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.
Chapter 5
Rise of the Caliosteo Patrol Team II
Subject: Re-re-re-On a Roll
From: Leveche
Never doubt what you are capable of. By no means would Don Boneyard find you easy to subdue, even if he is a Synchro Fighter. Just remember why you are Fighting and that you have your vivosaurs to help you. Boneyard is not impossible to beat, just difficult.
I'm afraid I'll have to get back to you on your 'diga' question. There's something I have to go check out.
Good luck finding that wayward princess!
/\/\/\
Basking in the warm morning sun and feeling more than a little refreshed, Vestello strode into the Jungle Labyrinth.
While he had been farsighted enough to turn in for the night, Pauleen and Todd hadn't been so wise. As evident by the bewildered huddle-groups of Fighters gossiping about the 'boy in the hardhat' and 'scary girl with a mask' scouring the three islands looking for a 'girl with a dog'. According to such groups, the latest sighting of the girl and dog in question was in the Jungle Labyrinth, hence why Vestello found himself there now.
Now, if I were a wayward princess competing in a Fossil Fighting Tournament, I'd go find the newest and/or strongest fossils. Thus: she is probably in the deepest part of the Labyrinth.
Of course, the Jungle Labyrinth wasn't a small area by any means, and it would be easy to miss another Fighter completely.
Maybe I should see if Leveche's advice has any merit…
::Guile, Spirit, Halcyon, and Vehemence: Go scout the area, see if you can find Joanie.::
He tossed the Dino Medals.
Fine sprays of dancing bright-greens and yellows accented a determined current of dark orange.
::Seek-find-report/lost-will-be-found, promise!::
Trilling happily, Spirit soared away with Guile to scan through the tree tops.
Banked embers of questioning pale-oranges flecked a background of darker orange curiosity.
::Find and catch? Or find and protect?:: Halcyon sent, cocking a feathered head.
The questioning orange wisps coming from Vehemence seemed to echo the question as the great serpent's tongue flickered in and out of his mouth.
Marginally surprised, Vestello considered the question a moment before responding.
::Just observe until I arrive, but if something's threatening her don't hesitate to act.::
Halcyon's eyes seemed to narrow.
Embers of pale orange flared up with streaks of sharper red-orange.
::Just the girl, or the dog as well?::
Amber blinked, taken aback. ::Well, both of them, of course. Why do you ask?::
Crackling embers blazed up in amused streaks of blue-greens and yellows.
::With your luck they'll be attacked by the BareBone Brigade. I wish to know what's the priority.:: The half bird chuffed.
A sharp streak of mocking burgundy broke up a slowly-warming expanse of bored pale-blues.
::Perhaps…even Don Boneyeard…himself?::
Vehemence let out a low, broken hiss that could almost be mistaken for a prolonged snicker.
Vestello shuddered, then glared at the snake. ::Don't even joke about that! Now get moving, both of you.::
The two vivosaurs exchanged glances before doing as they were ordered, leaving jeering wisps of color in their wakes.
The amber-eyed teen sighed. Great. They must know something that I don't… Shaking his head, blue mane swishing, he followed after them at a slower pace.
/\/\/\
"No no, widdle doggy! Don't squirm now! You have to be a nice widdle doggy!"
Horrified, Joanie watched as the disgusting man molested Madame Pooch, heedless of the canine's indignant barks as he rubbed her fur the wrong way and with far more force than necessary.
I must stop him!
Darting forward she grabbed the big man's arm. "Stop zis! Madame Pooch, she does not like you!"
The man scoffed, knocking her away effortlessly.
"Wrong again, sister."
Madame Pooch whined as the man rubbed harder.
"All dogs love me! I have this natural way with animals, see?" Leaning forward, nose-to-nose with the distressed canine, the man cooed. "Don't you wove me, widdle poochie?"
It was the most disgusting thing Joanie had ever seen.
"Who's a happy puppy? Huh? Whoooo's a happy puppy?"
Then the man picked up Madame Pooch and what he said next chilled the very blood in Joanie's veins.
"You're coming home with me, aren't you, widdle snookums? Yes you are! Yeees, you are!"
By now Madame Pooch had, mercifully, lost all awareness and orientation and thus could not hear the panic-inducing words.
"No!" Joanie lunged again.
"Hey, lady? You're starting to mess with my dog bonding here." The man exploded into action, shoving the blonde to the ground. "So why don't you get lost?" Dino Medals gleamed as a cruel smirk formed. "That is, unless you want me to clean your clock in a Fossil Battle!"
Joanie grayed at the threat. Carte blanche! I must make with ze rescuing of Madame Pooch from zis terrible oaf of a man! But her body remained frozen on the ground, no matter how much she willed it to move.
Then the man turned and started walking away, Madame Pooch still trapped in his vile clutches-
Branches shattered and foliage exploded outward as silver gleamed and a savage hiss split the air. The man yelped and leapt back, an action that saved his life as monstrous jaws snapped shut in the air where he had just been.
A scream sounded and it took Joanie a moment to realize it was coming from her as she recognized a giant snake.
"What's the big deal?" The man demanded, face ashen and eyes wide.
The snake just hissed, fangs barred, as it maneuvered massive coils between the man and the fallen Joanie without breaking its gaze.
A vivosaur? Joanie wondered, initial panic fading. There was supposed to be a giant snake-like vivosaur, wasn't there? But who was controlling it? Unless, of course, it was a feral, but that possibility was simply to horrible to consider because if it was a feral then Madame Pooch would soon be devoured right along with the great oaf who dared kidnap her.
Please, have a Fighter. Please do not eat Madam Pooch—
A sharp whistle distracted her and suddenly strong hands were helping her to her feet. Undoubtedly belonging to the terrible snake's Fighter.
Thank heavens!
Turning to look at her savior she paused, looked down, and then gave a grin of both joy and great relief.
"Ah! It is my friend, Vestello!"
The much shorter boy smiled and used his free hand to wave.
"You are here at just ze right time, no?" Joy faded to be replaced with desperation. "Please! You must make ze Fossil Battle with zis terrible man and save Madame Pooch!"
Amber eyes narrowed and looked passed monstrous coils to the man beyond. Without looking back at her, Vestello nodded and threw two more Dino Medals. On either side of the monstrous snake—wasn't it called a Tophis?—a gray and white aeros and a pink maia—it was so cute Joanie wished she possessed one but had yet to find the fossils for it. Madame Pooch greatly enjoyed the crown-like protrusion maia vivosaurs had on their head—materialized.
"I oughta smack you with a rolled-up newspaper, kid!" The man, now recovering what little wits he had, glared at the younger Fighter. "But if you want a Fossil Battle, bring it on!" With his free hand he tossed his own Dino Medals. "All right, kid. Time to show you who the real alpha dog is!"
You are no alpha dog you oaf! Joanie fumed, but Vestello merely looked amused by the declaration.
A flash, and three new vivosaurs appeared opposite Vestello's team.
In flanking positions were two felinish machai, one the usual red while the other with lime green, but it was the one in the center which horrified Joanie.
"You must be careful Vestello."
The boy glanced up, puzzled.
"Zat is an evolved vivosaur he has. It is very powerful, yes? Not like other vivosaurs." How could a man like that get such a rare vivosaur?
From the other side of the battle field, the terrible man laughed. "Impressed? You should be, 'cause he's going to mow you down and bury what's left. Heracles: show them who's top dog with Heracles Blade!"
Like a great tsunami, the terrible vivosaur charged forward with the horn that took up most of its face swinging like an executioner's axe.
Vestello merely extended one arm forward.
The tophis blurred into a silver whip, powerful coils lashing out, catching the oncoming vivosaur in its pillar-like legs. The resulting crash was more like a small, very focused earthquake, shaking leaves of the trees and upturning rocks.
Astonished, Joanie watched as the great behemoth moaned and tried unsuccessfully to return to its feet.
He gave no orders to his vivosaur. How did…?
"Machai Twist!"
A terrible hissing-roar escaped the great snake as it reared, twin gashes marring its gleaming hide after streaks of green and red had struck.
"Don't let up, take it down: Machai Twist!"
Again and again the tophis screamed as more and more gashes were torn into it. No matter how it writhed it could not catch the assaulting felines or escape their strikes. And through this Vestello did nothing.
Wait, no, he shifted his arm so it was held out to his side rather than ahead. But why would-?
Two yipes sounded as both cats were intercepted mid-air and slammed into the ground by pink forepaws.
The maia! Joanie realized, surprised by the normally passive vivosaur's aggressive strikes.
But what really surprised Joanie was how Vestello still hadn't issued a command. But he was controlling his vivosaurs somehow, the way they used such clever strategies was proof of that. Had that tophis been the only example of strategy, she would have passed it off as a fluke. But twice? By two completely different vivosaurs? There was no way that was a coincidence.
Actually, he didn't say anything during the battle in Rainbow Canyon either. Now that she thought about it, he had used some kind of hand signals to control his team. And his team had responded perfectly even if they couldn't see his signs!
Wait…perhaps he fights like…her. Yet she had never known a human to be able to use that manner of vivosaur control.
Motion from the maia drew the blonde from her thoughts.
She did not finish those two vicious cats?
No, instead it was leaning over the gasping snake, but why-?
A soft, melodic croon came from the pink vivosaur and pale pink lights appeared around both it and the snake. Then the terrible wounds afflicting the tophis disappeared as the light touched them.
A healing vivosaur? Was there such a thing? Apparently so.
On the other side of the battlefield, the man lost his temper.
"That's it! Heracles Blade! Cut them apart!"
Blue eyes widened at the thundering charge. When did it recover?
Vestello pulled his arm close in an almost beckoning gesture. The tophis and maia beat a hasty retreat, falling back behind the previously forgotten aeros, who stood unmoving in the face of such a devastating onslaught.
Then Vestello dropped his arm.
The world bled green.
/\/\/\
Turn off the bells…
Dazed, Joanie stared up at a blend of blues and greens. She blinked and the blurs solidified to reveal the tree canopy and the sky above.
What happened?
That monstrosity of a Heracles had charged. Vestello had dropped his arm. And then…
Was that…a vivosaur attack? Amazed, she sat up—when had she fallen?—and gaped at the swath of destruction that lay before her.
The ground was carved up in a great cone which narrowed as it led back to a very smug looking aeros. Where the cone cut rocks were overturned, bushes were uprooted, and three Dino Medals glittered through dust and grime in the morning light.
He took out all zree of zem at once!
As if unaware of how much devastation that one attack had unleashed, Vestello strode forward towards the shocked man on the other side of the field.
He must only still be standing because ze Heracles had been right in front of him. Joanie mused, noting the little island of undisturbed ground around the man.
A twig snapped, waking the man from his daze. Eyes wide he turned and ran, Madame Pooch still in his clutches.
"Stop him—"
Snarling fangs burst from the undergrowth, halting the fleeing man in his tracks. Covered in green and gold feathers, the small raptor-like vivosaur stalked into view.
A small smirk on Vestello's face caught Joanie's attention.
Another of his vivosaurs? She realized. When did he release it?
The vivosaur hissed, crouching low, glaring at the man. It then did something completely unexpected. With one claw, it pointed first at Madame Pooch, then at the ground.
Joanie stared, shocked.
The man appeared to be as well, because he didn't move.
With an annoyed huff, the raptor vivosaur repeated the gesture. This time with bared teeth.
Having no choice but to obey, the man kneeled to set the captive canine down, blustering all the while.
"N-no! How can this be when I wove my widdle bubsy-wubsy so much?"
By this time, Madame Pooch had recovered enough of her wits to bite the man. Hard. The man yowled, dropping her to clutch the injury.
"You bit me! My widdle fluffy-wuffy bit me on the leggy-weggy!"
Still disoriented, Madame Pooch wobbled over to the looming raptor vivosaur.
"I'm starting to think this dog doesn't like me."
Did those tophis and aeros just snort?
Vestello certainly did, making the first vocal sound Joanie had heard from him. Then he whistled, catching the man's attention. He pointed at the man, then flicked a thumb over his shoulder, gaze flat.
Eyes watering and lips trembling in a manner most unbecoming of any fully grown male, the disgusting oaf took off running down the path. They could hear the sound of his bawling even after he was long-gone from sight.
Vestello snickered, shaking his head.
Three of the four gathered vivosaurs vanished, their medals landing in the boy's extended hand. The yellow and green raptor remained.
Danger gone, Joanie hurried to Madame Pooch's side. The small canine barked softly at her approach.
"Madame Pooche!" Gentle hands smoothed badly ruffled fur. "You have suffered ze terrible ordeal, no? But now all is well." Smiling, Joanie looked up at Vestello. "I cannot zank you enough, Vestello! Had you not made with ze coming by just now…"
Why was the boy shaking his head?
Shifting his pack, he pulled out a tablet computer. One of the nice though relatively inexpensive ones, Joanie noted. The blunette fiddled with it for a moment before pointing the screen at her.
[I WAS LOOKING FOR THE TWO OF YOU.]
Puzzled, Joanie cocked her head and straightened up. "You say you were searching for ze two of us?"
A nod answered her.
[A 'MINISTER POMPOSA' ASKED ME AND A COUPLE FRIENDS TO FIND YOU.]
"A la carte! Minister Pomposa, he is here?" That was not good. Not good at all.
By her leg, Madame Pooch whined.
"There she is!"
"No! I saw her first!"
Joanie suddenly found herself accosted by two more teenagers. One with a terrifying mask and the other with deep set bags around his eyes.
"Minister Pomposa is waiting for you, Princess!" The boy with shadowed eyes announced, somewhat hysterically.
Wait…princess?
"Please, Princess! You must let me escort you to Wildwest Tower!"
Two sets of hands gripped her arms.
"Oh, I am sorry, but you are making ze mistake." Joanie tried to pull free, but their grips were like vices. "I am not… Er…"
Without so much as a by-your-leave, the terrifying duo dragged her off.
But Madame Pooch!
/\/\/\
Bemused, Vestello watched the obviously sleep deprived teens make off with the protesting Joanie.
This is getting a bit out of hand… Amber glanced down at the whining dog still sitting in Halcyon's shadow. The half-bird in question looked thoroughly amused by the whole situation.
Well, we better get going…
::Halcyon, would you mind carrying Madame Pooch and I to town? I don't think Joanie would be happy if her pet is left behind.::
Was that a glimmer of mischief in the raptor's eyes?
Flames of carefully neutral green consent blended with streaks of smug green-yellows and blue.
::Of course, please enjoy the ride.::
Vestello frowned. Just what did Halcyon know that he didn't? And what the heck was so amusing?
/\/\/\
"What do you mean? She's right here! Joanie is the princess!" Pauleen's voice drifted over as Vestello stepped out of the elevator.
Eh?
Madame Pooch at his heel, Vestello approached the group. The minister noticed them first and his expression lit up with joy and extreme relief.
"Oh, joy of joys! She has returned! It is Princess Pooch!"
Er…come again?
In the back of his mind, he could feel Halcyon and Vehemence's uproarish laughter. Not that the laughter really registered as all of Vestello's higher thought process shut down.
"Minister Pomposa is so very relieved to see you safe, Your Highness!" The minister. That proud, arrogant man, knelt before the canine as if it were the most obvious action in the world.
"Whaaat?"
Pauleen's screech snapped Vestello out of his stupor, though competent reactions still seemed out of his reach.
"Okay, somebody better explain what's going on here, and fast!"
"I am sorry, no?" Joanie seemed torn between shame and amusement. "But ze princess you have been searching for is Madame Pooch. I am…how you say? Her attendant?"
Todd and Pauleen both turned slack-jawed faces towards the blonde.
"She was called Madame Pooch to hide ze identity, but her true name is Princess Pooch Poochian."
Obviously, now explain the important part. It seemed the sarcastic part of Vestello's mind still functioned just fine. And still his vivosaurs laughed.
The minister straightened up. "Yes, yes. Perhaps Minister Pomposa can explain."
Please, by all means.
"For many years, the Kingdom of Nomadistan was constantly at war. The people grew weary of conflict and came to believe it was caused by the frailties of human leaders. So one day, they decided to make a dog the new king."
"…That seems desperate." Was Pauleen's tentative comment.
True, but apparently very effective.
"Perhaps." The minister agreed. "But in the end, the plan was a success. The wars ended, and the people reunited in peace. Since that day, the Kingdom of Nomadistan has always been ruled by a dog."
Behind him, Joe wore a suspiciously bland expression
"And of course, our royal family is all canines as well."
"You know…"
It appeared sleep deprivation gave Todd a more explosive temper.
"This would have been really good information to have earlier!"
Yup, he would never have dared snarl like that in Joe's presence had he had a good night's sleep.
The minister completely ignored the fuming blond and instead turned rebuking eyes to the Princess Pooch. "Your people have been so concerned for you, Princess Pooch! The dear Queen Mother has refused to play with her favorite ball. And His Majesty the King cannot even gather the strength for his daily territorial markings."
Joe and Vestello both coughed, hiding their mouths—and growing smirks—behind their hands.
The princess looked as guilty as ever a dog could, hunkering low with wide eyes and a pitiful whine.
Joanie rose to her defense. "Minister Pomposa! You must not make with ze chastising of Princess Pooch! It was I who allowed her out of ze palace. She asked for my help, and I could not refuse."
The minister looked somewhat taken aback. Frowning, he knelt before the royal canine once more. "Is your desire to engage in Fossil Battles really so strong, Princess?"
Ears perking up, Madame Pooch barked an affirmative.
Still frowning, the minister straightened up and was silent for a long moment.
"…Very well. In that case, Minister Pomposa sees no harm in staying here until your next match."
The way a dog's eyes could literally light up never ceased to amaze Vestello.
"But first, you must hear this message from His Royal Highness King Poochund…" He cleared his throat. "If the princess is serious in purpose and pure in spirit, I give her my blessing to follow her dream. However, Minister Pomposa must confirm this passion personally."
Joanie cheered. "Ah, Princess Pooch! Zis is so wonderful, no? If Minister Pomposa sees your passion for Fossil Battles, you can continue in ze Cup!"
Body vibrating with joy, the princess howled then pranced happily around the room, her equally joyous attendant following close behind.
"Now then!" The minister turned to Vestello. "It seems you are the one who found our missing princess. As Minister Pomposa is a man of his word, you shall receive your reward."
So that's what those hexagon fossils are, Miraculous Fossils!
Madame Pooch barked, trotting up to the bluenette as he put the valuable fossil away.
"Princess Pooch wishes to zank you for your assistance of earlier, no?" Joanie translated.
Amber blinked, then the teenager bowed.
Minister Pomposa hmphed. "Well then, perhaps Minister Pomposa will see what charms this fossil park has to offer…"
Madame Pooch yipped and the two of them strode towards the elevator side-by-side.
"Bon mot! Princess Pooch, she wishes to give ze minister a tour!" Joanie explained. "How delighted she must be!" She made to follow but a hesitant sound from Todd made her pause.
"Hold on, Joanie. There's something I don't understand…" Confused blue met curious blue. "You're the one doing the actual battling, right? Is Princess Pooch alright with that?"
A smile that could only be descriped as sly flitted across Joanie's face.
"Au contraire! The battles, zey have all been waged by Princess Pooch herself. Vestello fights much the same way, no?"
Say what?
"Myself, I have only been pretending to be ze Fighter, no? Ze princess could not let people know her true identity." Joanie continued. "Also, I do not think zey would allow a dog to enter ze Cup, no?" Here she sent Joe a somewhat apprehensive glance. "Adieu!"
And then she left to rejoin the minister and Princess Pooch.
"So a dog advanced in the Cup, but I got beat? Aw, man…"
Vestello snickered at the irony.
"Heck, Vestello."
On total reflex, the Caliosteo Patrol Team snapped to attention, lined up before Joe.
"Looks like you done went and saved the day again." Cerulean eyes sent Vestello a very odd look. "But thanks to you, too, Todd and Pauleen. I know y'all gave it yer best shot."
The sudden beeping of their paleopagers interrupted any further praise.
"The hot spring at Hot Spring Heights is now open. Park guests are welcome to use this free facility."
"Well, it took a good long time, but we finally got the durn hot spring open." A friendly smile. "It's a good place for soakin' yer old bones and clearin' the dust from the trail. " A pause. "Though you two might wanna get some shut-eye first, ya look terrible."
"Hey, yeah! A hot spring would be just the thing to heal my wounds." Todd didn't seem to catch Joe's last sentence.
What wounds? Vestello wondered. Though, come to think of it, both he and Pauleen looked a little scuffed up.
"I'm gonna check it out, Vestello. You should come along!" And, like usual, Todd took off like a shot.
Pauleen snorted. "You two have fun splashing around in the pool. I'm going to get ready for Round 5! Since I didn't win the prize, I'll have to earn my victory the old-fashioned way."
/\/\/\
Subject: Who would have thought?
From: Harmattan
You know that princess I was looking for? Well, as it turned out, she was actually a dog, as in 'runs around on all fours with perky ears and fur'. Apparently their country (some place called Nomadistan, ever heard of it?) used to have a whole bunch of wars, so many the people got tired of it and elected a dog as king in order to stop it. It might sound ridiculous but apparently it's been really effective.
(Do you think we'd have world peace if we replaced all our politicians and rulers with dogs?)
Todd and Pauleen both goofed and mistook the princess's attendant as the princess herself, so that left me with escorting the princess to Joe. Because of that I got a Miraculous Fossil as a reward. I think I'll ask Felic which vivosaur I should give it too. Honestly, I don't know what it'll do, so I'm a little wary about using it. Especially after the Silver Fossils I gave Vicious and Savage turned them different colors.
(Do you know what a Heracles is evolved from? I ran into one and it didn't look like any vivosaur I'm familiar with. Is it the evolved form of a brontoth or something? That's the only thing I could think of...)
Now I'm on my way to the newly open hot springs. I've never been to a hotspring before, it should be interesting.
/\/\/\/\
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).
/\/\/\
Sneak Peak:
Vestello stared at Guile.
Guile stared back.
Amber eyes traced the sleek bipedal build, powerful hind legs, and impressive wingspan.
So…that's a Super Evolution.