Part 12: Remember the Forgotten (UPDATE May 21st 2012: The story is back again and this time better than ever. Take a look out for MLP: Echoes of the Old World on and FimFiction. Enjoy a new an improved version of this royal reunion!)
"The Old World?" Applejack said in wonder "Can such a place really be that harsh?"
"You have no idea…" Atom said with sigh.
"How can a world be old?" Pinkie Pie asked rather flatly "I mean does it have a beard or wrinkles like old people?"
"Pinkie, I don't think he meant 'old' by age." Twilight said
"Indeed." Atom nodded "I do not call it old for its actual age, I call it old because it what the world used to be a long time ago."
"And how was it back then?" Rarity asked leaning in
"A lot like the Everfree Forest." Atom answered.
Many of the ponies made surprised gasps and gestures (such as Rarity fainting.) With the sole exception of Twilight who had heard the story of the forest beforehand.
"How could any place like the Everfree Forest exist; it seems so unnatural." Applejack responded
"That's what made it natural." Atom said "You six live in a world so very different that it's not surprising that you would find it weird."
"You've been there." Fluttershy said quietly interjecting "Was it scary?"
"Scary?" Atom laughed "Ignoring what is actually dangerous nothing can compare."
"What do you mean? Compare to what?" Rainbow Dash said quickly
"I mean the look and the feel." Atom said slightly closing his eyes in memory "You watch your monarchs raise the sun and moon with their magic. As magical and wondrous it looks nothing can compare to the wonders and majesty of nature."
"It can't be all that different can it?" Twilight asked
"You've never seen it before, or felt it. The rays of the rising sun gleaming over the horizon through the clouds. The fresh wind blowing in your face. The cool spray of the ocean seas. And the glistening of the moon underneath the stars. Sitting there just staring; you just feel like you entered a completely different realm." Atom described.
"That sounds so… romantic" Rarity said whimsically
"But what do you mean ignoring the dangerous stuff?" Applejack asked in the middle
Atom's eyes opened again, this time with a rather sadden look. "I would say that there are bad things where there are good things."
"How bad?" Rainbow Dash asked
Atom made a deep sigh "There are creatures there that are not all necessarily good, nor are they evil. Many of them have abilities not unlike our own. Some whimsical and magical. Some powerful and diabolical. And some things that cannot be simply been explained."
"What kind of creatures?" Fluttershy said in a scared tone, slightly moving backwards.
"I'm not sure I'm the pony to tell you all that." Atom said sighing again looking at the sky.
"Why not?"
The Mane 6 turned their heads to see King Helios slowly trotting towards them. However Atom did not return his gaze from the sky.
"It would be a very interesting story to tell, I'm sure they would love to hear it."
"Mind your own business... old man." Atom said in gruff tone of voice. The others turned their head in slight fear and surprise. "Did he just call him an old man?" Rainbow Dash put out bewildered.
"You brought them to the trial." Helios put out softly "I believe they have many questions that can benefit from your 'perspective.'"
"Perspective you call it?" Atom said turning his attention towards the King for a few moments "Or something I would rather forget?"
"You have done many good things to remember my friend." King Helios assured "I'm sure these ponies can use a hero's tale." He gave a smile and walked passed them; Atom giving off a cold, emotionless stare as he passed. "Remembering is no insult to their memory…" He whispered in Atom's air before walking out of sight.
For a few moments Atom stood like a statue thinking out in cold, it wasn't until Twilight tapped him on the head that he realized that the rest of them had been watching him for a bit.
"Sorry to bother you" Twilight said politely "But I think we should start on our way back to Ponyville."
"Oh… right…" Atom said taking a quick breath of air before leading the ponies outside of Canterlot on the road towards Ponyville. It was a while before the group arrived back in town. By then the sun had nearly set and the moon was on the horizon; the group had split off and went home ending with Atom and Twilight back in front of the library.
"Thank you for escorting us back." Twilight thanked the stallion.
"Your welcome" Atom said a bit glumly as Spike opened the door from the inside.
"Oh there you are!" Spike said "I wondered where everyone went after I fell off your back and he 'poofed' you away!"
"Oh don't be silly Spike" Twilight said rubbing the dragon's head "We we're never in any danger anyways." Looking away for a moment, Twilight saw that Atom was rather disheartened. Mustering up her courage she asked the stallion if everything was alright.
"I'm fine Twilight Sparkle… I'm just thinking."
"About what happened…" Twilight began "I'm sorry if we started on something we shouldn't have. You don't have to tell us if you don't want too."
"I know it's just… difficult to explain as well for myself to understand it…"
"What do you mean don't understand? The King called you a hero!"
"A Hero!" Spike said excited "Like a real hero! Or a Super Hero!"
"Hero?" Atom said with short frown "I never called myself that nor do I seem to be anything that is like a hero."
"But-" Spike said
Atom said loudly: "A hero is supposed to save people. And even if I did that day it was not glorious it wasn't even anywhere near heroic! I did what I believed what was right and I did it again and again even if someday I'd end up like this!" Atom pulled his left wing by using his mouth revealing the massive scar right underneath the wing muscle. It looked as though the scar ran deep, close too the point as if the wound itself pierced right through.
Twilight could only cover her mouth while Spike's leg simply gave away and he felt seated on the dirt with a soft thud. Atom released the wing from his mouth with a spit; slightly panting in anger.
"I'm sorry…" Atom said taking a breath "I shouldn't have said that in that manner…"
"No I asked you. I should be apologizing." Twilight said visibly frightened but also genuinely sorry.
"Forgive my anger and impatience." Atom said quietly "I take my leave then Twilight Sparkle."
Atom slowly turned himself around; head down and eyes in emotional trance before walking out of town. Twilight picked up the still dumbfounded Spike and proceeded into her home. On closing up she could have sworn she saw a tear on the stallion's face.
Well I finally drove myself to put out this part. Its really a matter of debate if I want to expand further since I don't know how much I can drive myself to write something like this when I have so much to do. This marks the end of the Royal Reunion story which in reality was intended to be a REALLY short idea which started growing among my other brony friends at a rapid rate.
Despite if it ends here or not I do thank everyone for taking their time to read this crazy idea of a fiction.
UPDATE May 21st 2012: The story is back again and this time better than ever. Take a look out for MLP: Echoes of the Old World on and FimFiction. Enjoy a new an improved version of this royal reunion!
Ultima75000
