EXT-Cold Bay-Morning

Sheets of ice surround a body of water, creating a bay. The Big Blue reaches for air with the trio leaping out of the water. They swim below. Small schools of fish swim away.

Big Blue:
Ecco.

Ecco:
(Swimming closer to Big Blue's eye)
Yes?

Big Blue:
Now that we're here. What is it that you came so far to know? It has to be a reason worth coming here.

Ecco:
You see Big Blue, our pod has somehow disappeared from a storm. Ever since then, I've been having these dreams telling me to go find this person called the Asterite. Do you know anything about these things?

Big Blue:
Hmmm. That's quite a unique question singer. And I believe I have the answer for you.

Tara:
(Drops a fish skeleton)
You do?!

Big Blue:
Yes. These storms you tell me occur every five hundred years.

Aqua:
Whoa, that long?

Big Blue:
Indeed. When they occur, all traces of life at the eye of the storm vanish. Never to be seen again.

Tara:
But, how can that be possible?!

Big Blue:
That I do not know how it happens. But you shouldn't give up your journey. There is another. The Asterite you speak of.

Ecco:
You know who he is?!

Big Blue:
Yes I do. I believe it is the oldest and wisest life form in the sea. There are times where I felt great energy of thought from the Asterite, but it will not sing to any. Maybe, just maybe, you can communicate with it to help you.

Ecco:
And where do you think he is Big Blue?

Big Blue:
I don't think Ecco, I know where he is. The Asterite lives in an area called Deep Water Zone. It is mostly a passageway deep into the water. There, will you find him. Southwest from this very spot. It'll be nice and warm for you.

Ecco:
Thank you Big Blue.

Aqua:
I wish we can repay you for your help.

Big Blue:
A thank you is all I need. I haven't had quests for quite some time. Now you better go. It's quite a distance from here.

Ecco, Tara, and Aqua begin to swim out of the bay. Ecco stops and turns around. He fires his sonar at Big Blue.

Big Blue:
Farewell and good luck to you too, Ecco.

Ecco fades from view.

Big Blue:
Good luck, Defender of Earth.

EXT-Tropical Ocean Waters-Dusk

The water is warm and relaxing as fish and creatures alike swim everywhere. Fauna moves between rocks. Ecco, Tara, and Aqua make it to a rocky area from an open ocean, tired.

Ecco:
You guys feel that?

Tara:
Feel what?

Aqua:
Ahhh, the water. It feels great to be in warm waters again!

Tara:
You're right! I can feel the difference.

Ecco:
Then that means we're getting close!

EXT-Tropical Ocean Waters-Dusk

The water is much warmer, life is thriving everywhere. A large school of fish swims past a cave hidden behind thick seaweed. Ecco, Tara, and Aqua appear around the corner seeking the Asterite. They swim slowly to think as night begins to fall. Ecco's stars illuminate.

Aqua:
Hey, Ecco?

Ecco:
Yes Aqua?

Tara stops swimming and notices the cave behind the seaweed.

Aqua:
Would you mind calling it a day? I mean, we need all the strength we can get with the sharks lurking about, especially at night.

Ecco:
You're right. But where could we sleep?

(O.S.) Tara:
Hey guys! Look what I found!

Ecco and Aqua swim to Tara. She grabs several strips of seaweed and pulls on them, showing a cave. It is illuminating multiple colors from below. Ecco's stars glow brighter.

Aqua:
What do you think is down there?

Tara rips the seaweed with her jaws. Ecco only hears many echoes, calling him closer to the cave.

(O.S.) Aqua:
Should we go down, Ecco? Ecco? Ecco?!

Ecco:
Huh?

Tara:
What's wrong Ecco?

Ecco:
Nothing's wrong, Tara. Something wants me to go in. It's almost as if I'm meant to be here.

Tara:
Well, then let's see if you're right. I'm more anxious to see what is down there.

Tara swims into the cave and dives downward. Ecco and Aqua peek down the hole.

(O.S.) Tara:
(Echoes)
Oh my Delphinus! Ecco! Aqua! You're not going to believe this!

Ecco:
Tara! What is it?

(O.S.) Tara:
(Echoes)
You have to see for yourselves! It's, it's incredible!

INT-Deep Cave Passageway-Night

Ecco and Aqua swim fast between rocks and fauna in a long narrow passageway. Bubbles stream past their bodies for air.

INT-Deep Cave End-Night

Ecco and Aqua exit through the passageway. They look left and right and find Tara staring at a mass of glowing light. They notice Tara.

Ecco:
Tara!

Tara continues to stare at the glowing light. Ecco and Aqua swim to her. Ecco lightly pokes Tara with his beak. Aqua stares in the direction of Tara and his jaw drops.

Ecco:
Tara? Are you okay? What did you find?

(O.S.) Aqua:
Ecco?

Ecco:
Yeah?

(O.S.) Aqua:
Look.

Ecco turns in Tara's direction. His eyes widen. Appearing are large globes that glow brightly in many colors. The globes form a DNA resemblance.

Ecco:
Wha-What is it?

Aqua:
I don't know. I've never seen anything like it.

(V.O) Time Dweller:
(Echoes)
Ecco.

Ecco recoils and looks over the room quickly.

(V.O) Time Dweller:
(Echoes)
Ecco, it is him! The Asterite! Sing to him, he has been waiting for you.

Tara:
Now what are we going to do?

Ecco swims forward. He closes his eyes and let's out a beautiful melody of his sonar. The globes shine even brighter.

Tara:
I think it likes it! Ecco, play that song your mother sang to you when you were little.

Ecco:
But that song takes forever to sing.

Tara:
Ecco, remember what Big Blue said? It never sings to us because it doesn't want to. Maybe singing a melody might change its mind.

Ecco:
It's worth a try.

Ecco closes his eyes again. He nods, smiles, and lets out a long [1:30-2:45 min.] melody of his sonar. Tara smiles and sways to the song. Aqua watches the globes brighten with every note.

Aqua:
That's so beautiful.

Tara:
Yes, it is. Ecco's mother sang it to him before she… uh.

Aqua:
What happened to her?

Tara lowers her head in respect. Tears build in her eyes.

Tara:
(Lightly crying)
She-she died Aqua. My mother took care of him, and that is how I met Ecco. This song is the only memory of her. I hope to sing it to my children someday.

Tara joins in with Ecco and nuzzles next to him as they sing the remaining portion of the melody. They finish and smile at each other, lightly blushing.

(V.O) Asterite:
That song! It sounds so familiar.

Tara:
Who said that?

(V.O) Asterite:
Yes, it is you! I remember you!

Ecco:
I know it is. It's-It's…

(V.O) Asterite:
(Continuing)
Of course it was you! It was I who sent you.

Tara:
What are you? And what are you talking about?

(V.O) Asterite:
Forgive me. I have been waiting for Ecco. I am, the Asterite.

Aqua:
You're the Asterite?!

Tara:
No way!

(V.O) Asterite:
Indeed. And you wish to seek ways to find your taken friends?

Ecco:
(Nods)
Yes, Asterite.

(V.O) Asterite:
And you have come to receive help from me, Ecco?

Ecco:
Well, that was the whole idea. But I was also told that you would give me my full power. I am told by your messenger Time Dweller about my powers and abilities.

(V.O) Asterite:
A messenger of mine, he is not.

Ecco:
What?! But, then who is he?

(V.O) Asterite:
He is the remaining guardian of Atlantis who is trying to help protect Earth. He trusted me into giving the chosen one his power, using my own of course.

Ecco:
(Embarrassed)
Wow. He fooled me.

(V.O) Asterite:
Well, now that is out of the way. I can help you receive your powers and knowledge.

Tara:
How are you going to give Ecco his powers?

(V.O) Asterite:
Ecco has already abilities, but they are not fully awakened to show his true power. With my energy, I can trigger them, thus causing Ecco to fully use them. But…

Ecco:
(Interrupting)
But, what Asterite?

(V.O) Asterite:
I-I am not at my full strength to awaken your destined powers. I need your help. You must travel to the past and…

Tara:
(Interrupting)
Wait! Did you say, travel to the past?

(V.O) Asterite:
Yes. In order to do so you must go west. There lies a sunken city called Atlantis.