//------------------------------//
// Episode 19: Stand Proud 
// Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 2 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

It was business as usual in Fluttershy's cottage. Both Tyrannus and Fluttershy were scrambling about to feed the animals around the cottage. And as per usual, Angel Bunny was being difficult. He kept knocking away the vegetables Fluttershy had prepared for him, and pointing to a specific dish in a recipe book. "Angel. I can't make that dish for you." Fluttershy said with an apologetic tone. Angel just frowned and kept pointing at the dish he wanted. Tyrannus sighed and squatted down in front of Angel.

"No." Tyrannus said flatly. Angel frowned, and hopped away. Tyrannus then turned to Fluttershy. "You know, you really gave that bunny of yours an ironic name due to his less-than-heavenly behavior."

Fluttershy smiled weakly. "Oh, you just haven't seen Angel's sweet side yet. He can be very nice when he wants to be. Still I should get the vegetables so I can make that treat for Angel sometime." Fluttershy grabbed her sack of bits, and Tyrannus followed her to the market. However, Fluttershy got cut in front of and the vendor selling cherries was driving a hard bargain. Tyrannus let out a sigh as he and Fluttershy left the stand.

"Fluttershy? Not to sound mean, but you're being a bit of a doormat." Tyrannus noted. "I could have dealt with that guy if you wanted. Still, you need to stand for yourself sometimes."

"I know." Fluttershy said with a sigh. Just then, a flyer hit her face. "Iron Will's Assertiveness Seminar..." Fluttershy read. "Maybe this could be just what I need!" Fluttershy ran off to the seminar, and Tyrannus looked on with worry.

"I hope Fluttershy finds the help she wants..." Tyrannus said as he returned home. Meanwhile, Fluttershy attended Iron Will's seminar. And she became assertive. As Tyrannus soon found out when Fluttershy returned home. Angel was still being stubborn with the food he'd eat. It was then that Tyrannus noticed her return. "Angel's been stubborn the whole afternoon. He's dead-set on that special veggie sundae. Care to demonstrate your newfound assertiveness?"

Fluttershy smiled, and looked down at Angel. "LLISTEN HERE MISTER! YOU ARE GOING TO EAT THE FOOD I GIVE YOU AND LIKE IT!" Both Tyrannus and Angel were shocked at the sudden shift in Fluttershy's nature. But Angel was too scared to argue and started to wolf down his food. Fluttershy simply smiled at the results of her new found attitude.

"...Okay...That was a bit...loud." Tyrannus said nervously. Fluttershy smiled and walked off. Tyrannus shook his head. "Maybe this is just her breaking in her new attitude. I'd better tag along to see how this goes..." Tyrannus followed Fluttershy, and noticed that her new 'assertive' attitude. She was almost acting down right mean. Especially when someone tried to apologize. But what horrified Tyrannus was how Fluttershy soon acted around her friends!

"Oh. So you don't like the new me, huh?!" Fluttershy shouted. "Well tough luck! This new me is better! And I'm not going back to being a doormat! SO TOUGH LUCK NERDS!"

"FLUTTERSHY STOP!" Fluttershy froze, and turned around. Her jaw dropped when she saw Tyrannus staring at her. A cross expression was on his face. "Inside. NOW." Tyrannus walked slowly back inside the cottage with Fluttershy following nervously. Tyrannus sat down on the couch, and let out a heavy sigh as he closed his eyes.

"Um...Ty?" Fluttershy asked timidly. "A-are you angry at me? Th-this is the first time you've ever raised your voice at me..."

Tyrannus shook his head. "No. I'm not mad Fluttershy." He opened his eyes, and gazed sadly at Fluttershy. "I'm just very sad at what you're becoming." Tyrannus clutched on of the couch's pillows. "Fluttershy? Do you remember what happened back at the labyrinth? With Discord?" Fluttershy nodded. "How he made you so cruel? The same thing's happening now. You were so mean to everyone. That's not you. Seeing you like that..." Tyrannus gripped his pillow even tighter. "...It HURTS me Fluttershy. Because I know you'd never be that cruel intentionally. You'd never want to hurt anyone..." Tyrannus began to cry. "And you hurt me now like you did then. I'm a tolerant person Fluttershy. But I won't stand to see you lose who you are." The tears had stopped flowing. "I love you too much to see that happen again." Fluttershy herself then burst into tears as she leaped into Tyrannus' arms.

"I'm so sorry Ty...." Fluttershy whimpered.

Tyrannus smiled as he stroked Fluttershy's back. "Easy there Fluttershy. You just made a mistake. One I'm more than willing to help you learn from. I'm the Element of Tolerance for a reason. I'll tolerate as much as I can just so I get a chance to make friends, or help them with their problems. I can tell you how to truly be assertive. And best of all, it involves no yelling. Do you remember my difficulty with Angel this morning?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Yes. He kept on being insistent on that veggie sundae, but you kept telling him no. How were you able to do that with such a calm face?"

"Easy." Tyrannus said with a grin. "Make sure they know the stance you take. And look them in the eye when you tell them that you're not okay with what they're doing. They'll either agree, or back off. Either way, you show you're not gonna budge in the nicest way possible. Now. I think we should go see Iron Will about a refund. Wouldn't you agree? It also sounds like the perfect chance for you to practice true assertiveness." Fluttershy smiled as they walked over to Iron Will's stage. The minotaur certainly seemed pleased to see Fluttershy.

"Ah! Fluttershy! Iron Will was about to come talk to you about the matter of Iron Will's payment for his seminar!" Iron Will boasted proudly. "So. Do you have the payment ready?"

Fluttershy took a deep breath. "No. Your ad said that I did not have to pay unless I was satisfied." Fluttershy them gazed firmly at Iron Will. "Well, I'm not satisfied."

Iron Will was steaming! "But I stopped you from being a doormat!" 

"And I appreciate your advice." Fluttershy said with a nod. "But I'm afraid that it just wasn't my style." Iron Will was about to counter when Tyrannus stepped in front of Fluttershy.

"Sir. I can respect the fact that you're willing to stay firm in your stance." Tyrannus began. "But it's clear you're not going to listen to reason. You seem to be in good shape, so I have a proposition for you." Tyrannus steeled his gaze. "You and I are gonna throw down in a one-on-one match. If I win, Fluttershy doesn't need to pay. But if you win, I'll cover the payment. Deal?"

Iron Will cracked a smile. "Iron Will respects your resolve. Very well! Our bout begins at three!"

"Then I'll be waiting at the town square." Tyrannus said with a sage nod as he left. The others soon found out about Tyrannus' bout with Iron Will, and they were reasonably concerned.

"Ty...are you sure you can take this guy?" Inferno asked.

"Inferno's right! This guy's a minotaur! They're one of the strongest races on Equestria!" Steel noted! "My dad got into a wrestling match with one when he was in the Royal Guard! Nearly broke every bone in his body!"

"Guys. I think we should have faith in Ty." Burst noted as he put a hand on Tyrannus' shoulder. "You've got this man. Show him that your tolerance outmatches his fury. We're not in the ring, but we're with you in spirit."

"Thanks Burst." Tyrannus said with a smile. "But I don't plan on losing." He stole a glance at Fluttershy. "I can think of one reason not to." Tyrannus then entered the circle of a crowd that had gathered to see him and Iron Will face off. "I'll say this. I'll beat you without landing a hit."

Iron Will laughed out loud! "HA HAHA HAH! You plan to win a fight without hitting me?"

Tyrannus nodded. "I've got no quarrel with you. Therefore, I've got no reason to harm you. I'm quite the tolerant person. But that doesn't mean I have my limits. Which is why we're here." Tyrannus got into a defensive stance. "Now let's begin." Iron Will wasted no time in charging at Tyrannus, but Tyrannus stood his ground! He didn't budge an inch! Iron Will came to a screeching hault! But when the dust cleared from his skidding halt, Tyrannus wasn't even in his path! "Over here." Iron Will's jaw dropped when he saw Tyrannus not but five inches away from him! "Even in the face of your fury, I'm not raising a fist. Being assertive isn't yelling to get what you want. It's staring in front of the one who bellows at you, and remaining firm in your stance. And at the same time, keeping calm at your center. That's how I was able to halt your charge so easily." Tyrannus then caught Iron Will's fist coming at him, and raised his arms to block! A flash of brilliant green light went off, and everyone closed their eyes! When the light faded, Tyrannus found a staff modeled after a brachiosaurs in his hands! Blocking Iron Will's fist from colliding with his face! Tyrannus also noticed that he had gauntlets that looked like they had velociraptor claws sticking out of them! But what really caught his eye was the large blaster holstered at his side! Tyrannus then put his mind back on the fight, and shoved Iron Will off with his staff! Iron Will came at him again, and Tyrannus plunged his staff into the ground! He then pressed a button, and the bottom of his staff extended! Lifting him above Iron Will's fist! Tyrannus soon landed, and flicked his right wrist! The claw blades on his gauntlet extended, and he cut off Iron Will's tie! "This is your last chance to back down." Iron Will snorted as he once again charged at Tyrannus! "Don't say I didn't warn you..." Tyrannus drew his blaster, and fired a powerful shot! Iron Will's eyes shrunk when the blast hit him! When the smoke cleared, Iron Will was waving his tie's remnants as a white flag. Tyrannus nodded. Accepting Iron Will's defeat and admiring his newly acquired Duelist Arms. "Looks like good things come to those who wait. I think I'll call you guys...Dino Arsenal." Tyrannus was then pleasantly surprised when Fluttershy flew over to him, and planted a kiss right on his lips! "Now that's how you seal a victory."