This is the 23rd chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Putting Your Hoof Down
"Lunch time. Who's hungry?" Fluttershy announces inside of her cottage as she rang a bell and several creatures came inside, chatting about as she and Winter Breeze dumped a large pile of animal feed into a rug.
The animals wasted on time swarming a pile of food.
"Plenty for everypony." Fluttershy said.
While the animals started competing with each other, the white mouse knocked the bunny out.
"Slow down, sweetie." Fluttershy said.
The animals stared at her for a few seconds before they continued to compete with each other for their share of food. Then, the white mouse jumped, grabbed the box, and about to dump the contents when Winter Breeze grabs hold of it with a stern glare. The white mouse was about to grab it again, which Winter Breeze cleared her throat.
"Excuse me?" Winter Breeze said sternly.
The white mouse chattered nervously, joins with the animals to eat the animal feed. Fluttershy smiles at her daughter, feeling proud of her being assertive when it's interrupted by Angel started thumping his foot on the floor impatiently and glaring at her while standing next to an empty bowl.
"Here you go, Angel Bunny." Fluttershy said as she filled it with animal feed.
Angel kicked the bowl into the air, so it landed and spilled on Fluttershy's head. Fluttershy just remove the bowl from her head as Angel continued to glare and thump his foot on the floor impatiently.
"Okay, Mr. Picky-Pants, you win." Fluttershy said with a smile as she flew towards the bowl of salad, set it next to the bunny. "Carrots, lettuce, and apples, yum-yum-yum!"
Angel grabbed the bowl, sniffed the contents and tossed aside. Fluttershy and Winter Breeze were left stunned.
"What?! But..."
Angel picked up a slice of cucumber, took a bite when his face turns green and pretended to pass out. He was holding a flower as it he has gone to the afterlife. Winter Breeze knows very well that Angel is just making an excuse and wanted something else.
"Well then, what will you eat?" Fluttershy questions.
Angel then rushed into the kitchen and grabbed the cookbook. He then opened the book to Fluttershy and Winter Breeze a rather extravagant salad.
"I'm not sure I can even make that." Fluttershy said honestly as Angel glared at her and slapped the page with his paw. "Well...I don't want you to starve...Oh, are you sure I can't tempt you with a nice piece of crisp-"
Angel smacked the piece of lettuce from her hoof, then slapped her in the face, followed by shoving the cookbook into it.
"I'll make your special recipe." Fluttershy conceded with a sigh as she started reading what she needed.
Winter Breeze couldn't but rolled her eyes of Angel's antics, which she knows that the bunny is spoiled and a bossy to her, but asking her to get the recipe is too much and it crosses the line.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I use to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know all you're my best friends?
It wasn't long before Fluttershy and Winter Breeze were walking around the market district in Ponyville.
"Hmm, let's see." Fluttershy pondered aloud as she examined her grocery list. "Asparagus."
She and her daughter headed casually toward the stand where the asparagus were being sold. They're only a few feet away when a mare named Lucky Packard cut them off.
"Hey, Mrs. Packard, you stepped in front of us!" Winter Breeze said in annoyance when Lucky turns to them.
"Sorry, didn't notice you two there." Lucky said rather rudely.
"You did that on purpose!" Winter Breeze remarked. "We were here first! And we're trying to get some stocks of asparagus!"
"Well, you should've wait in line." Lucky told her, handed a vendor a bit for a bundle of asparagus.
"Funny, I should say the same thing to you." Winter argued when Fluttershy pulled her daughter away.
"I'm sorry, don't what came over her." Fluttershy apologize nervously.
Lucky Packard just rolled her eyes and left while Winter Breeze pays the vendor a bit for a bundle of asparagus.
"Winter, why are you being so mean to her?" Fluttershy asks to her daughter.
"It's not me that I was mean, it's that Mrs. Packard is being rude to us." Winter Breeze told her when an elder pony named Geri paid a bit for the asparagus. "Not to mention that she's the one who cuts in line."
Fluttershy knows that she made a valid point when Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Mario, Kronk, Rose Lotus, and Golden Charm had arrived the scene, heard everything.
"She has a point, you mustn't let them treat you that way." Rarity said sternly as she walked up to Fluttershy and Winter Breeze with the rest of the ponies.
"And ponies wonder why teenagers behave so badly and get away with it." Mario muttered, shaking his head.
"Oh, it's-it's really no big deal." Fluttershy said dismissively.
"It's bigger than big." Pinkie Pie retorted as she gave Fluttershy a glare. "It's double big. You're a pony with a problem."
"What problem?" Fluttershy asks innocently, causing the foals to sigh in annoyance.
Pinkie Pie and Rarity exchanged looks and gave each other a nod. They then looked at Mario, Kronk, and 3 foals, who just gave a quiet nod in agreement. Pinkie Pie then turned Fluttershy around then ran past her, making her spin as she fell down.
"Oh, go right ahead Pinkie Pie. You first." Fluttershy said quickly.
"Right there!" Pinkie Pie exclaims, still glaring as she poked Fluttershy's forehead. "That's the problem."
"You've got to stop being such a doormat." Rarity said.
"A doormat?" Fluttershy repeats.
"Basically, a push over, lass." Golden Charm told her. "You just gotta stand up for yourself."
Winter Breeze was heading her way to the tomato stand as she takes a whiff of them which Roma noticed it.
"What are you doing, young filly?" Roma asks with a glare.
"I'm smelling the tomatoes, making sure it's fresh." Winter Breeze said, smelling it. "Fresh batch?"
"Yep, they came this morning." Roma answered. "Fresh and ripe for the picking."
Winter Breeze then picks up three tomatoes for two bits, pays it to her.
"Now that I think about it, how did you learn which tomatoes were fresh?" Roma asks when the Icelandic fillies expression turns to sad.
"I used to watch somepony make tomatoes where I was from." Winter Breeze answered. "That was long ago."
Winter Breeze then left the stand which Roma notice the look on her face, the Mane 5 and the 2 foals can tell it had something to do with her old homeland which they can feel her pain.
"Remembering of your time in Iceland?" Fluttershy asks, earned a nod from her. "Winter, we understand how you feel, but you don't have to worry. Your old parents wanted you to be happy and I know they are very proud of you."
Winter Breeze smiled at that as she hugs her mother. However, the Mane 4 and 2 foals notice something was off when she saw a sign of a tomato that costs two bits, but Winter Breeze already paid for it. Pinkie Pie decided to teach Fluttershy how to be assertive as she walks toward the tomato stand.
"What do you think you're doing?" Pinkie Pie asks angrily.
"Mindin' my own business, maybe you should try it." Roma said rudely.
"Yeah, you'll have much better luck asking Pinkie not to smile." Kronk remarked, stood next to them.
Rarity just smirked at the joke as Pinkie Pie just glared at Roma.
"Two bits for tomatoes is outrageous." Pinkie Pie protested, pulled one bit from her. "One bit is the right price."
"Now you wait a minute! That young filly already paid those!" Roma argued, pulled the extra bit back to her. "Two bits is the price."
"One bit!" Pinkie Pie said, pulled the extra bit back.
"Two bits!" Roma said, pointed at the sign.
"One bit!" Pinkie Pie retorted, holding a sign she'd made out of the blue.
"Two bits!" Roma shouted, pulled the extra bit to herself.
"One bit!" Pinkie Pie shouted back, slammed a fore-hoof on the table.
"Two bits!" Roma shouts back, slamming her fore-hooves on the table.
Fluttershy peeked up from the background to watch the two mares haggle.
"Here comes the jackhammer." Mario whispered quietly to her.
"Two bits!" Pinkie Pie said, tried to move the extra bit back to her but faked her.
"One bit!" Roma shouted and pushed the extra bit back to her, just like Pinkie Pie had hoped would happen.
"Two bits!"
"One bit!"
"Two bits!"
"One bit!"
"I insist it's two bits or nothing!" Pinkie Pie snapped as she lay her head against the counter.
"One bit and that's my final offer!" Roma yelled.
"Have it your way, one bit it is." Pinkie Pie said before taking the extra bit as she and Fluttershy took off in a hurry.
Roma smiled and went to pick up a single bit. She blinked and realized she'd been tricked. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and the foals giggled while Kronk and Mario chuckled in amusement.
"See?" Pinkie Pie said. "That's not hard for being assertive, is it? Asserting yourself can be fun!"
"I guess you're right." Fluttershy said with a smile.
"So, Fluttershy, do you feel like giving it a try?" Rarity asked.
"Um...okay." Fluttershy said and then gasped when she saw that the cherry stand only had one cherry left. "I need that cherry."
She then rushed over to the seller, who was named as Crafty Crate.
"Boy, am I glad you have one cherry left." Fluttershy said. "You see, I'm making this special meal for my bunny Angel. He's a very picky eater and the recipe calls for a cherry on top."
Fluttershy then put a bit on the counter when Crafty Crate just looked at her.
"So, you said you need this cherry very badly?" Crafty Crate asked which Winter Breeze can tell something shady about him and not liking where it's going.
"Oh, yes." Fluttershy replied. "I'm desperate for it!"
"Then, it'll be ten bits!" Crafty Crate told her.
"Ten?!" Fluttershy exclaims in shock, as well as her friends and her daughter.
"Oh boy, this won't end well." Mario groans, turned away while slapping his face in annoyance.
Pinkie Pie and Rarity were about to gestured for Fluttershy when Kronk tossed a small bag which it got their attention.
"Here's your ten bits. Now, hand over that cherry to Fluttershy here." Kronk said with a glare.
"Sold!" Crafty Crate replied, takes the bag and gave the cherry to Fluttershy.
"You and Winter better go so he doesn't ask for the cherry back." Kronk suggested with a smile.
Fluttershy and Winter Breeze then left the market as Kronk and the other ponies walked away.
"Kronk, darling, why did you do that? You know it's pricey." Rarity told him, confused.
"Oh, he didn't get the bits. I made something in case I run into somepony shady." Kronk informed her.
"Easiest bits I made." Crafty Crate said with a chuckle as he tasted on one of the gold bits which was made of wood. "What?!"
Soon, he found a note from Kronk that he left for him.
'Nice try, but I saw you sold some customers one gold bit each and you had this hair-brained idea to charge nine bits more. So, I gave you wooden coins instead, and stop changing the price or the Princesses will hear about this.'
Soon, Crafty Crate was scared as no pony would ever caught him before until now.
"Why did you want the cherry?" Mario asks.
"Oh, I wanted to give Angel he really wanted a special recipe for today." Fluttershy answered. "I can't let Angel starve. He won't eat unless I make it just right."
"That bunny has gotta learn that you aren't going to cater to every little petty need." Mario said sternly. "I know you love your bunny, but he shouldn't be taking advantage of you like this. You're the parent after all."
"I know, but it's hard." Fluttershy said dejectedly.
While Fluttershy and Winter Breeze leaves, Mario is starting to have a memory. As Fluttershy and Winter Breeze were walking away, he saw his younger self walking in a neutral state. Then some bigger colts ran by, taking his saddle bags. Younger Mario couldn't help but sigh in annoyance since he knows that some ponies just won't learn as he uses his nature element to ensnare the colts with vines. Mario got his saddlebags back and stared them down with calm, yet angry look on his face as they cower back in fear before he walks away.
Mario shook his head when Pinkie Pie waved across his face.
"Mario?" Pinkie Pie said curiously. "Are you having one of those flashback moments?"
Mario then snapped out of his thoughts.
"Yeah." Mario replied.
"Was it really bad when you lost Bolobo?" Rose Lotus asks with worried look.
"Yeah, but I learned from Master Wu that I can't let anger cloud my judgment. And it's when I just didn't want to talk to anypony that would tear me down." Mario answered with neutral look.
Back at the cottage, a grey goat was leaving the house, giving off a bleat as he crossed the bridge from the inside. Inside, Angel was tying a napkin around his neck as he sat by a fancy table with a checkered table cloth and a candlelight.
"Ta-da! Here you go, Angel." Fluttershy said as she presented the bunny a completed masterpiece.
Angel licked his lips and started eating the whole thing as he was satisfied, but now he wanted another one. Winter Breeze then had enough as she gets into Angel's face.
"Angel, you get what you get. And you're not getting any seconds." Winter Breeze said sternly. "You only get one meal and nothing else."
Angel just glares at her which the Icelandic filly glares back, but the bunny is throwing a tantrum. Winter Breeze then uses 'The Stare', making Angel freeze before he decided to leave the room.
"Look at me...I really am a doormat." Fluttershy said with a sigh, then turns to her daughter. "Even Winter learns how to stand up to herself."
Fluttershy walks out of the cottage to collect the mail from the mailbox, but notice a brochure as she reads it.
"'The incredible Iron Will turns doormats into dynamos.'" Fluttershy said, reads out loud. "'Assertiveness seminar today, hedge maze center.'"
After what happened today, she narrowed her eyes since she's ready to admit that enough is enough.
"As Celestia as my witness, I'm never gonna be a pushover again." Fluttershy again.
Later that day, several ponies are gathering at the center of a hedge maze for the seminar. A white goat and grey goat were standing just outside the entrance to the central area wearing headsets. Fluttershy timidly poked her head inside to look around while Winter Breeze just simply walk past the goat and her mother followed her, made their way inside of the hedge maze.
"Oh! Ah! Uh...excuse me." Fluttershy said as she timidly squeezed herself between the two ponies at the very front of the gate and gave a light squeak. Those around her glared and then...
THWACK!
Fluttershy was sent to the back of the group, next to her daughter.
"Um, are you sure you want to do this?" Winter Breeze asks as Fluttershy stands up. "I don't know about this 'Iron Will' guy, it might be something shady."
"I'm sure, and I think it's time that I can learn how to be assertive." Fluttershy answered with a small smile.
Winter Breeze isn't sure about this when the sound of music was heard, a goat bleat was also heard as it activated a smog machine, then another goat activated a spotlight as a shadow appeared wearing a cape. Another goat came to remove the cape, revealing a minotaur with grayish cobalt blue on the upper body and dark grayish cobalt blue on the lower body wearing a black tie around his neck as he shadow boxed for the ponies and fireworks went off around him. The ponies started to cheer and stomp their hooves excitedly. Fluttershy struggled to see what was going on as the minotaur flexed his large muscles and kissed them.
"Welcome friends." The minotaur greets, pacing around the stage. "My name is Iron Will, and today is the first day of your new life! I wanna hear you stomp if you're tired of being a pushover!"
Iron Will raise a hand to his ear as the ponies all cheered and stomped excitedly. Fluttershy continued to struggle to watch from the back.
"Stomp if you're tired of being a doormat!" Iron Will said as he twinkle-toed across the stage from right to left and the ponies stomped and cheered excitedly.
"Stomp if you wanna pay nothing for this seminar!" Iron Will said as he twinkle-toed across the stage from left to right.
The ponies stomped and cheered excitedly, but then they realized when he said and stopped. They looked at each other in confusion for a moment but then started to laugh. Iron Will gave them all a stern glare, making the ponies stop laughing at him.
"That's no joke, friends." Iron Will said. "Iron Will is so confident that you will be 100% satisfied with Iron Will's assertiveness techniques, that if you are not 100% satisfied, you. Pay. Nothing. But I pity the fool who doubts Iron Will's methods! You don't doubt me, do you?"
Iron Will got into the face of a nearby stallion named Meadow Song.
"Uh-uh, no sir!" Meadow Song said nervously as the rest of the ponies surrounding him, nodded in agreement.
"That, my friends, is your first lesson." Iron Will said as he stands on the two heads of the goats. "'Don't be shy, look them in the eye.'"
The ponies smile and began to chatter each other, except for Fluttershy and Winter Breeze, who felt like an outsider for the moment as she tried to feebly make eye contact before she went back to watch Iron Will from the back. Winter Breeze, however, can hear what Iron Will told the ponies of how to assertive which it's only half right and half wrong.
"Now, to demonstrate that Iron Will's techniques will work for anypony, I'm gonna need a volunteer." Iron Will said.
Several ponies their hoof to be chosen as the two goats began to scan the crowd. It was then the white goat saw Fluttershy trying to squat to the ground and hide when the grey goat gave a bleat to Iron Will, informing him about her.
"You in the back row!" Iron Will announced as the ponies split down the middle to reveal Fluttershy and Winter Breeze.
"Who, me?" Fluttershy asks timidly.
"Yes, you!" Iron Will said firmly. "Iron Will wants you on stage!"
"Uh, well..." Fluttershy said, hesitated with a gulp.
"Now!" Iron Will shouted.
"Okay." Fluttershy conceded with a whisper as she headed towards the front of the stage, but headed around the group of ponies despite the fact they'd split down the middle to offer her a faster path.
Fluttershy had gotten into the stage when the white goat stood in front of her. Fluttershy tried to go around him, but the goat kept getting in front of her.
"Whoaa!" Iron Will said in a dramatic tone. "He's blocking your path. What are you going to do about it?"
Winter Breeze then watches what her mother would do, but knowing her, she'll try to be polite which Iron Will says otherwise.
"Um, politely walked around him?" Fluttershy guessed.
"No!" Iron Will said.
"Gingerly tip-toe around him?"
"No!"
"Go back home and try again tomorrow?"
"No!" Iron Will snapped. "'When somepony tries to block, show them that you rock!'"
Iron Will didn't hesitate to raise his voice at Fluttershy, making her mane flow in the wind as he used a finger to flick her flank, making her jump forward and knock the white goat out of the way and onto his back. Fluttershy was a bit dazed from the collision but recovered quickly. Winter Breeze knew that something was off about him, she can tell that it wasn't about being assertive, he's just using that as an excuse to make her or anypony become the bully.
"Oh! Sorry." Fluttershy said.
"Don't be sorry! Be assertive!" Iron Will said as he got into the face of a goat. "'Never apologize when you can criticize!'"
He then cleared his throat.
"Why don't you watch where you're going!?" Iron Will shouted. "Now you try."
Winter Breeze can tell that it's not how you say that to a goat, which she knows it's wrong in many ways. Fluttershy hesitated for a moment before approaching the white goat.
"Uh...next time, get out of the way before..." Fluttershy stuttered, trying to find her words and be assertive. "I bump, 'cause...I totally won't be sorry when I do!"
Fluttershy flinched away a bit and was unsure if what she did was correct, causing Winter Breeze to face-hooved her forehead. Iron Will got bits in his eyes as he smiled excitedly. He quickly grabbed one of Fluttershy's fore-hooves and lifted her into the air.
"You see my friends?!" Iron Will said. "If my techniques can work for this shy, little pony, then they can work for anypony!"
The rest of the ponies cheered excitedly. Fluttershy just looked at the cheering crowd before smiling excitedly. She just might have found the answers to her problems. Winter Breeze, however, doesn't like the method Iron Will uses which it may get her to be assertive, but it'll also get her to be worse.
The next morning, Fluttershy was standing before her mirror with the brochure to the seminar clipped on it. Some of her animal friends were watching there for her, especially Winter Breeze.
"Okay, I feel good." Fluttershy told herself. "I'm ready to 'attack the day' as Iron Will says."
Fluttershy then walk towards to her daughter, who's really skeptical about Iron Will.
"Winter, are you ready to go?" Fluttershy asks with a smile.
"I am, but, Mom, I don't know about this. But don't you think his method is over the top?" Winter Breeze inquires. "I'm not asking to get you upset, I'm just worried about this."
Fluttershy can understand of what the Icelandic filly is telling her, which she did hear everything of Iron Will's method of being assertive.
"I understand how you feel about Iron Will, but...I just don't want to be a doormat and with his method, I might have found my answer." Fluttershy said, nuzzling her cheek. "Now, why don't we go out and meet our friends at Sugarcube Corner. We can tell them about Iron Will."
Winter Breeze still doesn't know about it, but decided to see if her mother can use Iron Will's method of being assertive as she nods. Fluttershy and Winter Breeze headed toward the front door as their animal friends waved them goodbye and good luck. As Fluttershy and Winter Breeze made their way outside, they noticed Mr. Greenhooves watering the flowers. Though, he was overflowing the flowers and not paying attention while humming to himself.
"Excuse me, Mr. Greenhooves." Fluttershy called him. "But I-I think you might be overwatering my petunias...again..."
"Let the professional handle it." Mr. Greenhooves said dismissively with a chuckle.
Fluttershy turned to walk away when she remembered when she'd learned about being assertive as she narrowed her eyes. Winter Breeze can tell about that look, which she's not liking what Fluttershy's planning.
"'Treat me like a pushover, and you'll get the ones over.'" Fluttershy said to herself.
She then slammed a fore-hoof over the hose to prevent the water from flowing over it. It got Mr. Greenhooves confused, shook the hose and then looked at the nozzle to see why the water wasn't coming out. Fluttershy then removed her fore-hoof, allowing the water that had been building up to come out of the nozzle with a massive splash. Mr. Greenhooves coughed and spluttered from the sudden water blast.
"Well, perhaps that is enough water." Mr. Greenhooves said feebly.
"Thank you." Fluttershy said indignantly as she and Winter Breeze made their way across the bridge before giggling with glee. "I can't believe it worked."
"Yes, but...there are other ways to stop him overwatering the flowers." Winter Breeze told her.
"Oh? Like what?" Fluttershy asks.
"Turning off the water hose and tell him he's overwatering the flowers again, so he'll leave." Winter Breeze explains which Fluttershy understands what she's telling her, but pondered a bit. "Now that I think about, maybe we should buy a watering can, so we water the flowers on our own."
"I'd like it very much." Fluttershy said with a giggle as she and Winter Breeze made their way into town.
Meanwhile on one of the bridges, Bon Bon and Cherry Berry were pulling two carts loaded with stinky garbage. They'd stop moving to have a conversation with each other right in the middle of the bridge.
"Showpony business is tough." Cherry Berry said to her.
"Go ahead, try one of the jokes on me." Bon Bon said. "I laugh at everything."
"Okay, okay, okay." Cherry Berry said. "A donkey and a mule are stuck on a desert island..."
As Cherry Berry began telling her joke, Fluttershy and Winter Breeze had arrived to cross the bridge. Fluttershy was about to get their attention when Winter Breeze stops her, it got her attention when the Icelandic filly gestured her to fly over since they've got wings. It didn't take long for Fluttershy to figure it out as she nods. Both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze flew over the two mares, while making their way toward Sugarcube Corner.
Fluttershy and Winter Breeze then arrived at Sugarcube Corner, but noticed that there's a long line of ponies waiting to make a purchase.
"Who's next please?" Pinkie Pie said since she and Rose Lotus were handling the sales for the day. "And what can we get you for today?"
Fluttershy then felt somepony tap her shoulder, which Winter Breeze notice Shoeshine was behind them and causing her to glare sternly. Fluttershy turns around and saw Shoeshine, who's trying to cut in line.
"What are you trying to do?!" Fluttershy demanded. "Are you trying to cut in line?!"
"Uh...maybe..." Shoeshine said nervously, gulped.
"Well, you're gonna have to stay in line like the rest of us." Fluttershy remarked sternly.
The other ponies in front of her looked back, surprised that Fluttershy is being assertive and impressed that she stood up to herself. After a few minutes later, the rest of the ponies were able to get the purchase along with Shoeshine. The Mane 5 and the 3 foals were at the table.
"Heyyy, look at you!" Pinkie Pie said, impressed as Fluttershy smiled.
"Oh, your attitude is so feisty, it's fabulous." Rarity said.
Mario and Kronk, however, was feeling a little uncertain about this.
"Yeah, it's good to see you take charge of situations, Fluttershy." Mario commented, confused.
"Looks like that monsters workshop really paid off." Pinkie Pie said, somehow knowing how Fluttershy and Winter Breeze had gone despite nopony telling her.
"Iron Will's not a monster, he's a minotaur, and a true inspiration." Fluttershy points out. "His techniques really work."
"Wait, back up. Did you say he's a minotaur?" Golden Charm asks surprisingly. "As in half man and half bull minotaur?!"
"Yes." Fluttershy answered, turns to the Irish colt. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, back in our world, minotaur's are part of the Greek mythology like that hydra you lads and lassies told me about." Golden Charm explains. "Legend says that a minotaur was guarding the labyrinth by killing the lads and keeping the lassies."
It got the ponies, except Rose Lotus and Winter Breeze, gasp of the legend.
"It's true." Rose Lotus said.
"But...who's going to fight that minotaur?" Rarity asks.
"A hero named Theseus volunteered, but not without a little help from Ariadne. She gave him a ball of thread to retrace the path." Golden Charm explains. "And once he found the minotaur, he fought it and slay it with his bare hands."
"That's smart thinking of her helping him using the ball of thread." Fluttershy states.
"Aye, it's only the way to retrace those steps and not go too far or getting lost, a labyrinth is a very big maze to get out." Golden Charm agrees.
"Anyway, it certainly made a difference in the way you carry yourself." Rarity said, changing the subject. "You truly are a whole new Fluttershy."
"A little too new." Mario and Kronk adds.
"I don't know about that, Rarity." Winter Breeze said, earned their attention. "It's more like he's trying to make Mom feeling more than just assertive."
"What do you mean, darling?" Rarity inquires which Fluttershy wonders the same thing.
"I notice something shady about Iron Will, he's a bit shady." Winter Breeze explains. "I notice there's more about it than that, he's trying to get them feeling aggressive. Like he's trying to make them like bullies."
It got the ponies widen their eyes in shock of her explanation.
"But Winter, you saw how Iron Will helps me." Fluttershy protests when Winter Breeze gives her 'are you serious?' look. "Oh, right."
"After I heard the whole thing about his method yesterday, I watched Mom block the hose and made a splash on Mr. Greenhooves." Winter Breeze continued.
"Wait a minute, that's something only a bully would do." Kronk said with a stern look on his face. "Are you sure that's how it happens?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, and I've got a brochure with me in case we've run into you guys." Winter Breeze told him, showing them the brochure. "Look!"
Once the Icelandic filly shows the brochure to the ponies, Kronk uses his magic to read and go through it. Kronk noticed of the methods of how to be assertive, which Winter Breeze is right about it and it surprise him one bit.
"Oh, him." Kronk said with a narrowed eyes, annoyed. "He's at it again."
"You know him?" Fluttershy asks surprisingly.
"More like I met him one time, and let's just say we hate each other. Because we had our differences of how to make bits for a living." Kronk explains. "Iron Will's thing is 'get rich quick' scheme, and him being a motivator of how to be assertive is one of them. So basically, Fluttershy, he's a con artist and he's just using that excuse to make bits."
It got Fluttershy shocked when Kronk told her about Iron Will.
"Of course, he tried to get me to work with him, which I refuse, because I'm making my own bits by hard work." Kronk continued. "But with those methods of his, he's only given you bad advice and making you aggressive than assertive."
Fluttershy then looked down with a sad expression, which it took a lot to handle after learning of Iron Will's true agenda.
"But...I thought..." Fluttershy said.
"Sorry, Fluttershy, but he's not who you think he is." Mario said. "We just don't want to get your hopes up after learning from Pinkie."
"But there are other ways of being assertive." Kronk adds.
Fluttershy decided to hear them out before heading back to cottage as they give her some discussions about being assertive.
The next day, Fluttershy and Winter Breeze were at the cottage after they got the watering can from the store. Winter Breeze is peacefully watering the flowers while Fluttershy feeds the animals when they saw a mail pony named Mr. Zippy walk towards the mailbox, reaching into his bag and pulled out the mail as he shoves them into the box.
Fluttershy flew at the mailbox and notice the number of letters in the mailbox.
"Huh?! He delivered the wrong mail." Fluttershy said as she flew towards the mail pony.
Though he's not far because he's just down the road from her cottage while trying to make a delivery. Despite the think lenses on his glasses, he was trying to shove the mail inside of a birdhouse instead of the actual mailbox.
Mr. Zippy noticed Fluttershy flew over to him.
"You delivered the wrong letters to my home." Fluttershy said sternly.
"Ohh, did I mix 'em up again?" Mr. Zippy said as he reached into his bag and delivered a single letter to her. "Sorry about that."
Fluttershy nods as she takes the letter while Winter Breeze flew to him.
"Um, these glasses you're wearing, do you always wear them?" Winter Breeze asks.
"Oh yes, but I seem to have trouble seeing 'em." Mr. Zippy answered, adjusting his glasses. "Hm, I need to get my eyes checked and see if I can get some new ones when I had the chance."
While Mr. Zippy leaves and had the letters back in the bag, both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze are heading back to the cottage when a tourist pony named Globe Trotter was looking around the area. He saw Fluttershy and Winter Breeze walking by and rushed up to them.
"Excuse me, do you know how to get to Ponyville Tower?"
"Sure." Fluttershy said in a muffled tone as she gives the letter to her daughter. "Winter, can you take this letter home? I'll give him a directions."
Winter Breeze nods as she grabs the letter and flew towards the cottage while Fluttershy stays behind.
"You take straight that way and you'll find that Ponyville Tower, you can't miss it." Fluttershy told her, points her hoof behind her.
Globe Trotter thanked her with a nod as he walked away. Rarity, Pinkie, Kronk, and Mario noticed her as they approaches her.
"Fluttershy." Rarity called her. "We were checking up on you to see if you're alright."
"Oh, I'm okay. I've got help from all of you and Winter." Fluttershy answered. "I guess I really need to have a word with Iron Will when he arrives."
"But do you know when he'll come?" Mario inquires.
"Tomorrow morning." Fluttershy answered. "He'll be there to collect his fee. And after what I've learned, I don't think I'm satisfied."
"Well, it's like we told you, you just got to try to believe in yourself and you can be more capable of being bullied, you'll know what to do in a situation you are in." Kronk said.
"And you don't have to deal with this alone." Mario adds. "Remember, you've got friends and Winter who can help you."
Fluttershy smiled at that, and she was thankful for having friends and a daughter. And she knows that both Kronk and Mario are right since she's been lacking confidence and needs a lot of help from them. She decided to face Iron Will on her own when he gets there, but her friends will be there if things get out of hooves.
The next day, Fluttershy and Winter Breeze are waiting for Iron Will to arrive while the Mane 4 were inside of the cottage in case things gone south. Then, Iron Will arrived at the bridge, standing on the back of the grey goat.
"Ah, Fluttershy, your payment is overdue." Iron Will said sternly which Fluttershy isn't fazed. "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!"
Iron Will didn't resist making muscular poses and even doing a moonwalk to emphasize his point. Fluttershy and Winter Breeze just looked at him black before saying.
"Um, no."
Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Flora, and the foals were left in complete shock.
THUD!
Pinkie Pie passed out. Even the white and the grey goats gave a shocked bleat. Iron Will was dumbfounded for a moment.
"Ohhh, I'd hate to be you right now, because Iron Will is gonna rain down a world of hurt unless Iron Will gets his money pronto!" Iron Will said as he looked like he's getting warm up for a fight.
By now, Rarity revived Pinkie Pie as they, the 2 foals, Mario, and Kronk were just watching from afar with fearful looks on their faces. Especially when Iron Will shouted at Fluttershy and Winter Breeze flinch and their mane flowed due to his loud voice. However, both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze remained calm.
"Well, if you won't listen to a reason, then I'll just have to tire you out." Fluttershy said before calling out. "Kronk!"
As if by instinct, Kronk tackles Iron Will and sent him flying to the ground.
"What the-Kronk?!" Iron Will exclaims.
"Hello, Iron Will." Kronk said sternly. "I heard you're making a scam...again!"
Iron Will was left stammered as he sweating bullets, looking at Kronk nervously. Fluttershy then walk towards him.
"Since we got your attention." Fluttershy said sternly. "As I recall, during your workshop your promised 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Well, I'm not satisfied."
"What do you mean you're not satisfied?!" Iron Will snapped. "Everypony has always been satisfied!"
"Well, I guess I'm the first then." Fluttershy said plainly. "But since I'm not satisfied, I refuse to pay. It's as simple as that."
Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Flora, and the 2 foals were still in too much shock at what had happened. Rarity had to close Pinkie Pie's mouth since her jaw is ready to hit the ground. Iron Will was left shocked as his two goats appeared behind him. They then huddled up, making their bleats to communicate with each other, even looking back at Fluttershy and Winter Breeze once, before they broke up to speak with her.
"Ohh, are you...sure you're not just a little bit satisfied?" Iron Will asks, stumbled. "B-because maybe...we could cut a deal. I-I mean we're both reasonable creatures, aren't we?"
"I'm sorry, but no means no." Fluttershy answered firmly.
"No means no, huh?" Iron Will said, now feeling defeated as he climbed onto the grey goat as the white goat handed him his grocery basket. "Nopony's ever said that to me before. Huh...I gotta remember that one. That's a good catchphrase for my next workshop."
The goats just gave a bleat as Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Flora, the foals, Mario, and Kronk watched him leave. Then, they walk to Fluttershy.
"You were amazing, Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie said, embraced Fluttershy. "You totally stood up to that monster!"
"In fact, you didn't change at all!" Rarity adds. "You were the same that we've always loved!"
"We're proud of you, Fluttershy." Mario said with a smile.
"I've got help from my little snow fairy." Fluttershy said, turns to her daughter with a warm smile. "And Winter, I'm sorry that I didn't listen to you. You were always there for me when I need you the most. But after learning about Iron Will, I guess I should've had second thoughts."
Winter Breeze can only respond by hugging her mother, which it doesn't change the fact that she loves her very much. The Mane 5 and the 3 foals smiled at the heartwarming sight.
While another day pass, both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze spend their day together as she recited the letter.
'Dear Princess Celestia,
Sometimes it can be hard for a shy pony like me to stand up for myself, and when I tried it, I've got help and support from my daughter. But I've learned that standing up for yourself isn't the same as changing who you are. Now, I know how to put my hoof down without being unpleasant or mean.'
Both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze were observing the animals eating their lunch. They now use multiple feeding bowls to reduce any fighting or competition between them for food. Once again, Angel was just pouting in the corner. With Winter Breezes help, Fluttershy gave Angel a stern lecture about being respectful and appreciative of what she did for him, but it seemed to have gone over his head as he gave her another glare when she set down a bowl of salad for him to eat.
Fluttershy gave him a stern look in return, making it clear that was his meal and she wasn't going to change it. Angel began to have a tantrum as he angrily hopped up and down. Fluttershy then gave him 'The Stare', making Angel freeze before he reluctantly grabbed a piece of cucumber and munched on it. His skepticism soon turned into smile as he began to happily devour the contents of the bowl. Fluttershy smiled proudly.
Once lunch was over, Fluttershy and Winter Breeze took a walk around to enjoy the fresh air. They notice that many ponies were waving at them while walking by. Soon as they reach to Sweet Apple Acres, she lightly knocked on the door and found that he's home.
"Hey, Fluttershy." Mario said.
"Hello, mind...if we come in?" Fluttershy asked.
"Sure, I'd like some company." Mario replied. "The rest of my family went to Appleloosa for a visit, and my friends are still working on the location where the Serpentine Staffs are hiding. So, I'm kind of alone for the moment."
Fluttershy and Winter Breeze just smiled as they made their way inside and got comfortable on one of the sofas. Mario didn't need long to figure out that something was troubling her.
"Want to tell me what's bothering you, Fluttershy?" Mario asks as he sat next to her.
It was then Fluttershy looked at him sadly.
"Mario, have you...you ever had days where you felt...worthless?" Fluttershy asked.
"Plenty of times." Mario answered as he rested one of his fore-hooves on top of his own. "Being bullied leaves deep wounds that take a long time to heal, especially when you realize just how much those pains have affected you. It's hard to have self-confidence in yourself when you've been torn down most of your life. I've done everything I can to defend myself and putting my hoof down that I won't back down, but sometimes I see bad memories coming back to haunt me."
"I'm so sick of it!" Fluttershy told him, narrowing her eyes. "I'm so sick of being treated like I'm just a loser! What's so wrong with being kind? What's so wrong with being shy and timid? We all don't have to be bold and aggressive to be successful for crying out loud! Some days I JUST WANNA STRANGLE SOMEPONY!"
Fluttershy clasped her mouth and gave a loud whimper, began to cry.
"What's happening to me?!" Fluttershy said. "I just feel so...angry! I don't want ponies to see me acting like this!"
Mario took a slow deep breath.
"Fluttershy, what exactly did you do when you had to deal with something you disliked or when you get insulted or criticized?" Mario asked.
"I...I mostly try to make peace." Fluttershy answered, sniffled. "I don't want to fight with anypony and I don't want anypony thinking that I'm rude or being assertive. I just want to get along with ponies and not make them upset. I really hate fighting and I've always considered myself a peacekeeper."
"So when you feel upset, or disagree with somepony, you just keep it to yourself?" Mario concluded.
"Yes." Fluttershy said quietly. "I always believed that if you can't say something nice to not say anything at all. But...I guess there was a fine line between being quiet to do the right thing versus being quiet and letting ponies take advantage of you."
"That's true." Mario agrees. "So, what do you do with all those negative feelings anyway?"
"I guess...I just swallow it just so I can keep moving on and try to stay positive." Fluttershy answered. "After all, I am the Element of Kindness. I like to try to present myself as a kind and caring pony, especially with all the animals and Winter I take care of."
"And that's something to be proud of." Mario said. "But I can't help but feel that sometimes you try to put on a kind face to hide the fact you're hurting inside."
It got Winter Breeze shocked when Fluttershy sighed.
"You're right." Fluttershy admits. "I...I have had dreams recently where I'm surrounded by everypony laughing and mocking me. At first, I feel helpless and scared, but then...I started feeling...angry. Then, I actually start attacking everypony making fun of me. I even had dreams where ponies plead for mercy and I still beat them up. I just wish I was more like you when you're always brave."
"How do you feel when you're in those moments of anger?" Mario asks gently.
"I...I feel...strong." Fluttershy said shakily. "Like I've got power! I have authority! I can have...revenge!"
Fluttershy then blinked and started to sob.
"I AM turning into a monster!" Fluttershy wailed loudly.
Mario and Winter Breeze wasted no time hugging her tenderly as she wept.
"You are not a monster, Fluttershy." Mario said gently. "This is what happens when you try stuffing down all your negative emotions inside of you for so long. It poisons you and makes you bitter. If you don't find a constructive way to deal with it, you end up lashing out at others, espeically your animals, your closet friends, and your daughter."
"What's wrong with me, Mario?" Fluttershy sobbed, cried harder. "Why do ponies find me such an easy target? I never did anything to them but all they do is tear me apart day in and day out! I can't take it anymore! I sometimes wish I can disappear!"
Fluttershy wept into Mario's chest as he and Winter Breeze continued to hug her tenderly. It was then, Fluttershy pulled away, gritting her teeth and pounding the sofa cushion she was sitting on as her tears poured out of her eyes.
"Fluttershy." Mario said gently, but firmly. "I think you'll feel better if you vent out what's on your mind."
"No, no, no..."
"Fluttershy, you need to do this." Mario said as he gripped Fluttershy's shoulders. "You need to get these negative feelings out of your system. While I know it's going to take time for all that bitterness to go away completely. A good vent will help you release all that anger and frustration that's clearly boiling inside you. Just let it out, Fluttershy. Even if you have to say something negative about me, I won't hold it against you because I'd rather you let it come out than stuffing it down again."
Fluttershy hesitated before she began to discuss some negative feelings regarding the other girls, the foals, Mario, Kronk, and Winter Breeze. It didn't surprise Mario or Winter Breeze that Fluttershy had the most negative feelings regarding Rainbow Dash, considering they had seen how brash she could be. Fluttershy expected to feel sick once she had finished, but instead, she found that her heart didn't feel heavy anymore. In fact, she felt much better.
"I never realized how much I needed to do that." Fluttershy said once she calms down for a bit. "I just didn't want to go about saying everything that I think about other ponies just to feel better and not stuff any more negative feelings down inside."
"Well, I'm not saying that you have to walk up to somepony and tell them what you really think of them." Mario points out. "But there are constructive ways that you can deal with your negative feelings that can be beneficial to you and the pony you are talking to."
"How?" Fluttershy asked, puzzled.
"Let me give you an example." Mario said. "You just have to be more like me in different ways. Just try to be more like me and no pony will tear you down."
"I guess I could give it a try." Fluttershy said with a smile before she looked at Mario sadly.
"Mom?" Winter Breeze said.
"Fluttershy?" Mario adds.
"When I first saw you and Twilight started dating, I can see how she's starting to show signs she's falling for you." Fluttershy explains. "It won't be long before you and her will be together forever. I only said that I was jealous."
"Jealous?" Mario repeats. "But you didn't see me that way."
"I don't." Fluttershy replied. "I mean...you're a real sweetheart and I love. I just...want my own special somepony too! Don't get me wrong, I love Winter Breeze because she's my daughter and needed somepony to take care of. All I have is a foolish dream: my stallion who's shy but fights monsters with dual swords! He just doesn't exist! I'm doomed to be alone forever as some crazy old lady with only friends with animals and Winter!"
One would have thought that would be a dream come true for Fluttershy, but Mario knew what she was so upset about. He held her fore-hooves with his own.
"What if I told you that I might have found a pony with the exact description?" Mario asks.
"What?!" Fluttershy exclaims, looked at Mario in disbelief.
"I have this pen pal that I write to on a regular basis." Mario explains as he got up and searched through some papers. "He's the son of one of Royal Pegasus guards that I used to know growing up. His name is Shenran, he's best friends of me and the Elemental Masters."
"I see..." Fluttershy said, feeling rather skeptical.
"He was really, really shy when we first met, and he's always had a hard time socializing with other ponies because he's naturally shy." Mario said. "We hardly saw each other, but kept in touch over the years and became good friends by writing letters to each other. He's also a late-bloomer when it comes to flying too. When he joined the cadet academy, his fellow cadets teased him alot because he had trouble speaking up for himself."
"How awful." Fluttershy said. "So...what did he do after that?"
"While he struggled to socialize, he made up for it by showing that he had exceptional fighting skills and other abilities." Mario answered. "He might have a shield cutie mark to represent his position as a knight of the royal court, but the way he got his cutie mark was very inspiring. He got it protecting his family from a vicious manticore attack. Shenran took a heavy beating from it too, but despite how much he's hurting, all he cared about was keeping those he loved safe."
"So, he's chivalrous." Fluttershy said which Winter Breeze was surprised.
"And he's got a big heart." Mario said. "Plus he's a master of the twin dao, which basically swords. He has the skills of the blacksmith and the skills of kung fu. He's now a respected member of the royal guard now. He's proved himself to be very brave and courageous despite never fully getting over his shy nature."
"Are you trying to set us up?" Fluttershy asks with a smirk.
"No, I'm just saying I've found a stallion whose had to deal with similar circumstances and had overcome them." Mario explains with a chuckle. "His shy nature made making friends difficult, especially with other mares. I'm sure he would like to have you as a friend if you're willing to give him a chance."
"I see." Fluttershy said. "Well...if we can just be friends for now, I wouldn't mind writing him."
"Great." Mario said with a smile. "I also have a recent picture of him if you'd like to see what he looks like."
"Is he handsome?" Fluttershy asks skeptically.
"I'm not going to say anything. You look and decide for yourself." Mario answered as Fluttershy rolled her eyes and took the picture.
There on the photo was a nicely built Pegasus stallion with a long dark brown mane and tail with a light tan colored fur coat and azure blue eyes. While he's out of the uniform, he had a brown belt around his stomach, which had a sheath to store his twin daos. Fluttershy couldn't help but squeal with as she bounced on a sofa cushion.
"Oh, he's really cute!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "And very handsome! You said he's just like me?"
"Yep." Mario answered. "I'm sure getting a letter from you would make his day."
"But...what would I say to him?" Fluttershy asks as Mario used his magic to set down a paper and a quill.
"Just start with the introduction of yourself, and that you want to be his friend." Mario replied.
Fluttershy smiled and then took the paper and quill, about to write when she stopped herself.
"Umm...do you mind if I...wrote this back at home?" Fluttershy offered when Mario chuckled.
"Sure. Just don't forget to mail it." Mario answered when Fluttershy rolled her eyes at him while Winter Breeze giggled.
"I won't." Fluttershy replied and then gave Mario a hug. "Thank you...for understanding...and for helping me."
"I'm always here for you." Mario said. "And my door is always open if you want to talk. Just remember that together, with the help from our friends, this feeling of worthlessness will go away."
Fluttershy replied with a nod, smiled as she gave Mario a kiss on the cheek, then she and Winter Breeze made their way back home.
Once back at her cottage, Fluttershy made a beeline for her bedroom and begin to write a letter to Shenran. The reason she wanted to do it at home was because she wanted to add a photo of herself to give him so he could see what she looks like. Fluttershy was so excited that she sped through her writing and then mailed the letter that afternoon.
Few days later, Fluttershy checked her mailbox and was excited to that Shenran had replied. She quickly rushed inside and opened the letter. The first lines made her blush and giggle happily.
'I know you just want to be friends Fluttershy, but...you're so beautiful! I wonder if this is how it feels to be in love at first sight...oh dear...I mean...sorry. I didn't mean to offend you...'
His way of writing was similar to how she wrote a letter to him.
"You didn't, Shenran." Fluttershy said to herself with a warm smile. "I felt the same way when I saw how cute you are..."
But unknown to her, Winter Breeze overheard which it got her smiled.
'Looks like Cupid hit its target.' Winter Breeze mentally thought.
That's it for the 23rd chapter.
I did some changes of the scene which instead of Fluttershy goes all out and blew a gasket, she learned of Iron Will's true colors and got help from her friends and her daughter.