10K Run

DragonierMan collapsed on the ground, exhausted from chasing his most elusive prey yet. His breastplate heaved up and down and he gasped for air as his adrenaline ebbed. He unclasped his helmet and weakly removed it, letting it clatter to his side. Aya and Suzume took a quick breather too, before they began putting the rewards away in their satchels, as they weren't as wiped out.

A half-hour later and a good toweling off. DragonierMan and the twins sheathed their weapons and began venturing deeper into the network. Looking for more spoils.

[Requesting Battle 3.]

Venturing on deeper, the trio would come upon a peculiar sight, it appeared to be a giant bull's-eye target on the ground. Made up of several different types of terrain that really had no relativity to one another. And there, sitting dead center was a candle resting confidently upon a brightly glowing golden panel. Nearby they'd be able to spot two skeletal creatures, but just when they might have thought the battle would be simple, two elemental beasts popped up from the ring of lava to join in the battle!

Enemies
Elemperor A: 100HP [Lava]
Elemperor B: 100HP [Lava]
HauntedCandle: 100HP [Holy]
Skarab A: 120HP [Solar]
Skarab B: 120HP [Normal]

Terrain
30% Lava [Surrounding Solar Ring]
5% Holy [Single Pannel in center of Solar]
30% Solar [Large Ring in middle of field]
35% Normal [Outer edges of field]

Allies
DragonierMan: 200HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP
Aya.SP: 60HP

—Battle 3, Start!—

[x2] [x1] [x2]


The two girls drew their weapons and readied themselves for battle as DragonierMan stepped forward and cracked his knuckles. Not liking the look of the boiling hot lava, Aya and Suzume drew a throwing dagger each, planning to stay at range. Drago, however, drew upon what little moisture there was in the surrounding environment. He collected the water together around each of his fists, forming swirling orbs that reflected the light of the lava and solar panels. He stomped one foot forward and launched the first of the orbs in a punching motion, sending the orb spiraling toward the lamp-shaped Elemperors.

The water spread out as it flew, held together by the thinnest of bonds, until it became a sizable liquid arch. The wide blade of water crashed into the lava and caused a steamy explosion. Just then he drew back his other hand and let loose the second sphere of water. It too expanded into a wide, arcing blade that crashed into the lava again. Once more, scalding steam erupted from the impact and covered the battlefield in a thick mist.

Under cover of mist the three navis moved. Aya and Suzume created clones of themselves to further confuse the enemies as they ran. The clones ran right through the fog and up to the viruses, presenting tempting targets as they weaved through the virus horde. Meanwhile the originals ran along the periphery of the battlefield, chucking daggers at the skeletal Scarabs. Drago weaved his own way across the myriad terrain, hopping over what was left of the lava, until he stood by the ghostly candle sitting on a glowing panel.

The panel radiated holy energy and was soothing to the eyes. Clearly it should not be tainted by the likes of a dirty, smelly, evil virus that dripped its sickening wax all over perfection. With righteous fury, Drago wound up his arm, and sent a devastating sucker-punch to the body of the Haunted Candle. His fist glowed with an awesome power as he channeled draconic power into his attack. Hoping to send the candle virus packing on a one way trip to painville, air-express.

The energy then expanded around his body and attempted to burn off any lingering effects that might have been caused by his brash actions.

Kicking things off with a powerful set of punch induced aquatic waves, DragonierMan blasted the stationary lamps in a surprisingly effective aquatic blast that threw up steam and mist about the battlefield, and while that did help in removing the both of them from the battle and giving them enough cover for a stray bone to be thrown at one of Aya's decoys, it seemed they underestimated its effects on the candle, as with his rushed charge the knight failed to notice the panels beneath him lighting up, and took a sudden fiery blast as a pillar of flames(-20). Not to be hindered however he let a powerful strike slam into the candle, and while the panel beneath it seemed to save it from the lethal blow, it was forced off its treasured panel which left it none too happy afterwards. Meanwhile both those girl's managed to hit their marks with those skillfully thrown daggers.

Enemies
Elemperor A: Deleted
Elemperor B: Deleted
HauntedCandle: 50HP [Solar]
Skarab A: 100HP [Solar]
Skarab B: 100HP [Normal]

Terrain
10% Lava [Surrounding Solar Ring]
5% Holy [Single Pannel in center of Solar]
30% Solar [Large Ring in middle of field]
55% Normal [Outer edges of field]

Allies
DragonierMan: 180HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP
Aya.SP: 60HP

His billowing cloak got singed as DragonierMan was engulfed in fire. However, he pressed through it and knocked the candle virus off its glowing pedestal. Stepping onto said pedestal, he threw another punch at the virus, intent on finishing the job started by the first. He then took a defensive stance. Ready to ward off blows using the protective power of his newly acquired super-awesome, chocolatey-coated, glowing holy panel.

Aya and Suzume meanwhile created another batch of clones, as their previous clones were destroyed by bones. The clones ran right back up to the viruses that destroyed their predecessors, to distract them while the girls continued to run around the periphery chucking some more daggers at the Scarabs. The throwing daggers sailed through the air like tiny metal missiles.

Drago maintained his defensive stance for a few moments, drawing energy from the panel beneath him like a recharging battery. Blue-white flames gathered at his fists, welling with power, melting the impurities of the Navi's body away, before he punched at the viruses again. The flames leaped from his hands toward the two skeletal viruses, forming a burning wave that swept over the terrain. Leaving behind a trail of ashes in its wake. Aimed for the hearts of the wounded viruses to sear away their corruption.

With one last mighty fist, DragonierMan was easily able to knock some sense into the haunted candle, and send it into the next world. And with some quick distractions by his girls, the skeletal monsters never once saw the giant wave of flames coming their way, deleting them once and for all.

Enemies
Elemperor A: Deleted
Elemperor B: Deleted
HauntedCandle: Deleted
Skarab A: Deleted
Skarab B: Deleted

Terrain
10% Lava [Surrounding Solar Ring]
5% Holy [Single Panel in center of Solar]
30% Solar [Large Ring in middle of field]
55% Normal [Outer edges of field]

Allies
DragonierMan: 200HP [Holy]
Suzume.SP: 60HP
Aya.SP: 60HP

—Battle 3, Victory!—
DragonierMan: 1100z, 27 Bug frags, ElementalRage1

Quote ()

ElementalRage1
Damage: 60 + LineAttack3
Accuracy: A
Description: Fires a ray of energy in front of the player. If the user is standing on an elemental terrain, the blast gains that power. Can target up to three enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Depends on Terrain

"Good," Drago mused as everything died around them without much pain on their end. "This is how it should be. Viruses cut down by the dozens. Their corpses strewn across this field of war."

The two girls had already unfurled their sacks and began collecting the loot as their boss gloated over the killing fields. And soon enough they were done and had packed their sacks back into their belts. "Onward!" Drago said as he thrusted his arm out, pointing in the direction they were traveling before. "To more glory."

[Requesting Battle 4.]

Onward, both command and action as the navi and his vassals trekked ever deeper into the ever shifting network that was NetVegas. And as if by roll of the dice, things once again changed. For before the trio was now a deep abyss, stretching out far as the eye could see. Not but a single golden bridge seemed to drive right up the center as if a passageway waiting to be taken. But that passage seemed heavily defended, and all about the space above black nothing floated creatures of malicious intent. With a lone shadowy virus standing fast upon the first few steps of the bridge.

Enemies
Twins A: 100HP
Twins B: 100HP
Shadow: 80HP
PulseBat A: 80HP [High Altitude]
PulseBat B: 80HP
PulseBat C: 80HP [High Altitude]

Terrain
50% Missing
20% Solar [Road up the middle, 4 panels wide]
30% Normal [Solid ground on left side of battlefield]

Allies
DragonierMan: 200HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP
Aya.SP: 60HP

—Battle 4, Start!—

[x2] [x1] [x3]


DragonierMan drew a sword as Suzume and Aya readied their daggers. Once more Drago faced one of his most heinous foes, the Shadows. Once he was almost deleted by one of their number; Or at least, a virus similar enough. He would not let it get away.

However, first thing was first. He would be at a disadvantage fighting the Shadow on the bridge while so many other viruses had the high ground and could swoop down upon him while he engaged the Shadow one-on-one. He did not like the idea of falling into the chasm. He stepped forward in front of his SPs and called over his shoulder. "Brace yourselves, I will bring them in closer. Provide support."

Drago took a defensive, yet provoking stance, puffing out his chest and throwing his arms out to the side, making himself look more formidable. Challenging the viruses with a look of supreme toughness. As if whatever the viruses could do to him would be futile and useless. "So you think you can defeat me? The great DragonierMan, scourge of viruses everywhere? Ha! I shall tear you all apart!"

Power welled through his body as Drago taunted them closer. He brought up his sword in front of him, reading for the strike or to parry. The blade gleamed as it began to burn hot with a firey inner light, adding another note to his intimidating physical presence. "Come and face me if you dare."

The two assassins skulked a little behind him, trying to fade into the background so that their master would be the only likely target as he continued to goad them on. They waited for the viruses to begin their attack before jumping in. When the viruses swooped down upon Drago, they launched a distraction. Their clones leapt onto Drago's shoulders and used him as a stepping stone to launch themselves at the virus swarm. The four phantom girls sailed at the viruses and waved their arms around to further disorient their foes.

Using the distraction to his advantage, Drago channeled power into his blade and swung his sword in two lashing arcs. Flames leapt from his blade and followed the clones into the virus swarm, hot on their heels. Aya and Suzume tossed their own daggers into the swarm, targeting what looked like the strongest, and strangest, of the viruses. The flames and daggers swept through the air, carving a path through the viruses. The blades of fire expanded, searing the air with their heat as they attempted to engulf all in a raging inferno. Drago and his SPs did not worry too much about the ephemeral clones; They could not suffer, and there were always more where they came from.

Finally Drago retook his defensive stance. Something might have survived their attack, and he still had to watch out for the devious Shadow virus.

DragonierMan's taunt goaded the Twins into rushing over, with the Shadow virus following closely behind...

...before warping in front of DragonierMan and cutting wide, nicking his armor, before thrusting a lance at him, which Drago weaved to the left to dodge. The Shadow leered at Drago before warping back to the middle of the bridge, taunting DragonierMan with his own sword.

The Twins were met by attacks from Drago's ninja partners. Confused as to what was real, the viruses started beaming in both directions, missing quite frequently before DragonierMan's fire attack blasted through both of them at once.

Two Pulsebats came down, about to unleash a supersonic attack, only for one to miss and the other to be burnt to a crisp. The other Pulsebat flew high up to dodge the fire in any case.

Enemies
Twins A: DELETED
Twins B: DELETED
Shadow: 80HP
PulseBat A: DELETED
PulseBat B: 80HP [High Altitude]
PulseBat C: 80HP

Terrain
50% Missing
20% Solar [Road up the middle, 4 panels wide]
30% Normal [Solid ground on left side of battlefield]

Allies
DragonierMan: 185HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP [Decoyx1]
Aya.SP: 60HP [Decoyx1]

DragonierMan moved his head to the side as a sword strike clipped his helmet. He powered through the shadowy form as it vanished in a puff of smoke and struck down the Twins and a bat. With the number of enemies cut in half, Drago pushed toward the bridge. Suzume and Aya laid down covering fire, throwing a dagger each at the closest, hovering bat, trying to drive it off. Drago tried to keep his footing as he made his way up onto the bridge, head and body turning occasionally to keep an all-around defense as he pushed into dangerous bat-territory. His body glowing with building power.

When he reached the Shadow, he unleashed a spinning attack. He swung his sword around him like a whirlwind, attempting to catch the Shadow and perhaps any bat(s) that came too close, in a deicer. His sword swirling through the air in a deadly circle. As he came out of the spin, he braced himself for the counterattack. Shifting his body into a defensive stance as shadowy clones sprang up around him. The four identical, blonde haired distractions moved all over the place, trying to sow confusion in the virus ranks.

Switching back into an offensive stance after the distraction, Drago swiped out with his blade once more in a wide arc. The sword cleaved through the air as it tried to split the Shadow and slice bat wings. The blade-trail glowing behind the edge as it swooped. Then came to rest as Drago once again took a defensive stance. Blade out in front of him in challenge.

With his rush forth, Dragonier powered his way onto the bridge and gave a mighty spinning slash, easily cleaving apart the shadow and deleting it away. While thanks to surprisingly effective tactics of creating mass confusion and spot on dagger strikes, the twins managed to knock a bat in range of that spinning slash, deleting it as well.

While only a single bat remained, it let out a sonic scream as it came charging down from the sky. Sadly it struck only a decoy and brought itself right in range of the navi's sword, which easily cut the bat to ribbons.

Enemies
Twins A: Deleted
Twins B: Deleted
Shadow: Deleted
PulseBat A: Deleted
PulseBat B: Deleted
PulseBat C: Deleted

Terrain
50% Missing
20% Solar [Road up the middle, 4 panels wide]
30% Normal [Solid ground on left side of battlefield]

Allies
DragonierMan: 185HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP [Decoyx2]
Aya.SP: 60HP [Decoyx2]

—Battle 4, Victory—
DragonierMan: 26 Bugfrags, 1350z

DragonierMan, Aya, and Suzume breathed a sigh of relief that the battle was finally over and they no longer had any threat of falling off a cliff into a bottomless well. At least for the time being. They took a little time to gather the rewards before squaring their shoulders to continue. They were still short their goal by a little less than 3k.

"Ok, we're on a roll. Let's continue." Drago said as they crossed the bridge into the deeper parts of NetVegas.

[Requesting Battle 5... or a skip to Battle 6 if no one wants to modlock.]

That narrow bridge would turn out to be far longer than anyone could have predicted, spanning almost endlessly on with no end in sight. Still DragonierMan and the girls walked along the glowing panels, suspended over the endless darkness all around them.

Or at least, until they were soon face to face with other travelers of the net, two navis, each dressed much alike seemed to be standing, barring the way further along the bridge. The first was garbed in a bright red and white stripped jumpsuit, topped with a belled jester's cap and overly long sleeves that hide his hands completely. Shoes matched the look, ending in up curled tips with little bells adorn upon them.

The second was dressed almost exactly the same, save his colors seemed to be blue and white, each standing 5'7" tall with the odd red left eye and blue right, while the twin had the reverse. Though they hadn't noticed new comers yet, as they seemed to be squabbling with one another over nothing really in particular, something about who forgot to bring some duct-tape.

Da Foes
Vock.EXE: 250HP
Shock.EXE: 250HP

Terrain
40% Solar [4 panel wide bridge]
60% Missing [Around either side of bridge]

Allies
DragonierMan: 185HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP
Aya.SP: 60HP

—Combat Has Not Started—

The three Navis came to a stop on the bridge as they saw that two other Navis were there and were blocking the path. They seemed to arguing about something. Aya peered over the side of the glowing bridge into the darkness below. It seemed like a bad idea to fight here, with so much endless space around them.

DragonierMan was about to step forward to confront the two, regardless of the risks, when Suzume put up a hand to stop him. She turned to her master and sister and gave a smile. "I'll handle this," she said with a wink before moving in front of the group and stopping a few meters from the two alternate-colored Navis. Drago folded his arms and harrumphed, and secretly gathered energy for if Suzume failed. Aya didn't draw a dagger, but took up a defensive stance in front of Drago in case she needed to protect him.

"Heellooo there big boys!" Suzume said as she removed her hairband and whipped her hair back with one hand, letting her golden locks flow out behind her. One of her long, bare legs was drawn out in front of her, and she ran her other hand up it in a suggestive pose. Her short leather skirt rid up her legs a bit, showing a hint of black, and her small top strained against her chest. "You wouldn't mind stepping to the side and letting us pass would you?" She pouted her lips and batted her eyelashes. "I would be ever sooo grateful."

For the first few moments each of the arguing parties seemed to completely ignore the little support program and her attempts to speak with them, still complaining to one another and bickering back at forth. At least until she finally spoke up about wanting them to move, which seemed to silence the bickering as each of the oddly dressed navis turned to look down at Suzume.

"Oh? You'd like us to move little lady? Well certainly we can move, sure how about we just hop right over the edge for you huh? Would that give you enough room to pass us by? Perhaps we should just lay down and let you walk all over us instead." Navi dressed in blue seemed to hiss the last down at her, before the other navi grabbed his shoulder and pushed him back.

Red garbed navi stepped up instead and lowered down to be more at eye level, a surprisingly large painted grin marked the left side of his face, while the right seemed to have a solid facemask hiding it in matching paint. "Oh do ignore him, he's angry that he lost the argument, as to your request though little one. We cannot simply step aside for you and your friends, we took a great deal of time in setting up this bridge you see. Though I suppose if you're willing to pay our toll, we could be persuaded to let you through."

Da Foes
Vock.EXE: 250HP
Shock.EXE: 250HP

Terrain
40% Solar [4 panel wide bridge]
60% Missing [Around either side of bridge]

Allies
DragonierMan: 185HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP
Aya.SP: 60HP

—Combat Still Has Not Started—

Suzume stuttered for a moment at the brashness of the Blue Navi's talk of jumping over the edge or laying down and letting her step all over them. "I didn't mean..." she started as she didn't want them to degrade themselves, just step to one side to let them pass. But her train of thought and talk was interrupted as the Red Navi stooped down to talk to Suzume. She straightened up and tried to look taller, meeting his strange painted face. A feeble attempt at looking dignified after the failed flirtation. "And what might your toll be Sir?" she asked with a straighter face. Though her face also betrayed a sort of weariness as to what the "toll" might be.

At the insolence of the Blue Navi, Drago growled to himself and shifted into a more aggressive stance, lowering his arms to his sides and flexing his gauntlet-clawed fingers. His white tabard glowed softly in the light of the bridge and the obsidian tower embroidery flashed as he moved. Aya turned back to him and gave a "let's see this through before we attack" sort of look. Although there was a hint of concern that negotiations wouldn't work in her eyes.

All three also had the question of what the two other Navis' were doing building this bridge? Did they just stumble upon it by mistake or was it made for them specifically?

The navi in blue seemed to be grinning down at the little support program as she started to cower slightly, "Why for all your Zenny of course! What else would a toll be for except for a monetary charge?" A slightly twisted laugh seemed to follow, flowing from the both of them.

Though as one navi seemed to be enjoying his mocking of the smaller program, the other caught notice of the reactions of the other too. Red navi shaking his head as he grinned and grabbed hold of his partner's shoulder; "Shock, seems her charge here has caught on to this little game. So how about we change the rules hm?"

Glancing over, his attention lost to Suzume to shift over to the knight, a grin touched his lips with a light nod, "Ah I see what you mean Vock. Well then, instead of simply your zenny, how about we have a bit of fun, of course if you lose this little game, we not only take your zenny, but your Battlechips as well!"

Laughter erupted from the duo as both suddenly jumped back several panels, grinning towards the trio that stood before them on the narrow bridge, ready to start their little game at last.

Da Foes
Vock.EXE: 250HP
Shock.EXE: 250HP

Terrain
40% Solar [4 panel wide bridge]
60% Missing [Around either side of the bridge]

Allies
DragonierMan: 185HP
Suzume.SP: 60HP
Aya.SP: 60HP

—Battle 5, Battle on the Bridge, Start!—

"I will be the one to take it all," DragonierMan said with a snarl as he drew a sword. His other arm came up in front of him and a round, golden shield appeared, strapped to his arm. Drago's sword gleamed with power as he channeled his strength into it. Suzume leapt back and took position to the other side of Drago. Both SPs created clones, forming a six-girl protective circle around their Master.

Drago also took a defensive stance, holding his shield up in front of him. He shifted his feet slightly, making sure he could shift his position at any time to bring his shield or armored shoulder pylon to bear against any attack. Though who knew? Perhaps he was relatively safe in his harem circle of bodyguards.

After some few intense opening moments, and without much room to maneuver for either side, Drago called out "Part!" to his girls just before he swung his sword twice in rapid succession. The girls in front ducked or got out of the way just as the power forming on his sword was absorbed into twin blasts of energy that shot off his blade and careened toward the red and blue duo. The gray-white orbs spun around their axis' faster and faster as they tore through the distance until they struck, impacting with 8% more force than normal

His shield probably shattered, he tossed it (or his sword if the shield was not in tatters) to the side and brought up an armored fist. An I-Field formed around it as he taunted his opponents. "You are no better than viruses. I will be glad to tear the warm cores out of your programming like all the others, and leave you to rot in the Net like the vermin you are." Then Drago braced himself for the attack, ready to teleport over and counter-punch the first fat face that dared to strike out at him.

Drago's own body also fought its own fight against any intrusive programming in the system put there by the Vock and Shock. Stripping Drago of some corrupted data. Though it probably too little, too late.

The battle kicked off with both sides seeming to prepare themselves for defense on such a narrow bridge. With Drago's side setting up defenses and creating a protective team of young ladies to surround their charge.

While on the other side, Vock and Shock slipped closer, only for Shock to suddenly leap atop Vock's shoulders, then up into the air above, laughing and waving arms around lightly. This seemed to be a distraction as Vock tumbled back before two slender daggers were thrown forth, snagging a decoy of Suzume and Aya, making them disappear suddenly.

While Shock was still in the air, Drago sent his large blasts of energy forth, the first of which sailing below Shock, while Vock ended up getting hit head on by the second. Hissing out as the damage seemed to shift and an obvious connecting beam split between the two for a brief moment. "Well isn't he a bugger!"

But in the next instance, the red colored navi tossed a small juggling ball in the center of the scattering group, which explodes in a surprisingly large blast, smashing through Drago's shield and deleting the remainder of the girl's decoys, thankfully they managed to dodge the blast just in time.

Though as the red navi landed once more, a connection beam seemed to glow between he and his counterpart, shining in a soft blue for a moment as each recovered some of the shared damage they'd taken only moments ago. "Shame it came to this, the girls would do great in the cirus!" Still his joking aside, he summoned up a large spinning tile, constantly swirling and showing it's blue and red sides before him as it slows and soon comes to a stop, blue side forth, sending a soothing blue light over the two jesters, healing them further.

"Hah, luck be on our side, let's keep this pace going!" Vock shouted as he tossed a trio a daggers into the air, each targeting the girls and navi, and while the twins each took a sudden strike(-30), Drago's counter chip triggered, and in a blur he rushed forward and smashed Vock square on the chin, making him reel back as a red beam split between the jesters once again, making both scowl darkly, "Seems he's got his own tricks too, best be careful Vock."

Da Foes
Vock.EXE: 207HP
Shock.EXE: 207HP

Terrain
40% Solar [4 panel wide bridge]
60% Missing [Around either side of the bridge]

Allies
DragonierMan: 185HP [Shield: Broken] [Counter: Triggered]
Suzume.SP: 30HP [Decoys destroyed]
Aya.SP: 30HP [Decoys destroyed]