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 6
Of Power and Masks I
Subject: Where are you?
From: Leveche
You're starting to worry me. Are you there, Vestello?
/\
Amber flickered beneath closed lids. It almost seemed as if he were waking from a deep sleep, but he couldn't feel anything. Not his arms and legs. Not whatever he was laying on. Not even the flickers of foreign emotion tugging at the farthest reaches of his mind where his vivosaurs should have been clamoring for attention.
Something Was – Not – Right.
Was he still asleep, and only dreaming of waking up?
It was time to find out.
Whether he could feel his body or not, some actions were so deeply engrained into muscle memory that just thinking about it could make it happen. Opening one's eyes for instance.
The expanse of black became an expanse of white.
Ow… Amber snapped shut again.
Well, that clarified it. He was awake. The burning in his retinas cinched it. And now that he could feel that he could just vaguely feel…well, not feel, per say, but detect the impression of something being pressed against him; harder against his back, but softer—much harder to detect—on his front.
A mattress and blanket, most likely.
I know both are there. Dark brows furrowed. But I can't feel them, not really.
Just enough to know they were there and touching his skin, but not enough to know whether the material was soft, rough, hard, or so on. All-in-all a very disconcerting impression, almost phantasmal, actually, like some type of waking dream.
Something nudged his cheek.
Okay, enough stalling.
With some trepidation, Vestello cracked open one eye and, upon lack of a painful burning sensation, opened the other. The previously endless sea of white was broken up by varying tones, forming into a recognizable white tiled ceiling.
The hospital?
What had he been doing earlier? Had he clashed with the BareBone Brigade again?
His cheek was nudged a second time, a bit more insistently.
Vestello turned his head—
-and blinked into green-and-gold feathers.
Amber eyes flickered higher, meeting the worried red gaze of the half-bird vivosaur.
::Halcyon?::
A distressed keen left the vivosaur's throat.
::Halcyon? What's wrong?::
Halcyon whined, but still didn't respond.
Didn't, or couldn't? Vestello closed his eyes, trying to find the aurora of shifting emotions that represented the vivosaur.
There was nothing but silence within his own mind and a sense of darkness that sent fear through his heart.
::Halcyon!::
Vestello felt the feathered body wince. The vivosaur made a soothing croon and nuzzled him again.
He can hear me. The bluenette tried to swallow the sudden lump in his throat. But I can't hear him.
/\/\/\
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.
There was no worse punishment, he thought.
Maybe…I'll regain the ability in time. Maybe all I need to do is wait and heal.
All too aware of the cold void, Vestello boarded the helicopter bound for Llium Village.
Lord, please let me heal from this. Please let me hear them again.
/\/\/\
Subject: Re-Where are you?
From: Harmattan
Revived a T-Rex.
/\/\/\
Snow crunched under foot.
Colder than Hot Spring Heights. Vestello pulled his scarf up higher over his face. Snow's deeper too, good thing for snow shoes.
Yellow-tipped pink stood out amidst the white backdrop.
Pauleen?
Intrigued, the bluenette approached the oblivious, mask-less pinkette.
"Hello, digadig. It's very chilly here, isn't it? Take care, diga, not to catch a cold."
The listening ice-man's response was nothing short of frozen.
And Vestello could almost hear Vicious groaning at the pun.
"Aw, digadig!" Snow scattered at Pauleen's kick. "Practicing like this isn't helping me at all, diga."
Practicing? Just what was she practicing for? Intrigued, Vestello moved closer. His approach did not go unnoticed.
"Gyyaaaaah!"
The scream made Vestello cringe as pink vanished behind another mound of white. It wasn't gone for long, though, and Vestello was soon accosted by a familiar horned visage.
"You were spying on me, weren't you, Vestello?"
Uh-oh. Time to distract the angry female. He yanked out his tablet.
[YOU DID THE SAME THING AT HOTSPRING HEIGHTS. WHAT ARE YOU PRACTICING FOR?]
"Wait, what?" Pauleen jerked back. "You also spied on me back at Hot Spring Heights?"
Oops, open mouth, insert foot. Would you like some mustard with that leather?
"Y-you are a terrible person! Do you know that?"
The other teen shook, though whether from anger or embarrassment Vestello couldn't tell.
"You don't spy on people when they're embarrassing themselves. And you especially don't do it twice!"
Ah, it was embarrassment, then.
Vestello held up his hands in the universal ward-off-slash-surrender posture, bending his knees and widening his eyes in the perfect posture of cowed apology.
Pauleen eyed him, then her shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry."
Come again?
"I guess it's not really your fault."
A female in the throes of self-righteous fury apologizing? It was an occurrence worthy of the record books!
"So, um…I guess you want to know what I was doing just now, huh?"
[THOUGHT HAD CROSSED MY MIND.]
Darn smart-alecky reflex. Fortunately, Pauleen didn't seem offended.
"Well, I'll tell you, Vestello, but only because it's you…"
Amber blinked. Now what's that supposed to mean?
"I was…practicing how to talk to people." A pause. "Oh, I admit it! I'm a fraud!"
Vestello suddenly found his arms full of sobbing teenage girl.
"I act boastful and snobby, but I'm actually totally shy and terrified! I can't even talk to people! I get all nervous and jittery and then everything just…falls apart." Pointed ivory dug into insulated jacket. "Whenever I meet someone I don't know, my face gets red and my tongue starts tripping on itself."
Awkwardly, the bluenette pat the girl's back with one hand, trying to comfort her, while using the other to slip his tablet back into his bag. It seemed to work as the sobbing came to a stop and the pinkette pulled away.
"Anyway, the only way I can get around it is by wearing this mask." Snow crunched as she shifted. "It's a magical mask, see? It gives whoever wears it a cheerful, sunny personality. It's one of my village's greatest treasures." Pauleen turned away. "And yet, I want nothing more than to be free of this mask forever. I want to talk with my own voice and see with my own eyes, but…but…"
A hiccup shook her frame.
"But I'm too scared to do it. So that's why I was practicing." Timidly, she turned back, fearsome mask angled ground ward. "So, um, what do you think, Vestello? Will I ever be able to take off this mask?"
Canting his head, Vestello eyed the unusually subdued Fighter. Then smiled.
Pauleen gave a start as a gloved hand clapped her shoulder. Glancing up, she watched the bluenette nod.
"R-really? You really think so?" Shaded blue eyes lit up.
Then Pauleen chuckled. "It's kind of funny. But when you nodded and smiled, I actually felt a little more brave." She raised a clenched fist, posture suddenly full of determination. "I'm going to keep trying, and I'm going to fight with everything I have. And before the Cup ends, I'm going to take off this mask for good! I swear it, Vestello. I'm not going to let myself fail. Just…" Here she hesitated. "Maybe you can cheer me on when I do it, okay?"
Vestello nodded again, still smiling.
"I'm glad it was you who saw me, Vestello. I think I would have died if it was anyone else."
Oh?
"Still, I should probably find someplace even more secret to practice, huh? See ya, Vestello. And thanks for listening." And then she was off, leaving Vestello by himself once more.
I'm not alone in personal issues. The bluenette hummed, charting a course towards a nearby natural bridge. Others have problems just as bad, if not more so. Rigid wood prodded compact snow, testing it. I may not be able to do much about my own, but maybe… Just maybe, I can help others with theirs.
Amber glanced up, gaze landing on a prone mass of brown on the plateau below. A very familiar mass of brown.
Oh you've gotta be kidding me.
/\/\/\
There was nothing quite like relaxing in front of a roaring fire after an exhausting day of trekking through ice and snow.
Professor Nigel Scatterly sunk deeper into the plush leather-back chair. All he needed was a big quilt and a mug of cocoa and it would be the perfect evening to a fruitful day. Though, judging from how he kept nodding off, holding a container of hot liquid probably wouldn't be the wisest course of action.
Scrubbing chocolate out of leather, nasty business, wot.
Perhaps he'd just fall asleep here. It's not like he had any urgent business to attend to that evening.
Capitol idea. Sighing, the professor let his chin drop to his chest.
A cold draft suddenly bit the bare skin of his neck.
Shivering, Scatterly pulled his blanket up higher.
"A roaring fire and snuggly blanket…" With a free hand he reached for a still-steaming container. "Fresh hot chips and pickled kippers… Yes, quite…"
The collar of his shirt shifted and another freezing draft slipped in. How undeniably rude it was of that chilly wind to disrupt his quiet evening.
"It's really cold! I bet if you fell asleep here, you'd never wake up."
Blinking, Scatterly looked around. There was no one in sight. Even more puzzling was the mention of cold. Why, it wasn't cold at all, and what was wrong with taking a well earned rest?
"Holy crow! Someone did fall asleep here!"
And there was that voice again. Where was it coming from?
"Come on, Vestello? We have to wake this old guy up before something terrible happens!"
Vestello? That delightful blue-haired chap? Well, a poor host he would be if he did not rise to greet his unexpected guests.
Scatterly stood up and the room spun. Warm darks faded to cold white, and the wonderful warmth of the hearth vanished, as it if had never been.
"Hmm? Wha?" This wasn't his sitting room.
Bewildered, the professor stared at the expanse of ice and snow. Then understanding dawned and his eyes widened.
"Good heavens! I appear to have fallen asleep! How terribly careless of me, eh wot?"
A shock of dark blue amidst pale whites caught his attention.
"By my stars! If it isn't Vestello! I appear to be in your debt yet again, my young rescuer." His gaze shifted to the jumpsuit-clad blonde standing beside the lad. "And you are a friend of Vestello, I presume?"
"Yep!" A sunny grin at odds with the dark overcast above. "I'm Todd! Nice to meet you."
Scatterly matched the grin with one of his own. "Well met, old bean! I am Professor Nigel Scatterly, curator of the Caliosteo Museum." Pride swelled within like helium in a balloon. "I have dedicated my entire life to studying the history of these islands."
From behind his glasses, Scatterly examined the archeologist-like attire the boy—and come to think of it, Vestello did as well—wore. He looked at the bluenette.
"I say, I have a capital idea! I should acquaint young Todd here with the history of the Calio Slablets!"
Shining amber blinked, then a decidedly felinish grin spread across his young friend's face, followed by an approving nod.
"Um, actually, you don't really have to—"
"Ahem! Yes, well, in the distant past of long ago, the Kingdom of Caliosteo was ruled by king Zongazonga…"
/\
"…And that is everything we know so far! Yes, quite."
Why, the strapping young lad seemed completely awed by the wonderful lecture.
"Ugh, that was like sitting through history class."
I say, perhaps I over did it a bit, wot.
Though Vestello didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, he was staring at him rather expectantly.
Scatterly grinned. Well, best not to disappoint the lad. He dug around in his bag a moment before finding what he sought.
"But hold! There's more! For you see, I have discovered yet another Calio Slablet on this very spot!" Before he had taken a rather unexpected nap. "So without further ado, please allow me to translate it for you both."
Vestello cocked his head, wide-eyed and curious, whereas young Todd seemed to turn just a color just this side of ashen.
Scanning over ancient hieroglyphics properly, the professor beamed.
"This is Slablet #2! You couldn't stay hidden forever, you cheeky little artifact, now could you?" Remembering his audience, Scatterly cleared his throat. "Yes, well, now then…
"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 o 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.
"Good heavens!" Aghast, the professor lowered the slablet. "It seems Zongazonga was nothing more than a common magical body thief!" A pause. "Not that there's anything common about that, eh wot? I say, this is all quite fascinating, don't you think?"
He looked up, and blinked. Vestello now looked even paler than his shivering friend. In fact, he looked almost grey. It would probably be impolite to ask, so he pressed on with the topic at hand.
"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? By my knickers, but this gnaws at me! I must know what happened to hose poor people!"
The boys' neckerchiefs beeped in tandem.
"Howdy there, pards. It's me, Joe, and I'm afraid we got a problem on our hands."
By jove, it's Joe Wildwest!
"I need the Patrol Team to mount up and gather in my suite immediately."
"Joe sounded worried." Todd frowned, fingering the edges of his neckerchief. "We better get over there right away!"
He spun around—
"Achoo!"
-Tumbled into the snow face first and proceeded to give a rapid series of sneezes. When the fit was over Todd was almost completely buried in upturned snow.
Curling up in misery, Todd shivered. "My head hurts…And I'm f-f-freezing…"
Alarmed, Scatterly knelt beside the boy, tugging one hand free of its mitten and pressing it against what little of the boy's forehead was exposed.
"Sweet fish and chips! This lad is running a dangerously high fever!" Scatterly gazed up to meet concerned amber. "Not to worry, Vestello. I'll see to it that your friend is up and full of beans in no time!"
Another explosive sneeze erupted.
"S-sorry, Vestello. I d-don't think I'm gonna make it to see Joe."
He sneezed again.
Slablet safely packed away once more, Scatterly scooped up the scrawny teenager and hurried back towards town.
/\/\/\
Subject: Re-re-Where are you?
From: Leveche
You were hospitalized? Are you alright? What happened?
/\/\/\
Subject: Re-re-re-Where are you?
From: Harmattan
I was stupid and revived the T-Rex while I was tired and ended up unconscious for about half a day or so. Don't worry, I'm fine. Aside from the thorough tongue lashing about teenage stupidity and what could have happened, the doctor didn't mention any lasting damage.
I'm sorry for worrying you.
/\/\/\
"Thanks for comin', Vestello."
Stepping off the lift, Vestello felt the sudden, short-lived impulse just to turn and run, but it was gone before he could even consider it. Puzzled, he approached Joe and Pauleen.
"Now we just gotta wait for Todd, and—"
Vestello shook his head, the tension beginning to fade from his limbs.
[TODD WENT TO ICEGRIP PLATEAU WITHOUT INSULATED CLOTHING.]
Cerulean eyes widened. "What's that? Poor feller went and caught himself a cold?" A frown. "Now don't that just beat all?"
Vestello shrugged. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as he met Joe's gaze.
The cowboy-styled-fighter shook his head. "Well then, I reckon this is all the Patrol Team we're gonna have today—"
"Actually, Rupert should be here, too." Pauleen glanced back at the elevator as if expecting the silverette to just suddenly appear. When such a thing did not occur, Pauleen faced forward again. "Anyway, what's this about, Joe? You said it was serious."
Joe's face grew solemn. "Keep this under yer hat, but some varmint went and stole our Super Electrominites."
Stole the what now? Vestello cocked his head.
"Super Electrominites are extremely rare fossils that put out a near preposterous amount of energy." Joe explained. "In fact, this entire fossil park runs on just three Super Electrominites."
A shrill whistle escaped the bluenette's lips.
"Anyway, a little while ago, three intruders busted into all the park's Fighter Stations. They went straight to the generator rooms and made off with the Super Electrominites. We're runnin' on regular Electrominites right now, but I reckon them boys ain't gonna last much longer."
Amber blinked. Electrominites and Super Electrominites? Why hadn't he heard about them before now?
"Wh-what happens then?" Pauleen's eyes were wide behind her mask.
Right, he had to straighten out his priorities. Problem now, weird fossils later.
"Nothin' good, I'm afraid." Joe paused, then grimaced. "Lights'll go out… Auto-doors won't open…KL-33N and all them VMMs will fail…"
Good thing I carry all my vivosaurs with me…
"We'll pretty much be sittin' in the dark, I reckon. And forget about cleanin' or revivin' yer fossil rocks!"
Ah…that would be a bit of a problem now, wouldn't it?
"That's terrible! It would be the end of the entire Caliosteo Fossil Park!" If possible, Pauleen's voice had gotten even shriller.
Vestello frowned. End of the…? BareBones Brigade, it's gotta be. And didn't that realization just drop a lead weight of dread into his stomach.
"I know." Joe nodded. "That's why we gotta recover them Super Elecrominites as soon as possible. I've heard rumors that the culprits are hidin' out at one'a the dig sites. I sent Stella, Terry, and Kent out to try and track 'em down, and I'm hoping y'all can join the search."
Snapping to attention, Vestello nodded as Pauleen stepped forward.
"Of course! I won't stand by while a bunch of jerks shut down this park!"
Relieved, Joe smiled. "It does my heart good to hear that, little lady." He glanced at Vestello. "Anyway, I'd like you to search out at Icegrip Plateau…Good luck, y'all."
Vestello saluted.
"Let's head to Icegrip Plateau!"
/\/\/\
Silver flashed in his peripheral vision and Vestello twisted around, hand shooting out to snag red cloth.
"What?" Rupert all but snarled. "I told you I wanted nothing to do with you people." He yanked his arm free. "Now if you'll excuse me—"
Gloved hands flashed frantically through familiar signs.
"—Help you?" The other teen hesitated, then frowned. "I'm sorry, what part of 'leave me alone' was confusing to you?"
"Listen, Rupert!"
And if the silverette had not jumped at Pauleen's imitation of a drill sergeant, then Vestello would eat his goggles.
Without salt.
"Someone stole the Super Electrominites that power this park. If we don't get them back, no one will be able to clean or revive their fossils."A rapid gesture between herself and Vestello. "Joe asked Vestello and me to search in Icegrip Plateau, so that's where we're headed." Fingers grasped expensive red. "Come on, Rupert! We need your help!"
With a bit more white around gold than was usual, Rupert tugged free and stepped back. "This is none of my concern. Excuse me." His coat tails whipped about like a frantic wolf-pup's tail.
"You say that, but I know that it's a lie!"
Rupert froze mid-stride.
Way to go, Pauleen. Vestello cheered internally.
"Deep down, you love battling, Rupert. I know you do. And you'd be heartbroken if they canceled the Cup!" The pinkette stepped closer. "It's time to be honest about your feelings! It's time to show some backbone and stop being your father's puppet!"
Oooh, that was definitely a flinch.
The other boy's shoulders trembled. Then he fled the lobby without a backward glance.
"I can't believe I told him to show some backbone…"
At the bitter tone, Vestello looked at his teammate with surprise.
"I'm not even brave enough to take this stupid mask off." Her voice cracked. "I don't have the right to yell at anyone…" Then her frame trembled just as Rupert's had done.
Concerned, Vestello stepped towards her, but she turned away and gave herself a vigorous shake.
"Well, this is no time to sit around feeling sorry for myself. We've got to get to Icegrip Plateau. I'm going ahead. I'll see you there."
And then she was gone, in the opposite direction Rupert had taken. Vestello glanced back and forth where both teens had vanished, feeling a painful tug on his heartstrings.
I'm not the only one with problems. Others are worse off than I am…
And there was nothing he could do to help them. And now, with his inability to commune with his vivosaurs, Vestello wondered if he'd even be able to help Joe. Could he even confront the BB Brigade as he was? Could he do anything?
I guess I'm going to find out… One way, or another.
/\/\/\
Once again, yellow-tipped pink stood out as blatantly against the white backdrop as a sore thumb.
"There you are, Vestello. There's some creepy people up here, so we should probably go together."
Creepy people? Maybe that meant it was only a couple of low-level flunkies—
Yeah right. Vestello shook his head. As if any flunkies could have managed to steal the Super Electrominites.
No, with his present run of luck it would be all three of the BB Commanders. Still, he couldn't back down now. Not with Joe, and every Fighter on the islands, depending on the Patrol Team to restore power.
Lord, please give me strength.
"Oh, heeeey." A bright pink bubble popped. "You made it. Cool." Carrot-orange hair pulled up into an erect off-center-ponytail, the speaker planted a hand on one hip. Another bubble popped. "I kinda thought you'd be here sooner but…yeah." A shrug.
Her color scheme is a lot like Cole and Lester's…
Snow crunching underfoot, the unnamed commander stepped away from the icy cliff, standing broadside to the two teens. "Yeah, like, this is a pretty big deal and all, so I was expecting someone to find us sooner."
Amber blinked, puzzled. Had she wanted to get found? Why? Wouldn't that sort of work against what they were trying to pull off?
"You're with the BareBones Brigade!"
A lazy grin was flashed in Pauleen's direction. "Toootally. Although actually, I'm one of the three BareBones Brigade commanders."
I knew it…
One hand snapping out to the side, then tucking behind her head, the commander struck a pose. "I'm the grooooovy chick, Lola!"
All of a sudden Vestello was all too aware of the hippie-Fighter's strength. She was stronger than the other two were. Here was a predator hiding behind a lazy posture and it could see him.
Running. Now. Good idea.
But his legs wouldn't move.
Dropping her hand, Lola cocked her head. "Soooo, did you dig my plan to steal the Super Electrominites? 'Cause I thought it was tooootally wicked." Another bubble popped. Vestello flinched slightly at the sound.
Is she gloating? I'm not sure…
"See, 'cause if you can't clean or revive, then, like, there's not going to be a Cup, man. It's gonna tooootally harsh the mellow of every Fighter in this park, man. I can't waaaait."
She is! Doesn't make any sense though…why?
"You won't get away with this, hippie! Give back those Super Electrominites!"
Lola rolled her head back, eyes half closed. "Yeaaah, but noooo. I don't think you were listening to me." She snapped her gum. "Remember the part where I, like, said I wanted the Fighters to be all sad about the Cup? So then, I'm prooobably not gonna give the Super Electrominites back."
A low growl made Vestello glance over to make sure that it was Pauleen and not an oncoming polar bear.
"Fine then! We'll just settle this with a Fossil Battle!"
Something flashed behind green eyes as a slow grin spread across Lola's face.
Uh-oh. Vestello felt the blood leave his face. I think I know why she wanted us to find her…
"Oh, man. Like, that's toooo funny."
Snow crunched under two sets of boots. The already intimidating Pressure Lola gave off increased two fold.
"Well, well! " Smirking, Cole flanked his fellow commander. "If it isn't the Fighter who ruined my awesome plan! I am very excited to see you again, kiddo." Light refracted off glasses-lens, obscuring his eyes and making him seem all the more dangerous. "You have no idea."
Rough, familiar laughter made Vestello take a reflexive step back.
"I'm gonna thrash you good for what you did to me at Mt. Krakanak!" Lester's expression seemed to be some odd cross between a sneer and a glare as he mirrored his counterpart.
"Uh-oh." Vestello heard Pauleen whisper. "I don't know if we can take on all three of these creeps, Vestello."
We? You mean me!
From the intensity with which the previous duo was staring at him, there was little doubt in the bluenette's mind that they were all too eager to unleash their wrath. On him. With no mercy.
And he had just gotten out of the hospital …
"We've won before it's even begun!" Lola paused, grinned. "Oh, man. That, like, rhymed. Cooooooool."
"It looks like all three BB Brigade commanders suffer from a terminal case of overconfidence."
Relief swept over Vestello at the familiar voice, and the accompanying pulse through his sternum. And suddenly, the Pressure trying to flatten him into the snow didn't seem so strong.
"Rupert! B-but…why?" Pauleen, for once, seemed at a loss for words.
"Because you were right." Eyes as fierce as any wolf, Rupert glared at the opposing trio. "Because I need to start being more honest with myself." A sideways glance. "I like this Cup, and I'm looking forward to facing Vestello in a Fossil Battle. So I've decided I would be most disappointed if it was canceled."
"Rupert, you're the best!"
[LifeSupport-you
thankyouthankyouthankyou]
Okay…Cole and Lola were shooting him very disconcerting looks…
"Ha! Now it's three-on-three, losers!"
Vestello could hear Lola grinding her teeth.
"Man, this is tooootally, like, annoying." A stiff-legged step towards Vestello. "Cole? Lester? It's time to take out the recycling, man."
"With pleasure!" Cole smirked, advancing towards Pauleen.
"Yo!" Lester faced Rupert.
And snow flew in a wind-less blizzard.
/\/\/\
Let's see if you're worth the trouble, Tyranno
Dino Medals flashed and the surrounding snow began to melt under sweltering heat wrapped around red and black hide. The t-rex opened his maw and let loose an ear-splitting roar that put the Jurassic Park Rex to shame.
Across the field, behind her boneysaurs, Lola shied back with a cringe. And like the shattering of a mirror the fear induced by her, and the other two commander's Fighter's Auras broke. She was strong, yes, but she was just another Fighter and she could be beaten. It may be a long shot, she was a veteran Fighter with a fully trained Will and possibly years of experience, but it was possible.
And somehow, that made all the difference. He could not hear his vivosaurs. They could not guide him, or support him, but he could still command them.
Vestello folded his arms across his chest, an odd sense of calm falling over him. The noises of the nearby battles faded until they were almost unnoticeable. There was only him, his opponent, and where-is-an-opening-I-can-exploit?
Before him, Tyranno glanced over a tattooed shoulder. His burning eyes landed on him and the tyrant king flinched, his massive frame seeming to shrink in on itself for a brief moment before he straightened out again.
"Like, Boney Beguile!"
Like a smaller B-Ptera, with green in place of white, the B-Jara dived.
::Angry Peck, Spirit. Then Spiral Wing.::
Blue crashed into black-and-green, then water rang in a spiraling geyser.
A Dino Medal struck the ice a moment later.
::Tyrant's Roar.::
Massive ribs expanded as air was drawn in. Across the field, green eyes widened.
"Counter it, like: Boney Stomp!"
The results were…interesting. Usually when a sauropod vivosaur used any move that involved 'stomp' they simply slammed their forelegs down and caused a localized earthquake. Not so in this case. When the B-Brachio slammed down the ground before it ruptured, ice and permafrost shot up in ragged pillars, which took the full brunt of Tyranno's attack.
Took it, and redirected the rest of it down and away. All the snow between the two, and several yards to either side of the rapidly-melting pillars, were vaporized right down to the undisturbed permafrost beneath, perhaps even further than that.
"Soooo not groovy, man. Boney Chomp!"
The bird-footed vivosaur lunged.
There!
::Now, Vehmence!::
Snow exploded into life in the form of constricting coils. The B-Lambeo crashed to the ground, all but buried beneath snow and titanic serpent.
"B-Lambo! B-Brachio, get that snake-thing off it! Like, Boney Tsunami!"
Bracing on its forelegs, the undead sauropod's neck folded back as a counterweight. Its' under jaw came into un-obstructed view.
Very poor choice of action.
::Spirit, you know what to do.::
Though he couldn't sense the wave runner, the exuberant trill he gave off easily got its pleasure across.
Soft-and-squishy under jaw, meet sharp –and-rock-piercing beak.
And history repeated itself as the sauropod's dino medal skipped across permafrost.
"Like, noooo way!"
Why was I afraid of her? Vestello wondered, frowning. She's strong, but she's just another Fighter. This is just another battle, no more, no less. The only difference is that the stakes are a bit higher.
That was…an oddly freeing realization. But he didn't have time to linger on it. He had a battle to finish.
::Tyranno: finish off that B-Lambeo. Vehmehnce? You may want to back off a bit.::
Coils flashed, vanishing back under snow—Weren't snakes susceptible to the cold?—as curved fangs sunk into inky black. Almost casually, Tyranno leaned back, plucking the winded boneysaur from the ground like a cat with a kitten, then he threw his head back.
Amber tracked the almost-flying bird-footed vivosaur's path along a high arc. Up, up, up, then down, down, down with a very sudden reminder that the flight was harmless, it was the sudden stop at the bottom that was the killer.
Ouch.
"This is a toooootal bummer, man." Wide-eyed and pale, Lola stumbled back. Vestello cocked his head, catching two returning medals with nary a thought.
"Gya!"
Blinking, Vestello glanced over to see Cole make a hasty introduction with the snowy ground.
"All of this losing is really starting to cramp my style!" Face burning, the hipster attempted to swat snow from his outfit.
"I am so angry!" Any further complaints from Lester were lost in a bizarre howl-snarl-roar sound.
"All right, chumps!" Pauleen advanced on Cole. "Hand over the Super Electrominites!"
Almost comically, Cole skittered back in a frantic crab-walk to avoid the fearsome, mask-clad teenager. Taking her cue, Vestello and an equally victorious Rupert advanced on the other two commanders, who also retreated and attempted to regroup—
The ground beneath them shook so hard that traction became nonexistent.
Winded, Vestello spat out stinging snow.
"Oh, maaan." Dazed, Lola sat up. "Like, what was that?"
"I don't know, but it don't feel right!" Lester tried to stand, overbalanced, and fell face-first into snow as the island shook even more violently.
"Wh-what is that?"
Vestello followed the direction of Cole's panicked finger to the sea in time to watch a tidal wave overshadow them.
Hard ivory lined the oddly pink swell.
That is not a tidal wave.
Early night swallowed them whole.
/\/\/\
From: Vestello
Subject: Christianity
Sorry for the delay, I had to really stop and think about how best to explain what Christianity is without sounding like I'm 'preaching' or give some convoluted explanation that leaves you more confused than before. Here's what I've come up with:
The most basic definition of what a Christian can be found in Matthew 5:13-16 of the New Testament in the Bible. To put it simply, Christians are the "Light of the world and salt of the earth." But…maybe I'm starting in the middle and if I try to explain directly from here I'll end up with one big jumbled mess, so I'll start from the beginning.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He crafted the light and darkness, earth and sea, and then the animals of the air, water, and ground. When He was done with that He created man, in His own image, from the dust of the earth and breathed life into it. That man was given the name 'Adam' and soon after he was given a wife for company, for none of the animals were like Adam. The woman was called 'Eve'. And at first things were good. Then Eve was approached and fooled by Lucifer, in the guise of a serpent, into eating from the one tree in the garden in which they lived that God had said they could NOT eat. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then she gave the forbidden fruit to Adam, who also ate from it. In doing so they became aware of their own nakedness and sought to cover themselves and hid when God approached. When they confessed to God what had happened he cursed the serpent to forever crawl on its belly (evidently it had legs or something before this) and be at odds with women forevermore and then banished Adam and Eve from the garden.
After that things got worse, though God still watched over them. But by eating from the Tree of Knowledge they crafted a terrible flaw into the once perfect world. Before they all ate fruits and vegetables, even the animals that are now the fiercest of predators, and there were no lies or deceit. Afterwards the earth grew hard and the world cruel. The very first murder took place between Adam and Eve's first sons: Caine and Able. Caine murdered Able because his brother found favor in God by being a humble, willing-to-give-all, kind of man. Caine, on the other hand, only gave grudgingly and with resentment in his heart.
Basically, because humanity became inherently flawed we were all damned to go to Hell, the land of fire and eternal torment, after we left our earthly bodies (i.e.: died). However, God was merciful and he had a plan to save us. He created a people from whom our salvation would come: the Israelites, the Jews, whatever you wish to call them. And he did come through with his promise by sending his Son, known to us as Jesus Christ ((or Emmanuel the Messiah as he was called in the Hebrew language)) who would die in the place of all of humanity, and thus save us from Hell.
Alright, re-reading that last sentence I realize it would probably make no sense to someone not familiar with the Christian Faith. Because humans were flawed and lived flawed lives we could not pay for our own salvation, we simply couldn't measure up to what was required. In contrast, despite being born in a human body, and thus with all the innate flaws that came with being human, Jesus lived a perfect life. He was a perfect man who did not deserve to be executed (do some research on the act of Crucificition, it is a NASTY way to die. I doubt there's much that can match it in sheer nastiness) and he could have escaped and lived. However, he did not, he chose to die in our place, take our punishment even though he had done nothing to deserve it. And through that act of selflessness we have all been saved.
It is a gift, but one we must willingly accept. Unfortunately, many people turn it away, and try to live their own ways, but that's what Christianity is for. We tell people how to be saved because many do not know it and live in terrible sin-filled lives. So we help those who need help, and bring the Gospel to those who don't know and in doing so we are the Light of the World. However, we also speak against many earthly things that are in opposition to the way God wants us to live, such as self-gain, casual sex, and whatnot. Because of that people hate us and we are the Salt of the Earth.
I've noticed that there is an ingrained dislike for Christianity written into many people. For example schools today, it's okay to be a Mormon, it's okay to be a Muslim, it's even okay to be a Buddhist (heck, you might even be held above the rest for such exotic beliefs), but let it be known that you're a Christian and just like that people will look down their noses at you, sneer at you, and heckle you like no tomorrow. I've heard some interesting stories about college professors in that regard.
And I suppose that's the basic gist of it…
I know I'm leaving out a lot of stuff that you'd want/need to know but I have no training in this type of thing. I'm not a pastor or an evangelist and I've grown up learning this stuff so most things I know and accept as a daily thing and have trouble realizing people don't see the same way, so you'll have to ask questions so I'll know what information I've overlooked. Actually, I should probably refer you to one of the pastors at my church, they can do this stuff much better than I can. They live for it, actually. It's their calling. I know they're trustworthy and I bet you'd enjoy listening to them.
/\/\/\/\
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).
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Fun Trivia: Alrighty, I do believe I have figured out where the creators got the name 'Guhnash' from the first game. (I know it's quite likely it was simply a massacred pronunciation of the word 'gnash', but I think my idea could work too) Anyway, in Hindu mythology there is a character called Ganesh, he is recognized as many things but the primary thing he is known for is being a 'Remover of Obstacles'. Coincidence? I think not!
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Sneak Peak:
What stinks?
Brows furrowing, Vestello rolled to his side. Froze as the ground beneath him squished like soggy turf. Something was definitely wrong.
Yes, he was damp, but that didn't explain why he wasn't outright wet like turf that soggy should have made him. He should have been soaked to the bone! And, of course, it still didn't account for that putrid smell…
"Where are we?"