Moderator

Continuing on through the area towards her fated meeting among the waves, her blustery wind and rainstorm seemed to have some longer reaching consequences than just in that last fight (for the viruses). Everything was a mess, from the deep patches of sea water scattered about in various formations, be it small pools to the much larger "sea" of panels towards the back of the area from her perspective in the north. Though a piercing screech could be heard in the distance, before a large bird of prey could come zooming down towards Lyntael's level, the navi ducking out of the way just in time to avoid the razor sharp claws that nearly grabbed the electrifying dancer.

Though she didn't get much of a reprieve as the bird came back around at lightning speeds, settling in front of her as it flapped it's giant wings, gusts of wind nearly knocking Lyn back from their slow, but powerful beats. The razor sharp claws flexing in front of her at eye level, their tips serrated like knives...and spots of leftover data clinging to them. With another screech, the bird summoned up a trio of viruses to fight alongside it. Emerging to the east and shaking off the mud that clung to it, another of her bounty, the Shellnerd would make itself known, whilst to the North-East, a similar appearance of a virus with a ninja motif would come crawling out of the mud, a small creature on two legs, a headband adorning it's head and in place of hands, two large knives known as Kunai would cling to either side of it. But behind the giant bird virus, known as the TinHawk, a crab-like virus bubbled up from a nearby body of sea water, tiny with two disproportionately sized claws, the crab would summon a cyclone of water beneath it and carrying it up to eye level with Lyntael.

Flashing on the PET, Rogan would see the TinHawk would be identified as a Metavirus. Battle Routines setting in, it was up to Lyntael to execute.

-- Viruses --
SwirlySwirly (Whirly)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 140
Attack Damage/Effect: 40 Aqua x 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Tries to spin into you along a boomerang shaped path.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AquaWhirl2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes. Cannot fly into high altitude.: 140 HP (Sea) (Behind the shadow of the TinHawk)
TinHawk V4TinHawk V4 (TinHawk)

TinHawk is a combination of the Fishy, Genin, and Typhoon viruses. It appears to be a large, dark brown bird, with razor sharp wings and short but thick legs and feet. As one might expect, it prefers to attack by swooping in and overwhelming foes with its size, repeatedly tearing foes with its claws, and by creating mighty gusts of wind with its wings. But it does have yet another trick for the unwary...

Area: All

HP: 580
Element: Null

Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Impact + Piercing + Line Attack(5)
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Swoops down and through a straight path.

Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: (25 Null x 3 Hits) + Homing + NorthWind + Wind Type
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Creates a small whirlwind that hunts down its target. Blows away barriers and auras on contact.

Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null x 9 hits + Slashing
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Flies down to a target, and repeatedly claws the foe with its powerful talons.

Special: OmniShoes
Special: SuperArmor: Immunity to Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and similar effects.
Special: Once per turn, this virus can counter a BattleChip with a ranged version of its Tertiary Attack as a free action.

Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack2, Kunai2, Hurricane, HawkCut2, NorthWind, Zenny: 580 HP (Omnishoes) (Near-ish to Lyntael, on her left)
Genin2Genin2 (Genin)

Area: Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 140
Attack: 70 Null + Slashing + Group Attack (MoonBlade) / 10 Null + Slashing x 7 Attacks x 2 Targets (Kunai)
Attack Accuracy: B / B
Attack Description: Counter attacks with either a spinning cut or a volley of Kunai.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Kunai2, MoonBlade2, Zenny
Special: This virus does not initiate attacks on it's own.
- Seeks cover behind objects when not attacking.
- If no objects are present, this viruses evasion is enhanced.
- Counters Battlechip use with Kunai once per turn.
- Counters Buster use with MoonBlade once per turn.
- Counters Sig Attack use with either Kunai, or Moonblade once per turn.: 140 HP (Mud) (To the North-West, roughly within a movement's worth of distance)
Shellnerd EXShellnerd EX (ShellGeek)

Shellgeeks alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions Shellgeeks may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. Shellgeeks will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. The secondary attack of Shellgeeks can be used to grant an ally of this virus a free movement, or even to knock an ally out of the path of an oncoming attack.

Area: Yoka, Sharo, Beach, Okuden Valley

HP: 160
Primary Attack Damage/Effects: 25 Null x 2 Spears
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Fires two spears at one target.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effects: 50 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Fires a star tipped arrow. Can be used on an ally to move them. Causes no damage to allies.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TripleNeedle, StarArrow2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Attacks every other action. IronBody when not attacking.: 160 HP (Mud) (Towards the Eastern area of the field, but still within feint distance)

-- Navis --
Lyntael.EXE: 340 HP (Mud) (Roughly in the center of the area, more towards the south)

-- Terrain --
45% Sea

• Fire Elementals lose 10 HP/action standing, 20 HP/action submerged. Other Non-Aqua Elementals lose 5 HP/action submerged. Nullified for Aqua Elementals.
• Ice attacks: 50% Freeze1 chance, Changes terrain hit to Ice.
• Terrain changes between Sea and Onsen do not inflict damage upon submerged entities, nor do they eject submerged entities to the surface.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua.

(Smaller patches scattered about, with a much larger area in the North)
55% Mud

• Non-Wood Elementals get -10% Evasion penalty and reduced movement speed, 25% (+/-25% RP) chance to fall or get stuck (1 action to get free).
• Automatically triggers Aqua Boost for appropriate chip attacks.
• Wood attacks: Change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood + Slow1.

(Roughly the rest of the area, bleeding into the sea)

-- Rogue Battle 14 Ready? Start!! --

Seafoam returned fire at the aggressive Bunny while she requested her chips, but just as the virus' own ring attack had missed her initially, so Sefoam's retaliatory wave wasn't swift enough to prevent the Bunny hopping out of the way before it was hit.

The chips arrived moments later and her shockwave thundered across the ground, tearing up the bush that one of the shrubby viruses was hiding behind and battering the creature itself as it passed. In startled hast,e the virus drew itself up and spat a wide rolling log of wood towards Seafoam, covering its trail as it then dashed away to hide behind one of the narrow trees instead. The log missed its target, halting with a dull thud against a different tree while Seafoam herself was forced to dodge away from another shocking electrical ring launched from the bunny's ears.

Her shotgun blast managed to rip apart the second bush and eliminate the Second shrubby as well, just before it could teleport out to attack her, leaving just two targets on the field arrayed against her.

-=Woodland Critters =-
BunnyBunny (Bunny)

Bunny viruses move by hopping. They are adept at jumping, and can reach higher terrain or hop onto objects with ease. They are also very good at dodging, and are treated as having Haste (+10%) for Evasion purposes only at all times. Omega Bunny has double Haste (+20%). These effects cannot be removed except by Glitch. They attack by launching a ZapRing from their ears.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges.: 50Hp [Normal][About a movement ahead of Seafoam directly ahead]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame. A: 10Hp [Grass][Behind Narrow Tree A]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame. B: DELETED

-=ACDC Ranger =-
Seafoam.Exe: 110Hp [Normal]

-=Wooded Outskirts =-
60% Normal

• No effects.

Most of the area
40% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

Much to the side to Seafoam's Left

-=Objects=-
Narrow Tree A: 40Hp [WoodBody] Directly left of Seafoam
Narrow Tree B: 40Hp [WoodBody] Forward and right of Seafoam, near the Bunny
Shrub A: DELETED
Shrub B: DELETED
GMD: 15Hp [Glittering faintly in the branches of Narrow Tree A]

At the sound of Delta's voice talking to his operator, he might notice one of the other navi's lapin ears twitch slightly, though the rest of her posture remained unchanged. It wasn't until he deliberately spoke up and called out that the smaller navi twisted around on her bar stool and appraised Delta with a grin.

“Heya!” Her head tilted slightly as she looked him up and down with a quick glance then waved for him to come over and take a seat at her table. “Delta, right? Come on over, sit down. Have a drink, it's on me. They've got all sorts of things here, even ones that can simulate real alcohol for navis! Though maybe stay away from those if we're going to be working. I think I waaaaant...” Her finger traced over the digital menu on the table and something seemed to complain with a mild code-static protest as she selected a different brightly coloured fruit drink. Her voice certainly sounded like a match for the mission brief he'd received, which she confirmed a moment later.

“I'm Prosopopoeia... but folks who think I'm cute call me Prose.” Here she winked at him with a small giggle, then clapped as her drink appeared on the table in front of her with a small digital flourish. If Delta chose to look at the drink on offer at the bar, he'd find all manner of traditional beach-side affair – cocktails and mocktails, fruit drinks, harder drinks, all the way through to the always appropriate 'drink-served-in-coconut-with-umbella'. Whatever he picked, if he picked anything, would arrive a few moments later, just as Prose's drink had.

“So!” The bunny girl sipped her drink then stretched her arms above her head as though she were maybe thinking about getting to business. “You're after a support core, right? I can whip you up one of those no problem, but rules are rules, and I'm going to have to get your help with some stuff first. There're things I need to look into here and sort out, but there's a bunch of ancillary elements to it all, and you can help out in a bunch of different ways. Really just depends on the kind of work you're looking to do.” She took another sip of her drink and smirked again “And no, skiving off on the beach and chatting up cute navis up at the CO end of the resort isn't really an option.” She arched an eyebrow briefly. “Though if that's your thing we might have options. I'm guessing not though...” Her amused expression settle back to a relaxed calm. “So, what kind of mission were you hoping to do?”

The cafe they were in still remained devoid of morning drinkers, but the sounds of various other resort-goers enjoying the other facilities further along the beach was really enough to make work feel unappealing... Alas, Delta was still here to earn a reward after all. Maybe there would be some time for resort-side relaxing along the way.

==

((Basically, feel free to let me know the kind of mission you'd like to do – if you want a more roleplay focused mission, dealing with NPCs socially, solving problems and the like, that's an option, as is a more combat or conflict focused one where you'll need to fight. It also doesn't need to be all one or the other; whatever inspires you and you think you'll find fun ^.^ ))

Lyntael stood amidst the falling rain and felt the charge thrumming beneath her skin, straining to be used and setting her body alight with warmth and pressure, but as she felt the storm rumble overhead and the wind curling about her form at the centre of it, the sense of calm remained. She looked around, almost dreamlike for a moment, as the remaining viruses fled and let a ripple of stabilising sparks scatter from her gently. The strain of her charge faded as she let them go and Lyntael turned her head towards the clouds, eyes closed and feeling the rain on her face. It was strange, in a way; now, as she had never really understood before, she could feel the serenity in the storm as well as its force and violence. With another long breath in and out again, she let the feeling go. Far above, the rain slowed and stopped then a break formed in the clouds to let fresh sunlight fall across her. Swiftly then, the clouds began to break away and before long the whole event seemed to be returning to the network's normal weather patterns.

The girl inclined her head and stretched slowly with fluid, graceful motions as she enjoyed the sunlight as much as she had appreciated the rain. It would feel better if she wasn't wearing a full body suit like she was, and the urge to feel the warmth of the sun across more of her skin swelled in her mind, but Lyntael relaxed all the same and began gathering the retrievable date over another few careful moments.

It didn't take long before she had gathered what she could, converting it to a slim green string of data that twisted up around her arm then faded from sight as she sent it across the link back to Rogan's PET. The thought gave her pause for a moment. A shift in her thinking and feeling... The device was Rogan's, really – it was how he communicated with her and how they exchanged data, but... As she sent off the last of the data, Lyntael glanced down at the centre of her own chest. The emblem she had once borne, an integral part of her being and the core element that represented so much about who she had been... was gone now. Shattered and destroyed, but yet she wasn't any less for it. If anything she was more herself now than she had ever been.

As she began to walk forward from the battle site, picking her steps in small skipping jumps between the lingering puddles, Lyntael let her thoughts explore what she was feeling. The PET was where her home was, but it was just that; a place she lived and space she'd made herself comfortable in... important to her, but no intrinsic part of her. She really did think of the device as Rogan's rather than hers, now. It was a peculiar realisation.

“Are we close to the target location, Rogan? I think I can see where I might be trying to get to, now, if that's where the co-ordinates are leading.” She hoped the rocky outcrop she'd been steadily heading towards was indeed their final destination for today. As much as she had protected herself well, Lyntael could still feel the strain and fatigue of the day's trek building up on her. Minor scrapes and bruises were starting to ache beneath her new suit and even refreshed by the rain and the wind and the sun that gave her joy, she was definitely feeling tired now. A cup of tea, something to eat, and a chance to curl up in her bed with something to read were all sounding like extremely appealing prospects... and that was without the time she knew she ought to take to really process through some of the other events of the day, and the feelings about those that she was putting to the back of her mind for now. Rogan's voice answered back after only a short moment.

“Not too far now, Lyntael. If you continue at your current pace, you should reach the supposed co-ordinates in another few minutes or so.” She nodded at his assessment, then murmured a small affirmation to him as she pressed on along the coastline. It might have been mostly a day of sorting herself out mentally, but it had definitely been a long day of physical testing as well, intended or not.

((Ready for Battle 14))

Looks good, you're approved. Make sure to add it to your signature and update your sig point pool accordingly ^.^

Upon opening the map, Seafoam found that it wasn't simply a site-map of the local ACDC area, but rather a catalogue of the peculiar and strange adventure that the group of metools had been on, the many distant places they had wandered, and the frightening and sometimes baffling trials they had overcome on their trek. Each little mark on the map seemed to contain the idea of a place, and a log of script beside, though it was all in unintelligible viral garble, to Seafoam. Even so, it seemed as though the little trio of mets had been wandering for a long time before they had happened upon Seafoam on their way back home. It felt almost like... if she tried, she might be able to experience some of the other legs of their journey, if she connected with the code of the map itself...

Before she could reach any kind of decision on this score, the navi was forced to tuck the thought away for later as a crackling electric ring sizzled across the space of her peripheral and gave her just enough time to jump back from the stunning blast before it hit her. The trio of metools were beginning to wander away with enthusiastic waves and happy 'meeps', now that they were in their home territory – though she could probably still catch up with them if she wanted to say more... but first, Seafoam would have to deal with some far less friendly viral entities in the small stretch of wooded greenery she'd wandered into while glancing at the map. Not far from her, a wide-eyed bunny virus hopped back and forth, trying to line up another shot while the metal prongs of its ears crackled with fresh sparks. The surrounding space had a few trees, and a number of low bushes making cover for one... no two shrubby viruses that peeked out from the ground cover with similarly aggressive intent.

-=Woodland Critters =-
BunnyBunny (Bunny)

Bunny viruses move by hopping. They are adept at jumping, and can reach higher terrain or hop onto objects with ease. They are also very good at dodging, and are treated as having Haste (+10%) for Evasion purposes only at all times. Omega Bunny has double Haste (+20%). These effects cannot be removed except by Glitch. They attack by launching a ZapRing from their ears.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec + Stun1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Hops around randomly before lining up a shot and firing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ZapRing1, Zenny
Special: Slightly better dodges.: 50Hp [Normal][About a movement ahead of Seafoam and to her right]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame. A: 50Hp [Grass][Behind Shrub A, Ahead and left of Seafoam by a short distance]
ShrubbyShrubby (Shrubby)

Shrubby viruses take cover when they are not attacking. Shrubby viruses teleport from behind cover when attacking, but never at any other time. If there is nothing on the field to use as cover against an enemy, and the only other viruses on the field are Shrubbies or viruses that cannot provide cover against attacks, they will stop attacking and attempt to flee starting next turn. Later versions of the Shrubby virus carry rockcube chip data, and will use that to make new cover when none is available.

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Wood + Ground Attack + Attack Target Pair
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Rolls a 10 HP log at opponent. The log is 2 panels wide, and can cross broken or missing terrain if only one of the two panels it crosses is broken or missing. This attack can hit up to two side-by-side targets, and can stop direct incoming attacks, but is stopped by objects.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RollingLog1, Zenny
Special: If the Ring Log falls into Sea Terrain, it will remain there and float as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers two panels.
Special: If the Ring Log strikes an object, it will remain there as a 10 HP Wood Element object that covers 2 panels.
Special: If the Ring Log crosses a Lava Panel, it will burst into flame. B: 50Hp [Grass][Behind Shrub B, Behind and left of Seafoam by a short distance]

-=ACDC Ranger =-
Seafoam.Exe: 110Hp [Normal]

-=Wooded Outskirts =-
60% Normal

• No effects.

Most of the area
40% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

Much to the side to Seafoam's Left

-=Objects=-
Narrow Tree A: 40Hp [WoodBody] Directly left of Seafoam
Narrow Tree B: 40Hp [WoodBody] Forward and right of Seafoam, near the Bunny
Shrub A: 20Hp [WoodBody] Ahead and left of Seafoam by a short distance
Shrub B: 20Hp [WoodBody] Behind and left of Seafoam by a short distance
GMD: 15Hp [Glittering faintly in the branches of Narrow Tree A]

-=Battle 2, Start!=-

Emerging from the dark cave and into the broad, clear sunlight of the well-kept ACDC network, Seafoam and her troupe were greeted with a setting that seemed calm and safe by comparison to their other encounters so far today. The cave itself was tucked away by a blind rocky outcrop on the shaded side of a low hill, one of several small rises dotted about a space that looked like mostly flat parkland. The ground had the look and feel of short, soft grass, though a quick inspection showed that this was purely cosmetic; the panels underneath remained a stable, neutral 'normal'. Trees poked up from the landscape here and there, most of them in small ringed beds as though they'd been placed deliberately as part of some wider beautification project. In the distance to one side, a narrow river seemed to run between well-formed banks.

Here and there were signs of the network's welcoming and quaint design - a bench by the river, a walking trail between the trees, and far off in the distance from where she emerged, Seafoam could make out the signs of more structured civilisation beginning to take shape in the form of more regimented paths and lots. One way or another, they had definitely made it safely to the ACDC network - not too close to established network paths, so her entourage was probably safe for now.

Behind her, there was a small scattering of excited 'Meep's as the met trio edged out into the light and looked around, clearly relieved to see a network they recognised. The group seemed like they were about to wander off, now that they were as close to 'home' as a metool virus could get, but the map-wielding met stepped up close to Seafoam and she felt a small tug to get her attention. It held its map up towards her in a neatly rolled bundle and gave a bright 'Meep!' as it tried to give the rolled map to her, its eyes making small happy arches as it did.

The WineGlass private beach resort stretched along a gently arcing curve of beach that made a sheltered bay in a secluded area of the beach net. Sparkling blue waters met glittering white sands that in turn transitioned into shady tropical trees that gave the hinted suggestion of hidden lagoons and beautiful natural walking trails.

The resort itself nestled in the central section of the bay's curve, a scattering of various amenities, cafes, restaurants, shops and other beach-side comforts, while it rose to luxurious private accommodations amidst the trees further inland. Between the main resort buildings and the beach itself, a sheltered area also housed several pools and spas set up to give good view of the beach and the bay without the worry of sand or tides.

Out on the bay, a number of small pleasure-craft drifted or sailed back and forth, chartered by vacationing navis while the beach itself was strewn with beach umbrellas, lounges, volleyball nets and marked areas for other beach games. There was a partition part way down the beach, with some signage on it that seemed to divide one area of relaxation from another, though one would need to get closer to read what the division was all about.

The resort was modestly busy with various navis enjoying the space, and the sun was out and shining bright on the mid-morning setting while a gentle breeze drifted from one end of the cove to another, just enough to refresh and rustle the leaves on the trees.

Delta would arrive at the designated co-ordinates on the southern end of the beach just at the edge of the resort grounds, directly by the entrance to one of the open-air cafes that the complex housed - the cafe looked to be unstaffed – likely menu purchases were delivered automatically and charged to resort customer accounts. This one appeared to be empty of morning guests, save for a single other navi quietly sipping a fruity-coloured drink as she looked out at the shoreline with her back to where Delta would arrive.

At first it might be easy to mistake her for a child navi – her form was slight and small, and her feet clearly didn't reach anywhere close to the ground from the high stool she was perched on; if she were standing, she'd be maybe three feet tall at best, barely reaching Delta's hip. Long rabbit-like ears that lay back in a relaxed state gave her a few more inches, if one were feeling generous. Height aside, she was covered in a very short, soft coat of pure white fur and a glance at her profile showed her face to bear other similarly lapin features. She was wearing a dark red swim-suit made of a side-hitch bikini bottom with a tailored back clasp for what looked very much like a small tufted rabbit tail, and a narrow chest band up top that, given her build, didn't have much it needed to support and was just there for modesty. A small pair of stylised wings were picked out in silver thread against the red fabric on either side of the back-hitch.

Given that the navi seemed to be the only person present at this particular cafe, and the likelihood that her small frame might match the voice he'd heard in the mission brief, it seemed reasonable to guess that this navi was probably Delta's client, though she didn't seem to have noticed him yet if he wanted to slip away and do any other recon before engaging with her.

With just one foe remaining for now, Seafoam launched an attack that took advantage of her target's heightened elevation, striking it from above with a barrage of aqua needles while its attention was still focused downwards. With less time to react to the unexpected attack, the bat was pummelled into submission before it could drop back down, leaving Seafoam and her charges free to continue their exit from the cave.

Beside her the formerly-fearful metool seemed to let out a breath and relax again before wandering back to convene with the other two. The map-wielding met took the lead once more, falling in line behind Seafoam while the sculptor gave a few more careful chisels on his its project – a stalagmite now artfully turned into what looked like a metool wearing a pointed safety cone instead of its normal helmet – and trailed along behind the others.

-=Cavern Cravens=-
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. A: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. B: DELETED
PulseBatPulseBat (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar1, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. C: DELETED

-=Hopefully Home=-
Map-Wielding Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Behind Seafoam]
Sculptor Metool: 40Hp [Normal] [Behind Seafoam]
Substantially-Less-Nervous Metool: 40Hp [Behind Seafoam]

-=Met Protector=-
Seafoam.Exe: 80Hp [Normal][RageClaw: 5/6]

-=Are we back in Kansas now? =-
100% Normal

• No effects.

-=Battle 1, Victory!=-
Spoils: 450z

All around him, the incessant buzzing of the hives grated as the two on the ground gave rise to fresh swarms of bugs, but Delta was ready to be done with this encounter and focused his attention solely on the shadow-cloaked tree. North of him, the tree seemed to loom tall and foreboding, despite its torn and rent trunk, sinking into the depths of the gloom once more, but Delta was ready for its trickery this time. His first lunging slash cleaved through to shadows of the corrupted entity, revealing yet another inert tree in its place, but Delta was already moving with his follow up. He turned and struck a second time, this time connecting with the tree itself before it could strike at him.

His blade dug into the already damaged trunk of the tree and cleaved the wood apart, drawing a last howling shriek of tearing timer from the virus, caught out at last and its tricks spent. It seemed to rear up, only tenuously connected to the baste of its trunk, then fell towards Delta in its death throes in a last attempt to crush the navi with its final fall. Even this Delta was prepared for, however - his freshly reformed shield caught the weight of the dying virus and let him shove its bulk to the side even as the force of its fall shattered his shield again.

With the tree fallen, a quick salvo of shots swiftly deleted the loose hives as well, and the still-forming swarms of skeeters above them dissipated into the surrounding forest, fleeing the scene. With a last pulse of glowing energy, his candle healed its last and faded away, leaving Delta standing in the dark again, but the victor of the clearing all the same.

-=Hive-Hoarder=-
GloomScythe.Tree: DELETED

SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes A2: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B2: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes C: DELETED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes B3: ESCAPED
SkeeterSkeeter (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 30
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes C2: ESCAPED

-=Bee-Seeker=-
Delta.EXE: 155Hp [In the middle of the clearing][Grass]
Candle: EXPIRED

-=Terrain=-
(Terrain is mostly grass in the middle of the clearing, with soil around the edges)
40% Soil

• Wood Elementals get +10% Evasion.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Grass.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Mud.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: change terrain hit to Coal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

60% Grass

• Wood Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Fire attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Soil.
• PanelShot: Imbue Wood.

-=Objects=-
Twisted Tree North: SLICED
Twisted Tree North-East: DELETED
Twisted Tree East: DELETED
Twisted Tree South-East: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]
Twisted Tree South: IMMOLATED
Twisted Tree West: DESTROYED
Twisted Tree North-West: 60Hp [Woodbody][Soil]

Ancient Beehive A: DELETED
Ancient Beehive B: DELETED
Ancient Beehive C: DELETED

-=Battle 5, Victory!=-
Spoils: 1100z, 15 BugFrags, Shadow1Effect: Shadow
Accuracy: S
Description: Grants the user Shadow. This reduces all incoming non-Slashing attacks to 0 damage, and reduces accuracy on ranged attacks by 20%.
Duration: One turn
Element: Null
Trader Rank: D, Skeeter Bounty +5

((As an aside, for clarity - Many viruses do have a behaviour pattern that involves putting up an iron- or metal- body defence and not attacking, but it's not a feature of the defence, just the pattern for those viruses. If there was anything on the site that led you, as a player, to believing that the defence worked that way, let me know, and I can check it out and see if we need to clarify something))