How To Properly Be Assertive
A few days have passed since Cranky move into Ponyville. Pinkie did eventually throw a party to make him feel more welcome but it was a small party with just her her, Matilda, Cranky’s new marefriend, and the rest of Pinkie’s friends. Nova and Twilight still had yet to really decide on a date when they would hold their wedding. Twilight also had yet to tell her family about it who lived in Canterlot, or Celestia about it.
Nova was still a bit nervous about Celestia finding out but it wasn’t as bad as when he first learned of the princesses. He was out and about in the market to take care of some shopping when he spotted three of his closest friends. Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy. With a smile, he trotted over to them and greeted them. “Hey girls, what’s going on?”
“Nova dear, good day.” Rarity greeted first.
“Hi Nova.” Pinkie greeted in her usual high energy self with a frantic wave.
“Oh, hello Nova, good day.” Fluttershy greeted with a smile.
“So what are you three up to?” Nova asked.
“We’re trying to show Fluttershy how to be assertive.” Rarity explained. “We saw the poor dear get pushed back more and more when she was trying to buy some brusssel sprouts.”
“Really?” Nova raised a brow.
Rarity looked to Fluttershy again. “Now watch this dear.” She looked to the last pony that took the last brussel sprout from the stand which was a lanky nerdy looking stallion wearing glasses and a bow tie. “Excuse me dear.”
The stallion looked around in confusion. “Who...me?”
Rarity went up to the pony and smiled sweetly. “I really hate to be a bother, but my friend really needs some brussel sprouts. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to part with the last ones you bought would you?” She batted her lashes.
The stallion smiled and started to stutter. “Well...I...um...of course.” Rarity used her magic to take the sprouts and placed a bit on his nose then walked away and floated the sprouts into Fluttershy’s bag. “You see? Sometimes it take a little pony charm to get things.”
“Um...I guess so.” Fluttershy replied.
“Interesting approach I suppose.” Nova replied.
Fluttershy then went over to a stand selling tomatoes. She used her wing to brush them into her bag and placed one bit on the counter. “Here you go.”
She was about to walk off when the mare vendor stopped her. “*Ahem* That’ll be two bits, no one.”
“Oh, but yesterday it was only one bit.” Fluttershy try to argue.
“That was then, this is now.” The mare replied.
“Oh, okay then, I don’t want to argue.” Fluttershy placed a second bit on the counter.
Pinkie suddenly zipped in practically pressing her face to the mare’s. “What do you think your doing?”
“Minding my own buisness, as you should.” The mare replied.
“Two bits is too much, it should be one bit.” Pinkie argued, moving a bit back.
“Well it’s my shop and I say it’s two bits.” The mare argued moving the bit back.
“One bit.” Pinkie said again. They started going back and forth.
“Two bits.”
“One bit.”
“Two bits.”
“One bit!”
“Two bits!”
“It should be two bits!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“It’s one bit and that’s my final offer!” The mare exclaimed.
Pinkie smiled and took one bit back. “Have it your way. One bit it is.” She then walked away with the others giggling.
“That was kind of funny.” Fluttershy replied.
“I don’t know. Vendors do have the right to charge what they want.” Nova stated. “But I guess she was being a bit unreasonable.”
“Exactly.” Pinkie replied.
“Oh my goodness.” Fluttershy practically gasped. She spotted a cherry on a stand where a gruff looking stallion stood. Fluttershy zipped over. “Thank goodness, you have the last cherry. I really need one for my pet angel bunny so I can make him this special meal but he won’t eat it unless I make it exactly the way he wants.” She placed a bit on the counter. “Here you go.”
“So uh, let me get this straight, you really need this cherry?” The stallion asked.
“Oh quazars.” Nova commented quietly.
“Then in that case, it’ll be ten bits.” The stallion stated.
“Ten bits!?” Nova exclaimed looking a bit peeved at the stallion taking advantage of his friend.
“Ten? Oh my.” Fluttershy looked back to her friends for a moment and both Rarity and Pinkie Pie encouraged her to try being assertive like they showed. Fluttershy smiled and fluttered her lashes. “Hey mister big strong and handsome. I know you want to do the right thing because you’re so handsome right? And big strong handsome ponies are always nice to everypony.” She fluttered her wings.
“Ten bits for the cherry.” the stallion stated again.
Pinkie gave Fluttershy the go ahead to try her method.
Fluttershy then narrowed her eyes. “Ten bits is too much. I insist on paying you...eleven bits.”
Rarity’s jaw hung open, Pinkie slammed her face to the ground and Nova face hooved.
“Eleven?”
“Oh ho, I mean nine bits.” Fluttershy tried to correct herself.
“I think your confused.” The stallion replied.
“Eleven bits, my final offer, take it or leave it.” Fluttershy said firmly.
“Okay I’ll take it.”
Fluttershy was about to give the stallion the bits when Pinkie dragged her back by the tail away from the stand.
“It was a fine effort Fluttershy, but you should just refuse to give him your business and move on.” Rarity informed.
“I have to agree with Rarity on this.” Nova replied.
“But I absolutely must have that cherry. Angel won’t eat unless I get it for him. I’m desperate for it.” Fluttershy broke from Pinkie’s hold and dashed for the stand.
The stallion smirked. “In that case...twenty bits.”
Fluttershy screeched to a halt. “Twenty? Oh my.”
That’s when Nova stepped in. “Hold it!” He got between Fluttershy and the vendor. “Excuse me sir, I get that vendors usually have the right to charge what they want for what they’re selling, but really only as long as the price is fair. I don’t like how you’re taking advantage of my friend here so I suggest you change that price to something more reasonable.”
“Oh yeah? What are you gonna do if I don’t?” The stallion asked with a grin.
“I’m normally not one for threats, but when it comes to my friends….I’ll do what I can to help. So here’s the deal. You sell my friend that cherry for at least one bit, or I can report you to the better business bureau of Equestria. I happen to be good friends with the personal student of princess Celestia. And Fluttershy here is a close personal friend of said pony. Now you don’t want to get the princess on your back for trying to take advantage of such a pony would you?”
The stallion gulped. “Uh, sure, you got it pal. One bit for the cherry.”
“Thank you.” Nova said with a grin and took the cherry for Fluttershy, placed a bit on the counter with his magic, and walked off with her.
“Wow, um...thank you Nova.” Fluttershy said.
“Don’t mention it. I didn’t exactly enjoy that and I guess I could have handled that better, but I don’t think that was a good way to be assertive. Sometimes you just gotta say no.” Nova stated.
“Well I think you handled that well.” Rarity replied.
“Yeah, you really had that pony shaking.” Pinkie stated.
“Probably would have been better to move on.” Nova said.
Later in the day, Nova had stepped out of Twilight’s library and noticed a goat placing a flyer in the mail box. “What’s this about?” He went over to the mail box and took it out. It was for a self help seminar about being assertive. There was a minotaur on the cover. “Hmm….well I...guess I could learn a thing or two on how to be properly assertive.” With that, he decided to try and attend this seminar.
The directions on the flyer said it would be taking place in a small hedge maze. He arrived to find other ponies filing in with goats ushering them in. There were a lot there already so he decided to take a spot in the back. There was a large stage set up with red curtains and spotlights. Just then, Fluttershy suddenly fell onto the ground next to him after being flung from the front of the crowd.
“Fluttershy?” Nova asked and helped her up. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, hello Nova, I um...thought maybe I could stand to learn to be more assertive. I saw a flyer for this seminar and decided to come.” Fluttershy replied. “What are you doing here? I don’t think you need any lessons on being assertive.”
Nova looked to the side. “Well, I think I could stand to learn a few things on being properly assertive maybe.”
Fluttershy gave Nova a confused look. “Really? I think you did fine with that pony from before with the cherry.”
“But I made a threat when I shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t use whatever high connections I have to get what I want. It isn’t right.”
“Oh, well….okay then.”
It was then music started up on the stage. Smoke rolled in and a large horned figure rose up from the floor of the stage. It raised it’s arms up in time with the music. The smoke cleared to reveal a minotaur with blue fur. He started punching to the side in time with the music as fireworks went off from the stage. It was clear he was trying to get the crowd pumped up. He then flexed his muscles and started kissing his biceps.
“By the stars.” Nova sighed at this.
The minotaur folded his arms behind him after the music stopped and started pacing back and forth as he introduced himself. “My friends, my name is iron will. And today is the first day of your new life! I want to hear you stomp if you’re tired of being a pushover!” The ponies cheered and stomped their hooves. “Stomp if you’re tired of being a doormat!” The crowd started stomping again. Nova and Fluttershy were the only ones not stomping their hooves. “Stomp if you want to pay nothing for this seminar!” The crowd was about to stomp before they realized what he said. At first they seemed confused but started laughing when they thought he was joking.
Iron Will gave them a serious stare that silenced them. “That’s no joke friends. Iron Will is so confident you will be one hundred percent satisfied with Iron Will’s assertiveness technique, that if you are NOT one hundred percent satisfied, YOU...PAY...NOTHING!” The crowd cheered again.
“Great, he’s one of those.” Nova commented.
Fluttershy looked to Nova in confusion. “One of what?”
“One of those individuals that refer to themselves in the third person.” Nova replied. “Still, he doesn’t seem too bad.”
Iron Will leaned down over the stage stretching his arms towards the ground making some veins visible. “I pity the fool that doubts Iron Will’s methods!” He got face to face with one stallion in the front. “You don’t doubt me do you?”
The stallion and the other ponies around were quick to say no.
Iron Will was standing on the heads of two goats off stage as he was addressing the crowd. “That’s the first lesson. Don’t be shy, look em in the eye.” He got back on the stage as the ponies seemed to agree with this lesson.
“Huh, not a bad one I guess.” Nova said more to himself.
“Now, in order to show how effective Iron Will’s techniques can be, Iron Will needs a volunteer from the audience.” Immediatly, everyone raised a hoof except for Fluttershy and Nova.
Fluttershy shrank down below the crowd and onto the ground.
“Don’t want to get picked huh?” Nova asked noticing this.
Fluttershy simply nodded.
A few of the goats started going around the crowd to pick out a volunteer. One of them was in the back and came up to Nova and Fluttershy.
Nova gave a small nervous smile.
The goat then looked to Fluttershy, then baa’ed out. Another goat on the stage whispered something to Iron Will. He then pointed to the back. “You two, in the back row!” The crowd immediatly stepped aside forming a path for them.
“Us?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yes you two. Iron Will want’s you on stage.”
“Oh boy.” Nova said.
“NOW!” Iron Will demanded.
“Okay.” Fluttershy said meekly.
Nova placed a reassuring hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder and smiled letting her know he was going to be with her.
Fluttershy smiled back and the two went to the stage.
As soon as they got onto the stage, a goat came out from behind the curtains to block them at first. Fluttershy merely smiled while Nova raised a brow in confusion. They merely walked around the goat but he got in front of them again.
“Oh, he’s blocking your path, what are you going to do about it?” Iron will asked.
“Ask him to move?” Both Fluttershy and Nova said together surprisingly.
“No.” Iron Will responded.
Nova waited for Fluttershy to respond.
“Quietly walk around him?” Fluttershy asked.
“No.” Iron Will responded.
Nova provided an answer. “Well, being a unicorn, I could simply teleport past him.”
“No.” Iron Will said again.
“Gingerly tip toe around him?” Fluttershy asked.
“No.” Iron Will said again.
Nova couldn’t think of anything at the moment so Fluttershy made another suggestion then. “Go home and try again tomorrow?”
“NO!” Iron Will Exclaimed and zipped behind Fluttershy. “When some pony tries to block, show them that you rock!” He then flicked Fluttershy’s flank and forced her forward bumping into the goat and knocking it down.
“Hey!” Nova exclaimed at Iron Will.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Fluttershy said.
“Don’t be sorry, be assertive! Don’t apologize, when you can criticize. Like this.” Iron Will then bent down to the goat and started yelling. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going!? Now you try.”
Nova wasn’t too sure about this assertiveness Iron Will was teaching.
Fluttershy looked to Nova as if asking him if she should go through with it.
All Nova could do is shrug.
Fluttershy took a moment before trying it Iron Will’s way. “Next time, get out of the way before I bump into you. Because...I totally won’t be sorry when I do.”
Seeing this really made Nova think this wasn’t a good way to be assertive, especially for Fluttershy. He was about to say something when Iron Will suddenly lifted Fluttershy up by the hoof. “You see my friends!? If my techniques can work for this shy little pony, they can work for you!” The crowd cheered. As they did, Fluttershy seemed to smile.
After the seminar was over, Nova spoke to Fluttershy about his thoughts. “Fluttershy, I’m not so sure this is a good idea. This assertiveness from Iron Will doesn’t seem right. Especially not for you.”
“But I really want to learn to be assertive. I don’t really like being pushed around and taken advantage of.”
“Even so, there’s got to be a better way of being assertive for you than this.” Nova stated.
“And what is the right way for me to be assertive? There isn’t exactly any other way presenting itself. So this is really the only option I have.”
Nova sighed. “I guess, just try not to go overboard with it all right?”
“I’ll try.” Fluttershy said.
It was the next day when Nova decided to pay a visit to Sugar Cube Corner. He was a bit surprised to see such a long line. After a few minutes, he was finally at the front and surprised to see Rarity with Pinkie behind the counter. “Hey Rarity, what are you doing here?”
“I’m helping Pinkie mind the bakery today.” Rarity replied.
“So what can we get you?” Pinkie asked.
Before Nova could answer, they heard something going on near the back of the line. They looked back to see Fluttershy giving some mare the stink eye. “Maybe’s are for babies. Now go to the back of the line where you belong!” She said fiercely. This made the mare zip out. It was also enough to make the other ponies in the line go out behind Fluttershy.
Nova couldn’t believe what he just saw as he stared in shock.
Pinkie and Rarity just smiled at this. “Hey, look at you.” Pinkie commented.
“You’re absolutely fiesty, it’s fabulous.” Rarity commented as Fluttershy hovered to the counter.
Nova looked to the two. “You’re actually okay with this?”
“And why not?” Rarity asked. “It’s about time Fluttershy learned to be assertive.”
“But like this? She just made all those other ponies get behind her.” Nova stated.
“It’s fine Nova, that monster’s workshop is really paying off.” Pinkie retorted.
“Iron Will’s not a monster, he’s a minotaur.” Fluttershy pointed out. “And a real inspiration, his techniques really work.”
“Maybe too well.” Nova commented.
“Well they’ve certainly made a difference in the way you carry yourself.” Rarity commented. “You’re like a whole new Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy smiled proudly. “I am, and new Fluttershy is pretty stoked about new Fluttershy.”
Pinkie then chimed in. “And I feel real proud of new Fluttershy. Proud as pink punch.” She pulled out a bowl of punch and set it on the counter. “Want some?” She asked followed by a giggle and started laughing.
Fluttershy furrowed her brows at Pinkie’s laughing. “You laugh at me, I wrath at you.” She then shoved the punch off the counter, spilling it over Pinkie.
Rarity seemed surprised at this.
“Hey, Fluttershy, she wasn’t laughing at you, she was laughing at her joke.” Nova pointed out.
Pinkie got back up with the bowl on her head.
Fluttershy didn’t seem to hear Nova as she turned for the door. “Bye girls and Nova.” Upon exiting, the other ponies that were there scattered and she was back to smiling. “What a day. Taxi!” She flagged down a taxi carriage. Before she could get in it however, another pony was quick to hop in.
Fluttershy narrowed her eyes again. “Oh no you don’t. Cut in line, I take what’s mine.” She then leapt at the pony and started roughing him up before kicking him out of the carriage and onto the road. “No pony pushes new fluttershy around, NO PONY!” She exclaimed loudly, spurring the pony pulling the carriage to take off.
“This does not bode well.” Nova commented.
Pinkie commented in agreement. “Yeah, I’m not so sure new Fluttershy is not such a good idea after all.”
“I quit agree.” Rarity added.
This whole event made Nova forget about getting what he had come for and headed back home to the library.
The next day, Nova went off to try and find Fluttershy to see if he could talk some sense into her. During his search, he ran into Pinkie and Rarity who seemed to be doing the same thing. They headed off together to her home to try and talk to her. Upon arrival though, they spotted Fluttershy growling at some pony.
“You make me lose, I blow my fuse!” Fluttershy exclaimed before grabbing the pony by the camera around his neck and flung him off to the side into a pile of hay and his camera went further, striking the bell of a nearby clock tower.
The three approached with Rarity starting. “Fluttershy, what are you doing. That’s no way to behave.”
“That was completely unnecessary what you did just now Fluttershy.” Nova stated.
“Didn’t you see what he did to new Fluttershy?” Fluttershy asked. “And he thought new Fluttershy was a pushover.
“No he didn’t. He was just asking you for directions. It’s your own fault the letter you were holding fell in the puddle.” Nova pointed out. “That stallion did nothing wrong.”
“We all feel that you’re taking this assertiveness training too far.” Rarity stated as Fluttershy began hovering over them.
“What? You just want new Fluttershy to be a doormat like old Fluttershy. But old Fluttershy is GONE!” Fluttershy yelled out angrily.
Pinkie seemed to be getting confused with Fluttershy’s talk. “Old Fluttershy, new Fluttershy?”
“What about nice Fluttershy? We want that Fluttershy back.” Rarity said in hopes to get through to Fluttershy.
Nova gave a concerned look. “Please Fluttershy, just listen to us. You’re not acting like yourself. And that’s the Fluttershy we want.”
Fluttershy started circling them as she started a rant. “No, you want wimp Fluttershy, you want pushover Fluttershy, you want ‘do anything you want to her and she won’t complain’ Fluttershy.”
Pinkie was following Fluttershy as she circled with her head and got her neck twisted up. After the end of that sentence, her head spun around back to normal. “Ah, too many Fluttershy’s to keep track of. Make it stop.”
“Things getting too complicated for your simple little brain Pinkie Pie?” Fluttershy asked as she pressed a hoof to Pinkie’s forehead and flicked her back.
Nova was quick to catch her and gave a light glare at Fluttershy.
Rarity cut in next. “Now stop right there. Let’s not let things descend into petty insults.”
“Why, I thought petty is what you are all about Rarity, with your petty concerns about fashion?”
This made tears form in Rarity’s eyes.
Pinkie quickly jumped between them. “Hey, leave her alone. Fashion is her passion.” She swung her hips as she said this.
“Oh, and what are you passionate about? Birthday cakes? Party hats?”
“Fluttershy, stop it! Just listen to yourself!” Nova exclaimed. “We’re your friends and here you are insulting them. We’re just concerned about you. We’re trying to help you.”
“And what about you Nova, with your silly little stone carving buisness? Ooh, I can make stones glow, so fancy.” Fluttershy said in a mock tone.
Nova was proud of what his profession was. It wasn’t easy to shape the gems and put those enchantments on them to give them a unique glow. Fluttershy was attacking what their special talents involved. When Fluttershy said those things, it actually hurt his feelings.
“I can’t believe that the three most frivolous ponies in Ponyville are trying to tell new Fluttershy how to live her life, when their throwing their own lives on pointless pursuits that no pony gives a flying feather about!” Fluttershy exclaimed.
All three of them were practically in tears. “Looks like nasty Fluttershy is here to stay.” Pinkie Commented.
“I cannot believe what that monster Iron Will has done to you.” Rarity added before the two galloped off.
Nova stayed where he was though. Hurt as he was, he was determined to try and get through to Fluttershy.
“Iron Will’s not a monster, HE’S A MINOTAUR!” Fluttershy roared out panting heavily. She finally came to a landing and looked down at the puddle to see herself. This finally seemed to snap her out of whatever had gotten into her as she frowned. “I’m...the monster.”
“Yes...you are.” Nova said. “Fluttershy, you have to see what you’ve become. What you’ve said, and how you just hurt three of your closest friends. I get you want to be assertive, but this isn’t being assertive. This is being rude and bossy and….basicly a big bully.”
“Oh Nova, I’m so sorry. I...I don’t know what got into me. I...I didn’t mean...oh…” Fluttershy turned and flew off crying.
“Fluttershy, wait!” Nova called after her. It was clear Fluttershy finally realized her errors and Nova was glad, but was also sorry for Fluttershy and sorry he didn’t get a chance to tell her he accepted that apology. However, he figured she probably needed some time alone to think about things. So he headed back home for now.
Three days passed and not a single sign of Fluttershy had been seen. Once again, he had met up with Rarity and Pinkie on his way to Fluttershy’s home to see how she was and if she was okay. But upon arriving, her home was a mess. Most of the plants around her cottage were pretty much dead, the windows were boarded up with planks along with her front door and the holes in the bird houses and hovels.
“By the stars. What happened here?” Nova asked as they approached.
Rarity knocked on the door. “Fluttershy, are you in there?”
Pinkie moved to place her ear to the door. “It’s Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Nova!”
Fluttershy’s voice responded from inside. “Go away, go away before nasty Fluttershy strikes again.”
“Oh sweetie, we all said things we regret.”
“We did?”
Nova nudged Pinkie from her question.
“You’re right, I’m the only one to blame.” Fluttershy replied. “But don’t worry, I’m never coming out of my house again. Ponyville will be a lot better with me and my mean mouth locked away.”
“Fluttershy, you can’t be serious.” Nova said. “You don’t have to go to such extremes. As long as you realize what you were doing was wrong, you can keep it from happening again without locking yourself up like this.”
“That’s right dear, none of us blame you. You just received some bad advice from that Iron Will character.” Rarity added.
“Yeah, he’s the one that made you act super duper nasty.” Pinkie said before Rarity nudged her to correct her. “What I mean is there are other ways to assert yourself without yelling at every pony.”
“Yes, you can stand up for yourself without being unpleasant about it.”
“So please come out Fluttershy. You can’t stay in there forever.” Nova added.
“But I can’t. I’m too far gone. Every time I try to assert myself, I become a monster.” Fluttershy replied.
“You’re not a monster Fluttershy, you’re a kind sweet pony who just doesn’t really know how to say no.” Nova said.
“He does.” Pinkie said as she pointed down the path. Iron will was on approach standing on one of two goats with him with a basket in his arm.
The trio went to meet Iron Will just as he got over the bridge and stepped off the goat he was on. “Iron Will’s the name and training ponies is my game.” He gave a thumbs up looking off in the distance oddly.
Rarity, Nova, and Pinkie looked in the same direction in curiosity who he was talking to yet saw nothing. After realizing this, they turned their attention back to the minotaur. “What a darling little catch phrase.” Rarity commented.
“Fluttershy loves Iron Will’s catch phrases. Word on the street is she doesn’t take no guff from no pony.” Iron Will said as he nearly squeezed Pinkie and Rarity in a hug for a moment and headed for Fluttershy’s door. “So Iron Will is here to collect Iron Will’s fee.”
“Fluttershy’s in no condition to deal with that guy.” Pinkie pointed out.
Rarity dashed after Iron Will. “I’m sure a brave, strong, rich, handsome monster...minotaur...like you, doesn’t need that money right away. You can afford to come back later.”
Iron Will raised a brow. “Are you kidding? Fluttershy is overdue as it is. Iron Will collects now.” He said this as he picked Rarity up by her horn and dropped her over the edge into a bush.
“Do something.” Rarity pleaded.
“Hey!” Nova exclaimed and ran up to Iron Will. “I get you want to collect your money, but that’s no reason to drop a mare into a bush.” He got in front of Iron Will. “Look, Fluttershy...isn’t available. You’ll just have to come back another time.”
“Iron Will is going to collect.” Iron Will replied with a light glare and grabbed one of the boards on the front door, ripping it off..
Pinkie then popped up between Nova and Iron Will. “We’re not even sure if she’s home right now.” Iron Will picked her up and held her up and to the side. “She could be out frolicking with woodland creatures. Why don’t you give us some time to track her down for you.”
Iron Will paused at this and dropped Pinkie. Nova was able to act quick enough to catch Pinkie with his magic and set her down gently. “Iron Will does have some shopping to do.” He took out a list and the basket and started walking off. “Iron Will will be back later this after noon.”
“But that’s only half a day.” Pinkie pointed out. “We need a full day at least.”
“Iron Will will delay for half a day and no longer.” Iron Will replied.
“Hope this method works.” Nova commented to himself knowing Pinkie was about to pull the same trick she did with the tomato vendor.
“A full day.” Pinkie said.
“Half day.”
“Full day!”
“Half day!”
“Half day!” Pinkie switched it up.
“Full day!”
“We need half a day and no more!” Pinkie stretched her neck up to Iron Will’s level a moment before her body snapped up with her hooves wiggling in the air.
Iron Will grabbed Pinkie by the tail. “Well you’ll get a full day and no less!”
Pinkie smiled at her victory. “Okie dokie, see you tomorrow.” She was somehow able to move her legs like she was walking on solid ground and moving away from Iron Will.
It stopped though as Iron Will lowered her back to the ground and placed a finger to his chin. “Wait, what?”
Just when it seemed it was going to work, a cut little sneeze went off from inside, Fluttershy’s sneeze.
Nova face hooved hard.
“Huh, sounds like the search won’t be necessary. Iron Will collects now.” Iron Will went up to the door.
Pinkie tried to stop him. “But we had an agreement. You gotta come back tomorrow.”
“When some pony tries to block, show them that you rock.” Iron Will tossed Pinkie aside sending her into a mud puddle.
“Pinkie!” Nova cried out in concern. He looked back to Iron Will with a glare as he ripped off the rest of the planks.
“Your payment is overdue Fluttershy.” Iron made like he was about to punch the door but instead knocked.
Nova used his magic and managed to force Iron Will back. “Enough! I’m not going to just stand by and let you toss my friends around like this anymore!” He stood in front of Iron Will. “You need to leave now and come back another day!”
Iron Will simply glared down at Nova. “You want to get in Iron Will’s way?”
Nova was about to respond before Fluttershy’s door opened and the timid mare stepped out herself. “Fluttershy?” Nova asked.
“Nova, I appreciate you, Rarity, and Pinkie trying to help, but I think I can handle this.” Fluttershy replied.
“You sure?” Nova asked.
Fluttershy merely nodded and stepped forward more.
Iron Will pointed at Fluttershy. “You were nothing but a doormat until Iron Will turned you into a lean, mean, assertive machine! Now pay Iron Will what you owe Iron Will.”
“Um, no.” Fluttershy simply replied.
This left Nova, Rarity, and Pinkie stunned as Pinkie practically fainted and fell over.
“What did you say?” Iron asked harshly.
“No.” Fluttershy said again.
Iron Will flexed his muscles and started using the fence to do a few stretches like a wrestler getting ready for a match. “Oh, I’d hate to be you right now. Because Iron Will is going to rain down a world of hurt unless Iron Will get’s his money PRONTO!” He shouted at Fluttershy. The three ponies looked worried.
Despite all this, Fluttershy managed to remain calm and looked just fine. “During your workshop, you said one hundred percent satisfaction guaranteed or you pay nothing.” She calmly explained. “Well, I’m not satisfied.”
Iron Will exclaimed in shock. “What do you mean you’re not satisfied?! Everypony has always been satisfied!”
“Well I guess I’m the first. And since I’m not satisfied, I refuse to pay. It’s as simple as that.”
Nova gave a half smile. “Wow, way to go Fluttershy.”
Pinkie’s jaw was hanging open and Rarity was kind enough to close her mouth for her.
Both of Will’s goats poked up from behind his shoulders. He quickly turned and they started whispering while huddled together. After a moment, Iron stood before Fluttershy again. “Are you sure you’re not just a little bit satisfied? I mean, maybe we could cut a deal. We’re both reasonable creatures aren’t we?”
“I’m sorry, but no means no.” Fluttershy said firmly.
Iron hung his arms in defeat. “No means no huh?” He stepped back onto the back of one of his goats. “No pony’s ever said that to me before. That’s a good catch phrase. I should remember that for my next workshop.”
The girls and Nova took Fluttershy in a group hug. “That was amazing Fluttershy!” Pinkie exclaimed. “You totally stood up to that monster.”
“And you didn’t change at all. You were the same old Fluttershy we all love.” Rarity stated.
“You were very impressive Fluttershy. That was amazing.” Nova added.
“Don’t worry, the old Fluttershy is back for good. I’m sorry I took the whole assertiveness thing too far. Friends?”
Pinkie and Rarity had tears of joy in their eyes. All three replied together. “Friends.”