Disclaimer: I do not own Fossil Fighters, any of the vivosaurs or characters (Except for Creed), and am simply writing this for my own amusement.

A/N: As the sequel to my previous fic, Dark Horse Gambit, this story will continue building up on the foundation I have already laid down. It shall detail the adventures of novice Fossil Fighter Vestello Leoncor as he competes in the infamous Caliosteo Cup. What sort of troubles will he face? You are welcome to read and find out.

Acknowledgments: Firstly, I would like to thank Devaro Ayanami for his wonderful help as both my Beta and my sounding-board. Secondly, I would like to thank Tempest Bound for encouraging me to post this story now, rather than later. Thirdly, I would like to thank Vathara for all the wonderful stories -which I highly recommend you read- she has posted. Reading them has helped me find ways of expanding my own writing style.

Ack! I'm SO sorry! I forgot all about updating yesterday.

Interlude
Fighter's Aura and Clash-of-Will

Subject: Pressure Part 3: Fighter's Aura
From: Leveche

Now, after much delay, I shall finally answer your original question. What that feeling you got from Joe Wildwest and Rupert Faro and myself is. It is called a Fighter's Aura, or Spirit, and it is formed through the blending of Vitality, Resolve, and one's emotions. It is a very powerful type of energy, but one that isn't very well understood.

Fossil Fighters aren't the only ones who can manifest a Fighter's Aura, even regular people can produce it, but only the most exceptional, and I've witnessed at least two vivosaurs that had such powerful auras that they could twist the very environment around them. One threatened to bring about a second Ice Age simply by being out of its medal while the other quite nearly set the air on fire ((I'm speaking of Frigisaurus and Ignosaurus)).

I'm not sure there's any real decent way to define it, but I'll give it a shot. It is the manifestation of confidence, strength, and intent that only people comfortable with their abilities can produce. You know that feeling you get around certain people? That sense of awe, respect, and impressions such as 'this guy's powerful' or 'he'll protect me'. For those with the sensitivity and a strong Spirit of their own meeting someone else's is much like crossing two separate sonar signals. It often manifests as a pulse throughout their body, mainly through their sternum. When encountering someone even a little stronger than yourself it manifests as, not only an almost painful 'pulsing' but a sense of Pressure falling over your shoulders.

I've been told it's often the sign of a great leader but, whether that is true or not, I can say that it is capable of turning the tide in a battle, able to strengthen the moral of one's allies while at the same time terrifying their enemies. This is not an exaggeration, a Fighter's Aura can be a very dangerous thing, but I'll get to that later.

Fully trained Synchros tend to give off the strongest aura, though regular Fighters all have the potential. ((I should note that though they have the potential very few actually manage to live up to it. Anyone can cultivate their Vitality or Force of Will, but not everyone is cut out to—or willing to—produce a Fighter's Aura.)) In most cases this Spirit is only really noticed during Battle because it settles down when things are calm and is thus inconspicuous, however, that is not the case with Synchro Fighters.

Synchros 'project' their Spirit at all times, though it is possible to suppress it such actions are not advised because it's mentally fatiguing, and it's basically a manifestation of their core character, nature, and intent. Generally it takes the feel of their primary elemental affinity. Joe Wildwest feels sturdy and safe like a stone pillar, I'm told I feel wild but protective like either a warm wind or a winding fire whirl—depending on whether I'm in a good mood or not—and Saurhead can be overwhelming even at the best of times. ((But as I've mentioned before, I'm pretty sure that's deliberate on his part.))

I'm sorry if I'm being real wound-about in my explanation, but a Fighter's Spirit is something to be felt first hand, not taught second hand.

Now, I've mentioned that a Fighter's Aura can be a dangerous thing. The following will hopefully explain in better detail.

Alongside one's Force-of-Will there is also the Clash-of-Will(s), when two or more people of strong Spirits clash for some reason or another. It is an affect felt not only by the participants, but by anyone and everyone around them as well. It can be just as dangerous, if not more so, than a Master-Level Vivosaur Fight.

During such a conflict the two Fighters will, deliberately or not, attempt to overwhelm the other through sheer Pressure alone even with their Vivosaurs battling it out. What makes this more dangerous than the straight out Battle itself is that, should one of the Fighter's falter and get overwhelmed by the other's Spirit then they will lose the Fight automatically because the strain will almost always render them unconscious, or otherwise unable to fight. Remember what I've said about being overwhelmed by a too-strong Vivosaur? It's the same thing here.

During the battle everyone in the immediate area is caught in the storm front, which, I'm told, is even worse for them than it is for the two Fighters. Why? Because, unless they have powerful Spirit's to shield themselves, they're getting the full brunt of both clashing wills. It is an overwhelming, smothering situation and, to make it worse, they risk losing themselves in it. To protect themselves they will often align with one or the other to avoid the full force of the clash. Doing so gives them strength and direction, but also puts them at the mercy of that person's will.

Lost? I'll elaborate. When someone yields to the protection of a strong Fighter they must also, to an extent, yield to their commands. Like in feudal times, peasants served the king or lord of the land and in return the king or lord would protect them from danger. That meant obeying orders even if the king or lord's intentions were not the best. It's a bit more severe for those who pledge fealty, in some way or another, to a Fighter because they get so caught up in the Spirit's Current, or the Fighter's desires, that they develop tunnel vision of sorts and can't see that it's wrong.

In most cases the only way to break away is to seek refuge with another, equally powerful, Fighter. However, thus far the only example of this I've seen was when Duna of the Dinaurians fled from her king, his Excellency Dynal. I've spoken to her and she said that she would never have managed such an act if there hadn't been someone she could run to. Had she been all on her own she'd have remained under King Dynal's thrall.

As I've said before, a true understanding of Pressure and a Fighter's Aura can come only through firsthand experience. Hopefully I've given you enough information for you to begin to recognize things as you come to encounter them but there is still so much we don't know.

Doctor Diggins of Vivosaur Island has a theory that a Fighter's Aura might be able to take on some kind of physical form, like how Frigisaurus and Ignosaurus did, but he has yet to find any proof.

And on a final note, a bit of encouragement to you:

You have a very strong Spirit. I could sense that the moment I first saw you. You have the potential to become a true Master Fighter, you merely need time and experience. So should you come across a Fighter whose aura seems overwhelming do not back down unless you're certain beyond a doubt you cannot match them. It is possible to beat someone with a stronger Spirit. So keep in mind that there is a difference between biting off more than you can chew and encountering someone strong enough to be a true challenge.

I battled Saurhead to earn my Master Rank. At first it seemed as if he could overwhelm me, but I stood my ground and resisted his Fighter's Aura. In the end I managed to beat him. Keep such things in mind as you meet new challenges.

Take care.

Reviews are always appreciated. They let me know my story is not simply collecting virtual dust. And by reviews I mean something a bit more than 'awesome story' or the like. Tell me what you enjoyed, and even what you did not (though please refrain from going on a tangent).

/\/\/\

To DunaN2 (Guest): I don't have a code for Neutral Vivosaurs. King Dynal is the only exception because, despite being a neutral-aligned vivosaur his mentality is more like that of a water-aligned one and it shows.

That little snippet you sent me was certainly interesting. The only thing that bothers me is how the parent was only fourteen years old. I understand how in some cultures it's traditional for the girls to get married and such as soon as they hit puberty, but I don't agree with it. That's really the only thing I have to criticize about it.

/\/\/\

Sneak Peak:

Alright, I've seen Wondrous Fossils so…what's this supposed to be? Amber eyed the elongated hexagon-shaped fossil rock.

He shrugged, slipping into the last slot in the back of his fossil case and continued on. Maybe I'll ask Felic later—Is that Rupert?