The 7th Element

Entering the Apple family home Applejack quickly began to head into the next room just as a small young filly with a red mane and bow came rushing down the stairs and into Applejack.

“Welcome back big sis.” She smiled over the blond mare.

“Applebloom.” She scolded. “Granny keeps tellin' ya not ta run 'round the house.”

“Sorry.” She pouted after hopping off Applejack.

Applejack groaned and she stood upright again. “Dinner ready yet?”

“Almost done.” The filly looked to the others and smiled. “Are ya'll stayin' fer dinner?”

Rainbow Dash smiled as she walked by and ruffled her mane. “We sure are squirt.” The rest of the group followed. When Crimson was left there, Applebloom was very intimidated by this new pony's appearance. He was big, he looked almost as big as her brother. He had a gray and black coat, pitch black mane that looked windblown and matching goatee. His ears were pointed and curved, making them almost look like horns. His tail was tethered as if pieces of the hair were ripped out. His cutie mark was a big red knight shield with two different looking swords crossing over it, but the scariest part was his eyes. Bright red, almost glowing, with narrow slitted pupils and three old scars over the left eye.

“Who are you?” She squeaked, backing towards the kitchen with the others.

Crimson's eyes softened. “My name is Crimson. Are you Applejack's sister?” He said gently.

“Yeah, I'm Applebloom.”

Crimson nodded and lowered his head to try and get eye level with her. “Your sister and her friends saved me back in the forest. She invited me over, but if there is a problem I can just leave.”

Applebloom quickly withdrew her fear. “Oh no. If yer a friend of Applejack's then yer fine with me.” She said as she came around to his side as they and Crash met everyone in the kitchen where the others were already gathered at a fairly big table.

“There ya are, I was wonderin' if ya'll changed yer mind.” Applejack motioned for a couple of the empty spots. “I see ya met my little sis.”

Crimson nodded as he took a n open spot between Fluttershy and Rarity. “He's kinda scary lookin'.” Applebloom whispered to her older sister as she got between her and their brother on the other side of the table.

“Thats rude.” She whispered harshly back. “Yeah he looks a lil rough for the wear but he's prolly been through a lot.”

“I have.” Crimson answered, causing everyone to turn to him sharply. However, he payed them no mind. Instead he drew his attention to the large red stallion and elderly pale green mare. “My name is Crimson Quake, thank you for being kind enough to let me in your home.”

“Oh its no trouble at all deary, we love having guests. I'm Granny Smith and this is my grandson Big Macintosh.” The stallion nodded with a small smile. “And I see you met both my granddaughters.”

“Well now that we're all acquainted and whatnot, lets eat.” Applejack offered as they all looked at the apple based spread in front of them. They all ate and talked amongst themselves for a few minutes, even the timber wolf cub Crash ate next to the apples dog Winona.

“Uh, Mr. Quake?” The young filly asked.

He stopped eating and looked up at her. “You can just call me Crimson.”

“Mr. Crimson, where did ya get that there scar, the one on yer eye.” Everypony froze in place and stopped talking all at once, first looking at Applebloom in shock then looking over to Crimson.

Crimson looked down at his plate for a moment, as if trying to find the answer. “Old battle scar, back in my war days.”

“You're a soldier?” Twilight asked.

“Ex-solder.” He corrected. “I quit over a year ago.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-three.”

“You're still rather young for a veteran.” Rarity commented. “They just let you leave?”

“No I ran away after the last war ended. I was stationed in the kingdom of Darkburough, where I grew up.”

“I never heard of Darkburough.” Twilight chimed in.

“Its a far off kingdom, nowhere near Equestria.”

“Who cares about where he's from, he used to be a soldier. How cool is that?” Rainbow Dash said enthusiastically, earning a stern glare from Crimson.

“Trust me, there is nothing 'cool' about what I have done in that war.” He replied coldly before backing away from the table. “Please excuse me.” He said politely before leaving the room, the eventual sound of the front door soon following.

Everypony shared concerned looks before Applejack started after him. “I'll be right back.”

The silence after that was followed by them all looking at Rainbow Dash. “What, what did I say?”

As Applejack left the house she looked around for any signs of her new friend the sun was beginning to set and she worried he just flew off. Finally, she caught a glimpse of a gray wing sticking out from behind one of the apple trees. Coming around she found Crimson sitting with his back to the tree, his left hoof covering his scarred eye. She approached him cautiously. “Hey Crimson.” She leaned her head to the side to get into his line of vision. “Ya'll right there partner?”

He looked up from the ground quickly, as if she just came from nowhere. “I'm fine, no big deal.”

“I'm sorry 'bout Rainbow Dash, she don't like ta think 'fore she talks.”

Crimson nodded and smiled a little. “Yeah, I was stationed with a couple guys who were the same way.” Just then Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy joined them.

“Hey Crimson, sorry if what I said back there ticked ya off.” Dash said bashfully as she rubbed her hoof behind her head.

“Don't worry about it.” He replied. “I guess the subject is still a bit tender.” Just then Crash ran up and jumped into the dark stallions lap, he immediately began petting the cub. “Thank you again for inviting us over Applejack.”

“No problem sugarcube.”

“So what are you going to do now?” Pinkie asked.

“I suppose finish our shelter in the forest.” He replied as his companion hopped down and he stood.

“Are you sure you want to live in there?” Rarity questioned. “It is quite dangerous after all.”

“I'm used to danger.” He replied a monotone response as he began to step off back towards Everfree.

Applejack stood in his path with narrowed eyes. “No can do partner. I cant be letting ya live in there with no home. Shoot, Zecora at least has her hut. Yer bunkin in the barn until you get your place built, no arguments, ya hear?”

Crimson looked her her with calculating eyes. “Why are you willing to do so much for a stranger you just met today?”

“We here in town look out fer each other. So yer stayin' with us till yer on yer hooves.”

Crimson looked at her and the others for a moment before looking down at Crash. The timber wolf cub looked back at him with pleading eyes, as if to tell Crimson that he wanted to stay at the spacious apple orchard. “Well I guess you made up our mind, huh?” He asked. The pup wagged his tail and began running around the pegasus who looked at Applejack. “Well, I guess I'll take you up on that.”

“Good ta hear. C'mon I'll show ya the barn.” The blond mare smiled.

“I should head home, Spike is probably a bit worried.” Twilight said as she readjusted her bag on her back. “It was good meeting you Crimson, I'll see you around.”

Crimson nodded a farewell as Rainbow Dash also left. “See ya Crimson, we should race sometime. I always like to test out new fliers.”

“We'll see.” He responded.

“Bye, I have a big party to plan. See you soon!” Pinkie Pie hopped off quickly.

Rarity stepped up to him with a sincere smile. “It was a pleasure meeting you Crimson. Perhaps you can come to my boutique sometime.” She seemed to glance him over quickly. “Yes, I have an idea for a suit that would look very dashing on you.”

“I may come by.” Crimson said respectfully, not really interested in dressing up. He was never really one for formal clothing.

Fluttershy trotted up to Applejack, her head facing downward and her eyes looking at her friend. “Do you mind if I stay around a little longer, I mean, if that's okay with you and Crimson?” She glanced to the dark pegasus who was letting Crash climb onto his back again. Applejack couldn't help but notice the slight darkening of Fluttershy's cheeks. The accented pony smiled and looked over to Crimson.

“That alright with you partner?” She asked, which drew Crimson's attention to them.

“Pardon?”

“Is it okay if Fluttershy tags along with us fer a bit?”

“Doesn't bother me.” He shrugged before following Applejack, Fluttershy following close behind him. Walking into the barn Crimson scanned the area. With straw covering the floor there wasn't a spot that looked uncomfortable. There also was farming equipment hanging off of the walls such as shovels, hoes, spades, ropes, and plenty of repair equipment.

“So here's where you and Crash will be bunkin'.” She walked over to a corner of the barn that seemed to be isolated from the equipment. Crash was quick to bound up into the hay and start to push it around, making a big enough bed for him to lie down. “Looks like he already made himself at home.” Applejack smiled. Fluttershy trotted over and sat next to the cub, who then turned over on his back so that the yellow mare would pet him.

“You're good with animals.” The dark stallion commented.

Fluttershy blushed and looked up at him. “Thank you.”

“Fluttershy is always takin' care a' critters. Her place is a regular haven.” Applejack laughed,

Fluttershy looked away, a bit embarrassed at her friends praise. “If you want, Crash can come visit and play with some of the animals. That is, if its okay with you.”

Crimson nodded. “I'm sure he would like that.”

“Maybe Shy can show you 'round town sometime.” The blond farmer gave her timid friend a slight discreet wink, forcing a deeper shade of red to her cheeks.

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I might as well learn my way around.” He said with no faltering in his tone. Crimson then looked back at “So what will I be doing during our stay?” Crimson asked Applejack.

“Doin'?”

“I hope you dont expect me to take residence here and not do anything in return for your hospitality.”

“Ya really dont have to.”

“Please Applejack, I wouldnt feel right otherwise.”

She gave a light huff. “Well, I guess ya'll can help us with the mornin' chores.” She shrugged.

“As long as I can be of some use.” Crimson slightly smiled.

“Well then we'll put your flank to work.” She replied. “You should get some rest then, we like ta get an early start.” As if it were her cue, Fluttershy got up to leave.

“I guess I'll see you around Crimson.” She barely whispered, avoiding eye contact.

“Yeah, you can show me around town tomorrow if there is time.” He gave a slight bow as she took her leave.

“So ya'll gonna be alright fer t'night?” Applejack asked, prepared to turn in herself.

“Yeah, we can manage. I'll see you in the morning.”

“G'night Crimson.” She smiled as she headed out and shut the barn door behind her.

“Goodnight.” He replied just before she left. He then turned to the bale of hay he and Crash were now using for a bed, the timber wolf nestled on his back just like he was when Fluttershy was scratching him. He chuckled a bit to himself as he made himself comfortable next to Crash, slightly curling his body so his head rested on his front leg. Crimson shut his eyes and breathed deeply until sleep eventually overtook him.