Aqua:
I've heard stories of Atlantis.
(V.O) Asterite:
And many are true. Inside Atlantis lies a machine that it's people built to travel through time. You will travel beyond your kind existed.
Ecco:
How far is that in time?
(V.O) Asterite:
You will travel 55 million years in time. There you will find my missing globe.
A transparent globe appears in the middle of the Asterite. It glows showing its color of green with a red 'z' in the middle. It disappears.
(V.O) Asterite:
(Continuing)
You must return it to me. Only then I'll give you what you need to save your friends.
Ecco slowly turns and faces Tara and Aqua.
Ecco:
Tara. Aqua. When we get to Atlantis, I want you to stay behind. Do not follow me into the time machine.
Tara:
What?! Why?!
Ecco;
I can't let you guys get hurt.
Aqua:
But, what about you? You can't go in there alone.
Ecco:
I have to! I'm chosen to save our pod and our home! I can't let two friends I care about get hurt because I underestimated what might happen.
Tara:
(Saddened)
So, so you're just going to leave us once we get to Atlantis?
Ecco turns his beak away.
Tara:
(Saddened)
Ecco?
Ecco:
No. I won't leave you. You two are all I have left.
(V.O) Asterite:
If I may?
Ecco turns around and faces the Asterite.
(V.O) Asterite:
(Continuing)
I sense your friends still can play a significant role in this. Inside Atlantis there are glyphs that could help you understand. Maybe they can help you solve this little argument.
Ecco:
That would help.
Aqua:
Well if that's everything, I think we should get going when the sun's up. If that's okay with you Asterite?
(V.O) Asterite:
That is not a problem to be concerned with. You will indeed need the strength for the rest of the adventure. Look above you.
Ecco, Tara, and Aqua look up and notice large holes, showing the surface for air.
(V.O) Asterite:
(Continuing)
You can sleep here. They just fit the three of you.
Ecco:
Thank you, Asterite.
(V.O) Asterite:
A thank you is not necessary. Please, get some rest.
Ecco slowly soms to his hole. His eyes struggle to fall asleep.
Ecco:
Goodnight everyone.
(O.S) Tara:
Good night Ecco.
(O.S) Aqua:
Night Ecco.
EXT-Tropical Ocean Waters-Morning
Ecco, Tara, and Aqua appear out of the cave. The water is warm and fish swim out of the fauna in all directions.
Ecco:
Tara? Aqua?
Tara and Aqua stop swimming and face Ecco.
Tara:
Yes Ecco?
Ecco:
I want to say I'm sorry for acting like that yesterday. I shouldn't have been like that.
Aqua:
You didn't really have to apologize.
Tara:
Yeah, I should've respected what you were going through. You know, saving the world and stuff.
Ecco:
Very funny.
Tara:
Tell you what. You go find the globe in 55 million years ago, but, we're staying with you for the rest of the time, deal?
Ecco sighs, then smiles.
Ecco:
Alright. But if you guys die, it's not my fault.
Aqua:
I can handle it!
Tara:
Yeah me too!
Ecco:
Then let's get going! We got a nice swim to Atlantis.
EXT-Open Ocean-Afternoon
Sand covers the ocean floor with fauna swaying from a small current. Ecco, Tara, and Aqua swim beneath the surface. They swim under the sun's rays, creating a large shadow.
Aqua stops swimming and looks at a leaf of seaweed. Ecco and Tara notice him and stop as well.
Ecco:
What's wrong Aqua?
Aqua:
I think we're lost.
Tara:
How do you know that?
Aqua:
I've seen that leaf of seaweed before.
Tara:
Seaweed always looks the same. It's green and it's a weed. There, problem solved.
Aqua:
I swear it Tara. I think we're lost.
Tara:
No we're not.
Aqua:
Don't make me argue with you.
Tara:
(Mockingly)
Go ahead, Aqua! Such a girly name for a fat whale.
Aqua:
Really? Well your name isn't so hot either.
Tara:
Well, at least I am hot!
Aqua:
What's that supposed to mean?
Tara:
I don't know, but the human's sure know what that means!
Aqua:
Oh so you're dragging the humans into this now? Why don't you go dance for a fish since there isn't any in a hundred miles!
Aqua mocks as a dolphin and claps his large fins.
Aqua:
Oh look at me I'm a cute dolphin! Feed me a fish! Feed me a fish!
Tara:
Okay, that's it! You're going down!
Aqua:
Bring it bottle brain!
Aqua and Tara head-butt each other and fight on the sandy floor. Tara nibbles on Aqua's head, forcing him to give up.
Tara:
Take back what you said about us dancing for fish!
Aqua:
Never!
Tara bites heavily on Aqua's dorsal fin.
Aqua:
Ow! I'm still using that!
Ecco flashes out a loud and disturbing tone of sonar at the two. They stop fighting and coil up.
Ecco:
Enough! Both of you!
Tara:
But didn't you hear what he…
Ecco:
(Interrupting)
I don't care! What is wrong with you two?!
Aqua:
I don't know, okay! All I'm saying is, we're lost!
Tara:
No! We! Are! Not! Lost!
Aqua:
Then prove it then.
Tara:
Fine! I'll go that way. Humph!
Tara swims off into a thick patch of seaweed.
Tara:
Lost? Huh! I'll show him we're lost.
Tara bumps into a glyph.
Tara:
Another glyph! I wonder what it says.
Tara uses her sonar on Glyph #3.
Glyph #3:
Access granted. Welcome.
Tara:
Access granted? Access to what?
Light flashes brightly in front of Tara. Aurora beams stream in many beautiful colors all over. Ecco and Aqua see the light and charge in after Tara. Incredible buildings of architecture appear miles long, creating an ancient city.
Ecco and Aqua appear and jaw drop. Tara smiles in awe as the buildings continue to show. The light fades as the last of the buildings appear.
Aqua:
Alright you win.
Tara:
Thank you.
Ecco swims out into the sunken city. Markings, statues, and Greek architecture are seen everywhere. Aqua and Tara nod and follow. Ecco notices a glyph and swims to it.
Tara:
Ecco, where are you going?
(O.S) Ecco:
I found a glyph. No wait… there's several of them over here!
Ecco looks at the many transparent glyphs levitating on pedestals. Aqua and Tara appear from the hallway. Tara turns and notices a plastered sign which reads: "The Library". Ecco notices and looks at Tara.
Ecco:
What is it Tara?
Tara:
It reads… Li-Lib-Libra-ary… The Library. What is that? Aqua?
Aqua:
I'm not really sure. Maybe the glyphs tell us.
Ecco:
Well, that's what we came for.
Ecco lets out his sonar to the first glyph to the right. All the glyphs hum in unison. Ecco, Tara, and Aqua recoil.
Glyphs:
Welcome Ecco. Yes yes, welcome Ecco. Peace to you singer. Honored to meet you at last Defender.
Tara:
Wow. I didn't expect them to know you.
Glyph #4:
Ecco, we've been waiting for you for some time now.
Glyph #5:
We are losing a war with the planet Vortex.
Ecco:
Planet Vortex?
Glyph #6:
Planet Vortex: Third planet in the star system Cassandra. Located in the head of the constellation Pegasus. The nearest constellation to Pegasus is Delphinus.
Aqua:
A constellation after Delphinus? That's very interesting.
Glyph #7:
Vortex Life forms: We suspect that Vortex is dying and can no longer produce food.
Ecco:
Okay…
Glyph #8:
Every 500 years, when the Earth and Vortex have a clear path, the Vortex feed upon the Earth. Each feeding increases in size… the Vortex are getting hungrier!
Ecco:
So… I'm supposed to stop them?
Aqua:
I think that's the point.
Tara:
But, what do these Vortex look like?
Glyph #9:
We do not know that answer.
Glyph #10:
We do know that Vortex is feeding on the seas of our Earth eventually all life will be harvested. All life will end! The Vortex must be stopped!
Ecco:
How?
Glyph #5:
Glyph: Crystals containing encoded messages. Certain sounds reflect the message back. Created to help a dolphin of the future travel to Vortex.
Ecco:
I have to go there!?
Tara:
That's insane!
Aqua:
Maybe not.
Tara:
What?
Aqua:
I think he can handle it. He's learning abilities that no other creature can perform.
Tara:
But, But…
Ecco:
But, what Tara?
Tara:
(Saddened)
What if, what if you don't come back?
Ecco tries to speak but closes his mouth to think.
(V.O) Ecco:
That's… possible. I could die from all this.
Tara:
(Starting to cry)
I don't want you to die, Ecco. The truth is… I 've wanted to be more than your friend for a long time.
