Disclaimer: This story is not owned, this game Fossil Fighters Champions was published by Nintendo, and developed by: Nintendo SPD, Red Entertainment, M2, and Artdink.

A/N: Other than that, sorry for not posting the previous week... for some reason I just had a lot of trouble with this chapter... I have no clue why.


Chapter 24 –

POV: Rex

Time: 10:00

Location: Fossil Apartments

So… Today is a good break day. After having to get eaten by a whale, also thrown up by same whale. Having to take on BB Brigade members to protect the park and cup. Then finally having to save Pauleen from a cursed Mask. The remaining contestants: Me, Sarah, Rupert, and Pauleen. were told that the semifinals would be held tomorrow. Where tonight the match ups would be announced during a ball, for celebration of the cup so far…

Other than not wanting the Cup to end, I am busy with several things at the moment. My team may be prepared for the semifinal and final rounds. But Todd still seems to be recovering from his cold. I called him to check up on him before physically seeing him. Right now, I have him on speaker as I make myself some breakfast, just in case I need to make him some soup or something. "So, how you feeling?"

"I'm fine Rex!" Todd's voice reverberated through my phone. It was hard to tell if he was sick or not. So, I kinda just had to take his word for it. "But I'm deciding to not risk anything. I'd never forgive myself if I missed yours and Sarah's semifinal battles over a stupid cold. I'd feel even worse if I accidentally got either of you sick before them too! So, I'm just staying in bed for another day."

"Ah… But you're gonna miss the ball!" I said back to him. It's one thing for Sarah to be there… but without Todd it will feel like something's just missing. "Plus, Pauleen's finally stopped wearing her mask! She's so cu-… It is a sight to behold."

"*Snicker*" Well… there's goes Todd lauding about this. "You know you've really changed Rex!"

"Huh?" I let out an audible noise of confusion.

"First time I ever met you, you were a mess that could never talk to people." Hit my weak points why don't you? "But look at you now, getting over your weakness. I… I didn't know about your past. But I'm glad you and Sarah told me about its last night!" … he sounds happy… but I think he's hurt it took us so long to tell him… "But you're doing awesome! I mean after getting all catatonic like you went and fought off a cursed mask! Hey, if you ask me. You really got a shot to win this. Actually, beat Sarah too."

"Heh…" I let out a smile. Todd he's one the best friends I could have ever asked for. "Thanks Todd… but it just won't be the same if you're not at the ball."

"Yeah, right!" Todd laughed off. "I don't even have a Suit for it! Who would have thought there would be a celebration ball for a Fossil Tournament?"

"Right… Not me…" I give out a sigh when Todd says this… I didn't think that there would be some sort of ball either… "Well, as long as you're doing good. That's good for me. Now if you excuse me, I got to go panic in finding something relevant to wear to tonight's ball."

"Good luck!" Todd clicked off of his phone ending the conversation.

"Gah… What am I going to do…" I sigh out loud, just in time to hear a door open. I glance over, I see Rupert entering the room. He seems to be carrying something, and he has a new robot with him… interesting.

"Ah, good your still here." Rupert says to me, as he hands me a box. "I didn't particularly understand what you, Sarah, and Pauleen were particularly worried about. Not until late last night. But as luck would have it, or rather as the Park might, there is a shop selling dresses and tuxedos. Seeing as we are approximately the same height, I thought I'd give you this."

I opened the box and as Rupert said, I found a nice dress suit. Black blazer, pants and tie… "T-Thanks…" I stuttered out. wow this felt embarrassing. "Ah… but what about—"

"I mentioned this to her via a text." Rupert finished my thought before I could say. "It is her own problem if she chooses to respond to it."

"Okay…" I give a slight relieved sigh, if Sarah knows about it then she'll be fine. Right? "But what do I owe you?"

"Just about 800G." Wow… that's as much as the first Sonar Upgrade at the Fossil shop. {A/N: Ah… one of my famous enemies of the fiction RPG world. Currency. To be honest I have no idea what an actual conversion rate would be. But just assuming that since this is an actual game about hunting fossils, I'd assume 800 G would be a decently hefty sum. Probably around three to four hundred US dollars? I don't know I'm just trying to give a decent comparison.}

"Ah, here then…" I give him the amount for it. I really have to get past thinking of home life… jewels are worth so much…

"So… what are your thoughts?" Rupert asked me.

I looked to the suit. To be honest… I've never been to an event like a ball. So, I have no clue. "The suit looks nice."

"not that." Rupert sighed, "I meant the competition. For someone so smart you can be pretty similar to your sister."

"hey!" I have to shout. But really, he is right… "To be honest I don't know… It's something I've been avoiding thinking about. It's been pretty fun so far… so I kinda just been avoiding the fact that there will only be one winner."

"Yes… I've been feeling that as well." Rupert agreed with my train of thought. "Other than that… What are your plans after the Cup?"

"My plans after?" Hm… I mean finishing high school is my current plan, then try to get a job in the engineering field. "I think, just going through school and getting a job in mechanical engineering."

"Hmm… Like I thought." Rupert nodded along. Like he thought? "Your mechanical prowess is quite extensive. Much like how you helped with Di66-R, I would like to have you apply to FossilDig Inc. While my relationship with my father is not the best. I think your mechanical abilities would do very well there."

"R-Really?" I was surprised he was suggesting this to me.

"Though it will probably still be a while before then." Rupert said, "Since the company would rather have you finish Highschool first."

"Right." I nodded, this sounded very exciting. "Thank you, so much Rupert. I… I don't know how I could ever repay you."

"Just make sure to give your all in the competition." Rupert gave a confident smile. "If I'm facing either you or Sarah, I'd rather have you give it your all."

"Of course!" Was he just trying to get me fired up for the next round? Well either way. I know that I'm trying to fight Sarah in the finals. Despite the luck currently being against the two of us. I'm not going to give up easily.

Though I do wonder how Sarah is doing right now… I haven't talked to her yet today.

POV: Sarah

Time: 20:00

Location: Ball

Ugh… Wow… this is like so much fancier then I could have imagined… So… What's happened so far? Well, me and Pauleen went and got ourselves some dresses for this event. While Dresses are very stylish and cute. I find wearing a purse quite annoying… I mean, why can't dresses have pockets? But seriously… I forgot to place my phone in my purse. So, if anything happens… I'm pretty much going have to hope that Rex, Pauleen, or Rupert finds me.

We talked a bit more about what happened yesterday. Turns out she's even met Hunter, back when he was on Vivosaur Island of course. Apparently the Barfolum… something Bullwart Bandits had kidnaped her at some point and Hunter rescued her. Just like me and Rex, Hunter ended up inspiring another child to become a fossil fighter. Ah… Such a wonderful Cousin Hunter is.

But really, Pauleen was really surprised to hear that we were related to Hunter. She said, and I quote you not. "I can see Rex, digadig. But really… not you Sarah."

Like really? Me and Rex are twins, we look nearly the same. Gah… I can't believe her. Were basically a mirror reflection of each other… well maybe no longer since Rex dyed his hair blue. But still!

"Sarah…" I hear someone call to me, I look to my side, and it's no other than my reflection. But I'll be honest, I think I'd look good wearing a suit.

"What?" I look up at him, why's he giving me that look?

"Your thinking of something unnecessary and making yourself mad." He said to me. For the one who says he doesn't believe in twin telepathy he seems to understand my thoughts a lot.

"I am not." I argue, I certainly wasn't at the end… But going on my previous train of thought. If I touch up here, and there… maybe put some eyeliner there, Rex would look very cu—

"Alright. Nevermind I'm leaving!" Drat he sensed the danger and is now retreating.

"Wait!" I grab him by his arm, dropping the idea of putting Rex in a dress. "You were going to tell me something else, weren't you?"

"…" He looked a bit confused, before finally saying. "You look nice?"

"bft…" I nearly burst out laughing. That is certainly something girls want to hear. But definitely not from their brother. "While that is nice to say… You wanted to say something else, I believe."
"Yeah… Pauleen messaged me. Saying she wanted to talk to me—" Are you kidding me? Is my brother really that dense?!

"Then what are you waiting for!" I shout at him raising my voice a bit louder than it should have been. But I mean come on!

"Bu—" I can't believe him.

"No Buts go on!" I start to push; I might not have any idea where Pauleen is. But I've got to support my brother in these times. "Now go on. Don't forget to compliment her on her dress!"

"ah…" Rex looked very confused as he slowly walked away.

He says he's getting better at social interaction. Yet he almost caused the heart break of a young innocent girl. But to think Pauleen had the courage to confess to Pauleen… ah… "They grow up so fast…"

"Um…?" I hear a voice I did not expect to behind me… nor did I want him to hear me say that… "Sarah?"

"H-Hello Rupert!" I turn around to see a white hair boy with goldish eyes wearing a very stylish red suit… I guess fancy events aren't that new to him as well.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said." Rupert dismissed my earlier comment. Thank you, so very much… "But… Aren't you coming?"

Did I mishear him? "Coming?"

"Pauleen asked to talk to all of us. Didn't you get her message?" Rupert said… apparently, I jumped to conclusion with rex. I knew I should have headed back to my room for my phone when I realized I forgot it.

"I forgot my phone in my room." I shrug… trying my best not to blush.

"Ah… Well, the meeting in place is over towards that balcony there." Rupert pointed to the meeting location. "Though… I thought I saw Rex coming over to say something to you. Yet you pushed him away, did you have a falling out earlier?"

"No…" I shake my head in shame… "I just wish he phrased what you were going to say better."

"How… Oh, yes…" Rupert acknowledged my words. But then gave me a slight judgmental stare. "While he may be clueless in certain terms of social interaction. I do not think he is that down fallen."

"…" I give him a glance; does he really think that?

"Well believe what you want." Rupert sighed, already knowing what I was thinking. "But Let us go see what Pauleen wanted to talk to us about. "I for sure am curious as to what Pauleen is calling us for."

We travel up the stairs, to the outdoor balcony. As walk out I notice an exasperated Rex, and a confused yet also blushing Pauleen. "Sorry were late… did we interrupt anything?"

"Sarah… you really should have brought your phone, Digadig." Pauleen had a small grumble. I guess nothing in romance occurred as we took our time.

"Sorry…" I give a cheeky smile, trying to play it off like nothing. "So… What's up girl?"

"…" I guess I'm trying her patience right now. But she gives a sigh, and I see that her tone seems more serious. "…The semifinals are here, Digadig." Yeah, isn't she excited? "And that means only two people will advance. So, no matter what, one of us is going to be leaving the Cup. I've been thinking about that, and it makes me sad. So, I thought maybe we should talk, diga. That's why I called you out, Digadig."

"…I, too, have been feeling some sadness about the upcoming end of the cup." Rupert nodded along to Pauleen's notes… so did Rex…

I guess… I guess this really puts it into perspective… I've been just trying to have as much fun as I could with everyone, that I never thought about how it would end… "Yeah… despite the danger, I've had a lot of fun… I get what you guys mean."

"Yeah, wouldn't it be great if the four of us just kept winning?" Pauleen gave a naïve proposal… it was a good ideal… but one that we didn't have.

"It sucks…" Rex sighed. I could feel a bit of his rationale kicking in. "While I want it to continue… It has to end at some point."

""""Yeah…"""" We all sighed out at once.

"WOOOOH!" While we were all out here talking, there was a loud cheer from inside the building.

"Oh… Guess we missed the announcement." Rex saw through the crowd. "Our opponents have been decided."

"Really?!" Gah… were out here having a nice moment as friends and they decided to announce the matchups now! I can't believe our luck. "Who's fighting who?"

"The roommates." Rex simply stated. Pointing between himself and Rupert, and then myself and Pauleen.