'All I want to do is to protect my loved ones, but I have failed in that,' Spike thought as he floated in an empty void in the fetal position before he uncurled himself and opened his eyes seeing a familiar pair of dragon eyes before him, "I am ready to accept the ultimate power of the Dragon!" the dragon read roared as it opened its mouth and closed it onto Spike.

Outside his mind the rampaging dragon that was Spike continued to roar wildly while stomping around the abandoned village. Stone and Grogar watched with Stone looking more horrified, "Now you've done it, Grogar! You've unleashed the beast."

Grogar shook off his fright and was calm again, "It matters not. If I can gain control over the Berserk Dragon King I will use him to conquer Equestria. And no one, not even Tirek will challenge me."

Grogar called up to Spike, "You will obey me now, Dragon King!" he sent a blast of magic at the rampaging dragon, only for the magic to repel off Spike who was surrounded by a red and purple magical aura, "What?!"

Stone noticed the aura colors, "That's the aura of Twilight's magic. And Spike gained his own magical energy from her. It's shielding him from Grogar's attempt to control him."

Through Spike's vision which was shaded red he could see Grogar right below him. He roared down at the goat man, "DESTROY!" he reached down and grabbed Grogar in his claw. The necromancer wasn't fast enough to get away and found himself getting crushed in the dragon claw that was lifted up to Spike's face.

"Release me, you monster! I am Grogar of Tambelon! The greatest necromancer in all of Equestria! And I will not be bullied by..." Dragon Spike who wasn't listening to a single word Grogar was saying, started tightening his grip on the villain squeezing the life out. Grogar could only scream from the pain, until Spike squeezed so hard Grogar popped covering his claw with his blood.

Stone gasped at what happened, and thought, 'And here I thought I'd be the one to finish him,' he was snapped out of his thoughts as Spike continued to destroy anything in his path, "You gotta be kidding me!" Spike continued to smash around the village as Stone pulled out his sword and tried to attack him, but the big dragon kept swatting him away, "Sorry, Spike. But I have to do this!" Stone was about to strike Spike with his sword, only for Spike to swat him hard and he crashed into a stone wall and landed on the ground out cold.

As the group was making their way toward the big dragon, Rainbow groaned and laughed, "Stone got spiked by Spike!" the others gave her a deadpan look, and she smiled sheepishly.

Once they arrived, they saw Spike moving away from the town and planning to go elsewhere. Twilight spoke, "If he goes anywhere else it'll be disaster. We need a distraction."

"I got this covered," Discord said, as he morphed into a plane and started flying around Spike, "Here, Spike! Follow the plane!" he mocked, as Spike turned back around as Discord was leading him back to the village.

As the Dragon was occupied, Rarity spoke up, "What happened to Spike?"

"He really hit a growth spurt." Pinkie noted.

"Whatever happened to him we have to stop him." Twilight said, as she and the girls went into battle.

Twilight was flying around blasting Spike with magic, but it barely even grazed his dragon hide. Rainbow flew above Spike and started launching lightning bolt at the dragon stunning him for a moment, but he quickly recovered. Spike breathed fire down at the girls, only for Pinkie Pie to launch blasts of water at the big dragon. The two elements clashed while the two casters was trying to overpower the other.

"Now, while he's distracted!" Sunset called, as she fired a combustion blast at Spike's side, knocking him off focus. This allowed Pinkie's blast of water to nail Spike blinding him.

"Forgive me, Spike." Rarity said, as she created two giant stone hands onto her arms and started pummeling Spike's face repeatably.

With one last punch Spike was sent tumbling back, and Applejack used her plant manipulation to conjure vines to bind Spike to the ground, "I got him!"

Spike suddenly woke up and burst free from his vine restraints before getting back on his feet looking madder than before, "Well you had him." Pinkie corrected A.J.

"He's gone completely mental." Vinyl said in disbelief.

"It's worse," Ember answered as she, Garble, and the Princesses landed, "Spike has gone into berserk mode."

"Berserk mode?" Applejack wondered.

Garble explained, "Berserk mode is when a dragon gets so corrupted with greed or anger it turns them into a nearly unbeatable destroying machine."

"And since Spike is bonded with the spirit of the Dragon King, his berserk state is twice as powerful as a normal berserk mode." Ember put in.

"But what led him to this state?" Sunset asked.

"Let me see." Twilight tried focusing on Spike and used her magic to pierce through his mind and was able to see exactly what Spike had seen from the illusion to him crushing Grogar. After ending the link she gasped in fright.

"Twilight, what happened?" Fluttershy asked.

"What'd you see?" Celestia inquired.

"It was horrible," Twilight began sounding horrified, "Grogar cast an illusion on Spike making him see each of us dying before him."

The girls gasped, "How dreadful." Rarity said in shock.

"And the last vision he saw was Grogar murdering me." The Princess of Friendship added.

"No wonder he snapped." Cadence said, was Spike continued to attack Discord who kept dodging.

"And more so he killed Grogar as well." Twilight finished.

"He what?" Bonbon and Lyra gasped.

"Oh, dear." Fluttershy covered her mouth feeling sick.

"But if he destroyed Grogar shouldn't he snap out of it?" Rainbow asked.

"It's not that simple," Ember replied, "Berserk mode puts a dragon in a fit of rage forcing them to destroy anything in it's path."

"Isn't there any way to stop it?" Twilight asked with hope.

"Normally the dragon who entered berserk mode will wear himself out and change back to normal," Garble explained, "Though there's a slight chance he may die from using so much energy while in this form."

"Die?!" Vinyl and Fleur gasped.

"We can't let that happen." Applejack said not wanting to believe it.

Twilight began thinking until a thought came to her, "I got it. We have to show Spike we're still alive. If he sees us he'll know he was being tricked."

"And how're we going to snap him out of it?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah. I don't think seeing us alone is going to bring him back." Pinkie added.

"Maybe not, but your love can help cleanse him." Celestia stated.

"Our love?" Rarity asked.

Celestia nodded, "His power is fueled by the love he had for all of you. But now it's being fueled by anger and rage. You must use the love you have for Spike to soothe the beast from within him."

The girls caught on and agreed, "She's right. We need to show Spike our love for him is stronger than rage. We can all do it together. We just have to concentrate."

"But will ours be enough?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah. With how he's raging around it'll take more than the seven of us to calm him down." Applejack added.

"Who said it had to be you seven alone?" Ember asked, as she stood by them, "I'm part of his harem too, you know?"

"So are we." Vinyl said, as she held Bonbon, and Lyra close.

"And me." Fleur stepped forward.

"And us." Celestia said with Luna at her side.

"Shoot, Spike's got more gals and other loved ones close to him." Applejack reminded them.

"And their love combined with all of ours is all we need," Twilight smiled, "Just need to contact them." she concentrated, as magic waves started being released from her horn. The waves spread throughout Equestria as many of Spike's harem members who lived in Equestria started praying while thinking of how much they love Spike.

Sapphire Shores who was in her dressing room was sitting at her dresser began praying for Spike. At the spa, Lotus Blossom and Aloe who were currently on break began praying for Spike. Treehugger who was currently with Smooze relaxing by a tranquil hot springs began feeling vibes throughout her body and started praying with Spike on the mind. In Cloudsdale, Spitfire and Fleetfoot were currently timing some of their recruits in flying laps, until they ignored the time and began praying to Spike. In Canterlot roaming around the city were five of Spike's closest fan girls Sunshine Smiles, Moonlight Raven, Swoon Song, Fond Feather, and Dear Darling. They stopped there roaming around and began praying for the dragon they worshiped. At the cafe The Tasty Treat, Saffron Masala who had just set down some food for her father to serve stopped in place and began praying.

Meanwhile in the human world, Twilight's magic waves managed to get through to the girls who admired Spike the most. At the rock farm, Maud, Limestone, and Marble ceased their work and began praying to Spike. In another city, Rara who was trying on some new outfits for her next performance suddenly stopped and began praying along with the others. Also in another city was A.J's cousin Babs who was in her room looking at a magazine on hairstyles, until she stopped reading and started praying for Spike whom she still thought about since the Apple Family Reunion. In a clubhouse at Sweet Apple Acres, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo who were sitting up there pondering on what to do began praying for their friend and classmate Spike. Even Snips and Snails who were trying to hit up on more girls for dates stopped and started to pray for Spike even though they had no idea why. And finally somewhere in the tropics, Spike's parents who were busy soaking up some rays sat up and began praying for their son whom they did miss very much.

Back at the fight, Twilight and the rest of the girls began praying as their love was being pooled from their elements of harmony into Twilight's. Seeing this, Fleur, Ember, Bonbon, Lyra, Vinyl, Celestia, and Luna began praying as their own love for Spike was being pooled from them and into Twilight's element.

Shining Armor looked at Cadence and spoke, "Twilight needs to aim this right. We have to try and hold Spike still."

"Right." Cadence agreed, as the royal couple activated their own magic and emitted magical whips from their horns that restrained Spike.

Spike struggled to break free, as Twilight aimed her horn that was filled up with the magic of the girls love for Spike at the dragon's chest. When the time was right, she fired the beam from her horn that connected to Spike's chest. Spike ceased throbbing as the magic from their combined love started purging him of the anger and rage he was fueled by.

'Spike, we know you're in there. Come back to us. We love you.' Twilight thought to him.

Spike who was once again curled up in the fetal position in his mind saw a light shine above him. He looked up seeing his lovers, his friends, and family smiling down at him giving him strength to regain control. He started channeling their strength and finally dispelled the illusion and saw clearly again. He looked down seeing Twilight and the rest of the girls were alive and well. He thought to himself, 'They're alive.'

Everyone watched as the big dragon slumped docilely, before he started shrinking down. They saw him shrink back down to normal size and become human again. Spike for a brief moment stood wearing only his pants that were torn to the length of shorts after his transformation. Suddenly he fell forward and shifted so he fell onto his side before rolling onto his back. Twilight and the girls turned back to human before running over to him.

"Spike!" they shouted as they all went over to their friend.

Twilight got down on her knees and looked Spike over seeing he was unconscious, "Spike?" she listened closely to his chest and gasped, "No! I can't hear his heart."

Ember gasped, "He didn't survive."

"He used up too much energy." Garble said in sorrow.

"No." Fleur gasped, with her hands over her mouth.

"Spike. Please." Twilight pleaded as she looked down at Spike hoping he would wake up. Not seeing any response, tears started swelling up in her eyes before she threw herself on Spike's stomach and cried for him.

All around everyone was saddened by the loss of their lover or comrade. Pinkie's mane deflated as she sobbed. Rarity cried so much her mascara started running, but she didn't care. Fluttershy dropped to the ground and curled up before crying. Sunset went down to Fluttershy's level and hugged her trying to calm her, but failed to do so as she was just as saddened by the loss. Rainbow who had always refused to cry couldn't hide this time and allowed herself to cry for her favorite guy while hugging Applejack for comfort who was equally sad. Luna buried her face in Celestia's shoulder sobbing, while Celestia held her close and cried with her. Ember cried, as Garble comforted his lord as he himself couldn't help but feel bad for Spike. Fleur was hugging Bonbon and Lyra for comfort as the three cried together. Vinyl lifted her visor up and cried into her own hands. Finally Shining and Cadence held onto each other while feeling bad for Twilight knowing how hard this was for her most of all.

As Twilight continued to cry on Spike's stomach, she was unaware of magic being drawn from her horn and into Spike's body. Deep within Spike, Twilight's magic was getting drawn into something that started glowing faint red. As more magic was being drawn into it, the glowing object was revealed to be the Fire Ruby which started glowing brighter and brighter until it was shining.

When Twilight started sobbing, she could hear faint groaning. When she felt a hand on her cheek she lifted her head up and turned to look at Spike with half opened eyes, "It-it's all right, Twilight," Spike began, "Don't cry."

Twilight's sad look turned from shock, before switching to happiness, "Spike? You came back to me! My Spike is back!" she cried happily, as Spike sat up.

Suddenly everyone's sad look turned to joy, as they jumped around cheering, while Pinkie whose hair went back to it's usual style called out, "He's alive!"

"Oh, Spike!" Twilight embraced him and he groaned. She quickly let go, "Oh, my. Are you hurt?"

"Nah. Nothing I can't handle," Spike chuckled, as Rarity used her magic to restore Spike's clothes. He looked around at the destruction, "Um, did I do this? Be honest."

"Yeah. You did." Garble answered, as Ember frowned at him for being so blunt.

"I thought so," he looked over seeing Lyra bringing the still unconscious Stone over, "And I did that to him too?"

"Yeah. But don't worry, he's still alive." Lyra assured him.

"Thank goodness." Spike sighed in relief.

"Spike what Grogar made you see..." Twilight began, only for Spike to cut her off.

"Yeah. I knew it was an illusion, but the more I saw it with you girls dying it started seeping in making me feel like it was real. And when I thought I saw you die I finally snapped and I... I killed Grogar." he gasped.

"Yes you did, Spike," Celestia confirmed, "But still you eliminated a dangerous threat to Equestria. So do not think badly about what you did."

Spike nodded, but still felt bad, "I guess Sombra was right about something. There was a monster within me."

"Don't say that, Spike." Rarity stopped him.

"That monster was just your anger and rage brought up by Grogar who tricked you." Sunset added.

"You are Spike. Not a monster." Bonbon put in.

"And you'll always be Spike to us, darling." Fleur finished.

"Always." Twilight confirmed.

Spike smiled as he embraced Twilight, "It's so good to be alive with all of you." The girls gathered around embracing Spike feeling glad he was back.

"Let's go home." Twilight offered.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Spike smiled at her.

"What about Stone?" Rainbow asked.

"Don't worry. We'll take him to the hospital." Celestia offered, as she levitated the unconscious warrior to her and Luna.

"Guess I'm gonna have to break this news to Octy." Vinyl sighed.

"When you do tell her I wasn't myself." Spike requested.

"You got it." Vinyl gave him a thumb's up.

"Come on, Spike, we gotcha." Applejack said, as she and Rainbow got under his arms and helped him along.

Twilight noticed the wrecked village, "Time to do something about this." she concentrated her magic with Celestia and Luna and the village was repaired.

"Good as new." Rarity nodded in approval.

"Cadence and I will see to it the villagers return safely." Shining Armor told the sisters.

"See that you do." Luna replied. And so the groups went their separate ways knowing today was a win for them.

Meanwhile in Tirek's lair, the centaur had observed the fight with Dragon Spike going on a rampage and Grogar's annihilation, "Grogar, you pitiful fool. Your betrayal not only led you to failing me but to your destruction as well. No matter. Even with you and Catrina gone. I still have more friends in high places. Friends who know where their loyalties reside." he drummed his fingers together.

Within the confines of Spike's mind, the boy was floating before his dragon partner, "I did mess up, Bahamut. I gave into my anger and ignored your warnings. I'm really sorry." he dropped his head.

Bahamut reached out and used one of his dragon nails to lift Spike's head up, "Spike," he began, "There has never been a Dragon King throughout history who is perfect. I myself have my fair share of mistakes. But we learn from our mistakes and become better. Consider this a lesson to you. Anger turned inward in an unconquerable enemy. Draw on the power of your friends and loved ones for support and not let rage consume you. For as you stated the love your girls have for you is your power."

Spike smiled, "Thanks, Bahamut. I couldn't ask for a better dragon to be my partner."

Bahamut chuckled, "The feeling's mutual."

Suddenly Spike woke up in bed, and saw he was staring right at Rarity's bare rack, "Rarity?" he asked, only to see she was asleep. He looked around his bed seeing all the girls who were living with him were also in bed with him trying to sleep as close as they could to him. Each of the girls were sleeping half naked from some not wearing tops or pants, "Oh, that's right. Everyone wanted to sleep together with me." he remembered.

"It's because of you, everyone's been closer than ever," Came Twilight's voice. Spike looked to his right seeing Twilight sleeping at his side wide awake, "Good morning. How'd you sleep?"

"Good morning, Twi. I slept great." Spike admitted.

"That's good to hear. After all you've been through you needed this," Twilight said, as she sat up, "Join me on the terrace?" she asked before getting off the bed.

"Sure." Spike agreed, as he slipped out of the girls cuddling, and followed Twilight who put a robe on.

They walked onto the mansion's terrace on the roof and looked out seeing while it was still dark out dawn was approaching, "Grogar and Catrina are out of the game, but I know Tirek won't stop." Twilight noted.

"I know," Spike nodded, "But still no matter who he sends our way or what methods he uses we'll face them together like always. And next time I won't let rage take hold of me. As long as I have you and the rest of the girls in my heart and on the mind I can take on the world." he said confidently.

Twilight smiled, as she embraced Spike, "Well, then let's take on the world together."

"Delighted." Spike agreed, as they leaned in and kissed. As they did the sun started rising on the horizon and the bright glow of a new day washed over the two. Spike knew no matter what the girls would never leave him and he would never fall down the dark path of destruction and anger.