The inside of the restaurant was rather regal considering the simple Lincoln-log-like appearance of all the other buildings. Rarity certainly appreciated the upscale decor and appearance.

“Oh this is simply lavish Twilight!” The unicorn exclaimed.

“Sure is.” Said Twilight, “Here's to hoping the food is as good as their taste for design.”

“You said it,” Applebloom agreed. They were all rather hungry, including Scootaloo who wasn't one to enjoy hospital food thus she hadn't eaten much during her stay.

The reservations had been made during the crusaders' quarrel with Spike and they were being seated at a corner booth. Isolated and far from most of the other patrons which is just what Twilight wanted, 'for privacy' she said.

They sat down; Spike being next to Twilight on the far right, then Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo. Each with at least three feat of 'elbow room'.

“Now girls,” Rarity lectured, not wanting a repeat of their last visit to Sugarcube Corner, “This appears to be a rather upper escalation establishment so, please, abstain from letting your eyes order for your stomach.....Scootaloo.” The pegasus perked up at her name and sighed. She was in the mood where she just wanted to be left alone.

“So...aside from our little incident, how have you been?” Twilight casually asked her assitant. A smile on her face.

“Well...not much, I missed you guys, I missed home really. I spent most of my time helping around the castle and the rest of the time either asleep or staring out a giant window towards Ponyville.” Spike rolled his eyes at his own pity party.

“I'm just glad to have you back.” Twilight beamed, pulling the dragon into a hug.

They ordered their food and it was prepared and served rather quickly. Despite their inner deviant wishing otherwise, the crusaders were reasonable about their picks, implying the strained fillys' menu provided much working room to begin with. Sweetie Belle opted for a grilled cheese with tuna, Applebloom hungered for a bacon burger, and Scootaloo being herself requested an onion ring tower and mozzarella sticks she promised to share with the other crusaders as Rarity complained she was being 'piggish'.

The mares were a bit more refined, Twilight ordered steak with a side of clams and oysters for Spike, while Rarity opted for some simple fettuccine Alfredo. She shared the garlic bread with Sweetie Belle.

“I just can't put a claw on it...” Spike mused as they ate, “The Princess never said a darn thing about doing all of those things to you—I asked her to lecture you not ruin your life!”

“Spike, it's alright.” Twilight laughed, “I was a mess at first—Rarity can tell you that first hoof, but it's all behind me now, as I said earlier. The only thing I was truly missed is right beside me doing a number on those clams.”

Spikes faced reddened with embarrassment as Twilight patted him on the head.

“What's the matter Scootaloo?” Applebloom asked. Scootaloo hadn't touched a thing. The only reason some of her platter had lost some items was the other two fillies picking away at the cheese sticks.

“I'm fine.” Scootaloo pouted.

“Scootaloo dear you can't possibly be still pouting about the little escapade from earlier right?” Rarity looked at the filly with somewhat of a 'You have got to be kidding me' face.

Scootaloo mumbled something unintelligible and crossed her hooves, assuring everypony that indeed she was pouting, and had every intention of doing so until her unknown demands were met.

“Scoots ah'm fine if that's what yer worried about.” Applebloom smiled. “No sense in holdin' a grudge, if ah don't then you shouldn't.”

“She's right Scootaloo, please eat your food before it gets cold. We're not wasting our spare bits on a pouty pegasus.” Rarity pushed the platter closer to the filly whose stomach took control and she reluctantly began eating her food.

“Hey Twilight,” Spike asked after awhile of relative calm aside from ambient chewing and the movement of silverware, “You mentioned something about 'having a job to do', what was that about again?”

“Oh!” Twilight had almost missed the main reason she came here to begin with. “Well....you see, that literature Celestia didn't want me to posses, contains some rather incriminating perspectives on the history of Equestria, and given our banishment among other things, we have decided to....take matters into our own hooves.”

Twilight had been reciting the stories earlier to Spike but he still didn't seem fully on board with the while plan, as a matter of fact, the morale of the remaining ponies wasn't to secure either.

“I'm curious as well,” Rarity added, “I recall the rundown back in the forest but....I don't believe you were too specific on the more minor details, you know—little things help.”

“Well I haven't quite sorted it all out, and it depends highly on....the other pegasus being successful in their task, but we need three key things prior to confronting Celestia: Distractions, Diversity, and Discord.  Distractions being to distract the guards and Canterlotians while we do some ground work. I figured the crusaders are fit to this task—I'll explain your assignments as we arrive, it's easier that way. The Diversity and in number—so long as we have Cloudsdale's armada on out side we should be fine in that regard. If it is just us, they'll pin us all for sure...”

“Discord?” Applebloom asked, “Ya mean tha dragon that's a statue?”  

“Yes Applebloom, we'll need Discord if we expect to have anu chance of making this a reallity, otherwise we might as well surrender pre-emptively for treason.”

“And how do you expect to go about releasing him? I don't have the magic capacity ro do such a thing—and how do we know he won't turn on us?” Rarity was very suspscious of the whole thing.

“Leave it to me Rarity, I have it all planned out and so long as we have no more drama en route we should be fine.”

“I don't know Twilight, I don't think I can bare any more stress, this month has been one absurd series of mellow-dramatic nerve-wracking train-wrecks and frankly, it gets old with time.” Rarity looked at her skeptically but formed a smile.  

“I trust you.”

“Thank you Rarity, we've had a good share of slip-ups, but none of us can afford this to be one of them.” Twilight was slightly surprised but pleased.

“You still have your smarts Twilight.” Spike complemented, “I'm sure we'll be fine!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle agreed.

Applebloom nodded in agreement.

“Well good, good. We head for Canterlot tomorrow evening.” Twilight proclaimed triumphantly.

Scootaloo nearly chocked on an onion ring. “T-Tomorrow? Why so soon?”

“Fluttershy says Cloudsdale is planning for an early winter so we need to get to this before the weather becomes an impediment.”

“Oh...” Scootaloo resumed eating.

“Speaking of which, where did the other two go?” Rarity asked.

“They went back to Cloudsdale to finish things up I believe.” Twilight wasn't too sure but figured that much.

The waiters cane around to clean the plates and other mess with Scootaloo piggishly wrapping her hooves around her food to emphasize her intent to finish it whole.

“So I see we have quite the appetite huh little filly?” The waiter joked. Scootaloo's disapproving scowl prompted him to move on. “Would you mares be interested in desert perhaps?”

Before either could object, three hooves and a hand shot up to answer for them.

“Well I guess we are.” Twilight chuckled at their eagerness as they had eaten quite a bit already though they did have quite the trip ahead so why not?

The mares picked the treat, much to the bemoan of the recipients, though once they layed eyes on it, they were far from displeased. What sat before them was a massive mountain shaped confectiona,, consisting of brownies, hot fudge sauce with cookie dough ice cream, mint chocolates scattered along the sides, colored chocolate candies rung around the base of the treat.  It was beautiful.

“Oooh!” Sweetie Belle squealed exictedly, “What is this?”

“Why this is 'The Summit'” The waiter presented, “More than enough for you hungry tykes.” He smiled and was on his way.

Applebloom shot for the first bite but the wonderful treat was hastily snatched by Rarity.  

“Ah, ah ah...” she began, “Before you can enjoy this, I believe Scootaloo has something to do.”

“Huh?” Scootaloo was confused.

“I believe you owe Spike an apology young lady.” Rarity said sternly.

“Oh...” Scootaloo hung her head some. She didn't want to, she'd look weak but at the same time, she'd have to be responsible for everypony, including herself not being able to lavish in the awesomeness that now sat restricted until she met Rarity's request.

Scootaloo was quiet. Applebloom cleared her throat to get the fillys' attention whist Sweetie cast an irritated glare Scootaloo's direction. She caved.

“I'm sorry Spike.” She nearly mumbled.

“For?” Rarity pushed.

“Awww sis!” Sweetie protested.

“Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo needs to learn to keep her emotions and behavior in check”

Scootaloo let out a heavy sigh, she hated this so much. “I'm sorry for hurting you. I shouldn't have.”

Then at her own will, she confided.  “I don't hate you.”

“Thanks Scootaloo.” Spike said rather briskly, he was eying this treat too.

“Very good Scootaloo.” Rarity released the confection to the three watering fillies. Spike inched in between Sweetie and Applebloom. The foursome attacked 'The Summit' and given little time, shrunk it to more of an ant-hill.

Finally done, the group exited the restaurant and was out on the street again. Their spirits rather high, supported by the relief shared by the majority that their major emotional weights were at least downsized to something they could live with if not erased. Full of food, and full of nervous anticipation they admired the golden sky awash with pink as the glistening sun lowered to the horizon. They were headed to the lodge for some rest before they were to embark for Canterlot tomorrow.

Twilight had two companions at her side this evening. One was laying up against her back, and the other, a purple dragon with green spikes was wrapped in ever-loving hooves snuggled up nice and secure. Though, the lavender mare did have a notch in her stomach, she really hoped the final pieces of this plan came together as they were supposed to.

She also hoped those involved would cooperate as they assured her they would. Next Chapter: Positive Slope Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 5 Minutes