The 7th Element

A week had passed since Crimson’s arrival into Ponyville and things had settled down quite rapidly. After the gray pegasus was seen walking around town with the town’s most gentle heart Fluttershy, Crimson has been approached and greeted by the remaining residents. Other than spending some time with his new friends he either helped out around Sweet Apple Acres or was in Everfree, supposedly building a new home for Crash and himself in the forest. Though since his mishap with Twilight’s spell the ex-soldier suffered from frequent headaches that nopony could find the source.

It was a beautiful day as Rarity and Fluttershy were enjoying their time at the spa. Both were just beginning their massage session. “Mmmh, this is wonderful.” Fluttershy sighed as the light cerulean pony, Lotus Blossom, worked at her shoulders.

“Most definitely.” Rarity agreed. “I have been horn-deep in dress orders and this is just what I needed.”

Fluttershy grew silent for a moment before addressing her friend. “Umm…Rarity?”

“Yes dear?”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.” She smiled over from her table.

“Well it’s kind of…” She drew her attention to Aloe who was at Rarity’s side. “Personal.”

Aloe simply smiled. “Don’t worry Fluttershy. If we spilled every secret we hear during sessions we would lose all of our customers.”

The yellow Pegasus gave an understanding nod before looking back at her unicorn friend. “W-what do you think about Crimson?”

Rarity looked at her quizzically. “Our new friend? Well, he is handsome in that war torn soldier kind of way.” She looked at the spa sisters. “What about you two, have you met our friend Mr. Quake?”

“That dark pegasus with the cool red eyes? I think he’s cute.” Aloe squealed.

“Eh, I wouldn’t kick him out of bed.” Lotus tried to shrug it off with a deep blush on her face.

“Fluttershy shook her head furiously. “No, not his looks. I mean his personality.”

Rarity pondered for a moment. “Well he is humble, I have heard many mares complement him without him getting full of himself. Strong but sensitive, I heard he stared down a couple teenage colts who were picking on Sweetie Belle and her friends. Polite, selfless, and courageous. That is simply what I gathered so far.”

“Do you think you can see him…with somepony like me?” She asked sheepishly.

There was a moment of silence before Rarity’s eyes grew wide. “I knew it.” Rarity nearly fell off of the table in a spout of giddiness.

“K-knew what?”

“You fell for him. Applejack told me she had a feeling you did.”

“She knows?” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Honey I’m surprised the others haven’t noticed the way you look at him.” The blush on Fluttershy’s face was now as red as Crimson’s eyes. Rarity couldn’t help but laugh. “But to answer your actual question, yes. I think a stallion like him is just what you need in your life.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You should ask him out darling.”

“N-no, I mean, I couldn’t. What if he says no?”

“Then he is missing out.” Rarity said. “You’re a beautiful, loving young mare who he would be lucky to have.”

“I don’t know Rarity.” She mumbled as she tried to sink into her table.

It was an hour before the two mares left the spa feeling refreshed and, in Fluttershy’s case, a tad embarrassed. “Hey Rarity, Fluttershy!” They looked over to see Rainbow Dash trotting up with the rest of their friends.

“Is something the matter?” Rarity questioned.

The multicolor Pegasus pony batted her hoof. “Nah. We just thought we would go see how Crimson was doin’. You two in?”

Rarity had a slight gleam in her eye as she looked to her timid friend. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. I’m sure a friendly visit will brighten up his day.”

“I suppose so.” Fluttershy whispered.

The herd of friends approached the edge of the Everfree Forest. They all stopped before making their way into the thicket of trees. “Hang on, I’m gonna fly on ahead to see if I can spot him, better than wandering around in there with no idea where to go.”

“Good idea Rainbow Dash.” Twilight smiled as she sat where she stood. “We will wait right here for you.” With that, the speed driven pony took off over the forest canopy. Twilight and the others waited for word from Rainbow Dash. The purple unicorn looked amongst her friends; Applejack was chuckling as Pinkie Pie bounced around her in circles.

“I bet he is building a big twisting waterslide that goes right into a stream that then does down a waterfall!” The pink earth pony said with awe.

Rarity was talking to Fluttershy who simply looked at the grass beneath her. “You know you must tell him soon dear.”

“B-But, I’m scared. What if he doesn’t want to be my friend anymore?” She whispered.

“Oh come now, surely he cannot re-“

“Hey I think I found him.” Rainbow Dash called down and pointed a hoof into the forest. “He’s in a small clearing not too far from here.” She dropped down to meet up with her friends. “I only caught a glimpse of him but I don’t think he saw me.”

“Well come on, let’s surprise him!” Pinkie cheered before following Rainbow into the woods, the others following close behind. It was quiet, usually Everfree forest was abuzz with the sounds of wildlife.

“Should be right up here.” The cerulean pegasus said before they could hear heavy grunts off in the distance. When the six friends peered into the clearing their jaws simultaneously dropped. Crimson’s back was towards them while his shoulder was pressed hard against a rather large and heavy looking slab of rock. The stone itself was as thick as a tree, ten ponies wide and six tall. The dark gray Pegasus was pushing it up against three others of similar size protruding from the ground forming an open box shape The stone being pushed slid up little by little by the pony that it dwarfed. Upon sight of the girls Crash leapt from his sleeping position and barked around them happily.

“Crash.” Crimson grunted. “It’s really hard to focus with you barking buddy.” With one final shove the stone slab slid up and settled in its new place as the roof for his makeshift home. The dark stallion sighed in relief. “Wow, I’m really out of shape.” He huffed as he wiped his forehead with his hoof.

“Are you bucking kidding me?” Rainbow Dash shouted.

Crimson quickly whipped around and paled at the sight of his friends who were now staring at him in shock. “Please tell me you all didn’t just see that.”

“Sorry sugarcube, saw ya put the finishing touches on yer place.” Applejack admitted, attempting to regain her composure. Sure she thought Crimson was pretty strong, but even Big Macintosh couldn’t move something that size by himself.

Crimson dropped to a sitting position and looked at the ground shamefully. “I wanted to keep my strength a secret, it’s bad enough that just the way I looked scared everypony when I first came here.”

“I knew you were tough dude, but even Twilight would have a tough time lifting something like that with her magic.” Rainbow grinned. Crimson looked up to see their expressions had changed from shock to admiration.

“But I thought ya gave all ya had just to pull those carts back at the farm.” Applejack stated.

“I was restraining myself. I didn’t want to stand out and look even more like a freak.”

“Darling you are certainly not a freak, you are an extraordinary stallion.” Rarity admitted as she used her magic to pull out a fan to cool herself.

He let a slight smile spread over his face, happy that they didn’t think of him the way he feared they would. Crimson then turned to the stone structure. “Well it took me forever to find the right sized rocks and it doesn’t look like much, but welcome to my home.” He glanced over his shoulder to see his friends smiling awkwardly.

“It’s…sturdy?” Applejack attempted to complement honestly.

“Yeah, it’s nice.” Twilight smiled nervously.

“Where’s the waterslide?” Pinkie Pie asked, tilting her head to the side.

Before he could ask the energetic mare what she was talking about Rarity spoke her mind. “Really Crimson, this is not a fitting home for anypony, especially a friend of mine.”

“It’s not that bad. Better than the tents we had to sleep inside in our squadron.”

“Yer not a soldier anymore partner. Ya don’t gotta live like this.”

“Yes, Applejack is right. You’ll live with one of us until we can find suitable lodgings of your own.” The white unicorn then turned to Applejack. “I’m sorry dear, but your barn does seem a bit drafty.”

“He didn’t seem ta have a problem with it before.” The orange farm mare said with slight irritation.

“No, it must be an actual home.” She put her hoof on her chin and scanned her friends with a slight grin. “Fluttershy.”

An audible squeak was heard from the yellow Pegasus. “M-me?”

“Of course, surely you must have some room in the spacious cottage of yours.”

“Well, it isn’t much, but it would be more comfortable than the ground.” She muttered.

“If it’s a problem I can find somewhere else.” Crimson said gently.

“No, it’s not a problem.” She said almost too quickly. “I mean, as long as you’re okay with it.”

“Well, I do appreciate the offer but as with Applejack I don’t want to stay for nothing.” He said as he scratched the back of his head.

“Ya can help her with her critters, I’m sure she could use an extra set of hooves.” Applejack suggested.

“You don’t have to do anything Crimson.” She blushed. “I can handle it.”

“I’ll do whatever I can. Please Fluttershy.” The stallion pleaded.

“O-okay, I guess you can help with some of the animals.” Her sentence dwindling to a mutter as she averted her eyes from his gaze.

“I can do that, I’m not as good as you, but I can help with simple things.” Fluttershy smiled before heading back the way they came, being followed by all but Twilight and Applejack. Twilight inspected the stones that Crimson was lifting, Applejack looking at her curiously.

“Bit fer yer thoughts hun?” Applejack asked.

“It’s just that, even being a solder, there is no way a normal pony could possibly be that strong. There isn’t anything special about the rocks, but it’s biologically impossible for a pony to have that much power.”

“So you think there is somethin’ he ain’t tellin’ us?”

Twilight sighed. “I’m not sure Applejack, I’m just not sure.” She said before following the others, Applejack close behind.