Author's Note

"Take me down there. Share your secrets. Break the boundaries into pieces. Just say on the way down you'll wave to me."

Beginning Anew

As the days became colder, Harmonic and Atmospheric grew closer. Gradually, she began to reintroduce him to the music, books, movies, and games they consumed their first go around. Harmonic's hesitancy shifted towards intrigue. Who was this girl who had suddenly taken a shine to him? He felt like he'd met her somewhere before. The question was, where, and more importantly, when...?

On the day of Halloween, Ian hitched a ride with one of his friends from school. They picked up Harmonic and Atmospheric and drove them to a local pizzeria. On the way there, his friend noticed something perculiar.

"Don't you think they're gettin' a little too close and cuddly back there?"

"She's got a major crush on him," Ian explained, "They've been friends for a long time. Guess she's into the dark handsome type."

"You can tell him," Atmospheric voiced, "Harmonic's asleep."

Ian looked behind, interrogating her with his eyes. She nodded in silent confirmation. The stallion turned back around. He rubbed his mouth, knowing full-well his friend wouldn't believe him.

"You're familiar with reincarnation, right?"

"You're tellin' me one of 'em's somebody from a past life?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that. Apparently the three of us have lived this exact same life before - same time, same place. What's different now is the sequence of events."

"Three?"

"Atmospheric's different from us. She's not exactly...Mortal."

"Now I know you're yankin' my chain. This is a prank, isn't it?"

"No prank here, man."

"You really expect me to believe that?"

"No. I don't that's why I brought proof."

Ian held up the photo Atmospheric gave him during their first meeting.

"That's a fake."

"Already checked. It's legit."

"How the fuck is that possible!?"

"She's..."

Over dinner, Ian's friend took a closer look at the picture. His skepticism crumbled away in a hail of dust.

"Unbelievable..."

"What's wrong?" Harmonic asked.

"...Nothin', man. You're brother was just showin' me something."

"Believe me now?" Ian grilled.

"Got no choice. Talk about surreal..."

"Curious enough to stick around and see where it goes?"

"Definitely."

Ian mouthed a question to Atmospheric.

"Is he one of the guys that did it?"

Atmospheric shook her head. This particular friend was trustworthy. Her response set the earth pony's mind at ease. Harmonic listened intently to the music over the speakers. It was one of the metalcore bands Atmospheric recently exposed him to.

"Not bad for a first date, huh?" she ribbed. Harmonic froze in place. His face turned a dark shade of red.