Chapter 3

Taking a Stand

Fluttershy finally realized what she had become thanks to Iron Will's lessons about assertiveness. Now she was afraid to go near anypony for fear that her new mean self would cause harm and unkindness.

A few hours later, Neo, Rarity and Pinkie Pie came to Fluttershy's cottage and they saw that the door and windows had been boarded up.

Rarity knocked on the door and said, "Fluttershy, are you in there?"

Fluttershy was inside, but she told them to go away before she hurts them again. She even called herself nasty Flutteshy. Angel even tied himself to a chair.

Fluttershy vowed to never come out of her house again to avoid causing any more misery to her friends and other ponies.

Rarity told her that she wasn't to blame and none of this was her fault, she just got some bad advice from Iron Will. Pinkie Pie even said that there are other ways to assert herself without yelling at ponies and being mean. Rarity said that she can even stand up for herself without being unpleasant. But Fluttershy was too afraid to come out of her house, thinking that she had gone too far with her assertiveness.

Then Iron Will came to the cottage to collect payment after hearing about Fluttershy's new transformation. Rarity and Pinkie Pie tried charming the big blue minotaur into coming back later since Fluttershy was in no condition to deal with him. But Iron Will said he wanted his payment now.

Pinkie tried playing it off saying that Fluttershy wasn't home. Iron Will was willing to come back later and no further, but Pinkie Pie said he would have to wait a full day. Iron Will said he will only wait half a day and no longer. Iron Will and Pinkie Pie argued about that for a minute until Pinkie Pie tricked him into saying he'll come back the next day.

Then Iron Will heard Fluttershy in her cottage, he moved Pinkie Pie out of his way and knocked on the door.

Fluttershy answered and Iron Will said, "You were nothing but a doormat, and Iron Will turned you into a lean, mean, assertive machine! Now, pay Iron Will what you owe Iron Will!"

"No." Fluttershy said quietly.

Iron Will couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Ohhh, I'd hate to be you right now, because Iron Will is gonna to rain down a world of hurt unless Iron Will gets his money pronto!"

Neo was about to step in and defend Fluttershy until she said, "As I recall, during your workshop you promised one hundred percent satisfaction guaranteed, or you pay nothing. Well, I'm not satisfied."

Iron Will was stunned.

"What do you mean you're not satisfied?! Everypony has always been satisfied!"

"Well, I guess I'm the first then," said Fluttershy. "But since I'm not satisfied, I refuse to pay. It's as simple as that."

Iron Will tried to cut a deal with Fluttershy but she said no means no.

"No means no, huh?" said Iron Will. "Nopony's ever said that to me before. Huh... I gotta remember that one. That's a good catchphrase for my next workshop."

Neo was impressed by how Fluttershy stood up to Iron Will. Iron Will finally left and Neo, Rarity and Pinkie Pie came over to Fluttershy.

They congratulated her for standing up to Iron Will. Then Neo said to Fluttershy, "Fluttershy, I'm so proud of how you stood up to that asshole. You really are a woman after all."

"Why thank you Neo." Fluttershy said with a smile, she didn't even gasp at his bad language.

"You know Fluttershy," said Neo. "You may be a shy, sweet pony, but you can tough when you have to be. I just want you to know that you don't any advice on how to be tough from anyone, especially from a man. You don't even need me for that. Just remember Fluttershy, you are a smart, strong independent young mare, and you don't need a man to assert you."

Fluttershy was so touched by Neo's words. She never thought she would hear a lecture like this, especially from a boy. She could see that Neo was a true friend and was huge supporter of feminism. Even Rarity and Pinkie Pie were touched by his lecture.

Fluttershy gave Neo a hug and said, "Thank you Neo. You're a wonderful friend and I love you so much. I'm so thankful to have a friend like you."

"I love you too Fluttershy," Neo replied. "And you're a wonderful friend yourself."

Rarity and Pinkie Pie joined in the hug and they reconciled their friendship. They were happy to know that the real Fluttershy was back and was here to stay. They were still best friends and they always would be.

Then Fluttershy wrote a letter to Princess Celestia about what she learned about standing up for yourself and how to do it without changing who you are.

Fluttershy's flashback ended and she took a sip of her tea.

She said to Neo, "I will never forget those wonderful words you told me. You truly are a wonderful friend. I wish everypony could be like you Neo."

"Thank you Fluttershy, and I wish everypony could be as sweet and kind as you are."

Fluttershy giggled and blushed at his comment.

Then Neo looked over and he saw Angel approaching them.

"Looks like Angel wants some attention," said Neo.

Fluttershy went over to Angel and she gave him a regular salad for him to eat.

At first Angel wouldn't eat it, but Fluttershy wasn't going to give him anything else.

Neo looked down at Angel and said, "Angel, you're gonna have to eat what she gives you this time. Believe me, you don't wanna mess with her."

Fluttershy looked at Neo and said, "It's okay Neo, I can handle this."

Neo went back to drinking his soda and Fluttershy gave Angel the stare. Intimidated by the stare, Angel finally started eating the salad and Fluttershy was proud of herself that she was finally able to show who is boss by just being herself.

Fluttershy may be a shy and sweet pony, but she can be tough when necessary. And Neo loved experiencing the power of feminism.

The End.