Gold Rush had finished handing out flyers and was getting ready to head home.

“Hopefully Lin, Lou and Mitzy didn’t tear up the sofa again,” Gold Rush said as he hurried on back to his cart.

As he opened the back of the cart and got ready to climb in a hand came out of nowhere and shut it.

“Huh?” Gold Rush turned and saw Fluttershy, only… something was very different about her, was it the law firm outfit? Was it the straightened mane? Was it the near-predatory look she had in her eyes as she stared at him with desire?.... More like all of the above…

“Uh… hi Fluttershy, you seem… different,” Gold Rush said nervously.

“Oh… I am different, thanks to a little ole wish I’m now an alpha mare, and I want you, handsome,” She flirted.

“Uh… you ok? You seem-” She grabbed his tie and pulled him in and he yelped.

“Enough talk, pick a location, I’m ready anytime,” She said, her breath tickling his ear.

“U-uh, this is kinda making me uncomfortable,” Gold Rush back up.

“Oh? Am I being too rough? I can take it easier, very easy,” She said sitting on the wagon and patting the side of it.

“...You’re not the same mare as before, you’re kinda scaring me,” Gold said, looking for an out.

“Was the old me preferable?” Fluttershy asked with a raised brow.

“No offense but yes,” Gold Rush said with a sigh.

“Oh… well, you sure you don’t want any of this? Nothing is too extreme for me these days, I can really-”

“Yes, I think I need to leave now, so please get off the wagon, I need to go,” Gold Rush said.

“...Alright,” Fluttershy sighed as she hopped off and saw him climb on and he took it away.

“........His loss,” Fluttershy said with a shrug before walking away.

As Fluttershy got home she looked around and saw her animals running around doing what they wanted, as old Fluttershy she’d just meekly let them go about their business, but as new Fluttershy… she didn’t have the patience.

“STOP!” She said with a cold finality and every animal froze in place.

“There’s gonna be some new rules here, one no more knocking things over, you knock it you fix it, not me ARE WE CLEAR!?” Fluttershy said loudly, like a drill sergeant.

The animals, scared of her new forceful tone saluted and nodded meekly.

“SECOND! No talking back about your meal, eat what’s in front of you, OR DON’T EAT!” Fluttershy said.

They nodded.

“Thirdly, when I say, no predation, I MEAN IT,” Fluttershy said glaring at an alligator who had a mouse in his mouth and he nervously spat him out.

“Finally, I expect some work to be done around here, I’ve been too lenient on you all, I’ll take a break today because I need it, the rest of you, CLEAN HOUSE,” Fluttershy didn’t once break the stare.

The animals immediately lined up, nodded, and then ran around to begin cleaning.

“Whew, now that that’s done, it’s time for some garden catalogs,” Fluttershy said walking over to the couch and sitting down, feeling pleased she finally stood up for herself to her less obedient animals.

Harry looked at her nervously and wondered what turned her into this?...

Applejack huffed as she kicked another tree.

Today was another day, except not just any other day… it was the anniversary of when she lost her parents, she was too young to remember what happened.

And Granny’s health is declining, it won’t be long before…

“It ain’t fair…” Applejack said remembering how Granny told them it was alright that they wouldn’t get her a great grandchild in time, but she was glad to be able to be with them with her time left.

… if only she had more time.

Applejack breathed heavily before seeing she’d finished bucking this part of the orchard.

“Time ta switch shifts with Mac,” AJ said as she headed down to Ponyville, as she walked into Ponyville she saw some odd sights.

Mrs. Cheerilee was flying through the air… as a pegasus?!

Carrot Top was pouring a mountain of carrots out of a simple bag, it was unending.

Derpy was conjuring muffins and eating them.

And… who was that beefy white mare walking towards her?

“Mornin AJ,” Bulk said.

“Wait a minute… Bulk Biceps!?” Applejack said seeing him as a mare.

“Yep,” Bulk Biceps said.

“....How… what in the… Discord did this didn’t he?” Applejack demanded.

“Nope,” Bulk Biceps said.

“Then how?” Applejack demanded.

“A stallion with wish-granting powers did this,” Bulk said.

“...You wished to be a mare?” Applejack asked.

“Well actually I asked to be the person I am deep down,” Bulk said.

“...Why? Never thought ya had problems with yer sexuality before,” Applejack said.

“It’s… complicated, anywho, I’ll head back home now, Big Mac told me to tell you to, watch the apple stand please,” Bulk Biceps said before walking away.

“....Ah’m confused, let’s go find out bout this wish granter that turned Bulk into a mare,” Applejack said before walking away.

As she made her way to the market she put the be back in five minutes sign up and looked around before finding the big purple tent with the words ‘Wishes for a price’ on the side.

“Alright, let’s debunk this,” Applejack entered and had to step out of the way of a pony with a… monkey butler?...

“Come this way, Mr. Peels, we’ve got lots of housework to do,” The mare said.

The monkey chittered in agreement.

“This went from weird to crazy,” Applejack said before storming into the tent.

“Alright, who is runnin this business?!” Applejack demanded.

“Oh here I am,” Djinn said poking his head out the back and walking up to Applejack “What can I do ya for?”

“Are you the one who caused Ponyville to become like this?” Applejack asked.

“You mean created a Ponyville where everyone's desire is fulfilled? Yes,” Djinn said.

“It’s chaos out there, fix it,” Applejack said.

“I’m doing everypony a favor, deal, speaking of deals, wanna make your own wish?” Djinn asked.

“No, ah don’t buy into that hoopla,” Applejack said.

“...And yet you came in here to complain about my wishes?” Djinn said unsure of where her logic is going.

“Fine… point taken, but ah have no need for a wish,” Applejack said.

“You sure?... I’m sensing something you desire…” He said.

“What?” Applejack said.

“Something about your grandmother… what could it be?” Djinn said.

“H-hey! Stay outta mah head!” Applejack shouted.

“You’re sad she’s dying soon… my condolences,” He said with a hidden grin.

“Shut up!” AJ picked him up by his shirt, but he didn’t seem afraid.

“What if I could help give her more time?” Djinn said.

“If ya mock me one more time ah’m gonna-” Djinn somehow slipped out of her grip and sat at the table.

“Well? Wanna save her or what?” Djinn asked with an unfriendly smile.

“Ah do want it… but nopony can extend the lives of others! It’s impossible, less you’re an alicorn,” AJ said.

“I can’t make her an alicorn, but I can help, I promise you, make your choice,” Djinn asked.

“...Ah'll try it… but this better not be some cruel joke, or ah’m gonna get violent,” Applejack said.

“I’d like to see you try…” Djinn said as AJ sat down.

“What?” AJ asked.

“Nothing, now, put your hand on this here crystal ball,” Djinn said as he set it on the table.

“Fine,” AJ said as he put his hand on it as well.

“Now wish away farmer,” Djinn said.

“Fine ah wish Granny Smith had some more time in this world,” AJ said.

“Be more specific, I can’t do something that vague,” Djinn said.

“Ah wish she was younger, young enough she could enjoy life and have enough time ta meet her great grandkids,” AJ said, expecting him to reveal this was a cruel joke.

“So you have wished it, so shall it be, in exchange for something you treasure,” Djinn said and the ball lit up.

“The hay?!” AJ exclaimed and the flash overcame the area and formed into a ball of magic “What the?” Applejack said and she saw it fly away.

“Wish granted, go home to her,” Djinn said.

“...This better not be a lie,” Applejack warned before she headed home.

“And in exchange, I get something of yours,” Djinn said laying back in his chair.

Applejack hurried home, she needed to see if this was true!

Meanwhile Apple Bloom was carrying an extra blanket to Granny who was shivering, even though she had three blankets.

“Ah… got ya another one,” AB said.

“Aw… thank ya dear, ah’m glad ta have a pony like you as a granddaughter,” Granny said.

“You’ll get better soon right Granny?” AB asked.

“...No,” Granny Smith said and Apple Bloom began to cry a little.

As Granny was trying to console Apple Bloom the blue sphere flew through the window.

“What?” Granny said looking at the sphere before it flew into her and entered her chest.

Then she glowed.

“Huh? Granny?!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“Wh-what’s happenin?” Granny Smith asked… before her wrinkles started to vanish, slowly.

“Huh?” Apple Bloom said in awe as she saw Granny Smith… getting younger?

Her mane and tail regained color, and the wrinkles on her face vanished leaving smooth fur-covered skin. Her posture straightened and any sagging part of her body returned to its younger state, with a crack her bones hardened and health returned to her.

Applejack came in just in time to see her grandmother back in her prime.

“Wh-what… HUH?!” Granny stood up, and to her surprise, nothing cracked or twisted.

“G-Granny?!” AJ and AB exclaimed.

“Wha-what happened ta me?... Ah’m… young again?” Granny Smith felt all over herself and found she’d gotten her youth back.

“G-Granny?...” AB said approaching cautiously.

“I-it’s a miracle,” Granny said with tears in her eyes.

“Yer… young again…” AJ said before running over to Granny Smith and hugging her, and this time she didn’t squeeze lightly.

“Ooof! If ya hugged me that tightly before ah’d snap in two!” Granny laughed hugging Applejack back and Applejack grunted, she had the strength of an Apple alright,

“Thank you…” Applejack said, knowing Djinn wasn’t blowing smoke after all.

Suddenly Big Mac came in and gasped upon seeing the young Granny Smith.

“G-Granny?!” Mac said, his eyes wide before he shook his head “No, question this later, ya’ll need ta see this,” Big Mac led them outside and they gasped seeing the now empty trees.

“Wh-what happened ta the apple stock?!” Granny exclaimed.

“Ah don’t know, ah was in the orchard buckin them and suddenly they all just… poofed away!” Big Mac said.

“...Ah may have ta rescind that thanks…” AJ said.

Djinn was eating an apple when AJ came storming back in.

“So it was you who stole our apples! Give ‘em back!” AJ said.

“That’s a funny way to say thanks for rejuvenating your grandmother,” He said casually.

“Ah’m thankful for that, but ya’ll can’t take every apple on the farm! What’ll we sell to afford stuff for the farm durin the winter?” Applejack said.

“Hmmm…. Don’t know don’t care,” He shrugged.

“You snake, ya tricked me!” AJ said.

“Ah ah! Technically I didn’t, it says so right on the banner outside, ‘Wishes for a price’ not my fault you didn’t think of the consequences,” He said taking another bite of the apple.

“Give back our stock or so help me I’ll-” Applejack threatened before he held up his hand.

“Before you beat me senseless, let me remind you I made Granny younger and spry in the first place, I can just as easily take it away, you wanna be the one to look her in the eye and say ‘I took away your second chance at youth over a few measly apples’?” Djinn asked.

Applejack looked stunned and she didn’t know what to do.

“Sunk in? I own your stock now, and unless you want me to take away Granny’s youth, I suggest you leave me to my apple collection, which will fetch me a handsome price by the way,” Djinn said.

“You heartless monster,” Applejack said.

“Been called worse by my mother, I say whatever, now skedaddle, and by the way, if you tell anypony about the bad end of the deal and cause business to slow, well… you know,” Djinn said.

“Fine, ah hope ya choke on it,” Applejack said walking away.

“Next customer!” Djinn called.

Author's Note

I know you just want to reach through the screen and punch him, I wanna do it and I wrote him.

But I assure you, AJ will do anything to get what he took back without compromising Granny Smith.

The question is, what?

As for Shy, it seems her newfound overwhelming confidence is starting to shape a slightly nasty side to her.