//------------------------------//
// Part 6 
// Story: Eclipse's Journey 
// by Eclipse_filer 
//------------------------------//


Part 6


I slowly got up to see, I was in a small dark room without windows. There were odd and unpleasant smells coming from everywhere. There was an old bed and a toilet. The looks like the last occupant was a big guy. The toilet smells like it was hit by someone after eating a five bean burrito with chili covered in 5 alarm hot sauce and fish out the sea, while being sprayed but a skunk. The point is this room stinks!
By the gods above, how can a room smell so bad!? I covered my nose with my hoof and looked for the door. I saw a small sink and the door closed with bars. My mind automatically jumped to the conclusions of “The guards knocked me out and throw me in their prison. The others had to be in jail too. I should check if they are nearby.” I went to my cell room bars yelling “Hey guys, are you here!?” I heard Shadow call out “Me and Toka are here, did you just wake up?” I said yes to him and then he told me the girls are being held somewhere else. I replied back say I was going to bust them out. I ran to the back of the cell, summoned a shield then tried to use it as a battering ram. I ran into the bars with the shield thinking it will break. On impact, the shield faded from existence. I took the full brunt of the hit across my chest and face.
Fell to the ground after smacking my face against the bars. I yelled "Why didn't that work?”’ Toka said "The door is made with negation crystals. It’s like the disruption crystals from before. But it completely negates magic. I did not stop you because your magic didn't seem like the normal kind. So I thought you had a chance of breaking through.” Asked him why did he think I was different? Shadow said “Terra pony magic is usually super strength. Making things out of made out of magic is what unicorns do. So it's odd to see a terra pony pull a shield out of nothing.”
Before I could respond, three guards came into view. None of them seemed to be happy. One was the woman that knocked me out. The others were some of the guys we were beating up earlier. The two guys didn't seem all that hurt. They opened our respective doors placed a collar around our necks. One of the guards told us the collars were like the cell but they can deliver an electric shock to the wearer.
The collars were thick and a little on the heavy side. They were really bland looking with a dark purple glow. The only things on it were a two knobs and a dial. If I had to guess the knobs, the knob on the back of collar is to take it off. The dial must be to alter the level of shock and the other knob next to the dial is for the voltage level.

After our fitting, the guards were forcing us to an unknown location. Toka says “So, how bad is the damage. Are you going to kill us? Or are you inviting us in an elaborate dinner party?” The female guard stopped for a second. Walked over to Toka, smacked him so hard I could feel the hit. The female guardsmen yelled “Men should not speak unless spoken to! To answer your question, our queen Crimson Lotus has awakened from her long unplanned nap. She will torture you so much; you will pray and wish for your death at her hooves.”
Toka gave a uncaring look stating to her "If you're going to kill me anyway, I'm going to enjoy saying what I want.”  One of the other guards told the female guard to relax, since they are going to die. She said “Stay out of this Bob and we might get pizza with other things...after work.” Shadow asked “Are you two dating?” Bob said no they were married. I asked them how they meet. She started to blush and said “Well, since it's not going to matter. We met over 10 years ago. "The other guardsmen interrupted saying “we did not have time to fool around. The queen will have our coats. Remember, the last pair of guards at kept her waiting too long.” In unison they shivered from the unsightly flashback and then pushed us forward without hesitation.
We were taken to the castle's throne room. The throne room was huge, there were a few decorations around while two balconies. Two of the decorations stood out from the rest of them. There on the ground was an oddly colored rug. On closer inspection it was pony fur. The same was hovering over the throne in a different color. We were in shock as a group brought up the ladies.
Both Rain and Ariel was angry, Saphyre was calmer but still displeased with the situation. Rain was thrashing around like a caged animal inside a magic bubble. Ariel was literally looked like a caged animal. The restrains that looked like our collars but it was on all her limbs with her mouth. To top it off Ariel is in a reinforced cage like our cell. “Those guards weren't taking any chance with her” I thought. While Saphyre only was wear a collar like us.
Lotus was sitting on the throne, watching us for a minute or two. Her face was unreadable to me. That was never a good sign. She asked in a demanding voice “Are you the ones responsible for my untimely nap?” Rain snapped “Yes, were the ones that knocked you in next Friday and we will do it again!” Shadow said “Ms. Bolt, you're not helping.” Lotus smiled and said “My you are scrappy but I don't want a rematch, I want to extend my thanks to you all of you. I'm dropping all charges on your actions and giving you and free pass to leave the city.”
A loud WHAT!!! Came from everyone in the throne and echoed throughout the castle. Lotus continued “I am also stepping in down as the queen of this land. This monarchy will be changed to a democracy. I will get rid of some of the more outrageous laws like males can't run their own companies or woman raping men being legal.” The female guards look a little depressed from that. One of the female guards rushed out to her highness asking “My lord are you well? I have never heard you say so much no sense before.”
Ms. Lotus nodded said “You are right I have been acting weird. I haven’t been myself for over 10 years, since before I took power and my parents ruling. I wouldn’t have passed some of those rules. I’m angry and disgusted with myself for it; I can’t lead my fellow creatures like this. Right now I am in no condition to do my duties either. So, I will leave my creatures in fates in their own claws, hooves...ETC.” One of the guards asked what cause the change of heart. One of the female guards believed she was sick and thought she should go back to bed and try to sleep it off. Lotus waved her off saying she was fine. She answered the other guard with “It’s no secret on the day my parents met their demise and I gain a draconic servant. But there were a few things I didn’t think was important at the time. So I left them out when others asked me about what happened that day. At the time I was 12 years old and I was always mad with my father. Woman in our kingdom were being treated like accessories. My father didn't really respect my mother and I could see it every day. They would argue about improving how woman would be treated or how this castle is a reflection of his ego and stupidity. The debates would get so furious they would be into physical fights from time to time. The guards would need to break them up sometimes. My mother was quite the scrappy one. My father cared more about having ‘trophies’ then having a family. His selfishness and greed could put dragon’s greed seem tame. I was waiting for the day for my mom to say it was enough and she was going to leave him. The next time I saw them together was before I enslaved that horrid dragon. The situation left me emotionally destroyed from seeing my father stabbed and my mother lifeless at the ground. I was going to kill that demon right where he stood. Before I could do the deed, I felt something else take control of me.”
Everyone in the room became silent and confused from her last statement. My group seemed interested in her story, while the guards it was split down the middle. The male guards looked like they were concerned on whether or not Ms. Lotus was well. The female guards gave a fearful look like Ms. Lotus had gone mad.
She continued saying “When I was on top of the dragon after fighting him. All I could say was ’You Beast, Monster, mistake of nature! As long as I live, I will make all of your kind and related regret being born.’ He corrected me saying dragons are hatched not born. I smacked across his the face saying, I didn't need his lecture. As I was going to end him, I heard a voice say ‘or instead of killing this one...you could make him suffer‘. I thought I being going crazy but the voice reassured me 'Why not, he did kill your parents. You're the new ruler of the castle by default. You can make or change the rules of this land at your whim. All you have to do is take my power. With my power, all of the creatures who do not stand for your ideals will be beaten until they follow our ideas without hesitation. Their red and bloody sin of defiance to you shall be drained by your own crimson hooves. What do you think?' I felt cold and disgusted, but I know I didn't have the power to help my subjects. So I agreed and took on it’s power.
I felt strong enough to do anything, make anyone bend to my will. Before I knew it I had casted a spell on him. The voice told me the spell was making him a servant to my whims, prevents him from speaking a recognizable language and stops him from leaving my side.
After a few days, later my mind became fuzzy. I couldn't think straight about what I was doing or stop myself from doing it. I remember when I first started my rule. I took down most of the gentleman clubs out there I hated so much. Next, I outlawed males selling females for money. Things were pretty good but that's where my memory gets a little hazy. The next thing, I remember was lightly an elderly retirement home on fire. I could see what I was doing but I couldn't stop. The rest of the time my memory is in bits and pieces.”
After a long pause, a female guardsman said “So my queen, you are saying something has been controlling you for some time now. However, that doesn’t excuse the actions of these rebels and males’ actions. They need to be punished for causing so much trouble for our majesty. Some of their actions warrant the penalty of death!” Lotus sighed then with a confused look on her face says “Listen…mmm…Lissssa…Riiita…Jubeleee…” The guard groaned saying her name is Perry Winkle and she said was working for her for the last 5 years. Lotus blushed and said “I’m sorry but you see, I wouldn't remember the name of one of my guards who has been with me for five years...Sorry.” While Perry and Lotus was talking about that, Shadow snuck over to Saphyre and asked in a low tone “So are they going to kill us, let us go or have a tea party?” She shushed him saying “I want to see how this plays out.”

At this point Lotus was getting annoyed and just wanted this affair to be over and done. She stomped her hoof down on the ground, causing a loud echo to go through the castle. She declared her actions to be final. But before she steps down, Lotus command Miss Winkle to assemble 3 other woman with 4 four other male and at least one creature different from ponies to help run her nation in her absence. Lotus said she had a week determine who would be on it and she will aid her on finding Lotus’ replacements.
 
She then ordered the guards to release my group. Lotus told them to watch as long as we stay in Lupin. She continues say they wouldn't return our weapons until we were outside the city. Lotus dismissed us and retreated back to her room.
 
Ms. Winkle followed after with annoyed expression on her muzzle. The rest of the guards confused and wasn't sure how they were supposed to take the new batch of orders. Normally their queen would taunt and heckle her foes, after winning in some way. If it was criminal, she would waste no time and drag the unlucky soul into all kinds of torture. Some of her favorites were hanging criminals upside down for 2 hours straight. Or having them stay awake for 3 days to a week. Each time they fall asleep, the body would receive electronic shocks to your sensitive areas to shock you awake. I thanked the gods that did not happen.
    
Ariel asked the guards if we could head back to hotel. I asked her why because I didn't want to make that trip right now.I want to leave lupin as soon as possible. She said he had to so she could pick up her things she left there. The guards offered to teleport us to the inn back to the hotel we were stayed in earlier. One of us give the guards the address to Ariel’s inn. They said to the guard it was on Hoofinton and Track avenue. One of the female guards stepped forward declaring “Don’t worry, I got this one.” 

That guard doesn’t stand out much from the rest of the guards. Her coat was a grass green while her hair was a bright lime green. I couldn’t see her mark from the guard’s armor covering most of it. But her eyes were cold and soulless hunks of coal. They were devoid of all light, like she lost something really important to her. Her horn lit up with a bright shining light from her casting the spell. The light was tinted with a faded yellow glow; the light grew stronger and stronger until I looked had to look away.
 
        
Suddenly, I felt my body being jerk forward from being pushed by some unknown force. When I looked back, we were at Ariel’s hotel. Two of the guards stayed outside while the other seven followed us inside. Her hotel seemed empty upon going inside. Any evidence of changelings being there was completely erased. There wasn’t any sign of them being there. Ariel then told the seven guards in there, we needed some space to talk about something urgent. So we’re going to a guest room. One of the guards said they couldn't allow this from the queen’s earlier orders. So they came to a compromise of allowing them to use one of the rooms but only if two guards stood outside of the closed room.
 
The room she chose was the room, Rain stayed in on our first day. The room was smaller than the parent room was and it was kind of nice. Instead of using regular electrical lights to illuminate it, candles were being lit around the room. The firm bed was neatly made with a red blanket. Next to the bed was a small dresser with a framed picture on top. I was going to take a better look at the image but Rain magically moved it out of my hooves. I asked her what it was and she said to me it was really important to her without telling me what it is.
 
I sighed and decided the picture was none of my business and dropped it. Ariel started saying “Okay, we're safe to talk now. I made sure every guest room in the building was made with soundproof walls. ” I guess despite the fact we are safe right now. Ariel is more cautious than I realized. Rain asked where their family was right now. Ariel told her their parents and the other lings are waiting in a few different areas of the city, spread out and blending in. As soon as Ariel reports back, they were heading back home. In a gentle tone Ariel asked “Sis, you should go back with me. Become our queen like you were supposed to be, before you ran for it.” All the creatures in the room but Rain and Ariel had the look of confusion. Shadow says while being confused “Ms. Bolt you‘re a queen, but if so, then why are you our boss.” She sighed saying “If I had, then I would never have had a chance to fulfill my dreams. But that doesn’t matter much now.” Toka ask what did she mean by that, while Rain looked even depressed. She said she needs to get some and left the room.
 
Ariel shook her head while saying “When it comes to her dreams or things she cares about she is will to do anything for it.” Ariel sighed then continued to say “It’s her best and worst quality; look after her for me. The last thing our family needs to hear is Rain needing to beg and hustle for meals on the street.” Shadow says being a little displeased “You're leaving already but we barely got to know you” Ariel smiled a little at that and responded “I feel the same way but the faster me and my fellow creatures leave, the better for Lupin’s government. Don’t forget, we did just did a coup d’état. The last thing they need right now is to think there is going to be a changeling invasion too. Tell my sister, I am sorry had to leave earlier and I love her. There is always going to be a place for her in our hive, Bye.” She left out the door and without another word.
 
A few minutes went by as everyone began to relax for a second. Since we got here, the room was filled with tension. Now the four of us was left alone, that great weight felt like it was lifted. Then Ms. Bolt returned back to the room but she looked off. She was still in her disguise but she had dried tear marks on her face. Shadow asked what was wrong but she shook her head say everything is fine. Using her magic she the large traveling bags, we brought with us when we got to Lupin out of a corner in the room. I had completely forgotten about them until now, while Rain pulled out two envelopes. She hoofed them over to Shadow and Saphyre, and then looked a wall in another direction. They opened their envelopes to see a paycheck for both of inside. Shadow and Saphyre gave her a look of confusion. She said “Sorry, this is your final paycheck from me. It's nothing personal but I have to fire you two.” Shadow asked what was she talking about Rain responded with saying “My hotel is behind in paying its debt. It’s been like that for a whole 3 months. Customers would stop coming to Aster from Lupin Queen’s orders. Then that small group of morons Might V or something was scaring away the rest of any paying customers that visited.” Shadow asked who they were. I told him they were a small gang working for the government. Rain said “I had to call in on favors, take on a large loan at Aster and fundraisers to keep it going. While I hope you and Saphyre would come back soon. The loans for the hotel started to build up so much. I had to pay back my loans this Friday or I lose it. Now it's Saturday the 7th, I lost my business and I’m in debt.” Saphyre raised an eyebrow and said “Then how are you paying us?” She said “This is some of the money I saved up to pay for the bank’s loan. But I’m still short by a lot to fully pay it off. I’m sorry, Mr. Flier but I can’t pay you those days at my establishment for free like we agreed on. The most I can give you is some pocket change.”
    
I hadn’t notice but it I had a very distance expression, like I was lost in thought. I was getting kind of sick of Lupin and want to head back to Rain’s hotel. But what Rain said busted my bubble and I got a little annoyed. I said “You should have told me you could not pay me earlier.” She asked me if I would have gone with her otherwise. I shrugged saying “you got me there, but you can keep the pocket change. How about we change our verbal agreement and make it official.” She nodded and I asked Toka if he had something like a tape recorder. Luckily, he had one in his pocket, giving it to Rain to use.
 
She said “first what is the terms and conditions.”
 
I said “how about you work with me until March 7 2016.If I help you save up enough money to pay off the money needed for your debt. I get to stay there for 3 months without paying, with food and drinks.”          
 
Rain then squint her eyes too and said “A half day only.”
 
I squinted my eyes back saying “2 months and 2 weeks with drinks, food and a game of Ping-Pong.”
 
Rain declared “3 days and 12 donuts.”
 
Saphyre leaned over whispered “what are they doing?” Toka whispered back “I believe it’s a good old fashioned negotiation battle. They’re haggling to a point where it’s a fair trade for both parties.”
Saphyre said “I know that, why are they asking for odd things?” He gave a shrugged saying I don’t know.
 
I said “A month and 2 weeks, with food, drinks, a duck, tickets to Hope Island and a hot date.”      
 
Rain said “A month with food drinks and we get Ice cream. You are treating, that’s my final offer.”
 
I agreed to her terms then we stopped squinting and used the tape recorder to record our formal verbal contract.
 
Then Kai asked me if I had room for two more since they were now lacking a jobs. I told them yes.Then Saphyre pulled Shadow out of the room saying “Excuse us, we need to get your stuff.”

Toka then said with a little bit of sadness “Well, I would stay and try to get Lotus to send aid to my citizens, while she is still in power. But she is going to have her hooves filled trying to find a replacements for her.Besides, we did beat her into a wall...literally. So I will come back later, after the government sort themselves out.”

 I stopped him and asked him “How about we come with you? Saving a creatures is apart of my job description. Besides there is nothing stopping us from doing it.”

Then one of the guards came in the door and told me to go down the stairs.They told me there was someone here for me.I nodded  wonder who could be looking for me, We been here for half a week. In the middle inn, there was a creature I wasn't expecting to be here. The strong minotaur of mighty V,  Victor. I asked “Victor, what are you doing here and how did you find us.” He yell back “That second question does not matter. All you need to know is, I'm taking you to Court and suing you for all you got.”



                       To be Continued