My duty was over.

With the fall of Casúrdomhain, Pegasopolis, and now Unicornia, I eagerly stepped aside to let Tia take her rightful place.

Tia...

A real live Alicorn!

Even as I stood by her side, my magic grasping the hilt of my sword ready to intercede if anypony decided to rush Tia, I could scarcely believe it.

Even as I saw those swan feathers, whenever I scanned the room; Even as her fanning wings wafted the strange scent of Tia's smell intermixed with what I assumed was the scent of her feathers; Even as the very tips occasionally gently brushed against my dirty coat.

I could not believe it.

And yet every time I blinked, every time I secretly pinched myself with my own magic, and every time I expected to wake up...

I didn't.

Tia was still an Alicorn who sat on the throne of Unicornia, holding court as she dictated what must be done in the aftermath of the battle.

My sister... An Alicorn!

A real, living Alicorn!

I had expected to feel relieved, or at least some sort of pride after I had taken Unicornia. But no, I hadn't felt the tiniest bit of pride for what I'd done.

I was expecting this to be my moment, my moment of victory.

But instead it had all gone to Tia.

And strangely, I could not be prouder of her.

I was never in this for my own personal glory. I had broken the three cities because I was the only Pony who had garnered enough of a reputation to do so. My goal had always been to protect even the Ponies I fought.

Everything I had done, was vindicated the moment Tia ascended.

Even as I thought about it, standing next to the mare, I had to fight down my own tears of pride.

An Alicorn!

Finally, after what felt like hours, Tia's first royal court adjourned.

"Thank you everypony for your contributions." Tia said as she stood from the throne. "The war had been won, but we are far from finished. For me however-" Tia yawned. "That can wait for tomorrow."

There were a smattering of polite chuckles as Tia turned towards a side door and started walking.

I followed behind.

A servant was waiting on the opposite side of the door.

"How might I serve you your Grace?" she asked, bowing deeply.

"Is there a guest quarters?" Tia asked. "I wish to rest for the night."

Evening was rapidly falling, as the orange Sun dipped outside.

"Your Grace?" the mare asked. "Do you not want the Queen's quarters?"

"No. Her belongings are her own. All I required was her crown." Tia replied.

"As you wish your Grace." the servant relented. "This way please."

The servant mare stood up and began to lead the way.

Tia followed her, and I followed Tia.

"How are you doing Lu?" Tia asked softly, now that we were relatively alone, and quietly enough so the servant mare didn't hear.

Lu...

It's funny, coming from the mouth of my sister, the word was familiar and comforting. But coming from the mouth of a living Alicorn?

What was I expected to call Tia? Was Tia still alright or was 'your Grace' now required?

"..." I opened my mouth to reply, but no sound came out. "I..." I tried again, this time producing a squeak. Tia stopped and looked back at me. "... What do I call you?" I finally rasped.

And suddenly my face was smothered in the familiar feeling and smell of Tia's coat, her arms wrapped around me in a hug.

"To you, I will always be your sister Tia." She said into my ear. "And to me, you will always be my sister Lu."

I returned the hug.

"Alright Tia... I'll try." I replied.

"Please don't try, now more than ever, I need my sister." she said as she squeezed tighter.

"I... Alright Tia." I matched her squeeze.

"Your Grace?" the servant called. "Is everything alright?"

Tia pulled away, breaking the hug.

"Yes. Everything is alright." she replied. "Lead on."

The mare looked uncertain, but continued leading us forward.

Eventually she led us to a door that was rather plain compared to the ostentatious decoration that permeated the palace, but had it been anywhere else it likely would've belonged to the master of the house.

"This suite should suit your needs your Grace." the mare bowed as she held the door open.

The room that she revealed, was perhaps the fanciest bedroom I had ever stepped into. The room was split into two sections, one with a small round table, enough for perhaps three Ponies to sit at, and the actual bedroom, which held a four poster bed that had been carved into the shape of elegant Unicorns frolicking amongst ocean waves. Addtionally, there were two other doors, equal in their magnificence to the door we had entered.

"Do you wish for me to draw a bath your Grace?" the servant asked, breaking both Tia and I out of our awe.

"Oh! Um yes. Thank you." Tia said in surprise.

The mare bowed respectfully, and left, letting the door shut behind her.

Quiet reigned as we were suddenly left alone.

"So how are you holding up Lu?" Tia asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm- I'm- I'm proud of you Tia." I responded. "I know I told you to stay back, and for that I'm sorry, but I'm... So. Proud of you." I admitted.

"I forgive you Lu. I know your heart was in the right place." Tia replied, cantering forward as she began to explore the room.

"Wait, what are you doing?" I called out.

"Looking around." She said, approaching the first door.

"Wait!" I exclaimed, bounding forward, pushing myself in front of her.

"Lu?" Tia asked indignantly.

"I should be the one to look around." I said, both holding her back and reaching for the door handle.

"What's gotten into you?" Tia asked brusquely.

"You don't know if anypony is upset about you taking Unicornia's crown." I explained, still extending my hoof back to keep Tia at bay. "And we are literally in their home. Alicorn you may now be, but I'm not willing to test just how true the stories of Alicorn immortality are."

Tia stopped her protesting.

"... Do you really think somepony will try to hurt me?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know." I admitted. "But I'm not giving them the chance if they are."

Tia sighed.

"Then proceed." she said finally. "I literally was just commending you for looking out for me. It would be hypocritical of me to chastise you for doing just that."

"Thank you Tia." I breathed, letting my hoof fall back to the floor.

With Tia now subdued, I opened the door.

Inside was a large porcelain tub and little else besides a stool and a dark window.

I entered to look behind and into the tub.

"Oh it's a water closet!" Tia chirped behind me.

I turned to see Tia looking around the room with interest.

But all I cared for in that moment was that there was nopony inside.

I brushed past Tia as she continued to examine the watercloset.

I was intrigued as well, in Ùllahdmaiden bathtubs were outside, and you had to fill them yourself usually. I assumed Casúrdomhain had similar waterclosets to Unicornia, but I hadn't stayed long enough to look inside one. And I couldn't even look in Pegasopolis.

The idea that you could have a tub indoors was fascinating.

But I still had another door to look inside.

I walked into the main bedroom of the suite, leaving Tia to gush over the watercloset. The other closet sat on the opposing wall.

I opened it and...

Nothing.

It was just a walk in closet that was totally empty.

I shut the door, somewhat irritated.

The hoofsteps of Tia came out of the watercloset as I turned around.

Tia stood there, looking like she was about to say something before somepony started knocking on the entry door.

"May we come in? We have the water for your bath." called a voice.

"Come in!" Tia called out.

The door opened to reveal a procession of more Maids, each with a bucket of what looked like water. Wordlessly, they marched past Tia and I and entered the watercloset. The sound of pouring water emanated from the open door.

I felt awkward as Tia and I stood there, patiently waiting for the maids to leave.

Finally, the procession marched back out of the watercloset and out the door. One however remained behind.

"Would you like warm water your Grace?" she asked, standing in the watercloset's door.

"Warm water?" Tia asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes your Grace." The maid curtsied. "It will take a short while longer to prepare, but I can light a fire underneath the tub to heat up the water before you get in."

"Uh... No thank you." Tia said.

"As you wish your Grace." The maid curtsied again. "Then your bath is ready."

"Thank you." Tia nodded. "That'll be all for tonight then."

"As you wish your Grace." the mare said, backing out of the door.

The door clicked shut, leaving us alone again.

"Did you want the first bath or-?" Tia asked.

"No. That's your bath." I shook my head. "It wouldn't be proper-"

"Cut out that nonsense right this second." Tia admonished. "You are my sister, and you will be having a bath as well."

"I..." I started, but I couldn't think of any rebuttal. "Ok Tia. But you first. You need to be cleaner, and I haven't had one in months. Stars knows how dirty I'll leave the bathwater." I shook my head.

Stars above, it was hard not to add 'your Grace' at the end of my sentences. But she had said that I needed to keep being her sister, so that is what I'd do.

My effort was rewarded with a giggle from Tia.

"I'm not that much cleaner Lu." She giggled.

The strain to treat Tia like the Alicorn she now was eased a bit.

Maybe she really was just the same Tia beneath the wings?

"Perhaps." I admitted, feeling braver. "But Unicornia, and eventually Everfree City is going to expect you to be clean."

"Sun above." Tia cursed quietly. "I forgot about Everfree City... How are they going to react?"

"I can't say." I advised. "I'm... Still untangling myself."

Tia regarded me.

"Do you... Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, holding the door to the water closet open.

"I..."

What did I want? I didn't know how I felt. I had so many questions for Tia, but I wasn't sure where to start.

"We can talk while I'm bathing." Tia said, interrupting my thoughts.

"... Okay." I nodded, accepting the invitation inside.

Tia closed the door behind her and made for the now filled tub.

"Here. You've been standing all day." She said, using her golden magic to pass the stool to me. I accepted it and sat down on it, about two Pony lengths away from the bath.

I waited patiently for Tia to take off her armor and climb into the tub, the water sloshing gently.

As she began to clean herself, I thought about how I'd start.

But the words that came out of my mouth surprised even me.

"W-What's it like?" I asked.

"What's what like?" Tia asked in reply, looking over at me.

"You know." I mimed flapping wings with my hooves.

"Oh... It's... It's strange." She admitted. "I swear they have minds of their own. I've been trying to close them all day, and they keep sticking out." To demonstrate, she physically reached back with her hoof and tried to force said appendage to lay flat.

I suddenly realized I hadn't seen Tia close her new wings at all throughout the day.

But much to her annoyance, the compressed wing flew back open with a 'whump!', sending a plume of water splattering across the wall.

Tia cursed quietly to herself, wrestling with herself trying to get both wings under control, as both had started flailing in response to her agitation.

And perhaps, that more than anything thus far, made the urge to say 'your Grace' at the end of my sentences go away for good.

Even as an Alicorn, Tia was still a flawed being. She was not perfect, not like the Alicorns of myth.

She was still my sister.

I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of an Alicorn flailing about in a tub, trying to force her own wings to close as if she were a foal.

"Hahahahahaha!" I chortled loudly, trying not to fall off the stool. At some point, Tia stopped thrashing, but I couldn't stop laughing.

The image of a supposedly 'perfect' being half drowning herself was too much!

"Glad to see I can be of some amusement." Tia wryly stated, now thoroughly wet with bathwater.

"Ha ha..." I wiped a tear from my eye. "No, it's... I'm not making fun of you." I started to explain, trying not to break into more laughter at the sight of her bedraggled appearance. "The thought of an Alicorn, splashing around in a bathtub..." I snorted.

Tia blinked.

"Heh... I guess it is funny." she admitted with a grin.

We lapsed into silence, chuckling occasionally.

"So um... What's on your mind?" Tia asked after a few minutes.

"Actually;" I responded. "I think I'm okay now."

I was no longer seeing a legend brought back to life, all I saw was my sister. Albeit my sister who now had wings.

We once again lapsed into comfortable silence. Tia scrubbed herself down, while I just sat contently.

In all the chaos after Tia's ascension and seizure of the throne, I had almost totally forgotten.

I had won.

I had won over all three cities. Casúrdomhain, Pegasopolis, and Unicornia.

When tomorrow eventually came, I could sleep in and not worry about a line of Earthbreakers charging into camp, lightning bolt piercing my ceiling, or some warmage setting fire to the sky above the camp.

It had gotten to the part of the tale were I would go home, and enjoy the peace I had fought for.

Or at least... I could.

The words that the Moon had asked of me repeated in my head.

Would you do me the honor of freeing me from my prison and claiming me for yourself?

My journey might not yet be over.

There was still... One thing that was left.

Freeing the Moon from her imprisonment.

I supposed that since the war between the tribes was now officially over, then that chore was now next on my list.

But something about the whole situation didn't seem right to me. The Moon had been speaking to me since I was a filly. A trait, or at least something very similar, that I suspected that I shared with Tia, if the conversation between the Pope and Tia were to be believed.

'Prophecymaker' she had been called. Tia may have been older, but she apparently had earned a title for herself as a four year old. Which sounded eerily similar to my own title of 'Hydrabane'.

My eyes fell onto Tia's still soaked wings, and her Mark of Destiny, drawing the curved rays of the depicted Sun with my eyes.

I looked back at my own rump, where my still blank flank was exposed for all the world to see.

A suspicion formed itself in my mind. One that was utterly taboo to contemplate. And yet... The more I thought, the more things fit together.

But I needed to know more.

"Actually Tia..." I began, breaking the calm silence. "There were a few more things I wanted to ask."

"Ah." Tia sighed. "I suppose I do owe you a few explanations. Ask away."

"In the Cathedral, when you were talking with Morning Glory, you two acted like you knew each other."

"We did." Tia nodded. "When Mom brought me here when I was a filly, I kept... Hearing something." she began.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Well, I don't know exactly how to describe it." Tia admitted, her ears pinning themselves back. "But calling it a song certainly fits."

"So what does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything actually." Tia supplied. "It was so beautiful and haunting that I couldn't help but follow the sound. As I said before, I kept coming to a certain patch of stonework. When I asked one of the priests about it, I was brought before the then Cardinal Morning Glory." she paused. "To- To understand why she was so upset with me today, I have to admit something. Something that sounds crazy."

"I've... I've seen my fair share of crazy things." I said vaguely.

Obviously I was referring to my talks with the Moon through my dreams. But if pressed I was probably going to say something relating to my war with the original tribes. Which wasn't exactly a lie.

"Well... Um... Well, I guess there's no sugar coating it... I can see the future." she stated, sighing with relief now that it was in the open. "Bits and snippets usually, while I dream. But sometimes I can see whole conversations or events. One of the reasons I was so hesitant to be voted Mayor of Ùllahdmaiden was because I had seen myself as Mayor. But when you brought it up, I couldn't refuse." she leaned on the side of the tub, tapping her hooves nervously together. "I told Morning Glory many things, predicting exactly what would happen, she would become Pope, Queen Sterling would die, and then a Hero would rise to take Casúrdomhain, Pegasopolis, and Unicornia." she snorted derisively. "Of course she didn't believe me. But what I didn't tell her, was that I would get my hooves on the very thing she was hiding."

"... You knew I was going to win when you gave me the duty." I accused.

"I did." she nodded.

"D-Did you have any other predictions about me?"

The silence was loaded, deafening, and stretched for what felt like forever.

"A... Few." Tia admitted. "But I don't see everything. I can't tell you how and where you'll go."

"Oh."

We lapsed into a lengthy pause.

" So the thing you were after, was it the Book? The First Spellbook I mean?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"The very same." Tia nodded. "I knew one day I would read it, and I would do so successfully."

"So... What's so special about the First Spellbook? Other than being the first I mean." I asked.

"Well..." Tia tapped her hooves together. "It can't be read by just anypony. The book tests and judges those who try, and if they're not worthy... They're incinerated alive."

"So..." I started, realizing some context. "When Morning Glory said that she hoped it charred your bones..."

"She was wishing me failure yes." Tia nodded.

"Huh." I trailed off.

"Did you want to know anything else?" she asked.

"Uh yeah... Do you have any idea what Sapphire and Emerald were talking about? Because that was the only other thing that I remember being strange."

"Sorry Lu, but I was already busy reading the Book." Tia shrugged. "I have no idea what the three of you did."

"Oh." I said, feeling my ears fall in disappointment. "Guess I'll have to ask them tomorrow. Although I'm not looking forward to it."

"You kept them alive?" Tia asked in astonishment.

A feeling of hurt stabbed my heart.

"Does that surprise you?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice even.

"It's..." Tia twirled her hoof, looking for an answer. "It's not that I think you're incapable of mercy, it's just that I've seen and heard of some of the punishments you give out. I'd have thought that those two specifically had earned your ire several times more than some of the soldiers you've punished."

The pain in my heart eased, but did not go away.

It was true, the rapist in Casúrdomhain was certainly a prime example. It was a cruel and vindictive punishment. And I hadn't even known the stallion. But by the same token, I was once in the position that his victim was in.

I knew what it was like to be small and helpless. Unable to defend yourself.

"Sapphire had surrendered, and Emerald was unconscious." I reasoned evenly. "I would've been no better than they were if I had taken my anger out on them."

"Well, for the record I approve of your decision." Tia nodded. "You may be my younger sister, but I'm proud that you are sometimes wiser than me."

The pain in my heart fully melted away.

"Thank you Tia." I said meekly.

Tia then climbed out of the bathtub.

"Did you still want a bath?" she asked.

"Stars yes." I nodded.

I may have gotten used to the dirt, but that didn't mean I liked the dirt in my coat.

Tia then lifted a towel that had been left by one of the maids and began drying off. As she did so, I started the tedious task of taking off my armor. I knew I had taken it off at some point during the sieges, but for the life of me I couldn't remember when. That point was further reinforced by my matted and indented fur underneath. It was so bad I could see where the weight of the various armors hung off my body.

When everything was removed, I felt strangely cold, now exposed to open air in the first time in who knew how long.

"Ack!" Tia gagged. "I'm very glad you insisted on me going first." she commented, pinching her nose shut.

"I told you it's been a while." I said, climbing into the partially settled water.

Almost instantly, the water took on a muddy black look.

"Ah..." I sighed, sitting on the bottom.

Tia glanced over the lip of the bath.

"... Do you think the maids will be mad if we ask for more water?" she commented.

"Let me get most of the dirt out first." I replied, picking up the bar of soap Tia had set on the side of the tub and busing myself lathering and scrubbing as best I could.

"So... Um... What happened while I was reading the book?" Tia asked after a minute of drying herself.

"Oh!" I chirped, not expecting Tia to ask question like she had asked me.

"Sapphire and Emerald fought me, I kicked their flanks, got Sapphire to surrender, but I knocked Emerald out when she wouldn't... Which reminds me..." I trailed off, realizing I had forgotten something important. "How much pain were you in?"

"Pain?" Tia asked in confusion.

"You were screaming while we fought. I tried to get to you when I could, but kept getting distracted."

"Oh..." Tia's expression fell. "I won't say reading the Book was easy, because it wasn't. But I'm not sure I'd call the process painful either."

"Process?" I asked.

"Sorry, that I won't talk about." Tia stated. "All I'll say is there are things which Ponykind isn't meant to know quite yet."

"So wait... You did learn something from reading the Book?" I asked, rinsing out a portion of my coat, only to relather it in soap.

"I did." Tia nodded. "I don't want to make a big deal out of it... But I now know a few spells that are exceedingly dangerous."

"How... Dangerous?" I asked.

"Dangerous enough that I will never write them down or give them away." Tia said firmly. "Not because I don't trust Ponies, but because I know they won't be able to control what they unleash."

I felt my mood fall again.

"I'm... Not sure how I feel about that." I admitted.

"And I don't have a better answer to give you." Tia nodded sadly. "I'll let you keep your secrets, and you let me keep mine. With luck, this'll be the last time I have to think about them."

"I think I understand..." I trailed off.

Tia then sat on the stool and we lapsed into comfortable silence once again. This time however, it lasted until I felt that I was the cleanest I was going to get in the black bathwater and pulled myself out.

My coat, which was a dark navy anyway, looked the brightest it had been in months.

Tia gave me another dry towel, which I accepted gladly.

"Thank you Tia." I smiled.

"Anytime Lu." she replied happily.

It took me much less time to dry off than Tia.

She still could not reign in control of her still damp wings.

Very soon after, the two of us found ourselves standing in front of the only bed. It was getting late, and no matter how you sliced it, we both had had an eventful day.

"I don't care what anypony thinks." Tia stated. "You are not sleeping on the floor." she declared.

"Well you certainly aren't either." I rebutted.

"Then we'll sleep together." Tia nodded. "It won't be the first time."

"Are you sure?" I said, finding myself rubbing my chest and looking to see if any dirt stains came with my hoof. "I might ruin the sheets."

"You aren't nearly as dirty as before." Tia rolled her eyes. "And besides, I won't be having the General who won the day sleep in anything less than a proper bed."

"I'm still not sure..." I rubbed my neck. "I mean, I wasn't the one who finished the battle..."

"You got me to where I needed to be." Tia tsked. "Besides, you wanted to be my body guard right? You made a big fuss about it earlier. But we're both exhausted. Just get in the bed."

"I'm..." I started to argue. But stars above... Now that I looked at the bed, it looked so inviting. No more sleeping in a bedroll on the hard ground. No more creaking cot and makes you stiff in the morning. I sighed in defeat. Tia had raised good points, and it wasn't like the bed wasn't big enough for the both of us. "Alright. You win Tia." I surrendered, rounding around the foot of the bed towards the nearest side.

"Oh good. Because I'm too tired to argue more." Tia yawned.

As one, we lifted the sheets and climbed in.

Stars above... Not only was it nice to be in a bed again, but this was the most comfortable bed I'd ever been in.

"Good night Tia." I said, using my magic to pinch the candle wicks in the room.

Tia didn't reply, she was already gently snoring.

Get your mind out of the gutter! Yeah that's right, I'm talking to you! You know who you are!
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