Dear Readers,

Sorry for the long delay in posting this chapter. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I sure did!

I'd like to post a chapter for this story every two weeks, but I make no promises. Hopefully, after the holidays, it will be easier to stick to a writing schedule.

Thanks for the reviews. I love to know what your thinking!

Happy new year!

Sincerely,

DragonWing85

Blue paused before opening the door to Vio's bedroom. The two hadn't exactly hit it off. How was he going to explain why he was there?

He peeped in and glanced around as the teen snored. Vio's room was chaotically organized. Stacks of books were scattered everywhere. A large desk in the corner of the room held several open books. Blue flipped one of the pages and read aloud.

"Most psychological disorders can be treated by—"

Vio moaned and rolled over. "It's going to be okay, Red…we'll get through…zzz."

Drool hung from the corner of the sleeping teen's mouth, attempting to drip on the pillow. It looked like he'd fallen asleep without even changing clothes. If Blue didn't know better, he'd have thought that that Vio had fallen asleep from pure exhaustion.

He's trying to help him. He's not studying all this for his degree. He's trying to help Red.

He walked over to the bed and held his breath.

Here goes nothing, he thought as he waved the bottle under Vio's nostrils.

The sleeping teen wrinkled his nose, blinked, and then bolted upright.

"Blue?" He scooted back confused. "What…what are you doing?"

"I, uh, I…came to wake you…for breakfast."

Vio raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Breakfast?"

"Yeah. Breakfast." Blue bit his lip. "Is that a problem? Or are the eggs supposed to last a week too."

"I, uh, it's fine. Eggs are cheap." Vio squinted, studying the circles under his eyes. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," mumbled Blue as he headed for the door pocketing the bottle of dragon's breath.

"Blue."

Blue turned to face his 'new' brother.

Vio swallowed. "Thanks. For breakfast. You didn't have to do that—wake me or even cook—if you did cook. What I mean is—"

"Don't mention it," said Blue. He bit his lip. This 'new' brother reminded him of Green but a tad different. Not as tough as himself, but definitely more hard core than Green. Strange. Maybe there was some truth to this whole 'brother' thing.

Blue closed the door behind him and headed to the kitchen. He froze as he rounded the corner and saw Green pinning Shadow's shoulders against the wall.

"What did you do to him?" yelled Green through gritted teeth.

Shadow grinned slyly. "Shouldn't you be thanking me? You should really control him better."

Green tightened his grip. "So, help me if you dare—"

"What's going on?" said Vio coming out of his room.

Green let go and took a step back but continued to stare Shadow down.

The dark Link straightened his rumpled pajamas and gestured towards the kitchen. "Now, can we eat?"

When they entered the kitchen, Red had the table set and was pouring everyone a glass of cold milk.

For the first five minutes, no one said anything as they ate.

Green watched everyone suspiciously, especially Shadow. As he reached for his glass of milk, Blue grabbed it from him and gulped it down.

Everyone stared at Blue as he wiped away the milk mustache. "What?"

"What's wrong with you?" said Green flabbergasted.

"I…uh…thought you wouldn't drink the milk because…you like water. I'll get you some water."

Blue grabbed him a new glass and poured him some water.

Green picked it up, paused, and then slammed it down, spilling it. "Okay, what's going on?"

Blue glanced at Shadow who gave him a don't-you-dare-say-a-word look.

"Well?" insisted Green.

"Nothing is going on," said Blue, lying through his teeth. "I'm trying to be nice."

"You're never 'nice'."

"I am too! I just don't like to show it."

Red giggled.

Blue faced him. "It's not funny, Red."

Red rubbed his head and continued laughing. "It is funny. It reminds me of when we were back in Hyrule." He began rubbing both side of his head and closed his eyes. "Blue, you and Green were always sparring. Sometimes it was swords, but most of the time it was with words." Red winced as if he were in pain. "And there was this one…time…ahh"

Vio gave Shadow an it's-happening-again look.

"Red," said Shadow rising from his chair, "just relax and take a deep breath."

"But…I remember." Tears were leaking from his squinted eyes. "I can…ahh…remember…it's a small world. It's a small world. It's a small world—"

"I'll get his meds!" said Vio jumping up.

"Don't," said Shadow. "Please, Red. Stop thinking about the past."

The tears were streaming now. "I…can't! I…ahh…please…it hurts…ahhh…make…it…sto…ahhhh!"

"What's wrong with him?" asked Blue taking a step back as if he had a disease.

"He needs his meds!" responded Vio.

Green jumped up from the table as Red fell out of his chair. "I'll get the pills. Where are they?"

"Don't give him the pills," grunted Shadow as he picked Red up. "Blue, help me get him to the couch!"

"We have to do something!" shouted Vio.

Red squirmed in pain holding his head. "It's a…small…its'…a…ahh!"

"It's going to be okay," coaxed Blue. "He is going to be okay, right? Right?!"

Shadow's hands were glowing pink now. "Red, try to lie still. Pretend you're floating on your back…in a swimming pool and the waves are rocking you back and forth."

Red barely nodded with his eyes squeezed shut and Shadow traced the scar on Red's forehead. For a moment, Red began to relax. But it didn't last long as Shadow nearly fainted.

"What happened? Are you okay?" asked Vio.

Shadow tried to stand up but Vio wouldn't let him. "I'm fine. It was a long night. My magic…needs to recharge. Help me up. I can do this."

Vio helped the dark Link stand. Again, Shadow traced the scar on Red's forehead. This time, it began to glow pink and then black and then pink again. Instantly, Red fell into a deep sleep.

Shadow's knees buckled, but Vio caught him before he hit the ground. Both he and Green walked him over to the recliner.

"What did you do to him?" asked Vio.

Shadow barely opened his eyes. "I merely paused the battle inside him by putting him in a deep sleep. It's a long story…but basically, there's…two…spells waring inside his head. When he remembers it causes him pain."

Vio frowned. "That makes no sense!"

Shadow didn't respond. He didn't even look conscious.

"Well," thought Green aloud, "now what do we do?"

"We need to get out of here!" said Blue sternly. "It's not safe here with Shadow. We don't really know what he even did to Red. I can carry him. We can—"

"No," said Vio. "I'm not leaving. I don't understand what's going on, but…I can't just leave." He glanced at Shadow. "I know when Shadow's lying. This isn't one of those times. Besides, he doesn't look so good. Someone needs to keep an eye on him."

Green nodded sympathetically. "Okay. We'll hang around. But," He pulled the sword out of his back pack. "I won't hesitate to use this."

Vio blinked in surprise.

Blue crossed his arms and plopped down on the floor beside the couch. You're all idiots!