After the herd woke up, the mess in the gym was dealt with. Celestia and Luna insisted on having a chat with Mark alone. At first the group thought it was referring to what happened, and Milky wanted to be a part of the conversation since they all share some of the blame. Yet the Princesses dismisses her, telling her that this was something else entirely. A personal subject between the three that at some point they all simply put on hold, and haven’t had the chance to address, until Molestia and Lusuna remind the two by accident.

The human was understandably confused of what they could be referring to. But decided to listen, and let them talk as they gathered in Luna’s chambers to chat without concern of any eavesdropping.

“Ok then, so what exactly did you want to talk about?” Mark is sitting on a couch as the royal sisters sit in front of him, with Luna’s pet resting on her lap as she pets his back.

“Well Mark, the thing is, even though we no longer have any ill will toward you. The whole subject of Twilight no longer being our successor was never actually addressed.” Celestia began, getting straight to the point.

“What do you mean? We already solved that issue years ago, I sort of worked here for a year, helping you work through your issues and helping you…”

Luna stops him from continuing. “Indeed you helped us out with our issues, our issues caused by your interference, mainly Celestia’s.” Luna gives her sister a quick glance, as she looks back at her with annoyance.

“And like you said, a deep secret that plays a factor in why she wanted us to retire and pass the torch to the next generation. But the root of the problem itself has yet to be addressed.” Luna continues.

“Well, what else needs to be said, you both love your job and are great at it, what else is there?”

“A plan.” Luna was quick to answer. “More specifically, options, you put to light the fact that my sister laid out Twilight’s future for her out of the blue, and was passive aggressively putting the mantle of our successor on her shoulders.”

“Ok Luna, don’t need to keep rubbing it in.” Celestia complains with a quick glare. “Bottom line, I was wrong and I should have been more tactful, and yes I will ask this time, Luna.” Celestia responded before her sister could comment.

“So…you are saying you still want to retire?” Mark questions both of them.
“In time, yes.” Celestia nods. “Like I said, I have been ruling far longer than needed, because of our little incident, and now that everything is resolved. I would like to pass the torch and move onto the next chapter in my life with my family.”

“And as much as I appreciate your consideration and aid in including me more in ruling Equestria equally, I too find an itch to explore and see the world with my sister now that everything is behind us, and my wish for recognition was finally achieved.”

“Well I’m not gonna lie, it is a bit sad hearing you’re stepping down from the crown, but I can’t argue with your logic. You two also have a life, and have the right to live as you wish.”

“Do not fret, I might come back and offer to take the throne in the future.” Luna smiles at him. “Like we discussed, Tia already has a thousand years. Why shouldn’t I have one of them myself?”

“I’m telling you Luna, it is not as glamorous as you think.” Celestia says with a roll of her eyes.

“I’m not doing it for the comfy life, or the glamour. It is mainly a matter of principles…and to prove to myself that I have what it takes to rule a nation under my own terms.” Luna mentions with finality.

“I bet you would do a great job Luna, you and Lusuna.” Mark nods in encouragement at the Night Princess. “And sorry to ask, I’m flattered you wanted to discuss this with me first but I still don’t get how I enter the picture here. Yeah I’m the one that caused the change of plan but what exactly can I do now?”

“Well, after deep consideration and seeing how well versed you are in spotting mistakes, we come up with an idea for new candidates.” Celestia responds with a smile.

“Candidates?”

“Of course Twilight is still the primary runner up and as she manages to build herself, will maintain the title of Princess of Friendship for all eternity, we will discuss the prospect once more with her very soon and will ask if she truly wishes for the crown. Even if she would like some time to consider it properly, to eliminate any pressure on the matter.” Luna elaborates.

“But should she refuse, Luna and I already have been going over a list of potential candidates that could take on the mantle and would hold their tongue about the prospect of us stepping down from ruling. Until the public is ready.” Celestia continues.

“All aware of that will be offered, and will ensure to have a seat at the table, even if not chosen.”

“We would like to interview, and spend time with them, Mark.” Luna finally explains.

“Me?” He points at himself in shock.

“As we said, you have a keen eye for spotting mistakes and errors that my sister and I seem to keep overlooking, and your wits and character judgment are worth being praised for example, with our lustful other half, and how you faced an assured calamity against Tirek.”

“Not to mention achieving the impossible by finally cracking the shell of Chrysalis and managing to convince her to not only help us, but give friendship a try.” Celestia mentions.

“Bottom line, we couldn’t think of someone better qualified in assisting us searching for that mare, or stallion that we can entrust the nation with after our departure. We could easily order you to take the job as a form of atonement, but neither of us want to resort to force so, please Mark as a friend, would you help us out this final time?”

Mark was silent at the request, and needed a moment to process. But after considering it carefully and thinking about it, he ultimately nodded. “Not sure if I can really be of much help, but I could certainly give you a hand. I mean it's the least I can do as an external advisor right?”

“Thank you so much for understanding young Mark.” Luna nods a couple of times.

“Don’t mention it, that is what friends are for, I’m glad you are considering this more calmly and patient this time, who knows? If Princess Twilight can keep her job at the school, just like you opened your own Celly, so if a compromise can be found, she might eventually take the crown without any issue.”

“That could certainly solve the problem even more so now that she has found an adorable herd to be a part of. I’m sure Flash Sentry would make a spectacular Prince.”

“Ha, I’m sure they all will, and there is nothing the media loves more than the idea of a Princess pregnant right?”

They all share a laugh at the idea. “Indeed, but still, if in the end she decides to reject it, it would be wise to find someone that could fill that role.” Luna mentions as they all agree.

Meanwhile back in Ponyville, Flash Sentry could feel a chill going down his spine and the poor pegasus didn’t really know why.

Later that night, Mark explains what happened to the rest of his herd, and how the Princesses, even putting the subject on hold, still wished to step down from the throne and resume their plan on finding a successor.

“So they still hope Twilight takes the crown?” Fluttershy asks.

“More or less, but it will not be so much as an order, and more of a request.” Mark clarifies. “Honestly, part of me was thinking this would inevitably happen, but didn’t think it would be like this.”

“How exactly did a chat about finding Princess Luna a date lead to that?” Umbral questions with a raised eyebrow.

“It was mostly commenting how would a Princess find a date that would not be intimidated, or just plain looking for personal gain, one thing let to another, Celestia mentions how because of that she wanted to start dating after giving up the crown, and well they remember how the subject kind of stopped instead of been solved.”

“Do they really need to not be a Princess to date?” Surprise questions. “I mean I get their point but this sounds a tinsy bit excessive.”

“Perhaps but you have to respect the fact they want to search for an honest and healthy relationship without lies or disguises. While holding so much power over their shoulders, finding those that would not want anything from them is difficult. Even if found, whoever they choose will be an easy target for paparazzis, nobles and maybe even other rulers.” Milky points out.

“Yeah I recall, that is partly why neither of them decided to become part of the herd.” Umbral says.

“It’s a bit sad really, I wouldn’t mind having them with us.” Fluttershy mentions.

“It wouldn’t be fair, that would be like settling with just the very first pony that treats them differently, I can’t blame them for wanting to test the waters first.” Mark summarized.

“Fluttershy you know Twilight the best, do you think she would want the crown if it was offered to her?” Surprise looks at her herd sister with intrigue, as she hums and looks up.

“I’m honestly not sure, she sure loves her school of friendship, but she also loves the idea of being a Princess, and has voiced how much she would have a more active role as one besides just waving and smiling.”

Fluttershy nods and smiles, before looking at everyone. “I think she only needed time to process the idea and experience life by herself without it being arranged by Princess Celestia. And now that she has found love, and lived her life to the fullest there is a good chance she might say yes this time.”

“Ha, I like the way you think Fluttershy, but we better not get ahead of ourselves here, sure she will be an option, but for now it’s best I remain impartial, and give a chance to all candidates.”

His herd agrees with Mark as Milky looks at the window. “Only time will tell I suppose.”

“Hey Star, let's be honest here, you also want Twilight on the throne so you can keep your tradition don’t you?”

“What trad…NO!” Mark tells Umbral with a blush, and a glare, as she laughs. “Just because she is a Princess doesn’t mean I will end up sleeping with her.”

“Oh they are so gonna do it.” Surprise just shakes her head and Fluttershy shrugs. “Totally.”

“No I am not! I’m not a homewrecker, and she is already in a herd. She is definitely someone that would be out.”

“Sweetie, are you trying to convince us or yourself here?” Milky questions with a smirk and crossing her arms.

“It is not gonna happen, not now, not ever she is…is kind of my teacher! It would only be weird.”

“Oh! Then how about a Twilight of a different dimension that never formed a herd, if she appeared would you go after her?” Surprise questions out of the blue confusing the human.

“What?”

“Just saying, the rule is staying out of others' herd unless they consent right? Well what if you meet a Twilight from another universe, like someone that never met you and took the job as soon as Celestia and Luna suggested? Like…like one from 20 years in the future that remained single, and became a copy of Celestia, and took over the school of magic and Spike became her right hoof dragon that deals with international relationships, and Equestria became a world where all races lived happily and in harmony.”

Mark looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Surprise…did you eat expired sugar bags again?”

She remains quiet and slowly pulls out a small bag of sugar before reading the date of expiration. “Just a little but that is besides the point.”

“Surprise, you know those things make you see things.”

“Hey, I’m just saying it could happen.”

Mark only rolls his eyes, and shakes his head. “For the sake of argument, I will say yes, if something as bizarre and unlikely happens. Then MAYBE it could happen, but that is a big Maybe.” He says with finality as his herd laughs at the idea and Surprise’s antics.

None of them knew how Surprise’s claims might not be so far fetched as deep inside Twilight’s castle a special mirror she used to visit a friend from another world came to life and from it a silhouette of an alicorn started to form.

Author's Note

Should Mark bang Twilight and if so which Twilght? Let me know what you think on the comments!