Reflections of a King

By Abby Ebon

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Never Panic A Planet

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Previously…..

"For now however, we will let you keep this City, we will give you the information on it- the workings of it. You may keep all that is here. We'll go to another City, not far from here, you may even keep that 'Gate out there- it is not the only one on Atlantis." Faye assured her, Dr. Weir's eyes widened.

"You mean the planet is called Atlantis, not the City?" Dr. Weir asks in disbelief, Faye nodded, and then continues. "We only need to awaken the rest of our people- then we will call the Flagecallus, and leave to your base."

"Wha?" Weir blinked at her.

"The fish, or as you call them- whales." Faye empathized; so ended the first meeting between the Ancients, and Earth's Atlantis Base.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Harry was in awe of the Ancients- how they moved, dressed, and saw things, it was as if they knew the unknowable- yet were surprised at the mundane. They didn't hesitate to touch others among themselves- in public, where humans gawked.

Harry saw as he walked among them a father pick his daughter up and swing her around in circles as she giggled in delight.

He saw they did not hold themselves back from each other- and for a telepathic and empathic race- that was to be expected, and though the adults held themselves with dignity, they were clearly inquisitive of the humans who looked so much like them.

Tigr and Leo walked, one in front, one in back- and were not relaxed, even among their own people.

They parted for Leo, and while all knew, almost instinctively, who Harry was- they did not crowd. They knew he was here to see them, his people, interact among each other. They understood that he wanted to see them act naturally, and apparently this had held true for Kings and Queens of the past.

Save for a few of the little ones gawking at him – Harry winked playfully at them, he walked among them as one of them.

The majority of his people here weren't as old as the Queen; they appeared to be as young as he was- even younger. Harry supposed that the older ones had gone to Earth to live out their lives as Earth's teachers.

There had been no need for Faye to tell them that they were leaving- they knew there were other Cities, and they knew that other ancients had yet to be awoken in them. The Council had called the whales to a cove near the mainland – apparently the Ancients intended to focus their power and lock it onto the Councils' (something, Faye had bragged, even infant Ancients knew how to do)- and put themselves beside them.

Harry did not know how they intended to know when another was where they wanted to be- the Ancients did not know either- they merely 'knew'. In comparison to the Council asking Atlantis to up them on a particular bit of the main land- it seemed entirely possible for them to do almost anything.

In a state of almost disbelief Harry, and most of the other humans 'helping' the Ancients witnessed two hyperactive twins turn into little masked ferrets and chase each other down the corridor. This did not seem to disturb any of the Ancients, unless it was their parents- who rolled their eyes, exasperated.

A large hawk brought the two squealing ferrets back, and then transformed into an irate elder, who Harry recognized as from the Council. They are shifters…Harry thought in awe, watching the same woman turn easily into a large dog – and go back to guarding her people in the packed corridor.

Atlantis seemed to wake- sensing his surprise at the discovery. It wondered what else its people would be- if not shape-shifters. Harry couldn't answer it- he watched the Ancients around him carefully. They saw nothing strange in shape-shifting on a whim; perhaps they could do other- stranger things.

And perhaps Harry could learn them- Atlantis seemed in dim amusement, then turned its attention to the Ancients- some of them, Harry could feel- had gathered their magic- and were starting to leave.

There had been no announcement- and when Harry had asked Leo when they would know to leave- Leo had shrugged and told him 'we just will'.

Apparently that signal had gone out- and Harry had yet to hear it- most of the Ancients – even the young ones, appeared to be focusing and sensing for something- the humans around them watched in awe as Ancients disappeared in flares of power.

Harry grew nervous; what if he wasn't powerful enough to feel whatever it was that led the Ancients away? Atlantis touched his mind- reassuring, understanding, and Harry remembered he was not the first King or Queen to be an inexperienced ruler.

Have faith, Atlantis seemed to say, I taught them, I will teach you. Worriedly Harry chewed on his bottom lip. Atlantis had told him that of all the spirals on the City only three spirals contained his people, and within each spiral was a thousand and some odd hundred- the Ancients, in this City alone numbered some four thousand and hundred individuals.

Harry hadn't asked how many others were awaking in the other City's in the Ancient's world – perhaps, if the planet was expected to transport them all to one cove, he should have inquired. It was far too late now- Atlantis' attention was turned to its people.

When Harry had questioned it about the logics of more then a few thousand Ancients going undetected within the City for so long, Atlantis had been vastly amused. Its answer amounting to; The City protects Ancients, the Ancients are telepathic, what need would they have to find each other by a City's security?

It had further explained that the City's security was not designed to lock onto Ancients- one world, or off, for if the Wraith ever held a City, they could find the Ancients. While it was a hard pill for Weir, Sheppard, and McKay to swallow- that against Ancients the City's security was useless- they had little choice but to accept it.

Harry twitched as his Guard's disappeared, and he felt Atlantis turn its attention to him; 'what took so long?' Harry demanded of 'his' planet, Atlantis seemed annoyed.

You try ensuring the safe transport of nine thousand, five hundred, and fifty-five Ancients from the Cities to Cove. The corner of Harry's lips twitched in amusement. Atlantis' power rose, and 'swallowed' him, and Harry –for the first time in his life, was introduced to a travel more uncomfortable then Floo…

'I'm going to be sick...' Harry whimpered through the mental-link to Atlantis, which quickly alarmed the planet. In retrospect Harry should have known better then to alarm a sentient planet. At the time however- he had passed out.

Atlantis had only served Ancients – Ancients were used to Atlantis' version of quick travel, and had a better stomach for such abrupt departures and arrivals. Atlantis hadn't taken into account, that it's new King was human, and prone to motion sickness.

Atlantis, alarmed, searched through Harry's mind for what could help- while at the same time alerting the Council and Guard that Harry was ill (which was alike to a mental slap in the face for the telepathic Ancients who weren't used to a 'panicked' planet) and searching for 'Chicken Soup / Doctor / Trash Can' though its inhabitants minds.

Including the humans…

While the Ancients tried to gain information form a panicked Atlantis on where exactly Atlantis had placed its King- as Harry wasn't among them at the Cove- Atlantis had promptly found 'Doctors' among the humans…and decided to take them to Harry. Hoping they could provide the 'Chicken Soup/Trash Can'.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

--With Doctor Radek Zelenka--

Weir watched with mild amusement mixed with annoyance as McKay and Zelenka argued on just how Harry had managed to become a King. John watched with a small grin as McKay argued with the other scientist. Ronon and Teyla were off staff fighting.

Harry's former team (Lt. Ford, Lt. Laura Cadman, Halling) were also watching 'their' scientist.

"I still say he cheated!" Rodney exclaimed, a slight whine in his tone. Dr. Zelenka rolled his eyes.

"How Rodney, would you go about cheating a planet?" Dr. Zelenka asked his tone disbelieving.

"I don't know! Harry's Ancient-genes are as active as Sheppard's! It shouldn't be possible for a human to be King of Ancients!" Rodney assured everyone, while Sheppard raised an eyebrow.

"Who would you have preferred be King of the Ancients, Rodney?" Sheppard asked, clearly amused that a planet could be 'cheated' from a rightful king.

"Well, uh, that really isn't the point Sheppard! He cheated I know it!" Rodney told him after frowning for a moment. Sheppard grinned, clearly amused at Rodney's reply. Weir shook her head, and turned to converse with Halling- who looked slightly insulted at Rodney's comments.

"Sure Rodney, whatever you say." Sheppard said, dismissing his worries. The lights of the City flickered, and Teyla came running in.

"Dr. Beckett and Ronon have disappeared from the infirmary!" She yelled- Lt. Ford had stepped foreword to go to her- and brushed by Dr. Zelenka, all three- Rodney, Zelenka, and Lt. Ford, promptly disappeared.

"What were you saying Teyla?" Sheppard whispered looking pale.

"Ronon strained something during practice, and we went to see Dr. Beckett, he was examining him, and, and did that!" Teyla exclaimed, waving to where the three had disappeared.

"Find a way to contact the Ancients; ask the Athosians to search the edge of the mainland." Weir ordered, Halling and Teyla nodded and Sheppard and Lt. Laura Cadman headed for where they kept the Jumpers.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Thus how Doctors Carson Beckett, Rodney McKay, and Doctor Radek Zelenka found themselves – and anything/anyone they happened to be touching (Lt. Ford and Ronon) somewhere on the sandy beach of the continent.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

TBC...


Note: As lakewater corrected me, giving me the real name of the whales, I'm choosing to write up one of her story ideas she has on her author page; another challenge if you will.

The ones I'm interested are;

- What if a wraith and a member of the expedition get stuck alone on a uninhabited planet and end up developing an odd relationship to survive long enough for rescue...(might combine with) - A vampire (or werewolf) has been living secretly in Atlantis as a civilian scientist since Earth reestablished contact... Must deal with the difficulties a vampire can have in keeping his/her secret and dealing with their hungers with the situations in Atlantis...

- What if SGA-1 (Sheppard's team) meets their evil counterparts (John is vindictive, Rodney is ruthless, Teyla is immoral, Ronon is indifferent, etc.) that are from a (alternate) mirror universe where good is evil and evil is good (you can get some inspiration from Star Trek: Enterprise's episodes "In the Mirror, Darkly" Part 1 and 2 (might combine with) What if a wormhole opens unexpectedly in the middle of the graveyard-shift in Atlantis and an object (a letter, recorded message, or if you are feeling really inspired something else) with a warning from the future comes flying out (like Stargate: SG-1's episode 2010)...

- What if an entire city of the Ancients was left on Earth under the ice of Antarctica...was discovered by SG-1 (during the events of the episode Lost City) and it is believed to be Atlantis...(might combine with) - What if Atlantis has been (since the begining) sentient and "woke up" when the expedition got there... Must deal with the difficulties people can have in a living city (like being watched constantly, no privacy, etc.) with the situations in Atlantis...(and)- A Tok'ra has been in Atlantis from the start of the expedition by hiding in one of the civilians or in one of the military personal. Only one other person (someone with a medical background) knows about this Tok'ra, this other person has been sworn to secrecy by that Tok'ra about its presence... Must deal with the difficulties a host and a Tok'ra can have in keeping their secret with the situations in Atlantis...

PS- This does not mean I'll take up a challege from everyone- nor does it mean it'll take time away from this, or any other fic I have up...Sorry for the multi-update thing...won't happen again...lets hope.