Submission (#10363) Approved

In the depths of the apocalyptic wild oceans, where sunlight barely pierced the murky waters, lived a young adult Aristonectes named Midas. He truly was a magnificent creature, his dark-colored body adorned with shimmering gold markings that like molten gold paving its way through his body. Midas had a penchant for fish, and he spent his days gracefully gliding through the waters, hunting for his favorite meals and treats.

But Midas had another passion beyond fish – A bright fascination with shiny objects. Over the years, he had amassed a vast collection of treasures, hoarded away in a hidden cave deep beneath the ocean's surface. From sparkling gemstones to glistening pearls, his cave was a trove of wonders waiting to be discovered.

One day, while exploring the ocean depths, Midas came across a young Aristonectes named Eliza. She was smaller than him, with sleek black fur and delicate white markings on her rump. Lost and disoriented, Eliza looked to Midas for guidance, her eyes wide with trepidation.

Taking pity on the young Aristonectes, Midas offered to accompany her back to safety. As they swam together through the dark waters, Midas couldn't help but be drawn to Eliza's innocent charm. Despite his usual solitary nature, he found himself enjoying her company more than he had expected.

Upon reaching his cave, Midas decided to celebrate their newfound friendship with a party. With a flourish of his tail, he revealed his treasure trove to Eliza, watching as her eyes widened in awe at the sight of the glittering riches.

"Wow, Midas! This is incredible!" Eliza exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder.

Grinning proudly, Midas selected a few choice treasures from his collection and presented them to Eliza as a gift. Delighted, Eliza accepted the offerings, her heart swelling with gratitude towards her newfound friend.

As the party continued, Midas and Eliza shared stories and laughter, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment. And when the time came to feast, they ventured out into the ocean together, their tails slicing through the water as they hunted for fish and other sea creatures to enjoy.

Underneath the starlit canopy of the ocean depths, Midas and Eliza danced and played, their laughter echoing through the water like music. And as they savored the fruits of their hunt, they knew that their friendship was a treasure far more valuable than any gem or pearl in Midas's cave.

As the party in Midas's cave wound down, he and Eliza decided it was time to venture out into the open waters once again, this time in search of sustenance. Midas, being the experienced hunter, took the lead, guiding Eliza through the dark depths with ease.
"Alright, Eliza," Midas began, his voice calm and reassuring. "Let's see if we can find some squid for our feast tonight. They're quick and elusive, but with a bit of patience and strategy, we should be able to catch a few."
Eliza nodded eagerly, her eyes bright with anticipation. She had never hunted squid before, but she was eager to learn from her mentor, Midas.
Midas led Eliza to a rocky outcrop where he suspected the squid might be hiding. Together, they waited silently, their senses attuned to the slightest movement in the water. After what seemed like an eternity, Midas spotted a faint shimmer in the distance.
"Eliza, look over there," he whispered, pointing towards the approaching school of squid. "Stay close to me and follow my lead."
With Midas's guidance, Eliza watched as he deftly maneuvered through the water, his movements calculated and precise. He taught her how to anticipate the squid's behavior, how to anticipate their movements and outmaneuver them.
As the squid drew nearer, Midas sprang into action, darting forward with lightning speed. Eliza followed suit, her movements mirroring Midas's as they worked together to corral the elusive prey. With a coordinated effort, they managed to ensnare several squid, their tentacles flailing in protest.
"Well done, Eliza!" Midas exclaimed, a proud smile spreading across his face. "You caught your first squid!"
Eliza beamed with pride, her heart swelling with a sense of accomplishment. Under Midas's tutelage, she had managed to overcome her initial apprehension and contribute to their hunt in a meaningful way.
Together, they gathered their catch and made their way back to Midas's cave, where they set about preparing their feast.
As Midas and Eliza continued their underwater adventures, they encountered all manner of creatures, from graceful dolphins to elusive sea turtles. But their idyllic explorations took a dangerous turn when they stumbled upon a massive shark prowling the depths of the deep oceans.
The shark was a formidable adversary, its razor-sharp teeth gleaming ominously in the dim light. Midas and Eliza froze in terror as the colossal predator circled closer, its sinister eyes fixed on them with predatory intent.
Midas, ever the brave and stalwart leader, positioned himself between the shark and Eliza, his stance protective and defiant. But despite his best efforts to shield her from harm, Eliza could see the fear in his eyes, the weight of responsibility bearing down upon him.
Drawing upon the courage that Midas had helped her discover, Eliza knew that she couldn't stand idly by and watch her friend face the shark alone. With a steely resolve, she swam up beside Midas, her heart pounding with determination.
"Midas, we can't let this shark intimidate us," Eliza said, her voice firm and unwavering. "We have to stand together and fight back."
Midas looked at Eliza with a mixture of surprise and admiration, his eyes shining with pride. He had always known that she possessed a quiet strength within her, but now, in the face of danger, that strength shone brighter than ever before.
With a nod of agreement, Midas and Eliza prepared to confront the shark head-on. They circled around the predator, their movements calculated and coordinated as they sought to outmaneuver their formidable foe.
As the shark lunged forward, jaws gaping wide, Midas and Eliza sprang into action, attacking with all the ferocity they could muster. Midas snapped at the shark's flank, his teeth sinking into its tough hide, while Eliza darted in from the side, delivering a series of swift blows with her powerful tail.
Their combined efforts proved to be more than a match for the shark, and after a fierce struggle, the predator was forced to retreat, its tail thrashing in defeat as it disappeared into the murky depths.
Exhausted but victorious, Midas and Eliza floated in the water, their hearts still racing from the adrenaline of battle. They exchanged a triumphant grin, their bond stronger than ever before as they basked in the glow of their shared victory.
"Eliza, I couldn't have done it without you," Midas said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You showed incredible courage back there, and I'm proud to have you by my side. You really do keep finding so many ways to amaze me"

Then they returned to Midas’ cave to continue their celebrations. Though it was only the two of them they made do with what they had, taking happy swims through his territory. Doing loop-the-loops and twirls, taking turns to blow bubbles in the water at each other. Other sea creatures joined in as well in the festivities, fish catching competitions and races running rampant as they frolicked together merrily.

They ate and ate till their bellies were full to burst, Midas even looking a little green in the face after spoiling himself with a mountain of squid. Something that really should of been a little treat.. Eliza joked that he would shoot out ink himself with how much squid he had eaten, and the two laughed merrily.

As the festivities slowly began to die down, the two swap up to the surface to gaze at the bedazzled blanket of night up ahead. The moon full and bright, casting gorgeous rays down against the oceans lapping currants. Tickling Midas’ fur and covering the two with its cool embrace.

“What do you suppose they are?” Asked Eliza as she stared up at the sky. The stars reflecting in her young, wide eyes. Midas looked up and hummed to himself, trying to think up a suitable answer for his young friend.

“The most beautiful jewels in the world..” he responded, quietly. “Ones that no one can touch. Not the most vicious carnivores, not the meekest herbivores.. nor even the passage of time itself. Eternal beauty, to share with everyone.”

Eliza stayed silent at that. Seemingly pleased. She smiled back at Midas, her eyes sparkling with pride. In that moment, she knew that she had found not just a friend, but a true companion – someone who would stand by her through thick and thin, someone who would face the dangers of the ocean with her without hesitation.
Together, Midas and Eliza gazed up at the stars, their hearts filled with the promise of countless adventures yet to come. For in each other, they had found the strength to overcome any obstacle, the courage to face any challenge, and the unbreakable bond of friendship that would endure for all eternity in the vast expanse of the beautiful ocean.

Word count: 1527

More work was added for describing the party section I hope that works, if not I’ll edit further.

Reward	Amount
Last Stop	1
Shunosaurus Egg	1
Coral	1
Battery	1
Relic Bones	45