10 minutes to find Grunt. He's in a canvas tent, bandaging himself. I don't think and materialize right in front of him.

"GRUNT! Where's Tali?!"

Grunt screams, falling backwards, taking his cot with him "Kalros don't do that again!"

I apologize "Sorry but where's Tali?!"

Grunt says "She's in the med tent. I gotta tell you – WAIT!"

I run as fast as I possibly can. My fear pushes me to run faster than Usain Bolt. The med tent has a large red cross on a white circle in the front and the door made of strings of canvas. My arms spread them apart. My eyes quickly process the new scene. No quarian angels in sight. I scream "Tali!"

"Over here!" She's alive. A plastic privacy sheet observes her silhouette. Running around to find my dear sitting on a hospital bed. I'm so grateful she's alive and hold her head to my heart. We melt into each other's embrace. My reason comes back, I get on my knees, holding her hands, asking "what happened to you?"

Tali caresses my face "First off I am going to be ok. A cannibal tried to throw its acidic vomit on me. A few drops landed on me and exposed the suit. I'm having an allergic reaction but will be fine eventually. I have some bad news."

My hands brings Tali's gloved fingers to my lips. Unconsciously I kiss them, before asking "what's wrong?"

Tali says "Wrex tried shielding me with his biotics, forgetting it only works on bullets. His limb… it blocked most of the acid. He lost his left arm."

Shit. I owe Wrex a tremendous debt "Whatever wish he wants I will grant it. I'm just happy you are safe. I've never been so scared in my life. I was terrified I was going to lose you."

Tali says "He said not to worry about it as it was a fair trade for bringing back his people."

I ask "Will it grow back?"

Tali answers "No but he can get a metal one."

A biblical flood of gratitude erupts from my spine "ThankSourceThankSourceThankSource you've alive. I love you so so much."

Tali says "I love you too. Is it finally over? We can live our lives now?"

Tears fill my vision "I think so." I bring Tali in for the longest hug possible. My entire being surrenders to her embrace. I know deep within me; this is where I belong. My Sweetheart is alive and well. That's the only thing I care about.

Dr. Chakwas breaks up our reunion "Oh *********. Must be good news if you're here. Did Tali tell you what happened?"

I nod.

Dr. Chakwas says "I've placed a tourniquet on Wrex's stub to stop the bleeding. Even with Krogan healing he needs an operation to cauterize his blood vessel and infection preventative measures. He'll be under anesthesia soon, but I think you should speak to him before I put him under.

Dr. Chakwas takes us halfway where we need to go before a patient begs for her help. Dr. Chakwas excuses herself and points to where Wrex is. Tali pokes on the privacy canvas as knocking is impossible, requesting permission to enter. There is a soft white light in front on Wrex's shadow

Wrex says "Yeah. hold on. I'll talk to you later. Bye. (Wrex ends his videocall). Don't just stand there, get in before the drugs take me to the void."

Tali pulls the curtain open. Wrex has the largest, happiest, most adorable smile an alien turtle man can have. His positive aura is overshadowed by the battle damage. Most of his arm is gone. I don't think he has his bicep anymore. To make matters worse, the acid reached across his exposed pec, up his neck, and close to his ear would be if he had one. The skin inflammation turns his yellow into a shade close to his plating.

I expressed my profound gratitude for him "Wrex I owe you everything. Whatever you desire, name it and I'll move heaven and earth for you."

Wrex leans back on his cot "Yeah sure hand me those chips will you?"

Tali hands him a party size bag of potato chips that looks small in Wrex's. He opens the bag and drops the entirety into his mouth. Wrex enjoys the taste. The crunching of dozens of fried thin slices of potatoes makes it impossible to hear oneself. Wrex finds comfort in the dopamine being released from his brain, until he burps, sending starchy saliva drenched particles in the air.

It grossed me out, but I have shit to do "Wrex it is possible for me to time travel back to when you were asleep and still had your arm and make a copy of it. I'd like permission before I go. Then Dr. Chakwas should be able to reattach your limb."

Wrex declines "Nah I'm good. I don't want you waking up my lady friends."

I ask "Are you joking?"

Wrex says "Kalros no. Remember how I told you krogan women think battle wounds, like scars are hot and once Bakara sees my prosthetic, she'll get wetter than the Hanar homeworld. Might get another kid."

I force that mental image outside "Eww… well whatever floats your boat."

Wrex continues "She'll squirt an ocean deep enough for me to paddle to your moon."

I gently flick his I.V bag. The drugs are taking forever to get him asleep. Must be that 15,000 calorie a day diet of his. Kaiden and Ashley pull away the curtain. Kaiden celebratory rubs my shoulders. It feels weird but I'll allow it this one time.

Ashley welcomes me back. "What happened up there?"

I tell everyone what occurred. How Kai returned, injured Liara, who's alive and getting treatment, he kill TIM and we ended him. All about the Catalyst. The three original endings, what we chose.

Ashley is understandably upset we didn't kill the Reapers.

Kaiden points out "if he had Shepard would be dead and the relays destroyed and maybe the Earth with it."

Wrex asks "could that have happened?"

I tell them "Yes there was an ending where the crucible worked, but it also scorched the Earth's surface."

Ashley rethinks her position "maybe this is the best ending. What are we going to tell the council? Now the game is over, will you reveal yourself?"

I said blanky "Yes. This is the part where I take over and rule the galaxy with an ironfist."

…

"Guys I'm JOKING! Calm down. JEEZ! I want to stay hidden. We need to tell the council something that will make them understand why we didn't fire the Crucible but also something that will make them never want to use it. The Catalyst gave full control over to Shepard. Only he'll be able to use it, not that he ever would."

Wrex asks "can we tell them it was all a bluff?"

Kaiden shakes his head "the council will never buy that."

Ashley thinks out loud "Maybe… umm… what if we tell them it kills all sentient life leaving nothing for the Reapers to harvest."

I reply "Don't bring halo into this."

Ashley says "I don't know what you are referring to but you're right. It was a stupid idea."

Kaiden asks "could the relays even do that?"

Tali suggests "what if we tell the council the crucible altered the mass relays element zero field generators to increase the mass of everything, pulling the entire galaxy into a super mega black hole."

…

…

…

Tali asks "what?'

I answer "That's fucking dark."

Wrex nods "a galactic suicide bomb. I like it. Might have to start a band with that name."

Ashley asks Wrex "you play an instrument?'

Wrex chunkles "yeah! The harp! I'll show you." Wrex stretches his IV line, plucking it like a guitar. Singing a krogan camp song. Tali swats his hands away and I lay him to bed. The drugs are finally kicking in.

I ask them for updates for everyone else. Kaiden and Ashley tell me the Normandy took some hits but it's mostly cosmetic. Joker, Edi, Cortez, and Taylor are safe. James wore himself out and is napping somewhere. Mordin got bored and is dissecting a brute. They don't know what happened to the others. We decided the simplest idea is to add Kaiden and Ashley to the old Cerberus team group chatting. I send a message to everyone saying the war is over and we are seeing who is alive and if anyone needs help. We don't expect instant answers, but it is something to send out to the universe.

After a while, Cortez brings a shuttle down to pick Tali and I up. Joker radios over the council is calling an immediate session and wants us there. I ask Joker is he's heard word on Shepard. The Commander is heading to what's left of the Council tower. Cortex says the shuttle is too low on fuel to make it to the Citadel and we have to stop at the Normandy then depart. Anyone who wants to come better do it now. I ask our team who wants a lift. Kaiden and Ashley are the only ones coming along.

When we arrive on the ship, I head to the cockpit and tell him the good news. I ask Joker "what happened to your family?"

Joker replies "We lucked out. The Reapers didn't even land at their colony. Must have been too small to care about."

"That's good. You are very lucky. Alot of people lost everything."

Joker nods "Yeah I feel for them, but in a weird way they get to live another day to even be sad. Besides, won't they be together again one day?"

I reply "yeah but that could be decades away. A child losing their parents and being alone, or vice versa. It hurts me to even think about."

Joker says "War doesn't come without a cost. You helped us more than we can imagine. Don't beat yourself over something you couldn't control."

We meet Shepard, Garrus, and Admiral Anderson at the base of the Council tower. Shepard smiles seeing Tali with us and is happy to see everyone. We got messages from most everybody. Zaeed, Miranda, Jack, Jacob, and Kelly are alive. Nothing from Samara. Ashley asks Shepard "how's Liara?"

Shepard says "Liara is alive. She should wake up in a day or two. After we meet with the council, we are going back and taking her back to the apartment. Speaking of which, and Admiral please excuse my language, What the fuck are we going to tell them?"

I reply "we came up with something."

Tali reiterates her brain child.

Admiral Anderson says "That's horrifying to think about."

Shepard says "I can live with that."

The elevator isn't working. An assistant directs us to a backroom where the council members are. It's a normal sized conference room with basic cloth chairs and a nice wooden table. Valern politely asks us to take a seat. I sit as far away from the asari bitch as possible. Whenever she looks at me, I give her death glares. Anderson is evidently aware what she did to me, he wisely refuses to get in the middle of this. Shepard explains what he went through when he arrived on Earth, the teleporter to the Citadel, the battle with Kai and the illusive man's death. This is where he starts to fib, and our uptight boy scout is a damned good liar.

Shepard says "When I've arrived at the crucible control panel, I was about to fire it when the AI controlling the Reapers begged me to stop. It explained the Crucible was an energy amplifier that would have overcharged the mass relays, turning everything's mass to infinity forming the largest black hole ever. Taking everyone with it including them. I threatened to do it. At first, he called my bluff but I figured if we were going to die, I'd take them all with me. Just when I was about to push the button, it surrendered. It claims the Reapers will leave the galaxy forever, but we'll see. Before I left, I programmed the crucible to only work with a special passcode only I will know. It looks like I'm going to have to stay on the Citadel forever and be given whatever I want, unless you think your forces can handle the return of the Reapers by yourself."

You clever bastard.

Sparatus objects "you can't keep the powers of a superweapon all to yourself."

Shepard stands from his chair "if the asari can keep the knowledge of the Protheans and the Reapers to themselves, I can do whatever I want. I'm resiging from being your lap dog. All of your were supposed to protect the other races when they needed you the most and when things got hard, you abandoned them."

Tevos tries to object, then Valern shuts her up "Commander Shepard. I understand your frustration and share it. Which is why I am announcing the salarians withdrawal from the council."

Tevos and Sparatus are shocked "you can't leave."

Valern says "The Salarians will no longer be the third wheel of the asari and turian power structure and we are forming an independent federation. We have been in talks with members of noncouncil race's governments and those outside our territories. We welcome the humans to join us."

Admiral Anderson says "We are honored and are very interested in your proposal."

Tevos objects "you can't leave! We need everyone!"

Spartus sides with her "We only stood a chance from the Reapers by uniting together. If we disband that will only encourage them to finish us off!"

Valern yells at the both of them "The noncounil races have paid more than their fair share in protection fees which you failed to deliver. You took their credits and failed to protect them. You broke their trust. What did you expect to happen?"

Spartatus and Tevos are sweating bullets.

Sparatus is in disbelief "this can't be happening."

I bark "if you were nicer to the other races this wouldn't have happened."

Sparatus replies "kindness is weakness."

I yell "dare to imagine my grand disappointment you're not even capable of that."

Sparatus is lost for words.

Shepard says "We're done here. Everyone, we should go."

Varlern is the first to leave his colleagues. One by one be follow him out the door. Tevos and Sparatus beg to stay, to reconsider, make new deals. No one listens to their bullshit. I hold the door, ushering everyone out the door. Tevos stands up, coming way to close to me. The asari councilor mouth begins to open. A millimeter is too wide for my tolerance. She doesn't get to speak. I'm violating the first amendment this one time. I interrupt her by raising my right hand to shoulder level. I am about to use the most powerful mudra I know. I've learned of this from a lady-like entity made of white strings in a kid's movie. My thumb forms a circuit with the middle and index fingers. My pinky and pointer from the ears of the head of a canine species my hand now resembles "quite coyote" THROAT CHOP! She falls to her knees. I slam the door against her head, closing it tight. I warn both of them if we ever see each other again, I will kill and make an example out of both of them.

Spartatus yells through the door "we're not afraid of you.":

I yell "I don't care for your fear, but I will have your screams if we ever see each other again."

War is the great shake up. The bloodshed, the loss of life, the horrors of the battlefield are only a part of the destruction that comes. The galactic government is fractured. The old ways are done, new ones will replace them. While alliances and treaties are broken, the galaxy thinks they cannot war with each other anymore or the Reapers laying it wait at the galactic edge will return. I'm sure they will still be fighting, broken agreements, military skirmishes. It won't become a utopia. I don't need it to be. it only has to be something where people can have the opportunities to craft their own future, ones that will be happy, perhaps even safe from the Reapers. Maybe they will return. Maybe they'll move on to other galaxies. One thing for sure, if they attack my home, I'm bringing hell to them. Alot of going to change, and I'm excited for what is to come.