"When all is lost and no hope came, only then will you be allowed to call the demon's name.."

There is always a point in time when one begins to question their purpose. When you find yourself doing the same thing over and over again it becomes tiring. Waking up, wandering the same streets, and looking at the same faces trotting past you one would think, "What truly is the point of my existence?"

Sure, some ponies might say that's why each pony gets his or her cutie mark, and that's the main reason how they find out what they want to do in life. But sometimes after doing the same thing, one might question if their cutie mark truly is the right path. Years and years of doing the same thing, forcing a smile onto other ponies' faces, and blowing up balloons each and every day has started to deplete a certain pony's "partying spirit."

Pinkie Pie sat alone in her room. The darkness seemed fitting for her mood as the wind blew through her open window. For the element of laughter, she did not seem to be herself these days. Her mane started to lose its bouncy curls and started to transform into a sleek straight style. Pinkie wasn't too bothered by this as she realized it happened when she started to get stressed.

Pinkie Pie realized her friends were too busy living their own lives. Rainbow Dash was now living her dream as a Wonder Bolt. Rarity now owned several stores that required her utmost attention, and Twilight was busy mentoring Starlight and performing her royal duties as the Princess of Friendship. Sure there was Applejack and Fluttershy, but Pinkie Pie felt like Fluttershy was too assertive now and Applejack was too busy with feeding Ponyville.

It is never a bad thing when your friends start to change, but can one blame Pinkie Pie for wondering why she is the only one that has not really changed? Everyone knows Pinkie Pie, the most amazing partier ever, but to Pinkie Pie that title is starting to not be so special.

Applejack practically supplies Ponyville with food. Fluttershy takes care of all the animals and makes sure they don't ruin half of Equestria. Rainbow Dash is part of the Wonder Bolts. Sure, they may be performers and entertain like Pinkie Pie, but Rainbow Dash actually clears and controls the weather. Rarity designs clothes and perhaps to some like Applejack that might not seem important, but clothes are needed in Equestria just as much as apples. Even if Pinkie Pie can't think of anything more that Rarity might do to further society along, Rarity is a unicorn. Pinkie Pie never brought it up with anyone, but unicorns have magic, something so powerful and needed in this world it wouldn't matter if Rarity never did anything but sit on her rump all day. At the end of the day, Rarity still stood above Pinkie Pie.

Don't get the wrong idea, Pinkie Pie isn't comparing herself to her friends, but the more she thought about it what was she needed for? Pinkie Pie is an earth pony, no wings, no magic, and no strong legs like Applejack to make up for everything else.

She was an earth pony that partied…end of story.

When her element got mixed up with Applejack's, and then she remembered that she was meant to make other ponies smile. For a split second, she wondered if she really could accomplish anything other than partying, but she couldn't. Her friends have told her many times that she was needed in Ponyville and that the ponies couldn't smile without her.

But if she really thought about it, how often would they need Pinkie Pie to throw a party for them? She throws them all the time, to the point where some ponies would start to get annoyed. Sure they might smile and thank Pinkie Pie for the party, but she could hear them talking behind her back about what she really does with her time other than partying.

Now that Pinkie Pie was on that topic, what else did she do with her time other than roaming Ponyville, sniffing flowers and rolling around on the grass. Yes, sometimes she would babysit for the Cakes, but honestly what ELSE does she do with her life?

Pinkie Pie sighed and looked at the mirror in front of her. She has stared at the wall for so long her eyes were enlarged and twitching. Pinkie Pie slowly turned her head to look at her flank, the balloons on her side seemed to speak a different message now. The more she looked at them, the more the anger in her chest rose. Did she really have no other purpose in life?

Pinkie Pie didn't even remember when all this started. Her feelings about this were spinning out of control. Pinkie Pie just wanted to feel like she was doing something that actually helped in life, but what could an earth pony like her truly do in this world that could help Equestria spread its roots and thrive?

Pinkie Pie felt a rough scaly object beside her. She looked down and saw her pet alligator snuggling under her mess of a tail. Pinkie Pie let out a snort before giggling just a tiny bit, but even her voice didn't sound the same after all this questioning and soul-searching bit.

"Oh Gummy, to think that one day I would be questioning my own cutie mark!" Pinkie Pie giggled softly to herself.

Gummy snapped his jaws playfully before Pinkie Pie picked him up and pressed her nose against his.

"Gummy," Pinkie Pie whispered, the little alligator looked into her eyes as tears started to form. Pinkie Pie looked toward the ceiling wondering if she really meant what she was about to say, "I am not sure I want to be the party pony anymore."

Was it truly a crime to want to do something different? Pinkie Pie felt like it was a crime. There was no way to take back the words she had said, and it felt so nice to finally have admitted it to herself. It hurt, but more like the satisfying feeling of picking a bothersome splinter out of your hoof kind of feeling.

Pinkie Pie gently sat the alligator down and picked herself off of the floor. All this thinking was giving her a headache, and the sunlight flowing from the open window seemed so much more inviting than the dark place she was sitting in. Pinkie Pie looked in the mirror her eyes still looked sunken in and bloodshot, and her mane was uncurling each second. Her coat was also losing its vibrant light pink glow, but no pony would notice as long as she just kept smiling.

That's all any pony expected from her, to give smiles or to wear one. It was her job, her duty, and her purpose.

Pinkie Pie shook the thoughts from her mind, and started to make her way out from her room. She walked down the stairs, to see Mrs. Cake baking something that smelled delicious. Pinkie Pie forced a smile and ruffled her mane to where it was messy and curly yet again. She hopped down the last couple of stairs with her signature bounce and gave Mrs. Cake a giant sparkling grin.

"Whatcha baking? It smells absolutely and positively delicious!" Pinkie Pie shouted.

Mrs. Cake smiled and cocked her head to the side; it looked like she was a tad bit confused.

"Pinkie, don't you remember what today is? You of all people should know. You have a very detailed memory of each special event that has and will take place." Mrs. Cake said, taking a hot tray out of the oven, revealing a freshly baked soft cake base. The smell made Pinkie's mouth water, but Pinkie was more concerned about what day it was, and why on earth it slipped through her memory.

"Umm, of course I remember I was only testing you, silly!" Pinkie Pie beamed. Great, she was lying now, she's just been so lost in thought recently she's been behind on all of her duties as a party and event planner.

Mrs. Cake released a breath of relief. Pinkie Pie swallowed hard, whatever today was had Mrs. Cake extremely worried about Pinkie Pie forgetting. Pinkie Pie gave a nervous smile as Mrs. Cake sat the freshly baked cake on the counter and beamed at her work.

"This cake has taken all day to bake and each layer has a different flavor, but if you look closely you will see that all of the layers mix fairly well together. It took me two weeks to gather all the ingredients for this cake, but I have to say it's a job well done, wouldn't you agree Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie looked at the steaming cake in front of her. Mrs. Cake had really outdone herself, and Pinkie Pie didn't think she could make a cake as great as hers.

When Pinkie realized that, it felt like she was struck in the back of her skull with a rock. It was yet another reason why she wasn't needed. Baking was another skill she had, and it's the only other one she could think of that she could do better than anyone else. But alas, it seems like someone else had the baking category covered, and the only other thing she was needed for in Ponyville was partying.

Mrs. Cake recognized the falling smile on Pinkie Pie's face. It was the first time she has seen fear in her eyes, but she had no idea why that was.

Mrs. Cake cleared her throat, "So Pinkie, would you mind taking this cake to Canterlot? I have a friend there that will be adding only the most precious icing. I didn't have the ability to make the icing I wanted, so I have to send this cake there to be finished."

Pinkie Pie shook away her thoughts. Perhaps a long journey to Canterlot was just what she needed. Mrs. Cake wrapped the delicate creation in a box with ribbons tied around it before giving the box to Pinkie Pie to hold in her mouth. Pinkie Pie gave Mrs. Cake a large smile before bouncing off out of Sugarcube Corner and finally getting some much-needed sunlight.

Pinkie Pie needed some time away from other ponies. It's not like anyone noticed her anyway. They never take her seriously, it's always "Oh, don't worry about Pinkie, she's just being her normal self." Or, "Pinkie will do what Pinkie does!"

Sure, she couldn't blame them. After all, she always put up a smile to make sure no one noticed her strange behavior, or whenever she started acting strange she would just play a random instrument so ponies would shrug their shoulders and pay her no mind.

If she were to act serious she knew every pony would think she was sick or something. Pinkie Pie wasn't dumb, or crazy, everything they say behind her back. She hears everything a pony does and she remembers. Pinkie Pie has a very long and exact line of memory, and she has deep thoughts a lot of the time. No pony would ever sit down and listen without thinking something was wrong with her.

Pinkie Pie looked up at the clouds and saw a gray pony with bubbles on her flank flying above her. Something drifted from the gray pony and landed on Pinkie Pie's nose. Pinkie Pie sneezed, and the white envelope that landed on her floated gently to the ground.

"Hey Derpy, I think you dropped some mail," Pinkie Pie said as clear as she could while holding the cake. Derpy flapped her wings a few times before slowing down and landing softly on the dirt a few feet behind Pinkie. The pink pony sat the cake on her back and then grabbed the piece of mail from the ground and happily trotted over to Derpy before placing it in her sack with a large smile.

"Try to make sure all the mail gets delivered. I would hate for some pony to miss a party invitation, wouldn't that be just awful?" Pinkie Pie giggled.

Derpy's ears flattened against her head, as her eyes rolled all over the place. Pinkie Pie loved Derpy like all the other ponies in Ponyville, but sometimes that pony had more screws loose then Pinkie Pie herself.

"C-Can I ask you a personal question?" Derpy said, her words came out so fast Pinkie Pie could hardly register them all.

"Sure, why not, personal questions are fun, and I LOVE fun!" Pinkie Pie said. Pinkie Pie wondered what the mare wanted to say. Derpy hardly ever spoke. She hardly did anything other than flying in circles and delivering mail when she was needed.

"Pinkie Pie, there is a time when a pony starts to recognize what a false smile looks like. I get smiles of pity all the time, but your smile is broken and questioning. If you aren't happy, then why aren't you doing something about it?"

Pinkie Pie blinked. That was the first time any pony has seen through her fake smile. Out of all the ponies only Derpy understood what was truly underneath her smile, and Pinkie Pie thought how utterly pathetic that was.

"What are you talking about Derpy? You silly mare, I have strange smiles but I've never once had a broken one, whatever that means." Pinkie Pie said with a giggle and a snort.

"Seeing you in this state, I finally understand why ponies give smiles of pity. I may not seem very bright, but after years of observing, I start to notice the signs when one starts to break down."

Derpy flapped her wings and took off into the air flying crooked and wobbling until she was out of sight.

Pinkie Pie kicked at the ground awkwardly, Pinkie Pie wasn't breaking down necessarily, she was just…well…

Pinkie Pie shook her head before trotting down the dirt path on the way to Canterlot. Ponies may think she was crazy for walking, and it might take all day to reach Canterlot, but she wanted the fresh air to clear her head.

Never in her life would she expect Derpy to understand her. Even if she wanted to talk she wouldn't …she couldn't. She was the one to make every pony smile, she couldn't wear a frown, she wasn't allowed to.

Was she the only pony that felt like they could be more important? She couldn't be the only one, right? Sure, the elements of harmony needed her, but did they really? They just needed her element, not really her, and when it came to fighting the criminals it was usually left to Twilight.

Did they need her to use the elements? Of course they did, that's the only reason she hasn't been trashed yet. Pinkie Pie felt something stir inside of her. Her heart hammered in her chest. It was a feeling that she has rarely experienced, and she felt the adrenaline rush through her veins as black smoke rose from her hooves.

"Again?" Pinkie Pie wondered, stepping back and examining the thick shadows forming around her body.

Whatever it was, she could feel negative feelings surrounding her. She wasn't alone, and whatever the thing was, it seemed to be feeding off of her anger and darkness.

As quickly as it came upon her it left, slithering back into the unknown taking all the negative emotions back with it. Pinkie Pie felt emotionally drained, and more of her coat had the color drained from it. Pinkie Pie noticed this mysterious black smoke hovering in the darkness. Every time she turned she would see it in the corner of her eye, waiting patiently.

It came and sucked out her negative emotions when she started to hover between good and whatever she was turning into. She wouldn't dare tell anyone about this mysterious black smoke. It wasn't hurting her, and when it surrounded her, she felt… powerful.

When it came, she felt needed. She knew it needed something from her or it wouldn't keep coming back. She wanted to figure out what it was. She knew it was in a weakened state. The first time it came it hardly drained her of anything, and it got stronger each time she fell into despair.

Pinkie Pie checked on the cake, it seemed to have been left untouched. Whatever the thing was, it certainly didn't like pony food.

Pinkie Pie realized that Canterlot was right in front of her, which was strange. A moment ago it was day and she was far away from her destination, but it seems Celestia has lowered the sun and Luna has taken control of the night.

Pinkie Pie blinked. Did she happen to be so lost in thought that she didn't realize she was walking or something? The pink pony shrugged before trotting through the silent city. The night air was cool and the moonlight seeping through the clouds was peaceful as Pinkie Pie's shadow danced along the road.

Pinkie Pie saw the beautiful castle where the princesses lived. Oh, what she would give to be needed like those ponies! All Pinkie Pie really wanted was to have a purpose other than partying, but perhaps not a purpose like entering dreams every night and raising and lowering the sun like Luna and Celestia.

Pinkie Pie saw some ponies staring at her, she shivered under their gaze as they gave her a disapproving eye. Rarity has always stated clearly that the ponies here are more stuck up than other ponies elsewhere, but Pinkie Pie never gave it much thought.

Pinkie Pie saw a bakery lit up in front of her. The roof was worn and the walls have lost their colorful painted coat. Many years of weather have eaten away at the building, but Pinkie Pie thought it had a beautiful twinkle to it in some strange way. That is why Pinkie Pie was admired though because she's always been one to enjoy odd things.

Pinkie Pie walked up to the building, and knocked on the door softly with her hoof. The door slowly opened to reveal a white pony with a swirled mane decorated with black and pink stripes. The white pony had blue eyes and a warm smile as she greeted Pinkie Pie.

"Hi, I haven't met you yet! I am assuming this is where I am supposed to go since this is the only bakery open this late at night. Silly me! I took so much time enjoying the scenery up here I lost track of time!" Pinkie Pie said.

"Oh that's okay Pinkie Pie, my name is Sugar Twist! Mrs. Cake told me you were coming, she told me you were going to deliver the cake for the passing of the dragon comets!" Sugar Twist said.

"Dragon comets? Is that some sort of dragon holiday or something?" Pinkie Pie asked. Sugar Twist laughed before taking the cake off of Pinkie's back and welcoming the pink pony into her worn out bakery.

"Well, I am surprised a pony like you hasn't thrown a party for it yet! Every pony in Equestria has been talking about it all month! Princess Luna discovered new comets in space that will be passing over Canterlot tonight, and Celestia is throwing a huge party for this massive discovery!" Sugar Twist shouted, almost knocking over several baking tools in the progress.

"Oh, for some reason I had no idea about this at all. Do you mind telling me a little bit about this event? Perhaps I can throw an after party after princess Celestia's party in Ponyville since all my friends will miss this party."

Sugar Twist clenched her teeth as her ears flattened against her head. Pinkie Pie watched the pony start to get a little nervous, which made Pinkie Pie curious with the sudden change in the atmosphere.

"Were you not told that all your friends would be here? I thought you came here with your friends and dropped by here just to give me the cake. I had no idea that you came alone! I am so sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Sugar Twist whimpered.

Pinkie Pie's heart sank. Why was she not told about any of this? She has been a little distant lately, but that didn't mean she shouldn't be told about when her friends would leave and go to a party without her!

Sugar Twist saw the growing hurt in Pinkie's eyes. The white pony quickly tried to change the subject desperate to remove the awkwardness.

"Did you know the old legend about the dragon comets? They were supposed to be a myth. Star Swirl the Bearded predicted their existence thousands of moons ago, but no pony ever took him seriously! Star Swirl said that these comets travel around the universe, leaving holes in their wake, and these holes are portals to other dimensions and worlds! But, it's just an old tale, a cool one at that!" Sugar Twist laughed.

Pinkie Pie hardly heard anything Sugar Twist was telling her. She was just so hurt that her friends were attending the party in Canterlot without even bothering to invite her!

"I have to go," Pinkie Pie said quickly and suddenly.

The pink pony didn't even bother to close the door behind her as she stormed towards the castle. There had to be a good reason why she wasn't invited. There was no way they just decided to leave her behind.

Pinkie Pie barreled past the ponies waiting to get into the castle for the event. Many ponies started shouted insults at her, but Pinkie Pie didn't care. The pink pony blasted past the guards and entered the castle. It was obvious that Rarity had been here. Several examples of her work were strung around the castle making it look stunning.

Pinkie Pie heard the guards shouting behind her trying to catch up and demanding answers out of her. Pinkie Pie didn't have any wings to outrun them or magic to immobilize them, but she did have her funky ways of getting away from sticky situations.

"Hey! Stop!" The guards yelled towards Pinkie Pie.

"Sure, I am definitely going to stop just because you said so!" Pinkie Pie laughed, before running down the hall screaming crazily.

Pinkie Pie had no idea where to go. Each hall led to a bigger and longer place, but Pinkie had a feeling that she would end up somewhere if she just had a moment to figure out where she was going.

Pinkie Pie suddenly saw a giant glittering golden door at the end of a hallway. She had left the guards in the dust way back, so the little pink pony could slow down and catch her breath.

Pinkie Pie had a feeling that her friends were somewhere in this castle, and this room looked extremely important. Pinkie Pie pressed her ear against the door and heard voices speaking behind it. She recognized one of them to be Rainbow Dash's loudmouth, and a sharp order to hush by Applejack. Pinkie Pie was furious. They were in there. They might not be enjoying a party, but they were meeting together without Pinkie Pie. That was something that made Pinkie Pie want to go in there, but also at the same time, just give up and go home.

"No, I am going to find out what is going on here right this instant!" Pinkie Pie said, not even noticing the shadows beginning to form around her hooves.

Pinkie Pie pushed against the door, and as the doors opened, revealing all her friends crowded in a room. Pinkie Pie knew what she saw, but at the same time she didn't want to believe it.

"So you all decided to come to a party without me, HUH?" Pinkie Pie yelled. Rainbow Dash's mouth fell open as Twilight and Celestia turned to look at the furious pink pony breathing heavily behind them.

"Well dear we-uh, well we," Rarity tapped her chin trying to find the right words to use.

"No, I don't want to hear excuses, I want to hear the truth!" Pinkie Pie said. Applejack was pushed forward by Rainbow Dash, and the orange country pony tried to contain the sweat dripping from her forehead. Rarity still was stuttering and trying to spit out the words she wanted to say as Fluttershy hid her gaze from Pinkie Pie's prying eyes.

"Listen here sugar cube, we were called by Star Swirl the Bearded because he feels like something evil will be coming from those comets."

Pinkie Pie's teeth clenched as she looked at Rainbow Dash to explain herself next. The rainbow pony walked forward with a sigh.

"Pinkie Pie we all decided it was best to leave you in Ponyville for this one. We didn't tell you because we didn't want you to get hurt."

"Are you kidding me? I am part of the elements of harmony. I was a part of all the battles before, why is this one any different?" Pinkie Pie said, watching as Star Swirl walked forward from the shadows.

"This foe is more dangerous than any other foe you have faced before. I know very little about it, but during my studies I have found that this creature has passed through other worlds from the holes that the comets make during their travels." Star Swirl said, taking his horn and making a projection appear.

"Yeah, so? The scary creature is stronger than everything else we have faced so what, have you seen Discord? Nothing can be worse than him and his crazy ideas of world domination." Pinkie Pie said angrily, watching as Star Swirl created a picture above the other ponies showing nothing but a blackened and burned wasteland.

"I have traveled to these planets in hope to learn about this creature, but the thing sucked all the life from the planets and nothing is left." Star Swirl said. Pinkie Pie didn't understand any of this. If this creature was so bad, wouldn't they need all the help they could get?

"Well, why on earth would you reject my help when you are going to need everyone to defeat this life sucking creature thingie," Pinkie Pie said.

"That's just it Pinkie, we are going to need all the help we can get, and you, well, you aren't much help," Rainbow Dash said. Applejack slammed her side into Rainbow Dash making her fly into a potted plant.

Pinkie Pie was shocked. What did they mean she wasn't much help?

"RAINBOW!" Twilight shouted, the abused pony rubbed her head and glared at Applejack angrily.

"Some pony had to say it, we just keep dancing around the point," Rainbow Dash coughed. Pinkie Pie wanted to yell that they were wrong, but she was too shocked to do anything but shake and stare.

"Listen darling, we respect your ways of helping, but they just aren't helpful to us. Your ways just seem to mess everything up, you understand, right?" Rarity said. Every pony glared at Rarity as the white pony sank under the gazes of her friends.

"What Rarity and Rainbow were trying to say, is that we were trying to protect you from this battle since you can't fly, or use magic, or use a lasso or kick as hard as Applejack." Twilight said gently. Pinkie Pie wasn't having it though.

"B-But you brought Fluttershy! That pony doesn't fight!" Pinkie Pie said desperately.

"Star Swirl specifically asked for Fluttershy. We could be dealing with a massive dragon, and Fluttershy knows how to handle them, the burned lands Star Swirl came across could only be damaged that badly by something as big as a dragon. Remember when that sleeping dragon was covering Equestria in black smoke? Without Fluttershy we would still be in a black haze." Twilight said, as Fluttershy looked up at Pinkie Pie who was starting to choke back a sob.

All of Pinkie Pie's friends left her in Ponyville on purpose because they felt that she couldn't help them. Pinkie Pie didn't know what to feel…betrayal, sadness, anger, or pure desperation! Pinkie Pie knew she was a silly pony and usually didn't take much seriously, but that was because that's what her cutie mark told her to do! She had no idea that her friends would eventually see her as a disaster, or as just a mess up!

Was this the beginning of losing her spot as part of the team? It couldn't be, Pinkie Pie would never be tossed out of the group!

Suddenly the windows in the room burst with fiery colors, and the sky was lit up with giant flying balls of fire. Pinkie Pie didn't notice her friends staring at the objects flying through the night sky, Pinkie was just so devastated that all her friends felt this way. Twilight seemed alarmed along with Star Swirl, as Celestia turned her gaze to look at the broken Pinkie Pie behind her.

Celestia disagreed with Twilight's plan to leave Pinkie behind, but this task might have hurt Pinkie Pie in some way since the little pony had no defenses what so ever. So, Celestia stayed quiet about the whole issue, after all, Twilight knew more about friendship then Celestia did.

But now that the princess looked at Pinkie Pie, she was starting to look like Nightmare Moon.

"Alright ponies, we need Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy to search the skies for any dimensional portals that the comets might have left behind. Twilight and Rarity, we will need defense spells at the ready. Rarity since you are not used to producing defense spells you will give some of your magic to Twilight so she can produce the spell longer. Applejack, you will be on the ground with me in case we will have to physically attack and repel this monster." Star Swirl said. The ponies nodded their heads in understanding before breaking up into groups and splitting up.

"Call my name."

Pinkie Pie's ears twitched, a soft voice echoed throughout the room. Rainbow Dash's wings slowed to where she hardly moved through the air. Twilight was stopped in mid-gallop along with Rarity and the rest of the group. It was strange, for Pinkie Pie could move around just fine. Pinkie Pie's heart matched her rapid breathing. Was this some kind of weird spell?

Pinkie Pie tapped Applejack's shoulder, but the mare didn't move or blink. Pinkie Pie looked closely at Applejack to see if she was moving. She was, just very, very slowly. Her legs and muscles were active, but only if you looked closely would you be able to see her moving.

"I see you struggle in this world, such a shame. I could make everything so much better for you. If you would just call my name… I am weak from traveling between dimensions, but when I am at my full power, I will reward you."

The voice was gentle, but demented, and its words seemed desperate. Pinkie Pie couldn't see the voice's body, but she could feel it moving all around her. Pinkie Pie could understand its desperation, for Pinkie Pie was in the same situation. Pinkie Pie was desperate for her friends to see that she was important, and this creature was desperate for something as well.

"My name is Crimson. I have been feeding off of your negative emotions for a while now, gaining power. I am deeply sorry for using you, but you must understand I needed you to survive."

"So, you are the monster Star Swirl was talking about? You've been here for months and you didn't just pass through with the comets, did you?" Pinkie Pie said, feeling the presence circle around her listening carefully.

"Now is not the time to explain. Do you want your friends to recognize you as something more than what you are or not?"

Pinkie Pie swallowed hard, she wanted to be part of the group again so badly. She wanted to be known other than the party pony. She wanted to feel important and needed. Pinkie Pie was desperate and she couldn't hear her conscience screaming at her to walk away.

"Crimson, I-I" Pinkie Pie was cut off by a roar.

"Excellent, find me in the dusk forest. I will be waiting for you there! But first, I must demonstrate what power you are signing up for!" Crimson roared, as time seemed to return back to normal. Pinkie Pie shook her head as hooves could be heard pounding on the ground advancing towards the door. Pinkie Pie saw shadows gathering in front of her, the sleek bodies of shadows clumped together in the center of the room as wings made of darkness stretched out over the room along with sharp spikes lined along the back of the creature. Its details were hidden, even when Star Swirl lit his horn with light.

"Prepare yourselves, the monster has arrived!" Star Swirl commanded. Twilight immediately put up a defense spell, as Rarity's mouth fell open at the sight of the horrid beast.

The dragon-like creature had two wings that were attached to its arms, three long fingers with claws stuck out when it stretched out its wings. Two strong legs supported the huge scaly body that was covered in sharp shiny black scales, along with large claws that stuck out of its foot. The creature roared, exposing its neon-purple mouth, and the thousands of jagged teeth lined in its jaws. Its thick tail had leathery sails on each side of its tail, along with spikes decorating the back and tail of the creature. Two large horns sprouted from its head, along with two smaller horns under the larger ones. It had a ridged head, almost as if it were made of stone.

Smoke rose from its nostrils as its bright purple eyes looked over the ponies cowering in the room.

"Attack!" Rainbow Dash said in a long cry. Rainbow Dash slammed her back hooves into the creature's nose. The creature seemed unaffected and opened its mouth and torched Rainbow Dash with purple fire. Rainbow Dash was screaming as the fire burned several patches of her rainbow mane off and destroyed her beautiful coat.

Rainbow Dash fell to the ground. Her wings broke her fall. A large crack was heard as feathers flew from her once powerful wings. The rainbow pony was breathing, but just barely. Large burn marks now decorated her flank and neck. Marks that would probably now leave a scar for the rest of her life.

"Rainbow Dash!" Celestia cried, illuminating the room with her horn. The yellow light brought hope into the room as the princess rose up against the beast in an attempt to protect her brave subject that has fallen.

Celestia blasted the creature with enough magic to stun any dragon, but the tough scales of the creature absorbed the impact making the creature emit a rumble from its throat before opening its mouth and spitting more searing hot fire from its jaws.

Princess Celestia shielded herself with a yellow bubble that protected her body from the fire. When the creature noticed its fire being deflected, it slammed its wing across the protective bubble making Celestia slam against the wall as her defenses shattered instantly. The creature flapped its massive wings before trapping the princess under its long claws. The creature opened its mouth letting smoke drift into the air.

Twilight's horn started to glow, and in an instant, princess Celestia was teleported away from under the creature's claws. Twilight blasted the creature in the face with the strongest attack spell she could muster, but again, it was not enough to stop the creature from its rage.

Fluttershy was known for being assertive now, but seeing the creature attack all of her friends without remorse scared her and made her want to cower. She had no idea what the thing was. It looked like a mini dragon, but was so much stronger than a regular dragon. The mysterious black shadows seeping from its body seemed unearthly.

"Y-You monster!" Fluttershy shouted. The yellow pony gathered all the bravery she could find and flew in front of the creature's face. The mini dragon looked at her with so much anger it shook Fluttershy down to her core.

Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak again hopeful that she could use her stare to keep the creature from causing any more damage, but it simply snapped its jaws at Fluttershy. The little pony moved in just enough time to avoid her body being ripped to pieces by its teeth, but the creature snagged her wing. Fluttershy cried out in pain as her body was flung towards the ground, cracking the polished floor with the force of her crash. Her mauled wing lost many feathers, and the force of her landing broke several bones. Fluttershy had tears streaming from her eyes. The pain was more than she could bear. The creature opened its mouth and released a powerful puff of fire.

Applejack snatched Fluttershy's tail and burst away from the fire as soon as the flames enveloped the spot where Fluttershy had landed. The horrid scorch marks where the flames had eaten away at the floor now left a permanent reminder of how powerful this foe truly was.

Pinkie Pie was too deep in thought to even notice the battle that was taking place. Was this what hopelessness felt like? She felt like she was floating in a dark void. No feelings…no anything really. She was numb; her heart had been ripped out. Her friends no longer needed her, and in Pinkie's book, that meant they no longer saw her as a friend but more of a bother.

Pinkie Pie was yanked out of her thoughts as Applejack dragged Fluttershy's limp body next to Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy was sobbing uncontrollably, saying how sorry she was for not being able to stop the creature.

"W-What happened?" Pinkie Pie said, coming back into reality.

Applejack ignored her and charged at the beast with full force. Applejack slammed her hooves into the creature's foot claw, but even with Applejack's powerful kick the creature seemed to be unstoppable. It moved its foot with such speed, Applejack wasn't prepared and its claw pinned Applejack's tail in place. Twilight charged in, blasting the creature with so much magic she felt her horn would explode.

Each blast left a mark on the creature's scales, but not enough to damage it. Applejack cried out in terror as she frantically tried to free herself. Twilight was slowing down; her stamina just wasn't enough to keep fighting. Twilight dropped to the floor in exhaustion reaching a hoof to Applejack who was just inches away from her. The creature taunted Twilight by dragging its claw closer to Twilight, allowing Applejack to reach and touch Twilight's hoof with her own.

Applejack looked at Twilight with a sincere gaze, one that tried to comfort Twilight and to tell her the truth. Twilight knew Applejack was right, and there was nothing she could do now. The best thing they both could do was be brave for the rest of their friends.

Rarity tried blasting the creature to gain its attention with tears flowing down her cheeks. Princess Celestia finally recovered from her defeat, but her head was spinning from the force of the wing. The creature blasted Applejack and Twilight with its signature purple fire. The cries from both ponies were so horrid that it made the creature flinch.

Princess Celestia tried to fly towards the fire in hopes of sparing them the pain, but she crashed on the ground and was forced to watch them burn away. The mini dragon ceased its attack, looking at the blackened ponies scattered on the ground below it. Applejack's hat was turned to ash, and Twilight's wings were tattered strands.

The two ponies still held each other's hooves, still holding onto hope even when their future looked so bleak. The creature left them alive at least. Every pony could see that they were still breathing, but they wouldn't be for long if they didn't get out quickly.

"I-I have to help, even though they don't want me to!" Pinkie Pie said in a whisper. Pinkie Pie didn't know what she would do. She was utterly useless, and even though her friends saw her as a nuisance they were still her friends and she had to help.

"No!" a voice said, stopping Pinkie Pie with a blast of magic. Pinkie Pie was immobilized by Star Swirl who was cowering in the corner, "You cannot help us, the only thing you can do is get reinforcements!"

"B-But, I," Pinkie Pie tried to say what she wanted to say, but she couldn't.

"You will only make things worse. Now do what I told you!" Star Swirl said, teleporting Pinkie Pie out of the room and turning to face the snarling beast that spat fire straight at him.

"May the gods be with us all this day," Star Swirl said, as the fire engulfed him.