“May you exit our performances with an open mind, and question yourself upon the choices seen before you…” the young mare’s voice proclaims, concluding the play.

Silence washes over the massive chamber in darkness as the world of Trihearth fades and the reality of Equestria returns to their minds. One by one, the mini-chandeliers that hang from the red fabric walls light up. The stars upon the fresco twinkle once more in reflection of the candlelight.

In only a few seconds, the cushioned seats surrounding the stage become visible as well as the various ponies seated. The stage lights up as well, only to show the red curtains drawn closed and the wooden platform devoid of anything, not even any liquid stains. With the lights now fully illuminated and with many ponies starting to leave, the seven friends turn to each other with a combination of confused, sad, and even one with an upset face.

“That was…” Twilight speaks first with a look of confusion on her face, “interesting. I didn’t really expect to see a play like this.”

“Definitely a lot sadder than what anypony would’ve expected.” Rarity adds. Black mascara is seen running down her face, and appearing to be very fresh. “Oh, that villain Ceann, if she didn’t take the prince, then Seirbigh and Crystal could’ve had their happy ending!”

“Ceann’s the villain?” Fluttershy disagrees. Though not as sad as Rarity, the play did tug on Fluttershy’s heartstrings. “Wasn’t it Dorch that caused the whole plot with the witch?”

“But Ceann was the one who took Seirbigh away, things would’ve worked out fine if it weren’t for her.”

“She couldn’t help herself,” Twilight debates, “and besides, it was the emperor’s fault for influencing Dorch. Logically speaking, it was him that started this whole thing.”

“Logic smogic,”Applejack rebuffs in an angry tone, “Crystal should’ve acted better rather than just ‘sploding like that. For Pete’s sake, she thinks that slaughterin’ an entire kingdom will somehow make her feel better after some breakup.”

“Don’t you insult such a poor creature,” Rarity snarls, “Crystal was together with Seirbigh for nineteen years. How can you not pity such an innocent pony that has lost everything, only to be the slave of some monster.”

“Don’t you see the pony who deserves the blame?” Rainbow Dash announces to the group, confused at their apparent obliviousness, “it’s obviously Seirbigh himself. It was his disloyalty that made Crystal snap.”

“Because Ceann influenced him,”

“He should’ve known better than that. You said it yourself, he should’ve been loyal to Crystal after nineteen years of being together.”

“But she was considered dead.” Twilight replies, “It would be kind of strange for Seirbigh to still cling to a dead mare.”

“Still, it wasn’t right for him to turn to Ceann right on a bit. He’s practically the villain.”

“Wait, isn’t that Medicine witch the villain?” Spike protests in confusion, “Although Dorch was the one who wanted Crystal and Seirbigh to split up, wasn’t it Medicine who was pulling the strings and made it her plan to destroy Trihearth?”

“You do have a point there Spike,” Applejack replies, “and she was the henchpony of that turtle-dragon thing. So what if it was that monster who was ‘posed to be the villain.”

“I don’t think so,” Fluttershy declares, “Trihearth was its shell. And from what I could tell from Medicine, it was being abused by the ponies above. Perhaps there is another pony that is the true villain. Pinkie?”

“I knew that you would be come to me for all of the answers…” Pinkie said in a mysterious, yet still sad character, “For you see, I have gathered enough evidence that many ponies would’ve missed that has proved who the true culprit was.”

“Who-”

“It was the Spanish Inquisition!”

“The what?”

“No pony ever expects the Spanish Inquisition!”

“Never heard of them.”

“Exactly!”

Twilight speaks, “I doubt it was the… whatever, I’ll go check on the princesses, see what they think.”

“It was Ceann!” Rarity shouts.

“It was Dorch!” Fluttershy shouts.

“It was Crystal!” Applejack shouts.

“It was Seirbigh!” Rainbow Dash shouts.

“It was the witch and the beast!” Spike shouts.

“It was the Spanish!” Pinkie Pie tearfully shouts. Twilight exits the seat and approaches the wall separating her and the royal box. Slowly, she knocks her hoof against the wall. It then opens and she is greeted by the familiar, yet fairly weathered, face of her older brother.

“Shining,” Twilight exclaims, “you look fairly beat. Did the play get to you?”

“No,” he says with a yawn, “Cadence was practically socking me when Crystal arrived at the church in a crying fit. Though I see that the play did get to you as well Twi,”

“Oh please, you make it sound like I cry at every sad play. But anyways, who do you think was the pony that basically caused everything to go downhill? My friends are pretty split on the matter.”

“I don’t know, I’m a bit too beat up to give a good answer. Who do you think?”

“Emperor Tiotán, see as how he was the one who gave the idea of ‘doing what you need to do’ to Dorch.”

“Wasn’t there some offhoof comment by his wife about Tiotán taking influence from his father?”

“I think so now that I think about it.”

“Then again, though I may not be thinking straight, but Dorch’s plan didn’t seem too bad. He was going to unite the three kingdoms in marriage. Even if it was him that was going to be pulling all of the strings, he apparently studied very hard in order to be a good ruler.”

“…Oh, I never thought of it like that…”

“Hey, that Jack guy’s coming to us soon to hear the princess’ response to his play. Maybe you can ask him.”

“Alright.”

“I think he’s walking towards us as we spea-”

“Shining!” A mare’s voice screams from inside the booth, outside of Twilight’s narrow vision of the golden chamber.

“Oh dear, that must be Cadence needing her strong stallion to embrace. Gah… Come inside Twi.”

“She always was a crier for these romantic tragedies.” Twilight replies. Slowly, the purple alicorn followers her brother and enters the golden room before looking around. At the edge of the booth facing towards the view of the stage, sits her brother while his wife is tightly wrapping her hooves into his body and loudly weeping. To her left, she was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, facing away from her and to the other opened entry wall to their seating chamber. Twilight slips herself between the two and sees the green stallion that played Prince Seirbigh trot towards them with a stoic look on his face.

“Ah, Twilight,” Celestia whispers, “I hoped you liked the show. It can be a great education.”

“Wha-” but before Twilight can finish her response, Jack unknowingly interrupts her and speaks,

“My fair princesses,” he proclaims, “what do you think?”

“It, was, interesting…”

“Mr. Cystic,” Celestia strongly replies, “you have done a great honour to both your family and our understanding of history. With this performance, not only have you entertained the masses with your showponyship, but you have also created many questions for us to answer and better ourselves with. I declare your performance to be one of the greatest that I have ever seen.”

“Most marvelous,” Luna declares. “These special effects and characters you have flushed life into turned this watching experience into what felt as if it were a dream. And I should know what a dream feels like. What I also must admit is that it has brought some tears to my eyes. And just between us, Celestia cried a lot more than me.”

“I heard that, and I most certainly did not.”

“Hehe, I was right next to you, I should know. Oh, and by the way Mr. Cystic, where did you get those wings from? When I saw you before the show, you were an Earth Pony if I recall.”

“I had some help with several unicorns and a zebra to magic me these here fake wings. They were a bit of a problem trying to fly with them during rehearsals, but I managed to work them. I plan to go backstage after this to return to my normal state.”

“But don’t you enjoy flying.”

“No… Flying, not even once for an Earth Pony like me,”

“Well, I’m certainly glad you managed to perform so gracefully tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Cystic.” Twilight nervously asks.

“Yes ma’am?”

“My friends and I have a question that we are each completely split about. Who is the pony who is the main reason that everything fell apart? Who can be called the villain?”

“That’s an interesting question, with an even more interesting answer. You see, there isn’t exactly a villain. Everypony played a part in the fall of Trihearth correct?”

“I guess so…”

“Who did you think was the villain?”

“The emperor,”

“I see why you think that, he was the one who taught Dorch to be unethical if it meant the greater good for all ponies. But is he wrong for thinking that? Being a princess, would you make a decision most would see as morally wrong in order to greatly benefit your ponies in the future.”

“I-I don’t know. I guess I never truly though of that until seeing this play and talking to my friends about it.”

“Best you think of the best answer before the occasion occurs, that way you’re ready. That’s one of the many reasons I love my ancestor’s story. I find it amazing just how an absolute disaster can bring such insight to give lead to positive decisions for the future.”

“How we learn from our own questions?”

“Exactly,”

“Thank you Mr. Cystic, if there is any way I can repay you for such an experience, just tell me.”

“You’re welcome Princess Sparkle, I don’t need anything though, seeing such royalty learn from my work is enough. Although, you can just call me Jack, no need to be formal.”

“Sure, Jack. Oh, and one more question.”

“What ‘tis, I mean, what is it?”

“Not to sound rude, offensive, or anything like that, but… Did this really happen? Is this the origin story of Queen Chrysalis that attacked the royal wedding a year or two back?”

“Yes Princess Sparkle. I kinda know how you’re feeling. I’ve heard about that whole attack here back at my country. It really is a shame, seeing such a once innocent pony turn to such madness that’s barely recognizable from her once beautiful and fair state. I sometimes wish I had the chance to apologize to her, but I guess that’ll never happen. Oh well, might as well move on.”

“I see, thank you Jack, and you can just call me Twilight.”

“You’re welcome Twilight. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be off.”

“You’re excused.” The two regal sisters replies. Jack then turns around and heads back towards the backstage area.

“What a most curious pony…” Luna speaks.

“Some are more unique than others,” Celestia replies, “just look at us.”

“A quirky character to say the least…”

“Come along Luna, we should be heading back home.”

“Wait,” Twilight exclaims, “Celestia.”

“Yes Twilight?”

“Did you learn anything from the play?”

“Well, yes. But I prefer not to go into much detail.”

“What do you mean?”

“Throughout my years, there has always been this, consistency, that I’ve always had trouble dealing with. This play has helped me find options in dealing with it.”

“Okay.”

“What are your current thoughts on Queen Chrysalis now?”

“…I don’t really know. I have so much to say, so much to think through, and seeing how you and Luna need to be heading back soon, I just…”

“I see. You just need some time to process your thoughts. You can write to me once you figured it out.”

“Okay.”

“Thank you for accompanying me tonight, it would’ve not been the same without you.”

“Thank you Celestia for giving me and my friends this opportunity as well.”

“Now, I must be off.”

“Goodbye.” Twilight turns around and exits the royal booth from the other end, returning her to her group. Her six friends were still arguing, but it seems to have been not as aggressive as before. She clears her throat and calls out, “Spike.”

“Yes Twilight?” The little dragon replies, peeking his head over the flank of Rarity to get a good look at Twilight.”

“I need you to write a letter. Got a paper and quill on you?”

“Like always.” Spike runs around the white unicorn and walks in front of the purple alicorn, pulling a clean sheet of paper and an inked quill from behind his back. The baby dragon sets the pen to the page and begins to write. “Dear Princess Celestia,”

“Wait Spike, this letter isn’t going to her this time.”

“Oh really? Who then?”

“It may seem weird, but just follow my lead.”

“Okay…” Spike tucks the feather between his claws. He then uses a free finger to lick and wipe off the recently written line before it settles. Spike resets the quill into its writing stance and awaits further instruction. “I’m ready... I guess…”

“Dear Queen Chrysalis…”