Rainbow Dash soared higher in the sky until she was level with the cloud city that still seemed miles away. Rainbow’s top speed made it look like inches as she almost instantly found herself above the white cloud homes that were grouped together to form sky neighbor hoods. Rainbow took a look around her old home. It was similar, but she noticed subtle differences. The stadium seemed to have been built in a different location and some newer homes didn’t have the ancient Greek style to it.

However, the thought of this being weird was tossed aside, considering it’s an alternate Equestria. Rainbow headed for the Pegasi Academy Fortress near the center of Cloudsdale. When she flew up and over the city she was able to look down on it and spot the fortress she was looking for. She went into a shallow dive and flapped her wings to increase her momentum toward the fortress. Within seconds she was at its gates. She landed at the top of the large steps and looked at the large white cloud doors. Rainbow decided it would be best to show up as Rainbow Dash and she reverted to her normal self. She effortlessly pushed the great white doors open and walked inside the barracks.

The moment she walked inside a few guards approached her.

“What’s your business? Are you a recruit?” the one on her left asked.

“I’m here to see Barricade.” Rainbow stated calmly.

“Do you mean Admiral Barricade? Sure are you a courier?” asked the guard on the right.

“No, a friend of her daughter's. I’m kinda visiting.” Rainbow rubbed her head sheepishly.

“Oh, well she’s in a meeting with the captains in the tower.” the left guard replied and pointed to the tower near the back that overlooked the whole training camp. “I’m sure she’ll be done in an hour or so and we can tell her. But you can make yourself comfortable in the barracks while you wait.” he returned to his post on the left side of the door and the other guard nodded his head and went back to the right.

“Why aren’t there any guards on the outside of the door?” asked Puppet Master.

“So the fortress doesn’t seem oppressive to the pegasi community. Trust me, when they have to be posted outside it looks like we’re under martial law, and that’s no way to grow up.”

Rainbow Dash moved through the courtyard and looked around at all the training posts. There were hoof-to-hoof fights with instructors guiding the trainees, as they learned how to jab and block correctly. She noticed a few mannequins being used at targets for javelin throwing and a few sparing matches with fake swords. Rainbow took note of the amount of guards on the cloud walls that patrolled. There were more guards there than in her world. She assumed the air space was off limits so she dared not fly up.

She noticed the barracks were larger than she remembered and the tents that were up were being used for camp training. She was an instructor berating a recruit on how his tent wasn’t structurally as sound as the others and proved it by kicking his to show it folded up instantly. He then kicked the one next to him and it stayed there without so much as a ripple. He then explained how getting caught up in your tent could mean life or death when your camp is ambushed.

Then Rainbow noticed swordsmen training and she smiled and trotted over there. She noticed some ponies were sparing with each other and one trainee didn’t have a sparring partner.

“Rainbow go teach that guy who’s awesome.”

“On it, My King.”

“Hey you!” Rainbow called out to the one stallion without a partner.

Her outburst turned some heads and got the attention of the instructor, but she paid no mind to them. She walked over to the lone stallion and looked him dead in the eye with a grin.

“Wanna teach a mare how to dance?” she wiggled her eyebrows.

“Oh, uh-uh s-sure?” he replied looking nervously at his fellow trainees for help.

“Ok then. Grab your sword and let’s find a ring.”

“What?” he responded dumbfounded.

“Come on, let’s spar.” Rainbow trotted over to the weapon rack and grabbed a short sword.

“Rainbow are you better at swinging or thrusting?” asked Puppet Master.

“What?”

“Ok, what you grabbed was a short sword, and that is used for stabbing.”

“Oh which one is for swinging?”

“The long sword. You’re looking at one.”

“Oh cool.”

Rainbow put the sword back and picked out the longer one. They all were made of wood with some metal inside to make it feel like the real thing. Rainbow noticed that all the sparring ponies had safety gear on to keep themselves safe when sparring with the blunt weapons. Regardless of what type of weapon it was there was still a danger to using them. The Stallion already had his brown protective armor on. Rainbow went to the armor rack and put on a suit that fit her. It covered her chest and the helmet covered her head and the side of her face to keep from any teeth being broken.

“Uh, do you know how to use a sword?” asked the stallion.

“Maaaaaaaybe.” Rainbow smiled mischievously.

“Well ok, let’s do a practice round to see where you’re at.” he stated with a smile.

They both walked over to a nearby vacant ring that was in the middle of the sparring square. Rainbow ignored the conversations on the side that had to do with ‘Is she Storm Chaser’s girl?’ and ‘She’s messier than I thought she would be’. Once they got to the ring, the stallion spoke up.

“Are you Storm Chaser’s marefriend?”

“No, that’s my sister.” answered Rainbow still smiling.

“Oh ok. You with anyone?”

“Eeyup.” Rainbow replied happily.

The stallion thought for a moment. “Shame, you’re really pretty.”

“I agree.” chimed in Puppet Master, and he relished in the fluttering feeling in Rainbow’s heart.

“Hehehe, you’d better be ready for a serious case of flank whopping.” Rainbow taunted.

“Oh you’re on!” he smiled.

In a split second they both had their long swords in their teeth and the stallion instantly charged while Rainbow fumbled with her sword. Rainbow saw this and quickly snapped the sword that was balanced on her left side, and thrust it to the right to swing at the stallion and hit him in the cheek.

“You know, I’m just not used to holding something so heavy.” stated Rainbow.

“You should have grabbed the short sword.” the stallion smiled with his sword balanced on the right side if his body.

They both swung and connected in the middle. “I’ll keep that in mind.” responded Rainbow.

The sparring match was pretty lame considering they were both new recruits, but the stallion let his training kick in and started strategizing his swings to wear Rainbow down, his skills doubled the longer they sparred, as he got more into it. More ponies started to watch them as time went by as their match lasted longer than any other. They were just striking at each other and at times they’d hit each other with skilled swings and timing. After an hour of dueling, the stallion became so tired he couldn’t lift the sword off the ground.

“Did I wear you out that much?” Rainbow asked with an incredulous smile on her face.

“Uh *pant* where *pant* did *pant* you get *pant* that *pant* energy?” he asked, no longer able to hold his sword.

“Years of endurance. I’m an athlete.” Rainbow replied tucking the sword under her wing.

“Oh cool.” he sated still out of breath.

“So match over?”

“*pant* yea.”

Rainbow smiled and walked over to the armor rack and placed her pads and helmet where it rightfully belongs. She did the same with the long sword and before she could go anywhere else a voice got her attention.

“Hey.” Rainbow spun around to see the instructor looking at her funny.

“Uh, hi?”

“You know a thing or two about fighting. That trainee was one of the best in the academy and he was just waiting for number two and three to be done so he can spar someone as good as him. And you beat him.” he looked at Rainbow Dash with a judgmental stare.

“Oh uh, well I do a bit of fighting every once in a while.”

“Once in a while? You seem to have more experience than once in a while. Why are you here?”

“To see Barricade.”

His eyes widened for a moment and he backed up a step as if Rainbow was contagious.

“Well I knew you could handle yourself in a fight, but I really doubt high speed battle really counts as what you were just doing. Then again you only outlasted him in that fight. Over all you did good, but I don’t know if you deserve the praise he’s giving you.” Puppet Master analyzed the situation.

“Sorry are you of close relation to her?” the instructor asked.

“Well I’m friends with her daughter.” Rainbow admitted sheepishly.

“Mhmm Miss Fluttershy. She didn’t hurt anypony, did she?” He asked.

“Uh no.” responded Rainbow Dash. “Why would…never mind.”

“I say after we visit Barricade we visit Fluttershy.” stated Puppet Master.

“Agreed.”

“Barricade is in the middle of… oh it's over.” he looked over Rainbow’s shoulder toward the watch tower.

Rainbow looked around to see Celestia, Barricade, and Shining Armor walking out of the watch tower with stoic expressions on their faces. Celestia was heading over to a fancy carriage she usually uses to get places. Rainbow took this time to make it known she’s here to Celestia, so Barricade doesn’t assume something’s wrong when she doesn’t act like Rainbow Dash. Rainbow swooped into the air and quickly dive-bombed the spot in front of Celestia. Her hooves made a connection with the cloud floor and her guards rushed to her sides.

“R-Rainbow Dash what’s the meaning of-” Celestia’s eyes widened and she calmed. “Oh, I’m sorry Reviver I didn’t know it was you. Guards, stand down.” the guards lifted their spears but didn’t relax. “I’m sorry about that. Your services to Equestria are appreciated, even though they are hushed.” Celestia stated, giving a slight bow.

“Princess, forgive me but what’s going on?” asked Shining Armor trotting to her side and seeing Rainbow. “Rainbow?”

Barricade went to Celestia’s left side and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow?” she said in an even more confused tone than Armor’s. “Wait…” her expression darkened. “You’re not Rainbow Dash.”

“Indeed she isn’t.” interrupted Celestia, anticipating the coming question. “This is the pony that showed up at Canterlot a few days ago and caused a ruckus. But she did it for the good of Equestria and saved Twilight Sparkle.”

“Y-you saved my sister?” Armor stated with teary eyes. “Celestia permission to leave your side.” he asked while giving Rainbow a longing look.

“You may.” she replied simply.

He threw down his weapon and charged at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow braced herself before Puppet Master said something to her.

“Don’t react.”

And she didn’t. She let Armor barrel into her and he quickly trapped her in a bear hug. She was confused for a moment, but when she felt his tears on her shoulder she relaxed and hugged him back.

“T-thank you for b-bringing my sister back to me.” he let go of her and looked her in the eyes. “I-I don’t know what’d I’d do without Twily.”

“Aw that’s ok.” she jabbed his chest plate. “Anything for my friends, you know?”

He smiled and nodded. He turned to the chariot and got on while Celestia approached Rainbow.

“Is there anything else you wish to speak about? I’m sure you came here for a reason.” she asked with a warm smile.

“Nah, I don’t want to talk to you. I want to know more about Barricade and how alternate universes have different ponies. Barricade I already knew a little about, and I want to see any differences I can pick out.”

Celestia nodded her head in understanding. “Good luck.”

“Thank you princess.” Rainbow gave a short respectful bow, which was returned by Princess Celestia herself.

“Oh wow Celestia bowed to me!” Rainbow exclaimed animatedly in her head.

“I know right? It’s interesting what you can gain by simply helping ponies.” responded Puppet Master.

Celestia walked over to her chariot and stepped onto it. She signaled the guards to go and they took off. Rainbow watched them fly away and didn’t even notice when Barricade approached her.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

Rainbow looked in her direction to be met by the trademark stare that brought so many ponies to their knees. Rainbow had to resist the urge to cower in fear or fly away. A moment later a sense of security deep within her rose to the surface and made her lose all feeling of fear. She looked back into Barricades eyes and noticed the lack of impressiveness she felt earlier.

“I gift you my courage.” stated Puppet Master.

Rainbow felt deep within her soul and noticed that the feeling indeed was radiating off of Puppet Master’s soul. Her heart raced for a moment after realizing how deep their connection was. Although she forgot who she was staring at and she gave Barricade the warmest smile. And Barricade responded with confusion of her own but soon her stoic and disapproving stare melted away to a soft smile of infectious happiness.

“Rainbow Dash.” started Puppet Master in his dragon voice. “You are the goddess of the winds. Lord of the skies. Your smile warmed the heart of Captain Barricade herself and your power over weather is feared by all your enemies. Your immortal beauty was the envy of lesser mares and your toned body was the envy of the most experienced warlords. Will you become the goddess Puppet Master wants you to be? Or will you strike him down and take the multiverse for yourself?”

“I’ll follow you.”

“That was a rhetorical question.”

“Y-you’re not Rainbow Dash… I don’t know who you are but…” Barricade actually had to look away from Rainbow Dash to compose herself. “You have a beautiful smile.” she admitted, almost ashamed of herself.

“Thank you Barricade.” Rainbow replied holding her warm smile.

Rainbow decided now was the time to become her other self and her body grew larger. Puppet Master’s power seemed to create small green crystals on her mane that straightened and combed it. Rainbow simultaneously used Puppet Master’s powers over the crystal storm to create her armor and headgear. The crystal tiara shined brightly and her body became almost regal as she let her power spill out of her body and flood around the training area. Barricade felt the magical energy and backed up a few steps, as if it would burn her skin. But the flow of magic and power coming off Rainbow Dash phased through flesh and bone.

Of course, it didn’t last all that long as it was for show and when the transformation was over, and Rainbow was covered from head to hoof in beautiful glowing green armor the magic subsided and everypony could breathe again. Each of them let out a collective breath.

“I am the goddess of the skies and a thane of the Red Rose Empire. My power is the envy lesser magic users in all the many worlds. My power over the clouds is unmatched.” Rainbow boasted in her form and held her nose to the sky with her eyes closed.

“W-…who are you?” asked Barricade as she backed up a little more now to Rainbow’s larger size.

Rainbow opened her eyes but didn’t move her head and her smile remained. She then looked down at Barricade with the warm smile and stated, “My name is Rainbow Dash. You may call me Big.”

Despite Barricade's actual unnatural size compared to other ponies, even she need to look up at Rainbow Dash. But Barricade had a skeptical look on her face.

“What are you doing here?” she asked curiously.

“I want to speak to you. Or analyze your character. Whichever, both will do actually. I need to get used to being in other places because I need to do it often. And this world was chosen for its lack of chaos and disorder.” Rainbow responded.

“Lack? Equestria has been through a civil war recently. We still have Lunar Republic followers that carry out terrorist attacks.” Barricade snarled with anger hidden in her voice.

“Wow… um Rainbow just assume this was part of your test.”

Rainbow groaned in anger and looked Barricade in the eye with a blank expression. “You mean there is still stuff I need to do to maintain order? Ok, tell me about the civil war and what it details.” Rainbow asked.

“You mean you had no knowledge of this world at all?” Barricade questioned.

“It’s not like this is the first time it’ll happen. I might end up going back home and they’d have to send me off to another place to readjust it or something. I wouldn’t be briefed at all about the world and I’d have to make good decisions, without making me public enemy number one.” reasoned Rainbow. “I’m basically a new recruit and I’m getting on the job training because we don’t have enough creatures to handle them while ponies like me get trained.”

“Oh, I understand.” Barricade nodded her head. “That makes sense now. But why tell me all about the training program?” Barricade asked, looking for holes in Rainbow’s logic.

“Well I can tell you what I do. Just not how I do it, and sharing magic with you will be punishable by death. I was sent for training and I ended up doing a lot of other things to correct this world. Heck they didn’t even give me military training to defend myself. It was a bit sudden, but I got used to it enough.”

“Hmm sad.” stated Barricade simply. “Ok I’ll tell you about the civil war…” Barricade collected her thoughts.

“Back when Luna was first released from Nightmare Moon, ponies flocked to her to lead them. Celestia and Luna had a rocky relationship before, but now it was contagious and this time they had followers. The Lunar Republic was born after Celestia and Luna had their final argument and they separated to different castles. Canterlot was Celestia’s of course but Luna’s ended up being Manehatten, after they annexed themselves to her. Many ponies annexed their cities, and before long Luna and Celestia found themselves in a civil war over territory.”

“Oh…” Rainbow put a hoof to her mouth.

“Luna lost the war… and her life that day as well. Of course, Celestia had more followers and an actual army with her, but Luna’s night guard were actually very capable. Most of them are still around and even carry out attacks on Equestria for the death of their beloved princess.”

“Why didn’t they work it out? They were sisters weren’t they?”

Barricade huffed. “Yeah, they were and when Luna left Equestria assumed the worst and believed her to be banished. It wasn’t the case as she left to blow off steam, but it was too late. Ponies already thought the worst and decided to come to her aid. It’s a shame that the most noble of ponies actually went to help her. Everyone else decided to stay inside and ignore the growing chaos around Equestria. The fighting was limited, and both sides lost too many good ponies.” Barricade rubbed the ground at her feet.

“That’s horrible… umm so on a side note. What’s your rank again?”

“Admiral.” deadpanned Barricade. “Admiral Barricade. I oversee the training of new recruits and at times of war I command entire regiments.”

“Ok. By the way I haven’t met Fluttershy, yet. How much of you does she take after?” asked Rainbow.

“Hmm? You’re her friend, doesn’t she act the same way in your universe?” asked Barricade.

“Uh, that’s hard to explain. I’m an athlete while my double is a kicker.” responded Rainbow.

“Kicker?” asked Puppet Master.

“It’s what a pegasi calls cloud busters.”

“Oh ok. Well in that case. Fluttershy was really shy, when she was younger. Although one day she came to me to teach her how to be tough and at the time I didn’t know what to do, because raising a child on your own while being a soldier is rough. So when I was given the title of drill instructor, I took it and had Fluttershy be trained alongside the recruits I was given.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened. “You trained your daughter to be a soldier?” she gasped in shock.

“Yes. Of course the over-watch captain came to me and asked why, and I explained to him that my daughter was being teased and I wanted her to be able to have a mentality made of steel so she would be able to defend herself. He accepted it and let my little filly be trained alongside my recruits. As long as I don’t give her any special treatment. I explained to her later about it and she accepted to love me even if I yelled at her. After a while the recruits got used to her and started treating her like a fellow soldier. She had to come in late though… but that was because of flight school. She became a strong flier in no time.” Barricade smiled.

“Wow, Fluttershy a strong flier…” Rainbow mumbled to herself.

“What?” Barricade started, with her eyes widening. “I-In your world did Fluttershy not get my help?” she asked heartbroken.

“Actually, she didn’t need it.” Rainbow reassured. “I was there for her and kept the bullies at bay. She never needed to come to you and she ended up in Ponyville to become a local vet and run an animal shelter.” Rainbow grinned at the memory of defending Fluttershy. “She later became a national hero with me and her six friends.”

“National hero?”

“Do you know the Elements of harmony?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Yes, but Fluttershy isn’t one of them.” responded Barricade.

“WHAT THE FUCK?!”

“I KNOW! WHAT’S GOING ON!”

“ASK NOW!”

“Who are the Elements of Harmony?” asked Rainbow Dash, her current mind blown.

Barricade put a hoof to her chin. “That would be… Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and…I think Mrs. Cake.” Barricade replied.

“…What in the name of the Red Rose is going on...” Rainbow stated slowly.

“Red Rose? Uh sure I like it… WHAT THE RED ROSE!”

Rainbow smiled and flared her wings.

“Um Rainbow?” Barricade interrupted her thought.

“Yeah?”

“Your wings.” she pointed a hoof, with a hint of blush on her face.

“Oh, I’m not aroused.” she stated lowering her wings.

“Oh, my bad.” Barricade averted her eyes.

“Yeah… I’m going to see Twilight. Maybe she has-oh wait, she’s in the hospital.”

“Sweetie Twilight’s dead.” Barricade responded solemnly, but her eyes widened. “Oh wait, you brought her back! How’d you do that by the way?” asked Barricade.

“Can’t tell ya. I got to go now.” Rainbow flared her wings again.

“Goodbye Rainbow. Say hello to my daughter for me.”

“I will.” Rainbow gave a respectful bow and flew up into the air.

She flew out of the fortress with ease, and nopony wanted to stop her. As she was flying out of the fortress she started to dissolve her armor, after ten miles of flight from the fortress, all the green armor was gone and she headed toward Ponyville without a plan in mind.

“Well just one more day until we can go somewhere else.” stated Isis.

“But first we need to create that new world. I have an idea on what the world should look like. It’s going to be pretty. Oh Isis, will I be able to add to it when it’s created?” asked Puppet Master.

“It should come naturally to you and yes you should be able to add to it. We’ll need to find an empty space in the Negative Space that has no future so we won’t be over written by another universe. That part will be easy.”

“Can you tell me what I should expect when I create a world?”

“Not much, but as I said it should come naturally. I can’t help you any more than that. Sorry.”

“It’s ok. What about materials and beds and stuff?”

“Well it’s your world. You can either make it so the laws build planets after billions of years or just create the whole thing instantly and have one planet like many other Equestria’s.”

“Well Isis, I’ve got an idea that will blow you away.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

Rainbow listened to Puppet Master’s idea on a world and was subtly amazed at its creativity. But she was also a little fearful of it. His idea was to come with great beauty and great terror all together. Rainbow subtly wished he wouldn’t create what he just promised to create, but subconsciously she wanted to see what it would look like.