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Atmospheric's eighteenth birthday rolled around after what seemed like an eternity. She graduated that year with a 3.4 GPA. Harmonic attended the ceremony. His smile, tame as it was, radiated with pride. Later that night, they discussed their plans for the future.

"What are you gonna do now?"

"I've been thinking about that, and I want to test my knowledge."

"Oh?"

"As much as you pushed me to live a normal life, I could tell you had your doubts."

"You're not wrong. I know the harm people can cause when left unchecked, but I've tried to be more forgiving. The older I get, the less I want to waste time worrying about it."

"I know. It's that balance between wisdom and understanding driving my decision. I want to explore the world so I can see what shaped you into the man you are."

"It'll be a while before you find me again. Will you be okay on your own?"

"I'll be fine. Just don't let me forget the date."

"I won't."

"There's something I want to give you."

Atmospheric strolled over to her dresser. She pulled a journal from the middle drawer.

"I started keeping it after I discovered your identity. Maybe it'll give you something to think about. Don't read it until I'm gone, though."

"Gotcha."

"I need to ask you one more thing."

"Anything."

"What are our children like?"

"Melodic looks a lot like me. She's really optimistic and bubbly. Hard Core is more stoic and reserved. Even when he was little, he was exceptionally strong. They have a younger sister who resembles both of us."

"What's her name?"

"Shadow Walker."

"That's killer."

"I know, right?"

"...I'll miss you while you're gone."

"It'll fly by before you know it, and hey, I'll still drop in now and then to check up on you."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Harmonic embraced his wife in a tight hug.

"Try not to get mauled to death by a bear."

"Already ahead of you."

"I love you..."

"I love you, too..."

The day Atmospheric left home to test her mettle against the forces of nature, Harmonic read through the passages in her journal. The earlier entries were a lot steamier than he expected.

"Oh, boy..."

The tone shifted in her later edits. Around the time she turned seventeen, she began emphasizing the romantic aspects of their relationship, penning down many of the beliefs influenced by his presence.

"It's like reading one of my books."

The stallion let out a soundless exhale.

"She knows me too well..."

Five years later, Atmospheric emerged from her self-imposed seclusion. The muscular structure beneath her clothing displayed clear signs of athletic capability, and her mind was a razor's edge. The day of the gathering, she flew above the trees around the vicinity. The bird's eye view was all she needed.

"I made it in time."

She dove next to Harmonic's younger counterpart, swooping down with the finesse of a spirit. She whispered into his ear.

"Turn around..."

Harmonic faced the unknown entity. He was shocked to see a beautiful mare, though this realization failed to quell his terror. Atmospheric was heartbroken to see how frail he looked. Fortunately, the remedy was within her grasp.

"What I'm about to do might not make a lot of sense right now, but it will in time. I need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

A confused countenance crossed the stallion's features.

"Who are you?"

His voice bordered between baritone and bass. It was smooth with a hint of grain below the surface. Though lacking in confidence, Atmospheric could sense its impactfulness.

"Shhh..."

Atmospheric leaned in, planting a firm kiss on her lover's lips. His eyes jumped out of their sockets. She pulled back and smiled at him, taking his hoof in her own.

"You need to eat. We can catch up over lunch."

"You're not gonna steal my kidneys, are ya?"

"All you need to know is, I'm about to rock your world."

"I have no idea what's going on, but...SCORE!!!"

The Pegasus pulled her husband away from the crowd. They ran together through the city, the sun high over their heads. For that one moment, all was as it should've been, and the strain of existence faded away. Reality subsided, and the dream began...