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 7
For Want of a Spine II

From: Leveche
Subject: Re-Catholicism –vs- Christianity

That explains so much… I had always wondered why those claiming to be the most 'religious' were the more terrifying to encounter (Yes, terrifying, I'd rather face all the Dinaurian Nobles with nothing more than my pickaxe and Force of Will then be subjected to a fanatic's tirade again.) I suppose then they could be compared to the Islamic suicide-bombers? Or am I mistaken?

So it is better that one live by the bible all the time, rather than simply focusing solely on it on certain days or events? Thank you very much for that explanation. I will keep your warnings in mind and avoid potential fights over the subject.

I now find myself torn between two questions. Feel free to address whichever one is simplest for you to answer with what little spare time you have. From what I hear you barely have time to eat and sleep nowadays, what with fighting the Brigade, training your vivosaurs, and finding new fossils. Anyway, to quote an earlier message my questions are:

"If God is so powerful, why is the world in the state it's in now? Surely he knew that Eve would eat that apple and could have stopped her, or even just not put the tree in the garden in the first place. And today there's so much pain and misery, why doesn't he do something to stop it? Why is it that so often evil people get into power and stay there, while those with good hearts suffer? It just doesn't make sense. He could stop it all if he wished, he could make us stop, so why doesn't he?"

And:

"What's the story about the Devil/Satan/Lucifer (that's a new one to me)? Is he God's opposite, or something? Like a counterbalance, God being Life, Satan being Death or however you want to put it."

(You worry too much, your ability to explain is perfectly adequate. You really must stop doubting your own abilities, it's a very self-destructive habit.)

/\/\/\

Small. Vestello noted, eyeing turquoise, white and gold feathers. Cute.

Ridiculously large blue eyes stared up at him from behind thick glass. Blinked. Then the original bird cocked its head and chirred, blinking again.

Amber narrowed, then Vestello snickered.

::You little charlatan.::

The responding coo could probably have been translated as 'Who, me? Never!'

Another snicker and the bluenette extended an arm towards the aopteryx. ::Come on you jester.::

A metallic clatter sounded as the Dino Medal came out of the slot. Reaching out, Vestello gripped his newest addition and pulled back from the revival chamber—

Chittering laughter sounded in his ear as Jest draped himself over the Fighter like a literal feather boa. Bemused, the teenager eyed the small face almost flush against his own. ::Well aren't you a character?::

More laughter, mirth and mischief shining brightly in bright blue.

/\/\/\

Head throbbing, Vestello blinked up at dancing stars.

I'm rusty. Were his first coherent thoughts, followed by: What blew up? And: What did I hit my head on?

The sound of rotors made the dazed bluenette sit up, sway, then glance skyward. Amber blinked, almost puzzled. By his ear, Jest made an equally puzzled chirr.

What's the mammoth machine doing here? Still a little shaky, Vestello returned to his feet.

All too familiar laughter sent chills down his, and every other listener's, spines.

"Behold, mortals! I have returned!" Don Boneyard cackled again. "But do not worry. I only came to wish you all farewell…" The caped skull shifted away from the camera.

Vestello's lungs seemed to stop working. Oh, that does not sound good.

"For you see, your pathetic Caliosteo Fossil Park is about to sink beneath the waves! All three islands will be swept away like grains of sand on the shore." Cue panicked screams from the more faint-hearted members of the audience. "So unless you're an exceptional swimmer, I would suggest fleeing for your life right…about…now!" A snicker, then Don Boneyard faced the camera again. "Oh, this just tickles my funny bone!"

More hysteric laughter sounded as the oversized screen regained altitude and then shut off, leaving the panicked masses to scramble about like headless chickens.

Yikes!

Duck flailing limb and oncoming panickers, jump, grab, then swing up.

Perhaps not so rusty. Vestello gripped the post tightly to avoid sliding downward. Pink flashed in his peripheral vision.

"D-did you see that, digadig?" Pauleen skidded to a halt, staring up at his perch. "He said he's going to sink the islands! And right before that, there was an earthquake! I think he's serious, diga!" Her pretty face contorted into a fierce frown. "I won't just stand around and let that skeleton ruin everything, diga! Let's go see Joe!"

Nodding, Vestello glanced for further dangers-to-his-person, then dropped down.

"…What were you doing up there, anyway, digadig?"

/\/\/\

"Todd and Rupert, you're here!" Pauleen left the elevator at a run.

The aforementioned blonde frowned. "Of course I'm here!" As if the very idea that he wouldn't be was ridiculous. "I came here as soon as that stupid skeleton finished talking! Er…" Todd shot Vestello an uncertain look. "Why do you have a vivosaur around your neck?"

Rupert sighed, silver hair swaying as he shook his head before looking at them. "I figured this was a job for the Caliosteo Patrol Team, so I came right away."

Joe studied them, blue eyes unusually sharp. "I'm glad y'all feel that way, 'cause we're in a whole heap'a trouble right about now."

"Is Done Boneyard telling the truth, digadig?" Pauleen's tone was anxious. "Can he really sink these islands?"

Grimacing, the cowboy Fighter shrugged. "Ya got me there, little lady. I'm afraid I don't know much 'bout that kind of thing."

Dark brows furrowed as something nagged at the back of Vestello's mind. And was Valorous's medal growing warm?

"I asked one'a the local eggheads to ride by and help us out." A frown towards the lift. "Figured he would'a been here by now…" Blue brightened.

"Ho! Pardon me for being so late!"

Amber blinked, then Vestello grinned and turned.

"I had the most fascinating lunch, you see, and so…Good heavens!" Stumbling mid step, Scatterly grinned at the teenager. "It's Vestello! I seem to run into you wherever I go, eh wot?" The aging professor clapped a hand on Vestello's shoulder, paused, then took a closer look. "By jove, that's an interesting feather boa you've got. Very lively."

Jest chirped, sounding very pleased.

"Sorry to rush ya, doc—" Joe stepped forward. "-but we need ya to tell us what's goin' on with these here islands."

Humming, Scatterly sent the cowboy a blank look. Then light dawned. "Oh, yes of course. Quite. Well then…" A frown. "I would deduce that the recent quake is a result of the Spinal Pillar being weakened."

The what being what now?

The others looked equally lost.

"The Spinal Pillar, you see, is a massive structure that supports the Caliosteo Islands. Theoretically, if someone were to chip away at this pillar, it would eventually snap in two. And this, of course, would send the islands plunging into the sea. …All quite terrible, yes?"

Bit of an understatement, that. Gray faced, Vestello noticed Todd step forward. The blonde looked equally gray, though rising anger was quickly bringing color back to his face.

"That's low, even for the BB Brigade. We can't let them get away with it!"

Rupert nodded. "We must stop them from eroding the Spinal Pillar further."

"Er, yes." Scatterly shifted in discomfort. "Well, you see, I fear that stopping further erosion will not be sufficient. There's already been too much damage to the Spinal Pillar, wot wot?" Another frown. "We have to find a way to reinforce it and repair the damage."

Vestello cocked his head.

[Milk: lots-and-lots
Us-give-to-pillar?]

Rupert snorted, then looked rather flustered, while Professor Scatterly guffawed outright.

"By jove, you've hit the nail on the head, dear boy."

I did? Amber blinked.

Puzzled, brows furrowing, Joe glanced between them. "What'd he say, doc?" A stiff-backed step forward. "And just how are we gonna do that?"

The professor laughed again. "Just as Vestello suggested: with calcium, my good man!"

[Joking, was] But Vestello's signs went unnoticed.

"The Spinal Pillar is composed of an extremely hard type of calcium, you see? If we were to inject a similar substance into the pillar, it should be enough to save the islands!" Scatterly glanced at Vestello. "Unfortunately, milk won't do the trick here. There's only one type of calcium we need…The prehistoric fish, Sardinisaurus! Yes, quite."

Vestello wasn't the only one who blinked at the man's words.

"Therefore, we have to find a Sardinisaurus fossil rock, and quickly at that!"

Was anybody else a little skeptical about the existence of a sardine lizard fossil? No, wait, Joe actually seemed to be considering it.

"I reckon we can find Sardinisaurus fossil rocks deep inside the Petrified Woods. It's a dig site over on Ribular Island. We'd closed it for maintenance, but I'll open 'er up right now. Lemme see yer sonar there, Vestello."

Neck hair on end and sending shivers down his spine, Vestello stepped forward and pulled out the machine in question. Without sparing a glance at the teen, Joe took it. The brief contact between them nearly sent Vestello running, for reasons he still couldn't identify.

Returning to his desk, Joe pulled out what looked like a miniature tool kit. First unscrewing parts of the sonar then selecting a small unfamiliar tool, he set to work. A few minutes later he was returning the upgraded sonar.

Still on edge, Vestello accepted it, eyeing the screen with some uncertainty.

"Right. I done fiddled with yer sonar so it'll pick up Sardinisaurus fossil rocks."

Vestello cocked his head, puzzled. One couldn't pick up Sardinisaurus with regular sonar? That could explain why he'd never heard of it before…

"There's no time to waste! Get over to the Petrified Woods and find one'a them fossil rocks!"

Vestello saluted and, with surprising synchronization, the elder and junior Fighters stepped back.

Joe surveyed the rest of the patrol team. "Rupert? Pauleen? Todd? I got another job for y'all. Folks are in a right panic out there, and I'd like ya to help calm 'em down." A slight shudder. "The last thing we need's a buncha scared folks stampeding around!"

Rupert bowed. "Understood." He turned towards the other two. "Come on, you two. Let's go."

"Digadig!"

"You got it!"

/\/\/\

Oh, oh wow.

Wide-eyed amber took in the sight ahead. Were it not for the very distinct pattern across the gray expanse, he would have sworn the natural bridge before him was carved stone. It was not, however, as proven by the knotholes scattered here and there with the arch and shape only woodless tree bark could produce.

This must have been a monster of a tree when it was alive. The pads of his fingers stroked the smooth inner-bark, completely unscarred despite being exposed to the elements for who-knew how long. And it's all petrified. How did that work, I wonder?

A pause, then Vestello sighed. Shaking his head he drew away. There was work to be done and a fossil to be found. And perhaps a few new fossil rocks in the process.

An unspecified amount of time later found him multiple fossils heavier-including not one but two Wondrous Fossils-but still without the one he had set out to find in the first place. Now his round-about route had led him to a series of vines hanging like rope down the center of a hollowed monster of a petrified tree.

That's oddly specific. The teenager noted, eyeing the oddly harmonious coils. I wonder if they're real… Several yanks revealed no information. For all he knew it was coincidence that a set of vines strong enough to hold someone was hanging down just so a determined Fighter could shimmy up to the top of the petrified tree.

Coincidence, right. Probably the work of one of the Staff Leaders.

A few minutes and fossils later, examining what was quite possibly the oddest looking fossil rock he had ever seen, Vestello's sense of skepticism grew further. The whole thing smelt of a set up. After all, how in the world would a fossilized fish end up in the crown of a fossilized tree? Sure, fish fossils had been found at ridiculously high elevations-courtesy of the world-wide flood from several thousand years back—but in a tree? No flipping way that was a natural occurrence. None whatsoever. If there were he'd eat his goggles.

Maybe I need to figure out how petrified trees occur. Vestello mused, turning back towards the descending vines, fossil in hand. In case I'm missing something…if not, I could always ask one of the Staff Leaders for some clarification.

Still wrapped around his shoulders, Jest chittered. Amused.

/\/\/\

Cat and the canary, spider and the fly, and a whole sort of similar metaphors came to mind as Joe smiled at Vestello. And every one of them made Vestello want to head for the hills as fast as he could, however he could do it.

"Well, look who's back!"

Those windows were looking mighty tempting…

"And with a bit of treasure to boot!" Winning grin in place, the cowboy accepted the proffered fossil, the out-of-place tightness at the corners of his eyes nearly made Vestello squirm where he stood. "Well there, little pard, I reckon it's time to squeeze the calcium outta ya." A glance at the gathered Patrol Team. "Let's get a move on, shall we?" The veteran Fighter left the office via the elevator.

He returned some time later, calcium extracted from the fishy fossil.

The Patrol Team gathered around as Joe returned to his desk, an oversized hypothermic needle in his hands.

"All right then, pards." The needle gleamed in the light as it was held up in display. "This here's the Calcium Injector. Accordin' to the professor, we gotta drive this into the Spinal Pillar at the seafloor." Another grin. "I got Stella standin' by with a sub, so y'all get down there and—"

The bleeping from the pager seemed almost eerily appropriate.

Let's see… Vestello watched the slow frown form as Joe reached for the pager.

"Oh, howdy, Stella. What's wrong?"

In every movie or game that I'm familiar with, this would be where the heroes learn that they have been preempted.

"What?!" The shout all but shook the room. "Somebody wrecked the sub's engine?"

Can I call them, or can I call them?

A slam. Hard plastic groaned in protest.

"Possom spit!"Stormy blue landed on them. "Them dang BB Brigade boys are one step ahead'a us!"

Bringing fingers to his lips, Vestello let out a shrill whistle. Then, now the center of attention, his hands blurred into motion.

Blonde brows furrowed. "What does Robinson have to do with this?"

The sound of Vestello smacking his forehead echoed through the oversized office at his friend's lack of understanding. Fortunately, Pauleen seemed to get what he was trying to say, because her eyes brightened and she snapped her fingers.

"Oh, hey! That's a great idea, digadig! We can just use the Bonehemoth!"

Vestello clapped.

Rupert looked thoughtful. "Yes, of course! The Bonehemoth would be able to get us to the seafloor with ease." A pause. "Of course, it might not be quite that simple. Perhaps we should ask Robinson for advice."He looked askance at Joe.

The cowboy surveyed them, looking first surprised then impressed. He grinned. "Well, heck! I can't believe how quick y'all are on yer feet. Can't say as I understand the plan fully, but if y'all think it'll work, then I'm all for it. Just get down to the seafloor and inject this calcium into the Spinal Pillar!"

Why me? Vestello eyed the gleaming point somewhat apprehensively. The brush of suddenly-bristling feathers told him that Jest felt the same way.

"Good luck, pards. I don't need to tell ya what happens if ya fail."

Vestello saluted with his free hand.

"I'm going to get ready." A swish of red fabric and Rupert headed towards the elevator.

"Okay! When you're ready, we'll meet at the Bonehemoth, digadig!" Pauleen hurried after the silver-haired company heir.

Todd and Vestello exchanged looks, saluted Joe, and then followed after them.

/\/\/\

Warm breath steamed a section of glass. The velvety muzzle, source of the warm air, brushed against the glass, creating smears as black-lined blue-green eyes examined the human beyond the glass. Derived from the extinct animal 'Megaloceros Giganteus ', meaning 'Giant Great Horn', the ceros was impressive for a member of the deer family, over two-and-a-half meters at the shoulders and over three-and-a-half meters from nose to rump, but as far as vivosaurs went it was a bit on the smaller side. Spirit was bigger than the cero was, though as far as weight went the cero won hands down.

As the vivosaur examined his new Fighter, Vestello studied his newest vivosaur. The teenager gave the impressive antlers, which would have been large on a bull moose, only a passing glance, instead fascinated by the oddly colored fur. It wasn't quite the pink people claimed it was, more like a light auburn or strawberry blonde, an odd coloration for a wind-aligned vivosaur. Vestello judged it to be, perhaps, a bit yellower than what he had seen of a red deer's fur, thus giving the impression of pink in the right light. Though, honestly it looked a bit more orange-ish to him, sans the darker 'mane' around the vivosaur's neck.

A snort, then the ceros let out an odd grunt, which increased in pitch until it reached the almost painful frequency members of the deer family were known for.

Vestello winced, shaking his head.

"Master Vestello." The bluenette jumped. "Will you be integrating one of your silver fossils with your new ceros? You might like the results, better than you did with your aeros and raja, I'd expect."

Well, what else would he do with those Wondrous Fossils? He might as well use them, since they were cleaned already. So, nodding his consent, Vestello watched the machine take one of the metallic skull-like fossils and attach it to the machine still holding the now curious ceros. As with what had transpired with Vicious and Savage, the fossil broke apart into dust-like fragments before being absorbed by the ceros. Its fur lost its reddish tint, growing paler, until it was a different color entirely.

A low whistle sounded. The ceros' horns had brightened into a beautiful yellow-gold, while the majority of its body became a creamy-white color, not unlike a pale palomino.

Vestello had always admired palominos.

With a rumbling grunt, the giant great horn threw its head back, antlers gleaming in the light. Blinking, Vestello watched it and wondered why, even though its color was completely different, the ceros reminded him of Charity. So he asked—read: signed—Felic.

"Ceros, like the maia vivosaurs, are among the few vivosaurs capable of learning healing abilities. Perhaps that is the similarity you're noticing?"

Another healing vivosaur? Well, that could certainly be useful. It also gave him an idea for what to name his newest vivosaur. Staring up at the looming elk, Vestello extended a hand, palm up.

::Come, Clemens, let's see what other allies we can gain today.::

Another snort, then a green-rimmed Dino Medal clattered out of the slot. Vestello gripped it and waited, hoping for any tugging, any awareness at the edges of his mind, but nothing happened. Sighing, the bluenette put his new medal away as Felic collected the next set of fossils. The second of the three he had collected from the Petrified Woods.

The vivosaur that materialized in the revival chamber completely dwarfed Clemens. Another mammal, perhaps the largest mammal-variety vivosaur, it stretched over eight meters from nose to tail and over half that high at the shoulders. Derived from the paraceratherium, or 'near horn animal', scientists believed it to be an animal which resembled an odd cross between a horn-less rhinoceros and a hair-less camel—at least that's what Vestello thought the restoration pictures resembled—that was at least three times the size of a modern elephant. The vivosaur, called a Parium, certainly didn't match that description. It seemed to more closely resemble a cross between an okapi, a horse, and a dog with longish fur, fur none of the restorations had.

A snort, kinked tail lashing out as the parium reared. Bugling, it slammed its forelegs down. The overhead lights flickered as the force of impact shook the walls.

Dark brows furrowed. Why do I taste ozone? He took another look at the vivosaur, at the tempestuous blue fur accented by bright, flashing yellow. A thunderstorm's own colors, even wilder than wind.

Vestello smiled. ::Nice to meet you too, Tumult.::

Another rumbling snort, then the parium's medal clattered out of the slot. Bare finger tips brushed the green rim and, for a heartbeat, his mind's eye was illuminated as if by lightning's strike. Then the impression was gone, leaving him dizzy and shaking his head.

Was that…? Eyes shut, he shook his head again. The sound of metal clicking against bone reached his ears. Never mind, I still have one more vivosaur to revive.

The last vivosaur was closer in size to Clemens than Tumult. It looked vaguely like an oversized raptor, being covered in a fur-feather combo the way it was. Bright pink fur with yellow highlights. Vestello eyed the flamboyant color combo with incredulity.

What is it with air-aligned vivosaurs being pink?

Called a shanshan, it was a vivosaur which was something of a paradox. At one point it was believed to be derived from a small tyranosaurid dinosaur called a shanshanosaurus. However later research brought to light that the supposed 'shanshanosaurus' was in actuality the juvenile form of some larger tyranosaurid specie. Which specie in particular, if the scientists were to be believed, turned out to be the tarbosaurus, or Alarming Lizard. If this were true then why was it that there was a Tarbo vivosaur and a Shanshan vivosaur? But they did, one was standing before him right then, so obviously they were missing something or the revival machines had an unexplainable quirk—

-and why did the shanshan look so darn amused? Amused as in the I-know-what-you-don't-but-I'm-not-about-to-tell kind of amused.

"Will you be using your second silver fossil on this vivosaur as well?"

Vestello jumped.

"Shanshan become yellow-gold with white upon receiving a skull silver fossil, something I believe you would approve of."

Yellow-gold rather than pink? Sure, why not? ::What do you think, Sly?::

The shanshan cocked its head, as if puzzled by the term of address, then crooned in a manner that only be described as smug anticipation.

Vestello nodded his consent to the integration.

/\/\/\

From: Harmattan
Subject: Return to the Belly of the Beast

The BB Brigade is really getting desperate now. They're trying to sink all three islands! Something about chipping away at the support keeping them above sea level. Anyway, they sabotaged the submarine so we'll be taking the Bonehemoth to the cave where the support is and hope for the best. It's odd, now that I think about it, that Joe is sending a bunch of underage teenagers to deal with things rather than sending veteran Fighters…

Also, there was something funny when Don Boneyard gave the announcement. (He stole the Mammoth Machine again.) I can't quite pinpoint it, but something in his tone struck me as odd. And I'm still getting the feeling that I've heard his voice before! It's really frustrating, not figuring it out.

I'll be sure to let you know how it all goes!

/\

From: Harmattan
Subject: Re-re Catholicism –vs- Christianity

Yeah, pretty much. Basically we're supposed to live it always and be humble, not trying to go around with the 'look, see how good and righteous I am' attitude because that attitude is a lie. People that make a big show about 'caring for those less fortunate' probably don't give those same people a second glance when they aren't in the public eye. Of course…that might just be a badly paraphrased fusion of what I've heard other people say… I'm not sure how else to explain it, though.

About your comment on Islamic suicide-bombers…therein lies another minefield topic and one I'm not going to get into. Maybe you're right, maybe you're not, I don't know and I think it's wiser to stay away from it. The whole thing makes me nervous.

Alright, my next message will address one of your questions.

/\/\/\/\

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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Alert: This chapter marks the last pre-written chapter I have for Stalking Horse Games. That means there will no longer be weekly updates. I will update when I can, but it may take some time due to school, work, and life in general taking priority.

Thank you for following this story thus far and I hope you enjoy the future chapters as well!