Last chapter for 2017, enjoy!

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In Prehistoric Arizona, the team has at last found a glyptodont, and despite it deciding to take a swim, they refuse to give up their pursuit.

Cautiously, the team meanders across the desert scrubland, trying to avoid letting the glyptodont out of their sight. Having chased after it for the better part of the day, they refuse to come so close to victory, only to let it slip out of their grasp at the last moment. This isn't easy, as the shelled mammal is a surprisingly good swimmer, especially considering it is the size of a car.

Eventually, though, the giant herbivore reaches the shallows and is forced to exit the water, allowing the team to finally catch up to it. To their surprise, though, it isn't alone - along the river bank, initially hidden from view by some bushes, is what could best be described as a herd of glyptodonts, some grazing, some drinking, and some sleeping. Upon seeing the arrival of the newcomer, one of the shelled mammals begins bellowing aggressively, on for the new arrival to respond in kind. After a few seconds of bellowing, the two charge each other, locking heads for a moment, before the newcomer sends the defender hurtling into the stream. A minute later, the loser resurfaces, unharmed physically, but with a shattered pride.

The team observed this for a moment, before smiling - it seems that they may yet rescue a breeding population of these giant shelled mammals.

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Back at the park, Lucas and Alice are busy examining the stone pillars. Their curiosity still needs to be sated.

The duo, upon encountering a circle of pillars, split off to examine each pillar in their own ways - Alice measures their physical attributes, such as height and spacing, while Lucas takes pictures for comparison to other stones and metals. After repeating this process with four different sets of pillars, take a rest to compare their findings.

"The only thing consistent about these pillars is that each set has pillars of roughly the same size and spacing. Otherwise, the pillars can be a small as a bunny or as big as an elephant. Where do these people even get enough stone to make pillars that big? It's ridiculous!" moans Alice.

"They aren't stone," replied Lucas, examining several stones on his phone.

"...what?"

"I've been looking up all kinds of metals, sediments, and stones, and I've found out what we're looking at. These pillars are, based on their color and the fact that they generate magnetic interference, made of magnetite."

"...why the hell would these peole make pillars out of magnetite?"

"Beats me. Maybe it's for cultural reasons?"

"Maybe."

The sound of a Jeep engine alerts the duo to the approaching presence of Bob, who quickly passes by them without bothering to say hi - he has bigger issues to deal with.

"...he's still searching for that runaway amphibian, isn't he?" questions Lucas.

"Yep. According to what I've heard, while only one of them has runaway, the rest of its kind aren't happy in their new home either."

"Odd. What are they called?"

"Cos-something. I can't remember."

"...the name isn't ringing any bells. I hope they figure out how to make them feel more at home."

"Me too."

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Speaking of runaways, the local amphibian escape artist seems to have almost found his target.

At last, the briny smell draws closer. The slimy skinned predator can feel the scent getting stronger, a clear sign that its goal is growing near. Despite its exhaustion and a small amount of heat stress, the amphibian forces itself forward, occasionally slipping into small pools to relieve itself from the heat. This disturbs some aquatic cynodints, but the amphibian does not care - it is almost home.

Just as it finally finds itself looking at the great big blue, though, a strange sound fills its ears - a mysterious roaring noise, unlike any it has heard before. Turning toward the source, it spots a strange creatures bounding over a dirt trail, with a bald headed cynodont atop the creature's back. Recognizing the bald one, it tries to flee to the waves, only for a shadow to appear over it. Looking up, it finds itself staring at a giant, confused looking maw.

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Terence stares on at the giant salamander, unsure what to do. It smells funny, and the bright colors on it would suggest it to be poisonous, so eating it is out of the question. Besides, he isn't really hungry. At the same time, some of the scent it is giving off is still recognizeable - a bring odor, similar to that of the sea. In fact, the animal itself seemed to be trying to head toward the sea before he stepped in front of it.

Terence remembers watching Tristan taking the little frogs from one pound to another. The scene before him is the same in many ways. Including how it ends.

Fir reasons even Terence himself cannot understand, he gently locks his jaws around the runaway amphibian, carries it to the beach, in the process scattering several tussled mammals and Ted, whi was feeding the mammals, and deposits the amphibian in the water. At first, the amphibian does nothing, but a moment later, it starts swimming around like crazy, seeming to be happy in its new home. Satisfied with this sight, Terence heads back to his exhibit, passing a very surprised Bob on the way.

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A few minutes later, Boband Ted watch the temnospondyl swimming around in the shallows, utterly unaffected by the briny waters.

"...Well, this is a first," remarks Bob. "How come this one's fine in the sea, when other amphibians can't stand salt water?"

"...what's this one called?" Questions Ted?

"...Cosgiffius."

"...I think I know why it's fine."

"You do?"

"Yes. This is a trenatosaur, and those were the only amphibians to adopt a marine lifestyle. I don't know why you found them doc far inland, but I think they've been so uncomfortable because they were in fresh water. Maybe we can move them over to a Marine exhibit now and make them feel more comfortable."

"That should work."

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Back in Prehistoric Arizona, the team is ready to rescue the glyptodonts.

The team has already set up the portal, with some plants put in front of it to coax the herbivores through. Already, the first glyptodont they saw had passed through into the present.

"Looks like we're finally in the clear," remakes Violet.

Suddenly, a large furry shape emerges from the brush behind the herbivores, followed by another. Both resemble jaguars, but much larger.

"...Are those Jaguars?" questions a very confused Tai.

"Ice Age one's," notes Elise. "They're bigger than normal ones and lived farther North."

"Jaguars can break bones, right?" Questions Violet.

"...yes." Notes Sean.

"Which means they can kill glyptodonts, correct?"

"...yes...oh crap."

"sorry for jinxing it."

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AN: Read and Review, and happy New Years!

This is Foameal15k, signing off!