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 31 – The Final Round

POV: Sarah

Time: 10:00

Location: Fighter Arena (Cranial Isle)

Wow… Today's the day, huh? The final battle for the Caliosteo Cup… Heh, can't say I'm not nervous… But I'm also extremely excited… Thoughts are going through me miles per minute. I'm going to be fighting with Rupert today. My heart rate is higher than usual… I can't wait, I want to fight. But… it is also Rupert… I will admit, I think he's cute… but I can't just lose to him. That would just throw all of myself respect and all that I've worked toward out the window! Maybe if I win I… But who would actually accept the confession of someone who just beat them in a tournament?

"Well, here we are, Sarah." Rupert says to me as I walk my way over to him.

"Yes, this is it, huh?" I respond, I kind of wonder what kind of face I'm making right now. "We've come a long way since the first round haven't, we?"

"I'll admit, I didn't have the best personality when I first met you. But I have changed, and thanks to you and your brother certainly shown me a side to Fossil Fighting that I never thought of before." Rupert said giving a gentle smile.

Geh… "H-hey! Are you trying to make me blush here?!"

"Apologies," Rupert smiled still, giving a small bow. "Sarah, I don't intend to lose to you today. I'm sure you feel the same?"

"Yeah, I'll give you my everything!" Wait… how did I just phrase that? Th-that sounded like a love confession… didn't it?

Rupert responded with a smirk. "I would ask for nothing else."

"…" Gah! He's totally going to make this fight so much harder!

"Attention: The Final Match of Sarah vs Rupert is about to begin. Combatants, please enter the stadium immediately." A voice sounded. Guess it's time.

"Let's go Sarah." Rupert nodded, standing before the now opening door. "Let's show them what a true Fossil battle is."

"Yeah…" So, this is it. Let's see if I have the strength to win this fight!

We both entered the arena. Cheers from the crowd sounded… Oddly the cheering made me focus on the battle. I could feel my nervousness fade. As the counted sounded me and Rupert threw out our opposing Vivosaurs. I went with T-Rex Lord, Allo, and Aeros. Meanwhile It seems that Rupert was using three Mapos. Two regular ones and a Mapo King.

"Grrr…" There was a low and feral growl from my T-Rex Lord as its eyes met the Mapo King. Looking at this speed score. Looks like T-Rex Lord will get the first strike.

"Okay, Let's rock!" I shouted taking command for this first turn, got hit Rupert hard and fast. "T-Rex Lord, Lordly Strike your foe!"

"GRAAWR!" There was a loud and powerful Roar as T-Rex Lord hit into Mapo King. The Mapo king had withstood the strike, but it did take some massive damage. But T-Rex Lord's strike was the only move I could make this turn.

"…" Rupert looked on somewhat impressed, maybe, it was hard to tell from his reaction. Either way, he saved his Fossil Points for this turn… which made me worried.

"Silent, huh? Well, T-Rex Lord, Aeros attack the Mapo King!" I shouted, T-Rex Lord going with another Lordly strike. Though it still somehow managed to withstand it.

"Mapo King Royal Buster." Rupert smiled as his Mapo King withstood my attacks. With one move on the Royal Buster, Rupert's Mapo king had taken out T-Rex Lord. "Then Mapo follow with an Conquer Fang on Allo."

"Well, this puts me in a bad position, doesn't it?" I asked with an up-turned grin, I could easily see the wear on Mapo King, it definitely won't survive another attack… the issue is going to be the two Mapo, if I'm not careful they'll wipe me out. But I definitely have a chance. "Allo, Get revenge for T-Rex Lord! Allo Bite!" With that biting attack, Allo managed to knock out the Mapo King, but now Rupert had more than enough FP for a counter attack. I had to work fast and strong. "Aeros! Special on that Mapo!" Rupert had two Mapo, one specially color so had a wonderous fossil integrated into it. That one was obviously the more dangerous one. Though despite Aeros Strong attack, that distance that the Mapo was at was just enough for it to survive.

"You've done well Sarah; it's tied to two vs two. But I won't let you win that easily. Mapo, Conquer Special, followed by another conqueror Fang." Rupert commanded, both attacking Allo. Nearly wiping him from the field. Nearly.

"That… was close." I couldn't help but smile. Counter attack time! "Allo, Combo the Mapo! Aeros, follow with it!" While I wasn't able to finish off the Special Mapo, it was now two vs one.

"Hmph. Much more than I expected. But I'm not out yet. Mapo, Conquer Special!" Rupert yelled, where his Mapo took out Allo. Now one vs one.

"…" I glance at Aeros, and Aeros glances back at me… heh… what's this sense of nostalgia? It's feels similar to that time with me fighting that Allo. I could only smile, cause just like that battle, this will be my victory! "Aeros Special!"

Aeros jumped to the Mapo, biting it in the neck. Then swinging its tail down on it, before finally jumping back unleashing a tempest blast. "ROAR!" Aeros' roar echoing through the stadium, its voice booming loudly. As the Mapo returned to its medal form, Aeros seemed to grin before giving another deafening roar.

"AND THERE WE HAVE IT FOLKS THE VICTOR OF THE CALIOSTEO CUP! SARAH LUCERATOLA!" An announcement then rang out. The crowd cheered loudly at the result… I did. I won.

It wasn't long till me and Rupert returned to the common room of the arena. The rush of the battle still hitting me. But me and Rupert still had to go through formalities, and both smile while being present on camera. I mean this was a televised battle…

"And that's a wrap," The News lady says as the camera stops rolling. "A brilliant battle from the both of you."

"Heh, thanks." I say scratching my head. I still can't believe it; this has to be a dream.

"You won, Sarah." Rupert says with a slight smile. "It's strange. I had always dreaded the thought of losing, but now that it's here, I feel… I feel serene. Calm. Like I've been… cleansed, somehow."

"That should be expected." I say, "I mean, have you ever had such a fun battle before?"

"It was. Did you see how I attacked with everything I had? Woo!" Rupert gave a happy grin like he was a child… So cute! Though the shout did redirect the attention of the reporter back to Rupert. "Ahem… Yes, well, I believe that I am satisfied. I'm glad it was you on the final stage, Sarah. I really am."

"Same to you. I was really hoping to get to fight you." I smile as brightly as I could.

"I understand. It was a privilege and honor to meet a fellow Fighter such as you." Rupert bowed his head to me. "Thank you, Sarah. And long may our—"

I know what he was about to say… so I grab his hand without thinking. Then I kiss his hand. "U-um… If possible… can we be more than just—"

Though my final thoughts were interrupted as the stadium doors open. With some resounding cheers Joe walks up to me and Rupert. I glance at him… he seems to have a bit of a redden face… gah… I wasn't quick enough. Though I can overhear the reporter lady back with the camera now that Joe is here.

"Well, don't that just beat all?!" Joe smiled at the camera. "Who woulda thunk this Cup would end with a new hero ridin' in to save the day? And to think them BB Brigade fellers almost blew the whole thing!" Then turning to me. "But Sarah here took a stand against them varmints and ended up savin' the Cup and the Park!"
"I-it's no big deal really." I say with a smile…

"Yer passion for battlin' and yer strong heart have allowed ya to claim the crown. Ain't no two ways about it, Sarah!" Joe exclaimed. "You've grown into a great Fighter and a champion. And so, like I promised, I'm gonna make ya the owner of this here Caliosteo Fossil Park!" Then Joe turned back to the Camera. "To all them Fighters who gave their best in the competition… To all them fans who whooped and hollered till their throats were sore… To the loyal cowhands who worked day and night to make everything run smooth… With a hearty thanks to y'all, I declare the Caliosteo Cup over!"

"…" An echo circulated audibly enough to be heard from the common room. It was a very surprise day.

Joe then stuck out his hand towards me. "Congratulations, Sarah. Ya truly are the chosen one."

"Now since that is over with. Rupert, as the runner up. Could we have a moment of your time for an interview." The reporter looked at Rupert.

"Um… I…" Rupert struggled,

"…" The timing just kind of was off now… So, I motion for him to do right now. We could talk later…

"yes, right now is fine." Rupert said walking off to go to an interview.

Just as Joe was about to leave, he turned back looking at me with a grin. "Oh, say there, pard. There's something' I'd like to talk to ya about. You mind ridin' by the suite in a bit? I'll be waitin'."

Ah… he quickly left before I could give him a response… brr…why did I have a bad feeling about that? Though just as I had that thought, Rex Pauleen and Todd all run up to me. Todd most excited jumped and gave me a hug.

"You did it, Sarah! You really did it! You're the champion! It's wicked! It's awesome! It's wicked awesome!" Todd shouted barely letting me get a word in… "Aw, man. I can't believe you were my Round 1 opponent! But, hey… Since you beat me there, and you ended up winning… that means I would have come in second!"

"You really think you cou—" I was about to ask if he thought he could beat Pauleen, Rex, or even Rupert. But A glance from Rex made me shut up and leave Todd to his delusions.

"Nice going Sarah, knew you could do it." Rex had a big grin on his face as he raised his hand for a high five.

"Was there any doubt?" I smiled with a grin of my own.

"I think the only doubts were from yourself." Tch, what a smug look on his face. "So, did the other part of your p—"

"So, Pauleen how did you think of the battle?" I quickly changed the subject before Rex could mention Rupert.

"It was great, Digadig! Your battle was amazing, Digadig!" Pauleen had a lot of excitement. "My palms are all sweaty and sore from clapping so hard." Then Pauleen looked at me surprised. "But wait, why are you standing here, diga?! There's a whole bunch of people waiting to see you outside! Talking to your fans is part of a champion's job, diga. You know."

"I know," I nodded thinking of how hunter handled his crowds of fans when he showed up here. But before Pauleen pulled me along with her. "I know. But Joe said he wanted to meet with me about something."

Rex seemed to raise an eyebrow at this, somewhat suspicious. "Joe wants to see you?"

"Hey!" Todd then excitedly took the attention. "Maybe he's finally remembered how we met two years ago!" Todd said that… but when we tried to talk to Joe about that. He didn't seem to remembered. I looked to Rex, he seemed doubtful. But Todd declared it as regardless. "…Yeah, that must be it. So, in that case, I'm going with you!"

"You are?" I was quite surprised at Todd's boldness, heck he didn't even invite Rex along.

"I am! So, me and Sarah are going to swing by Joe's suite. OK, Pauleen." Todd said to Pauleen. Really, he didn't include rex for some reason.

"*Sigh*" Pauleen sighed audibly. "Yes, that's fine. I'll talk to the fans and have them on hold, Digadig."

"Thanks, Pauleen!" I shout to her, "I owe you!"

"Great! Let's go!" Todd shouted, trying to pull me along.

"C'mon, Rex you want to join us?" I invited my twin brother before Todd could drag me along.

"I don't know… I really don't think he remembers us. I mean he didn't even remember that I twisted my—" As Rex was saying that his face quickly snaps, and goes pale. "my… ank…le…"

"Rex?" Somethings up, I know that face. Something that he's been thinking of has snapped into place.

"…" Rex glances to the corner of the common room, right towards a camera. "Sarah, you don't have to go there now, do you?"

"Rex what are you say?!" Todd shouts impatiently, "Do you know how rude it would be to stand up, THE Joe Wildwest?!"

"…I don't think I have a choice." I somewhat hesitate.

"…" Rex bites his lip. There's seriousness in his eyes, "I'm going to Scatterly's Museum. If anything happens come to me immediately!"

"Rex…" Rex has got my gut feeling worried…

"Promise me…" he grabs my hand… that look…

"I promise." I respond to him… I have a real bad feeling about this now…