Disclaimer: I do not own Fossil Fighters, any of the vivosaurs or characters (Except for Creed), and am simply writing this for my own amusement.
A/N: As the sequel to my previous fic, Dark Horse Gambit, this story will continue building up on the foundation I have already laid down. It shall detail the adventures of novice Fossil Fighter Vestello Leoncor as he competes in the infamous Caliosteo Cup. What sort of troubles will he face? You are welcome to read and find out.
Acknowledgments: Firstly, I would like to thank Devaro Ayanami for his wonderful help as both my Beta and my sounding-board. Secondly, I would like to thank Tempest Bound for encouraging me to post this story now, rather than later. Thirdly, I would like to thank Vathara for all the wonderful stories, which I highly recommend you read, he has posted. Reading them has helped me find ways of expanding my own writing style.
((On a completely unrelated note: Yes, I knew that the term 'dumb' is sometimes used to describe someone who is a mute or otherwise cannot speak. It is also, I might add, generally considered an insult when used to describe a person's condition.))
Chapter 1
To the Island! III
From: Leveche
Subject: Re: Updates
Seems you've been busy, and it hasn't even been a full day yet! Reminds me of when I first went Vivosaur Island. And if you're anything like I was it'll soon be on one adventure after another. Word-to-the-wise: Enjoy breathing space when you get it, where you get it, cause you won't get them often once the avalanche-of-action starts.
I'm glad you like Felic, he's matured a lot since I first had him. He used to be like that-adoring-little-brother-that-thinks-you-can-do-no-wrong. He'll be really helpful in the future.
You're having trouble cleaning fossils? That prospect never occurred to me, probably because I've never actually broken a fossil or cleaned it below 90%. I should have remembered that not everyone has the same knack. Buster points? This is the first time I've heard of them, but if they help you clean fossils then that's good. You could probably ask Felic to help you deal with the upper most layers of your fossils. He's not allowed to clean the fossils themselves, or do them by himself until you've cleaned a certain number, but nothing says he can't help you save time. Watch him, you may learn how best to approach fossil cleaning when those buster points of yours aren't available.
In regards to the smarter vivosaurs on the islands, I'll explain that in my next message.
Vicious and Regal? You certainly have an interesting way of naming your vivosaurs. Not that I'm any different, of course. I don't blame them for not wanting to be separate from you, Vivosaurs rely on their Fighters for their continued well being. You remember what happens when a Fighter is negligent…
/\/\/\/\
Todd Flanigan –vs- Vestello Leoncor
Startled amber met equally startled blue.
"Wow." Todd's tone was stunned. "So you're my Round 1 opponent?" He frowned. "Boo, man. I was hoping to face you in the final." He spun away from Vestello. "Stupid computer!" His voice cracked a bit.
Stepping forward, Vestello pat his friend's shoulder.
"Well…" With a sigh, Todd glanced back at his friend. "There's nothing we can do about it, Vestello. We'll have to fight as hard as we can. Until our Round 1 match is done, I'm going to think of you as an enemy!"
Vestello rocked back on his heels, somewhat taken aback by Todd's sudden vehemence.
"I'm going to Fossil Battle you hard! I mean, crazy hard!"
A soft smile crossed Vestello's face and he nodded. Todd stared at him, eyes hard, for a moment longer before turning away and running off and vanishing into the crowd.
Vestello's smile turned slightly bitter. At least we're in the last bracket… It was still a few hours until their match, and they were the last ones listed.
I hope you use that time well, Todd, because I have no intention of losing.
With that silent declaration, Vestello turned and made his way for Treasure Lake once more.
/\/\/\
"New Fossil Rock."
"Hey!"
Pausing mid-stoop, Vestello glanced over at the approaching Fighter.
"I challenge you for that fossil rock!"
A blink, then a smile. ::Seems like you're about to have your chance to play, Spirit.:: The pterosaur's link surged to the forefront of his awareness, ready and eager.
Straightening, Vestello turned to face the other, Spirit's medal dancing across his fingers.
"Go: Menchi!"
Amber turned skyward. Big... Very big.
The fire-aligned sauropod was easily the biggest vivosaur Vestello had ever seen.
Derived from a Mamenchisaurus, meaning 'Lizard from Mamen Brook', the saurpod vivosaur stretched to a breathtaking twenty-seven meters from nose-to-tail and colored like a model volcano, dark brown legs and underbelly with vibrant red-orange running along its side and spine, broken up only by white tooth-like protrusions.
That tail looks nasty. He eyed the wrecking-ball-like growth at the end of a long, flexible tail. ::Be careful, Spirit.:: He tossed the medal high.
Light flashed, water surged, and the blue pterosaur took to the sky.
Water against fire, both are long-range types if I remember correctly, but the menchi has the size and weight advantage while Spirit is fast and agile…but how to make that work to my advantage …
He thrust his palm out. ::Let's test the waters, shall we? Angry Peck::
Just why the attack was called 'angry peck' was beyond him. The darting, daring dives and jabs executed by the pterosaur was anything except angry. The menchi moaned, neck arching this way and that, trying to swat the laughing sea runner.
Waves dancing and lapping teasing yellow-orange against splashes of happy sun-yellows.
::Wind-UnderOverAcross-leather/Dart-and-tease/Can't catch! Can't catch!::
The other Fighter growled. "Don't let that thing keep hitting you! Use Menchi Slash!"
Whip-like tail flexed and snapped, tip rising up—
::Holy cats! Look out!::
Nimble wings somehow managed to maneuver the sea runner up and away from the suddenly swelled wrecking-ball growth. The blow kept going and smashed into the ground, leaving a crater at least half the size of the menchi's impressive bulk.
How did- We can't afford to even be clipped by that attack. How on earth that attack could be pulled off was unknown, but it was probably along the same reasons why a tricera could jump several meters into the air and dive forward like a spinning drill…
Sometimes vivosaurs made absolutely no sense.
Water swirled in upward spirals of wary greens.
::Twig-under-brick snap. Hide-thick/StoneRockMetal/Beak hurting.::
::Giving up?::
Water receded, greens fading out, then surged forward in sudden waves of fierce reds.
::Nonono! Dart-aroundside-strike/Find-vulnerable-point/Weakness-always-a-weakness! Where-point? Help-find, yes?::
::Stay close to its body, if you go too far it'll use its tail again. I'll find its vulnerable point.::
A loud craw answered him as the sea runner dived.
The broad hide is too thick for any effective attacks. Amber watched the blue streak dart over fiery reds and browns like a serpent over rocks. But that still leaves areas like…joints…I wonder.
Aiming for the elbows or ankles wouldn't work, not with the hide and muscle armoring them like stone pillars, but what about other joint areas? Such as—
::There, strike there!::
Blue flashed down-and-up.
-the underside of the jaw.
The menchi's red-rimmed medal struck dirt and rolled to its Fighter's feet.
::Well done.::
/\/\/\
"Greetings, Master Vestello."
Head snapping up, the bluenette watched the helper robot approach from where it had been helping another Fighter.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
Hands came up, hesitated. Uncertain.
"Well?" Felic urged.
[You-help-me clean?] There, he'd asked.
"I cannot clean the fossil for you, not yet."
A nod.
[*Affirmation* Understand.
Cover-shell break, you-help?]
The machine considered it, whirring softly in place. Then- "I do not see why not."
Gratitude lit up amber eyes as Felic moved to help clean the fossil.
/\/\/\
"You finally came!"
Todd looked a little pale, Vestello noticed.
"You better not go easy on me just because we're friends. I mean it!"
Vestello snorted.
[ *Negation* plan.
*Affirmation* win.]
"The next match will be Todd Fladigan against Vestello Leoncor. Combatants should enter the stadium immediately."
Both glanced up at the speakers, then back at each other.
"Oh, hey. Sounds like we're on." A glimmer of unease flickered in wide blue. "No hard feelings, right? No matter who comes out on top?"
Vestello nodded.
"Now let's do this thing!"
Side-by-side they entered the stadium before taking their places.
Vestello raised his arm, brandishing his gauntlet, aimed, and fired his team as Todd threw his own Dino Medals. Both sides appeared in mirroring arrow-formations. For Vestello, his still-unnamed-raja took point, flanked by Vicious on his starboard side and Regal on his port side.
On Todd's side also stood three vivosaurs. On one flank stood his stego—which, oddly enough, seemed to be cringing away at the sight of Vestello's raja—on the other flank stood a veritable walking tank, a four-meter-long ankylosauria-type vivosaur with violet and red colorations. A goyle if Vestello remembered properly. Then, at point, stood an impressive nine-meter-plus charcoal-and-green theropod with spikes like Godzilla's running down its back.
A 'high-spine', a spinax. Vestello recognized.
A smirk. Maybe Todd had a chance of winning after all.
"Go Spinax: Spinax Fang on that Raja!" Todd yelled.
Then again, maybe not.
Corded muscles bulged as the theropod charged.
Vestello thrust out a palm. ::Counter: Raja Fang.::
A shift, rumble, crash as a wave of aggressive bloody-blacks slammed forward.
::Shatter!::
Both vivosaurs collided, skulls smashing together with a deafening crash. There they remained, trying to overpower each other. A momentary stalemate.
An excellent distraction.
::Vicious, Regal: Go! Aeros Alert and Tricera Combo on the goyle and stego!::
"W-what?" Wide-eyed, Todd watched the two flanking vivosaurs charge. "Stego: Whirling Dash! Goyle-"
Regal slammed headlong into Goyle before Todd could finish.
::Throw it, if you can.:: Vestello sent, smirking.
Water surged in mighty waves of determined blue.
::It will be done.::
Meter-long horns dug into the sand as powerful chest and leg muscles strained against intense weight. Sand shifted, a startled bugle sounded, and Regal threw his head back, rearing up onto his hind legs. Behind him, a heavy impact sent stirred up a thick cloud of dust.
"Goyle!"
The fused lizard's legs thrashed helplessly in the air, its belly exposed, like an upturned turtle.
::Running Smash.::
Trunk-like legs bent, then sprang open, sending the heavy vivosaur careening forward. The air grew damp, and the lethal battering ram of horns came crashing home. The goyle's Dino Medal skipped across the sand.
::Good—::
Wind reeled wildly, stirring up a maelstrom of pained grays.
::Vicious!:: He'd almost forgotten about the air bone vivosaur.
Battered and bruised, Vicious stumbled under the repeated onslaught of the whirling ball of spikes that was the stego. Roaring, he reared back, summoning strength for a Wind Blast—
Howled and crashed into the sand, struck broadside by the stego. Writhing where he had fallen, the air-bone vivosaur could not regain his footing as the stego circled around for one last blow. Hitting a dune, the stego was sent airborne, a spike-laden cannon ball as it careened towards Vicious—
The stego bugled in alarm as a spinning drill of horns intercepted it mid-air, smashing it into the sandy ground. Regal trumpeted loudly, standing between his fallen comrade and the stunned roof lizard.
Wriggling awkwardly, Vicious finally regained his footing as he stared at the three-horned face with unreadable eyes.
::Together?:: Vestello suggested. Both vivosaurs sent thrumming agreement through their links as they charged.
The stego had no chance as horns and fangs fell upon it. Its Dino Medal was slammed deep into the sand.
Two down… Vestello glanced back at the raja—
::Oh for cryin' out loud, stop playing with it!::
Still rooted in place and looking perfectly at ease, the raja chuffed, as if laughing, as the spinax continued to strain against him to no affect.
::Finish it!::
Savage eyes glinted as one pillar-like leg shifted back. A startled howl sounded as the spinax crashed into the sand muzzle-first. Twisting, it looked up just in time for the raja's fangs to clamp down around its neck. The raja bit down and yanked, dragging-then-throwing the high spine theropod across the sand.
Hitting the crest of a dune, the spinax rolled, crashed, and lay sprawled out in the sand, stunned.
"You have to get up, Spinax!" Todd was getting desperate now. "Spinax Fang, quick!"
To its credit, the spinax tried valiantly, but it simply wasn't able to recover fast enough before the raja was on it again. With a vicious snarl, the raja slammed its shoulder into the high spine, twisted, and then smashed its heavy tail across its side. The poor charcoal-and-green theropod whimpered.
::Enough, just finish it!::
A quick snap of powerful jaws ended the fight with an almost anti-climatic finish.
::Savage one, aren't you?:: Vestello sent, torn between frustration and exasperation.
Stone rumbled, stirring starbursts of amused yellows across a plain of cooling reds.
::Silly wind. Should have scattered.::
No remorse at all. Vestello sighed. Just like Vicious.
He looked up at his approaching vivosaurs. ::You all did well, we just need to practice coordinating a bit more. Will you-:: A pointed look at Vicious and Regal. ::-be able to get along?::
Wind whirred thoughtful yellows-greens across currents of grudging mauve and gray-blue.
::Tolerable… for a leaf-muncher.::
A sandy snort. Water splashed bemused yellows across waves of satisfied blues and greens.
::Not so uncouth after all.::
They'll be inseparable before too long. Vestello predicted, smothering a smirk. Amber settled once more on the observing raja.
::What about you?::
A warning tremble of stone churned an expanse of carefully muted colors, broken only by brief splashes of reddish anticipation.
::Shatter them. Crumble and fall. Tear them apart.::
A sigh. ::Duly noted, Savage.:: As he caught their returning medals he could have sworn there was laughter rumbling under Savage's deceivingly calm demeanor.
/\/\/\
"Congratulations. You're through to the second round." Stella grinned down at the dusty teenager. She glanced at a somewhat dejected Todd. "But hold your head high, Todd. That was a fine effort from you both. Anyway-" She looked back at Vestello. "-Vestello, this is for you. It's your prize for clearing Round 1."
A patch with a clock insignia? He accepted the prize. Correction: Patches.
Puzzled amber looked up at Stella.
"Time Plus is a valuable item that extends cleaning time by thirty minutes."
Oooh, useful. Goodbye last-second stress!
"Each one is good for a single use. If you need more, you can purchase them at any shop." Stella smiled. "Your win also earned you a promotion. Your Fighter Level is now higher! It's vital to advance in the Cup, of course, but other experiences are necessary for you to level up." Waving, she turned away. "Good luck with Round 2! I look forward to seeing how strong you will become."
And then Todd and Vestello were left alone in the lobby.
"Well-" Todd's tone was sad, but still had a light tone. "—you got me. But you know what?" A slow smile spread as blue met amber. "I don't feel all that bad." A shrug. "I mean, sure. I'm disappointed that I lost. But-" The smile brightened into a grin. "I got to take you on in a Fossil Battle, and that was really fun!"
The words were like a load off his shoulders-
"Okay, Vestello!"
-the load was suddenly replaced by a lance of dread down the spine.
"Feast your eyes on your new cheerleader!"
Oh…no. A smile tugged at his lips as Todd struck a pose.
"Until the Cup ends, I'm gonna be president and CEO of the Vestello Fan Club!" He pumped the air. "You're my champ now, so I'm entrusting you with my dream!"
The smile won out. Touched, Vestello nodded.
Both boys pulled their fists close, then they thrust them skywards.
A pulse echoed through Vestello's sternum and made him pause.
"I do not know what to make of the two of you." Puzzled gold surveyed them both. "You just faced each other in battle, and yet now you laugh about it?"
…Okay, why am I thinking this is cute, but sad?
"You don't get it." Todd snorted. "We just shared an awesome battle together!"
Rupert mulled the words over. "So you are satisfied with defeat then? It doesn't gnaw at your soul like a rabid badger?"
Vestello almost choked.
"You are a…strange person."
Said the pot-to-the-kettle. Then again, people had trouble seeing their own quirks unless they were specifically pointed out to them.
Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face because an almost sheepish expression crossed the silver haired teen's face.
"Yes, well-" He turned away. "—excuse me. Unlike you, I have important things to do with my time."
Wolf, definitely a wolf. Vestello decided. An adolescent wolf, awkward limbs and all.
Todd growled.
Rupert's wolf to Todd's Chihuahua…
"What is with that guy? It's not like we asked his opinion or anything!" He spun back to Vestello. "All right, Vestello. I'm going to cheer you on like I've never cheered before!"
And the catch…
"You absolutely, positively have to make that arrogant jerk eat his words! I'm counting on you!"
The pager's bleeped.
Thank the Lord for convenient distractions.
"All Round 1 matches of the Caliosteo Cup are now complete. A new dig site is now open: Jungle Labyrinth! The Jungle Labyrinth is a natural maze formed by a wealth of lush plant life. Fighters are urged to travel there and prepare for Round 2."
"Hey-" Todd's eyes were bright. "—I just got a message that said any Fighter who lost in Round 1 is welcome to use the new dig site. I think that's awesome! I mean, as long as I'm here, I might as well have some fun. Right?" He pumped the air, turned away—
-paused and glanced back sheepishly. "B-but, of course I'll cheer you on properly, Vestello."
And he's gone again. Vestello smiled, heading outside.
Blinked.
Dark. He stared up at the starry sky. Do I have time to check out the Jungle Labyrinth…or should I stop for the night?
The pager beeped.
"This is an important public-service announcement from Caliosteo Fossil Park. The Fossil Cannon's adjustments are now complete. Fighters may use the Fossil Cannon to exchange fossil rocks with nearby friends. The cannon is located on the Fossil Lawn. Also, Clean Z. Fossil's Cleaning-Party Emporium has been opened as well. There, a single fossil can be cooperatively cleaned with several nearby friends. We look forward to your visits and patronage."
While a completely random announcement, that Emporium sounded like something to look into. But he still had his original question, should he go to the new dig site now? Or later?
Ah, just a quick look.
And he turned his course to the newly open path.
/\/\/\
Stepping onto crisp, though wild, grass, Vestello inhaled the humid scent of countless jungle plants. Without the sun to illuminate the area, the most he could see was either open space or dark outlines. Beyond that were the unmistakable silhouettes of dense trees.
So…just the entrance tonight. His feet carried him through the clearest route passed a rotund rock—
-a sudden moan froze him mid-step.
"Oh, right." Someone spoke, from below waist level. "Hello there."
That is not a rock.
"So sorry to bother you, but I appear to be in a bit of a pickle."
Kneeling, Vestello could make out the outlines of some kind of hat, what he was pretty certain was some kind of pressed suit, and…was that a bowtie?
"Hunger gnaws at my belly, you see, and I fear the only cure is a delectable melon spud."
I've heard of melons, I've heard of spuds, but I've never heard of a melon spud. Vestello was pretty sure he heard Vicious groan in the back of his mind.
"A single one of these sweet subterranean spuds-"
Didn't all spuds grow underground?
"—would have me up and about in no time." Another moan. "Ah, but a melon spud is a clever beastie. Where could it be hiding…?"
Amber glanced about the shadowed terrain.
"I say, I sense a melon spud buried right near this spot…You'll spy a vibrant green sprout that marks the location of a precious melon spud. Now be a good egg and find it for me, won't you? Else I fear the end is nigh for this old codger…"
Okay, he was pretty sure that weakening-tone-of-voice was exaggerated. After all, no one could starve to death less than a mile from a town…right?
Again, Vestello glanced around the darkened area. And I'm supposed to find a 'vibrant green sprout'…how?
/\/\/\
"My vision grows dim...I hear angels. Good heavens, I think this is the end for me!" A depressing thought, yet oddly thrilling at the same time. Ah, if only my last wish had been granted, and a sweet melon spud had been…
Grass crunched nearby, a dark figure bent over him, the fellow from earlier?
By Jove, am I saved?
The delicious aroma of a melon spud wafted beneath his nostrils. Mouth wet with eagerness, he snatched the delectable delicacy and ravenously tour into it. At once rejuvenating vigor coursed through his veins like lightning.
"Th-that succulent aroma… Th-those crunchy seeds… By my knickers, it's a melon spud!" He felt thirty years younger, which is why he sprang to his feet as if he were, laughing. "Well done, old bean! That melon spud has given me an injection of youthful vim and vigor!"
He turned to his savior, who's only distinguishable trait was an outline of a messy mane of hair.
"You went to great trouble to dig up that melon spud for me, yes?"
His savior shrugged.
"In that case, I would humbly request the pleasure of your name."
Hesitance. He couldn't see his savior's face—
"Oh what am I doing? Standing here in the dark like this?" Reaching down he grasped a plastic-covered handle and turned the knob.
Amber eyes blinked owlishly at the lantern's light.
I say, his hair is blue. Even more vibrant than that dear chap, Doctor Diggins.
And they young man still wasn't talking. Actually, he looked a mite uncomfortable.
"Can you talk, lad?"
A blink, and the lad shook his head apologetically.
Poor boy must be a mute. "Do you have paper? Or perhaps…know sign language?" Likely not, it wasn't one of those popular languages that everyone learned to look 'hip'—
[First-name: V-E-S-T-E-L-L-O.
Last-name: L-E-O-N-C-O-R]
By Jove, what a happy coincidence!
"So, Vestello, is it? Well then, Vestello, it appears that I am in your debt."
Now the boy looked a little embarrassed as he shrugged off the comment.
"I am Professor Nigel Scatterly, man of science and curator of the Caliosteo Museum on Cranial Isle." A laugh. "I'd come here in search of the Calio Slablets, but somehow managed to get hopelessly lost. Also-" His cheeks warmed. "—I forgot my lunch on the counter when I left this morning, so it's quite good that you came along!"
Amber blinked, and the boy cocked his head much like a curious cat.
"How's that? You want me to explain what Calio Slablets are?"
A nod.
"Capital idea! There's little I enjoy more than discussing the wonders of science, after all!" A deep breath in. Then: "Yes, well. Where to begin?" He turned towards the young chap. "Calio Slablets, you see, are a curious set of tablets hewn from dinosaur bones."
Ah, the lad looked quite curious now.
"I discovered one of these tablets a fair while back and found it contained a history of these islands. This tablet claimed that the long-lost Kingdom of Caliosteo actually existed on this very spot! Can you imagine?"
Blue hair bobbed up and down politely.
"I also determined that this ancient kingdom was led by a mighty ruler named Zongazonga. Now, it seems this Zongazonga fellow was some manner of sorcerer who wielded spells of great power. He even had the power to resurrect dinosaurs from fossils."
Vestello jerked, eyes widening.
"I say, can you imagine? Such a thing means they were reviving vivosaurs in prehistoric times! Naturally, I burned to know more of these ancient people, but I had only Calio Slablet #1 in my possession. However, since they bothered to number the one I found, logic demanded that there must be others!" A sly smile. "So knowing this, I fashioned a special CS Sonar to search them out—"
Said sonar beeped.
"Hello, what's this then? It seems the CS Sonar has detected another Slablet! Stand aside!" A quick sweep and the boy backed up. "I must excavate it with all due speed!"
He reached for his shovel—
-grasped nothing but air.
"Oh, sod! It seems I forgot more than my lunch today. My poor shovel has also been left behind!" He glanced back at the waiting teenager. "Step lively now, Vestello, for it falls to you to unearth this buried slablet. Do it! Do it for science!"
Were the lad's lips twitching?
Sliding a pickaxe from a loop on his backpack, the boy opened it up and glanced around. Scatterly conferred with the sonar.
"The CS Sonar claims that the Slablet lies buried at my feet! Just under the old nose, if you will." I was lying on it this whole time, what irony. "Perhaps that pickax of yours is the key to unlocking the mysteries of the Kingdom of Caliosteo. Quickly now! Unearth that Calio Slablet with all speed!"
Oh to be young again. Scatterly thought as he watched the boy dig with practiced ease, making the relocation of densely packed soil look like child's play.
The boy kneeled, sticking a hand under the loosened soil, and pulled out—
"Good heavens! It is a Calio Slablet!" He took the proffered relic. "And look! It's marked with the number three!" A frown. "I suppose the prudent thing would be to set this one aside until I find the second Slablet…" But could he restrain his curiosity…? "Well, posh to that! My scientific curiosity will not be contained!"
He gestured the boy closer. Vestello gladly obliged.
"Come, old bean! Let us free whatever wisdom waits to be heard!" He cleared his throat, bringing the slablet closer to the light. "Let's see now… Ah, yes, quite. Here we are." Squinting, he scanned the ancient hieroglyphs.
"Once every several decades, Zongazonga compelled his people to hold a tournament. Participants in the tournament were given revived dinosaurs and made to command them in battle. These brave warriors traveled to and fro across the islands, waging battles of gargantuan ferocity. The tournament's sole reason for being was to choose a new Majestic Vessel. And when only one warrior was left standing, he or she would become the new Majestic Vessel."
Fascinating, simply fascinating.
"I say! A contest in which dinosaurs are made to fight across three islands…The similarity to our own Caliosteo Cup is remarkable." A frown. "However, I am at a loss to explain the meaning of the Majestic Vessel. Perhaps it simply means one who has the qualities of leadership that befit a king?" A hum. "Yes…quite…"
Scatterly and Vestello exchanged puzzled looks.
"Well then!" The professor stowed the slablet in his bag. "I suppose that mystery will have to wait until the other Calio Slablets are discovered, yes? I shall make for Cranial Isle with this new Slablet posthaste." He glanced back at the boy. "You've been of remarkable assistance to me, Vestello. Both myself and science owe you a great deal. If you ever find yourself upon the shores of Cranial Isle, you must stop by my museum!"
He stepped back. "It is a gallery and depository of items both rare and wonderful, and I promise it will not disappoint! And of course-" A fond pat to the bag. "—I will put this here Calio Slablet #3 on display next to the first one I found. Safe travels, now." A wave. "Tallyho!"
Turning, he ran back towards the town—
A sharp whistle stopped him.
Turning, holding the lantern high, the light fell on the rapid hand signs from the boy. He mentally translated the urgent signals and paused.
"You say this path will only take me farther into the deep, dark jungle?" A nervous laugh. "Yes, well that wouldn't do at all, now would it? It seems I am in your debt yet again, Vestello. This time, it is farewell for sure. Tallyhooo!" And he rushed past the teenager, back towards the comforts of town.
/\
From: Harmattan
Subject: Yet More Questions
Remember when you told me about Pressure? I think I should hear more about it. There's another Fighter here who gives it off. It's a lot weaker than Joe's, or yours, but I feel it anytime he's nearby. His name's Rupert Faro, the heir to the Fossil Dig Inc. Now I'm really curious about what Pressure is.
Also, I ran into this odd archeologist-Professor Nigel Scatterly?—tonight and he told me about an interesting legend about the islands. I'm sending a copy of the story in the attachment on this email. What do you make of it?
And there you have it! The end of chapter one of Stalking Horse Games. See me next week for the beginning of chapter 2: The Labyrinthine Monster
/\/\/\
To DunaN2 (Guest): That was one of the most mood uplifting reviews I've ever had, thank you. It would be a tad bit easier to respond if you had an FF account, though, so let me know when you get it set up. I'm glad you enjoyed the twist(s) I've put into the story. Hopefully you'll continue to enjoy them. Upset? Nah, I'm flattered that someone likes my story enough to use it as a base for their own, just don't forget to put your own creativity into the mix. I've seen more than a few writers who used another story as a base and bungle it, badly.
I'll consider the Dragon Note thing on one condition: You tell me what a 'Dragon Note' is. I'm afraid you've caught me rather flat footed right there.
/\/\/\
Reviews are always appreciated. They let me know my story is not simply collecting virtual dust. And by reviews I mean something a bit more than 'awesome story' or the like. Tell me what you enjoyed, and even what you did not (though please refrain from going on a tangent).
/\/\/\
Sneak Peak:
"We have to get out of here!" An unfamiliar voice.
Vision clearing, slowly, Vestello sat up.
"Wh-what's wrong?" Todd looked about ready to bolt himself.
"B-b-back there! In the b-b-back! It's a horrible monster!" A second man, even more panicked than the first-if that was possible-sputtered out.
"It was chasing us like it was gonna eat us whole!"