Dododex
ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion
Creatures of Nightmares
Chapter 28
A white wolf dived in a hole, barely escaping a Rex’s jaws. She ran through the tunnel, gripping a small pouch.
“Got anything?” Asked a wolf.
The white one nodded. “Only a few berries, but.. at least I got some.”
She set down the pouch and it flopped open to reveal tintoberries and amarberries. It was a very small amount.
“This time I got lucky. The Rex headed for me was slow.”
She sat down.
A different female yelped. “This is hardly enough! My daughter is slipping away! I can’t lose both of my children!”
The white wolf looked at her. “I know your child disappeared. My own child did too. Use the berries. They will give her water too.”
###
The girl alighted her wyvern on the ground, the tapejara following. Ridley, Prince, and Pax all got off of the mounts (well, Prince tumbled on the ground from being held) and followed the girl as she entered a base.
“KJ! Got some newcomers,” she barked, pointing to the three boys.
KJ, the leader, walked over. “…hmph. Didn’t think any other humans got to here before us. And your names are?”
“James,” Ridley said.
“Jack,” Pax said.
“Xavier,” Prince said.
Ridley and Pax gave a side eye to Prince, seeing how he chose a rare and regal sounding name.
KJ had seen this and began raising his eyebrows. “So.. what brings you to the Island?” He asked.
Ridley fidgeted with his fingers behind his back. “We.. like to explore!” He nodded to the other two and they nodded suddenly.
“Hehe,” Pax gave an awkward laugh.
“How did you find them, Ripley Jane?” KJ asked.
Ridley’s eyes widened.
The girl started to speak. “They crashed to the ground, saying they lost griffin mounts.”
“Griffins..” KJ huffed, thinking to himself.
“We have traversed many of the islands on this planet,” Ridley said. And then he looked at the girl.
There was something familiar about her, even though he had never seen her in his life..
###
years ago:
Ridley slid on an ice sled down a large snowy hill. “Yeah!” He cheered. His brother slid farther down behind him, and three girls and two boys were sliding behind him.
They all reached the bottom, laughing.
“Nice one, Ridley,” A purple wolf smirked.
A blue white wolf looked into the distance.
“You good?” A male wolf asked.
“Yeah..” she replied, turning to face the wolf. “I’m fine.”
They heard a deafening roar. The wolves looked at each other. “A YUTY ! ITS ATTACKING!”
Ridley sprinted toward the sound, followed by his group. The climbed a hill and saw the scene. Ridley slid down, watching a little white wolf chased by a yutyrannus. He instantly used his powers to create illusion flames. The yuty skidded to a stop, giving the little wolf time to escape.
As he made more flames, the yuty ran away.
“Good one, Ridley!” The boys cheered.
“Nice job,” the blue white wolf said. She smiled.
“Thanks.”
—-
The blue white wolf sat in a small den, curled up. It was many weeks after he had rescued the little wolf.
She now had feelings for him.
He’s my friend.. should I risk it?, she thought to herself.
And she did.
One night, Ridley was alone, looking at the same sea Apollo and Astra would once look at together.
The blue white wolf joined him.
“Hi,” he muttered.
“Hey,” she said.
“Whatcha doing?” He watched the sunset intently.
She sat beside him. “Just.. just wanted to see.”
“See the sunset?”
“…see you.” The blue white wolf looked away, her cheeks red.
Ridley gave her a soft smile. “I can understand that. I’m too handsome for the girls to handle.” He flashed a smirk at her and then they both laughed.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You’re the one who wanted to see me!” He yelped, nudging her with his shoulder,
“Well, I can never catch you alone.”
“And why would you want to do that?” He turned to look at her.
Her eyes glinted in the setting sun’s light. “Ridley.. I like you..”
“Of course you do, you’re my friend.”
“Not.. like that.”
“Oh.”
He scooted a bit closer to her. Their shoulders touched. He wrapped his tail around hers.
The blue white wolf sighed. “This is nice..”
—-
“Ridley, I’ve got to go.”
“No! Come on! Why?”
“My parents are making me, Ridley. I can’t stay. I’ll be back.”
Ridley and the blue white wolf touched noses. “I’m sorry,” she looked down at the ground.
Ridley nudged her and she looked up. “Hey,” he said. “I’ll be waiting.”
—-
The blue white wolf bounded into the plain. “Ridley! I’m back!” She had just come back from her trip.
Ridley was sitting with Adira.
He was doing things with Adira that he used to do with her.
“R-Ridley?”
Adira and Ridley turned. “Oh hey.”
Adira curled her tail around Ridley’s. “Come on, dear, let’s find somewhere private.”
Ridley nuzzled Adira and followed her away from the blue white wolf.
“Goodbye, Rain Jane.”
Rain, the blue white wolf, had tears streaming out of her eyes.
It would be the last time he would ever call her her nickname, Rain Jane.
-DiploLover24