History TearJerker / FateStayNight

*** Bad End #38. Right after the CrowningMomentOfAwesome for Shirou that is [[spoiler:defeating Saber Alter single-handedly]] by going past his limits, the consequences of doing so hit and [[he's reduced to a vegetable that will never recover and is effectively dead]]. At this point narration switches to Saber, who contemplates his strength and what will come of his sacrifice.

**** I'm not sure how killing Saber was "unforgiveable" when she was trying to kill ''him''. And, I don't see how it wasn't "worth it", either.

** The Ilya's [[WhatTheHellHero response]] to your choice and the knowledge that [[spoiler:you'll have to [[ShootTheDog kill her and Rin]]]] so soon after her CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming in the infamous "Mind of Steel" [[NonStandardGameOver ending]] ought to wring some tears our of [[YouBastard you]].

* FateZero (at least the animated adaption. Can't remember if it happened in the novel): Kariya Matou's farewell to Sakuya, after having just been infested by [[CompleteMonster Zouken's]] insects in an effort to prevent Sakuya from having to take part in the [[FateStayNight Fifth War]]. "It seems I've already lost a bit to the bugs inside me. I guess I'm not as strong as you..."

*** What's the scene called after making that painful decision? ''I'll forget about you''
*** And dear god, nothing could prepare This Troper for what came next.

--->"Using my own hands, I killed someone who protected me until the very end ------

*** [[spoiler:Shirou]] is ([[RoadCone possibly]]) '''[[HeroicSacrifice killed off]]''' in the finale: the TearJerker ending then sticks to and expands on this, showing the epilogue through [[spoiler:Sakura's]] eyes, as [[spoiler:she]] ages and watches everything change around [[spoiler:her]], remaining alone until the end... '''Needlessly and maliciously cruel.'''

*** [[spoiler:Saber]]'s death is bad enough (especially when Shirou learns of it, [[spoiler:when his Command Spell disappears]]). Forcing the player to make the choice to stab [[spoiler:Saber Alter]] in the heart while [[spoiler:she's]] helpless is just ''mean''. [[spoiler:Yet failure to do so would result in the '''[[HighOctaneNightmareFuel worst]]''' BadEnd with [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Dark Sakura]] giving Rin Tohsaka a personal lesson on what she suffered the past 11 years.]]

*** [[spoiler:Saber]]'s death is bad enough (especially when Shirou learns of it, [[spoiler:when his Command Spell disappears]]). Forcing the player to make the choice to stab [[spoiler:Saber Alter]] in the heart while [[spoiler:she's]] helpless is just ''mean''.

*** The only ending (and a truly [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]] one) for the Fate route is "Continuation of the Dream." [[spoiler: Having won the battle, Saber asks Shirou to let her fulfill her duty one final time, and he uses the last Command Spell to order Saber to destroy the Holy Grail.]] The last scene you see is the final moments of [[spoiler:Saber, ending her life as King Arthur. She speaks to Bedivire, talking about how she had a "pleasent dream" and when she finally passes away, just to drive the knife in, the last words are "Do you see it, King Arthur? The Continuation of the Dream?"]] Cue profound crying.

** ''Unlimited Blade Works''route:

*** The ''Fate'' route had already established Ilya as a [[EnfanteTerrible homicidal, sociopathic]] {{loli}} and her Servant Berserker as a NighInvulnerable embodiment of madness and destruction... And then we come across Berserker desperately pressing forward into Gilgamesh's endless hail of swords in an attempt to shield his master. After a flashback revealing their bond in Ilya's backstory, [[spoiler:a now blinded, frightened, and dying Ilya slowly crawls across the floor]], calling out for her Servant for comfort; to fulfill his master's wish, [[spoiler:Berserker defies [[MagicAIsMagicA reality]] and forces his body to physically remain through sheer willpower, when even his mind ought to have disappeared. Upon feeling the touch of (dead) Berserker's stone foot, Ilya is reassured that he will protect her and loses consciousness hoping that he will pet her head when she wakes up. A moment later, Berserker's body begins to crumble to dust, and Gilgamesh rips out Ilya's heart]].

*** [[spoiler:Saber]]'s death is bad enough (especially when Shirou learns of it, [[spoiler:when his Command Spell disappears]]). Forcing the player to make the choice to stab [[spoiler:Saber Alter]] in the heart while [[spoiler:she]]'s helpless is just ''mean''.

*** [[spoiler:Saber]]'s death is bad enough (especially when Shirou learns of it, [[spoiler:when his Command Spell disappears]]). Forcing the player to make the choice to stab [[spoiler:Saber Alter]] in the heart while she's helpless is just ''mean''.

*** The anime adaptation of that scene isn't much better, either, since now you have very sad music playing in the background. Damn you ''Sola'', damn you!

**** [[spoiler: "You said an older brother protects his younger sister, right?…Yeah. I'm the older sister. So I have to protect my younger brother."]] Fuck it, I bawled like a baby.