This is a work that is non-canon to the original Cheerilee's Garden. Please support the official story.

We all know the story.

Once upon a time, a schoolteacher became a serial child killer, and Twilight, while ripping her to shreds, inadvertently got painted the killer in a murder case.

When even her mentor had given up faith, Twilight threw herself from the roof, and thus began the rise of the Solar Empire...

...but what if Twilight, by some interference, had snuck her way to the mirror?

Escaped from an undeserved noose, Twilight Sparkle attempts to piece her life, traumatized by Cheerilee's torture and Equestria's lack of faith in her, back together, with the help of one last pillar of hope.

Sunset Shimmer, jarred from her corrupt ambition by the untimely arrival of a new girl wearing the Element of Magic who she suspects is Equestrian, almost handing it to her on a platter, finds herself learning the true magic of friendship and leaning away from her old plans as she attempts to help Twilight through her attempts to make a new life, away from a world that blames her for the deaths of its people.

But then again, some things never stop haunting us.

I know, this is a jarring paradigm shift.

But I read this story, and while I want somepony to write a story where Celestia goes Daybreaker and makes everypony pay, I want Twilight to find her peace.

Hence, I want to try to give Twilight a true caring shoulder to lean on (and redeem Sunset in the process.)

As for how an exhausted and depleted Twilight escapes jail and somehow stumbles on the mirror in that rare three-day window?

Let's just say that certain forces have conspired to facilitate Twilight's escape.

Oh, I wish Flash wasn't dying... so the stealth sequence would have some interactivity.

I would try to wean you off the dark side, but honestly, I had certain plans.

Gore tag for nightmares. Not quite sure if I want to ship in this one, but right now, I think a Dark Thriller fits perfectly. And no, I don't want Twilight to face the human counterparts.

Hmm... will I have the Bio-Ether scenario in this? Time will tell.