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.
Note: Sorry for the delay, this chapter did not want to be written.
/\/\/\/\
Chapter 7
For Want of a Spine III
From: Harmattan
Subject: Lucifer/Satan/The Devil
Here are some Bible verses telling about Lucifer (Bringer of Light)/ Satan (Accuser, adversary, opponent):
-Isaiah 14:12-20
-Ezekiel 28:12-19
-Luke 10:18
-2 Peter 2:4
-Jude 1:6
-Revelation 12:4; 7-12
-Revelation 20:1-3; 10
(It would be so much more convenient if Satan's story was in one specific chapter, rather than scattered throughout the whole Bible _)
But basically the story goes as such: Satan-originally known as Lucifer-was the greatest of God's angels, the wisest and most beautiful. But then pride filled his heart and he desired to be greater than God, to be worshiped. So God threw him and his followers down from Heaven and now they are essentially on Death Row being led to the Execution Chamber. Now Satan knows he will fall, but he wants to take as many of us with him as possible before that happens. Those here on Earth who don't accept God's gift and live as he wishes us to will be dragged down by Satan to suffer his torment for all eternity.
Trivia: Satan's followers were once angels, but after being cast out they became demons.
Trivia: Have you heard of the 7 Deadly Sins? Well, Pride is the cause of it all and Satan proves it!
Unrelated Trivia: Did you know you can use a tablet to look up Bible verses? I just figured that out. Very useful feature, wish I had known about it earlier.
/\
From: Leveche
Subject: Re-Return to the Belly of the Beast
Boneyard is trying to what? Vestello, that's not an act of greed or rage, it almost sounds as if something is scaring that disembodied skull. I'm not sure what about the situation is leading me to believe it, but I'd bet a lot that it's true. If necessary take a closer look at the tournament itself to see if—
Oh shoot. I think you may have jinxed yourself. What if the reason behind the Brigade's actions has something to do with what you've found on those slablets?
Be careful Vestello.
/\/\/\
Be careful, she says. As he walked, Vestello put his tablet away. Easier said than done when you're literally entering the belly of a beast in order to travel hundreds of feet under the water to prevent the sinking of a trio of islands while at the same time attempting to thwart a disembodied skull who probably has enough power to scare even the strongest Syncro Fighters. The teenager shivered. And why'd she have to go and mention the slablets? Now I'm going to be all on edge.
Ice clicked under his boots as the bluenette paused mid-stride. Amber eyes turned skyward, at the rolling grays above. Lord, please preserve us. Protect us. Please lead us to victory, and understanding. A sigh, then he continued forward and made a beeline towards the transporter that would take the Patrol Team to the Bonehemoth's stomach.
"The gang's all here, digadig!" What would have been the cue for a passionate 'onward!' was ruined by Pauleen squirming in place. "I guess it's back to fish-gut city for us." The declaration was notably lacking in enthusiasm, though Vestello couldn't blame her for that.
Exchanging glances with the rest of the Patrol Team, they turned and headed towards the transporter.
Vestello was still shaking off the dizziness of teleportation when a surprised, but cheerful, voice greeted them.
"Well shake m'fins and call me Flappy!" One arm still wrapped around 'Baliver', Robinson approached them with a grin, mostly hidden by his unkempt mustache and beard combo. "What brings you landlubbers back here so soon?" Though the question was addressed to the group, the castaway was looking at Vestello when he voiced it.
"Pardon me, sir." Rupert drew the man's attention. "We have rather urgent business at the Spinal Pillar."
With a hum, Robinson leaned back on his heels. "The Spinal Pillar?" He echoed, thoughtful. "You mean that big ol' thing holdin' up the islands?"
"Yes." The company heir nodded. "We need the Bonehemoth to take us there right away. Is that possible?"
Bushy brows furrowed. "Can't say as I've ever done it." A shrug. "But I s'pose it can't hurt to try." With a sudden about-face, Robinson strode away. Walking parallel with the damp wall that was the Bonehemoth's stomach-lining, he tapped his walking stick in a rhythmic pattern.
Vestello blinked at an anomaly in the man's strides. Is he counting steps?
A triumphant cry, and a sharp sweep of somewhat-rotting wood. "Now if we tickle this here spot, the whale dives deeper." A pause. "Lemme give it a try…" Rough wood extended farther to brush the fleshy mass. In response, the entire cavern shuddered and Vestello felt his ears pop.
Lowering his arm again, Robinson re-approached the group. "That Spinal Pillar is a ways down, so we gotta dive this beastie a bit deeper than usual." Pausing, Robinson eyed them each in turn. "You there!" The staff swung about sharply. "Greenie!"
With a yelp, Todd ducked the flying wood. "Huh? Me?"
Bringing the staff to rest once more, Robinson nodded. "Yep, you, son!" A wave back towards the ticklish spot. "Get over here and help me tickle this here whale."
The grin that single sentence invoked was near blinding. "Sweet! I'm good at tickling!" A dash of bright green and the cavern shook again as nimble fingers danced across sensitive pink.
"Now listen up." Robinson raised his voice to be heard over the rumbling. "Beneath each one'a these islands is a cave that'll take you to the Spinal Pillar. Seein' as how we got three islands here, where do you wanna go?"
Vestello frowned. Three ways in…does that mean…
"I suppose it makes sense to split up." Rupert voiced his thoughts aloud. "Todd needs to stay here and help Robinson with the Bonehemoth, so…I'll take Cranial Isle, Pauleen can take Ilium Island, and Vestello will go to Ribular Island."
Both teens nodded and Robinson went to help Todd.
Vestello's ears popped several more times before they finally stopped descending.
"Righto!" Robinson returned his stick to its resting position. "We're resting right outside Ilium Island's seabed cavern."
"I guess this is my stop, digadig." Pauleen shifted, then frowned. "But…um…how do I get out?" A somewhat apprehensive expression crossed her face. "I don't want to fight Lord Tonzilla again if I diga-don't have to."
A laugh. " Not to worry, little miss." Robinson assured. "You don't have to fight the lord no more. Turns out that the Bonehemoth opens his mouth whenever you give Lord Tonzilla a little tickle!"
Silence.
The sound of Vestello smacking his forehead echoed throughout the cavern as the other two teens stared at the castaway, aghast. The traumatizing battle, the near-drowning flood, then the harrowing fall from hundreds of feet, and there had been a simpler way the whole time.
With a sympathetic croon, Jest nuzzled the side of his Fighter's face.
"Welp? Whatcha waitin' for? Get going!"
/\/\/\
Cool-toned gravel crunched under foot as Vestello crept forward in the near-dark. Dare he use a flashlight? Would it give him away? What if-?
Something hooked his foot and yanked. A trap! Skin scrapped against sharp stones and comforting warmth was flung from his neck as Vestello hit the ground.
Hissing, the bluenette twisted to try and yank his foot free but his captor held fast.
Reaching back, his fingers curled around cool metal and he threw his arm out. In the same motion he turned the flashlight on, thus illuminating his captor.
Vestello froze.
Bemused, a recovered Jest scratched at hard ebony. Then the ancient wing vivosaur shot the still-frozen teenager an incredulous look. 'Oh lookie, a daaangerous man-eating rock.' The expression seemed to convey.
What he had mistaken for an assailant's hand was in fact the hooked edge of a rock, one which still refused to return him his foot.
Slowly, amber eyes blinked. Once…twice… a third time, then—
Concerned by the sudden series of stuttering pants, Jest nudged his Fighter's arm. Shoulders trembling, Vestello flopped supine, head thrown back, as the odd spasms grew spasms and the pants became strained gasps. Now alarmed, Jest chirped loudly, clawing at the bluenette's shirt.
Calming fingers smoothed ruffled feathers, invoking a startled yelp from the half-bird vivosaur.
What's wrong with me? Vestello wondered, laughter finally subsiding and leaving an odd burning in his shoulder, neck, and throat muscles. So high strung, paranoid, that's not me. That's not me at all.
A small head butted his jaw and his hand came up to smooth Jest's feathers some more. The little vivosaur glared at him and chittered, as if to scold him, wrapping it up with a sharp nip to the hand for good measure. Wincing, Vestello brought the smarting extremity to his mouth. The taste of copper met his tongue and he winced again.
::Sorry, Jest. Won't happen again.::
One last glare, then Jest seemed to forgive him and settled down on orange fabric. Only the dimpling caused by tiny talons betrayed Jest's lingering anxiety.
Letting his head drop again, Vestello sighed.
Worry…that's my problem. He realized. I'm afraid of failing Joe, I'm afraid of facing Don Boneyard, and all I'm doing is worrying about it and wondering why I have to be the one to handle things… I'm trying to control things, I think. I, I, I, too many 'I's.
Lately all he had been focusing on was how he alone could stand up to the challenges that have been cropping up. Was he strong enough to fight the Commanders, was he smart enough to subvert their plots, all those times he had simply focused on his own personal strength.
But that's not the way it should be… What would have been a wry laugh came out as a tired snort.
A show he had seen came to mind. It was one of those for younger kids, with lively, catchy songs meant to help the kids remember the lessons taught. One in particular went: 'God is bigger than the boogeyman, He's bigger than Godzilla or the monsters on TV. God is bigger than the boogeyman, and He's watching out for you and me.'
God knows what will happen. Vestello sat up, Jest dropping from chest to lap. He ran his fingers through the soft feathers. He knows, and he'll watch over me. So why should I be afraid? One arm curling around his vivosaur, the teenager stood up again. I can't control the future. I can't control it, so why worry about it? Pinpricks along his shoulder signaled Jest returning to his original perch.
Vestello tilted his head back. Lord, thank you for reminding me. I'm sorry I've been such a brat lately.
A step forward, to the future, was halted by a sudden screech.
Ow… Massaging his inner ear, he glared at the culprit. Blinked. Visually followed the outstretched claw. Blinked again.
Oh you've gotta be kidding me.
/\/\/\
Metal rang against not-quite-stone.
"Come on, you lazy dogs! Dig! Dig as if your life depends on it!"
If there was a none-too-subtle tinge of hysteria to speaker's voice, Vestello suspected they'd deny it. Vehemently. Cool, uneven stone pressed into his back as the teenager peered around the corner—blinked, then looked again.
That was what was holding the islands up? That little thing? It wasn't much broader than an old oak tree, which, while still impressive didn't look like it could hold up one of the three islands, or be as vital for said island to remain above sea level.
"You got it, boss!" Suspiciously-familiar-lackey-number-one spoke, voice determined.
Cole laughed. "Soon this Spinal Pillar will snap, and the Caliosteo Islands will be gone!" A snigger that could almost pass for a giggle sounded. "Good thing I stocked up on skinny jeans before all the stores were flooded…"
Okay, enough is enough. Vestello stepped into the open, head high and eyes narrow.
A full body shudder ran through the hipster's lean frame.
"Wh-what? Who's there?!" Cole whipped about. Yellow-tinted blue met cheerful amber.
Feeling impish, Vestello cocked his head with a butter-wouldn't-melt smile, giving the commander a friendly wave.
"…Seriously?" Cole seemed torn between terror and sheer incredulity, blue eyes flickering from Vestello's face to the living boa on his shoulder. His expression wavered, then settled on almost-fond exasperation. He turned his shoulder to the bluenette. "You know, I have to admit: I'm almost impressed with you. Every other fool on this island is running in terror from us, and yet here you are." A sideways glance. "Not bad, my man. Not bad at all."
Vestello pat his chest with a fist, then held up the universal 'peace' sign. Cole cocked a brow, turning to face the younger male again.
They eyed each other a long moment before the hipster's eyes hardened.
"But no matter how much I dig your style," the nasty look sent at Vestello's jumpsuit suggested a different 'style' than the context implied, "I can't let you interfere when we're so close to victory."
Vestello inclined his head at the point.
Medals flashed. "Prepare to get your rear end handed to you!"
/\/\/\
Amber eyed monstrous bone-clad shadows. The ambient temperature had gone up a fair bit with two B-Rexes on the field. That Cole seemed able to control them both without much effort said a lot for his skills and strength as a Fighter. Even with his numbness, Vestello could feel the physical pressure the two fiery theropods were giving off; pressure which almost completely cloaked the much smaller boneysaur hidden in their shadow.
::We need to focus on taking out that B-Plesio. Last thing we need is poison wearing us down while trying to hold off those kings.::
Ahead of him, Vicious, Sly, and Wrath rumbled their agreement.
A smirk. ::Let the games begin.::
Cole thrust a gloved hand out. "Boney Roar!"
The port-side macabre king's sides expanded as it inhaled.
::Brace, you can take it!::
The earth-shattering roar forced Vestello to cover his ears as he ducked into Wrath's shadow. In the midst of the fiery gale he felt an odd tremor through the soles of his boots. A tremor that was not roar-induced and that he could not identify from his current position-
Volcanic winds began to slow.
Odd tremor later, fight now.
::Kaishin Step!::
The living wind-shield vanished as the great sea serpent shot forward in a blur of gray sinew. Vesello felt Jest's talons nearly tear through orange fabric as the high-speed winds threatened to rip the vivosaur from his perch. Eyes watering from the burning winds, Vestello groped through his whipping mane and yanked down as fire and water clashed and hissed with the fury of a whole nest of tophis.
From behind protective lenses, amber eyes scanned the quickly steaming battlefield, blinked, then looked again. What the…
Growling, Sly pushed himself back up onto his feet, yellow-white feathers ruffled and dust-coated. Then the haze thickened and obscured his form from view.
Why was he…wait, where's the—
"B-Poison!" Toxin-slick fangs flashed in thick vapor.
Eep!
A sudden, hackles-raised hiss made armored black…stutter mid-lunge.
Arm snapping out, Vestello's gloved palm met bony snout, a sharp push down resulted in leverage up. Chin to chest, legs folded, the bluenette flowed with the momentum as bone-clad-black shot underneath him. He hit the ground shoulder-first, let the impact roll off him like water as he tumbled once and then was back on his feet, all in one fluid motion.
The whole thing had taken less than a full heartbeat.
Elsewhere, a familiar snarl of outrage sounded.
::Good job, Jest.:: Minute pinpricks of tiny claws dug into his shoulders and softness tickled his cheek. Jest looked more like a white-gold cotton ball than a vivosaur, his feathers were so fluffed.
Loose dirt scrapped loudly under faux-blubber and a loud hiss signaled a second snake-strike. A sharp pivot back and Vestello felt the air displace as fangs snapped through empty space. Fangs which vanished back into the encompassing steam cloud
Cole's playing for keeps. A chilling realization, but a telling one.
An unnatural swirl amidst the now thinning haze. The teenager sidestepped the next strike, again only just. A shadow in the haze, like a trebuchet being wound back.. A side-skip –and-twist combo let Vestello evade it and a quick skip-jump back took him out of immediate strike range.
Eyes never leaving the murderous B-Plesio, Vestello felt a familiar raging tempest of fury somewhere behind him. I wonder…
Flippers slapping hard against the ground, the boneysaur lunged again.
::Wind Blast.::
Wind screamed and the air bled green, green which surged around Vestello like rapids around a stalwart boulder, but with only inches to spare.
Precise. Vestello noted, wide-eyed as the B-Plesio was sent flying. I had no idea Vicious had that much control over his elemental attacks.
…And there was definitely a sense of smugness where fury had once rolled.
Maybe, just maybe…
A shadow fell over him. Jest chirred, surprised but not alarmed.
Hand snapping up to grip familiar rough-hide, Vestello swung upwards. His other hand reached out, grasping firm feathers and he pulled himself up into a sitting position. Beneath him, Vicious let out a sub-sonic rumble that reverberated throughout Vestello's entire frame.
A streak of blue-black caught his eye and the teenager glanced up in time to see the B-Plesio dart back behind protective juggernauts. Oddly swift and mobile for a flippered beast.
Amber eyes surveyed the two fiery monoliths. One appeared to have dirt and rock clumps clinging to one flank.
Cole, Vestello noted, seemed a bit frustrated.
Hoping for a quick win with dirty tactics, eh? He realized, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Off to the side, a singed Wrath and ruffled Sly resumed formation. The Boney Roar to cover two sneak attacks. Vestello remembered poisonous fangs and Sly's out of place feathers. Well…two can play at that game. His hand knifed through the air.
::Wind Blast!::
Turquoise surged.
"Close rank and counter with a duel Boney Roar!"
In tandem the two B-Rexes stepped together, bone-plate armor scratching together. Twin maws opened, drawing in air. A pause. Then a second heat-tinged shockwave, more potent than the last, shook the cavern.
Waves of turquoise and transparent red clashed, wavered, wind succumbing to overwhelming heat—
::Kaishin Step::
A streak of storm-gray cut through burning air and focused heat spun wild and green overtook red. The cacophony of screaming winds and crashing impacts almost drowned out a startled yelp. Almost, but not quite.
A frown. Not down yet.
::Shan Fang::
A blur of bristling yellow-feathers and ivory whites sunk into smoky black. Sly dragged the hapless B-Plesio across hard ground then, with a vindictive flick of his head, sent it flying into the not-yet-dispersed rapids of turquoise.
Another blink. That is one sturdy little boneysaur.
Peeling itself from the indent in the wall, shaken and undoubtedly battered, the B-Plesio shook stars from its eyes and glared at Vestello. The following hiss would probably have been more intimidating if Vestello hadn't been secured on Vicious's back.
"You'll have to do better than that to overcome my boneysaurs!" Cole shouted across the cavern as the fallen B-Rex picked itself up again. The same one, Vestello noted, that had been knocked over earlier.
So I see…
::Kaishin Step again, take out that B-Plesio!::
Fifteen-plus meters of solid muscle and tendons surged forward for the third time in as many minutes. With a snarling hiss the sea-serpent descended on the suddenly doe-eyed boneysaur.
"Take the hit!"
Black and red shifted to obscure the blue-black almost-lizard from view. Wrath's bony crest collided with a hard-as-diamonds skull.
A sharp exhale escaping clenched jaws like a too-hot kettle, the B-Rex's talon-tipped toes carved deep trenches into hard earth as it stood its ground. Pressure forced its massive head to bow downward—
Ivory-whites flashed and Wrath let out a pained bugle, thrashing in the B-Rex's grip.
"B-Plesio Poison!"
Ah shoot-
::Sly, Vicious, help him out-!::
"Duel Boney Roar!"
The world bled red as the Diablo wind screamed.
Ow… Dazed amber blinked to sort out disorienting starbursts. Me-thinks the earlier Boney Roars were underpowered… He couldn't be sure, but he thought the mass of gray he was staring at may have been Vicious.
Wrath was gone. His medal was probably in the crater the concentrated Boney Roars and scoured. That was what was making his vision spin and limbs feel like lead weights. Well, that and being flung from Vicious' back. The compressed ground of the cavern made for no cushioned landing.
"Boney Blur!"
The shout cut through his daze.
Yeah, I don't think so.
::Wind Blast.:
Even sprawled out on the ground as he was, Vicious was a force to be feared. As the dive-bombing plesio-caricature found out the hard way as it was caught on the front of the wave and flung, rather unceremoniously, off course.
::Chomp it, would you, Sly? Shan Fang:: Vestello sent, mentally shaking off lingering cobwebs.
"Intercept with Bare Tactics!"
Lens-protected eyes snapped up as yellow-white dulled under the malicious shadow.
Now bracing on one elbow, Vestello blinked.
::Grow Up.::
The command sounded ridiculous and Vestello honestly wasn't sure what to expect. All the same, the sudden explosion of an aurora borealis was a bit of a surprise. As did the way yellow-white feathers melded and hardened into expanding violet-and-blue hide.
Then, with a bone-shaking roar, the Tarbosaurus crashed into the B-Rex.
Huh, so that's the 'T-Rex' of the Air Vivosaurs. Vestello marveled, returning to his feet. He glanced around. Now where'd that—
"No, B-Plesio!"
-Best news I've had all day. Vestello smiled, watching the medal ping across the ground.
"Bare Tactics on that Tarbo!" The second B-Rex lunged to aid its double.
A blue brow quirked. Forgetting about Vicious, are you?
::Aeros Alert::
The second B-Rex –the less injured of the two, Vestello noted—seemed very much surprise when the smaller theropod not only met its charge, but stopped it cold.
Cole seemed to be just as shocked.
Smiling, Vestello thrust his palm out. ::Let's finish this: Cyclone and Wind Blast::
The wind howled.
/\/\/\
"…Such style! Such grace!" Trendy boots stuttered across stone. "I-I was actually distracted by your battle skills." The hipster, Vestello noted, was trembling. "I'm not used to being beaten in battle..." Wide yellow-tinted-blue stared at the orange-clad bluenette as if for the first time. "Or in beauty."
Er…thanks?
How was one supposed to respond to that?
Amber met blue and Cole's gaze snapped to the ground as he turned away, still shivering.
"I've lost my style, and without that, I'm nothing!"
Though half-expecting it, the tears still took the teenager somewhat off guard. A rush of wind signaled Cole fleeing down the tunnel Vestello had originally come through, sobbing the whole way.
"Um…"
A blink. Huh. Forgot about them.
"I think...I left the iron on. …Yeah, that's it."
A streak of bone-clad black signaled the flight of one BB Lackey, followed quickly by the second.
With a shake of his shaggy blue mane, Vestello approached the battered column, one hand fishing out the over-sized syringe as he did so.
Let's hope this works.
Pointy metal slid home, and the teenager released the calcium-
Holy…! Vestello blinked, rubbed his eyes, and blinked again. No way…
Damage from relentless pick-axes vanished, as if they never were, as the base of the pillar swelled and re-filled empty space.
That…that… I don't even have a word for that.
The paleopager blipped to life.
"Joe here. That's some nice work, y'all. Seems the tremors have stopped on all three islands. Get yourselves back to my suite as soon as ya can, all right?"
Then there was silence once more.
Vestello eyed the recovered pillar, then the syringe still in hand, then at the pillar again. A long moment passed before he shrugged.
Crazy don't-make-a-lick-of-sense things happen all the time on these islands, this is just another one.
Spinning on his heel, he left the pillar to wait for pick up.
It's strange…for a moment, I could have sworn I felt something when that pillar healed. Something familiar, but I can't quite place it.
/\/\/\
"Y'all have saved Caliosteo Fossil Park from a watery grave." Beaming, Joe looked to each of them in turn. "But that ain't even the best news of the day!"
As one, the patrol squad perked up. What could be better than saving the islands?
"When theme BB varmints fled-" Joe's grin looked almost predatory. "-they led us right to their base!"
Well, that would qualify as 'best news of the day. Vestello mused, eyes wide. Find their base, stop them at the source. Make sure they can't trouble us anymore- With a mental frown, Vestello turned that last thought over in his head. Something about it seemed…off, somehow.
Leather-clad form now facing them broadside, Joe stared off at a side-wall. "I'd love to chase 'em down and settle this once and for all, but we still got guests runnin' all over the park." A frustrated tap of well-worn boots. "I can't afford to send m'self or the staff out until things calm down 'round here."
Four sets of eyes exchanged glances.
A shrill whistle drew Joe's attention to Vestello. Grinning, the bluenette waved an open hand over his head, supporting his elbow with his other hand for good measure.
"…Come again, pard?" Cerulean grew wide. "You wanna go to the BB Brigade Base?"
Nodding, Vestello thumped a fist against his chest.
"Ya got guts to spare, pardners…" A sigh. "But I'm afraid I gotta say no." A halting hand cut off any protests. "This here's my fight, ya see? And besides, it's far too dangerous, even for the Patrol Team."
"I agree with Vestello." Silver brows furrowed, Rupert stepped forward. "The BareBones Brigade is on the run and in disarray. We'll not likely have such a chance again."
Vestello felt Pauleen move to stand beside him.
"Rupert is right, digadig! Let's go take care of Don Boneyard once and for all, diga!"
Joe gnawed on his lip, eyeing each of them in turn, then he sighed again. "Can't say as I'm comfortable with this idea, but I suppose yer right." Cerulean hardened. "I'm issuin' one last order to my Caliosteo Patrol Team."
At the sudden authority on the veteran Fighter's tone, the four teens snapped to attention.
"Saddle up and ride to the BB Brigade Base, and take out that dastardly Don Boneyard!" His tone softened a bit. "The base is on a tiny piece of land called Bonechip Island." Joe paused a moment as the sound of Vestello's facepalm sounded, then continued. "I'll talk to the helicopter pilot so y'all can fly there from the Cranial Isle Heliport. Soon as things tucker down here, I'll make my way over and help y'all out." A pause, then Joe's voice softened further into a tone of concern. "Just promise to be careful, ya hear? Them BB varmints won't go down without af fight."
Seeing the determined looks before him, the cowboy smiled. "Good luck, Patrol Team!"
/\/\/\
From: Harmattan
Subject: Final Showdown
Saved the islands from sinking, now we're going to strike back! Joe learned where the BB Brigade Base was when Cole and the others fled after we beat them. So the Patrol Team is going to take care of Don Boneyard once and for all.
PS: The Bone Pillar, which looks like a spinal column the size of an ancient oak tree, regenerated when I gave it the calcium Professor Scatterly helped us make. As in one second it was on the cusp of snapping and the next it was like brand new! The funny thing is that I thought I felt something, something real familiar, when the pillar healed. Any idea what it might be? Or was I just imagining things?
/\/\/\/\
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).