//------------------------------//
// Chapter [10] Surprising reunions and discoveries 
// Story: Starting A Flame 
// by Star_Shade 
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“Wait wait wait, so you're telling me Nightmare Moon has taken every foal between three and sixteen, everywhere?” exclaimed Dasher.

“Well, not everywhere. She, for some reason, has left three cities intact.  Cloudsdale, Las Pegasus and Manehattan, probably a token of faith from her for becoming puppets. From what you as well as our other spies have informed us of, these cities have already been taken control over by bribery, wealth or prestige. These three also had the most militaristic value, and thanks to Nightmare Moon, are out of the equation of possibly defying her,” said Shining Moon, pointing to each city's location on his map.

“So there were other cities that had the same idea as Cloudsdale. Have all of them pulled out of society?” asked Dasher, looking up.

“We don’t really know, but if Cloudsdale is any comparison, then they are probably the same, or worse. At least from what you gathered, Cloudsdale is not outright supporting Nightmare Moon. Words from the other two are not so fortunate, and we have lost contact with our operatives that have been sent there,” said Shining Moon sadly.

“Wait, other operatives? What about Moon Nettle? Was she assigned a city or town? Is she safe? Is she alright?” said Dasher anxiously.

“She’s fine, she actually returned yesterday thankfully. A bit banged up, but no worse for wear. She got caught up with a riot. Many cities have been rioting, ponies trying to get their foals back, but to no avail. Any city that causes too big of a disturbance warrants an increase of Nightmare Moon’s personal guard, the ‘hooded ones’, you know. Yet if they can’t calm down the population, then Dawn Lighter personally comes, and certain ponies disappear,” continued Shining Moon, shaking his head.

“That’s awful! Didn’t school just start up a couple months ago? Life seemed to be settling, then Nightmare Moon threw a rock. But why move now? Why have the facade of everything going back to normal, then remind everypony that she is in charge? What does she hope to accomplish?” wondered Dasher, pacing the room.

“As far as we know, she is unaware of our existence, so this was a political move to assert total dominance. What she plans to do with the foals is anypony’s guess. And her holding the lives of the innocent cripples any resistance,” said Shining Moon haggardly. 

“Do we have any intel on the possible whereabouts of the foals? That many mouths to feed will be a difficult task to mask,” pondered Dasher.

“Only a few whispers. Blue Moon has been able to supply us a solid train of information from the political happenings in Canterlot. The former prince was able to overhear plans of making an ‘Academy,’ but that was almost a year ago, and he hasn’t heard anything about it since. We had dismissed it back then, but now we are putting as many resources we can into finding where that is,” Shining Moon said, rubbing his brows.

“What was Nightmare Moon’s excuse for her move? Did anypony else know?” Dasher continued.

“We actually intercepted a few scrolls that explained everything. The gist of the message was that the foals were ‘secured, and would be re-introduced’ to society when Nightmare Moon is finished with them. The scrolls came with a few bits congratulating families for their contribution to the greater good of the country,” Shining Moon muttered, disgusted.

“That’s terrible. Do we have any idea what Nightmare Moon plans on doing with that many foals? ” questioned Dasher, hopeful and desperate.  

“Honestly, we have no idea. We are still scrambling to deal with this mess. With so many contacts going silent, we can’t get enough information to do anything. We are sitting ducks, reacting the best we can,” said Shining Moon, shaking his head again, before noticing her ragged look. “Enough questions for now. I have kept you here long enough, and I can see that you are hungry and weary from your journey. Go get some food and rest. I will inform you on a new mission soon enough,” he said, anticipating her next question. 

“Are you sure? I am ready to--” began Dasher.

“Yes yes, now go!” he commanded. 





Dasher ordered a hay burger and plopped down at a table to enjoy her hot meal. Midway through eating, she saw Moon Nettle wander in with a depressed look. Dasher tried to get her attention, but only got a few mumbled words out. Swallowing her food, she was able to call out again, “Hey Moon Nettle, over here!”

Moon Nettle’s ears perked and she looked around. Spotting Dasher, she raced over to tackle her. “You’re alive! It’s so good to see you!” she exclaimed happily, hugging her tightly.

“Aw thanks, Moon Nettle, but could you let go, I can’t breathe,” growled Dasher. Moon Nettle loosened the embrace, still smiling at her.

“When I heard that those three cities had been forcibly closed, and when most of our spies didn’t return, I feared the worst. I don’t know what I would do if I lost my friend,” Moon Nettle whispered, a few tears coming to her eyes.

“Well, I am glad I got out when I did. Even though Cloudsdale is a nice place, I don’t think I could stay there too long before I strangled somepony.” Dasher snorted. “Sadly, I was unable to convince them to support the rebellion.

“I am sorry to hear that. I was sent to Appleloosa, and was able to deal with a feud between some buffalo and the natives. Something about old stomping grounds or whatever. Since I was able to fix their friendship, the ponies of Appleloosa have pledged to support us with food and stuff,” said Moon Nettle as she sat down next to Dasher. 

“Sounds like you got all the fun. I was stuck trying to convince a bunch of aristocrats. They just talked in circles and chose ease and comfort over caring for what happened to the ponies below,” Dasher grumbled angrily. 

“Yeah, Nightmare Moon really has taken control of all of Equestria. If there was any debate before, it’s over now. I honestly don’t know what to do now,” Moon Nettle said, shaking her head.

“Cheer up, at least now there is no doubt that she is evil. We just need to stay united against her and convince others to join our cause,” Dasher exclaimed confidently. Looking down, she noticed that her food had grown cold. Before she resumed to eat, Moon Nettle got up to grab her own plate, bringing back a cup of soup and a carrot.

Placing her meal before herself, Moon Nettle began her story. “...anyway, right after I finished talking with the leaders, the hooded ones came and stole all of their foals! I helped organize a riot to get them back, but their numbers were too much, so my newfound friends helped me sneak out of the city, and here I am,” she finished, before picking up her food. “Alright, I told mine, what about you?”

So then Dasher told her everything, including how she felt about her failure. “...and spent that day mostly moping. Had some racoons pillage my food supply and then returned here. The commander told me the rest,” said Dasher, concluding her recount.

“I can’t believe you got lucky and fought an ophiotaurus! All I had to face personally was some annoying buffalo,” laughed Moon Nettle.

“At least you were successful in your mission. I only return with failure,” Dasher muttered. As they were finishing their food, a few raised voices made their way to the two of them. Swiveling her ears, Dasher, along with everyone else in the hall, focused on the disruption just outside.

“What was that?” wondered Moon Nettle as she got up.

“No idea. Best go check it out, could be something big. Anything that stirs up this camp is always important. Come on,” Dasher said excitedly, getting up and heading out.

“This better not become a regular thing,” Moon Nettle said as they both went out to see what caused all the commotion.





“--I don’t care! They shouldn't have been allowed access into the camp without higher clearance! You broke protocol in the midst of a possible attack by letting them in,” yelled Deputy Commander Brisk.

“But they were being pursued by the hooded ones! They were obviously running for their lives, and it was the right thing to do,” defended the guard, slightly cowed by his superior’s gaze. “And she had a foal with her! Both are hurt, I just couldn’t let them die!” The crowd that had formed were shouting out their opinions. Some argued that the lieutenant was right, while others defended the guard. 

“Excuse me. Excuse me! Medic coming through!” came another voice, belonging to a stallion forcibly pushing his way through the crowd. Seeing the opportunity to get closer, Dasher followed the path he made. Reaching the front, the scene that she came upon was quite surprising. 

In front of her lay prone two unconscious forms. The first she recognized as an old friend from Ponyville, while the other was a foal she didn’t know. “Applejack Moon!?” Dasher exclaimed.

“You know this pony, miss?” asked the guard.

“Yeah… she is one of my friends,” responded Dasher shakily.  

“Then I place you in charge of her until she can be taken out of this camp. She may be a liability or a spy,” said Brisk, suspicion in his eyes.

“Uh yeah, that’s fine…” Dasher muttered, trailing off as she noticed the pool of blood coming from the foal that was on Applejack Moon’s back. Looking closer, she identified him as a colt. She watched as the medic unwrapped the makeshift bandage covering his side and back. Dasher recognized the bandage as a familiar pink ribbon, now bloodstained, and her heart was gripped with fear.