ooc: Oh. I forgot to mention this long ago but I think I'll do it now. I know it is canon that Shad's DAD is dead, not his MOM, but I switched it around. Its a fanfiction, anyway. Don't let it bug you too much.

Oh, and, yay update! After so long! I'll start writng more in my other fics, I've got some blocks of spare time.

Ic:

Green knocked and waited patiently for the door to open.

Crickets sang in nearby tufts of dry grass near the Spirit Oasis, and the howl of a lone wolf echoed in the distant mountains. And soon, the next sound was the door creaking open and revealing a tired looking, long-faced man with long robes and sleeves.

"Green, I presume." Renado rubbed his eyes.

The lizalfos nodded his scaly head. "Must know... what is the fate of Shad and Rusl?

"They are fine. Shad has not been able to sleep, he has been so worried. Please, hurry inside. We have no time to waste."

Green stepped inside the strong hut, and found Shad sitting next to a fireplace. When he heard the Lizalfos enter, he perked and quickly stood up to face him, and he began speaking, "Green! Oh, I thought you would never come..."

"Green brings many news and many burdens to share with his friends." The tall creature bowed his head. "May he begin?"

"Of course!" Shad said, almost impatiently. Rusl had appeared from a bedroom door, his arms crossed, ready to listen, for he had nothing to say. He leaned against a post and his intense eyes were focused on the beast.

"First. Green has discovered something about the race of Lizalfos themselves. The thing that keeps them attached to their queen is nothing of physical or mental manner. It is something that is obtained by spirit, something no one can steal from you. Your name. We have never been named by hatching, therefore, we have none. When a name was given to Green, he achieved something special, something that broke the Queen's grasp. This also means, your Ashei will be safe if she learns her name again."

Shad at first felt encouraged, but as he further evaluated Green's news in his mind, he blinked and gasped, "If... she learns her name again!? Are you saying she... she's... one of them!?" His youthful voice cracked.

"Do not fear. There is always a way, an open door. We shall save her and continue our mission."

"But we need that Ooccaa boy." Rusl gave his addendum. "Last we saw of him, he vanished to the heavens."

Shad had nothing to say- he was overwhelmed by the news and needed time to take it in. He closed his eyes and his head dropped. After a few moments of silence, he looked up and said, "where is the nest, Green?"

"Near Zora's Domain, in the mountain."

"The snowy mountain?"

"No. It is another side of the mountain not discovered by the Zoras until recently."

"How are the Zoras?" Renado asked.

"They have been attacked and driven further through the waters. Most of their abode is abandoned."

"This is... terrible..." Shad moaned. The words had been running through his mind and they finally escaped in a morbid tone. "Junior is gone... Ashei is gone... the Zoras and Gorons are both being massacred..."

"It is our job to protect these people, Shad. And if we won't do it, the world will die. You heard what they said. You are the Chosen Hero! As Link was in his time you must step up in yours and follow your path! And I will follow you."

"As will Green." Said the creature. "Green owes you his life and the lives of his children and grandchildren, however long you last we shall last for you."

"You don't need to do this..." Shad shook his head.

"But we do. For the sake of Hyrule, we will follow you until death."

"And I'll follow you too, kid!"

The tiny voice came buzzing from an open window, and in zoomed little Junior, returned safely from his task.

"Junior!" Rusl announced, his face lit up. Shad looked at him solemnly, surprised, but with no emotion.

"Hey!" The little creature spoke, buzzing in front of Shad. "I took the Queen away! My people are helping her rebuild in her own land. They told me to tell you, um, an ear of pieces is inateable!"

"You mean, an era of peace... is inevitable?" Shad interpreted hesitantly. "Well... that is certainly good news."

"Yeah that's it!" Replied the noisy creature quickly. "Hey! I'm ready! Can we go?!"

"The night is young. Green wants sleep first."

"Yes. We will go in the morning." Shad said. He did not have much new determination, but it was there, somewhere hidden beneath his cowardice. Despite how much he was needed to be a hero, he did not feel like one.

Not yet.