When 2 "new" Navis team up,

As ResQ started gathering up zenny data left over by the Bunnies, Dullahan was doing the same, and brought up a good point to his Operator. Though her name is supposed to denote a helpful, support role, her ANGEL seemed to be more of a stomping doom machine than an ambulance. Alexander couldn't help but overhear Dullahan, and opened up a window nearby. He didn't take offense to the Navi's observation, she didn't seem very Rescue-esque, especially with her abrasive attitude. "You make a valid point. She's only running with a basic loadout, since this is our first trip into the Network."

"And whose fault is that?" ResQ had silently approached, and now stood with her arms crossed, glaring at the back of Alexander's popup window. He raised an eyebrow and spun the window back to his Navi. "Learn to walk before you run, ResQ." "Hmph," the Navi huffed. "Or you're just holding me back," the Navi thought to herself.
Dullahan folded his arms, brows furrowing slightly. "Makes sense? Though that explains not her design, nor personality," he noted, shrugging slightly. "Surely, Dullahan, you're not one to talk," Birkenhead chipped in, followed by a boastful laughter. The Navigator shrugged.

Dullahan decided not to interrupt "I guess we both just have to learn to play our roles better," he addressed ResQ, with a small smile. Though he felt no inclination to be overly nice to his temporary partner, Dullahan had decided to make the best out of it. After all, chances are that she's been more active in recent years than I was, he mused inwardly.

"So ideally, you would have a more 'complicated' loadout? I'm supposing that is your purpose for venturing into the Network," Dullahan inquired, even as he began walking towards a random direction. No point staying in one place.
ResQ herself was also somewhat incredulous as to what she was destined to do; she had been given a basic briefing on her new assignment upon her "graduation" from the NERF facility, but her current equipment seemed quite effective at being a strike/assault weapons platform, not so much search and rescue. Dullahan gave her an encouraging challenge of sorts, causing her to give a slight smirk. Before she answered, the Navi also inquired about her advanced loadout(s). She didn't know all of the specifics, but she coudl see her suit was at least partially designed to accommodate specialized equipment. She spoke calmly as she climbed back into her suit, "If you must pry, yes. I'll have plenty of tools to my disposal."

She continued to climb into the ANGEL, sliding her legs into the protective armored sleeves and buckling herself in. "That reminds me, what's your role?" she inquired coldly. Her question was part prod, part genuine curiosity; she had seen a few knight/medieval themed Navis before, but Dullahan didn't seem to conform to the often cookie-cutter mold. She started to reactivate the suit, causing it to purr to life, its small turbine engines spun up quickly. The suit came to life, causing its limbs to mimic her own and moving her slightly behind Dullahan as he moved forward.


Dullahan gave a reassuring smile to ResQ's feistyness in her reply, but his features took an immediate turn for the worse upon her rebuttal. Wrenching his attention from the negativity urging to surface, his head turned to the higher positioned Navigator. "That is a good question. For what purpose did I come into existence?" he shrugged. "... Hopefully, I'm no result of some imbecilic musings of a programmer." Birkenhead snorted, obviously bemused by Dullahan's unexpected snark.

The pseudo-medieval themed Navigator did not ease his pace. "Any one of your guesses would be as good as mine. Have any ideas to share?"
ResQ continued to move forward along side Dullahan, the subtle bell-like footfalls of the ANGEL indirectly punctuating their conversation. Dullahan appeared to be equally unsure of his role, musing a jab at his Operator before asking ResQ outright for her own assessment. She raised an eyebrow incredulously, glancing down at the Navi. "You're asking me? You know we just met, right?" They'd only just met minutes ago, and have only experienced one battle together; making a plausible theory about the Navi's role in that short a time seemed a bit absurd. However, from what she did know of the Navi, it was unlikely he'd retract his question.

[[i]Hmm... He's definitely not the cliche "Knight in Shining Armor" type, and doesn't strike me as the assassin type, too soft,[/i]] the Navi pondered, just barely furrowing her brow. [[i]However, he seemed to use tricky stuff like smoke bombs and disarming. A thief, maybe?[/i]] Could she have a fellow pilferer in her midst? His personality didn't seem to match, but he could be using a front just like her. Her first acquaintance is now a bit more interesting than she previously anticipated. She could call him out right then and there, but he could potentially react uncharacteristically, and from the battlechip he let her borrow in the previous battle, the Navi appeared to have a significantly higher repertoire of weaponry at his disposal. In his position, she'd react negatively if someone saw through her act, so she decided to avoid the confrontation. She tilted her head from side to side as if she were blindly guessing. "Uh... maybe scouting? You're not weighed down with heavy armor and seem to favor the bow, but you could probably use that smoke bomb to aid in escape and distraction," she surmised.

Alexander, who was quietly watching the exchange go down, nodded slightly as he thought to himself, mostly agreeing with his Navi's theory.
Dullahan raised an eyebrow at ResQ; he guessed that in his personal pursuit for his own identity, he got a bit overly hasty with asking such questions. She's right, Dullahan smiled bitterly, she doesn't know me.

Dullahan quietly assessed ResQ's offered theory nonetheless, mulling on the possibility of him being a scout. "That sounds about right," Dullahan said. He eyed a small window that popped up next to him; a private message from is Operator.

"You do know that historically, knights do everything under the sun, right? Not just wildly flailing a sword around on oaths of chivalry or whatnot," the message read. Dullahan raised an eyebrow.

"... Really?" the Navigator huffed, but not as audible to let ResQ hear it. He shrugged. He had assumed otherwise, given the number of Wookiepedia articles that Dullahan read. In all honesty, given the crowd-sourced nature of Wookiepedia's writing, Dullahan trusted the historian-turned-lecturer much more than the website.

Dullahan turned his head slightly to face ResQ. "Well, I suppose I should help you get a head start in plenishing your tools of trade," Dullahan offered. "If we find any battlechips in the next battle, I believe it is more ideal for you to keep them."
Dullahan seemed to agree with ResQ's assessment, then had a brief discussion with his NetOp. "See, you're already making friends," Alexander prodded with a smile. ResQ turned away from his pop up window, only giving him the occasional glance, huffing in defiance. Her attention was then requested from Dullahan again, this time offering to have her take all battlechips they come across, instead of distributing them evenly amongst the pair. While that was uncharacteristic of a thief, his generosity only made her more suspicious. He could be a scammer, a smurf, or even jacker; she'd run into plenty before she got caught, and knew to keep them at a safe distance. She took pride in being a *former* professional data thief, and the aforementioned undesirables were considered "bottom feeders" compared to smooth, high-risk/high-reward thieves like her.

That being said, she still could use as many battlechips as she could get, and if he decided to turn on her, any additional firepower would be helpful. If he was genuine in his generosity, then she'd be on the busting fast track. She turned back to Dullahan, "I don't really need your help, but since you're offering, I can live with that agreement." She didn't mention any reciprocation by offering a better share of zenny rewards from the battles to come, hopefully he wouldn't notice. Alexander's window turned to Dullahan as well, as he nodded politely, "That's very kind of you, we appreciate your generosity."
"You seem to socialise well enough, Dullahan," Richard reflected Alexander's statement, and the Operator couldn't help but smile. Dullahan scratched at his head uneasily, as if considering whether to take it as a compliment or as an insult. He shrugged.

There was an oddly endearing trait about how ResQ was denying her need for 'his help', but Dullahan decided to keep that part under the covers. "Yes... I have no need for excessive firepower," Dullahan stated, as if needing to explain himself. Without a doubt, his actions did seem slightly suspicious if seen from ResQ's perspective. Or perhaps now he's coming off as too snobbish?

He wasn't a bad socialiser, but on the other hand, Dullahan feared that his strategies may be dated.
ResQ cued in to Dullahan's statement regarding his apparent lack of need for additional battlechips. "Only his first time out on the net, yet he already has a bunch of chips at his disposal, and he has no interest in gaining more... His NetOp must be loaded. And I'm stuck with Private Poorhouse. He doesn't seem to have enough money to buy some decent furniture, let alone battlechips for me. Jerk," ResQ quickly concluded in her mind. Though she would gladly mentally bash her NetOp some more, that wouldn't help improve her current situation. She started to pick up the pace, pulling away from Dullahan with smooth, ringing strides. She glanced back at Dullahan, "speaking of firepower, we won't get much more of it if we keep standing around here."

She turned back to her displays, double-checking her systems to make sure she was good to go. Alexander remained quiet, more focused on her checklist discipline since she appeared to be prepping to get back into busting. She continued forward, hoping to run into additional loot to liberate from any unfortunate viruses they run into.

((Ready for Battle #2, if Dullahan agrees))
Dullahan smiled, allowing his partner to take the lead.

((Ready for Battle #2))
<(ResQ & Dullahan GET: 9 FXP)>

<(Softlocked for the next few battles)>

The unlikely duo, finished their chat and feeling somewhat closer for it, continue their quest for virus-busting and looting. Along their way, they happen across a most peculiar phenomenon: what appears to be a colossal banana, standing tall on its end in defiance of physics. The several-story fruit, while otherwise benign, instills a strange sense of surreality in the environment, as though Dullahan and ResQ were standing in some sort of modern art piece.

"Oho! I spy, with my little eye, guests!" The voice comes from far, far up; the busting partners crane their necks to see a Navi, sitting on the peak of the towering banana. Ever so casually, he slides down the peel like it was perfectly normal to use giant fruit for travel, and drops down straight in front of the newcomers. The Navi, upon closer examination, could not be anything other than the tower's creator: he stands proudly, bedecked in a sunshine-yellow poncho that's very obviously a giant banana peel, a cowboy hat seemingly woven from several wide banana leaves, and two gun holsters on his hips, the pockets filled with...you guessed it, two ripe, delectable bits of yellow edible plant life.

"My name...is BananaMan," the Navi introduces himself, however unnecessary it may be, "and this...is my Banana Colosseum. Within it, I have created a series of challenges to interest and amuse adventurers such as yourselves! If you think yourselves man...or woman enough," he gives a nod towards ResQ, "then by all means consider giving my yellow tower of terror a try!"

He stops, fingering a banana-holster with a rueful smirk on his face. "Orrrr...that's what I would be saying, if I weren't bored. But I am, which means you'll need to be my entertainment. Lucky for you, that means you get to try the Colosseum anyway! Oh but don't worry, there's plenty in it for you...you'll simply go bananas from all the fun you'll have!" He snickers, snapping his fingers; just behind them, the tiniest corner of the tower unpeels slightly, revealing not a delicious inner flesh as one might expect, but utter darkness. A further snap from the so-called BananaMan, and a howling gale kicks up, pulling ResQ and Dullahan alike into the hole...

...And suddenly, they're inside the Colosseum; how exactly they fit through the tiny gap is a mystery, but the two Navis have bigger problems to worry about. The field itself appears as a tiered structure, pale-yellow floored as though the multiple floors have all been carved out from within. A solid, uncomplicated floor makes up the first tier, while the second tier is suspended from the ceiling atop the first, looking rather like a huge, heavy banana chip, supported by deceptively-strong stringy bits. The third tier is little more than a series of platforms carved out of the walls, above even the suspended second floor; they're quite high up, but would make excellent sniping points. All of the various levels are high enough above each other that traverse could take some effort, but the ropes dangling from the second level and the bevy of handholds on the walls around the high-up platforms makes it plain that they're meant to be climbed around on.

Within the battleground is a series of viruses, all of them similarly banana-themed like their apparent creator: the Swordys carry bananas rather than energy blades, the PulseBats are rather yellower than usual, and the smell of banana cream pie wafts from the direction of the two Oldstoves, who sure enough have delightful-looking pies baking in their cavernous mouths. It is, all around, a most curious array of opponents, in a most curious battlefield.

"Now then, I'm sure you have questions, but we'll skip on those. Seemingly from everywhere at once, BananaMan's voice boomed like thunder. "For now, look around! You should see some interesting new additions to your battleground!" And true enough, ResQ and Dullahan could see some definite oddities scattered about the arena: a series of bright red plunger boxes, seemingly connected to nothing. "Those are my Plantain Plungers! Go ahead and plunge as many as you'd like; anything could happen, and I do mean anything!" The boxes were scattered about randomly, with most on the first floor, some hanging around on the second, and a sparse couple dotting the platforms high above. What could happen upon their activation...?

"Well, get to it! Have fun...what were your names again?" And with that, the viruses alternatively clanked, flapped, and sliced into motion, ready for a good old-fashioned slugfest.

-Viruses- [All 1st Floor]
Banana SwordyA: 60HP
Banana SwordyB: 60HP
Banana SwordyC: 60HP
Banana SwordyD: 60HP
Yellow PulseBatA: 80HP
Yellow PulseBatB: 80HP
Baker OldStoveA: 50HP [Pie: 2 turns until cooked]
Baker OldStoveB: 50HP [Pie: 2 turns until cooked]

-Objects-
Plantain Plungers [1st Floor]: 8 Remaining
Plantain Plungers [2nd Floor]: 4 Remaining
Plantain Plungers [3rd Floor]: 2 Remaining

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies- [All 1st Floor]
Dullahan: 140HP
ResQ: 130HP

-Special-
Multiple Floors: Use one action to move up or down a floor; viruses will do their best to follow Navis between floors but can be outmanouvred, depending on RP quality.

Plaintain Plungers: Use an action to activate a plunger box. The effects can range from anything from additional rewards to buffs to damage, to name a few; chances of a negative effect decrease the higher up they are.

-GO BANANAS!!-
-BATTLE #2: BEGIN!!-
ResQ tilted her head slightly as very tall, out of place object came into view. Her curiousity prevented her from stopping or even slowing down, and soon they got a full view. [It's a... banana?] Alexander chimed in curiously. ResQ raised an eyebrow as she sized up the fruit-themed monolith ahead of her. "I've seen some wierd stuff, but this... this is new," she mused to herself. Her attention then shifted upwards as she heard a voice from above; she shifted her stance reflexively, bringing her suit into a somewhat defensive, prepared posture. Her amber eyes quickly locked on a figure standing atop the banana, and tracked it as it slid down to the ground ahead. It was then she and her NetOp were able to get a good look at the program, quickly noticing he was fittingly banana-themed, with a western twist. "You've got to be kidding me," the Navi muttered under her breath. Alexander didn't seem as unamused by this newcomer as his Navi, he thought the banana/goucho theme seemed original at least.

"Shocking," ResQ thought sarcastically as the Navi introduced himself. In mere seconds, she quickly developed a strong dislike for this "BananaMan." He started to go into a needlessly long introduction, then challenging them with a nod, prompting ResQ's claw to snap closed with an aggravated *clang*. Her growing distaste quickly became appropriate, as the Navi's challenge then became a command, as if he was springing a terribly pun-filled trap. "Better idea," ResQ started to exclaim as she shifted to a more aggressive posture. "How about I 'split' you in ha- !!" She was cut off by a sudden blast of wind howling from the newly opened banana tower. Immediately she felt herself getting pulled towards the banana; her un-lady-like swearing was drowned out by the gale, as well as the sound of the ANGEL's right hand scraping against the ground, kicking up sparks in a futile attempt to resist the torrent's pull. Alexander tried to have her start up the ANGEL's main rotors to power herself through, but by the time he could react, both Navi and armor were airborne and tumbling into the banana. He watched helplessly as they passed into the void.

However, the Navi ended up appearing inside the "Banana Colosseum," barely managing to land struts-down. ResQ spun around aggressively, trying to quickly assess her location and threats. Unfortunately for her and Dullahan, there were a multitude of viruses waiting for them. However, they appeared to be holding back, as if they were awaiting command. BananaMan spoke up again, his voice somehow resonating throughout the entire structure, explaining some of the objects scattered around the arena. At the end of his monologue, the viruses started to stir, prepping themselves for battle. "You're surrounded, take the high ground!" Alexander ordered from his pop-up screen. ResQ's assessment was pretty much identical, she likely wouldn't last long if she tried to stand her ground. Dullahan may be able to tough it out, but it didn't seem to be his style. "Follow me!" ResQ called out to Dullahan as the rotor head on the ANGEL slid into position above her head, and the rotor blades splayed outwards. The rotor head spun up with surprising quickness, causing the rotor blades to appear to blend together into an obsidian blur. A visor materialized over ResQ's face, shielding her from the rapidly intensifying downdraft created by her rotors. The ANGEL made a slight hop before rapidly rising into the air, towards the suspended 2nd floor. The ANGEL left a column of swirling air trailing beneath her, effectively creating strong, funnel-shaped updraft. If Dullahan chose, he could utilize the updraft to float up to the upper level as well.

ResQ zoomed up and over the 2nd floor before smoothly reducing power to bring the ANGEL down to the platform. The rotor head quickly spooled down to a stop before sliding back into its stowed position. "Send me a cannon chip," the Navi ordered. Alexander already had chips in hand, and quickly slotted in the requested chip, "Uploaded." A cloud of data rapidly formed above the ANGEL's right arm, materializing into a what looked like an oversized single-shot pistol. ResQ gripped the weapon firmly as she peered over the ledge of the platform, picking out one of the banana-weilding swordies. She pointed towards the virus with her pointer and middle fingers and her thumb raised, the ANGEL mimicking her movement immediately. She smoothly brought the ANGEL down to one knee to give herself a more stable platform, she didn't want to lose her footing and fall off her perch. A crosshair appeared in the air near her wrist, giving ResQ a good sight line to the Swordy. She flicked her thumb down, causing the ANGEL to fire the cannon with a loud bang, sending a solid round downrange on a beeline course towards the virus. She got back to her feet as the cannon fragmented and disappeared, shifting her focus to the myriad of strange plunger boxes around the platform. She didn't have very many chips to begin with, and the two Navis were severely outnumbered, if those plungers could turn the tables she at least had to try.

She decided to take the gamble and grabbed the handle of one of the plunger boxes closest to her, pushing the handle down firmly. What would happen was anyone's guess, but she didn't have very many alternatives.


ACTIONS:
1. Airstep to 2nd floor (provide updraft for Dullahan to utilize as well)
2. Cannon: BananaSwordyA (60dmg + Knockback)
3. Activate Plantain Plunger
"Holy moly, Dullahan, it's a giant piece of potassium!" Birkenhead joked, no longer taking the net world seriously at the advent of a giant banana tower. His Navigator visibly frowned; the network was wackier than he last remembered. Regardless, with BananaMan introducing himself as a humorous threat, Dullahan caught on ResQ's animosity and readied himself for battle...

... Until they were both caught unawares by the vortex sucking them into the tower, of course.

For the sole reason he was caught unawares, Dullahan landed within the tiered banana structure face-first; luckily for him, the flooring was not composed of banana. Quickly brushing himself and getting on his feet, he took a headcount on the number of targets.

"Eight, Dullahan, look, it's written here on the screen, even," Birkenhead quipped helpfully. Right, Dullahan didn't need to actually count to know. What gave him that habit?

Regardless, Dullahan regarded ResQ's suggestion to reach for higher grounds as sound, and with no hesitation, tumbled towards the updraft generated by his partner.

His goal, however, was much higher.

Thankfully for him, Birkenhead echoed his sentiments; DoubleJump flowed into Dullahan's programming, allowing him to take advantage of his descent from the updraft to boost himself further onto the next level, letting loose a somersault as he did so. As soon as he landed, he turned his attention to their assailant Navigator.

"I wish to avoid combat if at all possible," Dullahan called out, sidestepping towards the nearest Plantain Plunger (What sort of a name is that?) on the floor. Without leaving his gaze from BananaMan, Dullahan let his leg and his weight lean down on the handle, even as he mentally flipped through his arsenal for his next best option.

Distraction. A distraction, Dullahan repeated in text to his Operator. Birkenhead frowned, thoroughly confused, and threw a MetalGear1 at his PET. The sheer firepower of the battlechip did not impress Dullahan. "No... Give me another one. Give me Lock-On," Dullahan concluded simply, motioning for Birkenhead to hurry.

As soon as it was made possible, Dullahan dragged a finger towards the flooring a few paces away from him from the sky, firing a bolt of thunder from the sky. In its place, a default Lock-On unit appeared, making Dullahan blink slightly. Guess my programming doesn't account for everything to be thematically consistent, he mused.

Summary of actions:
1. Tactical Movement - Towards the updraft, up to second floor
2. Battlechip: Double Jump [6/6] - Jump off to the third floor
3. Activate Plantain Plunger
4. Battlechip: Lock-On1 - 10 Null + Lock On x 6 shots; A Accuracy until destroyed (80HP)
<(Char, for the record, LockOn still requires that a target be chosen each turn; for this turn, I RNG'd it for you.)>

At the proverbial whistle, ResQ immediately makes use of her ANGEL suit's impressive rotor suite to blast up a floor, leaving a downright-impossible updraft of rushing wind in her wake. Half the banana-toting Swordy viruses break off, doing their best to follow her up to the second floor; meanwhile, Dullahan darts in between the viruses, rushing into the updraft and letting it carry him up, up, and away...and then up-er, up-er, and away-er once the DoubleJump kicks in. His dizzying journey takes him to the very tip of the Banana Colosseum, resting against one of the high-up platforms.

The Swordy viruses crowd around the updraft, fighting to be the first one up. This results in a whole lot of nothing happening, and so ResQ is given the perfect opportunity to lean down from the edge of her platform, and plant a Cannon shot straight between the glowing eyes of the nearest banana-swordsvirus. It fades away in a flash of scattered data, startling its buddies into action. The remaining two Swordys swoop up the updraft, landing neatly alongside and brandishing their fruit-blades at the armour-driving Navi. They seem about to strike...and in precisely that moment, Dullahan pushes down his top-floor Plantain Plunger.

The box is silent for but a second, before vanishing with a superbly anticlimactic *pop*. Nothing immediately apparent happens; in the same few moments, ResQ plunges her own Plunger, resulting in an identical tiny pop in the box's wake...and then nothing, for a perfect three-second count as everyone present waits with bated breath.

Three seconds passes, and suddenly all merry hell breaks loose. From the oddly-tapered ceiling, a shining Green Mystery Data lowers from a pole, rotating on itself as GMDs normally do...and abruptly the sourceless ambient light cuts out nigh-completely. In its place, the GMD starts to flash like a green strobe-light; everyone can still see somewhat, but the slightest movement is twisted into something out of an ancient film-reel. Just as the icing on the cake, spectacularly unfitting music begins blaring from some unknown source...even if strobe-lights are generally accompanied by music, it would appear once more that BananaMan's tastes border on the clinically insane.

If that were to be the end of the battlefield alterations, one might have considered the Plantain Plungers fairly tame. As it stands, only Dullahan's box is to blame for the GMD-come-disco ball. ResQ's box comes into play...and an ominous creaking noise emanates once more from the ceiling. Abruptly, a series of short, sharp snaps echo throughout the arena...and ResQ finds herself falling; evidently, her box cut the strings holding the entire 2nd floor up. Her Wind-type saves her from any manner of harm, but the Swordys that had accompanied her up aren't so lucky, falling with the platform back to terra firma and landing with two heavy clangs. The viruses beneath the platform, save a PulseBat and a single OldStove that were just barely outside the radius, are crushed utterly under the heavy platform.

In retaliation, the surviving PulseBat turns its body skyward, wrongfully assuming the Navi at heights was responsible. The attack misses by a mile, both out of sheer distance and the accuracy-hindering strobe effect. Dullahan's retaliation, on the other hand, peppers the fruit-bat with an aerial assault, the Lock-On missing one shot but colliding with the rest.

Relatively unnoticed thus far in the battle, the OldStove simply sits in its corner, radiating its incandescent glow in defiance of the eye-piercing GMD-strobe. The delicious scent of pie increases the longer the archaic wood-burner sits - even Dullahan up in the proverbial rafters would be able to tell that it wouldn't be too much longer until the delicious dessert was ready for eating.

-Viruses-
Banana SwordyA: DELETED
Banana SwordyB: FLATTENED
Banana SwordyC: 60HP [1st Floor] [Stunned!] [Off-Target]
Banana SwordyD: 60HP [1st Floor] [Stunned!] [Off-Target]
Yellow PulseBatA: SMUSHED
Yellow PulseBatB: 30HP [Off-Target]
Baker OldStoveA: SQUISHED
Baker OldStoveB: 50HP [Pie: 1 turns until cooked] [Off-Target]

-Objects-
GMD: 20HP [Radiating Strobe! To-All Off-Target]
Lock-On1: 80HP [3rd Floor] [Omnishoes]
Plantain Plungers [1st Floor]: 8 Remaining
Plantain Plungers [2nd Floor]: 3 Remaining [All fallen to 1st Floor, indistinguishable from 1st Floor Plungers]
Plantain Plungers [3rd Floor]: 1 Remaining

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Dullahan: 140HP [3rd Floor] [Stranded?!] [Off-Target]
ResQ: 130HP [1st Floor] [Off-Target]

-Special-
Plaintain Plungers: Use an action to activate a plunger box. The effects can range from anything from additional rewards to buffs to damage, to name a few; chances of a negative effect decrease the higher up they are.

Strobelight-GMD: Radiating a passive To-All Off-Target: all attacks are lowered one accuracy rank. Despite this, it is still a GMD and can be opened after the battle.
"Smart," ResQ thought as Dullahan rocketed up to the third level and perched himself nearly at the top of the battlefield before activating his own plunger. However, it seemed that particular plunger was the switch to turn the already zany battlefield into a strobe-filled struggle box. The blaring music and flashing strobe (with nearly zero ambient light), was disorienting, even for ResQ. She squinted in an attempt to better focus her vision, but then the second plunger game into effect, literally dropping the floor out from under her feet. She nearly felt her heart up in her throat as she quickly went into free fall, and tried to assume a proper landing position. Alexander, on the other hand, reacted quickly and remotely deployed the ANGEL's main rotors, allowing them to act like a pseudo parachute as they autorotated downwards. Instead of a violent thud, she touched down at a much more manageable velocity, her rotors remaining deployed and slowly spinning from the built up momentum. She was still acting as if she was in her AL-E "Kat," and not used to the added capabilities of her new suit, but luckily her NetOp backed her up, although it pained her to admit.

She was back on solid ground, but the music and flashing light was still making it difficult to think straight, let alone identify and engage targets. Alexander stepped in once again, this time advising the Navi through the relatively clear voice connection routed directly to her audio sensors. ["Stay calm and focused, deep breaths. Wait for at least 3 flashes to develop a track on your target, then engage up close. I'm uploading a RageClaw chip now. I got your back."] He quickly started to upload the afforementioned chip, sending it to his Navi. He wasn't exactly making things up, they used similar sensory overload training in the military, although it was primarily done for shock troops and infantry. He himself hadn't gone through that training, but he'd spoken with several who have, learning from their experience. With that, the pincer-style fingers on the ANGEL's left arm disappeared, only to be replaced by a set of four, wickedly curved claws arranged like three fingers and a thumb. ResQ heeded her NetOp's advice, scanning steadily for targets. However, she did notice a single virus, one of the OldStoves, continued to glow steadily and provided a constant reference point. This would be easy prey for her as she attempted to acclimate to the new environment.

The claws on her left hand snapped open, mimicking her own left hand before she aimed it towards the only steady light source in the room. Since the Oldstove didn't appear to be moving much at all, it was the most senseable target. She flicked her wrist 180 degrees clockwise, commanding the claw to rocket foward with the help of three small, yet powerful verniers. The cable quickly spooled out as the claw closed the gap to its target, and would quickly snap shut and hopefully snare the virus in its grip. ResQ held her left arm outstretched before yanking it backwards, causing the ANGEL to rapidly retract its cable while mimicking its operator, hopefully dragging the squat virus towards her. If she managed to get the virus into range, she would have released her prey, only to bring the claw down on the OldStove in an attempt to slice it to bits.

With hopefully one less target to deal with, ResQ shifted her focus and attempted to locate one of the Swordies that followed her up to the now fallen 2nd floor. Upon finding the closest one, she kicked on her engines, but commanded the rotor to stop and begin rotating in the opposite direction. The ANGEL's legs flexed slightly from the strain of the thrust being directed upward, causing the ambient air to be rapidly drawn towards the ANGEL and hopefully dragging the Swordy into range. Once in range, she throttled back and brought her still active RageClaw'd hand to bear, swinging the ANGEL's left arm in a back-handed diagonal slice towards the Swordy. It likely wouldn't be enough to bring the virus down, but hopefully it at least set her medieval comrade up to finish them off.

ACTIONS:
1. Grapple Claw: Baker OldStoveB (20dmg + Stun + Pull + 2TCD)
2. RageClaw1: Baker OldStoveB (40dmg + Slashing) (1/6 uses)
Gust: Banana SwordyC (Pull)
3. RageClaw1: Banana SwordyC (40dmg + Slashing) (2/6 uses)
Dullahan winced visibly from the commotion, not favoring the angry strobelight and its associated sound effects at all.

He, however, did not expect what happened next.

The flooring on the second level creaked, the platform groaning before collapsing down to earth within the tower. Dullahan stood, stunned briefly, before heading to the edge of his own platform to ensure his partner was unhurt. The Lock-On next to him remained entirely vigilant, and amidst the chaos and collapsing floor, took the opportunity to thunder down another strike at a Banana Swordy. Meanwhile, it took Dullahan a few moments to realise that ResQ's status could be made out in their shared interface. "... We're backing her up, Birkenhead."

"Right. Hold on, I'll send something over," his Operator replied. Dullahan loaded the first chip almost immediately: materialising a kite shield in his right hand, capable of withholding... well, probably only one hit, Dullahan mused inwardly. He held his breath at the edge of his platform, and eyed for a straight line of sight with ResQ. It would appear that ResQ was managing well, despite being significantly outnumbered.

"Catch!" Dullahan called out, loosening the two rounded arrows he had nocked. Without checking whether his ally would appreciate his gift or not, the Navigator turned and went for the last plunger.

"You know... Your reluctance to kill is absolutely puzzling," Birkenhead noted, shrugging. Dullahan did not bother to respond in kind.

Summary of actions:
-. Activated Chip: Lock-On1 - 10 Null + Lock On; A Accuracy - Banana Swordy C
1. Battlechip: Guard1 - REFLECT 60 once, breakable
-. Passive: Focus - Take Aim
2. Battlechip: DrillArm1 - Pass to ResQ
3. Battlechip: Curseshield1 - Pass to ResQ
4. Activate Plantain Plunger
The pie-baking OldStove seemed to have an utter one-track mind, to the degree that not even the giant mech suit advancing towards it gave it pause. ResQ's Grapple Claw yanks it towards her, and still the wood-burner busily keeps circulating a steady flame beneath its precious bounty. Finally, a delightful ding chimes off, echoing around the arena, as the OldStove looks down at its open mouth. The flames immediately go out and it opens its front grate, depositing the delightful-looking banana cream pie onto the ground and making lovey-dovey eyes at it...only for the top half of the virus to be forcefully separated in a crunch of metal on metal, courtesy of a forcefully-applied RageClaw.

The pie rests cooling on the ground where the OldStove once stood, the sole remnant of a dedicated baker. Perhaps, if BananaMan were feeling generous and allow Dullahan and ResQ a moment of respite between this challenge and the next, the two Navis might partake in the delightful-smelling confection.

Dullahan, high above most of the action, sets up a shield and sets himself up for a support role. His two lended chips both land tip-down in the floor, just a short distance away from ResQ. His Lock-On happily carries out his offensive presence for him, working in tandem with the mech-pilot to take down a Swordy. The surviving PulseBat, noticing the obvious power in the supporter, takes to the skies, ascending the tall Colosseum with astounding swiftness; it wouldn't be long before the bat was right on top of Dullahan.

The remaining banana-wielder, watching the unyielding assault against its comrade, manages to shake off the shock of its earlier fall, and makes a dash for ResQ with banana held high. Sadly, the strobe sends its perceptions wildly off-balance, and the weapon falls just short of ResQ's armour - just as well; despite the comical appearance of the Swordy's blade, the shing of a keen edge is made very clear as it whistles through the air.

And then, Dullahan makes his way over the precarious platforms high above, reaching the lone other Plantain Plunger and slamming it home. The result is not so immediately obvious as the previous Plungers...and yet, Dullahan and ResQ find themselves overflowing with raw strength to crush their enemies beneath them. "Oho!" BananaMan's voice rings out from somewhere high above. "I see you've gotten a taste of my Potassium Power! You should be noticing a slight buff to your combat routines for the next little while! Just be careful, don't hurt yourselves!" He trails off with a slight laugh, leaving the battle to wrap itself up.

-Viruses-
Banana SwordyA: DELETED
Banana SwordyB: FLATTENED
Banana SwordyC: DELETED
Banana SwordyD: 60HP [1st Floor]
Yellow PulseBatA: SMUSHED
Yellow PulseBatB: 30HP [Ascending!]
Baker OldStoveA: SQUISHED
Baker OldStoveB: DELETED [Pie ready!]

-Objects-
GMD: 20HP [Radiating Strobe! To-All Off-Target]
Lock-On1: 80HP [3rd Floor] [Omnishoes]
Pie: 1HP [1st Floor]
Plantain Plungers [1st Floor]: 8 Remaining
Plantain Plungers [2nd Floor]: 3 Remaining [All fallen to 1st Floor, indistinguishable from 1st Floor Plungers]

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Dullahan: 140HP [3rd Floor] [Guard1 active] [Potassium Power! Attack +30: 6 uses]
ResQ: 130HP [1st Floor] [RageClaw1: 4/6 uses remaining] [Potassium Power! Attack +30: 6 uses]

-Special-
Plaintain Plungers: Use an action to activate a plunger box. The effects can range from anything from additional rewards to buffs to damage, to name a few; chances of a negative effect decrease the higher up they are.

Strobelight-GMD: Radiating a passive To-All Off-Target: all attacks are lowered one accuracy rank. Despite this, it is still a GMD and can be opened after the battle.

Potassium Power: Can use an action to add Attack +30. Carries between battles.
Even with the severe annoyances being belted out from the speakers and the strobe, ResQ managed to bring down her targets with an acceptable level of efficiency. She barely heard her partner's voice over the disorienting blare of the music, and saw the arrows strike the ground nearby. [[i]More chips?[/i]] the Navi throught as she reached out and plucked them from the floor with her ANGEL's right arm. They disappeared after being grasped, and a couple weapons displays opened, describing the downloaded chips. Her eyes widened a bit as she quickly skimmed over the display, and activated one of the chips. [[i]This guy must be loaded or a thief, these aren't "newbie" chips at all...[/i]]

Upon the chip activation, her ANGEL's left claw fragmented and reformed into its default form, with the addition of metal ridges lined diagonally down the outer surfaces of the claws. Continuing to utilize Alexander's previous guidance, ResQ tried to pick out the lone Swordy left on the battlefield. After finding her target, ResQ pointed her left arm towards the virus, prompting the ANGEL to mimic her movement. She activated the chip using the control panel with her right hand, causing the claw to spin up rapidly, like a massive drill. After solidifying her aim, she rotated her left wrist 180 degrees to "fire" the weapon, causing the three vernier rockets to ignite and fire the drill claw towards the virus. [[i]"Airshot,"[/i]] ResQ requested via text message to her Operator. Alexander grabbed the requested chip and slotted it into the PET as his Navi's still spinning claw was retracted.

The claw's rotation started to slow before finally easing to a stop, and the Navi received notification of the chip upload. She looked skywards, trying to find the Pulsebat above. She looked towards the walls first, expecting to find a significantly larger shadow of the virus (thanks to the strobe) to give her a better idea of its general location before attempting to find its exact whereabouts. She raised her right arm, the ANGEL following simultaneously, now wielding a cannon-like firearm. Unlike the typical cannon chip, a bulbous accumulator took the place of the magazine, and the barrel had several stepdowns to further pressurize its "ammunition." A holo crosshair display opened out from her wrist, already sighted to the AirShot cannon. She waited for several flashes to get a better sight picture on the PulseBat, then fired. The cannon made a sharp *POP* as opposed to the typical boom of a firearm, and had a distinct lack of muzzle flash or recoil. The compressed air projectile made a beeline from the weapon to her target, and though it was essentially invisible to the naked eye, the compressed pulse of pressurized air had enough kinetic energy to send even heavyweight targets reeling. ResQ was interested to see what it would do to a lightweight, flying target like the PulseBat.

With her weapons expended, she activated the second borrowed chip in case her targets survived. A large, rectangular structure materialized in front of ResQ. It was nearly as tall as the ANGEL, but not quite as wide. It was difficult to determine colors due to the green strobe, but it appeared the structure was a very dark, matte gray. Though ResQ couldn't see, the front had what appeared to be black outlines of two crossed arms, two closed eyes, and a closed mouth. They looked as if they were painted on, since the structure was perfectly flat on all sides. However, should a virus be unfortunate enough to attack, the almost impossibly flat arms would open up, revealing a nearly 5" tall vertical maw with the sole purpose to deliver a crushing bite to the aggressor.


ACTIONS:
DrillArm1: Banana SwordyD (60 + Break+ Knockback + Long Attack) [B accuracy]
AirShot1: Yellow PulseBatB (40dmg + Microburst) [A accuracy]
CurseShield1: ResQ.EXE (1 Hit Shield) + (Counter(160): On-Hit) [A accuracy]
"Wait!" Dullahan called out, but to no avail; the enigmatic potassium-based Navigator was long gone, his voice trailing off into the ethereal void of... wherever his headquarters were within this absurd architecture.

Earlier, he spotted that his partner had taken up his offered arms, and looked rather eager to put them to good use. Birkenhead was rather unamused, the incessant sound of scritch-scratch echoing the Operator's confusion. Don't worry, I, too, am confused by this ridiculous rule, Dullahan cursed inwardly.

At this rate, he was going to pull the collaborative effort down, making it unsightly and too inefficient for his personal tastes. Hah! As if you and your programming is not the same person. Surely you jest, silly knight, the Navigator mentally chided some more.

It didn't take him long to spot the PulseBat fluttering about, looking eager to draw blood. ... Metaphorically speaking. Dullahan raised his shield against the mammalian adversary, ready to brace for any oncoming impact.

The Lock-On unit, however, was not as passive; and proceeded to shoot a bolt at its master's opponent.

Summary of actions:
1) Raise Guard1 and brace for impact
-. Activated Chip: Lock-On1 - 10 Null + Lock On; A Accuracy - PulseBatB
2-4) Autododge
"Throw away your logic and kick reason to the curb! Beautifully following the golden fruit! If there's a banana, we peel it down! It's a tree grown with these hands! The...*ahem*...

For whatever reason, ResQ's swift, DrillArm-bound deletion of the Swordy is heralded by BananaMan's bombastic outburst, echoing around the towering colosseum. He trails off towards the end, as though he hadn't meant to let the dramatic speech slip out, and the battle continues on as though the whole thing had never happened.

Meanwhile, the PulseBat continues sailing skyward, squeaking angrily in Dullahan's general direction. It makes as though to fire one of its damaging pulses at the Navi, only for ResQ's Airshot to nail it in the back. The concussive force of the hyper-compressed air sends the little bat rocketing like a cannonball, straight for Dullahan. The resulting impact he feels against his shield is not that of a Pulsar, but rather of the PulseBat itself; the Guard doesn't register it as an attack to reflect, but nonetheless it pushes the Navi back a few steps. Unfortunately for him, the few steps he needs to recover is rather more than his tiny platform has room for.

The Lock-On fills the disoriented PulseBat with shells, deleting it with a distinct taste of anti-climax. Meanwhile, Dullahan teeters over the edge of his parapet, and promptly plummets like a stone, just barely managing to get the Guard below him before he hits the ground. The poor abused shield gives way at this, thankfully absorbing enough of the landing shock that Dullahan finds himself on terra firma, rather shaken but ultimately unharmed. It was one way to get him back on the bottom level, one might suppose.

-Viruses-
Banana SwordyA: DELETED
Banana SwordyB: FLATTENED
Banana SwordyC: DELETED
Banana SwordyD: PIERCED (THE HEAVENS)
Yellow PulseBatA: SMUSHED
Yellow PulseBatB: NOPE
Baker OldStoveA: SQUISHED
Baker OldStoveB: DELETED [Pie ready!]

-Objects-
GMD: 20HP [1st Floor]
Pie: 1HP [1st Floor]
Plantain Plungers [1st Floor]: 8 Remaining
Plantain Plungers [2nd Floor]: 3 Remaining [All fallen to 1st Floor, indistinguishable from 1st Floor Plungers]

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Dullahan: 140HP [1st Floor] [Guard1 broken!] [Potassium Power! Attack +30: 6 uses]
ResQ: 130HP [1st Floor] [RageClaw1: 4/6 uses remaining] [Potassium Power! Attack +30: 6 uses]

=BATTLE #2: VICTORIOUS!!=
Rewards:
ResQ: Sword, 390z, 4 FXP
Dullahan: Pulsar1, 390z, 4 FXP

Quote ()

Sword
Damage: 80 + Slashing
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a sword made of solidified energy, with a very short blade. Hits one target per slash
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 swings.
Element: Null

Quote ()

Pulsar1
Damage: 70 + Object Triggered Blast 2
Accuracy: A (Primary) / B (Blast)
Description: Fires a sound wave. If it hits an object, its range is amplified, hitting anything near that object in a blast of noise.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Object Triggered Blast: Blast effect that only works if the attack hits an Object, such as a RockCube.

The battle complete, Dullahan's Lock-On automatically dematerializes, and Long Tall Sally finally stops playing, leaving nothing but blissful silence. The GMD's strobe effect stops, leaving ResQ and Dullahan in darkness for a few seconds until the normal, sourceless lighting kicks back in. The Mystery Data lowers down to ground level for easy access, and BananaMan's voice starts blaring again, "Wow, that was really something! You two make quite the team, have you been doing this long?" He doesn't give the two of them any chance to try and reply, just steamrolling right on. "Well, I'd say you two have earned yourselves a break on that one, so I'm going to be nice and let you have a breather before the next round. Kick back, relax, crack that GMD open...heck, there's even some pie down there if you want some; it sure looks delicious from where I'm sitting, hoo hoo! But anyway, just say the word when you're ready for another go-round, and I'll have at it!

The Navi's voice cuts out again, leaving Dullahan and ResQ alone together once more, but for the GMD and the aforementioned pie. By some bizarre Net-logic, despite being a banana cream pie that would logically require hours of chilling, the fresh-baked confection is already completely set and ready for consumption...and it really does smell quite lovely. A little indulgence isn't a bad thing, right?

<(PIE: EAT Y/N? GMD: OPEN Y/N?)>