//------------------------------//
// The end and a beginning 
// Story: Rocket To Insanity : Fall Of The Apple Family 
// by DontWakeTheNeighbour 
//------------------------------//

It was midnight. The moon rose from the horizon and shined it's light across Equestria, giving a surreal glow to the country. Almost everypony was asleep, that is, except for a certain three ponies and a certain dragon, who quietly emerged from the large stone castle. All three were packed and ready to embark on their most dangerous quest yet. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity and Spike walked down the large stone path before the purple mare stopped to look back at the castle one last time.

"Twilight?" Spike called. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah.... it's just. .... I never thought it would come to this, but there is no other way." Twilight turned to face her friends. "I'm so sorry I got you into this."

"Twilight." Rarity started. "What you're doing is the right thing, and, for once, I can say, with all my heart, that what you're saying makes sense."

Fluttershy walked foward. "Rainbow Dash is the element of loyalty. She showed us to never give up on our friends. She was always there for everypony."

"And it's time we did the same for her." replied Rarity.

Twilight smiled before shedding a tear. She looked up to see the purple dragon in front of her, holding a napkin. Spike wiped her cheek before Twilight walked foward.

"Spike. Do you still have paper and a quill?"

"Never leave the library without them." Spike said as he pulled out the parchment.

"Dear Princess Celestia. 
Today I realised that sometimes the choices we are given are not always fair. Sometimes they can test your loyalty and show the kind of pony you really are. I am sending you this letter because this will be the last time I'll be able make contact with you before I cast cloaking spell, preventing you from finding us. By the time this letter reaches you we will be far from home and one step closer to finding and helping our friend. I'm aware of the laws we are breaking and what our sentences will be, which is why I'm writing this letter as a final goodbye and as a thank you, a thank you for everything you've done to shape me into the mare I am today. 
Your faithful student resigning. 
Twilight Sparkle."

Spike finished the letter but, before he could send it, Twilight used her magic to snatch it from his hands.

"Okay everypony, I'm going to make this clear. Once we do this, we can never go back. If you choose not to go I will not hold it against you. I will completely understand."

It didn't take long for Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike to step towards the purple unicorn with pride strong in their hearts. Twilight nodded at Spike, before he blew his fiery breath to send the letter on it's way. They all set off into the horizon, not knowing what was coming or if they would ever come back.

To be continued.