Testing The Bond

{EAX019}

{<<< From ACDC Town: 77 Press Street, ACDC Heights <<<}

The duo's network arrival was met with relative silence. This wasn't a mainstream network, just a hub attached to the house's various digital interfaces as well as the security system. Crony was correct, it did appear to have a rather sophisticated firewall program, but rather than try to breach the security, a large hole with constantly shifting data had opened itself up to create a swirling vortex of a window, disrupting both the ceiling (if you could call it that) and the walls in its immediate vicinity. Looking through the window, you could see a standard network area on the other side.

What was unsettling was that the hole itself seemed to be exposed in an inverse manner to the server itself. Whilst Amy knew she was looking up, it was impossible to believe that she was staring at a matching ceiling. The stone cube in her line of sight on the other side of the window would naturally fall to the ground, and yet, this one stuck to the surface with little indication of falling.

"So that's the ground on that side of the portal," Amy mused out loud.

"That looks... confusing," Lily replied from behind her.

"Agreed..."

As part of the transmission procedure to prepare for network insertion, Lily's standard coding had directed her to the original placement inside Amy's dress. This made it seem like that was her natural starting position, which Amy believed was probably the best place for it to be for the moment. Although she'd only just met Lily (excluding the video preview), her appearance looked fragile and in need of protection.

"OI!" Crony's harsh bark snapped their focus towards the hunk of black and white in the distance, its fingers stabbing the three holographic screens emanating from one of the server hubs.

"What do you need me to do?" she called out as she began running towards him.

"For starters, don't come here!" he shouted back. "Guard the portal. Already shot down two Metools that got curious."

Not my Meep...! was the first thought that ran through Amy's head, but the thought was quickly dispelled when her antennae couldn't detect the slightest hint of her remo-locator gel in the area. At least that was a plus; with Crony doing the technical work, she could prevent needless loss of life with her usual variety of busting.

As she got close to the vortex, Lily perked up from within her dress cavity. "Anything I can do to help you?"

"To be honest, I don't know your abilities yet. Or all of my own, for that matter," she added.

"Watch," she responded. Amy felt an unusual contact between herself and Lily as the butterfly's body members fused together with her back to become a solid bond. She wiggled her torso to confirm that Lily wasn't just holding onto her, she had in fact become a part of her.

"I... don't know how I feel about this," she admitted. What happened next was even more unsettling; as she'd seen in the Amlipeda welcome video, Lily's wings changed their colour to match Amy's dress, and extended themselves outward, growing in size until Amy looked almost fairy-like.

"Don't worry; from here I know a few ways I can help you," she advised. "I may not have the strongest body, but my programming says I can definitely be useful."

An small explosion from the ground nearby dragged their attention back to the portal. As its edges sparked and flashed, the edges of the vortex seemed to disrupt not only the air around it, but the surrounding wall and adjacent floor as well. In fact, a well-timed hop to the left helped Amy to avoid a nasty brush with a sudden crack that careened through the ground in her direction, only to be patched up by the network moments later.

Unstable grounds and who knows what coming through the hole.

"Eric, I... WE'RE counting on you," she reminded her operator.

"...I'll do my best," Eric answered.

----------

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 210 HP
Liliana.SP: 50 / 50 HP [Equipped]

{{{ Hold the line. Requesting Battle #1. }}}

As Amy and her new companion took their position near the strange breach, the swirling mass of confusion continued to allow more viral entities into the closed network, without showing any sign of abating yet. There was barely enough time to check in with Lily before a pair of miniature tanks careened through the gap, tipping up on one tread each as they swerved to avoid each other, then set their sights on Amity instead. Behind them, a Fishy shot through the gap and inscribed a broad semi-circle around to one side, before pausing to decide whether to hassle Amy, or explore the rest of the area. A malicious smirk seemed to indicate it had decided on the former.

-=Viruses=-
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 A: 90 Hp [Normal]
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 B: 90 Hp [Normal]
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: 90 Hp [Normal]

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 210 Hp [Normal]
Liliana.SP: 50 Hp [Equipped to Amity]

-=Terrain=--
80% Normal

• No effects.

10% 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.

[Area around the breach]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[The breach]

-=Battle Mode: Survival=-
Endure for Three Rounds
Additional viruses will appear each round, up to a max of Seven at once.

-=Battle 1, Start!=-

With three new entities in view it was time for some quick reconnaissance.

"Eric, we've already got company," she alerted her operator whilst preparing for another bout of gel busting. "Send me the Guard and Shotgun chips and I'll scan the entities for searchable data. Did you bring the NetPendium?"

It didn't surprise Stacey that Eric had indeed brought the book with him, but what did surprise her was that it was already out and ready for perusal. Watching him try to handle the large encyclopedia while also juggling the PET and the chip folder was amusing, but forethought on Eric's part was a pleasant change nonetheless.

"I have it right here. Guard and Shotgun chips incoming,” he confirmed as the chip passed through the reader.

Those few seconds had been enough to scan the virus metadata. Two of the viruses appeared to be the same, so the process was almost instant.

"Great. Kabutank and Fishy then," she confirmed as the familiar yellow shield of defense fleshed itself out over her left arm and the cold bluish metal barrel of the Shotgun poked out of the right sleeve. A slight chill surrounded her at the same time, but it was a minor distraction at best. "What am I up against?"

Eric was still a novice at navigating the book's somewhat cumbersome layout, but it was a small price to pay for the power it offered. "Kabutank," he announced as his finger slid down the entry's contents. "It says they will launch small bombs at you while trying to dodge you."

"The Fishy looks like the faster one," Amy countered as she tried to keep it in her field of vision.

A few more page turns later, the next pieces of advice followed. "Fishy. Will fly into and through enemies to hit its target."

"Great..." Amy quipped as her focus locked onto the first of the two Kabutanks. "Crony's not going to let us take our time on this one I guess, just have to do this as quickly as possible, right?"

"Sounds good," came back the reply.

Amy's barrel trained itself to the first target as the Shotgun dispersed its cyan tinted payload out in its general direction. What Amy wasn't prepared for was a semi-transparent discharge of electrical static that flew out from behind her in the same direction.

"Lily?" Amy questioned out loud.

"Yep, that was me."

"You've got to tell me before you do stuff like that."

"Alright. Then, is the Turbulence okay?"

"The what?"

"Turbulence. You didn't notice the static aura?"

It took Amy a moment to realise that Lily had been talking about the chill she'd felt earlier. Perhaps 'chill' wasn't the right word, as that would imply a change of temperature, but whatever it was, it gave her a weird tingling sensation. Any other day Amy may have asked more questions, but right now she felt that she had other priorities that needed addressing first.

"If it doesn't get in my way then it's fine, I guess," she responded, but Amy was already worried about this change of play. Her attention needed to be in front of her, ready for the responses that came her way, not countering potential issues from her new partner. She already had enough of that in the form of Eric.

Her strengthened gel repulsors had already generated the necessary response should the need arise, and arise it had. Both propulsions of cleansing gel were sliding down her free arm in preparation for the next assault, and Amy welcomed their presence.

"Alright then Lily. You stay focused on that Kabutank, I need to start on something else," she advised as her attention moved to the faster Fishy. "Really don't want you passing through me," she growled, as if she expected a response.

"Can do," came back her partner's response as they took their respective aims and unleashed another foray of combat into the network in the form of cleansing gel shots and static waves.

----------

Actions:
[LA] Turbulence >>> Protect Amity/Liliana
[A1] [Disruptor] Guard1 [<=60 DMG Reflecting 1 Non-Break Attack, Line1]
[A2] [Disruptor] Shotgun [50 DMG + Spread1] >>> KabutankA
[L1] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> KabutankA
[A3] Dodge
[L2] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> KabutankA
[A4] Calming Spray {A} [40 DMG, Aqua] >>> Fishy
[A5] Calming Spray {B} [40 DMG, Aqua] >>> Fishy
[A6] Dodge

Sigs:
Calming Spray {A} [Used; 1/1 TCD remaining]
Calming Spray {B} [Used; 1/1 TCD remaining]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 210 HP [Guard1 Equipped]
Liliana.SP: 50 / 50 HP [Equipped]

With viruses careening through the breach, Amity and her new companion had to deal with the two tanks trundling rapidly past her to either side, as though they were more focused on exploring and making mischief in this new space, than dealing with the one standing forward to stop them, but as the pair spread out, one turned its turret back towards Amy's position and launched a twin pair of explosive rounds. The first landed short of them, exploding against the ground, but thought the second bomb seemed to be arching true Lily's static field deflected the bomb just before it landed on them.

The bomb itself skipped off the turbulent barrier, past Amy and off at an angle, to crash with comedic bad timing, into the fishy on her other side, just as the faster virus was preparing an attack run. It wobbled, swerving from the blast, and shoot past Amy to one side, missing her and her helpful passenger, but corrected itself and turned about, trying to line up again.

Amy, meanwhile, had readied her own defences and now took aim at the tank that had attacked her; for the moment, the second tank seemed to be more interested in lobbing bombs in random directions, hitting nothing, but the gel burst from Amy found its mark easily enough. The first coating wasn't enough too slow the tank down completely, but the twin bursts of ion energy that followed from lilly finished the job. If Amy had harboured any worries about the attacks of her new companion, it might be reassuring to her to see the crackling waves take apart the outer layers of code and release the internal viral core undamaged, just as her own cleansing gel did.

Without really understanding the difference between Amy's efforts and regular navi's busting, the remaining tank responded to her cleansing of its comrade with more focused attention. It wheeled in place and launched a more direct shell towards her, which Amy only barely managed to dodge in time. For now, though, our heroine was more focused on dealing with the faster target; she landed one clean shot with her calming spray, dodged away from its renewed charge, and then followed up with a second shot that was enough to cleanse its data properly.

For a moment, it seemed like Amity was getting on top of the situation quickly, but it only lasted for a brief second; still with one virus remaining, the tear in the network was filled by the crackling ear-prongs of a trio of mischievous-looking bunnies that had just found this new and unexplored opportunity and began to hop through into the supposedly private space.

-=Viruses=-
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 A: CLEANSED
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 B: 90 Hp [Normal]
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: CLEANSED

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: 50 Hp
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: 50 Hp
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. C: 50 Hp

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 210 Hp [Normal][Guard1]
Liliana.SP: 50 Hp [Equipped to Amity]

-=Terrain=--
80% Normal

• No effects.

10% 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.

[Area around the breach]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[The breach]

-=Round 2=-

Lily's energy shredded through the Kabutank, exposing the inner core to the outside world. A small grin emerged on the lady's face as she navigated the field and rolled out a co-ordinated first strike with her new partner against their enemies. Two out of three targets down without taking a scratch of damage was certainly a good start, but this was merely the beginning.

"Amy, more viruses are entering the area," Lily alerted whilst Amy watched the Kabutank's core rise into the air.

The Kabutank's glowing core joined up with the core from the now-defunct Fishy, both flittering back through the network breach window as three new viruses entered the area.

"Do you need Eric's help identifying those?"

"No. I've fought these before. Eric, Bunnys,". The response was terse, a good reflection of Amy's lack of enthusiasm at seeing a familiar foe with a distinct elemental advantage over her. As the trio of rabbits made their presence known with the crackling of electricity between their ears, Lily could feel the slight tremor that emanated from her big sister's body.

"Will we be okay?" she tried to ask confidently, but her voice quivered as she spoke. Her experience with viruses was directly tied to Amy, and if there was a chance Amy was afraid, she needed to be ready herself.

Instead of providing Lily reassurance, Amy's attention turned to Eric. "Eric, time to practice that 'chip caching' we read about. Are you ready?"

Eric tensed his hand as he responded. "Yes, I remember."

"Excellent. Can you send me the Pulsar1, ZapRing1 and Cannon chips, in that order?"

Although his hands were not as fast as Stacey's, Eric was ready and able to respond in kind. His fingers bobbed through the chip folder, making sure to take out the battlechips in the right order as he moved them to the reader. "Pulsar coming up first," he confirmed as it passed through the reader. Tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he did his best to remember the coding sequence required to initiate the caching protocol.

"Turbulence was triggered earlier, but has now recharged and is ready," Lily chirped as the first chip propogated onto Amy's right arm. Her extremities felt the same gentle tingling sensation from before as the sonic disc with a familiar blue tinge took aim at the surviving Kabutank.

"Alright Lily. The Kabutank is the first priority. After that, we'll take out as many of the Bunnys as we can. You ready?" Her words were laced with authority, to bolster Amy's confidence as much as they were to reassure her partner.

"Let's do this," was the answer she received.

Look at me, giving out battle orders. Who'd have seen that coming, she chuckled to herself as the battle run commenced.

A twin burst from Amy's pulsar and Lily's wings sent a vibratic crackling boom of their own towards the Kabutank in the hopes to neutralise it from the area. Of course, with three nimble players also looking to score hits of their own against the female team, Amy and Lily had to remain nimble as they did their best to cover for the obvious counterattacks.

"Next!" Amy yelled as the pulsar disc was repelled and in its place the ZapRing arm manifested instead. Eric had done his job; the chip had cached correctly and was ready to damage from the correct arm, leaving her shield intact and ready to serve. Another one-two attack followed, Amy's cyan-toned electrical arc combined with another burst of Lily's ionised wind. Maybe it was the combination of two energies of differing polarities, but the two appeared to riff off each other as they travelled, creating shrill zapping noises and constant crackling.

No doubt Amy would be thrilled if she was able to return a ZapRing to its owner, but the final chip in her current arsenal took the place of the static-inducer as her aim slid to the next Bunny. Time was of the essence, and no sooner was the cannon charge ready when the contents of the tube blasted out with ferocity towards the target, another trail of translucent blue smoke left in its pathway as it careened across the field.

Amy was already preparaing the next moves in her head when Lily's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Lily, there's more coming through."

----------

Actions:
[LA] Turbulence >>> Protect Amity/Liliana (shot/lob potential only)
[A1] [Disruptor] Pulsar1 [70 DMG + Object-triggered Blast 2] >>> Kabutank B
[L1] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Kabutank B
[A2] Dodge
[A3] [Disruptor] ZapRing1 [40 DMG, Elec, Stun1] >>> Bunny A
[L2] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Bunny A
[A4] Dodge
[A5] [Disruptor] Cannon [60 DMG + Knockback] >>> Bunny B
[A6] Dodge

Sigs:
Calming Spray {A} [-1 Cooldown; 0/1 TCD remaining - Ready!]
Calming Spray {B} [-1 Cooldown; 0/1 TCD remaining - Ready!]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 210 HP [Guard1 Equipped]
Liliana.SP: 50 / 50 HP [Equipped]

With more viruses making their way through the breach point as fast ass Amy could disable them, she had to hope that whatever Crony was doing he was at least making progress; the breach definitely wasn't getting any wider now, but it would likely still be precious dangerous seconds before it would close properly. Staying mobile as she fought back at the edge of the damaged network point seemed to be wise; the tank virus had focused its main gun on Amity now as it roved across the panels, and it was all she could do to avoid its next, more direct, shot – though avoid it she did, thankfully.

Her sonic shot struck back,, slamming across the broadside of the little tank and making it shudder as its outer shell struggled to hold cohesion, but this time Lily's follow-up didn't quite land its mark, and the virus continued to wheel about the area, looking for another chance to shoot.

Not to be left out, the bunny viruses had decided that this all looked like a bit of fun, and began to charge and shoot their familiar electric rings as well; Amy dodged the first then retaliated with a zapring of her own, empowered further by Lily's ionised burst. Almost as though by some instinct and without thought, the bunny jumped as though to catch the ring on its ears before realising at the last moment that this wasn't wise behaviour. It was too late for the virus, though, as the disruptive energy shook its outer form apart and released the core.

To the other side, Amy hadn't quite managed to track with another of the Bunny's, but its ring shot was defected just before it reached her, scattering off the turbulent field that her partner was projecting. A moment later, another cannon blast sounded; Amy only just managed to get her shield up to this one in time, and the impact shuddered up her arm before the recoil arced back towards the remaining kabutank. Where it had survived before, this latest bout of returned energy was enough to shake its body apart the rest of the way, but the assault didn't let up. Amy dodged again, this time keeping herself and her newest ally away from another crackling ring of energy, and then countered with a disrupting cannon shot that was enough to quiet the second bunny.

The rapid back and forth of attacks was hectic, with barely a moment to catch her breath, and as more viruses approached through the breach it might be enough to feel overwhelming for some, but Amy was holding her ground well so far and, for now, seemed to have the mastery of the situation, as long as she could keep this up until Crony was done.

-=Viruses=-
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 A: CLEANSED
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 B: CLEANSED (Ping!)
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: CLEANSED

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: CLEANSED
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: CLEANSED
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. C: 50Hp

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.: 60Hp (flanking sideways)
SpikeySpikey (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys: 90Hp (rushing forward)
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 (hanging back)

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 210 Hp [Normal]
Liliana.SP: 50 Hp [Equipped to Amity]

-=Terrain=--
80% Normal

• No effects.

10% 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.

[Area around the breach]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[The breach]

-=Round 3 (Navi may claim victory after surviving this round, whenever they wish)=-

Amy's movements were neutralising some of the threats being thrust onto herself and her partner, but there was no mistaking that a few lucky misses here and there were the only reason they'd been fortunate enough to avoid any damaging contact from their adversaries. The shield in her left arm decayed after fulfilling its job in protecting the duo against a second shell from the Kabutank, even making up for the unfortunate whiff earlier and sending the core back to its source, but once again as three cores left through the network breach three more viruses found the open portal and wanted to investigate.

To Amy's surprise, she recognised the three from previous battles. Having dealt with the charging nature of the Spikey before, it was her first priority as it entered the field.

"Incoming!" Amy directed as she felt her cleansing gel regenerating into a sufficient enough quantity to be of use again. "You still keeping up with me back there?"

"Ready when you are," she quipped back. Amy noticed that again the electrical field around her had done a marvelous job of repelling some of their foe's attacks, but the Powie and Spooky collectively brought back bad memories of a rather unfortunate tongue-licking. A slight shudder gripped her body as her arm came to bear with the necessary package of gel. Or maybe the shudder was the result of the turbulence field regenerating. Who knew. In any event, Amy wasn't convinced the electrical field would be enough to repel either the Powie's destructive nature or the Spooky's disgustingly long tongue.

"Gotta watch that floating thing," she warned as a combined burst of Amy's cleansing gel and Lily's static winds flew towards their next victim. The disonnating crackling of the electrical ions riffing against the whistling of the cleansing gel only seemed to worsen as they flew near each other, leading Amy to wonder what exactly was in the gusts her partner kept projecting into the arena.

"Those viruses are going to keep coming, aren't they." An accurate assessment, but one made with resignation. Amy knew they wouldn't be able to keep this up indefinitely, but until the window closed and Crony gave the all-clear, they'd need to keep up the offensive.

"We don't exactly have a third helper available. Crony's only going to berate us if we fail him now," she commented as she did her best to be ready to the next attack. The remaining Bunny was a threat that needed neutralising, and while she would have loved to deal with the Spooky first, the Bunny was the larger threat to her aquatic nature with its electrifying habits. The number of players per side was still not in their favour, and her defenses wouldn't last if she kept fighting too cautiously, or worse, in an semi-incapacitated manner against an ever-growing number of foes. Amy knew she had to protect her companion, but she also knew she couldn't do that if she fell in battle first.

"Again!" she yelled as the one-two of cleansing gel/ionised wind burst forth from their bodies and again traversed the battlefield in the hopes to reducing the number of foes against them, the Bunny their latest target. But as Amy once again surveyed her options, perhaps the memory of fighting against an impossible horde brought back a vital memory.

"Wait! We do have a third helper! Eric, Mushy chip please!" she commanded as her hand anticipated the arrival of a friend from times past.

"What are you doing?" Lily questioned, but didn't have to wait long for an answer.

Amy's emblem once again began to glow, and within seconds it had split from her chest and propagated on her right hand as Mushy, the mushroom that had been her blessing in disguise during the PulseBat encounter. It gave a tiny sneeze as it turned its fake eyes to the battlefield.

"Oh," was the only word that Lily could utter.

It must be able to see through the top layer, she surmised as her arm wound back. "I'm sorry to do this again, but are you ready?"

"You're not going to throw that, are you?" Lily muttered in disbelief. But perhaps Mushy retained the memories of previous battles, as it had already tucked its 'head' further into its stem, perhaps anticipating the next action.

"Don't touch the cracked panels!" she warned the mushroom as she rotated her arm in an arching motion over her shoulder and launched Mushy into the arena. In a similar manner to last time, it didn't seem to appreciate the bump landing, but as instructed it moved as close to the cracks as it could, aided by the distance provided by its aerial lob.

"I don't get it," Lily stated as Amy tried to prepare for the oncoming assault. "How is that going to hel-EWWW!"

Amy knew what was coming, but Lily was a freshman to the Mushy's rather unsightly cloud of confusion gas. Perhaps Lily would come to view it fondly as Amy did, knowing what good could come from it. With Mushy closer to the front line than them, perhaps it could score them some free hits and some welcome diversions, anything to give them the upper hand in stemming the current tide of the battle.

Which was about to get worse. The portal was still showing no signs of abating when Lily let out the obvious. "More viruses Amy!"

----------

Actions:
[LA] Turbulence >>> Protect Amity/Liliana (shot/lob potential only)
[A1] Calming Spray {A} [40 DMG, Aqua] >>> Spikey
[L1] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Spikey
[A2] Dodge
[A3] Calming Spray {B} [40 DMG, Aqua] >>> Bunny C
[L2] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Bunny C
[A4] [Disruptor] Mushy spawned, equipped on Amity
[A5] Throw Mushy in direction of cracked area near breach
[M1] (Half-speed) movement towards cracked edge
[A6] Dodge
[M2] [Disruptive] BadSpice [15 DMG, Wood, Confusion, Nova2] @ ???

Sigs:
Calming Spray {A} [Used; 1/1 TCD remaining]
Calming Spray {B} [Used; 1/1 TCD remaining]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 210 HP
Liliana.SP: 50 / 50 HP [Equipped to Amity]
Mushy.AV: 80 / 80 HP

The battle continued apace, but Amy and Lily met aggression with their own particular flavour of resistance just as quickly; the Spikey planted its feet and opened its mouth to launch a fireball at the pair, but was met with a neutralising spray from the pair that removed it from the battlefield before it could cause either of them any problems.

Behind it, the Powie leapt forward slightly, soaring up above the field, but when it suddenly turned itself into a massive metal weight it hammered down only on the panels just beyond the breach. It spread more cracked tiles, but it was hard to imagine it had actually been aiming at Amy or her friend. The remaining bunny, however, was a keener eye and it darted back across the field to the other side before launching another ring in Amy and Lily's direction – if anything, though, Amy was starting to get used to the way the little critters operated and as dangerous is its rings were she managed to dodge the shot again. Once more, the quick avoidance left her perfect space to retaliate with a clear shot, and just like before, this bunny was released and sent to join its fellows.

While this exchange of fire was going on, the Spooky which had been hanging back decided that it wasn't going to get a chance to heal any injured viruses if they kept getting removed so cleanly, and instead warped up in an effort to lick Amy with a long, squishy tongue that was bigger than the virus itself – it might make one wonder where the slippery, wet appendage went when the ghost closed its mouth... but Amy was too busy summoning more allies to the battle to concern herself with such metaphysical questions. The Mushy appeared in her arms just as the Spooky arrived, and thee virus got a tongue-full of mushroom instead of navigator. It pulled back and shook its tongue in a displeased manner, trying to get the taste out, and retreated back to the breach edge again.

The Mushy followed – assisted by Amy's throw, and while the Powie attempted another jump slam, and missed a second time, the summoned virus squared up at the entrancement of the breach and filled the immediate space with a cloud of debilitating spores. Both of the other remaining viruses got caught in the tail edges of the burst, and though it would take an extra moment for the affliction to settle, it seemed clear enough that they'd both been affected by the disorienting attack. The Spooky tried to warp forward again, spinning around as it sought to lick Amy – or rather, this time it seemed to be aiming for her smaller ride-along companion – Fortunately for little Lily, though, Amy was able to keep them both out of the way of the flailing tongue.

The spores took greater effect after a moment, and though it was hard to tell that the Powie was any more confused than usual, given its record so far, the spooky continued to turn and flail in place after it had retreated again – its tongue still lolling out and waving around. It looked like there might even be a risk of it hurting itself in its confusion, given the chance.

Beyond the breach, more viruses were beginning to show up – they hadn't come through just yet, but they surely would if the rift remained open any longer.

-=Viruses=-
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 A: CLEANSED
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 B: CLEANSED (Ping!)
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: CLEANSED

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: CLEANSED
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: CLEANSED
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. C: CLEANSED

SpikeySpikey (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys: CLEANSED
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.: 45Hp [Confused!][Left of breach]
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: 15Hp [Confused!][Right of breach]

MelodyMelody (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion. A: 80Hp [Approaching the breach, but not through yet]
MelodyMelody (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion. B: 80Hp [Approaching the breach, but not through yet]
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.: 60Hp [Approaching the breach, but not through yet]

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 210 Hp [Normal]
Liliana.SP: 50 Hp [Equipped to Amity]

Mushy.AV: 70/80 Hp [Normal][Edge of Cracked, Near Breach]

-=Terrain=--
70% Normal

• No effects.

20% 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.

[Area around the breach]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[The breach]

-=Round 4: Victory Available=-
(Battle will continue as long as you wish, with viruses continuing to award their bugfrags; you can choose to end the battle at any time and claim rewards by inputting an escape action with guaranteed success)

"Eric, Heatshot!" Amy demanded as she managed to stay out of range of the Spooky's nasty slobberer, perhaps motivated more by disgust than by a fear to her safety. Amy's eyes were now focused solely on the speedy creature, and she wanted it gone.

However, before the furnace rod had a chance to manifest, a twin burst of energy flew from her sides. "I've got that one, you get the other one!" she yelled to her partner. It turned out she didn't appreciate its presence any more than Amy did. The subtle fuzziness of their turbulence field reminded Amy she wasn't thinking alone on the battlefield now. The more they battled together, the more Amy was beginning to appreciate her new partner.

Her eyes glanced to the portal only momentarily as the furnace solidified, and as Lily had already alerted, three more entities were getting ready to make themselves known on the net.

"Eric! Tell me they're getting close to done!"

Eric turned to Stacey who was staring intently at her own PET screen. "Stacey?"

"Crony, report."

"Two more routines to fix. The network border should repair itself after that."

Stacey remained focused on the figures being shown to her. "Keep up the good work Eric, we're getting there."

What seemed like an attempt at encouragement wasn't enough to abate the growing anxiousness inside his mind, but without an alternative, there wasn't anything he could do but continue supporting his navi in any way possible.

Eric's bigger concern was their diminishing fighting ability. In his eyes, Amy and Lily were doing a stellar job of repelling the forces that continued to stream from the network window, but his chip folder was running out of usable chips quickly. In a rare moment of genius he'd decided to save the DBLCUBE for an emergency, given the potential power it possessed, but that left him with few assistive options. The ShockWave chip could injure their mushroom ally in the crossfire, Amy hated the RageClaw chip, SkyShoes wouldn't help them defend Crony, and the recovery chip was superfluous given Amy's natural healing abilities. Eric and Amy had already agreed they couldn't think of a single good use for a FurnaceZone, and so it wasn't even considered. Realistically speaking, only two chips remained for their next assault.

While Eric searched his mind for a better option, Amy's furnace-blaster had discharged a blue ball of fiery inferno at the remaining Powie, surrounded in essence by the aura of another helpful electrical burst of ionised energy from Lily's wings. Amy needed to keep her wits about her, as the Spooky breed in particular had a tendancy to stick around longer than welcome.

"Eric, talk to me. What do we have left?" she asked as her dress skirt began to sag under the weight of amassing glacial gel.

"Amy, I think something's happening around your legs," Lily commented, feeling a chill in her body from the drop in temperature.

"It's about to get a little bit colder here," she quipped back. "Eric?"

"RollArrow and RageClaw."

"That's it?"

"Unless you want the DBLCUBE now?" It was an honest question, not a cheeky rebuttal, but Amy wasn't ready for that yet. In truth, she wasn't fond of either choice at this point.

"Ugh, just do it," she replied as she grabbed the dress skirt with both hands, raised it as far as it would lift, and then gave it a strong thrust toward the ground. The resulting cloud of mist and ice gushed out from around her feet and spread to the surrounding area. Lily realised that Amy wasn't kidding; the introduction of snow, even unnatural, had an instant effect on the surrounding ambient temperature.

"Was that really necessary...?" she jittered, shivering slightly.

"Absolutely. Snow will make it harder for them to get closer to me," she advised as her right hand pointed out to the two Melodys and Sword in their vicinity. "Any little bit helps." As her right hand continued to point forward, the fingers suddenly slid back into the dress and an arrowhead shot back out. Taking care not to aim in the direction of Mushy, who seemed to be enjoying spewing a constant stream of spores in its section of the field, Amy shot the arrow towards the breach in the hopes it would catch one of her newly-engaged foes mid-march. It hadn't been determined yet whether the portal was two-way or not, but a pre-emptive strike seemed necessary.

It was this same line of thinking that persisted in her mind as she slid back the sleeve of her right arm, exposing her right hand, wrist and forearm. The RageClaw was going to be beneficial in swiping whichever creature decided to make its way into her proximity first. The slowing effect of the snow would hopefully give her enough of an advantage to swipe at either a bouncing note or the sword-wielding knight as they entered her frosty lair, and maybe even avoid getting hurt altogether as she used her aqueous nature to her advantage.

Despite knowing the dress could repair itself if damaged, Amy still preferred to see the RageClaw take its place on her body without destroying fabric in the process. The glistening edges of the claws still brought a frown to her face, but in the current situation it couldn't be helped. Anything that came close to her was going to be swiped at.

That was the plan, anyway.

Mushy continued to spew disruptive spores like a fountain of water as Amy was focused intently on watching for advancing foes. In the midst of the chaos, Lily's omnipresent vision alerted her to the fact that the portal had started to shudder, its edges no longer glowing as brightly as they had been at the start of their encounter. Whatever Crony was doing to rectify the unnatural window was finally having an effect, albeit only a small one.

A fact further compounded by the next thing she saw.

"Amy, mo-"

"I know Lily, I know."

----------

Actions:
[LA] Turbulence >>> Protect Amity/Liliana (shot/lob potential only)
[L1] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Spooky
[A1] [Disruptor] HeatShot [40 DMG, Fire] >>> Powie
[L2] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Powie
[A2] Frosty Reception [Large Terrain Change - Snow] >>> Amity
[A3] Dodge
[M1] [Disruptive] BadSpice [15 DMG, Wood, Confusion, Nova2] >>> ???
[A4] [Disruptor] RollArrow1 [40 DMG, Chip Break] >>> ???
[A5] [Disruptor] RageClaw1 [40 DMG, Slashing] >>> ???
[A6] Dodge
[M2] [Disruptive] BadSpice [15 DMG, Wood, Confusion, Nova2] >>> ???

Sigs:
Calming Spray {A} [-1 Cooldown; 0/1 TCD remaining - Ready!]
Calming Spray {B} [-1 Cooldown; 0/1 TCD remaining - Ready!]
Frosty Reception [Used; 1/1 TCD remaining]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 210 HP
Liliana.SP: 50 / 50 HP [Equipped to Amity]
Mushy.AV: 70 / 80 HP

An end was in sight, according to the status reports, but Amy still had some fighting to do yet, and worked to manage her dwindling resources while still pacifying the threats that rushed through. In the midst of its confused state, the Spooky virus lolled out its tongue, took hold of the end of it in both hands, and proceeded to scrub at its face with the spongy appendage – nothing seemed to happen; whatever the virus had been trying to achieve, it seemed t have failed. A moment later it was released from such problems by Lily's ionised wind burst.

Across from where it had been, the Powie leapt up again, transformed and crashed down – it might have been aiming for Amy's mushroom ally, but it was, really, very hard to tell. It certainly didn't hit anything. Amy's attack followed it and connected along with more support form Lily to finish off that wave of foes at last. They didn't have any peace, however – even as the Powie's form broke apart and its core drifted away, a duo of musical notes bounded through the breach at a hectic, erratic pace. The bounced in a dizzying chaos, even colliding with one another once as they made their way forward, but found their pace slowed as snow filled the immediate area suddenly; it wasn't much, but it was enough to ensure that none of their wild bouncing reached Amy and Lily right away.

Instead, they were distracted by the mushy nearest them; it let out a pollen burst that seemed to catch one of the notes at least, who responded with an enthusiastic bounce right on top of the poor mushy – it bounced and jiggled a little more after landing, until the mushy managed to shake the annoying note off. Amy took its attention back with an arrow shot, though it still wasn't enough to fully disrupt the Melody; for such whimsical critters, they seemed sturdier than a lot of viruses of their grade.

One virus unfazed by the snow was the Swordy, following the more playful notes – it warped straight across the snowfield in a blink, sword raised and drawn back as it prepared to swipe at Amy nad her companion with a broad slash. Amy was able to get the first cut in, despite her disdain for such weapons, and it seemed to be enough to put the Swordy off its first stroke; its swipe went wide, by just a hair, missing Lilly completely and giving Amy herself enough time to dodge away from the strike.

Back near the breach, the Meody viruses continued to bounce in unpredictable ways; one managed to springboard off the Mushy again, while the other bounced with more enthusiasm towards Amy's position – though it didn't manage to land on her this time. The Mushy seemed to have had enough of being treated like a trampoline and ejected another cloud of disruptive spores – it caught the lingering Melody a full blast and the note paused what it was doing, arched back as though inhaling, then let out a violent sneeze that shook it apart the rest of the way, letting its exterior form collapse into data.

The Mushy at the gap didn't have time to be satisfied, unfortunately, because more viruses were still coming. A Champy-type warped in, appearing just to one side of the gap, while a second spooky followed through, flanking the other way as it explored. Behind them, a little slower but no less determined, an old, dilapidated stove heater edged into the breach and began to force its way through as well. It seemed to have trouble getting through though – hopefully Amy wouldn't have to keep this up too much longer.

-=Viruses=-
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 A: CLEANSED
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 B: CLEANSED (Ping!)
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: CLEANSED

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: CLEANSED
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: CLEANSED
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. C: CLEANSED

SpikeySpikey (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys: CLEANSED
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.: CLENASED
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: CLEANSED

MelodyMelody (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion. A: CLEANSED (Ping!)
MelodyMelody (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion. B: 70Hp [Snow][Bouncing in the snow to Amy's Left]
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.: 20Hp [Snow][In front of Amy]

ChampuChampu (Champy)

Champy viruses teleport when they attack.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Kotobuki Town, Hades Isle

HP: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Fire + Impact x 2 Punches
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Punches twice with fire.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): FireHit1, Zenny: 60Hp [Snow][Left of Breach]
OldstoveOldstove (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Line Attack(3) + Panel Crack
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Flamethrower to one enemy.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): FireBurner1, Zenny
Special: Slow Movement. Cracks Terrain.: 50Hp [Snow][Just coming through behind the others]
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 [Snow][Right of Breach]

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 210 Hp [Snow][Slightly back from Breach][Turbulence Active]
Liliana.SP: 50 Hp [Equipped to Amity]

Mushy.AV: 40/80 Hp [Snow][Near Breach]

-=Terrain=--
60% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Area around the breach and nearby]
30% Normal

• No effects.

[Edges of the area]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[The breach]

-=Round 5=-

Amy didn't have the advantage of situational oversight that Lily did, and couldn't have noticed that as she fended off the Swordy with her weapon of last resort, the portal's edges flickered more and more. With viruses to the left, to the right, and now, directly in front of her, Amy was beginning to feel overwhelmed.

Lily didn't wait for the order; as the Swordy withdrew from her ride's immediate vicinity, her cyan wings took the opportunity to blast down another wave of ionised wind, as much a deterrence for its companions as it would be for itself, assuming of course it survived long enough to take a hint.

Lily's focus centred temporarily on their little helper. Mushy had taken some damage from the advance of the last wave of battlers, and while its health wasn't critical, another three enemies had advanced through the portal and were now within swarming distance of their spore-loving ally. Mushy re-enacted the same maneouvre it had done multiple times since taking its stand at the edge of the portal, in the hopes of scoring some assistive damage against the three new entrants as they passed near his section of the field. Lily was now concerned Mushy wouldn't survive another bout in its current state if they decided to get a little too friendly with the malleable assistant.

"Amy, you've got to help Mushy," she stressed to her navi. "He's not going to last much longer."

In the midst of the carnage Amy hadn't noticed Mushy had been a trampoline to the Melodys, but her gaze now moved to Mushy and then past him as the next three viruses came into her view. Two of these viruses were new to her, the remaining one triggering an involuntary shudder, but with five viruses bearing down on their party Amy knew she wouldn't be able to race across to Mushy and complete any form of healing without putting all three of them at risk. It had been a balancing act thus far of metering out as much damage as possible without leaving them exposed, and one mistake could upset that balance.

At least, that's what Amy thought until the entire breach shuddered and disappeared, momentarily reappearing.

The purple-haired navi thought she'd blinked, until it happened again. This time, when the portal reappeared it had shrunk just a little.

"It's working," she gasped, a grin becoming visible as new thoughts erased old ones. Whatever that boorish hulk was doing, it was finally taking effect. "Lily! Look!"

"I see it, I see it," Lily replied. "Just a little longer, right?"

"We can do this!" Amy yelled out triumphantly, feeling a new wave of confidence from the good news.

"Amy, Mushy still needs our help!" Lily stressed again.

"Right!" Amy acknowledged as her brief lapse of attention became obvious. Priorities first.

"Eric, send the DBLBeam, quickly!"

Eric passed the chip through the reader, but had his own concerns about doing so. "Are you sure you want to use this now? What if the portal doesn't-"

"Stress less Eric, there's not going to be a better time to use it!" she reassured him as aloe gel began pooling around her chest. Lily once again felt the generation of gel as it lapped at the edges of her own body, but after seeing how the glacial gel served a purpose, she pushed aside her curiousity and took aim at her next target, the Spooky that had now joined the battle. The healing aura of the aloe gel itself did give Lily a small boost of serenity, if nothing else.

The DBLCube hadn't even appeared in the area before Amy continued her demands. "Eric, send the ShockWave as well!" she rattled out as cleansing gel now began to flow to the edges of both hands. Perhaps Amy was putting too many eggs in one basket, but seeing the portal wane had given her new determination. According to the NetPendium entry they'd read previously, if the spawned DBLCube blinked blue then Mushy would get some needed aid. If it blinked red, however, the trio would deal a devastating blow to the other side, and turn the tide of battle heavily in their favour.

She could hear the DBLCube take its shape above her, but looking up to see which colour it was glowing would waste precious seconds she didn't have if this assault was to be successful. The aloe gel had reached sufficient volume, and at her command it bleeded through the material of her dress and ionised the air around it in a method that differed to Lily's method of static discharge. The result was a transparent bubble that centred around Amy as it shimmered a cyan blue to compliment the lady's dress.

"So that's what it does," Lily remarked as ShockWave chip data loaded itself into Amy's right boot, which was raised into the air immediately and then unceremoniously stomped onto the ground in the direction of the remaining Melody, the energy burst surging forward through the snow and creating a frost cloud in its wake.

"Jump over that," she jeered as her body turned to face the two new viruses. Her sensors reported them as being a Champy and an OldStove. She knew attacking without proper insight was potentially dangerous, but asking Eric for a description right now just wasn't feasible.

Lily's electrical energy surged out from her wings as it tore across the field towards the Spooky. If this particular family of viruses was a cause of great disturbance for her new master, then surely disrupting its participation in the battle would be appreciated. The snow still chilled her body as it clung to the gel-based torso, but the process of generating, storing and discharging the necessary energy did bring some warmth back to her body as she waited for the next charge to become ready.

The aqua-based navi's arms were pointed out in front of her as the two swarms of gel took their place in her exposed palms. Perhaps an observer would think her stance implied a request to stop, to cease their attacks. Such a thought would be erased as the two masses launched themselves from each hand and tore across the battlefield to meet their foes. The snow must have altered their makeup slightly during their flight, as instead of simply shimmering midair, the trail left behind by the two bursts of cleansing gel contained small particles that sparkled in each flash of the portal's demise.

Mushy had done a valiant job, still trying to be useful despite being limited in what he could do, and amidst another attempt at a wave of intoxicating spores to the surrounding area, the portal's strength continued to grow weaker. Its edges dulled further, the pauses between disconnections grew longer, and the network discharges became less frequent. Each flash resulted in another shrink of the size of the breach.

There was no denying it; the portal was dying.

Finally, Amy could hear Crony's report repeated through Eric's commlink, a cheer from both girls quickly accompanying the words.

"Ma'am, all security routines have been restored."

----------

Actions:
[L1] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Swordy-N
[M1] [Disruptive] BadSpice [15 DMG, Wood, Confusion, Nova2] >>> Round 5 entrants
[A1] [Disruptor] DBLBeam1 [40 DMG all enemies *OR* 30 HEAL all allies]
[A2] FAIR [36 HEAL + 40 HP Barrier] >>> Amity
[A3] [Disruptor] ShockWave [40 DMG, Line/Ground] >>> Melody
[L2] Ion Wave [20 DMG, Elec] >>> Spooky
[A4] Calming Spray {A} [40 DMG, Aqua] >>> Champu
[A5] Calming Spray {A} [40 DMG, Aqua] >>> Oldstove
[M2] [Disruptive] BadSpice [15 DMG, Wood, Confusion, Nova2] >>> ???
*Security routines restored - portal closure imminent*

Sigs:
Frosty Reception [-1 Cooldown; 0/1 TCD remaining - Ready!]
FAIR [Used; 2/2 TCD remaining]
Calming Spray {A} [Used; 1/1 TCD remaining]
Calming Spray {B} [Used; 1/1 TCD remaining]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 210 HP [40 HP Barrier] [Turbulence active]
Liliana.SP: 50 / 50 HP [Equipped to Amity]
Mushy.AV: 40 / 80 HP



[[[ OOC: Just for my own reference, am I correct in assuming that, despite Lily being equipped to Amy at present, the HP Barrier only affects Amy? In my head, the barrier wouldn't be big enough to protect Lily's wings in their current state anyway. ]]]

With only seconds left to hold out, and Amy reaching the bottom of her resources, the nearby Swordy virus drew back its blade to take another sweep at the battling pair, only for an ionised burst from Lily to catch it mid-stance and finish it off before the stroke could land.

The Champy took advantage of the pair's distraction, however, warping across the field in a blink to deliver a one-two sucker punch aimed right at Amy's midsection. The first swing missed her, but the second connected with an uncomfortable, burning heat. Worse luck still, its sudden teleport carried it away from the breach just as their determined Mushy gassed the area – only the much slower stove and the hesitant Spooky were caught in the fumes this time. After making its attack, the Champy warped back again, returning to where it had arrived in a moment – a melee focused virus that Lily's turbulence couldn't stop, but one with extreme mobility, it seemed.

Amy took a gamble on one of their last potent chips, activating the double cube and hoping for a reprieve while she healed herself from the Champy's punch and formed a newer, stronger barrier about herself – it displaced Lily's turbulent aura, but at least it would hold up to more blows. A moment later, from over her shoulder, a series of precision perfect hair-thin rays scattered out across the field like sniper-shots, pinning each and every remaining virus in a welcome support barrage. The spooky was immediately cleansed from the network, while the old stove, only now managing to open its grate and prepare to belch fire, caught the shot directly into its exposed gullet, snapped closed again and shook, before cracking apart in a small gout of flame, leaving its core to drift free.

Only the surprisingly sturdy Melody and the Champy virus had endured the cube's attack, but the Melody continued to infuriate as it bounced wildly about – it failed to squish either Amy, or Lily or its allied Champy, but in the process by some seemingly poor luck (or perhaps it had listened to her challenge?), also jumped clear of Amy's next attempt to get rid of it while the shockwave thundered on without connecting.

Lily was having none of this – her original target, the spooky, had already been taken care of by now, so it was the irksome melody that got to experience another burst of energy from the small SP, to make up for the missed shockwave, though still the note endured with an apparent oblivious tenacity.

The Champy had shaken off the bolt from Amy's earlier attack and warped again, this time trying to catch the navi from behind – its punches ended up aimed more at Lily than Amy, as a result, and one of them would certainly have connected, if not for Amy's barrier covering them, just barely – though it seemed like it might only stop one more blow like that.

Fortunately, it didn't have to – Amy had her calming spray ready to go again and gave each of the two remaining viruses a full blast; it was enough, at last, to release the cores of both giving Amy a clear field for a moment. The Mushy bounced up and down as it eagerly awaited the next wave of viruses to blow spores at, but as it peered through the increasingly obscured rift, the breach pulled itself closed completely, stemming the flow of incursions once and for all. They had... made it through?

-=Viruses=-
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 A: CLEANSED
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 B: CLEANSED (Ping!)
FishyFishy (Fishy)

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

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: CLEANSED

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: CLEANSED
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: CLEANSED
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. C: CLEANSED

SpikeySpikey (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 90
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Spread 1
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires HeatShot
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatShot, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys: CLEANSED
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.: CLENASED
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: CLEANSED

MelodyMelody (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion. A: CLEANSED (Ping!)
MelodyMelody (Melody)

Melody viruses move, dodge, and attack by jumping. There is no distinction between these 3 actions.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, Dentech

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Jumps on the enemy.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null x 3 attacks
Secondary Attack Accuracy: E
Secondary Attack Description: Bounces around with complete disregard for whoever or whatever is in the area. Can hit obstacles as well as enemies.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Binder1, ColorBall1 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Increased evasion. B: CLEANSED
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.: CLEANSED (Ping!)

ChampuChampu (Champy)

Champy viruses teleport when they attack.

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Kotobuki Town, Hades Isle

HP: 60
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Fire + Impact x 2 Punches
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Punches twice with fire.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): FireHit1, Zenny: CLEANSED
OldstoveOldstove (Oldstove)

Oldstove viruses move and dodge at a very slow pace.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Fire + Line Attack(3) + Panel Crack
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Flamethrower to one enemy.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): FireBurner1, Zenny
Special: Slow Movement. Cracks Terrain.: CLEANSED
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: CLEANSED

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 210 Hp [Snow][Barrier: 20/40Hp]
Liliana.SP: 50 Hp [Equipped to Amity]

Mushy.AV: 40/80 Hp [Snow]

-=Terrain=--
60% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

40% Normal

• No effects.

-=Battle 1, Victory!=-
Spoils: 750z, 51 BugFrags, FireHit1Damage: 60 + Impact + Double Attack
Accuracy: A
Description: Throws a blazing punch from a distance, Hadoken style.
Duration: Up to 2 uses before the end of the turn
Element: Fire
Special: Double Attack: After spending an action to attack with this chip, you may choose to spend a second action and attack with it again before the end of the turn.
Trader Rank: D

((Answered in the messages, but in brief, for other readers: Body Effects and Armours (layers 1 and 2) won't protect an equipped SP (or vice-versa), but Ethereal Fields and Evasion (layers 4 and 5) generally will. This is a little flexible based on rp and circumstance. Also for mod oversight: player did confirm they wished to end the encounter at this round))

Snow was dispersed all around her in various trails from virus activity and her own movements. Crystals floated in the air as remnants from her cleansing gel. Multiple exposed cores were whizzing away to the breach before its time ran out. And finally, the portal gave one final flicker before it shrunk to the size of a RockCube... and with one final spark, it was gone.

Amy, Lily and Mushy were left alone in the area, but the sound of their cheering could no doubt be heard throughout the entire server. Except for Mushy, of course; it had no mouth, just a nose, so its joyous bouncing was the closest thing it had to celebrating.

Doing a quick scan of the field to be sure there were no stragglers, Amy skipped across the field towards their ally. Without breaking her gait, she scooped up Mushy with her right arm as she continued to pirouette through the snow she had made. The network was likely to erase its existence in a short while, but for now, this miniature tundra had become her playground. Hard work deserved a good break.

Eric badly wished he could have joined in on the party, and realising this fact surprised him. Watching the three of them together... he'd been a part of their success too. It wasn't the three of them, it was the four of them. Although he couldn't be there to exchange any high-fives or cry out in victory, this was his team. HIS team.

This fact Amy acknowledged directly. "Great work Eric, couldn't have done it without you!" she cheered as Mushy slipped out of her grip to bounce around in the snow for just a little longer. It seemed to be apprehensive of the temperature and slipperiness, but regardless it was jumping and dragging its little body along the ground to make little patterns, its smile-without-a-mouth certainly suggested it was enjoying itself while doing so.

Amy left Mushy for a moment to collect the spoils of their battle that lay scattered throughout the field. Eric already had a blank chip at the ready, in the event that something had been left behind, and that instinct was rewarded when Amy despatched the newly acquired Champy data. A freshly minted FireHit1 chip ejected itself out of the reader, bringing Eric's usable chips folder to half its maximum capacity. The outlying Zenny were also collected along with the bugfrags that Amy noticed had been scattered in a more sporadic manner. Although not as plentiful, perhaps they could still be of assistance to her new partner.

As Amy picked up the final bugfrags, she felt Mushy bump into her right leg. Her gaze turned downward to its cap as it began to glow. It must have known its time was up, as before Amy could reach down to pick him up he had already turned back into a glowing orb that rose into the air before re-merging with the emblem on her chest.

"Thank you as well, Mushy," she added as she tapped her emblem.

"That... that was hectic," Lily chimed from behind her. "I think we did great though."

The battle had not been quite what the electrical butterfly had expected, but upon meditation of her performance in the battle, she was convinced she'd been useful. The smile on her navigator's face would certainly support such a statement.

"*WE* did great," Amy corrected. "Thanks Lily. It'll be great to have you around."

Amy heard a rustle in the snow behind her, immediately followed by a puff of frost passing her by from behind. With the portal closed and all rogue viruses accounted for, this could only be the result of one demanding navi teleporting to her. Her head turned towards the distortion to see Crony surveying the area, her smile disappearing at the sight of his monochrome armour.

"The breach has been rectified, ma-am."

"That's great, Crony. What about Amy?"

Amy and Lily had done their job and defended the area as requested. While she didn't expect any sort of commendation from him, a 'thank you' would certainly be appreciated.

"No viruses in the area. Eric's party appears to be in stable condition. Requesting return to PET."

Would it kill you to show some appreciation? she growled to herself.

"Hey, what's his problem? Didn't we just help him?" Lily whispered. Or, at least attempted to whisper. Crony's brow lowered upon the words being uttered, his gaze turning downward toward them.

"I think he heard that," Amy 'whispered' back as the floor beneath both of them began to glow, and logout routines initiated their teleport back to their respective PETs before Crony could holler out a rebuttal.

Stacey's attention should have been trained on the door as the siblings waited for the return of their partners. Now that Crony had restored functionality to the door, Stacey was able to use Huxley's cypher to disable the lock, the latch releasing as it did so. Unbeknownst to the redhead behind her, the darkness was helping to hide a prideful smile that threatened to fill her face. Although there were still more potential problems ahead of them, her brother had been faced with an unexpected challenge and risen above it. Only the most astute of observers would have noticed the discreet fistpump before Stacey's hand pushed at the front door.

----------

Battle #1 Complete!

Rewards:
Zenny: +750 (1170 >>> 1920)
Bugfrags: +51 (10 >>> 61)
New Battlechip: FireHit1Damage: 60 + Impact + Double Attack
Accuracy: A
Description: Throws a blazing punch from a distance, Hadoken style.
Duration: Up to 2 uses before the end of the turn
Element: Fire
Special: Double Attack: After spending an action to attack with this chip, you may choose to spend a second action and attack with it again before the end of the turn.
Trader Rank: D
Battlechips: 14 >>> 15

Level Up! Battlechips x5 (15 chips)
Amity.EXE: Level 7 >>> 8

{>>> To ACDC Town: 77 Press Street, ACDC Heights >>>}