While the Element Bearers fought off another attack from the Dark Empire, a monster known as Armourock killed one of Princess Twilight’s greatest royal guards, Halberd. Prism Palette was friendly with Halberd as he always encouraged her in her desire to become the brave defender of Equestria that she is destined to be. She remembered Halberd telling her about his children, one of which was a fan of her, his name is Hard Hoof.
One night, Hard Hoof’s mother needed a babysitter while she had to work late at night. Prism Palette volunteered to babysit her children. Normally Hard Hoof gave the babysitters a rough time, but when he discovered he was going to be looked after by Prism Palette, he got excited being a fanboy of her. For Prism Palette it was an easy night of babysitting both Hard Hoof and his little sister Soft Hoof all day until it was time to get them to bed.
After tucking Soft Hoof in she went to do the same for Hard Hoof, but after hearing about Hard Hoof’s bad reputation from his mother she felt like she needed to talk to him about it.
Prism Palette: Hey Hard Hoof. What’s this I’ve been hearing about you giving the other babysitters and the other students at your school a bad time? You were perfectly well behaved around me.
Hard Hoof: That’s because you’re not like them.
Prism Palette: Oh? How so?
Hard Hoof: You’re brave, strong, fast, amazing and of course the most awesome pony in Equestria. They are all just…… cowards.
Prism Palette: And you hate them for being afraid?
Hard Hoof: Of course I do. My father fought with every strength in his body to protect them, but when he needed help….. they…. just stood there.
Prism Palette: Hard Hoof, what happened to your father, it’s not their fault. Not everypony can be as brave as we are.
Hard Hoof: You’re right. It wasn’t their fault……
Prism Palette smiled, but then her smile went away as Hard Hoof continued.
Hard Hoof: It was my fault. I was too weak to save him, too weak to protect him. I’m weak, useless and pathetic.
Prism Palette gave him a hug as he started crying and she started shedding tears too, both because of the death of an old friend and out of empathy for Hard Hoof’s pain.
Prism Palette: That’s not true. You’re not weak, useless or pathetic. You’re the strongest little colt I know and it took a lot of guts to stand up to Armourock. If you’re this strong now, imagine how strong you’ll be when you grow up. You might even become stronger then your dad and I know he would be proud of you if you did.
Hard Hoof: ….You really think I could be brave and strong like my dad someday.
Prism Palette: Of course, but you also need his heroism. Do you know what he always believed the duty of the strong was?
Hard Hoof: To protect the weak.
Prism Palette: Exactly. So make your father proud and use your strength to protect the weak.
Hard Hoof: I promise, I won’t bully the other kids or babysitters anymore. I’ll use my strength to become a brave hero, like my father.
Prism Palette: Good. Now you need your sleep.
Prism Palette tucked the young colt in and wished him sweet dreams before leaving him to sleep. The next day she was visited by Hard Hoof’s mother, Light Hoof.
Light Hoof: I don’t know what you did Prism, but Hard Hoof has stopped bullying others and is back to being the good colt he was before my husband passed away.
Prism Palette: It was no problem. He’s a good colt really. He just lost his way for a moment. Happens to the best of us.
Light Hoof: I’d hate to ask since I know you’re busy as an Element Bearer and all, but if possible could you spend more time with Hard Hoof? He seems to have a positive response from you.
Prism Palette: Sure. I’ll look out for him as if he was my own brother.