Luna’s moon was slowly raising on the horizon, clearing the sky for thousands of stars so they could shine together. It was the time of rest for the most ponies, when they could unwind after the hard day and enjoy the embrace of their colorful dreams. Some of them however still had a job to be done.

The lavender mare calmed the situation at the hospital, convincing the staff to cease their search. With stallion’s sudden disappearance they wouldn’t be able to find him by simply checking the bushes and trees around the building.

Twilight locked herself in the hospital room, the last place where the patient has been seen, focusing her magic on stallion's current location or at least trying find out where he went off to.

The five mares occupied the hallway in the meantime, waiting for Twilight to finally come out bearing at least some news.

“Cupcake?” Pinkie Pie asked cheerful as always, presenting her friends with treats. They left the part early this time around but she managed to bring some of the snacks with her.

“Thanks Pinkie.. Good gracious, what is that girl doin’ in there so long..?” Applejack sighed, munching on the treat.

“Some sort of magical thingie.. gah, we were supposed to have a party right now.” the rainbow mane pegasus groaned.

“They didn’t let me take the cannon into the hospital..” the pink mare hung her head, walking around with a plate of sweets.

“If I recall correctly its called ‘scrying’. Twilight is trying to find out where her friend has gone.. Thank you, Pinkie Pie.” Rarity nodded politely taking the cupcake with grace.

“Do you think everything will be alright-..?” Fluttershy let out a scared whimper when the door behind them were slammed open.

“Girls! I need your help!” Twilight announced standing in the door, her expression was still that of shock and disbelief.

“Finally! Some action!” Rainbow Dash shoot up from the couch.

“Tell us what you need us to do, Twi’.” Applejack nodded.

The gray pegasus sighed quietly, looking at the bright stars above her head. She enjoyed times like these, when the skies were clear of clouds allowing them to see all the wonders that the night had to offer.

Ditzy blinked hearing the door open behind her, she thought everyone was long asleep by now.

“Dinky, w-why are you not in bed?” the gray pegasus asked.

“I cant sleep..” the little unicorn hung her head.

“Oh, Dinky..” she sighed and pulled the filly into a hug.

“..where is mister Keeper?” Dinky asked after a moment of silence.

“I don’t k-know..” Ditzy answered truthfully.

“He promised he would tell me about his adventures in the jungle..”

“I’m s-sorry, Dinky.. but I c-could read you a s-story if you want?”

“Will there be knights and princesses?”

“If you w-want.” Ditzy nodded smiling softly. “G-go on back to bed I will be w-with you in a moment..”

The gray pegasus pulled up from her spot, giving the stars one more look before walking back inside the house. She moved her sight over the bookshelves, picking up the most suitable title and heading off to Dinky’s room.

The filly was waiting in her bed, excited to hear a new story. Ditzy sat up on the bed, opening the book in her hooves. She preferred reading to speaking her mind, it was easier and she didn’t have to focus as much.

“A long time ago..” the gray pegasus began. “..when princess Celestia was just a young filly. A terrible scourge has befallen the lands, the greedy winged beasts were trying to conquer Equestria..”

It was a mere moment when the realization of the grave mistake hit him.. just like the gravity the very second later, dragging him down and dropping onto a hard steep surface. With loud thud he finally hit the ground level. A grunt left his lips, the pain spreading all over the body. He didn’t hurry up back on his hooves, instead taking a moment to rest while flat on the ground, trying to recover a bit.

The stallion moved his crippled sight across the place, he had to calm down and rethink the situation. His focus was blurred by the medicaments, which in result caused the teleportation spell to carry him off the course.. the question was – how much off?

Every sound he made so far echoed back to him. The air was warm, yet he could not feel the sunbeams on his back. He couldn’t see or feel any plants, only dirt and rocks. It was a cave, that was clear; but more disturbing question was to whom it did belong to, if to anyone. An answer arrived to him soon enough, making him wish he never asked in the first place. The shape of the creature was outlined by magic before him.

The gray stallion froze in place, his sight following the creature as it raised from its slumber. With a roar of annoyance the beast fixed its focus on the pony.

“What are you doing in my cave?” the voice thundered above his head.

Keeper exhaled the air while gathering his thoughts, if he would panic here it would prove to be a swift way to slow and painful death. He had to focus and determine his chances.

The odds for a successful escape were thin, and even if he tried to he wouldn’t be able to find the way out of the cavern that easily.. the teleportation was out of the question, at least until he regains clarity of thought or next thing he could end up at the bottom of the lake or even underground.

The stallion had to gamble, there was no time for fair play, if that term even applied in this case. His stripes lit up ever so faintly spawning a small spark of energy on the ground just behind the dragon.

“Forgive me, noble dragon. I did not mean to disturb your slumber, I am but a humble traveler.” Keeper began, covering meekly.

“That so?” the dragon snarled. “You must have me for a fool, thinking that I will fall for that unlikely story..”

“I would not dare, great wyrm..” the stallion bowed down respectfully, trying to look as pathetic as it was possible. “I stumbled upon this place while seeking shelter for the night..”

Keeper raised his sight a bit, the expression on dragon’s face turned into a smirk, so there was a chance that he would buy this farce. The small spark moved through the ground guided by stallion’s magic, carving a sophisticated shape around the dragon.

“What species are you?” the dragon leaned forward, looking at him closely.

The stallion paused for a brief moment, returning with his memory to the geography books he read back in the day, he needed something too far away for the beast to know.

“They call us Sivalen, mighty lord. We come from Camelia.” he hazarded with a bunch of exotic names.

“..yes, yes.. I have heard of you..” the beast rolled eyes and rubbed its chin. “..and why do you trespass on my lands?!”

The runic circle was half way complete, he needed to keep dragon’s focus on him a bit longer and make sure that the beast wont move from its place until the trap is ready.

“I got lost on my journey to Canterlot..” the stallion respond meekly.

The dragon puffed out smoke at him, bored by the conversation.

“..to present princess Celestia with gift from my people.” he added quickly coughing due to the thick smoke.

“A tribute?” the dragon’s eyes lit up on the sound of the ‘magic word’.

“It is a custom among the people of the south. If I would know that I will meet a dragon during my journey-..”

“I will settle for whatever you have prepared for that pompous alicorn. Now.. hand it over!” the beast smiled greedily and rubbed its claws.

“Y-yes, of course..” the stallion respond, his ears ringing.

He briefly looked below the dragon, the runic ring was finished, now he just needed a opportunity to cast the spell. The beast wouldn’t remain idle if suspecting him of treachery.

Keeper reached into his backpack, pulling out a battered old book. The stallion set it down on the ground before the dragon.

“What is this garbage?! Where are the jewels?! Where is the gold?!” the beast growled baring its razor sharp teeth at him.

“..it is a book tied to a alchemy technique of the old, it teaches on how to reshape common minerals into these of value.” he explained, making use of the classic legend of the philosopher stone.

The dragon frowned slightly before throwing a large stone in front of the stallion, waiting for him to turn it into something ‘worthwhile’.

“As you wish..” the stallion nodded.

Keeper’s eyes and stripes lit up. It was about to begin.

The dragon watched the show mesmerized, waiting for the stone to turn into gold, or better a diamond, or better a golden diamond. After a few seconds of nothing the beast bared its teeth, annoyed by the waiting time.. finally noticing that something was off.

“..-What?!” the dragon growled spotting the trap, about to rush forward and crush the pony.

Another roar of infuriation left its maw, tail and legs were already blocked by the spell. With a monstrous swing he threw the stallion against the cave wall. Fueled by anger, the beast leaned forward in attempt to reach the pony and tear him to shreds.. with that move the dragon froze in place, completely engulfed by the spell.

The silence filled the place, allowing the quiet night wind to hum its tune through the cavern. The chilly draft gently pushed the dust around the motionless body.

“..the fierce battle ended when the brave knight rose up above the hulking beast, I cast you back the way you came!, he shouted. With one swift cut he sent the monster back into the abyss.” Ditzy flipped the page. “The people cheered happily upon their champion return, a soft rain of colorful flower petals marked the road for the stallion..”

“What happened next? What happened next?” Dinky asked excited.

“..the princess herself greeted the knight at the castle, taking him to the room where his beloved mare was sleeping the cursed dream. Now when the king of dragons was defeated, his beloved mare was free. They lived happily ever after.” Ditzy smiled, finishing the tale.

“Yay!” the filly beamed.

“N-now, you n-need to go to sleep, Dinky..” Ditzy set down the book on a bedside table. “You have s-school tomorrow.” she added while fixing the bed covers around her little sister.

“Ditzy..?”

“Y-yes?”

“Will mister Keeper be back?”

“..I don’t k-know.” the gray pegasus paused, unsure what else to tell the filly. “Sleep w-well, Dinky.” she respond turning off the light and quietly closing the door behind her.

Ditzy sighed quietly, she was asking herself the same two questions since she arrived home from work. The stallion said he would return after a hour or so. It was afternoon when he simply ran off into the forest, despite the news about roaming hydra. She shook her head trying to get rid of the dark thoughts.

It was nice to meet someone new, someone who didn’t judge her right away for a change. Even her little sister took liking in the stranger, who spent entire previous evening entertaining Dinky with the exciting stories from the distant lands that he visited during travels. Perhaps he just was the type to disappear without a word..

The gray pegasus wandered outside the house, looking in the stars once again. After a moment she spread her wings and took off into the night.

The stallion slowly opened his eyes, feeling the cold spreading over his back. Would he ever make a list of the dumbest things he had ever done, this would sure make it somewhere at the top. He thought. Which on part was also a miracle, because it actually worked and he even survived to see it through.

The second time in the same evening he took an attempt to stand up after being smashed against rocky surface. The paralyzing pain struck him and forced back down, it was now clear that some of the bones didn’t survive the impact intact. If he would try to stand like that again he could risk another blackout. Keeper grit his teeth in determination, using the magic to ease the torment, enough for him to move on.

A group of six mares rushed down the wild path through the Everfree Forest, with lavender mare leading the way. A magical orb of light hang in the air above them illuminating up the road ahead.

“Is that the same cave Spike found..?” Fluttershy asked while trotting alongside, trying to keep up with the rest.

“Yes.. a green dragon inhabits it. That is why we need to hurry or something terrible could happen.” Twilight answered.

“If ya don’t mind me askin’. Why would your friend teleport himself to a dragon cave?” the orange mare frowned.

“I doubt he did it on purpose, the key to successful magic is focus.. his head injury must have taken him off a bit..” she respond, ignoring the groan from the rainbow mane pegasus.

“Twilight, dear. Would you mind telling us how is it that your friend.. who is an earth pony, correct? ..is able to use magic?” Rarity asked.

“I-.. I have no idea.. it was years ago, when he disappeared. We were conducting a magical experiment-..” Twilight paused, the pieces of puzzle slowly falling into the right places. “..-He was trying to create a new spell-.. that’s it! Now I understand what he was trying to do!” she announced happily.

“Uh.. and what he was tryin’ to do?” Applejack raised an eyebrow.

“Keeper said that this discovery will be a breakthrough in the spellcasting. It looks like he just made it possible for any pony to use magic, not only unicorns!”

“Any pony?” Rarity blinked.

“Ah wouldn’t trust that magic thing even if it would make trees pop straight out from the seeds.” the orange mare frowned at the idea.

“I think magic is scary..” Fluttershy hid under her mane at the thought, an image of animals running away from the magic flashed before her eyes.

“Meh.. and who needs magic anyway.” the rainbow mane pegasus shrug.

“I wonder how magic tastes like..” Pinkie Pie added pondering. “..can you make a pie out of it?”

“..well..” Twilight giggled nervously taken aback by their reactions. “..for any pony who would want to that is..”

The gray pegasus soared through the night sky, refreshing cold wind under her wings. She enjoyed flying through the empty skies, because like this she was alone. There was no one to judge her and she didn’t have to pretend to be someone else. She could just be Ditzy.

At the end of her dance among the clouds, she took a sharp turn towards the lake below. Like many times before she pulled her wings down by the body and dived down into the water like a dart. The bubbles of air flowed around her body, heading for the surface. Once her hooves touched the bottom of the lake she bounced back up, launching herself towards the surface.

Her wings spread again as soon as she left the water, the wind pulling her up into the flight. She paused not far above the lake, her attention pulled by something in the forest.

The tree border of the forest was shrouded by darkness, preventing her from seeing beyond it. Yet she could notice as strange light was moving behind the tree line. Ditzy held a yelp quickly hiding behind bushes on another shore, watching.

The rescue team stopped before the dragon cave, it was looking even creepier than before, but they wouldn’t leave any pony behind. The lavender unicorn gulped quietly darkening the magical orb a bit, so their presence would remain a secret.

“Twilight, dear.. you do have a plan don’t you?” Rarity asked, looking quite distressed about the idea of going inside.

“Well.. we will need to sneak our way through, be very quiet..”

“I was afraid you will say that..”

“H-how about I wait o-outside?” the yellow pegasus whimpered, her legs shivering.

“Come on Fluttershy, the sooner we are done here the sooner we can go home.” Rainbow Dash stated with a determined expression.

Twilight nodded at the others, putting on a brave face she moved on ahead. Her magic lightning up the path ahead. The wind howled above their heads, adding to the already terrifying image of the place.

“Shh..” the lavender mare turned towards the others, hearing someone’s teeth chattering.

Yet when she looked back at the road ahead, she couldn’t hold the scream herself. Through the darkness they all could see giant claws and teeth reaching out for them.. they all shrieked in terror to high heavens above, hugging eachother tightly.

The screams were interrupted by the laugher of one particular pink mare, who found it amusing to play a tune on the razor sharp teeth of the dragon.

At that point the group fell silent staring at each other in confusion, if the beast would act like one of its kind it would already try to gobble them up.. something was off. Twilight focused more energy on the orb of light and boosted its luminosity, lighting up wider area.

“Its.. petrified..” Rarity blinked, speaking out the thoughts of all the rest.

“Of course it is, silly!” Pinkie Pie giggled.

The dragon was looking like lifelike statue of itself, casted into that form through magic. While all of them focused on the teeth and claws, the lavender mare looked down at the burned ground below the imprisoned beast.

“..the runic ring-.. Keeper trapped it, of course!” Twilight beamed and quickly turned towards the others. “Listen up everypony! Do not touch that circle, if it will be disrupted then the spell might break and the dragon will wake up!”

With that warning they all took a step back into a safe distance, no one would want to risk an encounter with a dragon after all.. at least for the first five seconds.

“..so we are good as long as we don’t touch that thing on the ground?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yes, we should be safe-..”

“That’s all I needed to know!” the rainbow mane pegasus zoomed through the air and nonchalantly seated herself a top of dragon’s head. “Anyone got a camera..?”

“Oooooh..” Rarity’s eyes lighted up at the sight of dragon’s hoard that was left unprotected.

“Please, this is not why we came here..!” the lavender unicorn pleaded.

“Twi’! Ah think Ah found somethin’..” the orange mare called over.

With a sigh of defeat the mare trotted over, glad that at least some ponies didn’t lose their focus as easily. She slowed down seeing Applejack’s nervous gaze, already guessing what her friend might have found.

The part of cavern wall was damaged as if something would hit it with great force, down below it they could see crimson stains among the rubble.

“Oh no..” Twilight took a step back, going pale.

The still surface was looking inviting, tempting with the refreshment that the cold water could provide. With each step he made the pain was getting stronger, the stronger the pain the more magic he had to use to suppress it, the more magic he used the faster he was losing his focus.. and when that will end, he will simply drop down.

The stallion stopped by the shore, heavily dropping down on the soft grass to drink up a bit. Perhaps the numbness side effect from the anesthetic spell would wear off a bit with fresh water. His stripes were constantly lit up to maintain the tranquilizing effect. It was still a long road ahead and he needed to conserve whatever strength he had left.

“..Keeper..”

The stallion spat the water out, looking around with a raised eyebrow. Was he really over the line this time, was he finally losing it? He asked himself in thought. His sight moved slowly across the area, finally noticing a faint dot on the sky that his weakened eyes could actually pick up. A bright winged shape, like an angel descended towards him.

“Keeper..!” the gray pegasus landed nearby rushing over to the stallion.

The newly found clue led the team of six mares deep into the wilderness. Applejack led the way, she knew the most about this specific craft known as ‘tracking’. It wasn't long before they found themselves at small clearing near the lake.

“Rainbow Dash, do you see anything from up there?” Twilight asked out in the skies where her friend was.

“Nope, nothing!” the rainbow mane pegasus respond.

“Horseapples.. the tracks just end right here.” Applejack pointed her hoof at the mark on the ground.

“We have to keep looking!” the lavender mare stomped her hoof.

“Dear, perhaps he just teleported away like before.” Rarity suggested softly.

“Or he learned how to fly!” Pinkie Pie cut in.

“Fine! If that’s the way you want it! Go! I will stay and keep looking!” the lavender mare snapped at them turning around to walk away, almost falling over from tiredness in the process.

“Twi’, you know we are here for you.” Applejack held her up. “But now we are with nothin’. We can’t search the entire forest on our own.”

“..I cant just sit around and do nothing..!” the lavender mare shook her head at the dark thoughts.

“We cant help him by getting lost in the forest ourselves..” Fluttershy said meekly.

“..I-.. I’m sorry girls..” she sighed quietly and hung her head.

“Let’s get home, dear. You need rest, tomorrow you will try that scrying spell once again.” Rarity patted her back.

The pesky sunbeams moved across the library, stopping ever so briefly at the purple mane. Her eyelids opened slowly taking a moment to return with memory to the previous day.. she must have fell asleep during her nightly reading session once again.

The lavender mare shifted her position lazily, not ready to get up just yet. The hard book under her head was replaced by a soft pillow, also a blanket covered her. She didn’t remember when that happened, but it always did when she fell asleep on the library floor like this.

With the time that passed she was visiting the library more often than her room in dormitory. Thanks to its serene atmosphere she was able to do here what she liked the most – study in peace.

Twilight moved her sight at the small cradle nearby, seeing the little dragon in his peaceful sleep. Even Spike did seem to like it more here, sleeping all day long without interruptions from all the ruckus that the other students were making, constantly looking out for a party.

Keeper, the librarian, didn’t mind her presence, quite the opposite actually, he was glad of the company and a helping hand around the library.

“..Keeper, all I’m saying is that the times change.” said the manly voice.

The lavender mare blinked and quietly pulled up. She approached the end of bookshelves to take a look at the commotion in the library.

“Through the years that I worked in here I have seen five arch chancellors, I think I will still be around to see this one’s career end.” the librarian respond indifferently.

“You don’t get it do you?” the elegant unicorn sighed.

“What I don’t get is why you keep wasting my time..”

“I’m just giving you a friendly warning.. he was furious when he learned about you.”

“Oh?” the librarian respond with tone of boredom.

“Keeper, you are a smart pony. You could get yourself a job ten times better than this.. why do you persist?"

“This, this is where your problem lies.. this is not about the bits, it never was. I do what I love to do and that is working in this very library. For years now I have watched over these books and made sure that they will survive so their wisdom can be shared with next generations-..”

“Listen, just sign it up and I will be gone..” the stallion sighed irritated. “You will have a nice bonus pay for resigning.”

“Let me put it in words that even you will understand then: You can shove it under your tail. I won’t sign anything.”

“How very foolish..” the stallion slammed the door behind him.

The librarian shook his head letting out a quiet sigh. He knew all too well the reason behind this intervention. He was the only earth pony on the university of magic grounds who wasn’t either a janitor or a guard. Some of the unicorns saw this as an insult to the prestige of the Academy. It was something that persisted since the ancient times, he couldn’t blame them for this.. after all no one wouldn’t want a unicorn tutoring pegasus about flight either.

“..is everything alright?” Twilight asked walking over.

“..yes.. everything is fine. I’m sorry you had to see this.. did you sleep well?”