Hazel snorted frustratedly as he put another basket under a skinny, black tree, the branches flowing in the steady breeze that had picked up earlier this day, and trotted back to the shed behind the barn house, where he picked up another one and carefully balanced it on his back while using his wings to stabilize it. The sun was almost trespassing it's zenith on it's way across the sky and the slow pace at which he fulfilled his work made him impatient. If it wasn't for her and his orders from Celestia, he would have just rolled his eyes and zapped through the trees, leaving three baskets beneath each of them. But Applejack's orders were strict: no use of supernatural powers like extreme speed, strength and no mind control to make them think he hadn't used any of it. Although Hazel recalled seeing Twilight using her telekinesis during Apple-bucking season, he did not dare to say anything against it. His relationship with Applejack hadn't lasted for even 24 hours and he was too smart to start a fight over something as trivial as the proper way of implementing some trees.
His relationship with Applejack.
Hazel let out an amused sigh as he recalled the scene from this morning again.
He and Applejack came trotting down the stairs into the corridor, heading towards the kitchen where Granny Smith had already set up a quite large amount of jars onto the table. At least, Hazel trotted, Applejack nearly fell down the stairs the way she set her hoofs. She had a kind of energy to her that almost burst from within her and Hazel could only call excitement as the source. Hazel shook his head; over the centuries he had learned the valuable lesson, that patience was the key to almost everything.
Another key was not to question anything that had to do with Granny Smith, even though it didn't take him hundreds of years to figure that out, so he didn't bother to say anything about the green helmet that sat on top of her gray mane. Hazel had entered a few moments after Applejack and as soon as Granny Smith caught sight of him, he could tell that a storm was brewing, telling from the deep wrinkles that started to form on her forehead.
Applejack seemed to have noticed it, too, as her excitement quickly faded and she worriedly shot a look between her grandma and her new found partner. The tense atmosphere that had overtaken the room at an instant almost discharged as a lightning bolt.
Granny Smith tossed what was left of her mane over one ear and slightly raised her chin as she snorted and turned to inspect the glasses on the table again. Without even so much as looking up she spoke into the room.
''Hope ya two weren't doing any funny stuff while you were up there, Applebloom could have heard ya and Ah won't be the pony to tell her where they come from.'' she poked another jar with her hoof and took a closer look at the cap.
Normally, Applejack would have marched right up at her granny to shut her up, but she was about to break some important news to her and that intent required way more finesse than just storming in head first, as Applejack had told him earlier. So she just bit her lip and drowned the comment that lay on her tongue, before she gave an adequate reply. Her tone was calm, but a firm determination clung with it.
''No, Granny Smith, we weren't doing anything of that sort. He's mah coltfriend.'' she pressed out the words a little bit too fast.
So much for finesse...
''Wha' was that?'' Granny Smith tilted her head and raised an eyebrow as she looked inquisitively at her granddaughter. ''Couldn't quite hear ya.''
Applejack soaked in a lungful of air and let it out again before she repeated her last words, only a bit slower and louder this time.
''Ah said, Hazel is my coltfriend. We're a couple now and Ah thought it'd be better if Ah told yer. You alright?'' Her expression had shifted from nervous to worried as she saw that her granny's face had turned to a pale tone once the words were out of her mouth. The elderly green mare let herself sink to the floor, sitting on her haunches, and stared at a lonely crumble of dust that lay in a corner.
After a few moments of deafening silence, she rose her head up again and looked at Applejack, then at the white pegasus, then back at Applejack and once more at Hazel. She sighed. But her sigh didn't sound like anything they had expected it to sound like. Applejack had reckoned with everything; Granny jumping up and attempting to throw him out of the house, or collapsing on the ground from the shock, likeliest an outburst of rage, then disappointment of her granddaughter, followed by lots of tears and then- Well she didn't had the courage to think of what could come after that. What she didn't had reckoned with was the smile that spread Granny Smith's crinkly cheeks. The face of the old green pony had regained it's former color rather quickly and now she got up from her rump and trotted towards the both of them.
Hazel was as surprised as Applejack was, but he did good in hiding is astonishment. He contended himself with shifting his weight onto his other side and slightly raised an eyebrow as he glimpsed at Granny Smith.
Said green mare now stuck her hooves at Applejack's face, turning it left and right in a cuddly manner and smiled warmly at her. ''Ah knew that yer had something for this colt before even you yerself have realized it, I think.'' Applejack's puzzled expression only served to make Granny's smile even wider. After some moments, she had gathered her thoughts again and shook free of her grandmother's touch.
''Wait, how?''
''Because ya have yer mommy's face, and Ah noticed your looks when this one here was around. Your mama made the same face when ya papa was around.''
Something inside Applejack seemed to fluster by her granny's words. A spark of unknown origin ignited in her tsavorit eyes and she began to smile, first at granny Smith, then at Hazel. She swung her head back at the elderly green pony and a sigh of pure relieve escaped her mouth.
''So, you're not angry or disappointed? You accept mah choice?''
Granny Smith's narrowed. ''First Ah was, but then, you an' yer brother tried ta convince me of his good attitudes and Ah kinda came ta think.'' her gaze softened again and she gave the both of them a warm grin. There was one thing that had still be bothering Hazel, however.
''And what about the slaughter I have wreaked?''
Her smile lost a bit of it's warmth and she fell into a rather deliberative pose as she sat up in front of him, looking at the ground first, then grinning at him and putting a hoof on his shoulder as a sign of forgiveness.
''Ya did what ya did to save Applejack, it only took me some time ta realize that. And although Ah still have some issues with trusting yer too much about how loyal ya'll be, Ah'm no such a dork as ta not see that Applejack really likes yer.'' Hazel's face softened and he nodded at her in understanding. ''One thing, though!'' Granny raised a hoof. ''If ya hurt her in any way, I swear by Celestia Ah'm gonna repay yer ten times as much, no matter how strong ya might be, got me?''
Hazel sighed and placed a bucket carefully in between two roots of a skinny tree, twisting it around a bit to secure a firm stand for it. He stared at the wooden border and once again let the scene pass before his inner eyes, a soft smile appearing on his face and his lids halfway shutting.
''Hey there, no daydreamin' while workin'! We still got plenty of chores before we can get to chillin', so move yer rump!'' Applejack's harsh but playful voice cut a trail into Hazel's trail of thoughts, snapping him out of his pleasant musing. He shook his head and grinned at his gorgeous marefriend, sarcastically bowing before her, averting his gaze to the ground.
''I am truly sorry for my lazy behavior, mistress, I shall deserve every punishment you may think of.'' his voice sounded so serious, though the words that came from his mouth left no doubt that he was joking around. At first Applejack looked at him suspiciously, wondering if he was pulling a prank on her, but then she shook her head in played annoyance.
''Five thousand years? Ya sure it's not five thousand weeks?'' she laughed. Hazel stood to his former stance and raised an eyebrow.
Is she being serious?
''You do realize that five thousand weeks are still approximately a hundred years, do you not?'' a moment of silence oocured between them, in which Hazel could hear the whispering of the stiff breeze, almost as well as the gears working inside Applejack's head. She stood there confusedly for a while. Then her expression somewhat lost a bit of it's brightness as she tapped Hazel's chest with one hoof and almost growled at the frost-coated stallion.
''I told mah brother and Ah'm tellin' you: Don'tcha use yer fancy mathematics on me! Either way, could ya be a dear and pick up Applebloom from school? Mac and Ah will deal with the rest.'' She turned around and badly hid the slight blush by drawing her hat halfway over her face. The posture was too cute to continue making fun of her.
Hazel just smiled and took flight after giving her a light kiss on her cheek that only served to redden her face even more. He jumped off high into the air, the strong wind brushing back his abnormally long mane, and sailed over to Ponyville's center from where he easily spotted the red rooftop and the ringing of the bell that sat on the school house. The children were already streaming out of the building, gleefully laughing at each other and walking their way towards home.
Hazel landed on a way where, underneath a bridge, a burbling river cleft it's way through the town. He had spotted Applebloom earlier on with two other fillies, a white unicorn with a curly pink and lavender mane and an orange pegasus with lilac mane and tail, whose wings looked almost too tiny to be able to carry her weight during a flight. The three of them where making their way up to him, as Applebloom had already recognized him from afar, but were stopped as two other fillies cut in their path.
''Now, now, look what we've got here, Silver Spoon.'' a bubblegum-pink filly with purple mane that had white strains to it sneered at them and looked at his companion, a gray filly with silver mane and lighter accents to it. Said foal smirked complacently and answered her with an equal sneer. ''Looks like the Cutie-Markless-Crybabies to me, Diamond Tiara.'' she laughed beastly, but was the only one to do so. Diamond Tiara threw a hoof into her own face and shook her head in annoyance before facing the other three again, that had backed off slightly and stuck together back-to-back. They stared intimidated at the bullies but didn't flinch or back off any further.
''Can't you two just cut it out for one single day? You know, it's really getting boring.'' the pegasus had stepped forth and tried to stand her ground.
Easily enough, Diamond Tiara closed the space between them and pulled her head up high in an arrogant manner and grinned at Scootaloo. ''Well, if you could finally get a cutie mark, we wouldn't have to remind you each and every day.'' She whipped Scootaloo's snout with her tail as she turned around and earned a high five from Silver Spoon, while both of them snickered. ''You know, since you're all blank-flanks.'' the last two words were spoken in unison, followed by a choreography of claps, clops and two rumps being stretched into the air.
The three fillies stuck their heads together and quietly endured the humiliation, not honoring them with so much as a quick glance now and then.
''So that means you are just an encouragement for them to keep on seeking for their special talent?'' A deep, sooth voice came from behind the two laughing fillies, undefinable in which emotional state the speaker was, making their heads spin around and drawing their attention to the new arrival. They observed the huge white stallion that came walking over to them and took a quick look onto each other.
''Well,'' the pink foal had spoken, ''you could say it like that, yes.'', she smiled innocently at Hazel. A nod from the stallion followed as he raised, or better, lowered his voice dangerously. ''That is indeed interesting. From where I stood, I could have sworn you were making fun of them and laughed about their lack of a cutie mark. Am I wrong?'' he raised an eyebrow. The two bullies were becoming nervous of the kind, but somehow cold tone of his voice and glanced around every now and then, seemingly seeking for an escape, should the situation get out of hoof.
The increasing awkwardness set the fillies on edge and deprived them of any chances to get out without giving their real intentions to him. Diamond Tiara broke free and took on a huffy face as she stepped up to Hazel, stretching out as far as she could and puffed her chest to compensate what she lacked in size. ''And who are you, if I may ask? Can't remember seeing you around here often.''
What has respect for the elders become?
He smiled predominantly at her and shot her a disapproving look. ''I am currently a guest at Applebloom's house and in charge of her well-being. It occurred to me that you were not being very nice to her and her friends, so it would be very nice of you if you could apologize to them.'' He smiled at them expectantly and waited for them to make their move. Despite his speech, Diamond Tiara didn't seem the least bit intimidated, furthermore she didn't show any sign of rue or anything that goes with it. She just stared at him in disgust, like his order was something way too low for a pony of her stance. She almost brayed as she replied.
''Apologize? To a bunch of blank flanks? They're not worth the effort! They are just a couple of talentless nags and a burden to our society! Either way, my daddy will be buying their barn as soon as he comes back and we'll see who's gonna laugh!'' she had clenched her teeth and stared at Hazel angrily.
Daddy buying the farm? Look who I found. They do not share many similarities, despite their bitchiness. Well, she is going to get a big surprise.
Every tiny feel of regret he could maybe have felt when he had hypnotized Filthy Rich fell off of him as he saw the offspring of this criminal, grinning satisfied inwardly. His expression hardened and he stepped right through them, making his way to the three other fillies that were watching in both delight of Hazel's reprehension and outrage of the cruel words Diamond Tiara had spoken.
He stopped in between of them and shot the pink filly a nasty look. ''I would really like to know which special talent is symbolized by a diamond tiara or a silver spoon. Do you not think it is better to have no cutie mark and a broad line-card of different ways to express oneself than having a cutie mark that shows no talent at all?'' Their jaws dropped and for the first time of the day, Diamond Tiara had no response.
He stepped up to the three giggling fillies and gathered them to walk on, staying behind a little. As soon as the four of them began their walk home, Hazel adjusted his wings and flashed the still shocked foals a glimpse at his bare side, the sharp gasps a melody to his ears.
The way back to Sweet Apple Acres proceeded to be rather uneventfully with Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo parting ways shortly after they had left the school's ground. Applebloom babbled the whole way back about what she had learned in school today and Hazel responded whenever he could catch an opportunity, which wasn't very often. They had almost reached the farm when a sudden wave of tiredness took a hold of Hazel's body and his knees dared to give in. To his reassurance, Applebloom hadn't noticed his faltering.
What in the-? Am I getting weak in my old days at last? No, this cannot be the case. Wait, when did I last spend a night with another mare? And my last meal? Was it... Oh my, it really has been quite a long time now, around two weeks maybe....
Hazel walked on a bit faster to catch up with the light yellow filly in front of him, taking care not to stumble. As quick as the attack had come, it was gone and only left a dull knock in his head. They entered the house and were greeted with the alluring smell of apple-themed dishes. The whole family was already waiting in the kitchen, already having taken a seat and gesturing them to do so as well. Everypony in the room was enjoying their meal, except for Hazel of course who couldn't digest anything else from blood without risking to overthrow and getting sick.
Suddenly, first a loud screech, followed by an even louder crash like breaking branches, echoed through the kitchen. All who were residing in the room stormed outside to see what had caused the ruckus.
Soon Mac had spotted the source of the noise: a multicolor-maned, cyan pegasus mare was dangling from a low branch of a strong apple tree, a few scratches covering her face. She hung upside-down from a branch and struggled to get more branches out of her disheveled mane. She eventually managed to break free and fell down on her back with a dull thud. Applejack galloped over to her and helped her up, giving her a quick check-up to make sure she wasn't injured.
Rainbow smirked and scratched the backside of her head with a hoof. ''Sorry to for blurting in, folks, I just wanted to try out a new move I saw Spitfire pulling off. Guess I still need to practice a bit more.'' Applejack smilingly shook her head and looked her over again. ''Ya got some nasty scratches there, Rainbow, let me get yer some band-aid, or you could risk getting' an even nastier infection. Ask Mac how bad that can be!'' she turned to run back and get the plaster, but Rainbow waved her off. ''Ah, come on, AJ. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger! Either way, it'll just be another scar of awesomeness!'' She smirked confidently again and suddenly shot her head towards Hazel. ''Hey, that brings me to a thought. You must be having tons of scars! I mean you have been fighting all your live if you are the royal guards' supervisor! Wanna compare?''
Hazel sighed and shook his head in an amused manner. ''I think that will not be possible.'' he chuckled.
''And why is that?''
''Well, I do not have any scars.''
Rainbow stared at him in confusion. Was he pulling a prank on her? Rainbow raised an eyebrow and strolled over to him, tapping his chest, shoulders and neck for some evidence of an injury he must have had at some point in his life.
''What? You got some sort of healing factor or something? You are a warrior! Your skin must be covered with scars, there is no way you are completely free of them!'' the blue pegasus' eagerness won the better of her and she searched furiously for the little lines she expected him to have.
But at one point she got too close to a rather private part of his body and Applejack quickly pulled her away from Hazel. ''Keep yer hooves to yerself, RD. He's got none of them scars, and I believe him. Ya know, there is one way how he has no injuries.'' Applejack pushed her away a little further, earning a suspicious glance from her friend. It had taken her a few moments, but as Applejack had put one and one together, she was ultimately sure of her conclusion. Hazel had noticed that, too, and gave her a nod, gesturing her to tell the irritated pegasus her finding.
''He's got no scares because he was never wounded, ain't that right, sugarcube?''
Another nod followed and he watched Rainbow stare at him in astonishment, opening and closing her mouth several times. ''Exactly, no creature has ever managed to land a hit on me. I am, in regard of wounds, a complete virgin. ''Rainbow recalled herself, shook her head and put on the cocky smirk again, that had become her trademark.
''You sure are something, Hazel Eyes. But you know, some day, I will break your record! I will be the first pony to ever punch your face! Just you wait!''
''Up until then, I assume you want to train some more?''
''You betcha! Regular time?''
''If Applejack lets me.'' He shot her a glance and Applejack tilted her head. ''Let you what?'' Hazel smiled at her. ''Oh, right I have not told you; I have been training with Rainbow Dash for quite a while now, but since you will not let me handle chores my way anymore, I have to ask for permission.'' Applejack's eyes narrowed but she gave her permission anyways, as long as he fulfilled his duties with the same quality as ever.
They watched Rainbow fly off with her prismatic streak following her and headed back to the farm. Applebloom jumped around Hazel and grinned gleefully. ''Wow, ya're super strong, super fast and super clever! Is there anythin' ya can't do?''
Hazel tilted his head in deliberation. ''Well, I am a terrible singer.'' All of them laughed and started their work again.
When they had finished with their work of implementing each Zap-apple tree with three baskets, it had become late afternoon and the sun had already passed the horizon to a half. Mac, Granny Smith and Applebloom had just gone back inside the house when Hazel stopped Applejack from doing so as well. She turned around and was greeted by a seductively smiling snow-white stallion, who reached out his hoof in an expecting manner. Cautiously, she raised an eyebrow.
''What's that supposed to be?''
His grin widened as he spoke. ''I want to show you something, will you take my hoof and come with me?''
Still not completely satisfied, she gave her hoof and Hazel pulled her close while rearing up. He positioned one arm around her shoulders as he spun her around and grabbed her lower back with the other. Applejack slung her arms around his neck to not fall down as he took off into the darkening sky.
Hazel carried her over the fields and orchards while pressing her tightly to his chest. Applejack was too surprised to resist and just held on as tight as she could. The speed at which hazel flew made her mane flow in waves and he imagined how they'd look like if she would remove the red band.
''Where're ya taking me?'' She shouted against the wind. He just smiled and made her look herself. Applejack's eyes widened and her grip became a lot tighter as she saw where they were heading. Before them lay the impenetrable green and black of the Everfree Forest, with some gray and white dots piercing through the trees where humongous rocks lay on the ground.
''The Everfree Forest? Are you crazy? It's becoming dark and Ah don't wanna encounter any strange things in these woods!'' she yelled into Hazel's sensible ear. Nothing could betray the confident smile on his lips as just looked deeply into her eyes. ''Oh, Applejack, by now, you should trust me when it comes to taking care of threats. Just have faith in me, I will show you something only few know of.''
She was quiet for the rest of the flight, although her whole body tensed whenever she caught sight of movement beneath the wicked trees. They reached what Hazel had sought for: a small clearing in the center of the forest. A dozen trees made the border of the small plain and soft grass grew around a big rock in the middle of it. Hazel landed and let her down, wandering around in sought of an appropriate spot.
He let himself down at the foot of the bolder and patted the grass beside him for Applejack to rest herself next to him. Still, she was in concern about her environment, but took the offer as she lay down alongside her partner, feeling the gloom that the forest provided her with melt away as she felt his warmth on her side.
''So, what is that special thing you wanted ta show me?'' she blinked up to him and he covered her back with one of his wings.
''Just close your eyes and you will see.''
''What? How can Ah see with mah eyes closed? That makes no sense!''
He chuckled. ''Silly, you do not need your eyes to see. Believe me, you will not regret it, I promise.''
She did as she was told and as soon as the black had darkened her vision, she felt a tender brush against the borders of her mind. She concentrated on the feeling and soon felt the presence of him. He pushed against her inner self, asking for entrance and she granted it to him. His presence flooded her whole thinking and quickly, they were connected on a mental line, knowing whatever the other was thinking. It was the most intense she could imagine, the feeling of the bond between them way more intensively than any physical contact could ever manage to attain.
''Now, is it not better?''
''Ah guess. Ah gotta admit, that really is something special, but you've already done that several times.''
''The mental connection is not what I wanted to show you. It is something different.''
''Now couldya please stop speaking in riddles? Just show me, wouldya?''
''There, there, a little patience. You will see soon enough. But first you need an introduction.''
''An introduction? What for, tell me already!''
''Fine. What if I told you that you can see the life-flames of every creature around you?''
''I'd be mighty surprised, because right now Ah can't see for good!''
''Well, then let me guide you. Just think of taking my hoof and I can make the darkness way more comfortable.''
Again, Applejack did as she was told and grasped for his presence. Her mind was soaked into another darkness, but this one didn't feel as hostile as hers. She realized that she was feeling what Hazel felt and the realization made her nervous.
''So you found out. Good, now we can start. Think of opening your eyes, then you can see life how it really is.''
She did. First, there was nothing, as she had expected, but then, one by one, little sparks ignited in front of her. She turned her head and saw one huge flame right next to her, sparkling and burning and causing a shiver to run down her spine. The black void before her had turned into an ocean of candles and a radiant sun to her side ruled them all.
''What is that?''
''Those, my dear, are lives. Every little star is the essence of a living creature. They surround us each and every day and with enough training, you can even take control of them.''
''That sounds amazing, but Ah don't know if a wanna have that ability.''
''Just because you can, does not mean you have to. Look at Celestia: she could stomp down and enslave her subjects, forcing them to do whatever she wants them to do and nopony could stop her. But she does not.''
She felt a soft kiss placed on her forehead and instinctively leaned in to get the most of it. ''Ya know, Ah'm really glad I've met ya.''
''Me too, Applejack, me too.''
They snuggled up to each other, savoring the warmth and simply enjoyed being together, whilst looking at the light-filled darkness that had lost all of it's gloomyness.