((Hey, guys, sorry this one took so dang long, lots of stuff going on. So without further ado, "Iron and the Angel in the Cottage"))
Iron got up and out of bed, he walked out of his house, bracing the cool, early morning air. He immediately took off, flying over the orchard. He took this time to think about the new place he called home. It had been a couple weeks since he'd moved into Ponyville, things had calmed down significantly after that day. Now iron took to early morning flights to clear his head to be ready for the new day. As he flew, he thought I think today, I'll take a different path. And he turned a little south, going toward the "Everfree Forrest" everypony had told him about. They had all said it was dangerous and he shouldn't venture in there, for fear of "Timberwolves" and other terrifying beasts. Now he decided he'd find out what all the fuss was about, he wasn't really scared of much. And so it was that he landed on the edge of the Everfree Forrest. He started to walk down the path, being cautious of the warned dangers. He decided it wasn't all that bad here, sure, it's a little spooky, but not dangerous. Then he heard a low growl, accompanied by a foul stench. He stopped in his tracks readying himself for whatever it was. He turned slowly and carefully, to come face to face with a creature that looked like a very large wolf made entirely of timber. This must be the Timberwolf they all warned me of. He thought. The beast started to advance, slowly. Iron backed away so as not to be too close where the thing could just swing and catch him off guard. He then decided he'd put the thing through it's paces. He broke into an all out run, sprinting away from the Timberwolf, it followed suit, catching up ever so slowly. It didn't seem to be trying, just toying with Iron. He started to use his wings to give himself a boost, leaving the Timberwolf in the dust. Or so he thought, he looked back and the thing was still trotting at speed, catching up just as before. Iron was perplexed, he gave it all he had, going as fast as he could. The creature kept up with ease getting so close now that it could almost bight Iron's tail off. Iron's heart beat fast as a tarin, his blood coursing through his veins like liquid lead. The adrenaline was both exhilarating and frightening at the same time, Iron finally decided he'd give the beast the slip. There's no way this guy can fly. he thought. He took off going up in the air where the wolf couldn't reach him. He hovered a minute, watching the thing trying to find a tree he can climb to get to him. Iron sighed in relief, he began to make his way home That's enough excitement for one day. He chuckled. Just then, it all hit him like a ton of bricks. The adrenaline had worn off, and now he was winded beyond belief. He descended to the ground, resting by a tree just outside the forrest. "Wow." he said aloud "That was fun." both sarcastically, and a little bit not, too. He sat there, breathing heavily for a moment, letting himself catch his breath.
He was just about to leave for home again, when he heard something that caught his attention, he started to walk over toward the sound and suddenly heard the most beautiful voice he'd ever heard, signing in her wondrous voice.
"There's music in the tree tops,
and there's music in the vale,"
He looked around for the source of the angelic melody.
"and all around me, music fills the sky!"
He contented himself to just sit behind a tree and listen.
"There's music by the river,
and there's music in the grass,
and the music makes your heart song in reply!"
Then she started with a series of "Ah's" That made Iron's heart melt. He looked again and saw the most beautifully angelic Pegasus he'd ever laid eyes on, her coat was a light yellow color like daffodils in a field, and her mane was like pink roses, swooping gracefully aside her heavenly face. She had the most beautiful teal colored eyes, like blue diamonds set in marble. She landed from her flying and singing, the animals in the area apparently complimenting her gorgeous voice, for she sat there thanking them saying "Oh you're too kind." and blushing from the praise. Iron wanted to go in and join the animals' praise, he started to move, and stepped on a twig. The Pegasus started and said "Who's there?" cowering behind her animal friends. It pained Iron to see her so scared, he decided he'd show himself, maybe it might put her at ease to see he wasn't a threat. He stepped out from behind the tree and began to speak a little timidly "Hey, I-I'm Iron." he offered "I didn't mean to scare you." His words didn't seem to help, only to make her more frightened. "Ok, I see," he said, looking down in defeat "I know, I'll go." He started to leave "But before I leave, I have to say. That was the most beautiful singing I've ever heard." Then he left, going home.
He sat in his couch, his mind buzzing. Normally his early morning flights would clear his head, but this time, he sat with a million thoughts going through him. Who was that angelic mare? Why did she cower from me? Am I really that scary? I'll never show her my face again, I never want to see her so scared. He began to cry silently, But I do want to see her again. What do I do? He mused. He decided he'd visit the clearing again tomorrow, hopefully, he'd see her again, but he would make sure, this time, she didn't have to see him.
He wiped away his tears, and got himself ready for work. Those clouds won't bust themselves. He joked. All day at work, he kept thinking about that beautiful mare, his work suffering because of it. One of his fellow cloudbusters, Rain Cloud, came over to him to see what was the matter. "Hey, Iron," he called "What's up, you're not doing so hot today, normally this sky would be clear by now, what's wrong?" He landed on the cloud next to Iron. Iron sat next to him, "Nothing's wrong." he said "It's just the opposite." he looked off in the direction of the clearing where he saw the angel.
"Oh, I see what's going on," Rain said, slugging Iron in the shoulder "Iron's found himself a filli friend. I knew it was only a matter of time, didn't I tell you?"
Iron chuckled "Yeah, I guess you did."
"Well, come on, who is she?" Rain pressed "Let me guess. Is it Miss Cheerilee? No, she's not really your type. Um, Rarity. Everypony has the hots for Rarity, right?"
"Rain, you know I'm not in to that kind of pony." Iron said, scolding him.
"Oh yeah, you did say that, huh? Oh, I know Rainbow Dash, it has to be Rainbow Dash, how much you went on that one day about how awesome she was at the best young flier competition. Huh, huh?" he nudged Iron.
"Well, I admit Rainbow is pretty awesome, but not like," he paused, looking off in the distance again "her."
"Well, who is it? I'm outta guesses, tell me." he slugged Iron again
"Well, that's just it, I don't know. I couldn't get her name."
"Aw, that's hard, man, what's she look like? Maybe I know her."
"Well," Iron began, fondly recalling her image "She had a pretty, yellow coat and the most beautiful, rose pink mane, and her eyes, her eyes were a sort of teal color." then the image of her cowering from him came to mind and his face fell.
Rain sat there in disbelief, "Are you telling me that you've fallen for Fluttershy?"
"Fluttershy." Iron said the name, regaining his smile. He vaguely remembered the name, but he couldn't remember where he'd heard it.
"Dude." Rain continued "If you want my advice, find somepony else."
"Why?" Iron said, getting defensive of her "What's wrong with her?"
"Well, she's kind of impossible to reach. You'll spend all your time trying to get close, and she'll just get scared and cower from you. Trust me, I know." Iron's face fell again, as he remembered the terrified look on her face "Yeah," Rain continued "I can see you've already seen it."
"I never want to see her so scared ever again." Iron said, dejected.
"Hey, don't worry, there are plenty other mares." Rain comforted "Tell you what. I'll cover for you, you go take the day off. You could use it."
"Thanks, Rain." Iron started to leave
"And remember, there are plenty other mares, don't waste your time with the impossible." Rain called back.
"Not like Fluttershy." Iron said quietly to himself.
((Wow, Iron is in love with Fluttershy! Who'd a thunk, right? Whats gonna happen next? Is he going to go back to her, or will he take Rain's advice and leave it be? Find out in the next chapter, "Fluttershy and the Grey Stallion"))