It is... night. The only time in which we can be happy.

Not tonight. Not for many moons have we found reason to smile, nor exchange pleasantries, nor find solace in the comforting embrace of the darkness we have been consigned to.

We are miserable.

I have mustered the strength to bring the moon out to greet the resting citizens of Ponyville, and with her majesty present, the stars have also come to keep her company. They are a simple folk, those that live in the sky... they relish the time they are given with which to peer down upon our world, and they do not wish for that which they cannot have.

Oh, how we wish we were so graceful as they.

Since before we can remember, I have been the one in the darkness. No other has taken our vigil, nor have we asked another to take my place. It is our solemn duty.

It is not our place to complain, but... we want other duties. I am the Princess of the Night... that does not make us happy. We wish for a day when my sister will ask us to aid her, to share the light which she sheds upon the thankful ponies of Equestria.

It will never happen.

My task is done to usher in the night. Dream walking every evening is no necessity, but we feel we must do something, anything, to prevent this wallowing in self-pity. Perhaps my dear sister is a more prominent figure... my responsibilities are just as important as hers, however, and so we intend to fulfill them just as expected of us.

And so, we retire once more to our chambers and flare my horn with magic. I close our eyes and feel myself depart my worldly body, submerging ourselves into a river of thoughts and subconscious feelings.

To describe a world of dreams is impossible. Everywhere we glance, there is more to see, more to wonder, more to experience. An entire lifetime takes place in moments. Yet... it does not feel so. It feels as if we are swimming, and each memory is the water filling our lungs. We do not enjoy the experience; if we did, we would want to do it every night. A large portion of these evenings is spent simply observing, not interacting as we are expected to.

My sister has the duty of hearing the plight of citizens and erasing their worries; my duty is to find their dreams and make them pleasant. Many worries require a ruler to pass judgment so that the concerned pony may no longer need fret... but happiness can be found in more than simple dreams. Therefore, I feel our duty is redundant, and I needn't risk drowning myself in the memories of others so they may awaken feeling more refreshed.

Yet, what else am I to do? Forsake my throne and the ponies of Equestria?

I shake the thoughts from my head and focus on the task at hand. I swim through the dreams of Equestrians and search for a pony who needs my help.

Readily enough, I find a young colt who is galloping fearfully away from an unseen assailant. I observe him for a time, but try as I might, I cannot see the thing which is giving chase.