Walking down the streets of Canterlot, Equestria's capital, I keep to the shadows, my blue hooded jacket concealing most of my form. Simple dark blue jeans and a black scarf complete my attire. I prefer to stay in the shadows and away from others, not wanting anyone to hear the obscenities I often mutter under my breath. Most of these are directed at myself.

"First day of school, well shit" I grumble to myself. "This is gonna be so redundant, but if I don't go, it's gonna raise eyebrows with the folks." I sigh as I continue my solitary stroll.

"Yeah, when I was in high school, some stuff was useful or important, like basic fucking algebra, but I could have sworn they taught that in middle school too. Damn, I almost finished tech school too, and now... I'm starting over from what is basically high school again... great. At least fate had the decency to give me the correct gender and roughly the right age for my new body, albeit a little younger. Still not used to that, having a new body, a new life. Damn, I hate thinking about this. Anyways, I need to figure out how to expedite my ass to graduate early, assuming I want to spend as little time in as possib-"

Clonk. I collided with something. My lack of spatial awareness has led to a bruise getting first class tickets for my FUCKING HEAD and startlingly, a narrow escape from being impaled by a unicorn's horn as I looked up bleary eyed.

"Oops! Oh, my goodness, I'm sooooo sorry!" exclaims a purple unicorn mare with blue hair, a purple stripe matching her tail. Her glasses sit just below her eyes, and she wears a semi-formal white dress shirt and a black skirt. She reaches down to help me, apologizing profusely.

I remove my hood to reveal my face, a gray thestral stallion with striking golden-orange eyes, albeit with cat-like slit pupils. My bat wings, covered in leathery black membranes, twitch slightly. My mane transitions from silver to light blue at the tips. I notice the mare's initial surprise at my appearance but remain unfazed. But it took all the strength within me not to yelp when our eyes met.

Well fuck I just ran into what is definitely this world's version of Twilight Sparkle, clearly ascended into an alicorn; because why would being an anthro change whether she ascended or not? But is she running the country yet? I couldn’t find out anything about a School of Friendship or Celestia or Luna retiring. Shit dude, focus up.

"Other than the massive fucking bruise YOU gave me, it's fine," I deadpan, oblivious to the unicorn mare's cringe at my choice of words. I casually swear like a sailor, as if it's nothing out of the ordinary, my voice maintaining a monotone cadence. It's clear that my spilled textbooks and papers are now scattered all over the cobblestone sidewalk. I look around and say, “Well I better start picking up my shit. Excuse me.”

As She and I exchanged awkward glances as we stood up, I started to get uncomfortable with her looking at me like she's sizing me up. Her gentle and inquisitive lavender eyes studied me for a moment, and then she smiled warmly, as if she brushed off my earlier choice of words. "No harm done," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "Accidents happen. Allow me to help you gather your things."

With her magical prowess, Twilight Sparkle levitated my scattered textbooks and papers back into my arms. I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude mixed with embarrassment and fear as she effortlessly restored my belongings into my bag all neat and tidy.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle," she introduced herself, her tone friendly and welcoming. "And you are?"
I hesitated for a moment, realizing I had not introduced myself properly.

Shit. Say something moron before she starts getting weird like the other mares.
A mocking and spiteful voice calls out from deep within his mind; one he cares not to hear from. No fault of your own of course, lady killer. Hehehe.
OH, I AM SO NOT DEALING NOT DEALING WITH YOUR SHIT TODAY. STAY QUIET.

"I'm Eclipse," I replied, trying to muster a more polite tone. Shaking my head clear of my thoughts. "Nice to meet you."

Twilight Sparkle's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Eclipse, that's an interesting name. Are you new to Canterlot? I don't recall seeing you around before." I nodded, feeling slightly more at ease with her friendly demeanor.

At least she is not acting as weird as Tulip, or her little entourage. Twilight regardless of how old she got seems to have stayed the nerd; and was the nerdiest of her friends with basically zero fucking rizz. I don’t think I have to worry about her in particular going predator mode on me but ill keep my guard up.

"Yeah, I just moved here. I am starting at the Equestrian Prep-school of New Horizons today. It's my first day.”
Twilight Sparkle's smile widened. "Ah, how exciting! I'm here to give the opening ceremony for the school. It's a wonderful place, and I'm sure you'll have a great time here."

"I hope so," I replied, with as much faked optimism as I could muster. "Thanks for helping me out, Ma’am."
She waved off my thanks with a gracious nod. "No problem at all, and please just call me Twilight, ok Eclipse? If you ever need assistance or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy your time at the academy, and I hope to see you around."

With that, Twilight Sparkle bid me farewell, heading toward the school's entrance to prepare for the opening ceremony. I watched her go, feeling a mixture of awe and relief. With a deep breath, I gathered my belongings, straightened my jacket, and made my way into the school.

The large looming monolithic complex in the distance pulling me closer like a magnet, walking closer to it oddly fills me with dread despite its bright colors and cheery soft architecture that basically screams ‘this is a safe place, trust us!’

But after I woke up and had my first impressions with this world... I just simply cannot. Not after what she said...

“If we find your soul wanting, we will have you bare judgment before the moon and stars.”

I snap from my daze and continue towards the monolithic building offering a new horizon.
One I will take every opportunity to carve my future out from nothing.

Chapter 2: Abyssal Surrogate

I finally made it to the entrance for the EPSNH and it was something to behold; Above the arched entrance made of a gleaming platinum, there is an engraved school crest featuring various symbols representing different magical creatures. Three Hands outstretch from the center of a star, the star is embroidered with the flags and iconography of what I can only assume to be untold millennia of culture. Surrounding the Star is what can only be described as a depiction of the globe, the sun behind to the left; the moon to the right. The white stone bricks tower into the sky on a scale that nearly matches Canterlot Castle.

The main entrance features ornate double doors made of rich, polished wood, with stained glass panels depicting scenes of what can be assumed to be a peaceful world, a world that converged and learned to exist in brotherhood.
Looking at the doors filled me with nausea and a moment of terror, like looking down at the razor maw of a great white. I stood still in place a scant 20 feet from the doors letting other students pass me by, most seem to be giving me a decently wide berth which was unfortunate.

Unfortunate as drawing attention was gonna happen from freezing up where I did. Yeah, turns out just standing there in a stupor, feeling an absolute nightmare blunt rotation of emotions, leaves you oblivious to your surroundings and like in my old world when driving a car; sometimes there is a car wreck. As someone who also did not notice me collided with my back, sending us sprawling onto the cobblestone.

“Watch it will you!” I looked up to see an ebony gryphon with emerald eyes and gray fur.

“Seriously another one?” I did not know I said this aloud but come on it's barely been an hour and I have already had two fucking collisions.

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” The gryphon quickly stands with an athletic handspring but refuses to offer a hand to help me up. As he continues to stand over me for a second, he starts to grin in a way I DID NOT like. But whatever mischievous shit was going through his mind was derailed as a campus-wide announcement was made for all to hear.
How? Magic or some shit man; I got scared when Twilight as well as a Cadence, suddenly appeared on a big projection above the entrance out of fucking NOWHERE and with a happy smile said to all students entering the building.

“Attention and good morning all current and newly admitted students and visitors, please make your way to the auditorium so we may commence the opening ceremony for this fall’s new year. School staff inside will lead you newer students, so you do not get lost.”
Cadence jumps in and adds, “But let's be honest there's going to be a few curious explorers, I'm betting some are hearing this lost looking for a bathroom!” Her giggle had contagious properties, and many students around me started to laugh too.
The gryphon turns to me after the projection blinks out of existence suddenly and says, “Watch yourself, this place is competitive and it'll chew you up and spit you out.” He says puffing up his chest but, like what am I supposed to say to that?

“Uhhhh.”
“...”
Brilliant jackass, now he's just staring again.

“Whatever dude you seem to be a bit overwhelmed anyways so that warning was me going easy on you this time, next you better be good at something, give me a good show of sorts or I’m going to be disappointed. TRUST ME. You do not want to do that newbie.”

“I don’t.... even know you?”

This was not the right answer apparently.
He flicks my snout and says “WELL let me enlighten you. Raven is the name, and I am going to rule this school even AFTER I graduate, which ill be at the top of the class.” Ok he's definitely the jackass now, like chill out for fuck's sake.

“Well then, anyways I’m Eclipse. Guess I gotta make my way to the auditorium.”
Short and sweet; let's just try to ignore this insane bird and get through this shit.

Reaching the threshold of the grand entrance, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. But Raven was not done with me.
“So why did you enroll?” He asks with arms crossed, trying to feign interest. “Not many thestrals enroll so what's with you?”
Two things. First why the fuck do you want to know, you a fed? Second. What? Thestrals don’t enroll?

I take a few glances around me and see that yes, I'm the only “Bat Pony” attending the school and by extension the only one in broad daylight.

No one from the compound came with me, maybe they go to different schools? I’m way too oblivious for my own good.
…...
Fuck why am I here?

It was a genuine question, of which I had a few similar like; What am I even doing? What was the fucking point of arriving here? If I could get back home, would I?

*******************************************************************************************************

7 months ago in Equestria, 7 miles outside of Sires Hollow, in the center of the Quarantine Sector.

The small town of Sires Hollow was once the largest home to the equestrian thestral population. While their numbers declined with banishment of the lunar sister and consequently went into hiding outside of Equestria; some stayed to pledge loyalty to the solar princess and were given refuge in the mount Canter horn cave system, a large sprawling labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that could easily fit half the current modern day thestral population in all Equestria. Granted it would be a tight fit.

In the years after, the thestral population receded past a critical point and were considered an endangered species before being thought of as rumor and legend for multiple centuries afterwards. But with the return of the cleansed and reformed lunar sister who was ready to take the mantle of responsibility hand in hand with her sister, the rest of Equestria was given quite the shock when the rumored evil “Bat Ponies” or “Shadow Ponies” returned. They brought their new culture with them from the years outside their homeland. But that’s not all they brought; for they have in years past created a “new” religion “The Umbral Embrace” and revived a long-forgotten form of magic of which they have intrinsically linked to their religious practices called “Stellar Weaving.”

The Umbral Embrace teaches that nightmares are not merely dreams but omens and messages from Umbra, their deity of worship. The Thestrals seek guidance through dreams, believing that only those who confront their deepest fears in the dream realm can unlock the full potential of their powers.
They use the magical art of Stellar Weaving to commune with the stellar bodies and the stars to receive wisdom in the form of visions, as well as create or dispel shadows with physical mass, manipulate dreams or cleanse them of nightmares, and the creation of esoteric curses and enchantments.

This definitely had the equestrian population off put to say the least. When they learned of how what was once thought of as a scary story to tell foals was real, it practiced strange scary magics, AND was asking to let them be your neighbors? It did not go well at first, but it is now all in the past. Sire’s Hollow even had a slight uptick in its population.

This brings us to the changes as a sickly green light of its north forest horizon lingers. Something happened during the fight between the two sisters and the forest north of Sires Hollow was... affected. Now called the Quarantine Zone, the Q-Zone or if you're one of the locals “The Jade Forest” for stories say that those that enter the forest are touched by a jade light. They either do not come out at all, or they come out changed. Changed so horrifically they wished they died... there was even a report of one who wished they ‘stayed dead.’

The curious but dangerous forest gained infamy on its own standing toe to toe or more aptly roots-to-roots with The Everfree forest; a forest dangerous for its chaotic nature and overabundance of monstrous beasts that rarely leave the tree lines.

If you asked a citizen of Sires Hollow this day, they would have said they were spooked by how the forest lights seemed to glow much brighter than usual. Some were woken up even thinking it was daytime. But they would not be able to say much else on the matter, as they have staunchly refused to even acknowledge The Jade Forest unless absolutely necessary. So, you can Imagine the whole towns surprise when a young-adult thestral was seen carried by ponies in protective suits while strapped down to a gurney. Thrashing about violently as if he was in great pain. The worst part was his screams, they were more akin to the pained growls and howling of a dog that lost its leg. All while the same sickly jade light pouring out of his eyes.