The Seventh Element

Exorcism

Luna had been out cold for no more than an hour before she awoke in terrible pain. She began to writhe on the floor. As the others noticed what was going on Princess Luna let out a blood curdling scream of agony.

Her mind went in to overdrive as memories and emotions from Nightmare Moon came flooding back to her.

Arguments with her sister, the anger she felt at the ponies of Equestria for not loving her, joy as she watched cities burn and ponies die, the hatred and lust for revenge when she was banished to the moon.

Luna began to panic. She got to her hooves and did all manner of things to try and make the flood stop, from stomping her hooves in to the cobblestone below or bucking the castle wall. Where was this coming from? Why couldn't she make it stop?

Trixie used her magic on Luna in vain attempts to help the poor princess.

'Agh, what's going on? Make it stop, I can't take it!'

'Then just give up, it would be so much easier.'

'You!'

In an instant it all made sense. These memories, these emotions that she couldn't bear to admit were hers... They weren't. That other voice proved it, she wasn't alone inside her own mind and she knew exactly who it was in there with her. The Elements of Harmony hadn't destroyed Nightmare Moon, they only locked her away deep within Luna.

"Get out of my head! You've ruined my life, I don't want you inside me!"

Luna struggled to get to her hooves.

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"I say Luna, who ever are you tal-"

"Get OUT! I will not become you again!"

Magic began to ark off her horn like lightning, scorching the walls, ceiling, floor and shattering windows.

"I was afraid of that."

"Afraid of what? What's going on?!"

"The Elements of Harmony did get rid of all traces of hate within Luna, she is pure and good, her heart no longer tainted, but it couldn't destroy Nightmare Moon so instead-"

CRACK

They ducked as a bolt of magical lightning hit the ceiling above them and sprayed them with chunks of stone.

"Y'all all right?"

"We're fine, is there anything we can do for Luna?"

"She's an Alicorn... My magic can't compare to what she is throwing off over there."

Luna let out another scream that was drowned out by the thunder outside as she fought the monster within.

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She could tell the others were speaking, but she had no idea what they were saying. Luna did her best to keep the bursts of magic away from them, but it was becoming harder and harder as her hatred for this creature inside her increased.

'Luna darling, you act as if I'm a stranger. I'm you. We are one. You created me. Don't you remember how it was when we rose the Moon and Celestia the Sun? They ignored you. Your subjects preferred your sister's day to our night, they slept through it and stayed indoors when the moon was out. You were forgotten and they loved your sister more than they loved you.'

Tendrils of magic began to creep down her horn and around her body as Nightmare Moon tried to take control. Her mane was changing, it had begun to flow like her sister's. The light blue was slowly being replaced with Nightmare moon's dark mane. Black spots began to appear all over her body, they moved and changed shape across her coat.

An aura of dark magic formed around Luna forcing the others to back away, there was nothing they could do anyway, this was a conflict only Luna could resolve.

Her teeth were clenched from the strain.

"I won't... Let you... Win!

She spread her wings as if to fly away. The magic erupting from her horn had long since stopped and it seemed it was all being kept inside, like she was going to burst at any moment.

Nightmare moon spoke through Luna.

"Don't you want to be loved? Wouldn't you like the recognition your sister has? The recognition you deserve? Don't you want them to love you?.... Don't you want them to love us?"

Something snapped inside of Luna at those last words. Love us? How dare she compare these two separate entities! They were nothing alike, they couldn't be more opposite from each other and although they may share the same body... They wouldn't for much longer. With an almighty force of will she used every last ounce of strength she had to expel Nightmare Moon from her body.

"Hnnnng!"

The aura of magic imploded, then expanded violently, forcing Trixie to throw up a shield and tearing a hole in the wall behind Luna causing part of it to collapse and spewing rubble all over the place.

Applejack slowly relaxed as she realized Trixie had protected them and began looking for Luna while the dust from the collapsed wall started to dissipate.

"Luna?"

"You there, Princess?"

The dust began to clear and as it did Trixie lowered the shield so they had a clear view of Luna.

She stood there, all four hooves spread as if trying to resist being blown over. The storm was passing, but smoke was coming from random spots in her coat as rain entered the castle through the hole in the wall. Her breathing was heavy, but otherwise she looked fine.

"I say dear Luna, are you okay?"

Sir Klass adjusted his monocle to get a better look at Princess.

"Luna? You okay darlin'?"

She was panting slightly.

"Yes, your princess will be fine."

She adjusted her stance and began to walk towards the others.

"I'm fine, do not worry."She assured them.

Luna got her first good look at the castle which now had a large, er- window...

"I take it this is 'the place'?"

Trixie gave a weak smile,

"Yes, this is it."

Luna should have been mad that Trixie had tricked her in to this, she felt like had she known what Trixie intended, she wouldn't have shown up. But she was glad. She felt much better, it was like lifting a weight off your shoulders that you didn't even know was there. For this last year she had been a shell of her former self and didn't even know it. Now that Nightmare moon was gone for good she felt like a new filly! Things made sense and she understood not only why Trixie had brought her here and why it was necessary, but why these other ponies were here as well.

"You were right Trixie, that was risky... But what you're planning next can be even worse, worse for everypony."

"I believe we do know the risks Princess. If there is one thing I am other than classy, it's intelligent. I weighed the risks and my people are willing."

"As are mine princess." Said the pony with the vine for a cutie mark.

"I don't 'ave any 'people' but I do have this!"

Applejack began rummaging through her saddlebag.

"After havin' to run around and find 'em last time, we decided it would be better t' keep 'em close by."

She pulled out her Element of Harmony.

"I'm the most honest pony you're ever gonna meet, princess and I can honestly say tha' what Celestia did to you... Well she ain't been very honest, has she?"

"I think you already know you have the support of the Star Swirls"

"There is no going back after this. You know the risks, are you sure you're willing?"

"Eeyup" Applejack laughed at her inside joke.

"Madame Luna, you have my full support!"

"We have some tricks up our sleeves, don't worry princess."

The green pony winked at Trixie.

"I've known you for a year princess. Good luck getting rid of me now!"

Luna smiled at the other ponies. This is the beginning, time to make things right.

"Well then, let's get started!"