The plan was this: Twilight, the crusaders, and Rarity would slowly inch their way through the Everfree to the base of Canterlot mountain, where, assuming Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had done their job, an armada of pissed of Cloudsdalians would be ready and waiting to aid them in their sacking of Canterlot. Everypony had the aura of intimidation by the whole thing, one slip and the whole plan could be in shambles and their flanks obliterated, however, at this point, sans the two pegasai, they had nothing to loose, except each-other.

Rainbow Dash, with a squeamish and absurdly paranoid Fluttershy were well on their way to Cloudsdale, considering this was the time of year it floated near Ponyville. Rainbow was somewhat concerned as well, the last thing they needed was to have all of Equestria hunting them down, guilty by association. They made their way down to the landing area at the edge of the downtown portion of the floating city. A majestic array of cloud-carved buildings, boasting a vast variety of shapes, deformities, dispositions, and decorations populated the skyline with color, lights, and a general feeling of superiority to the rest of Equestria, certainly Ponyville.

“So Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy began meekly as the trotted into the street, bustling with pegasai, “What should we do first?” Twilight’s initial plan required the two go on a diplomatic mission of sorts. With Rainbow's reputation and Fluttershy's charisma among other things, the unicorn was certain they could get the job done and amass a gathering of support. Though that was the farthest from Dash's mind at the present.

“Yeah, I dunno—But I do know one thing!” She said, detouring towards a renowned and revered diner at the center of the city, “I'm hungry!”

“Oh but Rainbow, Twilight said we need to--” Fluttershy panicked. Rainbow stopped a hoof on her mouth.

“Relax.” Rainbow smiled reassuringly, “We can get this boring stuff done soon, besides, at the rate they were going today, it's going to be awhile before they even get to the south end of Rambling Ridge.”

“Oh—I guess you're right.” Fluttershy surrendered.

They entered the sparsely packed diner, the prominent sounds were the busywork in the kitchen and some light music playing from a jukebox on the opposite side of the restaurant, tucked between two booths. Rainbow picked the one with a window facing the street outside, it was furthest from any other ponies, and was right next to the phonograph—she could use some relaxing tunes.

To Rainbow's chagrin, the only staffer who seem to recognize her, at least enough to proclaim her presence to his staff as a euphemistic order of encouragement, was the manager, Brice.

“Ah Dash! Been awhile kiddo.” Brice had a rather husky voice, not old by any means but was at least a decade senior of Rainbow and Fluttershy.

“Heh, you can say that again.” Rainbow chuckled, “How's business?”

“Oh, you know—the usual. About this time everypony who can scoots out of here for a vacation.” He laughed, “I'll get one of my stallions to come take your order. See ya around!” Brice disappeared into the kitchen and, within minutes, a pimply faced youthy stallion emerged. This was obviously a rookie. Rainbow Dash was going to have some fun.

“W-wel-welcome to Poseidon’s Perch, today's special is--” Rainbow shushed him with a delicate hoof.

“Whoa there stud, slow down a bit, I was busy admiring a handsome young stallion and didn't quite catch what you said.” The stallion turned beat red, trembling some now.

“Than—Are you ready to order?” The stallion was still trembling.

“No need to rush, I was kind enjoying your company.” Rainbow Dash was playing this for some reason, Fluttershy wasn't sure why but she had some kind of endgame.

“The boss doesn't like me idling too long--” He jerked his head back to see the door to the kitchen was closed. “--I'm almost off son so I guess I can chat a bit.” He cleared is throat and did his best to straighten out.

“Ooh, almost off hm?” Rainbow seductively ran a hoof through his mane. Neither of the mares bothered to look down slightly, they knew enough by the look on his half petrified, half dreamy face.

“You cut me some slack and I'll give you something in return.”

What in Equestria are you doing Rainbow Dash?! Fluttershy thought frantically, she wasn't about to entertain a stallion who was likely a teenager, she knew Rainbow Dash would sidestep the kid and make Fluttershy responsible for doing whatever she wanted the stallion to think Dash herself was going to do. Fortunate though, she abstained from further teasing, at least for now.

“Yeah I'd like one of your deluxe bacon burgers, a large order of hay fries, and a smoothie.” Rainbow then turned her gaze to Fluttershy.

“And you ma'm?” The stallion asked, a crack in his voice.

“Oh—uh, well..” Fluttershy had been fixated on Rainbow's strange ploy and hadn't glanced at the menu. The stallion panicked, worried he had upset her, and therefore killed whatever chance he allegedly had with this wonderful cyan pegasus he had heard so much of. Rainbow saw it in his eyes and gave him a look of slight disdain.

“Well, don't worry ma'm, take your time—I'll go get your order ready Ms.” The stallion stumbled into the kitchen as Fluttershy looked up from her menu. She wanted to know what her friend was up to.

“Oh relax Fluttershy, I don't have any bits and neither do you. We play it cool, score some free grub, a hotel, and then we do all the egghead mumbo jumbo Twilight was yacking about.”

“It seems awfully mean Rainbow Dash, taking advantage of a teenager.”  Fluttershy was of no mood to scold or scowl, but she did have a look of disappointment.

“Well do you have any food? How about a place to crash? Didn't think so so let me do the work here and you can do all the work there okay?” Rainbow was frustrated by her friend's natural apathetic slant.

“Speaking of which,” Fluttershy began, “You and Scootaloo don't seem to be getting along.”  She didn't intend to broach something like this but anything to take her mind off of Dash's little game and onto their pertinent and important matters at hoof was welcome.

“Pssh, that whiny little brat?” Rainbow huffed, “She's the most annoying filly I've ever met! I can see why she's an orphan, if I were her parents I woulda bailed to.” She didn't mean any of this of course bit she was on a roll. Might as well have some fun with Flutters too.

“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy hissed, “How could you say such a thing! She thinks the world of you! You are to her what the Wonderbolts are to you!”

“Yeah well at least I have a shot at the Wonderbolts—that squirt? She can't even fly!” Rainbow shook from suppressed laughter, “The little flank-face can't even hover for more than a minute! When I was her age I was doing laps around Cloudsdale at wicked speeds, even you were all over the place. Her? She's a lost cause.” There was a hint of truth there.

“You don't mean that.”

“Why do you care about her so much? I don't. All we need to worry about is us Fluttershy, this whole thing goes down, I don't want to be stuck with three blanks flanks, a librarian, and—whatever the hell Rarity is.”

Fluttershy was appalled, Rainbow was amused. Neither of them spoke as they were served their food and ate, Fluttershy was disgusted at what she had heard.

They then left the diner, with Rainbow's new “date”. They were able to push their tab his way and were now en-route to a hotel. Rainbow's play was that they needed a place to stay and would “meet him there later” Reality being of course that they were going to depart ways at the wrong hotel, and of course, would never see him again—or that was the plan anyway.

Fluttershy looked out the window of their room, it was getting dark, the sun was descending, now below Cloudsdale, producing a pink glow on the horizon, a pleasant view. Though Fluttershy worried about her friends more than anything. Next Chapter: Filly With The Bow Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 34 Minutes