//------------------------------//
// Filler #2 
// Story: Fangs and Blood and other Things 
// by Kinetic Heat 
//------------------------------//

''I am still not fully convinced of your idea, Applejack. You know, I am not that much of what most ponies would call a 'social guy'.''

Hazel and Applejack trotted side by side along the main street of Ponyville. It was late afternoon when they had set off from the farm and the way into the center of the once so small settlement had taken them half an hour, as they were walking at a leisurely pace and chatting about what came to their mind.

Now that the huge oak tree, which was also the towns library, as well as a certain purple unicorn's home, came in sight, Hazel's discomfiture came to a steady rise. After Hazel had shown her the diversification of life all around them she wanted to do something for him, too. That something was introducing him to all of her friends and every pony in Ponyville. He, of course, was not so pleased with the thoughts of his following exhibition to the towns citizens. 

''C'mon, sugarcube, It'll be just you, me and some of mah friends. There ain't no reason ta be scared! We're all friends here, after all.'' She smiled confidently at him, but the quivering of her lips and the struggle to keep her eyes from pointing into random directions betrayed her encouraging grin. She was a bad liar. Hazel didn't know what he should be expecting, but something told him that this 'little' setup was planned to be a huge 'surprise' party. 

Maybe that something was the hurricane of wild thoughts that were clenched together in one room in front of him. The sensation of such a huge amount of individual minds at one point couldn't be overseen, and he readied himself for the storm of social intercourse that lay ahead. He took a glance towards Applejack. She could barely contain her excitement and clearly had no idea that her little secret was not so secret at all. 

It will be ok, I mean, do it for her and for the others. She made her friends set up this colossal sort-of-welcome celebration, I have to honor for their effort in some way. I just hope they don't ask awkward questions...

The couple reached the horizontally divided door and Applejack slammed her hoof against the wood with her typical vigor, making the knock seem like she would burst down the door even if she wasn't let in. A singing, female voice, that sounded a bid dull because of the door, answered from inside. ''Come in!''

Applejack opened the door, waiting for Hazel to step in first and simply pushed him forward when he hesitated. The first thing that came to notice were the complete darkness they were standing in. One couldn't see one's hoof in front of his face if one were an ordinary pony. Luckily for him, Hazel was no ordinary pony and his eyes cut through the blackness as if the room was lit by a thousand candles. He could easily make out the faces of half of the towns population, who where stuffed together and holding their breaths, trying pathetically to suppress any sound from their breathing. Hazel chuckled inwardly.

Well, they do try their best to surprise me. Guess I will just have to play along...

With a flash the lights were being switched on and Hazel covered his eyes in played surprise of the sudden brightness to look up at the crowd around him that cheered in unison. 

''WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!!!'' The noise from several dozen throats was deafening and managed to make Hazel falter, even though he was completely expecting it. He looked around with his mouth slightly opened and eyes gaping widely, glancing at each pony like he was a delicious prey to them.


''What in the name of Celestia?'' A hundred smiling eyes followed his every move as he carefully stepped around in the main room of the gigantic library, taking in the sight of the social attention he was getting. 

Suddenly a cloud of pure pink brightness flashed into Hazel's vision and blocked his sight on the other guests, that had been starting to pick up a happy chat with others.

He stared into light blue eyes, that reminded him of the glaciers on the top of Mount Unicornia, while being awfully close to his face, despite the fact that he was easily towering over her with at least length of a head ahead. The pink Pony grinned from ear to ear and looked like she was going to explode any second now, while tilted her head. Her voice was a high pitched squeal that followed a sharp gasp as she drew in as much air as her lungs could fit and Hazel had problems with following track as the flood of words broke down upon him.

''Hi there, my name's Pinkie Pie, but just call me Pinkie, everypony does that! Wow, Applejack told me you were big, but I hadn't thought you would be that big! You must be having problems with doors, don't you? Boy, look at that mane! Aren't you stumbling over it all the time? Gosh, I can only imagine how long it must take to dry! By the way, I'm a certified baker and party-planner, so if you wanna try some baked goods or wanna throw a party, I'm your mare!'' The babbling went on, but Hazel couldn't comprehend what that sound was, that seeped out of the pink pony's mouth.

Suddenly an orange hoof wrapped around Pinkie's neck and pulled her away from him, the mass of words not even faltering in the least and she was pushed into a group of other party attendants who looked in surprise at their newest member.His look was drawn towards his gorgeous marefriend, who was followed by four other mares.

''So, ya already met Pinkie, Ah see.'' She winked at him understandingly. Applejack pointed her hoof towards her four companions, starting with a purple unicorn. ''Since ya already know Rainbow Dash, Ah'll introduce yer to my other friends. That's Twilight, she's the smartest pony ya'll ever meet-''

Applejack was shushed as said unicorn raised her hoof to silence her. She smiled knowingly at Hazel, who answered her with a smirk of similar nature, and turned her head at Applejack. ''I think we already know each other as well, although it was only a loose contact.'' She turned back at Hazel and reached out a hoof for him to shake. ''I am truly sorry about our first encounter, I was acting a little off that day.'' Hazel gave a warm smile. ''I do not judge you for that, everypony has a bad day once in a while, that is only naturally.''

''Well, then there's that, alright. Wonder how many of mah friends ya know as well!'' Applejack laughed casually. ''Bet ya don't know her, yet. Hazel, this is Fluttershy.'' Her hoof pointed at a light yellow pegasus whose mane and tail were almost as long as Hazel's. She carefully tip-toed towards him, her pink mane covering half of her face, and shyly reached out a shivering hoof. Hazel tilted his head of her intimidated composure and gently touched the tip of her hoof. As soon as their hooves connected, she withdrew her extended limb and jumped behind a white unicorn with a speed, Hazel hadn't thought for her to be possible, leaving him with a dumb face, while letting out a high pitched ''Eeeeep''.

Applejack rolled her eyes and quickly set on a happy expression again, moving over to her remaining friend. She flicked her hoof towards the white unicorn with the curly, dark purple mane who stepped forth with an elegant trot that witnessed high standards when it came to manners. She reached out her properly manicured hoof to him and gave a somewhat motherly, although coquettish, smile. ''If ya have any requests concerning fashion or other fru-fru stuff, she's ya mare. And Ah think she isn't all too closed about some gossip from Canterlot.'' She winked at him. Hazel tenderly grasped the bottom of the limb and bowed slightly before the fashionista, inching his mouth closely towards her hoof without touching it, only letting a gentle breath from his nostrils move the little hairs above the keratin of her hoof. Rarity blushed, but didn't withdraw, as she saw what he was doing. The others stared at him with surprise and a little bit concern, as they watched Applejack's coltfriend give one of her best friends a kiss to the hoof.   

Hazel stoop up properly again, slowly nodding at Rarity, who returned the nod with a knowing smile. 

''Whoa there!'' the one of a kind pegasus and Hazel's disciple shot the both of them a nasty glance, a cocky smile adorning her mouth. ''You really are a mares man, Hazel Eyes!'' She flew over to him and poked his ribs with an elbow. ''First the farm girl and now the designer! Gotta say, you got a fine taste, but I don't know if she is so pleased with that.'' The last sentence she had said whilst holding one hoof before her mouth and glancing towards Applejack. The mumbling from behind her arm, however, didn't serve its purpose in the least.

''Rainbow Dash! How dare you insult this fine gentlecolt of being a cheater!'' Rarity had raised her chin and was talking in a educational tone to her blunt friend. ''And you others, stop gawping or your jaws will fall down. What you just saw is the proper way of introducing yourself to a mare of high standards, like me, and Applejack,'' she turned her head and smirked at her country friend. ''You can really be proud of him. I know many mares who would give much to be with such a fine partner as him, he really does have fine manners.'' rarity winked at Hazel and he nodded once again with a thankful  expression on his face.

Rarity's speech seemed to have calmed all of her friends, seeing how they looked away into random directions to cover up their poor knowledge of high society, and soon they were doing all the things ponies did on a Pinkie Pie party, like eating cake with delicious frosting, playing pin-the-tail-on-the-poy or just enjoying a dance or two.

Hazel, however, kept himself in the background most of the time, sitting idly by a table of his own, avoiding contact wherever he could and simply watched his new friends have fun. That was until a certain purple unicorn strolled up to him, placing her mug of cider on the table he sat on, and leaned casually towards him. ''So, when are you gonna tell me who or what you really are?'' Her tone was playful, yet piercing and left no doubt that she would not accept to be fooled by any cheap excuses. An awkward silence raised between the two of them as Hazel calculated his possibilities of distracting her with a made up story, but a simple look into her face told him that it would be of no use. He sighed and took on a neutral, yet confused look. 

''How come you think that there is something wrong with me? I am just a permanent guest at your friends house and by coincidence her coltfriend. Is there anything wrong with that?'' 

Her eyelids shut halfway as she examined him thoroughly once more and he noticed her resting her gaze on his flank for quite a too long time than for a quick check up. She came to look directly into his brown eyes again, a sly smile on her face.

''Nothing at all, it's up to Applejack with whom she wants to spend her time. It's just so strange that there is this aura around you which I know just too well. Princess Celestia's magic is upon you, I have studied long enough under her wing to recognize it when it's in front of me. I don't know what spell she's using, but I don't trust you! What are you? A changeling, a terrorist, something even worse?''

Her glance had shifted into a nasty glare as she locked her purple eyes with his and stared inexpiably into his face. ''Furthermore, how come you haven't got your Cutie Mark yet? Even the worst of late bloomers don't reach your age, so what's up with that?'' Hazel kept his iron pokerface up, letting her dagger-firing gaze dribble down on a wall of neutrality and leaned back, taking a closer look onto the unicorn in front of him.

Rather average horn length, sleek neck, slight shoulders and chest. This pony was no fighter, indeed. Her eyes, however, told of overwhelming intelligence and determination. Hazel leaned back, putting his hooves behind his head in a casual manner, while always keeping eye contact with her. When he spoke, his voice was a neutral, yet subtly warning, growl.

''You do not seem to be very stupid, nor are you oblivious to most things around you. Think again, if I were a changeling, why would Celestia let me stroll around so freely? Same goes for your terrorist thesis. As to your Cutie Mark question: I bet, if you really are Celestia's star pupil, she has taught you in mind-breaking and -traveling, did she not?'' His look was a piercing stare that made Twilight shiver, but she didn't dare to look away now. 

She raised an eyebrow and glanced suspiciously at the white pegasus. ''It was one of the first lessons she instructed me with. Why do you ask?''

''How about you take a look inside my brain? But don't wander around too far, you could get lost.'' His grin had turned into a devious grimace and Twilight suddenly felt like the temperature had dropped by a few degrees. The purple mare struggled hard to keep her stance and not simply wince like a foal who's afraid of the dark. This guy had a secret and if he was dangerous, she would be the one protecting her friends.

She swallowed to get rid of the frog that had accrued in her throat and with a last deep look she closed her eyes and sent out her mind to touch his. 





With a sharp gasp, Twilight's mind found itself back in her head, processing what she just saw. He was right, without his guidance, she would have lost herself completely in the centuries he had gone through. It was amazing to see the rise of the empire she was living in with her own eyes. Or, actually to acknowledge it with the help of a certain stallion.

''Okay,'' Her voice was still trembling a little bit, ''I believe that you are not a changeling, nor a terrorist. But those things-'' Twilight shook her head. ''I never thought my teacher could be so...'' She stopped and struggled for words.

''Horny?'' Hazel helped her out, a knowing half smirk spreading his cheek.

Twilight stared at him incomprehensibly, once again an awkward silence arising between them. Suddenly both of them burst with laughter, Twilight's giggles and Hazel's deeper growls drawing them amused looks from the other guests.

The laughter subsided slowly and Twilight held her aching sides while trying not to choke as she gulped down a few mouthful of water to calm her sore throat. She took a deep breath and promptly another one, then settled down and stared with a wry smile at Hazel.

''I was actually saying 'demanding', but I think you found a better term.'' She giggled again. ''You don't like her much, huh?'' 
Hazel sighed. ''It's not like I do not like her, it is more that we have different points of views when it comes to making decisions. Do not get me wrong, she is indeed a great monarch and the best that could happen to Equestria, but-'' He looked away and fell silent for a short moment. ''Although I do not go off in flames and turn to ashes when the light of her sun touches my coat, I still am a creature of the night. She is my master and I owe her my loyalty in any case, but that does not imply that I have to come along with her very well. Princess Luna, on the other hoof...'' A sly grin dragged itself onto his muzzle as he thought about the younger one of the Celestial Sisters. 

Twilight tilted her head. This guy was certainly not what she had expected, but she was sure that he would never hurt any of her friends, and of what she had seen, she imagined him to be a worthy opponent for a regal party of chess, if not a help in her studies. 

Suddenly, a lilac claw interrupted her train of thoughts and she looked down onto her assistant, who was showing great concern, seeing how he fidgeted with his fingers and the frown that lay on his forehead. His anxiousness spread over to Twilight and she looked around in the library, though she couldn't make out the source of his discomfort. She stood up and walked over to his side. ''What's the matter, Spike? Is somepony causing trouble?'' 

Spike's gaze traveled from her to the white pegasus behind her, his attention shifting for a brief moment. ''Spike, pay attention, please!'' Twilight's voice made him turn his look again. ''It's Rainbow, she had a few too many cups of hard cider and now she's blabbering around and challenging everypony she sees to a one-v-one hoof fight!'' Twilight looked at the small purple dragon and facehoofed; she rubbed one eye with her hoof and then went off to rebuke her boozed friend. She had taken a few steps when she turned around once more. ''I almost forgot. Hazel, this is Spike, he's my assistant and was going for some grocery. Spike, this is Hazel Eyes, why don't you two have a little chat and get to know each other. By the way, Hazel, Spike's absolutely trustworthy, he deserves to know.'' She winked and was gone in the crowd.





''Do not worry, she will realize in time what a great drakefriend you can be, it just takes some time.'' Hazel gave Spike an encouraging smile of the warmest kind he was able to. The green scales on the sides of his head turned a light shade of red at hazel's words. ''You really think that'll ever happen? It's like I'm just air for her, she doesn't even recognize me!'' He leaned his head on his claws, grasping for the mug of cider that Twilight had left there. As soon as his claws had wrapped around the handle, something big and heavy pressed his arm firmly to the table. ''Don't. Drinking is no solution. If you really want some tips, listen up here.'' Hazel withdrew his hoof from Spike's hand when he let go of the cider. His ears perked up in anticipation.

''First off, Rarity is a lady, that means she would not go out with somepony beneath her standards. These standards incline finest manners, which you, as a former citizen of Canterlot possess. Be the noble gentledrake you always are, open the doors for her, offer her a seat and just stay as kind as you are. That is all you need to know. Simple, is it not?''

The corners of Spike's mouth fell down low and he looked at the frost coated stallion in disappointment. ''That's all there is?'' Hazel only nodded. He sighed as if he wasn't wiser than before. ''Man, I don't get this thing with love and stuff. All those romance books I read when Twilight didn't watch, always told a story of some handsome stallion that rescued the mare and in the and they just came together somehow.''

Hazel snickered. ''Oh Spike, there is so much you have to learn. Those books are written by escapist ponies who just write down their imagination of how they wished their relationships would have worked out. Do not have too much faith in them, or you will only have a sore heart. Find your own way and stay the way you are. If she does not take you how you are, then you are not meant to be together.'' Hazel's advice made him sigh, but after he had taken a deep breath, determination shone brightly in his green, reptilian eyes. ''Ok, you're an expert after all. One or two questions I may ask you though?'' Spike's scales turned red again. ''Sure thing, ask ahead.''

''How many mares did you get laid in your life?'' Hazel raised an eyebrow. ''So this is the way this conversation shall go from now on?'' Spike bit his lip in embarrassment, but Hazel just let out a growling snicker.

''Hm, let me think. Since I awoke around one thousand and three hundred years ago, when we take the word mare, and I had a little play time every three days, that makes around one hundred sixty thousand mares. Roughly. Maybe fewer.'' Spike's mouth opened of the sheer number he was presented. He shook his head and chewed a few times before asking his second question.

''Ok, that's a pretty large number. So are there any special spots on a pony's body that makes them.... you know...''

Hazel snickered again. ''Those spots are called erogenous zones and every race has their individuals. But may I ask you a something. How old are you to ask this kind of questions?''

The dragon fidgeted his claws again and mumbled something under his breath, but because of Hazel's superior hearing he could understand him without any problems.

''Fifteen years? Boy, you are going to go far. Well Pegasi have very sensitive wings, the spot where the bones collect with the joint,'' He spread one of his wings and pointed out the spot. ''hold a huge amount of nerves. Earth-ponies have almost the same amount at the beginning of their tails. If you tug hard enough, then it sends down a quite impressive sensation up to their brain. Unicorns can feel-''

Before he was finished a voice from behind him called his name. He turned around to see Twilight trotting towards him, her face in a deep frown. Something has gone terribly wrong, there was no doubt about that.

''Oh, dear, what did Rainbow do?''

''She wouldn't come to her senses! She's battling everypony to a duel and when Applejack volunteered, she had no chance.'' Hazel's eyes widened.

''Wait, Applejack fought Rainbow Dash?''

''Yes, she did, and it didn't look well for her. Rainbow is too fast, by Celestia, she was pulling tricks I never saw her doing! Now she demanded to fight you! Please, put an end to this, I can't-''

A cold breeze let Twilight's mane flow as Hazel rushed past her towards the center of attraction. There, among a circle of spectators, lay Applejack on her back, holding her arm, a small rivulet of blood come from her mouth and nose. On the other side stood a multicolored pegasus, a triumphant smirk on her face. As soon as she noticed Hazel her smile grew even wider.

''Hey, look who's showing his hoofsome face in the ring.'' Twilight's judgment didn't really apply to Rainbow's composure. Yes she was a little tipsy, but not as drunk as the purple unicorn had made him think. He looked over to his injured marefriend, who looked back in grim defeat. She nodded at him.

Hazel could feel the rage boiling up in him. Only with great effort, he managed to not yell at his apprentice. ''Rainbow Dash, I cannot believe you did this.'' His voice was deep growl. ''I am very disappointed in you, I taught you these techniques so you could rise above yourself! Not only have you dishonored my scholarship, but also have you abused my teachings to bring harm to my beloved! You are acting this way because you had a few too many drinks, quit this foolish behavior and we can all settle this down. Or you can keep on challenging me and therefore I expel you as my disciple, the choice is yours.''

In the silence that followed, one could have heard a needle fall to the floor. Suddenly the silence was broken by a fit of laughter, coming from the mouth of the very pegasus. After she was done she stared bluntly at her former teacher.

''Well, ain't that just too fucking cute? I don't need yer teachings anymore, I'm the best fighter in Equestria! Hey, come here, today is the day, I will break your flawless uninjured-ly spree!'' She fell lowly into a fighting stance.

Hazel's eyes shot daggers. ''You are not the strongest fighter in Equestria. You just a very overestimating, drunk mare. I give you a last chance, stop it and calm down.''

Rainbow remained were she was staring at her mentor. Then, in the blink of an eye, she shot forward into Hazel's direction, aiming a hoof onto his face. The alcohol slowed her movement and he had not the slightest problem to dodge her attack.

Hazel gave her a push with his shoulder  as she landed next to him, sending her tumbling away from him. He flicked his mane and locked his eyes with hers. ''I offered you a peaceful solution not once, but twice; now it is time for you to learn exactly how far our skill levels differ.''

Hazel reared up on his hind legs, spreading them a little for better balance, and put one hoof before his body, stretching it towards Rainbow and held the other one behind his back. The audience, mostly the female part, let out sharp gasps as the skin on his chest and belly tautened and revealed the rock-hard muscle-packs beneath the white fur. ''There is so much you still have to learn.''

The smile on Rainbows face had vanished and she fell low into her former composure, readying herself for the fight. 

The moment Rainbow's hooves left the ground, Hazel fell into a deeper state of mind. Everything around him happened like in slow-motion, be it the blinking of Pinkie's eyelids, the small drops of sweat on Twilight's forehead or the moving of Spike's larynx as he swallowed. Rainbow's leg was floating towards him with incredible slowness, and Hazel had all the time he needed to think about what was going to do to counter her.