Equestria Eclipsed
Prologue- A Quiet Day
It was a quiet day in Trottingham. That in and of itself was a bit of an odd thing. Normally, the small town was full of all kinds of life. Normally, there were foals playing in the streets, and ponies bartering for goods in the marketplace, and the chatter of friends in the local hotspots. Yet, that wasn't the case for today. And the moment that a stallion named Dust Cloud had arrived back in town, it felt... strange. Like someone had pressed the mute button on the entire world.
Dust cautiously walked town the streets of the town, casting glances this way and that. He felt a deep pit in his stomach that wouldn't go away, and a small panic started to wash over him. "I-It can't be...", he thought to himself as he continued to walk around town, and look into buildings, and peek around every corner. And as he looked, a realization slowly dawned on him. One that made him go wide-eyed with fear.
Everypony was gone.
When Dust Cloud realized this, his panic started to grow. He had only been here this morning, and when he was there, Trottingham was just like how it always was. He would've sworn he left the town only thirty minutes ago just to go and look around the outskirts of the nearby forest to find flowers for his marefriend! And so, without any other options, he ran back home, crying for his marefriend. But when he reached his home and opened the door, a sinking sensation filled his entire body as he realized that even his lover was gone. It was at this moment the horrible reality began to sink in, and he walked out of his house, tears in his eyes, and the feelings of both sadness and fear welling inside him. And then, out of nowhere, he heard a voice say, "Well, it looks as though we've found a straggler, haven't we Chain?"
The young colt suddenly looked up at the new voice and asked meekly, "Wh-Who's there...?"
A second voice joined in, ignoring Dust's inquiry, "An earth pony by the looks of it, Ball. Hmph. I'm surprised that the brute was able to evade us for so long..."
"Who're you callin' a brute!", Dust shouted, indignant.
The two ponies laughed, and it sent chills down the young stallion's spine. He couldn't find them, no matter where he looked, and their voices seemed to be coming from all directions. Finally fed up with all of this, Dust decided to make a break for the forest, and ran in the direction that he came in. And he didn't stop running... at least, until he bumped into another pony and fell back. Looking up, Dust saw two hooded ponies. Their eyes weren't seen, but the first thing he noticed, aside from their evil grins, were their horns, both glowing with yellow magic.
"Well Chain, I believe it's your turn.", said Ball.
"It is indeed.", replied Chain, "It's time to meet your new masters..."
And then, there was a scream... and it was a quiet day in Trottingham once again.