Sunset Shimmer never defeated a powerful alicorn to conquer the world and become a princess. She's just a student at Canterlot High School.

But sometimes, she has unpleasant dreams she can't explain.

This story might be an entry in Imposing Sovereigns IV, using the prompt Sunset Shimmer / Persistence. ('Harmony' and 'Strength' would also be possibilities.)

Prereaders: Punished Bean, sirenc0re. As usual, responsibility for the story's faults remains my own, as do my limitations and shortcomings in trying to apply the prereaders' feedback and advice.