The Mayor Of Canterlot

Blowing the steam emanating from his coffee cup, a silhouette of a human lent on the door frame of his balcony as he observed the majestic castle in the distance. He lifted his cup as though he was waving a greeting to an invisible guest. He admired how the night transitioned into day, chuckling at not only how fast the transition occurred, but how the pegasi got to work seconds after the day officially started, a work ethic he was more than eager to emulate.

He placed his cup down on a nearby table and began his morning routine. After taking an invigorating shower, he entered his wardrobe and picked out a nice suit; A white dress shirt paired with formal, dark brown pants, a silver vest, and a shiny pair of black dress shoes. He then walked over to a large mirror. What he saw in front of him was a human man with tanned skin, looking dapper as hell. He meticulously corrected some small imperfections in his suit, before smiling. Followed by a quick combing to tidy up his slightly messy hair. After he was done, he flashed his teeth to check for any leftovers from his breakfast. With one last look, he smiled and threw himself a wink before turning around and leaving.

“Time to earn my bread.”

********

With an air of positivity, the human marched through the streets of Canterlot as ponies begin to open their shops and start their day. They happily greeted him as he passed by.

"Hi, Mayor!" A grocer hollered.

"Hey, Mayor Mark!!!" A few kids shouted, stopping their game to wave at him.

"Hey Mark, when are you gonna give me a rematch?" An elderly unicorn called out, pointing at a chessboard. All the while, Mark simply nodded politely or waved back at them as he continued on to city hall. Walking into the building, he immediately headed towards his office… where a huge stack of papers was waiting for him. A stack which seemed to also greet him.

"Mayor Mark!" A smiling thestral mare peaked from one side of the stack, her long, spiky, purple hair unmistakable. Her style was the very definition of punk, right up to the nose piercings, yet was also somehow still formal. She wore a neon green business jacket paired with a light purple skirt and a flashy pair of green high heels. She seems to be carrying a clipboard filled with appointments and errands he must achieve for the day.

"Good morning. Hope you’re ready sir because we have a long day ahead of us!"

Mark shook his head with a smile.

"Like you need to ask. Come on, let’s go in order from top to least priority, Ms. Drusilla." He instructed, cracking his knuckles and neck. "Let's tackle this monster!"

She nodded a couple of times and the two soon begin working in earnest, with papers practically flying everywhere as they reviewed each and every one for approval.

Over the weeks and months after being elected mayor, Mark worked diligently to improve the city's living conditions. This quickly earned him a spot on the front pages of various newspapers and magazines, as the human tended to move around a lot.

********

"Okay everyone, I’ve heard your complaints and fears!" Mark asserted as he addressed a group of Canterlot’s nobles, "You have nothing to worry about, I'm not here to steal your caviar and expensive bubbly wine!"

This quip garnered some laughter from the audience as Mark continued, "But seriously, what if I told you there was a way for you to become heroes? So much so that ponies will begin to name buildings after you? All without spending a single bit."

That offer earned a round of applause and his face on the cover of several high society magazines.

========

"Ponies, let's face the facts here. Our city is currently high up on a mountain where we have to spend thousands of bits just to transfer our garbage from up here.” Mark pointed outside the window to the city proper, “All the way down there.” His finger shifted downward.

“So instead of working hard…” Mark lifted a strange yellow rock into the view of the waste management directors present. “... Why don’t we work smart?”

This only brought looks of confusion on the ponies in the room, so a grey-furred mare continued after Mark paused.

"These rocks dissolve all sorts of material into a plastic-like solution, malleable and ready to re-use as a resource for any sort of situation," she explained in a deliberate, monotone voice. Then grabbed the rock, "It will save you millions in transportation fees if mass-produced and I have the formula to create this rock."

Everypony listening began to nod in approval, now fully intrigued and wanting to hear more as the press took another picture of the mayor.

========

"These gem mines have been abandoned for over a century already."

Mark paced back and forth in an underground gem cave that was packed full of red crystals. Around him were Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, alongside a handful of their advisers. "I know that in recent years this place held a dreadful memory of what otherwise should have been a cheerful time."

Twilight looked down, knowing exactly what he was implying.

"But if you could allow me, instead of leaving this place as a scar of a dreadful invasion, I can turn this awful memory of the past into a tourist attraction. Otherwise, it could be a solution to the recent thestral overpopulation problem, by creating viable residences here. Further still, these crystals and gems would provide a feast to offer the ambassador of the dragons, and if we were to dare, maybe all of the above." He listed off his ideas, confidence oozing from his lips. The Princesses weigh their options until they look toward Mark and collectively nod.

Princess Twilight walked over and shook his hand in time for a new picture of him to be taken.

========

Speaking from the podium, Mark addressed both the thestral population and Princess Luna, who listen intently to his speech. "For centuries, the thestral population has been received with wariness, fear, and sometimes plain old discrimination, purely based on your teeth, preference for meat and nocturnal behavior. I say we need to put a stop to these views. I won’t lie to you folks, this process will need a long period of adjustment, sacrifice, patience and tolerance. But I can, and will, guarantee you a place in our glorious city, joining the working class and bringing life to the night. I encourage you to enjoy the wonders of this city and invigorate its nightlife, making it more secure and showing the population and the population that the night’s worth is beyond just a time for rest. Mark my words, Las Pegasus might be the city that never sleeps, but our city can be well known as the town whose glamour never dims!"

Everypony applauded ecstatically at the proposal, with Princess Luna even giving him a standing ovation, with yet another headline created that night.

********

After signing off on the last document of the day, Mark lent back on his chair and sighed. He rested his numb hand on the table. In a chair to the left of his desk, Drusilla was not far behind. She was recovering from sending the last scroll away and also needed a breather.

"Another day another bit, right Ms. Drusilla?" Mark asked, wearily.

"You can say that again" she sighed before checking her clipboard one final time.

"Well, I think this was a very productive day!" Mark stretched and stood up. "Time to punch the card and turn off the lights for the day."

"Wait, Mr. Mayor" Drusilla stood up and blocked his way, raising a finger. "There is one last issue on the list."

"Come on Druisy, it’s way past 9 already, and we both went the extra mile here. Whatever it is, it can wait till tomorrow, first thing in the morning." Mark complained.

"Don't worry, this one will not take too much time. Just a reminder that tomorrow is the Great Mayor Assembly." Drusilla replied.

"Wait, already?" Mark quickly checked a nearby calendar; sure enough, tomorrow was circled with arrows pointing at the date. He then scratched his chin. "Huh, would you look at that, you’re right."

"Don't worry sir, everything is in order! Your suit is ready, and the invitation is secure. Your seat is also reserved, and the chefs have been informed of your hay allergy and carnivorous diet." She nodded as she checked off all the details that might be needed before smiling at him. "All that is left is to remind you; 8:30 am sharp in front of the castle gates."

"Got it, though… Are you absolutely sure it’s okay for me to request a steak? The last thing I want is to find out I’m seated next to a bovine and turn the whole thing awkward."

"It will be fine sir, while most of Equestria’s mayors currently in office are ponies, there are a small number of griffons, dragons, and even thestrals who are all well known for their carnivorous diet. Besides, I checked. You will be seated next to the mayors of Vancouver and Las Pegasus, a thestral and griffon respectively, so there shouldn’t be an issue there."

"Thank you Drusilla you’re a lifesaver!" Mark said as they resumed their march out of the office and turned off the lights, before finally exiting and locking up the town hall. "Are you absolutely sure you don't want to come too? I'm sure Celly wouldn't mind me bringing a plus one."

Drusilla physically flinched and cleared her throat. "Sir, I told you that’s not correct etiquette, addressing our rulers with such informality." she reprimanded him with a small scowl, "And for the tenth time… I still think it would be highly inappropriate. This meeting is not the Grand Galloping Gala, it’s-"

Mark rolled his eyes and finished her sentence. "A gathering of all the mayors of Equestria and the princesses to discuss matters of national scale, and determine potential solutions to pressing matters needed to be addressed… Yes, I remember. You made sure to remind me of how big this event is gonna be."

"Do you sir? ‘Cause despite my constant attempts to help you understand the gravity of the situation, you keep trying to dismiss it as nothing out of the ordinary. The reality is that this is a restricted event, where the princesses plan to discuss very sensitive topics with you and the rest of the mayors!” She says, drilling into him how important and top secret this meeting really was.

"All the more reason why I want you right by my side Drusy!" Mark exclaimed, arguing back. "It will help me relax if my BFBS (Best Friend / Best Secretary) accompanies me to help me keep track of anything potentially important." He poked her arm as she rolled her eyes and chuckled, pinching his finger and moving it off her arm.

"While I appreciate the compliment and recognition of my hard work, I must insist sir. The rules are more than clear, this is a MAYORS-only party" She poked his chest to emphasize her point before winking. "So you better save that plus one for the next Grand Galloping Gala!"

"Wait, you want to go to the Gala with me?"

"Oh wow, sir! This is so unexpected" She faked surprise before smiling excitedly. "But yes, it will be my pleasure. Thank you so much!" She quickly replied before turning around and heading to her home, leaving Mark to wonder what had just happened.

"W-Wait Drusy, is there really no way for you to reconsider?"

"Nope!" She then extended her wings and took flight. "Remember! 8:30 sharp. Oh, and enjoy the view!" She said cryptically, confusing Mark as she flew away… until her altitude allowed him to see up her skirt. He discovered that she was wearing a frilly black thong. He swore that she even gave a little shake for his enjoyment. Getting the idea, he turned his head and awkwardly laughed it off, realizing she did that on purpose.

Ah, Drusy, you queen of tease. Always waiting to be out of working hours to start with the flirts.

Sighing in defeat, Mark turned around to head to his own home to prepare for the big day tomorrow.

********

The Next Day…

After getting up and doing his daily morning routine, as well as donning his fanciest suit, Mark followed his secretary's instructions. He arrived at the castle gates right on time and was escorted through the castle by two guards until they reached a ballroom where the other mayors were mingling and chatting with one another. In the far corner was a table with a selection of small snacks and drinks for them to enjoy before the formal assembly began.

"The assembly will begin in an hour. Please feel free to explore the premises and meet your peers before then." One of the guards addressed the human. "The princesses aren't here yet, so don't bother looking for them," he continued, with a more exhausted tone, clearly having had to answer this question several times already.

"Thanks," Mark replied, nodding to the two guards who saluted him and left him to his own devices.

He walked over to the refreshments table and grabbed a cup of cider before walking around the room, trying to find something to do while he waited for everything to start.

"Mayor Mark!" A female voice caught his attention and he turned to find a thestral with a mohawk mane style. Both her mane and tail were blue, while her dark gray fur had a purple-ish tone to it in the daylight. A pair of velvety black leather wings peeked from behind her back. She was carrying a small golden purse that accented well with the sequins on her pitch-black formal dress, tight enough to flow snuggly over her very generous curves. Curves that showed off a nice pair of double-D breasts. At first, she started back at him, intrigued by his own sharp appearance, but then smirked as she held up a martini. "We meet at last."

She took a sip of her drink before extending her open hand. "Mayor Spectral, I’m delighted to greet the famous Human of Canterlot."

"Likewise Ms. Spectral" Mark gently took her hand, respectfully giving it a small kiss before letting it go "Although, I'm not sure if famous would be the word to describe myself."

"Nonsense dear! You’ve been the talk of all of Equestria for quite some time now." She replied walking much closer towards him as her eyes took on a more sultry tint.

"I have?" He asks, confused.

"But of course, especially from mares and stallions in our line of work. We all have heard stories of the mysterious human that won the hearts of the ponies in Canterlot, who then rose to the position of mayor and has been diligently working on improving the lives of everypony…" She put her finger on his chest and started to circle around, her smile now seemed to take on an amorous air. "... Especially the thestral community, after all, that you have done for us."

Mark chuckled nervously and slowly pushed the finger away. "Yeah, well… That’s very nice of you to say, but really, I just said what everyone was thinking. If anything, considering where I work, I really didn't imagine that anyone would notice."

"And why would you want to hide that?" A green earth pony mare chimed in as she approached the two. She had a rather long light-red mane, styled into thick dreads that had some white flowers placed in them. Her simple, ankle-length white gown was accessorized with a gold choker that had a blue gem in the center, alongside a tiara made of flowers. "You have such a large and alluring aura all over you, which spreads everywhere." She looks up, seemingly at nothing, before directing her attention back towards him again. “Of course, other ponies will see it, or at least perceive its warmth by proximity."

She extended her hand for him to shake "Nice to meet you, Mark. My name is Tree Hugger, and if I may say, you have one incredibly beautiful mosaic of colors to your aura"

"Ah… thanks?" He replied, raising an eyebrow. Then collected himself and shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you too, Tree Hugger. You uh… have a pretty aura too?"

She chuckled and shook her head "You don't need to lie or pretend Mark. I'm well aware that you can't see my aura, otherwise you would already know my desire to join our souls together!"

"Mayor Hugger! Please show some restraint…" Spectral intervened with a blush on her face. "We are, after all, civilized ponies who are just trying to have a normal conversation."

"Really? Then, why do I see the same aura on you?" Tree Hugger questioned, with seemingly real confusion.

If Spectra wasn't blushing before, she sure was blushing red now. Her eyes went wide before glaring at the earth pony who, after a moment, nodded and smiled again.

"Oh, I see! Are you maybe afraid of potential competition? Don't be. Love never should be restrained or fought over. We can both join souls with him!"

"Ok, I think I will leave you two to your discussion." Mark started to get an uncomfortable idea of what Tree Hugger was implying by 'joining souls' through the heated argument she and Spectral seem to be having. Or rather Spectral was having while Tree Hugger just continued to nod as the thestral continued to rant.

After getting some distance from the two, Mark sighed in relief at evading that mess and tried his luck again with somepony else.

"Ah, excuse me?" Feeling somepony tugging at his suit, Mark looked back and found a short changeling mare staring at him with her dark blue eyes. A small, slightly chipped horn peaked out from her pink, semi-translucent hair. Over her baby blue shell, she wore a purple vest paired with a blue dress shirt and a dark black skirt that was cut to follow the contours of her legs.

"I know this might sound crazy but…" She pulled out a notebook and a feather from a red purse she was carrying "…could I have your autograph?"

Her cheeks turned red with embarrassment over her request, as the human simply blinked at her.

"Ah…what…why?" Shaking his head as he sighed. "Alright, serious talk. Why is everyone treating me like I'm some sort of celebrity?"

It was now time for the changeling to look at him in confusion, making him quickly shake his head. "Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to confuse you." Mark took the notebook and complied, which brought a small cute smile to her face. "It’s just… I don't get it… What’s so impressive about me that made me earn this much attention? But where are my manners? I'm Mark by the way, nice to meet you Ms…?"

"…Ocellus" She responded with a pleasant smile. "And to answer, well… at least for me… it's mostly just how you inspire a lot of ponies."

"By being a mayor?" He asks.

She shook her head.

"By building yourself from the ground up and speaking your mind no matter what" she corrected. "Mr. Mark, not to be rude or anything… but how exactly don't you see it? You started as a victim of an accident that left you stranded in Equestria. Not letting that deter you, you made a name for yourself by working your way through a series of odd jobs until everypony knew who you were. You then ran for mayor of Canterlot, and won! Even though you were not born here! Ever since then, you made it your life’s mission to improve things and make everypony's life better! Of course, ponies would start to notice; first your deeds, then your past, and then finally your appearance. After that, fame was kind of inevitable."

He blinked once again. "So, I'm popular mostly because I'm a mayor that nobody has seen before, both by my appearance and what I’ve done while in office?"

She nodded in confirmation.

He was about to say something, but then thought about it for a second. "That…kind of makes sense in retrospect… Thanks for clearing the air, Ms. Ocellus."

"No problem!" She then blushed and looked away in embarrassment. "It also helps that most newspapers describe you as Canterlot's newest, most eligible bachelor," She quietly murmured to herself.

"What was that?" He asked, not hearing the last part.

"Nothing! Nothing! Ah… eh… oh look! I think I see my friend Gallus! Better go say hi! Nice meeting you sir! Hope we can talk more later, bye!" She quickly fired off, speaking a mile per minute, before flying away as fast as her semi-translucent wings manage to carry her, leaving Mark slightly confused.

What was that just now?

Before he could ponder more on the question, the sound of a trumpet got the attention of everypony in the room.

"The morning repast is almost ready, please can all mayors take their respective seats" calls out a guard.

Getting the idea, Mark pulled out his ticket and started looking for his seat. To his surprise, Mark noticed he was seated next to Princess Luna, who immediately smiled and waved at him to come closer. She wore a formal, dark blue sleeveless dress with a semi-translucent blue veil that brought attention to her large H-cup breasts. She also wore a silver choker encrusted with emeralds. Without a doubt, the Princess of the Night looked as distracting as always. The simple makeup around her beautiful green eyes which were periodically hidden by her flowing, ethereal mane gave her an alluring air. "Ah. Mayor Mark! Please, by all means, join us!"

"Greetings, your majesty." Mark gave her a small bow. "Are you sure it’s ok for me to sit here, I was under the impression that I was supposed to…"

"There is nothing wrong Mr. Mark, I changed the seat orders because I was hoping to have this opportunity to speak with you. Do not fret. I'm well aware of your diet preference and I assure you it will not be an issue for me, so I repeat…" She extends her arm in front of the empty seat.

"Would you join me for this meal?"

Not wanting to be disrespectful, especially with who was essentially his boss, Mark decided to comply and grabbed his seat moments before the banquet officially started. Soon after, Princess Twilight Sparkle herself announced the start of the assembly.