Chapter 00 – Author's Notes

Hi, I'm EvilProduct. I am writing this final part of my epic tale of Half-Life to answer some of you're questions and minor things I would like to point out.

Chapter 1 – Discovered Feelings

When I wrote this chapter, I really didn't have a story worked out yet. In truth, this whole story started out as my own Gordon/Alyx scene. I got tired that people only expanded on the story (not that I didn't like the other stories). I had only found about two other stories with Gordon/Alyx scenes. At the end of the chapter, I added Barney Calhoun back into the story because I always liked him in the games and I hated that he was nowhere to be seen in Episode 2. He was always good comic relief in the games, so I added his line about a bet between Kliener and him as a way to start the story on a light note.

Chapter 2 – Funeral

"Funeral" is one of my least liked chapters. I still didn't really have a story at this point. I got the chance to re-introduce the characters from Episode 2 as well as introduce a character of my own, Zenlo. I liked the idea that Vortigaunts had names and weren't just referred to as 'Vorts'. Zenlo was my first chance to exhibit the true powers that a Vortigaunt had. The power of teleportation, I believe, is a common power held by all Vortigaunts. However, the power of seeing into the future was a power reserved to the special Vortigaunts. I also brought back the G-Man in this chapter. He was mostly the reason I didn't like writing this one. I only really had in mind the funeral scene and made the rest up as I went along. The pacing was weird, but I kept it the way it was in the end and posted it.

Chapter 3 – Aurora Borealis

This was my first 'information chapter'. My information chapters are the ones where there is really no action, but many secrets are revealed. Although I just restated many facts revealed in Episode Two, I was able to reform the story just enough to actually work in Episode 3 but still keep to my vision. My favorite part about this chapter was that I was taking the already phenomenal game and creating my own ending to it that, I believe, could still work in the real third episode.

Chapter 4 – Hunters of the Forest

The first chapter I was really happy with. I created a stream lined Combine assault along with a fight with a Hunter. The way you fight the Hunters in the game is way to repetitive and I made a version that I thought would be cool.

Chapter 5 – Vile Creatures

Yay, headcrabs! Even though these little critters are annoying in game, they have got to be my favorite enemy. Who doesn't love that they included zombies in a game like this? Anyway, I had intended for the headcrab fight to be more detailed, but I went with what I could come up with.

Chapters 6&7 – Yet Another Problem

My first two part chapter. I came up with the whole story before writing both chapters and I thought this was going to be my first big battle sequence. So, I presented it in two parts. In the first part, I introduced the underground rebels and their sophisticated base. I liked the idea of the rebels getting organized underground. This is also the first chapter where Gordon and Alyx sleep together. Yes, I know I basically skipped that part, but it's there. I'm not too skilled at writing lemons so I only implied the sex. I was able to keep it open to imagination to those who think that way (I'm not judging). The second part of 'Yet Another Problem' introduces my two favorite characters in this tale, Lo-gen and Rezlan. I originally wanted to have these two be more comical, but I had them play a more serious role after many revisions. The ending of 'Yet Another Problem' shows Alyx and Gordon escaping just before they become zombie chow in my favorite chapter endings so far.

Chapter 8 – Aftermath

I just used this chapter to introduce the rebels at the Aperture Science base as well as bring the survivors together. One thing I have to say is that I gave none of the rebels names. I knew I was going to kill them all off later, so why bother giving them names. It was basically a connector chapter. It also introduced GLaDOS for the first time.

Chapter 9 – GLaDOS

My second information chapter. Once again, I morphed the story just enough to add it to my story. Although he only appeared for a few seconds, I created the character of Maxwell Cross (another one of my favorites). I didn't provide much back story on him, although I may write a tie-in story. I added Adrian Shepherd at the last second. I hadn't intended to include him, until I found a way to bring him back from Opposing Force and it worked out pretty well.

Chapters 10&11 – Snowbound

My second two-parter. I only really named the second part with the same name because I couldn't come up with a better chapter title. I wanted to incorporate the antlions somewhere in the story, so I took my chance and killed off another rebel with them. My version is a creature called the iced antlions. They are antlions, except they have adapted to cold climates and allow icicles to form on their bodies. This chapter lead to the discovery of the Borealis. Oh by the way, Lo-gen and Rezlan used hyper powered lightning bolts on the Striders. They had to teleport somewhere else. However, they couldn't teleport to the Borealis, as it was easier to teleport back to White Forest (a place they already knew the location of) and conserve their energy after using most of it on the Striders.

Chapter 12 – Ghost Ship

Ah, the Borealis at last. This chapter introduces Mossman as well as brings Chell from 'Portal' back. When I began writing this chapter, I already knew how I wanted it to end. I wanted to reveal that Chell was Adrian's wife. I knew that that would be a bombshell, but I knew I could work with it. I hope you liked that little twist.

Chapter 13 – Subject Name Here

Again, another information chapter. Reveals Chell's backstory as well as the reason GLaDOS went haywire as well as how. This is one of my favorites as well. I also came up with a way to use the portal gun as a weapon. I don't think it is possible for two canceling portals to make the things between them cease to exist, but hey, that's the beauty of fan fics. You are god.

Chapter 14 – Disorientation

The battle sequence in the ice caverns as well as the escape. I had always planned to kill off Dr. Mossman, I just had to find a way how. Originally, she was to sacrifice herself as a diversion and cause the destruction of the Borealis with a bomb, but I couldn't find a way to have it work quite right, so I had her killed by a Hunter. Just so you know, I'm not an expert on explosives, so I don't really know if a few grenades can cause two year old fuel tanks to destroy an entire ship. But again, my story my rules.

Chapter 15 – Calmest Before the Storm

This chapter took me the longest to write. I had figured out how I wanted to end the entire thing, it was just a matter of getting there. 'Calmest Before the Storm' is basically, the return of the G-Man and the beginning of his story arc. Gordon finally learns about Adrian and what he has to do with Black Mesa. The group prepares for their last fight.

Chapter 16 – Black Hole Sun

This is the first chapter where I start getting lazy with the titles. I was playing Rock Band a lot when I wrote it, so I named it after the Soundgarden song. I think it fits nicely. The rebels travel back to the Aperture Science building on the outskirts of Barrow, Alaska (minor 30 Days of Night reference. I didn't say that that was where they were in the official story. I just kept thinking it and never officially stated it, for fear of crossover searchers getting the wrong idea.) The G-Man reactivates GLaDOS and makes Gordon and Adrian follow him into black versions of Chell's portals.

Chapter 17 – The Orange Box

Again, lazy title. But hey, GLaDOS is in it. I named it for the box in which the G-Man kept the Xen crystals. The plot thickens in this one. I split up Lo-gen and Rezlan because I wanted to have them both witness the events for themselves so they could both be in a part of it and compare notes later. I had been giving Lo-gen a lot of dialog, so I let Rezlan go with Gordon and Adrian. Black Mesa returns!

Chapter 18-20 – Final Dawn

I named the sub-titles of these three chapters after the first, second, and final books of the bible. I'm not Catholic or Christian; I just think that the titles are cool and fit well with the theme of the chapters. The three parts show the battle between the returning Zenlo and the G-Man. I also create the prophecies and mysteries of the G-Man (The Demon). You'll have to read it to get the full story.

Chapter 21 – The Prophet of Truth

Hahahahaha! I bet you thought there was going to be Halo tie in here, but no. I had been playing Halo 3 at the time I was writing this one, so I 'borrowed' the title of Prophet of Truth from Bungie. There is no intended crossover here. The Prophets of Truth are the highly respected soothsayers on Xen. Anyway, this chapter details Zenlo's death. I also explained the Demon's full story through Zenlo's memories. I hope you enjoyed it.

Chapter 22 – Epilogue

I knew I wanted to end the story peacefully. This is set 10 years after 'The Prophet of Truth'. I included a bar scene with the three male heroes (after Barney's incessant promises of a beer with Gordon.). I also had Adrian take up smoking as well. City 17 has been rebuilt and Alyx is pregnant with Gordon's son. The entire group is living at "Black Forest". For a better picture of Black Forest, picture a mountainside home, where anybody walking by can perfectly see into the kitchen because of the one wall being entirely a glass window. I wanted to have White Forest be the home, but I couldn't find a way to convert the base into a functional multi-family home.

Thank you once again for reading my story. I love Half-Life and had a lot of fun writing this fan fic. I appreciate and wish for your valued reviews, I know I'm not the best and I am thankful for your input. I may make minor adjustments to the chapters now and then. Feel free to point out any mistakes I may have made. Ask any questions you wish, and I will include my answers in this section. Thank you for your valued reading once again. I shall leave you with this, my favorite phrase in all of video game history.

THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!!!!