Dododex
ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion
The Omega Timeline
Chapter 39: Observatories
-By Moon
“Everyone, come here! C’mon!”
The villains began walking over to where Dr. Bubba was calling from by the black Obelisk. Samuel, who was just coming out from one of the Shadowkeeps halls, stopped where he was and watched them with an unreadable look.
“Almost ready,” Dr. Bubba was saying.
Drain came up to stand in between Dr. Bubba and Pat, his eyes wide with anticipation. He glanced back at the others and asked, “Where’s Jethezzar?”
“Ran off again or something, who cares?” Ember said.
“ABSTRACTION COMPLETE,'' the terminal said loudly. “‘THE RIDDLES OF THE PHOENIXES SERIES’ CHARACTER: MICHAEL, ‘THE ARKS OVER HEAVEN’ CHARACTER: JERRY, ‘FJORDUR’ SERIES CHARACTER: ZEER, AND ‘PANDORA CHRONICLES’ CHARACTER, PRINCE CALDREN, ABSTRACTED.”
Just then two humans appeared on the edge of the terminal, followed by a Wyvern and what appeared to be a hybrid of a Dinopithecus and Gigantopithecus. They all blinked and looked around.
“Interesting,” Rockwell said from his place by the others, watching eagerly.
One of the humans, young with brown hair and a black suit, stared in shock and confusion. The other was a bit older, and he took a step back with his eyes flicking across each of the villains. “What the hell?”
“Woah!” Prince Caldren exclaimed, looking down at himself. “I’m not– I’m not dead!”
The Wyvern, Zeer, was standing in place. She lifted a talon to her mottled blue throat and looked at it, before setting it down and glaring at all of them. Then she spread her wings quicker than rushing water and flew away, over their heads and out of the Shadowkeep. Everyone stared after her in disappointment.
“Where am I?” The younger human called Micheal said. “How did I get here? What’s happening!?”
“We are your allies,” Dr. Bubba said, turning his head back from watching Zeer fly off. “And we’ve brought you here to help us.”
“What?” Micheal cried. “No! I demand you bring me back this instant! Do you not know who I am?”
“Apparently not,” Sig said with a small smile, glancing at Apex.
Micheal blinked wide eyes at Sig, shrinking slightly. Jerry was scrutinizing all the villains and his surroundings, keeping quiet with his hands to his sides. Prince Calren gazed up at the Shadowkeep’s walls and stepped forwards, looking alert but curious.
“I think there’s enough of us now to proceed with the plan,” Willow said plainly.
“Which plan?” Captain Shortstacks asked. “Not that any of them actually sound sensible, mind you, but which idea of a plan in particular do you mean.”
Willow shot him a look. “We’ll figure a better one out. Right now.”
“Plan t-to do what?” Micheal asked. Calren and Jerry listened intently.
“You’re part of our team now,” Ember said, walking over and looking Micheal in the eyes. “Deal with it.”
~
Jethezzar wasn’t sure what he was thinking. He flew over the tall figures of the city that was all so strange to him, the sky dimming as evening began to end. He looked downwards, scouting the place for any of the creatures or humans that were against his group. Well, the group he was now stuck with. He wasn't sure what he thought abou the lot of them. Or anything.
What did he think again?
His yellow eyes glowing, he folded his wings inwards and swooped down into the depths of the city.
~
Buddy sat in the shadows of the alley with a slightly pensive and bored expression. His partner, the newbie Tago, was caught in her own thoughts, pacing around in a circle. Her twitching tail brushed against Buddy every so often, and he huffed as it did again.
“Sit down already,” He said to her.
“I don’t like this,” She said slowly, her light brown eyes blazing. “What if everyone’s being attacked and we don’t know it?”
“We’ll hear the alarm when that happens, don’t worry.” Buddy explained. “The Rock Drakes have that handled.”
“OK,” Tago said, exhaling slightly. She sat down with him for a moment, tucking her wings to her sides and wrapping her tail around herself. Buddy rubbed his face tiredly with his claws. “You wish you were home right now?” He decided to ask her.
“Mostly.” Tago admitted. “It’s easier there. Here, it’s crazy and weird looking and we’re preparing for multiple others to meet us in battle.”
“Well, I’d say I feel the same, but I’ve been through lots of stuff and this is not too different, if I’m honest. ” Buddy said quietly.
There was a sudden swoosh from somewhere above them. Tago perked her head and Buddy looked up, but nothing was there except the clouds and skyscrapers and the blue-gray sky. He glanced back at Tago with a confused look before a Wyvern was suddenly there, knocking Buddy over with a snarl.
“Buddy!” Tago yelled, jumping up and spreading her wings. She scrunched up her face in a hiss, baring sharp white teeth as Buddy scrambled back from the attacker, his tail fluffed up.
“That’s one of them!” Buddy exclaimed firmly, his senses brought up to their highest as he dug his claws into the ground.
The other Wyvern growled low in his throat. Tago looked down as Jethezzar watched them go up, and she flew away with Buddy in her grasp.
They flew deep into the city and came into the top of a giant observatory. Tago landed with a thump in the circular building, panting tiredly as she released Buddy. He looked back to where they had come from, hoping Jethezzar had not followed them. “You knew that one?” He asked Tago.
“Yes.” Tago sounded guarded.
“He must have heard us talking and come to investigate,” Buddy said with gritted teeth. “Let’s hope he didn’t hear too much. That would ruin the whole–”
“He probably didn’t,” Tago said. “We might have to be more careful from now on, though.”
“Yeah.” Buddy said.
“We’ll be fine,” Tago said with a small smile, nudging Buddy’s side. They looked out through the opening to the building, the dying rays of light casting on their fur and scales. Tago sat down quietly next to him. ‘Soon. Everything will be fine soon.’