The Elements of Darkness: Element #1 Suffering

Castle Throne Room

Lust had expanded her cloud several meters since the day before and even had enough power to levitate the memorial and Colgate at the same time.

Right behind Celestia’s throne; it’s not perfect but it does send a message. Lust thought as she set the memorial down and laid Colgate behind it.

Colgate looks so different now, though the tan color really suits this body. She hasn't even seen herself yet! How am I supposed to tell her that she looks completely different?

Lust’s gaze went around the room for inspiration; from extravagant wall hangings depicting ponies at their happiest moments to the stones of the walls and floor fitted together so neatly that nary a seam was to be had.

This is pointless! I should be thinking not sightseeing! At least nopony can see the memorial behind the throne. I wonder how long they'll keep it up?

Lust floated over to one of the paintings she’d done during the night; it was a simple painting of a ponified James leaning against a pole. She surrounded the entire painting with her makeshift body.

If I can rearrange the colors I can make this one a little more personal. Lust thought as she replaced the pole with a painting of Colgate’s new body, a light tan unicorn with shining yellow hair and the cutie mark of a sunrise.

What was she called again? Dawn Spreader? I wonder if she should start using that name or continue to be Colgate? I’ll ask her when she wakes up.

But Colgate was already awake and was rearranging the pieces of the memorial.

“Is that you Lust?” Colgate asked the floating red cloud obstructing her view of the last few pieces

“Of course it is; you know I wouldn’t just leave you” Lust said back with a purr

“These candles, the paintings, the nameplate, I couldn’t have done a better job myself.”

“Beginner’s luck.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Permission to come aboard captain?", Lust said tiredly, "Dragging this cloud around is really tiring.”

“Come on back In i'm interested in how you managed to put all this together Lust”

Lust wrapped herself around Colgate and slowly filtered into her body through her horn

Much better

Colgate’s eyes went wide as she was finally able to see the last painting with the memory book right underneath it.

Who are those ponies??

That’s you and James

I knew I was put into another body, but why one so attractive?

You were more attractive before.

The flattery is appreciated but I respectfully disagree

Looks like we might need another opinion

And where would we get that?

Well we have no money or clothes and you did say you knew a club around here

So we seduce a few stallions into giving us some free drinks and money?

Sounds better than my plan

“That human is going to make us rich.” said a deep voice from the other side of the throne

“Four thousand bits for a single drop of blood! That Zebra is crazy!” answered another voice

“Keep your voice down! We’re still on duty and anyone could be listening!”

“Nopony seemed to care when we took the sample from the dungeon. Come on man this is our big break! Show some emotion!”

We can’t let them get away with this! Stealing then selling someone else's blood!

I have a plan; do you think you can distract them for a little bit?

I can do better than that! Lust responded separating herself from Colgate once again

“Just think, in a few more trades we’ll have enough money for a palace of our own!”

“Oh boys.” Lust said playfully as she floated over to a position over the two guardsponies’ heads

“What in Celestia’s name is that!”

“I told you to keep your voice down!”

“Oh don’t worry; I’m not anything in Celestia’s name.” Lust said as she covered the two of them and lifted them into the air

“We give up! Take us to Jail!” they both yelled in unison

“Jail?” Lust laughed, “You think it’s as simple as jail!”

One of the guards caught a glimpse of Colgate and thinking he’d found a way out shouted “Dawn Spreader! Something got out of your lab! Stop it!”

“That’s odd. I don’t remember making some sort of thief catching cloud.” Colgate responded walking in front of them

“Please help us!” shouted the other one

“I’ll tell you what I can do.” Colgate said levitating a knife up to neck level “I can make sure you never steal again.”

“P-Please don’t hurt us!”

“And why not? Are you not Guardsponies? Do you not know that any theft even that of biological material is wrong?”

“We’ll tell you where the blood and the buyer are if you set us free; you can even keep all of the money! You’ll be richer than your wildest dreams.”

“I don’t need money! Where is the quickest way to the dungeon?”

“Right behind that tapestry of the miners escaping the cave in.”

“Good. Now be a big stallion for me and don’t cry too much while I do this” Colgate said quietly as she carved the word THEIF in all capitals across each of their necks. Little drops of blood fell to the ground with each stroke of the knife and the thieves could do nothing but watch and hope she didn’t accidentally cut anything important.
“You ponies need to exercise more. Your blood is light and thin.” Colgate said with a laugh as her eyes turned dark

“Isn’t this a little much?”

“Who cares.” Colgate said flatly

“What if I do?”

“Why would you? after all the death and destruction we've seen in just the last three days they’re lucky I don’t take their heads.”

Lust was taken back by the sudden savagery in Colgate's voice

“W-Well what are we going to do with the blood they mentioned?”

“We’ll take it with us.”

“Where?” asked Lust as she placed the two terrified ponies back on their feet

"We’ll head out to Cloudsdale.”

“Cloudsdale? Isn’t that a pegisai city?”

“It’s the last pace they’d look.”

“Well we’d better get moving then.” Lust said as she slowly rejoined Colgate

Why didn't I kill those ponies?

What?

Well it’s nothing to worry about now

You’re right

And with her inner struggles contained Colgate pushed aside the tapestry and made her way into the darkness of the dungeon and its many rows of empty cells

Which cell was James’s again?

The last one on the left without any torches next to it

As Colgate approached her destination she could see a soft orange glow slowly encompass the entire hallway

Shit have we been found out already?

I don’t think so

A voice reverberated off the walls “Not that I approve with how you got here but if it’s James’s blood you want I packed it up for you. Oh and I wouldn't suggest messing with it too much, mixing it with my own was a terrible idea.”

“Why don’t you show yourself and we discuss this like normal ponies?” Colgate asked quietly not wanting to attract any unnecessary attention.

“Normal ponies? You really don’t know who you’re dealing with.” Responded the voice as a long-legged black cat sprinted out of the cell

I don’t like this. We should turn back.

Come on Lust he took the trouble of packing it up for us we should at least look at it

I’m more than a little tired of these random people and voices interrupting us all the time

Don’t be such a baby

Colgate strode confidently into the cell only to be greeted by a small hourglass filled with red liquid in the middle of a large burn mark on the floor

See nothing to be afraid of

Yet

Colgate lifted the hourglass with her magic and secured it to her back with some small chains from the wall

Now all we need is money to be on our way

Agreed

Colgate continued to walk as confidently as she could out of the dungeon and through the throne room until she came to the courtyard. Then she sat down and cried.

What’s wrong? We got the blood like you wanted.

Colgate’s tears dried up immediately as she realized what she must do

We’re going back

Back!

I have to apologize to those guards and put this where it belongs

That would be the right thing to do, but is it really what you want?

Yes, whats the point of escaping that hell if I bring its problems with me?

You didn’t do anything like what happened to you.

But what if I were to continue doing things like this? Would it not escalate?

Colgate walked right up to the nearest guard “Excuse me sir”

“yes”

“Can you escort me to the medical wing?” Colgate asked fluttering her eyelashes

“Why of course miss Dawn! Have you burned your hooves again?”

“Just a little” Colgate lied

“Right this way.”

The guard led them into a side entrance to the castle and up a few spiral staircases until they ended up in a large room covered in windows and beds the last few being occupied by the two thieving guards, a guard with a cast on his leg and a shining green Pegasus who promptly got up and started walking toward the new arrivals
“Here you are.” Said the guardspony

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.” replied the guard with a salute as he turned and left to go back to his post

“Dawn! They told me you were dead!” Yelled the green Pegasus as he ran up and planted a kiss on Colgate’s cheek

Oh no! It looks like we found Dawn’s special somepony.

Colgate slowly pushed the Pegasus away “Dawn Spreader is dead.” she said coldly

“What are you talking about? You’re right in front of me.”

“That’s because I’m not her.”

The stallion’s head shot up rattling a shrunken skull necklace around his neck as his eyes narrowed with suspicion “Then who are you and why do you look so much like her? If this is one of Mason’s tricks tell him I hate him, and he can go fornicate himself with an iron stick sideways.”
“It’s kinda a long story.”

“Well I’ll finish up here and then you can explain it to me on your way out.” he said making his way back to the occupied beds and motioning for Colgate to follow

What are the odds?

I have no idea but at least he seems nice

We’ll see how nice he is when he finds out you cut up those two guards

“My name is Pestilence, What’s yours?”

“Colgate.”

Pestilence? Is he one of the elements they wanted James to become?

Only one way to find out

“Excuse me sir Pestilence, but is that skull necklace your Element of Darkness?”

Pestilence turned his head a little but didn’t slow down “Oh so you know already? Then this demonstration shouldn’t be anything new.”

“Demonstration?”

“You see that Guard with the cast?”

“Yeah.”

“His leg is being eaten away by a very particular kind of flesh eating disease that can only be found in a human’s blood.”

“That sounds terrible.” Colgate said as she adjusted the blood filled hourglass on her back

“It sounds like somepony should warn me before bringing something as exotic as a human here.” Pestilence said with obvious anger

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“This.”

Pestilence tore the cast from the pony’s leg and as the stench of rotting flesh filled the air he placed the largest skull on his necklace against the exposed bone

“That doesn’t seem like much.”

“Just wait.”

A soft glow started at Pestilence’s tail and moved into the wound instantly healing it with a loud snap the guard screamed in pain then fell back asleep

“That’s some really good healing magic. How’d a Pegasus like you learn something like that?”

“It’s not healing magic, it’s the Element of Pestilence, and Pestilence doesn’t heal. It spreads.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means that I transferred the infection into myself.”

“But you’re not rotting.”

“No I’m not, because I formulated an antidote and injected myself before coming here.”

“That must’ve taken some time.”

“It did and normally Deep Wound would’ve been here to lessen the pain while I was working on it but he died continuing Celestia’s damn order to make ponies never bleed.”

“Celestia orders you guys around?”

“Yes, and the more things we do the faster we die, for instance if I were to cure the common featherflu I’d be sick for years simply because the Elements seem to work on some kind of strange conservation of energy law, the more common and benign the ailment the more energy it takes from me to manipulate.”

“You are just full of information aren't you? Do you always spout out state secrets to everyone who walks in here?”

“Well you look just like the love of my life and she’s the one who explained it to me.”

Colgate stared into his eyes silently awaiting an explanation

Pestilence’s eyes unfocused as he delved deep into his memories “It was the first time I’d absorbed a serious disease, a rather large outbreak of a virus that ate away the nerves of pony’s eyes. My cure failed and I was in the hospital for weeks trying to regain my sight when I heard that there was a scientist working on a way to clone and replace eyes. I demanded to see this pony at once no matter what the cost and after months of testing and her looking after me the day finally came for my new eyes. After the pain of the surgery subsided I was able to stare at the flank of the mare that had saved me from the life of a cripple and three slaps later and we were dating. It took thirty years of bliss before I’d finally built the courage to ask her to become my wife and yesterday she died trying to save some sort of traveler pony.”

Pestilence turned and looked straight into Colgate’s eyes “I should’ve known you weren’t her, you’re much too young.”

“Honest mistake.” Colgate responded

Pestilence pushed her away from the bed “Now that I’ve shared my story how about we talk about you.”

“Well It’s a little bit more complicated than your story.”

“I have time; the Renewal Ceremony isn’t for another two days”

Colgate took the lead and started walking back to the throne room “Well if you have the time I’ll explain who both of us are.”

“Both of you? Who else is there?”

“A rather interesting character named Lust, a gift from the person who died bringing me here.”

“Oh this does sound exiting.”

I’m a big fan of people talking about me and all but we don't have time for this, wouldn’t it be better to just have him read James’s memory book?

An excellent idea. We really should be leaving

So we're back to that plan again?

“Well I’ve just been reminded that my story has already been put to words and bound for your convenience.”

“I see and I presume Lust was the pony who told you?”

“This pony learns fast.” said Lust as she puffed out a little red cloud out of Colgate’s ears to carry her voice outside of Colgate’s head
.
“Well hello there Lust.”

“Hello”

“So how is it that two consciousness can coexist inside a pony’s body? I’d love the chance to examine this more.”

“Play your cards right and you just might.”

“Can you enter into other ponies or just Colgate?”

“Hmm, never tried other ponies.”

“We’re here.” Declared Colgate as she stepped behind the still empty throne

Pestilence looked at the memorial with awe and taking out some incense from behind his ear he lit it next to the painting of Colgate and James.

“May the reaper judge your soul with mercy.”

“That’s an interesting prayer, other ponies used to talk about this reaper person to James. Who or What is it?”

“It’s the creature in charge of sorting the souls of dead ponies; I met her close to a hundred years ago just after I took up the responsibilities of the Element of Pestilence.”

“What is she like?”

“I’m not sure. I only caught a glimpse of her but Princess Luna had a long conversation with her after the ceremony.”

“This Renewal Ceremony you mentioned?”

“Yes, it turns out she is attracted to strong acts of magic.”

“Why?”

“I believe it is to stop ponies from creating an immortal existence. If you were in charge of all the souls coming from this world wouldn’t you be afraid of someone achieving eternal life? All of the records I found in the archives indicate that ponies who have attempted such magic have all died horrible deaths, which only strengthens by opinions on the matter.”

Colgate levitated the hourglass off of her back and placed it next to Pestilence’s incense

“Well Mr. Pestilence the book you’ll want to read is right in front of you.” Lust said being more than a little bored with the conversation at hand

“Thank you lust.” Pestilence said as he lifted the book revealing a letter that was hidden underneath

“What is this?”

“I haven’t seen it before.” Colgate answered levitating it to her face “It says ‘TO JAMES: FROM LUNA’”

“Oo a letter from the Princess! Can I read it?”

“No this isn’t for you.”

“Wasn’t I a part of James?”

“Just leave it alone. It would be a great disrespect not only to James but to the Princess”

“An excellent point but when did you start caring about the Princess's feelings?”

“I-I don't know”

Lust considered the situation for a moment as they arrived at the memorial then decided it was time for action and the club Colgate mentioned earlier would be a great place for her to forget about her troubles for a while

“We need to go down to the club and make some money for our travels”

Pestilence dropped a bag of bits to the floor as he opened the leather-bound book of memories “Consider it rent for the book.”

“It was nice meeting you.” Colgate said waving goodbye

“I just wish it was under different circumstances, oh and by the way don’t feel so sorry about cutting
up those two guards.”

“I-I.”

“They were the cause of that terrible flesh eating disease being spread around and I’ll take full responsibility when Celestia asks me about it.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything just go have your fun.” Pestilence said with a dismissive wave

And so Colgate left the castle and wandered the streets of Canterlot getting all kinds of dirty looks and rude comments for not wearing even a simple sundress when out in public but she didn’t care she was on a mission to find the hidden away dance club that she knew existed somewhere.

This thing can't be too hard to find right?

Not exactly; Every time they get cited for disorderly conduct or a noise complaint the manager moves it to one of his other houses.

She came to a mansion on the edge of town with towering statues of changelings and ponies made of lava.

Here is the first house.

Can’t say I enjoy his sense of style

You get used to it

Colgate walked straight up to the front door and knocked three times

“And what might you be here for young miss?” came the voice from the door

“I’m here to have my heart beat for me and to turn the world onto its side” Colgate responded

“That’s a rather old password but go on inside and have fun.” And with that statement the doors swung open revealing a ballroom filled with colorful flashing lights and a dark grey unicorn DJ starting up his turntables, but Colgate wasn’t as interested in that as she was in the semicircular bar that spanned half of an enormous wall. Most of the seats were occupied by young ponies sporting their vibrant coats and manes, it seemed nopony in here wore clothes. Colgate went straight for a seat by the end of the bar closest to the bars ludicrously large selection of hard liquors. And in no time two apple martinis were pushed her way from an eggshell colored stallion behind the counter.

“On the house.”

“Thanks Charles.” Colgate said sipping at the first one

“I’m sorry I don’t believe we’ve met. Who are you mare that already knows my name?”

“Just a customer who loves the way you mix the cheap stuff in with the really expensive.”

“Not likely; I remember everypony I’ve served since I started working here.” Charles responded dismissing her accusation

Colgate flipped her mane across her face and gave Charles a big smile “Then I’m sure you’ll remember me next time

“I’m sure I will.” he said narrowing his eyes

Charles came around the bar once Colgate had finished the martinis and placed a soda with a double shot of whisky in front of her “From the gentleman at the other end of the bar”

Colgate turned to see an off duty guard smiling back at her and waved to him with a nod

target number one

IThe DJ hasn’t even set up yet

“It seems you are quite popular this evening Miss… I'm sorry you still haven't introduced yourself” the bartender said offhandedly

“Colgate.”

“Ahh Colgate.” Charles said putting down a cheap bottle of beer

“Oh and Charles while you’re here I’d like to reserve the back suite for the night.” said Colgate pushing twenty bits across the table

“How’d you even know about that?” Charles asked whisking away the bits into his apron

“I used to go to school with the owner.”

“You went to school with Fruit Punch?”

“Yes I knew Fruity when he didn’t even have two bits to rub together.”

“Amazing. You might just have to prove that later, but any friend of Master Punch is a friend of mine anything you need just tell me.” he responded completely changing his tone

“Well… I am feeling rather hungry; can you get me the biggest apple pie you have?” Colgate asked putting another ten bits on the table

“Right away Miss” Charles said disappearing into the kitchen and reappearing shortly afterward with an apple pie the size of his head

“Oh that looks lovely!” Colgate said enthusiastically

“Do you want me to slice that for you?”

“No thank you Charles this will do just fine.” Colgate said taking a huge bite of the pie and chewing very slowly.

“There is no way she can finish that whole thing.” said the newest addition to the bar, a one eyed stallion wearing a large fruit hat.

Hearing this Colgate lifted her face and looked him right in the eye and said “I’ll bet you the rest of the bits in this bag that I can.”

“You’re on!” replied the stallion placing a notefor five hundred bits on the bar

“I don’t think I have that much on me right now.” Colgate said slowly licking her top lip

“Oh don’t worry I wouldn't take money from such a lovely mare, consider it a challenge instead.” Replied the stallion

“Much appreciated.” Colgate somehow managed to respond through a mouthful of pie

“Charles would you be a dear and bring me two Canterlot Burners?”

“Of course sir.” Charles said as he mixed two parts hot sauce three parts vodka and one part water into a large pitcher and placed it next to the stallion with a glass

“I said two.”

“The rest is on me. Consider it your consolation prize.”

“Consolation pri-“ The stallion looked over at Colgate’s clean pie pan and Charles handing over his bank note

“Well done! Give the lady another drink!”

“Sure thing boss. What’ll you have Miss?”

“I’ll have a Canterlot Burner but leave the water out and make it a double.” Colgate said glancing over to the one eyed pony as he stood up on his chair and yelled up at the DJ “You Otto Tune! You gonna get started anytime soon?”

“Why Mr. Fruit Punch! I didn’t see you there. I would start but it seems my mixer isn’t getting any power.” Replied Otto over the crowd’s collective groan

Colgate put her drink to her lips and tilted it straight down her throat “Don’t worry I got it.” she said as she walked over to the wall and flipped a red switch next to the outlet and then plugged in the cord lying next to it.

“You my dear are an excellent example of a good customer! Have you heard about the back suites?” Fruit asked leaning toward Colgate his breath smelling distinctly of expensive brandy overpowering his hot sauce mixer

“She has already rented one for the night.” Replied Charles as he poured two more apple martinis in front of Colgate

“Has she run a tab yet?” Fruit asked

“Hasn’t paid for a single drink.”

“Well I’ll cover that for you!” Fruit said excitedly reaching for his saddlebag

“She doesn’t owe anything either, all her drinks have been gifts.” Charles said admiration shining through his voice

“Clever girl. YO OTTO! PUT ON SHAKE THAT PLOT!” and at Fruit’s shouted command the music started with a huge bass drop that shook the chandeliers

Lust you’ve been quiet

Not much to say… I’m used to just observing other people having fun.

Well that’s sad but I reckon you don’t want to try and possess somepony here it’ll make a scene

Don’t worry about me, or yourself for that matter, I’ll be here to protect you in your drunken stupor

Oh I don’t plan on getting drunk

____________________________________________________________________

Twenty-three drinks later….

Colgate was balanced on her horn in the middle of the dance floor slowly spinning clockwise

Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Lust

What?

Ever wonder if you are a collection of random thoughts that formed into a cohesive whole or just a person made of pure magical energy?

I don’t know what I am dear

I think it’s time to go to bed, Thought Colgate as she collapsed onto the ground

“Oh you.” said Lust as she separated from Colgate to carry her to bed ignoring the gasps of everypony in the room

“Oh Shit I don’t know where it is! Can somepony help me?”

Fruit Punch threw off his completely eaten hat and saluted the floating cloud “At your service.”

“Thank you gentlecolt.”

“Anything for the ladies.” He responded leading Lust behind a large statue of a troll where a mini fridge full of water bottles and a hammock were tucked away in a corner “Here you are the best back suite we have.”

“It’s perfect! Thank you.”

“Anytime, just you remember it’s not a Pinkie Pie party but the next best thing! Trademark of Fruit Punch Clubs Limited”

“Ha Ha! Enjoy your party.”

“Oh I intend to.”

As soon as he left lust pushed the statue over to block the entrance and opened the ceiling’s vents all the wayLust you are the nicest porcupine I know

That’s cool, go to bed.

Why was it me?

Why was what you?

Why did I stay alive while that monster tore through the rest of the town?

Are you sure you want an answer to that?

I guess not but now every time I get a moment to myself I can’t stop thinking about how much more James could’ve had if I had just died.

It’s time to stop thinking about him so much. He died so you could have a normal life; so why don’t we just go find somewhere for you to live and work then worry more about what happened in the past

But I already have a job and house in Ponyville.

Yeah about that-, Lust started but abruptly stopped the thought as Colgate drifted into a contented slumber.