A/n: Hey guys, thanks for waiting so long… again… sorry… The next chapter is already in progress, and this one was really fun to write. It only took two days, but for a thousand different reasons, we had like a two week delay in posting. Really sorry. The next one should be up soon, and if it's not, email one of us with a terrible comment/ we deserve it if this one takes too long.

Wolf demon 2010: Your question shall be answered… in the next chapter. Sorry, but this one is awesome too!… we hope…

Lectaelf: I can't believe authors can't relate to having a life…. What? We're usually the ones who're to blame for the delays, and we appreciate any an all reviews as or whenever they come. Better late than never. We're glad nothing was confusing, that was just a question to make sure we explained our thoughts well. Sometimes it's hard to find the right words.

Jella: Yay!

Chapter 33: The Sinking Island

The air was smoggy and dark around the island, something Amy was not used to. She clung to the ridges on Ignus's back, her legs wrapped tightly around his middle. His wings had slowed considerably, and she could hear his tired breaths growing more ragged. Her weight was beginning to be too much for him, and Amy felt terrible for pushing him this far.

"Hang on, Ignus. I see the island-" She choked on her words though, for she saw the true state of her home. Ignus let out a low groan and descended quickly to the rocky ground. This could not be her home.

As they walked about the desolate grounds, Amy and her companion perceived where the smoke was coming from. There were large bodies of great beasts, mutilated by ash, littering the field leading to her hometown. Ignus let out a sharp cry of anguish, for they saw that these beasts were their friends, the dragons. Amy shuddered violently, for she recognized some of them, but she steeled herself and looked ahead. A pillar of smoke rose up from the town.

She continued on, Ignus trailing her with his head low to the ground; he could hardly walk from his intense grief, but remained close to his only source of comfort. The town was in no better shape. All of the dwellings that Amy had become accustomed to were burned, only charred mounds were left behind. She ran to the old town square, where a funeral pyre had been built. Amy raised her head, searching desperately for the builder.

Ignus, overcome by exhaustion and sorrow, stopped and would go no further. Amy disregarded this, for she was filled with an anxiety to find somebody, any living familiarity. She searched relentlessly, fueled by adrenaline and wrath. But soon, she too became overcome. The eerie silence was deafening to her heart, for she had never associated such silence in this setting.

She staggered back into the square, a place that used to be so full of life. The island was vast in size and had once contained a large population of people. There were several towns within the island, and this was the main market square where all of the different town merchants met to trade goods. She remembered being a small girl and getting lost in the chaos. Amy loved that feeling, for she rarely witnessed it, being isolated by her nobility. Terrin had been the son of a merchant, and he had been her only friend, and she had coveted that friendship.

Now, however, her home was completely desolate, and she was left to stand staring at the burning flames towering to the sky. It was as if they were mocking her, tearing away everything that meant something to her. She tripped over her own feet and scraped her knees. With white knuckles, she grabbed her hair and let loose a terrible shriek that deteriorated into loud, wracking sobs. Her throat grew hoarse, and her voice gave out completely. Her anger crumbled into despair, and she felt as though the life had left her body.

It seemed as though she lay there for hours in that haze, and it was as if she had died. But, like a dream, a wonderful voice beckoned her. It was a voice she hadn't heard in a long time, and she wondered if it were but a fleeting hope. But it pervaded her senses, and she soon felt wiry hands encircle her arms and pull her up.

"I'm sad to say you're a bit late, child. But not too late." Her old mentor murmured compassionately. She stroked the dust from Amy's cheek and smiled weakly. Her own blue eyes were dull and tired, the old sternness almost gone.

"What happened?" Amy's voice cracked feebly, her own eyes coated with tears. Mrs. Cassidy's eyes began to water as well, but she held onto her faint smile.

"Someone turned our guardians against us." She said, "However, your mother and father were able to gather a group and flee the island." Amy felt a small relief in the safety of her parents. "Those dragons that you see," She motioned to the burning remains, "Were manipulated by strangers to this island, and they had become tainted by some poison. We had to fend them off, and many people fell in that battle. I am the only one who remains here now, because I was waiting for you. I knew you would come."

"Where did they go, I mean, the survivors?"

"I don't quite know, but I must stay here." She looked around them. Ignus was now with them, his eyes bright with hope at seeing the woman. "This island is sinking." Amy looked up, eyes wide.

"I have the stone now! I can save it!" She held it in trembling hands. Mrs. Cassidy smiled slowly but sorrowfully.

"This island has come to its end, as all things must. The magic that guarded our home for centuries has grown old, and has finally succumbed to nature." She embraced Amy, comforting her.

"But what can I do? It seems as though there is nothing left for me!" Amy said sharply, as more tears streamed down her face, which was contorted in frustration. It was as if everything supporting her had been taken; her new friends, her old friends, and now, her life. Mrs. Cassidy looked into her eyes steadily, and after a moment, spoke.

"Amy, you still have a future, even if it might seem different than what you anticipated. You are more courageous than you think, and you are meant for other things."

"What does that even mean?" Amy asked, still frustrated.

"It means that your future lies somewhere else. You should leave-"

"No, I can't leave! You're still here.. What if they come back?" Amy interjected, alarmed.

"Don't worry. You shouldn't weigh yourself down with worries." Mrs. Cassidy laughed, a sound Amy rarely heard. "I will stay here, because I am bound here. You must go and help your friends, old and new. I will sink along with this island, in peace, for I am part of it."

"You can't mean that-"

"Yes, I will die. And I wouldn't have it any other way. What role do I have here? I was bound to you as your mentor, but you no longer need my guidance." Amy almost scoffed, disbelieving.

"I've only been gone a week, and you say that I've outgrown you? I'm just a child! You can't be serious." Mrs. Cassidy grew stern.

"You are an adult, the fact that you admit your own foolishness--oddly enough-- proves your maturity. You came here with the stone, all by yourself." Amy shook her head, tears flowing again.

"I wasn't alone. I had help."

"And you helped as well." Amy lifted her head, confused.

"How do you know?"

"I just do." She said, rather bluntly. Amy raised her eyebrows. She dropped the subject, however. A painful memory of Link's rebuke flashed through her mind, and it disquieted her. She felt as though she hadn't helped at all. Stubbornly, she turned to face her mentor again.

"I'm not going to leave you yet, you know that." Mrs. Cassidy smiled wryly.

"Stay for this night. But promise you'll leave tomorrow."

Shadows danced about the arching, wooden beams of the library within the belly of the Castle. Lit solely by firelight, Naomi and Arian were digging through the vast amount of scrolls and manuscripts. Naomi yawned and rubbed her tired eyes, but suddenly, her attention came roaring to life.

"Arian! I think I found something! It's from the time of five ancient kingdoms." She said excitedly and laid it down on the wooden table. No reply answered her exclamation, for as she looked up, she found Arian had fallen asleep on a timeline of the royal family. Naomi smiled, there was something amusing about seeing how sweet he looked in his sleep, she almost hated to wake him, but sleeping like that would give him an awful crick in his neck.

"Arian…" She called gently and pushed on his arm. "Wake up…" He jerked upon her touch and slowly raised his head, looking up into her eyes.

"It's nice waking up and seeing your face." He smiled dumbly. Naomi laughed.

"Did you get that line from Damien?"

"No, it was just an observation."

"Well, why don't you put your observational skills to use and help me figure this thing out." She put the scroll in front of him and sat down. He skimmed over it.

"It's a treaty…" He said, wrinkles formed in his brow. Naomi nodded.

"Yes, a land treaty among five kingdoms. Hyrule is included."

"What does it mean?" He asked.

"Look at the other kingdoms."

"Draconia and… Minirith… my home…" He looked up to Naomi who nodded.

"Yes, and if you look, it seems that Nynamar is located within the seas and waters."

"Your home…" He grinned. "And the fifth kingdom… it is Ikana. Damien's home."

"You're sounding a little redundant." Naomi said dryly.

"I'm just tired. Now all we have to do is figure out how this helps…" He rubbed his eyes. "If at all…"

"Well, now we sort of have an idea of where the other Kingdoms are…" Argued Naomi.

"Yes, and we know that Link is the key bearer, from Hyrule, Damien is the guardian, from Ikana, you are from Nynamar, and I am from Minirith. That leaves Draconia-- and I do distinctly recall the old man speaking of Draconians being one of the important races." He said in his tired state. Naomi nodded.

"So this at least gives us an idea of where to look for the Draconian that we need."

Arian skimmed down to the portion of the treaty where it allotted land to Draconia.

"Um… except for the fact that we have no idea what this means."

"What?" Naomi asked while she too leaned in to read. "'And all land within the skies shall be allotted to the Kingdom of Draconia'… what does that mean?" Suddenly, Naomi's eyes widened as she distinctly recalled an old conversation.

"Amy lives there!!!" She exclaimed with a gasp. Naomi stood up and began pacing. "When we were bathing in the laundry pool, Damien came, after Amy told us about her floating island home, and he called it Draconia!"

"Wait, what?!" Arian stood. "Damien addressed you while you were bathing?!" He growled. Naomi held up her hand.

"Arian, I appreciate your hostility about the matter, but this isn't the time. I would never, ever be interested in Damien… and you know that. I pray that you know that." Arian rolled his eyes and sat back down.

"Yeah… so you lost me at 'bathing' and 'Damien'. What else did you say?"

"I said that Amy lived on a floating island called Draconia." She said slowly. Arian raised an eyebrow.

"Why didn't this information surface before she left?"

"I guess there was just too much going on at one time… I was mad at you for lying about the bar… Damien had just joined our group… and Link and Amy were constantly fighting." She sighed and sat back down in her chair. "I wonder why she left so abruptly though…" Arian reacted to her sorrowful disposition by taking her by the hand.

"I know she didn't leave because of you… if anything, she would have stayed because of you." He told her. Naomi let out a weeping laugh as one tear escaped her eye.

"You have got to stop hanging out with Damien." She dried the tear. Arian smiled.

"Probably…" He thought for a moment. "I do wish Link had been more specific as to what had happened when Amy left… He was the last one to be with her." Naomi nodded.

"It is very strange… I suppose the impact of the news of her leaving had overwhelmed us all. I had never really gotten to think about it."

Arian concurred with the nod of a head, but he suddenly noted the time.

"It's almost sunset. I should get to my room before… well, you know." He grinned, feeling very glad that she knew. Naomi nodded.

"We wouldn't want the castle guards to kick you out, or throw you in the dungeon or anything like that. Your condition is rather hard to explain."

"And I would appreciate it if it did remain our little secret." He pleaded. Naomi sighed.

"When will our group stop keeping so many secrets?"

"Maybe after everyone gets to know me a little better, like you… and Link." He answered. "I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea." Naomi nodded, understanding his predicament.

"Yes, well, go on to bed. We'll go find Zelda and ask where she wants us to stay." The two got up and left the study, taking the helpful scroll with them, hoping Damien would make something out of it.

Amy awoke to the smell of ash and smoke. It was quite a bitter feeling that filled her, waking up to such a harsh reality. Today she was to leave her home-- forever. Though she had come to terms with it the night before, it was hard to grasp after sleeping on it. She lied curled up next to Ignus atop a makeshift bed made of grass and leaves. The air was clouded with white smoke; she and Mrs. Cassidy had gone to work finishing the burning of the bodies of the great dragons.

She stood again at the unnatural shore of the island, facing the bleak reality of what was said yesterday. The island had already begun to sink towards the sea, and it reminded Amy of her mentor's fate. It was a great affliction to her, because Mrs. Cassidy had not only been her mentor, but the closest thing to a mother. Her parents were the unofficial leaders of the island, and at very young age, Amy was taken in by Mrs. Cassidy. She had once told Amy that the reason she couldn't see her parents often was because they were too busy trying to maintain the welfare of their people. Though they loved her very much, she said, it was a decision made for her benefit. Still, Amy did not want to let go of her motherly mentor.

As she was thinking this, she looked over her shoulder and saw Mrs. Cassidy walking up the path to the great volcano. Agitated, she followed her, not caring if she was seen or heard. Ignus, having awoken, walked next to her, his head reaching her shoulder. She stroked his ears, hoping that he would always stay by her side.

Mrs. Cassidy disappeared from view suddenly, and Amy began to run up the path to find her. She had never been up this far on the mountain, for only a few had been allowed to the mouth of the cave. Though hesitant to enter at first, Amy stepped in upon seeing her inside. Ignus waited by the opening, respecting their tribe's rules.

"Why are you here?" Amy asked, somewhat irritated at her mentor's confusing behavior.

"Because I knew you would follow." Her statement sobered Amy. She looked back at the girl, her own black hair hanging loose on her shoulders. She looked down into a large pit of boiling magma and Amy soon came by her side. A black stone protruded out of the magma, and there were beautiful and intricate markings riddling its surface. It appeared to be an ancient language which Amy did not recognize.

"Do you know what that says?" She queried.

"Honestly? I have no idea." An unintentional grin crossed Mrs. Cassidy's face. Amy smiled widely, despite her sorrow. "It's too old for me to read, though I am very old."

"You aren't so old..." Amy said, her brow creased in confusion. Mrs. Cassidy looked at her, her eyes wise beyond her years.

"I am older than you would ever know." She murmured. Amy felt a strange awe pass through her. She began to realize that perhaps Mrs. Cassidy was not what she seemed. The woman continued.

"Amy, I might not know what this stone says, but I know its purpose." She was suddenly very serious. Amy felt her chest grow heavy, for she sensed the finality in her voice. "I have not led you here before because I didn't know if there would ever be a need, but I suspected that I would have to someday." Amy nodded, her voice gone. Mrs. Cassidy grew quiet also, and she stood across Amy, looking at her with soft eyes.

Amy grew very upset and began to weep quietly. She knew that this was it. The stone around her neck began to glow bright red, and it illuminated both of their faces. The writings on the stone seemed to react to it, and they, too, turned red. Mrs. Cassidy stepped close to Amy and kissed her on the forehead, stroking her hair.

"Go give the island back her stone." Her voice like a gentle breeze. Amy looked long and hard at her mentor, and then walked up to the edge of the pit and reached out with the stone. The rock had an indentation that was made for it, and Amy placed it in there.

Almost immediately upon the stone's contact, the rock began to sink, and all of the symbols came to life and flew off. They dissipated into Amy's skin, to her surprise, and she felt a great heat rise inside of her. Panicked, she looked behind her, only to see that Mrs. Cassidy was gone. The rock crumbled into the magma, and it caused the ground beneath Amy's feet to do the same. It seemed to trigger an explosion of some sorts, for the magma rose out of the pit at a high speed, blasting the mountain to pieces. One such piece crashed into Ignus, causing him to careen down the mountain trail. Alarmed, he flew away in a rash impulse.

As he leapt off of the shores, he looked back in horror and watched as the entire island crumbled from existence. However, to his surprise, he saw a figure flying out of the cloud of smoke and ash.

Link donned his heroic garb once more and began walking out to the royal stables. As he strolled down the hall, he passed a large group of friends heading towards their rooms. Aura, Zelda, Arian, and Naomi had not yet spotted him, and Arian seemed amid an interesting conversation with Zelda.

"I had never known anyone who wanted to get to sleep before sunset." Zelda stated.

"Well, you know what they say," Arian started, "early to bed, early to wise… I mean… wait… uh… Link!" He spotted his friend. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to find Amy." He said without any thought other than his current mission. Naomi's eyes lit up.

"You know where she is?" She asked eagerly, standing right before him.

"Well, uh… no, but I'm going to find her."

"Why?" Aura asked, not understanding what brought this on. "Didn't she have to go home? Why is it your job to find her?"

"It's just the right thing to do." Link brushed past them and ran the rest of the way to the stables. Tatl remained above Aura only momentarily, stunned by Link's change of heart, then in a flash she bolted after him.

"The Hero's back! Whoo hoo!!!" Shouted the exuberant fairy. "Let's Go!" Damien had been walking in, Navi still hovering above his head. Upon hearing Tatl's shouts of joy, the small blue fairy joined her.

Epona bolted from the stables and the hero sat upon her back as she reared. A noble air now surrounded him and the two fairies took their place above his head.

Damien merely snorted with arms crossed as he watched him gallop off into the sunset. He then turned back to Arian who he found was nervously close to Aura. The guard quickly addressed the princess in his proper manner and grabbed Arian's arm.

"I'm afraid we really must be getting to sleep. Is this our room?" He asked, pointing to a door. Zelda nodded blankly. "Thank you, my lady. I bid you goodnight. Goodnight girls." He said to Aura and Naomi who also had the same blank features. Arian smiled just before being dragged into the room by Damien. Zelda was left with the two girls.

"There are two remaining rooms. One was to be Link's…" She said with a shrug. "And the other I had anticipated you two to share." Aura's face lit up.

"Alright, I finally get my own room." She cheerfully announced. Naomi cocked her head to the side.

"You know, I've never had my own room… except when… well… never mind." She said vaguely, then a sigh escaped her as her attention was brought back to the absent Link. "Do you think he'll find her?"

"Who?" Aura glanced to where Naomi was peering. "Oh, Link. I dunno, but I am kind of glad he's looking. I miss Amy." She crossed her arms and Naomi looked back to her friend with a wide grin. "What?" Aura shrugged.

"I knew you liked her." Naomi looked back to where she had been staring.

"Well, when I spend more than three whole days with a person for every waking moment, I come to one of two conclusions: I despise them, or they start to grow on me." Aura relied bluntly. Suddenly, Naomi's eyes became wide and she glanced at her friend.

"Which one am I?"

Aura smirked, "You're good…"

A/n: More to come, please R&R!