Times change.  Friends change.  But there are some things, as today’s heartwarming story reminds us, that remain constant.

The Firework Lotus
[Drama] • 16,670 words

The Firework Lotus Celebration, a grand festival which celebrates the dawn of a new year, is a tradition held near and dear to Spike’s heart. But when the winds of change threaten to take this special time away from him, Spike is forced to make a difficult decision. Which is more important: what he knows to be right, or what he feels to be right?

And as Spike soon discovers, it’s a choice best made with the help of some friends.

FROM THE CURATORS: It’s difficult to summarize what it is that gives this story its raw emotional power, as Chris discovered when nominating it: “The only notes I ended up leaving myself on the story were ‘wow,’ ‘super-sweet,’ ‘perfect Spike moment,’ another ‘wow,’ and ‘important theme,'” he said.  But he gave it a second shot: “It’s the kind of sweet but memorable story which sticks with you.  It’s got wonderful, powerful moments scattered throughout, it deals seriously but hopefully with the need for change, and is just generally beautiful.”

The exemplary writing of the story is easy to see from the first scenes, where it follows Twilight, Spike, and the friends and family surrounding them through many years of holidays.  “A shining example of why ‘show, don’t tell’ is such common advice; this is exquisite, exquisite showing, simply playing off the contrasts as the whirlwind of history sweeps around the calm eye of the event itself,” Horizon said.

And even after it unfolds those years and spends most of its length discussing a single, pivotal celebration — with some strange but memorable digressions into the routines put on by the supporting cast — it closes strong with some important and affirming lessons that feel exquisitely and laudably pony. “I love it when stories make me applaud for them,” Present Perfect said.

Read on for our author interview, in which ArgonMatrix discusses Equestrian innocence, authorial road trips, and universal protagonism.
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