(Link)

Now that he thought about it, his plan on helping Emerald and trying to get information from Irene the witch probably could have been more detailed in the traveling area. So many thoughts were crossing his mind at once that he had missed the obvious: traveling was dangerous. Not only was he on Lorule's Most Wanted List for being a fugitive, but the weather was also working against him. It had warmed up enough for so snow to melt, then it had plunged back into a deep-freeze, causing the melted snow to refreeze. This is just made his commute that much more complicated, even though Irene's grandmother's new potion shop was only across town; moved closer to Castle Town to attract more business.

Now that he though about it, he never did visit Irene in awhile. In fact, he had almost completely forgotten about the slightly air-headed witch that had helped Link in his quest to save Hyrule. Irene had assisted him by giving him a bell to ring if he needed a ride somewhere, and it did help. Not only that, but she had found out that she was one of the seven modern-day sages. He had saved her after being turned into a painting as a part of Yuga's scheme to become the ultimate emperor of Lorule. After everything, her couldn't help but think that he had been somewhat unfair to his friend. He recalls promising to visit her sometime afterwards, but he instantly became so busy and popular and just never had time to see her again. Every now and then, she would fly overhead in silence, not even acknowledging him. This worried Link some. What if she did not even agree to help him?

He approached the small building at the edge of town where the shop was: Palelight's Family Potions, the delicately carved wooden sign read in intricate lettering. The facade of the store was quite plain compared to most of the others he had passed by in the town. With it's chipped eggshell paint, simple pine deck and unadorned square windows, it seemed slightly unattractive for any business. However, he wasn't judging, especially since he knew how difficult it can be to even find a place for rent in the town. Link was still wondering how Ravio was able to get his apartment. Not wanting to distract himself any further, he straightened himself and entered the shop. Friend of not, Emerald needed help.

-()-

(Ravio)

Ravio was was working in the kitchen, humming a tune quietly as Emerald slept on the couch. He put his silver tea kettle on the iron stove and sat down at the table, watching his friend from the doorway. This girl just can't seem to catch any type of break, can she? Her home being destroyed by goddesses-knows-what, being captured, then falling ill because she couldn't afford a coat. That is some back luck right there.

Sheerow perched on his shoulder, twittering and chirping. Ravio stoked his bird friend's soft feathers, deep in thought. He was thinking over everything in general. There's one thing that he doesn't get about that girl; how is she so calm, collected? For Din's sake, Emerald lost her home and pretty much everything. Man, now that he thinks about it, she kind of reminds him of... Hilda. His heart sank, remembering the confusing story and her odd advice: let the future reveal the answers. The way she said it, so sweetly, it was almost as if she liked him. Oh don't be ridiculous, Ravio. It would be nice, but... even if she did, he's not sure that would be what he wanted. No, he never felt that way about her. More or less, her thought of her as a best friend; not a girlfriend.

As for Emerald, Ravio had thought living in a crumbling Lorule was a bad life, but her situation is definitely a tie with that. He thought everything Link had done for him three years ago, and it seems like this guy has hardly changed. Of course, he looked different. Before, he and Ravio looked almost identical. Now, he was taller than Ravio, his hair smoothed out, and he was well-built. On the other hand, Ravio was only about 5'6, with shaggy raven hair and pale skin. Link had turned out to be such an important hero, and Ravio sometimes worshiped him, envied him. Later he felt guilty about his jealousy towards Hyrule's savior, knowing that it's just not right; that it's not Link's fault. He knows that and deals with it; another thing he likes about Emerald. The girl accepts her fate and was realistic, but it seemed as if all the hope she ever had was sucked out of her just by the way she had spoken about her hopes and her past.

A smile then crept on his face, which followed the grandest idea; crazy, but perfect. It was perfectly insane. Link had done for him, made him rich and happy. Now he had the ability to do for someone else...

-()-

(Link)

The surprisingly heavy wooden door swung open, revealing the insides of the potion shop. It was very dark, the only light filtering through the windows and casting onto the ancient oak paneled floor. The front of the store was the sales floor, where all the potions and medicines are displayed. Long shelves lined the walls, crowded with bottles and vials of various sizes, the contents glowing and shimmering and some even bubbling in vibrant colors of reds, blues, greens, pinks, purples, oranges, yellows, and even pure silver. The general layout was a large room, worn floor covered with a old but luxurious purple carpet, with a few tables arranged for sales potions and a long black granite top counter. Link came to the front desk and looked around: there was no sight of anyone. "Hello? Irene?"

"What? I'm comin'," a teenage female voice called from the back room. Link guessed that that is where the potions and medicines are made. Just then, someone came forth from the shadows of the doorway. A girl dressed in a long lack dress, playfully adorned with gold stitching and a triangle pattern that followed the rims of the sleeves and train at the bottom. Most of the her whimsical blue hair was draped behind her shoulders, and some was covered by her witch hat that matched her dress.

Link smiled at the sight of his old friend, Irene the Witch. "Hey Irene. Long time no see!"

The witch beamed at the sight of the hero. "Link! It's great to see you again. You're lookin' great. Where you been?" She clasped her hands together.

He shrugged. "Oh you know, just around. It's great to see you too."

"I almost lost hope that you weren't coming again, but you're here! We have so much to catch up on in the past three years, huh?"

He shifted nervously, trying not let it show. Oh how he hated having to stop her, to tell her he came here to buy a potion for his friend. She was excited to see him, and he felt as if he was about to break her heart in two. Link felt the remorse of his choices now weighing him down greatly. While Irene continued to talk, he finally blurted out. "Irene, I'm here on business."

Irene quieted and blinked. "What do you mean? What have you gotten yourself into now?"

"I-I have a sick friend and were kind of in danger right now; meaning we can't stay in one place too long. I came here to buy some medicine off your grandmother."

Her eyes shifted from a jovial shimmer to a gloomy cloud. "I see," she murmured, almost inaudible. "But you can't."

Panic tightened his chest. "What do you mean?"

"My Gram, she's... dead."

-()-

(Emerald)

Emerald's eyes were focused on the ceiling of her bunny friend, Ravio's, apartment. Her head was still pounding when she awoke, but she's not sure it was entirely because she was sick. Apparently, she was the holder of the most ancient and largest treasure in the world, but the drawback was that she was a 'mistake.' She remembered back to other dreams she had shared with the slightly-annoying she-wolf. Archadia had mentioned about her being some type of heroine. Ugh, why her though? "If I'm such a mistake..." Where does she even start with this? What is needed to be found? What Dark Days are coming?

The next thought entered her mind: Should she tell Ravio?

"Hey there, glad to see you awake. Need anything?" Of course there was Ravio, looking giddy and goofy as usual, but something seemed different about him. He seemed extra pumped about something, but what? Eh, he's just being Ravio...

Emerald shakes her head. "Nah."

"Alright." He plopped himself down in his armchair, and looked back over at Emerald. "What are ya thinkin' about?"

"What?"

"Oh, you looked like you were worrying about something."

Emerald didn't know exactly how to answer him, but when push come to shove, she chose. "Yeah, I do have something to tell you something. Please just, try to keep an open mind." She explains, "I swear to the goddesses that I'm telling the truth."

"Um, okay?"

Emerald took a deep breath, and then coughed. However, she continued. "Uh, let's see where do I start? A spirit wolf of the goddesses pretty much told me that I am part wolf... and that I must stop the biggest amount of bloodshed that there will ever be in all the worlds combined..."

Ravio's expression was hard to read. He simply blinked and said: "Hold on, I need to get the tea off the stove."

AN: I'm sorry the update took so long, but I was busy with school, and I didn't really know where to take this chapter, but I finally decided Emerald needed to let the cat out of the bag. ;) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to review! Reviews keep me writing! Until next time!