//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Professor Charles Hoofington and the Temple of the Moon Queen 
// by ProfCharles 
//------------------------------//

Authors note- this is my first fanfiction (heck, my first story) so be nice, please.

Prologue


It was a dark and windy night in the city of Canterlot, cloaked figures running to and fro through the winding streets, seeking to avoid the oncoming rain. One such figure approached the Moon's Folly inn, a beacon of warmth, companionship and good ale against the freezing night. The cloaked figure opened the door and was met by a burst of laughter coming from the packed common room. The source of the laughter was a rough looking unicorn, with a grey coat and a black mane that had never been combed, a dashing eye patch over one eye. The cloaked figure shook his head and removed his hood. He too was a unicorn, with identical colouration and features to the other unicorn, but where the first was unkempt; this one was impeccable in appearance, freshly groomed, with a monocle where the other had his patch.

"Silver!" cried the first unicorn. "I saved a seat for you brother." He waved, indicating to the seat next to him.

"Thank you Steel, you’re too kind" replied Silver, sliding next to his twin.

The other patrons looked at the brothers in confusion, for the pair were a study in both contrasts and similarities- physically, they were identical to each other, but Steel, or Stanley Steel to use his full name, looked like he had fought his way up from the streets of Manehatten, whilst Sterling Silver looked like he had just finished attending one of Canterlot's nobles. Even their cutie-marks indicated this- Steel was adorned with a switchblade, whilst Sliver bore a crossed knife and fork, the type fancy nobles would use to eat with.

Satisfied that his brother was comfortable, Steel turned to the small crowd that had gathered around him. "Now, where was I?" he asked.

"You were telling us about your adventures in the jungle of Amaz." called out a young mare with a purple coat and a blue mane with a festival mask for a cutie-mark, using the comment to sidle closer to the brothers.

"Ah, I remember that" Everypony turned to Sliver. "Yes, that was the time you got us lost because you brought the wrong map."

Steel ducked his head in embarrassment as the group let off a good natured laugh at his expense.

"Not much to say about that one really, we got lost; camped in the forest for a week and eventually made it back to the trading post." Silver continued, enjoying his brother’s discomfort.

"Well, why don't you tell us the story behind your eye patch?" the purple mare asked of Steel.

"Ah, that story is a bit boring. All that happened was one of my masters inventions exploded, and the next thing I know I have two inches of copper clockwork sticking out of my face. Now, the story of how I replaced it is much more interesting."

"Wait... Replaced your eye?"

Not saying anything, Steel merely grinned and raised his hoof to his face, flipping the eye patch up. There was a collective gasp from the audience and the purple mare shied away, as a clockwork orb with a red light peered out of Steels face. Chuckling to himself, Steel lowered the flap.

"Don't worry; most people have that reaction to my clockwork eye."

"A clockwork... Eye?"

"Yup. It all started on a cold and windy night-"

"Actually, it was a warm and sunny morning. It’s a good story, and we don't need any of your ... embellishments, dear brother."

"Fine Silver, we'll tell it your way. Anyway, it was a warm and sunny morning right here in Canterlot, when..."