//------------------------------//
// Orders: Part 2 
// Story: Exiled unto Dawn 
// by ObCom 
//------------------------------//

	Applejack walked down the cobble path to the library. The ranger was in high spirits, though she was hard pressed to understand why. Her morning patrol in the woods had been uneventful. The worn paths had led her to the same, wonderful sunrise over Ponyville plenty of times before. None of her traps had caught any game, but that had only been a minor inconvenience. There were plenty of stores in town to get more food from, and the ranger did not lack funds to help support her family. The more that Applejack thought about her morning, she could only come to one conclusion: the day had been mundane. So why was she smiling? 
Applejack paused in the middle of the street as a new thought struck her. Why was the ranger trying to understand why she was happy instead of living in the moment? “Pinkie would be ashamed,” the ranger muttered, shaking her head. 
“Applejack? Is something wrong?” 
The ranger nearly jumped at the softly asked question. “Dang, Fluttershy, have you been takin’ lessons from Rarity?” Applejack asked, making sure to give her friend a warm smile to know she had been joking. 
“Oh, did I startle you? I’m sorry,” Fluttershy said. 
Applejack’s smile wavered at the apology. “It’s fine,” she said. “Serves me right for driftin’ off like that.” 
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “Um, is something wrong? I mean, if you want to talk about it, that is.” 
“It’s nothing, just something silly that’s been on my mind.” 
“Oh. Well, if you’re sure it’s not important, I wouldn’t want to pry,” Fluttershy said. Seeing the large woman’s shoulder slump, Applejack almost felt like she had committed a sin for denying her friend a chance to help. 
Applejack sighed and licked her lips. “I’m just wondering why I’m happy right now,” she said. The admission sounded silly to her, as if it was something so slight that it didn’t deserve to be mentioned. 
Despite the ranger’s self-consciousness, Fluttershy perked up. “Your happiness isn’t ‘something silly.’” 
“When you think about it as much as I have, it is.” Applejack could tell that Fluttershy was going to ask other, probing questions, which would lead to a conversation that the ranger didn’t want to endure. Deciding to change topics, she asked, “So what’re you doing out here? You don’t usually shop ‘til the weekend.” 
Fluttershy examined Applejack, raising a pink eyebrow at the question. The ranger put on a large smile. “I had to pick up some more tea. Rainbow came by this morning and I made some for her.” 
“Awfully early for a visit,” Applejack said and crossed her arms. 
“Oh, it wasn’t any trouble. She was very bothered about Twilight.” 
Applejack uncrossed her arms. “What about her?” 
Fluttershy was silent, but the ranger could tell that her friend wasn’t retreating into herself. She was trying to find a way to explain herself. “Are you on your way to the library?” 
“Yup.” 
“Oh, good. Then, if it’s not too much trouble, could you keep an eye on Twilight? I’m sure there’s nothing wrong, but Dash was very concerned.” 
“You want me to spy on Twilight?” Applejack asked slowly. 
Fluttershy looked as if the ranger suggested that they burn down an orphanage. “Heavens, no! I just want you to make sure Twilight is okay. Dash made it sound like she is in some sort of trouble.” 
Applejack ran a hand over her face. “Well, I guess I could do that. I don’t know if I’ll get anything out of her, though.” 
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Fluttershy said, “but thank you, Applejack. This will be a weight off of Dash’s shoulders.” 
“I never thought Dash would be the concerning type,” Applejack said with a chuckle. “Where is she now?” 
“Knowing her, she probably went to sleep as soon as she got home. You know how she is,” Fluttershy said. 
“Yeah, loud and lazy.” Applejack ignored Fluttershy’s look of disapproval. “I better get to the library then, just to see if Twi’s alright. Are you going to the tavern tonight?” 
Fluttershy said that she would not be attending, as she didn’t like going to the tavern as often as the rest of her friends. Applejack knew that she could have continued the conversation, but she nodded and said her farewells to her friend. The concern showed to Twilight’s well-being caused Applejack to feel uneasy, and she wanted to resolve any problem as soon as possible. As the two parted, Applejack set off to the library once more, her smile replaced with a frown. 

Golden Oaks library was a curious establishment. As far as anyone knew, no other town could boast that their library was a tree. Why the founders of Ponyville thought that a tree would make for a fine establishment for the housing of literature was lost to time. However, the novelty was enough to draw travelers in to the flourishing town, which brimmed with its small town charm and other experiences that would have been overlooked. 
Applejack had seen the library enough times to become desensitized to its charm. Why, then, was she drawn to the place? She looked at the tree, eyes tracing the familiar twists and turns found in the bark, as if the answer to her question could be found there. 
The tranquility was shattered when Spike ran out of the door. The young boy looked as if a pack of Timberwolves was chasing him. His eyes were cloudy and wide, his clothes looked like he had thrown them on while he ran, and his hair was sticking out in every direction. He focused on Applejack and ran to her, wrapping one of her hands in both of his to pull her towards the library. 
The morning had taken a turn for the bizarre, to be sure. Applejack put a firm hand on Spike’s shoulder and forced the boy to stop. When he finally focused, Applejack said, “Breathe, Spike. Whatever it is that’s got you all riled up isn’t gonna get you now.” 
The youth nodded, taking a moment to collect himself before turning back to the ranger. When she was sure Spike wouldn’t snap again, she slowly asked, “What’s going on?” 
“Twilight w-went out early this morning. Said she had something t-to do and wouldn’t talk about it.” Spike started shaking, and Applejack gave his shoulder a slight squeeze. “She was gone for about an hour or so. She came back and, and she went into her room. Just now Rainbow Dash arrived and… and she started screaming. Saying stuff about how the world is in peril and how Twilight kept everything in the dark. I got scared, so I just ran out to get some help and that’s when I saw you. Please, Applejack, you gotta do something!” Spike’s eyes were starting to fill with tears, and his voice had wavered no matter how hard he tried to control himself.
Applejack felt a chill encase her heart. “They still inside?” 
Spike nodded. 
“Alright. How about you go over to Rarity’s for a while? I’ll deal with this.” Spike nodded again, the thought of his crush instantly perking him up. He gave Applejack his thanks and set off running. 
When the youth was far enough away, Applejack took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. The door to Golden Oaks had been so inviting a few moments ago. 

Twilight Sparkle was tired. 
She was physically tired, as she had forsaken sleep in the name of her duties. 
She was emotionally tired, as the duties had felt unnecessary. 
Last, but by no means least, she was tired of Rainbow Dash. 
The mage had barely registered the fighter’s presence at first, preferring to shuffle up the stairs to her bedroom. Unfortunately, Dash couldn’t take the hint that Twilight wanted to be alone and followed her. After much ranting and gesticulation, Dash had figured that she was being ignored. Twilight was content to sit in her chair and stare out of the window, although she longed to be in her bed again. 
Dash had put her hands on Twilight and gruffly turned the mage around, forcing her to look into the magenta eyes that were a shade darker than the face they rested in. Twilight found herself unable to care about her friend’s requests for glory and the end of the world. She just wanted to sleep and pretend that she hadn’t just set a carriage on fire. A carriage full of people that she didn’t even know, people that only deserved to die because of a slip of paper. Did they know that they had been judged? Probably not, or else they would never have set out on a morning ride across the country. The people would have stayed in their homes and set up fortifications. Who were they, anyway? Who had she been sent to kill? 
Dash had fallen silent, but not out of respect for the mage. Her head was tilted towards the bedroom door. Twilight heard it, too, a heavy pair of boots climbing the stairs. That could only be one person, and she couldn’t help but smile. 
The steps ended in front of the door. “Twilight? Are you in there?” Applejack asked. Hearing the ranger’s voice caused Rainbow Dash to let go of Twilight as if the mage was made of fire. 
Forcing the words out, Twilight said, “Yes, Applejack.” She paused, lavender eyes drifting over to Dash. The fighter shook her head, but the message she tried to relay wasn’t clear. “Feel free to come in.” 
Dash froze, staring at Twilight as if the mage had just sentenced her to death. The door creaked open, and Applejack stepped in. 
The ranger paused in the doorway, taking a moment to look over the two occupants in the room. Her eyes fired venomous daggers at Dash, who tried to shrug off her discomfort. Then she looked at Twilight, and her eyes softened. “Everything alright, sugarcube?” 
“Of course it is,” Dash said, earning herself another glare. “We were just talking about—”
“You can stow it,” Applejack said. “I heard it all from Spike. You got some nerve, crashing into one of your friends’ house and interrogatin them like they were some sort of spy! Now get out of here before I really lose my temper!” 
Rainbow wanted to challenge Applejack, Twilight could tell, but the fighter clenched her teeth and stared at the ranger. After a minute, or maybe more, Twilight lost interest, Rainbow scoffed and walked out of the door, leaving her with Applejack. 
Applejack let out a breath and pointed with a thumb to the door. “What’s with her?” 
“She thinks I have to tell everyone everything about my life,” Twilight deadpanned, summoning just enough energy to move to her bed. 
“I doubt that she wants to know all that,” the ranger chuckled, taking her place in the chair Twilight just left. “It has to be important to get through that girl’s skull.” 
The mage could see what Applejack was trying to do. She was hinting at the reason, seeing if she could understand without a direct approach. Twilight’s shoulders slumped. She wanted to tell someone, and who could be more accommodating than Applejack? 
But Applejack was also one of the very few good people she had ever met. Would she understand that the orders that Twilight received were nothing more than assassination contracts? That sometimes Celestia couldn’t be directly involved in the many twists and turns of the Canterlot power struggle? That morning hadn’t been the first time Twilight had taken a life to support Celestia’s rule, but it was the first time she questioned her actions. Canterlot was distant, barely a speck on the mountains. Why should that city’s politics hold any sway over her?  
Twilight felt Applejack sit next to her on the bed. She didn’t even know that the ranger had moved. She focused on the ranger’s eyes, wide and caring. Twilight wondered if she could risk shattering her friendship by confessing all that she had done, to see those eyes twisted with disgust. Twilight frowned, opened her mouth to speak and closed it immediately. Her eyes drifted around the room. She didn’t want to lose anyone, but she needed to talk to someone. 
Forcing herself to push through the tightening knot in her throat, Twilight looked directly at Applejack and said, “I am a horrible person.” 
The words took the ranger by surprise. She blinked, but stayed silent. Twilight took that as a cue to continue. 
“Earlier today, this morning. I went out for a little walk… and.... You know how I got a letter, right? Well, it came from the Princess. She gave me some orders to do and I did them today.” Twilight paused to take a breath and to judge Applejack’s reaction. She also wanted to get one last look at her caring face before it was forever turned away in hatred. It was too late to turn back. Twilight steeled herself. 
“Celestia told me to kill some people that were planning to attack Princess Luna and I obeyed.”  
The words hung thick in the air. Twilight felt the weight lift from her shoulders, only to settle on her heart and lungs. She turned away from the ranger and closed her eyes shut, listening for any sign that the ranger would be upset. 
“How does that make you feel?” Applejack asked. 
Twilight gasped, but kept her eyes closed. “It makes me feel terrible, Applejack. I’ve been beating myself up all morning because of this. I didn’t even bother to ask the Princess who I was going after, I just did it!” 
To her surprise, Twilight felt a tear fall down her cheek. 
“I should’ve said no. I shouldn’t have wanted to do it but I did it anyway! What sort of person takes a life without a thought?” Twilight realized that she had been screaming and held her hands over her face. The tears were falling steadily and she couldn’t get any words out. 
A strong pair of arms coiled around her, and Twilight felt the coarse fabric of Applejack’s coat against her cheeks. She cried, apologizing to Applejack, telling her to leave her alone between sobs. The ranger’s shoulder was soon soaked to the skin, but Twilight couldn’t stop. 
Applejack kept her arms around her friend, not saying a word. When Twilight’s tears had finally subsided, the ranger still held on. Twilight opened her eyes, only to find what a mess she had made on Applejack’s coat. “I’m sorry about this.” 
The ranger’s hold tightened. “Shhh.” 
Twilight was confused, but the fatigue came crashing down on her. Her eyes fluttered, both feeling like they were made of iron, and keeping them open wasn’t worth the energy. She rested her chin in the crook of the ranger’s neck, felt both of their hearts beat a little faster, and found the rest she had sought since the day began.