//------------------------------//
// Orders: Part 4 
// Story: Exiled unto Dawn 
// by ObCom 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight Sparkle slowly dipped her feet into the puddle of consciousness. She was in a curious suspension between being well-rested and absolutely fatigued. Though her eyes were closed, they felt puffy and she was loath to open them. A thin crust had developed on her cheek while she had slept and she knew she had been crying. She groaned and rolled onto her back, the covers rustling alongside her movements. The entire library was silent, except for a distinguishable sound of boots pacing around on the bottom floor. Twilight remembered Applejack being there before. Had she stayed? 
Twilight groaned again and forced her eyes open. She couldn’t stay in bed knowing that her friend was waiting for her. Forcing herself to sit up, Twilight was aware of all of the sore muscles in her neck. Sleeping was sometimes a damning activity. She got out of the bed, her feet landing heavily on the cooled floor, and started a routine of stretches. Life wormed back into her limbs, but as she was stretching her neck, her eyes found their way to her desk, which had a new letter resting gently on it. 
The sight of the rolled-up scroll was enough to make Twilight fall back on her bed. Celestia had given her one a few days ago. How could she expect Twilight carry out another one so soon? The mage developed a slight twitch and forced herself to get closer to the scroll. It was as unremarkable as any other piece of paper, except for Celestia’s seal that kept it closed. A sense of duty made Twilight want to open it with the same efficiency that she had used before, but she turned away instead. She wanted nothing to do with the letter. She didn’t want to know who had to die or for what reason. 
A long moment passed and the faraway sound of the footsteps had stopped. Twilight’s hands glowed and she brought a piece of paper, a quill, and an inkpot over to her. She sat on the wooden floor, back still turned to Celestia’s letter, and started to write. Usually, her letters to the Princess adopted a certain form of style, full of rigid prose and devoid of any emotion. The editing process would leave her in a mountain of crumbled paper before she was satisfied enough to send the letter. 
This time, Twilight threw all of her careful planning out of the window. She put all of her thoughts onto the paper, giving no time to correct any misspelled words or misused punctuation. She knew that she would never write the letter if she paused for a second. Doubts would creep in and she wouldn’t be able to continue. 
One piece of paper turned into two into three. The words kept spilling from Twilight’s quill until finally, after ten pages, she was done. She sat back in her chair and looked at the ceiling, drained. All that remained was sending the letter before she stopped herself. But surely she could afford a few moments to think about what she was going to do. If she sent the letter, she would be altering her relationship with the Princess, possibly for the worst. What if she becomes a target for the next up and coming student? What if Celestia’s fair rule is ended, only to be replaced by someone that is swayed by greed and selfish ambition, all because Twilight refused to eliminate the threat? Twilight swallowed and felt her chest constrict. She knew she had no place to complain, but she also knew that she couldn’t continue with these assassinations. 
Twilight forced herself to take a deep breath. Her hands glowed. She couldn’t do it anymore. Celestia had to know. Hopefully she would forgive Twilight. 
The letter disappeared in a blast of magic. 

Twilight stumbled down the stairs to the library proper. She didn’t want to stay in her room anymore. 
“Spike? Are you around?” The mage asked, not wanting to be alone. 
“He’s with Rarity,” Applejack said from her seat by the window. “I sent him away when Rainbow was here, remember?” 
Twilight shook her head. “It’s been a weird day. I feel like I’m still dreaming.” 
Applejack smirked and put down her book. “Are you feelin’ any better?” 
“I feel like I drank a bottle of wine and let Rainbow hit me with a piece of wood.” 
“You were drinking up there?” 
Twilight fell into the chair next to Applejack’s. “No, but I did send a letter to the Princess. Now I get to wait, and now I’m just tired again.” 
Applejack put a hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “It’ll be fine. I’m sure the Princess will understand.” 
“I hope so too. The Princess has the image of a kind, benevolent ruler, but then she has me killing conspirators out of the public eye. Who knows what she actually thinks?” Twilight sat forward and looked at her hands. “I can’t believe it took me so long to say something.” 
Applejack leaned back, taking her hand off of Twilight’s shoulder. “Is that normal in Canterlot?” 
“Unfortunately, yes. It might look nice hanging on the side of the mountain, but that place is a den of snakes, nothing more.” 
“So if you didn’t like it, why did you stay?” 
Twilight frowned. “I had considered leaving many times, but I could never gather up the courage. My family was there and I was able to get the best education that I ever could. Going out on my own was terrifying. I think the Princess knew that and used Nightmare Moon as an excuse to send me here.”
“Well, there was the whole threat of everyone being enslaved if you weren’t here, too.” 
“I know, but she didn’t force me to come back afterwards. The Princess gave me the life I never could have gotten on my own.” 
Applejack was silent and Twilight felt self-conscious. She was beginning to sound selfish, and she might have offended her friend. She opened her mouth to apologize when a letter popped into existence in front of her. The ranger jumped at the sudden appearance of the scroll, but Twilight caught it in her hand. 
The mage looked at the scroll intently. It was no different than any other piece of paper she had gotten from the Princess. So why was she so nervous? She looked at Applejack and offered a weak smile. “Moment of truth,” she said and broke the seal. 

   To my faithful student Twilight Sparkle,
Your letter did not come as a surprise. The price that you had to pay in my stead was not something that I took lightly. I wanted to slay every single one of them myself and spare you, but I did not. That is something I can never take back. 
Do you know why you were chosen, Twilight? Yes, it was partly for the reason that you already know. Your power was greater than many of the other mages in your school, and you had caught my attention at your orientation, but I also saw you as an unblemished young woman. I have ruled a long time, Twilight, and to see this magnificent city devolve into nothing more than false smiles and drawn blades has wounded me greatly. You shone out against that, Twilight. You reminded me of those brighter days and I had to protect you. 
But instead of that, I used you like a tool. You are not the monster, Twilight, as you so often addressed yourself as in your letter, but it still makes me glad that you still know what a monster looks like. It means that you are still you, and that is a great weight off of my shoulders. 
There was a sense of hesitation in your letter. I know that you have your own worries, and some are possibly driven by your sense of duty. Let me tell you now that you should not fret about the future of the nation, Twilight. You have done more than anyone could have asked and you will receive the reprieve that you asked for. Your previous tasks will be delegated to another, though her existence in Canterlot’s shadows pains me as well. However, those are not your concerns.  
Enjoy your new life, Twilight. It’s what you deserve.

With much respect and admiration,
Celestia

Twilight looked up from the letter and blinked. Her grip had tightened on the paper and wrinkles were already set deep within the once pristine sheet. She rubbed her eyes and looked at Applejack, who was sitting on the edge of her seat. 
“I don’t have to do it anymore,” Twilight said. Her voice cracked, but it was barely noticed over the sudden lightness in her chest. For once in her life, her mind was blank. There were no worries or pressing issues fighting for attention. She wanted to lean back in the comfortable chair, but she also wanted to stand up and shout. In her elated state, the mage jumped out of her seat and raised both arms over her head. The library’s rule of silence was thoroughly violated as Twilight celebrated.
She waved her arms and legs in an attempt at dancing without a beat and started singing whatever words came to mind. Not content to keep the happiness to herself, Twilight pulled Applejack out of her chair to join in the festivities. The ranger was reluctant to dance at first, but her friend’s good cheer eventually got her to move and sing. Half an hour had passed before the two collapsed into their respective chairs, preferring to maintain the warm silence that was occasionally interrupted by a shared chuckle. 
Eventually Twilight looked out of the window. “I have never felt so great in my life,” she said.
Applejack chuckled. “Kinda don’t want the moment to end.” 
“That sounds like a plan,” Twilight agreed, stretching and sliding down the chair, “but didn’t you say something about going to the tavern?” 
The ranger shrugged. “We don’t have to go right now.”
“But the sun is going down. Surely the others are already on their way by now.” 
Applejack looked to the left and ran her tongue over her teeth. “I suppose you’re right,” she drawled, hefting herself off of her chair. “Although I was just about to fall asleep.”
“There’ll be plenty of time for that later,” Twilight said, effortlessly bouncing out of her chair. “Now hurry up. I really want to tell the others the good news. Rainbow was really concerned earlier, although she did give me a headache.” 
“You’ll get used to it,” Applejack stretched once she was out of the chair. She picked up her weapons, which she equipped with practiced efficiency. When she was convinced that the crossbow was secure, she looked at Twilight. “Well, shall we get going?” 
“Let’s. Although I don’t know how you can carry those weapons everywhere,” Twilight said as she opened the door and held it for her friend. 
“I got used to it,” Applejack said with a smile. Twilight rolled her eyes and tapped the ranger’s shoulder. The two set off for the tavern to meet with the rest of their friends. 
For Applejack, it was just another joyful evening, although it was the most joyful one she had had in a long time. For Twilight, her life was finally beginning. The pages were still blank, eagerly waiting for her quill’s touch to fill them. 	

Princess Celestia sat under the stars on her balcony. She wore a light robe against the chill, her large eyes on the sky and a scroll in her hands. She still felt proud of Twilight for freeing herself from the shackles that Celestia herself had tightened, but the fact remained that there was a job that had to be done. Luna’s return had caused quite the ruckus at court, and there was no shortage of those who were planning to deal with the “false princess.” It was only slightly busier than a normal night.  
“Are you going to stare at me all night?” Celestia asked. There was the light sound of fabric and then the next assassin was beside her. “I am sorry that you have to do this,” she said, handing the scroll to her guest. 
Celestia kept her eyes focused on the horizon. When the assassin had had ample time to read, she asked, “Any questions, Octavia?” 
“None, my Princess.” 
Celestia nodded. “Very well. Be sure to come back here once you are done.” 
“As you wish, my Princess. Will that be all?” 
“Yes. You are dismissed.” 
Octavia turned and walked out of the chambers as silently as she had entered. There was a chill within the young woman that Celestia had noticed in Twilight. However, Twilight had gotten away from Canterlot, just as the Princess had hoped for. Now she sat on top of the mountain alone, the brightest light in the nation surrounded by its deepest shadows.