Author's Thoughts:
Well, this was certainly a journey that I'm going to remember –and treasure– for the rest of my life.
First, let me say that this isn't meant as any disrespect to my fellow Mass Effect authors or any author in general. I've been a fanfic reader for many years. I have a profound and deep respect for those that put thoughts to words and have the courage to publish it online. I also understand and respect that they do it for their own reasons.
However, for me, as a reader, no matter how much I admire that courage, I can't help but cringe at some of the quality of work that is posted. Not to say that I'm better or they're bad, but some things posted weren't simply to my taste or I was of the opinion (Perhaps misguided, perhaps not) that the work should've been better. Of course, on the flip side of the coin, there were works that I can't help but read, then reread again. Unforgettable works that I've always hoped to aspire to with my own story.
With all that said, I felt that I had little right to judge without embracing the same courage to write and post work of my own. This fanfic started out as a project, to even see if I even had the capability to write at all. The outpouring of reviews for just the first few chapters was enormous. I was humbled and grateful for those that gave my work a chance and made the time to leave their thoughts. It was because of that, I continued to write. What was once a project, became a hobby. What was once a hobby, became a mission to see this story to the end.
So, I would offer my most sincere appreciation to my fans that have stuck by me; that encouraged, supported, and assisted me into finishing this massive undertaking from a first time author. I would also offer thanks to all other authors out there. Good and bad are relative opinions anyway, and now I've learned that it's no small thing to write and publish something for all to see it. It's because of you that I even started.
There those in particular that I would thank and have their contributions acknowledged.
First, special thanks for my fellow Mass Effect authors and other authors of works I constantly read. They either kindly given me permission to use a little of their work to weave into my own, or offered inspired ideas that they were willing to give to me instead of using it in their own writings.
Special thanks and acknowledgements (In no particular order):
Mass Effect Author's:
ElectricZ
Ronnie James Dio
Stradivarium
Knights-Honour
Pepoluan
JoeLaTurkey
OmegaCrusader
Other fanfic author's and sources of inspiration:
CrazyGurlMadness
Ridleysbiggestfan
AntiChri5
Skyllian Blitz
fongiel24
bluewickedbehemoth
Slidell505
SnowShip
Jason Kreuger Myers
GethInfiltrator
Joisan
William Shakespeare
Walt Whitman
Alfred Tennyson
I would also like to offer my appreciation to certain reviewers and fans that went above and beyond the call in their support of me. These are people that didn't just review, but actively helped me and took the time to make this fic better by offering input, ideas, or pointing out glaring mistakes.
To my supporters and fans (In no particular order):
Annjul
Spartan-Guy88
Breakdown Boy
Annara Ren
Haxxer
Havoc-legionnaire
Super-Saiyan-3-Vegeta
Swordsman of Shadow
Skllhrt
Paragon Sheperd
THE reader
ArrowMk84
Ddangerdan
Dragon3ye
Breakdown Boy
Shadowfall
nitefyre410
Lord Europe
BiowareFan
Dhamon45
Amir-015
someone ()
Swordsman of Shadow
Rise Against713
sandman7734
SgtPotato
phoenixblade2
MEFanAllDaWay
Sithslayer69
Reikson
Vickmackey007
Skllhrt
Mr. Tacito
If there were names I left out, I apologize. The list is simply too extensive for me to write. Rest assured, I know who you are and you do too. My eternal gratitude goes out to you and all others that followed my work.
To EpisodeSkywalker, AKA PirateWars: That poster remains absolutely lovely and will always be my coverart. Thank you for creating it.
I would also like to give thanks to my brother, who will only be known as HibikiR101_0984. He had the patience to often act as my sounding board whenever I got stuck or needed to bounce a few ideas around.
Finally, last but certainly not least, I'd like to thank my beta reader, Wyl. It's thanks to him that the quality of my fanfiction looks as good as it does.
To Wyl: Thanks man. It's been my greatest honor to have met you and working with you has been a blast.
The following movies and television shows were used as sources of inspiration. No copyright infringement was intended nor was any money made during the course of this fanfiction. Every title is the intellectual property of their respective owners.
Star Trek: First Contact
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek
Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets
Band of Brothers
Starship Troopers
Firefly/Serenity
The Recruit
Soldier
House, M.D.
Burn Notice
White Collar
Chrono Trigger: Short Action Scene
The Island
NCIS
Clear and Present Danger
Bad Boys II
Armageddon
Babylon 5
Pitch Black
Terminator: Salvation
The following video games were used as sources of inspiration. No copyright infringement was intended nor was any profit made during the course of this fanfiction. Every title is the intellectual property of their respective owners.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
The Dig
Ace Combat 5
Ace Combat Zero
Metroid
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Skies of Arcadia
This is a work of fanfiction using the world and characters of Mass Effect.
Mass Effect is the intellectual property of BioWare and EA. No copyright infringement was intended nor was any profit made during the course of this fanfiction. I do not claim any ownership. This story was of my own invention and is not purported as part of the Mass Effect universe. Fight for the Lost was created for entertainment only.
Special thanks go out to BioWare and the creative mind(s) that brought us Mass Effect. It's a wonderful and robust sci-fi world that I have thoroughly enjoyed.
At the time of this final post:
Chapters: 64
Words: 708,586
Reviews: 1626
Favorites: 953
Followers: 753
Communities: 21
Duration: 3 years, 17 days.
Till next time, everyone!
- LuxDragon