[Please read the author's notes after the expansion before reading. Thank you]

Welcome to the new Equestria, Twilight Sparkle. See your friends at each other's throats? You have to choose between them now, to stop the heartache of war with decisive victory. For the nation lies bleeding, its harmony shattered into a million pieces. Black and white and right and wrong have blurred together.

You must choose wisely, or all shall die.

~Image by JohnJoseco~ If anyone can find a fitting, unique image for this story, please do not hesitate to link in the comments.

[Author's Note]

The following stories should be read in order to get a good grasp on references to previous works.

- Sunset (Mandatory)*
- My Little Muffin (Optional)
- Clash of the Heavenly Titans (Optional)*
- Blood is Thicker / The Reluctant Reunion of the Redoubtable Rabble-Rouser (Strongly Recommended)

All can be found on my Deviant Art account: http://ciroton.deviantart.com/
Those with * can be found here on FIMFiction.

After a tearful goodbye between the girls and Spike for his five year nap, he finally awakes. But how will equestria adjust to his new size, more importantly how will the girls react to the new Spike?

Two thousand and fifty three years.
Spike has been battling the eldritch horrors of timeless Ginungagap for over two millennia, yet even to this day, his shame remains gnawing at his very heart and mind. Until the day comes when he is told of the danger that threatens what is most precious to him.

To save what he loves, Spike shall face his shame once more, his will, determination and sanity stretched to their limits, as he will step into the Abyss of his own, personal hell.

As always Spike moves forward, ever forward, towards battle, death and hopefully redemption.

In life, shame.
In death, absolution.

It's been ten years since Apple Bloom left Ponyville. Five since the love of her life left her. After Spike betrayed her, Apple Bloom hoped to never lay eyes on the dragon again. Then a bunch of old bones showed up on her ranch in Appleloosa. Suddenly her former lover was back in her life in a big way - to investigate a decades old crime. Acting as interim marshal Spike has a job to do and this time he isn't walking away. Because now Apple Bloom's life is on the line as the unsuspecting target of a killer who still walks the canyon. Spike will do whatever it takes to keep Apple Bloom close... even if it means risking his own heart for a second chance for both of them.

After several years spent amongst the dragons, Spike returns to Canterlot to take an entry exam at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Individuals. His old friend is there to witness it, and she is not too happy with what she sees.

Spike does not notice, but he has more influence on ponies lives then he knows. Acts of kindness can change a pony's world, but for him, its just another normal day.

Luna has been wanting to have her own personal guard for a long time, and at long last she finally has one. But maybe she should have thought more before choosing her guard. Now she has to deal with what comes next.

A fair amount of sexual references. Just so you know.

OMG-FEATURED!!! =[^-^]= -1/08/2015
-1/11/2015 (Why is it always on the first?)

When Celestia went on sabbatical into the west, she promised Twilight it would be only a couple of months. A year and a half later, the sun resists control, the country is in ruins, and her teacher is lost in the wilds. Twilight has become the apostate, her faith in her teacher and her teachings waning. In the wake of tragedy, her resentment blossoms into fury and she vows that something must be done. Shadows gather around Canterlot, and old things that should not have been awakened are on the move. The Student goes west, her hope restored by friendship and righteous fury.

The night, at long last, is passing.

It has been ten years since Tirek was defeated, and now the Cutie Mark Crusaders are all grown up. Sweetie Belle has a foal named Emerald. Apple Bloom is engaged. And at the same time, Scootaloo is waiting for her response from the Wonderbolt Academy. Want to know more? Stay tuned!

Thanks to xStellar_Bubbles for the artwork!
And thanks to FelineFluff for editing AND big shoutout to her as well for writing the first, third, and fifth chapter.
This is going to be a thing where I write all of the even numbered chapters and she writes all of the odd numbered chapters. We hope you enjoy it!

Twilight Sparkle, the hoof-picked protégé of Princess Celestia herself, has come a long way in her studies. She is no longer the shut-in she once was. With help from her friends, she achieved something eluded even the great wizard Starswirl the Bearded. She is now an alicorn as well as Equestria's newest princess. It is a time of celebration for all of Equestria, especially for her close friends.

However, somepony seems to have thrown a wrench into mix. He has secretly aged Spike through the use of a rare herb. Unable to identify him, the Mane 6 instead focus on the task of reversing the herb's effects. But it has proven to be much more difficult than simply blasting Spike with some age reversing magic. Now, the ponies find themselves at the top of a mountain, far into the Frozen North. They find Tall Tale, a professor from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns who is currently studying the frost dragons that dwell in the mountains.

Unfortunately, the same pony who had aged Spike has now taken the Elements of Harmony, but this only seems to be a single step in a deeper, more sinister plan...

Special thanks to RQK and Man on the Moon for editing the story so far as well as an ex-editor for the story, Sourichan.

Another thanks to Avatar of Madness for the covert art.

As a secondary note, this story was thought up and written pre-Seasons 4 and 5. It takes a different route than the canon from the end of Season 3 forward. An AU tag may or may not be added, as may other tags as they become relevant. Just as well, the short and long summaries will be updated as the story progresses.