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.

Chapter 30 –

POV: Rex

Time: 22:00

Location: Fossil Apartments

After dealing with the issue of the Bare Bones Brigade. We finished rounding up any of the left-over lackeys. And everyone kind of went separate ways. Pauleen and Rupert returned to the respective rooms. Though me, Sarah, and Todd were going to discuss some of the things that happened earlier today.

Like… Why did Don Boneyard know who we were? He seemed cheerful that we were here… Why? Sarah was obviously confused, and by the look on her face she wasn't too keen on liking this either. We both know why.

Hunter has said it himself several times, that there is a bunch of different types of people out in the world. Some that will hurt others to get what they want. That's why he never publicly expressed he had two cousins, until he met us here. He just wanted us to be safe… and yet this Don Boneyard seems to know us, while we don't know a thing about him… it's crazy.

"Hey, c'mon guys, what's wrong? You guys pretty much took out the entire BB Brigade by yourselves!" Todd exclaims confused as to why were upset. "Try to look happy, all right?!"

"well, my ankle has been hurting for a while now. I have the right to feel pain, too ya know." Sarah responded with some sass. It is pretty impressive that she did all that she did with a twisted ankle. But I seriously hope it doesn't affect her tomorrow.

"You say that, but you walk pretty fine either way." I jokingly respond, before glancing at Todd. My tone is a bit more serious than before. "It has to do with after Sarah beat Don Boneyard. As soon as I rushed into the room. He recognized us…"

"…Huh?" Todd had a small perplexed face, then started to laugh. "That's all your worried about? C'mon, Rex your over thinking things. You made it to the semi-finals, and Sarah made it to the finals. You're pretty famous already."

"Hmmm…" I said that placing my hand under my chin. Trying to recollect everything I can about the BB Brigade… am I missing something? Or is my rigid thinking structure just not letting me see it… But this is also bothering Sarah as well. Her gut instincts are usually better than mine for some reason.

"Maybe Todd's right." Sarah said relenting. I was a bit astonished, though looking at her eyes, I couldn't argue with it right now. She had a very strenuous, not to mention important battle tomorrow. Something that she wanted all of her focus… I have no intention of getting in her way.

"…" I had to pick my words carefully, so I just shrug. "Then I guess, you should go rest up for tomorrow."

"Right, Good luck Sarah!" Todd smiled. All of us had different rooms for the competition so we separated ourselves, going to our respective rooms.

As I was walking back to the room I share with Rupert. I tried to ruminate about some of the final things Don boneyard said… which… Why did he say to take care of that ankle? There shouldn't have been any possibility of him knowing about Sarah's injury… I definitely didn't tell Cole about that… and Pauleen and Rupert still don't know… So how did he know?

C'mon rex think! You have the evidence… just put it together already! Why—

"Do not make me repeat myself." My thoughts were interrupted from a stern voice down the hall. It sounded familiar… where did I hear it before. "You will withdraw from the Cup, and you will do so now." Ah, this is Rupert's father…

"But, Father, why?" I heard Rupert shout in response. I should probably check on him? "I've come so far! I refuse to accept this!"

"I analyzed the Fossil Battle data of your opponent, this Sarah person. I then used this data to run battle simulations against your team." Simulations? He analyzed Sarah's behavior? If he's successfully managed to predict Sarah's patterns than I'm rather impressed. I'm her twin brother, and I barely can tell what strategies she can think of. "The results were disheartening. Your chance of victory is only 50 percent. This event will be seen by people all over the world. If you lose, it will cause irreparable harm to Fossil Dig, inc. We cannot take that Risk. Therefore, you must withdraw for the good of the company."

"That's madness!" Rupert shouted the same exact thought that I had. "There's no way to tell who will win a battle until you step into the stadium! And besides, I want to battle Sarah! It's fun!"

As I looked around the corner, I saw Rupert's father shake his head in response. "I expect that kind of meaningless tripe from third-rate Fighters, but not from you! I never should have allowed you to enter this tournament. It is a mistake I do not intend to repeat. We will address the issue of your selfish petulance later. The company helicopter is waiting. Let's go."
"Hey, wait!" My body moves, and I call out to them. Rupert is surprised when he sees me, but I think he is also grateful for my appearance.

"Is this one of you "friends," Rupert?" Rupert's Father scoffs as he sees me. "Is he one of the ones who have filled your head with nonsense?"
"He IS my friend!" Rupert shouted before I could say a word. "He, and his sister have taught me invaluable lessons about the joy of battling!"

"Battles are meant to be fun. Not just ruthlessly showing strength." I respond trying to back up Rupert.

"…" Rupert's Father glared at me, but I stood my ground… I know I can't look away here. "Very well. If fun is your desire, I will simply have to remove that from the equation. Rupert, I challenge you and your friend to a Fossil Battle! There is no place for fun in Fossil Battles, and it's about time you remember that!" He exclaimed, while brandishing some metal bracer… No, it had a control panel of some kind… Why?

Seeing as I was confused, Rupert explained. "Rex, that thing is a Fossil Battle computer recently developed by Fossil Dig Inc. A Fighter can use it to control two Vivosaur teams at the same time."
"Something like that exists?" While, I like computers and technology. Something like that isn't perfect. Pfft, then it's a mockery to Fossil Battles. Sure, I'd trust a computer to make an accurate calculation on solving mathematical matrixes, but strategy… no way, that takes more than just brains. "Don't worry Rupert I won't lose."

"You have my thanks." Rupert nodded with a smile.

"I have run the numbers. The odds of you beating me are less than five percent. My victory is a foregone conclusion!" The metal brace shines as he says that, launching three dino medals my way. A Perso, Seismo, and a Rhyden. Two earth types and a neutral, huh? Guess, there's one matchup to go with Heracles, Daspleto, and my own Rhyden.

My attack first, strength boosts from both Heracles and Rhyden, "Daspleto, Smash Combo!" With the command, Daspleto bites then shoulder checks into the other Rhyden. Though Rupert's Father's team is full of titanic Vivosaurs, no chance to one shot any of them. And that's about all I can do. Though that attack did leave that Rhyden wobbly.

"…" Hm… though that gauntlet does make it so he can take two opponents on at once. Seeing as he just skipped his turn it's either advising him to save up FP, or just making a crucial mistake. Either way let's take advantage!

"Daspleto, another Smash Combo!" I command, Daspleto takes out the opposing Rhyden, now to continue on. "Rhyden, Power Scale!" I shout equalizing the FP. Just enough for this. "Heracles Blade that Seismo!" Nice, one Vivosaur down, and nearly another one wiped.

"Tch, Seismo! Earth Crush!" Rupert's Father Yells, with a critical nearly gets Heracles to half health.

"It won't be that easy! Heracles another Blade on Seismo!" I shout, this time Heracles knocks out Seismo. Now to just focus on that Perso. "Rhyden Powers Scale! Daspleto, Smash Combo!" With that, Perso is just barley holding on. One more turn. Though it looks like Rupert is already finished with his side. He did get to go to the finals already.

"…" Rupert's father bites his lip as he sees the state of the field. His Vivosaur returns to its medal without so much as attacking. Meaning he surrendered. "I… I don't understand. My simulations assured me victory!"

"You said, we had a five percent chance? That's not assured victory. Even then, who wants to fight a battle they know who'll win." I say blatantly. No one wants a guaranteed win, especially Sarah. "Even still, you said Sarah had a fifty percent chance? Even if I do calculations on it, even told her she had less than a one percent chance of victory, she wouldn't listen. She's the type to struggle till the bitter end. Even if she lost, she'd be proud giving it her all."

"…" Rupert's father looked at me surprised.

"Father, listen to me." Rupert spoke up in the silence. "I want to face Sarah in the final. I want to battle without any restrictions. Just like Rex has said about Sarah. Even if I lose, I'll never regret that I tried."

"Rupert…" He looked at his son in astonishment. "…It's about time I told you the truth." The truth? Should I be hearing this? "I wasn't just trying to keep you shackled for the sake of the company."

Huh? "What?" Rupert Voices my own curiosity

"You were always skilled in strategy games. Even as an infant, the joy on your face when you won a battle was something to behold." Rupert's father said. "I vowed early on that you would never know the bitter sting of defeat. I only wanted you to be happy. …But now I see that may have been wrong." {A/N: Okay, there is a reason why I say Rupert was skilled in 'strategy games' and not 'Fossil Battles' like the original game does. In my head cannon, the Twins (Rex and Sarah) and Hunter (Protagonist from the original Fossil Fighters game) are about seven years apart. Hunter was 15 when he got to Vivosaur Island, and from original Fossil Fighters Hunter Fossil Fighting might have been out since he was 14-13 years old. So, with placement. Rex, Sarah, and Rupert should all be around 6-7 years old, which isn't really an infant age. So, yeah… Now back to the story.}

"Father…" Rupert said with a surprised look in his eyes, I think I saw some tears forming…

"I look forward to seeing you battle in the Final, Rupert." Rupert's father nodded, walking away.

As he left. I heard Rupert mutter. "…Thank you, Father."

With that, me and Rupert kinda of returned to our room in silence. As I was about to call it a day, Rupert called out to me. "Rex, thank you for before."

"Nah, I really didn't do much." I laugh it off.

"…Maybe, but even so. As I've previously said, You and Sarah have shown me a side to Fossil Battles that I never saw before." Rupert gave me a rare smile.

"hah, if it means that much then do me a favor." I sigh, this guy…

"What is it?" He looks at me, probably guessing what I have in mind. But I seriously wonder if he actually does.
"Win against Sarah overwhelmingly." I say with a grin, causing Rupert to blink in surprise. "as I said before, even in a 1 percent chance of victory, Sarah would struggle to the bitter end. I expect the same from you."

"You say that as if it would be easy." Rupert responds.

"I know it wouldn't be." I change my tone slightly. "But if you don't battle Sarah with everything you got. Then I won't forgive you."

"Heh," Rupert snickers as I finish. "You two are definitely twins after all…"

We certainly are.