Rosy

Rosy bounced happily along, singing at the top of her lungs.
"We're OFF on an adventure! We're OFF on an adventure!"
"Rosy, do hush," admonished her mother, Paladin.
Rosy giggled and leaped onto her father's back, who swiftly dropped one shoulder, sending to the little guardian tumbling off.
"You're too big to do that," he scolded her quietly. "I'm a coatl, see? Guardians become bigger than us, sometimes even when they're hatchlings."
Rosy listened, the fins around her face perked high.
"Alright!" she said listlessly and bounced off again.
Soon enough, her mother was picking up the little guardian and setting her on her paws, scolding her for falling off a trunk she had been balancing on.
"Mother!" Rosy protested, wriggling free and scrambling onto the back of her older brother.
"Rosy! Gerroff!" he yelped and shook her away, sending her tumbling to the ground in a heap.
Rosy frowned at her family as they brushed by her and away into the woods.
She scowled after them, then got to her paws again, ready to prance after them, but something stopped her.
A wind blew gently threw the now deserted clearing. Maybe it was Rosy's imagination, but it seemed to be pulling her, guiding her.
Rosy blinked, then slowly padded into the wind, following it with hatchlinglike innocence.
"Hello, little one. What might you be doing here?" asked a quiet voice, and Rosy blinked and looked around.
For a moment, Rosy was sure she was seeing a ghost or a monster.
But it was a guardian, like herself.
Except this guardian was much bigger than her. Her scales were the darkest Rosy had ever seen, and her great steel-gray wings were folded neatly to her back. Her wings were covered in a mesh with beads and skulls and blue feathers. A white hood was drawn over her face, and smoky tendril snaked its way over her back, ending in a strange creature not unlike an elf.
Bright green eyes glittered behind the hood.
Rosy gulped and took a step back. This guardian was huge, muscular, and Rosy hadn't ever seen a more menacing looking dragon in her whole, short life.
"What's your name?" asked the she-guardian softly.
"R-Rosy," she stammered, her voice quivering. Oh why, oh WHY had she left her mother and father?
She summoned her courage and said bravely, "What's yours?"
The guardian looked slightly approving, though it was hard to tell behind that hood.
"My name is Shadow."
"It suits you," she whispered, so quietly it was almost inaudible, but somehow, Shadow caught it.
A flicker of a smile, and then it was gone.
"What do you want with me?" she asked, her voice shaking as much as the rest of her.
"Why, nothing," the guardian answered. "The question is, what do YOU, want with ME?"
Rosy stared at her. "I don't understand."
"Yes," Shadow agreed, dipping her head in acknowledgement. "You don't. But there is still much you do not understand. Don't let it bother you."
Rosy blinked, wrong-footed.
"Why did the wind take me here?" Rosy managed to muster enough courage to ask.
Shadow shrugged her muscular shoulders. "I don't know. Perhaps the Gladekeeper wished you to come this way."
"But the Gladekeeper doesn't control the wind," Rosy protested, before realizing she had contradicted the guardian. Rosy hastily shut her mouth and tried to look apologetic.
Instead of being mad, Shadow looked simply amused. "You are right, little one. But the Gladekeeper is the wildest of the deities. She was a small amount of control over any force that is wild. Of course, if the Windsinger had told the wind to go elsewhere, his order would overrule hers. But this is the Gladekeeper's territory, remember."
Rosy hesitated. It sort of made sense.
"Why would the Gladekeeper want me to come this way?"
"I have no idea," the guardian returned calmly. "Perhaps she thought you might like some raspberries." Shadow gestured with a simply flick of her tail to the bush at her side, which was speckled with ripe, red berries.
Rosy stared at her. "Why-?"
"I wasn't serious, little one. However," she added, her voice quiet and her gaze searching. "I do want to know why you followed the wind. Not many hatchlings would leave their mother's side for a mysterious power even they could feel."
Rosy blinked. "I-I was curious," she said truthfully.
Shadow nodded like that answer pleased her.
"I must go now," she said finally, after another searching look. Rosy felt a wave of dread. She didn't want her to go! "Your parents will be wondering where you are, as well."
Rosy snorted. "They don't care about me."
Shadow watched her for a moment, then said quietly, "At least you have parents, little one. Go to them."
With that last, strange pronouncement, Shadow turned and began to pad away into the wood.
"Wait!" Rosy cried, then stopped and bit her lip. Even after a few minutes of talking to her, she felt closer to the mysterious guardian than she had to her own mother!
"C-Could I come with you?" Rosy asked, ashamed her voice faltered.
Shadow looked over her shoulder, and Rosy was sure she would refuse.
"Yes."
That was all. No other words.
Shadow turned again and walked away, the green fronds closing over tail.
Rosy, hardly able to believe her luck, scrambled after her, her head buzzing with questions.
Why had Shadow let her come? Was she a threat? Did she want to kidnap her?
No, decided Rosy. Whatever else, Shadow is not an enemy.
She thought about it, then declared mentally, At least, not mine.
"Shadow," the little guardian asked tentatively. "Where are we going?"
"Back to my lair. I'm the Alpha and I can't be away too long."
Rosy's mouth dropped open. She was talking to an Alpha! Pawpicked by the Gladekeeper herself!
"You're an ALPHA?" asked Rosy, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.
Shadow's voice was amused. "Yes. Do I not look like one?"
"No no," said Rosy hastily. "You do. I just didn't expect..."
"You speak from your heart, little one." Shadow looked over her shoulder at the hatchling. "It's a gift. Use it well."
Rosy listened to the Alpha attentively, even if she didn't understand.
"Shadow?" she asked timidly.
Shadow's answer was an exasperated sigh, but Rosy continued anyway.
"Am I going to become part of your lair?"
Shadow didn't say anything for a moment, but when she spoke, it wasn't what Rosy expected. "It depends on if you want to, little one."
Rosy blinked. "Wouldn't you have to give me permission?"
"Oh yes. But I already have."
"When?"
"You asked to come with me, remember? I said yes."
Rosy stared at the back of the older guardian's head.
What? But she hadn't been asking- She hadn't meant-
Or had she?
Rosy said hesitantly, "I don't have anywhere else to go. Except with my family, I suppose."
"Do you not want to go with your family?" came Shadow's quiet response.
Rosy thought, then said firmly, "No. I don't."
"Why?"
"Because they don't love me."
"No? Why do you say that?"
Rosy hesitated. "They just don't."
She couldn't explain it any better than that.
Shadow made no answer to that, but said instead, "We're here."
She pushed the ferns aside and let the younger guardian pass in first, into a huge clearing. Rosy felt like her eyes would pop out of her head.
There were so many dragons! And so many of them were HUGE!
A colossal golden imperial in armor glanced over from talking seriously to a pretty, light-colored she-imp to catch Rosy's eye. Rosy shrank slightly against Shadow. He was very intimidating. In that golden armor, he looked like a warrior or something.
The imperial blinked in surprise at the little guardian, then glanced at Shadow questioningly.
The great guardian merely flicked her tail and nudged Rosy onward.
Rosy padded a few steps more into the clearing, where dragons were talking to one another and eating and grooming themselves.
A dark blue imperial was talking to a bright, eye-wateringly yellow imp, who was nibbling on a sardine.
A young fae with bright yellow eyes and deep red wings was talking excitedly to a brightly colored coatl. At least, Rosy thought she was talking excitedly. It was hard to tell with faes.
Rosy walked to the center of the clearing, and a hush fell over the lair.
All eyes, yellow, red, blue, green, purple, pink, orange, silver and brown all fixated on her, and Rosy swallowed, taking a nervous step back and bumping into Shadow's front legs.
She glanced up at the guardian, who gave her a tiny nod.
Then, Shadow walked to the rock standing in front of Rosy, and the little guardian resisted the urge to cry out to her to come back.
Shadow leaped on top of the rock, looking down at Rosy for a moment, then raising her voice to wash over all of them.
"Dragons of the Nature flight! Here we have a newcomer, Rosy, who wishes to stay for a while as a visitor to our lair. I trust you will all make her feel welcome," she said, looking around at all of them. "Rosy will stay for an indefinite amount of time, as of now."
Shadow leaped off the rock and padded into the den underneath it, which Rosy hadn't seen.
She was left standing there, in a semi-circle of unfamiliar dragons.
Rosy resisted the urge to run crying after Shadow, or worse, flee into the woods.
"H-Hello," she stammered.
That seemed to break the tension.
The bright yellow imperial Rosy had seen earlier pranced forward, her bright green eyes happy and bubbly. "Hi there Rosy!" she said, grinning from ear-to-ear. "I'm Sunni!"
"Hi Sunni," she said shyly. "Your name suits you."
Sunni laughed. "Yours does too! Oh, and this is my mate, Riptide," she added, pulling a dark blue imperial from the crowd. He too, smiled down at the guardian, but much more calmly than the she-dragon at his side.
Then, all dragons were crowding around, telling Rosy their names and wishing her a pleasant stay.
But Rosy noticed some of the older dragons slipping away to Shadow's den. Rosy wondered why, but decided not to worry about it.
"Rosy, Rosy come play with us!" said a couple of older dragons. Maybe a month old or so.
"Okay!" said Rosy, and followed them, though she could not help looking back longingly at Shadow's den.
The gold and red fae she had seen earlier turned out to be called Gryffindor, and a silvery, two week old coatl was called Spirit.
She played with them for a while and found they were good friends.
But once it got dark, the young dragons headed home, talking and chatting easily.
"Oh, so it's the new little 'rose' in the lair," said a sly voice, and a huge, blood-red dragon slid out of the shadows, leering at them.
Rosy stared at the imperial, wide-eyed. He was handsome, in a brutal, evil sort of way. There were skulls and red feathers on his wings, a Plague emblem floating over his forehead, and maroon bandages wrapping his torso.
"Oh please, Ares," said the feisty little Gryffindor. "Stop it and go away."
Ares hissed softly, then said, "Now now, Gryffindor. I just want to say hello to the new guardian. After all, she won't be here very long, right?"
Rosy felt a slight shudder at his words. What did Ares mean? Obviously, he could just be referring to Shadow's words that she would be staying for an indefinite amount of time, but...
Rosy read a deeper meaning in Ares's ominous words, and so, apparently, did Gryffindor.
Gryffindor hissed fiercely at Ares. "Go away Ares!"
Ares smirked and slunk off.
Rosy shivered slightly and Spirit must've noticed, because he said quietly, "Don't worry about him, Rosy. He's always like that. Shadow keeps him under control."
"Why is he even allowed here?" asked Rosy.
Gryffindor nosed her comfortingly. "I'm not sure. I think Ares used to be a spy or something, and Shadow owes him a debt. Maybe."
Rosy frowned and allowed her friends to lead her back to the clearing, where they departed and said goodnight.
Rosy glanced around the now deserted clearing, wondering where SHE was to spend the night.
Rosy hesitated, then slowly padded to Shadow's den. Would she wake the Alpha? She hoped not.
But before she took a step inside, she heard voices. Rosy stopped and turned to hastily go back, as she wasn't interested in eavesdropping, but when she heard her own name, she froze.
"-Rosy's a guardian, Shadow."
"-a guardian and-"
"-never worked out-"
"What's she doing here?"
The last whisper was louder than the rest and Rosy blinked, startled and slightly hurt. So what if she was a guardian? Shadow, their ALPHA was a guardian too!
"-can't stay-"
Rosy had heard enough. She turned around and bumped into a dragon behind her.
Rosy rubbed her head and looked up in dawning horror at the bright green imperial before her. She had been caught!
"Uh- I- I didn't mean to-"
The imperial, amazingly, smiled. "It's alright," she murmured.
Rosy got to her paws and let the imperial lead her away, her face burning. When they were out of earshot, Rosy burst into speech, trying to explain herself when she knew there was no possible satisfactory explanation.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop! I just heard my name and... I'm sorry," she said, bowing her head.
Rosy felt a paw under her chin and then her head was being tilted upwards, looking into the bright blue eyes of the imperial. "It's alright, Rosy. Not everyone can control their curiosity. And it's not always a bad thing." The she-imperial smiled.
Rosy gave a tentative smile in return. "What's your name?" she asked shyly.
The imperial hesitated, then said softly, "I have many names. But I generally prefer to go by Terra."
"Terra?"
"Yes, little one."
"Do- Do the dragons here hate me?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Because- Because of what they were saying in there."
Terra sighed slowly. "Rosy, do you know why they said such things?"
"No."
Terra looked at her steadily, then bent down and said, her mouth next to Rosy's ear. "Then find out, little one. You will only find something if you seek it."
Terra turned and walked lightly back to her den, disappearing inside.
Rosy blinked, startled. Then she turned and resolutely marched back towards Shadow's den.
They were still whispering, but Rosy walked right inside, her head lifted high, her violet eyes gleaming defiantly.
The dragons fell silent, watching her apprehensively.
Rosy jutted out her chin slightly and said, quite innocently, "I'm the only guardian here, Shadow. Aside from you, of course. Why is that?"
Some of the dragons blushed, some blanched, and some kept stony expressions.
Shadow, however, looked like she hid the ghost of a smile.
"There are no other guardians, little one, because they seem to flee from this lair," returned one of the most beautiful pearlcatchers Rosy had ever seen.
Her scales were a bright white with very pale blue spots, and her shimmering purple wings were folded neatly to her side, brushing the matching sylvan dress she wore. Violets adorned her head and neck, and petals of the same flower swirled around her in a never-ending wind that seemed to exist only to blow the petals. It did not disturb anything else.
Rosy blinked, realizing she was staring, and hastily lowered her eyes.
The elderly pearlcatcher merely smiled.
Rosy looked up at her, shyly, before realizing she was supposed to be being tough and defiant.
She lifted her head and looked at Shadow, who said to the others, "Leave us now. It's late, and I have to speak with Rosy."
Rosy swallowed and waited as the dragons filed past her. The last to leave was the pearlcatcher, and as she left, the she-dragon gave Rosy a small smile, which Rosy returned instantly.
Finally, it was just Shadow and Rosy. The only two guardians in the lair.
"Shadow?" she asked timidly.
"Yes, little one?"
"What does my being a guardian have to do with anything?"
Shadow sighed softly. "Many of the dragons here believe this lair is cursed. Because," Shadow hesitated, then carried on. "Because not many guardians have been able to stay here. All have left, at some point or another. Except for me, of course. I have never been in another lair in my life. My eldest daughter, Riversong, stayed for a long time. But eventually, she departed to serve the Gladekeeper. My mate, Drinian, and I have had many nests, in which guardians have hatched, but none have stayed."
"So the dragons here think guardians CAN'T stay here?" asked Rosy, thunderstruck.
Shadow, watching her, nodded slowly.
"But what about you?"
Shadow's nostrils flared slightly, but she said quite calmly. "I am the Alpha, little one. I don't count."
Rosy hesitated, watching her paws. "So the other dragons think you shouldn't let me stay here?"
Shadow watched Rosy steadily. "Little one, every single guardian who left this lair has been exalted. Except for one. My youngest, Amara, currently lives in the Water clan. But aside from her..."
Rosy's mouth went dry. "So- So they think I'm cursed now? Because I've stayed here?"
Shadow met her eye levelly. "Prove them wrong, then, Rosy."
Rosy realized with a jolt it was the first time Shadow had called her by name when she was talking directly to her.
"Why should I have to?"
"You shouldn't have to. But if you wish to be a part of this lair..." Shadow sighed and looked away. "Maybe I've expected too much of you. You're only a hatchling, after all..."
"No!" said Rosy quickly. The idea of disappointed Shadow was more than the little guardian could bear.
Shadow sighed. "Go to bed, little one."
Rosy registered the renewed use of her nickname from Shadow. 'Little one.'
"I don't have anywhere to stay," answered Rosy, her mouth dry, her eyes pinned on Shadow, hope swelling inside her.
"You may sleep with me tonight."
Shadow settled down in her nest and Rosy tentatively lay near her. Not touching, but very close.
A little later, a male mirror padded in and settled by Shadow's other side without a comment on the little white-and-pink guardian.

---

In the morning, Rosy woke with a yawn to find that Shadow was gone, and there was low speech outside. At least, from Shadow. The other was loud, high-pitched, and furious.
Rosy got up, shaking her scales and blinking down at her paws in startled wonder. Her paws were larger than she remembered.
Had she grown over night?
Rosy took a look at the rest of her and gasped, almost breathing fire in surprise.
She was fullgrown! She must've metamorphosed in the night!
Now, instead of a hatchling's body, she had the muscular shoulders, powerful wings, stronng legs, and vicious horns of her breed.
Rosy couldn't wait to find a mirror or puddle of water to look at herself in.
But the argument outside attracted her attention and she darted outside.
Rosy skidded around the corner and gasped, unable to hide her surprise and horror at the sight before her.
"Rose darling!" exclaimed the red-and-white guardian. "Come along home darling. Mummy and Poppy are here to take you home."
Rosy stared at her parents. All she could think to say was, "I'm Rosy."
"Rosy then. Come along dear. We're here to rescue you."
Shadow let out an almost inaudible growl, and for the first time, Rosy noticed she was standing in front of Paladin and Excalibur.
Rosy swallowed slightly and looked at Shadow for help.
Shadow said quietly, "Rosy is your daughter, correct?"
"Yes," said Paladin stiffly. "And you had no right to take her away from us! Hatchlingnapper!"
Shadow's nostrils flared, but before she could say anything, Rosy instantly defended her, unable to help herself. "It wasn't Shadow's fault! I followed her of my own free will!"
"ROSE!" shrieked Paladin, staring at her daughter, her face livid.
"I chose to go with her," Rosy repeated. "And my name is Rosy, Mother."
Paladin stared at her daughter, her chest swelling with fury, but she seemed to decide this wasn't the best place to do so.
"Shadow, you are the Alpha, yes?" asked Paladin, turning to the guardian.
"I am."
"Well, give me my daughter back. She belongs with her parents."
"Not quite," returned Shadow evenly, but Rosy couldn't see how she could argue her way out of this one. By all rights, Rosy DID belong with her parents. But she trusted Shadow, and looked at her hopefully.
I want to stay here. With her. Rosy realized this with a jolt in the region of her stomach.
"How?" asked Paladin, her orange eyes narrowing ferociously.
"If Rosy was still a hatchling, you would certainly have a right to take her away. However," said Shadow, over Paladin's snarl. "Rosy, as you can see, is now of age. She can make her own decisions now. Little one, do you wish to stay with me, or go with your parents? I will understand if you want to go with them."
"I want to stay," said Rosy, almost before Shadow had finished speaking.
Shadow turned back to Paladin. "There you are. Rosy stays."
Paladin hissed and turned to Rosy. "Rose, come here at once. Stop this nonsense and come home!"
"No," said Rosy, taking a step back, alongside Shadow. "I- I want to stay, Mother."
Paladin strode forward and before Rosy knew what was happening, her mother's teeth sank into her scruff and she was being pulled along.
"No!" Rosy struggled to get free of her mother's grip, digging her paws into the dirt.
Then, Paladin was knocked sprawling, a huge shadowy figure on top of her, fangs at her throat.
"You attack my dragons again, and I give the signal to attack, if I don't rip out your throat first," snarled Shadow.
Rosy stared at her leader, amazed. She had never seen a dragon take down another so fast. But still... Paladin was her mother.
"Shadow..." said Rosy, very softly, afraid to interrupt her Alpha. "Shadow, please don't kill her."
Excalibur was staring at Shadow in horror and fear, but he made no move to attack her.
The great guardian let Paladin up, who shook her scales and stumbled away from Shadow, fear flashing across her face.
"She is my daughter!" hissed Paladin, but she scrambled away from the great guardian.
"No," snarled Shadow, so low it was hard to hear, but her voice was full of menace and protective fury Rosy had never heard before. "Leave this place. Before I send you to join the Gladekeeper."
Paladin darted away, Excalibur at her heels, but then he stopped and looked at Rosy.
"I hope you find what you're looking for. Rosy." He said simply. Then he darted after his mate.
Rosy watched them go. Then she pressed against Shadow's side tentatively.
Shadow didn't respond, except to look down at her. "So. You want to be part of my lair?"
Rosy smiled. "Even with the curse?"
"Prove them wrong."
"Alright. Yes. I want to be part of you lair."
Shadow nodded and trotted to the rock in the clearing. She filled her lungs and summoned her lair with a yowl.
Most of the dragons had already been outside, but the rest filed out into the clearing and watched Shadow. It might've been Rosy's imagination, but she thought some of the older ones looked almost apprehensive.
"We are gathered here today to watch a young dragon become part of our lair, family, and clan. Rosy, come forward."
Rosy nervously stepped in front of the rock, looking up at Shadow and trying to ignore the outbreak of muttering.
"Rosy, do you promise to protect this lair and clan with your life?"
"I do," said Rosy, or more likely, squeaked.
"Do you promise your loyalty to your leader and to the Gladekeeper?"
"I do."
"And do your promise to respect your mentor?"
Rosy stared at Shadow. Mentor? She needed a mentor?
"I do," she answered, wondering who could possibly be her mentor.
Shadow raised her eyes over the crowd and scanned in for a moment, then she looked back at the guardian before her. Her next words made Rosy's heart pound violently in her chest.
"I will take Rosy as my own apprentice."
Instantly, there was uproar.
Rosy was almost flattened as dragons rushed towards Shadow, saying things in loud voices. She couldn't make out the words.
Just when she was sure she would be trampled, a paw reached down and pulled her out of there.
"Are you alright, Rosy?" asked a familiar voice, and Rosy realized it was Terra.
"Wh- Why have they- Why did they react that way?" stammered Rosy, her body aching where some dragons had accidentally trod on her.
Terra sighed softly. "I'm afraid twill take a while for you to be accepted here, dear one."
Rosy felt a slight shudder go through her at Terra's words.
Rosy's head lowered sadly.
Terra nudged her gently, then spread her wings and flew up beside Shadow, who was saying something angrily to Hyperion, the golden imperial.
"Dragons!" called Terra from next to Shadow. "Dragons, calm yourselves! Remember who you are talking to! Is it not a good thing that Shadow is teaching Rosy? Guardian to guardian? Can any of you teach Rosy the tricks of her breed? You all must know by now that each breed of dragon has its own methods of hunting, attacking, and a number of other things! If any of you think you know more about being a guardian than your leader does, step forward!"
No dragon stirred.
Shadow nodded slightly to Terra, murmuring something no one else could hear. Terra slipped off of the rock.
"Dragons of my lair," said Shadow, looking around at them all. "I realize fully what I have done in taking Rosy as my apprentice. Do you all remember when my daughter left? I said I wouldn't take another apprentice, after I finished mentoring Flare. My mind has been changed. I will entrust Rosy's education to no one else."
Rosy listened to her leader, and then looked at the rest of the lair. The younger dragons looked quite happy to let Shadow have her way, but the older ones, especially Hyperion, looked irritable and shook their heads.
Rosy flattened her fins slightly, but Terra said quietly, "Forgive them, Rosy."
Rosy lowered her eyes in shame and looked away.
She was lost in her own thoughts, and she didn't even notice Shadow jump down from the rock and pad over to her.
"Little one," she said, and Rosy's bright pink head snapped up. "Yes?"
"Come. Training."
Shadow turned and padded out of the hollow. Rosy stared after her, a warm, joyful feeling filling her up like water.
She leaped after her mentor and trotted close to her side as they padded out of camp, ignoring the murmurs around them.

---

Shadow sat with Rosy by the rushing creek, which bubbled cheerfully over the pebbles smoothed by its gentle laps.
Shadow watched her. "Little one," she said, her tail around her paws. "Guardians' diets consist of meat, insects, plants, and seafood. If we were in a lair where each dragon fought for itself alone, or perhaps for its Alpha too, it would catch those all of those things. However, my lair is not like that. Faes eat only insects, but they still catch seafood, plants, and meat. Do you know why?"
Rosy hesitated, thinking hard, but her thoughts kept being interrupted by pure joy and pride at having Shadow choose her. Her! To her be her apprentice!
"Rosy!" Shadow's voice snapped into her thoughts like a whip, and Rosy jumped to attention.
"Sorry Shadow!" she said hastily, looking up at her mentor, appalled her attention had lapsed.
"Answer my question, Rosy," said Shadow sternly, using her name.
Rosy hesitated, thinking back to what the great guardian had said. "B-Because we live in harmony with one another?"
Shadow watched her steadily. "Go on."
"Well," said Rosy, thinking hard. "This- This lair works together. So- So wouldn't they hunt everything? Not just for themselves, but for the whole lair?"
Shadow looked at her, and Rosy held her breath. Then Shadow gave a small nod of approval and Rosy felt that nod was worth more praise than all the world singing her name.
Rosy quivered with delight as Shadow went on to explain more about the clans and different breeds of dragons.
For the longest time, Shadow spoke and sometimes asked questions. To her relief, Rosy got most of them.
"That's all for today," Shadow finally concluded.
"Oh no! Please, one more story?" she begged her mentor, turning pleading purple eyes on her.
Shadow shook her head. "It's late. Look at the sun."
The sun was setting, turning the sky orange and red, and Rosy just then realized how hungry she was.
Her stomach roared and she winced, hoping Shadow hadn't noticed.
She had.
Shadow gave her the merest hint of an amused smile as she trotted up the path, leading her apprentice, whose stomach refused to shut up.
"Would you like to hunt, little one?" asked Shadow, looking over at her, her eyes amused.
"Um, no thanks," muttered the humiliated Rosy. "I'll eat at camp."
Shadow's lips twitched but she turned back to her path, leading the way to the camp.
Which had food.
That was mostly what was on Rosy's mind, and she wasn't thinking at all about how their reception would be.
As they padded through the leaves, heads swiveled in their direction, and low, muted growls broke out.
Shadow ignored them, holding her head high, until she came level with Hyperion.
"You have something to say to me, Hyperion?" she asked, her tone as frosty as the Ice clan.
Hyperion met his leader's eye for a moment, then dropped it.
Shadow padded on past him.
Rosy hastily followed, until she reached the food pile. She dragged a couple of roan mice out of the pile and settled down to eat, eyeing the other dragons nervously.
She had forgotten how much they hated her.
Do they really hate me? she wondered mournfully, swallowing her food with difficulty. She didn't understand why it was hard, seeing as she had been so hungry a few moments ago.
She didn't feel at all hungry now.
Rosy stared unseeingly at her meal, trying not to let their whispers hurt her. She couldn't help that she was a guardian...
And if it's enough for Shadow, she thought angrily. It ought to be enough for them too.
Rosy ate her mice in silence, ignoring her lairmates.
Eventually, she got to her paws and trotted towards Shadow's den, ready to awkwardly ask where she was supposed to spend tonight. But she was intercepted by Hyperion.
Rosy looked up at him, trying to appear cold. "Yes?"
"I just want you to know," he said stiffly. "That guardians are not welcome here."
"Really?" she said coolly. "I'll remember to tell that to Shadow."
Hyperion's ears flattened. "Go ahead, hatchling."
Rosy bared her fangs at him, then walked straight past him with her head held high. She disliked having her back to the golden male, but she kept going anyway, refusing to show weakness.
Rosy stalked towards Shadow's den and when told to enter, did so.
"Hello little one-" Shadow broke off and looked at Rosy intently for a moment. "What's troubling you, young one?"
"I was just talking to Hyperion," spat Rosy through clenched teeth. "He seemed to think guardians weren't welcome in this lair."
Shadow watched her for a moment, then said quietly, "He had no right to say such a thing. What did you say?"
"I told him I would be sure to tell you that."
Shadow sighed softly. "Rosy, are you happy here? Perhaps I expected too much of you..."
"What do you mean?" asked Rosy swiftly.
Shadow looked at her, her eyes steady and apparently sizing her up, wondering whether to tell her. "When I first saw you, Rosy, I saw a lot of potential. When I talked to you, I became even more certain of this."
"Then why didn't you invite me to the lair?"
"Ah, that was the final test. Would she ask on her own? Would she have enough courage to? And she- you- did. But maybe I was wrong." Shadow sighed and looked away. "I won't blame you if you want to leave to find your family Rosy. This lair...does not take kindly to other guardians."
"No!" Rosy exclaimed, panicked. "I want to stay here! I need to stay here! This is my home!"
Rosy stared at her leader, agonized. "My loyalty is here! I took those oaths, remember?"
Shadow watched the young guardian for a moment, then said softly, "But things happen Rosy. Life happens. You might want to make yourself at home in another lair. It would be much easier."
Rosy took a deep breath, then said, looking the dark guardian straight in the eye. "I could indeed. But you're my mentor. Other lairs don't have you in them."
Shadow's expression did not change, but Rosy saw she had touched her leader, just by looking into her eyes.
"Alright Rosy," she murmured. "You may stay, if that is what you want."
"It is," she said fervently.
Shadow watched her for a moment, then said as she settled down, "I will teach you how to fight tomorrow."
Rosy nodded. "Okay. Cool!"
Shadow showed her her usual flicker of a smile. "You may join the other apprentices tonight."
She blinked slightly, then nodded, trying to conceal her hurt feelings. "Goodnight, Shadow."
Shadow nodded and put her tail over her nose.
Rosy turned and walked out of the den, wondering what she had done wrong today. What else could've made Shadow not want her in her den?
Maybe I'm just being spoiled.
But I thought we were close! I thought- I thought- I thought she- she might've- she might've-
What? asked a sly, angry voice. That she cared about you?
Well, she does! Rosy retorted fiercely. She wouldn't have brought me here or made me her apprentice if she didn't!
Hmm, you keep thinking that. If it makes you feel better.
Rosy growled slightly and padded to the apprentices' den. Hers too now, she supposed.
Rosy trotted inside, and was hailed immediately by Spirit and Gryffindor.
"Hi guys," she said, curling up between them.
"Hi!" said Gryffindor excitedly. "So what's it like, being Shadow's apprentice?"
Rosy thought about it, surprised to feel a pang of sadness. "It's...wonderful," she decided.
And it was true. Being Shadow's apprentice was amazing.
Gryffindor and Spirit exchanged awed glances, then they put their heads down, unexpectedly not bombarding her with questions.
Rosy lay her head down and tried to fight the hurt that swelled in her like a tide.
Did Shadow no longer care for her?

---

"Come on Rosy, ATTACK me. Don't FLOP on me. That tactic only works if you know what you're doing."
Shadow lightly danced out of the way as Rosy aimed a blow at her head, panting for breath and sweating profusely.
"No, not like that. Like THAT!" Shadow darted in and walloped her in the stomach, then danced out of reach.
Her mentor hadn't hit her hard enough to hurt, but Rosy still felt slightly dazed. She shook it away and desperately propelled herself at her mentor, her claws out.
Shadow unexpectedly simply shot forward, underneath her and Rosy got a pawful of air. Weight crushed her from behind, and Rosy fell to the earth, panting hard as her mentor got off of her.
"Rosy," said Shadow calmly. "You're strong, but you need to be faster if you want to defeat your opponent."
Rosy lugged herself to her paws and reluctantly faced the dark guardian again, wondering how long this was going to go on and trying to conceal her rapidly growing frustration.
Rosy growled slightly and slowly moved forward. Shadow mirrored her and hissed in her face.
Rosy feinted towards Shadow's head with one paw, and then when Shadow pulled back, launched herself at Shadow, crashing into her.
She had meant to bowl her over, but she was still smaller than Shadow and instead just slammed into Shadow's chest and fell over backwards.
Shadow watched her get to her paws and said, "You're getting better. Go hunt right now, and then when you come back, we'll try again."
Rosy sighed at the prospect and trotted into the woods. She didn't actually really know how to hunt that well, but she would try.
After all, if couldn't be THAT hard. Especially if her meal just consisted of plants.
Rosy padded through the trees, enjoying the cool wind and the warm, earthy scents flooding upon her.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!"
Rosy yelled, fell over backwards, and landed in a heap on the ground, staring at the explosion of color before her.
When her eyes recovered enough to see past the utter gaudiness of it, she realized it was a dragon. A snapper, to be exact.
He was a brilliant shade of magenta with shimmering waves of rainbow across his muscled body. Rainbow silks hung from his wings, his nails were eyewateringly yellow, a pink bow was tied around his neck, and a large pink crown sat jauntily on his head.
Strangest and scariest of all, however, were his eyes. They were like huge saucers with no lids and tiny pupils.
Rosy stared at him for a moment, her mouth open.
"Hello," he said pleasantly. Or it would've been pleasant, if those eyes hadn't been turned on her.
Rosy didn't say anything. Her mouth wouldn't seem to work.
The snapper grinned, and with those horrible eyes, the effect was gruesome.
Rosy, finding her voice at last, let out a piercing shriek.
"Hey whoa whoa whoa!" said the snapper hastily and stuffed one massive paw in her mouth. Well, more like on top of it, as his paw wouldn't fit.
Rosy choked on it and spat it out.
She sprang to her paws and growled ferociously at him, baring her fangs and preparing herself to use the tactics Shadow had taught her.
"Whoa whoa whoa whoa!" said the snapper again, backing up slightly. "I'm not an enemy! I was just-"
"Trying to attack me!" spat Rosy, circling him warily. She wasn't used to sounding so- so savage, but he had startled her badly.
"No no," he said soothingly. Or at least, it would've been soothing if those eyes hadn't been staring at her hungrily like they had never seen another dragon before.
On the other paw, thought Rosy. With that outfit, maybe all the other dragons ran when they saw him coming.
"I wasn't trying to attack you. I was trying to startle you."
"What's the point in THAT?"
"It's fun, of course." The dragon looked slightly smug about it.
Rosy stared at him.
She didn't trust him one bit.
"Rosy!" said a familiar and most welcome voice. The guardian turned gratefully to her mentor, who had just darted into the clearing.
"Are you alright? Why did you-?" then Shadow stopped and blinked slowly at the snapper. "Ah," she said knowingly. "I see. Laetus up to his old tricks, eh?"
Rosy stared at her. "This is- This is NORMAL?"
"Why yes," said Shadow calmly. "Normal for Laetus, anyway. Did he startle you?"
Rosy hesitated, then answered honestly. "Yes. Badly."
"She reacted the worst so far," said Laetus, sounding proud of himself. Rosy gave him a look of deep disgust.
Shadow snorted with suppressed amusement.
"Come along, Rosy," said Shadow, waving her tail gently at her apprentice. "Excuse us, Laetus. Rosy and I are battle training at the moment."
The snapper nodded cheerfully. "Think I'll go hunting. Nice meeting you, Rosy."
Laetus bounced off.
"Going to frighten some poor hatchling out of its wits, more like," muttered Rosy mutinously.
Shadow suppressed a smile. "He's alright, little one. He's usually a little on the odd side, but he has a good heart."
"Yes," snorted Rosy. "One that is probably covered in rainbows and glitter as well."
"Rosy," said her mentor with a hint of a warning in her voice. "Laetus is part of my lair too. I expect you to treat him well."
Rosy didn't answer. She supposed part of her mutinous attitude was due to the fact that Laetus had managed to startle her so badly.
"Did you manage to hunt?" asked Shadow, leading her back towards the hollow they had been training in.
"I'm not hungry," Rosy murmured. That snapper's pure gaudiness had completely driven away her appetite.
When they reached the hollow, they began to train once more. Shadow pushed her harder than ever, and when Rosy padded home that night, she was drenched in sweat.
"Ew," was Gryffindor's greeting as she wrinkled her nose at the smell and moved over to make room for her lairmate, or possibly to escape the smell.
Rosy lay down beside her and let out a puff of a sigh. She was too tired to be offended.
"How did training go?" asked Spirit, sleepily lifting his head.
"Tiring," mumbled Rosy, her voice muffled as she had just pulled her tail over her nose. "Goodnight," she added, hoping she didn't sound rude but also hoping to convey how tired she was.
"Night," said Gryffindor, sounding slightly disappointed but putting her head down all the same.

---

When Rosy awoke that morning, it took her a moment to remember why she was feeling so embarrassed and even a little angry.
Laetus.
"Oh no," she moaned, burying her face into her moss again. Anything but that stupid pinnacle of color..
However, the shame continued its cruel game of poking and prodding mercilessly at her conscience, until finally, the young guardian trotted out the den to go for a walk.
Perhaps that would clear her head.
How very wrong she was.
Rosy trotted through the woods, enjoying the pleasantly cool breeze against her face. It lessened a bit of the guilt inside her, but not by much.
Rosy sighed and trotted out to the lake, which gleamed under the sun like topaz on sapphires.
She smiled and sat by the edge, closing her eyes and enjoying the quiet tranquility of the early morning, the wind blowing like a cool, gentle hand, and the nature all around her. Gentle like a mother, wild like a friend, and comforting like a home.
Home.
Rosy held onto the word.
Home.
Rosy sighed slowly and lay down on the grass, breathing in the warm, earthy scents of the Nature clan.
As she gazed, slit-eyed, out over the water, she saw a bright pink shape bobbing in the shallows of the lake.
She blinked and opened her eyes fully to see what it was.
"Oh no."
It was Laetus.
Rosy scrambled to her paws, her tranquility stolen by that ridiculous magenta dragon in the water. She glanced around frantically for a place to hide but-
"Hi!" called the friendly voice, and Rosy closed her eyes, wanting to die on the spot.
"H-Hey Laetus," she said, studying her paws as she turned around to face the snapper.
He hauled his bulky body out of the water and shook himself, accidentally splashing her.
"Oops, sorry."
"No problem," she muttered, shaking her foot and sending some droplets flying.
He cocked his head at her and she blinked, surprised by the intense look he now gave her. At least, as intense as though huge eyes could look.
"Terra's looking for you," he finally said. "She says you need help."
"Wha-"
But Laetus simply slid into the water and vanished, leaving Rosy staring after him with her mouth open.
She gazed at the water, her mouth still wide open, until finally she realized the only way she was going to find the answers to that cryptic statement was to go find Terra.
So, she turned around and trotted off to go find the mysterious imperial.
Rosy climbed a tree with difficulty, as guardians really were a bulky breed, and flew the rest of the way back to camp.
As she flew low under the clouds, her wings barely skimming them, she jerked to a halt in the midair.
She squinted towards the ground.
A dragon.
Collecting herbs?
Terra?
Rosy flew down and landed lightly a ways away from the imperial.
Then she trotted towards her so as not to alarm her, though Rosy doubted startling Terra would be easy.
"Terra?" she asked, pushing herself through the last bushes and looking at the bright green imperial.
She looked over her shoulder, blue eyes gentle.
"Hello dear. I suppose Laetus found you at last?"
"Yes." Rosy resisted the urge to ask why, of all dragons, had Terra chosen Laetus as her messenger.
Terra continued gathering her herbs, and Rosy took notice of the five or six butterflies in varying colors flitting around the Healer's scales. The effect was quite mesmerizing.
"Nice butterflies," Rosy said before she could stop herself.
Terra chuckled, and the lime green one settled on Rosy's nose briefly before fluttering back to Terra. "Yes, they're my little companions."
"They're nice," said Rosy, shifting slightly. What did Terra want to talk to her about?
As though she had read her mind, the elderly imperial sighed softly. "Rosy, you were not close to either of your parents, correct?"
Rosy stared at her. "Y-Yes." Why had she asked THAT? This wasn't even any of Terra's business...
Stop that, she told herself sharply. Everyone knows how wise Terra is.
Indeed, she had heard many things about the imperial from the other dragons in the lair.
Terra gazed at her paws for a moment, then looked up at her once more. Her blue eyes burned into Rosy's violet ones.
"You will find a dragon you will commit your life to. You will find a dragon who will do what your parents could not."
Rosy gaped at Terra, but before she could find her voice, Terra picked up her herbs, lightly brushed Rosy's face with her tail, and then trotted away into the forest, her butterflies fluttering around her.
She stared after the imperial.
What?
Just...happened?
She blinked and shook her head, confused.
She turned and trotted back to camp, thinking hard.
Did Terra mean...she would find a mate? And love that dragon?
"Hi Rosy!"
She looked around and saw Laetus bouncing over to her.
Oh no.
"Um, hi Laetus," she said, turning to him. Then, she was seized with sudden inspiration. Did Laetus have inside knowledge of what Terra had meant?
"Laetus," she said, lowering her voice. "Do you know what Terra meant?"
"Nope!" he said cheerily. "Cause I don't know what she said!"
"Oh," Rosy flushed. So perhaps he didn't know anything...



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