//------------------------------// // Chapter Three:Mind Games // Story: What It Means To Be A Dragon // by FluttershyLover55 //------------------------------// What It Means To Be A Dragon Chapter 3-Mind Games As his body began to wake up, he was aware of a throbbing pain in his head. Somewhere, he heard voices, one of which he could recognize anywhere. "Twilight!" He exclaimed, attempting to sit up, only to fall back onto the bed. The pain increased, when he tried to get up. The dragon pretended to be asleep, and strained his ears to hear their conversation. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Out in the hallway, Celestia was explaining what happened to Twilight. "I'm sorry, Twilight. The journey to the Badlands will be dangerous, but Spike has to do this. In fact, he NEEDS to. He wants to be considered a hero, and gain more self-confidence. This could be the opportunity he needs, to achieve that." Twilight sighed, "I'd hate to get in the way of something he HAS to do, but it still worries me. Can't someone go with him?" She pleaded, "We don't even have a way to communicate with him!" "I'm afraid not, but we DO have a way to communicate with him." Celestia revealed, "I planted a microscopic receiver in his brain. As long as you wear one of these earpieces, you can hear his thoughts and mentally talk to him." The Princess pulled out six earpieces and gave them to the unicorn, who placed them in her saddlebags. "We get to say goodbye, don't we?" "Of course. I'm going to go have a talk with him." Princess Celestia told her. "Before I leave, would it be okay for me to have some alone time with him?" After receiving permission, the unicorn entered the room and approached her assistant's resting-place. "Spike, I know you're awake." Spike gave in, and opened his eyes to stare weakly at her. "Hey, Twilight. What are YOU doing here?" Spike knew that his mission should be secret. But, he should have known that Twilight would be curious. "Spike, I already know everything. It's okay, you're not in trouble." Twilight smiled warmly at him, in assurance. He sighed, "I've got one question. Why does my head, hurt so much?" Twilight explained what the Princess had told her to him. She had planted a receiver and transmitter in his brain, so that somepony could listen to his thoughts, and he could talk back normally or vocally. Spike zoned out during the lecture, causing the unicorn to wave a hoof in front of his face. "Walkie-talkies, right?" Spike mumbled. "Basically, yeah." Twilight confirmed, "I believe in you, Spike." She leaned down and hugged him, since he couldn't get up. Twilight turned to leave, but she was stopped by the dragon. "Twilight, do you have any spells that would help make this, less painful?" Spike asked, hoping for a yes. "Of course, Spike. This'll make you, a little sleepy." The horn on her head lit up with a light green aura, her tongue stuck out of her mouth, in concentration. The same glow surrounded Spike, before fading away. "Thanks, Twi…" Spike fell asleep in the middle of the sentence. Twilight smiled, and left the room, silently closing the door behind her. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "Now that all of you are present, I'm going to give you these. They will allow us to communicate with Spike, mentally." Twilight explained, pointing to the six earpieces lying on the nearby table. "No, Pinkie! Don't!" The party pony zipped over and put her earpiece on, shouting into it. "Hi, Spike!" XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "Hi, Spike!" The dragon leapt up into the air, and onto the floor. "What the hay was that?!" Spike said aloud, his ears still ringing from Pinkie's shout. "It's just us, Spike." He jumped back, glancing in every direction. "Wh-Who's there? Sh-Show yourself! How do you know my name?" There was a giggle that sounded oddly familiar, seeming to come from everywhere at the same time. "Well, it would be kind of hard to show ourselves, you silly filly!" Another voice made itself known, sounding slightly annoyed. "You weren't listening to a word I said earlier, were you?" Spike clutched his head, in confusion. More voices than one in his head, was hard to handle. "Tw-Twilight! Am I insane?" Spike wondered, as he left the room and started down the hallway. "Not any more than usual." A raspy voice answered, with a slight chuckle. "What Rainbow means to say, is no. We're in that room to your left, Spike." "Uh, okay." Spike was pretty sure that by the end of this adventure, he WOULD be crazy. But, as he opened the door and saw six beautiful mares smiling at him, he was glad to have them as friends. Although, they were more like his family, and the only one he would ever need.