Still in the hospital.

Waking up felt like fresh hell. I was sweating like a dog and my joints were sore. Opening my eyes, they quickly focus in on the stark white hospital patients room. To my left was two doors, one I recognized stumbling into. To my right was two windows with silky white curtains flowing in a draft that cools me to the touch.

I sat up, taking deep breaths. For many long moments I was lost and reeling from so much. Too much. It was too hard to even articulate that I was…..what? Sent to another world? One from a fucking tv show of all things? Became a damn furry? ‘And why am I naked and so fucking sweaty?’

I desperately needed a distraction from everything and soon. I knew I had a nightmare but the specifics of it are faded from memory; still…..I remember the uncontrollable frustration and the feelings of being trapped, pissed off, and a sadness I don’t want to properly describe without the risk of feeling it again. All i know is something did all this to me. I felt so weak and……hollow?

A knock on the door and the appearance of a pony nurse gave me exactly what i needed to aim my thoughts at something tangible than the current intangible mania.‘A pony. I can’t deny any of this now. I’m in some damn furry equestria.’

“Oh you’re awake again! Hello little one, I am Nurse Violet Willow, and I was told to come a do some routine medical and magical check ups for you…..but we didn’t have a name for you on file.” The tan cream coated unicorn mare with, as her name sake suggested, a violet mane; looked at a clipboard with a puzzled look at the mention of no name. I hope she didn’t see me flinch at the mention of it. Cause now things perfectly seemed to click. My situation at least. “Would you mind telling me your name?”

I wanted to tell her my name but there was the obvious issue being I literally couldn’t for….some reason, but also there might be a problem if I do. Its very…..un-pony.

‘Damnit; If I can’t tell her my name, would saying I don’t have one be accurate? Or that I don’t remember one? If I say I don’t have one, someone might step up to name me and I don’t like the thought of being named again when I know mine already. But if I say I don’t remember it I can take the time to make one thats more pony-like.’

“I don’t remember it….or much else. I’m sorry.” Its as close to the truth as it technically gets. If I tried to tell them my real name for whatever reason, I don’t think I could without it looking like I’m struggling to remember it.

The nurse has a sad look on her face before approaching me from the side of my hospital and resting her hand on my forehead. “No more fever, thats good at least. Lucky for you, it could have broke in your sleep but I still need to run a series of checkups; especially after a certain somepony nearly needed stitches.”

I took this moment to ask, “Hey Miss Violet? Where are my clothes? I don’t like being naked.”

She snickered at that. “Sorry, but the clothes you were wearing, when you were brought to this hospital, were covered in filth and the robes we originally gave you were already quite rank. Ive got another patients gown I need you to put on before I start with your routine check up.”

I asked Miss Violet where I was at; While I knew I was in a hospital, that was clear enough but where exactly am I? “We’re currently In Canterlot, this is the royal medical ward.”

‘Pause! Did she say royal? As in princesses?! I’m not sure why, but I feel I’m in a lot of trouble for some reason.’

Putting on the hospital gown and following the nurse out of my room I got to see the riveting view of stark white hallways, brown doors, and tile floors. All very clinical, all very sterile and clean. ‘Being in the Royal Ward can only mean so many things. What could’ve spurred one of the most important, powerful, and influential individuals on the planet or at least someone associated with them to bring me here? What the hell is happening? Did I do something? Everything about this situation is just too fucking weird.’

The walk to wherever she was taking me for a check up didn’t take long but the whole time she would hold me by my hand and firmly held on. Sometimes pushing me closer to her side if I walk too far away. I was a little scared to try and fight my way out of her grip, she was at least two and a half feet taller than me, or was I just small?

“Um…miss?” Violet Willow looked down.

“What is it hun?” I tried to shake my hands free, amounting to a vain struggle, as we started passing more nurses.

“Can you let go please? I can follow you jus fine, an you never said where we goin.” I tried not to sound nervous but She looked at me incredulously….for some reason.

“Hun you’re barely able to walk, have you seen how shaky your little knees are? No sir young colt! Besides where almost at the lab.”

I was on autopilot for so long I didn’t notice how much of our walk was, more or less, me being dragged around by violet and being pulled closer incase I started to trip or fall-

“That’s it, just one step at a time. I’ll be right at your side the whole step of the way.”

‘What is up with this woman? I’m not some damn lost child, not to mention shes being overly friendly for a nurse…’

-Which apparently was quite a lot. I had essentially zero control over my feet? Hooves. ‘Ugh…’ Either way I was only just finding out how different my legs are, and how hard it was to keep my balance for extended periods.

“Here we are.” The lab was simple but clinical. Inside the room was assumedly a doctor but there was also someone else. It was another pony but the attire wasn’t of hospital staff.

“First off, we need to a magic scan, we’ll follow that up with a physical. Afterwards, Miss Craftwind would like to talk to you for just a teensy bit!” My nurse said while gesturing to a brown mare with a blonde mane and tail. ‘I wonder what she wants to talk with me about. Wait? Am I actually in trouble?!’

I was told to lie down on an examination chair with the shitty wax paper on it. Afterwards it was mostly a regular physical given by normal doctors on earth. Theres one detail, I’m not even sure I want to talk about it though, is that I forgot that a physical requires you to be inspected EVERYWHERE. Hence the hospital gown.

Things felt slow and dragged on. I was starting to feel anxious as the the other pony, Craftwind is what the nurse called her, was just studying me intensely from the other side of the room scratching something on a clipboard. The nurse while ‘inspecting’ me moved her hands to an area I did not expect and I covered my privates with both hands reflexively.

‘Dude get a fucking hold of yourself and act like an adult.’
Regardless I was finding out more and more how I’ve….regressed. Physically and Emotionally.

My face was hot with even more embarrassment after she was done with doing…..that, its been years since I’ve had a physical that in depth. “And done! Now I’ll be back in a jiff little one, There are some very nice ponies wanting to meet you soon.”

That last bit stomped the embarrassment out of me and I had to know what she meant. “Wait what do you mean?” But she was gone leaving me with-

“Ahem….hello there. Do you have a name? Mine is Cellia Craftwind, I work with lost and orphaned foals in Canterlot and a few other cities but we didn’t find anypony who recognized you, can you tell me about yourself?”

“…” ‘I dont talk to feds bitch.’ Not to mention talking about my life would be impossible to believe.

“I can’t." She scribbled more onto the clipboards paper I couldn't see.

“But why can’t you? Is something wrong dear?”

“I….I can’t remember.” A lie but it works for now. Its Just that I gotta keep my story straight in the future.

"Alright. Do you know who brought you to this hospital?”

“…..no ma’am.” To be honest it was the one thing I was meaning to ask the nurse.

“Two days ago you were brought in by Princess Luna, you were found in the jade forest. Do you remember living near that forest or at least the town of Hollow Vane?”

Aside from mentioning the princess, those names in particular were meaningless to me. But that cleared up one thing; ‘why in the hell was I in a forest?’

I was still stunned, beyond stunned. I got my answer and I was fucking blue-screened. System goddamn ERROR code: ME. All i could do was shake my head slowly.

“The princess had taken a vested interest in your health and safety. After conducting a search anyone to claim you as their own, and finding nopony; She took some liberties. You should be quite happy and grateful.” After all of that she continued to look at my with a raised eyebrow.

“Uh, what’s going to happen to me?”

“To put it plainly she has reached out to a longstanding friend. Who has offered to take you in as a foster. This would allow you to avoid going to any orphanage. She even expressed it would be in your best interest if you avoided going to one all together at least in Canterlot.”

“Um. Thanks? But who are they? Why would they take care of someone they know nothing about?”

‘And whats wrong with going to an orphanage? Ok I’m not complaining about the prospect but I guess this is something to find out later.’

“….someone…..” she lingered for a bit at that.

“Umm whats wrong?”

“Oh it’s nothing. Not long after you’re released from the hospitals care you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask them yourself.” She said a nurse would get me in a few minutes and she left out the door I entered.

“Wellllll. Shit.”

The Royal labs.

Nurses and Doctors work with equipment and the newest 'sample' has been put under scrutiny.

"Doctor the blood sample here has some strange particulates mixed in the blood cell count."

"Huh, I was going to suggest maybe it was collected improperly but I'm seeing we have a new medical mystery on our hands. Who was this collected from again?"

"A nameless Batari colt that was recently admitted into the hospital sir. Lab results came back mostly normal; average height, approximately 13 years old, muscle atrophy in the wings, and some signs of malnourishment. Only thing that stands out is the blood test and the thaumatic test.”

“And what happened with the latter?”

“We’re not sure. Results all came null, I’m not sure what to make of that…”

"I see…and where is he now?"

"He was given over to a family that resides in Hallow Vane that offered to take care of him."

"A shame..." 'I wonder, what are you hiding colt? Why does your blood contain aberrant songbird? Its hymn is wondrous, I'm looking forward to meeting you. Yes some day or another we’ll cross paths and when we do, I’ll enjoy listening to the music you make.' The Doctor takes the vial of blood and hides it in is coat, the color changing from red to and Inky black with cracks and wisps of florescent green.

"Doctor?" the nurse replies confused almost taken aback by the odd face her senior was making.

"Oh sorry it’s nothing; I just remembered something that put me in a good mood."

At the same time in the Lunar guest room.

Princess luna stands before an old friend and her family. Niria Shadowheart, the current matron of the Batari of Hallow Vane. With her are her two daughters Aurora and Lilliana; as well as her partner and former agent of the crown, Lotus Silk.

The daughters were in their teens, both sharing their mother’s dark charcoal coat.

Aurora, the youngest at 16 had a bright crystal green and blue mane that curled to the side, her tail sharing the color except for the white the fades at the tip. Lilliana, the oldest at 18 had ruby red streaks in her dark purple hair, that flowed to the shoulders.

Lotus Silk, standing in contrast to all of them with a dark purple coat, flowing white mane and a long split tail; was found across from her spouses children. All present were finely focused on what their princess was telling them.

“With as little information we had on him I need you to understand that I would only ask this of someone I could deeply trust. Niria you have aided and abetted me more times than I can count. So what are your thoughts?”

“Hmmm.” Niria expression was neutral but after seeing her daughters excited expressions she clocked the war of attrition her mind would go through denying them something like this.

“Moooooooom please! We’ll take such good care of him. I just can’t wait to meet him, I feel I’m going to explode!” Aurora was bursting at the seems with excitement as her wings went wild in her seat.

“Mom can you please listen to Aurora this time? Auntie luna just wants to protect him and she chose us!” Lilliana pleaded.

Niria laughed, she was already planning to accept Luna’s proposal as soon as she heard she could take in and raise a colt. Why? They are seen as precious to the batari as the reduced male birthrate among ponies regularly is highly exaggerated to, in recent times, dangerous proportions. With only 1 in 20 batari, an already minor portion of the pony population, being male in comparison to the 1 in 5 ratio in regular ponies. The reasons for this disparity remains unknown.

“Luna. All you described is a lost foal needing a home; I really appreciate that you came to me with this. Of course I’ll take him in.”

This getting excited “scree” from aurora, catching everyone present off guard with the sudden Increase in volume.

“Aurora control yourself!” Fussed Lilliana.

*knock knock knock*

This got the attention of everyone, prompting Lotus to head for the doors.

It wasn’t two minutes before the same nurse that escorted me down here returned. Good news is she gave me my clothes I woke up in before, but all cleaned. We didn’t say much, but in this awkward silence I was definitely much more aware of how much I just COULDNT walk on my own two feet. Hooves. ‘FUCK!’

A wave of exhaustion came through me when the fed left and now? Now I get what she meant when I couldn’t stay standing upright. Stumbling, swaying, and nearly tripping an embarrassing amount of times of which IM NOT SAYING. Oh she’s also carrying me now by the way.

‘This is so fucking degrading for my mental health but why does it feel so cozy. Wait is she laughing?’

‘One the one hand, it’s incredibly emasculating to be cradled like a new born. One the other…..honestly I feel I could pass out and sleep right here and now, she so warm. Are all ponies this warm? Fur coats are wild man.’

“Alright they should be right in here.” The nurse stopped infront of a pair of double doors. As she set me down on my feet- hooves, she knocked on the door three times.

Opening the door I was greeted with a tall Dark Purple Bat Pony woman with silver hair. She kneels down to be eye-level with me and grabs one of my hands with both of hers.

“Greetings little one, My name is Lotus Silk. I heard you’ve been in the hospital for a few days now. Are you feeling well?” I only nod my head.

“Please step inside, my family and someone very special would like to see you.” She looks at me with an expectant warm smile.

“Uh……ok…” My voice shaking and barely above a whisper, as I nod my head again.

The room was a cool blue dark waiting room with cozy couches and a coffee table. Standing In the center was 3 more bat ponies and- ‘Holy fucking huge moon lady.’

Luna is an alicorn, and by all accounts from what I remembered of the show all of them except the newer ones were much taller than the average pony right? That usually means they grow larger with time and age. Ok so color my face in shock and awe because this lady is like 8 feet tall, which was basically double my height.

Luna comes closer and kneels down to eye-level. “Im glad to see you look well, I’m Princess Luna and I found you during a….recent trip I went on. Nopony here wants to hurt you, quite the opposite. I would like you to listen closely now. Can you do that?”

“Y-y-yyes.” I could only accept. To go against someone this important after causing so much trouble would be disrespectful and suicidal.

“We would like to investigate into the whereabouts of your sire and dam and we haven’t been able to find anything.” Makes sense you wouldn’t ever find traces of humans here.

“You said you don’t remember anything including your name. Do you even know how you got into the Jade Forest?” Never heard that till now. This is also starting to feel like an interrogation. It unnerved me greatly.

“I….I’ve never heard of that forest in particular and I dunno whats been goin on since I woke up earlier.”

“Is that all?” Was all she said but, it felt like a red dot suddenly appeared on my forehead.

“I-I-I don’t know why I’m h-here, why this is happening or *snif* what I’m supposed to do!”

I looked down and my fists felt sweaty, I saw the floor was closer than before like the pressure of the room was compressing my height. Something about this felt wrong. But above all else I couldn’t focus.

For everypony present they were confused before realizing the colt in the middle of all of them was having a panic attack. It first started when he slowly looked down and wouldn’t raise his head to meet eyes with luna, then the rising and falling of his chest started to get more pronounced before his knees buckled. Dropping to the floor as he starts to hyperventilate, tears falling onto the carpeted flooring.

Niria and her family were stunned for a moment before loudly jumping into action to help. Help being in the form of Niria, firmly but quietly, said “Everypony move aside.”

Niria quickly moves to the colt, picks him up in a warm hug against her chest and carefully moves to the couch where she lays down across it longways. All the while rubbing and massaging with her fingers behind his ears and along the length of his weakly splayed out wings.

“Shhhh. Its ok. Its ok. Everything is going to be ok. I can tell you’ve been through a lot little one. Its ok. Just focus on my voice. And inhale. *inhale* Good then exhale like this. *exhale* Good you’re doing great.”

Gaining focus and a clearer head, I felt warm yet safe. When I angled my head to look up I found the face of a Charcoal gray bat pony with bright red ruby eyes and long flowing black hair that had an orange fiery etherealness at its ends wearing a black cotton turtleneck sweater. She was looking at me warmly and I soon realized my face was just moments ago buried in her chest and my face lit up red with super embarrassment. “Shit! I’m so sorry ma’am!” After closing my eyes and turning my head to make their gazes pierce my skin a little less. I started to hear…laughing?

Turning to who was laughing was the bat pony who greeted me at the door. “Whats funny?” I say it with a little embarrassment. “Someone better start explaining whats going on!”

“I didn’t expect a colt to have such a potty mouth. Sorry it’s just that everypony heres a little excited. Before we have introduction’s I think Niria still has one more thing she wants to say.” She nods towards the Mare next to me on the couch who I’ve been trying my best not to look at. She shifts closer to me on the couch.

“Little one I’m sorry If me or my children startled you. When I saw you having a panic attack I just leapt into doing my job as a mother.” She says all the while rubbing my back softly, tracing small circles around the lower back before I felt a sharp jab under the skin.

Everypony present after thinking things couldn’t get more hectic are proven wrong again as the colt suddenly yelps as his wings extend straight up.

“Oh my goodness, thats a sign you haven’t used your wings in a while~.” She purred.

‘Well thats because I’ve NEVER used them’

The rest of Niria’s family took this moment to all slide onto the couch while luna remained standing.

“Now that we’ve all settled down a bit, lets try this again.” Luna starts and motions her hands to Me.

“It would be well and good if everypony here had something to refer to you as, young colt.”

“I-I-I I have a freaking name! I just…just….gaaaahhhh!” Defeatedly throwing my head down as i pulled my legs closer to my chest I couldn’t contain myself, not from crying, but from being so pissed off and just swearing loudly. At the same time a headache starts to develop the more I think of my name, mouthing it out, sounding it in my head. I struggle to meakly and quietly say “g-g-gr-grey.”

“Gray? Is that your name?” Luna asks and I slowly nod my head once. A part of my thought maybe to maybe if I just added a little more It would be a proper pony sounding name. This would settle this issue for a while hopefully and also maybe it’ll fix the headache that’s gotten worse.

“grey is just what my friends called me.” One of the bat ponies sitting next to me with a bright green and blue mane startled me when she suddenly spoke up.

“Oooh gray is your nickname! But why do they call you that?”
I shuddered hearing a stranger say it but shrugged, "prolly just cuz of muh looks?"

“Aurora its rude to ask questions that can make somepony uncomfortable.” Chided Niria

“Actually I’m….I’m sorry I shouldn’t have shouted at you.” I took a moment and focused enough. “If what I understand is right. I should be grateful if you’re taking me in regardless of the circumstances.”

Lotus mentions how mature that sounded coming from a young colt. “May I ask how old you are dear?”

‘FUCK SHIT FUCK’

“I’m like…….24?”

“Pffft ahahahHAHA!!” This got the normally reserved Lilliana laughing as if it was the funniest thing she heard in years.

All the while Luna stood to the side concerned; filled with confirmation that it will indeed be another long night. “It’ll be easier to use the estimated age on the medical documentation. We’ll assume from now you are thirteen.”

“Eclipse.” Niria suddenly pipes up.

“What was that?” Luna questioned, Lotus and the rest also interested in what she meant.

“Eclipse. That’ll be your name while staying with us. Eclipse Gray has a good ring to it? I’m sorry if it was sudden but I just can’t stand for not being able to refer to you properly.”

“I…” I think about how it feels familiar yet foreign, it seems like I’ve been named regardless of my feelings. To be honest I don’t mind the name…..actually…

“I think I like it.”

Author's Note

First of all holy shit, thank you for all the likes and favorites over these few months. It means a lot and helps each time i see it to get each chapter done.
Hurricane fucked our shit up for about 2 weeks as well so 💀

Speak of which, sorry it took a while. This one was rewrote a few times from scratch at a few points, plot was dropped here and scrapped or saved for later. It was kinda a cluster fuck.

Anyways I always felt while monotone-ish, Our boy Eclipse, officially named this chapter, has a Mild southern accent he accidentally lets slip out when frustrated or embarrassed.

Working on focusing on his frustration and paranoia, and figuring out why the fuck he has a dnd stat sheet only he can see. Also hope you like the fam.