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                       A Final Hope                        
                  -by winterbreezesrule-                   
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                         Prologue                          
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Prologue
The pony sat in the room. Cold and afraid, she shuddered.
It had been weeks since the sun had last risen. Celestia and Luna were gone. All that was left was darkness. The pony's horn glowed slightly, but slowly flickered out and died. She sighed. The room that had once so full of books was now empty, and without anypony in the town to speak to, she felt even more alone than she had felt before.
When she heard the knock at the door, she was surprised. She thought everyone had left the town. She slowly walked over to the door and called out, "Who's there?"
"Twi, it's us!" a familiar voice called out. The pony, Twilight, instantly opened the door. Five other ponies stood before her.
"Guys! I thought you were gone!" Twilight cried as the five walked into the room.
"My, Twilight! Your room is an absolute disaster!" the only unicorn of the five cried out.
"Rarity, we should be glad that Twi even has ah house. Sweet Apple Acres was covered ah while back and I haven't seen ah hair of Apple Bloom or Big Mac in a long time," a earth pony wearing a hat reminded the unicorn.
Twilight's horn lit up, and the six were visible, thanks to the eerie glow.
"I don't get it!" a cyan-blue pegasus  with a rainbow-colored mane and tail protested. "Why'd this happen to Equestria, and not someplace else, like, where the Changelings live or something?"
"B-but didn't you say the Changelings caused this, Twilight?" a yellow pegasus asked timidly, looking at the cyan pegasus first, and then Twilight.
"I don't think so. It was my theory at first, but Changelings have power over love, not over darkness. And even though the Queen could defeat Celestia, I think that if Luna had helped the outcome would have changed," Twilight explained. "Whoever's causing this is much, much stronger."
"Why don't we use the Elements of Harmony to stop them?" a pink earthy pony asked. "We beat Discord and Nightmare Moon with them!"
"The Elements are gone, Pinkie," Twilight said quietly. "They vanished the day the darkness came."
"What?" the cyan Pegasus exclaimed. She grabbed Twilight's shoulders. "You can't be serious!"
"Rainbow, I'm sorry. But it's true. I don't think there's any way we could save Equestria now," Twilight said grimly.
"But what about Luna and Celestia?" Rainbow asked urgently. "What about them?"
"They're gone, Rainbow. They've been gone just as long as the Elements," Twilight said.
Rainbow let go of Twilight and backed away. "N-no! I refuse to believe!"
"She's right, sugarcube. Celestia and Luna are long gone. Ah heard it from Braeburn, right before he vanished," the earth pony with the hat said.
"Then what should we do? What's left for us?" Rainbow asked urgently. "We don't have anything!"
"Rainbow, stop being silly! We still have each other and we have the party cannon!" Pinkie exclaimed. She suddenly pulled a colorful looking cannon from out of what seemed like nowhere.
"Pinkie...Pinkie, I don't think the party cannon will make it better," Twilight muttered. "There isn't really any...any hope left for us or anyone in Equestria."
That is nonsense, a voice said.
The six ponies were startled. This voice sounded like Celestia's, and yet it was not Celestia's. It seemed to almost more powerful--like if Luna and Celestia were one pony. And yet, something seemed different about the voice, because it almost seemed...unpony-like.
"Who in the hay are you?" Rainbow asked angrily, looking around the room, her wings pressed tightly against her side.
My name is not important. Now, let there be light! the voice called. Suddenly, the room filled with light. Twilight gasped, and the other five did the same. They all huddled closer together.
Twilight Sparkle, the mannequin in your room. Bring it here, the voice said. Twilight could only nod, the look of shock unable to leave her face. She rushed up the stairs to her room, and pulled down what looked like a normal manequin except for the fact that it stood upright on it's legs and was bigger.
To save Equestria, you must gather the Elements of Harmony. But to do so, you must receive a hero, the voice explained. Suddenly, the mannequin rose up into the air. I shall fill this mannequin with my presence! I shall add color to its frame and movement to its joints!
The mannequin began to glow. Light flashed through the room, blinding the six ponies. And, when the light vanished, the mannequin was gone.
It its place was an odd creature that touched the ground. It stood on two legs and was a good deal taller then Twilight or any of her friends. It had a lot of skin bare, and it's head was oddly shaped. It's mane--or rather, hair--was a plain brown. The thing wore clothing as well, but it was nothing fancy--just a black shirt and blue jeans. It's eyes were closed at the moment.
"What is that thing?" Twilight asked. She looked at her friends, but none of them seemed to have the answer.
It is called Star. More shall be explained in time, Twilight Sparkle, the voice said.
And with that, the light died in the room.