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// I am a conduit 
// Story: Everything I am 
// by BallotBox 
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Luna laid on her bed, it was more of a large cloud really, with her head tucked under her wing. She anxiously awaited the arrival of the mental doctor her sister has requested she see. As time went on she grew more and more anxious and rose from her seat to pace. As she paced, she counted. She counted the hoof-steps it took to get to one end of the room to the other, she counted how many it took to make the turn to begin again and she counted how many times she'd done it. After three, and an eight, rotations the door began to creak open. Luna turned to face it, forcing herself to stand straight and proud. She forced a serene smile onto her face, doing her best to mimic her sister, as she greeted the doctor. 

The pony that entered the room was a small black unicorn with her mane cut short. The mare had splotches of white over her eyes stretching from temple to temple like a mask. The same splotches appeared on her flank. Her cutiemark was the outline of a brain, allowing the white to shine through. She dipped her head politely as the door shut behind her. "Good evening Princess Luna, I am Winter Morning the head psychologist of the Canterlot Hospital. Her highness, Princess Celestia said you had need of my services." Her voice was soft but assured managing to balance authority with respect. However, there seemed to be some hesitation in her movements.

"Good-day Physician, you have our thanks on making this journey on such short notice. I was told you've traveled a long way." She inclined her head politely and used her horn to gesture toward the chair she'd had brought into the room. "If you would like to begin, I've brought in a chair so you may be comfortably seated." With those words Luna turned and moved back toward her cloud, deciding to seat herself. Dr. Morning  followed her and sat in the plush chair directly across from the bed. The two ponies stared at each other for a few moments, Luna's teal eyes filling with more and more anxiety. "Is something the matter Dr. Morning?" The mare shook her head and cleared her throat. 

"Princess Luna, why am I here?" Luna was taken aback by the question and took a moment to answer. "Because my sister asked you to be." The doctor made a quiet sound of acknowledgment but shook her head. "I'm here because I want to help you. When Princess Celestia asked Canterlot's board of Mental Health for assistance, they were hesitant to intervene in such high profile issues so she left. It soon got around what she wanted and why and I volunteered to come. Princess Luna, I'm part thestral pony and I grew up hearing tales of your kindness and beauty and strength. When the pony that returned to us didn't match the stories I'd heard... my heart broke. Then I realised I could help. You've been through a lot your majesty, but we are still here. The thestral ponies are still here and we are glad that our princess...no. Our mother has returned. We have progressed greatly, some of us are doctors and lawyers and soldiers. We would be more than happy to join you here again." 

A look of awe had completely overtaken Luna's face, her teal eyes filled with shock and regret. " I...you....but how....." She stood up and bowed her head to the other mare. "You owe me nothing. I led your ancestors into destruction. I abandoned you to be turned away from society. I've recently become acquainted with historical texts. The disappearance of the thestral race broke my heart. I believed you all to be gone forever. But here you are, still ready to run to my aid even though I've done so incredibly wrong by you." 

"Your ma-..mother. We are, all of us, still your children. We followed you willingly into darkness and we will follow you back out into the light." With that Winter Morning stood up and bowed deeply before smiling brightly. "I will be back tomorrow, mother." With that Winter Morning left the room. 

Luna stood there stunned, a dopey smile beginning to stretch across her face. She grasped her journal in her magic and pulled it toward her, opening to the next empty page. 

Entry 3

I am not empty. I am a mother. My children survive and it is my duty to assist them, even as they continue to assist me. We will lead each other into the light, and join Equestria's bright present. Though we did not delve into my time on the moon, I feel as if a burden has been lifted from my soul. My children have already forgiven me, and I have an eternity to be worthy of it. I will begin with reinstating the night guard. Celestia's ponies are not comfortable around me, that is fine. They don't have to be.