The streets of Cloudsdale were as busy as normal, the shops, homes, and administrative buildings were catering the various business and functions they provided.

Fluttershy was on her way to a special place: The Council Of Cloudsdale. The Council is the supreme authority of Cloudsdale. A panel of prominent pegasus made up this oligarchy; Fluttershy's mission was to present her case that Celestia's ascent to power was immoral and that there is imminent danger to the city that warrants offensive action.

Easier said than done, especially for a pony who is occasionally scared of her own shadow.

In her saddle-bag, she had her notes, some books, all the material she figured she needed.

The corridor of the Council alone was imposing and intimidating: expansive marble flooring, various elegant balconies were strewn about the walls leading to various rooms. The door she was heade for was massive and imposing. She had made an appointment with the Council and she was let in.

The Council room itself was dark with little light filtering through windows at the top of the rounded room. A large desk was raised on a platform above rows of chairs below. Seated at the desk were seven aged pegasus' including a former wonderbolt.

Fluttershy took her place in front of a podium and sorted her articles.

“And what are you here to present to us miss?” Boomed one of the councilmen.,

Fluttershy froze, the noise of it all startled her and she grew nervous.

“Uh....well.....I'm sorry, just one second.”  She attempted to compose herself. Cleared her throat and continued.

“I am here to present to you an urgent message regarding the future of our City.”

The council was unmoved but curious.

“Do go one young lady.” Another councilmen urged.

“Recently I have come upon some—information that I feel may pose a threat to our way of life.  It appears that the very history of Equestria's founding is...wrong.”  She trailed as she began to sweat. These ponies were intimidating.

They did not motion for her to leave so she continued.

“It is commonly believed that Celestia's rise to power was uneventful and unopposed, however that is not the case. Contrary to popular belief, it seems the Discordian period was prosperous and peaceful—for all races of pony.”

“Do you have....proof of this ma'm? These are rather obtuse and alarmist statements you are making.” Much to Fluttershy''s surprise, the Council seemed very receptive and interested in what she had to say.

“Uhm..well...yes, I do.” She shuffled her papers to get in place. It appears she was going to skip the introduction. “..okay...Prior to what we now know as the Age Of Celestia, there existed another empire of ponies: they are simply known as Discordian Ponies. They had advanced technology and society far beyond anything we can imagine. Electric food delivery, self-propelled chariots, there was no such thing as hunger or poverty...”

For nearly an hour she recited the fable to the Council, who the entire time seems to be taking this seriously, or at least had the appearance of doing so.

“....and while simply knowing and being aware of such injustice is noble enough, myself and....others feel that we need to take a bit more decisive action. If we do not want Cloudsdale and the rest of Equestria to be drowned in a century or more of mean, oppressive, enslavement, then it is crucial that something be done.....That is all.”

Fluttershy had worked on this speech of hers all day, studying high-brow persuasive language, and picking some decent phrases from what she could remember of Twilight's lectures. She figured it sounded pretty convincing.

Not quite.

“This is all very interesting and very entertaining....but it seems to me that you are the only one in support of such things. We simply can't go to war with Canterlot based on hearsay! Not saying you are lying, you seem like a sweet and well-meaning mare, however, we need support from seopony of prominence and decorum, I'm afraid you lack this.

...am I making sense miss?”

Fluttershy hung her head, She failed,  “Yes sir...I'm sorry for wasting your time.”

“Return to us with a decorated Cloudsdalian who supports your assertion and we will consider your request,” The ex-wonderbolt instructed.

“I don't think that will be necessary.” Came a voice at the door.

Rainbow Dash glided to Fluttershys podium.  “I support her.”

“Rainbow Dash?” The council seemed somewhat astonished, this mare wasn't one for literature and political discourse.  “Well then Mrs Fluttershy, it appears we will be reviewing your request. This is by no means a guarantee, after all we have other things to attend to however, you've met the requirements. Thank you for your time.”

“Than you” Fluttershy responded. She and Rainbow Dash made their way out.

Once they were on the street again, Fluttershy asked the inevitable, “How did you know? When did you come back?”

Rainbow was still a bit frayed in appearance, it was clear something had happened but Fluttershy chose not to press any. “Let's just say I had no reason to be down there... I saw you walking up here and followed you. That council can be a pretty cranky bunch, I'm surprised you scored like that. Nice job egghead!”

Rainbow rustled Fluttershy's mane as the cream colored mare blushed with embarrassment. She had done it, despite all odds she managed to potentially convince Cloudsdale that Twilight's “treasonous” cause was worth considering.

“I guess we should go inform Twilight.” Fluttershy began towards the edge of the city.

“Oh....uh...right.” Rainbow didn't move.

“Is something wrong? You so seem awful worried about something, or somepony.”

Instead of arousing any further suspicion, Rainbow Dash chose to simply go with Fluttershy. Her plan was to somehow hide once they arrived at Dodge City. The last thing she wanted was a confrontation with Rarity.

“No, everything's fine. Let's go. I think I know where they went.”

Fluttershy was less than convinced.

“Why don't we go back to the hotel first, I think we need to discuss something.”

The two mares were inside the room now and Rainbow was pacing, debating on whether she could trust her friend with this.

“Rainbow...we've known each-other since Flight Academy, I won't think of you any differently whatever it is....I promise.”

Rainbow stopped. Sat on the bed next to her but dared not make eye contact.

“I...I did a really bad thing last night.” The mare chocked up some.

“I was angry..I didn't mean to hurt her really!” Rainbow started panicking which promoted a gentle hoof on her shoulder, yet a stern look from Fluttershy,

“Who? What did you do Rainbow Dash?”

There was silence, this brief silence was accompanied by a rare but revealing sight, tears were escaping the cyan pegasus' eyes. It took her a great deal to say one word.

“Scootaloo.”

Fluttershy shook some, her voice did the same.. “W-what did you do to Scootaloo Rainbow Dash?”

Now she was crying. The pegasus couldn't take it anymore. She might as well spill it now.

“She came to find me—apologize about something I do-don't remember! I....I beat her, nearly broke her wing off...I....I'm a monster.”  Rainbow fell to the floor and was bawling.

“Please don't hate me! I didn't mean to hurt her, honest!”

“Why would you do such a thing? To a filly no less! I-I thought you were just frustrated when you told me those things, when you said those horrible things......My goodness you didn't say those to--”

“I did...I did!”

“Rainbow Dash.....Of all the things you have done this, this is beyond awful. A filly who trusted you, who believed you were the very meaning of loyalty and......she looked up to you! I can only imagine how she feels right now...if she's even alive.”

“I didn't kill her. I let her go.”

“Out in the forest alone?”  Fluttershy was at a loss for words. She sat back down as her friend was sobbing hysterically.

After nearly an hour of silence between the two, Fluttershy spoke.

“You are going to apologize to her.”

Rainbow panicked, “I can't do that! Rarity will kill me!”

“I'm sorry Rainbow Dash but if that is what happens then it is....I would understand.”

The cream colored mare grabbed her friend gently by the hoof and wrapped her in a soft hug.

“If you are honest, sincere, if you mean what you say than she may not forgive you, but at least she'll know.”

They made their way out the hotel and over the forest.

It was going to be a long evening. Next Chapter: Friendship Is Caustic Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 33 Minutes