Well. Holy shit, man. It's quite amazing how far this whole thing has come. I came up with Mari 5 years ago, and at the time he was just a random critter. He had no story attached to him. Hell, he didn't even have a personality for the longest time. I never thought about other people being interested in the MTTs. I never even considered them becoming popular a possibility, least of all them becoming one of the most popular sparkledragon species on dA. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined one day there would be an entire world based around the MTTs, 500 people interested in them and a whopping 150 of these creatures (and that number is ever-increasing) skittering about on dA.

It's kind of amazing how popular the MTTs have become. It brings its bonuses, but it also has a negative side. I've had to deal with a decent amount of bullshit because of this species, mainly from people who just don't understand that this is all for fun and nothing else (and there have been a bunch of other issues). Sometimes it does get hard, frustrating and just plain annoying, and I have to admit I've considered shutting the whole operation down and taking the MTTs and retreating to a dark cave with them several times. But in the end, the bad is always outweighed by the good. You are all lovely people and I am quite amazed at how happy, loving and inclusive a community this is overall. I don't talk about it a lot, but it really makes me so, so happy when I see all the beautiful characters you craft, all the interesting relationships and stories (and all based on the very limited amount of information I have made available! you guys are so creative haha), the sheer amount of quality MTT art that is produced every day. It makes me fuzzy inside when I see how many people have MTTs as their icons. It's just really nice to know that so many people enjoy something I created so much.

So thank you, everyone! Thank you so much, for all your support, your enthusiasm and your contributions! None of this could have been possible without your support. You guys are what makes this species as awesome as it is. Thank you both to the newer members - I hope your stay will be a long one -  and the ones who have been here from the very start, and are still here. Thank you for sticking with me and this species through all its trials and tribulations, through the thick and thin.

This journey has been so much fun for me, and I hope for you too. I sincerely hope our adventures will last for a long time yet, and we'll watch this species grow and reach new heights together!

(by the way yes the huge MTT giveaway is happening, this is just the celebratory sappy journal post! be patient :> )