You've read this scene before.

Losing her friends was the start of a self-destructive spiral for Sunset Shimmer. Convinced that she will never escape the echoes of her past, she tries to take her own life.

The attempt leaves her severely injured and she falls unconscious. In her dreams, she is visited by Princess Luna. They have much to discuss, whether Sunset likes it or not.

TV Tropes page
Drawing of Sunset used in cover art is by Xaztein

It's time for Twilight to learn how to raise the sun too.

Written for the Writeoff's Keep Pretending prompt.

Twilight Sparkle, though aware that her life would undoubtedly have unexpected turns, never once imagined something like this. A dream, or perhaps, something more than that. Visions of another mare, so very much like her, who wishes to speak with her. A mare who looks to this young earth pony, and sees potential. And perhaps, just maybe, a chance to learn of her life, and impart a little bit of wisdom here and there.

Cover art by the incredibly talented NekasZer0

With Equestria's magic back where it belongs, Twilight's school continues with its lessons into the Magic of Friendship. With classes finished for the day, however, Twilight decides it's time she finally investigated the chambers beneath the school. There she will have the chance to talk with a being she'd only dreamed of getting the chance to talk to:

The Tree of Harmony.

Proofread and edited by RQK.

On a journey to a place seven hundred fifty million miles away, Twilight yearns for home.

Rainbow Dash sometimes flies high for Wonderbolt training, higher than almost any other pegasus. Up there, it's just her, the earth, and the sky. It's more than enough to give a whole different perspective on things.

A teenage Twilight Sparkle asks Princess Celestia a complicated question with a simple answer.

A lone urban explorer has found the body of a deceased woman. Her name: Sunset Shimmer. She rests upon a book that glows as it beckons to be read.

Though her body is cold, something stirs. The explorer will find out the hard way that some bodies are better left undisturbed.

---You might like this story if you also like---
Sunset Shimmer
Twilight Sparkle
The Human World
Humans Solving Problems
Messages of Forgiveness
Stories of Isolation
Nightmare Scenarios
Perfect Story for an Audio-Book Reading

--Update: Slot 32 in Popular Column as of 7:05PM CST Oct 4th, 2016 Tues
--Update: Slot 7 in Featured Box Between 7:05PM-7:56PM CST Oct 4, 2016 Tues
--Update: Slot 5 in Featured Box 2:29PM CST Oct 5, 2016 Wed
--Update: Slot 4 in Featured Box 2:33PM CST Oct 5, 2016
--Update: Slot 3 in Featured Box 3:01PM CST Oct 5, 2016 - Hot Status
--Update: Slot 2 in Featured Box 3:10 PM CST Oct 5, 2016 - Hot Status
--UPDATE: SLOT 1 in FEATURED BOX 5:33PM CST Oct 5, 2016! FINALLY!
Thank you everypony! ;_;
(I'm just really excited it's stayed in the Featured Box this long. I haven't had this happen in four years /)(^0^)(\ )
(Thank you, Doctor-Disco for sending me the Slot 7 Screenshot!)

In a world of snakes and ladders, Rarity has had to learn a single, simple fact:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single mare who desires recognition and success must, without a doubt, be a social-climbing bitch.

Edited version of my entry to Everfree Northwest's Iron Author competition. Special thanks to Swan Song for the encouragement, support, and for believing in this story strongly enough to throw money at it when I was ready to give up on it.

Amazing cover art by the fantastic lilfunkman