Scourging of Equestria

6 Months later...

Canterlot City, Equestria

Twilight sighed, rubbing her head with her hooves to relief some of the stress storming her. The past six months had been tough. Getting the entire country to co-operate with their new leaders was hell. The sudden departure of the princess created havoc among some of the ponies. Twilight, and Rarity did their best as the political leaders to take control, but even with the Lich King, and the scourge sudden disappearance, his essence still flowed through the air. Groups and organizations started forming, plotting against the six elements in their quest to restore the country to peace. Civil Wars, and battles were fought between the two; slowly destroying their numbers. Rainbow Dash was given General of the Equestrian Army, fighting their wars against the revolting groups, and small invasions of the dead.

It was hard, but Twilight managed to take complete control. In order to protect her country, she ordered Applejack to build a wall around what was left of Fillydelphia. The armies of the dead destroyed the city, and built a new one from the ruins. The once beautiful forests around the city was now corrupted with plague, and disease. The wildlife was destroyed, and not a single pony was left alive. Many times Rainbow tried to take the city back, but her troops were killed by the plague, turning them into the into the scourge. She was forced to kill her own soldiers. She had no choice.

2 months ago she recieved a report from one of her scouts, that the dead completely vanished from Fillydelphia, yet the unholy  presence they felt was still roaming. Rainbow ordered a search of the city, guarded by the new spell that protected them from the plague. Among the ruins they found the Lich Aman'ku'zan who they tried to interrogate. The Lich only laughed before attacking them. The battle was costly, as more than 70 ponies died trying to defeat the powerful undead sorcerer. At last the Lich was weakened were Rainbow herself delivered the final blow.

"At long last, you and your undead monstrosities are finally destroyed!" Rainbow yelled, tense.

The Lich only laughed, "My death means nothing! I am only a piece in the board game! You were a fool to come here...You have wasted time you could have been spent running. Now the specter of death looms over your cities, bringing nothing but the wrath of the scourge with it!" He howled.

Rainbow had enough, finishing him off with the final blow. As he dispursed into shadow his whispers were heard throughout the city. "My King...I have done my part...."

Rainbow grinned madly over the victory of her conquest. She believed that they had won, that the war was over. Twilights arcane order infiltrated the city, cleansing it of all its corruption. Many weeks passed, and the city was finally cured of its plague. The cleansing stopped the plague from spreading, but the scar left upon the lands will never be healed. Rainbow and her armies returned home, with the celebration of the age. Twilight believed they had won, as with the others. They established a new era of peace, declaring the end of the scourge.

Canterlot was bustling full of ponies, fireworks being shot everywhere and cheers of citizens celebrating the end of the darkness, and the beginning of a new age. The six that had fought so hard for the country, holding it together were sitting at the grand table in the throne room. It was a newly constructed for the six, seeing as how their princess was no longer with them. In the center of the table sat Twilight. A stern, concerned look on her face. The others were laughing, bumping hooves except for Rainbow, who kept a solid stone posture; unmoving.

Twilight played with her wine, not having much interest. She was happy the war was over, but something was bothering her. Something she couldn't explain. She felt a strong sense of uneasiness in her heart. One of her friends noticed her concerning attitude, "Princess? Is there something wrong?" Fluttershy asked.

Twilight frowned, "I told you never to call me that, Fluttershy. I am no princess, I couldn't even protect my own people."

Fluttershy looked down, "Sorry, Twilight..." She snapped back up, a face of determination over her. "You are a leader, Twilight. Without you and your guidence we would have been wiped out. We are forever in your debt." Fluttershy bowed.

The whole court noticed Fluttershys sign of respect, and did the same. In seconds the whole building was filled with ponies, their heads dropped in respect. Twilight saw this, and a single tear fell from the corner of her eye. Her heart filled with pride, and a sense of belonging. She smiled, telling everyone to rise. This was her first speech, one of many.

"Ponies of Equestria. I will never be more proud then today of you. The plague came unexpectadly, without warning. Yet, even with a new leader rising to the throne, you all stood together in the hour of cleansing. We stood together when Celestia abanded us, leaving for months without warning to let us rot. We stood together when the hordes of the dead attacked our villages, slaughtering our kind. They showed no mercy, killing everything in their path. Thousands were slaughtered and turned against us, some our friends and family. We were forced to do things we can never forgive ourselves for, but it was all needed for the greater good.

Once a peaceful country, now changed. We stood alone on this invasion, as our allies fled and hid in their cities. But we are ponies. We never run. We always fight the opposing force head on, no matter what the costs. We fight for the next generation to live on without fear of the dark threatening to destroy them. We fight to restore the grand element that has sustained us for all these years. The one element that allows us to live on without fear of death, without fear of eradication."

Twilight stepped down from the platform, walking into the center of the crowd. Her friends followed close behind, "And that my little ponies, is Harmony."

The crowd of mixed races, and colors cheered. They cheered and cheered as Twilight went alone to her bed room. She entered the hall, hearing the faint voices of cheering slowly fading. Her pride dropped a little, as the uneasiness returned. Entering her room, she looked out the window at the midnight sky. Her heart broke, realizing her once great mentor left her to die. That was 7 months ago, and it was so hard to be strong. She had been through so much. Twilight looked in the mirror and saw something different. She saw a great leader, a strong heart, and pride gleaming from her eyes.

"The war is over...But why won't you come home Celestia? We miss you...I miss you." Twilight whimpered. She felt tired, and sleep was the needed ingredient for her sickness. She climbed upon her bed. She sighed, closing her eyes, sleep quickly overcoming her.

2 Weeks later...

Twilight cried softly to herself as she stood before the grave of her brother. Right next to her brothers grave was Burning Shines grave. They named him one of the fallen due to his sacrifice. They never found either of their bodys though, and this disturbed Twilight even greater. Next to the two was her father and mother. They were killed while in their vacation in Fillydelphia. Twilight dropped her last flower, turning away from the graves. She closed her eyes tightly, clenching her teeth. She heard the whispers of her past flow through the air, but quickly threw them away. "This is it. It's just me now...My family is gone, I have no one left." She perked up a bit, "But they still need me. My country needs me. No. My family is still here. They are my family. Every single last one of them." She smiled, trotting away in a burst of light, disappearing into the early morning.

"Touching..."

The voice echoed, with a faint evil laugh.