Chapter 89: Putting your Hoof Down
The next day after returning to Ponyville, Spyro was busy with unpacking the magic books and scrolls he got from Kamar-Taj and was working on some of the spells while in the training room after telling the girls there wouldn't be any training for a week, which everyone was happy about so they could relax and enjoy their evenings without having to g through another session. As Spyro was practicing some of the magic and making notes about which ones would work with which and at what times, he noticed it was lunch time, so he took a break from practicing the magic and went back up into the garage, walking out of the building and headed to town to get something to eat. Applejack was busy with getting some of the apples ready for the market, so he was on his own for lunch today as he went into town and went through town, seeing a lot of market stalls open that were selling a lot of different fruits and vegetables when they noticed Fluttershy in the place, shopping for some food.
"Hey Fluttershy." Spyro said.
"Oh, hello Spyro." Fluttershy said. "What are you doing in town?"
"Came to get something to eat." Spyro replied. "Was practicing some magic when I got hungry. What about you? What are you doing in town?"
"Oh, I came to pick some things up to make Angel something to eat." Fluttershy replied. "He didn't like the pellets or the salad I got for him, so I'm picking up ingredients to make him something he showed me in a cook book."
"Really?" Spyro asked. "You sure it's a good idea to do as your pet says? You are giving him all the power and letting him see you're a push over."
"But I don't want him to starve." She said. "Besides, it's no big deal, I'm more than happy to make my little animals happy."
She then walked away from him and went over to the next stall that was selling asparagus and was next in line, but a unicorn cut in front of her and picked up some asparagus, but she just let it go and was about to get some, but an elderly pony walked up, but when she was trying to tell him he cut in front of her, he brought out a horn and put it against his ear, indicating his hearing was going. He misinterpreted what she said as well, which she was trying to tell him he cut in front of her, but he thought she was saying it was the celery stand instead of the Asparagus stand, paint for the asparagus and walked away. She then tried to get what she needed, but a couple of teenage ponies got in front and told her to back away as she was in their personal space, telling her to get a life, which he drew a line at. He walked up to Fluttershy to tell her he'd get her what she needed when he saw she was backing up past Pinkie and Rarity.
"Fluttershy darling, you mustn't let them treat you like that." Rarity said.
"Oh, it's, it's no big deal." Fluttershy replied.
"It's bigger than big, it's double big!" Pinkie replied. "You are a pony with a problem."
"What problem?" Fluttershy asked. The three friends looked at one another and knew what the problem was, so Pinkie moved Fluttershy in front of the stand and then rushed past her, making Fluttershy spin around and fall to the ground. "Oh, go right ahead Pinkie Pie, you're first."
"See, right there." Pinkie said. "That's your problem."
"You are such a doormat." Rarity said.
"A doormat?" Fluttershy asked.
"Hate to say it Fluttershy, but they're right." Spyro said. "You are allowing other ponies to walk all over you, making you a pushover. Sometimes you need to put your hoof down and stand up for yourself like you do against the Heartless."
"Well, ok." Fluttershy said.
She then saw there was one bundle of Asparagus left and walked over to pick it up, but someone else came over and took it, paying for it and leaving her disappointed.
"Oh, that's ok, I don't mind." Fluttershy said.
"Watch and learn." Rarity said. "Hold it right there small and handsome."
"Who, me?" The stallion said, though he looked to have the look of a nerd and sounding like one.
"Why of course." Rarity replied. "No pony ever called you handsome before?"
"Uh, that'd be a big no." He replied, showing he had buck teeth and pimples, Spyro understanding what that was like when he was in middle school.
"Oh, they should." Rarity said. "How about flexing your muscles?" The stallion looked to be in love, flexing his foreleg and showing he had some muscle, but not a lot. Spyro shook his head, though he wasn't the jealous kind, he couldn't help but feel like Rarity was playing the guy just to get the last asparagus for Fluttershy, which she managed to get after giving him a bit to compensate him, bringing it to Fluttershy. "See, that's not so hard now is it?"
"Well, I guess not." Fluttershy replied.
"Rare, that wasn't putting your hoof down, that was flattery." Spyro said, making her blush as he turned to Fluttershy. "Little butterfly, you don't need to flatter somepony as a way to put your hoof down, you just need to sum up the strength to let them know that you aren't a pushover. Maybe I can help you with your shopping."
"Oh, don't worry about that Spyro darling, Pinkie and I can help her." Rarity said.
"Yeah, besides, didn't you need to get yourself some lunch?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yeah, you go and get yourself something to eat Spyro, we'll help her." Pinkie replied.
"If it's you two helping her, I can afford to skip lunch." Spyro replied.
He walked with the three mares to make sure they didn't get themselves into any trouble, keeping an extra eye of Pinkie Pie as he knew how random she can be and how much trouble she can get herself into if no one was paying attention to her. They then came up to a tomato stand, which was the next ingredient she needed and got them, paying her bit before leaving, or at least trying to.
"Uh, that'll be two bits, not one." The vendor said.
"What?" Fluttershy asked. "Last week it was one."
"That was then, this is now." The Vendor said.
"Oh, ok." Fluttershy said, paying the extra bit. "I don't want to argue about it."
"Just what do you think you're doing!?" Pinkie asked, surprising the vendor.
"Minding my own business, maybe you should try it." The vendor replied.
"Two bits for tomatoes is outrageous." Pinkie said, moving a bit back. "One bit is the right price."
"And I say it's two bits." The vendor replied
Spyro looked to the sign and saw that it was two bits, meaning that it was the right price, but Pinkie didn't seem to agree with it and they went back and forth about the price until Pinkie flipped the tables and said it was two bit, which the vendor then said it was one bit, making Spyro snicker as she had just pulled a Bugs Bunny on the vendor.
"Two bits, I insist!" Pinkie shouted.
"One bit and that's my final offer!" The vendor said.
"Have it your way, one bit it is." Pinkie said, taking the bit and walking away.
The vendor smiled and was about to take the bit when she realized what had happened, face smacking herself for falling for it as the four of them laughed while walking away.
"Wow Pinkie, you're a regular Bugs Bunny, you got that vendor good." Spyro said.
"I know, right?" She asked. "Asserting yourself is fun!"
"I guess you're right." Fluttershy said. "But, who's Bugs Bunny?"
"Cartoon character from cartoons I use to watch as a kid." Spyro replied. "I had to babysit the cake twins and Pinkie had the stomachs flu, so I got a bunch of old cartoons I liked to watch that my parent's got me and let them watch. They absolutely loved them."
"Ready to give it a try Fluttershy?" Rarity asked.
"Um, ok." She replied.
The next vendor they came to was a stallion who was running a cherry stand, so Spyro stayed back with Rarity and Pinkie Pie to let her try out what she learned, but he already knew it wasn't going to work and like he saw it, it went wrong in a heart beat. She tried the flattery, but it didn't seem to work on the guy as he asked for ten bits, which to Spyro was a complete outrage for just one cherry, then she tried the hustling method that Pinkie did, but instead of going down, she went up in price to twelve bits, making Pinkie bury her head and made both Spyro and Rarity fear for her to a point where they pulled her away from the vendor and the bag of bits she was about to give him.
"Sorry about that." Spyro said. "We've gotta go."
They then rushed away from him, Rarity dragging her on the ground as she tried to prevent them from taking her away from her market.
"Seriously Fluttershy!?" Pinkie asked. "Twelve bits for one cherry!?"
"But... I was only doing what you showed me." Fluttershy replied, Rarity spitting the lemon yellow Pegasus's tail out of her mouth.
"A valiant effort, but you should refuse to give him your business and juts walk away." Rarity said.
"But I can't let angel starve." Fluttershy said. "He's a very picky eater and won't eat it unless it's perfect. I need that cherry, no matter what it costs."
She then flew past them and towards the vendor, everyone shaking their heads.
"In that case, twenty bits." The Vendor said.
"TWENTY!?" Spyro and Fluttershy shouted at the same time.
"But, I don't have that much money." Fluttershy said.
"Then why are you nothing me?" The vendor asked.
"Give ya two bits for the cherry." A mare said, tossing a couple of bits at him.
"Sold!" The vendor said.
"Seriously!?" Spyro shouted. "You were willing to take twenty bits from my friend, but only two from here!?"
"Eh, tough break." He replied. "Maybe next time she shouldn't be such a doormat."
Spyro's eye started to twitch, his anger reaching a boiling point as his eyes turned into Sith eyes and dark vines appeared on his body, knowing what that meant, the girls immediately took him away before he ended up killing the vendor, finding a place to calm him down.
"Spyro darling, calm down." Rarity said. "Don't loose your temper."
"Yeah, besides, I can do without the cherry." Fluttershy said. "It's no big deal."
"But that vendor..." Spyro said, looking around the corner and seeing him.
"Spyro, it's ok." Fluttershy said, giving him a peck on the cheek. "I can do without it."
She then walked out of the alleyway and started on her way home, the others coming out as soon as his eyes returned to normal, watching her walk away.
"Fluttershy." Spyro said. "I really love her, even if she's shy sometimes, but she's just letting other ponies walk all over her."
"I know darling." Rarity said. "But, there isn't much we can do right now. Best thing we can do is look out for her and make sure no pony takes advantage of her."
Knowing Rarity was right, Spyro decided to follow Fluttershy to make sure she was alright and hoping no one would take advantage of her and the fact she is a push over. As he reached her cottage, he saw the top half of her door swing open and the dish she made get thrown out along with the mare, knocked into her mail box as her mail went flying everywhere. He then rushed over and saw how upset she was, reaching his hoof down to help her up.
"Fluttershy, you ok?" Spyro asked.
"Yeah, I think so." She replied, not taking his hoof. "Oh Spyro, I really am a doormat. I'm letting everypony walk all over me."
"Don't say that Fluttershy." Spyro said, using his magic to pick her up. "You have a very kind and very fragile heart, making it difficult for you to do something that might hurt somepony else, unless they're a Heartless of course. But that's what I love about you, your kind and innocent heart. Remember what I asked you before a while back? Back at the Gala?"
"I remember Spyro." She replied, hugging him. "Never change, no matter what." She the two were hugging, Fluttershy looked down and saw a flier that was in her mail, reaching down and picking it up, sitting down and using her hooves to ready what was on it. "What's this? 'The Incredible Iron Will can turn doormats into dynamo's. Assertiveness seminar today, hedge maze center.'"
"Sounds more like a 'Get rich quick' scam to me." Spyro said.
"Even if it is, I gotta check it out." Fluttershy said. "Because, Celestia as my witness, I will never be a pushover again!"
Not wanting to let her go on her own, Spyro walked with her to the Hedge maze, which was on the outskirts of Ponyville, so he knew where it was and as they got there, they saw a lot of ponies go into the maze, so they went in after them, finding that half of the town was there, so they made there way into the crowd, which they bowed and allowed them to pass by all the way to the front of the group right as the seminar was about to start. As they got to the front, rock music started to play as goats wearing ties and headsets walked across the stage, though sentient, he couldn't make out what they said, turning a fog machine on and turning off the spotlight and centering it on the stage where the fog was the heaviest. From the stage, a shadowy figure rose up and removed his cloak, the fog lifting to reveal a Minotaur with blue and black fur and wearing a tie, fireworks going off as he flexed his muscles, showing off as the crowd cheered for him as he smiled at them.
"Welcome friends and thank you for coming!" The Minotaur said. "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!" The crowd cheered for him and stomped their hooves, including Fluttershy, but Spyro didn't stomp his hooves as he didn't like the Minotaur, sensing something about him was off. "Stomp if you're tired of being a doormat!" They stomped their hooves again, entranced by the show as he talked. "Snuff if you want to pay nothing for this seminar!" As he said it, they cheered, but then stopped, looking confused, then laughing as they thought it was a joke. "That's no joke friends. Because Iron Will is so confident that you will be 100 percent satisfied with Iron Will's assertiveness techniques that if you aren't 100 percent satisfied, you pay nothing. But I doubt the fool who doubts Iron Wills methods!" He then looked over to Spyro and put his face in his, glaring at him as if trying to intimidate him. "You don't doubt Iron Will, do you?"
"Yes, I do doubt Iron Will." Spyro replied, surprising him.
"Well, Iron Will's is impressed!" Iron Will said. "This guy doesn't seem like a doormat! What's your name friend?"
"The name is Spyro." He replied. "Spyro VanVickle."
"Well tell me Spyro, why are you here at this seminar if you aren't a pushover?"
"Here for her." Spyro replied, pointing to a very nervous Fluttershy.
"Ah, this little pony looks like the shy type to Iron Will." Iron Will said. "I was going to ask for a volunteer form the audience, but Iron Will just found one already."
"Who... me?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yes you, up on stage with Iron Will." Iron Will said.
"Well..." Fluttershy said, trying to back out.
"Now!" Iron Will shouted.
She jumped from that and immediately trotted tothe stairs put o the stage, looking out, but then was blocked by a goat, obviously demonstrating to the crowd, so she tried to go around him, but hew then blocked her again, preventing her from continuing to the stage.
"Oh, he's blocking your path!" Iron Will said. "What's are you going to do about it?"
"Um, walk around him politely?" Fluttershy asked.
"No." Iron Will responded.
"Gingerly tiptoe around him?" She asked.
"No." Iron Will responded.
"Go back home and try again tomorrow?" She asked again, stunning the Minotaur.
"No!" He replied. "When somepony tries to block, show them that you rock!"
He then flicked her in the flank, causing her to fly forward and knock the goat down, but Spyro didn't take that flick too well, trying his best not to loose his temper and turnt he giant cow into Hamburger Helper.
"Oh, sorry." Fluttershy said.
"Don't be sorry!" Iron Will responded. "Be assertive. Never apologize when you can criticize." He then rushed over the downed goat. "Why don't you watch where you're going!? Now you try."
She looked down at the goat, unsure about it, but just took a deep breath and tried to look serious, but looked way too nervous.
"Next time, get out of the way before I bump into you." She said, trying to be assertive. "Because, I totally won't be sorry when I do."
Spyro just shook his head, knowing that was the worst way to be assertive, but he then sensed something nearby, looking up to the Minotaur and saw his eyes turned into bits, understanding what he wanted.
"You see my friend!" Iron Will said, picking Fluttershy up. "If my techniques can work for this shy little pony, then they can work for anypony!"
The crowd cheered as fireworks went off, everyone praising the Minotaur and Fluttershy, who looked very pleased with herself as Iron Will put her down and let her walk off the stage, walking to Spyro as other ponies continued to watch.
"Did you see how assertive I was?" She asked. "Wasn't I great?"
"You're already perfect the way you are little butterfly." Spyro responded, giving her a peck on her forehead. "But I don't want you anywhere near that Minotaur. I don't trust him and I don't like him."
"Thanks for looking out for me Spyro, but I don't want to be a pushover anymore." Fluttershy said. "I want to learn how to be assertive and stand up for myself."
"Well, alright." Spyro said. "But, don't let those techniques change you for the worse Flutters. Sometimes lessons from guys like this will only lead to the wrong path."
After the seminar was over, Spyro went back to town and went to Sugarcube Corner, where Rosy was at getting something t eat as Spyro walked in, turning in his direction as she heard his hoof steps.
"Oh, hey Spyro." Rosy said, getting a cupcake. "I can sense you're unhappy about something."
"It's Fluttershy." Spyro replied. "I'm worried about her."
"What's wrong?" Rosy asked. "Did something happen?"
"It's this new guy in town, Iron Will he calls himself." Spyro replied.
"Oh, that guy." Rosy replied, walking over to a nearby table as Spyro got himself a cupcake as well, sitting with his daughter. "I remember him. In the future, he claimed he could teach us how to fight the Dark Overlord, saying his techniques would help us win. Only, it didn't, ended up getting many of us killed."
"So he lead you down the wrong path?" Spyro asked.
"Afraid so." Rosy replied. "And if he's getting his hands on Fluttershy, he'll turn her into the biggest jerk in Equestria before he takes her money."
Knowing that the Minotaur wasn't;t the type you should trust, he took his cupcake and went over to Fluttershy's house to try and convince her to not listen to anything Iron Will teaches her, but when he got there, he saw a gardener watering her petunias, in fact he was over watering them as Fluttershy walked away, but put her hoof on the hose, causing the water to build up where her hoof was before releasing it and splashing the unsuspecting pony with water, horrifying Spyro.
"Well, perhaps that is enough water." The gardener pony said.
"Thank you." Fluttershy said. She then walked away and to the stream, where she jumped for joy at what she did. "I can't believe that worked."
"Oh, it worked alright." Spyro said, spooking mare. "That was a jerk move there Flutters and uncalled for."
"Well, he was overwatering my petunias." Fluttershy replied. "And he said leave the professional to do his job, so I only did what Iron Will said to try."
"Yeah, but turning into a jerk is not the path you should take." Spyro said. "Putting your hoof down is ok, but what you did was rude."
"Well I'm tired of being a doormat." Fluttershy said. "I'm tired of being a pushover, so I'm going to be more assertive and not let anypony push me around."
She then walked away with her head held high, leaving Spyro behind and making him worry for his friend as she was allowing Iron Wills teachings to change her, so he decided to follow the shy pony into town to make sure she doesn't get herself into trouble. As he flew over her, going from cloud to cloud, he saw Bon Bon with another mare, both transporting some trash and seeming to have a conversation, blocking the path along the bridge and getting in Fluttershy's way, so she asked them, more like demanded them to move, but they just asked her to give them a minute as they continued to talk, which angered Fluttershy, so she turned herself around and kicked the wagons, knocking the contents out and covering the two ponies in garbage, making them move.
"Easy does it lady, we're moving." The other pony said.
"Good." Fluttershy said.
"Hey!" Spyro shouted, floating down to her.
"Spyro, what are you doing here?" Fluttershy asked.
"Keeping an eye on you." Spyro replied. "Making sure you don't go get yourself into trouble."
"Well I don't need your help mister." She replied, walking away, which Spyro rushed after her.
"Fluttershy, that wasn't nice." Spyro said. "They were just having a casual conversation and you covered them in trash."
"That's the new me." Fluttershy replied. "I'm no longer a doormat, no longer a pushover for everypony. From now on, I'm going to be assertive."
His fear for his friend was coming true as he was watching Fluttershy change before his eyes, turning into a jerk thanks to Iron Wills teachings, but couldn't do much as it was her choice, but he couldn't support that choice. He walked with her to Sugarcube Corner and saw there was a line to the counter, which Spyro went ahead of Fluttershy, who seemed to be relaxed about that, but a pony tapped her on the shoulder, making her look back and darted in front, bumping her back and infuriating her.
"What do you think you're doing!?" Fluttershy asked. "Didn't you see me?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess." She replied, not paying attention to her.
"Maybe?" She asked angrily. "Maybes are for babies." She then spun her around and put her face in front of the ponies that cut in line, seeing an angry look on her face. "No go to the back of the line where you belong!"
The line cutting pony gave a nervous smile and immediately rushed tot he back of the line, but the rest of the ponies saw this and immediately rushed to the back as well, not wanting to evoke her wrath.
"Hey, not all of you!" Spyro said, glaring at Fluttershy. "Alright Flutters, this is too much. I can understand the line cutter as what she did wasn't called for, but you're starting to scare everypony in town."
"Oh don't pay him no mind Fluttershy dear." Rarity said. "The new you is feisty."
"Yeah, it's great you're being assertive!" Pinkie said.
"Thank you girls." Fluttershy said, pushing past Spyro. "At least somepony is being supportive."
"It's fabulous really." Rarity said.
"Looks like that monsters workshop is really paying off." Pinkie said.
"Iron Will's not a monster, he's a Minotaur." Fluttershy replied.
"Might as well be one." Spyro whispered to himself
"And he's a true inspiration." Fluttershy said. "His workshops really work."
"Well they certainly made a difference in the way you carry yourself now." Rarity said. "You truly are a whole new Fluttershy."
"Yes I am." She responded. "And new Fluttershy is feeling pretty stoked about new Fluttershy."
"Well old Pinkie Pie is feeling really proud of new Fluttershy." Pinkie replied. "Proud as pink punch."
Pinkie then rushed into the back and got a bowl of punch, but then started laughing as she asked Fluttershy if she would like some punch, which didn't seem to be very funny to Fluttershy as she glared at her.
"You laugh at me, I wrath at you." Fluttershy responded, horrifying Spyro.
Fluttershy then knocked over the bowl of punch onto Pinkie Pie, surprising Rarity as she walked away and to the entrance of the bakery, which everyone outside ran away as she walked out, Spyro flying close behind and landing in front of her, stopping her.
"That was uncalled for." Spyro said. "Pinkie was only making a joke about punch, not about you. And you ended up knocking punch onto her."
"Well how was I supposed to know it was about punch and not about me?" She asked, her attitude worse than before. "She very random and I can't predict what she'll do these days."
She then hit her shoulder on his, pushing him out of the way as she called for a taxi, but another pony got on trying to avoid the hassle, but Fluttershy just leapt up and got into a brawl with the pony, knocking him off and yelling at everyone that no one pushed her around. Fearing for his own health, the taxi took her straight home, which caused the three friends to worry for her as she was becoming a jerk and the town bully.
"I don't think new Fluttershy was not such a good idea after all!" Pinkie said.
"Old Rarity agrees." Rarity replied.
"I also agree." Spyro replied.
Fearing for her, Spyro flew after her and saw she was at home and had just come out, going to the mail and checking it, glaring at the mail pony because he delivered the wrong mail to her by accident, so she rushed to the mail pony and Spyro saw him, which he was nearsighted and was wearing glasses and knew all to well what she was going to do.
"New Fluttershy does not like to get the wrong mail delivered to her cottage!" Fluttershy said, getting in his face.
"Hey, back off!" Spyro exclaimed, getting in between her and the mail pony. "He's got bad eye sight, give him a break!"
"Oh, sorry miss." The mail pony said, giving her the right mail.
"You apologize, I penalize." Fluttershy replied.
She took the mail pony and forcefully threw him into the mail box before taking her letter and returning to her cottage. Spyro helped the mail pony out of the mailbox and helped him pick the mail up, finding his glasses were cracked and the wrong prescription, so he used his Aether magic to repair the glasses and fix them to where they would give him twenty-twenty vision so he didn't mix the mail up again. He was about to catch up with her when he noticed she was talking with a tourist, but accidentally dropped her letter, taking it out on the tourist, grabbing his camera and tossing him to his destination, which he was able to land in the nearby hay bale and in front of the Ponyville tower, looking satisfied with herself.
"Fluttershy, what are you doing?" Rarity asked, both she and Pinkie having seen what she did. "That's no way to behave."
"Yeah, he was only asking for directions and you dropped the letter yourself." Spyro said.
"You didn't see what he did to new Fluttershy." She replied. "He thought new Fluttershy was a pushover."
"He was apologetic, apologizing for what he did." Spyro replied. "There was no reason for you to toss him like a rag doll.
"Yeah, what Spyro said!" Pinkie replied.
"We think that you've taken your assertiveness training a little too far." Rarity added.
"What!?" She asked, looking annoyed. "You just want new Fluttershy to be a doormat like old Fluttershy, but old Fluttershy is GONE!"
"New Fluttershy?" Pinkie asked. "Old Fluttershy?"
"What happened to nice Fluttershy?" Rarity asked. "We liked her better. We want her back."
"No, you want wimp Fluttershy!" She replied. "You want pushover Fluttershy! You want 'Do-anything-to-her-and-she-won't-complain' Fluttershy!"
"Ah, too many Fluttershy's!" Pinkie said, her head spinning after her neck twisted so many times. "Make it stop!"
"Things getting too complicated for your simple little brain Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked, knocking Pinkie over, But Rarity caught her before she could hit the ground.
"Now see here Fluttershy!" Rarity said. "You stop right there. Let's not let things descend into petty insults."
"Why not?" Fluttershy replied. "I thought petty was what's you're all about Rarity? With your petty concerns about fashion!"
"Hey, that's enough!" Spyro said, getting in front of Rarity.
"Yeah, fashion is her passion!" Pinkie replied.
"Oh, and what are you passionate about?" Fluttershy asked. "Birthday cake? Party hats? I can't believe the two most frivolous ponies in Ponyville are trying to tell New Fluttershy how to life her while they are throwing their own away on pointless pursuits that no piny gives a flying feather about!"
Spyro was completely shocked at what Fluttershy had said, seeing the tears in his friend's eyes at all the hurtful things their friend had said.
"Looks like nasty Fluttershy is here to stay." Pinkie said.
"What has that monster Iron Will done to you!?" Rarity asked
The two mares then ran away from her, crying their eyes out as they ran, that being the last straw for Spyro as he glared at the lemon Pegasus.
"He's not a monster!" She shouted. "He's a Minotaur!"
"What's the difference?" Spyro asked, getting her attention. "He is a monster, a bully, a complete jerk, which is what you are now."
"I am not a monster!" She shouted, getting in his face.
"I beg to differ." Spyro replied, his eyes turning Sith, which she wasn't intimidated by. "He changed you, changed you for the worse. He made you into the town bully, somepony who everyone fears, not loved. You were a loving and kind Pegasus who always cared about everyone else, was always nice, and didn't attack or harm another pony no matter what. You are not the Fluttershy I knew, you've turned into Flutterjerk, a pony who bullies her friends and doesn't care about somepony else's feelings and goes around picking fights where none exist. This new Fluttershy is not who I fell in love with."
He pushed past Fluttershy, leaving her shocked at what he said, landing on her hooves as she watched him walk away and head towards town, looking down to see she was standing in a puddle of water and looking at her reflection, seeing herself, but thinking about what he said.
"Promise me one other thing girls." Fluttershy heard him say, remembering what he asked her. "Don't ever change. And don't ever let your light go out. You were a loving and kind Pegasus who always cared about everyone else. You are not the Fluttershy I knew, you've turned into Flutterjerk, a pony who bullies her friends and doesn't care about somepony else's feelings and goes around picking fights where none exist. This new Fluttershy is not who I fell in love with."
"What have I done?" She asked, tears rolling down her face. "Iron Will isn't the monster, I am."
She then ran home in tears, realizing that Spyro was right and she had turned into a monster, letting Iron Will's teaching turn her into something he asked her never to do. A while later, Spyro had managed to calm the two crying mares down and said that they should check on her to make sure nothing bad had happened to her as they hadn't seen her in a while and were worried about her, so they went to her cottage to see if she was ok, only to find that the door and windows were boarded up, making them worry for her as they walked put o her door and knocked on it.
"Fluttershy, are you in there?" Rarity asked.
"It's Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Spyro!" Pinkie said.
"Go away!" Fluttershy said. "Go away before nasty Fluttershy strikes again!"
"Fluttershy, please come out." Spyro said. "We all say things we regret."
"We do?" Pinkie Asked, Rarity trying to silence her.
"Pinkie's right." Fluttershy said. "I'm the only one to blame. But don't worry, I'm never coming out of my house again. Everypony will be a lot safer with me and my mean mouth locked away."
Not liking how she was sounding, Spyro took out the Sling Ring and put it on, Standing on his hind legs and spinning his hoof around to create a circle of purple sparks, spinning faster and faster as a rift opened up into her cottage, walking through, he saw she had tied herself up ad Angel helped finish tying her up, looking up and seeing him, she looked worried.
"Fluttershy, we don't blame you for anything." Spyro said.
"Spyro's right darling." Rarity said, she and Pinkie walking through the rift as it remained open. "Pinkie Pie and I don't blame you sweetie, it's Iron Wills fault. You received bad advice from him, that's all."
"Yeah, he's the one who made you super duper nasty!" Pinkie responded, but was quickly punch in the shoulder by Rarity, letting her know to say something else. "What I mean is, there are other ways to assert yourself than just yelling at everypony."
"They're right little butterfly." Spyro said, walking over and untying her. "There are other ways to assert yourself without becoming a jerk like Iron Will."
"I-I'm not sure I can." Fluttterhsy replied, getting up and walking over to the mirror. "I'm too far gone. Every time I try to assert myself, I become a monster."
As she said it, thunder went off and she saw the bull horns over her head, making her shiver as she feared herself.
"Oh Fluttershy, you're not a monster." Spyro said, using small fires to burn the pieces of paper. "You're a very good pony, kind and courteous. There is no monster in you."
"No, but I bet there's one in him." Pinkie said.
She pointed out the portal and showed them that Iron Will was heading their way with a couple of his goat guards walking with him.
"Stay here Fluttershy." Spyro said. "We'll handle Iron Jerk."
Spyro, Pinkie, and Rarity walked out of the portal and it closed behind them, walking up to Iron Will as he crossed the small bridge to Fluttershy's cottage.
"Iron Will's the name and training Ponies my game!" Iron Will said, looking down and seeing them.
"What a darling little catchphrase." Rarity said.
"Thank you little pony." Iron Will said. "Your friend Fluttershy loved Iron Wills catchphrases. Word on the street is she don;t take guff from no pony, so Iron Will is here to collect Iron Wills fee."
"If you can." Spyro said, walking in front of the cottage. "You see, she's-"
"Listen pal, Iron Will is here to collect, and that's exactly what I'm going to do, now step aside." Iron Will said.
He walked past Spyro and headed straight for the cottage and was about to knock when Rarity got in the way.
"Surely a big, brave, strong, and rich mons... er... Minotaur like you doesn't need the money right away." Rarity said, trying to flatter him. "Maybe you could afford to come back later."
"Are you kidding?" He asked. "Fluttershy is overdue as it is. I will collect now."
He picked the fashionista up by the horn and dropped her over the edge of a fence, but Spyro was quicker and managed to get to her, flying her over the Minotaur as he started to rip the boards off the door.
"We're not even sure if Fluttershy is home right now!" Pinkie said, Iron Will picking her up to move her. "She might be out frolicking with some of her woodland creature friends. How about you let us track her down for you."
"Well Iron Will does have some grocery shopping to do." Iron Will replied, dropping Pinkie. "Iron Will shall come back this afternoon."
"But that's only half a day." Pinkie said, Spyro landing next to her with Rarity. "We need at least one full day to find her."
"Iron Will will only delay for half a day, no longer." Iron Will replied.
"Full day!" Pinkie replied.
"Half day!" Iron Will responded.
"Full day!" Pinkie said.
"Half Day!" Iron Will said.
"Half day!" Pinkie shouted, doing the same routine she used on the Vendor a while ago.
"Full Day!" Iron Will shouted.
"Half day and no more!" Pinkie shouted.
"Full day and no less!" Iron Will shouted, grabbing her by the tail.
"Okey Dokey!" Pinkie said, walking on air and confusing everyone there. "See you tomorrow."
"Wait, what?" Iron Will asked, wondering what had just happened.
Suddenly, they all heard Fluttershy sneeze from behind the door, ruining the girls plan to keep him from getting to her.
"Well, it looks like a search won't be necessary." Iron Will said, dropping Pinkie. "Iron Will shall collect, now."
"But, we had an agreement!" Pinkie exclaimed, getting in his way. "You got to come back tomorrow!"
"When somepony tries to block, show them that you rock!" Iron Will said, tossing Pinkie.
Spyro flew out and caught her, swinging around and kicking him in the chest and sending him flying into a tree, dropping a pile of Acorns on him as a swarm of squirrels immediately jumped on the nuts, making the Minotaur scream in shock. Spyro set Pinkie down, making sure she was ok, but was suddenly knocked out of the way and into some mud, angering him.
"Oh, he is so dead." Spyro said, his eyes glowing red as they turned to Sith eyes.
Iron Will reached the door and ripped the boards off, tossing them on top of Spyro, which only added fuel to the already burning fire.
"Your payment is overdue Fluttershy!" Iron Will shouted, bringing his hand back to punch the door, but just knocked gently, the door opening to see Fluttershy, which Spyro shot up and was ready to turn the Minotaur into hamburger, but saw Fluttershy look at him, sensing she had this handled, so he backed off. "You were nothing more than a doormat, but Iron Will turned you into a lean, mean, assertive machine! Now pay Iron Will, what you owe Iron Will!"
"Um, no." Fluttershy replied, shocking everyone, pinkie falling to her side.
"W-what did you say?" He asked, completely lost for words.
"I said no." Fluttershy replied.
"Oh, I'd hate to be you right now." Iron Will said, warming up to do some harm. "Iron Will is going to rain down a world of hurt, unless Iron Will get's his money, pronto!"
He snorted in Fluttershy's face, which was his cue to knock the massive bull down, but Fluttershy looked over to him again, the same look telling him to not attack, so he remained in the air, but glared at the Minotaur as a dark aura surrounded him.
"If I recalled correctly, you said I'd be 100 percent satisfied, or I'd pay nothing." Fluttershy replied, walking past him to the railing he used to warm up, turning to face him. "Well, I'm not satisfied."
"What do you mean you aren't satisfied!?" He asked, completely shocked by what he heard. "Everypony has always been satisfied!"
"Well, I guess I am the first then." She replied, not showing any fear. "And since I am not satisfied, I refuse to pay. It's as simple as that."
Spyro could sense the disbelief from everyone on the ground, Rarity pushing Pinkie's jaw up to close her mouth while Iron Will talked with his escort in private, even Spyro was surprised by how she handled herself, the dark aura disappearing as his eyes returned to normal s iron Will faced her again.
"You sure you aren't at least a little bit satisfied?" Iron Will asked, acting a bit like a coward. "Because, maybe we can cut a deal. i mean, we're both reasonable creatures, aren't we?"
"I'm sorry, but no means no." Fluttershy replied.
"No means no, huh?" Iron Will asked, getting onto the goat behind him and standing on its back. "No pony's ever said that to me before. I gotta remember that one. That's a good catchphrase for my next workshop."
Spyro watched as he rode away from the cottage, the other goat behind him as he flew down to Fluttershy and hugged her, Pinkie and Rarity rushing over as he ended the hug.
"You were amazing little butterfly." Spyro said.
"Yeah, you totally stood up to that monster!" Pinkie said, she and Rarity hugging her.
"In fact, you didn't change at all." Rarity said. "You were the same old Fluttershy we all know and love."
"And one we missed." Pinkie said.
"Well, you don't need to worry now." Fluttershy replied. "Old Fluttershy is here to stay. Sorry that I took the whole assertiveness thing a too far. Friends?"
"Always little butterfly." Spyro said, joining in the group hug.
Spyro then walked back to the farm and there, he saw Rosy helping out around the farm as she usually does with her spare time, but when she sensed Spyro, she rushed over to him and hugged him.
"Hey dad." She said. "How's Fluttershy doing?"
"She's ok." Spyro replied. "Showed that overgrown beef cake she isn't a pushover in her own way." he then looked down, unhappy about what he was going to ask Rosy, which she could sense through the Force, knowing what he was going to ask was something she wasn't going to like. "Rosy, I need to ask you a very serious favor. And there's a very large possibility you won't like it.'
"What is it dad?" Rosy asked, sensing his anxiety.
"Let's discuss this somewhere private." Spyro replied. "I don't want AJ or any of the other members of the Apple family to hear this."
Not understanding why he was being so secretive, she followed him into the Gummi Garage, where he planned to explain to her what he was going to ask her as it could change everything int their lives.