Dusk arrived at the next stop of his journey, a small city called Tall Tale, in the early evening. Feeling thirsty, he stopped off at a small diner, looking to wet his whistle before finding a place to sleep for the night.

"One hay and oat smoothie, please." Dusk laid two bits on the counter.

"Coming right up." The bartender smiled.

As the bartender went to work, Dusk noticed a pair of leathery wings on his back.

"Something wrong, your highness?" The bartender asked.

"You're a Thestral." Dusk noted.

"Correct." The bartender nodded. "Surprised you got the name right. Most folks just call us 'bat ponies'... and that's if they even know we exist."

Thestrals were a little-known subspecies of pony. They were little-known mostly due to the fact that they were nocturnal, and preferred to live in forests and caves rather then towns and houses. The most well-known group of Thestrals were those who acted as Princess Luna's personal guard. Dusk couldn't recall seeing one up close before.

"So, how's Princess Luna these days?" The bartender asked.

"You know her?" Dusk asked.

"Sure did." The bartender smiled. "Back in the day, I was captain Blackwing, head of the Night Guard. Retired a few years back, set up shop here."

"Nice to meet you, Blackwing." Dusk smiled.

"Actually, we've met before." Blackwing declared.

"We have?" Dusk asked.

"Yep." Blackwing nodded. "You were just a little foal at the time, visiting Canterlot with your parents. Hard to believe such a little thing would grow to be a strapping young prince like you."

"Thanks." Dusk smiled.

"Anyway, here's your smoothie." Blackwing slid to Dusk.

"Much obliged." Dusk raised the glass.

After downing his smoothie, Dusk noticed an opal-coated Pegasus mare sitting forlornly in the corner.

"Who's that?" He asked.

"One of our regulars." Blackwing declared. "Every day this week, it's been the same routine: She comes in, orders somethin', then sits there for a while, moping."

"Moping about what?" Dusk asked.

"I don't know." Blackwing shrugged. "And I'm not about to pry. It's her business, not mine."

As Blackwing attended to a new customer, Dusk looked over at the Pegasus. He felt a surge of compassion, and trotted over to her.

"Hi, there." He smiled.

"Get lost, kid." The pegasus spat, not even looking at him.

"That's not very nice, you." Dusk frowned.

"What d'yu care, ya-" The mare looked up, stopping dead as she realised who she was talking to. "Oh."

"Hello." Dusk smirked. "I noticed you were a little glum. If you don't mind my asking, what's the problem?"

"Like you care." The mare huffed.

"I'm a prince." Dusk shrugged. "I have to care about all my subjects."

"You gonna order me to tell ya, princey?" The mare taunted.

"I'd rather it didn't come to that actually." Dusk declared. "You know, talking about it might make you feel better."

"You really wanna know, 'your highness'?" The mare growled. "The reason I'm sittin' here, lookin' sad? It's because of my life. My whole sad, sorry life."

"How do you mean?" Dusk asked, curious.

"Growing up, I had such big dreams." The mare sighed. "Being a top flyer, becoming a Wonderbolt, fame and glory... But none of thatever happened. And now I'm stuck in a dead-end job in a gringy city, with absolutely nothing to show for all my years."

"Nothing?" Dusk asked. "Don't you have any family."

"Sure I do." The mare answered. "A husband, and a filly who's a few trots away from leaving the nest. A boring, normal, run-of-the-mill family for my boring, normal, run-of-the-mill life."

Dusk stroked his chin, looking intently at the mare.

"What?" She asked.

"What's so bad about having a normal life?" Dusk asked.

"I'll tell ya what's so bad." The mare huffed. "Nopony notices me, I got no excitement, no mark to leave on the world... Not that you'd understand, princey. No matter what happens, your name's gonna go down in the history books. Ponies with remember. You got it made, kid."

Dusk was silent for a while.

"You're wrong." He said finally.

"Say what?" The mare gaped.

"Being a prince has it's downside, you know." Dusk declared. "There's a whole lot of work to do, and so much to learn. I have to attend royal functions, etiquette classes... Some days, I wish I could have a normal life, like you."

"Really?" The mare asked.

"Really?" Dusk nodded. "But it's a good idea to dwell on what you don't have. It's better to focus on what you do have, and you have a husband and daughter who love you. I'd say you've made a pretty big mark on them."

"Yeah, I guess..." The mare admitted. "But like I said, my daughter's almost old enough to leave home. She won't need me anymore."

"She'll always need you." Dusk smiled. "Just like I'll always need my mother. And I'll bet that husband of yours will need you too."

"He is kinda useless at cooking." The mare chuckled. "Makes up for it in cuddles and kisses, though..."

"Wouldn't you rather be with a family that loves you then sitting here, dreaming of a life you never had?" Dusk asked.

"You're right, princey." The mare stood up, smiling. "I'd better get home. They're probably missin' me right now."

As the mare opened the door, she turned back to Dusk.

"Thanks, kid." She smiled.

"I didn't get your name." Dusk realised. "What do I call you?"

"Lightning Dust." The mare declared.

"Have a good life, Lightning Dust." Dusk smiled.

"Already got one." Lightning Dust replied. "Just needed help seein' it."

With a final smile, Lightning Dust left the diner. Dusk, happy with how things went, returned to the counter.

"Good work there, your highness." Blackwing slid another smoothie his way.

"That's what royalty does." Dusk smiled. "We help and guide our subjects, get them back on the right path."

"And you're shaping up to a fine royal." Blackwing chuckled.

Dusk drank his smoothie with gusto. Helping others always felt good, but in this case, it seemed to have also given him quite an appetite.