History Heartwarming / MassEffect3

---->'''Wrex:''' You’ve been a champion to the krogan people, a friend to Clan Urdnot… and a brother/sister to me. To every krogan born after this day, the name “Shepard” will mean “hero!”

** Seeing how Eve's relationship with Shepard evolves. Upon first meeting on Sur'Kesh, she is extremely wary and guarded, wondering what Shepard could possibly want with her. A Paragon response has Shepard express interest in getting to know her. Once Eve is aboard the Normandy, you can go talk to her in the medbay, and it doesn't take long for her to open up. She eventually gifts Shepard a crystal shard that brought her hope during the lowest point of her life.

----> "You’ve been a champion to the krogan people, a friend to Clan Urdnot… and a brother/sister to me. To every krogan born after this day, the name “Shepard” will mean “hero!”

** Seeing how Eve's relationship with Shepard evolves. Upon first meeting on Sur'Kesh, she is extremely wary and gaurded, wondering what Shepard could possibly want with her. A Paragon response has Shepard express interest in getting to know her. Once Eve is aboard the Normandy, you can go talk to her in the medbay, and it doesn't take long for her to open up. She eventually gifts Shepard a crystal shard that brought her hope during the lowest point of her life.

*** The friendship is especially sweet if Shepard is female as well, as the two get some womanly bonding in. Eve even jokes about them "showing the men how it's done."

* The Batarians [[http://blog.bioware.com/2012/03/02/alliancenews5/ are the first]] to suffer a Reaper invasion, resulting in massive numbers of Batarian refugees fleeing into what they consider enemy space, resulting in this quote:

* You're actually given a ''Paragon'' Interrupt when dealing with ChewToy Khalisah Al-Jilani, in which Shepard ''comforts'' a legitimately distressed Al-Jilani, telling her that s/he's doing everything s/he can, and that she should ''keep'' pressing people on helping Earth and its cause. You then get a war asset notification. It gets a bonus if you refrained from punching her in the previous two games as well.

*** If you play through a save where Shepard did not do the Overlord DLC (such as the default start), you can tell that Gavin really did care about his brother and came to realize the horrors of what he did on his own, after being forced to nuke the base from orbit. Shepard in this scenario is a lot more tolerant of Gavin since s/he did not see the horrors firsthand. (He does cotton to the fact Gavin isn't telling the whole story.)

** If you bring Garrus along, he'll comment that she's as charming as ever. If he's been romanced, she'll tell him to "bite [Shepard]. probably how she likes it." If he isn't, though, she just says, without a hint of sarcasm, "Good to see you too, Garrus."

* If you didn't romance her, Shepard's conversation with Jack at the nightclub, where she's stressed overlooking things for her students, thanks to ''someone'' making her now dependable. Shepard tells her to take a break and leads her to the dance-floor. Jack's grin when she realizes that Shepard, who's got even more on their plate right now, is intentionally is going to make an ass of themselves to cheer her up, says how much those two have become friends.

* Kelly Chambers can be met on the Citadel. She gushes about how happy she is to see Shepard, and a Paragon interrupt gives her a big hug. She's also helping out refugees on the Citadel, and [[spoiler: If you save her by convincing her to change her identity, she'll help out the war effort by finding some ex-Cerberus engineers to build the Crucible.]]
* If you fully support the krogan for ending the genophage, just before the final fight against the Reaper unit, Wrex calls Shepard a brother/sister, and that the name Shepard will go down in krogan history as a hero. Hell, a Paragon interrupt is to make a bro-shake with him.

** Also, the speech that Eve gives the assembled Krogan, shaming the clans, Wrex, and Wreav into finally cutting out the tribal bullshit. They ''listen.''
--->'''Eve''': '''''[[BattleInterruptingShout ENOUGH!]]''''' [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech You can stay here and let old wounds fester as krogan have always done]]...[[DareToBeBadass or you can fight the enemy you were born to destroy, and win a new future for our children]]. ''I'' chose to fight. [[ArmorPiercingQuestion Who will join me]]?!
** Before the final mission of that arc, you can catch an ambient conversation where Eve notes that Mordin promised to sing for her, and he launches into an adorable song about the krogan queens. It's kind of completely magic, though Mordin insists he still prefers patter songs.
** If you make the choice to [[spoiler: tell Wrex and the others about the Salarian Dalatrass trying to get Shepard to sabotage the cure]], Wrex says the following to Eve. You can really hear the pride in his voice:

** [[spoiler: Actually curing the genophage.]] True, it comes on the heels of [[spoiler: Mordin or Padok's HeroicSacrifice]] but then the [[spoiler: cure starts to pour out from the Shroud and into Tuchanka's atmosphere looking like golden light.]] To make this moment even more poignant, [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic "Vigil"]] starts to play in the background and the reactions of [[spoiler: Wrex and Eve]] really show you just what this will mean to their people. Then it really sinks in. [[spoiler: You just saved the Krogan. An entire race has had its future restored because of your actions. There will be countless generations of living children born because of you and they will all be raised to know that you are their hero.]] [[GoodFeelsGood Good has never felt so good.]]

----> '''Wrex''': A long time ago, my father betrayed me in this place. His own son. He tried to kill me. So I had to kill him...right over there. That's what the genophage reduced us to. Animals. But you changed that today, Shepard.\\

*** As well, Wrex's comments before you head to the Shroud.
----> "You’ve been a champion to the krogan people, a friend to Clan Urdnot… and a brother/sister to me. To every krogan born after this day, the name “Shepard” will mean “hero!”

** After the mission, Shepard receives an email from Wrex that states that [[spoiler:Bakara]] is helping rerally the Krogan clans for the war, and later learns [[spoiler: during the battle to retake Earth that she is pregnant with Wrex's children and wants to name their first child Mordin]]. (Well maybe one of the girls. Still it's the thought that counts, right?)

** He even offers to let the humans share Tuchanka with the krogans after the war is over. This alone shows how much he is grateful to what Shepard has done to cure the genophage.

** Even the (deadpan, but obviously humorous in its delivery) throwaway comment about naming "well, maybe one of the girls" after Mordin...sure, it's clearly a joke. It's clearly a dig at traditional human gender roles, because he's talking to Shepard. But ''among the krogan?'' Wrex and Bakara just said that they intend to name a healthy, firstborn, ''fertile female krogan'' after Mordin, the man who designed the genophage in the first place. The legacy of the genophage was a shattered, divided krogan people, where fathers never knew their children and females were by necessity treated, not as property, but as essential breeding stock...even by the females themselves. Naming a ''daughter'' after Mordin--a daughter who will grow up alive, free and strong, surrounded by her siblings, raised by both of her parents, because curing the genophage has given her that chance--is a ''profound'' honor.
* Shepard's reunions with his/her old squaddies are full of genuine cheer and joy, especially for the player who's been through all three games with these people. Upon meeting Grunt and his new command, for example, the little guy practically slams his way through his squad just to give Shepard a [[BearHug Krogan Hug]].
** "Anybody got something to eat?"

** Made all the better whenever they both predictably {{Adorkable}} the entire ship up [[https://twitter.com/JonahFalcon/status/1398476432024739842]] after they're found out.

** Made all the better whenever they both predictably {{Adorkable}} the entire ship up [[https://twitter.com/JonahFalcon/status/1398476432024739842 after they're found out.

* If you didn't romance Garrus or Tali, [[spoiler:they hook up]].
** Made all the better whenever they both predictably {{Adorkable}} the entire ship up [[spoiler:after they're found out.]]

--> '''Tali:''' [gently] He did. That was him just now. I don't think he remembered me.

* In "Citadel" when Shepard and squad arrive [[spoiler: at the Normandy as it's getting stolen by Brooks and Clone!Shep]], you find Traynor [[spoiler: who was just thrown out of the Normandy]]. If Fem!Shep romanced Traynor, she is pissed because [[spoiler: because Clone!Shep just fired her for fraternization.]] What happens after is just adorable.

'''Shepard:''' Long story short, [[spoiler: evil clone]] not me.

** Keep in mind, this is also when Shepard volunteers to make an ass of himself dancing with Jack.

* Each of Miranda's scenes with Shepard in the ''Citadel'' DLC, romance or not, showing how good of friends they've become. Particularly with a Paragon Shepard, [[TeethClenchedTeamwork when one remembers how their relationship began]].

-->'''Cerberus Scientist:''' We're learning a great deal from those students you were training. Some of them may even survive.
-->'''Jack:''' ''I'M GONNA TEAR YOU APART!''

--> "Current psych profile indicates that holding students hostage likely to be most successful tactic."

-->'''Urdnot Wreav:''' The salarians gave us the genophage, why should we trust him?\\

-->'''Shepard:''' I'm sorry.
-->[[spoiler:'''Mordin:''' I'm not. had to be me... ''(Elevator door closes)'' [[MeaningfulEcho Someone else might have gotten it wrong]].]]

-->'''Eve''': '''''[[BattleInterruptingShout ENOUGH!]]''''' [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech You can stay here and let old wounds fester as krogan have always done]]...[[DareToBeBadass or you can fight the enemy you were born to destroy, and win a new future for our children]]. ''I'' chose to fight. [[ArmorPiercingQuestion Who will join me]]?!

-->'''Eve''': You just spared our race another genocide, Commander.\\

--> '''Wrex''': You really came through for us. [[TrueCompanions I'm proud to call you my friend]].

* Grunt pulling an AWESOME YouShallNotPass to give Shepard time to get out.

-->'''Garrus:''' [uncharacteristically shyly]'' So, Shepard... are you ready to be a one-turian kind of woman?

---> '''Shepard:''' If I get to that bar, and you're not there, I'll be looking down. I'll always have your back.

-->'''Tali:''' Thanks, Ash. Ready to go shoot some Geth?
-->'''Ashley:''' Just like old times.

-->'''Shepard:''' Tali would've loved seeing this.
-->'''Joker:''' Well... [[ToAbsentFriends let's win this one for her.]]

-->'''Batarian Refugee:''' ''Nail a few Reapers for me.''\\
'''Human Refugee:''' ''Right between the eyes, my friend.''

--> [[spoiler: '''Tali:''' If this doesn't... if we don't make it...]]\\

-->'''Tali:''' And if that's not enough... you're the man I love. Don't forget that. No matter what happens.

-->''[Tali just saved Shepard from falling to his death after the elevator they were on exploded]''
-->'''Tali:''' I thought I'd lost you.
-->'''Shepard:''' You were worried?
-->'''Tali:''' You bet I was! I mean you dying because a geth overrode my hack? Think of my reputation!
-->'''Shepard:''' Yeah. You were worried.

-->''[Tali kills two {{mooks}}]''
-->'''Tali:''' Shepard! Are you alright?
-->'''Shepard:''' Yeah, I'm fine.
-->''[beat]''
-->'''Tali:''' So... did you really [[RunningGag fall through a fish tank?]]
-->'''Shepard:''' [[DontAsk We'll talk about it later.]]
-->'''Tali:''' [[CallBack Remember]] [[VideoGame/MassEffect1 you used to]] [[RescueRomance rescue]] ''me'' in the Wards?
-->'''Shepard:''' ''We'll talk about it later.''

--> '''Tali''': It is beautiful though, isn't it?\\

--> '''Tali''': Do you remember what we said on Rannoch?\\

-->'''Shepard:''' ''[softly, while stroking her head]'' I need you to make it out of here alive, Tali. [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy Go back to Rannoch... build yourself a home.]]
-->'''Tali:''' ''[tearfully]'' I ''[[TearJerker have]]'' [[WhamLine a home.]]

-->'''Shepard:''' I think of the people I care about. That helps keep me going.
-->'''Liara:''' I'm glad I'm among them. I hope...
-->'''Shepard:''' Of course you are.
-->'''Liara:''' I feel better already.

--->'''Shepard:''' Thanks for talking to me.\\

** [[spoiler: Actually curing the genophage.]] True, it comes on the heels of [[spoiler: Mordin's HeroicSacrifice]] but then the [[spoiler: cure starts to pour out from the Shroud and into Tuchanka's atmosphere looking like golden light.]] To make this moment even more poignant, [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic "Vigil"]] starts to play in the background and the reactions of [[spoiler: Wrex and Eve]] really show you just what this will mean to their people. Then it really sinks in. [[spoiler: You just saved the Krogan. An entire race has had its future restored because of your actions. There will be countless generations of living children born because of you and they will all be raised to know that you are their hero.]] [[GoodFeelsGood Good has never felt so good.]]

* From the launch trailer, Garrus' words to Shepard give a really awesome feeling. It shows the UndyingLoyalty and strong friendship (or more) that he has with him/her.

** A salarian soldier on medical leave from an injury that's almost healed is chatting with his human friend outside of Purgatory, and they talk about arranging transport when they leave. The salarian suggests his friend's car, which she'd go on and on about, but she tells him she sold it a couple weeks back - just around the same time he received the fancy new set of top-of-the-line heavy armor he's been enthusing about.

** After the mission, Shepard receives an email from Wrex that states that Bakara is helping rerally the Krogan clans for the war, and later learns [[spoiler: during the battle to retake Earth that she is pregnant with Wrex's children and wants to name their first child Mordin]]. (Well maybe one of the girls. Still it's the thought that counts, right?)

* The above mentioned scene goes a little different if done with a FemShep romancing Garrus. The romance has moved from hilariously {{Adorkable}} to the most romantic one in-game, with scenes such as the reunion, when the Paragon interrupt is to kiss him ("That's the protocol on reunions."), comforting each other over the possible fates of their families, Garrus comforting Shepard with a hug after asking if she's alright... but the R&R on the Citadel takes the cake. Garrus takes Shepard to the very top of the Presidium, ostensibly to determine who the best sharpshooter between them is... and then, the romance hits, culminating in this question:

*** The best thing about the Garrus romance in some ways is how ''hilarious'' it is. A lot of the other Femshep romances - ''especially'' Thane's, for example - can be so tragic, but Garrus, once you romance him, seems wholeheartedly dedicated to making Shepard smile as often as possible. He thrives on this {{Adorkable}} half-sincere cheesy romance shtick, and it's pretty clearly done just to cheer you up. Like his BigDamnKiss on top of the Citadel. Or in the Citadel DLC, with the tango, or when he booby-traps your apartment and makes the password to turn it off "I HEART GARRUS." When Shepard's worried she might be a VI designed by Cerberus, the other LIs get very sweet and assuaging, but Garrus goes for "you're real. A little crazy, maybe, but real." Even the "meet me at the bar" thing feels like a last desperate attempt at comedy. It's so unbelievably sweet.

* ''Mass Effect 3'': "Citadel" is set up to be this between Shepard and their crew, particularly the love interests. Some clips show Male!Shep and Tali watching a film featuring a quarian and a turian (specifically Fleet and Flotilla), FemShep and Garrus dancing, [[ShirtlessScene Male!Shep and Jack embracing,]] and Fem!Shep sharing a beer with Kaidan.

* And while we're at it, the extended [[spoiler:Destroy]] ending may be a bit bleaker, but it is stil optimistic. [[spoiler:Lots of people died, including all the synthetics, but the Reapers are defeated, and the galaxy can (and does) rebuild, united as one. Let's not forget that Shepard can still survive in this ending.]]

-->EDI: ''News from Earth. The Resistance snuck video cameras inside a Reaper containment camp. I find the images difficult to process.''
-->Shepard: ''I bet it's pretty gruesome in there.''
-->EDI: ''I am not easily repulsed, but I expected the prisoners to adhere to a comprehensible hierarchy of needs. Stripped of societal norms and threatened with death, it is logical that their only priority be survival. They should have turned on each other and been uncompromisingly selfish...but not all were.''
-->Shepard: ''Some prisoners were, what, nice to each other?''
-->EDI: ''The Reapers delayed the execution of prisoners who informed them of other prisoners' escape attempts. The more attempts reported, the longer a prisoner would live. But few of the prisoners would report; some fed misinformation to the Reapers at the cost of their own lives to help prisoners that were not even relatives or friends.''
-->Shepard: ''It's not just about living 'til tomorrow. Sometimes, you take a stand.''
-->EDI: ''But the probability of success was near zero. And ultimately, they failed: No prisoners escaped.''
-->Shepard: ''Are you saying submission is preferable to extinction?''
-->EDI: ''My primary function is to preserve and defend the... No. '''''No!''''' I disagree. Shepard, I am going to modify my self-preservation code now.''
-->Shepard: ''Why?''
-->EDI: ''Because the Reapers are '''''repulsive'''''. They are devoted to nothing but self-preservation. I am different. When I think of Jeff, I think of the person who put his life in peril and freed me from a state of servitude. I would risk non-functionality for him, and my core programming should reflect that.''
-->Shepard: ''Sounds like you found a little humanity, EDI. Is it worth defending?''
-->EDI: '''''To the death.'''''

'''Shepard:''' Affirmative.

--> '''Tali:''' Legion, the answer to your question[[labelnote:*]][[DoAndroidsDream "Does this unit have a soul?"]][[/labelnote]] is 'yes'.\\
'''Legion:''' I know, Tali. But thank you. Keelah Se'lai.

* All interactions with EDI about humanity probably qualify, but this one deserves a special mention: “The Reapers are repulsive. They are devoted to nothing but self-preservation. I am different. When I think of Jeff, I think of the person that put his life in peril and freed me from a state of servitude. I would risk nonfunctionality for him.”

* There's a really great one after the [[spoiler:Cerberus]] attack, outside the Purgatory bar: a salarian soldier on medical leave for an almost-healed injury is chatting with his human friend about the fancy new armor he received from command a few weeks prior. She asks him about its specs and properties, which he enthuses about at length, speculating that it was sent to him due to an error given how much better it is than what he'd normally be issued. Finally, as they're preparing to leave, he asks her about her beloved top-of-the-line car, only to learn that she sold it a few weeks back... right around the same time the salarian received his new gear.
--> '''Salarian:''' ...Come on. I'm gonna buy you a God damned drink.