Bus-cle Muscle

When MidKnight accessed the bus route map, as a navi came rushing past her, screaming something about viruses and the bus route. Turning around to roughly where the navi had come from, MidKnight could see a bus stop sign nearby, with another trio of viruses all but surrounding it. A grassy bush with logs for eyes was vomiting up logs at the nearby sign, denting it's base inwards, whilst a Metool with a finned helmet and what looked to be carrying a small shotgun underneath it's helmet...with a flappy little virus with a perpetual smile on it's face was crushing up the local area by jumping high into the air, turning into a giant weight and smashing the local area with it's weight.

Trundling up towards them, the Powie (Or Flappy in some circles) would make notice of the navi and quickly alert it's fellow viruses. The Metool quickly hiding under it's finned helmet, whilst the bush virus quickly hid behind the lightly screwed up sign as it tried to repair itself. Battle Routines flared up for MidKnight and she was quickly thrust into battle, with a nice surprise showing up nearby...a green data cube slowly rising up from the ground, spinning counterclockwise and giving an inviting feeling to the navi when she looked upon it. Whatever it was, she could gather it up after the fighting was done, the viruses seemed to be paying no heed to it for the time being.

-- Bus Stop Meddlers --
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.: 50 HP (Behind BusStop.Sign, facing MidKnight) (Normal)
PowiePowie (Powie)

Powies are never encountered in confined spaces, like a low ceilinged cave and such (for obvious reasons). Powies also never intentionally jump to broken or missing terrain. They will, however, attempt attacks over broken or missing terrain if they see an enemy there. Powies will not attempt to attack the same target on two consecutive actions.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Netopia, Beach

HP: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: (Movement(High-Alt) + Knockback) Then (20 + Break + PanelCrack + Nova1)
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Leaps quickly into the air, knocking away anything it collides with, before stopping directly above an enemy. They will then immediately change into a 10-ton press and fall down. The impact of the fall creates an explosion.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Quake1, Zenny
Special: AirShoes.
Special: The explosion does not trigger if the virus attacks a target on Broken/Missing terrain and misses. It will not fall into Broken/Missing terrain with its attacks unless forcefully pushed in.: 60 HP (A little ways away, to the back and left of the sign, facing MidKnight) (Cracked)
NeoMetoolNeoMetool (NeoMetool)

NeoMetool not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Spits out a bullet that penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Shotgun, ShieldGuard, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.
Special: If hit while hiding with a non-Break attack, its next attack will do 30 damage instead of 10. This effect does not stack across multiple hits.: 40 HP (In front of the sign, back turned to MidKnight) (Cracked) (Guarding)

-- Just wants a bus already! --
MidKnight.EXE: 150 HP (Situated on the south-western-ish corner of the field, within distance of any virus) (Normal)

-- Terrain --
25% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

(Mostly singular panels with a small patch in the middle)
75% Normal

• No effects.

(Most of the field)

-- Objects --
BusStop.Sign: 40 HP (Chipped and fractured, towards the middle of the field)
GMD: 15 HP (Off to the left of the sign, about a feint away)

-- Battle 2 Ready? Start!! --

“Wot in tha…” MidKnight looked up from her terminal as someone went screaming past her. There was a commotion nearby; a trio of viruses were causing havoc around an innocent bus stop sign.

“Mind handin’ me some guns, m’oim?” MidKnight adjusted her helmet before drawing her sword again. “Feelin’ a wee bit outgunned at the moment.”

<<Yeah, yeah. I’ve got what you need.>> Orion already had her chips ready before MidKnight had even asked; Orion might be a lot to handle, but was thankfully no slouch in a netbattle. She smiled with pride, feeling a slight shudder from the connection she had to her PET, like a spider on a distant web. She darted forward, her metal boots thonking loudly, taking up position behind the hiding Metool.

Energy coalesced within the circular ring of MidKnight’s blade, the cannon battlechip manifesting as a silver orb. She waited for the Powie to leap into the air, above any sort of cover, before thrusting the sword towards the virus. The steel of the sword glowed silver and the cannon bullet fired out from between the twin blades like a railgun, a trail of light following like a fan desperate for an autograph.

Turning her attention to the Metool, MidKnight waited for the virus to make its move; attacking the helmet was a useless endeavor, a lesson that all navis learn very quickly into their careers. This one was new to her, though. It had a cool fin on it’s helm that MidKnight definitely wasn’t jealous of. It also carried a mean-looking shotgun with it; she’d never seen a Metool with a gun. Was someone supplying these creatures with illegal firearms, or was it just a natural advancement of their code-eat-code evolution?

Whatever the reason, MidKnight prepared to sidestep the Met’s nasty shottie, and kept her sword on hand to deliver a swift, and deadly rebuttal.

<<Another shot, coming in hot.>> Orion warned. The battlechip surged through MidKnight, traveling into her sword to begin its short life as an orb of dark grey energy. The blades of the sword turned outwards at the tip, like water coming out of a cartoon whale. She aimed her sword at the bus stop, firing the spread of buckshot at whatever was in front, or behind, it.

MidKnight crouched, the heels of her boots blazing as the thrusters activated. Smoke billowed out behind her like a genie late for his train. Or bus, in this case. She rocketed forward, her sword lagging behind as she charged shoulder first. The blade lit up, glowing like a full moon. As she reached her target MidKnight swung, a full bodied pirouette that carved light into the air. If someone had been watching from above, they’d have sworne a moon had been briefly present.

[1]: Repositioning (Movement -> Behind Metool)
[2]: CannonDamage: 60 + Knockback
Accuracy: A
Description: A decent sized cannon with a single shot.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E: 60 + Knockback (Acc: A) -> Powie
[3]: Sidestep (Dodge)
[3+]: Riposte(Auto Counter, 40dmg + Slashing, A) -> NeoMetool
[4]: ShotgunDamage: 50 + Spread 1
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E: 50 + Spread 1 (Acc: A) -> NeoMetool if Alive, Else -> BusStop.Sign
[5]: ROCKET (Feint -> Towards Shrubby)
[6]:{Sig, 2TCD} Roundo Rondo ((60dmg + Slashing) -> Shrubby if Alive

The clamour of a group of more aggressive viruses causing problems was enough to draw MidKnight into battle again, this time to defend the bus stop from destructive ne'er-do-wells. As she moved up and circled the gun-toting, masked metool the hooligan tipped its helmet quickly, pulling down beneath the sturdy cap and protecting itself from harm. At the same time, the hiding shrubby popped out from behind the sign, launching a rolling wooden log towards them – it bumped against the neo-met's helmet, however, and bounced high, sailing past MidKnight herself without connecting.

Not to be left out of the sudden brawl, the Powie also turned to wards the melee and leap up high, as though it intended to just crush everyone. Before it could transform, however, a crack shot from the navigator sent a streaking shot upwards, crashing through the high-flying virus and carrying it away in a lingering stardust trail.

The lowered helmet near MidKnight lifted up again, and the shotgun poked out, expecting to find the navi distracted with the other combatants. Unfortunately for the evolved metoool, she was more than ready for it; it fired, and MidKnight twisted around it with a graceful motion that ended with her sword point piercing through the exposed body of the virus in one clean action.

As the NeoMet disintegrated, the shrubby peeked briefly out from behind the bus stop sign, seemingly reconsidering its options, but MidKnight was already levelling her blade towards it. It ducked behind the sign, but the blocking object wouldn't be enough to save it in the end. The glittering buckshot seemed to twist and curve slightly even as it traced towards the target; the sign itself, strangely, seemed to escape most of the shot. By the time MidKnight fired up her boots and repositioned, surging forward and around the sign, sword at the ready, she found only that her first shot had done its work, and no further threats remained.

The sign creaked, hanging on by a thread as its restoration processes tried to claw their way back towards legibility... it would take a moment or two to recover to the point where she could read it properly, most likely. In the mean time, however... the green data crystal awaited a naviagtor's hand, and MidKnight was the only one remaining now to claim her rightful dues.

-=Bus Stop Meddlers=-
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.: DELETED
PowiePowie (Powie)

Powies are never encountered in confined spaces, like a low ceilinged cave and such (for obvious reasons). Powies also never intentionally jump to broken or missing terrain. They will, however, attempt attacks over broken or missing terrain if they see an enemy there. Powies will not attempt to attack the same target on two consecutive actions.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Netopia, Beach

HP: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: (Movement(High-Alt) + Knockback) Then (20 + Break + PanelCrack + Nova1)
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Leaps quickly into the air, knocking away anything it collides with, before stopping directly above an enemy. They will then immediately change into a 10-ton press and fall down. The impact of the fall creates an explosion.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Quake1, Zenny
Special: AirShoes.
Special: The explosion does not trigger if the virus attacks a target on Broken/Missing terrain and misses. It will not fall into Broken/Missing terrain with its attacks unless forcefully pushed in.: DELETED
NeoMetoolNeoMetool (NeoMetool)

NeoMetool not currently attacking will guard. Entering guard mode requires an action. Exiting guard mode does not require an action.

Area: ACDC, Electown, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Dentech, Beach

HP: 40
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Spits out a bullet that penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Shotgun, ShieldGuard, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.
Special: If hit while hiding with a non-Break attack, its next attack will do 30 damage instead of 10. This effect does not stack across multiple hits.: DELETED

-=Just wants a bus already!=-
MidKnight.EXE: 150Hp [Nomral]

-=Terrain=-
25% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

(Mostly singular panels with a small patch in the middle)
75% Normal

• No effects.

(Most of the field)

-=Objects=-
BusStop.Sign: 10Hp (Regenerating slowly towards 100Hp)
GMD: 15HP (Off to the left of the sign, about a feint away)

-=Battle 2, Victory!=-
Spoils: 1000z

Open GMD?

Upon finding her final foe already vanquished, MidKnight let the etheric glow drain from her sword. She breathed in deeply, drawing the viruses' fragmented data into her where it could be bitcrushed into Zenny.

A green light reflected off her armour, and she turned to find a shiny green data node just sitting there for her to crack open.

((Open GMD: Y))

With no-one else around to claim the crystal prize, the green light of the data cache gave way under MidKnight's hand, unpacking itself until it delivered a stored stash of forgotten zenny; whoever it had belonged to before, and however it had ended up abandoned and forgotten here, it was MidKnight's prize now.

((GMD: 2500z))

“By lummy, that’s a treasure an’ an ‘alf!” MidKnight stuck her arm into the zenny, absorbing all the condensed data. “Oi could get me a noice upgrade for me noggin with that.”

<<I yearn for the days when I didn’t have to scrounge in the internet’s trashcans for money.>> Orion groused.

“Don’t worry, m’oim!” MidKnight beamed, crumpling the shell of the GMO into a small ball and tossing it in her mouth. “You’ve got me to do the scroungin’.”

She chewed distractedly for a moment, before remembering what she was doing before the trouble with the triple. The bus stop sign that had been gnawed on (and slightly shotgunned) flickered as it begun to repair itself. “Now lessee… This is the stop that Orion’s at now…” She examined the floor tiles; several glowed with chevrons, pointing out a route that passed by the stop sign. “Oi bet the bus program comes through ‘ere…”

<<Well, what are you waiting for? A bus?>> Orion butted in. <<Follow it!>>

“Yes, m’oim!” MidKnight turned on a heel and marched down the road in the opposite direction of the chevrons. The sooner she could locate the bus, the sooner she could soothe Orion’s mounting fury.

-------------------------------
((VIRUS BUSTING, BATTLE 3 READY))
-------------------------------

While the repairing sign didn't show any immediate answers for the delay, MidKnight was on the trail of whatever would explain her operator's predicament. The woes of... a slightly delayed bus... were not to be tolerated, after all!

Outside of the simulated bus stoop information area, the glowing line became a rapid transit-way that carried MidKnight's steps swiftly through blurring network space, until, quite suddenly, her speed slowed again to walking pace. Rather than meeting up at any intended destination or, indeed, any erstwhile delayed programs, however, the navi found herself more or less in the middle of nowhere.

Ahead and behind, the transit-way stretched out, its shifting light pattern ticking along. To either side of the path, a series of sturdy barrier bollards marked the transit off from the rest of the surrounding network. The reason for her sudden halt, however, seemed clear; just ahead, in the middle of the path and occupying most of it, was the shaggy, sleeping shape of a massive teddy bear – perhaps a bit more bear than teddy, but all obstruction. It dozed, oblivious to the blockage it was being.

Before she could react or approach, something else out of place caught MidKnight's eyes – tow of the barrier posts didn't look quite right... and they shifted, slightly, as she arrived in the area. The tops of these ones were cannon turrets that now began to train themselves on the navi. That wasn't right. A shadow flickered just in front the sleeping bear as the small image of a ghost-like virus faded into sight, waggling its tongue at MidKnight with a mischievous giggle. It looked at her, then at the bear, then at her again, then promptly slapped the bear with its tongue before teleporting back behind it, out of the suddenly waking creature's line of sight. The bear stared up with a growl, sounding agitated as it looked for what had disturbed it – it's first sight, however, was on Midnight, directly in front of it.

-=Roadway Delay?=-
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile A: 50Hp [Metal] (Left side, mid, impersonating a bollard)
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile B: 50Hp [Metal] (Right side, mid, impersonating a bollard)
TeddyTeddy (Teddy)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Yumland

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Tears at an enemy with its claws.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 + Impact x 2 targets
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Picks up and throws one enemy at another.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: (Varies) + Impact
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Picks up and throws an object at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RageClaw1, Zenny
Special: Will only use its secondary attack if there is more than one enemy. Will only use its tertiary attack if there is an object capable of being thrown.: 100Hp [Normal] (Dead ahead, about a movement away)
SpookySpooky (Spooky)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 30
Attack: 10 Null
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Teleports up to the opponent and slaps with its long tongue.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Recover10, Recover30 (Rare), Invis1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Can teleport at will.
- Can use Recover 30 on any virus below 1/2 HP: 30Hp [Normal] (Just behind Teddy)

-=Errant Knight=-
MidKnight.EXE: 150Hp [Normal]

-=Terrain=-
20% Solar

• Elec Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Cracked.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Stun1.

(Central track)
20% Metal

• Cannot be Broken or Cracked except with Geddon/PanelShot, cannot be Burrowed into.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Cracked.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Furnace.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Break.

(Borders of the transit-way)
60% Normal

• No effects.

(Rest of the field)

-=Objects=-
Transit-way bollards: 20Hp (line the transit way on either side, every handful of paces)

-=Battle 3, Start!=-

“So this is what being a bus is loik!” MidKnight cheered as the transit walkway sped her through the internet. Sights and sounds passed her by as she zoomed along the road. It started off pretty jarring, but now she found a good pace to walk without unbalancing herself.

That was before the transit walkway suddenly gave out. MidKnight tumbled head over heels as her momentum carried her off the roadway, her face slamming into the ground. Good thing she was wearing her helmet.

<<Hey! Why’d you stop?>> Orion grilled. <<You should almost be at the next stop by now!>>

“Wum shekkond, mlm…” MidKnight peeled herself off the floor.

She hopped to her feet, massaging her face, and took a look around. The transit path continued onwards, but the reason for the sudden acceleration became immediately apparent. “That’s a heffer alright.” MidKnight whistled, taking in the immense bulk of a massive bear-shaped virus. It slept soundly in the middle of the rode, and she briefly wondered if she’d need some sort of instrument to wake it up.

<<What on earth is that?>> Orion demanded.

MidKnight regarded the bear with a fond smile. “Just an ol’ bear gettin’ some shut eye, m’oim. It ain’t ‘armin nuffin.”

Orion huffed with impatience. <<Sleeping or not, it's a bloody nuisance. Get rid of it.>>

“Alright, m’oim.” MidKnight pondered to herself. “Now ‘ow exactly am oi gonna shift this geezer wivvout a crane…?”

Her answer came when a small ghost visited her from beyond the realm of spirits. It gave no advice from the other side, instead slapping the bear awake and running for cover.

“Oh,” MidKnight deflated, craning her neck backwards as the towering teddy lumbered to its paws, “well that’s roight unfair, that is.” A small blush invaded her cheeks as the bear flexed its mighty stuffing-arms. “Now what would it feel loik to get hit by that…?”

Only if Midknight had been some sort of omnipresent, all-powerful being could she have seen Orion rolling her eyes like the wheels on a bus that go round and round. <<Look, here’s a gun. Do something!>>

“Yes, m’oim!”

Eager for interaction, Midknight rushed towards the Teddy, feeling the thrum of energy ignite within her weapon. Yelling some manner of Cockney-stained battle cry, she thrust the sword at the Teddy’s belly like an incensed janitor with a mop soaked in gunpowder. The shot went off, the orb blasting between the twin blades with all the strength of a raging fire. Hopefully, if the shot was true, it would catch more than just the Teddy within its sights.

Aware that the Teddy may not take kindly to having its personal space invaded, Midknight brought her blade up to protect herself from attack, keeping on her toes for a potential threat from the viruses that were not giant bears.

Suddenly there were! What she had assumed were simple bollards to prevent an unfortunate accident, turned out to be cannons in disguise! Finding herself surrounded, a jolt of excitement ran through her like a fork in an electrical socket. Her blade hummed as she swung it like an amateur hammer thrower, spinning in place, attempting to gain some space and inconveniencing anything that refused to give it to her.

<<This is taking too long!>> Orion grumbled, feeling like a year had slipped by in the short time she hadn't spoken. <<Take everything we’ve got!>>

Midknight’s blade thrummed with power as two battlechips surged into its processes. Midknight queued up the first, a Guard shield, waiting and watching for the next enemy to make a move. If they did, she’d swing her weapon to deflect it, and hopefully return the damage in kind. Seeing the clash on her blade, she felt somewhat jealous of her sword.

Energy swelled within the blade once more, the orb at the center glowing bright blue. Aiming down its sights, the orb ejected, flashing forward full of destructive energy.


[1]: Repositioning (Movement -> Towards Teddy)
[2]: ShotgunDamage: 50 + Spread 1
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E: 50 + Spread 1 (Acc: A) (50 dmg + Spread 1, A) -> Teddy
[3]: Juke and Parry (Dodge)
[3+]: Riposte(Auto Counter, 40dmg + Slashing, A) -> Teddy (Or Nearby Attacker)
[4]:{Sig, 2TCD} Roundo Rondo ((60dmg + Slashing) -> Teddyif Alive or Spooky (If Nearby)
[5]: Guard1Effect: (1 Hit Shield) + (Reflect(up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack): On Hit)
Accuracy: S
Description: Generates a 1-Hit Shield upon activation. When this shield blocks one hit from a non-Break attack, it responds with a hyper-fast damage ray.
Duration: Until broken or overridden.
Element: Null
Special: Negated by Break. Ignores Impact.
Special: Reflect: Damage returned is equal to the damage of the attack blocked or the damage cap listed, whichever comes first. Reflect is not subject to negation by Impact.
Special: Status Guard: This chip blocks debuffs.
Trader Rank: E: (1 Hit Shield) + (Reflect(up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack): On Hit) (Acc: S)(1 Hit Shield + On Hit: (Reflect up to 60dmg + Piercing + Line Attack, S)) -> Teddyif Alive or CannonDumb A
[6]: CannonDamage: 60 + Knockback
Accuracy: A
Description: A decent sized cannon with a single shot.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E: 60 + Knockback (Acc: A) (60 dmg + Knockback, A) -> Spookyif Alive or CannonDumb B

With a certain malicious spirit deciding that peaceful resolution wasn't an option, MidKnight moved to close in on the groggy and now aggrieved Teddy that seemed to be blaming her for its rude awakening. The Spooky giggled to itself as it hid behind the mountain for fur and claws, but soon discovered that its sneaky plan had a key flaw.

MidKnight's first bolt of energy launched from her weapon, striking the Teddy in the midsection at close range, but boring through with enough potency to light up the actual perpetrator of this mess as well; the spooky had all of a brief moment to contemplate the principles of immediate karma, before being rendered in fragmented data.

The Teddy, unfortunately, was a much sturdier program. It roared, taking a half a step back and rearing to its full height in response to the attack, then reached down and ripped one of the transit bollards out of the ground and attempted to hurl it at the errant knight. MidKnight was quick on her game, however, and a well trained dodge and reposition let her avoid the projectile and counter with a second stinging strike.

As she recovered her form from this manoeuvre, it became clear that the two cannon viruses had, in the initial fray, painted MidKnight up with targeting lasers, locking onto her position and preparing shots, but in taking their aim, the pair of turret viruses hadn't fired on her yet. There was time for MidKnight to press her advantage with the Teddy, and pres it she did. A third strike landed on the Teddy before it could recover from the second, and though ti seemed as though it might bear down on her with its claws a moment later, the motion turned out to be the great beast collapsing to the side, defeated.

The job well done was only marred by the continuing presence of the two cannons, now – they each fired cannon rounds of their own, zeroing in on the navi with their target locks. Despite being left alone to aim carefully, pick their moment and shoot with precision, one of the pair still managed to miss the knight in the middle of the road. They were not, perhaps, very sophisticated viruses. The other one was more on target, but MidKnight had just enough time to deflect the shot with her blade, and strike back at the cannon in kind, though the weakness of the cannon's own shot left the counterblow unable to delete it outright. The second cannon wasn't so fortunate, as MidKnight's last attack carried more than enough power to cleanly remove the top of the offending turret.


-=Roadway Delay?=-
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile A: 30Hp [Metal] (Left side, mid, impersonating a bollard) [Target Lock: MidKnight]
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile B: DELETED
TeddyTeddy (Teddy)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Yumland

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Tears at an enemy with its claws.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 + Impact x 2 targets
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Picks up and throws one enemy at another.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: (Varies) + Impact
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Picks up and throws an object at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RageClaw1, Zenny
Special: Will only use its secondary attack if there is more than one enemy. Will only use its tertiary attack if there is an object capable of being thrown.: DELETED
SpookySpooky (Spooky)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 30
Attack: 10 Null
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Teleports up to the opponent and slaps with its long tongue.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Recover10, Recover30 (Rare), Invis1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Can teleport at will.
- Can use Recover 30 on any virus below 1/2 HP: DELETED

-=Errant Knight=-
MidKnight.EXE: 150Hp [Normal]

-=Terrain=-
20% Solar

• Elec Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Cracked.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Stun1.

(Central track)
20% Metal

• Cannot be Broken or Cracked except with Geddon/PanelShot, cannot be Burrowed into.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Cracked.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Furnace.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Break.

(Borders of the transit-way)
60% Normal

• No effects.

(Rest of the field)

-=Objects=-
Transit-way bollards: 20Hp (line the transit way on either side, every handful of paces)

Midknight swiped with her blade, throwing off the residual data of her used battle chips, blue sparks skittering and vanishing on impact with the causeway. She checked herself for wounds; no gunshots or crushing bear hugs had marred her. “Aww.”

<<Quit your whingeing!>> Orion bemoaned. <<Look! You missed one!>>

Midknight surveyed the area, finding one of the large disguised cannons had survived its own attack. “Whoops! Oh well! That shouldn’t be a problem!”

Midknight approached the CannonDumb, the scene’s line art growing bolder as her stride grew wider. Midknight imagined the immobile virus quaking in its foundations. Perhaps it might even favour her with a riveting blast to the face. But, it seemed a slow thing and probably unable to grant her hidden request.

<<Are you just going to hack at it like a barbarian?>> Orion squinted at her. <<You’re not programmed with that sort of strength. Here.>>

True enough, unpowered as it was, it would take a while for her to charge up enough energy for a proper blow. She could feel new battle chip data docking with her sword like a tourist stepping out of a cruise liner. The sword shortened by roughly half its length, then split into three. Somewhere in the middle of these blades a crease appeared, and the blade ends bent forward into the rough facsimile of a claw.

Midknight lowered the sword, stepping forward with a rising uppercut. A sudden rage overcame her, and she slashed with the sword-claw again and again, aiming to slice the offending obstruction into operator-appeasing ashes. Turns out, she was in fact going to hack at it like a barbarian.


[1]: Advancing (Movement -> Towards CannonDumb A)
[2]: RageClaw1Damage: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw)
Accuracy: B / B then B
Description: Creates an impressive bear claw. Can be used to slash or throw enemies or objects.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 uses.
Element: Null
Special: Throw: The wielder must first grab the target to be thrown, then the target is thrown in the direction/area indicated. A second check is made if against another object/enemy. Throw deals damage to both thrown object/enemy and the second object/enemy. Damage occurs at point of collision with the ground/wall/ceiling/etc. or an object/enemy, not during initial grab attempt. Objects deal their max HP in damage (instead of the chip's damage) if they hit an object/enemy, then break. If they miss, the object just takes the chip's damage. This chip has a variety of uses.
Trader Rank: D: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw) (Acc: B / B then B) -> CannonDumb A
[2+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)
[3]: RageClaw1Damage: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw)
Accuracy: B / B then B
Description: Creates an impressive bear claw. Can be used to slash or throw enemies or objects.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 uses.
Element: Null
Special: Throw: The wielder must first grab the target to be thrown, then the target is thrown in the direction/area indicated. A second check is made if against another object/enemy. Throw deals damage to both thrown object/enemy and the second object/enemy. Damage occurs at point of collision with the ground/wall/ceiling/etc. or an object/enemy, not during initial grab attempt. Objects deal their max HP in damage (instead of the chip's damage) if they hit an object/enemy, then break. If they miss, the object just takes the chip's damage. This chip has a variety of uses.
Trader Rank: D: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw) (Acc: B / B then B) -> CannonDumb A
[3+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)
[4]: RageClaw1Damage: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw)
Accuracy: B / B then B
Description: Creates an impressive bear claw. Can be used to slash or throw enemies or objects.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 uses.
Element: Null
Special: Throw: The wielder must first grab the target to be thrown, then the target is thrown in the direction/area indicated. A second check is made if against another object/enemy. Throw deals damage to both thrown object/enemy and the second object/enemy. Damage occurs at point of collision with the ground/wall/ceiling/etc. or an object/enemy, not during initial grab attempt. Objects deal their max HP in damage (instead of the chip's damage) if they hit an object/enemy, then break. If they miss, the object just takes the chip's damage. This chip has a variety of uses.
Trader Rank: D: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw) (Acc: B / B then B) -> CannonDumb A
[4+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)
[5]: --
[6]: --

With only one remaining target to contend with, MidKnight moved up on the immobile virus while it stared her down with its target-locked muzzle. Perhaps she was a little slow to approach it, or perhaps some other momentary feeling led the navi to brief hesitation, but before the slightly bent blade could connect the turret managed one last point-blank shot that MidKnight had no opportunity to dodge... or perhaps she secretly didn't try?

Either way, the cannon blast impacted into the navi's upper shoulder just moments before her weapon cleaved in and destroyed it once and for all. A last scattering of thoroughly junked data left MidKnight the victor over this no-longer obstructed transitway – though it seemed that the final cannon had broken down into something at least partially salvageable for her to make use of.

-=Roadway Delay?=-
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile A: DELETED
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

CannonDumb viruses attack any targets in sight every action they are able to. They can and will attack objects, but only objects they can damage. They will not waste cannon fire on IronBody, Shadow, or Invisible targets. The exception is Canodumb DS, which will fire at anything with its DarkCannon's beam blasts. All CannonDumb viruses may opt to spend one action prior to attacking marking their opponent with target lock. They gain the 10% accuracy benefit of Take Aim against this opponent for any and all follow-on attacks until they lose sight of the target, or switch targets.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

HP: 50
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires its cannon after aiming.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Mark Target
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Marks an enemy within line of sight with a target lock that raises the accuracy of this virus by +1 Rank (10%) until the virus is forced to switch targets or loses sight of the marked target (they take cover).
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Cannon, Zenny
Special: Immobile B: DELETED
TeddyTeddy (Teddy)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Yumland

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Tears at an enemy with its claws.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 + Impact x 2 targets
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Picks up and throws one enemy at another.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: (Varies) + Impact
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Picks up and throws an object at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RageClaw1, Zenny
Special: Will only use its secondary attack if there is more than one enemy. Will only use its tertiary attack if there is an object capable of being thrown.: DELETED
SpookySpooky (Spooky)

Area: ACDC, Yoka, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 30
Attack: 10 Null
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Teleports up to the opponent and slaps with its long tongue.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Recover10, Recover30 (Rare), Invis1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Can teleport at will.
- Can use Recover 30 on any virus below 1/2 HP: DELETED

-=Errant Knight=-
MidKnight.EXE: 130Hp [Normal]

-=Terrain=-
20% Solar

• Elec Elementals get +5 HP/action.
• Wood attacks: +100% Source Damage, change terrain hit to Cracked.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Stun1.

(Central track)
20% Metal

• Cannot be Broken or Cracked except with Geddon/PanelShot, cannot be Burrowed into.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• 100 Damage Aqua attacks: Change terrain hit to Cracked.
• 100 Damage Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Furnace.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Break.

(Borders of the transit-way)
60% Normal

• No effects.

(Rest of the field)

-=Objects=-
Transit-way bollards: 20Hp (line the transit way on either side, every handful of paces)

-=Battle 3, Victory!=-
Spoils: 1200z, CannonDamage: 60 + Knockback
Accuracy: A
Description: A decent sized cannon with a single shot.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E

Just as her blade cut off the ‘head’ of the smoothbore virus, it managed to leave one last retort, striking Midknight with a blast of cannon fire.

The impact jolted a gasp from her, unexpected and fierce. The shock ran through her like a lab rat through a maze. It set her subroutines alight, and alerts pinged at the edge of her vision; a whole kaleidoscope of electronic signals dancing in discordant harmony within her.

It was wonderful.

<<Mid!>> Orion’s voice came through, tinged with worry. <<Are you-?>>

“F-fine, M’oim!” Midknight clutched at the wound, unable to suppress the silly grin on her face. “Just a li’il bump, that’s all!”

Orion groaned, the roll of her eyes all but audible through the speaker. <<Ugh! Of course! Fool on me for…>>

The connection went silent; Midknight assumed Orion was fuming to herself and decided to strike on with her task of finding the bus. She noticed that the Cannondumb head was mostly intact, and upon picking it up, it converted into chip data. “Noice!”

Sheathing her sword, Midknight manoeuvred through the bollards and stepped back onto the transit path, heading for who knows where.


-------------------------------
((VIRUS BUSTING, BATTLE 4 READY))
-------------------------------

Moving further down the transit way, MidKnight might be satisfied that removing the viral obstruction was helpful... even if so far all it achieved was allowing the information sign to actually alert Orion that the bus was, in fact, delayed. The dichotomy of simultaneously helpful and useless information. Either way, however, it was clear that this little obstruction was not directly related to the cause of delay, so perhaps there was still something MidKnight could do!

It was only a short distance further along the mostly featureless transit path that MidKnight caught sight of a large vehicle part way on the transit line and part pulled off to one side. It was a bus, much like the one that Orion was still waiting on, though this one seemed to be surrounded by a mass of viruses circling and prodding occasionally at at the vehicle. A pair of bunnies chased around the exterior, a short distance out, but paused every now and then to fling rings of electricity at the lit up parts of their quarry, while off to one side a larger kabutank aimed its turret at the windows every few moments. Closer in, a pair of swordy viruses prodded at the doors of the bus with testing swords.

For now, it seemed as though any time one of the viruses attacked or struck the vehicle, its own protections flared with a crackle, keeping them out and preventing damage, but inside MidKnight could make out a pair of navigators looking on with worried expressions, each dressed in public service uniforms. They flinched any time one of the viruses attacked or jostled the vehicle. One caught sight of the errant knight approaching and began to wave at her through the front window.


-=Bus Vandals=-
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. A: 50Hp [Normal][Left side of the bus]
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. B: 50Hp [Normal][Right side of the bus]
KabutankKabutank (Kabutank)

While closely related to Beetank, Kabutank are a bit smarter and faster. They will use terrain and objects to their advantage if possible, and prefer to not allow Navis clean shots at them. They have one passive movement per turn, which can be used as either a movement or dodge.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Okuden Valley, Beach, NetVegas

HP: 90
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Blast 2 x 2 bombs
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Launches a pair of bombs that explode in a small radius.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Blast 1 + Seeking
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a bomb that ignores invisibility.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DoubleBomb, SeekerBomb1, Zenny: 90Hp [Normal][Behind the bus]
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. A: 60Hp [Normal][Front Right of the bus]
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. B: 60Hp [Normal][Front Right of the bus]

-=Armoured Saviour?=-
MidKnight.EXE: 130Hp [Normal] [Approaching from the front]

-=Terrain=-
85% Normal

• No effects.

15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered cracks near the back end of the bus]

-=Objects=-
Waylaid Bus: 500Hp [Immune to Damage, for now]

-=Battle 4, Start!=-

As the moving walkway came to its abrupt end, MidKnight was ready for it. She leapt from the conveyor, catching her momentum with a thudding jog. “Easy as mac’n’cheese pie!”

<<Better than your ‘sausage roll’ impression.>> Orion tutted.

MidKnight put a hand to her visor, scanning the horizon for her next destination. She was surprised to find that the horizon was not where her future lay, but instead it was only a few feet away.

“Well beep moi beep!” MidKnight exclaimed, marvelling at the scene before her. “Looks like the ol’ double decka’s in double trouble!” She waved back at the trapped attendants, hollering “Keep yer ‘ands ‘n arms inside the vehicle at all toims, folks! We’ll get you outta there!”

Though her calls most likely attracted the attention of the viruses, Midknight was already on the move. Sparks and silvery fire whooshed from the heels of her boots, rocketing her towards the bus. She leapt, catching herself with a single foot on the bonnet of the bus, redirecting her momentum to the right. Her sword glowed, it’s two prongs shimmering with moonlight. She fell down next to the Swordys, spinning her blade into their midst.

“Come on then!” Midknight taunted the floating warriors with their flaming swords. “Come and ‘ave a go if you think you’re ‘ard enough!” She kept her guard up, blade raised between her and viruses, awaiting Orion’s signal.

<<Oh look, you’ve found some else with swords for brains. What a small world.>> Midknight could almost feel the grudging exasperation Orion exuded by the way the two battlechips flowed into her sword. The first turned the energy in the blade dark grey, and the Shotgun chip rippled through it. <<Don’t get carried away with those vagabonds and forget about the other refuse around here.>

“Gotcha, mo’im!” MidKnight turned her blade to appear as though she were defending herself from the Swordys, but the tips of her tong-shaped weapon were pointed squarely in the Bunny’s direction. A blast of pellets roared from the sword like a skinny blunderbuss.

Experience taught her that the longer she focused on one target, the easier it would be to get surrounded. Swinging her sword like she was aiming to attack, MidKnight instead used the momentum to turn and jetted forward on her rocket boots across the ground in front of the bus. The Cannon data loaded a silver bullet into her sword, and as she peeked around the corner of the vehicle, her blade was already up and aimed at the second Bunny virus. The projectile smashed out of her blade’s data banks, and if it hadn’t been designed as a weapon of war, she would be worried that the chip might damage it.


---MIDKNIGHT'S TURN SUMMARY---

[1]: Step In (Movement -> Towards Front Right of Bus)

[2]: {Sig, 2TCD} Roundo Rondo ((60dmg + Slashing) -> Closest Swordy-N
[2+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)

[3]: Sword Fight? (Dodge)
[3+]: Riposte(Auto Counter, 40dmg + Slashing, A) -> Either Swordy, or other nearby attacker.
[3+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)

[4]: ShotgunDamage: 50 + Spread 1
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E: 50 + Spread 1 (Acc: A) -> Bunny B

[5]: Move Around (Feint -> Towards left side of bus where Bunny A is, keeping in cover)

[6]: CannonDamage: 60 + Knockback
Accuracy: A
Description: A decent sized cannon with a single shot.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E: 60 + Knockback (Acc: A) -> Bunny A

MidKnight's shouted challenge certainly managed to draw the attention of the viruses as she approached; before she could close the distance completely the two bunnies paused in their circling to jump up and flick their wire-frame ears forwards at her, sending crackling rings of electricity towards the highly conductive knight. One missed, scattering off to the side, but the second managed to clip MidKnight despite her attempt at rapid movement; it was only a small jolt, but the stinging tingle of it lingered.

It wasn't enough to slow her down, however, at least not yet, and she closed the remaining distance to where the pair of swordies had been trying to force the vehicle's door. One took a broad sword sweep at her as she leap onto the hood of the bus, but MidKnight had already spring-boarded off it and came down between the two, sword flaring. The ill-fated Swordy that had struck first died first as well, and though the second took a strike at Midknight as she landed the skilled swordswoman evaded the the thrusting stab and countered with a stinging riposte; not enough to defeat the second virus outright, but enough to send it reeling back for a moment.

A concussive blast broke up the duel as the tank virus levelled its main gun at her. MidKnight was caught off guard in the moment, but fortunately for the the tank wasn't the most accurate shot; the cannon blast went high and wide, impacting against the side of the buss, where the vehicle's remaining protections seemed to safely absorb the attack – though the two navis watching from inside flinched again and exchanged worried looks.

A short distance away, one of the bunnies had continued to hop back and forth, looking for a window to attack, but just as it thought it had found one, it discovered that line of sight goes both ways; the scattershot blast that came unexpectedly from MidKnight's twin-tined weapon peppered the bunny before it could take another shot and removed its threat from the fight.

Moving on quickly, MidKnight jetted across to the other side of the bus, seeking to repeat her performance with the other bunny, but as she levelled her sword towards this one it gave a sharp squeak and dashed further around the bus, dodging away from the destructive cannon shot. Worse luck, just as she fired the shot and saw it fail to connect, the tank virus trundled around the opposite end of the bus, meeting her gaze with its main gun again. This time, the tank's fire was more accurate and MidKnight took the return cannon blast in the midsection, unable to evade it in time. Fortunately, it lacked the power of her own cannon shots, but it sill stun nonetheless. It didn't seem like she was being given a chance to catch her breath either as the remaining Swordy wasn't content to be left behind. It warped across the battlefield to appear behind MidKnight, sword raised to strike at her again – though it seemed she had a moment to react, thanks to the virus's slow teleport.

-=Bus Vandals=-
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. A: 50Hp [Normal][Back right of the bus]
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. B: DELETED (Ping!)
KabutankKabutank (Kabutank)

While closely related to Beetank, Kabutank are a bit smarter and faster. They will use terrain and objects to their advantage if possible, and prefer to not allow Navis clean shots at them. They have one passive movement per turn, which can be used as either a movement or dodge.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Okuden Valley, Beach, NetVegas

HP: 90
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Blast 2 x 2 bombs
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Launches a pair of bombs that explode in a small radius.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Blast 1 + Seeking
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a bomb that ignores invisibility.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DoubleBomb, SeekerBomb1, Zenny: 90Hp [Normal][Back left of the bus]
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. A: DELETED (Ping!)
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. B: 19Hp [Normal][Directly behind MidKnight]

-=Armoured Saviour?=-
MidKnight.EXE: 100Hp [Normal][Stunned! (1)] [Left front of the bus]

-=Terrain=-
85% Normal

• No effects.

15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered cracks near the back end of the bus]

-=Objects=-
Waylaid Bus: 500Hp [Immune to Damage, for now]

The Kabutank blast struck MidKnight like a sucker punch, ripping a gasp from her. She stumbled back, dropping to her knees, rainbow-static spittle dripping from her mouth. Her sword clattered against the floor as she lost the strength she needed to lift it. A blackened crater smouldered on her purple armour, and the smell burned her nostrils.

Her arms and legs had seized up, the data routing through her limbs had been interrupted by the shock, and she couldn’t move them very well. She could see the shadow of a virus approaching, but she couldn’t respond.

The only thing MidKnight felt worse than the pain… was the euphoria. An overwhelming feeling of right-ness racked her body, her mouth quivering unbidden into a bloody grin.

“Now this… is a real foight!”

<<Mid. Get off the floor.>> Orion chided, trying but failing to hide her concern. <<You don’t know who touched it last.>>

MidKnight reached for her sword, fighting through the paralysis. Her fingers clamped around its hilt, and she held tight, tensing her body. She watched the shadow of the Swordy virus, waiting for its next attack. If it did attack her, she intended to roll under its swing and strike upwards from a kneeling position. Hopefully by then her body would be under control again.

<<What did I say about watching your back?>> Orion counselled. <<That tank’s got your number. It won’t let you get close so easily.>>

“That’s alroight, mo’im,” MidKnight acknowledged, her eyes bright and alert, “I’ll take the bus!”

MidKnight leapt onto the bonnet of the bus and tried to clamber onto the top, rationalising that one who had the high ground naturally had the advantage. If she kept low, the tank would have a harder time hitter her at this elevation. However, the bunny would still be hopping around somewhere. MidKnight kept an eye out for both of them, wary of their ranged attacks.

Battlechips slotted into her system like a hug from an unknown relative. A pale half-sphere as wide as her torso shimmered onto her left wrist. With sword and shield in hand, MidKnight prowled forward, the wonderful pain of the tank blast still smouldering on her chest.

Should the Bunny get the first shot in, MidKnight intended to dash forward, reserving the Shield for the Kabutank. Otherwise, as soon as she spotted the trundling machine she’d raise up her defence and brace for impact. With enough luck, the tank would get a taste of its own bolognese.

If MidKnight managed to survive all these problems, the Cannon data stored in her twin-pronged sword would be her return answer to the tank”s explosive questions. “I’d take a dozen more shots from you if I could,” MidKnight admitted to the tank as she lined up her shot, “But this bus has a schedule to keep.” Hopefully, the tank would be able to feel the same thrill that she had as the cannon blast launched from her sword, down at the treaded virus.


---MIDKNIGHT'S TURN SUMMARY---

[1]: Stunned!

[2]: (Dodge)
[2+]: Riposte(Auto Counter, 40dmg + Slashing, A) -> Swordy
[2+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)

[3]: (Movement) -> Onto the bus

[4]: Guard1Effect: (1 Hit Shield) + (Reflect(up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack): On Hit)
Accuracy: S
Description: Generates a 1-Hit Shield upon activation. When this shield blocks one hit from a non-Break attack, it responds with a hyper-fast damage ray.
Duration: Until broken or overridden.
Element: Null
Special: Negated by Break. Ignores Impact.
Special: Reflect: Damage returned is equal to the damage of the attack blocked or the damage cap listed, whichever comes first. Reflect is not subject to negation by Impact.
Special: Status Guard: This chip blocks debuffs.
Trader Rank: E: (1 Hit Shield) + (Reflect(up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack): On Hit) (Acc: S) [/b] -> Kabutank

[5]: (Dodge) -> Bunny

[6]: ShotgunDamage: 50 + Spread 1
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot penetrates an enemy to hit another one directly behind it.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: E: 50 + Spread 1 (Acc: A) [/b] -> Kabutank

In the time it took Midknight to shake off the finger-twitching, paralytic effects of the Bunny's electric ring, the irksome virus took advantage of her vulnerability to send another crackling shot her way; it only dealt very minor damage to the knight, but it did heighten and refresh the painful, erratic jolts through her system and cause them to linger on even as she recovered the majority of her mobility.

Just in time, as well, as she managed to role aside from the nearby Sword's forward thrust, and counter with a swift riposte that destroyed the inferior swordsman. The stab from the Swordy had struck the side of the bus as well, setting it to rock for a moment, though the defences protecting it held for now.

Without any further delay, MidKnight managed to climb up onto the bus, lowering her profile against the stunning shots from the bunny below, but the tank virus merely changed tactic; MidKinght was alone now, and no longer surrounded by other viruses, so the tank lobbed a pair of arcing explosives up towards her instead. The first landed right in front of her, while the second landed just behind; MidKnight was able to shield herself from the blast the detonated in front, but the rearward explosion still scorched her back. Her guard retaliated with a pin-pint beam of energy before it collapsed, but it was a thin beam; there wasn't a great deal of power in the tank's bombs to begin with.

As she ducked low to avoid another crackling ring from the Bunny, MidKnight might notice that the last two blasts that had detonated across the roof of the buss had bene the last straw for its general virus protection and the ward that had been holding off their attacks had collapsed, leaving the vehicle open to damage. It was, perhaps, a good thing that MidKnight had arrived when she had, all considered. She followed up her shield's retaliatory beam with a stronger shot of her own, striking the tank as it attempted to manoeuvre away to the back end of the bus. The hit damaged it badly, and made it reel onto one tread for a moment; the next pair of shots it fired went wide by a long margin but the virus remained functional for now, while MidKnight herself still had to deal with the debilitating shocks and spasms affecting her body.

-=Bus Vandals=-
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. A: 50Hp [Normal][Back right of the bus]
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. B: DELETED (Ping!)
KabutankKabutank (Kabutank)

While closely related to Beetank, Kabutank are a bit smarter and faster. They will use terrain and objects to their advantage if possible, and prefer to not allow Navis clean shots at them. They have one passive movement per turn, which can be used as either a movement or dodge.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Okuden Valley, Beach, NetVegas

HP: 90
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Blast 2 x 2 bombs
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Launches a pair of bombs that explode in a small radius.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Blast 1 + Seeking
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a bomb that ignores invisibility.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DoubleBomb, SeekerBomb1, Zenny: 30Hp [Normal][Directly Behind Bus]
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. A: DELETED (Ping!)
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. B: DELETED

-=Armoured Saviour?=-
MidKnight.EXE: 80Hp [Metal][Stunned! (1)][Atop the Bus]

-=Terrain=-
85% Normal

• No effects.

15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered cracks near the back end of the bus]

-=Objects=-
Waylaid Bus: 500Hp [External Virus Shield Compromised; Now Vulnerable to Damage]

MidKnight pushed through the electric jitters, gritting her teeth as she forged on. However, the Kabutank’s blast caught her off guard, slamming her face into the roof of the bus. As she raised her head, the imprint of her face was dented into the vehicle; a metallic smile.

MidKnight grinned back at it. The flush of pain energised her, and she bounced to her feet in no time flat. “You’re a smart one, aren’t ya? Cheeky.” She wiped the blood from her mouth and bounded forward, straight off the back of the bus.

Battlechip data was already flowing into her. She held her sword high and behind, the weapon splitting as she fell. One blade became three, and the tips bent into claws. With an elated battlecry, MidKnight plunged downward at the orange ball with its absurd cannon-nose. She swung, intending to perform a trisection on the Kabutank.

MidKnight rose from her landing point, her helmeted head scanning for the small bunny-eared menace that had shocked her so many times. The tingle of the electricity sparked from her grinning teeth as she locked eyes with the Bunny. “Got anymore in ya? Or are you all tuckered out?”

The visor on her helmet snapped down, and she braced herself, claw-sword held low behind her. The rockets in her greaves ignited, blasting her forward, the metal soles of her boots scraping against the roadway and showering sparks into the smoke behind her. This technique was hard to control, but for MidKnight the rush was exquisite. Plus, she wanted to practice.

Upon reaching the unruly rabbit, MidKnight swung in a flash, using the momentum of her drive to unleash an eviscerating double-whammy of uppercuts. The weight of her unbalanced blade twirled her like a pole-dancing golfer as the force of her first swing spun her neatly into a second.

---MIDKNIGHT'S TURN SUMMARY---

[1]: Stunned!

[2]: (Movement) -> Off the bus at the Kabutank

[3]: RageClaw1Damage: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw)
Accuracy: B / B then B
Description: Creates an impressive bear claw. Can be used to slash or throw enemies or objects.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 uses.
Element: Null
Special: Throw: The wielder must first grab the target to be thrown, then the target is thrown in the direction/area indicated. A second check is made if against another object/enemy. Throw deals damage to both thrown object/enemy and the second object/enemy. Damage occurs at point of collision with the ground/wall/ceiling/etc. or an object/enemy, not during initial grab attempt. Objects deal their max HP in damage (instead of the chip's damage) if they hit an object/enemy, then break. If they miss, the object just takes the chip's damage. This chip has a variety of uses.
Trader Rank: D: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw) (Acc: B / B then B) -> Kabutank
[3+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)

[4]: (Movement) [/b] -> Bunny

[5]: RageClaw1Damage: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw)
Accuracy: B / B then B
Description: Creates an impressive bear claw. Can be used to slash or throw enemies or objects.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 uses.
Element: Null
Special: Throw: The wielder must first grab the target to be thrown, then the target is thrown in the direction/area indicated. A second check is made if against another object/enemy. Throw deals damage to both thrown object/enemy and the second object/enemy. Damage occurs at point of collision with the ground/wall/ceiling/etc. or an object/enemy, not during initial grab attempt. Objects deal their max HP in damage (instead of the chip's damage) if they hit an object/enemy, then break. If they miss, the object just takes the chip's damage. This chip has a variety of uses.
Trader Rank: D: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw) (Acc: B / B then B) -> Bunny
[5+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)

[6]: RageClaw1Damage: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw)
Accuracy: B / B then B
Description: Creates an impressive bear claw. Can be used to slash or throw enemies or objects.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 uses.
Element: Null
Special: Throw: The wielder must first grab the target to be thrown, then the target is thrown in the direction/area indicated. A second check is made if against another object/enemy. Throw deals damage to both thrown object/enemy and the second object/enemy. Damage occurs at point of collision with the ground/wall/ceiling/etc. or an object/enemy, not during initial grab attempt. Objects deal their max HP in damage (instead of the chip's damage) if they hit an object/enemy, then break. If they miss, the object just takes the chip's damage. This chip has a variety of uses.
Trader Rank: D: 40 + Slashing (Attack) OR 20 + Impacting (Throw) (Acc: B / B then B) -> Bunny
[6+]: Sword Mastery (+1 Slashing Accuracy)

Despite the flattening impacts, and the slight daze coursing though her systems, MidKnight was eager to peel herself off the top of the bus and get back to the fight. Her movement came none too quickly as well; no sooner had the navi pressed forward to leap from the roof of the bus, than another pair of concussive shells sailed past her, to detonate in the air above where she had been moments ago. The twin bursts scored the paintwork on the roof of the bus, but the buffering pressure of the explosion wasn't enough to throw MidKnight off course in her own efforts; the split blade carved down with precision, trisecting the tank into multiple parts and rendering it, finally, inoperable.

That just left one. The final bunny whipped another electric ring towards her as she took off after it in a shower of. Perhaps by luck or the slightly hard-to-control wavering of her pursuit, the stunning shot sailed past MidKnight as she dashed towards her target, close enough to make her visor tingle with static but evaded by just a hair. Before the virus could even confirm its miss, the navi was on it, and her tri-blade claw struck it with enough force to send the bunny reeling for a moment. As it staggered back, its eyes darted about the scene and the obvious turn of the battle and it turned to begin hopping rapidly away from MidKnight, trying to circle the bus to get away from her. Unfortunately for the one remaining virus, the errant knight would not be denied and it wasn't fast enough to escape her pursuit, or the second rending strike of claws that found it seconds later.

-=Bus Vandals=-
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. A: DELETED
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. B: DELETED (Ping!)
KabutankKabutank (Kabutank)

While closely related to Beetank, Kabutank are a bit smarter and faster. They will use terrain and objects to their advantage if possible, and prefer to not allow Navis clean shots at them. They have one passive movement per turn, which can be used as either a movement or dodge.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Okuden Valley, Beach, NetVegas

HP: 90
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Blast 2 x 2 bombs
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Launches a pair of bombs that explode in a small radius.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Blast 1 + Seeking
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a bomb that ignores invisibility.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DoubleBomb, SeekerBomb1, Zenny: DELETED
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. A: DELETED (Ping!)
Swordy-NSwordy-N (Swordy-N)

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia

HP: 60
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Long Range Attack + Slashing
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: When this virus is 2 panels away from the target, or its enemies are 2-deep, it will attack with Long Sword.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Wide Range Attack + Slashing
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When this virus is standing directly adjacent to its target, or diagonally from it, it will attack with Wide Sword.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Sword, Zenny
Special: Sword-N's are immune to Sleep Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range. B: DELETED

-=Armoured Saviour?=-
MidKnight.EXE: 80Hp [Normal][Beside the Bus]

-=Terrain=-
85% Normal

• No effects.

15% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered cracks near the back end of the bus]

-=Objects=-
Waylaid Bus: 480Hp [External Virus Shield Compromised; Now Vulnerable to Damage]

-=Battle 4, Victory!=-
Spoils: 1400z

==

There was a moment of stillness with the immediate threat of danger passed, before one of the navis sheltering in the bus peeked up again and looked through the window. It was the same navi who had waved her over before, dressed in the ACDC public metro uniform, and she waved again, then hesitantly input something on a control panel out of sight in front of her. The bus's remaining defences disengaged and the double doors slid open with a hiss.

“Um... Miss? Thank you, miss! Thank you for your help! We've... ah, we've had a bit of trouble here.” Though it was a bit hard to tell from a glance through the window, the voice that called out was softly feminine, with something of a north netopian accent, and when she darted to the now open door a moment later, MidKnight could identify the speaker as a youthful-looking female navi with a slightly frizzy pixie cut of red hair and a pale, freckled complexion.
“Sorry to impose! Thank you again... but, ah, I don't suppose you might be able to help us out a little more? Only, we're running late, and we weren't able to get the malfunction report out to base until just now...” She seemed hesitant, but earnest all the same; it sounded like the harassing viruses on the outside wasn't the only problem here.