Kneeling in front of the remains of what once was his house, Mark continue to stare in shock as the firefighters keep cleaning up and making sure the place was safe to enter. Next to him was Drusilla on his right and Celestia on his left, all of them still in their pajamas. The news that a noble mare was arrested for burning down his house arrived moments after the Princess raised the sun.

Luckily Luna and her guards manage to reprehend the criminal soon enough but by the time they reach his house, there is nothing to do but let the fire continue to not risk an explosion that would make matters worse.

"I'm so sorry Mark." Celestia places her hand over his shoulder "By the times the guards arrived at the scene...there was just so little we could do to stop it. The starting point was inches from hitting a gas line if they had done anything...The mare really knew what she was doing"

"I just don't get it." Mark finally spoke and stared down at the ground "Who...why would anyone would do something so horrible?"

"To send a message." Drusilla replies while glaring at the charcoal remains "Just like the first attack, just wanted to scare you. Why else would Golden Key do this?"

That catches him by surprise "Pennyworth's wife?"

Drusilla nods a couple of times "Seems like the two were involved in your attack. The ponyse already told me that they arrested all the ones that attack you back in the alleyway, Pennyworth was the one you strangle. Seems like her wife wanted revenge for that."

"That is why he was wearing a scarf yesterday." He mumbles to himself as he stands up and starts pondering something.

"Come again, Mark?" Celestia ask not hearing what he said

"Tell me something Drusilla, were all the ponies that attack me nobles or members of the high class?"

"Yep, just like I suspected, it was those that you weren't very popular among."

As well as all the ponies that criticize me at the meeting. Mark starts to pounder until Celestia speaks up.

"It really pains me when my little ponies go to this extremes for a disagreement, I know it doesn't change the pain of losing your home but at the very least you could take solace in knowing that you can stay at the castle as much time as you want, your priceless possession is safe, and this case is officially over."

"I'm not sure Princess" Mark replies right away as he tries to piece together everything in exhaustion "There is still something that doesn't add up."

"You think there are more brats that we didn't catch?" Drusilla raised an eyebrow.

"Not exactly, but the first attack was trying to be discreet and anonymous. This one despite looking impulsive and loud seemed too well plan ahead like they wanted to be caught . Like this was part of their goal, maybe it even ties with the meeting fiasco."

"Why? What would they win by doing all of this?" Drusilla looks confused as Celestia's eyes wide slightly

"Mark, you don't think...?"

"It's just a possibility." He sighs in exhaustion "Only time would tell but if their goal is really what I think it is, there is only one pony I know that could and would pull something this sickening." He mentions as the two march away.

"Ok enough wonder twins! Are you gonna share with the class what is in your head or not?" Drusilla stood in front of them in exasperation before realizing she had just snapped at the princess and blushing she fake coughed and look down "I-If that ok with you, your highness."

Having calmed down, the two explain to her what was on their mind. A theory both of them wanted to be wrong, yet unfortunately, it seems like their suspicions were correct.

In the following days, things at work got tenser as ponies start to get their distance around the Mayor, more and more nobles and upper-class members keep giving him the stink eye or downright smiling nervously whenever he pass by and a big chunk of his meetings were suddenly canceled due to mysterious flu that conveniently struck the ones he was gonna a talk. Giving him extra free time that didn't exactly help his case, not even when he was hanging out with the heroes of Equus.

"The heck is wrong with everypony lately?" Rainbow Dash voice her confusion as they returned from watching a race in the city hippodrome "I thought you were doing a good job as a major, why is everyone suddenly treating you like you are Tirek?"

With a tired sigh, Mark sits on his chair and pinch the bridge of his nose "Because they are afraid of getting arrested if they get into my bad side or don't agree with my ideas." He replies in disappointment.

"Ok question, why?"

Looking up he sighed in frustration "Because that was the answer of my attackers to my taunting." He looks forward and shakes his head "As the mayor, there is a public image I must maintain at all times. Ponies trust in me, they need to feel safe knowing I look after their best interest. So they decided to target my public image by orchestrating a scenario where the general public would think I act out of petty instead of following the law...and they succeed."

"But that is what you do? It is not fair, why is everyone getting so angry just because you do your job. In fact who would go to such lengths, be so petty, and do something so sickening just to ruin your image?" Dash flares her wings in anger as Mark could only shake his head.

"I don't know Dash, that is why later after work I intend to pay a visit to the only pony who could possibly be this twisted."

"Awesome, do you mind if I tag along?"

Mark shook his head at the daredevil "Sorry Dash, I appreciate the gesture and any other time I wouldn't mind the company but this is both a personal matter and a town hall issue. Besides you already have your hands full figuring out how would you stay as a Wonderbolt while also being a part of Twilight's new kingdom. How is that gonna work anyway?" Mark raised an eyebrow trying to change the subject.

"Eh, I step by step am figure things up, don't worry. And are you sure you don't want me there when you face this bastard?"

"Completely" He nods and the ringing of a bell made them look at a wall clock announcing the end of the day "Right on time, I and Drusilla should be going now." He stood up and start to put away some papers "Go home Dash."

"Come on dude, I really don't see the issue of bringing me along. What is so personal about this pony?"

Mark stopped in his tracks and with a tired sigh stared down while giving the captain his back "...His name is Silver Tongue. Better now as Mayor Silver, he was my predecessor."

The room gets quiet as Dash was caught off guard while he and Drusilla prepare to leave.

"We know you want to help Ms. Dash we really do" The thestral reply in pity before staring at the ground "But there are things from our past, that can´t be shared, and this, unfortunately, is one of them."

Rainbow remains quiet and clench her fist "That only is the more reason I should be there."

"Rainbow please understand, what happens..."Mark starts but she has none of that as she dashes forward.

"No Mark, listen to me. I was absent when that creep do as he pleased and ruined your life, and then tried to harm you when he couldn't accept he lost. At least let me be there for this." She begs at them both.

Exchanging glances they sigh and nod "You would have to do as we said" Drusilla instruct.

"Of course"

"And don't listen to anything he tells you." Mark continues "The bastard is a master manipulator, he would want to enrage you, to get into your head, so whatever you do, do not play into his traps."

"Relax, I not some gullible little filly, I would not fall for his tricks. "

"We mean it Rainbow Dash, that monster is really good at getting under your skin and making you do exactly what he wants. If you really want to be present those are our conditions." Drusilla cross her arms and let her know she is been serious.

"Fine, I would be on my best behavior"

Satisfy by their answer the group lock the place and headed to Canterlot prison where after explaining the addition of Rainbow Dash to the guard and going throw security, they were escorted to the lowest level in the building reserved for the most dangerous or malicious of criminals, until finally, they reach the cell they were looking for and behind bars, was the pony they were looking for.

A slightly bulky unicorn with a white long mane that cover his right eye, while his left was a yellow thestral one and dark gray fur, wearing an orange suit was casually reading the book of friendship.

"Silver Tongue" The guard bang on the iron bars to get his attention "You have a visit."

"Indeed I have" He closes the book and turns to look at them, his eye-widening slightly when he notices the pegasus and smiles brightly "And what a visit it is" Standing up he slowly approaches the group "The element of loyalty herself is paying me a visit. Big fan of your work by the way. Would it be possible for you to sign it?" He extends the book to her making her.

His big smile made her more than a little uncomfortable as her feather start to frazzle and her fur started to get a little frizzy from the tension.

"Sorry I can't offer you a pen, they don't let me have one."

"They couldn't risk you using it as a weapon, I bet." Drusilla replies with neutrality and Silver finally notices the others, and immediately his smile banish.

"Well, would you look at that, our prestigious mayor and his beloved secretary grace me with their presence? What an honor." His tone dripping with venom and sarcasm.

"Hello Silver Tongue, I see you have been working out" Mark mentions with equal neutrality making the whole room feel tenser, as the unicorn turns to him.

"Oh, this?" He flexes his arm to show the muscle on it "Just a little hobby I been indulging myself since you stole my chair, and put this on my horn." He points to the inhibitor ring on the said horn "Congratulation, by the way, you haven't burned down the city...yet."

"I see you haven't lost your charm Silver." They continue to stare at one another until the unicorn turns around

"What do you want ape? I imagine this isn't exactly a casual visit."

"You are right, it isn't. A couple of weeks ago I was attacked on an alleyway by a group of noble ponies, all of which were unicorns."

"You don't say." He nods a couple of times with a sarcastic tone.

"You don't seem all surprise, almost like you knew," Dash asked with a raised eyebrow.

"But of course, I knew." He goes to bed and lifting the mattress reveals a series of the old newspaper "I might not have the right of a pen but they let me read the news. So if you come here to accuse me of something I have to say the only thing I'm guilty of, is taking joy knowing you end up in the hospital."

He looks up in satisfaction until his gaze turns sour and looks at him again "Shame it only lasted a couple of days, kind of suspicious if you ask me. Care to explain how exactly you made such a fast recovery?"

"I'm the one asking the questions here Silver, don't try to spin things around." Mark hardens his gaze resulting in him smirking.

"My, my so defensive and talking with such superiority, must be the result of living in the castle." He then looks at the mares "Tell me sweet cheeks has he started to demand everyone to call him "sir." or something similar?"

"You heard him! We are making the questions here. You creep." Drusilla answer right away

"My, such hostility, what would your dear brother say if he were to see you now?"

Drusilla smirked and cross her arms "Something worse for you I bet, he always has a better depth perception than others when it comes to insults." That manages to leave him stiff. "But we are not here to poke eyes. In a way, we are just been the bigger ponies and see things eye to eye"

"Enough!" Mark stops Drusilla before Silver snaps at her remarks "That is not what we are here for, Silver if you have access to the news, I imagine you know what happens to my house"

"Oh yes, such a tragedy, having no choice but to live in the castle. Oh, the horror." He replies sarcastically

"That seems to have been the intention actually. The attack, the rumors, and now my house. All oddly timed and arrange to make me look bad. Something you might do if you had the resource."

He huffs in the air "I don't need to do anything to make you look bad. You are already doing it by yourself."

"We also know that all those criminals were fans of yours and that they pay you frequent visits before the attacks began." Mark continues.

"Well would you look at that, we have quite the detective chimp right here." He extends his arms and looks around as everyone present just glares at Silver. "Ok detective write this down, yes I have my fans too, and yes I have had my fair share of visits, but I didn't have anything to do with your attacks."

He points at a camera on the wall "You can check the security tapes if you don't believe me, as you know I'm been monitored 24/7, and while it is true that I hate you, my life doesn't revolve around you."

He goes back to his bed and takes out a blank book "In fact, I have been focusing my attention on a more lucrative avenue, haven't you heard? I'm been recommended for the reformation program, and released under parole."

"YOU are been considered for early release?" Dash points at him in disbelief as he nods.

"Model inmate here sweetie, and contrary to what those two have been filling your head with. I wasn't the monster they made me look like, you can read all about it in my upcoming biography" He shows them the title "Life and Time of an unjust arrest. After reporters came here to hear my side of the story, it got me thinking and I start to write about my life as a mayor, how and why I got arrested, and my time in self-reflection. Everyone loves a good redemption arc. I'm gonna a be millionaire, and it will be legit this time."

"So that's it, you are a creep and racist but not a criminal." Mark raises an eyebrow

"Maybe I was before, but I have changed" He replied with a smirk. "Sorry, you came to a dead-end, Mr. Mayor."

Mark sighs in exhaustion "No, you are not" He turns around "And this was just a waste of time, but at the very least it's nice to hear that you are putting effort into something else rather than revenge. Looks like we were dealing with a copycat then. Or a hyper fan that doesn't mind ruining their image if it means following into their idol hoofsteps." They all prepare to leave and Silver grabs the iron bars.

"Just one more thing before you leave" Looking over his shoulder Mark turns to him as he pulls his hair revealing a void socket where his other eye should be. "While I didn't have anything to do about it, I'm thrilled you got what you deserved. You cost me an eye and I end up here. You lose your house and became the pariah of the town, nothing like some old fashion poetic justice, don't you agree? Now you know how it feels." He laughs briefly in victory

Sighing Mark shake his head "Goodbye Silver, may you find peace in life"

"Come anytime ape, oh, and thank you ladies" A cold shiver went throw both mares as they feel his eye on them "The image of your backs would keep me company for a couple of nights"

Speeding their march they all rush as far away from him as possible until they exit the prison. "And HE is seriously considered to be released?"
Dash looks back in disbelief "There must be a catch, there is no way anyone would think that creep deserves to be outside."

"Agree" Drusilla nods and takes a deep breath "But at the very least we can cross him off the list."

"Yeah, I was fearing that guy had something planned but turns out this was only some fan trying to copy him which explains a lot, and more importantly, it means this is officially over."

"So what are you gonna do to restore your image?" Dash question floating in mid-air.

"It will take time but like any other gossip this kind of thing will simply fade away, sure now everyone is hype with the hottest rumor but trust me, it would not last. So for now, it's back to business as usual."

"Makes sense, and hey you can always count on the wonderbolts if you need help improving your image dude."

"Thanks, Dash I would sure keep it in mind but for now, we better call it a day it getting pretty late already."

"Ok, see you around" Dash waved goodbye and leaves as fast as she could while Mark and Drusilla send her away until she was gone.

Drusilla let go a sigh of exhaustion "Thanks Celestia is finally over." She then looks at Mark "Now we can focus again on the other pressing matter."

"Did Tree Hugger confirm the date?"

"All pack and ready dude, once you arrived, first thing in the morning she would be waiting for you at the train station. And confirmed all the mares involved are perfectly healthy, there would be no issue there."

"Then I suppose tomorrow I will have my answer then." They both see a shooting star passing by

Author's Note

Next Chapter, Tree Hugger and her spiritual fun time