Hello there, all my fans and loyal readers. It's been quite some time, hasn't it? I feel like I haven't even been to this site in forever, to be honest. So, I know that a lot of you have been waiting for an update to Unbreakable Bond: Promises. Sadly, I don't think a real update will ever come.
Over the past year, my life has changed dramatically. I graduated from college about a month and a half ago, and my senior year was hectic. And by hectic, I mean really hectic. I had more hours at work, my classes were the toughest they'd ever been, and I had to search for a full-time job that I would take after graduating as well. Unfortunately, this all meant that my writing had to take a back seat. I just didn't have time to write anymore, and that meant my drive to write took a huge hit too.
I recently stumbled upon my story again, and went though reading all the reviews you all gave me. It was truly heartwarming to come back after so long and rediscover all the praise. I'm truly sorry I wasn't there to respond to each of them, or to give you the update you were hoping for. Now, with a full-time job on my hands, writing looks like even less of a possibility than it was during school. To be honest, I've forgotten many of the plot points that I had envisioned for this story. However, I don't feel it's right to leave the story where I left it, so I wanted to give you a general idea of what happens to Shepard, Tali, and their family in the Unbreakable Bond universe I created.
First, the family doesn't stay at just three for long. I planned for them to adopt a human child, a baby boy. This is the same baby that Elizabeth, the prostitute, found out she was pregnant with in Chapter 13. They would've named this baby 'David', after Councilor Anderson. He would've been adversely affected by his mother's drug addiction while pregnant, which would've affected his character's psychology a bit. David, or 'DJ', as his family would've called him, was going to join up with the Alliance to try to fill the shoes of his adoptive father. Of course, no one can replace Shepard, and he would've had a hard time accepting this fact. Eventually, David would've been made an N7, and tasked with bringing down Damien.
Now, onto everyone's favorite villain. Damien's last name would've been revealed to be 'Prager', making him the son of Dr. Lewis. The good doctor was so devoted to Cerberus that he basically manipulated his son's grief, that of losing his family on Eden Prime to the geth, in order to turn him in the super soldier we know Damien to be. He would've blamed Sarah's and Mia's death on the Council, viewing them as responsible for the attack carried out by the geth. Damien, with the help of his allies, would've consolidated power in the Terminus Systems to bring about a power that could truly rival the Council, the Terminus Authority. And of course, a war would've broken out between the two factions. Eventually, it would come down to Damien versus David, with David coming out on top.
Shepard would've come out of retirement to oversee the training of the new quarian special forces unit. What better instructor could you get that one of the most famous soldiers of all time? Though his new job would take him away from his family for long periods of time, Shepard would always be there for them when it counted the most. I was really trying to nail down the 'family is everything' theme for this story, and he would've been a big part of David's journey from trying to fill his shoes to becoming his own man. Perhaps Shepard would've come all the way out of retirement, put the N7 armor on again, and really kicked some ass.
And last, but most certainly not least, everyone's favorite quarian, Tali. She would've become the loving mother I always envisioned she would be, quite fitting with the care, kindness, and gentle nature she has. Of course, Tali would've taken her position as admiral back once both Nera and David were old enough for school. The quarian people would've needed their heroes to lead them in a transition to life on a planet, and she was quite the hero during the war. I planned on having her involved in this new war against the Terminus Authority in a big way, her admiral position throwing her right into the heart of the conflict, along with her son. Again, 'family is everything', and it would take all of them to defeat Damien.
In the end, the family would've gotten the peaceful, happy ending each of us wanted for them.
I know this is just a really barebones summary of my ideas, and they obviously all would've been fleshed out tremendously in Promises and the following sequel Prodigal Son. I planned for the final entry in the trilogy to be as big as the first two entries combined. It would've been one hell of a story. Unfortunately, I don't think that story will ever be written.
I wanted to thank each and every one of you for coming along on this journey with me. I can truly say that it was an overwhelmingly positive experience, and that's because of all of you. When I wrote the first chapter for Unbreakable Bond, I never imagined the story would blow up as quickly and as big as it did. I am truly honored that each of you decided to take the time to read what I crafted. It means a lot, more than you know. I'm convinced I have the best fans on FanFiction, and that I wouldn't have made it as far as I did without you all. So again, thank you for everything.
This journey was quite the memorable one, filled with up and downs, good times and bad. My only regret is that it has to end this way. However, I have one final thing I want to ask of you all. Whatever it is you want in life, go out there and get it. Achieve your dreams, like I achieved mine to become a fanfiction writer. Whatever it may be, set your mind to it and make it happen. Whether it is writing your own story, or something completely different. That said, I fully expect one of you will write a story that will make mine pale in comparison! I hope I inspired at least one person to open up a blank document, and just start typing. If so, then my time here was even more of a success that it already has been.
So, this is where I must bid you all goodbye. It's been one hell of a ride, and I wouldn't trade the experience I gained, the wisdom I received, and the personal connections I made for anything. You all were a huge part of this journey, and I hope you know just how much your views and reviews meant to me. You kept this story alive for as long as it was. Be good, be good to each other, and do good things with your life. I wish you all the happiness and success you want from life. God bless you all.
Keelah se'lai.
-TheLastReckoning