Me: In this chapter we head to the cold and bitter Illium Island, which is still warmer than Rupert's soul!
Rupert: Hey!
Me: Oh Rupert, you know I'm joking! Everyone knows that your a nice guy! *cough*Toward Dina*cough*
Rupert: ...uh..
Me: Disclaimer: I do not own Fossil Fighters!
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The helicopter slowly descended as I arrived on Illium Island. It was freezing cold and I shivered, but I could bare it for a while.
"Hey, dude! Welcome to Illium Island!" I turned and saw a brown haired guy walking toward me, apparently the Staff Leader of this island.
He noticed me shivering, "We get some pretty gnarly weather here, dude. You'd better make sure you stay warm!"
"I'm-m f-fine for now..." I said, still shivering. Then the guy gave me a look as if he knew me, which meant I knew what was coming next.
"Wait... Are you Dina?"
Yep, I was spot on with that one.
He continued on with his speech, "Well, my name's Kent. I'm the Staff Leader here on Illium Island. Terry and Stella told me you're a pretty radical dude, but if you need anything, just lemme know."
I nodded, "T-thank you, Kent."
"Wait a sec, I wasn't done pointing out all the awesome facilities here in Illium Village!" He began showing me the locations of the Fighter Station, Fossil Guild, and the newest dig site, Hot Spring Heights. He also mentioned that there were some neat sonar upgrades in the shop, so I thought I'd head there and get them. I'd also give me a chance to warm up.
"...and since you're a Patrol Team dude I'm expecting some totally tubular things from you! We gotta stop those gnarly BB guys from messing up the Cup. 'Cause, ya know, that would be a bummer!" he waved goodbye to me and walked off.
I got a quick message on my Paleopager saying that a pay-to-dig site had opened at Treasure Lake, but I was too busy freezing to do anything. I walked shakily to the Fossil Guild.
I felt the sudden warmth of a coat on my shoulders and turned to see Rupert behind me. "You looked cold..." he said plainly. I laughed a little, Thanks, Rupert, I was." The both of us headed into the Fossil Guild.
I went up to the shop counter and asked about the Sonar upgrades. I got the first one, which gave you a bigger sonar screen, and another that blocked out most normal rocks. Then Rupert and I headed over to the Fossil Station so I could grab my coat from my room, which luckily all my stuff had been brought over during my Round 4 match.
My coat was dark blue with some soft, light blue, fuzzy material inside it. It was really warm and felt like being wrapped in a blanket. Rupert was patiently waiting by the door when I came back, and we headed to Hot Spring Heights.
When we got there, I decided to go look for Pauleen and Todd, but Rupert went off to look for fossil rocks so I waved goodbye to him for now. I saw Pauleen up ahead near a snowman, so I ran towards her. My foot suddenly snagged on something and I fell facefirst into the snow.
"Ow! What the..?" I looked around until I spotted a mysterious rock jutting out of the ground. Only it wasn't a rock, it was a fossil. I quickly got to work digging it up and found it to be a carnivore head, but I was unsure of the exact name of it. I searched around for other rocks, and all I found was a leg fossil for Dimetro. That was worth it enough, though.
I finally managed to approach Pauleen, but I stopped because I noticed she had her mask off and was... talking to the snowman...
"Ok, breath, girl, breeeeeattthhee..." she took a deep breath and looked confidently at the snowman, "Hello, diga! My name is Pauleen! Nice to meet you, digadig!" she paused, then sighed, "I can talk normally to a snowman, diga... But when I talk to people... I get too flustered and my face turns red and.. ugh!" She grabbed her mask and put it back on, "I hope I can get rid of this mask soon, digadig..." I ducked behind a tree as she came running by.
I walked out into the open once she'd gone, only to find my Paleopager beeping again. "Joe Wildwest here with a message for my new Caliosteo Patrol Team. I got a little job for ya. Can y'all meet me at my suite in Wildwest Tower? I'll be waiting!"
I gave it an irritated glare, Are the BB Brigade up to no good again already?I thought. I quickly ran back into town and headed for the heliport, only to find Rupert standing there. I smiled at him, and he nervously looked back at me.
"...Oh. Hello, Dina. My father is taking a moment out of his schedule to come by the fossil park. I have been ordered to wait for him here." he said.
"That's great, Rupert!" I exclaimed. He mustn't get to see his father much due to his job. The whir of helicopter blades abovehead signaled that he had arrived, and Rupert looked up.
A man stepped out of a private helicopter. His purple suit was made of an expensive fabric of some sort and he wore yellow shades as glossy as ice.
Rupert nodded to him, "Thank you for coming to see me, father. I know your time is most valuable."
His father nodded back, "So, Rupert, I hear you are making steady progress through the Cup? However, I expect you to continue on and win. I will accept no less than victory." he smiled, "Your winning streak is the finest advertising FossilDig Inc. could want, and it must continue at all costs." he looked Rupert in the eyes, "Do not fail me, Rupert."
Rupert looked nervously at him, "Y-yes, father." I bit back a scowl as Rupert's father turned and left.
He turned to me as the helicopter flew off, "Well, as you can see, my father is a very..." he paused for a moment, "...driven man."
"Well, I thought of another word for him, but I guess that works, too." I said bitterly.
Rupert smiled faintly, but it didn't last long, "He wants what's good for the Company, what will be easiest to make a lot of profit, those are the things my father thinks about." he paused and mumbled to himself, "...that's allmy father thinks about.."
I blinked at him, concerned, but he continued, "Yes, well, this is really none of your concern, Dina. Please forget any of this happened." he voice was distant and cold, and he rushed off into the Fossil Station. As I turned and boarded the helicopter, I couldn't help but feel pity for Rupert and deep inside, I swore I felt something else, but it was probably my imagination.
"Took you long enough, Dina!" Todd joked.
"Yep, The Caliosteo Patrol Team is finallyall accounted for!" Pauleen yelled. I was going to explain, but decided to keep it to myself. I stuffed my coat messily into my pack and slung it back over my shoulders.
We all turned to Joe and saw he was with another man in a blue suit with a green tie and brown, spiked hair.
"Sorry for callin' y'all here on such short notice, but this is kinda urgent." he turned to the man, "Lemme introduce ya to someone. This here's Minister Pomposa for the Kingdom of Nomadistan."
The man walked up to us, "Harrumph! I am Minister Pomposa! See that you address me by my full and proper name!" Behind him, I swore I saw Joe facepalm.
"Geez," Todd whispered in my ear, "No need to act like a big shot.."
Minister Possum, or whatever his name was, began speaking, "Now, the words Minister Pomposa will now speak are of great importance to the Kingdom of Nomadistan!"
"I've never heard of the Kingdom of Nomadistan!" Todd whispered to me again. Pauleen turned to both of us and whispered, "Duh! It's a country in the west! ...Or maybe in the north. Acctually... I don't know."
"NO ONE may whisper when Minister Pomposa is speaking!" Both Todd and Pauleen jumped as he shouted at them. "Now then," he continued, "If you are done being rude... The Kingdom of Nomadistan has a lovely princess whom the people treasure above all else. However.." he paced the floor, "..Our beloved princess has recently gone missing! Minister Pomposa has traveled far and wide in search of the princess, but to no avail."
He approached us again, "We now believe we are close to finding her whereabouts. It seems she has entered herself in the Caliosteo Cup! That means she is here in this very fossil park! Minister Pomposa is sure of it!"
Joe butted in, "As you can see, this matter is to be kept secretive. But I figured if anyone could form a posse and track down this little lady, it would be my Patrol Team!"
Todd frowned, "I wouldn't mind looking for the princess, but Minister Jerkface is really started to cheese me off!"
Minister Pomposa came right up to Todd's face, "Whaatt did you say?" Todd jumped back, "I.. said you have a very nice mustache, sir!"
He smiled boastfully, "Yes, Minister Pomposa brushes it with 100 strokes every night. Now then," he got back on topic, "If you return our princess, we will reward you most generously. You shall be given a Miraculous Fossil Rock so fine, Fighters shed tears of joy just to be near it."
Todd and Pauleen lept at Minister Pomposa, who almost fell over, "MIRACULOUS FOSSIL ROCK, REALLY?"
I undestood how valuable those rocks were, they could transform your Vivosaur into a more powerful Super Evolved form of itself, but I don't think I'd leap in this poor guy's face for it.
Minister Pomposa nodded to us, "Yes, you have the word of Minister Pomposa himself, and his word is stronger than oak!"
Todd jumped with excitement, "Ok, it's a deal! I'll find your princess!"
"Step off, shorty!" Pauleen yelled at Todd, "You need someone beautiful and clever like me to find your missing princess!" Both of them rushed off, but stopped abruptly at the elevator and turned back. "Wait, what exactly does this princess look like?" Todd asked.
Minister Pomposa let out a bellowing laugh, "Har har, yes it seems that information would be helpful." he pulled a picture from his pocket, "Behold, our beloved princess!" We all gasped. It was Joanie.
"It seems you appreciate true beauty! Your lips utter the cry that your heart cannot!" This time I definitely saw Joe facepalm in the background.
He stepped forward, "Sorry to drop in on y'all, but I don't know who else to trust. Ya might wanna ask around first. See if some'a the townsfolk know anything. But for heaven's sake, don't tell 'em yer lookin' for a princess!" he signaled for us to leave, "Alright, Patrol Team dismissed!"
"You saw it, right? It was Joanie, I'm positive!" Todd exclaimed. "I can't believe she's a princess!"
Pauleen groaned, "Look, if you guys want to stand around and talk be my guest. But I'm going to find that princess and get the Miraculous Fossil Rock!" she winked and rushed down the stairs.
"Ha ha, that Miraculous Fossil Rock is MINE, Pauleen!" then Todd chased after her, leaving me to stand alone.
I got a heads up in town that Joanie had boarded a helicopter to Ribular Island, so I headed there to find her. Then I caught a glimpse of Todd asking someone where Joanie had gone, and I faintly heard them reply "Jungle Labyrinth", so I quickly ran into the dig site.
After heading deep inward, I heard some voices talking and found Joanie and some guy obssessing over Madame Pooch.
"No no, widdle doggy! Don't squirm now! You have to be a nice widdle doggy!" the guy started rubbing Madame Pooch's head roughly. She growled at him angrily.
"Arf, arf, arooo!" she howled.
"Stop zis!" Joanie shouted at the man, "Madame Pooch, she does not like you!"
The man snickered, "You're wrong, sister! All dogs love me! I have this natural way with animals." he patted Madame Pooch, "Don't you wove me, widdle poochie? Who's a happy puppy, hm?"
The dog looked like she could bite his head off at any second. Then the man looked up at Joanie, "You know what, lady? You're starting to mess with my dog bonding here, so how about you get lost?" he laughed, "Unless, of course, you'd rather me beat you in a Fossil Battle!"
Joanie backed away, murmuring, "I must make with ze rescuing of Madame Pooch from zis terrible oaf of a man, but I cannot fight ze Fossil Battle... Oh, what shall I do?"
I walked up to her, "Joanie?"
She whirled around, relived, "Ah! Dina, my friend! You are here at just ze right time, no? Please," she pleaded, "You must make ze Fossil Battle with zis terrible man and save Madame Pooch!"
"Don't worry, Joanie, I'll save her." I reassured. I walked up to the guy, "Hey, you!"
The guy groaned and stood up, "I oughta smack you with a rolled-up newspaper, kid. But if it's a fight you want, bring it on!" I nodded, "So be it then." I grabbed my Dimetro, Coatlus, and Nycto.
"All right, kid. Time to show you who the real alpha dog is!" He sent out two Machai, different colors, and a new Vivosaur unlike anything I'd seen before. "Impressed?" he boasted, "That's a Super Evolver, Heracles. He's top dog on my team!"
The large-horned Vivosaur was dark grey with blue armor layered around it's shoulders and head. It stood on four legs and it's narrow eyes glared from across the field.
"Alright, then!" I turned to Nycto, "Wing Hurricane!" Nycto whipped a swirling wind toward Heracles, but the Vivosaur barely budged. The wind whirled over him and he continued his violent stare.
"Machai Twist, Machai!"
The saber-tooth Vivosaur leapt at Nycto and bit down on him, then delivered an uppercut as a direct hit. His second Machai did the same, only this one dealt critical damage.
I slowly chipped away at Heracles's LP, but for every bit of damage he took, one of my Vivosaurs took a critical. Finally, Nycto was down for the count.
"Coatlus! Attack his Heracles again!"
Coatlus screeched and let loose a Great Vortex on Heracles, who acctually took a great bit of damage. But we still had a while to go.
Heracles' horn glowed, it was an attack he used before called Heracles Blade, and he rammed into Coatlus which sent him flying backwards. He damaged him with a critical followed up by two link attacks from his Machai. I let loose another Great Vortex, but it had little effect. Heracles still held on strong.
The Machai duo came at Dimetro one by one, scratching him only slightly despite gaining more critical hits. Finally, the pressure of defeat built up and Coatlus and Dimetro let go of their frustration in their attacks. Coatlus hit the Super Evolver with gale-force winds in a final attempt to defeat him, and Dimetro attacked with a Dimetro Fang. Heracles was finally defeated.
The next two rounds went pretty quickly, until Coatlus was down to 5 LP. Then we were in a corner.
"Dimetro, use Dimeteor on the opposing side!" Dimetro had recently learned this attack, but I never used it. He charged a flame in his mouth before realeasing a burning slew of large meteors at the pair of Machai. One was down with a one hit KO, but the other held on by a hair. After the remaining opponent's turn was done, and though he knew it was his last, Coatlus used Wing Cutter to slice his way to victory.
The guy was mortified. "N-no! How can this be when I wove my little bubsy-wubsy so much?"
I sighed, "She HATESyou, man. Get over it." Then, to confirm it, Madame Pooch chomped on his foot.
"Ow! ..Well, I'm starting to think you're right.." he pouted, then ran off.
Joanie knelt down and petted Madame Pooch, "Madame Pooch, you have suffered ze terrible ordeal, no? But now all is well." she looked up at me, "I cannot zank you enough, Dina! Had you not made with ze coming by just now..."
I interrupted, "Acctually, Joanie, I was looking for you guys." Joanie looked puzzled.
"...You say you were searching for ze two of us?" I explained the whole ordeal about Minister Pomposa and finding the princess.
Joanie gasped, "M-Minister Pomposa! He is here!" I nodded, but then I heard a shout behind me as footsteps pounded the ground.
"There she is!" then there was a thud as someone was pushed to the ground, "No, I saw her first!" I turned to see Pauleen rushing toward me and Todd laying in the dirt, scowling. He got up quickly and ran ahead.
"Minister Pomposa is waiting for you, Princess!" Todd said, then Pauleen butted in, "Oh, please allow meto escort you to Wildwest Tower, Princess!"
Joanie stared at them with wide eyes, shaking her head, "Oh, I am sorry, but you are making ze mistake. I am not... Er.. AHH!" They both grabbed her and drug her off. Madame Pooch whined.
"It's ok, Madame Pooch. I'll take you back with me. Joanie will be ok." I scooped her up and carried her back to Wildwest Tower.
"I brought the Princess back!"
"No, Ibrought the princess back!" Pauleen and Todd exchanged angered glances. "Please," Todd begged, "You have to give me the Miraculous Fossil Rock! You promised you would!"
"No!" Pauleen argued, "I saw her first, so I should get the fossil rock!" They growled at each other.
"SILENCE!!" Minister Pomposa quieted them, "...Now then, where is the Princess?" Todd and Pauleen stared at him with puzzled looks, "Um, what do you mean?" Todd asked. Just then I walked in with Madame Pooch.
Minister Pomposa shouted with joy, "Oh, joy of joys! You have returned, Princess Pooch!" I looked at him with surprise. "Minister Pomposa is so very relieved to see you safe, Your Highness!" he continued.
Pauleen gasped, "WHHAAATTT? Ok, somebodybetter explain what's going on here!"
"I am sorry, but ze Princess you are looking for is Madame Pooch." Pauleen gave her a confused look, "She was called Madame Pooch to hide her identity, but her true name is Princess Pooch Poochian. I am, how you say, her attendant." Everyone still looked boggled.
"Allow Minister Pomposa to explain. For many years, the Kingdom of Nomadistan was constantly at war. The people grew weary of conflict and came to believe it was caused by the frailties of human leaders. So one day, we decided to make a dog the new king."
Pauleen interrupted, "Well that sounds desperate..."
"Perhaps," Minister Pomposa continued, "But in the end, the plan was a success for the wars ended and we all reunited in peace. Since that day, the Kingdom was always ruled by a dog and, of course, our royal family is all canines as well."
Todd groaned, "You know, that would have been REALLYgood to know earlier!" but Minister Pomposa ignored him, "Your people have been so worried for your safety, Princess Pooch! The dear Queen Mother has refused to play with her favorite ball!" Princess Pooch whined.
Joanie stepped forward, "Minister Pomposa! You must not make with ze chastising of ze Princess! It was I who allowed her out of ze palace. She asked for my help, and I could not refuse.."
Minister Pomposa knelt down in front of the Princess. "Is your desire to engage in Fossil Battles really so strong, Princess?" she barked in agreement. Minister Pomposa thought for a moment, "Very well, you may stay here until your next match. But you must here this message from your dear Father King, "If the Princess is serious in pursuing her dreams, then I give her my blessings to do so. However, Minister Pomposa must confirm this passion personally.""
Joanie cheered, "Haha, Princess Pooch! Zis is wonderful, no? If Minister Pomposa sees your passion for Fossil Battles, you'll be allowed to stay in ze Cup!"
"ARRRROOO!"she howled with joy.
"Now then, it seems you are the one who found our missing princess." I looked at him and nodded, still a bit baffled at the situation, "As Minister Pomposa is a man of his word, you shall now receive your reward." he handed me a large fossil rock; the Miraculous Fossil Rock. Todd and Pauleen sighed with regret.
Princess Pooch then barked at me, "Princess Pooch wishes to zank you for your assistant earlier, no?" Joanie translated.
"You're welcome, Princess." I said politely.
"Well, perhaps Minister Pomposa will see what charms this fossil park has to offer..." Princess Pooch and Minister Pomposa walked into the elevator to leave. Just as Joanie went to follow them, Todd stopped her.
"So," he asked, "You were the one battling right, Joanie?"
"No, it was Princess Pooch who waged the battles. I pretended to be the Fighter so she could keep her identity a secret. Also, I do not think they would allow a dog to enter ze Cup, no?" she turned and walked off into the elevator.
"So a dog advanced in Cup, but I got beaten? Aww.." Pauleen and I stifled a laugh.
After the initial confusion died down, Joe called us to speak, "Heck, Dina, it looks like you done saved the day again. But thanks to you, too, Todd and Pauleen. I know y'all gave it yer best shot."
All of a sudden, our Paleopagers went off, "The hot spring at Hot Spring Heights is now open. Park guests are welcome to use this free facility."
Joe smiled, "Well it took a good long time, but we finally got the durn thing open. Y'all should check it out. It's a good place fer soakin' yer old bones when ya need to rest."
"Heck yeah! A hot spring would be just the thing for me!" Todd shouted happily, "I'm gonna go check it out, Dina. You should come along, too!" with that, Todd ran off.
Pauleen smirked, "Pfft, while you two have fun splashing around in the pool, I'll be getting ready for Round 5! See ya!" Pauleen left, and I walked down the stairs to the heliport outside.
Once I got to Hot Spring Heights, I ran back to the cave where the hot spring was. It was such a relief to be in the warmth rather than the bitter cold of the snow. As usual, Todd was waiting for me.
"Hey, there you are, Dina!" Todd waved, "This is the biggest hot spring I've ever seen! I can't wait to try it! Come on, let's go!" We both ran into the changing rooms and put on our swimwear.
Once we were changed, Todd and me went out to the spring. He cautiously walked into the water. "Ahhh, this is great... I may never leave.." Todd sighed, "Come on in, Dina!"
I went to walk over when suddenly the water began turning a murky purple. I jumped back with alarm, "Huh? What the... EEEW! The water's all goopy and gross!" Todd yelled. He struggled to climb out, but was stuck fast. "Aaahhh! What's wrong with this water? I can't move! HELP ME!"
I suddenly smelled a grape scent in the air, "Todd, this isn't water, it's jelly!"
"Jelly, huh?" he ate a mouthful, "This is yummy, er... um.." he gulped down the jelly and looked up at me, "Look, Dina, I don't care how delicious this is, you gotta get me out of here!"
"I'll try." Grabbed his shoulders and tugged, but it was no use. He was stuck.
"...Not working?" he asked.
"NOOO, Todd, I thought it was." I said somewhat jokingly. He laughed a little.
"Wait," he said suddenly, "Remember what Joe said when we joined the Patrol Team?"
"What?"
"He said that if we find anything suspicious, we should report it to a Staff Leader! So quick, Dina, go find Kent! I don't want to be trapped in grape jelly forever!" I quickly sprinted to the changing area, because I didn't want to freeze my butt off, and then rushed to Illium Village.
"Kent!" As soon as I had gotten back, I rushed to the Fighter Station and met up with the Staff Leader, Kent.
He looked puzzled, "Hey, little dude. Whatcha need? And why do ya smell like fruits?" I then explained about the hot spring and how everyone was trapped in the sticky jam.
Kent looked at me in shock, "You mean the whole hot spring turned to jelly? Bummer, dude.. It just opened, too." he adjusted his cap, thinking, "Well, if there are Fighters trapped in there, we gotta help 'em out. Come on, dude, we'd better head over to that spring!"
Once we were back at the spring, Kent tried pulling Todd out, but to no avail.
"No good, dude. He's stuck in there like a dude stuck in a pool of jelly. I wonder who did this. It's so uncool."
I frowned, "The BareBones Brigade..." I muttered under my breath.
"Yeah," Kent replied, because he must have heard me, "They probably messed around with the hot-spring water supply or something, huh?"
"But where does the water come from, anyway?" I asked him. "An undersea pipeline, it comes straight from Mt. Krakanak over on Cranial Isle. So, dude, you'll have to visit Mt. Krakanak's crater to fix the problem."
"Me?" I asked. I hadn't expected to have to do this alone.
"You mind going, dude? I mean, it's waaay too hot for a snow guy like me!" I shook my head. "Alrighty, then! I heard they just installed a gondola to take you down into the crater, so it'll be a breeze to get to the water supply."
"Ok, I head over now, then." I agreed. Kent ran back to the village to get some rescue staff, and I ran back with him. However, before boarding a helicopter I decided to integrate my Wondrous and Miraculous fossil rocks.
I carefully cleaned them, because at first I didn't realize how fragile they were and almost broke one. After that I decided to use the Wondrous fossil rock on Nycto.
I placed his Dino Medal into the machine and placed the cleaned fossil next to it. Once everything was ready, I started the integration. The machine glowed with a bright silver light from within, and Nycto, now in his Vivosaur form, now was an ocean blue color with green outlining his beak, arms, and crest, and vibrant violet eyes beaming with pride. I petted his head, then he reverted back to a Dino Nedal in his new, more powerful form.
Next, I decided the best candidate for my Miraculous fossil rock was Dimetro. He'd been with me the longest and he was one of the most powerful on my team. The same thing happened with Dimetro as with Nycto, only this time instead of a silver glow there was a gold glow. After a few moments, the light ceased and out stepped Dimetro, but he looked nothing like before.
He was twice his normal size, deep red with ruby eyes, and he had light blue fins on his back, head, legs, and tail. He smiled a sharp-toothed grin at me.
'I look great, don't I?' he growled in a deeper voice, 'I've evolved into a Lugmos, one of the great Super-Evolved versions of Vivosaurs. Hehe, those BB Brigade losers don't stand a chance now!'
"Well, they won't if we go after them now, Lugmos!" He understood and reverted to a Dino Medal, then we set off for another encounter with our enemies.
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Me: Wow, long wait, huh? Well, we did get a cute RupertXDina moment in there. And a Lugmos and Nycto super evolution! Yay! Well, right now the people of the Caliosteo Fossil Park are in a bit of a jam, ha ha! -shot-
Lugmos: 'Om nom, I love this jelly..'
Me: Umm... Well, we'll continue with the adventure soon!
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