Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better…

-Jim Rohn

A town near Ponyville

A cart was being pulled by a blue and yellow stallion who was whistling a tune away from a town.

Which was on fire.

“We’re cookin tonight!” He chuckled as he pulled his cart away as he walked on he saw the road into the more rural areas.

“Next city! Let’s see… nope… nope… visited that one already… aha! The aptly named Ponyville, heehee! Time to make some wishes come true!” The stallion then began to walk his way to Ponyville tugging his ‘Wishes with a price’ cart with him while continuing his whistling.

Fluttershy walked through her garden feeding the wandering chickens.

“Here you go darlings,” Fluttershy said handing some feed to the chickens who happily ate.

Angel hopped up to Fluttershy who turned to him and saw his usual foot tapping.

“Wait your turn, Angel, I have other animals to feed too,” Fluttershy said as she hovered up to the trees to feed the birds.

Suddenly an owl fluttered near her and gave a few ‘hoo’s’

“Huh? Are we out of Owl bits?... Oh dear, and the owl migration is coming soon, I’ll have to go into town to get more, thank you for saying so,” Fluttershy said before she landed, Angel tugged on her pant leg and pointed at his mouth.

“I will just be a few more minutes Angel, please be patient,” Fluttershy said walking out to Ponyville.

Angel kicked a rock and decided, ‘nope’ and he hopped after her.

Rainbow Dash flew towards home looking depressed, she just failed the tryouts for the Wonderbolts again, not by any fault of her own, Lightning Dust cheated and the ref didn’t see, so she had to try again in a month.

“Why can’t she get canned instead of me…” Rainbow said grumbling, she would have to try again in a month, no prob, more time to practice.

Then she saw Fluttershy and decided she needed a distraction from her mood and she flew down to see Fluttershy.

“Hey Shy!” Rainbow called.

“Huh? Oh hey Rainbow,” Fluttershy replied.

“What’s up? You doin something today?” Rainbow asked.

“Yes, I am looking to get more owl feed, there’s an owl migration coming up and I want to be prepared,” Fluttershy said.

“Always thinking of others, I just aced the Wonderbolts test… and then…” Rainbow trailed off.

“Then?” Fluttershy asked before seeing something and her eyes widened.

“Then Lightning Dust cheated me! I swear, when I become a Wonderbolt captain one day, I’ll totally can her instead!” Rainbow said with determination… before realizing Fluttershy was hiding behind her “Huh? What gives?” Rainbow asked.

“Hide me!” Fluttershy said.

“Why?” Rainbow asked.

“Him…” Fluttershy said.

“Huh?” Rainbow looked and saw a handsome and strong-looking yellow and purple stallion.

“What about him?” Rainbow asked, wondering if she needed to beat him up for picking on Fluttershy… it’s happened before…

“Don’t let him see me…” Fluttershy blushed covering her head with her hands..

“Ooooh, now I get it,” Rainbow smiled that she had a crush “Name?”

“H-his name is Gold Rush, he owns a carriage service… I haven’t been able to talk to him anytime I meet him.” Fluttershy said, flashing back to the times she tried to talk to him and she clammed up and left with an excuse or he showed up and when she saw him she panicked and ran.

“I didn’t know you liked a stallion, good on ya,” Rainbow saw slapping her back.

“Eeep!” Fluttershy squeaked.

“What do you like about him?” Rainbow asked.

“H-he’s a sweet guy, I’ve seen him, he donates to charities, he has three Labrador retrievers, and he loves animals too… he’s also handsome… I just… don’t know if he likes me,” Fluttershy said.

“I’ll bet you just need a good wingmare, wait here!” Rainbow said darting over there.

“N-no! I’m too nervous!” Fluttershy exclaimed.

“Thank you mam, have a nice day,” Gold said as he handed out another form to advertise his business.

“Hey! Dude!” Rainbow called and he turned to see Rainbow.

“Oh, hey there, do you want a form? I’m trying to expand my business into Ponyvill-” He got cut off when Rainbow wrapped her arm around him.

“Yeah yeah, cool, hey wanna meet my friend?” Rainbow said.

“Well, I don’t-”

“Great! Wait here!” Rainbow said darting away from him and bringing Fluttershy who was as stiff as a board.

“Mr Rush, meet Fluttershy,” Rainbow said.

“Uhm… Hello,” He said looking a little shy himself.

Fluttershy was sweating nervously.

“Say hello,” Rainbow whispered to Shy.

“H-h-h-hi,” Fluttershy stammered.

He found himself blushing at her soft tone and he smiled back “Hi, my name is Gold Rush, nice to meet-”

“Great talk! Better go water the bunnies! Bye!” Fluttershy lost her cool and ran.

“Darn it…” Rainbow sighed.

“...Ooook?” He said confusedly.

“Uh… sorry, she’s shy,” Rainbow said.

“No problem, I gotta head, to work,” Gold shrugged and walked away.

“Now to find her,” Rainbow said taking off to look for where she went.

Fluttershy sat in an alleyway crying.

“Curse it… this isn’t fair…” Fluttershy sobbed “Why?... Why was I born so shy?...” Fluttershy said.

Angel hopped around looking for Fluttershy but didn’t see her until he heard her crying and saw her in an alleyway, curious he hopped over to her.

“Huh?... Oh hi Angel,” Fluttershy gestured for a hug.

Angel sighed and he jumped into her arms and she hugged him for comfort.

After calming down she exited the alleyway and prepared to look for Rainbow Dash, when she bumped into another pony.

“Oh, sorry sir,” Fluttershy said trying to go around him but he grabbed her shoulder.

“Wait mam, I may be able to help you,” He said.

“Huh?” Fluttershy turned and saw a blue stallion with a yellow mane and he was wearing a sunhat.

“Uhm… help me with what? If you don’t mind me asking,” Fluttershy asked.

“I’ll answer that with a question, do you believe in wishes?” He asked.

“....I’m not sure, to be honest, magic may be real but wishing seems a little farfetched,” Fluttershy said.

“Follow me, I’ll help you,” He said as he walked away and beckoned her.

“I-I don’t really know… no offense,” Fluttershy said.

“If you don’t want help with your problem just say so, but trust me, you’ll find your satisfaction only with my powers,” He said.

“Powers?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes, come come,” He gestured.

“Oooh… ok,” Fluttershy said as she walked with him, despite Angel's suspicion.

Twilight and Spike exited the castle, Twilight was talking to Spike about the recent friendship report she thought of.

“And In conclusion, I think that encouraging friends is the best thing to do in that situation,” Twilight said.

“Annnd done,” Spike said.

“Alright, can you please send it, and we can go visit Rarity,” Twilight said needing some friend time anyway.

“Sure!” Spike said before breathing fire on the message and sending it.

“Alright, let’s get going,” Twilight said before spotting Rainbow looking around.

“Hey Rainbow Dash, what’s going on?” Twilight asked.

“Hey Egghead, have you seen Shy? I lost track of her during… a confession I will not openly talk about, she should be the one to tell you,” Rainbow said.

“Confession?” Twilight said.

“Patient confidentiality,” Rainbow said.

“Gotcha, we can help you look,” Twilight said.

“But Twiiii,” Spike complained.

“Ok fine, I can,” Twilight said.

“Thanks!” Spike ran off to Rarity’s.

“Seriously wish he’d get over her,” Rainbow said.

“Me too,” Twilight said.

“Let’s go,” Rainbow said.

Fluttershy followed the mysterious stallion to the market area and saw a tent she hadn’t noticed before.

“When did that get there?” Fluttershy asked.

“Just got here today as a matter of fact,” He said.

“Oh, ok Mr…. I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name,” Fluttershy said.

“Just call me Djinn,” Djinn said.

“Oh, what an… interesting name,” Fluttershy said before following him to the tent.

“Well? Come in,” Djinn said.

“I-I’m a little claustrophobic,” Fluttershy said.

“Oh for Pete’s… trust me, you come in here, you’ll get your greatest desire, with a small price,” Djinn said.

“Hmm… o-ok,” Fluttershy’s heart was pounding, she was unsure seeing how she just met him but, she had Angel, so if things went south he could run for help.

“Ok,” He went into the tent and she followed him, and she found herself in a colorful tent with a series of colorful towels and a sitting area, it was a lot more spacy on the inside.

“Well? Sit,” Djinn said.

“O-ok,” Fluttershy sat in one chair and he sat in the other.

“So… I will give you the honor of knowing you're the first pony in this town to receive my help,” Djinn said.

“Help? What kind of help do you provide?” Fluttershy asked.

“The magical kind, I am what you call… a wish granter, for a price,” Djinn said.

“What is the price?” Fluttershy asked.

“We’ll work that out afterwards, for now, let’s get started,” Djinn said before pulling out a crystal ball and setting it on the table between them “Now… put your hand on this,” Djinn said.

“Which one?” Fluttershya sked.

“Either one,” Djinn said.

“O-ok,” Fluttershy reached forward and put her hand on the crystal ball.

“Now… tell me your heart's greatest desire,” Djinn said.

“Uhm…. why? What’ll-”

“Trust me,” Djinn said, honestly getting a little miffed with her hesitance on everything.

“W-well… a pink panda,” Fluttershy said.

“A what?” Djinn said.

“I’ve always wanted a pink panda,” Fluttershy said.

“I hear that, but I feel that isn’t it,” Djinn said.

“Wh-what do you mean?” Fluttershy asked pulling her hand away.

“Please don’t take your hand off the crystal ball,” Djinn said and she put her hand back on.

“It’s something else, I sense a stronger desire in your heart,” Djinn said.

“....A tamed manticore?” She asked.

“No,” Djinn responded.

“....Angel to behave?” Fluttershy asked and Angel looked at her offended.

“No,” Djinn said.

“..........a new dress?” Fluttershy asked more than said.

“NO!” He said startling her a bit “I sense it… I sense… a hole in your heart,” Djinn said.

“Oh my! Am I going to die?!” Fluttershy asked fearfully.

“Oh my gosh… why do they always respond like that… No! I meant a theoretical hole, a hole that swallows up any and all courage and leaves you a scared filly,” Djinn said.

“....It’s true,” Fluttershy said sadly.

“But I can help you, for a price,” Djinn said.

“How?” Fluttershy said.

“You gotta want it, do you want to be rid of your shyness?” Djinn asked.

“...Yes… Yes please!” She said looking distressed.

“Then wish for it…. Wish with all your heart, to be brave, fearless, and confident!” Djinn said firmly.

“I-I… I want it… to be confident! I want to be the bravest mare in Ponyville… no the world! I wish to be fearless!” Fluttershy said with all her heart.

“So you have wished it… so shall it be, and the price is what is near to you…” Djinn said the last part quietly before a great glow overcame them, the light made Angel fall off of her lap.

“AH! WHAT’S HAPPENING!?” Fluttershy asked as she couldn’t move her hand and it seemed like the light was enveloping her.

“Wish granted.” Djinn smiled as the light encompassed her.

Fluttershy was covered in the light and fell forward onto the table, clutching her chest with her free hand, groaning in discomfort and feeling nothing but pain in her chest as it felt like a hole was closing up in her heart she felt it shrink and shrink before it vanished, and all of the sudden… she felt the difference in herself.

When the light flashed one more time, Fluttershy was knelt over in new clothes.

“Feel better?” Djinn asked.

Fluttershy sat up, her eyes closed before it was revealed she was dressed in a fancy beige female office tux, a beige skirt, and a blue undershirt, her mane was styled differently, down like a pink waterfall and when she opened her eyes, they were sharp and just oozing with confidence.

“I feel… like a new mare,” Fluttershy said with a happy smile, she turned to a frightened Angel and smirked “Ask something of me in the way you usually do,” She said calmly.

…Angel knew something bad was going to happen but he did it anyway and he carefully gestured for her to fetch him a salad.

“Fetch it yourself! And while you're at it, bring me a salad,” she said firmly and with a tone that forbade argument, startling Angel, before giving a quiet squee and she turned to Djinn and stood up with him and shook his hand vigorously “Thank you thank you thank you! I feel so… liberated! The world doesn’t scare me anymore, the constant anxiety is gone! I just talked back to Angel without a hint of hesitance, oh how can I ever thank you?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well actually, there is one way, spread the word, I want more visitors, you know, to help them,” Djinn said with a grin.

“You can bet that I will share this service with any and everypony I know!” Fluttershy said before straightening up “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a stallion to claim,” She said before walking out in a professional manner.

Angel made to follow her but suddenly he was trapped in a cage.

“?!” Angel looked around and saw Djinn.

“Sorry little rabbit, but the price of her new confidence… is you,” Djinn said with an evil chuckle.

Angel’s eyes widened.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you… up until you are fat enough to eat,” Djinn said, smiling and showing his sharp teeth.

“?!?!?!?!?!?” Angel shook the cage and squeaked out Fluttershy’s name.

Rainbow and Twilight trotted through Ponyville, looking for Fluttershy.

“Where did she run off to?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah she’s not in her usual cowering areas,” Rainbow said.

“Well, I’m thinking we need to-... wait! There she is!” Twilight said pointing to Fluttershy who was walking towards them.

“Whoa… what the hay?” Rainbow said seeing her new outfit and the way she was carrying herself.

Her gait was gradual and seductive, not a stumble or misstep to be seen, and her expression usually bowed with anxiety and shyness was just glowing with confidence and eagerness to tackle the day, even her eyes were sharper and focused.

“....Uuuh… you sure that’s her?” Rainbow asked honestly taken aback by this transformation from her shy friend.

“F-Fluttershy?” Twilight asked as she reached them.

“Salutations my dear friends, how is your day?” Fluttershy asked, her voice had none of the quietness or meekness it was known for, it was smooth and confident, and not even a nervous stutter could be detected.

“Good… and you clearly had a good day too if you turned into… this!” Rainbow said gesturing to her professional mare appearance.

Fluttershy chuckled “Oh Rainbow dear, I feel amazing! Like I could take on the world and still go another round! I owe it all to this amazing pony named Djinn,” Fluttershy said.

“...Djinn?” Twilight asked.

“I was busy cowering in an alleyway just because a stallion talked to me, and when I was ready to continue wallowing in my pitiful existence, he approached me and took me to his tent, and I wished to become the bravest mare in the world! And now… I am,” Fluttershy said “Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, your looking at the new Fluttershy!” Fluttershy said striking a pose and looking over her shoulder at them.

“Wow….” Rainbow honestly felt the power coming off of her from here “So… uh… this guy grants wishes?”

“He mentioned a price but it seems all he wanted was for me to spread the word, by the way, I talked back to Angel! It was amazing, right Angel?...Angel?” She looked around and didn’t see him “Hmm… must have gone home, trust me dear, things will be changing when I get home, but first, I have a stallion to claim for myself,” She said.

“Slow down there, you sure? You might scare him like this,” Rainbow said, remembering how shy he was.

“If he doesn’t want this? Then I’ll find another, the world is big and Fluttershy cares not for it,” Fluttershy said.

“....Wait… what? ‘You’ll find another’?... Shy that sounds a little-”

“I’m practically bursting with confidence, if he doesn’t want this new amazing me, then that’s his loss,” Fluttershy said before flipping her mane “Anywho, I got work to do, toodles,” Fluttershy walked off.

“...Twilight, pinch me, I think I’m having a mix of a dream and a nightmare,” Rainbow said.

“...Me too…” Twilight said uncomfortably.

Author's Note

I love making BraveShy

And don't worry No rabbits were harmed in the making of this

I have anticipated this story for a while, so I hope you enjoy it.