The Prophecy

Chapter 13

Drs. Weir, McKay and Beckett along with Lt. Fordand Teyla were assembled in the briefing room at Teyla's request. She had insisted there was something she had to tell them that could not wait. She was clearly not well yet, but Dr. Beckett at eventually given in to her request.

"I have asked you here to tell you of a prophecy that has been handed down for generations among my people. It is believed to be the oldest written prophecy that we know of. It is written in the language of the Ancestors. For a long time, no one believed that this prophecy would ever come true, but when you arrived in this galaxy and when Atlantis rose from the ocean, some people remembered the prophecy. The prophecy starts by describing your arrival. It talks of a circle of events that started when John accidentally woke to the Wraith three years ago. The circle will come to a close one of two way, either he and the other Chosen will triumph over the Wraith, defeating them once on for all, or the Wraith will achieve dominance over this galaxy, taking over this city, finding a path into your galaxy as well. At least that is how Halling and I interpret the old dialect." Teyla tried to make sense while getting to the point in as few words as possible. Looking at Dr. Beckett' confused expression, she wasn't sure that she had succeeded.

"I take it that was that was the condensed version. Who is the other Chosen? What about John becoming an Ancient? What you were telling me earlier and this Gift that you mentioned?" Dr. Beckett tried his best to get the facts straight, as long as one could speak of facts when it came to a prophecy. But in the past three years, he had seen many things that he had never believed possible before.

"Start at the beginning, Teyla. Take all the time you need." Dr. Weir said, trying to calm her, seeing how agitated Teyla had gotten.

"I was just telling you the most important points before, the prophecy is very detailed in truth.

Some of what is prophesied has already happened. Your arrival in our galaxy, you saving my people from the Wraith, John waking the Wraith, the alliance of our people, the attack of the Genii, the first attack of the Wraith against Atlantis. That is why I believe the prophecy to be true. The prophecy has even come true on a …personal level for me. It mentions a close relationship between the two Chosen warriors. Both of them are described as warriors by training and by heritage. One of them native to this galaxy and a brave leader of my people and the other as the chosen child of the forefathers, which, is how John is referred to in the prophecy." Teyla paused, not looking up. Everyone knew about their relationship and they had never intended to keep it a secret but she still did not feel very comfortable talking about it to others.

"The Chosen, it's you and John!" Lt. Ford stated what everyone was thinking.

"The prophecy says that once that two Chosen are united in body and spirit, their common journey will commence. The chosen child of the forefathers will return to the power of his forefathers once he starts his journey. An unexpected enemy will awake an old Gift in the Chosen.

He will not be accustomed to handle the burden of his heritage and he will suffer in body and in spirit. The Gift will be too much for their minds to handle and will cause them great pain, but they will prevail with the help of a great Healer and will be able to use their Gift against the great Enemy. In order to learn about their Gift and their destiny the Chosen must journey to the Old City of the Forefathers, buried on the planet know to our people as Athos. Only one of the forefathers or a direct child of them can unlock the secrets of the Old City. The Chosen must prove themselves worthy of their destiny, but their friends still stand behind them even as they waver. They will struggle and suffer, but they will prevail in the end, as they are truly Chosen." Teyla focussed on a spot on the wall, as she practically recited the words, distanced herself from the fact that she was talking about the man she loved. She couldn't bear the pain, not now. But she had to tell them, her friends had to know what she knew.

"I take it that 'the Great Enemy' refers to the Wraith. What is that 'Gift' that you keep mentioning?" Dr. Weir asked.

"Yes, the Wraith are indeed 'the Great Enemy'. The 'Gift' is how my people refer to extraordinary mental ability as such those possessed by the Aronans. The ability to know the thoughts of others, the ability to see the future in visions. To have a mind that moves beyond the boundaries of ordinary thoughts. My people believe that some of our prophets and seers could see thoughts as well as the future. They possessed the Gift as we believe. It is out belief that the forefathers, you call the Ancients, gave this Gift to them. But it has been many years since anyone with the Gift has been born. The Wraith hunt them, as they fear them."

"Wait a minute, Teyla. Telepathy is a weapon against the Wraith? If you knew, why haven't you mentioned this before?" McKay asked slightly incredulous.

"I never knew it to be real. There were only old tales that we tell children at night. We had never met any aliens capable of what you call telepathy until we came to Arona two day ago. I never believed it to be possible myself."

"It's all right. We didn't know that it was possible either. But it could explain why the Aronans have been safe from the Wraith." Dr. Beckett said.

She took a breath and continued telling her friends of the prophecy. "But the Chosen ones are to survive all torment and be stronger for the change. The Gift, will make them feared by the Great Enemy, but it will lure them it the City. The attack will be ferocious and lives will be lost as the City falls for the second time in history. Yet, although the Great Enemy will be able to drive the Atlantians from their City, they will not defeat them. They will defend themselves bravely and the Chosen will stand on their side, the Gift driving away the Great Enemy. The final battle will be fought on the Forbidden Planet of the Forefathers. But no one leaves the Forbidden Planet, not even the Chosen Ones. Their sacrifice can defeat the Great Enemy banishing it for time to come."

TBC

A/N: I hope all those waiting for the prophecy to be revealed were not disappointed. In case, anyone noticed, the Forbidden Planet, along with some other elements of the Prophecy, is familiar from another story of mine, called 'The End of Time' which used to be posted on this archive, but which I deleted shortly after posting because it was definitely too adult in content for an archive that has a lot of underage readers. To explain: 'The Prophecy' is the first of four stories that all tell the story of the prophecy. I first wrote that story of the final battle and the aftermath (That was 'The End of Time' – a very dark story for adult readers.) and more recently the two other parts, 'The Journey' and 'War'. Only a couple of weeks ago, I finally had an idea of how to begin the story.