//------------------------------// // Chapter 38: Release Goes Wrong (S2E19) // Story: The Elemental Manipulation // by GalaxyEmpire //------------------------------// Operation: RELEASED "Alright, Leo. Let's take a look at the list for a second time." Spike told his brother as their walk in the street of the mini-market area while holding a basket full of food and other stuff. "You sometimes like Sis, bro." He smirked. Usually, that librarian double-checks her list like...triple to fifth. The dragon grumble. "Well, can you blame me? Twilight always makes us buys some nutrition and supply for a month! Thus, this is getting ridiculous. I mean, look at it!" He gestures behind him, sure enough. It's already over the line of the basket. How can he carry that all of the junk with that tiny body? Oh, right. I forgot this. Today, the boys are buying some items from a regular market in the street of Ponyville. Though, Spike has been compliment about this since they begin purchasing stuff. What is he up to? "And how come there's so bunch of them? You and I know we are not a quick eater neither does Twilight and-" He realized something. "Wait... Should I the one holding the list? Why I'm the one carry this basket?" Leo rolled his eyes. "Sis said you should educating your strength since we didn't have to train in Ponyville for some reason...and also try to switch roles for fun!" "Fun fun and fun." Spike repeated in annoying. "Come on, Leo! You didn't look alike change at all when we workout with Shining Armor!" "I fought Nightmare Moon, Alpha Timberwolf and Discord, plus you as well being mind control by him." "...Understandable, but still you don't look buff at all." "Can we just let it go now? We need to get the cherry for an unreasonable reason..." Leo checking the list while squinting his eyes. Seriously, why Twilight wrote this? The purple drake sighs, letting his temper goes down before nodding as the duo continues in the street, as ponies passing by them while some of them waving at the lion one especially. They spot a group of friendly face casually walking towards them. "Rarity! Pinkie Pie! Fluttershy!" Leo shouts to get their attention as it works. The ponies saw them and approach the siblings. Of course, the pink mare first to speak. "Hey, Leo and Spike! Whatcha doing?" "As everypony else do," Spike remarked. "Swapping or trading with bits for food." "We didn't trade anything..." Leo said. "Shush, Leo." "So, boys." Rarity turned now. "Is there any material or grub you two haven't got yet?" With that, the lion looks at the list again. "Nope, just a cherry." "A what?" "Cherry." "Oh, y-you too?" Fluttershy we're the last to talk. "I was to g-gonna go buy cherry too for Angel." "Pawesome! Let's ask Mr Crafty Crate over there." Leo said as he points to a stale with a stallion in it. In front of him lay one single red cherry. "I need that cherry," Fluttershy said to herself as she rushed over to the seller, "Boy, am I glad you have one cherry left. You see I'm making this special meal for my bunny Angel. He's a very picky eater..." "..and a spoiled pain in the flank...," Spike muttered a little. "But we need does cherry too right, Leo?" "For an unreasonable reason?" He shrugged. "I don't think so...maybe we shouldn't-" "Ten?!" The voice was from the shy pegasus in shock as well as the other. "Did she said ten bits?!" Spike was stunned with his mouth open by the seller selling that small cherry. "Leo, forget buying it. Let's just ask Cheery Jubilee, she probably in Canterlot." The lion back from shocking stated. "Right. The pony who lives in Dodge Junction I told you about!" While the boys were talking, Pinkie and Rarity quickly heading towards Fluttershy as the unicorn pulled the yellow Pegasus away by the tail. "Don't give him your money," said pink earth pony sternly as she carried Fluttershy's bag of bits on her head. "One cherry is not worth twelve bits." "But...I was only doing what you did." "It was a valiant effort," said Rarity after letting go of the pegasus tail. "But you should refuse to give him your business and just walk away." "But...I can't let Angel starve! He won't eat it unless I make it just right. I need that cherry no matter what it costs!" said Fluttershy as she flew off to go claim it until... "In that case, twenty bits!" said Crafty Crate. That price tag quickly brought the rushing Pegasus to a stop. "Twenty?! Oh, but, I don't have that much." Fluttershy said as she sat down in defeat. "Then why are you wasting my time?" He retorted. It was then a yellow unicorn arrived holding some bits with her magic. "Hi, Lemon Hearts!" Leo shouted to her. "Hey, Leo." She replied firmly, then look at the stallion. "I'll give you two bits for that cherry!" "Sold!" Crafty Crate said as the unicorn take the cherry away. "Eh, tough break, kid. Next time, don't be such a doormat." The kindness felt sad about it as she walked away. The manipulator quickly approaches her behind. "Don't worry Fluttershy. I can get you a cherry with my bro." "That's nice, Leo but I'm in hurry right now..." Leo stops following her, knowing well that he doesn't want to push her that far as the other came in. The dragon nudged the lion making him said "Ouch" in pain. "Leo, you can't just quit after one sentence of the word." "Sorry...but she's Fluttershy. If I show hostility she will screech and run away...or maybe fly?" Spike only sighed. "If this keeps up, you never unleashed your anger." "And what this unleashed his anger, darling?" Rarity asked. "Well...when is the lasted time your two saw Leo angering?" Spike raised a question. "Nope!" Pinkie said happily while jumping up and down. "Well, when fighting Nightmare Moon aka Princess Luna he shows the attitude of battling not fury. Also when you fought the Alpha Timberwolf itself-!" "I didn't tell anypony besides bro..." "Pinkie just being pinkie, darling." "-you stand and protect Zecora from being devoured by that beast which is also unlocked your new Leaf Elemental! Also also combat face to face with Discord, even though you only fight Spike but that still not make you aggressive at all! And you still hadn't show anger at all!" Leo doesn't feel too good right now."Yeah... I don't know, maybe we should quit..." "I still don't get it why you want your brother to feel angry, darling." Rarity said to Spike who in a thinking position. "He's already as perfect as a hematite labradorite gem! Besides, his pure kindness is excellent for helping anypony." "Yeah! He's super-duper awesome in his way after all! I'm sure he doesn't need that emotion." Pinkie commented. "But that's just it!" Spike snapped as he looks at them. "I'm sorry, Rarity and Pinkie...but I don't wanna let anypony used him for their good because easily to doormat him! The reason I try to bring his level of irritation higher so Leo could at least respond to upsetting social situations but not too much or he will get social avoidance. Plus, I won't stop until I see him angry with my eyes! Are you with me Leo?!" The dragon turned back to the lion only to see he's gone. Though the wind passes by him with a tumbleweed follow up, is like when no one ignores you when you started to talks, they're left you all alone. "Where is he?!" "He already runoff." The pink mare giggles. The drake only facepalms as he groans. "Guess I'll push him too hard, he's not the type to feel the fury after all...I need a break." Realizing still carrying the basket load with stuff as a magic aura levitates from his back. "I can carry it for you, Spikey-wikey." Said the white unicorn. "And maybe treat you with some delicious gems if you are willing to help me." Spike, of course, will say. "REALLY?!" The Generosity chuckled. "Sure, now come on!" With that, they took off to Rarity homes. The Laughter join cause wants to hang out for a bit before going back to her chores. Although the Number One Assistant want to find Leo it would be best to leave him alone for now and enjoy the sweet tasty of gems! "Finally... I'm free for a bit." Leo exhaust after running away from his brother so he stops for a second, feel bad but it's for his good. "Now what?" The golden lion walked slowly after the haste, lower his head down with a sad face. As the stepped of his paws continue, he thought. 'Do I want this dangerous emotion? I mean, anger can be uncontrolled right? Ugh, this whole problem won't come if bro doesn't ask about it!' Only for him immediately regret saying it. "No...bro just want to help me to avoid being a doormat. I was the one who won't release it. But how-AUGH!" Leo incident bumps into someone. What he saw was a grey goat giving off a bleat before he took off. The lion is very confused right now. "Okay...?" Then he realizes what the goat bleat was a brochure. So he picked it up and started reading it. "The incredible Iron Will turns doormats into dynamos. Assertiveness seminar today, hedge maze centre." After what happens throughout this day, he admits he had enough. "That's it! No more going running around the town anymore! I think I will get this stubborn anger to finally let it out!" Later that day, without getting caught by his siblings. several ponies are gathering at the centre of a hedge maze for the seminar. Though he terrifies by the massive crowd he knows well these ponies so the lion believes he can do it. A white goat and grey goat were standing just outside the entrance to the central area wearing headsets. Leo went at the end of the side right, just then a timid pegasus caught his eyes. "Oh! Ah! Uh...excuse me," she said as she timidly squeezed herself between two ponies at the very front and gave a slight squeak. Those around her glared and then... *THWACK!* She was sent to the back of where the manipulator was who quickly helping her up. "Don't worry, Fluttershy. I'm here too." Leo smiled to make the pegasus comfortable as it works. It was then some music began to play. A smog comes up on the stage as a shadow appeared wearing a cape into the spotlight. Removing the cape to see a blue minotaur wearing a black tie around his neck as he shadowboxed for the ponies and fireworks went off around him. The ponies started to cheer and stomp about excitedly so does Leo except stomping the ground. Fluttershy struggled to see what was going on as the minotaur flexed his large muscles and kissed them. "Welcome friends. 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!" As he said, ponies stomping again. "Stomp if you're tired of being a doormat!" Ponies stomp again. "Stomp if you wanna pay nothing for this seminar!" Stomp again. But then ponies realized what he said and stopped. They looked at each other confused 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 is so confident that you will be one hundred per cent satisfied with Iron Will's assertiveness techniques, that if you are not one hundred per cent satisfied, you. Pay. Nothing. But I pity the fool who doubts Iron Will's methods! You don't doubt me, do you?" "Oh, he's looking at Meadow Song I think," Leo remarks as he got to see the minotaur approach the stallion. "Uh-uh, no sir." "That, my friends, is your first lesson," said Iron Will as he stands on the two heads of the white and grey goat, "Don't be shy, look them in the eye". Leo couldn't believe it, this minotaur might be the key to let all his pressure out of his system as about the stallion who's having a chat with the white and grey goat. This is it! But how to get his attention though? "Now, to demonstrate that Iron Will's techniques will work for anypony. I'm gonna need two volunteers." Iron Will said, talk about perfect timing. Before the lion raised his paw, several ponies raise their hoof to be chosen as the two goats began to scan the crowd. He looks at the shy pegasus who's trying to squat to the ground and hide. "Fluttershy? What are you doing?" "H-hiding of course." "For who? It just some two goats roaming around." "That's j-just it, I-I only want to know how to not be d-doormat that's all... Not to be-" "You two in the back row!" Iron Will announced as the ponies split down the middle to reveal a cowering Fluttershy and manipulator Leo. "Who? Us?" They asked. "Yes, you two!" said Iron Will firmly, "Iron Will wants both of you on stage!" Fluttershy gulped while Leo smiled gladly he got the chance. Although he needs to help the timid mare to get on the stage, standing in front of the crowd worry him. But not long cause Iron Will here to help him, and Fluttershy as well. After all, what could go wrong? Wrong. I should have stopped saying it... The next morning, wait this should be on the top not...ugh, whatever. Nopony we're outside, like literally no one was in this beautiful day giving by their Sun Princess. Something must have happened and Twilight is the only one who doesn't know, cause she spent a day in the library. Classic for her. "Spike, where is everypony?" The drake sitting on her. "Eh, didn't notice that. Wonder what problem this time." "Psst..." "You hear that?" "Psst!" The Sparkles heard and look up to see a cyan mare. "Rainbow Dash?" "Both of you need to hide now!" She speaks out loud but quiet at the same time. "Is this gonna be like Zecora accident again?" Twilight said disinterestedly. "If it is, you have been not nice lately and how you convince everypony to do this?" "No! I read a book, okay!" She shouts. "Second, it on Sunday." "What?" "Nevermind that you guys need to hide before-OH CRUDE HE'S HERE!!!" With that, the pegasus flew off leaving a rainbow trail. "He?" Twilight asked looking at her brother who shrugged. It was then a figure approach them. "Uh...Twilight? Isn't that..." The dragon point at a figure wearing a black jet leather jacket, its sleeves gulped his foreleg. His eyes covered with black glasses, but what makes Spike pointing is that the creature has golden fur, with a silver-grey mane and fur tail. No sight of a grey bandana on his neck. "On his mouth...is he..." "Smoking?!" Twilight snapped as she sees he brother smoking a cigarette. Literally a freaking cigarette!! The lion approaches his siblings walking like a gangster. "Hi, Sis...bro." He simple said, grab the cigarette to let out a cloud of smoke. "LEO CONSTELLATION SPARKLE!" Twilight stomped her hoof to show her anger. "WHAT IN EQUESTRIA ARE YOU DOING WITH THOSE UNHEALTHY CANCER STICKS THAT CAN HARM YOUR BODY?!" "Nice jacket though." "Spike!" "Me?" Leo blow raspberry. "My life has changed, sis. Thanks to Iron Will assertiveness techniques, I'm a King in this town." Spike gonna go along with it. "Wait, then who's the Queen?" "Fluttershy." "What...?" Spike and Twilight said. The unicorn snapped back. "Who's this Iron Will?" "I think there's a show in the hedge maze or something yesterday" The drake replied. "Okay, but why are you smoking?" Twilight said almost irritated. Leo chuckled. "Calm down, sis. Is not a real cigarette, it's a fake one." He then showed the cigarette closer to his sibling. Still smoking which got to their nose system and smell it, like... "Strawberries?" They confused as it true it's not a common cigarette their see so far. "Come with a different flavour," Leo told them happily as he turned around. "Now if you excuse me, I'm off." "Where to mister?" Did twilight said like an annoyance? "Duh, to the Minotaur!" He exclaimed. "I'm gonna pay him using the bits for helping my problem." This makes Spike shocked. "Wait, not the bits belonged to us for this month?!" Leo sinisterly smirked as he pulled the bags full of bits inside his jacket. "That's right~" The unicorn glared. "Leo Sparkle, stop this at once. Don't you dare give it to that beast or you in big trouble." She slowly approaches him until he said this word. "Shut up." "...what?" She was stunned by the lion phrase. Did he just said...? "I SAID SHUT UP!!!" Leo growl at his own siblings, showing his sharps teeth causing them to back up. "L-Leo?" Spike stuttered and...scared. He knows he wants his brother to have other emotions but this...this feels mistaken. "What's wrong?" "What's wrong you said huh, bro?" He laughed maniac while approaching them. "This is what I want! I can feel the anger, the anger that you want me to achieve! And now to look!" He grins deviously. "Leo stop! This isn't you! The Leo I know always kind and carry for other creature!" Twilight shouts, trying to find her real brother. "But that's just it!" Leo snapped as he angrily pouncing his sister, sending her back on the grounds as well make the dragon rolled off her back. "You want that namby-pamby Leo! You want pushover Leo. You want ask-anything-to-him-and-he-won't-mind, Leo!" "Then stop what you doing! Don't let the anger control you because this it's not the way to show your emotion!" Twilight yelled back, shook the lion to come back to reality. "What?" Leo simply said with a confused look. He steps off his sister as he sits down. Realize what he did to everypony in this town, he's become the bullies, he hurt other ponies feeling, through word then physical. "But...I was just doing what Iron Will said..." The librarian got up and approach him. "What he thought was good for you too. But it was you who overused it. Honestly, I never see you said no when somepony ask for help from you. I was beginning to worry when someone will use you to their advantage..." The manipulator was stunned, he looks at the drake who look concerned as well. Looks like both of them were worry about him for caring for others before him. Then again, does this make him feel satisfied? "You do know some noble back in Canterlot we're using you for their benefits right?" Twilight asked. Leo remembers it as he looks down. "I know some of the guards told me that the noble was think for themselves but I know some of them are not that impolite. You knew a couple of them..." "I know, but the thing is you must understand to use your emotion correctly. For example; anger can't use for every single conversation or other situation, and if you're sad but acting joy, then you're just putting up a facade." It's all come to him instantly, this is not what he wants. All this year the lion has grown and learned something new, controlling his power as well makes new friends. Only for the last part, he lacks something, he lacks comprehending his type of emotions. Rethink the past, he often happy, responsible and occasionally serious. He rarely sad, fear and...that's it, no sight of anger or rage at all. "L-Leo...?" The lion snaps back as he saw Spike slowly walk towards him. Realizing how scary and terrified it was, it should be ended. "I-I want to apologize, it was my fault that I'm so focusing on you for giving in another feeling only for you can't control. I...I'm sorry!" He rushes and hugs the lion, who hug back immediately. "It's alright...It was my fault for using my emotion the wrong way." Leo pat his brother back and closed his eyes. "Maybe I shouldn't use this anger at all." Twilight interfere. "No, Leo. You can't lock away your feeling, everypony sometimes periodically happy, cry, rage, or stress. You just have to learn." She put her hoof on his paw. "Now come on, first you need apologies to everypony you mess with and we will be there to assist you." She smiled warmly making the lion smiled. Let go of the drake who feel better now as their heading to house-house for an apology. It was then something struck in Leo's head. While the other head-on first the lion feel a pain in his head but keep it quietly so his siblings won't hear it. "Agh! This headache again!" He muttered as hard he could. "Wait, this feels like the same when I'm in the Everfree Forest...but what could this me" "Leo! Come on!" Called by the unicorn he shakes his head rapidly so that the pain was gone before head off. Not notice a blue minotaur riding a grey goat passed by.