The same feeling Snow Shine had when he was made a guardian rushed back to him like a tidal wave. He felt like jumping up and down along with them—until Orange Blossom sent him a look that said, Are you still a colt? But amusement still danced in her eyes. Snow Shine flicked his tail playfully at her leg, and they both giggled. He suddenly thought, Maybe it's about time I admit my feelings to her. Before he could speak, he heard Queen Penny's gentle voice call him up.

     "Snow Shine, many fillies and colts have been born lately, and we're running low on tutors. Just temporarily, you'll be Grass' tutor. You'll still have guardian duties, but only after the day's training." The white stallion nodded, and leaped off the Big Rock. Grass ran over to him as fast as his little legs could go. "Can we start now, Snow Shine?" "One moment," his mentor replied.

     Snow Shine called to Orange Blossom as she was leaving. "Hunt later? I also have something to tell you," he said. After the pretty orange mare gave her agreement, he went back to his student. "Okay Grass," Snow Shine began, "we're going to start with the easier things. Today we'll collect some food for the nursery-mothers." "Won't we get food, too?" Grass inquired, his amber eyes sad. "Of course! Everyone needs food. Now," stated Snow Shine, "let's start collecting."

＊

     "So this is how you catch a fish."

     Snow Shine and his student had collected some honey, leaves, and fruits to eat. Now, he was teaching Grass how to catch the silvery, translucent, bloodless fish that he first tried as a little colt. "Careful not to stand right over the water, or the fish will see you, then you quickly jab one!" Grass stood carefully close to the water. Snow Shine watched him admiringly as he flicked his ears to listen for passing fish.

     And that's when it happened. The green-pelted student suddenly jabbed his horn into the water. After a few seconds, Grass turned up again. "Aww, I missed the fish!" "It's alright," Snow Shine encouraged him, "it's not like I caught a fish the first time I tried!" Then, the two kept trying to catch the fish, and at the end, Snow Shine had caught 4, and Grass had caught 2. "Good work, Grass," his mentor praised him, "We'll continue tomorrow. Why don't you go and rest up?"

     Snow Shine then went to catch up on hunting with Orange Blossom. She said, "I was thinking about getting some berries from those berry bushes on the edge of our territory." They found some juicy blueberries and raspberries, and also some cloudberries, their golden skin glowing. After taking some to camp, the two unicorns found a secluded spot to sit and snack on the rest. "So Orange, about what I had to tell you before—" Snow Shine started.

     "Um...can I speak first?" Orange Blossom asked nervously. After Snow Shine gave his agreement, she began, "Okay, so, uh, I'm sorry for staring at you a lot and asking you to go everywhere. But...I guess I really treasure our friendship, and you're special to me." Both of their cheeks turned pink. Orange Blossom looked up at Snow Shine, and their eyes locked. "Snow Shine, you're the best friend I could ever have, and I really like you. Will you be my mate?"

     Snow Shine stood on impulse. "Of course I will, Orange Blossom! And I thought I was the one always following you..." "So, Snow Shine, what did you want to say?" his now mate asked. "What you just asked!" he replied. Orange Blossom leaned affectionately into Snow Shine's side, and he nuzzled her in response. The two went back home together. As they walked, a thought suddenly dropped into Snow Shine's head. When they had left to bring back Tulip, the golden guardian now known as Tulip Blossom, Queen Penny had said something about the spirits of nature.

     He stopped walking in his pondering, and Orange Blossom, not noticing, continued bouncing back to camp. The spirits of nature must be important, Snow Shine thought, and come to think of it, often the older guardians speak of it too. Coming back to where he was, he galloped back to camp, his mane and tail flapping in the air. In camp, Snow Shine noticed Queen Penny speaking with the other guardians.

     "Tonight, I and some guardians will go to speak with the spirits of nature." The beautiful unicorn queen noticed him, and said, "Hello Snow Shine. Just for you to know, the spirits of nature include talking animals, and often unicorns who have died." Snow Shine was both surprised and excited to hear that. Imagine talking jaguars! That would be interesting, he thought. And maybe I'll actually meet my father!!

     Snow Shine's thoughts were interrupted by Queen Penny stating, "You, Orange Blossom, and Violet Leaf will come with me. Now, let's all eat dinner!"

＊

     It was dark and slightly chilly in the forest as Snow Shine followed Queen Penny with the other chosen unicorns into the Secret Place. In the dim light, he noticed that this was the place where he had chatted with Orange Blossom before! Though he hadn't seen it, a giant, blue-gray rock was in the corner, and it seemed to sparkle. "Everyone," Penny's voice echoed, "lean on the stone." Orange Blossom said to Snow Shine, "Isn't this exciting? To be honest, I've never been chosen before!"

     He drowsily murmured agreement, and fell fast asleep. Suddenly, Snow Shine felt hard pebbles under him instead of the soft, grassy forest floor. "Welcome to the Spirit Path," a shrill voice said. Snow Shine got up to see a brown squirrel looking up at him, its bushy tail wagging in welcome. All around them was a wide plain of grass, and only some trees in sight. A beautiful stream washed past.

     "Snow Shine! Is that you?!" The voice sounded more unicorn-like, but a little deeper than his own. The white guardian turned to see who it was. There was a living reflection of himself, but taller, and had shimmering green eyes like emeralds. Was that... "I'm your father, Blown Water!" the unicorn exclaimed, confirming Snow Shine's assumption. Blown Water went over to him, and their tails intertwined.

     "Father..." Snow Shine began, unused to calling anyone that name, "I'm so happy to see you for the first time! But, um, why'd you leave me behind way back then?" At first, his father looked befuddled, but then he answered, "I don't know if Penny Seed told you, but I left because of my mate, Goldie. Your mother." "Well, just for you to know, Penny Seed is queen now," Snow Shine told Blown Water, "and where did you go? Queen Penny said they searched the whole island to no avail."

     Blown Water sighed deeply. "It's a long story. Oh, and it seems like it's time for you to leave. Bye!" He flicked his tail in farewell and padded away. "But wait—" Snow Shine yowled. He started running but didn't get anywhere, and fell into blackness.

＊

     "Snow Shine—SNOW SHINE! Are you alright?!" his mate fretted as he began waking up from his sleep. Snow Shine opened his eyes wide. "I'm fine, Father..." he replied weakly. Orange Blossom sent him a questionable look that she had made only a day ago. "It's morning, Snow Shine, and I'm not your father—wait, did you see your father?" she exclaimed all of a sudden. Snow Shine got back on his feet, nodding. "Let's all get back home," Queen Penny suggested, her advisor standing next to her.

     After they got back, Snow Shine went to call Grass. "Here, Snow Shine!" he replied, leaping from where he was chatting with Rose, another student. Rose turned toward Grass' tutor, saying, "Heavy Hoof said I'm the last student he's ever going to have! Anyway, he wanted you to know that this will be your last day with Grass. Shiny Moss'll teach him instead."

     "Aww, but it's been so much FUN with you!" Grass whined. Snow Shine had to admit that he would miss the bouncy, excited colt who reminded him of himself. "Queen Penny was right when she said the change would be temporary," he added. "Well, thanks for telling me, Rose! Grass and I have some last-day things to do now!" The two unicorns galloped happily—and at the same pace—together, excited about what was to come.