The Skies

PROLOGUE

I leaned against the wall, watching as one of my closest friends, my brother, talked with a couple of Mares whom I did not know. He knew not who they were either, but he sure could warm up to them quickly. He sure was a Mare’s Stallion. Lucky him. I didn’t dare speak to one, I was afraid I’d mess something up.

“And that’s IronHide, leaning against the wall, sulking about.” BlackBolt, my friend said loudly, as if to gain my attention. He was speaking with one red Mare and one Blue. The blue seemed to be staring at me, not caring for what BlackBolt was saying at all. She began trotting towards me. I looked away.

CHAPTER 1:

I woke up at 6 PM as usual. Slow and groggy, my hoofs echoing in my apartment on the hollow 3rd floor. I slid into the black bandana I usually wear, and walked out the front of the Apartment complex to find nothing as usual.

Nopony in sight, especially with the thick fog lying in the dark street. Nopony. The cold air rushed around me and through the scars along my back as I walked towards work. I worked at a Loading dock, I tugged whatever was in the crates using a wagon. I did it with no questions, which allowed me into some more secret areas, places where you need clearance. I wasn’t exactly talkative, so it was the perfect position for me.

***

I came across a large crate, it was no big deal for me, I’ve done it before. I looked at the roster on the side of the wagon. Bay F. Closer towards the outside gates. I had another worker help me get the wagon on. Taking off the thing was no problem, getting it on was a different story. I began slowly shuffling my way towards Bay F.

Not 5 feet away, just over the gate I hear, “Iron…. IronHide.” The voice belonged to BlackBolt. He sounded like he was behind the fence, but he was just levitating above it, enough to see me. “Get your ass outta here, we got some shit to do.”

In a Baritone voice I replied, “Like what.” It was more of a demand than a request to know what he had planned.

“Stuff, now get yourself clocked out and let’s get.”

“Fine. Better be worth my time.”

I clock out, it’s a job where they’ll find somepony to take my shift, and do the basic work. I trot out the front gate and meet my friend right by the Security Shelter.

“Where we headed first?”

CHAPTER 2:

Light was pouring in heavily compared to this morning with all the fog and dark skies. The streets were busy with ponies shopping and playing with their Fillies. Me and BlackBolt walked the streets. He was always trying to get me hooked with somebody. It never worked though. I was too quiet, too angry looking. I could have helped it, but I just didn’t care enough. It looks like BlackBolt had scoped out a couple mares. They stood next to each other, laughing. He walked over there, I stayed where I was. I leaned against the wall, watching as one of my closest friends, my brother, talked with a couple of Mares whom I did not know. He knew not who they were either, but he sure could warm up to them quickly. He sure was a Mare’s Stallion. Lucky him. I didn’t dare speak to one, I was afraid I’d mess something up.

“And that’s IronHide, leaning against the wall, sulking about.” BlackBolt, my friend said loudly, as if to gain my attention. He was speaking with one red Mare and one Blue. The blue seemed to be staring at me, not caring for what BlackBolt was saying at all. She began trotting towards me. I looked away.

Still, she moved closer, I looked out of the corner of my eye, seeing the rise and fall of her flank and shoulders as she trotted my way. I couldn’t help but smile, a half smile, so she couldn’t see it.

“Hi, I’m BlueSky. Your friend, BlackBolt, said your name should be IronHide?” She asked shyly, as if I were going to turn and yell at her. I didn’t blame her.

“Thats me.” I replied heavily.

“Well… How are you today?” She sounded interested, but still shy. She was seeing how I reacted.

“Honestly sweetheart, it’s been uneventful. He just dragged me out of work to roam around town with him till he finds some Mare he wants to talk with.” I didn’t try to sound hateful, but the small structured blue pony in front of me looked hurt. It was my tone of voice and my lack of imagination. I lived in a reality and expressed that reality.

“Sorry, that’s my fau-” I stammer, but BlueSky interrupts.

“Sorry for what? You can’t help it. It’s just how you live. I won’t make you apologize for the way you live.” She seemed cheerful and bubbly again.

I almost feel wordless. I thought I had really screwed things over on that one.

“Uh… Uhm. Yeah. I guess.” I slowly say. I didn’t want to leave her hanging there on her reply.

“So what do you do for a living then?” She asks, trying to further the conversation.

“Loadin’ docks. I tug cargo.” I say proudly, trying to sound enthusiastic about my dead end job.

“That would explain your size then. Scars from work? Or did you do something else to gain those?” She asked.

BlackBolt is the only other Pony who knows about my scars. I lie and tell her it was Work. Not all things are meant to be known. Besides, I barely know her.

***

Short notes about the Scars

***

They were burns from a Fire.

I spent hours trying to dig them out.

I’d never see my parents again.

***

“Shit, the scars are from work. It gets interesting sometimes.” I lead her off on a trail away from that question. It was a truth, but not a complete truth.

“What would you think about hanging out some time? You seem alright to me. The whole silent and strong thing attracts me,” She pushes me, but I barely move. She is so… Frail. “I’m kidding. But seriously, about seeing each other. Think it could happen?” She asks. She sounds so hopeful. I can’t deny this offer. Not from this spry, young, Blue mare before me.

“Well I ain’t going to disappoint ‘ya none. I’ll d-”

“Great, then it’s a double date bro!” BlackBolt stood there with RedSky, both seemed close up to each other. They must have been listening “And bro, smooth up a little. Your stiff as Iron. No wonder they called you IronHide.” He joked.

CHAPTER 3:

The date seemed to be going fine. BlackBolt was as smooth as usual. He always knew what to say. He gave the Mares the option to choose the restaurant. They surprised us by choosing their parent’s place. They owned the restaurant, and they were nice ponies. Easy to get along with.

“These are our dates, IronHide And BlackBolt.” RedSky was explaining and introducing me and my friend.  I nodded to the both of their parents and turned to BlueSky. She seemed a more shy than her sister who was so outgoing. She stood almost behind me. I motioned her with my Muzzle to move up to my side. She slowly walked up, and tried to smile. She acted as if her parents would yell at her for bringing a Stallion --- Me --- to meet her parents. She didn’t say anything. Me and her seemed almost a perfect match, but it made me curious as to why she had the courage to ask me on a date.

“IronHide. Interesting name. You look built enough to be as tough as Iron I’m sure.” Commented BlueSky’s mom. (Still don’t know her name.) "I'm sure you're protective too? You radiate a very serious, yet safe attitude." Her mom mentioned.

"How can you tell that?" I ask.

"Quite simple. I work with other ponies constantly. I run a restaurant for Celestia's sake."

"I see. Makes sense though." I try agreeing. Her reasoning was weird.

BlackBolt and RedSky stood by the door. I noticed them Motion for us to leave with them. I had no clue what they wanted to do or where they wanted to go next, but knowing Blackbolt, it was probably going to be interesting.