Ch.11-Strange actions and stalking
Ohh, who's stalking who and who's acting strange? I sound like Nick.
As Toshi neared the park dock later that day-well, it was actually night; around eight-he noticed Rosie leaning against the fence and staring out toward sea.
Toshi cleared his throat to make his presence known.
Rosie turned to face him. "Thanks for coming, Toshi." She rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Um, well…the reason I asked you to meet me here, Toshi, is because I wanted to properly thank you. Um…." Rosie coughed and paced for a few seconds before she faced Toshi again.
"Thank you for coming to save me from the BB Bandits today. I was trying to sound tough, like I wasn't scared…" Rosie glanced away.
"But I was. I was more scared than I've ever been. When you showed up, I was so relieved to see you, Toshi." Rosie looked at Toshi and smiled. "I just can't even say…but really, thank you. Thank you so much. It's funny when I think about it, Toshi…" Rosie turned to face the fence and leaned against it.
"You've helped me so many times now…you helped me get my Dino Medals back when they were taken. You worked hard to help me when I had that annoying spell cast on me."
She's going into a full-blown reminisce speech….Toshi thought as he stepped up beside Rosie and leaned on the fence.
"And just when I thought I was going to get eaten by those Denture Sharks…you saved me, Toshi. With all the trouble I've caused you….you must really hate me by now, huh?"
"Hate you?" Toshi glanced at Rosie. "No. You've helped me…in ways…"
"Really?" Rosie looked at Toshi hopefully. "Honestly, you don't hate me? I'm so relieved!" Rosie looked away. "I was sure that you hated my guts. I don't know what I would've done if you hated me, Toshi. But wait….if you don't hate me…" Rosie took a step toward Toshi, who took a step back in response. She giggled. "Toshi, you like me a little bit, don't you?"
"Whoa, whoa." Toshi stepped back even more. "Just because I don't hate you, doesn't mean I-"
"But that's so great!" Rosie turned her back to Toshi. "I…I like you, too!"
"Hey, now-"
"I'm just joking!" Rosie faced Toshi with a grin. "C'mon, have a sense of humor! One thing's for sure, Toshi, like if never dull with you!"
Toshi blinked blankly, unsure of how to react.
"Well, I'd better be going now. Grandpa will yell at me if I'm out too late. See you tomorrow. Bye-bye!" Rosie waved, then walked away.
Toshi scratched the back of his head. "That girl is so-"
"Oh, one more thing…" Rosie trotted back to Toshi. "This is thanks for today."
Swiftly, and before Toshi could react, Rosie pecked the boy on the cheek.
"Good night, Toshi."
Toshi watched as Rosie left, shocked, then pointed after her before staring at the sky in confusion. Then, he rapidly wiped his arm across his cheek.
"What is wrong with her?" He questioned, gazing at the night sky in puzzlement.
As Toshi got dressed the next day, he halted in the middle of pulling his shirt over his head as he stared at the calendar thumb tacked to the wall above his desk; the date was circled in red.
"It's time again…" Toshi muttered, gazing at the floor near his bed.
Rosie was heading toward the hotel to get Toshi-she wanted eat breakfast with him-when she noticed Toshi exiting the hotel. She was about to call out to him when she noticed something; Toshi glanced around fervently as if searching for something, then headed toward Travers' boat that waited at the dock.
Hey, he didn't talk to Beth. Rosie thought. Where's he going if not to a dig site?
Rosie noticed that Toshi had something strapped to his back in a large black case.
Is that a guitar…? I wonder where he's going.
Rosie crept closer to Toshi, who seemed to be talking to Travers, trying not to make her presence known.
Curiously, as she still wondered where Toshi was headed, Rosie decide that she would follow after the boy.
Toshi watched Pteran Island come closer to him.
"What do you want me to do?" Travers asked, as he pulled his boat up to the dock.
"Do what you want." Toshi replied as he stepped onto the dock and began to walk away. "Come back within an hour or so."
"Aye, aye."
Toshi headed toward the forest of Pteran Island, far away form the cities. After a few minutes of walking, he came into a clearing that stretched up to a small hill where a single slab of rock sat. He trekked up the slope and sat down in front of the tombstone that had letters too faded to read etched into the granite and placed his guitar case beside him.
Rosie peered around the bark of a tree, staring at Toshi who sat in front of the rock at the top of the hill. "What is he doing up there…?"
Toshi gazed at the tombstone for a few seconds before he sighed. "Hey, mom. I almost forgot about today until I looked at the calendar; I've been so busy lately, that I didn't remember the anniversary."
Toshi looked at the ground.
"I guess you've been watching everything, so I won't have to explain what's happening…I want to ask something…"
He looked up at the gravestone.
"Why does she follow me around like a lost puppy? I want to be alone, but she doesn't even seem to get that hint. She gets in so much trouble and I'm always the one who has to pick up after her. She's so selfish and self-centered; I just can't stand her. I'm the opposite of her; I'm independent, cold, and enjoy doing things alone. We're opposites, so why does she continue to pester me?"
Toshi gazed at the stone as if waiting for an answer, before he sighed and leaned back slightly.
"I know. Opposites attract, right? I understand."
Toshi realized what he said and immediately leaned forward.
"No! That's not what I mean! I don't like her! Sh-she's just an acquaintance!"
Toshi slowly settled down and placed his arms on his legs as he leaned even closer to the tombstone.
"…She is, right?"
Rosie watched Toshi seemingly talk to the tombstone and how he freaked out for a few seconds before he clamed down.
What is he talking about…? She wondered as she jumped to a tree that was closer to Toshi so she could hear what he was saying.
"…I'm sorry for not being here when I was younger; I was in the hospital and they wouldn't allow me to come visit you no matter how much I pleaded. But I had time to practice the guitar while was there, though." Toshi touched the case beside him. "I forgot I brought it to Vivosaur until today. I don't know how good I am, but I'd like to play something for you if you're willing to listen." Toshi opened the case and pulled out a polished, acoustic guitar. He placed the strap over his shoulder and began to tune the guitar, occasionally playing a chord to test it, all the while continuing to talk, "It's your favorite song. The one you always sang to me when I was young." Toshi gazed at the tombstone with a deep love in his eyes as he began to play a gentle melody. "I hope you'll like it."
Toshi closed his eyes and quietly, beautifully, began to sing.
"You would not believe your eyes if ten million fireflies lit up the world as I fell asleep."
Toshi smiled as he opened his eyes.
"'Cause they'd fill the open air and leave teardrops everywhere. You'd think me rude, but I would just stand and stare."
I knew he could sing… Rosie thought as she watched Toshi.
"I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly…"
…But I never knew he could play the guitar!
"It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep."
And so well, too!
"'Cause everything is never as it seems. 'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs as they tried to teach me how to dance."
Toshi once again closed his eyes as he continued to play the soft melody.
"A foxtrot above my head, a sock hop beneath my bed, a disco ball is just hanging by a thread. I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly. It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep. 'Cause everything is never as it seems when I fall asleep."
Toshi opened his eyes slightly, gazing at the tombstone with what looked like remorse.
"Leave my door open just a crack. Please take me away from here. 'Cause I feel like such an insomniac. Please take me away from here. Why do I tire of counting sheep? Please take me away from here. When I'm far too tired to fall asleep."
He smiled faintly.
"To ten million fireflies. I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes. I got misty eyes as they said farewell. But I'll know where several are if my dreams get real bizarre. 'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar."
Toshi sighed, closing his eyes.
"I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly. It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep. 'Cause everything is never as it seems. I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly. It's hard to say that I'd rather be awake when I'm asleep. 'Cause everything is never as it seems when I fall asleep."
Toshi raised his head to the sky, his eyes still shut.
"I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly. It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep. Because my dreams are bursting at the seams."
Toshi slowly halted his playing as the song ended. He rapidly glanced behind him when he heard a twig snap, but saw no movement in the forest behind him.
Rosie kept her back against the tree as she tried to keep herself hidden after accidentally stepping on a twig. After a few seconds, she peered around the tree, but didn't spot Toshi. She glanced around as she stepped out from the woods. Toshi had just abruptly vanished, but Rosie was sure he would have made some kind of sound if he had left. Rosie stared at the sky.
"How does he do that?"
Toshi gazed at the black, star-filled sky later that night once he had returned to the hotel. He glanced down when he felt something and noticed a firefly crawling around on the back of his hand. Toshi lifted his hand to his face as the firefly continued to inspect his hand.
"What are you doing, little guy?"
The firefly only blinked its light in response before flying toward Toshi's cheek, lightly brushing against him, and then flying away.
Toshi smiled slightly with a short chuckle. "You're welcome."
The next day after Toshi had breakfast, he walked out of the hotel, ready to head to Mt. Lavaflow, but two people stopped him; a man and a boy.
"Hey, I heard you made level-six." The man said. "Congrats, I guess. Sorry if I don't seem too happy. It's just you'll never make Master Fighter, is all."
"Yeah." The boy agreed before Toshi could ask the man what he meant. "Your career is about to run into a brick wall. A brick wall called…Saurhead."
"Saurhead's the last Level Master, a mysterious masked Fighter who never ever loses. Ever."
"Wha-" Toshi started.
"Ever." The man finished.
Someone roared.
"Th-that voice…!" The boy gasped as a male in his early twenties walked up.
The male was near six foot, wore a yellow T-shirt over his heavily muscled arms, black jeans with flames at the ends, and a T-rex mask covering his face.
"It is myself, Saurhead!" The man growled. "You made it past the chumps, punk, but you're in the big leagues now…and your mama ain't here!"
Toshi snarled, taking a step toward Saurhead.
"When I get you in Fossil Stadium, my Vivosaurs'll teach you new ways and places to feel pain!" Saurhead strode away, heading toward the Park Area. "I'll steamroll you like a bulldozer!" Saurhead roared.
"Wow!" The boy screeched. "He's totally gonna steam dozer you! Saurhead is so awesome!" He trotted after Saurhead.
Toshi glared after Saurhead, angered that he would dare talk about his mother like that.
"You should just retire now." The man sighed and Toshi looked at him. "We wouldn't think any less of you, and you'd get to keep all your bones."
Toshi watched the man leave before he muttered to himself, "No…it's personal now."
Toshi then headed toward Beth to arrange transportation to Mt. Lavaflow, but halted when he heard someone call, "Toshi!"
He glanced behind him to see Dr. Diggins walking toward him.
"Hey, Dr. Diggins."
"There's a favor I'd like to ask of you. I've been examining the markings on those three idols and it looks like there should be one more. So, while you're out looking for fossils, would you also keep an eye out for one more idol? Since you've found three of them already, I figure if there's anyone I can count on, it's you!"
Toshi nodded. "Sure."
"Thank you! Ok, let me see your sonar system. I'm going to install a chip that will make it detect idols."
"Uh…sure." Toshi handed his sonar to Dr. Diggins who began to tinker with it. After a few minutes, he handed it back.
"There you go. It'll still detect fossils as well as idols. You can make Master Fighter! ...And you can also find the remaining idol!" Diggins waved as he walked away.
Toshi gave a wave back before he headed toward Beth.
"Toshi, I have something important to tell you." Bet said before Toshi could tell her where he wanted to go. "I just received word that the BB Bandits escaped from jail, so please be careful out there."
"I'll keep watch out for them. Meanwhile, I'd like to go to Mt. Lavaflow."
"Mt. Lavaflow, huh? There are a lot of earthquakes there, so be cautious."
Toshi stared at the gigantic boulder blocking his path; he had only just entered Mt. Lavaflow when he came across the rock. There was no way around it unless he wanted to get burned by the lava that seemed to snake around the entire area.
"Is there something wrong?"
Toshi glanced behind him to see Duna walking toward him.
"Oh, well…" Toshi looked back at the boulder.
"Goodness. That's a very large boulder." Duna noted. "And it's blocking your way I see. I can help you with that. Stand back."
Toshi did as he was told as Duna pulled out a very high-tech gun and fired a yellow ray at the rock, destroying the boulder.
"…Whoa."
"Ok. You may now proceed." Duna glanced at Toshi briefly before walking into Mt. Lavaflow. "Good-bye."
Toshi watched as Duna disappeared before he continued. He soon walking into a cave in the northeast sector of Mt. Lavaflow and came across another large boulder. Toshi sighed.
"Is there a problem?"
Toshi looked behind him again and noticed Duna.
"You are troubled by a large rock again? Perhaps in the future you will not travel in places with so many giant rocks." Duna sighed. "But I will destroy it for you nevertheless." Duna pulled out her strange gun and once again decimated the boulder. She replaced her gun as she said, "Now you may pass."
Toshi walked past Duna and began to search for the fossils, but instead, he found the last idol.
This idol was smaller than the other three with several spikes atop its head, dark yellow markings along the body, and had a shocked face.
"Excellent. Well done."
Toshi looked at Duna.
"I will take the idol now, thank you." Duna held out her hand. "Please hand it over."
For some reason, Toshi didn't want to give the idol to Duna. Instead, he placed it in his backpack and took a step back.
"Hand it over." Duna growled, taking a step toward Toshi. "Now!"
A bright light suddenly circled around Duna and she took a step back in surprise. The light flashed brightly before fading away and revealing Duna, who had completely changed form. Now she had pink hair, a dark blue body with pink markings, clawed, dinosaur-like feet, and a dinosaur-like tail.
Duna looked at herself. "This is not good. The heat from the lava has disrupted my holographic transformation technology."
Duna tapped the necklace around her neck that Toshi had failed to notice before.
"Regrettably, I cannot allow humans that have seen my true form escape…" Duna roared as she glowed a brilliant white and began to change shape. When the light vanished, Duna was now in the form of a dinosaur. She was small with pink spikes down the back of her head and in the middle of her back. She had a pale blue front half, dark blue legs, and a medium color blue tail; she stood on two feet.
Two dinosaurs that looked like Zino flanked her. The two Dinomatons were pure metal with sharp, golden claws.
Toshi immediately called out Goyle, Spinax, and Coatlus.
"Steel Slash on Spinax!" Duna ordered.
One of the Dinomatons' claws glowed a bright white and he struck Spinax with them.
"Cyclonic Breath!"
Spinax, aided by Coatlus and Goyle, unleashed a burst of green breath, striking Duna and the two Dinomatons.
"Death Ray!"
The second Dinomaton raised his claws toward Spinax, Goyle, and Coatlus and unleashed a powerful blast of red light at the three Vivosaurs.
"Cyclone Wing! Spinax Combo on Dinomaton!"
Coatlus twirled in a circle, wind curving around it in a razor-sharp edge and slashed Duna and the two Dinomatons.
Duna snarled and charged at Spinax, clawing the Vivosaur before spinning around and whacking him with her tail and then giving a sharp back kick for the finale in Lethal Waltz.
"Wing Cutter on Duna!"
Duna repeated Lethal Waltz on Spinax.
"Wind Cannon! Wing Cutter on Dinomaton!"
Goyle shot harsh wind at the two Dinomatons while Coatlus attacked, actually managing to defeat one of the Dinomaton.
"Steel Slash on Goyle!"
"Spinax Combo on Dinomaton!" Toshi growled as Goyle vanished. "Wing Cutter on Duna!"
Duna rushed at Coatlus and sank her teeth into the Vivosaur's chest in the Elegant Bite move.
"Spinax Combo to finish!"
Duna changed back to her strange form with a growl.
"This….this is unacceptable!" She snapped.
The ground abruptly began to vibrate before rumbling violently.
"Wha-! An earthquake!"
The rumbling continued, both Duna and Toshi becoming unbalanced, and a large boulder fell from above, landing directly on Duna as the trembling stopped.
Toshi hesitated, then called out Spinax.
"Use your tail to lift up that boulder."
Spinax gave a confused, vocalized growl.
"Just do it."
Spinax groaned, but used his tail as a lever to raise the boulder anyway and Toshi crawled underneath it so he could pull Duna out.
"Wh-why…why would you….?" Duna questioned as Spinax dropped the rock and returned to his Dino Medal. "After I tried to take the idol from you by force…?"
"…I can't let someone I know die." Toshi muttered, glancing away.
"You are so confusing…." Duna shook her head. "I do not understand mammals at all…"
The ground trembled again with another earthquake. After a few seconds, the ground settled.
"Hey, are you…" Toshi looked beside him only to see that Duna was gone. He stood up from his crouch and glanced around; Duna must have left in the midst of the earthquake.
"Toshi!" Rosie trotted into the cave. "I'm so glad you're safe. That was quite the earthquake!"
"Yeah…" Toshi muttered distractedly; he was still worried for Duna.
"Hey, that's a tacky idol! You found it! We should get that idol back to grandpa as soon as possible."
Toshi shook his head as he decided to forget about Duna and glanced at Rosie fully. "All right."
Toshi saved Duna! ^^ No, there is no DunaXToshi. There is another, obvious pairing, though.