Celestia listened to Twilight's report on what was to come with some concern as she sipped her tea. "It would not be the first time ponies have tried to stop the Ceremony. But it has been several centuries since the last time."
Twilight sighed in annoyance. She had been afraid of that. "But why now of all times? Why not last year, or the year before that?"
Celestia could only shake her head. "I believe it has something to do with the fact that you are now Ruler of Equestria, Twilight. Ponies may believe that you are more open to what they are demanding. Your opening of the School of Friendship caused more ripples than you think."
Twilight blinked. "Like what? I thought everything with the Equestria Education Association had all been worked out after Cozy Glow's tried to steal all of Equestria's magic?"
Celestia nodded. "It was. But that is not what I mean. The School of Magic here in Canterlot was quite peeved in fact, until I reminded them of whose name is on the side of the school. And they were not alone. Ponies across Equestria were quite peeved in fact, though thankfully it was only a small portion of the whole."
Twilight digested this. This was news to her, but a part of her felt she should have seen this coming. Her idea had caused quite the stir in Ponyville. Why should not the same apply to all of Equestria as well?
At that moment, a young Pegasus came over to refill both alicorns' drinks. Around her neck was a diamond necklace. "Here you go, girls." She gave Celestia a knowing look. "You really should visit more often, Celestia. It is kinda lonely around here without you."
Celestia giggled. "Thak you, Sweet Pop. But I have spent more time in this place than even I care to count. I need to get away from Canterlot for as long as I can." She smirked, ruffling the filly's mane. "And I see you have not changed much at all."
Sweet stuck her tongue out at the alicorn. "I do not miss this, that is for sure. None of us do. Princess Twilight is too nice for that."
Twilight sighed. "Sweet. What have I said about calling me that? We have known each other for years. There is no need to call me Princess."
Sweet shook her head. "I can't do that, Princess Twilight. Not while I am on duty at least. If there is one thing Miss. Inkwell tells us more often than not, it is to show proper respect to the princess." She smirked. "Even when we have known each other since you were my size, Twilight."
Twilight giggled. She could not argue with that. And it was true enough. While most of the staff of the castle treated her with the respect that bordered on worship (much to her annoyance), the Eternum staff was much more open and playful. Especially those fillies and colts that were still new to being Frozen. She looked around after a moment however. "Where is Pearl? I thought she was on call today?"
Sweet nodded. "She was. But she called in sick this morning, so I am taking over till she's better. I do not mind though. I need to get out more often anyway. Cleaning up after one of your all-night sessions is not fun at all. I do not know how Spike does it."
Twilight pouted, while Celestia giggled. "I see that you all have not changed how you treat each other. Many ponies were not as quick to do so," she said, taking a sip of her drink.
Sweet rolled her eyes. "Ponies making a fuss about the Ceremony again?" Twilight nodded. "Have they not learned their lesson yet? If you did not do it for me, Celestia. Why start now?"
Twilight nodded. "I have no plans to stop now, Sweet. Ponies have every right to not agree with it, nor to make their opinions known. Goddess above, I know I used to hear grumbling about it every year in Ponyvile. Even when nopony was picked to be Frozen."
Celestia nodded. "I commend you for this, Twilight. But this is more widespread than it has been for many centuries. Many of the Eternum staff can tell you what it was like when Luna and I first instituted the tradition. It was not only to save the colts and fillies from sexual deviants that we gave them a home here and in the Everfree Castle but to keep them safe from ponies who would try and reverse the process."
Sweet nodded. "I still remember how someponies looked at me and Pearl when we were chosen. Ponyville is tight nit, but even someponies there were not at all happy about it. Guess some things never change."
Twilight bit her lip. "But what can I do? Some of these ponies I consider friends. Very good friends in fact.
Celestia did not respond for a moment, while Sweet excused herself. "There is one way, Princess Twilight. One way to end this forever. Bring it down. Lay down the Ultima. Do what Luna or I could never do. Break the cycle forever."
Twilight blanched in horror. "No. Unless there is no other choice. I will not use the Magisterium. It has only been used once, and even now I wonder if there was not another way."
Celestia nodded gravely, but her expression did not change. "And if ponies try to use force? Or worse? Then what? This is your first true test, Twilight, as Ruler of Equestria. Look weak now, and your enemies will know how to use it against you. In ways that even you cannot imagine."
Twiight's ears fell, as she took another drink. "Then we will cross that bridge when we get there."