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 23 –

POV: Sarah

Time: 18:45

Location: Cranial Isle

Well today has been quite the day… starting off discussing parts of my past and insecurities with Rupert and Pauleen. Getting a request from Joe to save the park by recovering the Super Electrominites that were powering it, from people who stole them. finding the thieves to be from the Bare Bones Brigade, and fighting them… getting eaten by a whale. Seeing what happened to Rex when we were swallowed. Battling the Whale's Uvula to escape.

After escaping the BB Brigade members who stole the Super Electrominites, returned them something about repaying a debt since they were also swallowed, and we freed them. Well after that me, Pauleen, and Rupert rushed to return the Super Electromintes to their respective islands. I of course, refusing, to leave Rex by himself during his panic attack, brought him along with me. He seems to have been recovering somewhat fast, so I left him at the base of Cranial's Fighter Station. While me, Pauleen, and Rupert went to inform Joe of the Situation. Which is wrapping up just about… now.

"Yeeee-haw! Y'all done recovered the Super Electrominites from them BB Brigade varmints!" Joe seemed estatic as we finished the story. "Thanks to you all, we've got power in the entire park. That's some fine work, Sarah, make sure my thanks reaches Rex as well," I nod as Joe says this. "Pauleen… Oh, and you, too, Rupert."

"Pardon me," Rupert suddenly spoke up to Joe, "But… I have a favor to ask of you. I… I would like to be allowed to join the Caliosteo Patrol Team." I knew it! I silently cheer from the inside. "I want to protect the Caliosteo Cup, no matter what."

"You kiddin'?" Joe had a huge grin on his face as Rupert said this. "I oughta be on my hands 'n' knees beggin' ya to join! Rupert, I hereby name ya as a full-fledged member of the Caliosteo Patrol Team."

Rupert had a gentle, but grateful smile on his face as he was told this. "…Thank you."

"All right, Now listen up." Joe called for all of us to be at attention, it sounded serious. "We only got two rounds left in this here Cup. The BB Brigade's runnin' out of time, and there's nothin' more dangerous than a cornered rat! Y'all gotta be on yer guard, all right? Do whatever it takes to save the Cup for Fighters everywhere!"

"Yes sir!"

POV: Rex

Time: 19:00

Location: Cranial Isle

"*Breaths*" What a day… Being swallowed by that whale was terrible…

So, I'm guessing Sarah has told Rupert about what happened years ago… It's not like I meant for that to happen… But I was just never strong enough to help her…

That accident… well it was traumatic for me. I can barely sit in a vehicle without having a panic attack… and when I panic… I tend to get nauseous. I had been slowly been getting better with it.

But that whale, ugh… It felt just like that day… Calm down Rex… it wasn't a repeat. You've gotten stronger, and more confident. Just… Regain focus. Slap! "Focus Rex!"

… I guess the idea of people slapping themselves to motivate themselves doesn't really work…

So, what am I doing? I'm just waiting at the bottom of the Fighter Station on Cranial Island. With everything that happened, I'm still a bit confused on the whole situation.

I mean, the BB Brigade stole the Super Electrominites… and gave them back to us, just because we technically saved them? well honor is good and all… but it just doesn't make sense, especially how they got them in the first place… It's bugging me.

Ding!

Well… either way, I guess I can try to discuss this with everyone now. They've come down the elevator. Though as they get out. Pauleen seems to say something to Rupert. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Rupert? Your father's going to be furious."

"Most likely." Rupert shrugged off Pauleen's question fairly calmly. What did I miss? "But that's all right. I've decided it's time for me to show a little back bone. I'm going to tell my father what I think and let the chips fall where they may. After all, I have you guys to help support me."

"…" We were all surprised to see Rupert like this. Really what did I miss?

Sarah noticing my confusion whispered to me. "*Rupert joined the Patrol team.*"

"And I missed it?" come on… well, no point complaining about it…

"… Alright!" Pauleen seemed very excited for some reason, yet also nervous. "If you can do it, then so can I!" She couldn't mean… She looks at me and Sarah. "Rex, Sarah, remember my promise?"

"Really? Now?" Sarah had a small squeal of glee as Pauleen said this.

"you can do it." I smile calmly… it's a big moment then.

"Yeah, I'm going to be brave and take off this mask for good!" She proclaimed probably to boost her self-confidence. I took a glance and Rupert was completely confused, he definitely confused as to why this was happening. Though Pauleen sounded somewhat proud of herself as she said this. "I'll probably blush like crazy and stammer when I talk to people, but… I think I'm OK with that now. For the rest of the Cup, people will see my face! Here we go!" She started to take off the mask… but… something was off. "…OK, that's weird. It won't come off."

"Won't come off?" Sarah looked at her confuse. "Here let me try."

Something was wrong… The mask is cursed… isn't it? But before I could say anything Sarah was still struggling to try and pull the mask off of Pauleen's face. "…Hnnnngh! Hnnnnnnngh! *pant, Pant* …HNNNNAAAAARRRRRRRGH!"

"…" Pauleen seemed scared that the mask wasn't coming off. While I think Sarah was thinking something unnecessary.

"All right, this working. Rex! get me rope and something heavy!" Yeah… that has nothing to do with the situation at hand.

"It's not coming off… It's not coming off!" She started to panic as she couldn't pull it off.

"Pauleen…" As I said her name, she looked at me incredibly worried. "Are you sure the mask wasn't cursed?"

"…" She goes dead silent… I feel like I'm going to regret ask—" I'm cursed! I'm gonna have this mask on for the rest of my life! Nooooooooooooooo!"

And… she goes running… Sarah then looks at me a little upset. "Rex."

"How was I supposed to know she was going to react like that?" In my defense I don't think there's anything I could have said where she wouldn't be running away…

"Um… Pardon me, but I don't understand. A Cursed mask?" Rupert is still confused, yeah. we never did tell him about it.

So, me and Sarah give Rupert the basic understanding of the situation. Telling him how Pauleen is shy, and she has a magic mask that makes her more confident… and it was probably a cursed mask… Scratch that, it was definitely a cursed mask.

"I see." Rupert like me, probably wanted to disbelieve in magic. But from what's happened, it's quite likely that it's real. "So, the mask has magical powers, does it?"

He was definitely in disbelief. "Yeah, I think we should focus on the fact that it's cursed."

"Yeah, isn't in most fiction cursed items like that try to take over your body, or something?" I'm not sure which is more terrifying. A, that it is actually possible. Or B, this was said by Sarah.

"Pauleen! Wait, digagig! Pauleeeeeeeen!" Before we could continue. There was a shout from near the entrance. Sounds like someone was shouting for her. Me, Sarah, and Rupert all look at each other before running over to the man that shouted. He was… Well, he was wearing non-normal garments to say the speak. I already had known that Pauleen was from the Digadig Tribe, from Vivosaur Island… but this guy right here must have been from the same village.

"Are you all right sir?" Sarah called out to the older tribal man.

He looked back at us… seemingly recognizing us. "You are… The Luceratolas, Digadig?"

"Wha?" Sarah was confused as to why he asked that.

"Me and Sarah are, this is Rupert. We're friends with Pauleen." I'm worried about Pauleen. It's strange how he knows out last names, so I ask him one more question. "Do you know Hunter?"

"Yes," The man nodded to my question. "I… I am the Chieftain of the Digadig people from Vivosaur Island. I am also… Pauleen's Grandfather, Digadig. Hunter has said, Digadig, if we were here and had problems to ask the Luceratolas for help."

"Hunter did what now?!" Sarah was probably the most surprised to hear that. before realizing the main point. "You're Pauleen's Grandfather!"

"Do you know something about that mask that she wears?" Rupert and I ignoring Sarah's shouts, started to ask more important questions.

"The… mask that Pauleen Wears is enchanted with a spell of ill will, Digadig." The Chieftain nodded; it seems he was struggling to keep talking to differently from us. "It gives the wearer… confidence and cheer, diga. But there is…a price. Once it takes hold, it is… impossible to remove. The mask… becomes the master, Digadig."
"!" Rupert and Sarah were surprised. Why Sarah was surprised was beyond me as she already predicted it.

Either way, it wasn't good. Pauleen was in trouble. She's worked so hard to get this far in the competition. whether part of it was because of a magic mask is meaningless. I saw her progress right in front of me. Like hell, I'm leaving her alone like this. I didn't care for what the Chieftain had to say, I bolted for the door. Finding Pauleen took priority.

"Rex!" I heard Sarah call for me, I didn't care. If she was really worried, she'd catch up to me in seconds.

Time: 19:30

Location: Rainbow Canyon (Grotto)

The Sun had pretty much set, by the time I got to the cave system that BB Brigade used to capture girls a few rounds ago. Why was I here? Pauleen was going to run away to hide by herself most likely. Mt Krakanak, while having some caves has too many people interested in looking for T-Rex fossils and other fire type Vivosaurs, she'd never run there. The only other place I could have thought Pauleen would have run to is the bottom of the canyon, but nothing indicated that the Gondola has been touched, so she's probably not there.

Sarah, either believes that I can do this by myself, or I actually lost her. Either way, we all know that we need to find Pauleen and try to help her.

"Pauleen!" I called out through the cave, hoping that she would respond to me…

"Rex?!" She responded surprised and… scared. "No, Stay away from me! I… I have no control over my body anymore! The mask… It makes me attack everyone I see!"

"Do You think I'll do that?!" I shout back at her.

"P-Please…" She tries to call; her voice is struggling… the mask is fighting her. "You have to… run… I c-can't… stop…myself…"

"Pauleen?" with her sudden stop I started to worry. Then I see a sudden figure jump in front of me…

"…" It was definitely Pauleen… But I don't think she had control… I have to do something…

Before I could react, she tossed out three Vivosaurs: A Krypto, Berto, and Berta. I guess we were settling this in a Fossil Battle.

"…" Swallowing any intimidation, I had, I tossed out my three. Daspleto and Tricera in the front, and Camera in the back. Checking the stats, it appears I have the first move. Guess, I should go for the Berto. "Tricera Running Smash! The Daspleto, Lethal Jaw!" I commanded, and Tricera rushed forward ramming its horns into Berto, just before it could recover it received a crunching bite from Daspleto. though, it was still able to stand but not for long.

"…" I felt the hesitation in Pauleen's movements, as her Vivosaurs wordlessly started to move. As assumed, Berto used Thick Jaws on Daspleto. But like usual, Daspleto's rocky armor was more than enough to withstand it. But that was about all Pauleen did this turn…

"Come on Pauleen Fight this!" I shout at her. No way do I feel that she needs to lose to this mask. But still, I need to defend myself. "Tricera, Finish off Berto with another Running Smash. Camera follow with a Buster on Berta!" While it might be more effective to go for a buster on Krypto, Berta would lose out on type advantage. Just as I thought, nearly one slam from Camera's tail nearly took out Berta, it's just barely hanging on.

"…R…Rex…" I heard Pauleen call out to me as her Vivosaurs move… Berta uses a combo move on Tricera taking out nearly half of their health. Guess that's a good boost from Parting Blow, but my luck is on point as it also put Tricera to sleep. And then there was Krypto, it used Krypto Virus on Camera… not good… Three turns, Camera will be gone. And with where it's located, Tricera and Daspleto will have trouble reaching it. I gotta take it down fast…

"Pauleen! After all you've done to try and be brave. The number of times you practiced to talk to others! Are you just going to give into this mask?!" I still yell for her to regain control, she's struggling, I know it… "Daspleto, Lethal Jaw on Berta! Camera follow up with a stomp on Krypto!" With that, Berta is taken down by Daspleto's jaws. Though Krypto's still standing, and counter goes down by one…

"Rex… Please…" Pauleen calls to me again, please tell me I'm getting through to her… there was another his as Krypto sent another wave of the Virus out. This time on Daspleto.

"Are you really going to let this end it like this?! What about your dreams? Your friends? Your Family? I don't care if that mask is cursed or magic. You made a choice to come to this competition! You're strong, stronger than that stupid Mask. We both know it!" I Shout my final cry as I command my now awakened Tricera and Camera to attack Krypto. Ending the battle.

As her final Vivosaur fell, I heard her shout. "no, I want to be free. I'm not going to just be pushed around by a stupid mask!" Before a bright light shone and a gust of wind appeared, swirling around. I had to close my eyes in response to the wind, but when I opened them. I saw Pauleen standing before me, the Mask at her feet.

"The mask…" I blinked several times, was Pauleen strong enough to get rid of it?

"It's off!" I heard Pauleen squeal in joy as she saw it on the floor. "The mask is off, Digadig! I don't need you any more, mask! I'm going to fight on my own and talk on my own from now on! Digadig!"

"…" I can't help but smile as I see her so happy.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Rex!" she just jumped hugging me.

"…" I froze not sure what to do.

"I'm so happy right now, diga!" She squeezes me, ah…

"Heeyy! I found them!" I hear Sarah call from behind me. before I could audibly hear her smirk. "So… Am I interrupting something?"

"huh?" Pauleen looked and saw my blushing face, "…Oh!" Quickly jumping back.

"Ah, I see the mask is off." Rupert came here as well.

"Pauleen!" That shout, it was the Digadig Chieftain. He came running in here checking on Pauleen. "Are you… unharmed, diga?"

Pauleen smiled in response to the Chieftain, proudly showing that she no longer needed the mask. "Look, Grandpa, look! The mask came off! Diga diga Digadig!"

"Ha ha ha, this makes me… Very happy, diga!" The Chieftain smiled, then turning to me he said. "Cousin of Hunter, I must thank you. Digadig. Once again, I thank your family of keeping my granddaughter safe, Digadig."

"Wait, what diga?!" Pauleen then looked at me and Sarah incredibly surprised.

"…" Me and Sarah took a quick look at each other. ""Right, guess we never really said anything."" {A/N: More like every time they tried to mention it was interrupted by something.}

"But really that's not the topic for now." I shrug, with Sarah and Rupert having the same idea as me.

"What do you, diga, mean not important?!" Pauleen shouted increasingly shocked as she talked with me and Sarah.

"Well… don't you think that's more important right now?" Sarah pointed to the mask that was in front of everyone.

"To think this little mask caused so much trouble… I find it very hard to believe." Rupert stood before the mask, looking at. Well, it's apparently magic, I think the way he's looking at it makes sense.

"No kidding," Sarah nodded. "But a cursed item is pretty dangerous. I think it might be the best for it to be destroyed. Where's my pick-axe?"

"Wait no!" Pauleen oddly screams in disagreement. "Please! Don't break the mask, Digadig! This is all my fault I'm the one who took the mask without permission. And besides, it diga-DID help me for a while, so it's not totally evil."

"It did take control of you body…" I spilled out, but the way Pauleen had that look in her eyes. "Though Sarah, it is the property of the Digadig Tribe. I don't think we have any right to try and destroy it unless they say so."

"That's true." Sarah, though she looked like she really wanted to break the mask for the trouble it caused. Agreed with me.

"Right, you should take it back to the village, Grandpa…. Digadig?" Pauleen looked at the Chieftain worried. I can easily understand the idea to keep a mask… but this mask… I'd rather it be destroyed… but again… it's the Digadig tribe Property.

"*Sigh*" Rupert sighed. "Rex is completely right, but really… what if the item gets taken again."

"…" The Chieftain took a minute to think, before taking the mask from the ground. Placing in it under his arm. Then he turned to look Pauleen in the eye. "You have changed, Pauleen. You are… Talking to others, diga-despite having no mask."

"I know, Digadig!" Ah… she had such a beautiful smile on her face.

"…" and Sarah is smirking at me again… alright… Next time she and Rupert appear to have a moment, I need to ruin it with Todd. That will be my revenge. Ah, seeing that shiver she just had, means she knows I'll be taking revenge.

"It's awesome! I owe this all to my friends, Digadig." Pauleen smiled, "They taught me to trust my feelings, diga. They showed me I could be myself."

"It does… My heart good to see you grow." The Chieftain moved, giving her a pat on the head. "You grow… before my very eyes, diga!"

Just then all of our Paleo Pagers started to buzz with an important message for us… Probably for the next round. "This is an announcement concerning the Caliosteo Cup semifinals. Due to adjustments to the facilities, and a last-minute change to the schedule. The Semi Finals have been post poned for two days from now. Though tomorrow night a ball will be held where the Semi-Final match ups will be announced."

"A ball?" Rupert said somewhat surprised. "Perhaps that's not an altogether bad thing. It could be a great make up for that Festival that we all tried to hang out together."

As the message played… me and Sarah slightly paled as we looked at each other… Well, Apparently Pauleen had the same line of thinking as us. """A Ball?!"""