Washed Ashore

On a quiet afternoon across DinoIsle, Flap the Avisaurus is spending some quality time for himself by flying across the calm primordial sky.

"Huh," the little proto bird sighed to himself. "There's nothing like a fine afternoon taking in some fresh air."

As he felt calm and collected, Flap took the time to enjoy the scenery below him as several different dinosaurs and other ancient creatures went about their afternoon as well. There was a small group of Brachiosaurus, (with both vibrant colored males and smaller gray-brown colored females) feeding peacefully on a grove of Araucaria conifers. However, the little proto-bird's peaceful flight is suddenly interrupted as something larger flies by and flings a small gust of wind toward Flap. The hapless Avisaurus spun around in the gust until he managed to regain his composure and flapped a few times to remain in the air. Once he was able to remain airborne, Flap looked up and saw that the gust of wing came from the wingbeats of a passing Pteranodon…heading towards the open sea to fish.

"Huh, there's always a Sunday flier," Flap shook his head. "I better head back to my nest and rest my wings for a bit."

Just before he proceeded to fly back home, Flap caught sight of something close by and decided to fly toward Saurus Shores to get a better look. As he did, the little Proto bird saw that the strange new object stranded on the cove's smooth sands was a boat. Although Flap had never seen a boat before, he remembered what Amber told him about them and quickly knew what it was right away.

"I better head to Parker's hollow tree," Flap realized. "I know a certain talking mammal that will want to see this."

So, Flap flew over to Parker's home so he could inform both Parker and Amber about the boat. Sure enough, the three decided to check it out with Boulder and Dusk joining them as well. Once they reached the cove, the Paleo Pals and Amber were astonished at the sight of the stranded charter boat…especially Amber as she suddenly realized to whom this boat belonged.

"My goodness," Amber gasped. "This is my family's charter boat; we often sailed it all across the water that surrounds Maple Hill!"

"Incredible," Dusk said in astonishment. "To think that a species whose ancestors once hid from dinosaurs like us would go on the make something like this."

"It looks pretty too," Boulder cheerfully added.

"Indeed," Parker nodded before looking to Amber. "Do you think someone you know might be here looking for you?"

"I don't know…maybe," Amber stated as she shook her head. "Either way, we should probably find a way to get it back in the water."

"Good luck with that," Flap shook his head while perched on Boulder's frill. "You'll need either a medium-sized or gigantic dinosaur to push that thing…even with Boulder's tremendous strength."

Suddenly, the five friends heard what sounded like a sad-sounding bellow close by. As they turned their heads towards the source, they saw a young long-necked marine reptile stranded on the beach. It is a young Styxosaurus (Sticks-oh-sore-us) with a bright teal coloration and a silver underside, calling desperately for help.

"Poor little fella, he must've been stranded when the tide went out," said Flap. 

"Yeah, and it looks like he can't move around much on the sand," Dusk agreed. 

"Well, we can't just leave him here," said Amber. "We have to help him." 

"You're right," Parker agreed. "Though we better find a way fast, or otherwise he might burn up even with his scaly skin." 

"Should we just drag him back to the water?" Boulder suggested. 

"That could work Boulder," Dusk the Stenonychosaurus replied. "Though the hot sand could also burn him if we drag him." 

"Then how about we try to bring the water to him," Parker suggested. "That way, he might be able to get himself free." 

"Why Parker that's a great idea," Amber smiled. 

"Alright then," the little dinosaur replied. "Though we better get to it." 

So, by working together, the Paleo Pals and their human friend began digging around the stranded marine reptile as it looked on hopefully at its rescuers. Sure enough, as they finished, the water started to seep into the path and the Styxosaurus found himself able to move more freely until finally, he could reach the sea. Relieved at being back in the water, the young marine reptile splashes around joyfully but then looked down sadly when it realized something as the five friends looked on. 

"You think he might be missing his mother?" Boulder wondered curiously. 

"Appears that way," Parker agreed. "She must still be out at sea." 

"So, what are we going to do about it?" Flap asked the group. 

"Well, whatever we do," Dusk reminded everyone. "it's clear that he is still too young to fend for himself." 

As the gang tried to figure out what to do, Amber looked towards the boat and came to a decision. 

"Could you give me a moment?" Amber asked her Prehistoric friends. "I'm going to need something from inside the boat."

"I don't see why not," the little dinosaur shrugged. "Just don't take too long."

Amber nodded, as she walked into the boat's main quarters and proceeded to change into something that she might need to help the young Styxosaurus. Once she came out, Amber was now dressed in a purple crop top two piece swimsuit with blue trim. When the Paleo Pals saw Amber in her swimwear, they were astonished by the latest look…especially Parker as he began to turn quite red from blushing.

"Why…Amber…," Parker tries to say as he became at a loss for words.

"Well, if we're going to help our new friend find his mother," Amber said with a giggle. "I might as well have proper attire for swimming."

Quickly understanding what the young lady was saying, Parker proceeded to take off his attire to join her and the young marine reptile.

"Well, if you're going down there," the little dinosaur stated. "I'm going down there with you."

"So will I," Boulder added as he took off his neckerchief.

"Then I guess Flap and I will keep watch out here," said Dusk. "It might not be a good idea to get our feathers wet."

"For the most part," Flap nodded in agreement. 

"Alright then," Parker nodded. "Let's see if we can find this fella's family."

Sure enough, the three dived into the water with the young Styxosaurus and proceeded to help him find his mother. While underwater, Amber swam with a traditional swimming stroke while Parker moved his body side to side (a little bit like a marine iguana or crocodile) and Boulder paddled like a dog or hoofed mammal. As the four swam around in search of other Styxosaurus, they saw other ancient marine life swimming around them. Such as the shelled Ammonites (a-muh-nites), with their coral pink squid-like head and multiple arms used as propulsion for their iridescent coiled shell across the sea. There is even a small school of fish with their silvery scales, schooling together while trying to evade the toothy beak of the ocean-going seabird named Hesperornis (Hess-per-or-niss) with a deep blue feathered body and silver underside. So far, there was little luck in finding the young Styxosaurus's mother and pod. However, the worst is yet to come, and something nearby is eyeing the four hungrily while flicking a forked tongue. It is the mighty Tylosaurus, a deadly giant sea lizard with an appetite. Sure enough, the Tylosaurus charged toward Parker, Amber, Boulder, and the young marine reptile, though luckily Parker spotted the hunter just in time. Quickly, Parker and Amber grabbed onto the young Marine reptile, as he managed to duck away from the Sea Lizard's jaws while Boulder simply swatted the predator with his tail so he could swim up to the surface for a breath of fresh air. Following the frill dinosaur's lead, Parker, Amber, and the Styxosaurus surface for a breath of air while making sure to keep their distance from the Tylosaurus.

"This is getting dangerous," Amber admitted when she felt something off around her neck. "Oh no, my necklace must've come off during the chase!"

Upon hearing this, Parker decided to dive back down to get it before anyone could stop him. Splashing furiously from side to side, the little dinosaur looked around for Amber's blue, amber necklace. Sure enough, Parker found it on the sea floor with a small group of horseshoe crabs. With haste, he grabbed the necklace with his tail and returned to the surface. However, the Tylosaurus is still nearby and proceeds to snag the little dinosaur. However, luck was on Parker's side as out of nowhere…a pod of Styxosaurus came to fend off the vicious sea lizard. Working together, the long-necked marine reptiles snapped with their toothy jaws…annoying the Tylosaurus until finally, the sea lizard decided to look for an easier meal. Relieved that the Styxosaurus had saved him, Parker swam to the surface where he is happily rejoined by Amber, Boulder, and the young Styxosaurus.

"Parker," Amber said relieved to see the little dinosaur safe. "Why would you willingly risk your life for my necklace."

"You would be surprised by what one is willing to do for the ones they love…," Parker stated until he realized what he just said. "Uh…what I mean is that…"

Just before he could finish, Amber quickly grabbed the little dinosaur and hugged him tightly while placing a little kiss on Parker's cheek before taking back her necklace and placing it around her neck once more.

"You are full of surprises," Amber smiled sweetly.

During this little reunion, the four were joined by the Styxosaurus pod as each lifted their heads above the water. This included one female with a greyish coloration, which the young Styxosaurus quickly recognized. It soon became clear that this was the younger sea reptile's mother, searching for her son. It was then that the young Styxosaurus showed himself to the larger adult, where at last the two were happily reunited. Parker, Amber, and Boulder looked on happily at the reunited family when the little dinosaur thought of an idea.

"Say…I bet we found the help we need to get the boat back in the water," Parker said as Amber and Boulder realized what the little dinosaur is saying.

So, by tying up one piece of rope to the side of the boat and the other on the fluked tails of the mother Styxosaurus, the Paleo Pals and Amber were finally able to get the charter boat back in the water as the large marine reptile effortless pulled the boat right into the open water. Afterward, the Paleo Pals thank the marine reptile for her help as she and her son swam back to rejoin their pod.

"Boy that was quite an adventure," Boulder said as he happily wagged his tail. "I can't wait to tell the whole herd about this."

"I'm sure they'll enjoy this one," Parker replied.

As the Paleo Pals and Amber contemplated their little misadventure, the four friends suddenly heard new footsteps coming toward them. As they turned around, the Paleo Pals and Amber found themselves face to face with three new humans. Though as Amber looked at them closely, her memory of them quickly came back to them as she called out the young man's name.

C…Christopher," Amber gasped in surprise. "Is that… you?!"

"AMANDA!!!" The young man said in surprise as he raced up to hug his long-lost little sister.

Sure enough, the two separate groups came together as introductions are given, stories are told, and very soon…Parker led the three humans to his hollow tree near the center of DinoIsle.