Equestria Handiman: The Saga Continues

“So are you actually ok with taking things slow?” Umbral asks in confusion as Mark and his herd ride the train back to Ponyville as he goes over some folders on his laps, nodding while not looking at her.

“Pretty much, Daisy is a lady that needs to be courted properly and fair.

“The Holstaur that you have been pinning on for years, the model/stripper with a heart of gold that you been wanting to ask out for years, up until you thought she was already spoken for, and who clearly isn’t denying the possibility of double action with Skye, a well know maneater. And you want to take things slow?”

“Call me old fashioned, but I like to establish an emotional connection with those that I love, before moving into a more intimate one.” He finally looks at her with a smile. “That is how we ended up together after all.” He grabs her hand. “How I proved to you how I saw more than just one hot Thestral in front of me.”

Umbral cheeks darken slightly at the compliment. “Ok I see what you did there.” She smiles and leaned her head on her shoulder. “So I’m guessing Daisy is not gonna be just another bootie call?”

“Nope, I would love for her to join our little herd, but well, that is a decision we all have to make together, and I would like you all to meet her too.”

“No need to worry about me, we work together after all, and yeah she is cool, I can vouch for her.”

“Oh, a new friend?” Surprise’s head pops up from the chair behind them. “Sounds nice, the more, the merrier!” She nuzzles the side of his head. “If she is ok with our free spirit lifestyle, she will fit right in. Right Milky?”

She smiles and nods. “We will see.” She closes the book she was reading. “Nothing against the idea of course, but we can’t just accept anyone out of the blue either. I would like to meet her in pony to cow first. See if she could work in our herd or even if there is a chemistry”

They all look at her in confusion at her statement. “What? I know you two from childhood, and I did just that with Fluttershy don’t forget. I’m still the alpha here.”

“Right, but really Milky, you are gonna love Daisy.”

“Then there is no harm in meeting her before jumping to anything. Thank you so much for that by the way Mark, it means a lot that you are understanding of my position as the alpha too, and don’t just go jumping around like a horny teenager.”

“Haha, you know it honey.” Mark chuckles nervously, realizing he briefly forgot that detail until she brought it up.

“So, what are you looking at Mark?” Umbral takes a glance at the folder in interest, seeing various pictures of ponies in it.

“The candidates for the crown, Celestia and Luna hoof picked all of them and chose these 5 in particular thinking they would be incredible assets to the crown, and one could be the next ruler of Equestria.”

“That’s big, so are you looking at their records then?”

“Pretty much, want to see exactly what I’m dealing with, and see how they are before telling them the good news.”

“How exactly would you break the news that they are a candidate for the crown Marky?” Surprise questions looking at the folders from the other side with equal interest, as Milky and Fluttershy looks at him, curious as well.

“Well, the 3 of us agree that the last thing we want is tension, and the idea of competition among them. We want them at their regular best, not trying to impress us to sway our pick. So I will inform them of their position in Canterlot if they agree with a seat at the table. I will conduct interviews like a regular job. Taking notes and filling out, if they have or not the qualification needed in this list.” He shows them a list of needs, and two empty boxes to fill a no or yes next to it.

“-Dealing with the press
-Managing the masses
-Natural leadership skill
-Excellent social skill
-Problem solver
-Cool head during emergencies…”

Umbral continues to list off the qualifications, before passing the paper back to Mark. “And those are the requirements the future ruler will need to show?”

“The base of it, at least. I would also give them a judge of character myself to see which one fits the role better and once I and the princess compare notes we will arrive with a winner.”

“Are you gonna see them before speaking with Twilight?” Fluttershy question with worry “I think she would accept the idea now if you ask gently and give her time to think about it.”

“You are right, and don’t worry. Twilight will be the first one I talk to. I would be just going over these ponies because well…there is still a job opening for them helping Twilight, delegating responsibilities when dealing with a country. So no matter what they will be interviewed.”

“Ha, best case scenario you and Sparkles can go check them out together” Umbral suggested.

“Yeah I wouldn’t mind that. I’m just hoping for good results, I really shook things up with that stupid question.” He looks down in shame. “It will be good to finally get closure to that mess.”

The mares exchanged a glance not sure how to reply, as the rest of the trip was spent in silence.

Once they arrived in town they were greeted by Dash and Applejack who waves at them.

“Howdy partners, how did things go in Canterlot?” Applejack approaches the group.

“It went well AJ.” Fluttershy nods “It was quite the scare that happened during Nightmare Night but we managed to talk with Princess Luna and found out why everyone had that kind of dream after Nightmare Night.”

“I still don’t get it, why did the Princesses call you instead of us?” Dash crossed her arms in wonder. “Isn’t this kind of thing a job for the elements?”

“Not really.” Umbral replies with a shrug of her own. “Your wheelhouse is more like monsters, and world ending treats right? Mark and Shy are more on the feel good help with this kind of accidental job.”

“Accident?” Dash and AJ look at him confused as he nods.

“You could say that, let’s just say Princess Luna had one that caused the mess.”

“We aren’t dealing with another one of those weird sentient nightmares she made once right?” Applejack asks in worry.

“Nah, if it was THEN she would have definitely called you girls.”

“Speaking of which, where are the rest?” Milky asked with a smirk and raised eyebrow. “It's nice having a welcoming committee but why exactly did only you two come to see us?”

“Well you know…Pinkie and parties, Rarity and clothes.”

“A-And Twilight had that thing she told us about.” Applejack continues as they try to hide the small blushes on their faces.

Mark chuckles and shakes his head. “Be nice Milky, don’t get too carried away with your role.” Mark playfully warns her, slapping her flank, making her eep and chuckle. “You say Twilight had a thing going on, do you think she is busy now? There is something I would like to talk with her about.”

It was the two ponies turn to smirk. “Well, what a coincidence she has something she would like to show you too. Well mostly Fluttershy, but I bet you are gonna want to see this.”

“Me?” Fluttershy blinks a couple of times as they advance. “Follow us, they are probably in the castle, prepare to get your heads blown” Dash says in confidence, only filling their confusion.

“20 bits say Twilight is knocked up.” Umbral points out.

“I’ll take that bet.” Surprise says.

At that moment an alarm goes off, and Mark checks his scroll. “Oh nice! My shipment is here.”

“You order something?” Milky looks at him confused.

“A couple of tools for my job and some flyers to promote myself easier. You go ahead without me. I just need to go real quick to my house and put them away. Will be back to the castle in a second.”

“Oh ok, just hurry up, sugar cube.” AJ comments looking at a clock.

“Will be as fast as I can.” He waves at them before running away.

“Why the pressure? What, the surprise will not be there if he takes too long?” Umbral jokes with cross arms.

“Yes.” Dash answers without skipping a beat confusing the Thestral by that reply.

Eventually the group reaches the castle, and once inside they saw how the rest of the elements were happily chatting at the roundtable with a second taller Twilight next to the normal one.

“Girls…are you seeing the giant Twilight too?” Umbral asks in astonishment, as they all just nod.

“Ah! Ah!” Surprise lifts her open palm at Umbral, and she grunts as she pays up.

Once the taller Twilight sees them she gets surprised and greets them properly. “Oh hello, and who you might be?”
“Twilight?” Fluttershy takes a step forward, still surprised. “Is that…you?”

“Incredible isn’t it Fluttershy?” Regular Twilight comments with a grin. “Girls meet my counterpart from another dimension, Princess Twilight, meet Fluttershy’s herd.”

The ruling Twilight was taken aback by the revelation. “H-Herd? I-I mean what a surprise.” She smiles at Fluttershy like a proud mother. “Yeah I see, Fluttershy you finally overcame your shyness and came out of your shell, you even updated your wardrobe, I’m so happy for you.”

“T-Thank you.” Fluttershy smiles and blushes looking away. “Your Fluttershy doesn’t have a herd of her own?”

To her dismay, Ruling Twilight shakes her head. “Well I’m not so sure, she keeps her personal life pretty close to her chest, but she is happily taking care of her animals in her sanctuary, and rumor has it that she and Discord have become an item for sometime now.” She then smirks at her. “So I’m to assume the lucky dragon also caught your fancy, and you two decided to try a herd?”

“Discord?” Surprise can’t help but laugh at that. “Good one princess, not sure how it works with you but in here, Discord is like an ameba, he kind of doesn’t have, well anything down there.”

“Yep, smooth as a ken doll.” Umbral nods. “Not sure if he even has a thing going, a cool dude but not interested in that area.” She explained with a shrug.

“Your Discord is asexual?” Twilight deduced with a mild surprise

“Yeah pretty much, but I’m happy to hear yours is also happy and is a close friend…I suppose.”

“Oh yeah, he is an incredible royal jester too. By choice, like he offered himself the job and anything.” Ruling Twilight then looks at Milky. “And not to be rude or anything but who exactly are you? I’m sorry to say, but I’m afraid I don’t think I have ever seen you in my world.”

“Don’t sweat it Princess, it’s a pretty big world. There is no way you can make friends with everyone.” Surprise dismisses her concern with a wave of her hand.

“I should know, I tried it.” Pinkie confirms with an eager nod.

“My name is Milky Way, you should have an easy time finding me if you like, I’m Bon Bon’s cousin.”

“Umbral, nice to meet you Princess, what is your take on Thestral’s?” The bat pony questions with a raised eyebrow putting the room in some tension.

“I don’t know what to tell you Miss Umbral, just like the rest of my little ponies I care and I deeply love my Thestral subjects and I’m so grateful for keeping the night alive, and productive as they are part of our daily life in harmony under my rule.”

Seemingly satisfied, Umbral nods and smiles. “Ok, you are cool.”

Everyone let out a breath they didn’t know they were holding, and Surprise was quick to try to lighten the mood. “Hello, my name is Surprise, travel agent extraordinaire and passive psychologist as a hobby. I like making friends, traveling the world and trying my best to make everyone feel better when something happens. Do you want to be friends with me princess?”

Twilight can’t blink, and takes glances between her and Pinkie Pie. “By any chance are you and Pinkie Pie related?”

“Nope.” Surprise says standing next to the party mare.

“Why does everypony keep asking us that?” Pinkie looks perplexed.

“Maybe because you two look exactly the same?” Dash suggests with a raised eyebrow as both mares take a glance at each other before looking at the Daredevil.

“Nah, you are just seeing things.” They both dismiss, and reply at the exact same time.

“Creepy.” Dash says before continuing. “Anyway Princess Twilight…ah the tall one was telling us all about her own world and how things really worked out for all of us.” She starts with excitement. “I’m gonna be in charge of the Wonderbolts someday!”

“You all would have incredible lives.” Twilight comments. “And even if different I can see the same is happening, I mean looking just at Fluttershy alone, it fills me with happiness in how far she has come.”

“Ah, Princess, you should know something.” Milky steps up. “Fluttershy isn’t the alpha in our herd, I am.”

“What?” She looks confused once more and in that moment the doors open. “Please tell me I didn’t miss it.” Mark pants to catch his breath as he looks down.

“Ah! Just in time.” Umbra smirks as she and Surprise help him recover his breath. “The man of the hour. Princess met our stallion. Mark Star the resident human.”

He looks up, and finally sees the second Twilight. “What the…? Twilight has been trying that clone spell again? Didn't the thin and chunky Twily teach you your lesson?”

“It was ONE time! I’ve improved ever…” Twilight needs a moment to calm down and erase the blush on her face. “No Mark, I didn’t. This is me from another universe. A universe where I decided to take the crown 20 years in the past”

Surprise’s eyes widen as she remembers, and smirks pushing him forward. “Yeah Mark, say hello to Princess Twilight Sparkle from another universe, where she never met Flash Sentry.”

“How did you know that?” Ruler Twilight asks in surprise

“Well call me old fashioned but ours got a ring to symbolize her love for her herd.” She points at the golden ring on their Twilight.

“The fact you don’t have one makes me think you are available?”

“Yeah?”

“Interesting, don’t you think Marky?”

He tries to rebuttal her, but then remembers their conversation and sees what she is getting out of her teasing. “Surprise, this doesn’t mean anything.” He tells her with a blush.

“Sure, just saying.” She giggles and fakes ignorance, as Ruling Twilight keeps looking at Mark strangely.

“Can’t be, is he the same?” She mumbles to herself and extends her hand, when her clock rings again.

“Oh ponyfeathers, I’m so sorry everypony but I need to be going now. My world needs me.”

“It’s ok Princess, it was nice meeting you.” AJ nods.

“Yay, and we can see each other some other time right?” Pinkie asks.

“Oh don’t worry.” She takes a glance at Mark with neutrality. “I will be in touch pretty soon. Until then it was nice meeting you all. Thanks for all the data you helped me gather.”

“Data?” Mark looks at his Twilight in confusion.

“Long story, I will tell you later.” She promises as Ruling Twilight charges her horn waving at them teleporting back to her world.

“Well you were right Dash, this was quite the surprise.” Mark nods.

“Yeah good thing you arrived just in the nick of time partner.” AJ chuckles.
“I think she likes you~” Surprise teases him, poking his cheek.

“Knock it off Surprise, I literally just met the mare.”

The rest of the mane six look at him confused, until he clears his throat. “A-Anyway, as surprising as that was. She kind of made things easier in a way.” He turns to Twilight.

“Princess, the first time they kind of just dropped the power on you. This time they want to do this right.” He hands over the folders he had with him. “And there is no pressure this time whatsoever, nothing would happen if you say no but, ruling Equestria. Would you like to have that job?”