"I feel horrible for losin' like that again." Lester stared down at his shoes, frowning. He wasn't even angry like he usually would have been; losing twice in a row had defeated him in more ways than just physically. Lola and Cole nodded in agreement.

"I don't quite agree with you giving back those Super Electrominites, Lola, but I guess I can understand why you did it," Cole said. "I mean, they did sort of help us. Now that I think about it, I feel bad for refusing that truce...it might have helped us a little more to accept it." Lola turned to him.

"You're not, like, losing your pride, are you?" She asked. Cole's face turned red.

"N-no!" he sputtered. "I'm not! Don't ever ask me that again, I'd never lose my pride! I'm just saying they might not be so bad…"

"Wow, sounds kind of traitorous to me." Lester poked Cole in his side. Cole swatted his hand away.

"I'm not traitorous!" he spat, leaping to his feet and glaring at his two fellow commanders. "How could I turn my back on Don Boneyard after he took us in when we only had each other!? After he saved us from starving on the streets and sleeping in abandoned buildings and boxes!? How dare you accuse me on turning my back on the only person who's ever cared for us!? I'm going back to my room." He turned and stormed away. If his door didn't slide open and closed, he would have slammed it shut. He took out his laptop, mumbling something to himself.

Cole and Lester watched him leave before turning to one another.

"You think we went too far?" Lester asked. Lola shrugged.

"He's been acting, like, craaazy since he lost to that Dina girl," Lola replied. "I think that loss is getting to him. It's, like, eating away at his sanity and he's obsessed with getting even."

"Well, enough about him," Lester huffed. "What do you think Don Boneyard's got in mind for his next big plan? I hope it involves smashin' stuff!"

"I bet it does." Lola tipped her head in thought. "I, like, heard the islands are held up by these Spinal Pillar things. I bet he wants to do something with those."

~...~

The three met in Joe's suite after returning the Super Electrominites to their rightful places.

"Yeeee-haw!" Joe was more than proud of them. "Ya'll done recovered the Super Electrominites from them BB Brigade varmints! Thanks to you, we've got power back in the entire park. That's some fine work, Dina and Pauleen...oh, and you, too, Rupert." Rupert stole a glance at Dina, who nodded to him encouragingly. He stepped forward.

"Pardon me, Joe," he said. "I have a favor to ask of you. I...I would like to be allowed to join the Caliosteo Patrol Team. I want to protect the Caliosteo Cup, no matter what." Dina was grinning ear to ear. She leaped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. Rupert let out an 'oof' and stumbled, barely able to stop himself from falling.

"You kiddin'?" Joe smiled at the two. "I oughta be on my hands 'n' kness beggin' ya to join! Rupert, I hereby name ya as a full-fledged member of the Caliosteo Patrol Team. Now listen up. We only got two rounds left in this here Cup. The BB Brigade's runnin' out of time, and there's nothin' more dangerous than a cornered rat! Y'all gotta be on yer guard, all right? Do whatever it takes to save the Cup for Fighters everywhere!" The three nodded.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Rupert?" Pauleen asked as they stepped out of the elevator. "Your father's going to be furious." Rupert took a deep breath.

"Most likely," he said. "But that's all right. I've decided it's time for me to show a little backbone. I'm going to tell my father what I think and let the chips fall where they may."

[I'm proud of you,] Dina signed to him. [I'll stand beside you when you speak to your father about this.]

"All right, if you can do it, then so can I!" Pauleen announced. "Remember my promise, Dina? Well, I'm going to be brave and take off this mask for good! I'll probably blush like crazy and stammer when I talk to people, but...I think I'm okay with that now. For the rest of the Cup, people will see my face! Here we go!"

"What is she…?" Rupert stared at Dina, expecting an answer. Dina kept her hands still and smiled at Pauleen. Pauleen reached up, tugging on her mask.

"Okay, that's weird," she said. "It won't come off." She tried again and again but the mask stayed on her face. "Oh my gosh! The mask won't come off! What do I do, what do I do, what do I dooooooo!? I'm cursed! I'm gonna have this mask on for the rest of my life!" Panicked, the poor girl took off running.

"I...am very confused," Rupert said. "Dina, is that some kind of special mask?"

[She said it gives the wearer a sunny personality and a massive boost in confidence,] Dina told him. [We need to go calm her down and help her. Maybe the air inside the Bonehemoth made it shrink or something.] He nodded and they hurried down the stairs. A man stood at the bottom, calling out for Pauleen to come back.

"You are...friends of Pauleen, digadig?" he asked Dina and Rupert. "Ah, yes. It seems you are, diga. I...am the chieftain of the Digadig people from Vivosaur Island. I am also Pauleen's grandfather, digadig. The mask that Pauleen wears is enchanted with a spell of ill will, digadig. It gives the wearer confidence and cheer, diga. But there is a price. Once it takes hold it is impossible to remove. The mask becomes the master, digadig. When I learned Pauleen took the mask, I came right away. But, digadig, I came too late. I cannot pursue her, diga. I am too old and my back is too sore. Please, digadig! You must help me dear Pauleen!" Dina and Rupert shared a horrified look.

"Time is short, Dina," Rupert said. "I'll search Mt. Krakanak if you take Rainbow Canyon, agreed?" They wished each other luck as they parted ways and raced to the dig sites. Dina managed to track Pauleen to the cave where Cole had been holding the female fighters prisoner.

"No, Dina!" Pauleen cried out. "Stay away from me! I...I have no control over my body! The mask makes me attack everyone I see! P-please…you have to...run…"

[I won't abandon you!] Dina tossed out her Dino Medals.

Riptide charged into the Berto immediately, and, as usual, Fury joined in on the attack. The Berta slammed into Riptide's side, knocking him unconscious for a moment. Mayrah defeated it instantly with a flick of her wings. Riptide woke in time to see the Berto bite down on her leg. He let out a roar of Fury and charged, sending it back into its Dino Medal. Mayrah slammed her tail into the Krypto's side, knocking it back and ending the battle.

The mask clattered to the floor. Pauleen, elated, hugged Dina. Dina squeaked, her face turning red from embarrassment. Rupert arrived moments later.

"Heh, that's amusing," he chuckled. "The mask is off, but the one who's red in the face is Dina." Pauleen and Dina leaped away from each other in surprise and Rupert laughed at the sight. The chieftain walked in moments later.

"Look, Grandpa, look!" Pauleen smiled at him. "The mask came off! Diga diga digadig!"

"This makes me very happy, diga!" Her grandfather smiled.

"Hard to believe this little mask caused so much trouble," Rupert huffed. "This is a dangerous item. It might be best for everyone if we destroyed it here and now."

"No, please!" Pauleen shoved him away from it as he tried to grab the mask. "Don't break the mask, digadig! This is all my fault, diga. I'm the one who took the mask without permission. And besides, it diga-did help me for a while, so it's not totally evil. You should take it back to the village, Grandpa...digadig?" Rupert gave a small shrug.

"If this is your wish, Pauleen." he said. "I will defer it to you." Dina nodded in agreement.

"You have changed, Pauleen," Pauleen's grandfather spoke. "You are talking to others, diga-despite having no mask."

"I know, digadig! It's awesome! I owe this all to my friends, digadig." She turned to Rupert and Dina her grin returning. "They taught me to trust my feelings, diga. They showed me I could just be myself."

"It does my heart good to see you grow before my very eyes," the cheiftan said. They received a message on their Paleopagers that the semifinals would be held the following day.

"Perhaps that's not an altogether bad thing," Rupert said. "We could all use some rest after the events of today."

[I know!] Dina signed. [Why don't we have a sleepover in my room? We can play games and chat and-and-] Rupert chuckled and gently placed his hands over hers. Mayrah growled in Dina's mind.

"Alright, crazy hands," he teased. "That sounds like a great idea, actually. Let's hurry and get our stuff so we can get to the fun things."

"Oh, don't forget Todd!" Pauleen said. "He'll never let us forgive us if we don't let him in on it!"

~...~

Dina and Rupert were already in Dina's room, chatting quietly with one another. Their vivosaurs had already fallen asleep, so Dina's mind was most likely going to be quiet for the rest of the night unless one of them woke up.

"Sorry I'm so diga-dang late!" Pauleen burst into the room, Todd right behind her. "I had to get my stuff and drag Todd here!"

"What are we all doing together again?" Todd asked.

[Are you feeling better?] Dina signed to him. He smiled and nodded.

"Yep! All better now! But seriously, why are we here?"

"Well, Dina decided to have a sleepover in here," Rupert explained. "Since the semifinals are tomorrow."

"Oh, yeah," Pauleen sat down and frowned. "That means only two people will advance. So no matter what, one of us is going to be leaving the Cup. I've been thinking about it and it makes me sort of sad…"

"Then dont," Todd told her, grinning. "Let's not talk about our sad feelings, okay? Yeah, we're all sad, but Dina called us here to have fun, not mope around!"

"Well, there's something I need to say first," Rupert started. He shifted nervously and took a deep breath. "Something I've never told you, Dina, but this seems like a good time. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time, now. Something that drives me to compete. It's even enough to make me forget the sadness I feel about the end of the Caliosteo Cup. I guess you could say it's a wish. A very special wish..."

"Your undying lo-" Rupert placed his hand in Todd's face and shoved him over before he could finish. Pauleen let out a soft snort as she tried to hide her laughter.

"No, my wish is to face Dina in the final!" Rupert announced. Pauleen and Todd looked disappointed in the answer. "You're the one who reminded me of the joys of Fossil Battles, Dina, and that's why I want to face you in my final battle. But there's something else I want to do for you; I want to pay for the surgery for you to get your voice back. It's the least I can do for you after you've done so much for me." Dina stiffened, her eyes widening. For a moment, Rupert was scared she might be upset with him, but then her eyes flooded with tears and she wrapped her arms around him. Todd and Pauleen joined in on the hug.

"You really are a great guy, Rupert!" Todd laughed.

"Yes, yes, you're welcome, but please get off. You're all crushing me," Rupert said, smiling. They let go of him, but Dina stayed close to him.

[We'll do the best we can,] Dina said. [In the semifinals, I mean. Once it's over, we can always hang out afterwards. And since one of us will own the Park, it will always be open for each other.] Todd translated for Pauleen and she and Rupert nodded in agreement.

"Well, enough mushy, sappy emotions!" Todd said. "I think it's time we kick off this sleepover with a good old game of truth or dare!" There were groans from the other three kids, but no one really objected to the idea.

"Fine, but you go first," Rupert said. "Truth or dare, Todd?"

"I don't trust you, so gimmie a truth," Todd answered.

"Have you ever gossiped about anyone in this room?" Rupert questioned. Todd hesitated for a moment.

"Yyyes," he admitted. "I have. Not saying who, though. Okay, Pauleen! Truth or dare?"

"I'm going to be boring and say truth," Pauleen answered.

"Are you a good cook?" Todd asked her. She nodded.

"Yeah, I'm a great cook!" She grinned. "I can make a great blueberry pie! Dina, Truth or diga-Dare!"

[Truth,] Dina answered. She got some annoyed looks from that. [Hey, I'm not taking a dare until I know what I'm up against.]

"Oh, fine, what are your parents like?" She asked. "You've never mentioned them before, digadig." Todd and Rupert both shared a concerned look.

[My mom left when I was really young and my dad died in the car wreck that took away my voice,] Dina answered. [I live with my brother, Devin.] Rupert translated for her this time.

"I'm so sorry!" Pauleen's hands flew to her mouth. "I diga-didn't mean to-!"

"It's alright, Pauleen," Todd interrupted her. "There's no way you could have known."

[Rupert, Truth or Dare?] Dina grinned at her friend. Rupert wasn't sure whether to trust that smile or not.

"Dare." His fate was sealed, he knew that much. But if he was going down he was going to go down fighting.

[You have to kiss someone on the cheek,] Dina signed. [We-as in Todd, Pauleen and I-will choose who.] Rupert stared at her. How was he going to go down fighting with that dare? He thought he heard laughter within his mind, but decided it was just his imagination. Dina counted down and then she pointed at Todd but both Todd and Pauleen pointed at her.

"What!?" Todd yelped. "Why me!?"

[Because when we fought Lola earlier Rupert said he'd rather kiss you than go on a date with her!] Dina answered. She shot a furious look to Pauleen. [Dammit, Pauleen, you're supposed to be on my side!]

"All's fair in Truth or Dare, Dina!" Pauleen laughed. Rupert, meanwhile, was completely red-faced. He leaned in and gave Dina a quick peck on the cheek and the two flustered teens turned away from each other while their friends laughed.

"Ugh, Todd, truth or dare?" Rupert asked, shooting him a glare.

"Truth," Todd answered.

"Coward." Rupert stuck his tongue out at him. "Alright then, are you a heavy or light sleeper?" Todd tipped his head in thought.

"I think I'm a light sleeper-hey, wait a minute! Why do you want to know that?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "You better not be planning anything, Rupert!"

[You are not a light sleeper,] Dina signed. [You slept through an entire parade going down your street once!] Todd tried to shush her by grabbing her hands, but she grinned and slid away from him.

"Oh, fine then. Dina, truth or dare?"

[Dare,] She answered.

"I dare you to draw a mustache on your face," Todd grinned and pulled out a marker. Dina raised a brow before taking it and heading into the bathroom. Moments later she came back out with a curly mustache drawn on her face. The others all burst out laughing and her shoulders shook with a giggle of her own.

[Pauline, truth or dare?]

"Give me a diga-dare," She answered.

[You are now Christina for the rest of the game. You will be only referred to as Christina.] Dina signed.

"What kind of a diga-dare is that!?" Pauline huffed.

"Oh, come on, Christina, don't be so sour." Rupert grinned.

The game continued for some time before the group decided to switch to watching movies together. They drifted off to sleep at some point in the night. Rupert's back was pressed against the bed, Dina's head resting on his shoulder. Todd was fast asleep with his head in Rupert's lap while Pauleen slept on the bed one of her arms hanging off the side. For the first time since the tournament began, the four felt truly at peace.