CHAPTER 25- Welcome to the Aquarium

Once I had explained everything to these humans, they remained silent for some time. Finally, Amy spoke.

"So… You're a dolphin… that became a human."

"Yes." I replied.

"And just how again did you do this?" she asked.

"The Asterite." I answered.

"Asterite. Some sorta… alien or something?"

"The Asterite is the Asterite. That is the best explanation I can give you." I relied calmly.

"Okay…" Amy fell silent again.

"How soon until we reach this aquarium?" I asked calmly.

"Actually, we're here." Tobias said as she slowed the car to a stop. He stepped out, and we all followed suit. "It's late; we'll be the only ones here. Don't wander off on your own." He said flatly as he began to walk. I followed the humans silently, looking around. Tobias led us into a large building, which split off into smaller buildings. I stopped and walked up to a glass wall it was filled with fish and other aquatic creatures!

"What by the almighty…?" I whispered. The humans stopped and looked at me.

"What's wrong Ecco?" Kimmy asked, looking at me, then at the glass.

"…is this like a TV?" I asked, as I touched the glass. The fish swimming near it suddenly bolted and I jerked my hand back. Tobias snorted at me.

"No, this is an Aquarium remember? We're underground, looking into the pools we keep the fish and other animals in." I gazed at the fish for a moment. Many I recognized, I was fascinated to see so many various kinds in one place! I even saw a speckled blue fish, one of my favorite meals. I eyed it eagerly.

"mmmmmm," I murmured, suddenly feeling very hungry. Kimmy giggled at me.

"No no Ecco, you can't eat these fish!" she laughed, and Amy giggled as well.

"…of course not." I stated as I backed away from the glass. Tobias joined the women in laughing at me.

"Sure! You were drooling on the glass!" he laughed.

"I most certainly was NOT!" I snapped back.

"Uh huh, Common fish boy, let's go." He started to walk off again. I glared at him irritably, then followed, after glancing one last time at the tasty looking fish.

"I am a dolphin, not a fish." I stated curtly.

"Sure ya are…" he muttered. He led us out into an open area, where we overlooked a large pool. Walking to the edge, my heart stopped. In the pool were four dolphins, all swimming about in the water. I recognized them all immediately. I stood breathless as I watched them swim.

"Ecco..?" Kimmy asked me, looking at me. "Hello? Ecco you okay?" She waved her hand in front of my eyes and I snapped back into awareness.

"I am alright." I stated quickly.

"So… are these your dolphins?" Amy asked, placing a hand on her hip.

"Yes…" I answered quietly.

"Well then," Tobias said with a smirk. "Talk to them." I glanced at him, and then I looked back out over the pool.

Now it is time to see if you truly can speak with your own pod mates Ecco… I looked for a moment, then called out to them.

"Black One! Spotted one!" I shouted. They did not respond to my voice, only continue to swim. "Black one! Come here!" I called, but still no reply. Tobias rolled his eyes.

"Wow, they're sure listening." He said sarcastically. Kimmy lightly slapped him on the shoulder.

"They can't hear him you goof, bring them over here!" she snapped in a playful tone. Chuckling, Tobias kneeled and splashed his hand in the water and whistled. After a moment, the spotted one swam to us. He eyed us curiously. I knew this one. Young and curious, but often skeptical. I looked down at him, and kneeled.

"Spotted one…" I said slowly. He looked at me, poking his beak out of the water. "It is I, Ecco, Ecco the dolphin, your pod leader." The spotted one suddenly went still, eyeing me.

"Well? We're waiting." Amy snorted.

"Give me a moment!" I snapped at her, and then looked back at the spotted one. "Believe me spotted one, I do not deceive you." I pushed up my hair upon my brow, revealing the stars on my head. The spotted one suddenly shrieked and recoiled back.

{ECCO!?} he screamed suddenly.

"Yes! It is I, Ecco!" I repeated again. Thank the almighty! I can still understand!

{NO! It's impossible! You art not Ecco!} He chattered at me.

"Believe my words spotted one! I was there when you came to me, telling me of the sunken boat in the shark infested waters!" I leaned low to look at him. He went silent and flicked his tail slowly.

{You are Ecco…?} He tilted his head sideways once more to look at me.

"Yes, I swear to you by the Asterite I am who I claim."

{….WHERE WERE YOU?!}