(( AUTHORS NOTE:
I apologize for the quality of Zecora's rhymes, but her lines are painful to write.. ))

The yellow pegasus squeaked pathetically hiding inside the bushes, frozen in fear. The ground still shaking under the weight of the beast that passed by near her hideout. It took a good while before she decided to actually take a peek if the danger is gone.

With a quiet sigh of relief Fluttershy stepped out of the bushes, the four angry heads belonging to the hydra were still visible above the tree line. She had to warn the others.

It wasn’t often that their neighbour zebra visited the village, usually trying to buy some supplies that were unavailable inside the forest. However this time was different, as she requested an audience with the mayor herself.

“We had to do it Zecora, the Cloudsdale factory simply isn’t making enough clouds due to the workers shortage, we borrowed them from the wilderness for only a short time.”

“While your reasons might be pure, the creatures of the forest it will lure.”

“I’m afraid I do not understand..”

“The beast that calls the bog its home, in due time to Ponyville could come.”

“Oh my. The bog.. hydra.” she gasped upon realization. “Do you think it will search for food here?-..”

“Mayor!” Rainbow Dash zoomed down, a small yellow dot in the sky still trying to catch up to her swift friend. “I have to report a sighting of hydra!”

“..do you know where its heading?” the mayor asked with worry written on her face.

“Uh.. its, roaming, I suppose. Fluttershy saw it outside the bog.” Rainbow dash scratched her head, while her yellow companion finally catched up.

“Oh.. hello Mayor, hello Zecora..” Fluttershy smiled at them kindly, earning a glare of impatience from the rainbow mane pegasus. “Oh um.. the hydra, yes.. I wanted to take some frogs back from the froggy bottom bog because of this awful drought.. then I saw this big, terrifying hydra stomping outside the mire. It did look confused, the thing is probably starving as well..”

“This is terrible news! If that hydra will ever find its way here.. We need to do something!” the mayor spoke.

“Yeah! We will take fight to it!” the blue pegasus spoke up. “No one messes with Ponyville!”

“I don’t think its such a good idea.. hydra is very big.. and scary..” Fluttershy whimpered.

“There is another way my friends, with belly full beast’s terror ends.” Zecora said.

“Are you saying, we should feed the hydra?” the mayor blinked, that idea was certainly new.

“It is our fault that it has nothing to eat..” Fluttershy agreed. "There are no clouds left above the bog and it began to dry up.."

“Ugh! You got to be kidding me!” the rainbow mane pegasus groaned.

“I think Zecora is right.. we will feed the hydra for the time being, at least until the drought is gone. But.. what does that thing eat? Except ponies that is.” the mayor frowned.

“With the hunger in its mind, the beast will eat all it can find.” the zebra assured them.

In next hour a cart full of tasty treats was ready to move towards the forest, all ponies gave something from their own supply, carrots, apples, candies, muffins, cakes among many others. The group was determined and ready, at least to some degree.

“I still cant believe we are going through with this!” Rainbow Dash groaned. “We should just kick its scaly butt.”

“Rainbow Dash, dear. It is not that I look forward to meet with a creature that spends its entire life in the ‘aromatic’ environment, but we are responsible for what happened to its ‘food’ supply.” Rarity spoke up, taking over Twilight’s function as organizer while the lavender mare was still in Canterlot.

Applejack checked the chains on the collar she just put on, with Big Mac’s reoccurring back problems she had to do the pulling.

“Um.. I was thinking.. if there is too many of us we could accidentally alert the hydra before everything is ready.. maybe I should stay home?” Fluttershy said quietly.

“That’s why we need you dear, your knowledge will be invaluable while we will travel through this.. ugh.. swamp.” Rarity shuddered. “Luckily I have these ‘workshoes’ at my disposal.” the mare smiled presenting her fashionable hoofwear.

“They look mighty fancy for a ‘workshoes’..” the orange mare raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, Applejack.” the alabaster unicorn giggled slightly irritated. “A lady can dress like one no matter the circumstances, I assure you that they are just as good as these ‘things’ you use at the farm.”

“Uh.. okay, just don’t stay too far behind.” Applejack rolled her eyes.

With surprisingly little effort the orange mare pulled the cart, filled variety of treats. The team followed after her, heading towards the forest where hydra was already wrecking havoc.

“Come on Fluttershy, it will be fun!” Pinkie Pie beamed at her friend, bouncing on ahead.

“Eep..” the yellow pegasus whimpered quietly and hid under her mane, obediently following the group.

The gray stallion who’s coat was covered with white stripes slowly pulled up from the veranda, his eyes following the trace of the group that recently left the town.

They were brave, that could not be denied; but right now they took on a great risk, being short of one of the famous elements of harmony.

“Is everything alright?” Carrot Top asked stepping outside.

When her roommate, Ditzy, brought a stranger stallion home she had a completely different idea of what the reason could be. And now when the mailmare left for work, she had to deal with everything.

“Yes, miss Carrot Top. I just need to stretch my legs a bit.. I will be back within a hour or so.” he respond with a polite nod, setting course for the forest.

The mare blinked seeing him trotting off like that, despite the rumors about hydra.. and how did he know which way is the forest with that eyes of his.

The dried mire provided them with a palette of smells that no pony would think that even existed. The group stopped at the edge where forest meet the bog, scouting the area in search for the hydra.

“Ugh.. this odour is unbearable.. Pinkie Pie!” Rarity groaned.

“Wha..?” the pink mare looked up at her friend, with innocent expression.. and pie crumbs flying around her the while earlier.

“We are supposed to feed the hydra with these so this beast will leave us be, not gorge on it ourselves..” the alabaster unicorn sighed emphasizing every word.

“There is still a lot left..!” Pinkie protested.

“Rainbow Dash, dear, did you see any trace of the beast?” Rarity shifted her attention to other pony.

“Yeah, I think I see something!” the rainbow mane pegasus pointed ahead.

Now they could see it as well, the tree snapped like twig when hungry hydra made its way through the border of the forest.

“Whoa, Ah think its even bigger than Ah remember.” Applejack blinked.

They didn’t wait for the beast to come any closer, unloading the food supply that they brought all the way over here. When the last pie and bucket of apples were set down, they backed up on a safe distance, hiding and waiting for the hydra to catch the scent of the food.

The four heads leaned over examining the treats, turning towards each other with confused expressions before they began to eat. One of them however, more suspicious by nature, sniffed the air further; the long neck sprung up all the way to its limits following the scent towards their hideout.

The fourth head smirked mischievously and poked the rest to take a look at the disturbance in the bushes.

“I-I think it saw us..” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Hush, sugar cube. Lets quietly back up.” Applejack whispered.

The hydra pulled up, looking back and forth from the ‘vegetarian’ treats to ponies. It was obvious which would win in this contest, soon the beast rushed at them.

“Gah! That’s it! I had enough of this hiding!” the blue pegasus shoot forward, at the hydra.

“Rainbow Dash! That featherbrain will gonna get herself hurt!” Applejack groaned. “Pinkie, get my rope!”

All four heads were clapping their maws, trying to catch the elusive pegasus, yet through her maneuvers ending up entangled with each other.

While the beast was busy with Rainbow Dash the two earth ponies, Applejack and Pinkie Pie, rushed ahead with rope in their mouth; making a few rounds around creature’s legs - tying them together.

The hydra let out a whimper of shock when it began to fall like a giant tree, with a loud thud the creature was down, hissing and struggling to get free.

The remaining parts of the rope were used to shut the four maws tight. As no one could get that close without risking getting bitten, it was up to Rarity’s magic. The more resilient heads earned a cake between the eyes launched by Pinkie Pie, sufficient to keep them still long enough to be tied down.

Soon the beast laid before them, entangled heads, hogtied legs and gagged maws.

“Hah! Told you we can do this..!” Rainbow Dash grinned.

There was however one detail that they missed – the tail.

The pair of pale white eyes were aimed at them from another part of the bog. Keeper couldn’t see as the normal ponyfolk did, but he could see through magic.

On a small distance he could notice ‘shapes’ at the point where his magical aura would blocked by natural barriers like ground, furniture or trees. It could be compared to what one would see while walking through darkness with only a candle in his hoof, however the image was all rid of its colors.

There was also one more thing visible through his eyes. As all living creatures had a spark of magic in them, its brightness and greatness depending on skill and size; it was the life force he could see on larger distances. Beyond that was only pitch black darkness.

Yet even with his limited ability of sight he was left speechless witnessing what just happened, working together these ponies overpowered the full grown hydra. But.. something was wrong.

While hydra did not belong to the most agile of species, the beast was surely strong. The hydra rolled around on its belly trying to sweep them with its tail. They had to immobilize it somehow or someone would get hurt.

“What the hay..?” Applejack blinked holding on to her hat.

The gray aura of magic wrapped itself up around beast’s tail and forcibly pulled it down. The ponies didn’t have to be told twice, hurrying over with another rope. In the next moment the hydra was completely overwhelmed, only able to let out a whining peep. The ropes wouldn’t hold forever but it would allow them to leave forest without worrying about the rampaging beast following.

“Well done Rarity!” Rainbow Dash smirked.

“While I appreciate the compliment.. I have to admit that it wasn’t me, I'm afraid.” the unicorn raised an eyebrow.

“What? Then who in tarnation just did that?” Applejack scratched her head.

“He did! He did! Did I won anything?” Pinkie bounced in place pointing at something on the other side of the bog.

The team turned their attention to where the pink mare pointed them. They could spot the gray stallion with white stripes as well, who was taking a step back, before simply running off back into the forest.

“Nuts.. isn’t that the fellow who came to see Twilight?” the orange mare blinked.

“He’s running! Not on my watch pal!” Rainbow Dash zoomed through the air after the stallion.

Keeper groaned inside, his presence there was meant to be unseen, only to make sure they are safe. How did they manage to even see him shifting attention from hydra so quickly?

The branches hit his face while galloping through the forest. Taking on such speed was dangerous with his disability, especially in the middle of obstacle ridden forest, but he had little choice. If they would catch him here there was no possible way to explain this. Teleportation was out of the question..

With a glance back Keeper could see the chase, they all were following him. However, one was missing. Perhaps she remained at the hydra to secure it-.. The stallion grunted as the blue pegasus tackled him, trying to pin him down to the ground.

“You are going nowhere pal!” Rainbow Dash smirked, trying to hold him down.. but that smile quickly vanished.

The rainbow-mane pegasus was indeed a very good athlete, strong and agile, but regarding the ‘strongest’ title the earth ponies had the lead. The stallion pushed her off easily, standing right back up ready to continue the run. Yet he didn’t got further than a few steps when his vision began to darken even more than usual, the pain exploding in the back of the skull.

“Strike!” Rainbow Dash grinned wielding a log in her hooves; she hated losing.

The door to the library opened ever so slightly, as if someone was unable to decide if he really wants to come in and shut it right after changing his mind. The gray stallion returned to his work with the books, setting them in their place, it was a hard work to keep it all together.

This section of academy was one of the oldest, with the archaic construction patterns there was little space for anything but the books, their amount was growing by the year where the free space didn’t expand – forcing students to borrow the books and read or study elsewhere.

“Um.. hello..?”

Keeper paused his work and moved to investigate, the last time he checked there were no ghosts or any of the kind in library. Upon checking the front of the counter he could see a lavender filly, a strange sight in Royal Academy for sure.

“Hello there, are you lost?” he asked with soft smile, trying not to intimidate her.

“N-no.. I don’t think so..” she blinked looking around. “This is library, yes?”

“Yes, it is. I’m Keeper, the librarian.” the stallion nodded politely.

“Oh, my name is Twilight Sparkle, I’m princess Celestia’s new student.” the filly smiled proudly.

“Woah, that’s quite a title for such a young filly.” Keeper chuckled softly, the librarian has seen a lot in his days but she surely did seem to be the youngest student in whole Academy.

“I wanted to borrow some books for my studies.” Twilight reached for the list in her saddlebags, passing it over.

“Interesting positions, you surely don’t want to waste time miss Sparkle..” he spoke up, reading the piece of paper she just handed to him. “..but I think it might be a bit too much for a filly like you.”

“I can handle it! I read many complex books on the subject of magic before!” the filly frowned insulted by the remark.

The earth pony disappeared behind the shelves for a moment.

“..-am not talking-..” the stallion moved around the library, completing the order. “..-bout their content, but-..” he dropped the final book onto the pile she ordered. “..-the size.”

Twilight blinked, the stack of books was twice as tall as she was. With determination written on her face she pointed her horn that way, her eyes closed and mind focused. ‘Yes! She moved it, a piece of cake..’ The drops of sweat appeared on her face as the attempt drained her strength greatly; until she finally let it go, dropping down flat on the ground, panting. The books fell back down with a loud thud.

"Sweetie." the librarian sighed softly and helped her stand back up. "While I applaud your determination this isn’t the right way to go about it. You could hurt yourself or others on the way."

“This is no use..” Twilight looked at her hooves saddened, how she was to even finish the studies if she couldn’t even carry the books she needed.

Keeper sighed to himself seeing a filly in such state was heartbreaking. Perhaps there was another way.. and gods know that this Academy could use someone who actually -wants- to study.

“Miss Twilight, I have an idea.. why not study here? You will have these books at hoof’s reach.” he smiled encouraging her.

“A-are you sure..? I don’t want to be a bother..”

“Nonsense.” Keeper chuckled softly.

The filly beamed at the idea, she would be allowed to stay and study in the middle of Academy library, the greatest source of magic knowledge in all of Equestria.

“Thank you..!” Twilight hugged the librarian as much as her small frame allowed her to.

The hospital at Ponyville has had its share of patients, recently including even dragons, but this day would seem like going to the books about medicine history.

“Well, doc, is he goin’ to be alright?” the orange mare asked.

“The patient has suffered a major head injury-..” the doctor paused seeing as ponies suddenly shifted their attention at rainbow mane pegasus.

“What? At least that stopped him!” Rainbow Dash frowned.

“..-as I was saying.” the doctor coughed to get back their concentration. “The damage is not grave and will heal on its own, he just needs some solid rest.”

“Is there anythin’ else you can tell us doc?” Applejack spoke up.

“Well.. there is a matter of his race, that is a mystery to us. Our tests point out him to be an earth pony but that just doesn’t add up.”

“Earth pony? But what about these stripes? Not to mention that we saw him using magic.” Rarity raised an eyebrow.

“To be honest, I have no idea what to think about this anymore, miss..” he sighed defeated. “I will send the results to Canterlot, perhaps they can put some light on this matter.”

“Thank you for your time doctor..” the alabaster unicorn nodded before following the group outside.

Keeper mumbled a few curses, fighting with sedatives they gave him. The stallion was out of the hospital bed, using the opportunity that the empty room gave him. Struggling to put his outfit back on, slipping and falling over on the floor once again. He was lucky that no one heard him so far.

They caught and stunned him, if he would disappear without a trace there would be only rumors - something he could simply deny. But he failed, they saw him and the magic he used, it was an easy guess that they already began to suspect something.

If they learned the truth behind his state, slipped it for the world to learn, some of them could begin to consider what he has done.. take it as an opportunity, a chance to expand their own power. Even with the gruesome reagents there would be maniacs out there who would try to recreate the ritual.. maniacs, just like him so many years ago.

This is why he had to disappear. He had to stop it before it could even begin. This ritual, this mistake was his own sin to bear alone.. and he would not take part in poisoning minds of the others, convincing them that such thing is even possible.

He had to run, to protect the ponies from themselves, to protect them from the forbidden knowledge.

There was only one way out of the hospital right now, he had to focus. His stripes and eyes lighted up concentrating the magical power, just like unicorn’s horn would while using its magic. The second later vanishing from the hospital room.

T-this was not meant to be.. Keeper cried out in his mind, when he understood the grave miscalculation on his part.

The royal chariot zoomed through the equestrian skies, presenting its passenger a breath taking view of the area. Twilight was more than just happy, the last week has proven really productive. She learned a lot of new things under the watchful eye of Princess Celestia.

Her stay at the Canterlot castle also provided her with an opportunity to catch up with Princess Luna. It took her a few days longer but it was totally worth it.

The lavender mare smiled at the thought of coming back to home and seeing her friends again, a part of her hoping that Spike didn’t turn the place upside down by the time. She was pulled out of her thoughts when the chariot finally stopped, bringing the lavender mare right before the doorstep of Ponyville library.

“Thank you sirs.” she smiled at the royal guards, who nodded with grace and took off right after.

Twilight yawned quietly, it has been a long week away from home. Now there were only two things she wanted the most, a long bath and warm bed-..

“Surprise!” the five mares cheered at her together, tossing up confetti.

..-but that could wait.

“Hi girls!” the lavender mare smiled happily at the sight of a surprise welcome party.

“Ahem!” the baby dragon pulled her tail.

“And hello to you too Spike!” she chuckled and hugged him gently.

“Uh.. alright, alright already..” he blushed at the girly stuff.

“Lets par-teeee!” Pinkie Pie announced, pulling out her party cannon.

With that set in motion Twilight’s energy quickly returned, ready to spend an evening together with her friends.

“Twilight! Twilight! We have one more surprise!” Pinkie Pie bounced around her remembering about something just now.

“Oh?” the lavender mare smiled intrigued.

“There was this stallion that came to visit you.”

“..a stallion?”

“Yes! He is at the hospital!”

“Hospital..?” Twilight blinked, even more confused

“Yeah, Rainbow Smash ‘ere nailed him with a log on the head.” Applejack nodded.

“I thought we agreed to just get over this already!” the rainbow-mane pegasus glared.

“Were you expecting someone, dear?” Rarity asked.

“No.. I cant say I have, what’s his name?” Twilight paused trying to remember.

“Oh.. his name is ‘Keeper’.” Fluttershy spoke up. “..oh my.. did I say something wrong..? I’m sorry..” the yellow pegasus added quickly hiding under her mane, seeing her friend’s expression.

“..Keeper?” she finally spoke up with a shade of shock on her face.

“Yes.. you do know him?” Rarity raised an eyebrow.

“I.. knew, a stallion by that name.. but he passed away, it was a long time ago..”

“Maybe its just a coincidence, dear.”

“I-.. I will be right back.. I just need to check it..” the lavender unicorn pushed the door open with her magic and galloped through.

“Twilight..!”

“Should we go after her?” Applejack looked up at the others, before they too galloped off.

They could see the commotion in front of the hospital as the staff was carefully checking every tree, bush and rock that surrounded the building.

“Nurse Redheart! What happened?” Twilight asked quickly.

“Oh, Twilight Sparkle, we seem to have a little problem..”

“Problem..? What kind of problem..?”

“One of our patients disappeared..”

“..Keeper?”

“Y-yes.. how did you-..?” the nurse blinked but was immediately interrupted.

“Never mind! Did you create a patient card for him already? Can I see it?”

“Um.. yes, please follow me..”

The nurse led her inside the building moving over behind the desk, after a brief moment of search through the cabinet she picked up a single file, passing it over to Twilight.

The lavender mare quickly opened it, moving from page to page in search of the attachment with photographs taken of the unregistered patient.

“Twi’?” Applejack asked, they arrived just a moment later than she did.

“Miss Sparkle..?” the nurse looked up at her.

“Its him..” she whispered holding the picture.