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     After a good drink, they started to walk back to camp. "You know, Snow Shine, you looked as overheated as a sick horse before we came. Are you sure you're okay?" Orange Blossom teased. "I'm fine now," he replied, looking down at his hooves. When they got back, Minty Swirl went up to him and said, "Going out with your mate, huh?" Snow Shine blushed slightly and burst out angrily, "SHE'S NOT MY MATE!!!!!!" Minty Swirl just snickered and padded away.

     Snow Shine felt very worried. Had everyone else already noticed how he felt about her? No, maybe Minty was just teasing him...as usual. He heard Queen Penny calling all the unicorns, and he went off to see what was happening. The unicorn queen stated, "I have had enough time to think about this, and I've made my decision. Come here, Violet Leaf." As the stallion climbed up the High Stone, Snow Shine noticed Minty Swirl's eyes no longer were brown fire, but gleamed with happiness, and he shot her a questionable look that she didn't seem to notice.

     "Do you promise to eventually take over and assist me in helping and protecting these unicorns to the best of your ability?" Penny asked him. "I do," came the reply. "Then you are officially my senior advisor. I trust that your loyalty and wisdom will be very helpful." Snow Shine could tell Minty Swirl felt like bouncing up and down like a filly as everyone cheered Violet Leaf's name, though she wouldn't do that in front of everyone like that. Maybe Violet Leaf might choose her as his senior advisor when he becomes king just because she's his mate! Snow Shine felt a sudden pang of anger. Even the Guardian Rules couldn't do anything about it!!

     He eventually noticed that Blueberry Twilight was staring at him, and she said, "You looked angry before. Are you okay?" Snow Shine nodded, and felt glad that at least someone cared about his well-being. Lemon, a young student bounded up to him, her amber eyes shining. It had already been many months, and new fillies and colts had gone to the student hollow and became students. "Hi Snow Shine!! I'm about to be a guardian," she exclaimed, her yellow body flashing sunlight as she jumped up and down. "Good for you," he replied, "I was really excited when I became one! When are you taking your test?" "In a week!" Lemon answered happily. "I'm going to be a brave guardian—just like you!" Snow Shine felt proud of himself. He just became a guardian all those months ago, and now he was someone's role model!

     Snow Shine looked around and saw Blue urgently talking to Orange Blossom, like it was a big problem. Orange Blossom glanced his way meaningfully, and he sent a confused look back. Were they gossiping about him? No, Orange would never do that, he thought. Or maybe Snow Shine didn't know enough about her. Was he really blinded by his desire? She seemed nice, she's probably that way on the inside, he concluded silently. After dinner, everyone went to sleep.

＊

     "You have another day of break. Orange Blossom does too."

     Snow Shine awoke to learn that he had gone on many jobs and would be given more time to rest. He found a plump fish, and started tucking into it when Orange Blossom came over. "I know it was kinda awkward yesterday," she stated once she had greeted him, "and I didn't mean to offend you. But can you—" She was caught off with the sound of Queen Penny calling to her. "I'll tell you later," Orange Blossom said, and she scampered off. Her peachy-salmon mane bounced as she went over to the unicorn queen's den. He watched her until she disappeared behind the den entrance.

     "What are you doing?!" A sneering voice snapped Snow Shine out of his trance, and he turned quickly. Minty Swirl! Snow Shine felt like curling into a ball and disappearing. "Um...well, Orange Blossom was telling me something, b-but she had to leave—" "Chatting with your mate?" Minty Swirl snickered. "LEAVE. ME. BE!" Snow Shine snapped, and gave her a good buck with his hind leg, then padded toward the guardian den entrance where some of the guardians were sitting. 

     He decided to speak to his adopted mother, Rainbow Shine. "Mother!" he called. "Why, isn't it my brave little guardian!" she said, nuzzling his cheek. Her green eyes filled with warmth, Rainbow Shine asked him, "How is it? You've made some friends? That Blueberry Twilight is certainly friendly." Snow Shine nodded in agreement. "Remember, sweetheart, if you need anything, tell me. I'll be glad to help!" his adopted mother told him. Flicking his tail in farewell, he left the chatting group.

＊

     During dinnertime, he had a good meal of berries and mint leaves. The hunting patrols reported that the mint trees were starting to grow. "This symbolizes that winter will be here soon. We must store some food," Heavy Hoof remarked. Some of the guardians were chatting about how the colts and fillies would be kept warm. Blueberry Twilight seemed especially immersed in the conversation. Snow Shine trotted up to her and asked, "Did you have any colts or fillies?" 

     When he saw Blue's sad and distressed expression, he knew immediately it was the wrong thing to say. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way—" "What else do you expect when you poke into someone's business?!" Minty Swirl snapped. "I know, I know, I'm sorry..." Snow Shine said, feeling as sad as Blue was. Blueberry Twilight gave a sad smile, saying, "Minty, he didn't mean it; don't take it the wrong way. Well," she continued, turning to Snow Shine, "it might make me feel better telling my story." All of a sudden, Orange Blossom came in and plopped to the ground, asking, "What story?" Her pale green eyes shimmered excitedly. *yawn* "Who was that?" Snow Shine asked.

     "Seems like Violet Leaf is tired," Minty Swirl said, snorting affectionately at her mate. "How about we all go to bed?" Everyone agreed and trudged over to the guardians den.

＊

     "So it all started when my mate died..."

     That morning, Blue started telling her story to everyone. Everyone chowed down on breakfast while listening. Minty Swirl looked uncharacteristically sad as she sat next to Violet Leaf, their pelts brushing. Snow Shine still felt an occasional pang of regret when he thought about what pain he had led Blueberry Twilight to feel all over again. The experienced guardian always had a playful grin on her face, despite her great age. Orange Blossom gave him a sympathetic look, and he pretended he was fine the whole time.

     "My mate's name was Sun's Rays, and it suited him. His pelt was golden like the most tender penny seed, and his eyes glowed a brilliant turquoise. He had an orange mane like the hottest fire, and he was—"

     "Alright, Blue, you can stop describing your mate and tell the story now," Minty Swirl reminded her in amusement, and some of the guardians giggled. Blueberry Twilight blushed a little, saying, "He was amazing."

     She continued, "King Fresh Mint (or King Fresh) regarded him as a very important guardian because of his loyalty and bravery. At that time, there were constant bears found on our territory. Eventually, they burst into camp! We fought them with all the strength we had." Blue paused. "Orange Blossom, Snow Shine, you were still in the nursery then." The two unicorns looked amazed that they were there during the horrible event.

     Finally, Blueberry Twilight's eyes looked watery, like she was going to cry. "It was during the battle it happened," she said, lowering her voice until it was a whisper. "I saw it," Minty Swirl continued as Blue began to sob quietly. "All of a sudden, the bear lumbered toward Sun's Rays before he could do anything about it, and scooped him up on his jaws, squeezing him. Sun's Rays laid limply. He was dead." Minty Swirl dropped her head and padded off.

     "Enough sad talk," Orange Blossom snapped, "before I die of sadness and boredness!" Some of the guardians giggled for the first time, and Snow Shine said, "I don't think 'boredness' is a word, Orange." She turned to him, and said, smiling, "Patrol today, Snow Shine?" He said, "I'd love to, but I'm taking hunting with Blueberry Twilight." At the sound of her name, Blue perked up, saying, "Sure, Snow Shine." He turned and was surprised to see a scowl on Orange Blossom's pretty face. "Oh yeah, I can totally go on patrol with Violet Leaf instead," she muttered irritably, "who needs you anyway?"

     First a sad story, and now Orange Blossom mad at him? This day couldn't be worse, thought Snow Shine. He felt like curling into a ball and vanishing. Blue walked with him out of the clearing and into the woods. Maybe we'll find something good to eat, he thought, but why is Orange Blossom mad at me for not accepting when she asked to go patrolling with me?