//------------------------------//
// Catastrophe 3 
// Story: Eclipse's Journey 
// by Eclipse_filer 
//------------------------------//

Rain rose to her hoofs with an angry expression. Midnight says “what, you got something to say to me now?” Rain nodded her head saying “sure, why are you acting like this? What did I do to make you this mad?” Midnight shook her head and said “It wasn't what you didn't do. After you left I went through a plethora of things.”  Rain retorts “that has nothing to do with me!” Midnight lounges at Rain. Rain watched her fly the air, with a depressed look. Midnight’s hoof flew pass Rain’s face with Midnight facing Rain. Midnight said in a low voice “I know, I know, but it would have been way easier if you were there.”


-Eclipse-


After that was settled and Midnight said they can stay a few days, despite Midnight had won every round. I looked at Rain and she barely looked hurt, except for a few scratches. I asked Midnight “I’m not sure what happen between you two to make you so mad. I’m glad, you worked it out. Remind me not to make you two angry. But I want to ask, how come Rain is not really hurt? You smacked her into next month with a bench.” She said “that is because of the mandatory crystals called Bastions; all sparing areas are required to have it. Bastions generates some high level magical barriers on the casters and others in its range. Someone could jump off the fifth floor of a building and walk it off without getting hurt.” The group went back upstairs to find Shadow reading a book. Shadow looked up from his large book titled hoof of fear. Shadow said in a serious tone “Good you're all back, we need to go meet someone.” Saphyre asked Shadow who it was and he said, “Queen Scarlet”.



Shadow began leading them to where Scarlet is while Midnight headed to the front desk, to get back to work. Shadow continued to say, “You would not believe it but she is here.” After passing a bookshelf we saw a young mare sitting a table, reading a large tome with ease. She looked really like Scarlet but there were a few differences. The mare looks like she is half the size of the queen wearing glasses. Her hairstyle was a…She looked up saying “Hello there, I believe you all can help me with my side project.”

Saphyre says “Your Scarlet? But you look nothing like Scarlet, your voice and your scent is different.” Sheepishly Scarlet blushes and looks away. The mare said, “I would sometimes sneak off when I was young and cause a little trouble. To not get caught, transform magic became a must learn for me.” Rain dismissive says “So, changelings learn to transform at a young age.”



Scarlet says “I rather not talk about it. More importantly I have something to discuss with you all. After the last time I met you all, I have done some research in my...previous situation. I made a grave revelation in my search for what came over me. I was possessed by an element of catastrophe.”



There were a few seconds of silence between the team. They looked confused between them and Eclipse sighed thinking he would have to ask. Eclipse asked what are the elements of catastrophe. Scarlet took a breath and says “Negative emotions are as old as the life on this planet itself. The elements are the embodiment of negative emotions from beings’ centuries ago.

Some religiously obsessed group, believed they should try to remove all negative emotions from others. Thinking they were only a hindrance to their daily lives. Using magical gems, they could siphon and contained the strongest of negative feeling beings had at the time. The most notable of them were Logic, Cruelty, Betrayal, Selfishness, Despair, Lying and Regret. Anyone that gets their emotions drained, were cleansed of their burdening effects. Beings that lost their loved ones from an accident, some were full of rage or doubt for whatever reason, suddenly it was gone. You can guess what element possessed me.”

With more of a confused look Saphyre says “wait you said the negative emotions was contained in the gems. How were you possessed?”

Scarlet nodded and replied “I was wondering that too, so I did some more digging. I found out a thousand years later, a group of revolutionaries found out about the elements. Then stole the elements for their cause, to reform the world's leaders at the time. The revolutionaries thought they could use them to remove the corruption in the leaders of their lands. As you should know our world, Terra is a united world divided into to 8 rulers and it's been that way for eons. There are several ways to rule your kingdom, monarchy, diarchy, election, the list goes on. The most common was monarchy, since most of the mass only cared about how ‘the system’ benefits them and not how it works. The rulers at the time each of them had negative qualities, some were stronger than others. Each leader oppressed and held back their land in some way. Unfortunately, the element’s siphon worked horrifying too well.

The elements removed the most dominant negative emotion in the leaders. The effects devastating to them mentally. The rulers could no longer display that emotion in anyway. To give you an idea, imagine a pushy manager going too far to meet deadlines. After they are drained by the elements, the manager stops bothering their employees. However, they become incapable to motivate them to work. Society was on the verge of collapse, from these charms. Since, the rulers were incapable to make to choices the world needed.”

Saphyre says “so, their personality swapped extremes?”

Scarlet replied “I believe so, the books only said their personality changed. I'm not sure yet but I think this is related to what happened to me. So, I have a request, I want you all to investigate and defeat the elements of catastrophe.”

I say “Scarlet, you're asking for a lot from us. We don't even have any leads on where to look. On top of that, you're asking the beings that defeated you. I have more questions but the point is, Why us?”

Scarlet replies “Well, it’s because you're the first group to face me and beat me, I am asking you to do this. I would ask for my guards too help. However, I refuse to go back and ask my nation to aid me after the torture I put it through. It's my way to make amends for what I have done. So, I though hiring a group of mercenaries would help.”

Rain chimes in saying “That’s all nice and noble of you queeny but we’re not mercenaries. On top of that your beautiful crusade for redemption, sound like a bedtime story gone wrong. I'm going to level with you. Scarlet, you said if the elements of catastrophe possessed you right. But by your own research, the elements don't have this ability. It sounds like you're running from your problems.”



Scarlet glared at Rain with a look that could burn through stone. Scarlet remarks “It's fine with me if you are declining my offer but don't act like you know me. *sigh* I'm shocked, I thought you would be on board with your captain here. His eyes lit up like there was a party. Even his tail is wagging like a dog's.”



I look back and notice my tail wagging like crazy. With an embarrassed look, I tried to grab my tail with little success. After a few seconds, Rain cleared her voice loudly, immediately getting my attention. Rain said “the point is we have a lot of problems to deal with right now. We can't take in another one.” Scarlet says “fair enough, but are you sure? I can pay you all handsomely. Or I’ll owe you a favor.”



Before Rain could shoot her down I said “Scarlet, I want to take your mission but this isn't fully my decision. Guys, what do you think?” Saphyre said “I do absolutely hate her, but I guess we can’t let those elements running around.” Shadow jumps in saying “I do and I want nothing to do with her.” Scarlet comment “looks like your team has hit an impasse. So how are you going to solve it?”



Rain said we could just fight it out in the basement of this library, after asking the librarian. Scarlet agrees and so does Shadow. After a few minutes they back down stairs, with Shadow and Scarlet facing off. Before the battle started I asked Rain “Why does everything come back to fighting?” She responds with “that's a good question but I think this maybe the best for both.” I wondered why and she told me because Queeny seems like she is trying to make things right with all the subjects she treated poorly. While Shadow has a bone to pick with her. Which is weird, he never gets this angry or holds grudges. I asked her how does she know that; Rain said and smiled “I can taste this kind of thing remember".