Here's the first chapter of the New Year!
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Roughly 13 million years before the present, the shores of what is now Maryland were calm, almost a peaceful as those on the other side of the Americas.
But the peace is not something that will last. A small boat darts across the surface, followed somewhat distantly by a group of shadows beneath the waves. Aboard the boat, Tristan and Michelle stare out at the open ocean.
"Wow, this is amazing!" remarks Michelle, enjoying the calming view of the sea.
"it is..." remarks Tristan, equally enamored with the view of the ocean.
His eyes and mind soon turn toward Michelle, though, who was standing on the front of the boat, arms outstretched like a bird.
Soon, though, Michelle returns her focus to the ocean before them.
"So, how far out should we go?" she asks.
"Um, a little further should be good enough," replies Tristan, who begins powering down the boat's engines.
Unseen by the pair of teens, the fins behind them slowly begin to gain on them, but are still rather far away.
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Meanwhile, Nigel is busy skimming the waves.
Nigel is slowly driving the Mariner over the ocean, watching for signs of life. Aside from some fish, though, he isn't getting any luck.
However, he's about to get some guests from an unexpected direction.
Suddenly, Pterry begins screeching. Nigel looks around, trying to find the source of the pterosaur's discomfort, when suddenly, a huge pelican plunges into the water. It is followed by nine others of its kind, which soon begin swimming after fish.
Nigel is surprised at first, but his surprise soon gives way to wonder.
"These are Pelagornis, just like the ones we have at the park. I didn't expect to see them, but I can't say I'm not happy that I am. These creatures are just amazing. One species holds the record for biggest bird to ever fly!"
The hungry birds, however, care not for Nigel's praise. All that interests them is filling their bellies.
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Back at the park, Lucas and Marcus are dealing with some of the park's smaller residents.
In a forest, several of the park's ground sloths are entering their burrows, when suddenly, an ornithopod darts by, followed by Marcus and Lucas.
Residents who don't like to stay in their exhibit.
"Why are these guys trying to get in this exhibit of all places?" asks Lucas.
"I don't know," replies Marcus, equally confused about the tiny animals' habits.
As the boys run past on of the ground sloth's, it stares at them from within its burrow...
As do three of the ornithopods.
Lucas and Marcus, however, are focused on a different problem.
"How'd they get out of their exhibit?" asks Marcus.
"Vera took them out to get a checkup, but forgot to lock the cage properly. Even then, one of them got out earlier."
"Yeah, the one named Willow. Where is he?"
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A few hundred meters away, Willow pops his head out of a burrow. The tiny ornithopod looks around, as if searching for something, before turning his head to Terence, who is still napping. Seemingly content with himself, the ornithopod retreats back into the burrow.
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While the boys try to clean up Vera's mess up, she and Alice are busy dealing with some of the park's more difficult residents.
On a hill top, a group of bison watch as Alice and Vera proceed to run by them, hoisting a tiny rhino between them on a pole, while being chased by its comrades.
"THIS WAS A REALLY BAD IDEA!" shouts Alice.
"WELL, HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THEY'D ALL CHARGE AT US WHEN WE TRANQUILIZED ONE? AND WE LURED IT AWAY FROM THE OTHERS!"
"THEY WERE UPWIND OF US, THE PROBABLY SMELLLED US! TOLD YOU TO USE A DIFFERENT FLORAL PERFUME THIS MORNING!"
The two teens soon ran out of the bison's field of view, with their cries fading soon afterwards. Then, they went back to feeding.
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Nearby, Eileen and Aiden were busy working with the Zygolophodon.
The mighty beasts had already begun moving into a forest in search of food.
"If there's one big difference between mammoths and mastodons, it's what they eat," remarked Aiden. "Mammoths like Martha are grazers, and feed mostly on grass, while mastodonts are browser and prefer branches and shrubs. They actually can't eat grass, as it wears down their teeth into stubs. Luckily, these guys have an endless supply of trees."
While the mastodonts move deeper into the forest, the pair are quick to begin performing their task: cleaning up their mess.
Nearby, several of the park's Microraptor have landed, eagerly searching for food in the wake of the giants.
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Back in Miocene Maryland, Tristan and Michelle are getting ready to dive.
"So, remember, if we get separated, we search for about a minute, then we go up," reamrks Tristan, diving gear equipped.
"I've done this a million times, ou don't need to tell me that," retorts Michelle. "That being said, your concern is appreciated."
Tristan can only smile in response, before placing a regulator in his mouth and preparing to dive.
Then, to the surprise of the two teens, a large animal suddenly jumps out of the water. Soon, another joins it, as does another.
Though initially stunned, the two teens soon notice that the creatures resemble modern dolphins...
Except for their long, swordfish-like snouts.
"Are these our targets?" asks Michelle.
"I think they are," remarks Tristan.
Soon, well over a dozen dolphins pass by the pair. Unsure of where they're headed, they start up the boat to follow them. Unseen to the pair, several other shapes are already on their tail.
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AN: Welcome to the New Year!
Anyway's, this chapter is the last one that will be up for a few days, as I'm going out of town tomorrow. Expect a short hiatus, but I will try to get the next chapter up this weekend.
So, read and review. This is Flameal15k, signing off.