Authors Note: Unfortunatly, for some reason certain symbols are not showing up properly everytime I try to save this, so until i can get it fixed, all of the dolphin speech will be marked by ">" symbols. Sorry for the confusion all.

CHAPTER 28- The Young Fin

Tobias and the other humans led me down more hallways. We passed many more pools with fish and other creatures. I looked at them all silently as I walked, my mind still reeling from events just past. My face still stung slightly from Kimmy's strike, but I took it as a reminder of my foolishness. Finally, we entered a large enclosure with a pool in the center. The air was slightly thicker here, with strange smells. I looked, and in the pool I saw a small dolphin, swimming weakly in the water. She took no notice as we entered. Walking up to the water, I visually examined the young fin. She was very beautiful by dolphin standards, although very slender; her skin shimmered from the artificial lights in the room. Tobias walked to the waters edge and kneeled, splashing his hand in the water. The fin eyed us, but did not come near.

"Come on Skimmer… come here girl…" Tobias said in a soothing voice, but she did not come. Tobias sighed. "She just won't listen to anyone anymore… not since her mother died." Hearing this, a wave of pity rushed through me as I began to understand.

"What has happened to the mother fin?" I asked quietly, my eyes never wavering from the fin.

"The vets weren't really sure. The best they told us was she caught a sickness and it killed her. It couldn't have been age, she wasn't that old." He answered. I thought about this for a moment, and then I kneeled at the waters edge and splashed my hand in the water.

"Young fin, please come here, we mean you no harm, we only wish to talk." I said as softly as I could. She eyed me; I could see the skeptic look in her eyes. "Skimmer, is it? Please come here." She turned to me, but stayed far away. She snorted lightly in the water and squeaked in a cold tone.

>It's Dalphinnia stupid human!>

I paused for a moment, then I smiled.

"My apologies Dalphinnia, I was unaware that was your true name." This reply got strange looks from everyone, including the fin.

"Wait what? Dal-who?" Amy asked oddly.

"Her name is Dalphinnia. I would assume it was given to her by her mother fin." I replied simply.

>How did you hear that?!> She turned, finally giving me her full attention. She swam closer quickly. >If you heard, answer me! How did you hear that human!?>

"Calmness please Dalphinnia and I shall explain. My name is Ecco, and my true form is a dolphin. I know it sounds strange but…" she cut me off.

>Ecco? Ecco THE dolphin? The one of legends?! The hero of the sea? The great dolphin savior? The one Mother told me stories about?> Her eyes seemed to study me as her excitement grew. I felt my face warm slightly; I was not expecting this sort of reply.

"Uh… well… yes… actually." I blinked a few times.

"What? What'd she say?" Kimmy prodded.

"Oh look, he's blushing!" Amy giggled. "She must have really said something!"

Hearing this, I composed myself, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Yes, I am Ecco the dolphin." I pushed my hair up once more, showing my stars upon my brow. Dalphinnia fell silent for a moment, then let out a shriek. I rocked back in shock, the noise was loud enough even the humans had to cover their ears.

"What did you SAY to her Ecco?!" Tobias yelped and winced.

"You heard what I had said! Dalphinnia what is the matter?!" I asked quickly. She began to swim wildly around, letting out chatters and shrieks of excitement.

>You came! Oh you came! Mother said you were a hero and you came! You have come to save me! The great savior of the sea has come to save me!>

I froze in place, staring at this little fin in shock. I...she…I….WHAT??? Tobias kneeled next to me and shook my shoulder slightly.

"Well? What did she say? You look like you've seen a ghost!" he quipped, giving me a curious look.

"She said… that the great savior of the sea has come to rescue her…" I blinked a few times, trying to allow these thoughts to decipher in my mind. It had been a very long time since someone called me "The Savior of the Sea".

"YOU? Savior?" Amy asked in a skeptic tone. To this I almost felt offended and blurted out,

"Well I have saved the oceans multiple times, even the Tides of Time once." Amy looked at me like she was about to say something, but a glare from Kimmy made her drop the issue. Dalphinna continued to swim excitedly.

>You shall set me fee! Free to see the ocean in all it's glory! I shall meet other dolphins, and be free from humans!> She squealed happily.

"Now hold on…" I began slowly. "Why do you believe I shall set you free? And who was your mother that had told you this?"

"Her mother was named Soaker and-" Tobias began, but Dalphinna screeched to cut him off.

>An INSULT of a name! He name was WaterWhisper! She was given that name because she swam as quiet as a whisper through the great waves! Before you horrible humans captured her! You disgraced her with such an embarrassing name!> she chattered angrily and glared at Tobias.

"What? What'd I say what?" He questioned, looking at her. I quickly relayed her message, and Tobias seemed to slump his shoulders slightly. "Well I'm sorry, I didn't know! And we're NOT horrible humans! We've kept you fed and alive and-"

>And TRAPPED in this horrible tank! How would YOU wish to be confined in this little tub!?> she shrieked and slapped her tail.

"She does have a point. Living in such a cold and unfeeling tank such as this is hardly a life for a fin." I stated calmly.

"Well she's only in it because she wouldn't get along with the other dolphins in the main tank!" Tobias spat defensively.

>Well they-!> She began again, before I snapped.

"Enough! Both of you! This is not the way!" Everyone went quiet and looked at me. "Now listen, both of you, the tides of the past are to be pushed aside, for at this moment we have more important concerns and troubles, and I cannot be acting as interpreter to your little tail slapping match!"

"Ecco is right; we have bigger problems, like what to do about Sk-er, Dalphinna here, and what about Ecco's friend? We can't forget her." Kimmy said calmly. I smiled at her softly.

"Yes, now I have an entirely new batch of problems." I stated quietly. "If this fin requests freedom, then I must oblige and do whatever in my power to set her free to the oceans. Yet I must also assist Ember."

"Yea but how do you plan on doing that? Captive raised Dolphins cannot survive alone in the ocean." Tobias asked, looking once more at Dalphinna.

"She will survive, I shall take her to my pod, she shall be welcome and safe there." I looked at the young fin again, who's excitement was visibly growing.

"Yes but… How will you do that if you said you'd stay and protect Ember?" Kimmy said softly. I suddenly fell silent, as that had not occurred to me.

…how WILL I do both…?