Predator 3

High above the northern sky in the mountains near the Crystal Empire, beneath the scintillating aurora, one particular star stood out brighter than the rest as it hung outside the auroras veil instead of behind it. Its unnatural grace may have gone unnoticed if it were not for the young Stygian laying in wait with a spyglass. The star tracked in retrograde to the starscape toward the glow of the Crystal Empire which lurked just beyond the horizon. As it was about to disappear a smaller light emerged from it and veered unnaturally toward Stygian's position.

The smaller light grew into a blazing fireball as it streaked closer. Shortly after flying overhead at an incredible rate of speed Stygian was concussed by a thunderous boom echoing through the mountaintops. He watched intently for the sign of an explosion as it disappeared into a nearby valley but when there was none he hastily removed a scrying bowl from his saddlebags and cast a spell on it.

"Stygian? Why are you calling me so late?" A tired voice called out from the bowl.

"Sir, I think we have one." Stygian's voice wavered with excitement.

"Are you sure? Where are you?" the voice in the bowl queried.

"In the mountains- grid three, zero."

"Why that's, hmm." the voice paused.

"Shall I send word to Canterlot as well, sir?"

"I think that it's best we keep this quiet for now. We don't want to cause any undue panic. Prepare an early response team. We'll rendezvous at the Crystal Empire."

Morning, several days later; as Applejack looked down from the purple air balloon, which she rode in with her friends, the military camp they headed for stood out like a sore thumb on the otherwise bare mountainside overlooking the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. She wore a serious and seasoned expression on her face; weathered by the years since she had assumed leadership of the Mane 6. It wasn't a time of war for Equestria but it wasn't exactly a time of peace either and as the balloon moored along side others at the camp and a burly stallion in the Canterlot Royal Guard attire lead her to the command tent she couldn't help but wonder what in the hay Princess Celestia was doing summoning her to such a militaristic looking operation.

"Applejack! I'm glad you're here, my little pony!" Celestia greeted Applejack with a smile on her face, though Applejack got no chance to reply before the beaming, solar smile morphed into a look of grave concern."I know you're wondering why you're here, Jack, so let's cut straight to the chase." Celestia motioned at the guard who then stepped out of the tent. Applejack replied with nothing more than a smoldering stare.

Princess Celestia fired a beam of magic into the air between the two mares and a tactical map of the surrounding area appeared.

"Two days ago we lost contact with a balloon carrying a friendship delegation to help resolve a friendship dispute in a remote village near the border with Yakyakistan." After a dramatic pause a red dot appeared near a valley that was marked on the map. "This is where we lost contact with the balloon." Celestia explained.

"Do your ponies normally fly on the wrong side of the border?" Applejack asked smugly as she observed the dot to be on the Yakyakistan side of the border.

"The whole border along that valley has been in dispute for a while with the Yaks now. We just want to recover the delegates, deal with the friendship problem and then get everypony out to the extraction point here. In and out. One day operation." Another red dot appeared on the map at the southernmost tip of the chasm.

"Ain't this somethin' you'd normally leave up to somepony from the friendship school?" Applejack quizzed.

"This is a very sensitive dispute in a very off-the-grid sort of village. I need the best mares I can get." Celestia explained.

"And some fool went and told her that you and your mares were the best." A smug and familiar voice called from another room in the command tent.

Applejack headed for the doorway between the two sections of the tent as Twilight Sparkle came trotting through.

"Twilight! We'll ain't you a maulwurfs sister!" Applejack beamed excitedly as she thrust a front hoof toward Twilight Sparkle's. After their hooves clopped together they kept pushing against each other with all their might. "You've gotten soft." Applejack taunted as Twilight Sparkle's hoof began to back off slightly.

"Good to see you, Jack!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed in a strained voice as she gave one last strong thrust back.

"What's the matter, Twilight? Celestia got you pushing too many quills?" Applejack chided as she bared down. Eventually Twilight Sparkle gave way and collapsed back. "You never did know when to quit, Twilight."

The two mares exchanged a lengthy hug.

"You know we could use a mare like you in the Canterlot Guard." Twilight Sparkle said.

"I don't do that kind of work anymore." Applejack sighed. "Friendship operations only."

"Once you're on the ground Twilight will be taking command of the operation." Celestia explained.

"Didn't Twilight tell you I don't take orders from others very well, sugar cube!" Applejack protested.

"Look, Jack." Twilight Sparkle placed a hoof on Applejack's shoulder and the two turned around. "I have friends in that delegation too. This is personal for me."

Applejack looked Twilight Sparkle in the eye and gave a nod of understanding.