Herald of Shadows

"What are we going to do?" asked Fluttershy.  The five ponies and dragon had been gathered together trying to comfort each other.  RainbowDash spoke up "I may be the element of loyalty, but I say we leave her to her business and continue our lives on our own!  After all, she's not living up to her element. Why should we?  I'm out of here!" with that being said, Rainbow flew away so fast she almost caused a sonic rainboom.  There was only one difference.  The color wasn't there, it was just gray.

Pinkie just stared at the ground.  She was never going to plan another party for her entire life!  AHHHHH! A piercing scream was heard.  Rarity was standing there stammering worse than anypony ever had before.  "P-P-P-Pinkie! Y-Y-Y-Your c-cutie mark! It's gone!"  Pinkie looked at her blank flank and shrugged.  "No surprise really.  I'm not going to throw anymore parties, so poof.  No more mark."  Applejack just stared at her in shock.  "No more parties?!?  Really Pinks? Are ya'll sure?"  Pinkie nodded, blew her flat mane out of her face, and walked away.

"What's happening to us?" whispered Fluttershy to herself.  Applejack and Rarity both walked away after a few moments too.  All Fluttershy wanted to do was lie down and cry, but she couldn't do that.  Not now, her friends needed her!  With that thought, Fluttershy took off flying toward Twilight's library.

* * *

Herald was pacing back and forth in the library.  "What to do, what to do," she kept whispering.  There was only one thing she could think of.  She had to talk to her teacher.

Herald let out a big sigh, and closed her eyes.  Soon she was on the familiar path that she loved so much.  Herald was almost shaking with fear.  Her teacher had forbidden visits if it weren't for lessons.  Much sooner than she had wanted, she had reached the door.

Knock Knock "Beloved Teacher?" Herald began, "I am so very sorry for this interruption, but it's important."

There was no answer.  Cautiously, Herald opened the door, and prepared for the worst.  It didn't come.  Looking around, Herald saw nopony in the room.  She knew she should leave before she got into trouble, but curiosity got the better of her.

Herald examined her surroundings carefully, so she didn't leave any clues to her being there.  Then she found it.  The one thing that broke her heart.