Celestia's sun began to set, casting brilliant colors throughout the sky. Pinkie didn't notice any of this; her Pinkie sense kicking into full gear, leaving her in an agitated state. She paced around and seemed to jump at any strange noises as if expecting something to jump out and attack. Rainbow Dash watched her pace around the clearing, deeply worried.
Rainbow, in an attempt to brighten Pinkie's mood, flew upside-down with a silly look on her face. The sight would have normally sent Pinkie into hysterics; instead she giggled softly and hugged Rainbow's neck. "You always know how to make me feel better Dashie." Her earlier agitation melted away slightly allowing her to enjoy the incoming night.
Satisfied with Pinkie's improved mood, Rainbow let herself drop onto her back on the ground. Stretching she placed her fore hooves behind her head and crossed her hind legs into her famous relaxed position. Pinkie's smile turned into a grin at the sight; she always thought Rainbow looked adorable whenever she was relaxing. She trotted happily over to Dash and lay on top of her exposed chest and belly.
A smile started to slowly creep onto Rainbow's face at the additional weight on her torso, Dash placed a foreleg around Pinkie before drifting off into slumber.
As the sun set, Smarts internal clock switched over to night time mode. He was finally in his element. Anypony in the tracking or killing business always worked the best at night. Smarts loved the night like nothing else, the calmness and beautiful majesty that overtook the world under the moons silver light was awe inspiring to him, the feeling of the cool night air against his face as he ran was a welcome respite from the hot sun of the day. The best part was that not very many ponies were up at this hour, leaving him alone to admire the wonder that is Luna's night.
Smarts felt his heartbeat quicken at the thought of Princess Luna. Being the Princess of the night, she was usually the only pony that ever saw him at work considering her important role as the bringer of the night. Since so few were awake during her night she could observe any happening throughout Equestria, including his work. Normally her nights was his only company he ever received.
He loved and admired her night more than anything, especially when she finally returned from her thousand year banishment. Since she returned the nights have been more vibrant and beautiful; an explosion of stars scattered across the sky with the moon giving off a soft glow. Celestia could never create such a beautiful sight. He knew it was foolish but he knew he had a developed a small crush on her.
Smarts slid to a halt in front of a rather tall oak tree, his device signaling that he has nearly caught up to them. With practiced precision, Smarts climbed the oak, hoping to gain an observable point of his two targets. Once he reached the highest branch that he was willing to go, he pulled out night vision binoculars. About a mile away, he spotted two figures lying in a clearing. Satisfied with the visual he began prepping his weapons for the imminent battle ahead. He checked and double checked his various poisons and antidotes as well as the stunning fruits he picked from Cottontail woods; slamming the fruit to the ground causes a blinding flash for a few seconds.
Smarts wrapped himself in a dark grey cloak, a color harder to spot at night then actual black, which concealed the weapons strapped to him. Hopefully the cloak will help him gain an advantage against his targets. Before he made his way down the tree he took a final look at Luna's moon, admiring her night. A small smile graced his lips.
Luna observed Smarts progress as well as carefully watch the sleeping forms of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. She was moved by their devotion to each other. She feared that even attempting to reason with them would end in failure. Their devotion to each other wasn't all bad though, it seemed to allow them to maintain their sanity to a small degree. If anything happened to either of them their fragile grasp to sanity could break.
Releasing herself from her magical connection with the night, she turned to Celestia with a small smile. "Hope is still there for thy elements of Laughter and Loyalty. We must prove to them that what they need to do will be good for the other." Celestia nodded in understanding, "We will need a way to keep Rainbow Dash from escaping again while we speak to Pinkie Pie." "Celestia I could use my magic to hold Rainbow down while you both explain what needs to be done." Twilight gave Celestia an earnest look, hoping to help out more for the sake of her friends.
Celestia's eyes brightened, an idea forming in her mind "I have a better idea Twilight, why don't you and your friends speak to Pinkie while my sister and I use our magic to keep Rainbow restrained; that way we would be sure nothing could go wrong." "That's a great idea! I'll let everypony else know right away!" With that said, Twilight rushed out of the balcony in search of her friends.
Celestia turned to Luna with a serious look on her face, "How close is Smarts to catching Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie?" "He hath located thine targets and appears to be approaching quickly." Luna stated calmly. Celestia grimaced slightly, "I wish we could have found somepony else to find Rainbow and Pinkie." Luna just smiled in amusement, "Oh Celly, if we tried to locate another then it may have taken too long." Celestia huffed, "Well I wish he wasn't so full of himself." Luna giggled and nuzzled Celestia with sisterly affection "Thy so amusing Celly." Celestia smiled and nuzzled in return.
Pinkie woke with a start, her Pinkie sense going off so crazily she was vibrating in Dash's embrace. Rainbow, whom was startled awake by Pinkie's thrashing, cracked open her bleary eyes slowly in confusion. Pinkie launched herself off of Dash, which completely woke up and knocked the wind out of Rainbow, and stared into the forest with determined eyes.
Rainbow stood up mutely with confusion flashing across her face. Her ears picked up the sound of something moving around in the forest. In an instant, Dash was on her feet and standing defensively in front of Pinkie; her head low, teeth bared, and wings flared in an aggressive manor. She knew that if Pinkie was this alarmed then this must be serious.
Smarts stared out at his targets, eyebrows knitting together in concentration. The element of laughter seemed to have figured out he was here before he was able to get close enough and in turn alerted the element of loyalty as well. At the moment they were at a stalemate, watching one another, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
