On one of her regular hunts for gemstones, Rarity discovers a treasure trove beyond her wildest dreams... and the lavender-scaled dragon who collected it. Despite a rocky first meeting, Rarity and Greenfire soon find themselves drawn to each other more and more. But the question remains: How did a young dragon end up in the Everfree Forest all alone?

An alternate universe story that puts our favorite purple dragon and his beloved fashionista into a slightly different situation. Art used with permission from the wonderful ArtisteFish!

Now with a TV Tropes page! Thanks go out to Poptard and whoever else might feel like editing it.

Fan Works
Climbing the Cliff by Pia-chan (from chapter 5)
Such a Pleasant Chat by Fukaï
Some Form of Tea by Pia-chan (from chapter 4)
Promo Animation by CMagic (mild chapter 6 spoilers)

Approached by a dragon whose power and age outmatch those of Princess Celestia, Spike is told he will play a key role in shaping life in Equestria, if not dragon-kind, as he grows older.

Becoming the dragons apprentice soon after, all manner of challenges arise as he trains himself for a responsibility he must eventually take hold of. But among the trials he faces, he must also defeat a darkness that looms within himself, a collected manifestation of his most fragile and darkest emotions that threatens to unleash itself upon the world if his resolve so much as falters.

The fate of Equestria dependent on his resolve, Spike must make dangerous choices that pave the road to peace and harmony or war and chaos.