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// Chapter 35: Intentions for Planning 
// Story: Caverns & Cutie Marks 
// by TheColtTrio 
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	Wits End sat down at the table, sliding several mugs of cider in front of the ponies seated around it. “There,” he sighed, “drinks for all of the ponies.”
Twilight took the offered mug, staring down at its contents. “Thanks,” she muttered, her voice barely audible.
Light Patch leaned over to Pinkie. “What’s got her so depressed?” he asked. Pinkie glanced up from her cider.
“Her and Purple Heart had a smallish disagreement. They’ll get over it.” Pinkie finished taking a sip of her cider. “So ,what were you two doing here?”
“Information gathering,” Wits answered. “We learned this was a good place to dig up dirt on ponies, so we’re here to see if anypony knows anything about…” He glanced around at the other inn patrons. “Ya know, You-Know-Who.”
“You mean Voldemort?” Pinkie chimed in.
“Who in Equestria are you talking about?” Rarity asked, looking up from her inspection of her mug’s cleanliness. Pinkie took a deep breath preparing to answer.
“An evil wizard guy from a story where Witty and I are from,” Light Patch said, quickly cutting the party mare off. “It was a long boring walk to the city, so we started sharing stories,” The grey pegasus said at the looks from Rarity and Twilight.
Wits cleared his throat just loud enough to gather the attention of the ponies at his table. “That aside,” he said, “we still need to find out where these information brokers are, and how to get information out of them without going on a 27-hour side-quest.” He looked at Pinkie Pie. “Of the ponies in this inn, who’d you think are the brokers?”
“Wait,” Rarity interrupted. “Why are you asking Pinkie Pie instead of a pony with an exceptional ability to judge ponies, such as myself?”
“Because she can cheat.” Wits said simply. “When I sent her to find a weapon when I was in that bandit arena, she managed to find a magic sword. She was able to sense when the bandits were going to overwhelm us when we were defending Roads Crossed. If anypony can fudge a perception check, it’s her.”
Rarity shrugged. “Thats very fair.”
Pinkie quickly chugged down the last bit of her cider before pointing to a stallion a few tables away. “Him. He quirked his ears when you mentioned we were listening for information on a specific pony, and started to do everything he could to get closer and hear better when I mentioned Voldemort.”
“Perfect,” Wits said with a smirk. “Now we need the exceptional judge of ponies.”
Rarity blinked. “Excuse me?” She pushed her untouched mug away, leveling her gaze on Wits End. “What makes you think I’m going anywhere near a shifty character like that?”
“Let me put it this way.” Wits End stood, brushing off his cloak. “Who do you think he’ll want to talk to? A small dorky stallion? Or a pretty young mare?”
After a moment of thought, Rarity stood up, flipping her mane majestically. “Well, I suppose if it’s for the good of the rest of us.”
“Your generosity is appreciated,” Wits said. He turned to Light Patch. “If things look like they’re going south, come over and save us.”
“Roight!” Light Patch said with an exaggerated salute. “You wanna set up a ‘things are going horribly wrong’ safe word? Or just wait for someone to start swinging?”
“Good idea.” Wits End thought for a second. “Here’s one I know I won’t be saying in normal conversation. The password is ‘gun-pits’.” The grey pegasus’s snort of amusement caught the three mares by complete surprise, as did his choking afterwards.
“Right, I’ll listen for it,” Light Patch forced out between his coughs.
Wits End chuckled. “We’ll be back with information.”
“Or screaming for help,” Rarity interjected.
“Let’s hope for the first option,” Wits said, leading the way toward the table of the information broker.
Light Patch continued to cough as he watched his friends move towards the information broker. His head flopped to the table as his forelegs covered his head, “I think I got some of that cider up my nose,” he moaned.
“What’s so funny about gun-pits?” Pinkie asked, tilting her head. Light Patch glanced at her, then towards his friend.
“I can explain that later.” He paused, glancing over towards Twilight. “So, Miss Brains, got any thoughts on the nice little predicament we’ve found ourselves in?”
“Hmm?” Twilight looked up. “Oh, sorry. I was thinking about something Purple Heart said.”
“Oh boy. What did he use to stick his hoof in his mouth this time?” Light Patch asked.
“He was talking about how what one pony might think is right might not be so black and white.” The purple mare’s expression screwed up in concern. “I didn’t think about it when we were arguing, but while we were walking over here, it got me thinking.” She glanced out the window, the castle visible over the tops of the rooftops. “We’ve been assuming that we’re doing the right thing trying to take down King Bastion. But what if…” She trailed off, losing herself in thought again.
Light Patch sighed. “‘The road to Tartarus is paved with good intentions’.” The pegasus paused, glancing out the same window. “Thats a quote from back where me and my friends are from. I always interpret it as meaning even the best of intentions and actions can turn out to have unfortunate consequences.” He paused again, thinking about something. “That's why we’re not just trying to throw Bastion out the window. We’re researching; investigating. If he’s not evil, we probably won’t take him out.”
“But the only reason we’re doing this is because Boomer told us to!” Twilight returned. “What if it turns out we depose Bastion and whoever takes the throne is even worse? We don’t even know anything about either of them except what Boomer’s told us!” She sighed, looking down at the table. “Wits End seems to think Discord has everything planned out linearly, but what if we’re missing something?”
Light Patch gave a short bark of laughter. “Oh, trust me, Discord is winging this like a hummingbird. And if we aren’t missing something, I’ll eat my helmet.” He withered slightly under Twilight and Pinkie’s glares. “Again, that’s why we’re trying to find out what's going on. If Bastion is the better of the two, we’ll turn against Boomer. If Boomer’s better, we’ll stick with him. If neither is ideal,” he shrugged, “we’ll have to wing it just as hard.”
Twilight fell silent. “Is that common where you three come from?” She asked. “You, Purple Heart, and Wits End have all talked about being flexible with your support.” She looked up. “This is going to sound rude, but… Where do you come from that teaches you to be so relaxed when it comes to supporting other ponies?” 
“It's a more chaotic place. Discord would probably love to live there,” he sighed. “You can’t just trust what you see on the surface. You’ve gotta dig a little deeper, and be willing to pull your support away if it turns out to be not what you thought it was. Unlike where you mares are from, we don't have the benefit of an immortal leader to keep things from fracturing as much as they have where we live. We have dozens of different countries, all vying for the same land and resources. And hundreds of cultures, and a bunch of different religions. Our home’s normal state of being is change.” The pegasus finished off his cider before continuing. “So we’re not perfect, and maybe we like to bash each other over the head over some dumb stuff. And granted, we’re probably all a little crazy. But sometimes our craziness can lead to some fairly impressive things. Like ascending to the stars on pillars of fire and smoke.” The grey pegasus was cut off at the sounds of his friends returning to the table.
“I can’t believe I had to do that,” Wits End was grumbling as he and Rarity trotted back to the table. “That was not worth another tick on the Expert Host card. I’m gonna have to brush for a week to…” He trailed off, looking over the serious expressions of the ponies seated. “Boy, you guys look like you’re having fun.”
“Did we miss something?” Rarity asked with concern.
“Nothing important right now. Just some thoughts about home,” Light Patch responded, looking over at Rarity. “What about you two? Any luck getting some info?”
“We got things,” Wits End said. “We should head back to the tavern. It’ll be easier to go over it all at once, rather than saying it over and over.”
Pinkie jumped up from her seat, “Right then! Last one there’s a rotten egg!” the pink mare shouted as she bolted for the door. Light Patch glanced at the others before quickly moving to follow.
Wits End sighed as Rarity passed him. “I’m not running,” he said blankly as he moved towards the exit.
“You know,” Twilight offered, putting the grey pegasus’ words aside for the moment, “if we got there at the same time, there wouldn’t be a ‘last one there’.”
“Technicalities…” Wits End smirked. “I like it. Let’s go! At our own pace and roughly the same speed!”


* * *


“Ya don’t think we could be lost, do ya Dash?” Applejack asked slowly.
“Course not!” the sky blue pegasus said brightly. “This castle isn’t that big! I’m sure I can get us through it!”
“Why don’t we ask somepony for directions to Princess Amber’s room?” Fluttershy whispered. “I think we’d draw less attention that way. And getting lost won’t be a problem… Maybe...”
“Aw, c’mon Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash pleaded. “We’re like spies sneaking through a castle infested with hostiles trying to find the secret documents! Boy! I’m sure Daring Do would love to hear about this! This is so much fun!”
“Ah think you’re gettin’ a little too excited there, Dash,” Applejack chided sternly. “We aren’t exactly the most welcome here, y’know. Not after Purple’s little fiasco.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t Purple Heart’s fault,” Fluttershy said softly. “And I wouldn’t say sneaking through a castle would be what I call ‘fun’.”
“Ah agree with ‘Shy,” Applejack said. “Technically, we’re trespassin’. That’s enough of a reason for them guard ponies to toss us out.”
“Ok, fine,” Rainbow Dash sighed. “I get your point. But how do we find a pony that’ll tell us where Princess Amber is without calling for the guards?” Applejack shrugged and looked up and down the corridor they had been trotting down for the past ten minutes. About five minutes prior, the corridor had curved gently, almost as if the corridor encircled the interior of the castle like a ring. Except for the three mares, the corridor was devoid of life, equine or otherwise.
“What if we ask that colt over there?” the orange earth pony suggested, pointing back the way they had come. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both turned their heads to follow Applejack’s outstretched hoof. One of the doors part way down the corridor had opened and an older, snow-colored stallion stood in the doorway, adjusting his sash with a small pocket mirror. A small frown crossed his face as he inspected his reflection. After a moment, he brushed a lock of dark-grey mane back with the back of his hoof. Satisfied with his appearance, he tucked the mirror into the folds of his cloak and closed the door behind him. 
“Hey! Oldtimer!” Rainbow Dash called, flapping forward towards the unknown pony. “Could you help us?” The stallion froze for a split moment, his eyes darting toward the rainbow-maned pony. Upon seeing the three mares, his expression relaxed slightly, and he turned to the approaching mare.
“That entirely depends on what you need help with,” he replied, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. He looked past Rainbow Dash at Fluttershy, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “You were guests at the ball held in Princess Amber Glitter’s honor, were you not?” Applejack trotted after the sky blue pegasus, shaking her head at her friend’s candor.
“Eeyup, we were,” Applejack confirmed, coming to a halt several paces away from the old stallion. “We were wonderin’ if you’d be able to direct us to Princess Amber? We kinda have a few questions for her.” Fluttershy joined Rainbow Dash and Applejack moments later and offered the old stallion a weak smile that she knew didn’t fool him. From what Wits had told her, this stallion was not somepony to take lightly.
The stallion thought for a second, looking over each mare in turn. “Possibly,” he said with a smirk. “but I would be failing at my job if I didn’t ask why three mares associated with our newest arena star wanted to speak with his patron in such a hurry.”
Applejack shrugged noncommittally and placed a forestalling hoof over Rainbow Dash’s mouth before the cyan pegasus had a chance to say something incriminating. “Since th’ Princess’ in charge of keepin’ Purple Heart out of trouble while he ain’t fightin’, we thought we’d give her some advice on what to keep on eye on, and how to deal with him.” Fluttershy nodded slowly in agreement while Rainbow Dash glared furiously at her orange friend, quite put out at being muted in such a fashion.
The snow-colored stallion nodded. “Of course, of course. It’s always nice to see friends looking out for each other, isn’t it?” He chuckled,  pointing a hoof down the hallway in the direction the mares had come from. “Follow this hall until you reach a tapestry depicting a pony fighting a dragon. On the opposite side of the hall will be a stairwell. Take that up to the second floor and go left. The Princess is in the third room on your right.” His smile widened as he bowed to the three mares. “Tell her that Chancellor Holdfast sends his... deepest regards.”
Applejack inclined her head in thanks and began to herd Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy in the direction Holdfast had sent them. They walked silently down the corridor until they came to the tapestry opposite the stairs and ascended them. Upon reaching the second landing, the trio took the left hallway and continued down to the third door on the right. During this whole time, Fluttershy’s heart was racing faster than Rainbow Dash could fly. Only when the trio had knocked thrice upon the door and were admitted into Princess Amber’s presence did Fluttershy finally speak.
“Why did you ask that pony for directions?” she cried, tears starting to form at the corners of her aquamarine eyes. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Amber, and Opal stared at the yellow pegasus in surprise.
“Were we not supposed to?” Rainbow Dash asked, confusion apparent on her face. Fluttershy shook her head almost wildly.
“That pony is dangerous!” she squeaked. “We can’t trust him!” Amber frowned at the distraught pegasus.
“Who did you talk to?” she asked softly, trying to soothe Fluttershy’s anxiety.
Fluttershy hiccuped once before responding. “Chancellor Holdfast.”
Amber stiffened at the mention of the stallion’s name, her expression shifting to one of terror. Applejack frowned at the actions of both mares.
“What’s so bad about this ‘Holdfast’ character?” she asked brusquely. Fluttershy took a breath to speak but recalled the promise she had made to Wits End. Instead, it was Amber who spoke.
“Chancellor Holdfast is a very...” she paused, searching for the proper word to describe the old stallion, “intensely motivated pony. Nothing is beyond him. He is one of the more influential members of Gallopilli’s society and is one to watch out for. You must tread carefully when searching for evidence against Bastion.” Applejack considered the princess’ words with a pensive expression on her face. Rainbow Dash snorted, finally free of her ‘gag’.
“We can take him,” she declared arrogantly. “He won’t know what hit him!” Amber turned and glared crossly at the hovering pegasus.
“I believe it is the inverse,” she said coolly. “You will not know what hit you if Holdfast has designs on you and the rest of your friends. I am almost certain that he means me harm as I am in line for the throne.” Rainbow Dash’s arrogant grin disappeared to be replaced by fear and worry.
“Can’t you tell somepony you trust about Holdfast?” Applejack asked. Amber shook her head.
“Even if there was somepony I trusted apart from you and the rest of your friends,” she said, “there is no proof of Holdfast’s intentions. While he is certainly aged, he is by no means stupid. I believe even Wits End would be hard pressed to outthink him.”
“So what should we do?” Applejack asked after several seconds of silence. Fluttershy ignored the conversation as her thoughts were elsewhere, worrying about a particular mint-colored colt.