Spike grew stronger and wiser over the next eight years. He replaced his huskiness with muscle and researched ghosts and how to exorcise them. He learned that dragon statues were used in the past to ward off evil spirits. There was evidence to suggest that, should the existence of the supernatural be confirmed, holy objects had the power to repel the malevolent ghostly beings. By the time he was sixteen, he began hunting the paranormal beings down. His change in demeanor caused Twilight a small amount of concern, but she trusted his judgement and left him to his own devices when she didn't need his help. She was as oblivious to his motives and activities as everyone else. However, even though she was uneasy at times, she was comforted by her dragon partner's presence. The two had grown immensely close; much closer than Spike would've ever gotten to her as a child. She truly felt as though he was keeping his promise, even though she still didn't understand why he made it. One night, Spike was going on another investigation. He exchanged a short goodbye with his teacher and closest friend.

"Twilight, I'm going out for a bit."

"Okay. Try not to get home too late."

"I'll be back soon. It's a promise."

"Speaking of promises, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"You said you would protect me a long time ago, no matter what. Why did you say that?"

"…"

"It's okay Spike. You can talk to me."

Spike sighed sadly.

"I knew you were going to ask someday. You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"It was something that changed you into who you are now, wasn't it? I can believe it if it had that kind of effect on you."

"Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yes."

"When I get home, I'll tell you everything. I can't promise you I won't have an injury or two though. Do you have enough faith to let me do this one last thing without you by my side?"

"…I trust you."

"Okay. Don't worry. One way or another, I'll come back to you."

Without anything left to say, Spike gripped his cross necklace for a brief moment, and then took his leave.

When Spike reached the location he was requested to investigate by an anonymous client, there was an old, decrepit house. He immediately felt something was off. He could sense that there were several spirits, but one stood out among the rest. It was much more sinister.

"Okay. Let's get this over with."

He pointed his flashlight directly onto the property.

"This place gives me the creeps."

With a slow, steady gait, he made his way inside.

The inside of the house was dark and quiet. It seemed like something out of a horror movie. Luckily for Spike, he was well prepared. He reached into one of his jacket pockets for a small book of exorcisms, and a bottle of blessed water in the other. The first step was to bless the house. Once that was done, he could perform the exorcism he needed. The stronger the ghost(s), the more intense the exorcism needed to be, and there was a possibility he would be attacked during that time period. The cross would weaken and repel what it could. Any remaining strength contained by the entity or entities would have to be dealt with personally.

With the blessed water settled onto every corner of the house, Spike returned to the original hallway and opened the book containing a variety of exorcisms. Something in this place was particularly vengeful, so he needed something potent. When he began exorcising spirits six months ago, the strongest exorcism he could find was the lord's prayer. The origins of the prayer and who or what created it were lost to history, but Spike trusted he would find out where it and religion itself came from if he continued his research. Right now, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He began to read the prayer out loud.

"Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

When Spike finished the first half of the prayer, the ground began to shake. One of the spirits was getting very angry now, but Spike held his ground and continued.

"Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one."

Without any warning, a skeleton-like ghost with strands of hair and a grey nightshirt grabbed the dragon by the throat. He struggled for a moment, the held up the cross to the ghost. The spirit flew back in a mix of pain and terror. Spike was on one knee gasping for air. When function was fully restored to his respiratory system, he rose and confronted the unearthly being.

"It's one of you things again, huh? Alright. Come get some!"

Spike and the ghost charged at one another. A fight for survival was about to begin. Who would be the victor, and who would be erased?