Something is on its way to Equestria, and it's forced the Dragon Empress to seek help from none other than the Princesses. The Empress has labelled Equestria's threat as a Praetorian, the last of a breed of dragon exterminated for their potential to destroy all that was natural in the world. Now, the last one has its sights set on Equestria. It's purpose unknown, but presumed not good, they further learn that the power of this one supersedes all previous records. It is an Alpha Praetor. The apex predator among the species.

Yet the hero of the day may be somepony we least expected, or some dragon.

Theme Song: Starset - It Has Begun

Image belongs to onyxprince

Voices

Spike: Liam O'Brien

Ditzy Doo: Tabitha St. Germaine

Praetorian/D: Kate Mulgrew

Dragon Empress: Cherilyn Sarkisian

This story is a sequel to The Darkness of Love

Spike saved the Elements of Harmony, but a past mistake had caught up to him. He died a week later, leaving Twilight heartbroken, holding a crystal that contained half his soul from before he succumbed to dark magic.

Now, some months later, Twilight has spent her time searching for the key to bringing Spike back. With everything in place, and Cadence assisting her with Spike's resurrection, will everything go as planned, or will something falter and leave Spike half of or twice what he used to be?

Opening theme for this story is: Awoken - Sound of the Aviators

Rated 'Mature' for Violence and Sex. To see sex chapters, click on the link here.

After leaving on a second pilgrimage to find himself, Spike returns to Ponyville, physically larger and sporting an impressive array of skills and powers.

His plans for a calm life in Ponyville, however, takes a different path as he soon finds himself the desire of several ponies interests, friends old and new included.

Change breeds benefits, as the saying goes. Spike has yet to hear it ring true.