“Tia…” I said in awe as I approached my sister.

Her wings and coat caught whatever light there was in the room, reflecting it brightly.

“Lu?” she finally responded. “Are you there Lu?”

“I’m he-” I started.

“All hail the divine beneficence of the Sun!” Morning Glory suddenly proclaimed loudly.

“Hail!” The priests chanted.

“Lu? What’s wrong Lu? What are they talking about?” Tia asked.

I turned back to Tia… And her wings... And her brand new Mark of Destiny.

It was a ornate depiction of the yellow Sun, with faded orange rays of light coming off it.

Tia was an Alicorn… By the stars above a real Alicorn…

“Tia…” I gaped, unable to find any words that I could use to convey to Tia ‘what was wrong’. “I-”

Confused, Tia glanced sideways towards where the Pope continued to shout prayers to the ceiling.

“What hap-”

Her wing happened to fan itself before her vision.

Her eyes traveled to the wing, down the leading edge, and landed right where that particular wing connected to her shoulder.

Her jaw dropped.

“I’m…” she stammered.

“The Alicorn of the Sun has returned!” Morning Glory proclaimed.

“What?! No! I’m just-” Tia began to exclaim.

I rushed forward and grabbed my sister in a hug, burying my face in her shoulder. Dimmly, I noticed she was still wearing her breastplate, but it had somehow been modified alongside Tia to allow her new- Wings.

“Don’t ever… Do that again.” I started to cry. “If you had been seriously hurt… I wouldn’t have been able to save you…”

Maybe if I had been paying attention to Tia! Rather than my own vengeance! I could’ve done something!

But look at what resulted! A traitorous part of me argued. Tia! A real live Alicorn!

Tia returned the hug.

“I knew what I was doing.” she whimpered in my ear. “I knew exactly what to expect.”

I turned a questioning glance sideways, but before I could say anything the voice of Sapphire chimed loudly.

“Oh great Alicorn!” she was prostrated just like the Priests. “Spare me! I see the error of my ways and seek redemption!” she prayed. “I knew not your benevolence already walked the Earth!”

Tia let go, and approached the Pony we had both grown up with.

Perhaps she had developed an Alicorn’s passive nobility, or because she was now used to ruling a small nation, for she spoke surely.

“I leave you and your sister's fate in the hooves of my sister Luna. For you both have wronged her much more than you have wronged me.” Tia advanced past the shaking Sapphire.

If everypony hadn't already been silent, they would've fallen silent again.

I looked down at the blade that had previously been Sapphire’s.

Was Tia giving me this chance because it was just? Or did she really have some sort of divine knowledge? She was an Alicorn for goodness sake! By the stars above! An Alicorn! My sister! An Alicorn!

My face reflected off the polished blade.

The Pony in the blade was conflicted.

I approached the form of Sapphire, whose shaking was getting worse and worse.

The whole Cathedral looked to me. Following the first decree of the only living Alicorn in thousands of years.

I looked up from the blade to see Sapphire’s quivering eyes.

She knew no amount of begging would save her from me.

The Pony reflected back at me in the blade still looked conflicted.

Emerald’s limp form lay off to the side, oblivious of what was transpiring around her. I would leave her until she was awake once more.

I wanted to take my vengeance. I wanted to avenge that poor filly whose only crime was happening to be born in a village that despised her very existence... And yet... Wasn't the whole point of my waging war across the continent to stop that sort of nonsense? I could strike this Pony before me down, and not a single Pony would bat an eye... Just like how the villagers didn't bat an eye when a meek blue filly was being beaten up by two sisters.

I knew what to do.

I rose Sapphire’s sword-

The blue Pony shuddered beneath me, unable to defend her own fate.

I stabbed the sword down.

The crowd gasped.

I waited.

One of Sapphire’s eyes slowly opened, realizing she was neither in pain nor dead.

Her eye landed on her own blade, inches away from her snout.

I had not harmed a hair on her head.

“I’m not you or Emerald.” I murmured, just loud enough so she and she alone heard me.

I pulled the blade out between the tile I had stabbed it in. Its tip was dented, but I was willing to fix that myself.

Or just leave it.

I didn’t know quite yet.

Just because I had decided to show mercy didn't mean I had forgiven her.

I trotted after Tia.

I caught up with her as she began to descend the stairs. There were a few Nobleponies looking up towards Tia. They must not have gone too far and gotten curious what was happening.

“Tia… Are you ok? I mean really ok?” I whispered to her as she slowly walked down the steps.

“Yes.” she replied. “Just… In shock.” she admitted.

I smiled, despite myself.

My sister, an Alicorn… An Alicorn! Imagine that! My sister was underneath those wings!

She walked elegantly outside, the Nobleponies prostrating themselves as she passed.

I was her sole bodyguard, as Tia walked through the streets.

Every Pony who we came across bowed and prostrated themselves as soon as they saw Tia’s wings and horn. Fighting ceased as we passed by. Tia’s very presence enough to declare who had won, and who was in the right.

A procession formed behind us, as Ponies from both sides followed in our wake.

We made it to the main street, the one that lead straight to Unicornia’s palace.

Tia walked down the middle of the street.

The first real challenge came as we encountered the major fight leading up the road. Half a block away from the Palace gates.

The intense fighting stopped as an Opposing Unicorn saw Tia and fell to her knees, thoroughly confusing the Pony she had been fighting to the death just a second before.

He turned, saw Tia, and joined the mare on the ground.

The effect rippled through the crowd of fighting Ponies, as they all realized Ponies they were near suddenly stopped fighting, and turning to see what all the fuss was about.

Tia walked by them with no challenge.

I saw the form of Stygian, my Moon banner now tattered and bloody where he had used the pike for its intended purpose. He stood off to the side, looking unsure if he should bow, or if he should keep the banner of the one who guarded the newly risen Alicorn as high as he could get it.

Appleflower was the next Pony I saw whose name I knew. Her prosthetics were broken and splintered, and her armor was scuffed to Tartarus and back. While she looked relatively healthy, she too bowed as best as she could with her missing legs.

We approached the Palace gate.

The fighting had not only stopped, but the gatekeepers had already opened the gate to allow Tia entrance.

The procession followed behind us as Tia walked calmly across the central Courtyard.

The golden clad Unicorns joined our ranks without hesitation.

Tia finally stopped before the large door that lead further inside the Palace.

Tia raised her hoof, and knocked three times.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Silence came from inside. But finally the handle unlatched and clicked open.

“Y-Yes?” a stuttering servant asked, poking her head through the door’s crack.

“I wish to speak with Queen Iridium Comet.” Tia spoke.

“O-Of course.” the servant nervously stammered, pulling her head back inside.

Absolute silence reigned as nopony outside dared to speak in Tia’s presence.

The door started to creak open.

Guards in gold pushed the door open and kept it open. Allowing free passage. They bowed as Tia passed by.

Inside the Palace itself was a hallway intersection. Leading forward, left and right.

The left and right ways were blocked by bowing ranks of Guards, but the center hallway was left open, with only important looking Ponies off slightly to the side to stand in Tia’s way.

Not one of them protested as even Peasants began to pass by them.

The hallway we passed was extravagant. Paintings of Ponies wearing the same crown hung all along the walls, surely larger than life. Exquisitely painted vases full of flowers stood sentinel by every pillar in the wall.

As Tia, and by extension I, entered the ballroom which in turn hosted the Throne room on a series of elevated platforms.

Likely extended this way so they could use the ballroom as well when hosting so many Nobleponies during Court.

Above us on the opposite side of the extended room, a figure the color of mother of pearl sat on the throne. A golden crown upon their head.

The way up to the throne was clear.

Tia’s hooves, scratched and dented from a life spent in the wild, clicked across the immaculate marble floor.

Not a Pony rose their voice as we approached the throne.

It was the first time I had ever seen Queen Iridium Comet.

The mare was old and wrinkled. She had already been in her late 40’s when the previous Queen, her mother, had died. And the seven years since hadn’t done her any favors.

She looked tired, and worn. Like she was about to give out any day from stress.

“Queen Iridium Comet of the Royal House of Unicornia.” Tia stated, loudly, clearly, and strongly. Invigorated with a youth that the Ancient Queen had forgotten. “You are to surrender unconditionally to the forces under General Luna, and you are to give up your claim to your crown.”

“What of the Ponies in my care, your Grace?” The Queen responded, bowing politely.

“They will be well taken care of. I swear it.” Tia responded.

The Queen nodded.

“Then I order all of my forces to surrender unconditionally. I further forfeit any and all claims my family and my descendants have to this throne.”

The ancient mare then lifted her golden crown off her head and got off the throne. She placed the crown respectfully on the throne and stepped aside.

“May any who want it, take it.” she backed away from the now vacant throne.

Nopony, but Tia moved.

She ascended the steps, by right of being an Alicorn alone was she unchallenged.

At the top, she picked up the crown and examined it for a moment.

After a short pause she touched her forehead to it, like one would press their forehead to another Pony.

Finally, she turned the Crown backwards-

And placed it upon her own head.

“Long live the Alicorn of Light!” the former Queen Iridium proclaimed for all to hear.

“Long live the Alicorn of Light!” everypony chanted in reply.

I didn’t join the chant. Instead I mounted the stairs, and took my place at Tia’s side as she sat in the throne, cutting a striking figure with her battered armor and resplendent wings.

Her Mark of Destiny shone for all to see.

“Long may she reign!”

The dawn of a new age had come.

The vibe! https://youtu.be/-MhNBGY_1j8?si=OPj7utL6IGlLp6d1