Echoes of the Old World

by Ultima75000

Gathering of a Lifetime

Chapter 17: Gathering of a Lifetime

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"It's not the jump that's the scary part. It's always the landing…"

---

"It's been nearly a week since we've heard from you're servant Draco. Are you sure that he as competent as you say?"

"Hold your tongue dark king…" Queen Chrysalis sneered at the ghost "You wouldn't be standing here if he wasn't, figuratively speaking of course."

King Sombra's dark misty form shivered for a moment as he growled back at the changeling mistress.

"If I had my body…"

"But you don't!" Discord whizzed in hanging upside down in between them "You can say that you're 'full of HOT air?"

Sombra lashed out in a ghastly howl which would have made timberwolves flee in terror. "You dare mock me! I was promised a new body but your wretched slave sent me back in no better shape than before! I should have taken back the Crystal Empire when I-"

A deathly chill blew through the queen's hive. An unnatural wind that seeped to sap the warmth out of their very bones; even the spectral form of King Sombra felt the coldness of the air. The other changelings quivered from the gust and hid deeper into their nests. Soft hoof steps echoed through the dark tunnels of the front entry way.

"Who's there?" Queen Chrysalis asked

Out of the blackness of the cave trotted out another changeling much larger than any of the others, matching Queen Chrysalis herself in size if not a larger. His face had eyes of piercing green burning with red and violet flames shot at the trio of evil gathered at the center of the room, a long jagged horn was upon his forehead almost oozing out an aura of rot and decay and a set of enlarged insect wings. Beneath this bleak visage wrapped around his next in chains was the azure pillar, but its color had greatly darkened to that of a midnight sky.

"Draco?"

The mutated changeling smiled showing elongated fangs "It's time…" he said, his voice echoed with unnatural strength and presence. "The pieces of the board are moving…"

"What happened to you? You're voice is…"

Draco just continued to smile. "I've had a change for the better…"

Queen Chrysalis felt a sense of disgust and dread as the impression of her servant's instinct finally caught on to her changeling senses. It was much more different than before, even when he came back brimming with energy from the crystal heart. It was dark, dark and heavy; a notion she could not explain. She felt the blood within her veins turn cold and her wings stiffen up as she continued to look.

Her eyes then lined up with one of his. The single iris stared straight back and her heart felt as if was about to burst. For a moment in time she felt as the energy coursing around Draco was somehow in its own way… alive.

"That can't be him…"

"You doubt me…" Draco said suddenly knocking her out of the trance and putting her into shock.
"Did he just read my…!"

"Your beliefs are justified dark king…" Draco continued. Queen Chrysalis made a sigh of relief. "You couldn't trust me or anyone else so in secret you consolidate by slowly siphoning the life force of the crystal ponies we have currently imprisoned. In time you would have the power to re-create your own body…"

King Sombra's hazy apparition gritted its jaws together. He… 'IT' knew.

"But you have your uses. The primary concern now is him…" Draco pointed his own horn at the draconequus.

"What…?" Discord said joking around "What did I do this time?"

"It's not what you did it's what you will do…" Draco approached him slowly "Unfortunately this also means that you have no place among us anymore…"

"And that's supposed to mean…?" Discord tuned out of his normal sarcastic demeanor for a moment. "You honestly think that booting me out from your little group of 'friends' that I'm suddenly going to beg for you not too?"

"No…" Draco replied with a blank stare. He then smiled. "I'm not giving you a choice!"

With an ear piercing howl from the changeling the dust from the ground was uplifted. Rocks and boulders with yanked off the ground from the scream, shattering them into a dozen pieces and blowing the draconequus halfway across the hive.

King Sombra had to focus to stop his ghostly body from being carried away by the gust. Queen Chrysalis dropped on her knees doing her best to grip the dirt floor to stop her from flying off the ground along with the rocks.

Discord's surprise trip was only stopped when he crashed into a pile of rubble on the other side. "So you want to play rough?" He snapped his fingers causing much of the flying debris to stop in midair before gravity simply pulled them back straight down. "We can play rough"

"I'm not here to play games…" Draco growled, appearing behind the draconequus in a heartbeat. Barely able to twist around to respond, Discord felt his body stiffen up and freeze as the gaseous aura oozing out of Draco's horn enveloped him.

The transformation was painful. Much more painful that he remembered. The mist tore away at his hide as the casing of solid stone replaced him piece by piece. All the while the mutant changeling gazed at him with the same bleak set of emerald eyes.

"Thou are cursed Discord… a prison of stone you are once again cast until a certain someone takes pity on you. A pity it will be sooner than you think for you not remember any of this. But you will remember this: the next time we meet, it will be on the fields of battle."

The spell finished as the last remains of flesh was removed and every hint and trace of color left nothing but shades of gray rock.

"Take him back to Canterlot!" Draco ordered. A group of changelings without hesitation or perhaps fear descended down from their nests and carried off the statue.

"What good does that do?" Queen Chrysalis moaned dusting herself off "Now we're short a-"

Draco glared back at her "He wasn't of any more use. He was more of an annoyance…"
Queen Chrysalis didn't respond

"Tough talk…" King Sombra said approaching from behind "But even with you're newfound abilities what do you hope to gain from sending Discord back to Canterlot?"

"To wipe them all out in one fell swoop"

Both King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis exchanged looks of confusion.

"Discord is nothing more than a pawn in this game. Sooner or later he will turn on us. His complicated history makes him a weak link. And weak links must be eliminated…" Draco turned his attention to King Sombra.

"Your turn…"

Crimson lighting shot out of Draco's horn striking the very center of King Sombra's spirit. The black king howled and screeched as his features one again became solid. His sense began to return; the air in his lungs, the touch of the ground and feel of his cold metal armor. When he was done screaming the black mane unicorn was standing once again.

"I live!" King Sombra declared "Flesh, blood and bone! I am alive once more!"

"I've put up with our side of the bargain." Draco reminded him "Now you will do yours."

"Yes… of course." King Sombra seethed "I will lend you my support in assaulting Canterlot."

"Good… because you're going to be on the front line…"

---

The initial rush throughout the land of Equestria went off like wildfire. Barely a day after Twilight received her personal invitation to the World Summit, Princess Celestia announced it nationwide. Soon everypony was abuzz with the event. Though the initial Grand Galloping Gala had been more or less canceled and moved to the side the thought of being able to visit an open party potentially far greater was too good for anypony to resist.

Cloudsdale, Manehattan, Trottingham; no place was not excited by the prospect of the Summit. Ponyville was no exception. Princess Celestia herself personally announced the event in the town square. Since that moment, each and every pony was getting ready for possibly one of the biggest events of their lives. Rumors began to spread of already arriving ambassadors and representatives consisting of kings and queens, dukes and marquis, ministers and lords; all of them including the masses of the population we're converging on Canterlot. Many in Ponyville had already left and taken to renting rooms in Canterlot. Hotels we're filled to the brim so quickly that even Canterlot's Academy Dorms we're being used!

It was a night before the Summit, Twilight packed last year's Gala dress into her bags along with a few necessities. ..

"Twilight I don't think you need to bring all these books." Spike said pointing at the large brick pile of textbooks behind her.

"I just want to be prepared." Twilight said smiling "Princess Celestia might give me a test afterward and I'll need something to study with."

"And I'm sure you'll need to study on how to enjoy a party…" Spike moaned

"Done!" Twilight said closing her case "Grab the luggage Spike! The others are probably at the train station by now!"

"How am I supposed to carry all this?" Spike moaned "Wait Twilight! You're Element!"

Spike did his best to point at the tiara on the table. Princess Celestia had since left the Elements with their respective wielders after reforming Discord.

"Thanks Spike." Twilight said snatching it off the table and putting in her bag. "To the train station!

Spike had to convince Twilight to leave behind most of her books as be could barely move; let alone get to the train station. In the end he had to agree to bring one of her largest textbooks as well as a Daring Do series book for Rainbow Dash. By the time they reached the train station there was already a giant waiting line.

"Oh we should have come here sooner!" Twilight complained from the back "We might not even get seats!"

"If we did I'm sure they wouldn't let that much luggage on the train for one pony." Spike said. They waited for nearly three hours before finally reaching the ticket booth.

"Sorry but that's the last ticket for tonight." The male booth pony said "No more room."

"What!?" Twilight gasped "But I have to be in Canterlot before tomorrow morning!"

"Sorry miss but there simply isn't room! You're going to have to wait until the next train." The stallion replied.

"Wait a minute!"

Twilight looked around the booth. "Shining Armor!" Twilight dropped her bags on poor Spike who barely caught them as she lunged at her older brother to hug him. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to pick you up." Shining Armor said returning the hug "What kind of brother would I be if I didn't?"

Shining Armor turned to the little purple dragon spike who was struggling to keep both his and Twilight's luggage from toppling over. A bit of unicorn magic and the entire load lifted itself from his claws.

"She's with me. I'll put her things in my own cart."

"Yes your majesty" The stallion in the ticket booth said. Twilight looked at the stallion a bit funny then back at her brother. She wasn't used to her brother being called that.

"Come on." Shining Armor said to her "Cadance is waiting for you."
Twilight didn't need any more convincing and followed him to the front luxury train carts.

Few moments after opening the side door she was greeted by her friends already inside with the Princess.

"Hi!" They all said

"Everyone…!" Twilight said partly surprised and excited. She directed her attention to her former baby sitter who got up from her seat.

"Cadance!" Twilight hugged her sister in law before starting their special hoof shake: "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

"Good to see you Twilight." Cadance said after finishing the clap
"Finally a time where we're not saving Equestria again." Twilight joked

"Have you decided to be our representative at the Summit?"

Twilights smile faltered for a moment "Well…"

Shining Armor put a hoof on her back "Twilight, I something the matter? I thought you'd be excited!"
"No I am excited! I just don't know if I'm the right pony for the job!" Twilight said "I'm not from the Crystal Empire, how could I represent it?"

"Rubbish Twilight!" Rarity said "You may not live in the Empire but you're brother is the Prince!"
"You've saved both him and Princess Cadance twice!" Applejack said
"And had parties every time we won!" Pinkie Pie added

"You're the most studious pony in all of Ponyville and maybe even Equestria!" Rainbow Dash said
"Second that!" Spike agreed
"You know more about the Crystal Empire's history than any other pony I know." Fluttershy said

"We chose you Twilight because out of every other pony out there I knew only that you could truly represent what both Shining Armor and I stand for as rulers of the Crystal Empire." Cadance finished off

"The choice was obvious." Shining Armor said rubbing Twilight's head "We wouldn't be where we are now without you."

Twilight's eyes filled up with water as she embraced her brother tightly for brief moment before taking out the letter and plucking the Ambassador's Medallion.

"Twilight Sparkle; representing the Crystal Empire ruled by Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance at your service." She said putting it around her neck.

---

If Ponyville was in a rush Canterlot was at least a hundred times worse. Overpopulated to the brim with guests and ambassadors there was barely any room for both guards and workers to get to their places in adequate time. As the rush of many ponies crowded every road and street a lone pony watches from the top of the Astronomy tower.

"So many little mice" Atom said leaning over on the edge of the tower's small balcony "So much trouble to deal with later…"

There was a knock on the door.

"It's open!" Atom answered not moving from his spot. The door opened and closed quietly allowing the younger Princess Luna to walk inside.

"Sorry to bother you, Celestia and I wanted to make sure your new furnishing was comfortable."

"Being stuck in an astronomy tower for a few nights is no punishment." Atom replied "Many would probably prefer it up here than a luxury tent."

Princess Luna approached closer towards the male alicorn. "If I may ask: Why do you still remain here?"

"What do you mean?" Atom turned only his eyes towards the princess of the night

"If you we're sent to deliver a message then your quest is complete. There is no other reason for you to wander around, is there?"

"Beats me…" Atom said bluntly
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I just said. I. Don't. Know."

"That doesn't answer my question…" Luna held her ground
"Like anything I say now will convince you otherwise." Atom respond cracking his neck "Excluding the Pillar of Loyalty, I have no other reasons."
"Then can't there be better things to be done than sitting around?"
"Let me do my job and you do yours Princess. The less you know the better for Equestria."

---

The train ride seemed longer than usual. One would it guess it could because of the overstuffed carts full of ponies, loot and what not but the excitement made it go even slower. Nervousness and anxiety gripped Twilight's mind as she gazed out of the cart window.

Canterlot was not in view yet, but the night made it all the more difficult to tell how far they we're from it. The only thing visible outside was the star and moon light amidst the dark blue sky and their reflection in the lakes and rivers.

"You nervous Twilight?" Shining Armor asked her

"I could ask you the very same question. This is really is about you and Cadance." Twilight said "I'm just hoping I don't embarrass you two."

"Don't worry." Shining Armor hugged her from behind "You won't"

"Shining Armor, Twilight! Look! We're here!" Cadance said pointing

Twilight felt herself squashed against the wall as the body of her brother was pushed against as her friends started piling to get a view themselves.

Canterlot looked more magnificent than ever before. The entire city was decorated a hundred times over. Lights, ribbons and other items covered every nook and cranny that the ponies could see. The most impressive display was not the city decoration but the many banners and flags that hung all over the place. Huge tents and camp sites populated the outside castle grounds littered with coats of arms and icons of many different nations. Amidst the many camps walked every type of pony imaginable.

"Look at them all…" Rainbow Dash said in amazement her mouth dropping to the floor

"That's a lot." Applejack nodded her head with her fat falling off. She took a long moment to realize it fell off

"Biggest party ever!" Pinkie Pie said hopping up and down with excitement

"There's so many of them, I never knew there we're this many…" Fluttershy said almost backing away from the window in shock

"There are no words! Oh the event of the century and I get too… Ah!" Rarity fainted before finishing her sentence falling backwards off her seat.

Twilight's stomach suddenly felt like it imploded inside her body. She definitely was not prepared for something like this. The sense of her brother behind her made the feeling even worse. The train then made a hard brake at the station.

Everyone but Twilight made their way out of the train as quickly as possible. The noise of the hooves rattled the cart akin to that of a stampede. After the sounds died down she finally made her way out of the train. The first step out she already felt something different was watching her.

"Twilight?"

Twilight leaped in surprise off the train in surprise.

"You are nervous aren't you?" Princess Cadance said walking up to her "I wondered why we didn't see you rampage out with every other pony."

"Cadance… I'm sorry I was just thinking." Twilight shook her head trying to shake off the feeling

Cadance took a step forward and tapped Twilight's front hoof "Come on Twilight. Sunshine, sunshine…"

"Ladybugs awake" Twilight continued

"Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" they both finished together.

"That's the Twilight Sparkle I know." Cadance smiled "Come on, everypony is waiting for us."

Twilight and Cadance made their way into the castle following the trail their friends had. Princess Celestia had personally accommodated Shining Armor and Cadance due to them being the guests of honor for the Summit. Twilight being their representative and ambassador was also given a large enough room for herself and her friends to stay in.

"Your room misses." A guard bowed before unlocking the door, handing the keys to Twilight and walking away.

"I'm so excited!" Pinkie Pie kept saying over and over again as they entered the room. "Oh I wish it was already tomorrow!"

"Pinkie Pie please let's at least give Twilight some time to breathe!" Rarity said "She has a most important job ahead of her."

"No pressure…" Twilight joked putting down her things "It's just one of the biggest jobs in the whole world!"

"I want to see the other famous ponies already!" Rainbow Dash "An event like this is perfect for me to show my awesome flying abilities and make myself known worldwide!"

"My goodness that is a lot isn't it?" Fluttershy said thinking it over. "A world wide audience…"

"Shining Armor and I are in the room just above you." Cadance said to Twilight "There is going to be practice as both of us and Princess Celestia are going to introduce you into the Summit. I trust you'll be there tomorrow?"

"Of course" Twilight answered "Where is Princess Celestia anyways?"

"Probably busy preparing the throne room again. It's where all the ponies will be seated during the Summit. Though it will be off limits to the public"

"And Discord?" Twilight dared to ask

"Apparently he's actually doing some of the decorations. I believe both Celestia and Luna have him on a short leash as he seems overly cheerful."

Twilight sighed "Well that's good news. Where is Princess Luna then?"

"I have no idea." Cadance said thinking "I would guess that she'd be with Celestia but I haven't seen her lately."

"That's alright Cadance. I'm sure I'll run into her sooner or later. You should go get some rest."

Cadance nodded and left Twilight to finish unpacking her things. It only took a few minutes till she reached her Element of Harmony; the tiara at the bottom of her backpack. Before she could reach for it there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

The doors opened wide to reveal both Princess Celestia and Luna in the doorway. While Celestia seemed quite happy to see her student, Luna did not seem as pleasant.

"Twilight, my faithful student, I trust that you have accepted your brother's request?" Princess Celestia asked her
"How couldn't I? I did save him twice already."

"Twilight Sparkle, we'd like to have a word with you alone." Princess Luna said interrupting the moment. Not wanting to waste any of their time Twilight followed the two sisters who lead her straight into Princess Celestia's own bedroom.

"Forgive me Twilight, but there no other place that's more private." Celestia apologized closing the door behind her
"What's going on? Is something wrong with the Summit?" Twilight asked
"Princess Luna has reason to believe that the entire event is a setup…" Celestia said
"A setup?" Twilight cocked her head "For what exactly?"

"That's what we don't know." Princess Luna continued "For some time now I've been carefully watching the movements of one our guests. The male alicorn"

"Atom? He's still here?"

"Yes. We've moved him to the top of the Astronomy Tower to make room for the other guests. He didn't seem to object but I highly doubt that he's here for no reason. I'm inclined to believe that it's to deal with the Summit."

"Luna has told me that the stallion has done nothing but watch the stars and many guests that have arrived from the top of the tower for the past three days." Celestia said "He hasn't moved anywhere from that spot since. I think he's looking for something or someone…"

"And you think that someone is… me?" Twilight asked nervously

"It's a strong possibility." Princess Luna confirmed "Though we're not entirely sure since he has met you before. But given the circumstances and what he's told us it's hard to pinpoint if he's either looking for something else or just waiting for the right time."

"The Summit will have tight security but it's also the time when Equestria is most vulnerable." Princess Celestia explained "We must not anger the other nations nor appear to threaten them in anyway. Such actions may be taken as an insult or worse: a declaration of war. Something we both are loathing to even think about."

"So what am I to do then?" Twilight asked the two Princesses now even more nervous than before.

"Our understanding is that he wills most likely stay put until such a time he decides to move out. The other thing we know is that he is still looking for the last of the Pillars of Harmony; a most likely reason he's searching ponies like you for it. I suggest that you keep your Element on hand during the Summit just in case."

"But Princess Celestia-"

"No buts Twilight Sparkle. This is now a matter of global security. We cannot take any risks. Princess Luna has volunteered herself to look more into this matter as the night passes by. Hopefully she'll have good news at sunrise."

"Yes Princess." Twilight said bowing to the both of them. "Thank you and good luck to you Princess Luna."

Twilight left the room obviously a bit shaken from the conversation. When she was well out of hearing range Princess Luna turned to her older sister with a frown on her face.

"Do you think she suspects?" she asked
"I don't think so" Celestia shook her head a bit worried "She'll be too wrapped up in helping her brother to focus."
"Sis, we should have told her the entire situation! If what the male said is true then we should simply cancel the Summit and send everyone back to the safety of their homes!"
"It's too late for that now Luna." Celestia said "We can't simply send the many monarchs and governors here back home. They're our guests now."
"We did not invite guests to be massacred!" Luna grunted

"Luna! You will do what you must tomorrow and I'll do mine. Whatever comes to past we will stand as rulers Equestria; Protectors of Pony kind together."

"And Twilight?" Luna asked

"I do not want to burden her with such thoughts. This is not the time. She is not ready, not just yet."

"Yes sister…" Luna lowered her head "I just hope that we two are enough."

---

Author's Notes

Long story short: Waited on Season 3 episodes now dishing out chapters like mad! Also driving my editor bonkers on making him read the next chapters like homework. I swear I think he may leave the fandom just because of that ROFL.

Nah thats not going to happen. Next one up as soon as he stops procrastinating and reads the NEXT CHAPTER.
Ultima75000

Comments

[Shadow-Dancer]

why are they using person instead of pony (Unless they are humanized) but this dose not read like that or you just use it because you have always used it all your life.