This story is a sequel to When the Man Comes Around
The ninth story in The Journey of Graves.
Graves is gone, departed for parts unknown without so much as a backwards glance. A quick farewell and a cold goodbye is all the marshal left before severing every tie he ever had to Ponyville, including those with Rarity.
Why? He's a soldier and it was obvious he'd one day have to leave. But the way he left, so abruptly, even callously... it just doesn't seem right. Could it be that there's something more to his departure than meets the eye? Or are thoughts like that merely fancy and wishful thinking? To find the truth, Rarity and the girls start down a long, winding road that will hopefully bring the grey eyed soldier back. Hopefully.
Chapters (16)
Great first chapter, I can't wait for the rest I just wish this chapter was longer.
I'm glad to see this series back up and running. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
IT'S HERE! VICTORY!
2202905 The irony of another Sweetie Belle icon being the first comment when the author is screaming Sweetie Belle. XD Now, to read...
Okay, stupid question. At this point, I don't remember if we found out what the cause of his dreams were. Could someone remind me? All I can guess/remember is that it was the changeling poison, and that a side-effect of it might be to force the person to have happy dreams to make it easier to steal their love and emotions.
2203023
Discord visited Graves in his dream, and forced him too make the choice between happiness in the dream, or going back to real life and living it as a solider, no love or happiness.
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2203023 A poison made from concentrated heart's desire which explains the events of the previous story
Yet again, we're seeing hints at Equestria's government being a bit..... Big Brother-ish. It was referenced a few stories ago that merely offending the Princesses risked a trip to a celestial body, and now we have a massive-scale coverup. That shit ain't kosher
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Superb work.
I liked and faved it the second I saw this is up.
Now for reading.
2203076 Right, thanks. I knew it was something like that, but it's been so long I couldn't remember! X3
Oh yeah, been looking forward to this!
Graves, you idiot! I can't wait for the girls to find him and knock some sense into him.
Wow I've been waiting for a supa dupa looooonnnggg time for this one gwaaah yesss!!!!
Another masterpiece in the works, time to see what will happen!
Graves, you fool. LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!
A fantastic first chapter filled with emotion.
Aaaand now it's officially a Zero Approval Gambit.
I haven't even started reading and I can feel the epic radiate from it.
2203545
Edited the page.
-squee-
YES!
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Good job J!
Another good start to a most likely wonderful story.
Faved and thumbs-upped! Great first chapter! Can't wait for more!
Yeeeees! New story. I have been waiting so long.
New story yay :D but now i'll be anxious waiting for the next story but totally worth it love the chapter.
Have a happy Twilight
By far my favorite series on the site. Your wording is masterful, and it easily paints the image in my head as I read it. I wish I could give you some criticism, but no matter how hard I try, I really can't. Not only do you tell a story worth telling to people, but you obviously have love for your story as well. I really hope you don't wait long to post these because I don't think I can wait without knowing where Graves travels will take him, and what is truly going through his mind as he wanders alone. Thank you for this story and please keep writing, your good, great even, and don't let anyone say otherwise.
I'm loving this so far.
btw I found a small mistake
It should be
Good chapter. Just cut down on the alliteration a bit, please. It can get a tad jarring.
ok before I start reading I just wanna say I screamed like a adolescent girl at a beiber concert when I saw that HOLY FUCK GRAVES IS BACK! also curse you J, I had been planning on sleeping tonight. keyword: HAD. curse you, you magnificent bastard.
edit: ok seriously? why? why J why? I'm fucking sobbing. why you do this to me? AAAAAAH MOAR PLZ
Okay, I'm pretty sure that Rarity is doing something stupid (i.e. trying to chase Graves - it might even be possible but it would likely tip her into a very large chasm full of trouble).
As for Graves? I think he has realised that he has a whole lot of baggage and unanswered questions in his life. it doesn't help that Discord has tricked him into thinking settling down with Rarity would be putting Equestria in danger. In any case, he has to confront his past and his own emotional issues. Denial helps nobody.
As always J, you wrote a fic of brilliance that I would proudly display next to waking nightmares, or the vinyl scratch tapes
Also, my heart hurts, not as much as when you stomped on it in the 8th one, but she hurts
So much mystery..I love it.
If he ever comes back to Ponyville, there is going to be hell to pay from seven angry people.
iv waited so long for this and i now know it was completly worth it.
Best story continues.
You, my friend, are awesome.
Friend recommended me to this and I am so glad he did!!
lovin it and cannot wait for Chapter 2 my friend
All through the last story, I could not help but note the similarities between it and Allen Moore's "For The Man Who Has Everything" comic. And I say to you, bravo sir.
Matter of fact, it was a bit of an idea that I had been planning to use in one of my stories later on, albeit modified somewhat.
This entire saga is excellent. But one problem. You had to name him Graves. Now, no matter what you tell me about how he looks, I can't picture anyone but the League of Legends Champion pictured below. Now you've made me want to go write a LeaguexMLP GravesxRarity crossover. 'Scuse me while I get planning.
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Neither. She should track his ass down and give him a colossal bitch slap, then drag his ass back to Ponyville.
Once again great chapter, I'm hoping that there will be a chapter with Graves in it soon. Can't wait for next Saturday.
Dun dun DUUUUUUUUUN...
Also, LOVED this quote. It's so true.
2240617 well of course that's going to happen wouldn't. Be much of a story otherwise.
God, I'm so unhappy...
2240800>>2240617
full agreement on both accounts. round up the girls Twi, you got a marshall to find.
I say find Graves. BITCH slap him. Haul his flank back to Ponyville.
Go on the spark..Epic journey time!
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Ah, yes. That little thing some call pride.
Yes, because defending Equestria is far less important than making sure Rarity gets her little fantasy.
Dammit, I don't know keeping hope would seem the next logical progression in the story but at the same time I wanna see the All-hope-gone scenario take place.
Shhhh... hear that? It's the sound of an adventure waiting to be had. Seriously, we need some DnD-type shit or something.
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