A true princess in any world leads not by forcing others to bow before her, but by inspiring others to stand with her.
Destiny: the idea that everything which comes to pass is, in some part, predetermined by an otherworldly force following a specific path. To the common citizen of the magical land of Equestria, it is widely believed to exist and has prevailed throughout the nation’s collective consciousness. A being’s purpose comes natural for they are given a mark based on a trait or talent they possess at a young age. Thus, there exists no strife, dread or fear in what their continued existence may mean.
However, some are not always content with their current status. To those ambitious few, they believe their life’s path will result in greatness. Engulfed by the darkness plaguing the interior of Canterlot Castle’s most forbidden section where cobwebs and dust balls were decorations, stood a lone young girl. A unicorn, with a fiery red mane with streaks of yellow. Her eyes were watery, yet they shimmered with a fierce determination as she looked at what laid beyond the mirror. In it’s reflection was who she knew she was meant to become. A goddess, shining brightly much like her mentor who had denied her of her rightful status for too long.
For years, she studied underneath the princess who moved the sun and moon, learning everything there is regarding magic, politics, language, culture, history and so forth. However, the young student could not obtain what she thought was hers, for she became blinded by her hubris and pride. Failing to open her heart to others, she could not become a leader for she wouldn’t let anyone walk behind her. Thus, her teacher wouldn’t let her ascend. She felt betrayed, heartbroken when receiving this news. As a former student of the goddess, Sunset had once admired and worshipped her, seeing her as a guiding light on the path towards greatness.
However, over time, her admiration turned to bitterness, as she felt that she had holding her back and kept her from achieving her true potential. Deciding she can no longer rely on the goddess who strung her along on a false promise, she chose to pursue her destiny on her own.
And so, when she discovered the Crystal Mirror, a magical artifact hidden in Canterlot’s depths which had foretold her ascension. She knew what she had to do.
“You’re wrong, Celestia. I know I’m meant to be an Alicorn, all I have to do is take the step towards it…!”
The goddess appeared behind her, her pure white fur and ethereal multi-coloured mane glowed in it’s majestic glory. Having arrived here via teleportation when she realised what it is her disciple was planning. A frantic expression painting her features whilst she called out to her student, the one who she considered to be the daughter she never had. But she only received a glare in respond, not bothering to give a goodbye. After a gallop, Sunset Shimmer was no longer of this world for she entered the mirror. A blinding white flash filled Celestia’s vision, and when it faded… She was now alone.
“Oh Sunset, if only I could have convinced you of the importance of friendship. The mirror won’t bring you what you want, my beloved student.” A tear forms, and spills on the carpet floor. The princess weeps in the depths of her own castle, “That world holds no harmony, only chaos.” she says between sobs.
Many moons have passed since Sunset Shimmer left the land of Equestria, and Princess Celestia eventually moved on. Though her heart is still struck with regrets, she continues her search for a potential successor. She finds it in one Twilight Sparkle. A talented, studious mage who discovers the magic of friendship, becoming it’s champion alongside the fabled representatives of Harmony. The faithful student even ascends into an Alicorn, promptly being given her own castle and title. However, this is not a story about Twilight Sparkle, nor Princess Celestia. Where evil is defeated through unity and kindness.
This is a story about what goes on the other side: a world where destiny is not a guide and thus, endless possibilities await those who seek to claim them. Those who search for what they desire most, in this world they are called… HUNTERS.
CHAPTER 1: BRAND X NEW X WORLD!
When Sunset stepped into the mirror, the experience could only be described as ‘disorientating’. Her form twisting and changing, spinning across a myriad of vivid colours. Hoofs elongated and became hands, her horn vanishing while her nose shrunk and limbs extended. Her mind hardly had any time processing these sudden and unexpected changes, given it took lasted a few seconds prior to her getting spat out through the other side.
“N-Ngh…”
Course, if the sudden new sensations from her new bipedal form didn’t throw her for a loop, the sudden stench of trash filling her nostrils did. Coughing, she rubbed her eyes which were stung with the smell until her vision finally cleared. It took a while to adjust, her intimate familiarity with her former luxurious lifestyle in Canterlot made the contrast of her current situation hit her hard. Nevertheless, she didn’t let it deter her. Far from it, actually.
“Okay, Sunset. You’re some sort of naked simian right now wearing clothes, strange but must be because I lack any fur. 'Cept my mane, thankfully. Wait, is this…” Her newly formed finger pinched her jacket sleeve, rubbing to get a feel for its material.
“Leather? Ugh, gross. Speaking of gross, am I in some sort of waste dump?” The air smells rancid. Dead, as if she were standing on a pile of corpses. The putrid fumes cause her throat to constrict, and she gags, placing a hand over his her nose and mouth. She never breathed such nauseous air, it was foreign, intrusive. A gloomy sky bears down on her with hot, scalding rays peering through the clouds of pollution.
“Dang it, you’re better than this Sunset. You’re not turning your tail because of how this place smells, your destiny is here. Just gotta figure out what 'here' is…” The heaps of trash she finds herself surrounded by seem to stretch for miles on end, getting up on her feet. She stumbles a bit, not accustomed to her form’s bipedal nature. Thankfully, she keeps her balance and takes a step forward. She lets out a relieved huff, so far so good. She can also still feel her magic, though she noted how she lacked her horn. Which was a problem, one she’ll focus on later.
Hearing the sound of coins shifting, her eyes widened, hastily did she go through her new pockets, making sure she still had her bits with her. “Okay, I still have my money. That's a relief.” Could be useful for later on. Now then, she begins trekking through the wasteland. She kept a brave face, pushing past the awful aroma as she searched for any other intelligent life. Fact she even became another species served as proof enough in her mind, whatever she is now must be an indication that these ape-like creatures were a dominant race. Perhaps this world’s equivalent to equines.
It took an hour and a half until she managed to find another person, several in fact. They were adorned in yellow, baggy suits and had gas masks on their faces. Presumably to endure the harsh fumes of their environment, noticing her presence; the two parties awkwardly stared at each other. Neither certain on what they should say or do. Until one of them leapt down from the pile they stood on and addressed her. His voice deep underneath his attire, ”You’re new, aren’t you?” he asks.
“Sorry, I-I woke up here and was wondering…” He interrupts her by clicking his tongue, seemingly already knowing what’s going on before she even finished judging by his tone.
“You’ve been thrown away, like us. Welcome to Meteor City, kid.”
“Meteor City?” A brow raises, inwardly she objects to being called a kid. She’s a grown mare for crying out loud! Still, she lets him continue.
“Where all things that have been thrown away by the rest of the world go to. Lemme guess, a hostage? Daughter of a wealthy family?” He gestured to her clothing, apparently too pristine or expensive to belong to a civilian here. A scowl forms on Sunset’s lips. How dare he assume she, a princess’s student be considered trash to be tossed aside and forgotten!
… But if Celestia truly cared, why didn’t she follow after her?
Nevertheless, she holds her tongue but her anger is hardly subtle. The man does not react, not like she could see his face anyway.
“Eh, doesn’t matter. Nevertheless, you should come with us. We’re heading to the Church to drop off things from our excursion. The elder can help in getting you settled.” He says, pointing a thumb at a strange looking vehicle behind him. It resembled a carriage, having four wheels but was made with metal of all things! It carried a heap of plastic trash bags loaded onto it by the other men in yellow suits, and she didn’t detect even a slimmer of magic powering it. Sunset had never seen anything like it before, her anger dissipating and replaced by pure curiosity when looking at it.
“I… Sure.”
Entering the steel contraption, she gazed through the glass window. The machine hummed and let out a growl, akin to a slumbering dragon. It nearly made her jump out of her skin, heart beating a couple hundred miles per hour. What kind of world did she end up in? It began moving, and Sunset would let herself stew in her own thoughts after calming down, not speaking a word to anyone else.
This place, nay this world was nothing like she’d ever experienced before in Equestria. Still, she believed it to be naught more than a stepping stone for her. She no intention on letting herself stay in this wasteland, surrounded by filth and trash. She sees a couple kids, covered head-to-toe in scoot, dirt and other grime playing with each other. It looked like a game of hoofball, that is if the ball looked around a hundred years old. It only incited disgust within her, this whole place did.
“… A city of discarded things, huh?” She muttered underneath her breath.
Something had been taken from her, something she knew she deserved to have. She, who had once been considered precious was ignored and neglected in favour of something else.
“Why HER? Of all the ponies!? She’s nowhere near qualified to become a princess!”
“I feared you would say that, even now you don’t really understand what that title really means.”
She was going to take it back, take it all back and nothing will stop her. Not Celestia, not Cadance, not anypony. Perhaps it’s fitting she’d end up here, it’d only make climbing to the top all the more sweeter. Sunset Shimmer will rise from this world's garbage bin, so far flung from civilization, and her name will become common knowledge to all who live underneath the stars. She is certain of it, beyond a shadow of a doubt. No matter what obstacles she’ll have to end up facing, she will succeed because the only alternative was to fail and thus, prove them right, and she would not allow that to happen.
If anypony could survive and thrive in such an circumstance, it might as well be Sunset Shimmer. It is her destiny, after all.
”WE'LL ACCEPT ANYTHING YOU LEAVE HERE, BUT DON'T EVER TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM US.”
Next time, on HUNTING X FOR X DREAM! Sunset Shimmer familiarizes herself with this strange new world and decides to become a Hunter! She meets a kid named Gon, who’s also aspiring to be one himself much like his long-lost father before him. The two meet trouble, possibly ruining their chances of entering the exam! Can they make it, or will their dreams end up being cut short? HUNTING X FOR X DREAM, second chapter: UNUSUAL X FRIENDS!