I don't own MLP: FiM

Prologue: A love forever lost

Iron Will was sitting in his spot on the floor. He was reflecting over his life, you see he wasn't always a greedy Minotaur, but a loving Minotaur, one that had a school colt crush on a zebra.

About 20 years ago

A five year old Iron Will was sitting in a corner of the factory that was bare. In came a Zebra he had a crush since he saw her, her name was Zara, she was four years old, she had a short wavy tail, she also had short bangs and short mane, she wore a pink ribbon in her hair that almost reached the floor. Zara barely had any stripes, they were only on her cheeks and two stripes on her legs.

"Iron Will? What're you doing here by yourself? Shouldn't you be working?" Zara's voice was soft and a bit high-pitched, Iron Will started to blush.

"I-i don't want to see my friends get hurt because of me." Iron Will started to cry. Zara didn't know how to respond to emotion like this, ever since she was young she was told to resist the tears that came with pain, it was 'a sign of weakness' her friends and family told her. The only one to not tell her that was Paisley, she always said that 'life comes with pain and sometimes we have to embrace it when we can't take it, crying isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign that you've been strong for too long.' Zara went over to the Minotaur and sat next to him.

"Wh-What are you doing? Are...Aren't you scared of me?" Zara held out her hooves and hugged Iron Will. His stubby horns weren't a problem and his long black hair that almost covered his face were pushed back by Zara's hooves.

"I'd ask you the same thing but, I think I know the answer already. And I think you do too." Zara smiled and Iron Will looked down to the floor. Zara let him go from the hug. Iron Will wiped his tears away and grinned at Zara. She suddenly got up and looked to the small boy.

"Hey! I know! Let's go get a small drink and snack and we'll be best friends! You can join Paisley and I, sound like fun?" the zebra's smile couldn't get any bigger. Iron Will got up and took her hoof.

Present Day

Iron Will looked to his hands and saw how bulky they were, he'd defiantly grown up since the breakout at the factory.

About 15 years ago

Everyday since he was hugged by Zara when he was 5, he'd been trying to get closer to her everyday. He was now 12 and he was getting older and taller.

"Hey!" Zara jump attacked Iron Will in the break room.

"grr."

"What's wrong? Can't handle that I've pinned you down for the, what's it now?...The 425th time, this year?" Zara smirked and she also blushed, she was on top of her own crush, anypony could get the wrong impression. Zara quickly got off the teenaged Minotaur.

"I don't see how that's an accomplishment." Iron's voice cracked on certain syllables, his vocal cords were getting strained.

"Oh, Come on! Just admit that I'm better at you in fighting skills, It'll make it easier on you." Zara smirked but she only meant it to be playful, and to Iron Will it was constructive criticism, just forcing him to get better.

Suddenly there was a big crash, Zara and Iron Will ran towards the balcony that over looked a part of the factory. There were a bunch of Minotaurs standing around a ginormous hole in the wall, The strongest minotaur had black fur, blue hair, and yellow eyes. This Minotaur was Iron Will's father. The minotaurs and a couple of ponies ran out the hole and ran for freedom. One young Minotaur looked to Iron Will on the balcony.

"Hey! Will! You coming? You planned this!" Iron Will looked straight to Zara who was in shock, she just stared at the hole in the wall.

"Zara? Zara, it's not what you think. You could come with us." Zara didn't flinch, she just started to tear up.

"N-no, of course it's not the same. You go be free, I'll stay here."

"Zara."

"Just promise me one thing." Iron Will looked to the zebra "You'll stand up for yourself and other ponies out there, right?"

Iron Will's window of opportunity was closing, fast. Iron Will nodded yes, he kissed her on the cheek and ran down the stairs to the wall and ran out to never be seen again by Zara for 15 years

Present Day

"Mr. Iron Will, sir. You have five minutes." Iron Will waved the pony off and put on his cape that would be taken off anyway. He walked to his spot where he rises from the stage.

"Sir, Were you thinking about 'her' again?" Bleated one of his goat bodyguards.

"Iron Will has enough on his plate as it is, I don't have the time to fawn over Zebras from my childhood." Iron Will then braced himself for the loud cheering and stomping of ponies hoofs. The smoke machine went on, the lights danced around a bit, he rised from the stage and quickly put on his stage face. The goat took off his cape and Iron Will turned around and started his routine.

Hope you like it, More coming soon