Chapter 2- Fighters Beginnings

POV: Rex

Location: Home

Time: 6:00

It had been two years since that fateful day. In that time frame, Sarah had been preparing to become a Fighter with Aeros. As for myself, I was busy analyzing, and tinkering with the gadgets used in Fossil Fighting. As for Todd, he did his Todd like things. Though it came as surprise to us. Earlier this year, it was announced for there to be a competition for everyone. It ranged from people who weren't even fighters, to those of Pro status. We practically begged our parents to let us sign up.

It was a surprise Todd's parents even let him. Though, we had Hunter… Wait who's Hunter? man you must have been from another world to not know him. Hunter is one of the strongest Fossil Fighter out there. He also has saved the world from a planet eating monster. He supports mine and Sarah's decision… Huh? Didn't I say it before? We're cousins. Though it's not known to many that we're related.

Either way, after we signed up for the Competition, we had to go through qualifications. Well qualifications that we went through were for those who didn't have fighter licenses yet. But they were just a bunch of tests and simulations on fossils, and fossil battles. Those tests knocked out, quite a bit of contestants. Though, I'm even more surprised, when I got a message. Apparently, I was the only out of all the people who took the test, to get a perfect score. Not that it impacts anything… maybe other than making me a target. Well no time to worry about it, this is my last morning home…

Beep! Beep!

As the alarm goes off, I reach over and turn it off. As I do so, I smile. "Today's the day." I get up a look around my room making sure I have everything. "Clothes check, Backpack check, tool kit check, computer check, goggles…" I look to see them on my desk. Right, I had just finished them. Hopefully they'll work well. I grab them and place them onto my head. "Check!"

As I leave my room I stop in front of my picture of Dad. "… Well I'll be going soon… I miss you." I start to continue to leave my room. But I stop and say, "Watch over Mom for me and Sarah. She'll be sad once we leave. Try not to neglect us either."

After I leave my room I head down to the kitchen where Mom had finished making Breakfast. "Morning."

"Oh… Ready to leave already?" I see a sad look in Mom's eyes.

"I've been ready to become a fossil Fighter for a while. Studying the Technology that revives Dinosaurs I'm ready for that too. Ready to leave home… not quite sure." I know how to cook, but I'll definitely miss Mom.

Mom gives me a smile, and ruffs up my hair. "Your so much like your father. Now, go wake up your sister."

I can't help but complain at that. "Ugh! Were both fifteen years old! She claims to be the older one, yet she still can't wake herself up."

"Yes…" I hear mom sigh. "She gets that from me."

"No! She just likes it when other people do it for her." I yell to mom. "at least when you want to sleep, you'll still get up at the right time."

I hear Mom sigh again. "So, much like your father."

Knock, Knock!

I loudly knock on Sarah's door. "Sarah! It's time to wake up!"

"…" No response. Is she still asleep?

"Come on wake up!" I yell again. She is not turning this morning into an anime cliché.

"…" Still no response.

Time for plan B. "Alright, guess you don't want to be a fossil fighter then."

I hear a click from the door opening. I see my sister still half asleep and dress in pajamas. "Who ever said that?"

"Just get ready, and come down for breakfast." With a strange sense in my heart. I stop and say, "… If you fall back asleep, I'm leaving you here."

"Okay…" She's still groggy. While she closes the door, I hear her say. "Today's the Day."

I go back to the table and start eating breakfast. After about ten minutes, Sarah makes her way down. "Morning! *Yawn*"

Mom being the one to greet her, "Morning sleepy head. Are you ready?"

"Of course. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be down her right now." Sarah confidently states.

"Really?" I seriously doubt that. The amount of times she forgot books and homework is too many to count. "Then where's Aeros?"

Her eyes go wide, and she tries not to curse. "oh, Ship!"

Once Sarah runs back to her room. Mom asks, "Did she really not have it?"

"Knowing her probably not." I sip my tea. "On the off chance she actually did. From the amount of times I remind her about stuff... She probably went to double check."

"REX!" Sarah yells my name in an angry voice.

I look at Mom and say. "I guess she had it."

Mom starts to laugh. "It will be very quiet once you guys leave."

I make a quick joke. "It still would be, even if I stayed."

"I heard that!" Sarah yells as she gets back to the table. "Why would you ask me if I had Aeros? Today is an important day I'd be an idiot if I didn't have him."

"Yes. You would." I countered. "You would be upset if you didn't have Aeros. Being the responsible older brother, I was checking for you."

"I'll admit for you being the more responsible sibling, but I am the older one." Sarah replied.

Ah! This old argument. Mom, and Dad refuse to tell us who is actually older. So… "I'm the older one because I'm more responsible."

"I'm the older one since I'm taller." She's still holding that above me.

"Yeah by one millimeter. Besides, you have more of mom's side in you. She's always been taller than Dad!"

"Both of you quite down and eat your breakfast." Mom smacks us on our heads. "Todd will be here soon, with his parents to drive you. Under no circumstance do I want you bickering with each other."

I can't help but make a joke. "So, we can bicker when were alone?" That said I get another smack on the head

"There will be none of that wise crack here." Mom scolded me.

"NM." Sarah stuck her tongue at me. It was dumb of her to think Mom wouldn't notice "Ow!"

"None of that either." Mom now scolding Sarah

Knock! Knock!

There was a knock at the front door followed by Todd's voice. "Hello? Rex? Sarah? Are you guys ready?"

"Oh, he's here early." Mom looked at us with sad eyes. She then gave us a hug. "I'll miss you two."

Me and Sarah hugged back saying. "We'll miss you as well."

"Go have some fun… and Make me proud." Mom already had tears in her eyes. Why the hell couldn't her work place let her off. Or even let her come in late… No, I can't say that.

I grab my bag, and say. "We'll make you proud."

"Be ready you'll be seeing us fighting each other in the finals!" Sarah yells as she grabs her bag

"Watch what you say." She definitely just jinxed us, "we're going to be fighting each other in the first round for you saying that."

"Oh, you and your superstitions." Sarah responded. She just doesn't believe that will happen.

"Wish us luck." With that we said our last good bye to Mom. We'll see her when we return.

POV: Sarah

Location: Over an Ocean

Time: 13:00

It's been a few hours since we left the house. Since having Todd's parents drive us to the airport. From the airport we had to take a helicopter to the place of the cup. I already miss home… though probably not as much as Rex right now

"Herk!" again with the motion sickness…

"Rex, you alright?" I ask him.

"Yeah… just having Pteranodon.… Flashbacks…" That day really traumatized him. He's currently shaking. I wouldn't be surprised if he rejects any flying Vivosaurs.

"Right…" Though I don't think this is the reason he's shaking…

"By the way Rex, aren't you also weak to most vehicles?" Todd asks a stupid question.

"So, about the Caliosteo Cup. What are your thoughts on it Todd?" I change the subject.

"Yeah!" It successfully distracted Todd, "All the cool fighter calls it the cup for short. Joe would be amazed to know we passed all of the written tests making it here!"

"…Yeah…" I felt a shamed of this… While my brother got a perfect score, I almost failed.

"I wonder if he'll remember us." Todd wondered.

I perked up at this. "Of course, he will. After all he gave me a Dino Medal. How could he not remember us?"

Todd easily distracted as usual calls out. "Hey I can see Caliosteo Fossil Park! That's where the Cup's going to be."

Within about twenty minutes the helicopter lands an lets us out.

Rex is the first to get off… more like Jump off. "Land! Solid Ground!"

"Rex get off the ground!' I yell at him. Why does he have to be like this?

He yells back. "I'm sorry I have a fear of Flying!"

"Um welcome." An Attendant came to welcome us… Ugh why did Rex act like this? "This is Caliosteo Fossil Park, a prehistoric world of dreams, Dinosaurs, and Adventure! The park was founded by none other than Joe Wildwest, the super star Fossil Fighter. It is composed of three Islands: Ribular Island, Cranial Isle, and Ilium Island. Visitors are welcome to excavate fossils and revive as many Vivosaurs as they like. Though you need to go through the Fossil exam to be allowed to use them."

Todd speaks before anyone else. "Yeah we're here for that and the competition."

"Oh, go straight through there. You'll be able to sign in at the front desk." The attendant pointed to a big building. "Once you've done that, you'll be taken to a fossil test. Where you'll be tested in cleaning a reviving a fossil. The attendant there will explain the rest."

"Thank you." We thanked the attendant and started our way forward.

"Um wait you with the blonde hair." I turn to see the attendant calling for me. Normally Rex would also turn around… but he decided to dye it Blue. Something about, him being confused for me.

I stop and say "Yes?"

The attendant pointed at Aeros' medal. "Usually you would get to keep the fossil you clean, but you somehow already have one. You may just be asked to clean a practice fossil."

Was that it? Don't be angry… "Alright!"

I sprint after Rex and Todd. Once inside the building I see Todd calling for me. "Hey over here come on! Me and Rex are already signing in, and being ready for the fossil exam!"

"I'm coming," I yell back to Todd. I look over to where Rex is, he seems to be registering both of us. When I get to the counter I say, "Forget what he said. I'm the older one."

Rex looks at me, then shakes his head. Guess he didn't say that. "We're both fifteen years old, born March nineteenth."

"Okay, now I take you are registered for the Caliosteo Cup?" the Receptionist then asked

We all respond at the same time. "Yes!"

The receptionist types into the computer for a minute. "Ah yes! Here it is, you've passed through all of the preliminary and written tests. Okay someone will be here shortly to take you to your fossil cleaning exam. As well as be fitted with the battle equipment."

"I already got mine." I smiled, it's the same pair that I got from Joe while back.

"No need for me either. I reversed engineered the Technology and placed them into my goggles." As expected of my Brother. Doing anything and everything to out shine me.

Todd seemed Surprised at that "What?! You did? Why didn't you make me any?"

"I only finished perfecting them last night. I didn't have time to ask if you wanted a pair." Rex explained. Hopefully these don't short out… like most of his inventions.

Todd looked upset. He turned to the receptionist. "Can I please have the Fossil fighting equipment."

"You will be able to get them after you revive your first fossil." The attendant responded.

"Hey there!" A woman with brown hair, and brown eyes called over to us. She wore a green uniform, similar to the attendants outside. "I'm Stella. I'm the Staff Leader on Ribular Island. You made it just Intime the Fossil Cleaning test will start shortly. Please follow me."

Rex's eyes started to sparkle at those words. "Oh, I wonder where it is."

We were brought to a room off to the side of the Facility. When we entered Stella started to explain. "Welcome to the most Important room of the Facility for fighters at least: The Cleaning Room!"

Rex interrupts Stella. "Oh! Oh! The cleaning machines! This is what Fighter use to clean Fossil Rocks!"

"Yes… I'm surprised you know that." I guess she has to explain it more, than I would think.

"I've studied all of the equipment for Reviving fossils! It so amazing!" Rex, you study machines way too much.

I'm getting impatient. "Ignore the machine geek and continue."

Stella takes her eyes off of Rex, and returns attention to us. "the other machines here are for cleaning rocks and Reviving the fossils."

"This is some pretty high tech-stuff!" Todd's words did not give justice to the room. My evidence, Rex just cringed.

"Yes, but these machines might be different from what your used to. We do our best to stay up to date." As she said that, Stella went and grabbed three rocks. She gave tow to Rex and Todd, and one to me… mine looked different compared to the guys. I guess this is a practice rock then.

We were given separate spaces and we began to clean the rocks. I use all of my time focusing on cleaning, but I hear talking in the background.

"Finished." There's the star student Rex. Finishes his test first, as usual.

"Impressive a hundred-point score." Stella seem surprised by this.

"It wasn't that different than carving stuff." Yeah… Rex has a mask collection. I guess it wouldn't be too different than this. [A/N: I have no proof to support this claim. I just wanted to give Rex a reason to score a hundred.]

Soon after Rex. Todd finishes cleaning his fossil. "Finished."

"Eighty points not bad. Still room for improvement." Stella said. "You pass."

Beep!

"Well lets se-." Stella was surprised by my score… Ugh I know I did terribly "you still pass, but you should try to do better."

"How many points…" Rex stops himself as he sees the fossil that I cleaned. "How are you related to me?"

That's the last thing I want to hear… hold on to your pride girl. "It's not that bad."

"You got fifty points you barely passed." Rex stares blankly at me… why…

Last defense. "I'll do better in the actual battles."

Stella sensing this sibling awkwardness stops us. "Either way! Let's revive your fossils."

Rex had his fossil revived into a Triceratops, and Todd had his revived to a Stegosaurus. The Dinosaurs were then transformed into medals.

Stella continues to explain. "Once revived, a Vivosaur is contained in the form of a Dino Medal. And there you go you have your first Dino Medal."

"Nice, Triceratops my favorite." Rex said. He better not name it Cera, or something.

"I think that's enough of for fossil cleaning. I think now you should get a run down on Fossil battles in the Stadium."

After about an Hour of talking about fossil battles we headed back to the main lobby. As usual I was getting impatient. "Opening Ceremony is starting soon."

I see Rex's face go whiter as I say that. "Ugh… I'm nervous"

"Pay attention." Todd hit my arm. Then hit Rex's arm too.

"Well that's about it for Orientation." Stella said, "You are now officially entered in the Caliosteo Cup. Cup Matches will occur every few days. Your opponents will be automatically chosen by computer."
"Great…" Rex groaned. Are you still worried about us fighting in the first round? "chances are it was sorted by alphabetical order."

"Also, whenever you finish a cup match, you'll be granted access to a new dig site." Stella explained. "Oh yes, here these are your Paleo pagers. These will inform you the day before your match who your opponent will be. Although, it will send information about your opponent the of the match for the first round. They also send out News and other important notices. Via Fossil Message System or FMS for short."

"Beep-Beep-Bop!" The PA system sounded, "This is an Important announcement from Caliosteo Fossil Park. The Caliosteo Cup Opening Ceremony will be commencing soon. All interested parties should go to the front of the Fighter Station."

"Okay that's my cue to leave." Stella says, "Good Luck!"

"Won't need it." I yell as me, Rex, and Todd head outside.

"I bet the opening ceremony is gonna be awesome. Maybe Joe will show up!" Todd was excited.

"Maybe." It's not like he wouldn't be there, but with how many people there are for the competition. I wouldn't doubt that he'd be behind a camera.

We waited at least a half hour outside in a crowd.

Rex finally started to show his impatient. "I wish it will start soon. I'm getting I'm getting Claustrophobic."

"Deal with it." I say back to him. I'm not missing this for the world.

"You're a terrible sister." Rex glares at me. But I know he means I'm a great sister.

"Well I got a fever that only digging can cure!" I exclaim, I want to find fossils already.

"We still need to unpack our things at the hotel. Other than that, we still need to get our pick-axe and Sonars." Rex tries to compel to my responsible side. Though that side never existed.

"Hey!" Todd interrupted their squabble, "Look! something's flying this way!"

A Jumbo-Tron and speakers Flew overhead. On the Jumbo-Tron Joe was on it. "Welcome to the Caliosteo Fossil Park. The place where dreams are made! I'm the owner of this here Park. The name's Joe Wildwest. You Fighters'll love it here… We got three Islands to Explore! Now Get ready for a Surprise! 'Cause I want y' all to know that… The cup Champion gets the Park! You'll own 'er free and clear!" at this point all participants started to cheer. "So, Let's get to Battling folks… The Caliosteo Cup is Now Open!"

At the end of the message the crowd burst out into cheers. Their cheers over powered the sounds of the fire-works.

After a few minutes of cheering Todd pulled Rex an me out of the crowd. "Man, just seeing Joe's face on that awesome video screen was so exciting!"

"But seriously! The cup's grand prize is the park itself. I can't even imagine, anything more exciting!" I don't know a thing about running a park but I'm excited!

"This is huge, guys! We have to win this no matter what!" Todd continues to be full of energy

"Well you say that. But we still need to get tools for finding fossils." Rex reminded us. How do we get those?

As if on que Stella appears. "Yes, I noticed that you didn't have those yet. It would appear the Cup is underway."

She seemed to be carrying a multitude of things. Those which seemed to excite Rex. "Stella! Can I see the goods?"

"… Don't ask for Pick axes and sonars that way." Stella first said, and I'll agree with that. "But here are the basic types of Sonar, and Retractable pickaxes."

"Ooh!" The machine geek made a strange noise.

"How are they Retractable?" Todd asked

"Well…" Stella was immediately interrupted by Rex.

"It's amazing how they work. When you want to use it, you press this button." Rex points the stick away from himself and pressed the button. The stick then extended and two picks stuck out from both ends "Valla, you have a pick-axe."

"Couldn't have said it better myself. Then I'm sure you know what this is for." I bet Stella could give a better explanation than Rex. Though she proceeded to hand us an eight-slot box.

Rex breathed in with joy, "That's a fossil storage box! The technology in there is amazing, they just shrink the fossil and store it there until it's ready for cleaning and revival!"

Stella looked at him with surprise. "You are a smart kid,"

"That's an understatement." I tell her.

"Now that that's settled… any second the announcement of the first dig site to open."

With that over with our Paleo pagers started to buzz "The first dig site, Treasure Lake, is now open on Ribular Island. Treasure Lake is ringed by thick woods, in the middle of which sits a lake. Fighters are urged to travel there and ready for round one of the Cup."

"Eek! We're really gonna do this!" Todd exclaimed then noticed, "Huh? Everyone's gone! We just got here and Everyone's left us behind!"

"Treasure lake is through that way." Stella pointed to the south eastern part of the Island.

"Come on Let's go before all the fossils are taken!" I started to run a head.

"Slow Down!" I heard Todd and Rex yelling over to me.