The Fossil and the Bones is a side quest in Mario & Luigi: Brothership that can be started on Allsand Island after completing Offandon Island. Read on for a full walkthrough of The Fossil and the Bones, including its location, unlock requirements, and rewards.

The Fossil and the Bones Location and Unlock Requirements

The Fossil and the Bones Side Quest
There's a reward for the bones of a Sharkbone from Allsand Island. Only the brave need apply for this battle.
Unlock Requirements	Complete Offandon Island
Quest Start Location	Allsand Island

Unlocked After Completing Offandon Island

After you complete Offandon Island, you will be able to find this side quest on Allsand Island. Talk to the Violet Concordian west of the Island in order to start The Fossil and the Bones.

If this side quest doesn’t appear for you after you return to Shipshape Island from Offandon Island, you may need to progress the story a little bit.

Story Walkthrough

Recommended to Be Level 41

This side quest involves defeating enemies to complete it. It is recommended to have Mario and Luigi to be at least level 41 to easily complete this quest.

The Fossil and the Bones Walkthrough

The Fossil and the Bones Quest Objectives
Talk to the Violet NPC Defeat a Sharkbone Show the Sharkbone Bone to the Quest Giver

Talk to the Violet NPC

Upon arriving at Allsand Island, head to the western section of land connected by a flower bridge near the blue entrance pipe. Tilt your R Stick down to roll into a Bro Ball and cross the quicksand, heading northwest.

It’s better to go to the quest giver through this south path rather than using the green pipe shortcut in the north, since that path is infested with Sharkbones. Talk to the violet-colored NPC once you see them in order to start the quest.

How to Unlock All Bros. Moves

Defeat a Sharkbone

Sharkbone Tips
Use the Protectus and Auto 1-Up Plugs Equip the Risk-Reward Gloves Use Bros. Attacks for more damage Dodge and counter all attacks

If you’ve been fleeing from Sharkbones during your whole playthrough, well, that’s a smart decision since their attacks can automatically knock out the brothers if they get hit. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid fighting them now if you want to complete this quest.

Once you’re ready, encounter one of the Sharkbones to the north. Take note that if the battle takes too long, the Sharkbones may flee, preventing you from defeating them and getting the Sharkbone Bone for the quest.

Use the Protectus and Auto 1-Up Plugs

Battle Plug	Effect
Protectus	Reduces the damage you suffer from enemies to 0.
Auto 1-Up	When one of the brothers is KO'd, automatically uses a 1-Up Mushroom.

If you’re not confident about your dodging and countering, it is highly recommended to only do this quest once you have access to the Protectus Battle Plug.

This can negate any amount of damage you take from enemies, but it only has three charges and can only be obtained late into the game. You can rely on 1-Up Mushrooms and the Auto 1-Up plug once it runs out of charges, or you can use the Charge Bank plug for extra charges.

If you don’t want to wait until the late game to finish this quest, you can instead equip the Easy-Peasy Counters plug to help you stay alive.

List of Battle Plugs

Equip the Risk-Reward Gloves

Gear	Effect
Risk-Reward Gloves	Increases POW and SPEED by 30%, but you are KO'd if you take damage. JUMP x1.3; HAMMER x1.3; SPEED x1.3

Since getting hit by a Sharkbone can KO Mario and Luigi anyway, it would be best to equip the Risk-Reward Gloves as their accessories for some stat boosts.

The Risk-Reward Gloves will be available in Billdit’s workshop and obtained as a reward after completing his request for it. However, this item seems to only be available if Billdit is the one manning the workshop on Shipshape Island. If you have Maykit instead, you may need to rely on another accessory.

Craft Some Risk-Reward Gloves Side Quest

Use Bros. Attacks for More Damage

It’s best to use your strongest attacks to deal with the Sharkbones so that you can defeat them before they run away. Use your strongest Bros. Attacks to damage the Sharkbones and hopefully end the battle sooner rather than later.

List of All Bros. Attacks

Dodge and Counter All Attacks

Getting hit by a Sharkbone attack can instantly knock out Mario and Luigi, so make sure to dodge or counter all of their attacks. For detailed information on all Sharkbone attacks, check out this guide:

Sharkbone Dodge and Counter Strategies

Show the Sharkbone Bone to the Quest Giver

Once you defeat a Sharkbone and get the Sharkbone Bone dropped item, go back to the violet-colored NPC on the cliff. Talk to him to show the bone and complete the quest.

The Fossil and the Bones Rewards

Max Mushroom and Ultra Candy

Reward	Description
Max Mushroom x1	Restores 200 HP
Ultra Candy x2	Restores HP and BP by 70%.

Upon showing the Sharkbone Bone to the quest giver, you will be rewarded with a Max Mushroom and two pieces of Ultra Candy.

How to Heal and Restore Health

Sharkbone Bone

Item	Effect
Sharkbone Bone	A bone obtained from a Sharkbone. There's no real point in keeping it.

You obtain a Sharkbone Bone through this quest. It can’t really be used for anything other than completing this quest, but it can be sold at a high price.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership Related Guides

All Side Quest Locations

Lushgreen Sea Side Quests

Coming Home	The Hammer Fan
An Invitation to the Spa	Arc's Secret
Craft a First-Round Belt	Craft a Luck Charm
Craft Some Battle-Ready Gloves	Craft Some Battle-Wary Gloves
Spiralia's New Creation	A Mother's Worries
Investigate the Abductions!	-

Color-Full Sea Side Quests

Zokket's Schemes	Back to IDLE's Roots
Little Lost Toad	A Vision in Pink
Craft a Repeater Belt	Craft Some Roulette Gloves
It's Dorrie!	More Than One Code
Stepped into a Slump	Craft Some Groove Boots
Letter from a Drifting Island	Monster Mania: Level 1
The Left-Behind Toad	The Courier

Brrrning Sea Side Quests

Ultra-Sweet, Super-Rich Cake	The Runaway Son
Guardian Spirit	Monster Mania: Level 2
Toad in the Sand	Frostbitten Toads
Fear of Glohm	A Big Debate
Craft Some Risk-Reward Gloves	Gorumbla Gone Good
Glohm Gobblick	-

Gulchrock Sea Side Quests

Craft Some Validation Gloves	The Fossil and the Bones
Leyden's Piscine PR Plans	Separated
Technikki's Past	A Dear Friend
The Empty Nests	Missing Ring
Toads Undercover	Warms You Inside and Out
Feelings of Dread	Glohm Sharpcask

Stormstar Sea

The Lonely Great Conductor	Treasure-Hunting Brothers
How's Bowser's Health?	Dueling Geniuses
Craft Some Capricious Gloves	Monster Mania: Level 3
Monster Mania: Level 4	Monster Mania: Level 5
Glohm Pipegunk	Cozette's Decision
Craft Some Amped Gloves	-