Me: And now it's time for chapter 8!

Dina: What will happen now?

Me: ...stuff.

Todd: What kind of stuff?

Me: ... :3

Dina: I'm scared... O-O

Me: Disclaimer: I do not own Fossil Fighters!

Mapo: ...Fun stuff is gonna happen.

Me: He's with me!

Todd: Aw, crap...

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Todd was furious about Pauleen's kidnapping. He stomped his feet out of the gondola.

"Where are they? I'll beat them up so hard their moms won't even recognize them! I'll..."

I ran over and stopped him, "Todd, calm down! We'll find them, but you can't get violent! I don't even recall you ever being this way before..." Todd frowned. "I don't want them to harm her, that's all..." he said sadly.

"They won't, trust me. These guys aren't that bad, they just want to give you the impression that they are." he seemed to simmer down a bit. We both walked over to what looked like a wooden door covering a mine or something.

Todd eyed it carefully, "Hm, this looks suspicious." Footsteps pounded the ground beside us, and Todd screamed.

"Wah! It's the BareBones Brigade! Wh-what do we do?" We then both turned frantically, looking for a place to hide. "Todd, over there, quick!" We both dove behind a wooden crate just as the two BB Brigade nuisances came trotting over. I cautiously peered around the side of the crate to listen to their conversation.

The first one was holding a large box. "Whew! Fruit is a lot heavier than I thought! I'm covered in sweat!" he complained.

"Quit your griping! Those girls are waiting." He jabbed the large, yellow button next to the door and walked in, but not before glancing around to make sure it was safe. I ducked behind the crate before he spotted me.

Todd tapped my shoulder, "What did you see, Dina?"

"Nothing that wasn't already obvious. The yellow button opens the door, so we press it and we're in." Todd grinned, "Let's go check it out!"

I stepped towards the door, pressed the button, and the door opened. "Nice! Now let's go help that cutie!"

As we walked inside, we quickly had to hide behind a rock because the place was littered with goons.

"Geez, look at all the kidnapped girls!" then he gave then a curious look, listening carefully. "Hm," he tyrned to me, "Listen to this, Dina!" We both started listening to the conversation one of them was having with one of the goons.

"I ordered some juice nearly five minutes ago, where is it?" one of the girls whined.

The goon nervously answered, "Umm, I get that for you right now, ma'am!" he quickly grabbed a pitcher and began pouring the juice.

Another girl, about 10 or 11, sighed, "I'm bored! ...You there! Do something funny!"

"Of course, ma'am! Feast your eyes on the BB Brigade Shuffle!" then the goon started doing some sort of weird dance.

The girl giggled, "Ah ha ha, that is soo adorably creepy!" then he went to see what the next girl wanted.

Todd and I were confused, "Um, are these girls really kiddnapped? Because they're treating them like royalty!" then he gasped, "Look! Over there.. it's...!"

Just then Pauleen came walking in, looking terribly nervous. "It's the cute girl!" Todd murmured to me, "Let's go rescue her!" Without any warning he leapt up and ran up to her, which probably would've blown our cover if the BB Brigade members weren't oblivious to everything.

"Hey! Are you ok?" the girl jumped and turned around, "Oh, it's you. I'm ok. They haven't diga-done anything to me." Todd smiled with relief.

"Those goons are just glorified servants, diga." she continued, "They've been pampering us nonstop. Most of the girls love it! They say they don't even care about the Cup anymore, digadig!"

"They're being nice to the girls so they lose interest in the Cup? That's just diabolical!" Todd said. So that's what they've been plotting, huh? I thought. Well, I guess they couldn't have done worse for a plan...

"...But why only girls?" Todd asked. Me and Pauleen exchanged questioning looks with him, as we were confused on that as well. "...Well, let's worry about that later." he looked at Pauleen, "Have you learned anything from your time here? If we find who's in charge, we can knock him out and chase off the rest of the BB Brigade!"

She nodded, "I think the man in the back is the boss, digadig."

Todd snickered, "I'm gonna show him what's what!" he motioned for me to follow him, "Let's go, Dina!" I nodded in reply.

Pauleen stopped us, "Be careful, digadig! I heard he's a BB Brigade commander. Everyone, including the other BB Brigade members, are afraid of him!"

Todd froze, "W-well then, I can see why they'd be afraid. B-but I'm not scared! N-no sir! Not me!" he quickly grabbed my hand, "Let's go, Dina!"

He drug me to a space in the back of the caves, sectioned off by a tunnel that was a bit narrower than the rest of the cave. Todd raised his voice a bit, "H-hey! BB Brigade commander guy! Sh-show yourself!"

"I do believe you are referring to me." Todd and I turned in the direction of the voice and my jaw dropped.

...Oh.. my God... What the...? Words couldn't even form in my mind to describe this guy. He was about 5' 7", spiked red hair with a bit of black, freaky face-paint like a star on his right eye, white coat, black lace-up boots, glasses, and black pants.

"You have the guts to come in here and challenge me, the most revered of the three BB Brigade commanders?" he gracefully turned and held up a fist, "Say hello to Cole!"

"...Wha?" I once again was lost for words, and this guy was a freak.

"Yep, pretty slick, huh?" Cole continued. I simply stared at my shoes. Suuurre it is! I thought. He began speaking again, "Just try not to be jealous of my image if you can. It's thrift store chic, so I doubt you'd understand."

Todd decided to but in out of nowhere and shouted really loud, "Ugh! He's a hipster! Now I understand why the other goons are scared of him!"

Cole groaned, obviously mad at his comment, "So I suppose you want us to stop pampering the ladies, eh? Not gonna happen, bro." he crossed his arms and smirked at us, "We spoil the chicks, and they don't give a care about the Caliosteo Cup. Without ladies to impress, all the male Fighters lose the will to fight!"

He walked around, bragging about how great his plan was, "...and you don't get this pretty by accident, you know?" he winked at me, but I scoffed and turned away. He sighed, "Why don't you just shake a leg and scram, or I'll feed you to my boneysaurs." I rolled my eyes.

But then Todd started again, "B-boneysaurs?" he turned nervously to me, "D-did he say boneysaurs, Dina?" I nodded and explained. "Oohh, like a skeletal... Vivosaur?" he paused for a moment, "...Like a dinosaur g-g-ghost?"

He shook for a second before crumpling to his knees, "Ooooohhh, my stomach! I shouldn't have eaten those oysters I found in the swimming pool! ...Urp! I gonna be sick." he hobbled away, "Get him for me, Dina."

"Feel better, Todd." I said with a sigh. I turned to Cole. "Still here, huh? You're not just trying to steal my style, are you?"

"Save it! I'm not even into to fashion, that's more of Pauleen's thing." I growled. Cole seemed a bit surprised, "Well, well, you have potential, I'll give you that. Now, feast your eyes on my beautiful boneysaurs!"

He threw three Dino Medals at the ground. One was B-Lambeo, the other I recognized as one of the boneysaurs Rupert battled at Mt. Krakanak, B-Rex. But the last was different from the others. It lacked their ghostly purple eyes and pale white bones, and instead had beaming yellow eyes with ocean blue colored bones and it was a plesiosaur; B-Plesio.

Since he was the strongest Boneysaur on Cole's team and a Water Type, I picked two Air Types to back up Dimetro: Nycto and Coatlus. Peloro would be staying on the sidelines for this one.

Nycto gave me an advantage with FP plus, "Alright, Coatlus, Wing Cutter!" I called. His body spun at B-Plesio, range at an advantage, and it took out a big chunk of B-Plesio's LP.

Next, B-Plesio aimed at Dimetro. He squirmed across the ground, quick as a snake and moving like one, too, until he hit Dimetro with a poison-inflicting attack. Dimetro luckily avoided the status condition.

Now I was up again. This time I would take a chance and use Nycto, "Wing Hurricane!"

Nycto's light little figure let him glide gently through the air, his sail-like wings and crest allowing prefect precision, and he took a sharp turn causing a gust of sharp, fast moving air to whirl and whip at B-Plesio. The beast was down to a sliver of health.

With some of my remaining FP, I let Coatlus finish him off. He whirled upward and sliced downward through the air, whipping B-Plesio. The Boneysaur was now down for the count.

"Yeah!" I exclaimed. I still had 60 FP left, but I was going to save it until the next round. Cole looked pretty cheesed, "Alright then, Bare Tactics on Nycto!"

Little Nycto got smacked upward with a strong tail before taking a chomping blow from B-Rex. He still held on, and surprisingly the move did little damage.

I let Dimetro go this turn with a Dimetro Whirl. Leaning back again, he built up strength for a leap unto the air and then whirled like a top at B-Lambeo. The Boneysaur jumped to dodge but Dimetro was quicker and hit it in the legs, causing it to fall to ground with a critical hit.

"Boney Chomp!"

B-Lambeo retaliated with a punch to Nycto's side. This attack was also a critical hit, and Nycto just barely made it. He retaliated back at him with Wing Hurricane and both Vivosaurs were neck and neck.

B-Lambeo, knowing this was its final turn, let out one last attack on Coatlus with B-Lamb Combo, double-punching Coatlus's wings with its hard fists. Dimetro made quick work of B-Lambeo on his turn with a Dimetro Fang to finish him. With three against one, Cole was in a corner.

"Wing Cutter, Coatlus!" Coatlus spun like a tornado again, this attack aimed at B-Rex, but it did little more than chip away at his health. He used another Bare Tactics on Nycto, but once again Nycto held on by a sliver.

There was one move that I had yet to use of Coatlus's, and now would be a good time to try it. I thought. "Alright, Coatlus!" I shouted, then gestured my hand in a vertical slicing motion, "Great Vortex!"

Costlus hovered for a moment, his wings slowly gliding him to the ground, but suddenly he jetted forward and hit B-Rex with his body which was followed by a strong whirlwind. B-Rex held on, and unleashed a Boney Roar.

Dimetro, Nycto, and Costlus all drew back at the scratchy roar. It sound old and broken like a rusty music box. No one on my team lost at this point. Now it was the true final round.

"Coatlus, Great Vortex again!"

Coatlus once again flew at B-Rex, his outstretched wings carrying the gust gently and quietly until it met with its victim. B-Rex stumbled to the side and fell, reverting to a Dino Medal again.

Cole backed up, "N-no! This can't be happening! How could I be beat by someone so terminally unhip?" he shouted. I groaned, "Unhip? I'll show you unhip!" but his eyes were watery and he started crying. That made me feel kinda bad, even if he was one of the bad guys. After taking a quick glance at me, he ran off.

Todd grinned unsurely, unknowing if I was mad for him ditching me or not, but I reassured him with a grin back. "Way to go, Dina! That hipster ran off bawling his eyes out and the rest of the BB Brigade went with him!" he shouted.

"Then the girls should leave. They won't have anyone to tend to their needs anymore." I said.

We went over to see what the girls were doing and Todd explained everything to them. One whined about how she wasn't getting any juice, while another thanked us, and yet another ran off complaining about how bored she was. Luckily, they all left after that.

The "cute girl", Pauleen, came walking up to us, "Thank you, Dina and Todd. Now I can keep going in the Cup, digadig." Todd just smiled at her happily.

"Oh, no need to thank us. We were happy to help! Oh," he reached in his bag, "Here's the bowl you were looking for." he handed it to Pauleen, who was overcome with joy. "Th-thank you. This was just what I was looking for. But... this isn't a bowl."

Todd looked puzzled, "Then what is it?"

"It's a mask, digadig. It goes on like this..." she tossed it into the air, causing the fruit in it to fly everywhere, and then it landed on her face. Todd stumbled backwards and I laughed. "Y-you.." he started, "You were Pauleen all along!" his face blushed a deep red.

"Yep, the one and only Pauleen! So what took you two so long, huh? When a beautiful girl is in distress, you drop everything and come to help her!" Todd just stared speechlessly at her until I helped him to his feet.

Then Terry came trotting over to us, "Well, looks like you're heros once more!" he exclaimed. "A few kidnapped girls just told their whole story to us

I can't believe that you chased the BB Brigade off on your own! You must be some kind of Fighter!"

Pauleen brushed back get hair and put her hand on her hip, "Pft, the BareBones Brigde was no match for an idol like me!" she twirled and posed, "Miss Pauleen is on the scene!"

"Yeah, except you didn't do anything!" Todd yelled.

Pauleen narrowed her eyes, "Oh, sorry, did you say something?"

I looked at Terry simpathetically, sorry that he had to be here in the middle of their bickering. He nodded to me, "Well, thanks anyway! And Dina," he stamped my Fighter Card to level 5, "Just have those two stop by so I can promote them later, too, ok?"

"Will do, Terry." I said. Then he walked off quickly.

"...Well, unlike some people, I don't have time to waste so I'm going digging! You should do the same, Dina." she winked at Todd, "Seee ya!" then ran off.

Todd blushed again, "...Man, Pauleen is weird when that mask is on. She's like a whole different person!" he looked down at his feet, "But... I can't believe I actually like her..."

Then my Paleopager beeped and startled him, "Round 4 matches will now begin. Lucinda has been chosen as Dina's Round 4 opponent."

"Oh, juice girl!" I exclaimed. Todd and I laughed before listening to the rest of the announcement.

"Please get ready, then head over to the Fossil Station." the message ended. "Well," Todd stated, "You'd better get your act together, Dina. I know you can win, but that means we only have a little but of time left to look for fossil rocks!" he ran off towards the mouth of the cave without warning, and I quickly followed behind him.

As I sat down to wait for my Round 4 match, Rupert came walking up to me.

"May I sit down?" he asked politely.

"Sure!" I replied, smiling. Rupert was starting to be a lot nicer towards me and Todd, though his snobbish attitude did resurface every once in a while.

"So," he started, looking at me, "I heard you fought a BB Brigade commander?"

I nodded, "Yeah, but it wasn't anything we couldn't handle!" I held up my Dino Medals with pride. Rupert laughed cheerfully.

"Of course. Hm, well.. I saw Todd before as well. He seemed a bit shaken up." Rupert said. I snickered, "Trust me, Rupert, it's a long story." Just as Rupert was going to reply, my name was called.

"Good luck." he said, shaking my hand.

"Thanks." I walked towards the door to meet my opponent. She was the "juice girl", Lucinda, from the BB Brigade hideout. "Woo! It looks like we're battling each other!" she said, then her eyes grew wide, "Wait, you're the girl that drove off the BB Brigade from their hideout, right?" she asked.

I smiled, "Yep! That was me." She frowned, "Oh, I'm glad you did that. They were terrible people.. They promised me juice and never got it!" I sweatdropped, "..Well, and they kidnapped me so I'd forget about the Cup, there was that, too." The door to the stadium then opened, "Let's make a deal. If I win, you but me some juice, ok?"

"You got it." I smirked.

Lucinda's team I found was composed off three Camaras with varying colors. I sent out the same team I had for the battle with Cole.

Nycto's FP Plus ability gave me some extra power to work with. Dimetro, my usual team leader, was up first.

"Dimetro Fang on the first Camara!" his eyes shone bright as he landed a successful hit. Camara flinched, but was barely fazed. I followed up with Nycto.

"Beak Strike, Nycto!" he gained some air, then flew directly at Camara. She got critical damage and was almost down to half of her LP. I ended my turn.

Lucinda's second Camara, a blue one, used Camara Stomp on Nycto. She rushed as fast as her legs would let her and slammed down her front feet on Nycto's tiny body. The air was knocked out of him, but other then that he sustained little damage. Camara groaned with disappointment.

I turned to Dimetro, "Dimetro Fang again on the first Camara!" Dimetro nodded and rushed at Camara, chomping down onto her side. She roared with agony; the damage was critical again. Coatlus lent a final blow with Diving Trust. Just two more to go.

Lucinda smiled mischievously, "I intend to win this you know." She glanced at her third Camara, a green one, "Camara Buster on Nycto!"

Turning slowly, Camara balanced its heavy body before slamming its feet hard against Nycto. He fell out of the air, wings folded, and bounced into my hand as a Dino Medal. I frowned, You did good, buddy.

Her other Camara aimed a kick to Coatlus's face which made him hit the ground with a thud. Quickly recovering, he shot a glare at the blue Vivosaur before resuming his flight position.

Within six more turns, both of Lucinda's Vivosaur's were left with less than half their LP. She called to her green Camara for an attack. She kicked Coatlus with her powerful front feet, but he sustained little damage. The other retaliated with another kick, this one an uppercut, and Coatlus was launched up into the air with a screech of surprise. He glided gently down from the high elevation and aimed at his attacker. A powerful gust of wind spun around in the Stadium as Coatlus unleashed a violent Wing Cutter. Camara was struck several times in the side before a strike to her shoulder made her stumble sideways. The stadium shook from the impact of the large Vivosaur's fall, but now I only had to take out one more of them.

Dimetro's eyes glittered with pride as he jumped at the last wide-eyed sauropod. He bit down hard on her shoulder and then jumped back. Roars of victory escaped my Vivosaur's as the last opponent fell. We'd moved on to the next Round yet again.

"Hahaha, you're really good at this! It's no wonder you defeated that BB Brigade commander!" I blushed at Lucinda's praise.

"Thanks." I replied. She smiled, "If we ever meet again, let's battle again, ok?" she waved and walked off. Todd ran up to me and gave me a high five.

"You know what? I really think you can win this Cup, Dina!"

"Well, I don't know.. But I'll keep trying, Todd. If you think I can do it then I have to believe it, too." I noticed that Terry was approaching us from the corner of my eye.

"Hey, Dina." he greeted me, "I suppose all this BB Brigade fighting has taken away from your fossil hunting, huh? Yet you STILL cleared Round 4! You're really something, Dina." He quickly handed me a Fossil Rock, "This is your Round 4 prize! It's a Wonderous Fossil rock that can power up Vivosaurs, but it's very fragile so be cautious when cleaning it!"

I admired the large rock, thinking of which Vivosaur I should use it on. Then Terry interrupted my train of thought.

"I also have a message for you two. It seems that word of your heroic exploits has reached the highest levels. Joe Wildwest himself wants to speak with you!"

Todd and I gasped, "You mean THE Joe Wildwest!" Todd exclaimed. "He wants to meet with us? Really?

All Terry replied was, "He sure does!"

Todd grinned happily and I was somewhat speechless, "..So," I hesitated, "When does he want to speak with us?"

"Now, I suppose, would be best. I'll give you clearance to use the elevator. Joe'll be happy to see you!" he gave us a salute before walking off.

Todd hopped up and down, "Oh, what if he remembers us? Gyyaahh! I'm so excited!" he tugged on my sleeve, "Let's go, Dina! Come on!" I quickly put the Wondrous Fossil Rock in my fossil case.

We ran up the stairs, Todd leading the way. He stopped suddenly a few feet from the elevator. "What's wrong Todd- Oh..." Pauleen was standing there. She turned and looked at us. I began dragging Todd over to her.

"Oh," she complained, "Don't tell me Joe invited you two jokers along!" I groaned, "As a matter a fact he did!"

Todd looked at me and sighed, "Aww, man.. This is the pits. I thought we were going to chat about old times, but if Pauleen's coming that seems unlikely..."

Pauleen walked up next to Todd, much to his disliking, "Well? Are we going to speak with Joe or stand around acting depressed all day?" Pauleen walked into the elevator and I shoved Todd in along with her. The door closed and we rose slowly to the top.

When we reached Joe's suite, he was staring out his window. As we walked off the elevator platform, he turned to greet us, "Sorry to take up yer time, folks, but I'm real tickled y'all came to see me."

He walked up to the three of us, "I'm Joe Wildwest, owner and proprietor if this here Caliosteo Fossil Park. Now," he continued, "I've heard from Terry that you've been helpin' take care of them BB Brigade goons, and I ought to say I'm a mite impressed. He told me how y'all rescued them girls from their no good kidnappin' scheme."

He frowned, "If it weren't for you I might've had to shut down the whole Caliosteo Cup..." He smiled again, "So, it seems I owe you my thanks."

Pauleen walked ahead of us, "Oh, there's no need to thank me! I just did what any beautiful and talented Fighter would do!"

"Yeah, like stand around and do NOTHING..." Todd growled.

Pauleen whipped around, "You stay out of this!" I nervously looked at both of them as they glared at each other.

"Excuse us for a sec, Joe..." I said to him, then I turned to Todd and Pauleen and pushed them apart, "Stop it right now!" The two of them stared at me with nervous looks and backed away quietly. I turned to Joe, "You were saying?"

He sweatdropped, "Well, I can tell y'all are skilled Fighters with a strong sense'a justice. And that's why I've got an offer for ya'... I'd like y'all to join the Caliosteo Patrol team!" We exchanged curious glances.

Joe explained, "Them BB Brigade varmits are persistent to wreck this Cup, and I reckon they'll strike again before too long. So I'll need ya' to keep yer eyes peeled for anything that looks suspicious. If y'all see anything, just let me or a staff member know, ya' hear? That's the job of the Caliosteo Patrol Team."

I looked at Pauleen, who shared my concern, but Joe reassured us, "Of course, Dina and Pauleen would continue fighting in the Cup. Just consider this a little side job to make everything easier for Fighters in the Cup."

Todd stepped forward, "You can count on me, sir! I'll do anything it takes to stop the BareBones Brigade!"

Pauleen twirled, "It sounds like fun! Plus you'll need a beautiful idol like me so you can succeed!"

Joe blushed, "Aw, shucks, you two.." then he turned to me, "So, Dina, can I convince ya' to join the Patrol Team?"

I nodded, "Of course! I'm ready for anything they throw at me!" Todd cheered, "I knew you'd say yes, Dina! Plus, this is our chance to pay Joe back for saving us two years ago!"

Joe looked puzzled, "Pay ya' back? What'n the heck are you talkin' 'bout, small fry?"

Todd looked up at him with glee, "Don't you remember, Joe? Two years ago you came along on your Ptera and saved is from a rogue Allosaurus!" Joe still didn't seem to recall it. Todd frowned, "...Don't tell me you've forgotten us."

Joe frowned in reply, "Sorry, pard, but my memory ain't what it used to be. I can't recall anything like that.."

Todd halfheartedly smiled, "No, it's... it's ok..."

Joe looked at all of us, "Well then, I hereby declare the Caliosteo Patrol Team open for business!" the three of us jumped up with joy, "Yeah!" we shouted.

"Now, I'm expected great things from the three of you, so don't let me down, ya' hear?"

(Meanwhile, at Don Boneyard's base..)

"I have a bone to pick with you, Cole.."

Cole hesitantly stepped in front of Don Boneyard's podium. "Y-yes sir.."

"Our brilliant kidnapping scheme has been foiled by a pair of children! One of these children even defeated you in combat, despite my giving you a team of powerful Boneysaurs." the skeleton leader turned away, "I am disappointed in you Cole, Ivery/I disappointed.."

Cole spoke nervously, "P-Please forgive me, Don Boneyard! It's a minor setback is all! It doesn't reflect on my natural style or talent... or beauty!" There was no reply, "My hair wasn't messy enough, see?"

"Garr har har! You sure like makin' excuses, Cole!" A young man, somewhat fat with a green mohawk, metal wrist bands, a leather jacket, and white pants charged into the room.

"Lester!" Cole growled, "How dare you interrupt...!"

"Listen, Don Boneyard," Lester continued, ignoring Cole, "What'd say you let me take a whack at this next? I got a rockin' plan! Once it's on, the Cup will be the last of their worries! Gar har har!"

Don Boneyard cackled, "Bwa ha ha, do tell, Lester. I would like to hear this plan." he turned to Cole, "As for you, leave.

"B-But..!" Cole protested.

"Now." he said sternly. Cole ran out the door.

He sobbed, Great, now the boss hates me.. he thought. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Like, what happened, Cole."

"Hi, Lola..." he said sadly. Lola smiled, "You should, like, cheer up, man. So you made a mistake. It's not, like, the end of the world!" Cole continued to frown.

Lola quickly pulled him into a hug, making him blush, "Just quit bein' such a downer! I don't like it when you act all, like, depressed and stuff!"

Cole smiled faintly, "Thanks, Lola. I'm glad your here.."

"Oh, shut up, you!" she said, turning to walk down the hall. Then she turned around, "Oh, and Cole?"

"W-what?" he asked.

She ran up to him and kissed him on the cheek, "I bet your next plan will be waay better." she winked. Then she ran off down the hall. Cole smiled and sank onto the ground, drowning out the world in his happiness.

Pauleen smiled, "The Caliosteo Patrol Team! I'm excited just thinking about it!" she whirled around, "Soon it will be time for me to shine! ...More so than usual." Todd bit back an angered remark.

Our Paleopagers started beeping like usual, "All Round 4 matches of the Caliosteo Cup have been completed. A new dig site is now opened: Hot Spring Heights! Hot Spring Heights is a hot resort and dig site located on the cold Illium Island. If you wish to visit, please board a helicopter near the heliport."

Pauleen squealed with glee, "Finally! They opened Illium Island! That's the third and final island in the Caliosteo Fossil Park! Now I know I'm on the patrol team and all but I'm not gonna neglect the Cup! Seeee yaaaa laaatteerrrr!" with that said, she ran off down the stairs.

Todd sighed once she'd gone. "What's wrong, Todd?" I asked softly. He frowned and looked up at me, "I can't believe Joe didn't remember us at all... It was one of the best days of our life and he just..."

"Todd," I spoke, "It's not his fault. He's a busy man and he's probably had a lot to think about. I'm sure he remembers, but for now it just slipped his mind." though in the same sense I shared his disappointment.

"Well, Dina, I have a plan." I gave him a questioning look, "If we try our best to be great Patrol Team members and if you try to win the Cup then he'll have to remember us!" I nodded, then he ran down the stairs, "Well, come on! Illium Island isn't gonna patrol itself! I smiled at Todd and ran down the stairs.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Finally! An update! It only took me a whole month! :) Well, after I finish the two projects I have due this week I can finally get back to writing stories. First, though, before I start chapter 9 I would like to finish chapter 5 of my Okami fanfic, but I'd like to apologize for the delay on this one again.

As you can see, there's some more shipping action going on. We've got some ToddXPauleen and ColeXLola. 3 I don't know why, but I think ColeXLola is so cute! :3

Next chapter we visit Illium Island, so.. yay!

Please review! :D