A/N Is it a dumb move to start a new story when you aren't done with one you're currently working on? Ah well. Just a little idea I had and I wanted to get it written down before I forgot about it. Please enjoy and tell me what you think.

Three days after the events of "Applebuck Season"...

Twilight paced around the floor, still awaiting her friends nervously. Spike tried in vain to calm her down, only growing worse as time went on. Eventually, the other mares did arrive, asking what it was that was so urgent. "It's uh, a letter I got from the princess. It has some... troubling news." She said with a shaky voice. Rainbow instantly dashed over, pounding her with the biggest question on her mind. "The Wonderbolts got hurt?" Twilight tried to speak, but was instantly bombarded by more questions as to what it could be. "The crops are failing?" "The fashion department in Canterlot is being shut down?" "Animals are in danger?" "THERE ARE NO MORE CUPCAKES?" "QUIET!"

Twilight shouted. The others quickly quieted down. Awaiting for any more possible interruptions, Twilight unraveled the letter, still somewhat aggravated. "Now, here's what the letter says."

Twilight Sparkle, My Faithful Student,

I am afraid I have troubling news. A research team of mine has discovered that there are not only six elements of harmony. There is a seventh, that only one being knew of, Star Swirl the Bearded himself. A document discovered by my sister, Luna, stated that there was one more element that he had yet to discover. After having my best teams work on this for a little over two weeks, we have discovered that there is indeed a seventh element, but was lost a few years after the passing of the great wizard. Do not worry yourself with this, if anything, a new friend may be in stow for you. In the meantime, a new pegasus moved into Ponyville last week, and has been very exclusive. I would much appreciate it if you would talk to him. I have included a map detailing the route to his home, please hurry.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

The friends stared at each other for a while, wondering what this could mean. "So, there's another element?" Fluttershy asked nervously. Twilight looked up form her apparent shock, despite having already reading the letter. Trying to eliminate the eerie feeling of the room around her, Pinkie perked up and asked about the new pegasus. "What do you think he's like?" She asked as she bounced up and down. Rainbow flew above the others and threw out that he might be a good flyer. Fluttershy wondered if he was interested in animals. Rarity insisted that he had to be a fashion fan, while Twilight argued that he might be interested in reading and studying. "Probly not Twilight. He is a pegasus." Applejack said. "Well..." Pinkie said as she grabbed the map. "Only one way to find out!" She shouted as she literally leapt from the floor and shot out to the front.

There was a soft knocking at my door... I don't understand... I don't want company. I had let my entire city down by accepting the invitation from the Princess. They had persuaded me to go, but I still felt unsure, why me? I am not a good speaker, nor am I outgoing. "Hello?" A voice called from the other side of my door. "Go away." I called. "Well you heard him let's go. A gentler, quieter voice said. I couldn't help but be reminded of Galaxy... still so beautiful and radiant, so young... just like me... why her? We were the same age, why not me? "We have been sent by the Princess to meet you." The first voice called again. "Yeah! We want to meet you!" An enthusiastic one said. "The Princess?" I asked. "Yeah, now open the door so we can look at you!" A rather forceful one said. I sighed, grabbing my mask to cover my face. I could not let them see it. I can't stand the idea of scaring anypony else. Just as I open my door, a pink pony rushes in, touching almost everything I own. "What's this? And this? OOOH! And this!" She shouts. Irritated, I shout. "STOP! Have respect for my belongings!" The pink pony slows, appearing sad, then I realize who she is. How did it take me so long to notice? "Pinkie Pie, representative of the element of Laughter..." I bow my head, showing my respect. "An honor." She seems surprised by this, as do the others. "How did you...?" She began to ask, but I finished for her.

"I heard about the defeat of Nightmare Moon, and how Princess Luna was brought back. I have heard of all of you." I turned, not smiling, but more respective. "Welcome Twilight Sparkle, representative of the Element of Magic. Rainbow Dash, representative of the Element of Loyalty. Rarity, representative of the Element of Generosity. Fluttershy, representative of the Element of Kindness. And Applejack, representative of the Element of Honesty." I bowed my head once again, honored to be in the presence of such great heroes. "Please, I'm sorry for not recognizing you sooner My name is Tinder Spark." I rose my head, still not smiling. Twilight looked at me with a cocked head, and a raised eyebrow. "You don't sound that old, how old are you?" She asked. I stepped back, saying my age. "19. Just about your age." The young mare nodded as she observed my face, or mask really. "I would like to see your face, I'm sure the rest of us would to." I grew horrified, covering my mask with my hoof. My scar was terrible, what if I frightened them?

The dark green pegasus covered his face. Nervously, he backed away. "My face... I uh... have a really bad injury there." He said with a touch of sorrow in his voice. Twilight walked closer and smiled. "Please none of here are the judgmental type. Besides, we like helping ponies who are hurt." The stallion looked up, still seeming unsure. "I don't know, I just... I've already scared a lot of ponies." He said with a sorrowful and regretful voice. Next to her Fluttershy walked up, tender care and kindness in her voice. "Please sir, we want to help. Pretty, pretty please let us see you? You're making me sad." The stallion sighed, cautiously removing the mask. Twilight noticed that he rose a hoof in front of half of his face. The half that wasn't covered held a beautiful golden eye, and let loose a blonde mane, coming down to his forehead. There was a look of fear on his face, making him seem ashamed. Twilight couldn't help but think how attractive he was. Rainbow didn't seem amused though. "Other half?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. The pegasus, closed his eye and breathed heavily, removing his hoof.

His left eye was surrounded by black, and beyond that was shades of purple, blue, and light green. In addition to this, his eye only opened half way, which was a swollen pink color. Across it was three slash marks, only going directly over his eye, and it was faded a ghostly white color. The ponies gasped.

I looked away in shame, almost wanting to cry. I knew I would frighten them, why did I take off my mask? "Pretty terrible huh?" I said as my voice trembled. My mane covered my useless eye and I turned back to them, tears welling up in my eye. Twilight came over to me, as did Fluttershy. Fluttershy lifted away my mane, and took another look at my damaged eye. "You poor thing..." She said with a sad tone. "What?" I asked. Most ponies would run once they saw my eye, but she was curious to get a better look at it? Twilight touched the outer part, where the purple had set in. I gave a quick drawback, wincing in pain. She backed away. "I'm sorry..." She said. "Don't be. It's not like you knew." I said trying to cheer her up. Rainbow Dash flew up, inspecting my eye herself. She had a concerned look on her face. "What happened?" She asked. I sighed. "I took this injury to save my mother." I said. The mares backed away, staring at me. I knew they were confused, so I began to explain.

"Where I come from, ponies are constantly at war against a dark enemy, who wants nothing more that to kill ponies." I began. Their eyes grew wide. Gulping, I continued. I could only hope they didn't leave. "My mother... she became infected by one of their diseases. I couldn't just sit there and let her die... So I went to the leader of my enemy and begged for the cure. He agreed to return the "precious object" to me in exchange for another. My appearance. I agreed, not being to interested in physical appearances anyway. He beat me, and gave me this brutal injury. He also cursed me, so that the wound would never heal, and still appear just as bad as the first day." I sniffed and wiped a tear from my good eye. "It was only after I discovered how bad it was. I frightened children, made mares look away, and fellow stallions saw me as someone to pity. Pity... I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me... I was scaring ponies, my one goal in life was to make them feel better and give them hope... and I just fill them with fear..." I looked up to see the young mares. They had tears in their eyes, Pinkie blew her nose.

"But... seeing my mom alive and well made me feel better. I was looked to as a hero by my friends. If I had a chance to undo it, I wouldn't. For those I care about... I would give up everything." "Awww..." Was the one reaction that came from all of them. Twilight walked up to me. "You are a hero Tinder Spark. No matter what anypony tells you." She said with a smile. I returned the favor. It felt good to smile, I had forgotten the positive feelings that came with it. "Thank you Twilight Sparkle." "Please, call me Twilight." I nodded. "Hey Sparky?" I cocked my head and turned to Pinkie. "Is it okay if I call you that for short?" "I'd prefer Tinder." "Okey Dokey Lokey! Tinder, I was just thinking, we should give you a tour of town!" The others nodded. "Please?" Fluttershy said quietly. I smiled. It had been so long since I had felt this way, so happy, at peace... I hoped it would not end soon. "Lead the way." I say.