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 IV
Subject: Re-#%$^$
From: Leveche
Um…okay, wow. I take it you've met Mr. Faro, then? Do try not to kill him, (though personally I wouldn't blame you if you did) murder is so messy and the complications that follow are a big waste of time. As annoying as the guy is, he's just not worth it. (Though a good punch in the face probably wouldn't go amiss…)
Might I mention that you have very nasty temper? It took me ages to properly figure out that mess of a letter you sent me.
/\
Subject: Apology
From: Harmattan
I'm really sorry about sending you that message. I'm not sure what came over me, I don't normally lose it like that. (Actually, I almost never lose it like that.) Thank you for taking it so well. To be perfectly honest I shouldn't have reacted like that, it's not right at all. I'll try not to do it again.
Again, I'm really sorry about that.
(I'm about to enter the 5th Round of the Cup. My opponent is Princess Pooch. It should be a very interesting experience, and just what I need to cool off properly.)
((Ugh, I just noticed I made a horrible pun _.))
(((AGH! It just dawned on me that I shattered four fossils before I snapped out of my red haze! FOUR! I feel like such a nimrod right now…)))
/\
::-and that's what happened. Again, I'm really sorry about taking it out on you.::
Leaning back into the couch cushion, Vestello stroked short fur.
Sharp streaks of disgusted mahogany broke up a background of understanding blues.
::Tis fine, yes? I too would have acted in an uncouth manner if the sire of a friend acted so boorishly.::
Dampness coated Vestello's exposed forearm as Princess Pooch licked it.
::Yeah, but you had nothing to do with it. I had no right to vent on you.::
An amused yip sounded.
Laughing yellow-greens overshadowed previously agitated reds.
::Fossil Fighting is a very revealing sport. One's true nature, emotions, and intent are exposed for all to see. You did not wish to harm me, you simply wished to purge such poisonous feelings. It was my own fault that I could not stand up to it, no?::
Vestello cocked his head, intrigued.
::You think so?::
A sharp bark.
Colors brightened in a passionate upward spiral of powerful red-oranges.
::I know so! Even the noblest of dogs get angry. It is how you deal with that anger that matters, yes? You could have easily gone and harmed someone simply to make yourself feel better, but no! Instead you let out your emotions on the battlefield where it brought you victory! Truly, you are a great Fighter, on par with the great Synchros!::
Amber widened.
::You jest! I am nowhere near as great as a Synchro Fighter! I've just been lucky so far-::
Vestello jumped as a hand slapped down on his shoulder.
"Great job, Vestello! I always get so excited to watch you battle! You were even more amazing than usual!"
Glancing up, the bluenette met Todd's smiling blue eyes.
"And Princess Pooch! You really gave it your all out there!"
The small dog stared at the green-clad blond, then shook her head.
"Ah, but ze loss is ze loss, no?" Joanie translated. "Zere is nothing more we can do." She got off the chair and stretched. "Come, Princess. It seems we must be leaving back to ze Kingdom of Nomadistan."
Princess Pooch whined and flattened herself against Vestello's lap.
"Your Highness!"
Everyone jumped.
"That was magnificent! Minister Pomposa has been most inspired this day!"
A glimmer of hope entered Princess Pooch's posture as her ears pricked forward.
"Minister Pomposa curses himself for ever doubting the wonderfulness of Fossil Battles." The minister continued. "One can see how Princess Pooch has become so enamored with them." There was a long pause. "Very well! Minister Pomposa can see that your passion for battling is both true and strong." A smile. "Princess Pooch is hereby granted permission to remain at the fossil park for as long as she wishes."
Princess Pooch leapt from the couch, howling with delight.
Grinning, Joanie kneeled before her mistress. "Ah! Zat is most exciting for you, is it not?"
The little dog jumped again, barking happily.
Joanie grinned. "Cordon bleu! Zat idea, it is fantastic! We will go excavate ze fossil rocks right away!"
With that, the odd duo vacated the lobby, a notable spring in their steps.
"It has been far too long since Princess Pooch has been so happy…" The minister watched them go, a fond smile on his face. Then he turned to Vestello. "Minister Pomposa expects to see you succeed at this Cup. Do not let him down!"
Standing up, Vestello saluted.
"Now, with your permission…" The suit-clad man turned and followed after Joanie and Princess Pooch.
"Dudes!" A grinning Kent joined them. "That was a seriously smokin' battle. You made it all the way to the semifinals!"
Vestello paused, checked his hearing, and stared wide-eyed at the Staff Leader.
The semifinals? Already?
"I know you're not in this for the money and stuff, but here's a prize anyway, little dude." Kent shoved an odd red mask into Vestello's frozen hands. "It has totally eerie powers. If you wear the mask when you excavate fossil rocks, you'll totally see what I mean." The brunette paused. "Oh, almost forgot, you've been promoted to a…Level 8, I think, Fighter. You might wanna go update your license, little dude."
Piece said, Kent turned away with a wave. "Good luck with your next match, dude!"
The semifinals. I'm in the semifinals! It seemed too fantastic to be true.
The paleopagers bleeped to life.
"All Round 5 matches of the Caliosteo Cup have been completed. Also, a new dig site is now open: Icegrip Plateau. Icegrip Plateau is a frigid dig site of massive ice floes on a vast sea. Fighters are urged to travel there and prepare for the semifinals. The semi-finals will take place two days after tomorrow."
"Icegrip Plateau? Oh, wow!" Cerulean eyes brightened with eagerness. "That's where mythical fossils from ancient times await you in the ice! Just thinking about it gives me chills!"
Vestello sniggered.
"And not because of the cold. But because I'm excited."
Shivering like a Chihuahua.
/\/\/\
Lester trembled where he knelt, unable to make eye contact—so to speak—with Don Boneyard. He didn't—couldn't—look to see his boss's disappointment, he could all but feel it in the heavy air around him.
Somewhere behind him, fortunately out of immediate focus of the Brigade Boss, Cole snickered.
"It seems our little jelly plan has ended in abject failure…"
An icy chill ran up and down the rocker's spine at Boneyard's smooth, almost casual tone.
Did the humidity just increase in here? It was getting a little harder to breathe…
"First Cole-" The hipster in question flinched. "-and now Lester…"
Lester wished to curl up in a dark corner somewhere for all the shame he felt. Then the heaviness got so thick he could no longer move, or even shiver.
"The idiocy of my commanders is becoming a real bone of contention!"
Correction: Lester didn't wish to curl up in a dark corner, he wished the ground would just open up and engulf him.
"I'm s-sorry, Don Boneyard!" His words came out more like a gasp, but he was lucky he could talk at all.
"Don't take it so hard there, chum." A hand dropped on his shoulder. "I'm sure your little brain worked as hard as it possibly could."
Despite the obvious insult, Cole's words did help Lester somewhat. Or maybe it was because the pressure on him lessened as Don Boneyard's attention shifted from the rocker to the hipster.
Had Cole done that on purpose?
"Please, Don Boneyard! Hear me out!" Cole stood straight. "I have a new plan that's bound to work!"
That's what I said before, and see how that turned out…
But the pressure continued to lesson as the skeletal man before them inclined his head, a silent gesture for Cole to continue.
"See, this time we distract all the male Fighters with hip electronic gadgets so they forget the Cup!"
With the lessening of the pressure came the return of Lester's higher faculties. And the remembrance of his rivalry with Cole.
"I just need video games, DVD players, about 300 cell phones, and the world's largest flat-screen TV!"
Lester snapped to his feet, shoving passed Cole. "Don Boneyard, wait! My new plan is gonna rock your socks off!" He could feel Cole glaring a hole through the back of his head, but it only worked to spur him on. "See, this time I'm gonna sneak chocolate pudding into the hot spring! I call it Operation: Dump Gooey Pudding into the Hot Spring!"
Was that the sound of Cole smacking his face?
"And then that's followed by Operation: Laugh Maniacally."
Boneyard turned away, posture both thoughtful and carefully neutral.
"Stick that plan in your mirror, wannabe!" Lester hissed over his shoulder.
Cole bristled. "You're so tragically unhip it hurts!" The other spat back.
"Oh, wooooow. It's like both of you are the exact same guy."
Both males broke up their glaring match at the new voice.
"Ah, Lola." Boneyard sounded amused. "Where have you been?"
"Huh? Oh, riiight." Clad in bone-motif gothic clothings, Lola strode up to the podium with a broad smirk. "Sorry, Don B., but I had to do a little karaoke. See, if I sing for six hours or so, it aligns all my energy and gives me maximum power."
In unison, Lester and Cole palmed their faces.
"Sooooo, yeah. I think you can relax now, Don B. I've got a plan that'll cancel that cup in a flash. It's groovy, man. You're gonna love it."
Behind her, the forgotten male commanders exchanged outraged looks.
"I wouldn't be so confident, sister!" Cole stalked towards her.
"Yeah!" Lester backed him up. "I mean, I had a great plan, and look how that turned out."
Lola waved them off. "Yeah, but your plans were, like, totally useless. Riiiight?"
If the two males had been dogs they would have bristled all the fur off their hackles.
"You gotta be like me, guys. You gotta, like, expand your mind."
"…I must admit, after seeing these two fools flail about, I have doubts your plan will succeed so easily."
Okay, that stung. A lot.
"However, Lola, you are one of my three commanders, and I suppose you deserve at least one chance…"
Yeah, to screw up just like us. See how you rock that then?
Judging from the way Cole's eyes were glinting behind his 'hip' rims, he was thinking the same thing.
"Very well. We shall execute Lola's plan immediately!"
Lola blushed. "Aw, thanks, Don B. But I could maybe use a little help from the boys…"
Not on your life—
"Cole! Lester!"
The male commanders snapped to attention.
"You will give Lola whatever assistance she requires."
Whaaaat?!
"And make no bones about it… I will not accept another failure!"
The sudden avalanche of smother pressure crushed any and all protest before it could be vocalized-
"O-of course, Don Boneyard!" Eyes wide behind his glasses, Cole bowed. "Whatever you wish."
"Aw, man. I don't wanna play second fiddle to some backup singer!"
-er…most of it.
Pressure slammed down hard as Don Boneyard glared at the rockster, nearly squeezing all the breath from his lungs.
"But yeah, all right." Lester added quickly. "I'll do it."
"You're totally gonna loooove this plan, Don B. I promise."Lola rolled back on her heels. "All the Fighters'll be, like, "Bummer!" And then we'll be all, like, "Wooooo!"
/\/\/\
Subject: A Gift
From: Leveche
Go to the Fossil Lawn, I sent you something. You may want to use a Miraculous Fossil on it.
/\/\/\
Amber eyed the quartet of fossil rocks laying innocently on neatly cut grass. The carved words 'for Vestello' could just be made out along their surface. Vestello hummed thoughtfully before gathering them and turning back towards town.
He was a bit behind on his fossil cleaning anyway. So perhaps he'd get them all cleaned up before he turned in for the evening. Hopefully the cleaning room would be mostly empty since it was getting so late.
/\/\/\
Graceful. Vestello noted, examining the arching white neck more reminiscent of one of the greater wading birds than the usual sauropod. Stretching at almost twenty meters, most of which was neck, the vivosaur certainly did not seem to deserve its name of 'Titanic Lizard of War', commonly known as the Toba Titanosaur or 'Toba', as its vivosaur incarnation was called.
Large doleful eyes stared down at him and Vestello felt a twinge of guilt at its predicament: stuck in the cramped revival chamber. The glass tubing did not allow it—her—to stretch out properly, instead forcing her beautiful neck to twist downwards in a way that made Vestello's neck hurt.
::Forgive me, Grace. You'll be out of there in a moment.::
The look of relieved gratitude in the titanosaur's eyes was almost enough to make one cry.
/\/\/\
Winding blue-gray coils scraped lightly against thick glass.
So that's why Leveche wanted me to use the Miraculous Fossil. Vestello calmly met the newly-revived vivosaur's blood-red eyes.
The former plesiosaur-like vivosaur—called an 'elasmo' if Vestello had heard Felic right—now resembled one of the great sea serpents of legend. Its sinuous body, broken up only by two sets of powerful flippers, was at least fifteen meters in length. The odd hexa-pronged crest bordering its face vaguely reminded Vestello of something he had seen on a cartoon once, but the name of it escaped him.
With another loud hiss, the vivosaur's form dissolved and its medal clattered out of the slot.
"Be careful Master Vestello." Felic warned as the bluenette reached for the medal. "Kaishin vivosaurs have been known to be just as nasty as krona vivosaur at times."
Vestello paused, signed a quick 'thankyou', and then let his fingers brush the rim of the medal-
…This is different. The teenager glanced around. Where's the cleaning room?
Black, as far as he could see. What was this?
A dark current of aggressive red-black rolled through neutral dark grays.
Vestello almost took a step back as rolling storm clouds formed in front of him. Dark gray, like the link impression, with winding glimpses of dark dark red darting in and out of obscurity, like snake coils amongst foliage.
Is that…the kaishin?
Aggressive reds laced with pale orange surged.
Bracing against the sudden wave, Vestello felt impatient demands smashing against him. Indistinct yet crystal clear at the same time.
What..?
A gust of angry-defensive blood-reds-with-forest-greens pierced opposing blood-red-orange.
::Back off! Mine!::
Vicious. Vestello realized, watching as the new clouds wrapping around him seemed to echo the forms of sharp claws.
Ahead the dark-gray mass warmed to sharp, hot colors of indistinct emotions. And, yes, the hottest of the colors did seem to reflect the silhouette of the great sea serpent. Like a raging ocean current, formerly hidden by a calm ocean surface now revealed for the destructive beast it was.
Destructive, but not volatile. Yet.
::Partner.:: Vestello sent towards the writhing mass, unsure of what else to try and convey.
The border of the dark reds darkened to scoffing violet shades. A misty finned-tail lashed erratically.
Dark brows furrowed. What did Leveche say about water vivosaurs again? They're adaptable and quick to strike out at perceived weaknesses and…what else?
Unbidden, the memory of Rupert heeding his father's every word came to mind, stirring the low embers of Vestello's temper-
Jagged reds and blacks broke up suddenly intrigued oranges. The clouds seemed to lean forward in anticipation.
Family, they respond to the pull of family or community. Vestello remembered. They go with the flow of whoever is strongest so long as a purpose is clear. I get it now.
Bracing against Vicious's supporting presence, Vestello drew himself up.
::You will heed me, Wrath.::
Writhing coils recoiled and rising currents, previously unnoticed but having reached Vestello's hips, drew back like a gathering wave.
Now Vestello understood what had been happening, and what could have happened had Vicious not reached out to shield him. He would have been swamped and overwhelmed by that previous wave and knocked senseless. When that didn't work Wrath had tried to play innocent, as if he hadn't just tried to take control.
::Back off.:: Vestello's command was emphasized by a sharp jab from Vicious, making the rolling clouds representing the sea serpent recoil further. ::Behave yourself and back down, now.::
Notably chastised, the clouds dispersed and the cleaning room came back into focus.
::Thank you, Vicious. That could have been troublesome.:: Now that Wrath had backed down the full magnitude of what-could-have-been left him in a cold sweat.
"Will you be cleaning any more fossil rocks?"
Right, Felic.
Shaking off the aftershock, Vestello nodded and selected another fossil to clean.
/\/\/\
Behind scale-scrapped glass powerful limbs swayed back and forth in a fighting stance.
From a potentially mutinous sea serpent to an eager boxer.
The bird footed vivosaur, called a nippono, was around four meters long and derived from a nipponosaurus or 'Japanese Lizard'. Like other iguanodontia vivosaurs it specialized in a boxing-like fighting style. In fact, according to Felic, the nippono were hailed as the best boxing vivosaur.
The Japanese lizard cocked its head, then dispersed as it returned to its Dino Medal.
With a flicker of trepidation, Vestello picked it up.
His unease was for naught as he felt a friendly mind greet his own. Unlike what its restless motions had suggested it seemed actually fairly level headed despite his readiness for a fight.
::Welcome to the team, Dynamo.::
Friendly yellow-greens laced satisfied blues.
::Glad to be on it.::
/\/\/\
Vestello eyed the black-and-red flame patterns appreciatively.
Seems awfully calm for a feared T-Rex.
Perhaps it was the late evening, or even the success of reviving Dynamo earlier which led to Vestello missing the calculative gleam in smoldering eyes. In any case, when the medal dropped out of the slot, he reached for it without hesitation.
His fingers brushed the unusually warm medal-
-and was dragged down by a sea of red heat.
/\/\/\
It felt nice, like being curled up under a comforter on a quiet winter morning and caught in that delightful place between alertness and sleep.
Why is it so hard to enter that state on cue?
Vestello relaxed, letting the random thought drift away. Letting his mind drift away.
Of course, it's when one is so relaxed and letting their mind wander that unpleasant thoughts tend to find their ways to the surface.
Like the snapshot memory of Mr. Faro verbally abusing his son.
Dastard…
He didn't deserve a brilliant son like Rupert. In fact, he didn't deserve most of the things he had if that was his default attitude.
The edges of the image darkened and curled.
Not a bad idea.
Wrath would probably be willing to drown the man-
—Do try not to kill him (though personally I wouldn't blame you if you did) but murder is so messy and the complications that follow are a big waste of time. As annoying as the guy is, he's just not worth it.—
Leveche's words... They brought something else to mind as well.
Murder isn't the way. It's wrong, and Rupert loves his father.
Vestello pushed away at the impulse and seductive warmth-
Burning flames seared him, as unrelenting as the fiercest firestorm.
A circumstance that should-not-be was hurting someone dear, hurting them and they could not fight back. But the flames would strengthen him, letting him do something in the other's stead. He just had to slip back into the righteous warmth again…
No!
::Vicious!::
It was as if the raging fires were turning his struggles, and him, to ash. Where was Vicious?
The blaze spiraled into a roaring fire whirl of molten blood-laced-with-black.
::Threats are to be burned.::
Another snapshot memory overlapped the first, this one with a well worn duster and a duel-horned hat. The edges crumbled black and flames engulfed smiling cerulean.
His blood ran cold and, suddenly, the heat wasn't there anymore.
An avalanche roared.
And the world bled white.
/\/\/\
Subject: Re-Apology
From: Leveche
I don't blame you for reacting like that. Better you snarl at me than at some unfortunate bystander. Everyone loses their temper at some point or another. I'm actually rather surprised at how well you censored yourself. Some people I know *coughSaurheadcough* wouldn't have been nearly so…restrained.
So how'd you do on the 5th Round? I thought you would have sent me an email earlier to tell me what happened. Is everything alright? Did the BB Brigade strike again?
/\/\/\/\
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:
A nasty case of Vitality Siphoning, as a result of reviving a t-rex, of all things. He was a complete idiot for reviving one without taking the proper precautions. To say nothing of the fact that he had done so while both physically and mentally fatigued
Or so the irate doctor had said while, reluctantly, signing Vestello out of the Ribular Town medical center.
Well, I suppose I am an idiot. Vestello admitted to himself, plotting a trek towards the helicopter pad. Leveche told me over and over again about the dangers of reviving powerful vivosaurs.
Sighing, he looked up. The emptiness in his mind was the ever-constant, painful reminder of what he had lost due to his mistake.