Me: Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait!

Dina: God, where were you?

Rupert: We've been in this Volcano for 3 weeks now!

Me: Muhhahaha..

Dina: Oh no, I know what that means..

Rupert: This is not gonna be fun..

Me: Diisssclaaaimmmerrr: I do not own Fossil Fighters!

Mapo: JAZZ HANDS! "\(^-^)/"

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Quickly I ran into the rocky landscape of Mt. Krakarak. I readied my Dino Medals in case of a surprise attack from the BB Brigade. I hadn't run more than a few feet before someone stopped me.

"Wait." Rupert's voice rang out loud and clear. Surprised, I turned around to face him.

"Kent told me you were going to the volcano to check on the hot spring's water supply." he hesitated for a moment, "Um.. I.. I'll go with you. I, um, feel pity for Todd. No one deserves to be trapped in jelly." A faint smile crossed his face.

I smiled, "Oh, well thanks, Rupert! I wasn't expecting to see you here, but that's ok." We continued on through the volcano.

After a long trek up the somewhat steep and unbearably hot ridges, we reached the top. The gondola to the crater was waiting. We quickly boarded and descended, lava bubbling down the cliffs all around us. When we finally reached the bottom, the temperature soared at least ten degrees.

Rupert pointed to the far end of the crater, "Look there, Dina!"

As I followed his gaze, I saw BB Brigade goons, as expected. A strange machine was pumping the purple goop into the water. The goons and an unfamiliar person, whom was most likely a commander, were chuckling at their accomplishment. Unfortunately, the machine gurgled for a moment before stopping, and a frustrated goon kicked it back into power.

"I knew I detected the stench of the BareBones Brigade on this plot." Rupert growled, "Let's make haste to take them down."

I nodded, "Let's do it."

We hurried along the winding slopes, careful not to slip, and reached the overpoweringly grape-scented water supply.

The commander guffawed as his goons worked the machine, "Faster, my roadies! Keep dumping that jelly powder in the hot spring well!"

"Halt, fiend!" Rupert yelled, running at them. I ran to catch up with him.

All the BB Brigade members lined up and faced us, "Well, looky here! You got guts showin' your ugly mugs in a place like this!" he laughed, "Since you came all this way I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm one of the three BareBones Brigade commanders!" he posed in a fighting stance, "The name's Lester, and I'm gonna rock your world!"

Lester had a bright, lime green mohawk, a spiked collar and metal wrist-cuffs, a leather jacket with a skull shirt underneath, white jeans, and black eyeliner around his eyes.

"He he, my plan's tighter than a snare drum!" he continued, "I fill the hot spring with jelly so the Fighters can't move! If they want out, they have to eat their way out! But by the time they're free, they'll be too fat to compete in the Cup!" he chuckled, "Gahar har har har! Man, I'm pretty great... Oh, and don't even think about trying to stop me or I'll stomp your head into the ground!"

"You trapped my friend with your stupid plan! He's not even competing!" I grabbed my Dino Medals. The rage of my Vivosaurs and I was almost palpable.

Rupert faced me, "Think you can handle this Lester character, Dina?" I nodded, ready to get the fight on, "Alright, I'll take out the lackeys guarding that machine."

"Alright, Lester, let's see what you got!" I growled.

"Gar har har, my Vivosaurs are gonna rock you!" he mocked. He sent out B-Rex, B-Brachio, and a unique red-colored Boneysaur, B-Tricera. Its ghostly blue eyes burned right into my soul.

My newly evolved Lugmos and Nycto went out first, then Coatlus. Lugmos's tail waved back and forth impatiently.

"Well, what're you waiting for? It's your move!" Lester yelled.

I narrowed my eyes, "Lugmos Tail!"

Lugmos leapt at his opponent, B-Rex, and smacked him sideways, then slapped him to the ground. He shakily got to his feet as another blow was struck to his head. He slowly stood up as Lugmos retreated, then stood in a wobbly battle-stance.

B-Rex let out a low growl and prepared to attack, but Lester called him back and strangely skipped his turn.

"Umm, alright then.." I said, boggled, "Lugmos, attack B-Rex again with Lugmos tail!"

B-Rex held his ground, then took a sharp turn to the right to dodge, but Lugmos recalculated his aim and hit B-Rex square in the snout, sending him staggering backwards with a loud CRACK. Lugmos let out a bellowing laugh.

Lester's expression became angry, "Okay, if that's how it is then..." he motioned for B-Brachio's attention, "Get Lugmos with a Boney Tsunami!"

B-Brachio reared up on its hind legs, then, using its tail as a counter weight, spun around in a full circle so that its tail whipped Coatlus. The pterosaur wobbled in the air as he was struck in the side, then landed briefly to get his bearings and shook it off.

Lester then ordered for B-Tricera to attack Lugmos with a Boney Rush. The attack didn't even scratch the Super-Evolver despite the fact that he was at a disadvantage.

Next up, I commanded Coatlus to attack B-Tricera with Great Vortex. He whipped up a strong stream of wind with his wings that sent the red Boneysaur flying backwards in a mid-air spin.

Retaliating, B-Brachio used a Boney Tsunami attack on little Nycto, sending the flying Vivosaur to the ground with a loud thump. He flinched as he stood, then flew upwards. Next turn he finished off B-Tricera with Wing Whirlwind before Lugmos took out B-Rex with another Lugmos Tail.

"Urg, you're a tough one, aren't ya?" Lester growled. "B-Brachio! Finish the little flying one with Boney Stomp!"

Nycto's eyes grew wide as the titanic Boneysaur stomped straight down onto him, then let out a high-pitched shriek. Satisfied with the hit, B-Brachio retreated to his position with a smirk.

Nycto laid there, hurt. He still had a good amount of power left in him, but he was too injured to do anything.

"You rest, buddy." I whispered, then glared at Lester, "We'll take care of him.."

"Lugmos!" he glanced back at me with his ruby eyes, "Lugmos Sphere! Make him feel what Nycto feels!"

Lugmos stood on his back legs, then began to charge a ball of fiery energy within his mouth, fueled by the rage of seeing Nycto hurt like that. He released the inferno right at B-Brachio, whom stepped back in fear, but it was too late. By the time he was ready to dodge the fire hit him and he collapsed.

We cheered, but Nycto shrieked again, "Quick! Look!" We all turned to see a charred B-Brachio slowly emerging from the smoke ready to battle despite his injuries. As Lester was about to call an attack, Coatlus raised his head in a screech, then used an insanely powerful Wing Cutter on B-Brachio. The attack left white scratches against the Boneysaur's blackened exterior, and he collapsed to ground, his body transforming back into a Dino Medal that slid to his master's feet.

"M-My Boneysaurs got beat like the bass player at an easy listening concert!"

"And that means... what?" I asked with a half angry, half puzzled look. Lester went to reply, then paused. "Wait.. You're the Fighter that beat Cole, aren't you?"

"Of course I am!" I shouted back, then I kneeled down to pick up Nycto's Dino Medal, which was dented and scratched to show how badly he'd been damaged.

Rupert looked at me like he'd had enough of the BB Brigade. "Di66-R!" he shouted, turning to face behind him. The purple robot began floating over to Rupert, then Rupert signaled with his hand to the machine, "Destroy the machine!"

"Of course, sir or madam. It will be my pleasure.." he seemed to have a hint of satisfaction in his robotic voice. He effortlessly made his way to the machine and began pounding on it like it was a punching bag. "CONTROL ALT DELETE!"

Lester's eyes grew wide and he clenched his teeth. Di66-R made quick work of the metal contraption, allowing the hot spring water to purify itself.

"N-NOO! Operation Fill Hot Spring with Jelly is ruined! RUUINED!" he whipped around and put a fist up in front of my face, "I won't forget this, punk! You and I will have specialreunion someday-"

"I would appreciate it if you would back off." Rupert said sternly, pushing Lester back. Lester looked at him, then him and his goons fled.

Rupert continued glaring at Lester until he was out of sight, then he turned back to me, smiling, "The hot spring should be okay now."

Kent came running down the lava-bordered path just as I was about to reply, "You ok, little dudes?"

"Yeah." I said, "The BB Brigade used that machine back there," I motioned with my hand, "To pollute the hot spring water, but Di66-R broke it so everything should be alright now."

"I knew the BB Brigade hosers were behind this mess!" Kent yelled. "Sorry it took so long to get here, dudes, but you seemed to be ok without me." Rupert and I looked at each other and smiled.

"So," Kent spoke, "You dudes wanna head back to Ilium Village."

"Anything to get out of this heat." Rupert sighed. We all laughed then headed up the gondola.


"Heeeyyy!"

It didn't take long to get back to Ilium, so we went inside the Fighter Station before I froze to death. Sure enough, Todd was the first to meet us there.

"That jelly finally melted, so I was able to crawl to safety!"

"And you smell like a Jolly Rancher." I laughed.

Todd laughed too, "I just Vivosaurs don't mistake me for candy.." All of us laughed together.

We all turned to Kent as he was about to leave, "Well, dudes, you totally saved the day once more. The reputation of the Caliosteo Patrol Team is growing by the day! Totally gnarly, dude!" he turned around and waved goodbye, "I gotta go wax my snowboard, so I'll see ya later!"

"Hey! I heard! I heard all about it!" Pauleen came stomping up to us.

"Hey Pauleen-" Todd started, but Pauleen cut him off.

"We're supposed to be a team here, guys! I mean, I'm the most beautiful member and all, but we're still a team!" she got up in Todd's face, making him blush, "So why was Inot informed? Huh?"

"U-Umm... because I was stuck in jelly?" Todd said, his face pure red.

"Ohhh, I see. So it was Dina who did all the work, hmm?" she asked.

"Well, Rupert was a big help, too. He tagged along with me." I told her.

"Oh, so Rupert was there, too? What made the little rich boy decide to help? Were they carrying gold coins or something?"

"PAULEEN!" I yelled.

Rupert's face turned red, and he turned away, "I-I will not defend myself to you! I-I just.. felt like helping, that's all..." Luckily, Pauleen was willing to drop the subject.

"...Huh, well, whatever! I guess the reason doesn't really matter anyway." Rupert sighed with relief. "But there's no backing down now, Rupert!" he held his breath.

"W-What do you mean by that?" he asked nervously.

"You fought the BB Brigade, and you protected the Caliosteo Fossil Park for the sake of the Cup. There's no doubt about it." she winked, "You're the newest member of the Caliosteo Patrol Team!" Rupert gasped.

Todd smiled, "That's a great idea! We'd love to have Rupert join us!" he turned to me, "Right, Dina?"

"Yeah!" I looked at Rupert, "Whad'ya say, Rupert?"

"You want me... to join? To be your friend?" he said, a small smile creasing his face.

"Wow, Rupert. You look almost happy. It's so unlike you!"

Rupert blushed a little again, "It's.. it's not that. I'm just... I mean.." he sighed and smiled, "Oh, very well. I suppose I'm a bit happy."

"Yeah, Rupert!" I pulled him into a hug, and he gasped and blushed a deep red, smiling faintly.

"Great! Then from now on, the four of us are the Caliosteo Patrol Team! Just remember that I'm the pretty one, alright?" We all laughed, except Pauleen. "That was not supposed to be funnyyou guys!"

She sighed, "Ugh, alright then, let's do the Patrol Team Cheer!" Pauleen started doing some cheerleading hand motions, "Go, team, go! Fight, team, fight! We fight creeps all day and all night! Goooo, Patrol Team!" We all lept up with our fist in the air, except for Rupert.

"Come on, Rupert, just copy us." I said to him.

"Ok, let's try it once more.. Go, team, go! Fight, team, fight! We fight creeps all day and all night! Goooo, Patrol Team!" All of us lept up with joy, Rupert smiled, "Heh heh, this is fun!"

"What is this nonsense?" I recognized the voice instantly.

"F-Father!" Rupert look at his father with fear. I narrow my eyes into a glare.

"What do you think you are doing, Rupert? I've heard reports that you helped another Fighter take on the BareBones Brigade!" Rupert looked down at the floor. "Need I remind you that you are the public face of FossilDig Inc.? We cannot afford to have you going off on such fool's errands! You might have destroyed our image!" he turned away from his son, "This is a sad day for me as your father."

He looked at his father with ready eyes, "I'm.. I'm sorry, father. I only wanted to-"

"Apologies are worthless without action! If you are truly sorry, you can prove it by winning Round 5 of the Caliosteo Cup. Crush your enemies, Rupert, and I will know where your loyalties lie." the FossilDig CEO then turned and walked off.

Todd groaned, "Wow, Rupert. Your Dad's a real hard case. I can't believe he said that stuff to you!"

Rupert sighed, "Don't concern yourself with it, Todd. I-I... I'm used to it." he looked up at me with a sad expression, "I'm sorry, but I won't be able to join the Caliosteo Patrol Team." he looked at all of us, "From now on just.. just leave me alone!"

He went to run off, but I pushed forward and stopped him, "Rupert, please.."

"You know," he started, "I remember a time when I used to think Fossil Battles were fun. I loved my Vivosaurs, and I felt excited to battle with them." he looked at me, tears running down his face, "But at some point, I stopped becoming a carefree child and became a walking advertisement for FossilDig Inc. The more famous I got, the less I was allowed to be myself."

He closed his eyes and took a breath for a moment, "That's when Fossil Battles stopped being fun. They were just work and, eventually, they bored me."

He let a small smiled come upon his face, "And yet, when I was with you... For just a moment... I-I.. I remembered how I used to feel." he looked me in the eyes, his tear-filled gaze blocked the emotions his eyes were showing, then he blinked and turned away. "Thank you, my friends... and goodbye."

Rupert ran off, but I ran after him outside. "Wait! Rupert, please!"

Rupert paused, his silhouette outlined by the moonlit sky. I paused to talk to him, but he turned around and beat me to it.

"Dina, I need to tell you something. If we never get to see each other again.. I.." he stopped.

"What Rupert?" I asked. Then he looked up at me, and hesitated.

"Dina, you are the closest thing I've had to a friend in years. I just want you to know that... I'll never forget you.." he kissed my hand, and I blushed. I pulled him into a hug.

"Rupert, I'm positive this isn't the last time we'll meet. Don't worry, when we see each other again we can go get ice cream or something, ok?" Tears ran down both of our faces as we stood there. Then he finally backed away and ran off, leaving me crying alone.


(Rupert's POV)

..I am such an IDIOT!I mentally yelled to myself.

'I told you you should have told her! But nooo, you had to chicken out!' Mapo whined.

I threw his Dino Medal onto the ground, "Shut up! Shut the hell up right now! I know I screwed up! I know I never told her! But that doesn't matter now! I can't go back, at least not now.." I felt tears starting to form in my eyes and blinked them away.

Oh, Dina. If I hadn't been so nervous then I would have told you the real truth.. Why I truly wouldn't forget you..

...I love you.

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Sorry for the long wait, guys! But you got a cute moment in this one! :D Yeah, I know it's not that impressive..

Anyway, I've had a lot of stuff going on this month but it's done now so I'll try to get more chapters up. I may be going on vacation in a few weeks though so...

Well like always, please review!