One afternoon in the outskirts of Ponyville, Spike and the girls were once again facing off against another tribe of Shadowkhan. These ones had mantis-like arms and four legs that have spikes on them all over. They are completely black with a dark red, triangle-shaped top covering. They have one, glowing, red eye.
Spike flew around with Rainbow Dash dodging the Mantis Khan's pincer arms, before Spike used his heat beams against it. Twilight and Rarity were blasting at some using their magics, while Pinkie used her party cannon to blow confetti at a few Mantis Khan distorting them allowing Applejack to lasso them up and swing them around before knocking them into a tree making them go poof.
“These Mantis Khan sure are buggy, huh?” Pinkie asked her friends while bounding around avoiding the Shadowkhan's pincers.
“They're certainly pests, that much I can say,” Rarity said, as she blasted away more Mantis Khan with her fish medium. When one of them tried to swipe its pincer at her mane, she dodged and blasted at it, “If any one of you tries to cut my mane or tail, there will be consequences!” she warned them.
“And here's what they'll be!” Spike announced, as he used his combustion to wipe out the remaining Mantis Khan.
The group relaxed and caught there breath, “That's the ninth type of Shadowkhan we've dealt with.” Twilight told her friends.
“Wonder what number ten will be like?” Pinkie asked.
“Don't tempt it.” Spike warned her.
“What most things always go up to ten.” the party pony reminded him.
“For Shadowkhan less is more.” Spike replied.
“After, this I could sure go for a Hayburger.” Rainbow said.
“Same here.” Twilight agreed.
“So let's go get a bite,” Spike said, as they headed back towards town, “You know fighting Shadowkhan may be dangerous but I feel so much better knowing you girls are right there beside me to help.”
“Not a problem, Spike.” Applejack replied with a smile.
“We'll always be there for a friend,” Fluttershy smiled, “Especially if it's you.”
“And that's a promise.” Twilight finished, as they kept on walking.
As they did, a Ninja Khan had been watching them, and been relaying this to Shendu who heard everything.
“So that's always been his weakness, friends,” he told himself, “In that case I think it's time I stopped sending my Shadowkhan to him to retrieve my talismans, and rather have him come to me, and give them to me himself.” he snickered. The Ninja Khan who had been watching them dove into Twilight's shadow where it would be undetected.
That night, as every pony was asleep in bed, something was afoul in the town. At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was asleep in bed, until she heard a noise. She got out of bed and looked out her window seeing something sneaking around outside.
“A trespasser.” Applejack gasped, before dawning her hat and hurried outside while making sure not to wake her granny or sibs.
As she made it outside she called out, “Alright, varmint, you're trespassing on private property. Now I suggest you get on out of here before I make ya!”
The trespasser who was hidden by the dark of the night looked back at Applejack before stepping into the moonlight to reveal it was a Crab Khan, “Whoa, nelly.” Applejack gasped having not anticipated it was a Shadowkhan. Before she could respond the Crab Khan jumped her and dragged her into the shadows.
At Fluttershy's cottage, the pegasus was sleeping peacefully, until there was a loud banging on her door which woke her up, “Oh, my. Who could that be at this hour?” she wondered in concern before heading downstairs while listening to the pounding on the door.
When she reached her door and slowly opened it. When she did she saw standing in the doorway was a Sumo Khan looking down at her. Before Fluttershy could scream, the Sumo Khan grabbed her and dragged her into a shadow.
Up at Rainbow's home in the clouds, the pegasus was sprawled out on her bed snoring away, and mumbling in her sleep, “Oh, yes. I accept this award of awesomeness.” there was a knock at her door that woke her up, “Huh? Ugh, what is this?” she groaned, before flying down to answer her door.
She opened and saw no pony was even there, “Great, now I'm being punked.” she was about to close the door only for a Bat Khan to reach down and grab her before she could say anything or get away.
At Carousel Boutique, Rarity was fast asleep, until there was tapping on her window. At first she ignored it, until the tapping started more and more irritable.
“Oh, does anypony understand the concept of a goodnight sleep around here?” she removed her eye mask, and walked to her window. She opened it up and stuck her head out, “Will whoever is making that noise kindly...” she didn't finish her sentence as two katana swords cross at her neck. Her eyes darted back and forth seeing two Samurai Khan sticking out of shadows had her at sword-point and knew if she made a sound or movement they would strike.
At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie had came down to the kitchen and was grabbing stuff from the fridge, “Nothing like a good late night snack to get you to fall asleep.” she held a tray filled with sweets before bringing them up to her room.
Inside her room, Pinkie downed all the treats she brought up, before wiping her chin, “Tasty,” she then looked out her open window and smiled, “What a beautiful night.” suddenly something black dropped onto her muzzle. She focused on it to see it was a Mini-Khan looking right at her with a grin. Before she could scream, more Mini-Khan dropped onto her from above covering her whole body before dragging her into the shadows.
Finally at Twilight's castle, Spike was already in bed while Twilight herself was still up looking over a few books. When she realized how late it was she spoke to herself, “Is it that late already? Time sure goes by when you're engulfed in a good read.” she was prepared to douse her candle, until she saw her shadow on the wall change into something else. Before she could scream, the Shadowkhan emerged from her shadow and grabbed onto Twilight taking her own into the shadows.
Soon all six ponies who were engulfed in darkness suddenly found themselves inside a cave, “Girls!” Twilight gasped, “What happened?”
“We were all jumped by Shadowkhan.” Applejack answered.
“So was I.” Twilight admitted.
“How were you jumped when you have spells used to keep them out of the castle?” Rainbow asked.
“One hitched a ride inside my shadow and got inside past the barrier.” Twilight answered.
“So where are we?” Fluttershy trembled.
“It sure is dark in here.” Rarity noted.
Suddenly Pinkie gasped, “Girls, I don't think we're alone here.”
They were suddenly taken by surprise as laughter echoed around them, “Who's there?” Twilight asked defensively.
“Show yourself!” Rainbow demanded.
“As you wish.” a hissing voice answered, as red eyes glowed in the darkness.
Twilight used her horn to project some light and to hers and the girls shock saw the chained and shackled withered dragon hanging from above looking down at them.
“Welcome, everypony. So nice of you to join me.” he greeted them.
“Twilight, is that who I think it is?” Applejack asked nervously.
“No doubt about it, Applejack,” Twilight answered, “That's Shendu.”
“He looks a lot different compared to how he looked in the book.” Pinkie noted.
“We can take that chump. He can't even move.” Rainbow was about to fly up to Shendu, only for Bat Khan to drop in and attack her pinning her to the ground.
Before the girls could help Rainbow, they were suddenly surrounded by swarms of all types of Shadowkhan. Mini, Mantis, Sumo, Razor, Bat, Samurai, Crab, Squid, and Ninja.
“If you value your friends life, you will stand down at once.” Shendu warned the girls who knew there was no way they could fight this many Shadowkhan at once, and without their mediums they couldn't cast chi spells. With no other option they stood down in defeat.
The next day, Spike woke up and headed for Twilight's room, “Hey, Twilight, you up yet?” he noticed Twilight's room was empty, “She's not here,” he noticed the candle on her desk was burned all the way down as if it had been lit all night, “Twilight would never let her candles burn that down. I wonder where she is?” he asked, before flying all around the castle checking every room, but saw no sign of his closest friend.
“She's not here. Maybe she went into town.” And with that, the young dragon flew out of the castle to look in Ponyville.
As Spike flew around he saw no trace of Twilight anywhere, “I've been all over Ponyville and haven't found a trace of Twilight. Maybe I should get the girls to help.” he flew for Rarity's place.
When he arrived at the boutique, he knocked on the door, “Rarity. Hey, Rarity, it's me Spike!” when she didn't answer, Spike was concerned.
“I shouldn't do this, but it's not breaking and entering if I'm not breaking in.” Spike closed his eyes and concentrated as the Sheep Talisman power activated. Spike's astral self left his body and floated above it.
Astral Spike flew into the boutique and searched all over finding no sign of Rarity at all. Seeing the place was vacant he flew outside and returned to his body. When he woke up he was more concerned.
“Rarity's not home. Maybe I should ask the others.” Spike flew off to Sweet Apple Acres, where he saw Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac looking around the orchard, “Morning, Apples.”
“Morning, Spike.” Apple Bloom greeted.
“Is something wrong?” Spike asked.
“Ya haven't seen Applejack have ya?” Granny Smith inquired.
“Me? I was actually coming here to see her. She's not here?”
“Nnope.” Big Mac shook his head.
“She wouldn't leave without letting us know where she was going.” Apple Bloom said in concern.
“Well, this can't be coincidence. I can't find Twilight or Rarity.” Spike said, much to the Apples surprise.
“Ya don't think Rainbow, Fluttershy, or Pinkie are missing to, do ya?” Apple Bloom asked more concerned than before.
“I'll go check.” Spike answered, as he zipped over to Fluttershy's cottage where he saw her door open and Angel and the rest of the animals were looking around in worry for their caretaker.
“Fluttershy,” he gasped, before flying up to Cloudsdale and found out Rainbow wasn't at home either, “Rainbow Dash.”
Spike flew back to Ponyville praying nothing has happened to Pinkie Pie. When he arrived at Sugarcube Corner, he went inside seeing the Cakes working, “Mr and Mrs. Cake, have you seen Pinkie?”
“Not since last night.” Mrs. Cake answered.
“And she wasn't up in her room this morning either.” Mr. Cake added just as concerned.
“That is definitely not like her.” Mrs. Cake put in.
“Oh, no.” Spike gasped, before flying out of the sweet shop before flying all around Ponyville.
He soon returned to the castle, “No one around Ponyville has seen them. What could've happened to them? I better send a letter to Princess Celestia.” he was ready to grab a parchment and quill, only for a Ninja Khan who had been hiding while aiming an arrow in a bow close to the dragon. He released the arrow that shot close to Spike but not hitting him. He looked to see who almost shot him with an arrow, but soon saw something rolled up on the arrow.
He unrolled it and saw it was a message.
Dear, Spike, if you wish to see you pony friends again, you will come to the edge of the town and wait for my Shadowkhan to pick you up. Should you try to be a hero and send a message to your precious Princess, I cannot guarantee your friends will be in one piece by the time you get here.
Signed, Shendu
Spike's eyes tightened, “Shendu. I should've figured he'd be behind this,” he looked at the parchment he was going to use to send a message to Princess Celestia, but remembered Shendu's warning about trying to send for help. He sighed, “I can't risk their safety.” he put the parchment away, before heading for the edge of Ponyville.
When he arrived he looked around before suddenly being surrounded by several Ninja Khan, “Alright, I'm here. Now where are my friends?” In response, the Shadowkhan surrounded Spike, and they disappeared into the shadows.
The next thing Spike knew he was in the same cave the girls had been brought to, “What is this place?” he looked around.
“Spike!” came the girls voices.
Spike looked over and saw his friends all trapped in a black iron cage, “Girls!” he cried, as he tried to get to them, only for Sumo Khan to surround him.
“That's as far as you go!” came a hissing voice.
Spike looked and saw Shendu himself, “You!” Spike squinted.
“Yes, me. We finally meet face to face.” Shendu answered.
“Shendu,” Spike frowned, “You made a big mistake in kidnapping my friends.”
“And you made a bigger mistake by taking something that doesn't belong to you!” Shendu retorted.
“Say what you want because I'm not afraid of some withered old dragon chained and shackled.” Spike stood his ground only for lightning to strike the ground around him making him jump back in shock.
“Why so nervous?” Shendu taunted, “It is as you say, in my imprisoned state I am powerless. Yet see how the elements of this realm shudder in my presence.”
Spike still stood tall, “Yeah the elements may shudder at you, but I won't. So either you let my friends go, or I use your own powers on you.”
“An amusing proposition, but here's my counter proposal. You hand over my talismans, or your friends become my Shadowkhan's new playthings.”
Spike tried to keep his brave face up, but looked back and forth between his friends and Shendu. While it's true with the talismans he could take on the Shadowkhan, but seeing as how there were so many more of them than he was used to fighting, and didn't wanna risk the safety of his friends, he lowered his head and spoke.
“Ok, I'll do it.” Shendu smirked, as the ponies were shocked.
“Spike, don't do it!” Rainbow called.
“This is just what he wants!” Twilight reminded him.
Spike looked back at her, “You think I don't know that? But what else am I suppose to do? Twilight, you gave up all your magic to Tirek for me, and everypony else. Now it's time I do the same for my friends.” The girls felt moved by Spike, but couldn't help but feel this wasn't right.
Spike looked up at Shendu and spoke, “If I relinquish the talismans to you, you have to swear on the Noble Dragon Code you'll leave my friends alone!”
“But of course. After all, what are we without our dragon code?” Shendu asked.
Spike sighed, as he levitated himself before the dragon. The two dragons eyes crossed, and suddenly Spike started straining much to the girls shock.
“Spikey-Wikey!” Rarity cried, as Spike continued to cry in pain.
Being pulled right out of his body were the twelve talismans that were levitated before the old dragon. Without the talismans, Spike fell from above and landed on the ground.
“Oh, I forgot what it was like to not have them.” Spike groaned, before he looked up and saw the talismans levitate before Shendu.
“Yes. Time for me to reclaim what is rightfully mine!” Shendu bellowed, as the talismans started cracking and soon they were destroyed.
Spike and the girls watched as twelve magical essences were released from the destroyed talismans and were getting assimilated into Shendu's body. They saw the old dragon started getting buffer and fit, and his scales started growing darker. Soon the restraints on his wrists broke off and the dragon landed on the ground looking just the way he was depicted in the book Celestia showed Spike and the girls.
“Yes! At long last! My powers restored! Speed, invisibility, astral projection, and my personal favorite. Combustion!” Shendu unleashed a massive fireball at the cave wall rocking the entire cave.
“Watch it, buddy you'll bring the house down on all of us!” Rainbow shouted.
Shendu continued to marvel at himself, “Oh, I haven't felt this good in centuries.”
“Hey!” Spike called from below, “I did what you asked, Shendu. You got your powers back. Now let the girls go!”
“Hmm? No, don't think so.” Shendu answered, much to the Equestrians shock.
“But you swore on the dragon code!” Spike bellowed.
“I may be a noble dragon. But I'm also a demon sorcerer. And not known for keeping promises.” he answered.
Spike growled, “You'll pay for that!” Spike ran up to Shendu and tried punching his leg, but the taller dragon felt nothing.
Shendu levitated Spike up to him and spoke, “Not so tough now, are you, little whelp?” he flicked Spike away as the Shadowkhan caught him and placed him in the same cage as the girls.
“You backstabbing two timing!” Applejack called to Shendu.
“This is the price you pay for making a deal with me. And now that I have what I wanted, it's time I remind this world of its true master!” Shendu levitated up, “And I shall start with your little town.”
“You leave Ponyville alone!” Pinkie shouted.
“And who's going to stop me pink one? You and your powerless dragon?” he asked rhetorically.
At the sound of that, Spike's head lowered knowing he was right. Shendu spoke to the Shadowkhan army, “You all stay here and keep an eye on my prisoners.” he flew out of the cave and off into the sky with his first destination in mind.
“He's gone.” Fluttershy gasped.
Twilight looked to Spike who hugged his legs, “Spike?” the girls looked at him with equal concern.
“I failed.” he shed some tears.