Journey of the soul chapter 73

HUNTER! You're next!

Hunter: You bastard….CROSS!

Ho? You're approaching me? Instead of being a part of the story, you're choosing to approach me? The author?

Hunter: thing is, I can't influence how you write the story without getting closer

Ho! Ho! Then come as close as you like.

Hunter:….

….

Hunter: what are we doing with our lives

Making obscure references and writing a terrible story, that's what. Now onto the chapter!

The dinaurian ship was quiet as usual. Most dinaurians had already fully settled into life on earth, so only those who couldn't find housing or visitors populated the halls. Of course, this excluded Dynal, who promised to remain on the ship until each and every one of his subjects had found a place to call home on earth. Right now, although he hated to admit it, the king of the dinaurians was more concerned with one individual in particular than any other subjects.

Duna had stayed on the dinaurian ship rather than the hotel ever since she recovered from the hospital. Although, he doubted that the location change had anything to do with her actual injuries. Now, Duna had not only not been on the ship all of yesterday, but also did not report that she wouldn't be there as she usually does. It was especially problematic considering her….emotional state.

However, his worries were instantly ceased when he saw that someone had just arrived through the large teleporter. Duna stepped out and began quickly walking away.

"May I ask where you have been?"

"Somewhere important." Duna kept walking, "apologies for being blunt, but there's something I must check."

"I see you have started to accustom yourself to human language again." Duna would mostly speak dinaurian these days considering she stayed on the ship and barely had contact with the human visitors. It was depressing in a way, watching her work endlessly on different devices with no rest.

"Is there anything I may do to help?"

"Yes, I need the data files for spec-…For Hunter."

"….this is certainly a surprise. Here." When they reached the archive room, which holds all important documents. Dynal guided Duna to the very back and placed a hand on a specific part of the wall. Two parts of the wall moved away the show a small room where two tablets resided.

"It's an odd feeling, I have not been in this place for quite some time." Duna picked up the tablet labeled "Specimen X"

"Before you delve into the information, may I know why you have taken a sudden interest in…Duna, where did you get that?" He gestured to the black jacket she was wearing. She pulled the hood-less collar of the jacket closer to her neck.

"I hate him," She said, "but the reasons I hate him overlap with the reasons I lo-…" she suddenly seemed very flustered, which was unlike Duna. At any rate, Dynal smiled. Things were changing for the better. This smile quickly faded though when Duna spoke again.

"The tablet is blank." She attempted to pull information up, but nothing appeared. The tablet simply read "Specimen X" and nothing else. Ah tried to find something, anything about the subconscious voice Hunter talked about

"What the hell's wrong with this thing?" Duna growled in frustration, then took a moment to register what she just said and who she just sounded like.

"That is impossible." Dynal mused, "the only person with access to this room is me and I have not been in here since before Hunter escaped the first time," Dynal's face contorted with shock. He quickly examined the other

"Hold…where is the data for Specimen K?" Duna paused at that.

"Blast it all," Dynal continued, "someone has been in here. They have wiped the information for Hunter while stealing Alvis'"

"…what does Alvis have to do with this?" Duna didn't know why, but she felt as if something very wrong is happening.

"This is hardly the time for jokes Duna. You know as well as I do that Alvis is specimen K"

"That's….not right." Duna didn't know why, but she knew that she was telling the truth. She looked at Dynal's eyes. They seem partially glazed over when he said that. Wait….what was Alvis' ability again?"

….

The boat shot across the water. It was early morning and most boats and helicopters were being used to bring back the people for the cup. It was a little stupid of Joe to be worrying about the cup at a time like this, but then again, taking down the brigade also concerned the cup so maybe he's just covering all the bases. At any rate, each member of the patrol team sat in silence. They were about to be going up against the man who convinced a group of people that killing people for his goals was a good idea. Hunter gritted his teeth, trying to contact Spinax even if he knew it wasn't a good idea. He nearly killed himself last time and even then he could barely keep them connected for 3 or so seconds. Why try now when you'll need your strength?

"Who knows? Maybe you get lucky and fall off the boat in pain and drown."

"Yep, that's definently lucky. Definently."

"See? We finally agree on something."

"I was being sarcastic."

"So was I." Hunter didn't continue the conversation after that, he looked at Todd, who was shifting nervously.

"Hey, you alright?"

"H-huh? Oh, uh, yeah. I'm fine."

"You will have to be in top condition Todd." Rupert started towards the distant speck of an island that came into view, their destination, "there's no telling how many grunts we'll have to fight before we make it to done boneyard."

"R-right."

"What's up with that guy anyway-digadig?" Pauleen rested a hand on her chin, "why go through all that special effect trouble just to look like a talking skull?"

"I don't think it's an effect" Hunter said aloud, "it it was, his lower jaw shouldn't be able to move the way it does."

"So you noticed it as well." Rupert stated, "it is possible that don boneyard is a talking skull."

"But that's crazy digadig!"

"Crazier than reviving dinosaurs with elemental powers, or aliens living with humans, or a mask that can possess people?"

"…oh my godiga, he's a talking skull." Todd shifted in his seat again and Hunter hated it. Todd was only thirteen, he was still just a kid. Then again, Hunter's not that old himself so maybe he shouldn't talk like a dad.

"Everyone, get ready." Rupert placed a hand over his holder.

"We're here."

The BB brigade base was, at the very least, less suspicious than the BB bandits base. Instead of a massive logo, it was only a huge logo of a skull. Granted, it was still the only building on the island that they came to by boat, so the resemblance was there. Hunter jumped off the boat with the rest of the patrol team.

"We got here before the commanders" Rupert took note of their boat being the only one in sight, "let's move with haste." They all started moving, but were interrupted by a low rumble. The rumble kept getting louder and louder until they were able to tell that it was coming from the base.

"I think they may have figured out that we were coming."

"Hey guys, exactly how many grunts are here?" The answer to that question was about 200. They came spilling out of the base by the dozens, each shouting a different war cry and letting loose a swarm of B-lambeo. As they neared the boat, Hunter realized he was running too.

"Hunter! Where are you going?!" Todd was right behind him, though he kept looking back.

"I'm going straight for Boneyard!" He shouted to everyone, "Rupert! Pauleen! Cover us!...wow, I did not expect to shout something like that ever in my life." Hunter and Todd ran off to the side while Rupert and Pauleen let out Omias and Mapo king. The larger vivosaurs were swarmed, but could also easily dispatch One or two lambeo with a single attack. Hunter let out S-raptor to breathe fire at any lambeo that got too close. Eventually, they were able to reach the entrance to the base. Todd's Barbaros joined S-raptor in the effort to fend off Grunts from behind while Rupert and Pauleen handled the main group.

"S-raptor! Don't stop fighting once I'm gone!" Hunter called, "C'mon Todd, let's move."

"What?! Move where?!"

"I'm gonna need your help to fight boneyard."

"What could I possible help with? We both know y-you're stronger."

"Moral support."

"I-I….OOOOH! My stomach!" Todd doubled over, "ugh, I knew I shouldn't have eaten that bad banana for breakfast! Sorry Hunter, I-"

"I was with you all morning. We skipped breakfast to be here as quick as possible, remember?"

"Ugh….uh?"

"It's okay to be afraid, just say so."

"But I-"

"I hate lying Todd. I hate having to lie, and I hate being lied to. Please don't lie to me."

"….I'm scared Hunter. I'm scared of Boneysaurs, the brigade, don boneyard, and what would happen if I told you I was afraid."

"That's fine. Honestly I'm afraid too." Todd scoffed.

"Yeah right, there's no-"

"I'm afraid of what happens if I lose to don" he started, "I'm afraid of The girl I love hating me forever even if we just made up. I'm afraid of not being able to talk to one of my best friends ever again even after all we've been through together. I'm afraid of losing people I care about because I wasn't strong enough. Above all that, I'm afraid of losing myself again, because if I do, I'll never get the chance to fix any of my other problems."

"…."

"I'll be back Todd, take care until then." Hunter left without another word. Todd looked down steadily. Hunter? Afraid? Hunter had always been this untouchable figure for Todd. No matter what happened, Hunter would be fine, right? But now, especially after witnessing his breakdown a while back, Hunter was just a boy like him. Even then, he was afraid and was still walking right towards what he was afraid of.

"Man," Todd laughed, his eyes watery.

"I really am pathetic."

Hunter ran through the vacant base, ignoring the fighting outside. He tried to focus on the fight ahead, but all he could think about was how much he just told to Todd. Was that really the best decision?

"Whatever." He said to himself as he charged up the stairs two at a time.

"Pretty dismissive of him, aren't you?"

"No, I trust Todd. If he finds out about me, I'll deal with it."

"Damn, that's not what you would say a few weeks back."

"I know, believe me, I know." Hunter once again found his attention diverted as he walked down a long dim hallway. His shoes echoed across the metal floor. There was one thing he could do, right now, and it wasn't stopping don. At the very least, he made up with Duna. That leaves one other person…

"So he's sent children now, has he?" The voice interrupted Hunter as he walked into a bright warehouse looking room. Don boneyard, in all his non-existent glory, stood at the top of a stage far above ground level, "I suppose I have time to dispatch you before the rest of your force arrives. Prepare yourself foolish child, for-"

"what's wrong with you?"

"…excuse me?"

"You heard me, you almost killed thousands of people yesterday. For what? Stopping a tournament?"

"Don't pretend to know what's going on."

"I don't care what YOU think is going on, but I know for a fact that someone who plays around with lives needs to be taken care of." Hunter subdued himself slightly once he started to feel a familiar sensation around his eye.

"Trust me kid, you don't know the half of what's happening."

"Alright then, enlighten me. What's so bad about this tournament anyway?"

"I have no reason to tell you why, you wouldn't believe me anyway."

"True enough." Hunter's hand moved to his holder, "…this is the part where I kick your tail and end this whole brigade thing by the way."

"….have we met before kid? You remind me of someone."

"Not likely. Also, are you an actual skull or just some kind of animatronic?"

"That is also something you would not believe" Hunter sighed.

"I don't get you. You play up this big bad persona. Then when I meet you, you have a completely different personality and sound like you're holding in a southern accent."

"You speak like you have wisdom beyond your years."

"Nope, I've just seen some shit. Now let's-"

"B-Ptera!" Before Hunter could even throw a Dino medal, Don had called out his own boneysaur that swooped at him. Hunter jumped to the side to avoid being skewered. Before he could even move his hand back to his holder, Ptera had swooped back down at him and he was forced to move again. It was a deadly dance as Hunter skidded across the floor, avoiding ptera while having no time to recover. He could tell none of the blows would be fatal, but he would be incapacitated nonetheless.

"Bone Cutter!" Ptera circled overhead at blinding speeds, creating a condensed wind tunnel that sped towards Hunter. He dived under it just in time and grit his teeth as he slammed against the floor. Hunter finally had the opportunity to grab his holder.

"Bone Skewer." There was a rush of wind and Hunter felt his side burn. Everything moved in slow motion as he watched the medals in his holder fly backwards.

"What's with this guy? He fights like a master fighter, but doesn't want to kill me?" Hunter sweeper his hand out, but was only able to grab one medal.

"Fool! You could never match my power! Bone Cutter!" Once again, a spinning vortex was sent towards Hunter. He looked at the medal in his hand…..

It was Spinax.

"It certainly has been a while, hasn't it?" Hunter smiled sadly. He knew Spinax was there somewhere, but they still didn't have their mind link back. Would he even appear if he threw the medal?

"You're being pretty doubtful for someone who talked such a big game earlier." Murder voice scoffed, "wasn't it 'I'll get you back no matter what' or something like that?" Hunter just barely veered out of Ptera's way in time.

"I know, but if Spinax is still mad at me…."

"If you're scared, there's a cowering spot for you right next to Todd."

"Oh shut up." Hunter gripped his hands tightly around the medal.

"Or you know, you could just not throw the medal, get killed here and save me the trouble."

"HHYAH!" He beamed Spinax as hard as he could directly at Ptera…It plinked uselessly off the boneysaur. Hunter launched himself away from Ptera.

"I knew it." Hunter stood there. He couldn't win. He could tell none of his other vivosaurs, if he could even get to their medals, could even touch Ptera.

"What an unsatisfying victory," Don boneyard scoffed, "if you are who I think you are, consider me disappointed."

"You and me both." Hunter muttered. Ptera swooped down yet again, cast a foreboding shadow over him. Hunter waited as the shadow got larger. All he could do now was wait and maybe help will come. He prepared to dodge at the last second as the shadow became larger and larger…and also a different, much more Giga Spinax-like shape. Hunter shouted.

"SPINAX MEGA!"

Spinax brought his fist down on Ptera, engulfing it in a tornado. There was no mind link, but that didn't matter now. Spinax was here, they could fight.

"Bone Skewer!"

"Spinax Mega once more!" Spinax met Ptera's retaliation head on, stopping it from skewering his stomach. Spinax attempted to grab the boneysaur once it was blocked, but Ptera swooped out of the way. It was still blindingly fast and was able to slash at Spinax with its crescent shaped crest before he could strike back.

"Bone Churner!" Ptera began circling Spinax, creating a similar vortex to before. However, this vortex slightly legged Spinax off his feet and sent him crashing into the side of the room. The ground shook from the collision and Hunter could faintly hear shouts from outside.

"Spinax Terra!" Spinax steadied himself, then fired a concentrated jet of air at Ptera, who swooped upward. However, even clipping Ptera on the foot caused it to rattle violently. Hunter missed this kind of power.

"Cyclonic Breath!" Spinax fired a green energy laser this time, carving through whatever it hit. This was a slower attack though, so Ptera dodged through it easily, dust began to fall from the ceiling because of the laser.

Bone Swirl!" Hunter couldn't see Ptera because of the dust, but multiple vortex cutters were speeding towards Spinax from random directions.

"Harden!" The wind around Spinax to create a shield dispersed the dust surrounding him. That was when Hunter heard a subtle noise, as if the dust particles were bouncing off something. Spinax took the full attack and shook himself to regain balance.

"Spinax Giga!" Spinax snapped his jaws in the direction the majority of the cutters came from. High pressure wind seethed out from his teeth, spreading the dust particles around even more. Hunter turned his head in the direction the sound was coming from.

"Bone skewer!" The sound became louder as Hunter saw a shadow in the direction of the sound. Ptera burst from the shadow and stabbed at Spinax's head before disappearing in the dust again. Hunter could get rid of the dust with the wind, but an idea came to him first.

"Harden!" Wind surrounded Spinax yet again, blowing dust back and once again making a strange noise.

"Bone swirl!" Spinax was forced to take the hit this time, but Ptera's own wind attack only highlighted the noise by blowing more dust around. Hunter looked above Spinax towards the source of the noise and smiled.

"Jump and attack directly above you!" Spinax launched himself into the air and swung his claw blindly in the dust. Ptera screeched as it's hiding place was taken away from it. It crashes to the ground from the attack before scrambling to return to the sky. Spinax bore down on Ptera, but couldn't reach it once it took off.

"You fight with experience kid," Don laughed maniacally, "if it were any other circumstance, this would be fun."

"Spinax Peta!" Spinax let out an earth shaking roar as multiple Tornadoes shot from his body, finally clearing away the dust and revealing Ptera.

"Bone Cyclone!" As the tornadoes converged on Ptera, it responded by creating wind cutter after wind cutter, which combined to form their own much larger tornado. The larger tornado cut through the smaller ones as it made its way towards Spinax.

"Cyclonic Breath!" Green energy seeped from his jaws as Spinax charged up. The resulting laser was enough to disintegrate the cyclone, but left the two at a stalemate. Spinax let loose another laser, but Ptera swooped out of the way again while creating multiple wind cutters. The cutters spun suspended in the air.

"Tell me boy, are you aware of Gravity?" Ptera didn't stop creating cutters even after it had dodged spinax's attack.

"Yes, I know what a basic concept of earth is. Harden!" Spinax created another wind shield as Ptera swooped down at him. It's beak skidded across his hide, kicking up sparks.

"So then tell me. What happens when a spinning blade moves in the direction of gravity?"

"It would spin…faster." Hunter stared at the wind cutters above him. Each looked as if they were tilting vertically. Then they would all be spinning in the same direction as….shit.

"Spinax Peta!" Once again, Spinax let loose multiple tornadoes. Ptera began circling the entire room at rapid speeds, creating a massive vortex by sheer wind pressure alone. All the wind cutters and tornadoes converged at the center of the room. By create a makeshift bone cyclone, Ptera halted spinax's attack. Whenever Spinax tried to attack the cutters again, Ptera would speed up and trap his attack within its cyclone. Even through the storm, Hunter could hear the sounds of battle outside.

Help wouldn't be coming.

Spinax roared with frustration. There IS a way to counter the attack. A way to set the entire massive tornado ablaze and defeat Ptera before it could drop the wind cutters. That way would also cost Hunter everything he was working for since he got to the islands.

"C'mon, Think!" Hunter could retreat either. The tornado locked him in place. Spinax rushed at one of the cutters, but only succeeded in chipping one of his crystals. Soon, al the cutters were spinning vertically as if they were buzzsaws.

"Goodbye kid, it was nice knowing ya'"

"Y'know, for someone who hates Joe, you sure do talk like him a lot." Hunter tried to way his options, but I'd didn't seem like there were any.

"I know you can't hear me, but I'm sorry this is what you had to come back to." Hunter kept himself from crying, "dammit, now I'm getting all emotional." Spinax looked over at Hunter and saw the state he was in. He couldn't say anything, the link just wasn't there. Spinax roared, but it was a meaningless sentiment. There has be something, anything they could do. Hunter tried to find his other Medals, but they were all picked up by the tornado. Spinax felt his rage burning. Hunter noticed that the crystals of spinax's back had started pulsing with energy. That was it, that's what they could do.

"Now! Hell Cyclone!" Petra dived down directly above Spinax, all the wind cutters also angled towards Spinax and started shooting downwards. Neither Hunter nor Spinax made a move. Hunter tried to convey the message, maybe even sending a bit of soulflame energy spinax's way. Spinax nodded.

"CYCLONIC RAGE!"

"RRRRRROOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRR!" The earth shook as Spinax exploded in a brilliant flash of green light. The tornado attempted to disperse the energy, but all that did was spread it to all corners of the room, giving Ptera nowhere to run. A massive green tornado engulfed the room. Hunter felt himself get carried away by the wind and landed somewhere else. The light was too bright to se exactly what was happening, but Ptera shrieking like it was on fire is definitely a good sign right? When the light faded. Spinax was gone. His medal rolled on the floor next to the rest of Hunter's displaced medals. He gathered the up and clicked them back into his holder. Don boneyard was a mess on the floor, his clothes shredded and tattered. There was no body to be seen, only the skull.

"I knew it, you're a goddamn skeleton." Hunter growled, readying another vivosaur in case He tried something.

"T-this….isn't over you sack of horse shit." Don talked much more frankly than before.

"I'm pretty sure this is over. You lost, you're done. Think about that in prison."

"I'm not…talking to you."

"Then who the hell are you talking to? A voice in your head?"

"You…you're name….is….D-D…Hunter."

"…..how do you know that." Don laughed.

"The Barebones Brigade is no more. Congratulations, you won." As he spoke, the lights cut out.

"Dammit! Get back here!"

"Don't trust Joe Wildwest Hunter. We'll meet again, ya can bet on that." The lights flickered back on, he was gone. Hunter looked at spinax's Dino medal in his hand.

"Whatever happens, we're back in this together now," He nodded.

"I'll find a way back to you, just you wait."

Done! Man this one took a while.

Hunter: you say that, but at the actual moment you finished this, it hasn't even been a week since you posted chapter 71.

True, true. I'm trying to rack up as many chapters as possible to avoid the long gaps between chapters I used to have.

Hunter: wouldn't that cause burnout?

I have no such weaknesses, now for more obscure references!

Hunter: Yare Yare

See? That's the spirit. Thanks for reading!