Metemponychosis

Wood stick with a snake coiled around it. Stethoscope. Or maybe a Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine. Would ponies even have those?! That'be cool...

Wouldn't work. They are supposed to rule in unison, one during the day and the other during the night. They can't have absolutely opposing views. But which one do you figure would be Republican? In this disposition, they are co-rulers. I think it fits better if both Luna and Celestia share their power rather than Celestia ruling over Luna. Cadance is there just to look pretty. Shinning Armor is still Captain of the Royal Guard in my head. I don't really want to see him gone to be king in the Crystal Empire or something.

When I was thinking about this I thought of copying the Westminster System. But I don't know if the Queen gets to release prisoners because she "has uses for their abilities"... And the existence of a parliament would give a good reason for ponies like Blueblood and Fancypants to exist. Then I thought that it would not fit my almost Utopian Equestria because the systems we have in our world were made, or evolved, to counter corruption. In this Equestria, this system was created to assist the princesses rule after they "got rid" of Discord. In my Equestria, most of the ponies trust Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to use their powers either to help ponies somehow being abused; and to keep the power of the nobility in check. On the other hand, the princesses don't feel the need to micromanage everything, which is why ponies are allowed to choose their immediate administrators, allowing them to give local power to ponies who will develop their towns in the way they want. The princesses "veto power" is more an extension of their power to dictate over all spheres of power and at all levels of administration. Municipal Council wants to make a green bridge? It's fine, as long as Celestia doesn't want a blue bridge. Of course this is a silly example, but these ARE ponies. : ) There is no direct representation of the regional administration in the Royal House because they are more like assistants and advisors to the princesses. They have no authority of their own, unless the princesses are backing them. But they are still influential in the government, because they frequently advise the princesses in their decisions. So, the Royal House is actually a group of ponies who will meet Princess Celestia in her throne room when there's an scheduled meeting or if she calls to them during Midday Court. Each one of them represents one of the ministries along with any extra advisors the "Head of Public Services" (always present) deems necessary. Those representing the ministries are expected to know of, and understand their ministry's intentions and make sure that that they are defended when the princess is deciding over something. The Head of Public Services is more like a mediator between the ministerial representation and the princess. The Royal House also includes a Scribe, responsible for taking notes of the princess's final decision on the matters being discussed, for the record. I suppose that it would make more sense if the ministries appointed their own representatives, but Celestia prefer's this way. And this is Celestia's side of the Royal House. Luna has other ponies working with her. Just to make things more interesting, we even use a different nomenclature. She has a Grand-Vizier who presides over 12 viziers appointed BY the ministries that serve as advisors. At least they work the same way, with the Grand-Vizier also acting as Scribe. I should have put this in the original post, but it was already big enough. Do you think I should adapt a parliament instead of the Royal House?

We... Take our ponies very seriously. XD Well, the ponies have a very good reason to keep things running smooth: windigos. They are afraid that if they start letting the system fall apart because its being abused, the windigos will return. Doesn't mean that there are no crimes or foreign threats. Otherwise I don't understand the need for a royal guard. Also, it's very easy for us, as the audience to dismiss Celestia and Luna as being nothing more than over-glorified unicorns with wings. Which I don't, or didn't until Canterlot Wedding. But for the ponies it must be very easy to see the princesses as deities. True. You just gave me an excellent idea for an entire story arc: reformists seeking to remove powers from the princesses using this as an excuse. Thanks. I feel kind of stupid for not thinking of this...

Hey bronies/pegasisters/guys/girls. Wall of Text Alert. I want help with something that is kind of important to me. I’m the gamemaster in a role-playing game with a few friends and we got to a point where I need to specify how equestrian government works. So, what I’m asking for are opinions on the system I figured out. I need help refining it into a believable system and corrections to the English terminology to facilitate other posts. All this assumes that ponies have a tendency to honesty over corruption (most of the time), either because of their nature or because the princesses (or their agents) will give them hell if they are caught doing wrong, and that the Princesses are incorruptible. This also assumes that Cadance has some level of authority in equestrian government. Also, Twilight is “princess in training that should be respected because Celestia and Luna are watching”. I figured this would be the right forum to post this, anyway... Thanks in advance and forgive me any spelling or syntax errors. Here it is… The highest authorities are Princesses Celestia and Luna and they rule with absolute powers with the assistance of a “Royal Constitution” which serves to speed up the bureaucratic process, as guidelines for government officials. However they both have the power to intervene in the process and decide against the law, if they think necessary. If this happens. The parties involved are granted audiences with the princesses to defend their positions. They form the Royal House, along with their personal assistants. Annexed to the Royal House is “Public Services” which deals with the press, organize events, schedule court hearings, deal with dignitaries from other countries and facilitate communication between the ministries and the Royal House. Members of the Royal House’s Public Services are chosen by the princesses and these appointments tend to be for life. If a pony is appointed to a cargo, it’s a good sign that this pony is very competent or that the princesses want to keep an eye on him/her. Under the Royal House are the ministries responsible for different areas of the country's admnistration: Mines and Energy, Health, Commerce, Finances, Education, External Relations, Magical Affairs, Meteorology, Defense, Justice, Urban Development, Industry... I'm open to suggestions on other ministries. Ministers are directly elected by the population, but candidature is supervised by the Royal House. These ministries regulate and supervise their own areas, generating specific regulations and employing their own workers through public exam. Things that might stop ponies from candidature are stuff like being under official investigation for any legal or administrative matter, being convicted of any crime in the past, or if the Princesses simply deny the pony’s participation in the process for whatever reasons. There are no political parties but there are affiliations which will support their candidates and fund their campaigns. Ministerial elections are held every four years for ponies, zebras, griffons, mules... From all of Equestria, as long as they are equestrian citizens. Municipal and regional administration goes like this: every municipality has a mayor, elected locally. Regional governors work and live in the local metropolis, being elected by the citizens of the municipalities around this city. For example: Ponyville is under Canterlot. Each has its mayor and a regional governor lives in Canterlot. The mayor, will be assisted by a Municipal Council, each member dedicated to the affairs of a ministry and selected by the mayor, from the municipality’s population. The Regional Council will be formed by the governor and a member for every ministry represented in each municipality’s council, chosen by the governor. As is the case with ministerial elections, there are no parties, but ponies will form coalitions and work towards the election of a mayor who will appoint them to form the Municipal Council, and these coalitions will also work towards the election of a governor who is expected to appoint members of their coalition to the Regional Council. The coalitions are very dynamic and tend to be formed as elections approach. These councils will legislate locally and regionally, within the bounds of the Royal Constitution. I guess it’s a mix of executive and legislative powers I made… More like a mess. XD The judiciary works like this… When infractions are found or there are conflicts, these are directed to municipal courts (Municipal Court of Ponyville, Municipal Court of Appleloosa). These judge individual cases as directed by the Royal Constitution and local legislation, applying sentences according to a penal code that is published and reviewed by the Ministry of Justice or, settling disputes. If a solution cannot be found within the powers of municipal jurisdiction (disputes between municipalities), or there is no agreement between the parties, the case is directed to a regional court, housed in a major city, which has jurisdiction over smaller cities (the Regional Court of Canterlot would receive cases from Ponyville and smaller cities) as well as their own municipal courts. Judges in these courts are selected by public exam. The next and highest instance is the Royal Court held by either Princess Celestia or Princess Luna, whose decision is final. If a pony is convicted of a crime, he/she may appeal to the higher instance up to the Royal Court, but if the pony is found guilty again, this has a tendency of really pissing off the princesses and that’s not healthy. This system works the same way for any inter-regional or inter-municipal disputes, and if it reaches the Royal Court, the Princesses will call for an advisor from the relevant ministry. Beyond this system, ponies can petition directly to the princesses for several reasons. This would occur in open audiences that are named the Midday Court and the Midnight Court. These are public and anypony that waits in a line can talk directly to the princesses. Usually they get whiny nobles and representatives from guilds or associations petitioning for very specific permissions or their intervention in various issues, both big and small. This will enormously speed up the process of settling disputes, and increasing the chances of both sides being happy with the result, but can land the pony in an uncomfortable position if he/she is trying to do something questionable, like a representative from a construction company trying to cut expenses by fast-talking one of the princesses into granting softer regulations so that they can give less hazard pay for pegasi working in heights. Finally, Cadance is the “Accessory Princess”, and is sent to solve issues that Celestia and Luna feel she should be able to handle, usually with the Mane Six in tow, because... It's their show... Twilight is like an intern that spends most of her time listening and studying, and sometimes gets to handle simple issues in Midday Court under supervision. So, thank you if you read all this. I will read every reply and will try to answer all of them. All ideas/criticisms/suggestions are welcome.

True. But I mean that I don't like the "new", as in "just created" lore. It's true that "Celestia is a goddess" was never "canon", but it was implied that she was different. And... Alicorns ARE more powerful than regular ponies. Love the gif though.

True about this being the ultimate test of friendship. The problem is that it turns their friendship into a tool for Twilight's ascension. And I just hate the "new alicorn lore". I understand if people are ok with this, but I don't like it.

I doubt that they'd do that. Specially because it's beyond the scope of the show. And that's part of the problem. They are acting like they can get away with everything they throw at the audience... Because this is just a kid's show... Kids are stupid. The shown doesn't need quality. It just needs to show off stuff we wanna sell. and I doubt they'd do the time travel bit: they want to sell toys. Honestly, I feel bad for the crew making the show. The blame for this is all on Hasbro. And as much as i want to "believe in the writers" I personally don't like the way this is going.

I think I got my feelings sorted out on this. I'm going to share this "revelation" I had and hope that someone corrects me. I'm cool with the idea of Twilight Princess/Alicorn. It feels like a progression for her and she deserves it. My problem are the reasons for this and the way it seems this is going to happen. The synopsis for the episode says she'll botch a spell and will have to write spell to fix it. For some reason Celestia then decides that she is now ready for "the next level". Another thing are the interview given by Meghan McCarthy saying that in Equestria the title of princess is given to ponies that excel in sharing their gifts with others. Ok... Them I suppose that Starswirl the Bearded became an alicorn too and that Blueblood is, very deep inside, a good pony. Right... Maybe only females can be rulers... I'd be alright with this if it was only Luna and Celestia, but if ponies can become rulers of Equestria, but the males cannot, I think I understand now why Blueblood is such a jerk. I hope I got this wrong because this will break two important things in the show for me. 1- Celestia and Luna must have been normal ponies too, unless they come up with a different story for them. And it's going to be bad, because the episode is only 22 minutes and they have enough trouble as it is... Luna and Celestia not being special somehow is huge letdown for me Because they are just useless: anyone can rule and since unicorns can move the sun and moon around... Why do ponies need them both?! It ruins the Nightmare Moon theme too. If only Luna and Celestia could do it. You guys understand what I mean? It feels like the show began to break down in season 2 with the Hearth Warming Eve episode. I just didn't see it then. Or maybe I did. 2- Luna and Celestia, not being special, it can be expected that their immortality comes from being alicorn. And since they too must have been "normal", then Twilight is going to live more than a thousand years, like Cadance will. So, her friendship with the other girls was just a tool for her ascension. Now she is going to sacrifice it all, to be one of Equestria's rulers, watching her friends die slowly. Don't tell me she not going to change... I hope I'm wrong and I understand if this is important only to me, but but this will break the show for me.

http://family-room.ew.com/2013/01/29/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-exclusive-twilight-princess/ So... Don't know if people posted this here already... But now I'm guessing that Blueblood is a very good pony who shares the gifts that he has been given with others... And... So... Opinions...? Because I'm scared right about now.

I'm "moonlightavenger" there too. New friends are always welcome. Am I the only one that really enjoys that game, despite the steep prices?

The only reason I don't wear "pony shirts" in the open, is because they are not sold in my country, or at least, I couldn't find them. My cell phone has a ringtone out of a MLP-FIM inspired song. My ipad has a picture of Rainbow Dash with an electric guitar. http://reversalx.deviantart.com/art/Rainbow-Dash-Lead-Guitar-333116286 And I put an image of Litlepip in the opening of a presentation about drugs. http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=littlepip+face#/d5rsvq2 I just love ponies and the world can die if it thinks it's wrong. I have my own money and I'm not hurting anyone. Edit: Oh... and sometimes I say that the pegasus are crazy because of the weather and people look at me like I'm insane

I definitively choose ponies + bronies. For a very simple reason: if the girl wants me to choose, then she needs to find another guy.

Since you got a "good" opinion on it, I'll give a "not so good opinion" on it. Yes, it's well written. It is good, as fan fictions tend to go. But to me, most of the time it didn't feel like a MLP fan fiction. It felt like a Fallout fan fiction that happens to be set on Equestria. Doesn't mean that you need to like the videogames but it borrows heavily from the Fallout Series, in a way that will make you identify immediately events and locations from Fallout. Beyond that, there are moments that stuff from MLP is forced to fit into the Fallout formula. Having said that, it's way bigger than it needs to be in order to tell its story. Be prepared for gore, rape insinuation, and some points of WTF?? in the points that cover the backstory of the war.

Guys, I don't understand. Paying for fanfiction? Just so you can have it in a book? Maybe it's just that I'm so used to reading in the screen, but I don't understand the thought of paying for something that is free. And can it even be sold? It's derivative work from MLP. I'd think Hasbro would shoot it down.

My favorite pony, out of the Mane Six... It's a tough decision. She's not my favorite, but having to choose, it'd be Rainbow Dash. Shes's just awesome. I just love her as a character. Impulsive, rash, hiding insecurities behind that attitude. But them there's AJ... Arrgh!! But my "most favorite" pony has to be Princess Celestia. She's the "tyrannical" (in the original, Greek sense of the word) wise, and benevolent ruler of Equestria. If Equestria is such an awesome place, her hooves made it that way.

Unnecessary. Jerks. I can't even see a solid "commercial" reason for this other tha some blockhead in charge thinks it's offensive..... Somehow... Celestia damn them to Tartarus. Well... Thay can't kick her out of my roleplay game! MWA-HAHAHAHA!

With recent news in mind... As paranoid as it may sound... Is Hasbro trying to alienate the bronies? As in... "it's easier to make a show to sell toys when there's only children watching".

That's actually what I meant. You worded it way better than I did, though. The problem is not that she lost, but how she lost. Thanks!

I have a theory... Lazy writing! The staff behind the episode couldn't think of a better reason why Celestia would perhaps "limit her power output"... It's the Worf Effect. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheWorfEffect