A huge apology to everyone for not getting this out sooner! I've had this finished for a while, however things started happening in my personal life and I had to deal with that. Updates will be slower now due to health issues, but I will be getting them out as soon as I can. This may be the final chapter of the game, but the fanfiction is not nearly over just yet.

The Caliosteo Patrol team and Joe were all gathered in Joe's suite, waiting for news from the Staff members to see if they could get into the castle. Rupert stayed beside Dina, fretting over her as Pauline bandaged her leg. The staff members managed to contact Joe, but communications were cut by the storm Zongazonga had created around his castle. A heavy cloud of despair hung over the group.

You think they had to cannonball into the sea? Peak asked.

Peak, you're a genius! Dina cried out.

What?

[I've got an idea!] Dina signed. They all turned to her, eager to hear what she had to say. [Follow me!] She led the group back to Ribular Island and to the Fossil Lawn, stopping in front of the Fossil Cannon.

"You wanna use the Fossil Cannon to shoot yerself into the castle!?" Joe's jaw dropped.

"Dina," Todd said. "Dina, no."

[Dina, yes,] Dina shot back. [Do you have any other ideas?]

"That's fair," Todd sighed. "But seriously! You come up with some pretty crazy ideas, Dina."

"I'd say 'absolutely not' myself, but Dina's plans always end up working somehow," Rupert said.

"I doubt even some nasty storm cloud could stop you if we did this, diga!" Pauleen circled the cannon, grinning.

"Well, I s'pose it's possible." Joe had gotten over his shock. "But we still got a problem. See, this here Fossil Cannon was designed to fire rocks...not people. If we tried to fire ya out of it, ya'd be blown to kingdom come!"

"Then perhaps I can be of some assistance." The group all spun around as Rupert's father walked over.

"I've been...briefed on the situation, and I wish I could say the good of the world is my first concern," Rupert's father said as he stared down at his son who was currently a skull. "But in truth, I'm more concerned with retrieving the body of my son. I believe I can modify the cannon to fit your needs. Will you allow me to assist you?"

"Um, but, sir?" Todd squeaked. "Mr. FossilDig CEO? Are you sure you can modify it?"

"Of course I can," Rupert's father huffed. "I built the thing. I will make it so the cannon will be able to fire a person as easily as a fossil rock. However, time is short, it will need to be a rush job. I fear we'll only be able to launch a single person."

All eyes turned to Dina. She nodded. She was staring at Rupert's father like she wanted to hit him, but she knew that wouldn't do much to help.

"I will need some assistance with parts," Rupert's father said. "As well as people willing to do manual labor."

"Oh, woooow," someone said from behind them. "Like, we're toooootally skilled at labor." The group spun around yet again to see Cole, Lester and Lola walking towards them.

"What are ya'll doin' here?" Joe asked, his eyes wide.

"Like, when we found out that Don B was actually Joe Wildwest, it blew my miiiiind," Lola said. "You totally fooled us. It was a trip and a half, maaaan."

"Yeah, I was just comin' along because I liked breakin' stuff," Lester added. "I never knew there was a good reason for it!"

"Even I, the clever one, fell for your story." Cole nodded. "You're a sly dog, Joe Wildwest. I'll give you that." Joe hung his head in shame.

"I admit it," he said softly. "I used ya, and I lied to ya as well. And though my intentions were good, that ain't no excuse. I'm sorry."

"Hold the phone, boss!" Lester exclaimed. "Don't apologize! Apologizin's for suckers!"

"And we're not angry, you know?" Lola smiled up at Joe. "It was just, like, wooooah."

"You fooled us good, Joe, but that doesn't mean we hate you." Cole stepped forward. "I mean, look at us? You've got a vain hipster, a creepy rocker, and a ditzy hippie. Folks don't like us. They never have…at least, not until you came along." Lester and Lola nodded in agreement, though Lola seemed to be a little offended by being called ditzy.

"You took us in like a new drummer in a cover band," Lester said. "And that means you'll always be our boss!" Joe smiled at the three.

"Aw, shucks. Thanks ya'll," he said. "Well then, I guess we better get on with it. I want ya to gather the BB Brigade and give this feller whatever help he needs."

"Oh, me, me!" Todd raced over to join them. "I'll help too!" Pauleen grinned and hurried to stand beside him.

"Me too, digadig!"

Cole finally noticed Dina and he grinned, waving excitedly to her. Dina smiled and waved back at him. Cole's grin widened. Todd glanced over and said something to the others before he pulled Dina away.

"There's something I want to tell you," he said. "I...well, since the end of the world is sort of happening and we might not make it-not that I doubt you or anything-"

[Todd, don't beat around the bush,] Dina signed. Todd nodded and took a deep breath.

"I like you," he blurted out. "I mean, really like. Love, actually. I have for a long time now, but I never got the chance to tell you. But I've had this crush on Pauleen too! And Rupert's not so bad...Oh, geeze, I'm getting a crush on Rupert now too, ugh!" He let out a whine. Dina stared at him before she let out a silent laugh.

[It's okay, Todd, I feel the exact same way,] she signed. [I like you, Rupert and Pauleen too. Right now, let's just avoid all that awkwardness and leave it until after we save the world.]

"Right, good idea," Todd smiled. "I'll go help the others now!" He rushed back to the others.

"You should go get some rest." Joe walked over to her. "Ya'll've been through a whole lot today and you'll need to be at full strength before you fight ol' Zongazonga. You should get that wound of yours looked at too." Dina would have protested, but now that the excitement was over she was becoming more and more aware of how exhausted she was. She nodded and limped back to the Fighter Station.

~...~

The next morning Dina immediately went to the Fossil Cannon. By the time she got back they had just finished modifying it. Everyone looked tired, but they smiled at her and wished her luck. Rupert hopped into her pocket. She got into the cannon and braced herself.

Being shot out of a cannon was not fun and she did not want to do it again.

Dina managed to land on her feet and raced up to where Zongazonga was standing. His eyes narrowed.

"You are beginning to annoy me," he growled. "But your effort is too little and much too late, I'm afraid. I have already grown accustomed to this body. My former powers have all returned to me! Now I shall show you the true power of my sorcery! I will show you long-extinct dinosaurs from beyond time itself...the same dinosaurs that once terrified the puny humans of the Caliosteo Islands! I will show you undead dinosaurs born of the Stygian dark! Fallen dragons from a bygone age! Your master, the mighty sorcerer, compels you! LEt your dark bones be cloaked once more in flesh of hate! Rise now!" From the ground burst two horrifying creatures; an Elasmo and Tricera. However, they were deathly thin and their skin was sickly purple. Where their eyes should have been were burning fires of blue.

"What are those things?" Rupert questioned, staring at them in horror.

"Zombiesaurs, of course," Zongazonga grinned. "Let's see how you do against your dear friend as well." He changed into Rupert's battle form, leaping in front of the Zombiesaurs with a twisted grin on his face. Dina froze.

"Dina, it's alright," Rupert told her. "If you defeat my battle form then he'll revert back to either my human or Dinaurian form. Don't hold back." Dina hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. She sent out Mayrah, Riptide and Peak.

The Z-Elasmo slammed into Riptide while Zongazonga leaped on to help it. The Z-Tricera locked horns with Riptide. Mayrah tried to grab the Z-Tricera, bit it darted out of her way. The Z-Elasmo rammed into Peak while Zongazonga and the Z-Tricera continued their attack on Riptide. Riptide let out a furious snort and shoved the Z-Tricera away. It scurried over to Peak and focused its attack on him instead. Zongazonga snarled and bit down on Mayra's leg. She slapped him away with her tail, right into Riptide. Riptide flung Zongazonga away and he reverted back into Rupert's dinaurian form. Dina let out a sigh of relief as she saw him glare at her. The Z-Elasmo and Z-Tricera managed to take out Peak. However, Riptide charged into the Z-Tricera, shoving it right off the castle. Mayrah bit down on the Z-Elasmo, which tried to attack Riptide. Riptide, however, wasn't having any of it and tossed it off the castle to join the Z-Tricera in the ocean.

Furious by the loss, Zongazonga leaped from Rupert's body. The skull began to transform and grow, turning into a huge Vivosaur with huge bony arms. By his side stood two Z-Rexes. Dina took a terrified step back, but Mayrah turned and nodded to her. Peak was still a little too weak to battle, so Dina sent out the Tophis instead.

Surprisingly, Riptide charged first, slamming into Zongazonga and sending him skidding back. Mayrah bit down on the neck of a Z-Rex and the Tophis gave her a burst of energy. Zongazonga sent a powerful cry their way. Mayrah and Riptide charged into him. The Z-Rex hit them with a powerful wave of fire, poisoning Mayrah. A Z-Rex bit down on her tail. Mayrah and Riptide focused on Zongazonga, taking him out. The two Z-Rexes roared at the group, but they would not stop. With a flick of her wing, Mayrah took out the first Z-Rex. The other managed to defeat her, but the Tophis curled itself around the Z-Rex's neck as Riptide charged into it. It went down.

WE WON! The excited roars echoed within Dina's mind from all over. She realized that it was more than just her vivosaurs; the vivosaurs from all over the islands, from all the Fighters, were cheering. Their voices carried over the minds of their Fighters to others and Dina could hear the distant roars of the excited crowds as they cheered for the end of Zongazonga.

Zongazonga roared and thrashed until he was back to being a skull.

"Even my...final spell...failed," he gasped. "Wh-why? Where do you get this power?" Rupert shakily stood up and turned to the defeated skull.

"My friend loves Fossil Battles," he said. "But she loves her vivosaurs even more. She treats them as equals-as family-and they respond to this affection and give their all to Dina's cause."

"Impossible!" Zongazonga snarled at them. "Some pathetic, mewling child won the hearts of these ancient creatures? Is that what makes a Fossil Fighter? I don't understand! I don't understand any of this!" The skull began to crack, light exploding from within it. In moments, it had completely shattered. Rupert turned to Dina, a huge smile on his face.

"It's over," he said. "Thank you. Without you, I'd still just be a bouncing skull."

[Without me you wouldn't have been a skull in the first place,] Dina signed. Rupert laughed and shook his head.

"I wouldn't be happy without you," he told her. "If becoming a bouncing skull is what it takes to be your friend, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat." She smiled at him, but their joy faded as the ground beneath them began to crumble

[The castle is collapsing!]

Without even thinking, Rupert raced over and grabbed her, opening his wings. He cried out in pain and was forced to fold them.

"That damn sorcerer healed my wing for only himself," he snarled. "I can't fly." A shadow fell over them and a Ptera landed in front of them.

"The rescue team is here!" Todd announced from on the back of the vivosaur. Pauleen smiled down at them and held out her hand.

Rupert and Dina climbed onto the vivosaur and they flew away from the castle as it fell back into the sea. Dina watched it crumble, only turning her head away when she felt Rupert's hand on hers.

"Let's agree to never diga-do anything like this again," Pauleen said.

"Agreed," replied the others.

~...~

After their return, Joe was on the Mammoth Vision screen, telling everyone of how Dina had saved the fossil park. Dina, of course, was terrified of being on TV, but Rupert, Pauleen and Todd managed to cheer her up enough for her to step in front of the camera. She took a deep breath and walked over with her friends by her side. She didn't really pay much attention until Joe said something that startled everyone in the room.

"...and so I give the park to her," Joe had said. "Now, I know it warn't me who promised the park, but it came from my body, so I feel partially responsible. And besides, I can't think of a better way to express my gratitude for all ya did. Yer gonna be a right fine park owner Dina. I know it." He placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

"Digadig!" Pauleen was hopping in excitement. "I can't diga-believe it! Diga-Dina's the owner of the park, digadig!"

"I think she's earned it," Rupert chuckled.

But Dina shook her head.

[Joe, I can't accept the park,] she signed. [You're the one who gave us the dream of Fossil Fighting. You're the one who has inspired countless of people all over to follow their dreams. Without you, I wouldn't have made such wonderful friends. I probably wouldn't even be a Fossil Fighter. You should keep the park so that you can continue to inspire people.]

"Well, shucks, Dina…" Joe smiled and nodded. "All right. Ya twisted my arm, so I'll stay on as the owner. And now that we've wrangled that out, I've got another announcement to make! This here tournament was a great success, in spite'a it being set up by some evil witch doctor. But while I was Don Boneyard, I did my best to mess it up, and I feel right shameful for it. So sometime soon, I plan on holdin' a second Caliosteo Cup! And it's gonna be the biggest, baddest, rootinest-tootinest tournament ever! So I want ya'll to get ready for the Caliosteo Super Cup! Yer gonna enter, right, Dina? Wouldn't be the same without ya…"

[I will enter,] Dina signed. [On one condition; I want to keep the Caliosteo Patrol Team alive. I want Rupert, Todd, Pauleen and I to continue watching over the park, but I also want Lester, Lola and Cole in it as well. They deserve it.]

"To be quite honest, the staff and I could definitely use the help with keepin' the park runnin'," Joe admitted. "When I was Don Boneyard, I noticed that the Staff were strugglin' to fight us and keep the park runnin' correctly. At first I thought it might have been the staff bein' too small, but then I saw that the staff is a fine size and we don't need anymore people in it; what we needed were some people who could take care of problems like the BB Brigade. I think yer little Patrol Team is exactly what this park needs. I'll even spread the idea 'round to all the other Fossil Parks out there so they can have their own Patrol Teams! And 'course the BB Brigade Commanders will be welcome onto the team if they want to join it. Yee-haw! Now let's get this world'a dinos and dreams its biggest adventure yet!"

Dina glanced over at her friends and smiled at them. Maybe now they could have a little bit of peace.

~...~

Deep within the heart of the jungle, a being sat upon the cliff. His black cloak waved with the breeze and the hood covered his dark blue-almost black-hair, shielding his face from the eyes of any nosey travelers. Then again, there wasn't much of a point in that considering how no one came down this way most of the time.

He stretched, flopping back onto the ground with a satisfied hum, eyes closing as if he was planning on taking a nap. However, that nap would have to be postponed. A shadow fell over him.

"What are you doing?"

He opened an eye, the pinkish-purple iris glowing against the black sclera in the darkness of the shadow. Above him stood a being that appeared to be a dinaurian. Her feathers were ruffled by the breeze and her lips pressed tightly together in a frown.

She was an odd sight to behold. She didn't seem entirely natural, and yet at the same time she did; a golden stripe ran down each side from the tip of her nose, past her eyes, down her flanks and to her tail where the two lines met together. It separated the dark violet marking that ran along from the top of her muzzle, down her head and neck and all the way to the middle of the tail where the gold stripe kept it caged, separated from the pale blue-violet that painted the rest of her body. Her claws were that same golden color as the stripe while the feathers that grew from her arm like a pair of miniature wings were the same dark violet of her back.

What was the strangest thing about her were the five clumps of sharpened feathers that grew from her back like spikes, starting off small but getting bigger and then getting smaller again. They were smoothed down, barely even noticeable, at that current moment.

"Hello, Scylla," the boy greeted the newcomer in a friendly manner, grinning up at her. The dinaurian was not amused with him and she bared her teeth at him.

"Stop avoiding my question," she growled.

"I'm just enjoying the view," the boy stood up, brushing a few stray leaves off his cloak. "No need to be rude, D-001 Version 2, I'm just relaxing."

"Call me that again and I'll live up to my name." Scylla's tail lashed irritably. She turned her gaze to the sound of the cheering crowd. "What will you do about that?"

"About what?" The boy questioned.

"He's fallen," Scylla replied. "His kingdom has crumbled for the last time. He'll never be seen again. So what will you do about it?"

The boy's eyes sparked with a sadistic ambition for just a moment before the light died away. He shrugged and turned his back to the Dinaurian, looking up as a flock of birds flew overhead. He smiled up at them in silent wonder.

"Nothing," he hummed. "I am not him, nor will I ever be. I am my own person now and, quite honestly, I could not care less for what happens to him. It would be nice to meet the one who defeated him, though. Perhaps we should pay them a little visit?"