Rainbow Dash never got that Sonic Rainboom to work. She never met five other ponies destined for the same great purpose she had. She never even heard of the Elements of Harmony.

All she remembers these days are the sudden appearance of the Crystal Empire and the constant war that rages between it and Equestria.

As King Sombra grows in power, twisting the Crystal Empire's innate magic for his own dark purposes, the Equestrian forces find themselves in a war quickly shifting in the enemy's favor. Against the encroaching tide of oppressive tyranny and darkness, even the stoutest of Equestria's heroes have begun to tire.

Second Lt. Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolt division of the EUP guard, has been sent to Canterlot, where a special weapon is said to be developed, a weapon that could save Equestria and put an end to the war.

Instead of a mystical sword or a massive cannon, Rainbow Dash returns to the battle front with a small baby dragon in her care.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Limited gore (i.e. blood, violent death) in later chapters

Written for the Fifth SpikeDash Competition: Alternate Universes.