Equestria Handiman: The Saga Continues

After one hour passes, Mark and Milky finally walk to the first floor, where Twilight was sitting on the couch reading a book with some heat in her cheeks.

With an embarrassed cough, Mark calls her attention.

“H-Hi Princess.”

“Hi.” Twilight says sharply, looking at them as Milky keeps hugging his arms with a big grin and closed eyes. “So are you done now?”

“...Yeah, we are listening, Twilight, what happened.”

“Don’t care, doesn’t matter, and I suppose in a cosmic sort of way, I had it coming from how many times the reverse has happened.” She closes the book and stands up. “Are we ready to go?”

“Go?”

“Ray Hope is a busy stallion Mark, we can’t just blow an interview because you got horny, and we already wasted a lot of time, sorry but I really don’t want to reschedule because of this.”

“Oh the interview!” Mark facepalms. “That is today! Twilight I’m so sorry I blew it, the train already left, we will have to change the date.”

“Oh no we won't!” Twilight demands with a glare. “Like I said we are not blowing this, because of what happened, we will take the expressway.”

She grabs his hand and lightly pushes Milky. “Sorry Milky, royal emergency here.” Her horn glows more intensely now.

“What? Twilight, wait don’t…!” Mark's eyes widen in horror, as he realizes what she was doing, but before he could stop her she already teleports the two away, leaving Milky rubbing her eyes from the flash, as an alarm goes off on her scroll, and her eyes widen in horror as well. “Ah! Work!” She rushes to the front door and closes it, before springing to reach the next ride to Trottinham.

Appearing in front of a tall building Twilight lets go of Mark and walks forward as he finishes her sentence. “…used your teleportation spell” He sighs in defeat and glares at her. “Great, now I’m in Manehattan reeking of sex with no wallet, no keys to my home, not the folder for questions and in informal clothing.”

Twilight doesn’t listen and just uses her magic to morph his clothes into a business suit and summon a copy of what they need for the interview, and a quick cleaning spell to get rid of any odor and leave him presentable. “There, now you are ready” She looks at him before losing her balance and almost falls if not for Mark catching her.

“Twilight you can’t keep using so much magic like that, it’s dangerous.”

“I’m fine, I once lifted an ursa minor and used a lullaby to put it to sleep, and froze an entire town, and turned a rock and a lug into a formal suit. I can handle these kinds of spells, no problem.”

“But did you do all of that in quick succession?”

“…no.”

Mark sighs and puts her arm behind his head for support. “Then my point still stands.”

“But we can’t just cancel our appointment, this is important.” Twilight complains as they advance to the front door.

“I agree, and I’m sorry we were running late but really, Ray Hope is a business stallion I’m more than sure he is familiar with canceling meetings here and there.”

“Not like this one, what kind of example would I be imparting as a ruler if my very first interview has to be rescheduled?”

Mark can’t think of a rebuttal and only sighs, feeling responsible for their predicament, just because he forgot the date and got carried away.

“You really want to give a good impression don’t you?”

She nods solemnly. “It took a lot of soul searching and discussion, both internally and with my friends and herd but I now know this is what I want. I really wish to become the next Princess of Equestria.”

“Then I will help you in any way I can. Just relax and try to recover your strength, I will handle the questions.” He offers her a smile as she gets enough energy back to walk properly as they reach the counter.

As that happens, in another dimension

Twilight was hard at work passing through some pages in a spell book as Spike hands over some ingredients and a cauldron.

“This is all Twilight” He tells with a sober tune.

“Thanks Spike, stay close, I’m gonna need your help preparing the spell pretty soon.”

“Twilight is this really the only option? I mean does 5T-S really deserve this?”

“Come on Spike you are making it sound like we are talking about a living thing, 5T is not even alive, the closest you could describe him as is a well constructed golem.”

“I know, I know but well didn’t you use the memories of old strangers to build it? What if in doing so, you kind of give him life?”

Twilight has to stop and laugh at the notion. “Come on Spike are you hearing yourself? This is real science and magic at work here, not a cheap wishful fanfic, I guarantee 5T-S might fool anyone that doesn’t know the truth, and I made it so he could adapt and infiltrate flawlessly into society, but he is not in any form or capacity alive.”

“Then why go through all of this? Why not just tell them about him?”

“Because it is a defective one, and very dangerous too, if he gets just a whiff of hostility, or danger he could get wise and escape once more to yet another dimension, maybe start hoping from one, into another, making even more wrecked than what he already did. Thank Celestia he just got stuck in one place, and doesn’t know who I am to him. He is my mistake, Spike, and I need to fix it.”

Spike only looks down and sighs, preparing the ingredients. “So, what is the plan then?”

“You will see, even if defective, 5T-S might be dangerous and hard to trap if we are not careful. That is why we will approach this methodically and slowly.”

“Hope you know what you are doing Twilight, or you might just create an even bigger problem.”

“Please he is an aid and infiltration unit, not a terminator. I’m sure I can handle it if worse comes to be.” She dismisses his concern as they get to work.

Back In Manehattan

After announcing themselves, the Princess and human were guided to the waiting room while Ray Hope finishes a previous meeting allowing her to recover some energy, and go over the pointers of what is to be discussed, among other things.

“So…engaged, never thought I would ever imagine you tying the knot.”

“Why? You think I would be scared at the idea of being married?”
“Not exactly, more like you would be so absorbed in a book, or research, or friendship problem, to actually manage to plan and go through with a wedding.”

“Hey! I will let you know, even if it was last minute. I planned my brother's wedding without any issue, thank you very much.”

“…the very last day before the wedding, when everything was already set, and the bride was replaced.”

“I still count it!” She rebuttals, with a huff making him chuckle.

“Ok, all jokes aside, I’m really happy for you Twilight. To be honest I don’t even know how a herd wedding even works, but I see how happy Moondancer and Flash Sentry makes you. I wish you the best.”

“Thanks.” She smiles and nods in gratitude.

“If I may ask, what made you decide to make it official anyway?”

“Well in a way, it was a consequence of all the soul searching I…or rather we have been doing, being a Princess like this, is one huge step you know? It not only affects me anymore, it affects all of us. Our herd dynamic might even have to go through a lot of changes.”

“Royal laws about herding?”

“Yep, but more than that, I was mostly concerned for them. By being with me, they instantly became royals too, we would be saying goodbye to a lot of our privacy. Equestria itself and their grandmothers will know exactly who Twilight Sparkle is, and who she is in bed with.”

“Wow…and even knowing that you still want to go through with this?”

“Yep, that is what led us to this decision, I know this sounds crazy, and you have every right to not believe me after ‘ahem’ the incident, and our arrangements, but we are a bit of a small conservative herd.”

Mark looks at her with a deadpan look, and remains quiet.

“We are! I swear!” She gets defensive, with a big blush, before taking a deep breath. “Our ‘special activities’ aside we aren’t exactly looking to be a big herd, and becoming a ruler, well. If I didn’t have suitors before, I sure will have them now.”

“So the wedding is also a way to stop them in their tracks before they try?”

“Who says they haven’t tried already?” She smirks at his reaction allowing her a moment to chuckle “But yeah, it’s also for that reason. A way to let anypony know that we aren’t looking for more mares in our herd.”

“And the special…”

“BESIDES the point.” She stops him with clenched teeth, and her blush returns. “And will mostly be reserved to close friends, aware of the situation. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t exactly a rush decision either, we have considered the option before too. It’s just that we are now certain this is what we want to do.”

“Then I’m so happy for you Twilight. And are you going to do this before or after taking the crown?”

“We actually thought of doing it during the coronation, I mean it will be a big party regardless, so why not do a two for one deal for the press, instead of just planning two parties?”

“Ha, I bet Pinkie had some objections when you told her that.”

“Right, she might have one.”

“Might?” He raised an eyebrow at her “Twilight, the rest of the girls know…right?”

“I mean I told you first, because I kind of jumped the crossbow, and you needed the answer for the other thing. But yeah I haven’t found the way to break the news yet.”

“Oh no, that is not gonna happen Twilight, you need to tell them right now.”

“Yeah, I agree, but Moondancer wanted to make it a tiny bit more special, and do it in a couple of days.”

“Ok, why?”

“Because we are planning to make it a beach party surprise.” She confesses with contained excitement.

“Ah ok, I admit that sounds like fun, also I think you have been spending a lot of time with Pinkie Pie if you wish to share the news at a party. Why the beach anyway?”

“Flash likes to surf mostly, but I think it will be entertaining, the sun, the games and the ocean. We will all be there, and you and your herd are more than welcome.”

“Thanks, I’m not sure if all of us can be there, but they sure will be happy to hear they were considered.” He smiles at the idea, starting to get excited for a day at the beach, with his friends and loved ones.

“Princess Twilight.” A mare in a business suit and a clipboard approaches the two. “Ray Hope will see you now.”

“Thanks.” She nods and they stand up.

“Ready to do this?” Mark asks her with some worry in his tone

“Mostly nervous, but yeah, I think I’m as ready as I possibly can be. Now let's brighten this ponies day.”

He nods, and the two advance, until the secretary takes them to a very luxurious and wide office where an earth pony stallion with a blue business attire, and brown fur greets them from the other side of a big desk.

“Ah Princess Twilight!” Ray raised his arms in a hug gesture and a giant grin. “So glad to finally meet you, Mr. Ray Hope at your service.” He extends his hand, and the two shake it in courtesy.

“Please have a seat.” Ray sat back in his chair and started playing with a rubber ball. “I must say, when I heard the call from Princess Celestia informing me about a job opening in the biggest league, at first I thought she was pulling my tail. But then, when you scheduled a meeting, I started to sweat buckets thinking. ‘Oh shit, they are serious here.’”

Twilight laughs lightly at his attitude. “You have nothing to worry about Mr. Hope, if your resume is anything to speak of, this might even sound like a step down from all the pressure you have to deal with on a regular basis, Mr. King of economy.”

“That is mainly a cute nickname the press picked for me.”

“Oh, I’m more than familiar with it.” Twilight nods, and gets closer .“I was just wondering if you would be interested in making it a more true nickname.”

That caught his attention, and leaning back in his chair. “I’m listening.”

“Well, Mr. Ray Hope, first of all, I want you to start things off that way there is no pressure attached here.” Mark finally speaks up and raises the list of questions prepared.''And as it was disclosed previously, it is safe to say, anything that is discussed here stays quiet until told otherwise?”

“Well of course, you have my word.” He promises the two, as Twilight looks at Mark and nods letting him proceed.

“Well sir, in that case, we want to tell you. That even if we do not have an exact date yet, it guarantees that Equestria will have some big changes in administration.”

“And I would like to know if you would be interested in being a part of the new status quo?” Twilight continues getting more attention from the stallion as they start the interview properly.

3 hours later

Exiting the building, Twilight and Mark head straight back to the train station heading to Ponyville, the former stretching in satisfaction, extending her wings to their full length.

“Ah, this went way better than I could have hoped.” Twilight exclaimed with closed eyes, and a big grin. “What do you say Mark, does he have your seal of approval?”

“He sure gives me a good first impression.” He agrees walking besides her. “But I still reserve my opinion after I take time to see him in action and how he runs his company. Speaking of which, are you sure it is wise to let him have so much autonomy?”

“What is wrong with that? A good Princess, trusts her most trusted subjects, and is absent from micro managing their work.” She quotes with pride.

“And that is cool and all, but Twilight you just met the guy, sure his record is something to behold, but even the best need a trial period before granting them so much freedom.”

“And who is to say that freedom ISN’T the trial?” She turns to look at him and wink.

“Twilight you are saying that this is…?”

“Mark, friendship requires commitment, trust, and time to build it up, my ruling will pay homage to the pillars of friendship, and good will to your neighbour, but that doesn’t mean I will just trust blindly, at anyone looking for a job, the true test of characters can be seen when you grant someone the illusion of not having consequences.”

“So, the supposed autonomy and freedom?”

“A trial to test his character while under the watchful eye of someone I trust, to determine how he would handle the gift I grant him, and if he abuses it well, just as easy as I give it, I can take it away.”

“Twilight that…that is actually brilliant.”

“Told you I was ready to take on the job now.”

“So, who is the one that will be keeping an eye on these ponies?”

Rather than answer, she only keeps smiling at him and slowly lifts an eyebrow.

“It's gonna be me isn’t it?”

“Who is better than one that is both, as sweet as taking the best interest for me in his heart, and is not afraid to speak the truth to harsh reality. Plus it is part of your job description.” She pokes the bracelet on his shoulder. Rushing ahead to the train station.

“I’m pretty sure this is not part of what an external advisor does!”

“It will be under my ruling!” Twilight calls back with a laugh.

Surprised Mark needs a moment, before chuckling and shaking his head.

‘Well looks like I’m keeping my job on the castle then, ha, not bad Twilight. Not bad at all, it’ll be nice seeing what other ideas you have in store.’

He goes to catch up to the Princess to board the train back home.