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.

So... Didn't think I'd be getting back to this story any time soon. I did mention in my last chapter of my Pokémon Reborn Story that I'd be taking a break from that.(Partly because I was going into Final's week for college). At the time I thought I might write a Pokémon Mystery dungeon Story. But during my writing break... I may have realized I've been thinking of Pokémon a bit too much. So, this year my New Years Resolution will be to finish this story and write another story that's not Pokémon.

Chapter 19 – A Chillin' Tale

POV: Rex

Time: 11:30

Location: Ilium Island

Ah… Yesterday was fun. That battle I had against Madame Pooch… well, didn't know canines could fight that well. After that, Me, Sarah, and Todd had some fun doing more fossil hunting with Hunter. Spending several hours in Mount Krakanak, we managed to find Sarah a T-Rex skull as well as an Arm. So, she was happy about that.
Though yesterday was also the last day Hunter could stick around with us. Sigh… It would have been awesome if he could stick until the end, but he has his own things going on. But I am a bit jealous on the way he left. He apparently got an old friend of his, a Dinurian to pick him up. Gah… he's so lucky. Riding in a spaceship sounds so cool! I hope he lets me and Sarah meet some of them some day.

But back to what's at hand… Me, Sarah, Rupert, and Pauleen have all seemed to have made it to the semifinals… First off, wow… This all feels so … WOW, I did not think I would survive this far. I'm pretty happy with myself… I've come so far… I actually feel like I could win this. Wow… thinking back, the idea of me and Sarah fighting in the finals… that doesn't seem that far off. I've definitely gotten stronger since coming here.

Heh, today… Me and Sarah seemed to have gotten a late start. I guess the jitters of us getting so far kept us from sleeping. Or at least myself, Sarah was pretty surprised that I actually over slept. But now me and her are heading out to the next dig site. It's called Icegrip Plateau, from what I've heard it's majorly just a glacier. Most of the fossils are deeply incased in ice, guess there must be a lot of water elemental Vivosaurs.

"Woah!" Sarah breathed in excitement as we reached the entrance to the area. Like I heard, the ground seemed to be mainly made of ice. Also like I heard there were several different areas, I think other fighters called them areas A, B, C, and D. looking from where we are, it seems that there are small ice bridges connecting between the areas… Why aren't there any safety rails along those bridges? Well… besides the unsafe portion of this place. Area D seems to be at sea level like an icy beach of sorts. I sure wouldn't like to take swim in that water. Brrr… I just feel cold looking at it from here. Speaking of cold…

"Sarah be careful, it looks prett—" Aaaannnd there goes my feet from under me. Ow. "…Slippery…"

"I see." Sarah smiles as she extends her hand to me. "I see that my little brother is as clumsy as ever."

"You're the clumsy one, lil' sis." I mock as I take her hand. "How many times have you broken an item in the house?"

"How many times have you slipped on ice?" she didn't hesitate with her counter. We both smile then laughed at each other.

It's been a while since we've just laughed and made fun of each other like this. Sure, we've hung out during the competition, but it was rarely just by ourselves like this. But really even though we've barely been together, it's all been so fun. "*Sigh*" as our laughter dies down, I look at the sky… nice and blue against the white contrast of the glaciers.

"You okay Rex?" Sarah tilts her head; she knows that I'm sad about something.

"Is it bad that I don't want the competition to end?" I end up asking her a question instead.

"…" She has a small smile on her face, "yeah, I get you. I think this is the first time we've had friends other than Todd with the same hobby as us… I don't really want this competition to end either."

… she understood. It was fun, this was the first time I've started to feel confident in myself. First time I've been able to stand in front of crowds. "…"

"Hey, I'm sure we'll see everyone again. Besides once we get back to school, well see Todd like every day." Sarah tried to help console this, but… really… I didn't want this to end.

Though before I could respond a bit of pink caught my eye. I looked over saw a girl who, by all means, should be wearing something warmer. Her pink hair as usual were up in pigtails to the side of her head, wearing a polka dot tube top, and a grass skirt with shorts underneath. Though I could see the tribal markings of the Digadig tribe on her face, since she didn't have her usual mask on.

"huh? Oh, Pauleen's over there?" Sarah looked in the direction I was looking, seeing Pauleen as well. "I wonder what she's doing?"

I look over notice the odd ice formation… if it was foggy, it could easily confuse someone for a figure of a person. "Practicing, I think."

"Practicing? Oh!" It took Sarah a second, but she realized what I meant. "Do you want to watch?"

"Wh-… but shouldn't we—" Sarah didn't even allow me to make an excuse.

"C'mon, we both know we have our final teams ready. So, any fossils that we find here won't even help us." Sarah said, pulling me by my arm. Due to her strength… I was unable to pull back. Helplessly I was dragged by my sister over to Pauleen.

"Hello, Digadig." Pauleen wasn't even focused on us; she was focus on talking to the ice person. "It's very chilly here, isn't it? Take care, diga, not to catch a cold."

"heh, shouldn't we be saying that to you?" Sarah called out to Pauleen with snicker. She was dressed pretty lightly…

"…Muh?!" What was that noise? Well… either way, Pauleen nearly jumped out of her skin as she noticed me and Sarah. "GYAAAAAA!"

"And she's hiding behind an ice rock." I note, turning to my sister. "Nice going Sarah."

"How is this my fault?!" Sarah exclaimed back at me.

"…" I just blankly look at her. She fidgets under my stare, she of all people should know the struggles of someone who is afraid of other people.

"…I'm sorry." She breaks and mumbles.

"H-Hey!" Pauleen finally returns with her usual mask back on her face. She seems a bit up set. "You two were spying on me, weren't you?"

"no, we were just passing by, when you caught Rex's eye." Sarah shrugged answering. It was surprising that Pauleen's demeanor changed so fast when she wore that mask. I mean even I still struggled with others when I wore a mask.

"Sorry for surprising you." I apologized to Pauleen, "Though it's nice to see your practicing to talk to others."

"…" Pauleen was silent, "No I'm sorry for getting angry… I was practicing in a pretty open area…" She then looked at Sarah, slightly worried for some reason.

"What? Do you think I didn't notice that your shy?" Sarah said bluntly. Though in retrospect she really didn't notice until I pointed it out. But, that's probably not something that I should say right now.

"Yeah, as foolishly as Sarah acts. She is my sister." I support what Sarah said, "Though when you do have that mask on, you could fool me into believing you're not shy."

"You could say that again." Sarah agreed with me. "If it wasn't for the minor facts… and the fact that time you lost that mask. I probably wouldn't have noticed." Sarah then said an unnecessary comment. "I mean, even when Rex usually wore a Mask he could still barely talk."

"…" I just sigh. I can't fight back sometimes…
"Fine… it's true that I can only get by is wearing this mask…" Pauleen sighed from her mask. "Though if it were a normal mask, I probably still couldn't speak to others…"

""'Normal Mask'?"" Me and Sarah look at Pauleen dubiously. I heard from some of the stories from Hunter, that the Digadig tribe uses mystical means. (despite how illogical that sounds). I may be a fan of science and science fiction, but… I've read my fair share of fantasy.

"It's a magical mask, see?" And Pauleen says the words… "It gives whoever wears it a cheerful, sunny personality. It's one of my village's greatest treasures."

"…" Both me and Sarah are silent. It's a typical cliché of mystical objects that gives a person some sort of benefit. There's definitely a curse of some sort on that mask. I know it.

Pauleen looked away from us before continuing. "Yet, I want nothing more than to be free of this mask forever. I want to talk with my own—"

Sarah ended up interrupting her for some reason. She had a strange look on her face… something mixed with sympathy and… worry? "Hey, Rex. I think I remember seeing a message from Todd and that he was here somewhere. Can you do me a favor and meet up with him ahead of me?"

What?... I looked at her perplexed. But the look she had said she didn't want me to hear. I guess I don't have a choice. "Alright, fine. Be safe, and make sure Pauleen doesn't catch a cold."

"…Do I look that cold?" Pauleen felt to ask as I left. "Sarah and you don't look that well-dressed either."

"Heh, this is barely different from winter in our home country!" Sarah proudly boasted.

Since, I didn't want Sarah mad, I couldn't say the real reason. Idiots don't catch colds. Either way, I made my way through the glaciers. I had to be pretty careful to make sure I didn't fall over. By that, I mean I used my pick-axe to make the ice rough so I wouldn't slip.

Was getting closer to Area D when I finally met Todd. And wow… It got colder as I got closer to the water. I should discuss with Todd to find any fossils that either of us would like fast. Even though it's like Fraeca Winters, we probably shouldn't be out here too long. It is worse if we end up falling asleep.

"Oh, Rex! Hey! Over here!" Todd noticed me first calling out to me.

"Todd!" I call back to him, gradually making sure I have a path to walk on.

"Ah…" Todd is definitely making a silent remark about on my path making skills. Seeing that I noticed he tried to change the subject. "Brrrr! It's really cold out here, isn't it?"

"It's pretty cold." I follow at Todd's pace agreeing with him.

"Yeah, I bet if you fall asleep here, you'd never wake up." Todd repeated something I had already thought.

Though what came next was unexpected (Or completely expected, I guess). Either way, we both heard an audible snore. "Zzzzzzzz… Hmmm… *Snuffle* *Snort* Mmm, a roaring fire and snuggly blanket… Zzzz… Mmm… Fresh hot chips and pickled kippers… yes, quite… *Ka-snort!* Zzzzz…"

"…" Me and Todd just look at each other. Someone was trying to sleep out here. Do they have a death wish?!

"Rex, we gotta look fast!" Todd started to panic.

"…" I panicked as well… but I'm more focused trying to find the source of the snore! Ah there! Just a bit further down—"Wait?! Is that Professor Scatterly!"

"Huh?!" Todd exclaimed surprised by my shout, then looked at where I was pointing. "Holy crow! He's fallen asleep here! Come on, Rex! We have to wake him up before something terrible happens!"

We run over to where Professor Scatterly was. Once we were there, we shook him, until he suddenly sprang up. I mean literally, he jumped up like a compressed spring releasing all itself. I didn't think an older man like Professor Scatterly could do that. but what was more surprising was what he sputtered next. "Burgle Bargle! Hurrg!" He looked incredibly surprised. I hope didn't just almost give this guy a heart attack. "…Hmm? …Wha? Good heavens! I appeared to have fallen asleep! How terribly careless of me, eh wot?"

"Um… Hey there Professor…" I try to casually call his attention.

"By my stars!" the Professor's eyes beamed as he recognized me and Todd. "If it isn't the young Todd and Rex! I appear to be in your debt once again!"

"Yeah… you seem to get into a lot of trouble huh?" I shyly laugh, he actually seems to get into more trouble than me.

"Say Professor, if you're out here. Does that mean you found any new Calio Slablets?" Todd tilted his head to the side. Apparently long ago, the islands for the Caliosteo cup were ruled by some ancient sorcerer… or that has been said. Scatterly has been finding Slablets describing the past and the ruler's rule. Zongazonga could apparently resurrect fossils with his magic, and had something else known as a magic vessel… whatever that meant. The professor currently has two. Oddly enough they are numbered. He has numbers one and three.

"That would be correct." The professor nodded. Taking out the rectangular Slablet of the Calio history. "I have discovered yet another Calio Slablet on this very spot. Without further ado, please allow me to translate it for you both." The Professor cleared his throat as he translated the Slablet. "Aha! This is Slablet #2!"

"Really?!" Me and Todd exclaimed excited. Last time we heard the story of the third Slablet, then I read the first one from the Caliosteo Museum that Professor Scatterly owns. Now, I get an order of events for this tale.

"You couldn't stay hidden forever, your cheeky little artifact, now could you?!" The Professor snickered at the Slablet.

"Finally, we get to understand more of the story." Todd sighed in relief as well. nothings more annoying to get a story out of order.

"Yes, well, now then…" The Professor once again cleared his throat as he started to read. "'Zongazonga's immortality spell unleashed a great and terrible power. With this magic, he could force his own skull into the head of another, thereby assuming his very being. By taking over new bodies as his current one aged, Zongazonga assured himself of eternal life. The unfortunate victim chosen to give his body to Zongazonga was known as a Majestic Vessel. To be chosen as a Majestic Vessel was a fate worse than death, and the people feared it above all else.'" That was… a surprisingly dark story… Todd looked pale. The professor was even surprised himself. "Good Heavens! It seems Zongazonga was nothing more than a common magical body thief!" As I was thinking what was common about that. the professor saw through his meaning. "Ahem… not that there's anything common about that, eh wot?"

"…" But really… Zongazonga, forced his skull into another body? …Don Boneyard, that time he was shown on screen… he was a living skeleton, wasn't he? Could Don Boneyard be Zongazonga looking for a new body?... brrr… I think I'm getting shivers, and not because of the cold air here.

"I say, this is all quite fascinating, don't you think?" Scatterly mused as he scratched his beard. "I wonder if the people of ancient times endured Zongazonga's rule across countless generations? Or perhaps they were clever enough to confront and defeat this terror?"

"Wow… This tale is getting really intense." Todd said through his shaking.

"Yes, this gnaws at me!" the Professor proudly proclaimed. "I must know what happened to those poor People!"

Pipipipipipipi…

Though before we could say anything back to Professor Scatterly, mine and Todd's Paleo Pagers started to ring. "Incoming FMS message." It then buzzed with the voice changing to Joe's voice. "Howdy there, pards. It's me, Joe, and I'm afraid we got a problem on our hands. I need the Patrol Team to mount up and gather in my suite immediately."

There was worry in Joe's voice… something bad just happened… I look to Todd; he knows it too… But… "Todd? Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fined… but Joe s-sounded pretty worried. We better get over there—" Just as Todd stuttered through his sentence he suddenly sneezed. "Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! Aaaaaaa-CHOO!" Ew… there's a giant snot ball hanging off his nose… but more importantly…

I touch his head. "Holy cow, your burning!"

"Urgh…" Todd said through shaking. "My head hurts… and I'm f-f-freezing…"

"Geez, here I thought idiots don't catch colds." I say that, but I know it's not true. But really… Todd couldn't have caught a cold at a worse time…

"Not to worry, Rex. I'll see to it that Todd is up and full of beans again in no time!" Professor Scatterly said to me. I guess I could leave Todd with him,

"Thanks…" I nod along.

"Achoo!" Todd sneezed again. "Whaaaa-chooo!" Todd looked at me pained. "S-Sorry, Rex… I don't think I'm gonna make it to see Joe."

"It's fine." I tell Todd giving him a smile, "Just focus on getting better. Sarah would be pissed if she learned you tried to push yourself with a cold."

"Y-yeah… S-she never likes it when anyone's sick…" Todd smiled weakly.

… "Alright, get well!" I turn to go run off. Sarah and Pauleen definitely heard it, they will probably arrive before me.