Parallel Realities is a Mass Effect Fanfic by InHarmsWay. It is a speculative Alternate Universe Fic, in which Commander Shepard is not human at all. Rather, Commander Shepard is an alien being from a parallel reality that exists concurrent to the proper Mass Effect galaxy. After an extremely rocky first-contact situation with Cerberus, Shepard’s entire race (the articians) was wiped out. Shepard’s galactic order then charges Shepard (as a very small boy) with going into the Mass Effect galaxy and wiping out Cerberus. However, on the way, Commander Shepard discovers the Reaper threat, and takes on that as well, all while accompanied by an Oracle who talks of tests that Shepard will have to undertake for a reason that’s never adequately explained.