It was a good thing that Lucifer didn't do too much damage to Remiel and Michael this time. It only took a few days for their repairs to be complete. This was perfect, because four days after Lucifer's attack, here was Applejack standing in the elevator by herself, thinking about the mission she and Rainbow Dash were forced to accept.

Three hours ago

"A kidnapping?" Princess Luna asked the two wealthy ponies in front of her. One was Filthy Rich, and the other was his good friend/secret lover Pure Platinum.

Filthy Rich cleared his throat before speaking, "Yes, you see, me and Platinum's daughters were on vacation in the Crystal Empire when they were apparently kidnapped. It happened at six o'clock three nights ago."

"If they were kidnapped in the Crystal Empire, shouldn't you be talking to Princess Cadence right now?" Rainbow Dash asked. Applejack wanted to say something about Dash's attitude, but she did have a point. Not that a kidnapping was trivial, but requesting an audience with the Princess seemed like much.

"For your information, we did," Pure Platinum said, "They were able to get intel on their whereabouts, but beyond that they're powerless."

"The Crystal Empire has a good army," Princess Luna stated, "For them to be unable too act..."

"It might help you understand if you knew who kidnapped our children," Filthy Rich said, handing the Princess a golden cross, "This came in the mail yesterday."

Princess Luna, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash looked intently at the cross, unable to believe what it meant. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were captured by Yggdrasil.

"No way!" Rainbow Dash said, "Why the hell did those guys take your daughters?! Beyond being incredibly rich and probably spoiled rotten, I don't see the point!"

"Rainbow Dash, still your tongue," Princess Luna said, "Do you know why Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were captured?"

"N-no," Pure Platinum said, only Applejack catching the stutter, "We don't..."

"Miss," Applejack said stepping forward, "If ya'll know somethin then Ah personally think we need ta-"

"What you need to do is get your Archangels ready and find our children!" Filthy Rich said stepping forward, "I don't care why Diamond Tiara was taken, I want her back!"

"Please," Rainbow Dash said looking aside, "We're not your personal army you can just dial up and send off to wherever. We're the Princess Elite, and right now we have better things to do than-"

"We accept."

"What?!" Rainbow Dash said turning to Princess Luna, who was looking down at the cross thoughtfully.

"I'll have a ship ready in a few hours. Michael and Remiel will also be loaded, just in case."

"Princess, you can't possibly mean-" Rainbow Dash started.

"Your orders are to infiltrate the location Cadence's men gave us and find the two young mares," Princess Luna stated simply, "Are there any questions?"

The way Luna looked at Applejack and Rainbow Dash was too much. To think somepony could display so much power yet be so calm at the same time. Like always, Applejack felt a little flushed whenever looking at her.

"None at all, Yer Majesty," Applejack said saluting the Princess. Rainbow Dash sighed and also saluted.

"No, no questions..." she groaned. Princess Luna nodded in acceptance and then sauntered (or was it a stride?) out of the room. Pure Platinum went up to Applejack and took her hoof into hers and shook it earnestly.

"I can't thank you enough," she said, "Really, I appreciate this."

Applejack smiled to Pure Platinum, and then slightly turned to Filthy Rich, who glared at her and then looked away. Something funny was going on with this.

By herself, Applejack could spend some time really thinking about how weird both of them were. Filthy Rich was a big business tycoon that invested a lot of money in the Archangel project, and it was common knowledge that his spoiled daughter, Diamond Tiara was the apple of his eye. His behavior was somewhat excusable. Pure Platinum on the other hand, she seemed to know more about the situation than she let on.

Applejack knew a lier when she saw one, and she lied.

The elevator opened up to a long hallway, where she knew Michael was waiting for her. Who would have thought something like that would be such an important part of her life. She missed the simpler times of farming, but it was nice to know that she was doing some good for Equestria.

As she walked down the hall, she thought about the conversation she and Rainbow Dash had right before getting ready for their mission.

One hour and thirty minutes ago

"I can't believe this!" Rainbow Dash said slamming her hoof on the wall, "We're elite soldiers, not some rescue squad!"

"Ya saw the cross though," Applejack said, "An' the location we got showed us a military structure. Those two were taken by Yggdrasil."

"But that doesn't make sense," Rainbow Dash said turning to Applejack, "Yggdrasil is a fanatical religious cult."

"A fanatical religious cult with a lotta guns, Dash," Applejack corrected, but Rainbow Dash waved it off.

"Whatever. Either way, they wouldn't have any use for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. What could two spoiled rich kids possibly get Yggdrasil?"

"Ah don't know, hold em fer ransom or somethin like that?"

"If they were going to be held for ransom Rich and Platinum would have been contacted by now. Something else is going on here, AJ. If I can sense it I know you of all ponies can."

Rainbow Dash did have a point, and she could sense it. They weren't being held for ransom obviously, and if she didn't know better, it looked like whoever kidnapped the girls actually WANTED someone to find them.

"Look, does any of this stuff matter ultimately?" Applejack asked.

"It matters to ME," Rainbow Dash said, "We're the ones that are going to be getting shot at. We're the ones that have to put our lives on the line. I'd like to know what we're putting our flanks on the line for."

"Ah'd like nothin more than ta know that too," Applejack said, "But bottom line is this, we're soldiers now. It ain't our job ta question nothin the Princesses ask us ta do. Our job-"

"Is to be good little pawns and move where we're told to, I get it," Rainbow Dash said spitefully. Applejack wouldn't have worded it quite in that manner, but she got the gist of it.

"It's frustratin, Ah know, but this is the life of a soldier. Now, let's get ready fer this mission."

Rainbow Dash made a "tsk" sound and then stormed off. Applejack knew how she felt, and she sort of felt the exact same way. She would look into this on her own time, but right now she had to focus.

Two fillies in their late teens needed saving.

Applejack emerged in the hanger, where she saw the small stealth aircraft waiting for them. Along with the creation of Archangels came other creations, such as vehicles called "jets" that could fly long distances and even disappear from sight via magic. The pilot was none other than Vinyl Scratch, who was walking by listening to her headphones. Applejack walked over to her and tapped her shoulder.

"Huh?" Vinyl turned around and smiled removing her headphones, "Hey Applejack. You about ready to head out?"

"Yeah, Ah am. Is Dash in yet?" Applejack asked.

"She's tuning up her Archangel in the ships hanger. Yours and a Throne are loaded in there too."

"Good, thanks," Applejack said walking into the ship, "We're headin out in five, so be ready."

"Roger that," Vinyl said, returning to her music. Applejack shook her head smiling as she walked into the ship, which was "small" in comparison to some of the larger ships. It was big enough to hold up to five Archangels though, so that said a lot.

Inside the hanger, Applejack saw Rainbow Dash coming out of Remiel, apparently just finished the tune up.

"So, he ready ta fly?" Applejack asked, earning a small laugh from her friend.

"Yeah, "he's" ready," Rainbow Dash said, "Seriously, you know these things don't have genders, right? They're not even alive."

"Maybe not in the sense of you an' me," Applejack said walking up to her Archangel, "But after seein Lucifer go crazy like that, I'm more sure than ever, these machines are more than jus' weapons. They got feelin's too, an' if ya treat em right, they'll treat ya right in return."

Applejack always got weird looks from her peers concerning her thoughts on the Archangels. Most of the soldiers that used them saw them as just robots or weapons, but Applejack thought differently. To her, whenever she looked up at Michael, she saw a valuable companion. He was fighting with her, and she with him. Some nights she would even sleep in his cockpit. Was it weird? Probably. Would she stop? Probably not.

"Well, if Remiel is alive, then he just better be as awesome as me," Rainbow Dash taunted, "I don't let anyone help me unless they have at least seventy percent of my coolness."

"Then why the Sam hill am Ah allowed ta help ya?" Applejack asked loftily.

"Because you're the only pony in the world besides Scoot that can keep up with me," Rainbow Dash said walking over to Applejack, "Besides, you know the... other reason," she said with a familiar smirk, backing Applejack up against Michael's leg.

"Um, Dash? Ya know Ah'm..."

"Yeah yeah, I know, you're "straight" or whatever," Rainbow Dash said rolling her eyes, "But that doesn't stop me from having fun, so why should it stop you?"

"Dash..." Applejack groaned. This was the one and only thing about working with Rainbow Dash that was hard. Not only was she proudly bisexual, but insisted on flirting with Applejack any chance she got. It was one of the few times she let it be known that she was both a chick, and a bit of a nympho.

"Keep playing hard to get," Rainbow Dash said getting real close to Applejack's face, "One day, you'll be mine."

Rainbow Dash turned around hitting Applejack's face with her tail, and then sauntered off. Now alone, Applejack fell on her haunches, pulling her hat over her face.

"For the love of Faust..." Applejack said to herself, "That mare is too much sometimes!" in her head, she could almost hear a deep yet powerful voice saying 'you know you enjoyed it'. She lightly hit her Archangel's leg, "Shut up, Michael."

It took a good few hours, but they eventually reached what Applejack and Rainbow Dash assumed was the Yggdrasil base. It was a large floating structure that looked sort of like a diamond, but it was dark green and you could see the small windows on the side. It was night time, so there were spot lights shining off the structure.

"Okay, this is as close as I can get you guys," Vinyl Scratch said on both Applejack and Rainbow Dash's radios, "You'll have to go the rest of the way via your Archangels."

"I can maneuver easily through their defenses," Rainbow Dash stated inside Remiel, "AJ, how about you? Can you make it?"

"Ah'll be fine, Dash," Applejack said inside Michael, "Jus' don't steal all the spotlight."

"I promise, I'll save you a couple grunts," Rainbow Dash taunted, making Applejack shake her head.

"Remember guys, this is a rescue mission," Vinyl Scratch stated, "So try not to cause too much of a ruckus."

"Ya hear that, Dash? Try not ta make too much noise."

"Oh, I should probably warn you then," Rainbow Dash said looking to the side with a slight lustful edge, "I'm a screamer."

Looking at Rainbow Dash on her monitor like that made Applejack feel really uncomfortable, and not just because her heart was fluttering a bit, "Let's begin the mission," Applejack said cutting the link. Rainbow Dash laughed and pulled the switches needed to bring Remiel to life.

At the same time, both Remiel and Michael activated and stood up. The two mechs walked over to the hanger doors as they opened. On Rainbow Dash's monitor, Applejack appeared again and nodded to her. She returned the nod, and both Archangels jumped out and flew off toward the base.

"AJ, I see a place where we can land," Rainbow Dash said, "Follow me."

Remiel flew on ahead, and Michael flew after it, going to a large runway. The Archangels landed on the runway with a slight skid and looked around.

"No guards outside..." Applejack said frowning, "This is strange."

"We should stay close," Rainbow Dash stated, "Don't let your guard down."

Remiel and Michael slowly walked toward the main building. It was starting to become really unnerving how easy this was becoming. It just further proved Applejack's fears that there was more going on here.

As the two mechs continued their trek they were unaware of a small drone that turned to them and then flew away. Immediately, spot lights shot down on the two mechs, who stopped and looked around.

"So much for going in quietly!" Rainbow Dash shouted. Applejack looked around and saw the hanger doors open, revealing three basic gray Archangels walking out.

"If we take those three out we can enter through there!" Applejack shouted, "Dash, cover me!"

"Got it!" Rainbow Dash said turning Remiel to face the enemy with Michael.

Michael charged over to the Archangel in the middle while Remiel flew up into the air. While Michael clashed horns with the enemy in front of it, Remiel flew around the field launching missiles at the remaining two.

Remiel let the two chase it for a bit, but then stopped on a beat letting the two of them pass it.

"What?!" the pilot of one of the Archangels shouted. Remiel's horn charged up with magic as Rainbow Dash powered up her Ether.

"Opening Ether Circuit!" Rainbow Dash shouted. Remiel fired its electric beam at one of the Archangels, but it moved out of the way, so only its wing was hit. It was forced to land though as the other Archangel charged at Remiel.

"AJ, I knocked one out of the sky," Rainbow Dash said, "He's not dead though, so he's probably heading your way."

"Thanks fer the heads up," Applejack said, "Ah can take both of em on fer a bit, but wrap yours up quickly!"

Remiel blocked the enemy's attack with its horn, and Rainbow Dash pouted.

"Fine, I won't play with him for too long," Rainbow Dash said, suddenly getting a confident grin, "Looks like we only have time for a quicky."

Remiel flew back from the Archangel, and opened its leg compartments revealing two large lasers. Remiel fired its lasers at the enemy, who took a bit of damage but flew away to dodge the rest of its attacks.

On the surface, the Archangel Remiel shot down charged over to Michael, but it backed up making the enemy miss. Both Archangels opened their leg compartments revealing simple machine guns. As they began firing, Michael blocked with its wings.

While blocking, Michael slowly walked over to them as they fired.

"What is that Archangel made of?!" one of the enemy pilots asked.

"These aren't normal Archangels!" his partner said, "These two, they must be-"

"AUGH!!!" a scream was heard. The two enemy Archangels looked up and saw Remiel fly right past their friend cutting his Archangel in half with its wing. Remiel flew away as the Archangel exploded.

"Desert Eagle!!!" the pilot of the damaged Archangel shouted. Immediately Michael launched itself over to him and tackled his Archangel back. Michael then began a relentless assault of foreleg punches pushing the enemy back, and ended with a power buck kick, knocking it onto the ground.

His partner was about to fly over to his aid, but Remiel flew right in front of him already charging its lasers.

"Where do you think you're going?" Rainbow Dash asked right before firing at the enemy Archangel continuously.

"N-NO!!!! AUGH!!!!" the pilot screamed before his Archangel exploded. Remiel then flew over to the last one that was on the floor, Michael already standing over it. It got up and slowly backed away.

"I knew it," he said, "You two are the Princess' Elite Soldiers!"

"Nice ta meet ya," Applejack said frankly, charging up Michael's horn. After a second, its horn gained a golden aura that extended it by a good twenty feet. Michael charged through the enemy, destroying the Archangel instantly.

"They were expectin us," Applejack said.

"I thought so," Rainbow Dash agreed, "That happened too fast. We should hurry inside."

Applejack nodded to Rainbow Dash on her moniter and steered Michael into the hanger, Remiel right next to it. The hanger doors closed right after they walked in.

"It was just as you said," a deep voice said watching the fight on a moniter, "They're powerful."

"I told you," a soft yet powerful voice said in response, "Grunts like them aren't going to kill Rainbow Dash or Applejack."

"Are you sure you want to do this? They are your-"

"Those who oppose the will of the One True God do not belong in this world," the soft voice said, "Even if I have to fight them."

"Well then, let's get ready to greet them, shall we 'Mother Magdalene'?"

"Yes, let's get ready."

After parking their Archangels in the hanger, Applejack and Rainbow Dash immediately got to work trying to find the dungeon of the Yggdrasil structure. Both mares were still wearing their protective piloting uniforms (red and gold for Applejack and blue and green for Rainbow Dash) but they also had weapons with them just in case. Applejack had a long rifle strapped to her left fore leg and Rainbow Dash had two odd devices strapped to both of her fore legs.

As they ran, Applejack pulled up a mad of the area, which had been given to them by one of the Crystal Empire's spies.

"Okay," Applejack said, "If we follow this path we should see the dungeons real soon."

"Hopefully we won't run into too much resistance on the way," Rainbow Dash said. As soon as they turned the corner, they had to hide back behind said corner as four gray armored earth ponies with guns were standing at the back of the hall shooting at them.

"Ya jus' had ta jynx it, didn't ya?" Applejack groaned, reaching into her belt and pulling out a small orb, "Ya know what ta do."

"Same as always," Rainbow Dash said with a smirk. Applejack threw the orb over to the Yggdrasil Soldiers, and Rainbow Dash cast her lightning based Ether on it, creating a bright flash that blinded the soldiers. Rainbow Dash and Applejack took that as their opportunity to charge through them.

Rainbow Dash reached them first and tackled one of the guards knocking him down. Applejack did a jump kick knocking one down, and then pointed her rifle at another one firing at him point blank, killing him.

The other soldier jumped on Applejack's back and tried to knock her to the floor, but Rainbow Dash saw that and flipped off her soldier and kicked the one on Applejack's back off of her. While she did that, Applejack turned to the one Rainbow Dash had just knocked down and punched him really hard in the face.

Balancing on just her hind legs, Rainbow Dash activated the machines on her wrists, revealing two energy blades. The two soldiers charged over to her, but she spun around, slashed, flipped, and literally danced around their assaults.

Applejack did a back flip kicking her opponent away, and in mid air shot at one of the soldiers Rainbow Dash was fighting killing him. Rainbow Dash used that brief opening to literally throw the blades on her wrists at the soldier Applejack knocked into a wall impaling him.

The last soldier, realizing he was in trouble, backed away as the two mares slowly approached him, Applejack with a serious expression on her face but Rainbow Dash with a smirk that was almost sexual.

"No bodies left behind, right?" Rainbow Dash asked Applejack.

"Can't have ya reportin how far we are," Applejack stated, "Ya understand, right sugarcube?"

The soldier shook his head and was about to run away, but Rainbow Dash flew behind him first at high speed. She then did a back flip kick knocking the soldier into the air, where Applejack fired at him with her rifle perfectly, killing him before he even hit the ground.

"Always mah least favorite part of the job," Applejack said somberly, pulling her had over her eyes a bit.

"Has to be done though," Rainbow Dash stated with a shrug, "Come on AJ, the dungeon is right down this hall."

Applejack nodded and ran after her friend. On the way, they ran into a bit more resistance, but nothing too serious, which Applejack found incredibly odd. If Rainbow Dash felt it too, she didn't speak up on it.

When they got to the dungeon, it was guarded by two ponies in the same gray armor, one was a unicorn, and the other one was a pegasus. Applejack quickly shot the pegasus in the head killing him, and Rainbow Dash shot another set of energy blades through the unicorn. The two of them ran over to the door and Applejack examined it while Rainbow Dash searched the guards.

"Okay, here's the key," Rainbow Dash said pulling the key off the guards with her mouth. She unlocked the door, and Applejack pushed it open. When the two mares got inside though, they were surprised.

The only pony inside the dungeon was a pink earth pony with a really long purple and white mane and matching tail, her cutie mark being a tiara made out of diamonds. She was unconscious, and very much alone.

"Here's Diamond Tiara," Applejack said running over to her aid, "Where's Silver Spoon?"

"Why is she unconscious?" Rainbow Dash asked walking over to them, "The report said that they were both still really lively."

"And tagether," Applejack added, looking at Diamond Tiara. She had a pulse, and she didn't seem hurt or anything, so why... "Dash, think ya could look around fer a bit ta find any other cells?" Applejack asked.

Rainbow Dash nodded and ran out of the cell, immediately taking off in flight. While she was gone, Applejack noticed Diamond Tiara stirring a bit.

"Hey there, sugarcube. Yer safe now," Applejack said. She was ready for anything concerning this mare. One minute she could be really sweet, but the next minute she could show her flank in the worst way, and come off really stuck up and spoiled. Applejack was ready for anything... except for the look of fear that came across the young mare.

"Wh-who are you...?" Diamond Tiara asked, tensing up.

"Diamond Tiara?" Applejack asked tilting her head in confusion.

"How do you know my name?!" Diamond Tiara asked out of pure fear, "Where am I?!"

"What in the..." before she could finish, Rainbow Dash flew back in.

"I searched around the immediate area, and looked in all the cells," Rainbow Dash said, "I don't think she's anywhere here," she then noticed Diamond Tiara was awake, and smiled, "Heya, Diamond. You okay?" she was about to walk over to her, but Diamond Tiara backed away from both of them.

"Stay away from me!" Diamond Tiara demanded trembling, "Please, don't hurt me!"

"What the hell?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Hold on," Applejack said slowly approaching Diamond Tiara, who was completely backed up against the wall with her head turned away, still trembling. Applejack could tell, she was genuinely afraid of them. Her stern expression turned into one of sadness as the poor thing started crying.

"Ya really have no memory of me or mah partner, do ya?" Applejack asked. Diamond Tiara turned to Applejack and shook her head honestly, "Well, mah name is Applejack, and her name is Rainbow Dash. We ain't bad guys. In fact, we're here ta help get you ta safety."

"You won't hurt me?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Not at all," Applejack said with a soft smile. Diamond Tiara calmed down and smiled a bit herself, an expression Applejack found odd on the usually high and mighty mare, "Dash, we need ta get outta here."

"Right," Rainbow Dash said, "She should stay behind us until we reach our Archangels."

"Archangels?" Diamond Tiara asked, "What's an... Archangel?"

"Hoo boy, we've got ourselves a handful," Rainbow Dash said rolling her eyes, "You'll see in a bit. Come on."

Rainbow Dash ran on ahead. Diamond Tiara stood up slowly and ran outside along with Applejack. As they ran, Yggdrasil soldiers turned the corner and fired at them with their guns. This time Rainbow Dash created a shield with Ether, while Applejack pulled out her gun and fired at the soldiers. Diamond Tiara was screaming the entire time.

"Could you please shut her up?!" Rainbow Dash demanded, "I can't focus with her screaming like that!"

"Diamond, it's okay," Applejack stated, "Yer gonna be safe, but ya need ta stay calm."

That seemed to calm Diamond Tiara a bit, who switched to simply whimpering and sobbing in fear. It didn't take long for all of the soldiers to be shot down, so they continued their journey through base.

They made it to the hanger without much problem, and were on their way to their Archangels when something shot at them from above. The three mares stopped and looked up, seeing a large and bulky Archangel fly toward them. This one was pure golden, almost yellow, and it had a very sleek design. It's wings folded out and were completely mechanical looking, and its horn was sort of short compared to the rest of it. Both its mane and tail were long, wavy, and pink giving it the look of a goddess almost.

"You wanted to know what an Archangel is," Rainbow Dash asked, "Well, here's one right here!"

"Wh-what are we going to do?!" Diamond Tiara asked.

"We get in ours and fight our way out!" Applejack stated, getting a nod from Rainbow Dash. The three mares ran over to Michael and Remiel, dodging laser fire from the enemy Archangel's blasts. Rainbow Dash stopped mid way and cast another shield Ether, defending Diamond Tiara and Applejack as they got into Michael.

"Will she be okay?!" Diamond Tiara asked, referring to Rainbow Dash. Applejack wanted to remark on Diamond Tiara caring about somepony else, but she opted against it.

"She'll be fine if we cover her!" Applejack said bringing Michael to life. Michael charged over to the enemy Archangel and knocked it back, giving Rainbow Dash enough time to get into Remiel and activate it.

Michael and the golden Archangel clashed horns for a bit, but then the golden archangel punched Michael back. It was about to charge up something, but an electric blast hit the golden Archangel catching its attention.

"AJ, you and Diamond okay in there?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"We're fine, Dash," Applejack said, "Come on, let's take thing down so we can get outta here!"

Remiel walked over to Michael, both of them getting in fighting stances, while the enemy continued to glare at them.

Author's Note

Applejack and Rainbow Dash have found one of the ponies they were sent to rescue, but where's Silver Spoon, and how come Diamond Tiara doesn't remember anything? How far does her loss of memory go? Finally, why did Yggdrasil capture them in the first place?