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// Chapter 16: Spike's Transformation 
// Story: Spike's Teacher 
// by Richer19 
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I managed to have a break in my busy college schedule to be able to write another chapter.


Chapter 16: Spike’s Transformation


Of course the moment that Twilight and the other heard what had happened at the orchid, they didn't waste any time in racing towards the library. While the three fillies’ explanation was a bit frantic hard to understand; their tone was enough to cause them to worry.

Due to that worry, the girls reached the front of the library with various degrees of fatigue. Taking a moment to collect their breaths, Twilight opened the door to find that Spyro was sitting in one of the cushions that dotted the floor reading a book that Twilight didn't recognize as one from her library while Sparx was hovering around doing nothing.

Aware of the door opening, Spyro looked up from his book and said in a gentle tone “I guess those three fillies were able to tell you want happened.”

The girls didn't respond vocally since it was rather clear that since they were here then they had gotten the message. The same question was in all of their heads and was also not needed to be spoken out loud because Spyro made a quick gesture towards the stairs that led to the upper parts of the library and stated “Spike is up there resting right now. However, it wouldn't be wise to go up and visit.”

“And why would that be?” Applejack asked in a questioning tone.

Before Spyro could answer the question there was a sudden groan coming from upstairs. While the groan was draconic in nature and it did sound like Spike; it sounded like it was one of relief rather than anything born of malice. Spyro looked up for a moment before returning his attention back to the girls and saying “Spike is going through something of a ‘spiritual backlash’. It’s a condition in which his body was exposed to more spiritual energy then he was capable of handling.”

“Is he going to be alright?” Fluttershy asked her desire for Spike’s well being giving her the courage to ask the question.

Spyro gave a reassuring smile and said “It’s nothing serious. He just needs to sweat it out. Cynder is just making sure that he is tended to until Spike can regain full control of his body.” His answer was enough for the six ponies and they all settled down to wait for the young dragon to recover.

The main room was silent but it was the kind of silence that wasn't awkward or tense. Each of the ponies all managed to pick out their own reading material and joined Spyro in silent reading; the only sounds being the flipping of the pages. Even Pinkie, normally a ball of hyperactive energy settled into a quiet serenity and would most likely stay that way until she was sure that her first dragon friend was back on his claws. Sparx, completely board out of his mind, settled on top on a stack of books.

From time to time there was another groan that originated from the upstairs rooms. While they did vary in pitch and length; they never did sound like they were anything of anguish or pain. It got to the point that Twilight had even started to measure the time between groans as a way to bring her mind back into focus. Her attention was focused on the book that Spyro was reading. Before it had caught her attention since she hadn't seen it before. Now that she was taking a closer look, she saw that the cover of the book was written in runes that she was unfamiliar with and had a silhouette of a dragon on it. Curiosity getting the better of her Twilight asked “What are you reading there Spyro?”

Spyro was surprised by the question and responded “It’s a manual on dragon combat styles. I was trying to find more information on that combat style Spike had used.”

“Spike used a combat style?” Twilight questioned with intrigued. As far as she knew, she had ever seen Spike take any real interest in fighting except for when he was younger and her brother was still in training.

Spyro nodded his head and returned his attention back to the book in front of him. For a moment, Twilight wondered if Spyro had decided to end the conversation but that thought was dispelled when Spyro said “Here…take a look at this.”

Twilight took the book in her magical grip and looked at the page that Spyro had indicated. On the page were more of those strange runes that she was unable to understand. What she was able to understand were the pictures which showed dragon silhouettes in various positions. There was also a close up a dragon claw that had a greenish glow and another close up picture of a dragon eye.

Unsure as to what she was suppose to see, Twilight returned the book to Spyro and said “I’m sorry but whoever wrote that book did so in a language that I’m unfamiliar with.”

Spyro looked a bit surprised by the news but nodded his head in understanding before saying “The section talks about the Critical Strike Style or ‘Gentle Claw Style’ as it is more commonly known. The style focuses less on raw physical strength and more on speed and striking weak points. It is actually a rather difficult discipline for a dragon to master since most tend to focus on overwhelming their opponents with powerful attacks and element abilities.” Spyro gave an encouraging smile before saying, “Of course Spike wouldn't have been as skilled as I saw him in that technique without you Twilight.”

Twilight was momentarily taken aback before responding “What did I do?”

Spyro quickly replied “One of the big things that are required for the Critical Strike Style is the ability to be able to quickly and accurately gauge a lot of variables almost at once. Spending all of his time under your care made Spike naturally learn how to be able to react to a problem and quickly form a proper response. However, he wasn't able to take full advantage of it until now but it doesn't diminish its value.” Spyro paused for a moment and looked to be lost in his thoughts for a moment before adding “Come to think about it, every one of you had a hoof in Spike developing it. Applejack was the strength, Rainbow Dash was the speed, Pinkie Pie was balance, Rarity was precision and Fluttershy assisted Twilight with knowledge of striking vulnerable points. If that was the case, that might also explain the weird eyes he had.”

Before Twilight could have a chance to ask what Spyro was talking about, there was a flash of blue light from upstairs. When it was over, they watched as Cynder made her way downstairs. She took notice of the ponies present but didn't appear to be surprised to see them. She turned her attention back to Spyro and said “The spirit energy has returned to normal. Spike just needs to have a good night sleep and he should be fine in the morning.” Cynder turned her attention to the ponies and added “Although I would be against it since he does need bed rest; I have a feeling that you all aren't going to be content until you know he’s okay.” Cynder moved to the side before finishing “Just try and keep your voices down.”

The mares nodded in understanding and made their way up the stairs and into the room that Spike was resting in. Spyro and Cynder heard the six surprised gasps from where they were at and knew that what they were seeing was shocking to them. Cynder turned her attention to her dragon partner and commented “With the way his body has changed; I have a feeling that his training can now truly begin.”

Spyro nodded in agreement before adding “And I think I have the perfect place in mind to help him take the first step.”

Man I really apologize for how late this chapter is and the lack of updates; but you all know how collage can be sometimes right?