Wielding her gift of foresight, Celestia will do anything, even something completely unheard of, to secure the future of her little (only compared to her) ponies.

But in order to not hamper their will for self-improvement, she would influence things in a very careful and covert manner. Anything in the world can be her instrument in this chess game - eternal and complex, like life itself.

Even the Grand Galloping Gala.
Especially the Grand Galloping Gala.

12.12.2020: Tael_Spinner kindly agreed to edit the story and beat it in some more respectable shape. I simply cannot thank them enough for their help!