//------------------------------// // Dragon in Despair // Story: Spike of the Talismans // by Wildcard25 //------------------------------// As nighttime was rolling in, the ponies in Ponyville were still walking about and ready to return home, until a shadow cast down on them from the sky. The ponies looked up and saw Shendu flying above them before landing on the ground surprising them. “Greetings, everypony!” Shendu announced as the ponies were frightened at the sight of the dragon who continued, “As of this moment, this town shall be under new management. With me as your new ruler!” he declared. The ponies were confused, until Mayor Mare approached, “And what gives you the right to come into our town and just assume leadership?” Shendu hissed while glaring down at the mayor, “You madame, clearly have no idea who you're talking to.” Mayor Mare and the ponies despite terrified stood their ground as the dragon announced, “I am the once and future Lord of all dragons and soon all of Equestria. And if you will not surrender your town to me, then I will take it by force!” he summoned several ninja, samurai, sumo, razor, and bat Shadowkhan that all started capturing pony after pony while Shendu watched in satisfaction. Back at Shendu's former cave prison, Spike and the girls were still in a cage with the Shadowkhan keeping watch over them. “There's got to be a way to get out of here.” Applejack said, as she tried bucking the cage but it didn't break. “With this cage nullifying magic I can't get us out.” Twilight reminded them. “Well, we gotta do something.” Rainbow retorted. “By now Shendu's already in Ponyville.” Rarity added. “And I can't imagine what he's going to do.” Fluttershy trembled. “I have several ideas.” Pinkie replied, only for the girls to glare at her. Twilight then noticed Spike sitting with his back turned to them and head down, “Spike?” “It's all my fault.” he said. “Huh?” the girls asked. “It's my fault we're trapped here.” “Spike, it ain't your fault.” Applejack tried to reason with him. “It kinda-” Rainbow was cut off by Twilight who put her hoof over her mouth. “I stupidly believed Shendu would keep his word!” Spike cried. “Shendu didn't give you much choice, Spike.” Twilight reminded him. “You did it to save us,” Rarity added, “It's not your fault Shendu was far from being a noble dragon.” “Still. I gave him his powers back and now he has the means to conquer Equestria,” Spike replied as he looked up at them with tears, “Maybe things would've been better if I never found the talismans at all.” “Spike, you've done so much with the talismans,” Twilight reminded him, “You finding them was a blessing. Like Celestia and Luna said, if it were any other dragon would they have been as noble and honorable with how to use them like you did?” “Twilight's right, Spike. You used the power for good rather than evil.” Fluttershy agreed. “And that is what being a noble dragon is about.” Applejack gave him a smile. Spike felt moved, until the cage was rattled courtesy of the Shadowkhan who were trying to mess with them, “Do you mind?” Rarity asked, “Can't you see we're trying to make our friend feel better?” “I don't think these guys care, Rarity.” Rainbow replied. Suddenly the group heard a familiar chant being spoken, “Yu Mo Gui Gwai Fai Di Zao. Yu Mo Gui Gwai Fai Di Zao. Yu Mo Gui Gwai Fai Di Zao.” Suddenly the Shadowkhan started dissolving into nothing much to the groups surprise. They saw approaching was Lo Pei using a lizard medium to cast his chi spell. Accompanying him was Celestia and Luna. “Princess!” Twilight gasped in relief. “Lo Pei?” Spike asked. “Are you all ok?” Celestia asked. “We will be once we're out of here.” Rainbow replied. “Stand back.” Luna said, as she and Celestia combined their magic and blasted the cage destroying it allowing the group to get out. “Thank you so much.” Rarity said gratefully. “What're you doing here?” Spike asked. “And how'd you know where to find us?” Pinkie wondered. Lo Pei answered, “I got the willies when I felt a great chill descend upon the land.” “We were worried it might have to do with all of you, but when we first went to Ponyville you were all gone.” Luna explained. “Luckily Lo Pei had a locator spell to track Spike using a dragon scale of his.” Celestia added. Lo Pei spoke, “What's happened?” “It was Shendu,” Twilight explained, “His Shadowkhan kidnapped the six of us and brought us here. Then he forced Spike to give up the talismans or risk our safety.” “So now he's out and about with his powers restored.” Rainbow put in. “And he said he was going for Ponyville.” Fluttershy added. The Princesses and chi wizard were worried, “This is indeed bad.” Lo Pei said. “Bad or not, he must be stopped.” Celestia reminded him. “Well, what can we do?” Rainbow asked, “You think Spike was tough with the talismans, with Shendu using them he'll be even tougher.” "Not to mention he has a whole army of Shadowkhan." Fluttershy put in. “Not necessarily,” Lo Pei replied, “I have a special chi spell I've been working with that may put an end to Shendu.” “Really?” Twilight asked. “Yes, but we must act fast or all of Equestria will be enslaved.” Lo Pei said, as he cast a portal in the form of a ring and they could see Ponyville on the other side of it. “We better hurry.” Applejack suggested, as they were ready to step onto the other side only to see Spike was staying put. “Spike?” Celestia wondered. “You should all go without me.” he answered. “Why should we do that?” Luna asked in confusion. “I'd just be a burden.” “Say what?” Rainbow asked. “Without the talismans I'm back to the way I was before. Weak and useless.” Spike sighed. “Spike, you are not weak.” Twilight tried to reason with him. “Oh, who're we kidding, Twilight?” Spike snapped, “I no longer have the speed, strength, or anything to match what you and the girls have. I am nothing without them.” “Now just a cotton picken' minute, Spike,” Applejack spoke up, “I'm sorry ya lost your powers, but this is no time to be givin' yourself a pity party.” “Yeah, we don't even have ice cream for it.” Pinkie said, only for Twilight to shush her. Applejack continued to speak to the small dragon, “You really think it was the talismans that made ya special? Well, it wasn't. You've done plenty of good without them before ya got them.” “Like what?” Spike crossed his arms. “I'll give ya good example,” Applejack said poking his belly with her hoof, “You saved the Crystal Empire twice without using the talismans before. You saved me from a timberwolf without them. And you saved all of us from a comic book villain when you were made to think you were just a powerless sidekick. And now you're gettin' all depressed just because you lost some power you've only had for awhile? Well, that sure ain't the Spike I've come to love and respect.” Spike hearing that looking confused, “What?” Applejack sighed, “Spike, the point I'm makin' is you don't need Shendu's talismans. You're stronger than you know. Stronger than Shendu could ever know.” “I am?” Spike asked. “Absolutely, darling.” Rarity agreed. “The talismans did make you cool, but even without them you're still cool.” Rainbow admitted. “And Shendu can never take that away from you.” Twilight put in. “We all care about you, Spike. And right now we need you more than ever.” Pinkie said. Celestia nodded, “They're all correct. You are a part of this group of friends, Spike. Even when you cannot see it.” “It's going to take all of us to beat Shendu,” Luna added, “And he needs to know his place. Wouldn't you agree?” Spike started pondering on everything they told him while letting it sink in. Finally his dismal look started turning into confidence before he spoke up, “Let's go get this treacherous dragon.” The girls smiled in joy, as they followed the royal sisters and sorcerer into the portal to Ponyville to stop Shendu.