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 III
From: Leveche
Subject: Re-Food Chain
Have I ever been what? Vestello, just what have you been up to on those islands? I think it's time you gave me another update.
((And, as a matter-a-fact, yes, I have been eaten before, so-to-speak. Though I didn't go down further than the mouth, thankfully. It was very smelly, and squishy.))
/\
From: Leveche
Subject: Re-re-re Christianity
Your words about the Dinaurians come as a great relief to me. I had feared for them because if Christainity is true like you so strongly believe…
You are very insightful. To me, the Dinaurians are like everyone else, only with a different culture and slightly different physical traits. ((Despite supposedly 'evolving' from dinosaurs, they are actually endothermic, just with a lower default body temperature than most humans. Can ectothermic beings, like reptiles, change into endothermic beings, like mammals? I doubt it…that would be like a spider-monkey suddenly growing into a human. It is simply not plausible.)) That was a very nice analogy, comparing the natives of Great Britian to the natives of Japan. Different appearances, due to environment, and ingrained culture can make it difficult to see beyond illusionary separation to the living-sentient-being we share our world with.
So, yes, your words make perfect sense to me.
Also, even if what you tell me is just your interpretation of what you've learned over the years, it will help me learn more on my own. Yes, everyone sees things a bit differently, but sometimes we need to see another's perspective before we can really figure out our own. Thank you for being willing to share your views and experiences.
I still have so many questions, I'm sorry for the avalanche. Do not, however, let them distract you from the Cup. That is more important right now than my curiosity, especially with the Bare Bone Brigade running out of time to stop the Cup, as they so vigorously declare they wish to do.
Now, onto my next question(s)…
What makes Catholicism so different from Christianity? I know that both teach about God and that, at one point, Catholicism was the dominate religion of the world. However, the two sects seem to be at odds with one another. Are they not the same?
/\
"Yeeee-haw!" Brown leather punched the air. "Y'all done recovered the Super Electrominites from them BB Brigade varmints!" The look of pride in gleaming cerulean was almost enough to make one melt. "Thanks to you, we've got power back in the entire park."
Stepping forward, he clapped a hand on an orange clad-shoulder.
"That's some fine work, Vestello." A sideways glance. "And Pauleen. …Oh, and you, too, Rupert."
"Pardon me, Joe, but… I have a favor to ask of you."
If it wouldn't have been totally inappropriate right then, Vestello would have hugged the other boy as Joe straightened up again and withdrew his hand.
On one hand, he burned with pride that he had earned Joe's heartfelt praise. On the other, part of him still wanted to run for the hills whenever he was in the veteran Fighter's presence. That same part of him had nearly done something drastic when Joe had gotten so close and touched him.
Why would that part of him label Joe as 'predator'? He wasn't anything of the sort!
Joe could be trusted, couldn't he?
"I…I would like to be allowed to join the Caliosteo Patrol Team."
Doubts and fears could wait. There was a celebration to be had!
"I want to protect the Caliosteo Cup, no matter what."
Grinning, Vestello bounded over to his friend, slapping his back with a bit more force than was necessary, not that he would be called on it. And oh didn't Rupert look like a little ruffled wolf pup when he was trying to hide his blush behind his bangs like that?
"You kiddin'?" Inclining his head, Joe grinned. "I oughta be on my hands 'n' knees beggin' ya to join!"
Way to go, Rupert! Good for you, good for—ack! Close! Very close!
Still grinning, Joe clapped a hand on the shoulder not occupied by Vestello.
"Rupert, I hereby name ya as a full-fledged member of the Caliosteo Patrol Team."
Rupert simply glowed at that declaration. He seemed to swell up, holding himself with pride that had nothing to do with being a corporation's heir or a famous Fossil Fighter.
"Thank you."
Vestello backed away to give Rupert space. Joe did the same as he turned his attention to the three as a whole.
"Now listen up. We only got two rounds left in this here Cup. The BB Brigade's runnin' out of time, and there's nothing more dangerous than a cornered rat!" A frown. "Y'all gotta be on yer guard, all right? Do whatever it takes to save the Cup for Fighters everywhere!"
With Rupert on their team and Joe's full backing, there was no way they could lose!
…Why did that sentence make him uncomfortable?
/\/\/\
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Rupert?" Pauleen's tone was one of concern as they exited the lift. "Your father's going to be furious."
"Most likely." The silverette nodded. "But that's all right. I've decided it's time for me to show a little backbone." Gold took on a determined gleam. "I'm going to tell my father what I think and let the chips fall where they may."
Nearly overwhelmed with pride, Vestello wrapped an arm around the other boy's shoulder, leaning on him with a bright grin.
[You-me-together
Teach-him, will]
Gold blinked, then softened. "Thank you, Vestello. You are a true friend."
Vestello's grin only widened.
"All right!" Pauleen sounded distracted. "If you can do it, then so can I!" Blue was bright behind carved clay. "Remember my promise, Vestello?"
Blinking, the bluenette nodded.
"Well, I'm going to be brave and take off this mask for good!"
Straightening up, Vestello nodded again with a grin. Between them, Rupert glanced between them with visible confusion on his features.
"I'll probably blush like crazy and stammer when I talk to people, but…I think I'm Okay with that now." A pause. "For the rest of the Cup, people will see my face!" Hands gripped the sides of her mask. "Here we go!" She pulled the mask—
Absolutely nowhere.
Eh? Vestello cocked his head, wondering if she was getting 'cold feet'.
"Okay, that's weird. It won't come off."
Amber blinked. How could a mask not come off?
She tried again, visibly putting all the strength in her arms into it as she tried to yank the stubborn thing off. But to no avail as she soon had to stop, panting loudly. Shoulders rigid, she tried one more time, giving out a frustrated howl with the effort.
Then her arms dropped and she got real quiet.
Eyes narrowing, Vestello inched towards her.
"Oh my gosh!"
The bluenette sprang back like a startled cat.
"The mask won't come off! What do I do, what do I do, what do I dooooo?" She glanced around wildly. "I'm cursed! I'm gonna have this mask on for the rest of my life! Noooooooooooo!"
Vestello lunged, arm shooting out to grasp—
Empty air. Pauleen was already halfway down the stairs.
"I don't understand." Rupert leaned against the railing, watching the pinkette vanish out the door. "Is that some kind of special mask."
[Magic. Courage-boost.
P-A-U-L-E-E-N, shy-very]
"I see. So the mask has magical powers, does it?"
The bluenette nodded and concern spread across Rupert's face.
"Yes, I'm worried about Pauleen as well. We should go after her."
/\/\/\
From: Leveche
Subject: Diga-dig
Remember when you asked me about the habitual use of the words 'diga' digadig' and the like? Well, it's a habit common to the Digadig Tribe of Vivosaur Island. I spoke with their chieftain about any locals having become Fossil Fighters ((which is odd because most Digadigs are utterly terrified by just being in close proximity with a vivosaur)) and that mask you mentioned. According to him, that mask is a sacred artifact of theirs, but he didn't tell me anymore because he took off towards the nearest airport. Keep on the lookout for an eccentric old man in red robes with a bleached buffalo-skull for a hat, and a staff with a green gem fashioned on the top.
((PS: If the gem on his staff flashes, duck.))
/\/\/\
"Pauleen! Wait, digadig!"
Vestello's ears pricked up at the unfamiliar voice using a familiar, though still odd, phrase.
"Pauleeeeeen!"
Red robes: check. Skull for a hat: check. Staff: check. This must be the guy Leveche mentioned.
Upon hearing shoe-rubber screech on tile, the old man spun around.
"You are-" He looked them over, eyes squinty. "-friends of Pauleen, digadig?"
The two boys exchanged looks, then nodded.
"Ah, yes. It seems you are, diga." The old man nodded, more to himself than to the two teens. "I…am the chieftain of the Digadig people from Vivosaur Island." A pause. "I am also… Pauleen's grandfather, digadig."
Taken aback, Vestello looked the old man over again. As did Rupert.
…I don't see the resemblance.
"The…mask that Pauleen wears is enchanted with a spell—" Vestello twitched . "—of ill will, digadig. It gives the wearer…confidence and cheer, diga. But there is…a price."
Obviously… Vestello almost rolled his eyes, but managed to refrain from doing so. Just.
"Once it takes hold, it is…impossible to remove. The mask…becomes the master, digadig."
Dark brows furrowed. But…I've seen her take the mask off before without any trouble. Why now? Because she was ready to try and live without it?
"When I learned Pauleen…took the mask, I came right away. But, digadig, I came…too late." Desperation entered aged eyes. "I cannot…pursue her, diga. I am too old and my…back is too sore." Worn hands grasped at the front of Vestello's jumpsuit. "Please, digadig! You must help my dear Pauleen!"
Amber met gold, both boys nodded.
"Time is short, Vestello. I'll search Mt. Krakanak if you take Rainbow Canyon. Agreed?"
Vestello nodded and the old man released his grip to let both boys pass.
Hang on, Pauleen. We're coming.
/\/\/\
Sturdy boots struck darkened earth as Vestello ran.
There has to be a really bad joke here. He entered the cavern. Good thing Todd isn't here to make it.
At first glance the former base looked abandoned, but some part of Vestello knew Pauleen was there. That same part of him drew him to the far side, to the smaller cavern where he had fought Cole.
A flash of pink proved intuition right.
"No, Vestello!" Pauleen slammed back into the rock wall. "Stay away from me! I-I have no control over my body! The mask makes me attack everyone I see!"
He was…not going to linger on that revelation.
"P-please!" Tears dropped from beneath the mask. "You have to…run…I c-can't…stop…myself…" Her body moved stiffly, dino medals flashing in shaking hands.
Bracing, Vestello shook his head.
Six dino medals flew.
/\/\/\
Swing off Grace's whip-like tail in the middle of an Equanis X. Slide down the berta's—not berto—arching back. Roll beneath the krypto's snapping jaws and lunge.
Hard knuckles connected with decorated clay and the evil kabuki mask went skipping across the dirt.
At once Vestello could hear the brawl behind him stop. In front of him, Pauleen wobbled, then her knees gave out.
::Good job.:: Vestello praised, catching Grace, Vicious, and Regal's medals as they fell, then he darted forward to catch Pauleen before more than her knees could hit the dusty ground. The pinkette shoved her face into Vestello's chest.
"It's off!" Was her teary cheer. "The mask is off, digadig!"
For a long moment, they sat there, Vestello rubbing the girl's back as she sobbed out her relief and aftermath-fear. Eventually Pauleen regained her composure and pulled away, glaring at the inert mask.
"I don't need you anymore, mask! I'm going to fight on my own and talk on my own from now on! Digadig!"
Did the mask just wilt? How could something made of clay and ivory wilt?
Finding himself with arms full of joyful pinkette, Vestello could not linger on the odd observation. Returning the almost desperate hug he listened to the repeated 'thank yous' the girl gave.
Beautiful blue glowed up at him."I'm so happy right now, diga!"
"Heh. That's amusing. The mask is off, but the one who's red in the face is Vestello."
Rupert! Trying to ignore the burning in his cheeks, Vestello took a step back.
"Oh!" Pauleen mirrored the bluenette's action, provoking another laugh from Rupert.
"Pauleen! Are you…unharmed, diga?"
"Look, Grandpa, look!" A sharp jab towards the ancient artifact. "The mask came off! Diga diga digadig!"
The chieftan's face split into a wide grin. "This makes me…very happy, diga!"
"Hard to believe this little mask caused so much trouble." Expensive leather boots toed the malicious object. "This is a dangerous item. It might be best for everyone if we destroyed it here and now." Dino medals gleamed in determined fingers.
"No, please! Don't break the mask, digadig!"
Startled, wide gold and amber landed on the pleading pinkette.
"This is all my fault, diga." The girl elaborated. "I'm the one who took the mask without permission. And besides, it diga-did help me for a while, so it's not totally evil." A shy look towards the chieftain. "You should take it back to the village, Grandpa. …Digadig?"
Rupert cocked his head, again resembling a curious wolf pup, before speaking. "If this is your wish, Pauleen, I will defer to you."
Vestello nodded in complete agreement.
Smiling, Pauleen scooped the mask up.
Dark brows furrowed as the hair on Vestello's arms prickled at an odd sensation. It seemed to be coming from the mask and it seemed so familiar that the distinguishing word was right at the edge of his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp it. Was the mask…alive, somehow? No, that wasn't it…it was something else…
"You have changed, Pauleen." The chieftain examined his grandchild. "You are…talking to others, diga-despite having no mask."
The responding grin was almost blinding. "I know, digadig! It's awesome!" Shining blue landed on Vestello. "I owe this all to my friends, digadig." Her gaze returned to her grandfather. "They taught me to trust my feelings, diga. They showed me I could just be myself."
A soft smile. "It does…my heart good to see you grow." There was nothing but fond affection on the aging face. "You grow…before my very eyes, diga!"
The tender moment was ruined as their paleopagers bleeped to life.
"This is an announcement concerning the Caliosteo Cup Semifinals. Due to adjustments to the facilities, the semifinals have been postponed to tomorrow."
"Perhaps that's not an altogether bad thing." Rupert mused as the pagers turned off again. "We could all use some rest after the events of today."
As if on cue, a jaw-cracking yawn left Vestello.
[Bed fall-on-to, now.]
"Tomorrow, diga…"
/\/\/\
Yawning, Vestello wandered drowsily towards dancing flames like a light-drunk moth—
-Walked right into luminescent silver-topping-red.
"Did Pauleen ask you here as well, Vestello?" Rupert queried as the sheepish bluenette backpedaled a couple paces.
Vestello nodded, then yawned.
[She-woke-me.
In-Past sleeping.
Tired]
A sympathetic nod. "Yes, I can see that." A small yawn hidden behind a politely raised hand. "And I can sympathize." Gold gazed into the fire. "I wonder what this is about…"
"Sorry I'm late, digadig!" A bounce of far-to-chipper pink, and Pauleen was there, looking as if it was not the middle of the night and that they'd be better off back in their beds.
Rupert straightened. "That's all right. We only just arrived ourselves. However…" Gold eyed the mask-less girl. "I'm curious as to why you asked us here in the middle of the night.
A yawn. [Here-same.]
Shifting in place, Pauleen turned to stare into the fire.
"…The semifinals are here, digadig. And that means only two people will advance. So no matter what, one of us is going to be leaving the Cup." A pause. "I've been thinking about that, and it makes me sad. So I thought maybe we should talk, diga." A shy glance, then Pauleen turned to face them again. "That's why I called you out, digadig."
"I, too, have been feeling some sadness about the upcoming end of the Cup." Rupert stared down at shadow-kissed-grass.
"This has been so much fun, diga. I wish it could just go on forever!" A grin. "Wouldn't it be great if the three of us just kept winning?"
Blue and gold landed on Vestello, making the bluenette pause.
"What do you think, Vestello?"
A soft smile, then Vestello nodded.
Two bright smiles met his response. "I knew you'd agree, Vestello!"
Grass crunched under expensive boots. "There's something I've never told you, Vestello, but this seems like a good time."
With a cant of his head, Vestello stared curiously at the company heir.
"It's something I've been thinking about for a long time. Something that drives me to compete… It's even enough to make me forget the sadness I feel about the end of the Caliosteo Cup. I guess you could say it's a wish. A very special wish…" He trailed off.
Vestello leaned forward.
"My wish is to face you in the final!"
Startled, Vestello rocked back, amber eyes wide.
"You're the one who reminded me of the joys of Fossil Battles, Vestello." Rupert went on. "And that's why I want to face you in my final battle."
"W-wait a second, digadig!" Bare arms flailed. "I'm the one who's going to fight Vestello in the final! It's because of Vestello that I finally took off my mask! So I want to face Vestello in the final with my true face, diga!"
Sparks flew as the two teens-now-rivals glared at each other.
Yikes! Vestello glanced between them, worried.
Laughter made him relax.
"I guess it's silly to argue about it." Rupert snickered. "We don't even know the semifinal matchups yet.
A giggle. "Yeah, I guess I got a little carried away, digadig. But I feel better now, diga." The pinkette breathed in deeply. "It's like all my bad feelings just…blew away."
Relaxing back on the flats of his feet again, Vestello chuckled with them.
"Very well." There was a note of finality in Rupert's tone. "From the semifinals and on to the final, let's all do the best we can."
"Yeah! We'll make the Cup final one to remember!"
As one, the three-fourths of the Caliosteo Patrol Team thrust their fists in the air, finalizing that vow.
Pauleen left again shortly after that, leaving Vestello and Rupert alone by the fire.
Joining his hands and stretching his arms high overhead, Vestello tipped back in a controlled fall. Grass cushioned him as he stared at the bright stars above.
Nice night. I might just stay here…
"Vestello?"
"Mmm?"
A pause. "I believe that's the first time I've heard you make a vocal sound outside of snickering."
Vestello shrugged.
Rupert sat down beside him, a thoughtful look in his gold eyes. "I was wondering…Why do you use sign language and that tablet computer, instead of speaking out loud? I thought maybe your vocal cords might have been damaged in some way, but it seems like you can still use them…so…" He trailed off.
Pulling one hand out from under his head, Vestello began signing.
[Doctors, they-tell-me:
Throat *negation*-hurt
"A-L-L-in-head"
*affirmation*-talk
*negation*-will.]
"So…you have the capability to talk, but for some reason your mind says you can't, so you…can't? Forgot? Lost the ability but not the capability?"
Shadowed blue mane dipped in a nod.
"Why?"
A shrug.
[They-tell-me:
Past bad-event give-me mind+trauma
Event *negation*-remember]
"I see… Well, maybe one day you will be able to talk again." Standing, Rupert brushed off the seat of his pants. "I'd like to hear your voice."
A grin.
[Me speak, when
You 1st-hear, promise.]
The silverette paused, then smiled. "I shall look forward to it." Grass crunched underfoot. "I wish you a good evening, Vestello. And good luck in the semi-finals."
/\/\/\
Vestello –vs- Pauleen
/\/\/\
The Bonehemoth a dig site? Blue mane swishing as he shook his head, Vestello grimaced. No way, not for me thanks.
Through ice-motif doors, across cold-blue tile, through a second door and down a hallway. Pauleen waits at the other end by a third pair of doors.
"Digadig!" A grin. "There you are, Vestello. This is going to be my first battle in front of people without a mask." The grin wavered, unease shining through.
Amber softened as Vestello clapped the other's shoulder. This seemed to embolden her.
"But that's okay, diga. Your faith in me has made me brave." She stood tall with hands on hips and head held high. "It doesn't matter how many people are watching, digadig. I'm not going to be intimidated!"
The loudspeakers beeped to life.
"The first semifinal match is Pauleen vs. Vestello. Combatants should enter the stadium immediately."
"I will prove to the world that I am reborn, digadig!"
Smiling, Vestello followed the pinkette out onto the field.
/\/\/\
At point was a super-evolved vivosaur that looked like the mirror image of Grace, sans with pink eyes and stripe along its spine rather than blue, and it was maybe a little shorter. Pauleen had called it an Omias. On one side of the omias was a small, mammalian vivosaur. Hardly two meters long, if one was feeling generous, it resembled a deer Vestello had once seen a picture of, called a Pronghorn, though the horn in question grew from its nose like a rhinocerous horn. Derived from the Synthetoceras or "combined horn", it was known as the vivosaur Synthos. On the other side, looking oddly comfortable on the icy ground, was a vivosaur of the same build as an elasmo, though a fair bit smaller at only three and a half meters. Called a plesio, after the "almost-lizard" plesiosaurus, it had a reputation for being quick, nasty, and very poisonous.
Leveche had given him some oddly specific information about what a plesio's venom could do to a human. Specific as if learned via first-hand experience. Someday he would have to get the full story of her adventures as a novice Fighter, if only to figure out just how much of a trouble-magnet she was.
But that was neither here nor there, he had a fight to focus on.
His own team consisted of Grace, Vicious, and Wrath, his previously unused kaishin vivosaur. This was the first situation where he could actually call him out to test his abilities. It would be interesting to see just what he could do, and if whether he had better maneuverability on the icy field than the vivosaurs reliant on legs for proper locomotion.
Nestled safely behind Grace's neck, Vestello waited.
He did not have to wait long.
"Plesio Poison! Synthos Strike!"
Skating on ice as if it were ocean surf, the plesio blurred forward. Just behind it, Synthos did the same, though with a bit less grace. Watching it try and find purchase on the icy ground was certainly amusing.
::Kaishin Step, Wind Blast.::
Fifteen-plus meters of corded, water-adapted muscles wound and swung, broad-siding the sliding almost-lizard.
Nice impact. Vestello eyed the plesio-shaped crater in the arena wall.
A wave of turquoise and a startled bleat signaled the synthos' rather unexpected meeting with the icy floor. Hooves flailed in the air.
An amused rumble, followed by a window-shattering scream
"No, Synthos!" Wide blue stared at the dino medal embedded into the cone-indent of the ice. Leftovers of Vicious's tail smash.
Pauleen growled. "Omias Dos!"
::Counter it, Equinas Dos!::
It wasn't until the world around him blurred that Vestello realized just how fast the horse-like vivosaur was. Certainly fast enough to deserve the title of 'fastest known vivosaur'. Not even the slippery ice underfoot slowed her down.
Thunder crashed as the two vivosaurs collided, putting all their weight behind their respective attacks. Then powerful neck muscles bowed and snapped up.
Yikes! Gloved fingers clamped down on immaculate hide to keep from being flung off. His whole body throbbed from the force of the blow that hadn't even touched him.
A sharp hiss, then Grace returned the favor. Sharp cracks split the air as the two pounded away at each other.
Like dueling giraffes. Vestello compared. Slamming horned heads into the opponent's underbelly.
A giraffe's blow had enough force to flip a minivan. Just how much more force went into Grace's and the omias's attacks?
I'd rather not find out. Trembling, and not simply from the monstrous impacts, Vestello curled up as small as he could and still retain a firm hold.
The sounds of colliding vertebrae were deafening.
"Plesio: Poisonous Assault!"
But not too deafening.
::Wind Blast, then crush it with Kaishin Thump!::
Though he couldn't see anything outside the expanse of white he was gripping too, Vestello could imagine the battles outside his immediate area.
A wave of turquoise to blow away poisonous mist, followed by a blur of deadly coils , catching and constricting the near-lizard's fragile form, then finished by the sound of a medal pinging off the ice.
"Plesio Poison, get that aeros, digadig!"
Then again, one should know better than to assume. Vicious's pained howl was a terrible rebuke—
Ow…turn off the drums…
Why was it so cold? Sure, it was chilly enough in the icy stadium, but it hadn't been this bad…
Oh.
He was on the ice.
How in the world had…
A roar drowned out his own thoughts. The hypothermic chill was swallowed up by a wave of air-rending heat, cool colors bled into blazing infernos.
Green-rimmed metal flashed, cutting a searing line across his cheek.
The world faded out.
/\/\/\
Black. A familiar black.
Amber eyes glanced rear-words, expecting familiar gray and white hide-and-feathers where they always were. Only, nothing was there. Nothing was anywhere. No warmth, no cold, no dancing colors. It was just so empty.
::Vicious!:: Vestello twisted around. ::Vicious, where are you? Answer me. Vicious!::
Vicious wasn't there, not where he was supposed to be. Chained down by corroding liquid and swept away by searing flames. Overwhelmed when he should have been supported, aided.
I wasn't there. Like an ice cube swallowed whole, the realization struck. He needed me, relied on me, and I wasn't there!
Distracted, always distracted. Focusing on one thing while dozens of others go by unseen, unnoticed. He knew better, had done better in the past. Now he had forgotten what he was supposed to do. Now because of his negligence, his partner had suffered. Vicious had trusted him to be there, and Vestello had let him down. He had let all his vivosaurs down.
Now he couldn't hear their pleas. He couldn't hear their cries for aid. He couldn't hear anything because he was an idiot who had forgone wisdom and common sense to take up shallow foolery. What should be obvious was now obscured to him.
He had gone astray.
He was…lost.
Vestello threw his head back in a silent roar.
Lord, help me.
Please make me see.
Let me see and act as I must.
So I don't let others down.
Sturdy fabric creaked as nails tried digging into palm.
Lord, help me grow up.
Help me stop being a foolish child so I can be who others need me to be…
Who you need me to be.
And the world snapped back into focus
/\/\/\
"Glacial Rage!"
Amber eyes snapped open to see mist and ice fragments condense and be propelled. Vestello threw an arm out.
::Intercept, Equinas X and Kaishin Step.::
Pinpoint white strikes all but plucked pieces of the barrage out of the air, spearing and shattering ice and water. Lightning-quick gray coils intercepted from the side, destroying oncoming momentum, and strength.
Hissing, Wrath looped in a lazy arch around Grace, both unharmed.
"Digadig?!" Pauleen looked very much taken aback.
A distant part of Vestello's brain wondered how long he had been out of it, but the practical part deemed such information unimportant.
Blue met amber from across the field of ragged ice. Pauleen shivered, and Vestello wasn't certain it was from the chill of the air.
"Plesio Poison!"
Like a torpedo, the near-lizard shot forward.
::Kaishin Crash::
When two objects of high speed collide, the one with the greater force, be it in power or weight, would overwhelm the lesser one. The momentum gained via propelling across ice had nothing on a geyser of pressurized water.
::Grace, deal with that Plesio.::
A crack of white parted the high-pressure current, plucking the bruised vivosaur from its depths. Then formal introductions were made.
Plesio, this is Glacies Firma. No, really, Glacies Firma. And one more time, just to make it stick… Glacies Firma!
Gripping an ice-rock for support, Vestello made a mental note not to get on the wrong side of Grace's obviously vindictive sense of humor. Cause there was no way that he had come up with that one.
Well…not all of it.
"No, Plesio!" Blue went wide, then narrow. "Omias: Omias Exodus!"
Amber eyes narrowed, recognition flickering.
Not this time.
::Equinas Exodus.::
Fire and water collided and the entire arena was engulfed by steam.
Over the roar of crashing opposites, Vestello could just make out the rustle of ice-shards-ground-under-scales.
He smiled.
::Kaishin Step.::
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From: Harmattan
Subject: Re-re-Food Chain
Long story short: I got eaten by a whale the size of Monstro from Disney's Pinnochio, called the 'Bonehemoth'. We got out, but it was…eck. I still smell like half-digested fish. Not a pleasant scent, between-you-me.
Oh, I met the third BB Brigade Commander, a hippie named Lola. It was strange, but while I was fighting her I sort of just…lost my fear of her and her comrades, like a light switched on in my head. It was weird. Anyway, she and the others aren't so bad, as people, and they're just following the orders Don Boneyard gives them so their previous actions aren't personal or anything.
Also, Lola knows some Sign Language. Not very good, though. She tried to sign…actually, I have no idea what she was trying to sign, but I wouldn't repeat it even in the seediest biker bar. That's how bad it was. Anyway, she and I are going to try and get together sometime so she can practice with someone fluent. Apparently Don Boneyard has been teaching her, but he can't really help her with the signs themselves for obvious reasons.
Actually…why would a talking skull know Sign Language. How does he know Sign Language?
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From: Harmattan
Subject: Victory! Victory for me!
Okay, just so you know, I met that Digadig Chieftan you mentioned. Apparently he's Pauleen's grandfather. (I just can't see the resemblance…) We didn't talk much, but I did manage to get that mask-artifact off of Pauleen. It felt weird, like it was alive yet not alive. Something about it reminded me of a Fighter's Aura, but I can't figure out why…
Anyway, Pauleen and I faced each other in the semifinals and I won, so I'm now in the finals of this whole Cup. Wow, that's only just sunk in and it feels more like a dream than reality, it's just so hard for me to believe. I mean, sure, I entered the Cup to try and win, but I didn't think I'd have any chance of getting as far as I have, let alone actually having a shot at victory. It just seems so impossible…
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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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Sneak Peak:
Lola quivered under the heaviness, and the blended sense of shame-disappointment. Suddenly, she had a whole lot more sympathy for Cole and Lester. And never before had she been so glad that Don Boneyard was a talking skull. Looking up at those empty black sockets was a whole lot better than seeing disappointment in flesh-and-blood eyes.
Though not by much.
"Soooo-" the Hippie began. "-Operation Lights Out was kind of a bummer, huh?" The weak smile, an attempt to lighten the heavy atmosphere, fell flat as Don Boneyard didn't so much as twitch.
Uh-oh. Lola shrank back. He's, like, toootally mad.