One of the many things Flynn learned to hate during his time as the Doom Slayer was when something got in the way of his objective. Any good soldier knows that most plans don't succeed when faced with the enemy, and many operations will have unexpected variables that would either slow down the mission, or completely derail it.
Most soldiers are taught to adapt in the field should something like that happen to achieve mission success, or at the very least make it so they got back alive. And he'd learned to adapt pretty damn well with what he's faced.
But that didn't mean he was any less frustrated at being slowed down in any way. Which was why he was taking said frustrations out on any unlucky Geth platform that crossed his path as he was forced to take the stairs up toward the Council chambers.
Floor. By. Floor.
He was just glad he started close to the top.
Grabbing a Geth Trooper by the head, he sliced it off with his Doom-Blade. Kicking the body away while tossing the head over his shoulder, several other units laid out behind him as he continued his path of destruction.
If he was calculating right, his objective was only a few more floors up. And if the elevators were out, that meant Shepard and the others were scaling the side of the tower in the same direction he was going.
This also made him realize he'd need to look into making the boots of the Praetor suit magnetized in the near future.
Kicking open the door to the next stairwell, the slayer breathed out hotly in frustration as he scaled the steps three at a time to the next floor. He was nearly there, but the closer he got an old familiar feeling began to itch beneath his skin. Something that only ever happened when something involving Hell was nearby.
This was made worse with the knowledge that he had the same feeling back on Virmire when Saren escaped.
Hands gripping his heavy cannon a bit harder, Flynn kept pushing forward. Whatever was triggering his instincts would be facing him soon enough. And he'd handle it like he'd always had.
Kicking open the next door, the slayer found himself in the offices that belonged to the Asari councilor. There were signs of combat, much like the last couple of floors he'd been on. Bullet and scorch marks on the walls, small fires burning and damaged furniture. The red warning lights bathing everything in an ominous glow.
There were also a couple of bodies, Geth platforms and a few security personnel who fought to evacuate others.
Taking a couple steps, the slayer heard a loud scream from somewhere ahead and charged forward. Smashing through a locked door in time to see a pair of Geth Shock Troopers preparing to execute a wounded Asari in combat armor. The two machines turned their optics his way a half-second too late as he slammed into them, crushing them against the wall with hard enough force to warp the reinforced metal.
Dropping the crumpled bodies to the floor, Flynn turned to the wounded woman and blinked when he saw two more Asari come out from behind a nearby desk and ran to her. One of them looked around the same age and was wearing a long white dress while the other could have passed for the age of 10, though it was hard to tell with how Asari aged.
"Mother!" The little one exclaimed before wrapping her arms around her.
"My love! You're wounded!" The older one panicked, trying to stop the blood flowing from one of the injured Asari's wounds.
"As long as you both were okay, that's all that matters to me." The Commando spoke through her pain. Heavy footsteps had them looking up, gasping as the slayer stood over them. The younger one looked scared of the large man, but her parents were in complete awe.
"It's…It's you…" The Commando said in disbelief. "The rumors were true…you've returned."
Flynn knelt down and brought up his omni-tool, applying medigel to the wounded Asari. Relief passing over her as the medication took effect. Finished, he picked up a shotgun that was lying nearby, most likely belonging to the Commando, and handed it to her. He then motioned to the three of them and pointed to the floor before pointing to his eyes then the door.
It took a moment, but the Commando nodded while her partner looked at her confused. "He wants us to hunker down here and keep an eye out for more Geth." She explained.
The slayer nodded. He'd cleared out the other floors, but there was a big chance more Geth were lurking around somewhere.
He turned to continue on, when something small suddenly wrapped around his left leg. Looking down, he saw the little Asari hugging him as best she could given their difference in size. "Thank you, for saving my mother." she said softly.
Her parents looked completely thunderstruck at their daughter's actions, worried about the response. But were even more surprised when the slayer reached out and gently patted her on the head and motioned for to go back to her family, which she did with a smile.
Flynn motioned for them to stay put again before making his way to the next stairwell. Making sure there weren't any hostiles on the floor before moving up to the next.
X
Meanwhile, on the outside of the tower. Shepard and the others were fighting their way through any Geth that stood in their way as they scaled their way upward.
Garrus and Ashley providing sniper support for the team, Tali and Kaiden using tech attacks to give them openings, and Wrex and Liara using their bulk and biotics respectively to deal heavy damage. As for the Commander, she used every ounce of skill and leadership she possessed to keep everyone's backs covered while taking out any enemies that crossed her scope.
The vertical climb was a bit disorienting, this coupled with Sovereign's limbs hitting the side of the tower and causing tremors that shook beneath their feet made for difficult traversal. But they managed to stay on their feet as they pushed ahead.
"The Council chamber isn't much farther! Keep pushing!" Jane shouted, taking out another Geth platform.
"How many more of these scrap heaps are there?!" Ashley grit her teeth while venting her rifle.
Tali threw a high-powered overload into a shock trooper that completely fried it from the inside out. "Each one dead, is another one less!" she exclaimed while blasting another platform with her shotgun.
Wrex slammed a Krogan clone headfirst into a nearby wall before drawing his pistol and painting the same wall with their brains. Liara used her biotics to bring a Geth rocket trooper closer and fired a charged shot from her pistol that took its head off.
"Heh, looks like Taggart's gun suits you." said the old Krogan.
Liara smiled at him before shooting past his shoulder and taking out another Geth. "He's certainly an inspiration." she replied, causing the mercenary to laugh.
X
The Council chamber was in rough shape. The once beautiful gardens were burning, the bodies of several people including Keepers laid in various areas as Geth platforms patrolled.
One platform stood near the door leading to the stairs, its optic sweeping around for movement. A sound from behind had it start turning around-
A blade exploded out of its stomach and pulled upward, effectively slicing it in half to reveal Flynn standing there. His eyes quickly sweeping the room as the other Geth were alerted to the death of their comrade and were coming his way.
Raising his heavy cannon, he put a precision shot through each one before they could get a shot off.
With the area cleared, the slayer stepped farther into the main atrium. Taking note of the damage around him, he began making his way to the stairs that led to the meeting chamber the council used for their meetings when a loud clattering echoed in the opposite direction.
Spinning around, Flynn had his weapon ready…only to lower it when he saw Shepard drop down from an open grate. The others soon following.
"Flynn, looks like we're right on time." said the Commander once she took stock of the situation.
The slayer, having already lowered his weapon, signed, Elevator was out, had to take the stairs.
"That's a lot of steps." Garrus commented.
"Alright people, we got no time to lose! Move out!" Shepard ordered as the group of seven ran for the steps and reached the upper level where they saw a lone figure standing before a holographic panel.
They swiped a clawed hand over one of the screens before lowering it. "I've been waiting for you…Shepard." A deep, mechanical voice rumbled. The figure turned to reveal Saren Arterius…only he wasn't the way any of them remembered him.
The former Spectre looked to have been loaded with even more cybernetic parts, All of them now black with red veins of energy running over them. His once organic arm was now one that had a small cannon mounted on the end that glowed the same color as his cybernetics. The only thing that roughly looked the same was his head, but his mouth was covered by a metal plate and his eyes glowed a sinister red that felt unnatural.
"...Saren?" Shepard asked, a little put off by the Turian's transformation.
"Saren failed. His flesh was weak. But in death, his corpse holds purpose."
The Commander snapped to realization, "SOVEREIGN!"
The possessed Saren raised its clawed hand and made a fist, "Access to the Citadel's systems was needed to regain control. To fix what the Protheans meddled with before their end. Once I have full control, my kind will return. And all you know will end."
"Not if we stop you first!" Shepard shouted in defiance, everyone else prepared to fight.
"You cannot stop the inevitable, Shepard." The puppet's red eyes then locked onto Flynn, "Not even the Slayer can stop this."
The ancient machine's words stopped everyone cold. Flynn narrowed his eyes at the heavily upgraded husk, how the hell did this thing know about him?
"It's no surprise you do not know. Many things were kept from you while you fought your unholy crusade against the dark legions. We heard of your existence, and were warned about your interference. The Maykrs spread their influence to many worlds, deals being made for the sake of their own ambitions."
The feeling of cold dread filled the veins of everyone, save for the slayer who felt his blood beginning to boil at what they were being told. Was this damn thing saying…
"At the dawn of my kind's creation, we were approached by what you know as the Khan Maykr. Offering us what we needed to complete our objective. In exchange for the organics we harvest, her kind takes the essence they leave behind for their own purposes." Sovereign explained, leaving Shepard and her team horrified.
"You fucking monster!" Ashley screamed, "That was their souls!"
The Commander grit her teeth and aimed her rifle at the monstrosity before them, "Your 'harvests' stop here!"
The avatar's eyes flashed brighter, "You will be the first to fall before the rest of your kind." it raised its cannon arm and fired a blast of red energy. The team dove for cover, Flynn grabbing Liara and Kaiden who were closest to him and dashing out of the way of the attack.
He's using Argent Energy! He signed quickly, recognizing the energy signature immediately while bringing out his super shotgun.
"Flynn says this thing is using Argent Energy!" Kaiden relayed to the others before they opened fire on the Reaper controlled husk.
"So don't get hit?! Good to know!" Wrex shouted back while throwing biotic attacks. The avatar suddenly shot forward, slamming into the Krogan with tremendous force and sending him flying down the steps and crashing into the atrium below. It swung hard to the right, knocking Ashley off her feet and into Shepard and Garrus and sending all three to the floor.
Tali hit the puppet with an overload, then proceeded to blast it with her shotgun. But the thing barely registered the assault as it turned to the Quarian and crossed the distance in three quick strides. Seizing her by the neck and lifting her off the floor.
"Your resistance is as hollow as your future." Sovereign said before he began to squeeze.
Its possessed body became shrouded in dark-blue energy and was frozen in place. "Flynn now!" Liara shouted as the slayer launched past her, delivering a devastating blood punch that sent the avatar flying and releasing Tali in the process. Flynn followed up by firing his weapon's meathook at the airborne target and slingshot himself after it, slamming both feet into its torso and sending them both crashing through the platform and into the garden courtyard under it.
Shepard got back to her feet, "Sound off!" She called while she and Garrus helped Ashley up.
"Still…here…" Tali wheezed, holding her throat while Kaiden helped her stand. Wrex came back up the steps with an irritated look on his face as well.
The sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed beneath them. "Order's Shepard?" asked Liara, part of her wanting to go down and help Flynn. But her knowledge of his skill kept her there.
"Flynn can handle it. We need to get the Citadel arms open." said the Commander as she jogged to the console and began imputing the data Vigil had given to her. "The datafile Vigil gave us worked! I have control of the systems!"
"Try communications, see if the fleet can help us with Sovereign," said Garrus.
Shepard got on her omni-tool in time to hear a distress signal, "...Destiny Ascension. Main drives offline. Kinetic barriers down 40%. The Council is on board, I repeat, the Council is on board!"
"Normandy to Citadel. Please tell me that's you, Commander." Joker came on quickly after.
"I read you, Joker." replied Shepard.
"We caught that distress call. I'm sitting here in the Andura sector with the entire Arcturus fleet. We can save the Ascension. Just unlock the relays around the Citadel and we'll send in the cavalry."
"You sure you wanna do that, Shepard?" asked Wrex, "Those bastards haven't been much help to us."
"This is bigger than just Humanity. Sovereign and the Reapers are a threat to every organic species in the galaxy!" Liara argued.
"That's why we need all the reinforcements we can get against Sovereign." said Garrus.
Jane thought over her decision before getting on her omni-tool, "I'm opening the relays, Joker. Give them hell!"
X
Outside the Citadel, the mass relay flared to life as the Normandy came through followed by dozens of Alliance ships.
"All ships move in! Protect the Destiny Ascension!" Admiral Hackett ordered as the fleet converged on the Geth fleet and opened fire.
"Ma'am, we're picking up reinforcements!" The head navigator reported to her superior.
The Captain looked at the readout and sighed in relief, "It's the Alliance, thank the Goddess!"
The Alliance fleet took out the remaining Geth vessels, suffering a few casualties of their own, but managing to save the survivors of the Citadel fleet.
"Destiny Ascension, you're all clear. I repeat, you're all clear." Joker announced once the last Geth ship was destroyed.
The Citadel arms began to open and the remaining ships headed straight for the tower where the Reaper was still situated on the tip of the tower. "The Citadel arms are opening! All ships move in! Concentrate on Sovereign!" ordered Hackett as the fleet began their assault.
X
Back in the Council chamber, the team jogged to the edge of the platform and found Flynn and Sovereign's avatar locked in combat. The slayer kept dashing around the garden courtyard and firing rounds from several weapons he was swapping in quick succession while the upgraded husk moved almost as quickly, returning fire with its arm cannon.
"Let's get down there!" said Shepard.
Flynn dashed to avoid another blast from Saren's possessed corpse, unleashing a barrage of micro-missiles from his heavy cannon in return that was narrowly avoided. In terms of strength and power, this thing was nearly on the level of a Marauder but had the speed of a Prowler. Which made it irritating to hit.
But it wasn't the first time he'd fought enemies that like to pull a houdini.
Activating his equipment launcher, he kept firing his large rifle while watching the avatar's movements. Seeing his moment, he fired an ice bomb that froze the thing before it had the chance to move again. Flynn quickly switched to his rocket launcher and two three-round blasts that all hit home, shattering the ice and sending the husk crashing along the ground.
The avatar rolled to its feet, showing signs of damage from the fight thus far. Raising its cannon arm, argent energy gathering in the opening before a devastating beam was fired. The slayer jumped over the attack, but he failed to notice the intended target as the beam cut through the supports of the upper platform.
Flynn landed on the ground and looked up just as a large pile of rubble came down right on top of him.
Lowering the cannon, the avatar felt several bullets ping off its armor. Its glowing-red eyes zeroed in on Shepard as she and her team stood with weapons raised, "You forget about us?"
A deep growl vibrated from the avatar's chest, six-inch glowing argent blades extended from the tips of its already sharp claws as it advanced on them.
X
Outside the tower, the Alliance fleet fired everything they had at Sovereign. But the Reaper was barely taking any noticeable damage.
The ancient machine raised its limbs and began firing beams from each one, slicing through the kinetic barriers of several surrounding ships and destroying them.
Joker flew the Normandy through the debris of the unlucky ships, avoiding a few beams in the process. "It's too strong! We have to fall back!" One of the Captains said over the comms.
"Negative! Take that monster down no matter the cost!" Hackett ordered as the fleet continued their assault.
X
The collapsed platform began to shake, large cracks spider webbing across the smooth surface before a section exploded.
Flynn stepped out of the rubble, knuckles cracking as his eyes burned forward. Shepard and the others were fighting with everything they had against the Argent powered cyborg. But the abomination's speed and power was keeping them on the defensive.
A blast from its arm cannon had half the team diving for cover before it swung its other arm at Garrus who held out his sniper rifle to block it. The argent-claws slicing clean through the weapon and sending the Turian detective flying backwards.
Wrex managed to gain a lucky hit with his shotgun into the husk's side, but it only dented the armor as it spun around and smashed its cannon arm against the Krogan's head and sent him sprawling.
Liara attempted to lock it in a biotic stasis, Ashley beside her trying to get a bead on it with her assault rifle. But the husk was always on the move, keeping a step ahead of them before firing a blast at their feet and threw them in different directions.
Seeing most of the team getting trashed, Shepard summoned her omni-blade and charged. Leaping into the air with her arm cocked back to run the monster through.
Its clawed hand snapped up and clamped tightly around her neck, the argent-claws burning her skin as the husk turned its hellish-red eyes at her. Its arm cannon coming around, aiming at her center and beginning to charge. The other members of the crew unable to fire without hitting the commander.
Flynn's body crackled with yellow energy, his eyes shining over with the same color before he seemed to blur toward them. Mentally calling out the only weapon he had yet to use for a while.
Shepard struggled, wincing as she felt the skin of her neck burning more from the cyborg's claws as it prepared to end her. "This is your end, Shepard." The husk rumbled, "You have fai-"
A flash of red came between them, the husks arms falling to the ground along with Shepard. The commander looked up in shock as the husk stood still as if in shock before a glowing red blade burst from its chest.
Flynn stood behind it, Crucible in hand. The crimson blade bathing everything around it in a red glow. The slayer twisted and slashed, the husk falling in two halves just as the powerful Argentian sword sputtered and deactivated. The hilt closing as the last of its energy faded away.
The team had managed to get back to their feet, joining the slayer and looking down at the crippled abomination. Its eyes glaring up at them.
"This…solves…nothing…" It rasped. "My kind…will end…you all. You cannot…stop…the cycle."
"You're wrong." Shepard said, a hand over her wounded neck. "We stopped you. We will stop the other Reapers. No matter the odds."
Flynn reared back and drove his fist into the husk's chest, ripping out its core that pulsed with argent energy like a heart. Without a moment's hesitation, the slayer crushed it. His becoming covered in red volts as his suit and body absorbed the energy.
The husk seized, damaged frame shaking before it went still. Its eyes fading as its body dissolved into ash.
X
Outside the tower, Sovereign suddenly stopped moving. Energy crackling along its massive frame as it seemed to shut down and fall forward, the cables keeping it attached to the Citadel tower disconnecting.
"Its shields are down! Now's our chance!" Joker said over the comms as he flew the Normandy through the debris field.
"All ships, hit it with everything we got!" Admiral Hackett ordered. All of the remaining Alliance ships still able opened fire on the now weakened Reaper. The ordinance slamming into the ancient machine's armor and breaking off pieces with each explosion.
The Normandy made for the tower then banked upward, reaching a good height before banking and shooting straight down toward Sovereign. Joker slammed his hand over the console and fired a torpedo straight at the machine's center. The attack punching straight through it as the smaller ship flew past.
Sovereign's body glowed from within before it exploded, large chunks sent spinning through the open air…several pieces heading straight toward the tower where the ground team still was.
X
The team saw the Reaper Vanguard's destruction through the massive window in the Council chambers. They also saw what was heading directly for them.
"Everybody MOVE!" Shepard shouted just before the debris came through the window with a thunderous crash.
A/N: It's been a long time since I last updated this story, and with it being so close to the end of ME1 I figured it was about time I began adding more content again.
Much like most big fights involving the Doom Slayer, it seems a bit anti-climatic at the end. But it was ended in standard Doom style. And with the revelations unveiled by Sovereign, you know things are about to get very brutal in the near future now that Flynn has a personal stake in the ME universe.
Next chapter is in the works, so stay tuned.
Also, be sure to send love to everyone in California. For the citizens who have lost their homes, to first responders fighting the blaze with everything they have while trying to save everyone they can. We're all here in your corner, and hoping this disaster comes to and end soon.