Chapter 10

The portal was just as Ecco remembered the rest; it quickly deposited them near Ecco's bay. It was as if they weren't even back at Atlantis.

"Maybe I'll swim back home the old way next time," Tara said. Kitnee nodded. Trellia and Ecco were still caught up in the rush.

"Lonus, are you with us?" Ecco asked.

"Yes. Now, lead me to your pod, I must see my mate and son."

Ecco nodded and led the other singers around the coral, under the rocks, and back into the bay. On the way, Tara decided to charge a school of fish. When they finally reached Ecco's pod, they stopped.

"Let me go first," Ecco said, "so there's no confusion when Kitnee or Lonus comes around. Tara, you come with me, the rest stay put."

Ecco and Tara sped around the corner. Trellia and Kitnee noticed Lonus shaking. He must be quite excited, thought Trellia, about to see his long lost mate and son again.



Ecco sang to his pod, and they immediately stopped swimming. They sped over to where he was.

"Ecco! Tara! We've been quite worried about you!" exclaimed his mother, "Did you find the Asterite?"

"We have. He tells us dark times are coming," Ecco answered.

Ecco's mother and the entire pod hung their heads. "We know. We hear the songs of the Great Ones from far away. They tell of a warning from Atlantis via the Glyphs."

"Ecco, where'd you get that jewel around your neck?" asked Radero.

Ecco smiled. "You'll see. Oh, you remember Trellia, right?"

"Yes, we do."

"Trellia, you can come out now! And Kitnee?"

"He's welcome too, if you bring him."

Ecco called over Trellia and Kitnee. Then, Ecco asked for Enuia. "She's over there, hunting I think," Radero pointed.

Ecco swam over to her. "I'm back, Enuia."

She stopped swimming. "Welcome back, Ecco. Did my son give you any trouble?"

"No. Listen, what do you know of your mate?"

Enuia was somewhat surprised. "His name was...let me think...Lonus. He was an ancient Atlantean Singer, I think. I lost him in the great Vortex storm."

Ecco grinned. "Could you come with me, Enuia?" She seemed skeptical, but followed him anyway.

"Stay there," he instructed, "Radero, you stay with your mother. There's someone I'd like for you both to see." Ecco swam off behind the coral, and Enuia was dumbstruck. He couldn't have he?

After a minute, Ecco finally returned. Enuia was frozen...she couldn't believe her eyes. There in front of her was her mate. Lost forever, now back from the dead, it seemed.

Lonus was even more surprised. There was Enuia; there was Radero beside her. The Lunar Cast Singer could barely move.

"Ecco, who's this?" asked his mother.

"You'll see."

Enuia swam closer. "Lonus? Can this be a dream, or is it reality?"

"I sure hope it's reality," answered Lonus.

They stood staring at one another, until Enuia charged forward.

Lonus and Enuia were overjoyed. For a few minutes they swam around each other to make sure they were both real. Then, Lonus kissed her.

"I think I might be sick," muttered Tara. Ecco nudged her and winked.

"Radero, come over here and meet your father!" exclaimed Enuia happily. Radero pumped his fluke towards them.

Ecco smiled. He was happy to finally reunite them again. Trellia nudged him, a look on her face said, "We still have something to do." Ecco's smile faded.

"Enough of this," he announced, "Everyone, the Asterite told us of trouble. Let me tell you about what he said, and what we must do."

"And that's what happened up to now," Ecco relayed. He had just told the pod of the events from the beginning to upon his returning. Throughout the whole story, Trellia was shifting nervously, and kept a stern look in her eyes. She was thinking of Tiderider, of Lera, of her entire pod. I hope and pray that no one has been hurt, she thought.

Ecco's mother wasn't that satisfied. "But Ecco, is that the entire story? I know you have been gone for many days. Have you not found the singer you were seeking?"

The stars on Ecco's brow took on a great glow as he smiled. They're going to be quite surprised, he thought. "I believe I did, Mother."

Lonus was listening in earnest along with Enuia. He was one of the last of the dolphins of ancient Atlantis, and has heard of the Glyph Caller's heroism. He many times thought that he was descended from the great dolphin. Now he was most likely about to find out.

Ecco continued. "Here's what I know. The Glyph Caller, who lies dormant in Atlantis even as we speak, met us in Trellia's time. He has told of a descendent of his that lives in this time. One who is young, but with the potential to wield the Caller's Song."

"And?"

"Well, before we returned, we met a group of singers in Lunar Bay, one of which was Lonus. He revealed a secret way to Atlantis, which led us here. On the way, the Glyphs seemed to glow with our presence. I suspect it was because of this amulet, but perhaps not."

Trellia interrupted. "Wait, don't you remember that both the Asterite and the Glyph Caller said a YOUNG singer has the potential. When they said young, I got the impression of a calf. It can't be Lonus."

"Then it must be..." Ecco, Tara, Trellia, Kitnee, Lonus, Enuia, and the rest of the pod all turned to where young Radero was staring at a Glyph in the rock. As he sang to it, it didn't break as the rest did when sung to. Instead, it healed somewhat; which yielded great surprise from the entire pod. Radero turned to see all eyes upon him.

"What did I do now?" he asked with nervousness. Ecco approached him.

"Radero, try this amulet on." Ecco let the amulet drop, and Radero caught it. He didn't need to put it on to find evidence...the small crystal gave off an ethereal glow, not as brilliant as the original Glyph Caller's crystal prison, but impressive nonetheless. Ecco was satisfied.

Enuia glared at them. "The evidence is only circumstantial! My little Radero can't possibly be the one you have been seeking all this time, no way!"

"Relax, Enuia," Lonus calmly assured her, but she was still shifting with anger.

Ecco was greatly unsure now. How can a calf young as he possess the power? But, he was about to turn adolescent. Surely they could wait...but what about the limit? Now everyone had only two days to teach the song and restore the eternal balance.

The entire pod was speechless with confusion. They knew not if young Radero was the one. No one had an idea of what to say or do, the sea was deathly quiet.

Trellia finally spoke up. "Perhaps we could take him to the Asterite and see?"
"That would take more than two days," Tara pointed out.

Suddenly, a great song broke the near silence. The pod turned to the open seas to see a huge Sei whale approach them. The singers stood at attention as the Great One let out a thunderous roar. "Where is the singer called Ecco?"

Ecco swam forward. "Here I am."

"I carry with me the Asterite, he wishes to speak with you and each of your friends."

Ecco was puzzled. "I don't see the Asterite."

Then a voice rang out in each of the dolphin's minds: It is I.


The whale seemed to fade, and there in front of all the dolphins stood the Asterite. I bring fast news, my friends. I received information from both my future and past entities. Both are in trouble.

As soon as the Asterite made the announcement of trouble, all turned deathly quiet. Lonus, Enuia, and the rest of the pod listened in earnest (with the exception of Radero), Ecco and Trellia had stern determined looks in their eyes, Tara's was that of nervousness, and Kitnee was anxious.

"What trouble do you speak of, Asterite?" asked Ecco with some quiver.

My singers, I bring devastating news of the past and the future. Ecco, first of all, why did you not destroy the Atlantean time machine as I had asked?



Ecco closed his eyes. "For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to destroy it. I know, it may alter time if anyone can access it, but I just had to use it, one more time."

"Why? This may be important, Ecco!" Tara accused. All eyes were now on the Singer with the marking of the starbeast, Delphineus, upon his melon. Ecco felt that he was but a mere member of the pod again...not the leader.

"I...I used the machine to travel back to the time of Atlantis, to try and uncover some secrets. While there, I guess I spawned a few myths that the Atlanteans tell of dolphins. I then tried to destroy the machine then, but I instead changed its settings to return. After I had defeated the Vortex, I didn't think I had a purpose again. Now I know I do. That's why I came back..."

And?

"And...I guess...I didn't want to destroy the time machine...I felt it may be of use again one day."
At this, the entire pod were murmuring amongst each other. Some thought Ecco brought this great trouble upon them, but didn't want to think that. Still others thought that his instincts were pure. However they thought, they only had a day and a half now to teach the Caller's Song to the chosen one...the long-time scion of the Glyph Caller himself.

Angered by the scorns of some of the pod, Tara swam up to Ecco's side. "Ecco...listen...I know I'm not always this...well..."

"Tara, please stop stuttering," Ecco stated and smiled.

"Oh, fine. Listen, I hope you noticed that you kept us alive, even after all this. I hope you noticed that no matter what, you will always be the hero of the seas. Finally, I hope you know that we're all waiting for you to take the glory again...so...and this goes for all the pod too...get that hopeless look out of your eyes and come up with something! If you please."

Trellia swam up, too. "I too am with you, Ecco. No matter how harsh my nightmares."

Kitnee swam up next. "Ecco, my friend, I'll be there too."

Every singer then stopped talking under breath and nodded. Ecco beamed with pride, and with hope. "Asterite, I apologize for not heeding you when I had the chance. But, I think I did the best thing."

I'm sure you have, Ecco. You are right, we need the time machine now. Let me tell you of present events.

Without words, the Asterite's double-helix shape started glowing. Every globe was pulsating with what little energy the Asterite had left. And after, every singer's head was flooded with images from the past. It showed Ecco's encounter with the prehistoric Asterite, and the epic battle that took place. About how one globe was stolen so Ecco could return and give the present Asterite his strength back. Then, after memories, it showed the entrance of the Vortex Queen in her larval stage entering this world. She was restricted by creatures she could never hope to rule, so instead she integrated with all life. And last, an image the singers never noticed before. The Vortex Queen grew up again with her powers, and made one last attempt at taking over. At this very moment, she was gathering forces and attacking the weakened Asterite of the past.

This caused a great gasp from all singers. Ecco, however, wasn't surprised.

And also, they saw the Glyphs the Atlanteans had placed, still intact.

As you all can see, the past is filled with paradox. None of this should have happened in the first place...and it is hurting the timelines. Add this to the fact that the Vortex were confronted with the Glyph Caller, and a lethal blast that tore time apart once and for all. Had it not been for me, nothing would have happened.


Everyone let a slow sigh of astonishment. Ecco knew this...and had only helped it get worse.
And what's worst of all, Ecco, is that because of this calamity, the alternate dark Vortex future which you have closed has opened again.