> Forever Foal
>  by Mystic Sunrise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> That Time of Year
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight sighed as she looked down at her latest list, a list of all the towns and cities in Equestria. "Some days, Spike. I wonder how Princess Celestia and Princess Luna did this every year. There are just so many places to choose from."

Spike rolled his eyes, looking at his own list. "Probably helped that they did this for so long." He smiled up at her. "Come on, Twilight. You've totally got this. The Choosing Ceremony is in a week. Do you know which one you'll preside over yet?"

Twilight shook her head with a groan. "No. I can't do it in Ponyville since I did it last year. Canterlot gets it far too much. I need to spread this around. It is not fair to the other cities and towns of Equestria."

Spike nodded. That was true. He sighed as saw the letter underneath his current list. "And you've got another angry letter from the Politically Correct and Social Justice Warriors groups. Same dribble as last time."

Twilight shook her head. "Spike. What have I said about calling them that? They have every right to send in what they want. Within reason of course."

Spike chuckled. "Yeah, well. That's what they're calling themselves now, actually. I don't know why you put up with them. All they've got going for themselves are that they're really vocal about what they want. And won't take no for an answer."

Twilight chuckled as well. That was true. And if she was being honest, she would rather deal with Discord all day, every day, for a week, than deal with the groups. At least he was funny. Not that she would ever tell him that of course. Oh no. She would never hear the end of it.

Never.

Sighing, she went back to her list, still no closer to a choice. There were several things a prospective location had to have for the Ruling Princess to attend the Choosing herself. It can't have been chosen two years in a row, and it had to be a place where all three pony tribes lived together.

That had eliminated Cloudsdale early on since it was a Pegasus-only city, and Canterlot had hosted the sisters last year, so it was off as well. But that still left many places to choose from. Ponyville was still an option since she hadn't been the Ruler of Equestria last year. But it did not feel right for some reason.

Spike blinked as he came to the bottom of his page. "Oh, and you've got somepony here to see you, Twilight. He said it was important."

Twilight was surprised by this bit of news. "Spike. I told Raven that I was not to be disturbed during this time. This is too important. Can't this wait till tomorrow?"

Her assistant shook his head. "Rumble won't take no for answer, Twilight. You know how he is."

Twilight blinked. She had not expected that. Spike was right though. The young Pegasus was known for being as stubborn as they came. Maybe even more so now that he was Frozen if that was possible.

At that moment, a Door Guard stuck his head into the room. "Your Highness? Rumble is awaiting you."

Twilight rubbed her snout with a sigh. She could not get away from this, could she? But maybe this was the break that she had needed. "Send him in, Steel Wing."

The Pegasus nodded, before opening the door fully and letting in the colt in question. Aside from the sparkling blue sapphire that was firmly and securely clasped around his neck, he had not changed from the last time the pair had seen him. He bowed as he came to the foot of Twilight's throne. "Your highness."

Twilight chuckled. "Rumble. We have known each other for some time now. I have told you more times than I care to count that you do not need to call me that."

Ruble shook his head as he stood up. "It is only proper, princess. And miss Cheerilee is being even more of a stickler for it now than she used to be if that is possible. Or maybe she is doing to me because I am Frozen and that I did not listen to her last year."

Twilight sighed. She had heard this argument before between the two. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Rumble? Ponyville is okay, isn't it?"

He shrugged. "As okay as it will ever be. It has been quiet since you moved back to Canterlot. Or maybe it is because the Cutie Mark Crusaders are teaching at the School now, and it is much a lot safer to go outside during the day."

Spike giggle-snorted, while Twilight shook her head. "Oh, come now, you two. They were never that bad. Yes, it took them a long time to finally find their true purpose. Longer than it should have. But they never did anything too bad. No matter what someponies think."

Rumble shook his head. The princess was living in a fantasy if she thought that was the case. But that was beside the point. "That's not why I am here, however. I assume you have heard the fuss someponies are making about Frozen Foals and everything that goes with them?"

Twilight nodded irritably, rubbing her snout. "As much as I want to say no, Rumble. I have. As annoying as they are, there is nothing I can do about them. They have a right to their opinions and to express them. Anything short of violence is still legal." Her brows rose. "Have they done anything that I have not heard about?"

He shook his head. "Unless you count annoying the horseapples out of everyone else in Ponyville? No. Miss Cheerilee is possibly the most vocal of the group, but she has not done anything more than trying to talk any colt or filly she can out of accepting. I do not know if she has or not. No one knows who is being picked."

Spike tapped his chin. "Isn't she somepony who rejected the offer when she was a filly?"

Twilight nodded. "She is, Spike. One of the few who ever have. Any foal chosen has the choice of rejecting the offer. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna made sure of that when they first started all of this."

Rumble scratched his chin. This had been on his mind for some time now. "Why did they start it anyway, Princess Twilight? I have never gotten a chance to ask them before."

Twilight smiled sheepishly. "It had something to do with their own immortality, Rumble. They can have children of course. But unless by some chance they are born an alicorn, they would have passed away in time. I think this was a way for them to never have to deal with that kind of pain. In a roundabout way."

Rumble considered this. It made sense in a way. While the sisters had never truly been mothers in the traditional sense, they were mothers to every Frozen Foal in Equestria in this way. "I understand, I think. But I am worried about the next Ceremony. Miss Cheerilee said they were going to try and disrupt it or stop it outright in some way. "Enough is enough, Rumble" is how she told me."

Twilight frowned. She did not like the sound of that. "How many support her, Rumble?"

He shrugged. "Enough. Not the whole town, thankfully, but more than a few think the same things as she does. I hope I'm wrong, though."

Twilight's frown grew. It was never that simple in her eyes. This did not bode well. "I see. Thank you, Rumble. This has given me much to think about. And made a choice much easier for me going forward."

Rumble frowned. He wanted to ask what the princess meant by that. But the look in her eyes said that he would find out soon enough, and a part of him was worried what that might mean. Bowing once more, he retraced his steps, the Door Guard closing the door behind him with a concerned look.

Spike watched him go with a worried look of his own before turning back to Twilight. "Twilight?"

Twilight's frown had turned thoughtful for a moment before she responded. "Spike. I know now which Ceremony I will preside over next week. I do not care what it looks like."
> Meetings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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."
> Confrontations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike sighed as the Royal Chariot began its descent towards Ponyville. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Twilight? You know how much of a stink someponies are raising against this."

Princess Twilight nodded, her eyes firmly locked on her castle. "I am, Spike. If I do nothing, it proves them right. That I am weak. That I don't deserve my crown. You know that ponies are still demanding that Celestia and Luna return to the thrones."

Spike snorted. "Yeah. Like they would ever do that. And for what? Just to shut up ponies that aren't worth listening to? Even Discord isn't that insane."

"It's true!" A disembodied voice shouted from a distance, earning an eye roll from the pair as the chariot landed. Disembarking, and giving some quick orders to the Pegasus team pulling it, they turned and were greeted not by one of their friends, but...

"Cheerilee?" Twilight asked, surprised to see the school teacher here of all places, and from her looks, it was not for something pleasant.

The mare nodded. "Twilight. Spike. I know why you are here."

Spike rolled his eyes, while Twilight frowned. "And what is that supposed to mean?" She asked.

Cheerilee only frowned. "You know very well what it means, Twilight. I cannot believe you of all ponies would go through with this. I had hoped that you would reconsider."

Spike only shook his head. "You don't know Twilight very well if you thought she would."

Twilight nodded, her ears falling in despair. "Cheerilee, please. Do not do something stupid. For everything we have. Do not throw it away for this. It is not worth it."

Cheerilee shook her head in sorrow. "I am sorry, Twilight. But you have left us no choice. This travesty must end. No foal should ever have to go through this again."

Twilight frowned as she stepped closer. "Is that a threat, my little pony?"

Cheerilee only smiled as she turned and walked away. "Only a statement of fact, Princess Twilight. See you at the ceremony."

Spike watched her go with a sigh. "Someponies," he grumbled, before seeing Twilight's head fall in despair. "Twilight? Are you alright?"

Twilight sniffed, her wings drooping. "No, Spike. I am not."





Twilight watched as the last of Ponyville's population was settled in front of the stage. The whole town had turned out for the ceremony. Even the School of Friendship had called an early recess for the occasion, and she could see Starlight trying to keep Trixie from doing something stupid.

In the front row were the fillies and colts, those young enough to possibly be chosen to be Frozen. Only a dozen or so. Off to the side sat Rumble and Cinnamon Swirl, so far the only two Frozen from the small town that had stayed.

Twilight cleared her throat, silencing the murmurs. "My ponies. Today we come together to celebrate another Choosing. As you know, all across Equestria, this same scene is being played out. Only those under the age of ten may stand a chance of being chosen, or none may be chosen. Such is how this magic works, for I cannot say for sure how many or any at all may receive the honor."

This caused a stir among the youngsters. Though they had heard it all before, it never got easier. All could hope that this year would be their year.

Twilight smiled as Spike brought forth the necklaces. "I will now cast the Choosing. If you are destined for this, the necklace will go to you. Come forward if you are chosen."

The young ones nodded, as Twilight's horn began to glow in a golden light, and several of the necklaces began to vibrate before floating off the cushion that Spike held.

SPLAT!

Shocked and horrified gasps ran throughout the crowd as a pie flew into the princess's shocked face, and Pinkie Pie even fainted from the horror of a perfectly good pie being wasted like this.

Twilight's eyes popped open in shock as she licked the icing off her face. Chocolate. Her favorite. But who? "Who did that?" She spluttered.

The crowd parted in mute shock, to reveal... "Derpy? But why?" Twilight asked, unable to believe the Pegasus would ever do something like this.

But the grey Pegasus only frowned as several other ponies pulled out more pies. "Eat pie, you overweight feather brain!" She shouted as she launched her weapon of choice, as did the others.

Twilight was quick to put a shield over herself and Spike, which the pies bounced harmlessly off of. "Well. At least they're not throwing something harder," Spike tried to smile, but it came out forced.

Twilight was seething. She could just take ponies backtalking her, the rumors that she wasn't worthy to be Celestia and Luna's successor. But this? This was too much. "ENOUGH!" She thundered, the Royal Canterlot Voice more than enough to stop the pie assault, at least for the moment,

Twilight's eyes burned as she stared down at her attackers. "I had hoped the rumors were just that. Rumors. Ponies venting their thoughts on this tradition. But this? Derpy. I never believed you would stoop so low. Is this because Dinky wasn't chosen?"

The mailmare had the decency to not look Twilight in the eyes, and it was all Twilight needed to see, as the others looked much the same. "Cheerilee. I know how much you hate this. But this is taking that too far."

The schoolteacher spat, and the sight broke Twilight's heart to know what came next as she spread her wings and closed her eyes. "Then so be it. You have left me no choice. Remember. You have brought this on yourselves."

Spike looked alarmed as Twilight's horn began to glow an unearthly red. "Twilight? What are you doing?"

Twilight did not respond before she spoke, it seemed, in a thousand voices. "By my authority as High Princess of Equestria. I, Princess Twilight Andromeda Sparkle, invoke the Magisterium Lex Ultima. From this day forward, let this ceremony never be interrupted by something so petty and insignificant as this ever again. Let those foolish enough to try suffer a fate worse than death."

As she spoke, Twilight carved an infinity symbol into the ground at her hooves. But not in wood or dirt did it form, but in blood. blood that steamed even as ponies watched in horror.

Twilight's eyes opened, black pits that burned with an unlight as her voices rose to a crescendo. "This I swear on the Slayer of Eternities and the Prime Magic itself. Let the Destroyer and Mother of All Life strike me down if this oath proves false."

As she completed the symbol, it blazed with unearthly power, before exploding outwards in a shockwave that sent the conspirators reeling, and even those not in the know were gripped by a deep-rooted fear, as the shock wave spread all across Equestria and beyond.





In Silver Shoals, as the ceremony was winding down, and several new Frozen Foals celebrated with their families, Celestia and Luna felt the shockwave pass through them. Their heads bowed in sorrow, knowing what Princess Twilight had done.

"Oh, Twilight. I am so, so, sorry," Celestia whispered, as Luna wrapped a wing around her. 





Twilight sighed, as she finally came back to herself it seemed, even as the conspirators were led off by members of the Royal Guard. She smiled benevolently down at the fillies and colts, who now looked at her with a renewed sense of awe and wonder. "Now, little ones. I believe you have waited long enough for this. Shall we get started?"

The children nodded excitedly, not fully understanding all of what had just happened. But as they watched in delight, four necklaces began to glow and vibrate excitedly, before rushing over and clasping themselves around four necks. A unicorn, two earth ponies, and a Pegasus, all fillies. As the band secured itself tightly but securely around their necks, they felt the magic flow into and merge itself with them.

Twilight nodded happily as she once more spread her wings. "Then I declare the four of you Frozen from this day onwards. Nopony can ever take that away from you." Her smile grew as she looked at a revived Pinkie Pie. "And I do believe this calls for a celebration. Don't you, Pinkie?"

Pinkie gasped happily. "Aye, aye, captain!" She saluted, before rushing off to Sugarcube Corner, earning a round of laughter from the rest of their friends as they came to congratulate Twilight and the new Frozen Foals.

And while it had not gone as she had hoped it would, Princess Twilight Sparkle was glad it had all worked out in the end.