While most regal and glamorous under the benevolence of daylight, nightfall brought a whole new sense of life to the city of Canterlot. Princess Luna’s return years ago had brought a new enchantment to the dark skies of the city, with a decoration of stars that had gone quite unappreciated a thousand years ago. Back in those days, the city streets in Equestria had been quite barren once the moon had risen. After a long day of working, sleepy ponies had retired themselves to bed. The only wakeful ponies late at night were those lurking with malicious intent; thieves, smugglers, a few crazed enough to try their hooves in the dark arts. In those times, nightfall was considered something for ponies to avoid, under the safe haven of their homes.

That was not the case however in modern times, Luna had come to learn. With advances in technology over the centuries, many ponies found themselves with a reserve of energy after typical working hours, especially those young at heart. Aside from those wishing to gaze at the night sky along the hills outside of town, Canterlot itself remained bright and brimming with life. Taverns for those looking for a drink with a little kick, dance halls for ponies to throw themselves about wildly, and a small number of buildings showcasing the recent trend in moving picture projections; now with audible voices!

One particular street corner found itself overwhelmed with a number of mares and stallions, all dressed to impress those who caught sight of them. The Alicorn Amphitheater, in business for over fifty years, was up to its ears in attendants coming in one after another. A poster of a shadowy unicorn, with glowing eyes and a wicked smile, decorated the front of the theater above the entry. The title across his neck read “Vita de Virulence”, the very show that the line of ponies all had tickets to see.

“Looks like a full house.” Spike remarked, dressed in the tuxedo he’d received for his birthday.The remaining few seats he noticed were quickly filled by some straggling ponies squeezing by those who had arrived before them. His little dragon feet stood on the cushion of his seat, as he peered over the back.

“I’m not surprised in the slightest.” Rarity acknowledged. The unicorn was dressed in what she called “semi-formal” attire, a crimson button-up blouse with long white sleeves, and a light violet dress to match. “When you’ve got a producer such as Fancy Pants backing the show, advertisements for it are going to be all over Canterlot. Why, if the theater were big enough to fit the whole city, I don’t think a single pony would be staying at home right now.”

“Fancy Pants produced this?” Twilight asked. She herself wore something of more simple design, a gown with a solid purple, a shade darker than her own coat. “I remember Written Script being a novice writer back when he lived in Ponyville. How did he get noticed by a big shot like Fancy Pants?”

“Fancy Pants didn’t earn his wealth and fame by ‘playing it safe’, darling. The stallion is quite the financial adventurer. If he thinks it’s something that veers off of the beaten path, he might very well be tempted to invest some cash into it.”

Rarity’s explanation threw Twilight for a loop. While Silver Spear’s tale hadn’t received a stage performance before, plays depicting ancient myths had been practiced for a number of decades. She was about to ask what about this play made it stand out to Fancy Pants, but the lights of the auditorium shifted toward the orchestra in their pit.

A gray mare with a dark mane, dressed in a pristine tuxedo to match her hair, stepped toward the orchestra pit. She received a warm round of applause from the audience once she reached the conductor’s pit. Turning her mulberry eyes toward them, she took a humble bow. This was an especially proud moment for her, as many of them had come to recognize her face as part of an orchestra, but seldom at the position she held. Beginning her career as a cello instrumentalist, she had climbed her way through an age where music was changing from classical to something more electronic. Now, finally able to direct an orchestra for herself, she would lead them through the trying age. Even if the instruments from the original masters would one day be lost, she made sure they would leave not with a whimper, but with a mighty roar before the new age took over.

She turned to face the orchestra, pulling a wand out of her left breast pocket. With the wand in her grasp, she raised her foreleg up, and the instrumentalists followed her cue. A low hum of the orchestra began to ring out, as the instrumentalists warmed their instruments up to play for the evening.

“Man, really wish I had some popcorn.” Spike said as the conductor raised her legs. On cue, and through the hum of the orchestra, he heard a light and consecutive bursting sound from his right. He turned to see Twilight with her wings unfurled in front of her, covering something up, something glowing slightly. The noise ceased, and Twilight pulled her wings back. In front of her, floating by the purple aura of her magic, was a lumpy bag of freshly popped popcorn. The top of the bag was already opened, hardly able to contain the fluffy contents inside, and billowing with steam.

“Whoa, how’d you know!?” Spike asked, taking hold of the burning hot edges (his dragon scales protecting him from the scalding heat).

“Because I know you too well, Spike.” Twilight replied, rubbing her hoof against his head in a playful manner. The sound of somepony clearing their throat caught their attention. They turned to see Rarity staring toward them, her eyebrows narrowed and her mouth grimacing in disapproval. Twilight had seen the look on her mother Velvet, and even Celestia, many times in her life. It was the look that expressed that the bearer wasn’t mad, “just disappointed”.

Oh, don’t get your mane in a twist, Rarity. Twilight thought, offering her an apologetic smile along with Spike. The unicorn rolled her eyes and gave them an understanding smile in response. Following a moment of silence after the warm up, the brass of the orchestra flared proudly, as the curtains onstage rolled to the sides. An orb of light rose from the stage, makeshift sunlight spreading throughout the area.The string instruments kicked in, the violins complementing the flicker of light from the sun.illuminating a bright land with a decorative looking castle on a mountain. Off toward the side of the castle, a small fire burned within the center of a circle of ponies. While the tiny flames waved through the wind, the voice of a stallion began to sing.

A good kings life has ended

The blessed light extinguished

The darkness overtakes the throne

And peace has been diminished

As his voice sang, the skies onstage began to darken with storm clouds. The funeral pyre grew larger, spilling down the mountain and across the edge of the stage. The castle was blotted out within the darkness, and the light of the fire revealed a large golden throne, a stallion with a blood red mane seated upon it. His eyes were black, soulless pits, and he wore a twisted smile, hiding unknown machinations of greed and destruction.

King Virulence, his son

Now he rules the land

And the shadow he has cast

It engulfs the land

The tyranny of his rule will bring his own demise

One closest to the throne looks on, with hatred in his eyes

As the orchestra died down a moment, a new sound rang throughout the theater. A rhythmic and rather speedy thump, which was seldom heard from any classical classical instrument. The sound caught Spike and Twilight off guard, as they both exchanged confused glances toward one another. A cloud of fog emanated from above the stage, accompanied by a stage light to illuminate the presence of a group of stallions on a stage high above the audience. At the center was a stallion keeping beat with his intimidating metallic drum set. One either side of him, two more stallions, each poised on their hindlegs with a guitar draped along their chest, began to play, their bassist providing a thumping rhythm from behind. Their chords roared to life as they strummed their strings along with the beat, along with the rumble of thunder and lightning striking out behind them.

“...What!?” Spike whispered, astonished at what he was seeing and hearing.”This is… this is metal!”

Twilight was shocked as well at what she witnessed. A rock band with growling guitars in one of the most esteemed amphitheaters of Equestria. With the orchestra down below, it was a combination of music she’d never dreamed possible. As her mind struggled to process the sounds her ears were taking in, her attention was drawn back to the stage. King Virulence in his throne had long since disappeared, and the backdrop of the stage showed a rocky cliff seen from below. At the edge of the cliff was a stallion of a sandy tan coat, and oak brown mane and tail. A golden helmet was affixed to his head with a tattered cape along his shoulders. It was his voice that had been singing from the very beginning of the play. He resumed the song accompanied by drums and guitars from above, once his appearance had been established. As he sang, the orchestra rejoined, and the sound of classical instruments supporting the blare of rock and roll shook the walls of the amphitheater.

A rotten child, taking up a throne so undeserved

The land has fallen from grace

Sent into war, with an unjust cause and selfish gain

So many in death's embrace

A captive mare; a princess held against her will

Forced to marry, despite no love

No mercy from the gods above

This evil cannot pass

This evil shall not pass

Undeserving power

Closer to the last hour

The music quieted down, only the lead guitarist belting out a solo, along with a harmony of string instrumentals.

No more wicked tyranny

The day will live in infamy

Ponies everywhere will rejoice

They will once again have their voice

Once Virulence has at last been dethroned...

And at the end of the show’s first song, Twilight was surprised to hear an emphatic amount of applause ring out from the audience. She’d thought the typical aristocratic attendants would have no taste for the rambunctious style of music, but she had been proven wrong. Surprised as all of them were, the ponies loved what they heard, and they were ready for more. Fancy Pant’s venture into new territory had indeed paid of it seemed.

The show continued on, recounting the story of Silver Spear’s mission to remove King Virulence from his throne and free the oppressed nation, accompanied by an infusioned score of orchestra and rock. Twilight found herself intrigued by the theatrics of the show. Dark backdrops, intricate props and striking scenery made it quite a sight to behold. Written Script had gotten the story down with surprising accuracy, and he’d put together an impressive set of visuals to illustrate it. And all of the actors were adorned with lavish costumes to depict a surreal representation of the time period it took place in. Rarity had certainly outdone herself in the week she’d been out of town for production of the play.

Two seats from Twilight, Rarity felt her delicate ears ringing after the noise of the first song and the following applause died down. She used her magic to levitate out of the saddlebags two rubber earplugs. She stuffed them gently into her ears, and relaxed as the sound she perceived was dulled by half its volume.It wasn’t that Rarity disliked Written Script’s play; she was in fact quite impressed with the visuals of the play, as well as the composure for each song. What she didn’t care for was the blare of the guitars. While it certainly was an interesting feat to infuse modern and classical music, “metal” was not a genre that suited her.

She looked down to her right, at Spike, quite literally on the edge of his seat at the moment. Her heart fluttered as she caught a glimpse of his eyes, so focused on the performance onstage. Rarity had of course anticipated that Spike would want to attend the play out of courtesy (he would do the same for any of his friends after all). She took extra delight in seeing the surprise on his face as he learned this opera would be more entertaining than he’d expected. She was glad now that she’d kept it a secret from both of them.

While watching her dragon lover scarf down the popcorn in his lap, Rarity felt a bit of a rumble in her stomach. She huffed through her nostrils in annoyance. She had eaten quite a large salad a few hours ago at the diner: how on Earth was she hungry at the moment? The power of suggestion it seemed was getting the best of her at the moment.

She knew she shouldn’t. She should show some class, some restraint, some dignity at such an event. Even with the sound of angry guitars, this was still an opera she was attending, and it would do well for her to show some poise.

Oh, posh. Rarity thought to herself. Just a little bite won’t hurt anything.

Rarity’s magic lit up once again, over a few fluffy kernels that Spike was reaching for. His eyes were locked on the floating objects, and he turned his head about as he watched them move toward Rarity’s mouth. He flashed her a condescending smirk, no doubt remembering how she had scowled at he and Twilight for bringing such a thing into the theater. Chewing on the crunchy white fluff in her mouth, she offered a guilty smile and giggled. Spike shook his head, and turned his attention back to the show.

Twilight’s mouth crumpled into a frown. At the start of the show, Rarity had glared at her disapprovingly for sneaking food in with her. Yet here she was helping herself to it all the same, without even asking. She had meant that for Spike, not Rarity.

Shaking her head, Twilight scolded herself for such a thought. How petty was she? Getting angry over Spike sharing popcorn? Was a friend like Rarity really not worth sharing a snack with?

It was Spike. She’d snuck that bag in solely for Spike, and she felt that sharing it with Rarity took away some of what she thought was a sentimental offering. Thinking it over, she realized how silly it all sounded: she’d brought in a bag of popcorn to be sentimental? Twilight cringed at the very thought.

There was no denying it anymore: she was jealous of Rarity, plain and simple. She wasn’t sure if she was jealous that she’d found someone to love, or because that someone happened to be Spike. Was she really that worked up over the fact that tshe’d never have sex with him again?

Another round of applause shook Twilight from her thoughts. She looked about the place to see the surrounding audience clopping their hooves in admiration of the play. Another song had come and gone, and Twilight had been so wrapped up in her thoughts she’d not noticed at all. She noticed through the corner of her eye Spike looking at her with a puzzled expression, she being the only one not applauding at the moment. With a sheepish grin, she immediately raised her hooves and joined the rest of the audience. The noise eventually died down and the play resumed, showing a lone mare surrounded in darkness on the stage.

Don’t think about it, Twilight. The princess internally berated herself. Try to enjoy the show for now. You can sort out your mental clutter when you get home. Just don’t think about it. Twilight did her best to recollect what was going on in the play. They’d introduced Silver Spear in the beginning, and she’d seen them touch on the Lethe Pool, which held the properties to erase one's memories, as well as any memory of them from existence. The mare onstage had to have been Princess Amorousia, the maiden Silver Spear loved, held captive by King Virulence until she gave into his desires to marry her.

The sound of a harp began to play, angelic and soothing in tune. After a moment, the mare onstage began to sing.

Please bring back my love to me

I can't bear without him

He's traveled so far now

But I still wait for him to return

Every night I dream of him

The smell of his mane

The smile on his face

His voice oh so soothing

And brimming with grace

His strong, able body, a fine work of art

Oh Silver Spear you have captured my heart

I wish you well

Wherever you are

I am with you

Be you near or far

Let my love for you keep you safe

Let it guide you on your journey

And bring you home

I will wait

For you

I will wait

Rarity's heart fluttered. Such a passionate expression of romance! This was the sort of thing she admired in a traditional opera, the poetic sense of affection and admiration. Princess Amourosia’s longing for Silver Spear reminded Rarity just how lucky she was to have the connection she held with Spike. During the last few lines of the song, Rarity reached her hoof to the side, poking it against Spike’s claw.

Spike looked away from the stage, and toward the unicorn’s eyes. Staring into her shimmering pools of azure, he was filled with the same sentimental feeling she was brimming with at the moment. He took a claw away from his bag of popcorn and held it within his claw. The two leaned against one another, ignoring the surrounding applause and enjoying the loving comfort their embrace filled them with.

The song, while beautifully sung, had not helped Twilight’s thoughts return to the play at all. The way Amorousia had poured her heart out for her darling Silver Spear struck as many chords on her heart as the harp accompanying her voice. She didn’t even need to turn her head to see him; every detail about Spike was clear as day in her mind.

The aroma of the light green spikes across his head.

His youthful, confident smirk.

His boyish and playful voice, comforting when she needed it to be.

His claws, surprisingly gentle when he wrapped them around her back in a supportive hug.

Twilight’s chest had become surprisingly heavy and tight. She took a deep breath and blinked once, feeling something cool along her right cheek. It was a single tear that had slid from her eye at some point during Amorousia’s song. She turned slightly away from Spike and Rarity on her left, and lifted the tip of her wing to her face to wipe it off. She couldn’t believe she had cried over such a sappy song, and hoped that nopony had seen her doing so. She turned back just to make sure, but what she saw made her jaw drop.

She saw Spike holding a pony’s hoof within his claw, but it wasn’t the white hoof of a unicorn. It was purple. And it belonged to a pony with wings, draped around his shoulders. Surrounding the tip of her purple horn, a dark purple mane which he rested his head against. Twilight was looking at herself, snuggling against Spike, the two of them with warm smiles on their faces, lost in one another’s embrace. She wasn’t sure how it was possible that such a thing could take place: was she dreaming? Was she having an out of body experience of sorts? Why couldn’t she feel him against her, if she was the pony he was laying against?

Spike… I… I...

Spike lifted his eyes, and his smile disappeared. “Twilight?” he asked in confusion.

The instant he spoke, she saw the vision of herself morph instantaneously before her eyes. The wings vanished without a trace, and her unfurled mane was done up in curls, while her purple coat was drained to an appearance white as snow. Just as she thought, Rarity was indeed enjoying Spike’s company, the two of them most likely caught up in their emotions at the same time as Twilight, though in a very different way.

Twilight’s heart rate increased as his eyes laid upon her. Had she said his name out loud? Is that what had gotten his attention?

“I… I…” Twilight’s eyes darted about, desperate for some sort of distraction. She noticed that the claws of one arm hanging over his stomach were clinging to the edges of the bag of popcorn. “C-c-can I have some popcorn?” She asked hastily.

Spike looked down at his claw, as if he’d forgotten he was still holding onto the bag at all. “Oh. Yeah, help yourself.” He replied, sitting up properly and away from Rarity. “You’re the one who brought it.” He chuckled happily.

Twilight grinned widely, using her magic to lift a clump of popcorn from the bag toward her face. Looking it over, she realized she’d grabbed a larger amount than she’d needed. Her nerves prevented her from putting any back, and she instead took a large bite. She munched with a feigned sense of happiness, as if she’d intended eat such a large amount all along.

The performance onstage did little to hold Twilight’s interest anymore. She stole a glance at Silver Spear and another monstrous looking pony across from him, their swords raised in preparation for combat. The orchestra had gone silent, and the rock band from above had taken up the slack. As the two ponies rushed in toward the other, the guitars played full force, one after another, each strumming a brief solo before the other responded with their own. They seemed to be caught in a musical duel of fates, as were the swordsponies down below. Twilight didn’t remember this battle taking place anywhere in the original myth. If she had to guess, Written Script had added this part in for the sake of eye and ear candy, some kind of spectacle to keep the audience’s interest after an hour and a half of sitting and watching.

While the stage was lit with strobe lights and sparks from the stallion’s blades, Twilight’s mind underwent a battle of its own. Her feelings for Spike had manifested into something much deeper than lust. Her heart burned for the baby dragon, not for his body, but for his soul. Her mind was filled with the sentiment he’d bestowed upon her during their years together. Now that he was with Rarity, he’d spent so much time away from the library in favor of the boutique. She felt sick thinking about a life where all the affection he’d given her was redirected from her to Rarity.

Spike, his eyes opened wide in awe of the battle onstage, paid no mind to Twilight staring him down. Her chest remained tight, her stomach turning with fear and uncertainty. She couldn’t lose him. Every second she let slip by was another step he took away from her. She had to express her longing for him, before it was too late.

She felt the urge to kiss him. She knew she shouldn’t, that she should respect his relationship with Rarity. She was just a seat away from them for goodness sake, it was unlikely that she would let such an act fly.

Twilight didn’t care. Her body ached knowing that he was right next to him, yet slipping so far away. She would make it quick, just a light peck on his cheek, to let him know that she cared about him, and then leave him be.

Rarity found herself becoming less interested with the play as it went on. Perhaps it was because she’d spent so much time with the cast and crew while designing their costumes, and it had disillusioned her from the investment the rest of the audience felt. Her attention instead was drawn more and more to Spike. She was a little ashamed to admit it, but she felt a similar rush of emotions that she’d felt as a growing filly, when her hormones had been raging and filling her with the urge to pin a stallion down and furiously kiss him raw. If it weren’t for her need to keep up her appearances, she’d certainly want to do the same to Spike at the moment. Wrestling with her emotions, she settled for the idea that a firm kiss on the cheek would have to satiate herself for the moment. After the play, they would all be heading back home to Ponyville, where she and Spike could have their way with one another just as they’d done so before.

Twilight gulped. This was it; do it now, or forever hold her peace.

Locked onto Spike’s mulberry cheek, she closed her eyes and dived in with her lips pursed, hoping for all it was worth that this wouldn’t bite her in the tail.

Reinforcing herself that it would go no further, Rarity settled on the idea that she would kiss him. She closed her eyes and leaned forward, eager to feel his scaly cheek on her lips once again.

Taking a rather large bite of popcorn, Spike felt the edges of the kernels scratch his throat as he choked. Gagging, he coughed strongly, and dropped the bag in his grasp. As it hit the floor, the remaining fourth of the bag spilled all over the floor under his seat.

“Aw, come on!” Spike muttered under his breath, before hopping off of the seat and crouching down to pick up the mess on the floor. With no dragon between them, Twilight and Rarity’s blind advance continued.

Their lips touched. Twilight and Rarity had kissed one another, unknown that the lips they felt belonged to the mare a seat away from them. While unaware of the actual situation, both mares had lost themselves within the alluring sensation of feeling soft lips pressed up against their own.

I can’t believe he’s kissing me! Twilight thought, the warmth her lips felt rushing up to her ears and making them tingle. I always told him not to kiss me when we fooled around; this is the first time I’m feeling his lips. They’re so soft and tender. Oh gosh, I think I’m gonna faint!

Mm, what a sentimental little dragon. Rarity thought, her eyes still closed. And here I thought I was going to surprise you. Your senses must have picked up the rhythms of my heart, and you knew I’d be coming for you, didn’t you?

What’s Rarity going to say? She’s going to turn around and see us kissing at any moment. What’s she going to think? Is she going to know how I feel about Spike? How he feels about me? Wait, how does he feel about me? Does this mean his feelings for Rarity have changed?

How strange… I don’t remember Spike’s lips being so delicate. Did he apply some sort of chapstick before the show started?

Though a touch of suspicion nagged at the mind of each mare, they nonetheless held onto the sentimental warmth the kiss provided. They slowly opened their eyes, fully expecting a pair of light green eyes staring into theirs. How shocked Twilight was to find out that the eyes looking back were instead a light azure, while Rarity saw dark violet pools staring back. The two mares eyes darted rapidly, absorbing the details of the face surrounding the eyes. It took a few seconds to process, but their minds eventually came to terms with the fact that they had not kissed the dragon seated next to them, but the mare sitting on the other side of him.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!” Both mares screamed as they reared back, their forelegs flailing frantically in the air.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!” Spike screamed, jumping up with two clawfuls of a large amount of popcorn. “W-what!? It’s not a big deal!” He said to the mares who just now clocked his presence on the floor. “T-Ten second rule, it’s still good!”

“SSSSH!” several ponies shushed from every direction. The two mares turned their bodies front and center in their seats, while Spike shoved both handfuls of popcorn into his mouth, and jumped back into his seat.

What's this? I sense treachery in the air

The voice hit Twilight’s ears like a ton of bricks. Her chest tightened as her attention was brought back suddenly to the play. Silver Spear was now caught in the spotlight, while King Virulence’s gaze was locked on him. With a look of worry on his face, Silver Spear remained frozen as a cornered mouse, while the king berated his actions.

A secret crime, filled with malice

A wicked plot to undo me, from the scent within my chalice

What fool would ever think I would not know

When the wine from which I drink has been infected

I shall find whoever did this, and I shall have them executed

Guards, seize him!

The guards on stage rushed toward Silver Spear, and with a struggle, brought him to his knees. Twilight had missed quite a bit of the play, but she remembered the original myth. This was the final act of the story, in which Silver Spear had failed in his attempt to poison King Virulence with a chalice filled with water from the Lethe pool. It was never quite clear how Virulence had found it, but he’d suspected that Silver was plotting against him. Perhaps it was his affection for Princess Amourosia that had tipped him off. Nonetheless, Virulence was unaware of the magical properties of the elixr in his drink; he’d only suspected it to be a typical poison.

Silver, you are such a fool

To think I would not know it's you

Attempting to conspire against I

It's me that you so much despise

I can see that look within your eyes

But now it will be you who shall die

Your attempt on my life, it has failed

Your rotten plan has been unveiled

I shall not drink this tainted mixture

Instead I'd rather get your goat

By forcing it all down your throat

And remove you from the picture

Goodbye Silver Spear

May your soul burn in tarturus for all eternity

And the musical score reached a swell, before transforming into something subtly triumphant. Though the king and the guards surrounding him were frozen and shrouded in blacklight, Silver Spear had a look of hope on his face. He knew that he had played a large part in raising Virulence himself, since his father had been too busy being a king to look after his son. Silver Spear had played a large role in Virulence’s life. Consuming the liquid would not just destroy his own memories, but simultaneously destroy the memories of Virulence and all who knew him. He was going down, but he was taking Virulence with him.

My heart is overcome with joy

As I feel the chalice on my lips

For there's a memory of his

That his boasting pride has now eclipsed

It was I who taught him all he knows

Since he was born, til he took the throne

If I consume this drink, he will be undone

My memories will fade, but I'll take his with me

Our minds will be destroyed, but the land will at last be FREE

As the chalice touched Silver Spear’s lips, the final light dimmed and cast the entire stage into blackness. An uproar of applause burst from the audience, all of them standing from their seats and clopping their hooves against the ground. A few cheers from the crowd accompanied the overwhelming noise. The applause continued for several minutes, as the cast one by one stepped on stage and took a humble bow for their audience. Once the cast had all joined on stage, a gray stallion with a round director’s cap over his head, stepped in as well. Written Script, the stallion Rarity had spent so much time this week with, spoke into the microphone affixed to his face.

“Wow, thank you so much everypony!” he said with projection, his voice booming over the noisy audience. “Quick special thanks I want to throw out in no particular order, to Mr. Fancy Pants for getting the word out about the play, and the funding to make all of this possible.” A stage light moved to the balcony in the upper left area of the auditorium, showing the blue maned aristocrat waving to the clopping audience appreciatively, next to his slender unicorn wife, Fleur de Lis. “Also want to thank somepony who put in a huge amount of work at the last minute getting the cast dressed, please show Ms. Rarity some love as well!”

The spotlight moved from Fancy Pants to the middle of the audience, upon Rarity, Spike and Twilight. While Rarity offered a jubilant wave to the audience, Twilight felt her stomach twist in knots. She felt as if the spotlight was shining through her body and focusing on her guilt, allowing the entire applauding audience to focus on the shame she felt for what she’d tried to do a moment ago.

“And of course, I want to thank all of you for attending tonight, coming to watch something I’ve dreamed of since I was a colt: getting a vision of mine on stage in one of the biggest theaters in Canterlot. My gosh, I can’t even express how thrilling this all is for me; well, I could, but then I’d keep you here all night.” The audience laughed politely at his humorous jab at himself. “So once again, thanks to the cast, thanks to the crew, thanks to all of you for watching this happen. Have a wonderful rest of the night, everypony!”

Following another polite round of applause, the audience slowly began to spill out of their seats and make their way toward the exits.

“Twilight?” a boyish voice called to the princess, wound up tightly in her seat. Twilight looked to her left, and saw Spike and Rarity up from their seats, their row nearly cleared out. “Ready to get going?”

Twilight looked toward him, then glanced at Rarity. The unicorn seemed to suddenly find the ceiling rather fascinating as Twilight looked toward her. Twilight nodded, keeping her gaze away from both of them. The three silently made their way out of the theater.

Though she couldn’t look Rarity in the eye, she could hardly keep the unicorn out of her peripheral vision. Twilight knew she was playing with fire by attempting to kiss Spike in front of Rarity. How she’d ended up kissing the unicorn instead was something she couldn’t comprehend. But what conclusions had Rarity drawn from the occurrence? She didn’t know what was going on through her mind, and wasn’t sure if she wanted to know. She herself couldn’t decide if it was better or worse to have kissed her accidentally than have Rarity witness her kissing Spike.

I sense treachery in the air. The words stung Twilight’s heart viciously. Though she found some sort of relation to the play, she couldn’t decide which character best represented her at the moment. Was she Princess Amourosia, waiting desperately for her hero to return and rescue her from her plight? Was she Silver Spear, fighting against a force which she considered to have an unjust rule over something in need of liberation?

Or was she in fact King Virulence, wanting to lock up something she desired in order to keep it from pursuing its one true love?

I sense treachery in the air. The words repeated in a loop through Twilight’s weary mind. I sense treachery in the air. Treachery. Treachery.

Author's Note

I'd like to apologize for my atrocious song lyrics. I thought the idea would be awesome months ago, but when I finally got to this point in the story, I realized it was more challenging than I had imagined. So, just bear with them best you can please.