The moon rose over the Everfree forest, pale light spilling across the treetops as the gibbous sphere gazed upon the darkened land below. The night sky around it was a pitch black, unnervingly flat and blank, with only a few reluctant stars showing themselves. As the forest grew dark, a low bank of clouds rolled in, hovering low and threatening above the heads of those denizens living within. As the last desperate fingers of the sun grasped at the sky, the small hamlets and towns around the Everfree began to shut down. The stores closed early, proprietors hustling customers out of the doors and chiding them to return home. Mothers called for their children, slight edges of worry on their cries, and soon enough those working late had barricaded themselves behind locked doors, or if they were in the fields, hurrying home, glancing over their shoulders anxiously. Fires were lit, shutters drawn, and doors locked tightly. Curfew had nothing to do with it, nor did the simple fact that Celestia's blessing had at last slipped below the horizon. No, this was for a deeper, more superstitious reason. Tonight was a night of danger for those roaming alone, or even in packs. Tonight was the first harvest moon, the one that small village ponies feared above all others. Tonight was the night of Luna's Smile.

Of course, this was all superstition, all utter nonsense. Most simply went along with the tradition because that was the way things had always been done. Lock the doors, hunker down, tell a few stories and scare the fillies at home. Tales of the Headless Horse, or maybe the Thin One, or Jack O' Lantern, who was said to wander the countryside once a year, looking for souls to steal and light his lantern. Nightmare Night was coming up soon, after all. Who didn't like an extra holiday? The ponies in town shook their heads, laughed a little at the foolishness of their neighbors on the outskirts of town. Honestly, these were civilized times! Nopony really believed in ghosts and goblins and monsters anymore. And besides, there were far more interesting events. Celestia's pupil had sparked a rebellion just a few short weeks ago, and the rumors of troops being sent into the woods, of spies in Canterlot, of war had laid aside any thought as to what could be lurking in the dark woods outside.

But the farmers knew, oh yes, they knew all too well. They saw what the city dwellers could not. The wind had shifted, and began to blow out of the forest, carrying with it the faintest scent of rot. Dogs and cattle had been skittish all day, approaching hysteria come nightfall. The old Earth ponies complained of headaches, of buzzing in the ears. Tools had moved overnight. Some fillies and colts complained of nightmares. So the day had been spent preparing. Each farmer had something sharp nearby, an axe or scythe. Foals were told to stay close to the house. Teenagers had their plans cancelled. Wood was chopped and stacked by the fireplace. The doors were checked, the hinges and locks repaired if needed. Food was brought in from the cellars. Work was done within sight of the house, if it was done at all. Livestock were locked securely in the barn, and well provisioned with food and water. Pets were brought inside. Toys were gathered from the grass, and the final act many ponies took before sequestering themselves indoors was sharpening their weapons. This night would bring nothing but evil. That much was certain.

Whether or not you believed in what was being prepared for, the fact of the matter remained that all ponies were inside by nightfall, locked tightly indoors, some talking and laughing late into the night before retiring, while others would remain at their doors, huddled fearfully together and muttering desperate prayers to Celestia and Luna that they and their families would remain safe.

"This isnt a good idea, sir. It's dark, and these woods give me the shivers." the female Guardspony said, laying her ears back carefully as she swept the tree line for movement.

"What's the matter, Tricky? Sacred of the dark?" her companion teased, nudging her. The unicorn lit his horn, spilling light into the twisted trees in front of them. "Maybe you're in the wrong line of work, if you're frightened of chasing down one pony in the woods. Sure you don't want to be in the Air Corps?"

She scowled. "Can it, Applewood." Light sprang from her own horn. "I'm saying that we are at a disadvantage here. We don't know these woods, so why are we going in at night?"

A bulky Earth pony spoke up. "Because last week Star Company went in there in broad daylight and got ambushed. Haven't heard from them since. You know our best work is done in the dark, and we're the best of the best at finding ponies. That's why we got this mission."

"That's right, Rusty. Find what's left of Star, collect proof, and then get out. If we come across any information as to the whereabouts of rebel forces, or anything at all, we bring it back." Applewood said. "Right, sir?"

The Pegasus nodded. "That's right. And we're heading in after dark because whatever ambushed them will have abandoned their ambush post after dark. They'll be at a sentry posting further back. Which gives us the perfect opportunity to get in, get our intel, and get out." A wolf howled in the distance. He grimaced. "And get back to Canterlot."

The last member of their group, an Earth pony mare with the lithe build of a runner, spoke up. "What's with the locals around here? Everything closed at sunset, even the inns. Didn't look like anything was going to be open again tonight."

The captain waved his hoof irritably. "Who knows. We're Guards, if we need to sleep outdoors, we'll sleep outdoors. Certainly wouldn't be the first time. Now, any further questions? No? Alright then. Trick, Applewood, you're on point. Give us light. Rusty, River, you bring up the rear. Keep your heads on a swivel, and make sure that we don't get surprised. Let's move."

The five set out on the path before them, two meager lights showing the way as they disappeared into the darkness of the Everfree Forest.