Chapter 7 – Rex's Day

POV: Rex

Time: 12:00

Location: Jungle labyrinth

"Man… I can't believe you agreed to help find those fake monster parts." Todd complains. I mean I already said I'd help if they asked. To be honest it was the best way for me to honor that machine for the abuse it went under.

"The fighters who built it, are to blame. If they put more effort it wouldn't have exploded." They really sucked.

Todd nods along, I'm never sure if he understands… but at least he doesn't call it boring. "Yeah, I think I understand. I mean did you see that one part. It had so many melted wires attached to it, it must have overheated or something."

"… Sure." I don't have the heart to tell him, that was the circuit board… and those wires were intentionally soldered to it. "But, hey! We got something cool out of it."

I hold out the melon spud that I found. Todd looks at it confused. "Is it edible?"

"You can eat it raw; I hear. But I wanted to experiment with it as part of a recipe." Cooking is my second favorite science. "If we find more slash it turns out good, I can make some for lunch and other things."

"Shouldn't you be more focused on the competition? Actually, as part of your fan club I should make food for you and Sarah!" As Todd thinks of that. I slightly panic.

"Please don't, remember Home-Ec." He had mistakenly used a different ingredient in cooking the recipe. And by different ingredient, he confused dish soap for Olive oil! "I don't want to get food poisoning again."

"But-." I interrupt him before he could defend.

"I mean no!" I never want to have that again.

Todd stays silent, I won. "Fine… but speaking of food. How do you think Sarah made out on breakfast?"

"Urk!" I should have gone to Sarah's room earlier. She's about as klutzy as Todd when it comes to cooking, if not worse! In home-ec, she nearly burned down the room we were in! "Hopefully, Sarah and her roommate, didn't die in a fire."

"ugh, her roommate." Pauleen and Todd really didn't get along. Whenever he saw her, he assumed she was a monster.

"She's not a bad person. Overconfident, but definitely not a bad person. She seems to be very kind and understanding. She does dress… well a bit revealing. But she's definitely a good person." I try to convince Todd to get along at least.

Todd's response was a disgusted look at me. "You don't like her… Do you?"

"W-whatever gave you that idea?!" I nearly dropped the melon spud. "Of Course, I don't like her! She's the only girl other than my mom and Sarah that I can talk to! B-Besides she's Sarah's roommate!"

"Sure." Todd shrugged. "Still, aren't you curious what she looks like under that mask?"

"I'm sure she has her reasons." Like I had, when I was younger. "Masks are cool, and wasn't the first time we met I was wearing a mask?"

"Yeah, first time I came to your house…" Todd reminisced. "You kind of jumped me from behind. I also called you a monster."

I snicker. "I found you scarier."

"Yeah, well at least you aren't as scared of others now." Todd slaps me on the back. "Now we are great friends."

"Yup." After that we heard a weird noise.

GROWL!

"W-what was that!?" Todd jumped about ten feet.

That sound, it didn't sound like an animal or machine. "Was that someone's stomach?"

I forcibly lead Todd to where the noise came from, and we found a collapsed old man. "Oh, hello there. *Growl* So sorry to bother you, but I appear to be in a pickle."

"Y-you don't say." If only I could stop stuttering when I speak to new people.

"I appear to have left my lunch at home. Huger gnaws at my belly, you see, and I fear the only cure is a delectable Melon Spud." So, this man collapsed from hunger… because he missed one meal. I thought this only happened in anime! "A single one of these sweet subterranean spuds would have me up and about in no time. *Growl! * Oh, I fear the end is nigh for this old Cogger."

"Oh no! What should we do Rex!?" Todd, like usual when put into a concerning situation, panicked.

I look at the Melon spud I got… Hunter would give it to him. "Here, I found this earlier. It's a Melon Spud."

After the man eats the melon spud he immediately jumps from his collapsed state, to onto his feet. "Ho ho! Well done, old bean! That melon spud has given me an injection of youthful vim and vigor! Ahem, you went to give that Melon spud to me, yes?"

"Y-yeah." I stutter out. Then place out my hand. "I'm Rex. This is Todd."

"So, Rex and Todd, is it? Well then, it appears I am in your debt." The old man then cleared his throat. "I am Professor Nigel Scatterly, man of science and curator of the Caliosteo Museum on Cranial Isle."

"Science!" I get excited.

"I'd come here in search of the Calio Slablets, but somehow managed to hopelessly lost." Prof. Scatterly mentioned. "With forgetting my lunch, it went terribly. It's quite good that you came along!"

"What are the those Slablets?" Todd and I asked. Todd is enthused, his favorite class in school was history.

"…How's that? You want me to explain what the Calio Slablets are?" me and Todd nod in response. "Capital idea! There's little I enjoy more than discussing the wonders of science after all! Yes, well. Where to begin? Calio Slablets, you see, are a curious set of tablets hewn from Dinosaur bones. I discovered one of these tablets a fair while back and found it contained a history of these islands. This tablet claimed that the long-lost Kingdom of Caliosteo actually existed on this very spot! Can you imagine?"

"Oh, that must be why this called the Caliosteo cup!" Todd, had an aha moment.

The professor continued along with his explanation. "I also determined that this ancient kingdom was led be a mighty ruler named Zongazonga. Now, it seems this Zongazonga fellow was some manner of sorcerer who wielded spells of great power. He even had the power to Resurrect Dinosaurs from Fossils."

"!" both me and Todd looked at each other in surprise.

"Amazing! Someone was able to revive fossils into Vivosaurs without the Technology we got from the Dinaurians!" I exclaimed! That's so cool!

"Naturally, I burned to know more of these ancient people, but I had only Calio Slablets number one in my possession." Wait, numbers? That is odd. "However, since they bothered to number the one, I found, logic demanded that there must be others! So, knowing this, I fashioned a special CS Sonar to search them out. *Beep! * Hello, what's this then? It seems the CS sonar has detected another Slablet! Stand aside! I must excavate it with all due speed!"

"Cool!" Hunter would be so jealous right now. Sarah, she wouldn't understand, I think.

As the Professor walked forward it seems he noticed something missing. "…Oh, sod! It seems I forgot more than my lunch today. My poor shovel has also been left behind!"

"…" Me and Todd glance at each other and smirk. "Where do we need to dig!"

"The CS Sonar claims that the Slablet lies buried here at my feet!" The professor pointed to the ground. It took a few minutes with the old pickaxe, but we finally uncovered the Slablet. "Good heavens! It IS a Calio Slablet!... And look! It's marked with the Number three!"

"… Makes it hard to understand what they are telling without the second one." I say.

Professor Scatterly scratched his beard. "I suppose so… Well, Posh to that! My scientific curiosity will not be contained! Come, let us free whatever wisdom waits to be heard… Ahem! Let's see now… Ah, yes, quite. Here we are. 'Once every several decades, Zongazonga Compelled his people to hold a tournament. Participants in the tournament were given revived dinosaurs and made to command them in battle. These brave warriors traveled to and fro across the islands, waging battles of gargantuan ferocity. The tournament's sole reason for being was to choose a new Majestic Vessel. And when only one warrior was left standing, he or she would become the new Majestic Vessel.'"

"A contest, with dinosaurs…" I muttered, that was very coincidental… but hey weirder things have happened.

"The Similarity to our own Caliosteo Cup is remarkable." Professor Scatterly smiled. "However, I am at a loss to explain the meaning of Majestic Vessel. Perhaps it simply means one who has qualities of leadership that befit a king? …Mmm, yes, quite."

"?" Between me, the Professor, and Todd we were all confused at this.

"Well then! I suppose that mystery will have to wait until the other Calio Slablets are discovered, yes? I shall make for Cranial Isle with this new Slablet posthaste." The professor picks up the Slablet. "You both been of remarkable assistance to me. Both myself and science owe you two a great deal. If either of you find yourself upon the shores of Cranial Isle, you must stop by my museum! It is a gallery and depository of items both rare and wonderful, and I promise it will not Disappoint!"

"…" I have a feeling; I know someone who will be bored regardless.

"And of course, I will put this here Calio Slablet number three on display next to the first one I found. Safe travels, now. Tallyho!" Professor Scatterly head off on his own.

I make a quick glance to Todd. "Todd?"

"Yes, it's the wrong direction." Yeah, I'm no good with directions… "Professor! You're going the wrong way! That path takes you further in!"

The Professor stopped with a surprised look. ".. I beg your pardon? You say this path will only take me father into the deep, dark jungle?"

"Yes!" Todd yells.

"Well that wouldn't do at all, now would it? It seems I am in your debt yet again." The Professor walks back over to us, and on to the right path. "This time, it is farewell for sure. Tallyhoooo!"

With that me and Todd were left by ourselves. Todd is the first to talk. "Well that was interesting."

"Yup, we just found a part of history!" I smile.

Beep! Beep! It was our Paleo Pagers. "Fighter has done enough fighting and digging to progress to Fighter Level Three. FP recharge is now at ninety and Max FP is at two-hundred-fifty. Posting information to battle technology."

"Nice! We level up!" I'm definitely set for my next fight.

Beep! Beep! On cue my Paleo Pager starts to beep again. "Incoming FMS Message. Round two of the Caliosteo Cup will now begin. Rex's opponent will be Fighter Rockin' Billy."

"Wasn't he the one who warned us about the 'monster' yesterday?" Todd asks.

"Yeah, I think he actually believed the hocus monster." I wonder if he's upset that he got tricked. Well it's not my fault he fell for it. "In any event I need to get back to the stadium."

"Okay, then while you prepare. I'll watch Sarah's match." Todd nodded, "I'm both of your fans after all."

"Then what are we waiting for let's go!" I Shout, trying my best to not be anxious about my match.

Time: 13:30

Location: Fossil Stadium

Once me and Todd got back to the Fossil Stadium, Todd went out into the stands to look for Sarah. Meanwhile I went into the waiting room for the second round. There were several other Fighters here waiting for their own matches to start.

"Whew…" My hearts beating a whatever hyperbole it appropriate for being nervous. I can barely think...

"Hey there!" I hear voice call to me, it's my Opponent Rockin' Billy. "You remember me there, babaloo?"

"Y-yeah… Y-you're the one who, t-told me and my friends about t-the monster." I answered. "S-seems that it was just a mechanical monster."

Rockin' Billy nodded his head. "Yeah, that's some fine work that monster. Un-hunh"

"Huh?" That monster was a mechanical mess… but when looking at the monster… the two idiots who said built it… some of the parts looked actually good.

"I only got one more thing to say…" he moved incredibly close to my face… Is he trying to intimidate me… "Why'd you go and do that?! I had a plan to take all them rare fossils, and now it's ruined!"

So, he in cohorts with those mechanical monkeys. That poor monster… besides that, what he did was wrong. Screw be scared, this bastard needs to be taught a lesson. "So, your one of the Piss poor mechanics."

"Yeah, that's right. I'm in cahoots with those two…" I think he just realized what I said. "What'd you say about my mechanical skill!"

"You heard me, you and your friends built a terrible monster. It literally exploded, because it was so poorly built! You're lucky it didn't set the forest on fire!" That explosion was due to a heating problem, "You and your friends' skill was pathetic."

"Why you…" He shook his fist at me. "This is my chance for revenge, and it's gonna taste sweeter than Aunt Mable's pecan pie."

"Ugh…" He likes pecan… ugh this guy really is terrible.

"You ready for some heartbreak, kid? 'Cause once I'm done with you. Your sister will be the next one on my revenge list." With Rockin' Billy's words something inside me snaps.

"Our next match pits Rockin' Billy against Rex Lucertola." The announcer sounded. "Combatants should enter the Stadium Immediately."

"I'm gonna play you like a fiddle in a jug band, babaloo." I hope has the strength to back up that confidence. "I think I'll have a good time playing your sister too."

"..." I'm too angry to speak. I just walk out into the battle arena. As I make my way to my platform. I ready my three Vivosaurs: Daspleto, Tricera, and Menchi.

The announcer starts the countdown. "3… 2… 1… BATTLE!"

"..." The second I hear the word I toss out my three Vivosaurs. Bastard Billy tosses out three as well: Raja, Nigo, and a Parapu. Two earths and a water. Nigo has the highest attack out of all of them.

"We see both sides throw out their medals! A Daspleto, Tricera, and Menchi from Rex Lucertola! A Raja, Nigo, and a Parapu from Rockin' Billy! Speed calculations are underway, the first turn goes to… Rex Lucertola!"

I smile as I'm going first. My FP increases to ninety points. I can get off one attack this turn, and two attacks off next. "Okay Menchi Stomp on Nigo!"

"Menchi, lifts it feet and Slams into the Nigo! With this much distance between them the attack is very powerful! But still not enough to take it down!" Shut up, I know that. But I should get it with my next attack.

AS I end my turn, the Nigo is still asleep, so it won't attack this turn. Wait! The hell? How does he have an FP Recharge of one hundred! "You attack well for a Pipsqueak! But this is My victory Parapu Bewilder Beam on Menchi"

"Oooh! Parapu just sent a beam of energy targeted at Menchi, and Oh! It goes down!" the announcer cheers.

Damn it! Now Nigo is awake!... Calm Down! My best weapon against them is down. But that doesn't I'm out yet. Now my turn, FP is at max of two-hundred twenty. "Tricera! Running Smash! Nigo!"

"Oooh! And down goes Nigo!" As the Nigo reverts back to a medal, Bastard Billy's FP raises…

But I still have Eighty points left. "Daspleto Lethal Jaws! Raja!"

With one strike down goes the Raja. "Awesome, Two Vivosaurs down in one turn!"

"Preposterous how is that possible?!" Bastard Billy was in for a surprise.

"It isn't preposterous. Daspleto has it's bones available in the DP shop, and I mean all of them." I smile, Daspleto is my ace for a reason. "He may have only two fossil segments but they were the RARE Fossils with one hundred percent score!"

"Ooh! What a turning event, looking at the Stats Daspleto Ranks at level five!" I end my turn as the he announces that. With losing two Vivosaurs in one turn Billy stands at max FP

"GRR…" He sounds angry, "Parapu! Poison the Daspleto!"

"Daspleto takes the hit! Not even flinching. Although it got caught up in the poison" Daspleto has one of the highest defenses. Of Course, it would barely flinch... But that poison is going to be trouble

My turn, I now sit at one ninety for FP. hm… I can either go with Tricera with a Decent range, or Try raw power it with Daspleto… actually. "Daspleto, Smash Combo! Then Tricera Running Smash again!"

"AH! With that the match is decided! The winner is Rex Lucertola!" after that I could hear the cheering of everyone around us. My victory.

With that I make my exit off the stage. There are others who still need to fight to day.

I make my way back into the lobby of the Stadium, the Adrenaline from earlier has ended. I think I'm more or less back to normal now.

"Possum Spit!" I hear someone curse at me. "That ain't how the battle was supposed to go."

Nope, not yet. "Too bad your cheating didn't get you victory."

"I ain't going to forget this, babaloo! I got my eye on you now, and I'll see you fall if it's the last thing I do!" he says to me.

"If it's going to be anything like this battle, then I shouldn't have to fear anything." I smirk. "Besides, I think The Staff Leader Stella would Love to hear what you said earlier."

"What?!" He looks at me confused.

"The conversation about you working with the other two idiots." I take out my phone, a Bluff.

"Nobody messes with Rockin' Billy! You hear me?" he grabs me by the Scruff of my collar, maybe that was a mistake. "You hear me? I'm gonna get you but good, un-hunh!"

"Hey! What are you doing to my brother!" I hear Sarah call out

"Huh?" Billy looks away. With that I bite his hand to have him let go. "AH! Why you little!"

"That's enough, Rockin' Billy!" I hear another voice shout I turn to see Stella appear with two other staff members.

"W-What? We were just having a friendly tussle is all." Billy Tries to lie

"You grabbed my brother by his collar! That's anything but Friendly!" Sarah Shouts.

"Agreed. But the pair of fools that we caught in the jungle couldn't wait to implicate you in their scheme." Stella said.

"*Implicate? *" Sarah whispers to me.

"*I'll explain later. *" I whisper back.

"Time to go, un-hunh!" Billy tries to flee.

Sarah immediately recognizes this and tackles him. "There's no escape for you!... Hey stop Struggling. That will only hurt you more."

"You should listen she was in our schools Karate Club." I warn. Soon the People holding Billy change to the Island staff

"On my way here, I caught a bit of what he said." Stella looks to me. "Don't worry, Rex, I'll personally see to it that he's banished from the islands. You just sit back and concentrate on the Cup, okay?"

"Sure…" Hopefully this is the last time I ever see Bastard Billy.

"Oh, and good work on clearing round two. Here's your prize." She handed me a new Fossil rock.

"Cool!" I'm excited now.

Beep! Beep! Mine and Sarah's Paleo Pagers started to beep. "Fighter has done enough fighting and digging to progress to Fighter Level four. FP recharge is now at one hundred and Max FP is at two-hundred-eighty. Posting information to battle technology."

"Wow! That was quick. I level just earlier today." That seemed very fast.

"Good luck in round three!" Stella waved as she took Billy away.

"Rex! Are you alright!" Sarah then tackles me.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." I say as I try my best to pry her off of me, I swear she has a grip stronger than a T-rex.

"Are you sure?" She asks. "You seemed to be pretty angry."

"I'm fine now." Was I really that an- actually I was. "Before we fought, he threatened you, and I kind of just snapped."

"Aw there's my brother for you! Has problems with anger just like me!" She hugs me.

"You still have it worse." I snicker back.

"You two!" Todd finally comes over. "You made it through round two! Way to go! I know you guys can do it!"

"But of course, The Lucertola twins will be the ones in the finals!" Sarah shouts.

"*loud cheering*" wow, someone had a successful match.

"Oh, wow. The battle after yours must already be done." Todd glanced down at his watch. "Man, that was about half the time of your Battle!"

"Then the winning fighter must be good!" Sarah smiled. "Man, I hope I get to fight them!"

Over the PA We heard the Announcer from the fight. "The mysterious masked Fighter, Pauleen, has won in a masterful performance!"

"Pauleen? That weird girl from the Jungle!" Todd seemed disgusted by that.

"She's not weird." I protest.

"Ah! There you guys are." I see the masked girl come into the lobby, and run over to us "So, you two twins made it through round two as well."

"Yeah, we did. I somehow got the mastermind behind the Jungle monster." I say.

"I thought those two didn't seem too smart." Oh, if only she knew about robotics. "But you didn't win as fast as I did. Nor with as much Panache… But congratulations."

"*Panache? *" I hear Sarah whisper to Todd.

"Oh, come on, my decisions weren't reckless, but they definitely were a spectacle." I defend "There isn't many rookie fighters to get a rank five Vivosaur from just fossils."

"...Maybe." Pauleen shrugged. "But, don't get any crazy idea winning, though. Because I'm going to be champ. The most Beautiful Champion there ever was!... oh, and humble, too."

"..." was I right in thinking she's shy like me?

"Cram it, sister!" Todd shouts. "Sarah or Rex won't lose to some Braggart like you!"

"Right!" Sarah then shouts. "If you think you're going to win this then Me or Rex will see you in the semi-finals."

Pauleen then turns to me. "Semi-finals?"

"We plan to face each other off in the finals." I do quick explanation. I think it's best to change subjects. "In any event, Let's celebrate, Passing round two!"