Prologue: Celestia's Plans

After another boring day in the royal court the Princess of the Sun, Celestia, calmly makes her way to her tower so she may overlook Canterlot as another day comes to a close. While on her way to her tower she sees Shining Armor and Princess Cadance arguing with each other in one of the castle's many courtyards. Celestia's curiosity gets the better of her and she moves closer to the pair, eager to hear what could be causing the young couple to fight.

"-why don't you just use your love spell to make it happen?" Shining Armor asked, his voice sounding desperate and urgent. Celestia peered around a corner, just as Cadance decided to speak up.

"My love spell shouldn't be used for personal gain, nor to force people to love one another" Cadance said, obviously tired of arguing with her husband. How long have then been at it for? Celestia thought, knowing that their arguments usually end quickly, and never make the two of them upset with each other.

"But Twily is getting to that age, and should have a special somepony, but she can't find a single stallion that would put up with her" Shining Armor pleaded, surprising Celestia. She knew he cared deeply about Twilight, but begging his wife for something involving her...

"Ahem" Celestia coughed, deciding to come out of the shadows to find out exactly what was going on, and how Twilight was involved. When the couple saw Celestia walking towards them they froze, Shining Armor's eyes widening in fear. He tried to calm down, but he was too afraid, and ended up stumbling over his words.

"Evening Aunt, I mean, Princess, Celestia" Shining said quickly, "How can we, I mean, I, help you?". Shining Armor nervously looked at Cadance, receiving a look that was a mixture of embarrassment, surprise, and suppressed laughter. Celestia shook her head so she could clear her mind, his reaction making her want to laugh as well.

"Captain Armor, I see you are having marital trouble" Celestia said, a small smile creeping across her face as she looked over to see Cadance's laughter disappear. Her eyes darted between Shining and Celestia before she let out a loud sigh, knowing that Celestia wouldn't give up until she knew what was going on between the two of them.

"My lovely husband here," Cadance said, shooting Shining a glare, "is worried that Twilight might not find a special somepony for herself before it's too late"

"Why would she not find a special somepony, every mare does" Celestia said, not familiar with the concept of mares not finding their perfect match.

"She's too nitpick-y about it, and won't try to date any stallion that doesn't meet her standards" Shining said, defeated. The last thing he had wanted to do was tell Celestia about her student's issues, knowing she would want to help as much as possible.

"What about the others?" Celestia asked innocently, "What about her friends, wouldn't they help her?"

"They would, but none of them have a special somepony either due to their own dream stallions being hard to find" Cadance said, having extensive knowledge of each of the mares dream stallion thanks to their talks after the wedding. She knew that Twilight wanted someone as smart as her. Rarity wanted someone who would do anything she asked. Fluttershy wanted someone who was kind, caring and gentle towards her and her animals. Rainbow Dash wanted a Wonderbolt who was strong and caring, dropping Soarin's name quite a few times during the conversations. Applejack wanted someone with good work ethic and could carry his own weight around the farm, and Pinkie Pie wanted someone who loved to party and sweets.

"Well then, care to fill me in on their dream stallions?" Celestia asked, a devious plan forming inside her head. She was familiar with an old law that has long since been forgotten about that would give her the power to find these special someponies for them with ease. After a quick nod from Cadance, and a whimper from Shining Armor, the two Alicorns made their way up through the castle towards Celestia's tower.

Her plan was about to be set in motion...