//------------------------------//
// Embers of Hope-Final 
// Story: My little Short Stories 
// by Paradise Oasis 
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Embers of Hope-Final

"TWILIGHT!" The little filly screamed, as she came galloping towards us in sheer and utter joy.

"Ohhh, my baby!" Twilight cried out, taking her into her hooves. We both embraced the little filly tightly, so delighted that we had little Ember in both of our lives back. 

We were all standing in queen majesty's throne room, having just all been assembled after hearing Ember had been recovered. Both ponies and the other races, congratulated us on her safe return

"Diamond dogs  have promised to give up claim on little pony." The grundel king told us, putting a hand on my shoulder. "In exchange for more of those salty crunchies!"

"I cannot believe that bloodhound pack was able to get that far into Dream Valley, Lady Twilight." The ambassador apologized, bowing to us politely. "Rest assured, we will be dealing with those mongrels soon enough!" 

"Wow, Ember! The class just isn't gonna believe we've been though all this!" Paws exclaimed, shaking her mane. "And boy, this'll sure stop those spoiled jewel sisters from teasing you!"

"I'm just glad we got you back okay." Rocket continued, trotting up and licking ember's coat. "I don't think I coulda took it if something bad had happened to you!"

"Th-thank you, Racer..." The pink filly replied, blushing.  "I'm really glad to be back, too."

"But-but what are those scars on your back?!" Twilight noticed, her expression turning dark again. "Ohhhh, that alpha dog better be glad he's already dead! Otherwise, I'd be perfectly happy to kill him... very slowly and painfully!"

"Just be glad everything worked out. miss Twilight!." Twist declared.  "And besides, you won't believe how many of those uderdwellers want to order my pretzels now! And to think I owe it all it Surprise here!"

"Happy to be of service, Twist!" The white mare flew around behind the rest of the group. Suddenly, she stopped behind Ember, whispering into the little filly's ear.

"Say, kid?" The mare grinned with a mischievous smile. "How'd you be interested it getting back at a certain trio of little filly brats?"

...

"See you tomorrow, class. And be sure to read chapter sixteen!"

The three little ponies trotted their way out of the classroom, laughing and giggling over the way Baby North Star blew milk out her nose, and sure enough, the three familiar fillies stepped in front of the firends.

"Well, well, well... if it isn't the blank flank and her two friends!" Diamond sneered. "I'm surprised those diamond dogs didn't eat the three of you down in those caves!"

"Naw, apparently we were too tough for them to chew." Paw replied, a smile that perplexed the three bullies across her face. "They would've loved three fluffy fillies like you."

"Hmph, like you three have room to talk." Ruby snapped. "At least we all were born with our cutie marks, unlike your little loser friend there!"

"Actually, I'm kinda glad I don't have my cutie mark. "Ember replied smugly. "It the only thing that's gonna keep me safe."

"Safe?" Shapphire asked, confused. "Like, what are you talking about?"

"What? Haven't you girls heard?" Racer said, as a long shadow suddenly eclipsed the three fillies from behind. "They're taking bratty little fillies with gemstone cutie marks, to see what makes them tick."

"Zhat's right, my little villies." The sound of a motor starting up came from behind the three bullies. "Ve vont to open your zkulls up, und zee vhat makes you tick!"

Diamond and her cronies spun around, to find a maniacal-looking Pegasus in a lab coat and carrying a chainsaw standing over them.

"Hello fillies! Time to dance the lobotomy lambada!"

"Ahhhhhh!" The three fillies screamed, before running away at top speed. Behind them, three students and one insane mare continued to laugh hysterically.

"Can you believe they fell for that?!?" Surprise giggled, falling backward as she tossed the lab coat off. I can't believe they fell for that!"

And as Ember continued to laugh along with her friends, a yellow star suddenly flashed across her flank for a second, before flickering out once more. 

Not yet, little one, not yet...