Author: Larathin Bradley
Description: A grown-up Spike looks back on his life and on those who are no longer with him as the anniversary of a dear friends death rolls around. Will he be able to deal with his grief and put the past behind him? Or will it take the help of someone much older to get through the pain?A Summer Twilight
Alternate Tags: Loss, Grief, Friendship, Memories, Summer Sun Festival
119 comments:
This story almost made me bawl my eyes out :(
ReplyDeleteIm a twenty three year old, gun toting, pickup truck driving, republican voting mans man.
ReplyDeleteand i can't stop crying.
Great story.
Im a bitch for Spike stories, but old Spike stories make me insta 5 star the fics. They're my PinkieDash, you could say.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS THE GREATEST THING I HAVE EVER READ ALL HAIL LARATHIN BRADLEY AS THE GREATEST AUTHOR OF ALL TIME.
This review is not biased in any way.
Thank you for the read.
Dawww... Me so sad right now... but that was excellent. Thanks Bradley!
ReplyDeleteThat's the first (and so far only) time I've read through an entire fanfiction on this site, and I definitely teared up a bit. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteTwilight's final note made me tear up pretty badly. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteAND YOU WONDER WHY I DRINK.
ReplyDeleteNo, seriously, that was excellent. Manly tears were shed.
*sob*
ReplyDeleteWell done. 4am and i'm in bed crying like i haven't in years.
Bravo.
Good story.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't stop crying for most of it.
Boy, this story has brought up some past memories and made me shed a few tears again. I can really relate to Spike.
ReplyDelete1. why is there a empty page
ReplyDelete2. if this story continues it will become a spikeXluna shipping, serisously this lacked conversation between other ponies.
Its an interesting notion, something not everypony probably realizes. Well written and definitely touching. However, Celestia's decision makes no sense to me at all.
ReplyDeleteI love this story,but I can't imagine Celestia forgetting Twilight like that.
ReplyDeleteWell thats celestia for ya, a cold hearted b*tch.
ReplyDeleteStrangely, I can't imagine unicorns dying, either. I'd always imagined them to be immortal like Luna and Celestia are, just gaining their wings later on in life. But that's my imagination for you!
ReplyDeleteSo I'd thought that Rarity and Twilight might've been around forever, not sure about the rest, though. :p But still, I'm going to stick to my version, it makes me happier. >_>
*bawls his eyes out while eating a bowl of cereal*
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling Celestia moved on so easily(Or maybe it wasn't as easy as one might think) because she already lived for such a long time.
ReplyDeleteShe probably witnessed so many deaths in her reign(more than 1000 years) that she became less sensitive to death.
Aww man, this was beautiful to say the least, and touching beyond words to say he best. Good tearjerker, this.
ReplyDeleteSpike, stop living for so long, you're making me sad.
ReplyDelete@williamcll
ReplyDeleteBut all the other ponies are... are... *sobs*
im just going to start reading it but the image itself makes me sad
ReplyDelete@williamcll
ReplyDelete>lacked conversation ...?
This is a Sad Story.
You feel the moment and its emotions... Spoken words aren't necessary, not as much.
Simply think of the moment and of the *if I was there, if I had lived this*... and you will find that talks weren't mandatory.
IS THE FIRST READING WHAT MAKES ME CRY IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!
ReplyDeleteNoooo not another old Spike story ;(
ReplyDeleteI will never read another one again, NEVER!
(Anxiously waits for the next one)
Brohoof. Manly tears.
ReplyDeleteAlso, nice subtle touch with the beautiful sunset- of course Celestia hasn't forgotten Twilight.
First time I've cried out of sadness in a while. The story was perfect. Very well-written.
ReplyDeleteI have never cried while reading anything, ever. But this is a first.
ReplyDeleteTo the author of this story: bravo.
For a story that is supposed to be sad, it most certainly was. The last paragraph was almost poetic. Truly beautiful stuff. I love this story.
I dislike stories like this, not that it wasn't well written mind you, not even because it dealt with death and all that heavy nonsense. I dislike stories set in a future where the characters don't change, Twilight's still inexplicably a student well into her later years, never married or had family since the series beginning, worse yet she seems to be back to where she started before the series began. Spike didn't mature, the friends aren't mentioned so we don't know if their lives changed at all, just makes things seem a bit hollow. Well done in execution but I just wanted to state an annoying trend I'm finding in these stories.
ReplyDelete....waaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......
ReplyDelete*cries*
And now I has a sad :(
ReplyDeleteExcellent, excellent story. I still hold Bittersweet as the most saddest, but this is entirely in its own category. I haven't cried yet but I expect to later when I reflect on what I did today. I look forward to more works like this.
ReplyDeleteFuck.
ReplyDeleteI cried.
:*(
I think the part that's really sad is the way it focuses on Spike's isolation and detachment from his old life. And I think a lot of people can relate to that.
ReplyDeleteBAWWWWWW!!! god damnit two sad derpy stories and now this what the hell? Am i just a glutton for punishment? I can't stop crying godamnit!
ReplyDeleteMusn't cry...musn't cry...baaaaaaaaaaaaaah D'X
ReplyDeleteI haven't actually cried like this in ages. Confound these ponies for making me feel so many conflicting emotions...
i cry not in the sorow but happy tears its was so butifull T_T
ReplyDeleteWell i was planning on sleeping tonight.. great another sad pony fic to keep me up ):
ReplyDeleteConfound these Ponies... they drive me to cry :'(
ReplyDeleteI am a 22 year old university senior, and this song made me bawl my freaking eyes out. I have read almost all of the sad stuff on here (including "Bittersweet" and all of the Derpy ones), and this one was by far the biggest tear-jerker. Damn it, my shirt and desk are all wet now.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDelete*Story not song. Listening to Hurt as done by Jonny Cash, and I wrote the wrong thing.
I cried.
ReplyDeleteCool story.
I am a cold and nearly heartless person, This nearly made me start to cry uncontrolably.
ReplyDeleteDon't you realize what you've done, Larathin? The Ponies are DEAD!!!!! Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery well written, made me cry tears of sadness, no story or fix has ever achieved that
ReplyDelete@Kyzenex I mean fic instead of fix lol
ReplyDeleteGreat job. Manly tears were shed at 8:30 in the morning. I need to go listen to some happy music or read a Pinkie Pie fic to try to get this feeling of sadness of loss out of my system.
ReplyDeleteI'm tearing up about fictional characters from a cartoon originally targeted for young girls. There must be some friendship going on up in here, because that's magic if I've ever seen it.
ReplyDeleteThe story itself was sad enough, and it was an incredibly enjoyable read, especially since I'm personally not fond of reading... I actually teared up at one point late into the story. I don't think it helped that I was also watching "The Bucket List" at the same time, so the effect the story had was somewhat increased.
ReplyDeleteMy god, so beautiful! I wish I could cry when I read something so sad and beautiful! From a 21 year old guy who spent half his life in front of a television, I say that this is the best story I've ever read! TTwTT
ReplyDeleteVery touching and beautiful, made me cry a bit towards the end.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful and enjoyable story, I can't remember the last time a piece of literature made me tear up.Superb job of writing!!
ReplyDeleteafter reading the story, i shed one tear, and its still sliding softly down my skin..
ReplyDeletePhoto at the top of this page doesn't accurately reflect this fic, a better one to use would be http://ponibooru.413chan.net/post/view/358, it's basically what shows up in the fic itself.
ReplyDeleteOMG I was this close to crying my eyes out!
ReplyDelete5 stars man!
good job man..that was...something else...
ReplyDeleteThis past night, i stayed up, reading all the saddest stories on this site....i did not actually cry, i never do for some reason, but....ive come real close. the writing on most of them is....very well done, this one included as it was the latest one i have read. that being said, i cant believe how easy it is to grow emotional over a cartoon....its simply amazing.....
ReplyDeleteMust be a man will not cry
ReplyDeletewill not cry
will not...
*sob*
At least now I know I'm not entirely devoid of emotion. Thanks for clearing that one up. *cries*
ReplyDeleteI'm man enough to admit that this story made me cry. A lot. For reasons I don't even completely know. I don't even know how long it's been since I cried this hard. It was many years ago, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this story.
I need a hug.
That honestly made me cry harder than before, like 4am, and my mom walks in my room hearing me cry my eyes out, tries consoling me and asks me what im crying about, i say "PONIES" she has a wtf look on her face, and just says "Uh....i`m sorry?"
ReplyDeleteI just read "Tales" right before this, so this made me bawl my eyes out.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very nicely written and sad tale. I cried and had trouble sleeping from it the other night. Upon a more careful rereading the main issue I have with this tale is how its written that no one else but Luna, Celestia and Spike remember Twilight. Given how her character is developing in canon, she seems destined for a lot more influence in the larger history and development of her society given her powers and what she could do with them over time as she masters them. Hell even if she just sticks to being mostly a book worm for her life, she could still have strong and lasting influence from her writings. I'm sure there will be many more lives she will touch over the course of her own life to warrant a more worthy remembrance in the histories of Equestria.
ReplyDeletethis was a sad story. I couldn't help but tear up when I started reading Twilights last message to Spike
ReplyDeleteCONFOUND THOSE PONIES
ReplyDeleteTHEY DRIVE ME TO CRY
It already makes me sad reading introduction and the comments, but I have to read it ;_;
ReplyDeletetomorrow gonna visit my grandpa.
ReplyDeletejust wanna say... thank you.
CAN'T STOP RECOMMENDING THIS STORY TO BRONIES. Before reading this I had a serious bias against fanfics. I assumed that they were nothing more than wish fulfillment and shied away from them.
ReplyDeleteAaaaand then I read this and fucking bawled. Absolutely fantastic job. Thank you.
This filled me with such happiness and good feeling and also so much sadness and... gosh the writer is fantastic. Keep writing, and do us all a favour. :>
ReplyDeleteI... I... I'm crying. Still.
ReplyDeleteI just... this reminds me of my worst fear, of outliving the people I love and having to watch them die. It's a fate everyone must suffer, since everyone will probably outlast at the very least their grandparents and parents, and if they don't, then they just move that grief onto said parents and grandparents.
I think death by old age is really the saddest death of all. Because there's no escape from it. It'll come for you, and everyone you know and love, sooner or later. Even if you beleive in an afterlife, it's misery still envelops you just the same. Stories like these remind me of that. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad.
You've made me cry. That is not an easy feat.
I just started to get to know these characters 2 weeks ago and now I'm bawling at this story. Incredible job.
ReplyDelete... must watch light hearted episode to purge my system.
one can only hope that the show evolves to reach this depth in it's later seasons.
ReplyDeleteSad and beautiful, just what i would expect from a story like this. Although Celestia's choice in not showing him that page seems really messed up - everyone deserves closure. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteWTF CANT I STOP CRYING?! XC
ReplyDeletethe manliest tears, they have been shed
ReplyDeleteSilent stare, reading. Tears streaming down without making a single sound - Traces of facial difficulities smeared across the face
ReplyDeleteYep, that's me right now.. 5/5
mantears of manlyness, they have been shed.
ReplyDeletebeautiful story, and really sad, but in a good way.
7/5
Well this story made my cry with more than one feelings than one and I think you made a great story. ;u;
ReplyDeletethat ;u; is a crying happy face
ReplyDeleteThis is the greatest story I have ever read. So heartwarming and touching. This is clearly a 10/5.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story, 6/5.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad now :'(
Yep, that did it. This story just tore out the last shred of manliness I had in me. My heart was torn apart by that letter.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're happy, you monster.
(6/5 stars)
This is THE saddest story I've ever read. I mean it, I threw myself on my bed repeating Twilight's name over and over while tears rolled down my face.
ReplyDelete...manly tears, of course.
Sheesh, guys, it's not that bad. Yes, it's sad, but it's not something to cry over. It is quite sobering, though.
ReplyDelete*sniffle* im not crying *teardrop* just have something in my eye *bawls eyes out* not fair Larathin Bradley not fair makeing me cry Larathin Author best Author.
ReplyDeleteAlmost cried :)
ReplyDeleteA couple of tears came out of my eyes while I was reading this. Great job.
ReplyDeletePut this on a separete tab while reading for maximum effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8OqKebxqdY
STUPID STORY
ReplyDeleteY U MAKE ME CRY
@Unknown
ReplyDeleteIts not actually stupid though
This is my first time on this site, and I'm not even that into the show, but, this made me (a sarcastic jerk) shed a tear.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember a time i cried this hard, I could feel my heart hurting
ReplyDeleteConfound these sad ponies, they drive me to cry like a baby
Oh dear, that really did make me cry. :(
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story, definetly one to quiet the mind for some solemn reflection, for a while. Especially the part about living on in the ripples of life.
ReplyDeleteI am sombre, yet I haven't cried or feel teary...
am I, am I cold hearted for not being swept off of myself through wistful sorrow and mourning?
Regardless, the story deserves its appreciation.
Manly tears are scattered over my face.
ReplyDelete^What Favo said. Excellent story.
ReplyDeleteThis has somehow managed to be the saddest thing I have ever read. For additional affect I recommend listening to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKnVaDwUg5s while reading.
ReplyDelete:(
It took all of my willpower to not cry. I actually had to stop reading for a bit to prevent the tears from flowing.
ReplyDeleteI'm just about ready to cry now :_:
ReplyDeleteGOD! I only read the synopsis and im already crying!?!?! WTH?!?!?!
ReplyDelete:,( *sniff* this story I guranteed to make you cry
ReplyDeleteI just cried like a little baby. Great story.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteMan, I almost cried. I felt a tear start to form and had to stop reading really fast to blink it away. Bravo.
Even after I've read the story more than 5 times my chest still gets pressed against itself and I still get this big lump in my throat. This story... I... I have no words. I thank you most deeply for writting such a wonderfull piece and have it shared with us. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteThis made me so sad that it almost ruined MLP for me, i got over it in about 2 days. But its a great story if you want to cry alot.
ReplyDeleteI think that this may be the saddest of all the fanfiction I have read. And I have read a LOT. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried. But I love it.
ReplyDeleteThis story was almost too painful for me, my chest got all tight feeling and I sobbed for a good 30min or so. 5/5 stars
ReplyDeleteThis story was TOO. DARN. SAD.
ReplyDeleteWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! *continues crying*
I didn't even know this story was here until a few hours ago. I had decided to begin writing my own fanfiction similar to this, after seeing ask-twilightsparkle's tumblr page with the comic about her and spike. Mine will be more in depth and long. But this... Even with it being so short, I cried. Kudos to you. I applaud your skill.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Just absolutely beautiful. Written with teary eyes and a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your story. I can really feel for Spike never getting that final good-bye, in person (having been there myself).
ReplyDeleteGod, this story is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat dark in undertone, yes, but beautiful all the same. Something not everypony realizes is that this will, eventually, happen. Twilight will eventually die, and where will that leave Spike?
I kinda wonder if Lauren Faust has ever thought about this?
I can only say that is was a great short-story
ReplyDeleteTo those of you who did not shed a single tear while reading this... you certainly have more willpower than I.
ReplyDeleteI haven't cried so much in years! Omg, and I can't stop, at this very moment, while writting this comment. Epic sad stories are bucking sad.
ReplyDeleteAtm, sad...... must find happy videos to offset this..... happy videos not working....... off to the next sad fic =D
ReplyDeleteI keep finding myself coming back to this story, even though I know what it will do to me. I guess I'm addicted to this sort of thing.
ReplyDeletedang a guy that listens to heavy metal, watches horror movies, loves guns, and anything having to do with the color black just cried over a story about the death of a fictional candy colored pony.........wow
ReplyDeleteOK I have to admit that was really sad my eyes even started watering up.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful story, made me cry. Twilight is my fav pony.
ReplyDeleteBest piece of fan music to listen to while reading this:
"Lament for Twilight Sparkle" by Mr. Hooves http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CGR2KEyNgP0
THE FEELS!
ReplyDeleteThere are SO MANY FEELS!
*sheds manly tears*