Author's Note

Guiding Light

As requested, Harmonic and Atmospheric returned for a fourth meeting. This time, Harmonic brought a surprise addition: his older sister, Leah.

"I've been watching over the munchkins while they've been here," she told Cadance, "It was about time this goofball got some therapy."

"Your brother's quite the interesting subject. It's not every day someone turns their life around in such a dramatic fashion."

"Can't deny it's impressive."

The Alicorn turned to the couple.

"May I speak with the children alone?"

"That okay with you?" Harmonic asked his bride.

"I don't see why not."

Harmonic leaned forward, nuzzling the twins.

"We'll be right outside with Shadow if you need us."

"Okay, daddy." Melodic replied.

Hard Core remained silent. Truthfully, he was anxious to be without his parents, but he promised he'd be strong for his baby sister. He couldn't let his father down. Leah, Harnonic, and Atmospheric left the room, granting them the opportunity to speak their minds freely.

Cadance levitated an extra chair to the front side of her desk.

"Would you like a seat?" she asked the children before her. They accepted the offer, though she could tell Hard Core was more hesitant to do so than his sibling.

"What does your name mean?" Melodic suddenly asked.

"Music of love." Cadance replied simply.

"Is it like mommy and daddy's music?"

The princess feigned ignorance, pretending not to know what the filly meant.

"I don't know. What kind of music do they like?"

"Metal."

"I've heard some before. I think it's pretty cool. What about you? Do you like it, too?"

"Yes."

"What about your brother?"

"Yes."

"Do your mommy and daddy spend a lot of time with you?"

"We got ice cream before we got here."

"I used to babysit my sister when she was your age. We got ice cream and sweets all the time."

"Is it true you're a princess?"

"Yes."

"Woah!"

"I'm not as powerful as your mother, but I have some neat tricks up my sleeve."

"Like what?"

"Well...I can make potions and help people fall in love."

"Did you do that for mommy and daddy?"

"Nope. They did that all on their own."

"How?"

"I guess they met in the right place at the right time. Sometimes it just happens that way."

"Daddy says falling in love makes him happy. Is that true?"

"It can be."

"Why is he sad?"

"That's...Not an easy question to answer. Your daddy went through some bad things before you were born. It changed him - some ways for the better, others, not so much."

"Oh...Okay."

"Daddy's sad like me..." Hard Core muttered.

"How so?" Cadance questioned curiously.

"I dunno."

"Well...Why are you sad?"

"Daddy says its my brain...It thinks things I don't want it to..."

"Ah, I see. I think your daddy means you're clinically depressed."

"I don't know what that means..."

"It's a bit different from your daddy's sadness. His happened over time. You were born with it, weren't you?"

Hard Core nodded.

"Your condition is called major depressive disorder. It's a common illness that affects lots of people."

"Really...?"

"Yeah. It can affect them in lots of ways. Sadness, anger, and changes in hunger happen a lot."

"Oh..."

"Do your mommy and daddy take care of you when you feel bad?"

"Yeah..."

"That's good to hear. You'll probably need special help when you're a little older, but its good to know they're doing what they can."

"I feel a little better when I'm holding Shadow..."

"Having someone depend on you is a powerful motivator. It makes you feel good because it gives you a purpose: something to look forward to every day. It lets you know you're not alone."

"Yeah..."

"Do either of you like to draw?"

"I do!" Melodic replied enthusiastically.

"We're going to try something called 'art therapy'. I want you to draw what you're feeling inside. Can you do that?"

"Okay."

An hour after leaving Melodic and Hard Core in Cadance's care, the two children emerged, each carrying a sheet of paper. Their parents and aunt greeted them warmly.

"Hey, guys," Atmospheric spoke sweetly, "How'd it go?"

"I drew a butterfly!" Melodic exclaimed in delight.

"Oh, wow! It's so pretty."

Hard Core approached his father, holding up his sketch for all to see.

"It's us..."

To Harmonic's bewilderment, his son's drawing was extremely detailed. They were standing in a dark field with the colt holding Shadow in his forelegs.

"Where's your mom and Melodic?"

"They're not in it..."

"Ah..."

A smothering silence filled the air. Cadance motioned toward the door.

"I would like to speak with Harmonic alone."

The stallion nodded. The pair exited the room, convening on the steps outside...

"Hard Core suffered a nervous breakdown a few months ago," his father explained, "Did you know that?"

"No. I didn't."

"Then it might surprise you even more to learn he's not the first child I've known to experience an existential episode."

"You mean to tell me he's questioning the meaning of his own existence at six years old?"

"Hard to believe, right?"

"I'm more inclined to believe in the tooth fairy, frankly."

"Then I'm sure you know why I didn't show any hesitation in letting you talk with him."

"Was it to prove you weren't a hypocrite, or that you weren't abusive?"

"Both."

"That, I believe."

"I suffered so much I needed a literal angel to keep me alive. I love my family more than life itself. I wouldn't jeopardize that for anything."

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

"My life's an open book at this point."

"What was your relationship with your father like?"

"Virtually non-existent. Son of a bitch tried to abduct me when I was a baby. Didn't hear much from him until I was thirteen, whereupon his deranged lunatic mind thought alcoholism was a good example to set for his estranged offspring."

"Do you hate him?"

"Partially. Actually, maybe more, but much of his affliction can be traced back to failures on the medical system's part."

"Can you elaborate?"

"He's a paranoid schizophrenic."

"He never received treatment?"

"Nope."

"I'm sorry. We shouldn't have let you down."

"It's not your fault. You didn't know."

"Where is he now?"

"Prison."

"Ah..."

"Don't feel too bad. Least I didn't grow up to be like him. That's more than a lot of people can say."

"You were planning on finding Hard Core help from the start, weren't you?"

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep my family safe - even if it means opposing the world at large."

"Now I understand where you and Atmospheric's attraction to each other stems from. You share a desire to protect the innocent and pass judgement on the wicked."

"Do I deserve to, though?"

"She seems to think so, and honestly? I agree."

"That makes me feel better at least."

"With each day, you grow closer to the person you aspire to be. I fully believe you'll reach that point long before your deathbed."

"I hope you're right..."

"I didn't get this far being wrong."

This managed to elicit something resembling a smile from the stallion.

"Come on. let's go back."