Chapter 16 – The Original Hero

POV: Hunter

Time: 13:30

Location: Fossil Center (Cranial Isle)

Hm… well haven't seen this in a while. So many things have happened. It's been how long? Seven, six years? I mean last time this happened I was same age as Rex and Sarah.

I heard they've been doing really well in this competition. Sadly, I was unable join in on the fray of the competition. I mean going between studying fossils and other prehistoric discoveries with Dr. Diggins, being a Champion Fossil Fighter, and not to mention trying to ease the introduction of Dinaurians to Human society has kept me plenty busy.

Really, I was trying to visit Rex and Sarah before they came to Caliosteo to check on them… but that obviously didn't happen. So, how did I get to Caliosteo? Oh, like I wouldn't know Joe. He's a friend I made about five years ago. Definitely one of the strongest fighters I've faced. He said he had no problem of me just visiting the island, and if I really wanted to, join the competition… that was an interesting offer, but I'm still very busy. I'm like only here for like four, five possible days, before I have to leave. Rather just spend that time with my cousins.

"look!" Oh, other people have spotted me. well… I am famous… guess that's to be expected. Maybe I should have asked either Duna or Raptin if I could have borrowed on of their disguisers… maybe not, if I did that, I think I'd have a harder time getting to Rex and Sarah… Speak of them, where are they?

Ding!

Oh, the elevator sounded. Two figures rush out… sadly it wasn't Rex or Sarah. Just two other kids. One had light brown hair, green clothes… I think Rex and Sarah mentioned a friend like that to me in the past… Todd? Was it? Anyway, he seems to be upset judging how he just shot passed me. The other a girl, oh pink hair? Just like Rosie, funny, wonder if she likes using fire elemental Vivosaurs… but haven't I seen that mask somewhere before?

"…" She noticed my staring, then just took off… hmm? Is she shy?

"Ugh… where the hell are those two idiots." I find myself groaning as I wait for them. It's strange, Rex never likes being late, while Sarah is just too impatient. What the heck is taking them so long…

Ding!

"Hunter!" The elevator sounds again, but this time the two twins that I've been waiting for jump out from it. In her usual blonde hair ponytail style, we have Sarah. Next to her, the twin who admires me and has copied my hair color, Rex.

"Hey, guys! Been a while." I give them both a hug.

"Been a while! It's been three years!" Sarah shouts… I guess that is about correct, it has been quite some time.

"yeah… You guys definitely seem taller." I place my hands on both their heads. trying to get an estimate of how much they've grown. "Rex? When are you going to grow taller than Sarah?"

"Heck if I know… It surprises me that she's taller than me, she rarely easts her vegetables." Rex sighs, as he complains about his height.

"Hey! People don't need to know that information!" Sarah shouts as she first noticed the crowd that's gathering.

"…" And… the color drains from Rex.

"Come on smile. This will be one of your few chances of fame before one of you win the competition." I smile, actually waving my hand towards a few of the people… oh, they've taken out cameras as well.

"Yeah, Rex. I mean no one knows that we're related to the genius Fossil Champion, Hunter." Sarah practically yells this to the crowd… drawing attention as usual.

And as she says that, whispering starts among the crowds. "You hear that? She's claiming to be related to THE Hunter!" "She has to be lying, right?" "Oh, that explains why they're so good." "Wonder if we can get an autograph from them."

"You do know I kept that a secret from most people for a reason." After what… Well with how Rex is, this attention would be hell for him… Besides, I like knowing my little cousins are safe. The crowd is still here and growing… Man I really wish I asked for a holographic device from Duna or Raptin before I left… maybe all of this trouble could have been avoided. Only one thing that I can do right now. "Ahem, Attention! I am staying for the next four days, so I will gladly answer any questions from everyone at a later time. Right now, I just want relax and hang with my two cousins for the time being."

"Oh… they're cousins." Some people murmur. While others actually start to disperse.

After everyone disperses… hopefully information will travel fast… and not cause trouble for these two… either way, I turn to Rex and Sarah who both have stoked looks on their faces. "So, what do you guys want to do?"
"Let's fight!" how could I tell Sarah was going to ask that.

"You really think you'll stand a chance?" Rex gives her a curious look. As understanding of the gap of our experiences…

"I know I can!" That's some confidence she has.

"You do know two of my Vivosaurs have Miraculous fossils integrated to them. And everyone else has a wonderous, right?" I ask her, and Sarah's eyes go wide.

"Two?!" She shouts, "I only just got one!"

"huh?" Rex was also surprised… but for another reason. "I would have thought you'd have like five."

"You'd be wrong. I'm sure both of you know how rare they are. In my life I've only encountered three miraculous fossil rocks." I explain to them.

"Wait three? But you only use two?" Rex the curious one continues to question me.
"That… I wanted to see what it'd do to a T-Rex, and my T-Rex evolved into a T-Rex Lord." I explained what I did with it.

"Woah that sounds cool!" Sarah says impressed.

"It does, but they're very particular about they're masters…" I took a really great care for that… I even made sure to find and integrate rare bones for it… I put in a lot trouble for it. "I couldn't even get it to listen to me… so I have to keep it on reserve… Hopefully it will listen to me eventually. Also don't get me started about their AZ effects and FP cost… but those are pretty worth it for the power."
"How powerful are they?" That sparkle, I think Sarah is determined to find a T-Rex now.

"heh, Powerful enough to fight on equal terms with a Mapo King."

"A Mapo King?" Rex and Sarah both ask… right they probably never encountered one.

"Mapo King is the evolved form of Mapo. Which are one of the strongest Water Type Vivosaurs. They are a great counter to T-Rex's if used correctly." I continue on that. "But enough about that. Sarah, already said… but Rex, you find any Miraculous Fossils?"

"Yeah. I got one just yesterday, it was prize for a sub competition of cleaning fossils in a certain time limit." Rex quickly explains to me where he got his fossil. "I was wondering what I should integrate it to… or at least which Vivosaurs would evolve if I did so."

"That is a problem… Hey mind if I see your teams?" I ask them, though Sarah definitely won't use her fossil now… Rex just might.

"uh, Sure." Rex says quickly taking out his five Dino Medals. A Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, Mamenchisaurus, Camarasaurus, and a Daspletosaurus. A wonderous fossil is already integrated to most of them nice. But… only two of them can Evolve… he doesn't have much in choices.

"Oh, Hunter look at mine too!" Sarah shouts pulling out her team. She has an Aerosteon, Allosaurus, Machairodus, Rajasaurus, and a Spinosaurus… She's just been brute forcing her way… hasn't she? Though she definitely has more of a pick to evolve than Rex.

"Well, seeing how you guys have you teams. I see which ones can evolve. Rex, the only ones you can evolve is Brachio and Tricera." I explain, which he gets a small dejected look.

"*Sigh*… Well we'll make do. I learned about Tricera's Evolution to a Heracles earlier… Maybe I'll try that." Rex nodded along picking himself up.

"Well, since you know about Heracles that makes this easier to explain. So, Brachio can actually evolve into Ryden. Ryden, is a Vivosaur that can take a lot of hits, and can cause a lot of confusion for your opponents. If you feel like your opponent has a real good formation, one hit from a Rhyden's Rage, will mess up their strategy." I give him a quick rundown.

"Hmm… That might be good…" Rex says to himself scratching his chin.

"Now Sarah, better or worse." Probably for the worse. "You actually have four members you can evolve. Only one that can't evolve is Machai."

"What?!" Sarah said in surprise… "I-I did better in Rex for my team?!"

Ignoring her surprise. Cause really… there should be a limit to how careless she is. "Just so you know the evolved forms of Raja and Allo are similar. They are actually two of three Vivosaurs that evolve into Giga Vivosaurs. My Spinax is actually third type. All three types have very destructive capabilities, and very strong. Then going with the other two, Spino and Aeros. Aeros evolves into a Vivosaur called Teffla, which from what I've seen are very powerful and very beautiful. Then there is Spino's Evolution of Despino. Despinos are fast and also powerful… though not really much to take a hit… you know, why am I explaining this to you? I can already tell your dead set on getting a T-Rex Lord."

"What?! How'd you tell!" Sarah exclaimed, she had it written all over her face.

"You had it written on your face." Rex even noticed that. But it quickly turned into a sneaky smirk. "Though I think I know a real reason…"

"…" Sarah then looked at Rex warily, before finally asking. Possibly feigning ignorance. "What reason would that be?"

Rex then went into a full-blown smile. "Oh, I don't know… maybe that one person who uses a Mapo, and will probably have a Mapo King by the end of the competition. Maybe you'd just like to have a matching set with him."

Sarah then starts to blush, and loses some ability work with words. "Ah… a… That's not true! I'd never make my team to compliment Rupert's!"

"…" Rex keeps a smile on his face. "But I never mentioned that it was Rupert. I know I've seen other fighters with Mapo's of their own, and that you've seen them as well.

"ah…" Sarah goes bright red and looks down in defeat.

"Okay enough teasing…" I smile and stop this before people start to hear things and make rumors. "Come on, let's get some digging and some cleaning in."

"Wait before that!" Sarah shouted, she glanced to Rex first than back to me. "So, when are we gonna meet your 'fiancé', again?"

"…" Those damn air quotes… She's never going to let Rosie live that down. And before anyone asks, no we are not engaged. This was caused by Rosie in the past… yes, we may be dating… but that is not official to the public. I grab Sarah by the head, and nugie her head, then whispering to her. "quiet say, on the dating say."

"Oops…hehe, I forgot." She laughs. I dig my fist deeper into her skull. "Ow, owie, I'm sorry!"

So why are me and Rosie keeping it secret? We're both Celebrities, and we don't want any pressure from the public. As I'm known as a hero… and a few other things, that I've said before. While Rosie, a top-class Fossil Fighter, and the one to inherit the Richmond Foundation. If it's known we're together… I'm sure a lot of chaos will ensue.

"Anyway… on the topic of love?" I smirk as I pull this to my advantage. "do you guys have anyone in mind?"

"…" Both look away, they definitely do, but neither wants to admit it, it seems. "So, about cleaning fossils."

"Don't think you'll get off that easy." I laugh, as they try to change subjects. "Though, since Rex hinted you like someone… I'll keep their name omitted. Rex, do you have any interests?"

"The heck did this come bite me…" Rex grumbled as Sarah childishly stuck her tongue out at him. Oh, he definitely likes someone. As I glance at Sarah.

"*Sigh*… Sorry Hunter… I think I have an idea of who he likes… but I'd rather have my brother talk to me for the rest of the competition." Sarah refused to surrender the information as well. fufu… Geez these two, trying to make me talk about my love life while they refuse to answer.

"Gah… fine." I say to them, "Back to the topic of cleaning. Let's go!"