Shopping for a Future

{EAX029}

{<<< From Internet City: Commercial Area: Navi Net-Shop <<<}

All over Electopia humans like Eric suffered from a terrible condition. This condition was like a virus, attacking its prey from the break of dawn until long after the sun set. It was unrelenting, unforgiving, and none in its wake could avoid its effects. Many had tried, using all sorts of remedies from potions and foods to chemicals and body treatments. None had lasting results, they only delayed the inevitable.

Amy was no different. Although she was a net navi and only programmed to have a digital body resembling the likeness of a human biped, she too was beginning to suffer from the programmed need to rest. The day's events had already been chaotic enough, but now they were heading towards another duty, another situation that would require their full attention.

In spite of their diminishing energy, the world she teleported into was awake, alive and thriving. Electown was just as bright and animated at night as its real world equivalent, perhaps even more so as many digital creatures of varying shapes and sizes came online to shop for their operators, hang out in the virtual netcafes, or be entertained at some of the bizarrely themed establishments. Amy was reminded of her visit to the city region of Kotobuki only hours prior; the most obvious difference between the two was the range of electronics boutiques that littered and even overwhelmed the streets in places. Whereas Kotobuki was made to appeal to one's need for opulence, Electown was aimed at those needing assistance with dealing with their future.

The road they travelled on was split into thirds, where the outer edges allowed for directional travel while the middle third was separated into sections that alternated between educational displays, artificial gardens inspired by the neon lights all around them, giant advertisement boards, and rest areas that held pairs of resting benches that sat adjacent from each other.

Fearing a repeat of the events earlier that day Lily decided to disable her wings entirely, being fully supported by the appendages bonded to Amy's gelatenous exterior. Doing so allowed Amy a more discreet walk as she better blended in with the vibrant crowd. "This is just as crazy as before," Lily remarked from her safe haven.

"I disagree. The traffic seems to be moving in our favour," she commented, demonstrated by their lack of collisions with the patrons around them.

"If you say so. So we need to go to three different shops. That was Max's request, yes?"

"Correct. And I'm pretty sure that's what Max was talking about," she guessed as her hand extended outward towards a glowing (i) hovering in the distance.

In one of the educational area segments stood a narrow black box made of metal whose top was level with the frills of her dress' collar, its length about half the height of the box and its width half that of the length. Hovering above the box was a hologram, the distance between it and the top of the box approximately the same height as the black box itself. Two white letter 'i's slowly orbited around the equator of a sea-blue sphere, moving in such a way that either one whole 'i' or edges of both 'i's were visible at all times.

On the box face exposed to the main area of the segment, holes were arranged in a hexagonal pattern that must have been the speaker, demonstrated as one navi appeared to be speaking to it.

"I think so too," Lily agreed.

Amy navigated her way towards the terminus, and slipped between two older gentlemen to join the line in the segment for access to its information. They observed as one navi after another asked for directions to various shops in the area, a hologram often appearing from nowhere to illustrate the instructions provided. A short while later it was their turn.

[LOCATION?] an older but friendly autonomous voice requested.

"Ricky's Robotnics."

[TAKE THIS ROAD NORTH TWO JUNCTIONS THEN TURN EAST. PROCEED TO THE NEXT JUNCTION. FROM THAT JUNCTION RICKY'S ROBOTNICS CAN BE LOCATED IN THE SOUTH-EAST BLOCK, IN THE COMPLEX LOCATED AT THE NORTH-EAST FACE OF THE BLOCK.]

A hologram appeared in front of them that showed off the immediate area's layout, along with the path described to get to their next location. Perfectly straight streets stretching from north to south, east to west made the region almost gridlike, the major streets crossing over each other to make what this voice must have been referring to as 'junctions'. Following that methodology, the instructions were now crystal clear.

Or perhaps not. "...Did you get all that...?"

"Pretty sure I did. Thank you," she replied to the terminus, the pair stepping aside as the next person moved forward.

"Almost four junctions from here. Not exactly close, but not far either." Eric tried to stifle a yawn but only managed to make it louder as a result.

"Let's just get this over with," Amy reassured her partners as motivation, knowing full well that Lily had no choice but to follow her while she was a prisoner inside her dress and that Eric had no say in the matter whatsoever. She could already see the first junction point in the distance, and a new energy was awakening in her that was countering the exhaustion threatening to pull her down. Something about the bright lights made her happy to be alive as she moved along the sidewalk, dodging the navis content to walk at a normal pace.

Most of the shops they were passing by housed patrons of a generically dull disposition, shopping for typical navi accessories on behalf of their owners. One shop that caused Amy to hesitate briefly was an accessory shop that had glowing hair pendants, but the price tags reminded her that her operator likely had no use of such things when her battling systems were far from exemplary. The remainder of the shops were appliance mods and travel agents for real-world getaways; items of no interest to Amy, her boredom lulling her into a false sense of security as they continued northward.

However, Electown at night certainly had its share of dangers, and many of them were going to make Amy's shopping trip a little harder than she expected as she passed through the first junction of crossroads and moved onward to the next. Minutes later and the cyan mistress arrived at the second junction without incident, where it now became obvious that not all streets in the region were equal. Turning east at the second junction pointed her down a major road where the shop fronts were much brighter than the ones she'd passed by, and perhaps that was the problem...

----------

Party:
Amity.EXE: 230 / 230 HP
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP

{{{ An aquatic navi in an electrifying town. The urge to add multiple electrical puns was high but I managed to resist. Requesting Battle #1. }}}

Beginning her exploration to the robotics store, Amity would not need to get too far into her trek before finding herself as an observer of the local virus population. Towards the east, she could see a little three-inch robot with yellow visor and crest around it's head in white armor was dancing about doing what seemed to be "the robot" as a pair of Bunny and Eleball were playing together, completely unaware of the navi and SP's presence, the Bunny hopping happily as the local Eleball just slowly floated around the rabbit-like virus happily.

If it had just been them, Amity could likely have escaped and left them to do whatever it was they were doing. Unfortunately, a Jackhammer with arms, the local Pogojack virus, was sitting off to the side and watching them...and caught a glimpse of the watery navi and her electrical companion. Immediately beginning to hop up and down, waving it's noodle arms about to try and catch the others attention. Thus, UNFORTUNATELY for Amity, would cause her internal battle routines to start up, locking her into a battle with the quartet, but she could still walk away if she so wished.

-- Viruses --
EleballEleball (Eleball)

Eleball rarely dodge, preferring to move into attack range, and strike. All Eleball viruses have one free passive movement.

Area: SciLab, Electown, NAXA

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: (10 Elec + Spin Attack + Impact) x 2 Hits
Attack Accuracy: Special
Attack Description: Spinning balls of electricity orbit the virus, dealing damage to everything around it.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Plasma1, Zenny
Special: OmniShoes
Special: Spin Attack: Strikes at all enemies in an 8-panel circle around the user. Accuracy varies depending on the number of targets designated: 1-3 targets @ B Accuracy, 4-6 targets @ C Accuracy, 7-8 targets @ D Accuracy.: 80 HP (Solar) (Floating about near the Bunny, back turned and rotating around)
PogoJackPogoJack (PogoJack)

A virus that looks like a green/blue/pink/red/orange/yellow/black jackhammer and moves across the net cracking the earth with its ever-activated pile-driver. Two arms with gloves hands extend up from the sides and hold its own handle. A silly face adorns the front with an angry scowl.

Area: Electown, Kotobuki Town, Netopia, NetVegas

HP: 80
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 x 2 Drop Attack + Break + Impact + Movement
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: PogoJack jumps a short distance into the air and then comes down on a target, hammering them with its piledriver.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): PileDriver1, Zenny
Special: Whenever this virus moves, the next panel it lands on becomes cracked. This virus does not break cracked panels it lands on, but breaks them when it moves away.: 80 HP (Normal) (Off to the North-Eastern side of the field, trying to get the attention of the other viruses)
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.: 50 HP (Solar) (Playing with Eleball, about Center-West of the field)
Super-X1Super-X1 (Super-X)

The Super-X series of viruses are miniature super robots, all generally humanoid in appearance, but not reaching any higher than 3 feet tall or so. A Super's armor plating is fairly complete, with the only gaps being at the joints to allow for mobility. The inner machinery that can be seen at the joints is a dark gray, while the armor color is dependent on the version. Super-1 is the standard model with white armor, while Super-2 is the speedy model with blue, lightweight armor and Super-3 is the strong model with red, heavyweight armor. Super-Omega is the same as Super-1 in terms of design, but its armor is pure black. All Supers have yellow, opaque visors for eyes, secured by a finned crest that reaches around their heads. Supers don't have any immediately visible weapons, but that is a mere formality because a full arsenal of beam weaponry is stored within their bodies.

Area: NAXA, Electown

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Elec + Break + Impact
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Fires a large laser beam from the main chest cannon.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Elec x 2 hits
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Fires an array of lasers from various points on its' body.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec x 5 Targets
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Fires a spread of energy bolts from its hand.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Arsenal1, ClusterShot1, Zenny: 100 HP (Normal) (Doing "The Robot" near the center of the field)

-- Navis --
Amity.EXE: 230 HP (Normal) (Roughly towards the south-west, near the edge of the battlefield)
Liliana.SP: 70 HP (Solar) (Next to Amity)

-- Terrain --
65% Solar

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

(Speckled about with 2x2 chunks in the area)
25% Normal

• No effects.

(Between Solar patches, with small islands off to the side)
10% Metal

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

(Roughly in the middle as a 1x2 vertical strip of squares)

-- Objects --
GMD: 20 HP (Some distance behind Pogojack, about a movement away from Amity.EXE)

-- Battle 1 Ready? Start!! --

As Amy walked the new street she noticed that there was a scattering of a peculiar panel type on the walkway. Their subtle glow might have been what was contributing to the increased brightness of the street, but Amy felt a shuffling in her dress as Lily's body started twitching.

"Do you feel that?" The navi's checking of the panels around her was disrupted as the butterfly's wing reappeared. Something had grabbed Lily's attention as she detached herself from her ride and floated down to one on the panels that wasn't in the main thoroughfares. As she landed a gleeful moan became audible. "Amy, you've gotta try this! It feels like my body is being heated from the inside out!"

Amy took a step towards her companion, whose wings were continuing to grow larger and larger as they covered more of the surface in question. Lily's reaction brought about a tiny edge of concern to the navi as she felt this could be something sinister in the making. "Eric, what are these?"

Not to be embarrased this time by a forgetfulness that 'Terrain' wasn't a subheading in the NetPendium but its own chapter, Eric turned to the panel gallery and looked for a match. It didn't take long to find one. "'Solar panels. Will gradually restore the health of any Elec-based program.' I'd say that's what Lily is reacting to."

Amy had never seen solar panels before, but if they afforded her partner some healing of her own then she didn't need to worry. "Anything else?"

"It will double the attacking power of any Wood-based attack that connects with it. So if Lily was attacked while on one..." A brief pause followed while he meditated on the information. "I guess that would quadruple the effect, yeah...?"

Amy didn't like the sound of that, the earlier concern now returning. Her busting run in Kotobuki had demonstrated the effectiveness of hitting a dual weakness when her somewhat-weak cleansing gel had been amplified twice over to wipe out foes in a single hit. "Be careful Lily..." she warned as her eyes orbited the area.

"Relax, I'm fine!" Lily dismissed the concern, her voice now an octave higher than usual.

Amy was about to argue about the possible side-effects of the panel when she noticed a party that had appeared in their vicinity. She didn't notice them by sight, but her pedicels rocketed a warning down to her brain in detection of viruses needing her attention. To receive such a reaction when the antennae were retracted was already a bad sign, but when her head turned towards the source she understood why.

"Eric, we've got company. Bunny and Pogojack, we've seen them before. What's the Eleball and... Super-X1...?"

"Sounds expensive," Lily commented, her body and wings still spread out over the panel to absorb as much of its aura as possible.

Eric found the Eleball first and so that was where he began. "'Eleball. Rarely dodges, preferring to move into attack range to strike. Once in range it will spin balls of electricity around it to hit any foes.'"

"So stay away from it and I'll be fine. Next?"

"Yep, found the other one. 'Super-X1. Robotic in design, attacks by firing Elec beams. Can fire multiple beams of weakened strength, or one large beam that can break through defenses.'"

A bristling sensation ran down Amy's back. Almost everything in that party had the ability to deal critical damage to her.

The lady's first reaction was to prepare for a tough battle, but despite the readouts given to her by her operator this group appeared to have no malice towards them or the surrounding passersby. In fact, the Eleball and Bunny seemed to pay no attention to anything but their own group, and the robot was even showing off some dance moves to the ones who'd begun watching from afar. The only virus of concern was the PogoJack that seemed to have noticed the pair's presence over the rest of the navis in the immediate area and was now attempting to alert its friends, but this wasn't an indication of hostility. After all, it wasn't unusual for a navi to attack a virus without a reason; such hosility without due cause had been deeply ingrained into the mentality of many a program.

"Lily, get up. We have to go." Amy wasn't willing to risk an unnecessary fight, or worse, create one.

"Do we have to...?" her friend complained, either not aware of the dangers nearby or too attracted to the solar panel to care.

"Lily! Enough!" Amy's hands reached over the gigantic wings being broadcast by Lily to take a firm hold of her grey body and pull it away from the glowing panel.

"Aww, that was really nice...!" the butterfly again complained as Amy tried to make a beeline towards the third junction.

----------

Actions:
[Team] Attempt to flee / avoid triggering fight with possibly passive virii

Cooldowns:
None

Party:
Amity.EXE: 230 / 230 HP
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP



{{{ Apologies for the mess-up; I will always attempt to start every battle with Lily equipped to Amy unless RP'd differently. I didn't put it on the earlier post so that's my bad. }}}

(Tis fine, completely understandable)

Using their easy attempts to escape from the area, Amity and Liliana would manage to escape from the area fairly easily, leaving the quartet of viruses alone and letting them do their thing. The only thing was an annoyed PogoJack, but it just shrugged and went over to enjoy some more fun with it's fellow viruses. Though they may have deviated some from their previous path, it was hard to tell where they were at, but probably somewhere near where they started? Probably for the best.

(Escape successful)

Amy hadn't meant to, but by trying to pass by the group without triggering a conflict Amy had found herself swallowed by the opposing side of the road, moving away from their intended destination. The navi wasn't having a repeat of the busy Kotobuki streets, and obediently followed the crowd until an opening made it possible to deviate from the path they'd been sent on. What greeted them was the second junction, confirmation they'd gone back further than she'd intended.

"That's a pain," she grumbled as her head turned back to the spot where the electrical viruses were still camped out.

"It can't be helped, I guess." Lily had snapped out of her earlier daze and levitated herself out of Amy's folded arms. "Sorry about that; my head kinda went hazy. It's been a long day and that felt amazing."

"I just wish I could've had some of that," she admitted as the two stood towards the centre of the junction square. "Okay, now what?"

"Can't we just go around them?" Eric offered as a suggestion.

"We tried that already. We ended up back here, remember?"

"Umm, no, I didn't mean it like that," Eric corrected himself. "I mean, can't you just go around the entire block? That map showed the entire area as being like a grid. Can't you just go down one block and use that street instead?"

The answer seemed so obvious that Amy and Lily felt stupid for not thinking of it themselves. "Uhh, yeah, of course," Lily agreed. "Amy? Any objections?"

"It's more walking, but I guess it could be worse..."

The pair retraced their steps back to the former junction, but nothing much had changed in the time since they'd passed by. Once at the square they turned eastward and continued their journey past a number of stores that were focused on flight. The displays varied from motorised transport to... more unauthodox measures. "No way those wings actually work," Lily objected as they walked past one window displaying a thin human-style mannequin with two angel-like wings protruding from its back. The caption above her read 'Heavenly flight possible, with style!', drawing yet another scoff from the butterfly. "As if. I can't see any electrical mechanisms, and there's no way those wings would generate enough lift on their own."

Lily's bantering brought a smile to her operator's face as he watched them track through the first junction, and then onto the next before he had a thought. "You probably know this already, but... if the instruction was to go to the north-east corner of the south-east block, then you need to turn left here."

Lily did the mental math. "Eric's right Amy. We were about to walk another block in the wrong direction."

"Glad that someone's paying attention; I'm starting to get lost," she admitted. The store fronts may have looked different, but the highrise buildings they were attached to didn't have much variety. One could easily get lost if they didn't pay close enough attention to their surroundings.

After another few minutes of walking Amy repeated the instructions provided to them. "So the north-east face is up there," she confirmed by pointing its direction, "and that must be the right complex," she concluded, her index finger setting on a larger multi-story building that had the sign 'Diagnostics Central'.

They entered the lower floor and walked through a pathway that started in the east and exited out to the north, back to the adjoining street they had originally planned to arrive from. The pathway itself had a gentle and natural curve to it, like the edge of a circle. As they walked through the complex it didn't take long to find what they were looking for. "Ricky's Robotnics," Lily advised, beating Amy by only a second. The navi's sudden but brief drop in demeanour may have implied she was racing her colleague, but the change could have been unrelated.

The store front was well presented with minimal stock on display. This store's posters and booths made it clear that it was the professional advice they were selling, not parts, further accented by a number of glass cages with items shown for demonstation of services offered, not for sale.

It didn't take long for their entrance to be detected and responded to. "Can I help you?" an average-looking orange navi asked as it approached them.

"Yes, we're after a... BIOS jumper synapsis hybrid for a... systems grade 203X junior navigator that... needs to be compatible with a 207X BIOS leader cable," she advised, stumbling through the requirements of the item they needed.

"Please," Lily added.

"A 203X junior? Haven't seen one of those in years. Is your operator restoring an antique?" it asked quizzically.

"I don't know. We've just been asked to come here and get the part."

"Well lucky for you, I have exactly one left." The navi turned around and departed into the back of the shop behind a door that read 'STAFF ONLY'. A minute later, it came back with an odd-shaped data file. "203X parts are getting harder to come by; your operator must really cherish that navi." The part was placed into a small carry bag that bore the 'Ricky's Robotnics' round logo bearing two overlapping Rs in an orange matching the navi's override. "This one will work, it's compatible with all leader cable models 205X and newer."

It must be a uniform GMO, she thought to herself. "We were told this would cost 3700 zenny. Is that right?" she asked the shopkeeper.

"You did your research," the navi marvelled. "3700 zenny is correct."

Amy handed over some of the money that Max had provided them. The navi accepted the cash and passed her the bag in exchange.

"Thank you for your patronage, and I hope your friend can be restored," it finished with a slight bow.

The pair left the store and used the mall's east exit to return to the Electown network. Amy could see another (i) platform to their south, and so she made her way towards it. To her surprise there didn't appear to be any line at this one so they didn't have to wait their turn for directory assistance, however it soon became clear why.

[WHAT DO YOU WANT?] a gruff voice questioned them.

"We need directions to 'Reinforcements R Us'."

"Please," Lily added, to the annoyance of her navi.

[THAT PLACE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT OUT OF BUSINESS A LONG TIME AGO. GO TO MUNITIONS OASIS INSTEAD, THEIR PARTS ARE BETTER.] it barked at the pair.

"Our friend told us to go to 'Reinforcements R Us', so can you tell us how to get there?" Amy asked again.

"Please," Lily added again, but this time getting a shoulder to a lower wing in response.

[I'M TELLING YOU, GO TO MUNITIONS OASIS,] it bellowed again.

Amy was fed up with its attitude. "Look, I don't care if you like the shop or not, tell us where it is or we'll go to the next information kiosk and get the information there," she angrily snapped back.

[FROM THE JUNCTION UP NORTH, THREE JUNCTIONS WEST, ONE JUNCTION NORTH, CENTRE OF THE NORTH-WEST BLOCK. TELL MANNY HE'S STILL A JERK!] it hollered as the speaker crackled and the glowing (i) above the kiosk turned off.

Amy muttered some words under her breath as she moved away. The urge to kick the kiosk was high, but she was able bring her emotions under control and resisted the action.

"Was that really necessary?" Lily asked.

"I'll tell you what's not necessary; you acting like a parent. "Please". You're as bad as Stacey," Amy rebuked.

"I won't apologise for being polite. Maybe YOU should learn to be courteous to everyone, not just the people you like," Lily criticised.

That remark was like a strong blow that hit Amy in her conscience's metaphorical gut. She hadn't meant to be rude, but this was just a business transaction. Although her mind wanted to verbalise the thought, a twinge of guilt brewing inside her was perhaps a sign that Amy knew deep-down that Lily was right, and she was just upset about being called out about it. A sullen look exposed her thinking as she began following the instructions provided in silence.

The new directions had them walk back along the same street where a battle had tempted their hand. Her heart was racing as she steeled herself for another potential confrontation, but to Amy's relief it appeared the group of electrical creatures had moved on, and the lack of fighting in the area was a sign that not fighting them had indeed been the right choice.

Three junctions westward and a new northbound street greeted Amy and Lily. This one was not particularly busy (at least, not outside the storefront), but some of the signs and music were particularly displeasing to her as she tried her best to not pay them attention.

"Oh. I've read about these types of places," Lily remarked as Amy kept her head down and her feet moving quickly. "I know humans have some strange desires, but why they'd program them into navis as well... I don't understand. We don't reproduce that way."

"Let's just keep quiet and hurry through." Amy's eyes trusted nobody as they moved through the area, her body keeping a healthy distance from each passerby.

Lily was surprised by the darker tone in Amy's voice. "What, these kinds of people bother you?"

"Not exactly." One part was true; Amy's programming didn't care for these kinds of activities at all. Her body in its default state took the form of a humanoid girl in her late teens/early adulthood, but her true form was amorphous. As a result, it wasn't necessary for her programming to accommodate for certain 'biological urges'. She compared her situation to humans observing wildlife; it was natural for these things to happen around her, but she didn't need to be distracted or embarrassed by it. It was something else that bothered her, a lingering memory she didn't believe to be true but its message still clear. "Feelings don't need to be reciprocated for others to try and take advantage of you." Lily didn't respond to that claim as they passed by the remaining entertainment venues; no further explanation was needed.

As they reached the next junction Lily felt something pass through her wings, an energy in the wind. It wasn't physical, but it certainly wasn't natural either.

"Amy, you feel that?"

Amy had not. But a few seconds later, some outcries travelled through the air and passed by both Amy's and Lily's ears.

"Going to guess that's related...?"

"Probably."

"...Should we go and check it out?" The package in her hand was one of their current priorities; they'd managed to avoid a battle earlier but this time things felt different.

"Up to you. I mean, if it's not serious then we can probably just ignor-"

A bright flash lit up the area to their north, briefly showering the surrounding buildings in a yellow light.

"I suppose that's our answer...?" Lily joked as her ride ferried her towards the source of the commotion.

"I just hope it's not another electrical swarm," Amy groaned as they ran past the entrance to a dark alleyway in the city block to their left, squeezed between two shops that were either closed for the night or had closed down for good; the store fronts could have offered a suggestion for both conclusions with their ragged appearances.

"Amy, it's ELEC-town. What do you expect?" Lily quizzed her navi.

"Let's just hope it's a misunderstanding." But deep down, Amy wasn't confident she could hold her own against another group like the first one. Try as she might, her desire to run was conflicting once again with her desire to help.

-------------------------

Party:
Amity.EXE: 230 / 230 HP
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP [Equipped to Amity]

{{{ Amy got lucky the first time, but the Meetings Of Destiny may have other plans for her. In any event, requesting a new scene for Battle #1, for better or for worse. }}}

After getting their barrings straight and heading off in a different direction for parts, Amity would soon find a complete field, open and messily made out of wrought iron, an obvious first attempt on whoever made it, but it was more or less stable and had good footing. Meanwhile across from where she was, a mess of Normal, Magnet and Solar paneling. Not much could be seen beyond it, but despite it all, she couldn't sense any problems...until she made her way about half way across the metal paneling.

A pair of light purple colored HardHeads dropped down with a thunderous crash, landing perfectly on the other end of the field, but should be pretty easy to close in on quickly from her current position. An armored turret cannon would soon drop down as well, landing heavy on the line dividing the two halves of the field, sounding off a warning blast to the navi. And quickly after, a light buzzing noise could be heard behind her, presumably a swordy-E trying and failing to sneak up on her. Battle routines began for navi and SP and soon she was thrust into combat...again.

-- Viruses --
Swordy-ESwordy-E (Swordy-E)

Area: SciLab, Electown, NAXA

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Elec + 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 Elec Blade.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec + 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 Elec Sword.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ElecKnife, Zenny
Special: Swordy-E's are immune to Stun Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range.: 80 HP (Metal) (Behind and to the left of Amity)
DeadHeadDeadHead (DeadHead)

A purple HardHead. Aside from the color, it doesn't look any different from a HardHead, ColdHead, or HotHead.


Special Note: DeadHeads alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions DeadHeads may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. DeadHeads will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. DeadHeads cannot be lifted or thrown, even with RageClaw. DeadHeads have permanent Zombie status, hence their name.

Area: Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Break + Small Poison Terrain Change + Poison(10)
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires PoisonBall. Breaking. Creates Poison Terrain.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): PoisonBall1, Zenny
Special: Immobile.
- Permanent Zombie status. This cannot be removed by any method, including Status Cure.
- IronBody when not attacking. DeadHead's version of IronBody protects against recovery moves. Does not prevent healing from other methods.
Special: Poison(10): Deals 10 poison damage per action to the victim starting the turn after this attack hits. This effect stacks with other timed damage effects, including other Poison effects. Can be cured with Status Cure. A: 50 HP (Magnet) (Staring straight ahead at Amity) (Perma-Zombie) (Closed)
DeadHeadDeadHead (DeadHead)

A purple HardHead. Aside from the color, it doesn't look any different from a HardHead, ColdHead, or HotHead.


Special Note: DeadHeads alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions DeadHeads may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. DeadHeads will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. DeadHeads cannot be lifted or thrown, even with RageClaw. DeadHeads have permanent Zombie status, hence their name.

Area: Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Break + Small Poison Terrain Change + Poison(10)
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires PoisonBall. Breaking. Creates Poison Terrain.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): PoisonBall1, Zenny
Special: Immobile.
- Permanent Zombie status. This cannot be removed by any method, including Status Cure.
- IronBody when not attacking. DeadHead's version of IronBody protects against recovery moves. Does not prevent healing from other methods.
Special: Poison(10): Deals 10 poison damage per action to the victim starting the turn after this attack hits. This effect stacks with other timed damage effects, including other Poison effects. Can be cured with Status Cure. B: 50 HP (Solar) (Staring straight ahead at Amity at an angle) (Perma-Zombie) (Closed)
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

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

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

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

-- Navis --
Amity.EXE: 100 HP (Metal) (Liliana Equipped) (Roughly in the middle of the Metal terrain)
Liliana.SP 70 HP (Equipped to Amity)

-- Terrain --
10% Solar

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

(Dotted around, away from Metal)
15% Magnet

• Non-Elec Elementals get -30% Evasion, and 50% (+/- 25% RP) chance to fail movement off the panel.
• Only Elec Elementals can burrow.
• Wood attacks: Change terrain hit to Normal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Seeking.

(Dotted around, away from the Metal)
25% Normal

• No effects.

(A long strip between the metal fields and magnet/solar mix, mixing in to make safe spots among them)
50% Metal

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

(A massive wrought iron field behind a strip of Normal terrain)

-- Battle 1 Ready? Start!! --

It was indeed a misunderstanding; as Amy charged forward into the area that separated the junctions three new creatures quite literally 'dropped in' on her evening. Meta-tags were read as the new entities made themselves known to our protagonist in an intimidating manner. This street was not the same as the previous streets they'd been travelling on, which instead made for a large battlefield of sorts.

"Eric, incoming!" she alerted as the crashing sound cleared from the area. There was no doubt in her mind that they were going to be trouble, judging from their bold entrance alone. "DeadHead and CannonDumb, what should I know?"

CannonDumb was easy to find; apparently it was a very common virus. "'CannonDumb. Attacks any target in its sight, provided it is not an invulnerable target. Attacks may become harder to avoid if it marks its target.'"

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Me neither. DeadHead?"

This one took a little longer for Eric to find. "Ah, got it," he advised as his finger skimmed the details. "That one's more detailed... 'switches between attacking and guarding. Cannot move under its own power or be moved by forc-'"

"Eric, ZapRing, quick!" Amy hadn't seen the enemy, but a buzzing sound behind her, combined with a prickling of her antennae confirmed something was trying to get the jump on her. Pack tactics; swarm and defeat. No escaping this one; they'd have to fight.

"Okay!" Eric's hands were getting better at remembering where the chips were stored in his folder, and pre-empting Amy's usual go-to chip his hand quickly retrieved it as it passed over the pocket. "Guard1 also going in. Anything else?"

"Anything shot-based!" Amy's eyes couldn't ignore the littering of alternative panels surrounding her. It would almost be pretty if it wasn't a potential hindrance to her progress. The panel she stood on was a metal sheet, making her somewhat exposed to whatever was sneaking up on her, but as the first chip made its entrance a buzz of her own began to emanate from her right sleeve.

Of course, before Amy had the chance to whirl around, a warm pocket formed in front of her, a barely visible shimmer between herself and the trio waiting for her first move. She recognised the turbulence field and welcomed it.

"Thanks Lily," the girl in blue offered as she twirled around to face a somewhat familiar figure. It looked like the Swordys she'd fought before, but there was no denying this one had a particularly energetic flair, further compounded by its sword whose blade had a visible arcing of yellow beams between its point and its guard. Amy's hope that it was standing on a panel like her own was rewarded, but as her arm came to bear in its direction and fire off the paralysing electrical energy, she knew that she'd have to turn her back on it to continue her defense. The defense of metools everywhere reshaped her left arm as she turned around again to refocus on the remaining threats, happy to be under its protection once again.

"Sending Shotgun, Pulsar1 and Cannon chips now. One for each virus." Eric seemed confident of his chip selection, or perhaps he was worried that she'd get angry if he sent his navi more than was needed.

The math was correct, and already Amy could feel the shotgun barred solidifying in her dress sleeve in place of the ZapRing lightning rod. She needed to remain vigilant in preparation for whatever came her way, but as she tried to get a better read on her opponents but what took her interest was the wings in the corner of her eyes. Lily's wings had begun to change, their texture morphing for a flat sheen to one with a pattern Amy didn't recognise. "Lily...?" she asked, curiousity drowned out by concern.

"It's normal, I think. Don't worry about me, focus on them!" she ordered, the tips of her wings being directed to the other party as the pattern's edges thickened further.

"Right!" Without any further encouragement Amy's cannon-centric assault continued. The Shotgun was first discharged towards the CannonDumb that had sat itself on the neutral panels; the idea of it tracking her during battle was enough to make it her first focus. It didn't look particularly dangerous though, despite having a head that looked similar to the battlechip she would use soon enough.

Amy's attention was now brought to bear on the other two heads that bore a similar colour to her own head. {{{...switches between attacking and guarding...}}} Amy hadn't meant to cut Eric off while he was giving her vital information, but time would tell if that was a mistake or not as the shotgun barrel dissolved inward and the sonic pad merged from the fragments. Before the Pulsar had the chance to fully form, Lily took the initiative with her own power and metered out a serve of ionised wind towards the first of Amy's two remaining targets, its energy causing the lingering blue smoke from the shotgun fire to glow as it passed through the air. Amy's follow-up shot was not as quick off the mark, the sound trailing behind it. It was not nearly as elegant as the butterfly's static charge, the sonic disturbance pushing the remaining wisps of blue to the side as it charged through.

The static pad swelled out once more to mirror the CannonDumb's face, bringing a muted giggle from her core as she anticipated its final form to stretch out the hem's edge. The head itself was large, but not enough to become trapped within her oversized dress sleeve. It too was discharged towards the final combatant in haste, but strangely enough it didn't leave as large a cloud in the area as the shotgun did. It did cause her to cough slightly; had a slight breeze in the area pushed the burnt gunpowder back onto her...?

-------------------------

Actions:
[LA] Turbulence [Deflect/Return first Shot/Lob attack] >>> {Equip to Amity}
[A1] [Disruptor] ZapRing1 [50 Elec DMG] >>> Swordy-E
[A2] [Disruptor] Guard1 [Reflect <=60 DMG, Piercing, Line] >>> {Equip}
[L1] Autumn Leaves [40 HP Casing] >>> {Equip}
[A3] [Disruptor] Shotgun [50 DMG, Spread1] >>> CannonDumb
[A4] Dodge preparation
[L2] Ion Wave [30 Elec DMG] >>> DeadHead A
[A5] [Disruptor] Pulsar1 [70 DMG, Object-triggered Blast2] >>> DeadHead A
[A6] [Disruptor] Cannon [60 DMG, Knockback] >>> DeadHead B

Cooldowns:
Autumn Leaves [Used; 0/1 TCD; Recharging]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 230 / 230 HP [Turbulence, Guard1 equipped]
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP [40 / 40 HP Casing] [Equipped to Amity]

With her way forward blocked by a barricade of viral artillery, Amy was driven to fight, but opened with a quick turn to nail the Swordy approaching fro behind with a sudden shock of her own. The Swordy, caught off guard by the navi's quick reaction wasn't able to warp away fast enough and shuddered as the crackling shot connected. Despite its own innate electrical nature, it didn't seem to be spared the attack's damage, and as the charge arced between the point of contact and the panel beneath the virus its body rapidly cracked apart and broke down. No more electrical surprises for Amy.

While her back was momentarily turned, the cannon in the centre of the blockade let loose a crack shot, precisely aimed, only for Lily's turbulence field to deflect the attack at the lat moment and send it careening back at an angle, to crash into the still-open mouth of one of the purple, poisonous-looking turrets on the side. Immediately, both of the smaller viruses clamped their mouths shut with ld 'clangs', protecting themselves and giving Lily a moment to provide some protection of her own to Amy, in turn.

The exchange left Amy free to retaliate against the cannon virus with a shotgun blast that peppered it with cleansing smoke shot, though it wasn't enough to quell the virus yet. The two DeadHeads, guessing the danger to be passed, both clanked open again, charging toxic, poisonous-looking rounds from their mouths, but before the first one could fire, Lily slammed it with a swift ion wave, right in its muzzle – already damage, the chain reaction it caused lead to cracks spreading all over the turret's round shell and it seemed to suffer an internal break down, failing to fire and beginning to fragment.

The other fired a wet, dripping orb of poison towards Amy, but the navi was able to dash to one side, out of its way, before responding with a sonic blast of her own, finishing off the second zombie-turret in rapid succession.

As she did this, the remaining virus – the central cannon, drew a laser sight across the middle of Amy's chest, lighting her up and locking on, but the extra precision wouldn't avail it quickly enough; Amy managed to shoot first, sending her final canon round towards the last virus and covering it with enough cleansing agent to break down its form before it could cause any more mischief. Just behind her, as the dust and smoke cleared, the missed shot from one of the zombie viruses seemed to remain, swelling and pulsing slightly in a glob that might remind Amy of brackish, rotting water and decay... and yet the mass remained encapsulated in a self-contained packet of data she could safely take along with the other spoils.

-=Viruses=-
Swordy-ESwordy-E (Swordy-E)

Area: SciLab, Electown, NAXA

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Elec + 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 Elec Blade.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Elec + 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 Elec Sword.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ElecKnife, Zenny
Special: Swordy-E's are immune to Stun Status.
Special: Uses Area Grab to get into attack range.: CLEANSED (Ping!)
DeadHeadDeadHead (DeadHead)

A purple HardHead. Aside from the color, it doesn't look any different from a HardHead, ColdHead, or HotHead.


Special Note: DeadHeads alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions DeadHeads may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. DeadHeads will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. DeadHeads cannot be lifted or thrown, even with RageClaw. DeadHeads have permanent Zombie status, hence their name.

Area: Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Break + Small Poison Terrain Change + Poison(10)
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires PoisonBall. Breaking. Creates Poison Terrain.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): PoisonBall1, Zenny
Special: Immobile.
- Permanent Zombie status. This cannot be removed by any method, including Status Cure.
- IronBody when not attacking. DeadHead's version of IronBody protects against recovery moves. Does not prevent healing from other methods.
Special: Poison(10): Deals 10 poison damage per action to the victim starting the turn after this attack hits. This effect stacks with other timed damage effects, including other Poison effects. Can be cured with Status Cure. A: CLEANSED (Ping!)
DeadHeadDeadHead (DeadHead)

A purple HardHead. Aside from the color, it doesn't look any different from a HardHead, ColdHead, or HotHead.


Special Note: DeadHeads alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions DeadHeads may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. DeadHeads will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. DeadHeads cannot be lifted or thrown, even with RageClaw. DeadHeads have permanent Zombie status, hence their name.

Area: Electown, Dentech

HP: 50
Attack Damage/Effect: 10 Null + Break + Small Poison Terrain Change + Poison(10)
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires PoisonBall. Breaking. Creates Poison Terrain.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): PoisonBall1, Zenny
Special: Immobile.
- Permanent Zombie status. This cannot be removed by any method, including Status Cure.
- IronBody when not attacking. DeadHead's version of IronBody protects against recovery moves. Does not prevent healing from other methods.
Special: Poison(10): Deals 10 poison damage per action to the victim starting the turn after this attack hits. This effect stacks with other timed damage effects, including other Poison effects. Can be cured with Status Cure. B: CLEANSED
CannonDumbCannonDumb (CannonDumb)

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

Area: ACDC, SciLab, Electown, Yoka

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

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 100Hp (Metal) (Liliana Equipped) (Roughly in the middle of the Metal terrain)
Liliana.SP: 70Hp (Equipped to Amity)

-=Terrain=-
10% Solar

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

(Dotted around, away from Metal)
15% Magnet

• Non-Elec Elementals get -30% Evasion, and 50% (+/- 25% RP) chance to fail movement off the panel.
• Only Elec Elementals can burrow.
• Wood attacks: Change terrain hit to Normal.
• PanelShot: Imbue Elec + Seeking.

(Dotted around, away from the Metal)
25% Normal

• No effects.

(A long strip between the metal fields and magnet/solar mix, mixing in to make safe spots among them)
50% Metal

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

(A massive wrought iron field behind a strip of Normal terrain)

-=Battle 1, Victory!=-
Spoils: 750z, 16 BugFrags, PoisonBall1Damage: 50 + Break + Small Poison Terrain Change + Poison(10)
Accuracy: C
Description: A bomb that poisons all it touches, including the ground and other Navis.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Poison(10): Deals 10 poison damage per action to the victim starting the turn after this attack hits. This effect stacks with other timed damage effects, including other Poison effects. Can be cured with Status Cure.
Trader Rank: D

To her surprise, Amy's initial assault was competent enough to end the confrontation before it could properly begin. Whether it was by skill or just a good set of odds remained to be seen, but the navi was able to take a short pause whilst surveying the surrounding areas.

"Nothing else to report in the area, we're safe for now."

Amy could feel her partner wriggling apart from her rear as her own eyes noticed that the DeadHead's attempt at attacking her was still lingering on the field amidst the scattered debris of zenny and bugfrags.

"You free to clean all that up while I take care of something...?"

"What could you possibly be taking care o-" she began, but when she turned around to see what Lily was doing, a depressed sigh quickly followed. The yellow butterfly had flown over to the closest magnet panel and her wings were already expanding over it.

"You're pathetic!" she called out to her partner in a playful manner, her head shaking slightly as she did so. "Whatever, I'll clean this up."

Eric's voice became audible as she approached the poisonous mass. "Is it safe...?"

'It' had become somewhat isolated onto itself, closer resembling a ball than the gelatenous mass that had been launched earlier. It wasn't moving under its own power which was a relief in itself, and as the girl gingerly touched its outer membrane she felt nothing retaliate in response. "I think it's safe. It's scanning like potential battlechip data, I think..."

"Should you send it through then?"

"Already on it," she confirmed as the outer edge began shrinking into itself, growing smaller and smaller until it looked like a smaller version of the four cores that were still hovering in the air above them. The quartet of glowing orbs had gravitated towards each other in the area to the right of where Amy was currently standing, but instead of escaping off into the night they were lingering in the area. Judging by the way they hovered, Amy couldn't escape the feeling that she was being watched...

"PoisonBall1. You were right, it's battlechip data."

"Excellent." With all the remaining spoils collected Amy returned to the alleyway they'd passed by prior to the engagement, giving one final glance to the four cores still floating nearby. In a last-second decision she'd stashed the bag behind a downpipe connected to one of the two buildings, hoping to hide it momentarily. Having the contents damaged mid-battle wasn't an acceptable outcome, but leaving it on its own could have resulted in it being stolen. She picked up the bag from between the pipe and the wall, and to her relief the codec from Ricky's Robotnics was still there and in one piece.

"Lily! Time to go!" Her instinct was to slide the bag into her back seam, given its smaller size, but as Lily's wings came into view she was reminded of what happened the last time she'd tried that with her passenger on board and elected to continue holding onto it with her hands instead.

"Can we install some magnet panels back in the Flower?" Lily pleaded, amusing her ride as she slid back into the safety of Amy's dress.

"That's a question for Eric, not me," she answered. "Eric? Do you think we can look into that?"

"I guess... I mean, let's look at the manual when we get back home."

"Good." Her eyes glanced down the block at the face of the shops in front of her. "Well then, let's find Reinforcements R Us."

This city block wasn't as animated as the ones they'd seen so far that night. In contrast to the bright lights and energetic displays in the streets prior, this one had an older look and vibe, which wasn't a surprise when you considered what was being sold. A variety of different shops themed around heavy armour upgrades and distance weaponry were what Amy and Lily were introduced to as they walked around the block, but none of them bore the name they were seeking. After returning to where they started Amy scratched her head in confusion. "Odd."

"Agreed. Let's try again."

A second walk around the block revealed nothing new; although there were a few shops that were closed for the night or closed down altogether, the names were still visible and none matched what they were looking for. After the third pass of all the buildings in view Amy was starting to double-guess herself. "Are we... missing something...? This is definitely the right block... right?"

"We didn't make a mistake. Do you suppose she sent us the wrong direction...?"

"That wouldn't surprise me; she didn't want us going there in the first place."

"Can... can I offer a suggestion?" Eric interrupted. When neither girl rebuked him, he continued. "Didn't she say it was in the 'centre of the block'?"

"We know, but no matter which way we look at it, it's not..."

Amy stopped when she realised what Eric was trying to say. "The CENTRE of the block. Right." They'd missed a critical detail of the instruction.

"You think she meant DIRECTLY in the middle, not in the middle of one of the fac-" Lily pondered out loud, then sighed loudly. "Amy. The alleyway."

Amy walked back to the alleyway. It didn't look any more inviting than before, but it did lead towards the back of some shop fronts; trash cans and foul smells aside, it was a legitimate pathway. And sure enough, after a few dozen paces the path diverged in three directions; one of those paths led towards a dull store front with faded paint and almost no shop lights to speak of. It was possible that once upon a time the sign read 'REINFORCEMENTS R US', but with the first third of the sign missing and graffiti strewn across the parts that weren't faded, the sign now read 'CEMENT US'.

"'Cement us'," Lily repeated out loud. "Someone really hates this place."

"Lost?" a gruff voice came from an unknown space, startling both ladies as they looked for the source. Lily's sonar hadn't detected anybody in their area, which only made her tiny digital heart race faster.

"Relax, I'm not gonna do nothing to you," it reassured them as a small navi appeared in front of them. The invisibility shroud faded to reveal a small male navi walking in a gentle hobble towards them, his body easily half the height of Amy's already short stature. The golden tunic it wore would have been impressive, were it not for the numerous burn marks and tears littered across it. Despite his somewhat frail appearance, even accented with a small grey beard, its eyes were fierce, intense, and focused on Amy, not wavering even for a second as it walked.

"Let me guess. You're here for the Comsol civilian modulator," it suggested, coming to a stop two steps away from Amy's front and very much in her personal space.

"The what? Oh, actually, yes," Amy confirmed as she fumbled with her words. "How did you know?"

The navi put his hand into a satchel hanging by his side. "Be around as long as I have, you get to know things. People." He pulled out a package containing a glowing green rectangular box, two probes sticking out one of the narrower sides. "Also, don't see many purple-haired navis in cyan dresses around here."

Lily laughed. "Max must have told you we were coming."

"Maximus Huxley." The name summoned forth a cough. "Huxley and I go waaay back. Crony was the only navi that challenged me, made me work for my reputation." The navi placed the part in Amy's extended hand. "Those two taught me things about loyalty I'll never forget."

"Th.. thank you." This was the first time Amy had heard someone refer to Crony with fond memories, which caused her to temporarily forget that in the business world, goods were exchanged for money.

"Amy, your wallet?" Lily again tried to guide Amy through another awkward social interaction.

The navi held up his hand in protest. "Ahhh, forget it. Still owe Huxley for last year's uprising. Tell him Manford still needs help with the Wunderpass punks."

"Manford? You mean Manny?" Amy blurted out.

"'Manny'." The navi scratched his cheek in meditation. "'Manny'. Where did you hear that name?"

The request was a fair one, but now Amy was worried she may have said something out of turn, something that may get her in trouble. "We... may have heard that name from someone giving us directions to get here."

A chuffing noise was followed by a small wheeze. "Very long story. Short version is I have lots of enemies now. Manny was a name I received from a smear campaign. The new don't like the old. I accept it, move on. You should too. Getting late. Crazys only come out after midnight." He gestured towards their rear with a nod of his head.

Amy looked behind her at the suggestion that someone might be behind them. As she turned back around... the navi was gone.

"Okay... that was a little creepy..." she murmured as she put the part into the same bag as their earlier purchase, goosebumps creeping up her back.

"Thank you Manford," Lily called out to the darkness as the pair turned back to the dark alleyway and proceeded back towards the city lights.

----------

[I'M VERY SORRY, BUT THAT BUSINESS CLOSED DOWN MONTHS AGO.]

Amy wasn't sure what to do. This was the fourth terminal they'd accessed to try and find the final store Max wanted them to visit, 'Next Life Intel', but the first three didn't even recognise the store name. That problem suddenly made sense. At least this (i) terminal was being operated by a more professional female navi; she too couldn't find the name at first, but instead of accepting defeat she had done a deeper search than her counterparts and had checked past directories.

"How can that be?" Amy stressed. "Our friend told us to go there for two parts he needed."

[IT'S LIKELY THAT OTHER STORES IN THE AREA WILL HAVE WHAT YOU NEED.]

"Lily, if the store shut down, there's not much we can do about that," Lily offered as a means of comfort.

[IF YOU DON'T MIND, I DO KNOW A FAIR BIT OF THE CITY'S ELECTRONICS CATALOGUES. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?]

The offer of assistance brightened Amy's face a little. "A PRX stage-4 self repair kit and a PRX intel class 3 upgrade."

[THAT'S EASY; PROGWORLD WILL HAVE THOSE PARTS.]

"'Progworld'? That sounds like a store for Prog parts."

[CORRECT. PRX PARTS ARE BROAD IN THEIR COMPATIBILITY, SUITING ALMOST ALL PROGS CREATED IN THE LAST FIVE DECADES.]

"But... my friend is trying to repair a navi and its PET. Are you su..." Amy trailed off as she realised it was not polite to infer her informant might be misinformed when she was not even required to share the information she had.

"Thank you for the help; we'll check it out," Lily replied in lieu of her partner. "Whereabouts is it?"

[PROGWORLD IS A CHAIN OF STORES; THERE ARE THREE HERE IN ELECTOWN ALONE. THE CLOSEST ONE IS NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE; THREE JUNCTIONS SOUTH, SOUTH-EAST BLOCK, EAST FACE.]

"Understood. At the very least, if it's not what we need, they may be able to point us in the right direction."

[EXACTLY. HAPPY HUNTING!]

The directions provided once again led them through the same red-light sector from before, and perhaps 'Manford' was right; despite the hour having just ticked past eleven the street seemed even busier than before.

{{{Crazys only come out after midnight.}}}

The old navi's words echoed in both program's heads as they once again passed through the area without incident, but the minutes continued to tick past as Amy and Lily began to feel the toll of the day's animated events starting to wear them down. Amy's steps weren't as energetic and Lily's sonar scanning was only operating on half its usual distance as her wings shrunk down to a quarter of their normal size whilst riding Amy.

All of this played directly into the hands of one creature that seemed curious about their journey as it hopped slowly from one building top to the other, watching them as they progressed down the street. No lights seemed to shine high enough to illuminate the creature, but its brown cloak provided enough dampening to avoid detection by the casual passerby looking skyward. It moved cautiously, its focus appearing to remain exclusively on the cyan dress down below as it maintained a constant distance.

If it was waiting for a show it didn't have to wait long; as Amy and Lily approached the third and final junction Lily's omnipresent radar began to disturb her with scattered signals and movements.

A long frustrated sigh followed as her wings regrew back to a combat-ready stance. "Something's happening up ahead, Amy..."

-------------------------

Battle #1 Complete!

Rewards:
Zenny: +750 (270 >>> 1020)
Bugfrags: +16 (5 >>> 21)
New Battlechip: PoisonBall1Damage: 50 + Break + Small Poison Terrain Change + Poison(10)
Accuracy: C
Description: A bomb that poisons all it touches, including the ground and other Navis.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Poison(10): Deals 10 poison damage per action to the victim starting the turn after this attack hits. This effect stacks with other timed damage effects, including other Poison effects. Can be cured with Status Cure.
Trader Rank: D
Battlechips: 18 >>> 19

Party:
Amity.EXE: 230 / 230 HP
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP [Equipped to Amity]

{{{ Almost there, Amy. Requesting Battle #2. }}}

Off in the distance, Amity and Liliana could see their destination, it was a good bit away from the duo, a good run would have gotten her there in a few minutes, ten tops, but...her instincts were on point unfortunately, a quartet of viruses were hacking away at the outer walls, a Bunny, Armadill, Catack and Twisty were taking chunk after chunk off the with their attacks. Before long, it's outer defenses began to flare up, dispersing the quartet without a second thought, all four being thrown away with a blast of pure energy and sending them flying.

The mechanical Twisty would smash into the checkerboard of a field in front of the duo, slightly dazed from getting tossed around like it did. The Catack to her left, Bunny to her right and the Armadil smashing behind her, all three viruses shaking off a brief stunning as they began to encroach upon the Navi and SP. All this happening as a GMD was tossed out from the shop's front doors, shopkeeper seemingly apologizing for Amity getting involved in this, but likely would be appreciative if she took care of the viruses. Before she could say anything, the quartet were close enough to drag her into another fight...one she was plenty ready for.

-- Viruses --
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.: 50 HP (Metal) (Hopping in from the West, perpendicular with Amity)
ArmadillArmadill (Armadill)

Armadills require two actions to execute each attack. The first action is always a movement to line up with the target, and the second action is the actual attack. Unlike the games, Armadills do not roll back to where they started after each attack. Instead, they may uncurl at another location on the field.

Area: Electown, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 100
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Group Attack + Breaking + Impact
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Attacks by rolling. Breaking.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShell1, Zenny
Special: MetalBody when attacking.
Note: MetalBody is identical to IronBody, but does not hamper movement. Non-Break attacks deal 0 damage, and Break attacks deal double.: 100 HP (Normal) (Attempting to sneak up behind)
CatackCatack (Catack)

Catacks move at a slow rate and their dodges are generally bad. They can, however, attack in any direction while moving or attempting to dodge.

Area: SciLab, Electown, Dentech, Beach, Hades Isle

HP: 120
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Panel Crack + Blast2
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Blasts enemy with TankCannon.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TankCannon1, Zenny
Special: May Move/Dodge while attacking.
Special: Slow: 120 HP (Metal) (Coming in from the East, perpendicular with Amity)
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once.: 80 HP (Normal) (Roughly in the middle of the field, straight ahead)

-- Navis --
Amity.Exe: 230 HP (Normal) (Liliana Equipped) (In the southern end of the area)
Liliana.SP: 70 HP (Equipped to Amity)

-- Terrain -- (Both Metal and Normal are roughly interspersed across the field in a checkerboard pattern, a dodge will bring you to the opposite terrain unless otherwise dodging to that terrain)
50% Metal

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

50% Normal

• No effects.

-- Objects --
GMD: 20 HP (Metal)(Behind Twisty)

-- Battle 2 Ready? Start!! --

Another case of viruses causing problems for the network. Amy would be more than happy to despatch these trouble-makers from the area, but quickly found herself surrounded by multiple threats.

"Another Bunny," Lily remarked.

"Indeed. Eric, help us out: Armadill, Catack, Twisty. Send the Shotgun while you're looking for them." The rest could wait; Amy had dealt with Bunnys before and knew a shotgun, if successful, could round it out in one hit. There were still more viruses to deal with though, and these looked tough. "Lily, don't put the turbulence on me, keep it to yourself."

Lily wanted to argue the notion, but she too felt a little intimidated by the Catack in particular, doing as instructed and charging up the dome around herself instead.

Eric slid the Shotgun chip through the reader before turning his attention to the NetPendium's virus database once more. "'Armadil'. Slow to attack, but once attacking they are immune to non-breaking attacks. Will connect with any and all targets in its line of attack. Can break through various defenses as it attacks.'"

Her arm once again began to solidy and extend, the tube protruding once more as it peeked out into the battlefield.

"'Catack.' Huh, this one's a slow mover as well. 'Can attack in any direction with a blast that will not only affect all targets in the blast radius but also damage the surrounding panels.'"

"Amy, you'd better make quick work of these, they all sound dangerous."

Her shotgun came to bear as she did her best to line up the Bunny in her sight before discharging the pellet packet towards the electric-prongs-for-ears whilst Eric finished off his round-up.

"'Twisty'. Releases a secondary virus that floats above the field and summons lightning charges from above. Lightning charges damage any navis and panels they connect with. Secondary virus is immune to damage but relies on the primary virus to maintain its form.' So I guess if we defeat the main virus, the secondary one will stop shooting lightning...?"

"Which is not great, given the littering of metal panels surrounding us," Lily remarked. Her shielding seemed like a good option despite not having a chance to prove its worth in the last battle, so it again was deployed as the leafage pattern spread across her body and wings. Amy noticed it again, but as it hadn't affected her performance last battle, whatever it was, it didn't need to worry her... for now.

"Amy, you called it a GMD before, right?"

"Huh?" It took Amy a moment to acknowledge the crystal that Lily was referencing.

"Over there." Her wings directed Amy's gaze towards a spot behind the Twisty. "If that one explodes in sand as well I'm gonna clap every one we see going forward."

"Relax, would you? They're useful to us."

"Whatever." An idea popped into the support program's head as it continued to eye the second electrical threat on the field. "Get Eric to send us the DrillArm chip. I have a plan that might give you an advantage."

Lily's cryptic instructions did little to explain her intentions, but she hadn't led Amy down the wrong path yet so she had to trust her partner whilst mapping out a plan of her own. "Eric, send me the ZapRing chip, and then cache the DrillArm and Pulsar chips together!"

"Doing it now." Three chips in hand; the first one passed through as expected, and he tapped an additional button to send the remaining two to his navi at the same time. "On their way."

Everything in this battle is a threat, she calculated as it became clear each virus had the ability to take advantage of her aqueous nature or tear through any defenses they used to block their attacks. It worked for them last time, so another calculated attack in each viruses' direction was all she could do to begin the encounter.

With the Bunny's shot already dispensed, Amy sent her right arm towards the east as a lightning rod of her own began to buzz from the sleeve of her shirt. Whether the Catack was fast enough to dodge it was unknown, but with any luck she could increase the potency of the ZapRing's electrical nature with the aid of the metal panels surrounding her. The shot was discharged with another shrill popping sound, the blue ring tearing across the battlefield.

Amy had been told the story by Lily about the Drixol viruses she'd encountered, but hadn't yet had the opportunity to experience the power of its resulting battlechip. As the sonic pad took form on her left arm, the pointed drill not only started to peek out of her right arm's sleeve, it quickly absorbed its entire being, but thankfully the dress recognised the transformation and slid up towards her shoulder as the drill its reached its full size.

"That was close!" she gasped in surprise.

"No time for that! Step forward and activate the drilling mechanism on my word!" No sooner had the words left the butterfly's mouth then she discharged an energy wave from her wings that Amy hadn't seen before. It didn't crackle through the air like her normal energy winds, but as it crossed the space between herself and the Twisty her curiousity almost caused her to forget about the plan.

"NOW!"

As instructed, Amy took one step forward and activated the drill, its turbulent nature causing her to take yet another step forward. The drill seemed to have a power of its own, and instead of Amy being the one in charge, it had a mind of its own as it led her forward.

"Lily, what's this about...?!"

"Stick to the plan!"

Her plan of attack now going off-plan, Amy brought her left arm behind her and tried to line up the Armadill with the sonic pad before shooting off another reverberating disturbance into the network. Thankfully she wouldn't be the one who had to suffer its shrill tone, but she was reminded of the encounter with the Batworm every time she used it.

"I hope you know what you're doing...!" she yelled as her movements continued to be directed by the drill head.

-------------------------

Actions:
[LA] Turbulence [Deflect/Return first Shot/Lob attack] >>> {Equip}
[A1] [Disruptor] Shotgun [50 DMG, Spread1] >>> Bunny
[L1] Autumn Leaves [40 HP Casing] >>> {Equip}
[A2] [Disruptor] ZapRing1 [40 Elec DMG, Stun1] >>> Catack
[L2] Spring Breeze [Gravity] >>> Twisty (bring into range for double-attack)
[A3] [Disruptor] DrillArm1 [60 DMG, Break, Knockback, Long Attack] >>> Twisty
[A4] (If Spring Breeze/DrillArm1 combo successful) Feint; Movement if failure occurs (a.k.a. whiff)
[A5] [Disruptor] Pulsar1 [70 DMG, Object Triggered Blast 2] >>> Armadill
[A6] Dodge preparation (a.k.a. follow the leader)

Cooldowns:
Autumn Leaves [Used; 0/1 TCD; Recharging]
Spring Breeze [Used; 0/1 TCD; Recharging]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 230 / 230 HP
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP [40 / 40 HP Casing, Turbulence equipped] [Equipped to Amity]

Quick on the draw, Amity made her first shot into the battlefield as the Bunny hopped up and down excitedly, barely evading the discharged firearm from the navi as it fell forward in it's excitement. As Liliana brought her defences to bear, the Catack would make it's shot as it moved forwards towards the duo, blasting out it's cannon and sending it's ordience hurtling towards them, but thanks to Liliana's Turbulance, the shot would be shunted away towards the Armadill, exploding against it's body and leaving a nasty sooty mark against it (20) as it began to shake off the incidental damage.

The Bunny taking it's shot, it hopped back up onto it's feet and brought it's head back and swiftly forward, sending a spark of energy towards the two and clipping Liliana as she brought her casing up, but even then she could feel the paralysis rising up across her body, processors slowing down for a brief moment she couldn't shake off so easily (10+Stun1) as Amity shot off her Zapring, clipping the Catack and making it sieze up in turn (40!+stun), tank treads slowing down as the Twisty would roll in with it's little gremlin of a UFO, sending a shocking blast downwards and missing entirely, hitting a nearby metal panel and leaving a small scorch mark.

The Armadill, coming in from behind, would begin to roll up and just as swiftly, it would roll out, attempting to slam into Amity from behind like a cannonball, crashing through Amity's legs but managing to miss Liliana despite it's size (20, miss) and rolling through to where the Twisty had been seated at...only until Amity and Lili's one-two punch came through, leading the immobile virus to get caught by the butterfly's gravitic hold upon it, leading the virus to sumarily get speared through the waiting DrillArm, with both of the drill's spins leading to it's form getting scattered about in wonderful fashion in front of them like junk (60x2) and removing one enemy from the fight without any serious damage to herself or her SP.

Stepping back in disbelief as it's ally had been killed so quickly, the Armadill would stamp it's feet in indignation, rushing towards Liliana and Amity as it rolled back up and attempted to crush both of them again and again, managing to miss Liliana, but this time Amity as well, as she narrowly stepped out of the way, the Armadill coming to a stop some distance to the south-east and unhappily letting out a viral cry. Of course, Amity was quick on the draw just the same, sending out a concentrated blast of sound at the virus and smacking it right in the head, screeches of the local bat viruses completely destroying it's hearing for the moment (70) as it dug against the paneling to try and get it out of it's head. Then finally, the Catack made one last shot on Amity, whiffing wide of the navi and her partner as the former evaded it just barely, an explosion sounding off in the distance. The battle wasn't won -just- yet, but Amity was doing more than enough to keep up.

-- Viruses --
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.: 50 HP (Metal) (Hopping in from the West, perpendicular with Amity)
ArmadillArmadill (Armadill)

Armadills require two actions to execute each attack. The first action is always a movement to line up with the target, and the second action is the actual attack. Unlike the games, Armadills do not roll back to where they started after each attack. Instead, they may uncurl at another location on the field.

Area: Electown, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 100
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Group Attack + Breaking + Impact
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Attacks by rolling. Breaking.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShell1, Zenny
Special: MetalBody when attacking.
Note: MetalBody is identical to IronBody, but does not hamper movement. Non-Break attacks deal 0 damage, and Break attacks deal double.: 10 HP (Normal) (Towards the south-east)
CatackCatack (Catack)

Catacks move at a slow rate and their dodges are generally bad. They can, however, attack in any direction while moving or attempting to dodge.

Area: SciLab, Electown, Dentech, Beach, Hades Isle

HP: 120
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Panel Crack + Blast2
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Blasts enemy with TankCannon.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TankCannon1, Zenny
Special: May Move/Dodge while attacking.
Special: Slow: 80 HP (Metal) (Coming in from the East, CLOSING IN)
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once.: RMMMMRMRMRMRMRM

-- Navis --
Amity.Exe: 230 HP (Normal) (Liliana Equipped) (In the southern end of the area)
Liliana.SP: 70 HP (Equipped to Amity) (Casing30) (Stun1)

-- Terrain -- (Both Metal and Normal are roughly interspersed across the field in a checkerboard pattern, a dodge will bring you to the opposite terrain unless otherwise dodging to that terrain)
50% Metal

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

50% Normal

• No effects.

-- Objects --
GMD: 20 HP (Metal)(Out in the open towards the middle of the field)

Not everything went to plan as shots were fired, objects collided and data was shredded. Amy's somewhat-pacifistic busting nature was at odds with the mining drill as its head tore strips off the outer layer of the Twisty virus Lily had drawn into range with her magnetic pull. The poor navi couldn't tell whether she was impressed by Lily's planning or disgusted by its methods as the virus became destabilised enough to loosen its entire casing and reveal the core underneath. The Armadil had used Amy's moment of uncertainty to score its own hit, but hadn't been nimble enough to avoid revenge in the form of a sonic blast. Its form was almost decayed enough for a SRVR, but it wasn't quite there yet.

Amy would have reprimanded her support program for not giving her enough warning of the visuals she'd seen, but Lily had already been metered her own form of punishment. She was an electrical entity, for sure, but that didn't mean she was immune to the paralytical effects of stun weapons. Amy knew the secondary effect of the ZapRing (she'd just taken advantage of it with the Catack) and could feel the shudder of her partner's body as the partial seizure took effect. Lily had already prepared another layer of repulsion energy, which extended itself over her partner with little effort at all, but the same couldn't be said of her attack towards the Armadil, when only one of the two wings was able to throw an electrical wind that looked a little weak in comparison to her normal efforts.

"Eric, next round of chips! Cannon, FireHit, HeatShot, ShockWave, I want them all!" The command wasn't made in desperation, but as Lily's appendages pulled a little harder on Amy's back, the violet-haired navi could tell something was wrong.

"Are you okay?" she called out whilst receiving the first of the requested chips.

"I'm fine... I might just... need a moment..."

"One moment, coming up," she quipped as the Cannon took its form in her sleeve. The earlier shotgun had missed its target, and while Amy was glad it hadn't managed to make contact with her, she wasn't happy that her partner had become a secondary target as a result. The Cannon was brought to bear and bluish smoke once again filled her immediate area as the cannon fire was discharged towards the bouncing target.

The Cannon was quickly pushed aside as Amy felt the burning energy build up inside her. That same sense of satisfaction grew as her hands began to glow, the heat extending out from her clenched fists as she remainded focused on where the Bunny had been. She'd missed it once; it would be embarrassing to let it go free again. With this in mind, the first of her two fireball fists flew forward as she struck the air in front of her, the earlier smoke lighting up her surroundings in response.

With a serving of energy still left to throw, her attention turned to the Catack. She'd hoped to hit it with an electrical weapon of her own whilst it was on the metal panels, but it appeared she hadn't been that fortunate. Regardless, it would now experience the remainder of her efforts as the second fist of fire was summoned forth by the continued pummeling of air, illuminating the area once again.

"Slow down there, you're going to hurt yourself," the butterfly suggested.

Amy either didn't hear her advice or didn't care as she continued her assault; the next weapon to take form in her body was the miniature furnace, playing the same peek-a-boo game that the Shotgun always did as its furthermost point peeked out of the dress, spitting out the occasional blue ember. The arm was already raised towards the Catack, so as soon as it was ready yet another serving of hot fury was ejected from the chamber and streaked across the field.

"I'm tired, I'm spent, I'm done with this city!" Amy yelled as the furnace dissipated. With the requested battlechips almost depleted, her body was generating a measure of her own style of 'conflict resolution' as the ShockWave energised in the heel of her right foot, ready to be stomped to the ground to generate the necessary burst of energy. Which was perfect; Amy needed to let off a bit of steam after the day's events, and what better way to do so then by a bit of boot-stomping...?

The ground attack surged forward through the network towards the Catack, admittedly a little slower than everything preceeding it, but as long as it had the desired effect then it had done its job. It was too early to tell what the end result was, but Amy still had her charge of cleansing gel in her hand, ready to dispense at whatever target would cross her as a final stand.

"Who wants this?!" she cried out, her hand raised as her eyes orbited the area, scanning for a suitable target. It seemed a little excessive, but the day's events were causing her perception of acceptable behaviour to become a little unsteady...

-------------------------

Actions:
[LA] Turbulence [Deflect/Return first Shot/Lob attack] >>> {Equip to Amity}
[L1] Ion Wave [30 Elec DMG] >>> Armadill
[A1] [Disruptor] Cannon [60 DMG, Knockback] >>> Bunny
[A2] [Disruptor] FireHit [60 Fire DMG, Impact, 1/2] >>> Bunny
[A3] [Disruptor] FireHit [60 Fire DMG, Impact, 2/2] >>> Catack
[A4] [Disruptor] HeatShot [40 Fire DMG, Spread1] >>> Catack
[A5] [Disruptor] ShockWave [40 DMG, Line, Ground] >>> Catack
[A6] Cleansing Spray {A} [40 Aqua DMG] >>> (Survivors)
[L2] *stunned*

Cooldowns:
Autumn Leaves [+1 TCD; 1/1 TCD; Ready!]
Spring Breeze [+1 TCD; 1/1 TCD; Ready!]
Cleansing Spray {A} [Used; 0/1 TCD; Recharging]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 230 HP [Turbulence equipped]
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP [30 HP Casing] [Stun1] [Equipped to Amity]

With the frustrations of the day building up and annoyingly tenacious viruses still surrounding them, Lily managed to buzz the damaged Armadill quickly, breaking apart its shell while it was still in the process of backing up to have another go at the pair. Not far away, the energetic bunny launched another ring, this time at Amy, the larger of the two targets, but by poor luck and poorer aim it missed the pair entirely.

Amy, on the other hand, made good on her next attempt at the critter, and by the time the smoke from her cannon shot began to clear she could see that it had been successfully quieted and would provide no further shocks to either of them.

With just the Catack remaining, the virus churned with loud, heavy revs – its treads cranked with jerky, ponderous stutters while it struggled to shake off the stun effect plaguing it, but its brief incapacitation allowed Amy all the time she needed to turn both fireball shots on the virus and make sure of the battle before it could get any further out of hand.

Afterwards, even though there were no more targets that needed taking care of, the navi indulged in a small bit of foot-stomping – it wasn't strictly necessary but there was a certain catharsis to the expression all the same.

-=Viruses=-
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.: PACIFIED
ArmadillArmadill (Armadill)

Armadills require two actions to execute each attack. The first action is always a movement to line up with the target, and the second action is the actual attack. Unlike the games, Armadills do not roll back to where they started after each attack. Instead, they may uncurl at another location on the field.

Area: Electown, Okuden Valley, Dentech

HP: 100
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Group Attack + Breaking + Impact
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Attacks by rolling. Breaking.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShell1, Zenny
Special: MetalBody when attacking.
Note: MetalBody is identical to IronBody, but does not hamper movement. Non-Break attacks deal 0 damage, and Break attacks deal double.: CLEANSED
CatackCatack (Catack)

Catacks move at a slow rate and their dodges are generally bad. They can, however, attack in any direction while moving or attempting to dodge.

Area: SciLab, Electown, Dentech, Beach, Hades Isle

HP: 120
Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Panel Crack + Blast2
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Blasts enemy with TankCannon.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TankCannon1, Zenny
Special: May Move/Dodge while attacking.
Special: Slow: FIRED
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once.: RMMMMRMRMRMRMRM

-=Navis=-
Amity.Exe: 230 HP (Normal) (Liliana Equipped) (In the southern end of the area)
Liliana.SP: 70 HP (Equipped to Amity) (Casing30)

-=Terrain=- (Both Metal and Normal are roughly interspersed across the field in a checkerboard pattern, a dodge will bring you to the opposite terrain unless otherwise dodging to that terrain)
50% Metal

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

50% Normal

• No effects.

-=Objects=-
GMD: 20 HP (Metal)(Out in the open towards the middle of the field)

-=Battle 2, Victory!=-
Spoils: 1000z, 12 BugFrags

Open GMD?

Smoke, floating embers and a small shockwave were a disturbance to the area, but once the carnage had cleared Amy found herself staring at a new set of four floating cores, indicating she'd disrupted their misbehaviour. Unlike the earlier cores that had indicated a desire to watch her, the Twisty's core had been the first to be SRVR'd and didn't waste any time evacuating the area, heading north along the same road she'd used to arrive from. Although the other three cores took a little more time to get their bearings, it wasn't long before they too flew off to the north, perhaps in an effort to catch up to their former ally.

"Do you suppose they will regroup and cause problems all over again?" Lily pondered.

"I have no idea. I've never seen what happens to virus cores once they jack out of the area." Amy's lower lip protruded outward as she meditated on that last comment. "Actually, now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen them log out at all. Most of the time they just flee in a random direction, but sometimes they behave in an unusual manner."

"You mean... like before?"

"You noticed that too?" The navi looked behind her to catch a final glimpse of the quartet, but they were already out of sight. "I wonder if that's why I was taught to call it a SRVR and not an EJO."

"Server. You've said that a few times now. Those are virus cores; I don't see any similarity between them and a computer server."

Amy giggled at the comparison. "Not server, SRVR. It's an acronym. S-R-V-R. It means 'Successful Rogue Virus Return'. A few of the instructors decided on that name, calling it a mistake, bad programming, but I think it's what makes me... me. Us, I guess; it seems you have that same blessing. Or curse, depending how you look at it."

"...the instructors?"

"From the training facility."

"...in your memories."

"Yes."

"...the fake memories."

Amy hadn't considered that the name for her unique virus busting method came from fabricated memories. What was the implication of that? Did that mean someone just picked a name out of the air and created a complex set of memories around it? Or was the reverse true; did someone just add that word in as an extra item on top of the memories as a side-note, a random appendix to a series of unfortunate events...?

She didn't respond to Lily's observation as they moved through the area, picking up the scattered zenny and bugfrags. No virus fragments had been left as a parting gift, but they eventually came upon the data crystal as it lay on the ground undamaged.

"I'm not touching that," the butterfly reminded her ride as she prepared her legs, arms and wings for immediate evacuation, should the need arise.

"Calm down, it's not like that at all," Amy reaffirmed as her fingers gingerly tapped the closest apex of the crystal three times. The navi hadn't stopped to consider that maybe this GMD was the property of the shopkeep whose storefront the GMD had previously flown out of, but time would tell if that faux pas would be punished or not.

-------------------------

{{ Court danger, open GMD }}

When amity activated the data crystal, casually reassuring her companion, the forces of irony and hubris stirred...

The crystal rose up, spinning softly, before thin seams split it vertically, then horizontally and the crystal started to unfold and open. Rather than a normal procedure however, the green crystal panels folded back and out, and then over and in on themselves again as a thick mist began to seep out of every crack. A pair of red eyes opened in the core of the crystal and a tight giggle of laughter echoed.

Suddenly the mist rippled and from the heard of the crystal shapes began to burst outwards – viruses streaked from the fog to land all around Amy and Lily, each focused with an overtly sinister intent. There was no casual playfulness or well-meaning chaos here; each virus bore the same red glint in their eyes as the entity that had been lurking in the crystal – or perhaps had been the crystal itself? Either way, the green diamond folded in on itself again, spun quickly one, then warped away to the far end of the area, putting the new mass of viruses between itself and Amy. The shrill giggling continued.

-=Shocking Revelation=-
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once. A: 80Hp [Metal][To Amy's Left]
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once. B: 80Hp [Normal][To Amy's Right]
GrinnerGrinner (Grinner)

The Grinner virus possesses a body consisting of only one large solar panel, coated in colored metal with a design like a stoic, robotic face. The color of its body varies according to its strength. (yellow/orange/red/purple/blue/green/black). The virus attacks by opening its "mouth" to reveal its panel, then firing a beam of refracted light towards its enemies. When other solar panels are nearby, its attack will magnify additional light and become even more powerful. The Grinner moves very slowly, but is entirely invulnerable to attacks while its mouth is closed. It has been described jokingly as "the energy efficient Dominerd" due to the similarities between the viruses. The virus itself is electric, but its beam burns like fire, so wood navis need be wary.

Area: NAXA, Electown, SciLab

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Fire Shot + Piercing + Solar Terrain Boost 10 + Self-Cancel Body Effects
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires a scorching beam of refracted, magnified light. The beam deals extra damage when fired by a Grinner floating over solar terrain. When using this attack, the Grinner voids all protection granted by its metallic body and remains vulnerable until it closes its mouth again.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 1 turn self IronBody
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Protects self using its metallic "face" encasing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): SolarShield1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes, cannot dodge A: 100Hp [Metal][Forward and left of Amy]
GrinnerGrinner (Grinner)

The Grinner virus possesses a body consisting of only one large solar panel, coated in colored metal with a design like a stoic, robotic face. The color of its body varies according to its strength. (yellow/orange/red/purple/blue/green/black). The virus attacks by opening its "mouth" to reveal its panel, then firing a beam of refracted light towards its enemies. When other solar panels are nearby, its attack will magnify additional light and become even more powerful. The Grinner moves very slowly, but is entirely invulnerable to attacks while its mouth is closed. It has been described jokingly as "the energy efficient Dominerd" due to the similarities between the viruses. The virus itself is electric, but its beam burns like fire, so wood navis need be wary.

Area: NAXA, Electown, SciLab

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Fire Shot + Piercing + Solar Terrain Boost 10 + Self-Cancel Body Effects
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires a scorching beam of refracted, magnified light. The beam deals extra damage when fired by a Grinner floating over solar terrain. When using this attack, the Grinner voids all protection granted by its metallic body and remains vulnerable until it closes its mouth again.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 1 turn self IronBody
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Protects self using its metallic "face" encasing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): SolarShield1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes, cannot dodge B: 100Hp [Metal][Forward and right of Amy]

Green MimicGreen Mimic (Mimic)

A Mystery Data bisected horizontally, with a shadowy core binding the halves together. Two menacing red eyes leer out from the shadows in the crack between them, and a swirl of dark energy of the same color as the data whirls around the entire virus constantly. A Mimic only spawns if an MD is present, and the roll to check contents comes up as a Trap. The MD then becomes a single Mimic. Mimics do not ever appear otherwise. Once triggered, a Mimic either mass summons Viruses, Navis, or other Battle Programs for the next battle number, or mass teleports all allies to the location of the next battle (which is always within the same network area), and the battle begins immediately. These mass summon and mass teleport abilities are unique to Mimics, and cannot be emulated. When a Mimic is defeated, it reverts to MD form. At this point, it becomes ethereal, and cannot be damaged in any way.

Area: All

HP: 200
Primary Attack Description: Gathers the energy around it into a ball, then fires it all outward in a beam of green light.
Primary Attack Effect: 30 + Beam Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Swirls the energy surrounding it around an ally.
Secondary Attack Effect: 40 HP barrier to ally (Cannot be used on self)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Tertiary Attack Description: Spits a ball of glitchy data out from the crack in the Mystery Data, then sends it flying inside a guided shell of energy.
Tertiary Attack Effect: 15 + Glitch + Homing
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: C
Element: Null
Special: Omnishoes. Immobile.
Special: Gains a 20 HP barrier every turn it is not attacking. Does not stack.: 200Hp [Normal][Directly forward of Amy, about a movement away]

-=Incautious Looters=-
Amity.Exe: 230 HP [Metal]
Liliana.SP: 70 HP [Equipped to Amity]

-=Terrain=-
50% Metal

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

50% Normal

• No effects.

Terrain is a checkerboard pattern; any dodge or feint will move you to the opposite terrain, unless you deliberately aim for where you're going.

-=Battle 3, Start!=-

"Amy! What have you done?!" The hysterics weren't necessary, but given the butterfly's apprehension of the crystal *before* they'd tapped it, this turn of events wasn't going to help Amy with overcoming Lily's distrust of the mysterious objects.

Why...?

Their goal had been within reach; if she'd left well enough alone they could have been finished with their duties. With a new battle thrust upon them, Amy and Lily had been thrown into a situation nobody appreciates just before midnight; five beings eager to ruin their night. Two of the five viruses she recognised from their previous battle, but she'd need more information for the remaining three viruses.

"Eric, we need you again!" The readable metatags showed 'Grinner' as the entity type for the other pair, and while the data crystal had originally looked just like the other GMD she'd opened, it too was now broadcasting metadata of its own.

"Grinner and... Green Mimic...? Odd name."

"I told you, we should have just shot it down!" Lily fumed whilst sizing up the situation from her own perspective and formulating a plan, not bothering to check if that was okay with her partner. "Eric, send Amy the ZapRing and Shotgun chips while you're looking them up!"

Two hands grabbed the chips in question and sent them through the chip reader before setting them to the side and returning to the virus dictionary. Amy's arm was transforming into the lightning rod while Eric read out the first entry. "'Grinner. A single plate constructed as a solar panel, with a painted design to mimic the appearance of a robot face. Despite having an electrical makeup, it attacks by firing a piercing fiery energy beam that is stronger if shot whilst hovering over solar panels, and defends itself by means of its metal body casing as it cannot move.'"

"Too much information!" Eric's monologue had given the first weapon enough time to materialise on the lady's body, so without any further hesitation Amy lined up her shot onto the first Twisty and let it rip. The electrical ring crackled across the space between the two digital creatures as her arm's ending began morphing from lightning rod to shotgun barrel.

"I think I'm beginning to understand why Crony loves this thing," Amy remarked as the bluish-silver chamber again solidified itself onto her being. "I don't like having to inflict pain with it, but it's... effective, for sure."

"Well don't waste time, use it already!" Lily's wings were charged and ready to assist Amy with another round of electrical disruption of their own.

"Yes yes, I'm on it," she sighed as her focus landed on the second Twisty. Unlike the first Twisty it was settled on normal panels, so another one-two dual strike was indeed the best approach. Amy's pellet spray was ejected into the field as Lily timed her shot to follow it, which if effective would have created an unpleasant combination of electrified bullets. If it wasn't enough to be attacked on the field, having your casing damaged and shocked at the same time could have been considered to be a tad barbarish.

Eric had found the second entry by this point and read it out. "'Green Mimic.' Oh wow, the visual description of this one sounds a little creepy..."

"Don't care about its looks, tell us how to beat it." Lily's words conveyed both the frustration of both herself and her navi counterpart, but Lily's tone and scowl suggested she was the one most upset by this recent turn of events.

"Right." His eyes skimmed the paragraphs before summarising out loud. "If you defeat it, it will turn back into a mystery data crystal. It fires energy beams that are somewhat accurate, but it also has the power to apply energy shields onto its allies as a form of defense. It can't move either, apparently."

"Wait... are you telling us nothing on this battlefield can move except us...?"

"...Yes, I guess I am. No, wait... the Twistys can't move, but those floaty things that shoot electricity can."

"But we don't attack those anyway, we just have to dodge them." It was useful information, but there was still a lot of work to be done. "Lily, we need to take down the rest of the group first before we focus on that... thing," Amy stressed as she pointed to the green crystal while her eyes darted back and forth between the two Grinners, hoping to anticipate whichever decided to attack first. If these creatures could defend themselves then she'd need to use her weapons sparingly, but the 'Green Mimic' was capable of stalling out their attacks if it could apply additional defences on top of their own protections.

Lily could sense the cleansing gel generating down Amy's arms and prepared another electrifying response of her own. "Planning on making another splash?" she remarked, already knowing the answer but not missing the opportunity to poke fun at her partner's gelatenous nature.

"Of course. We don't have unlimited firepower, you know." The first globule was ready to fire, so rather than counter Lily's quip with more banter, Amy set her sight on the leftmost Grinner as the ball of gel was thrust from her palm and shot towards her next target. Almost instantly Lily's next energy wave charged through the air towards the same target, as it once again riffed off the lingering gel mist in the air to create a miniature light show to the network by arcing off the air itself.

Lily's stamina in her standard operating mode wasn't able to keep up with Amy's, which meant that the violet-haired protagonist was prepared to send a second volley of cleansing gel towards the second Grinner while Lily's body recharged from the twin bursts of electrical energy they'd emitted into the arena. Amy launched the second glob of cyan gel towards the next target, but unforunately for any of the nearby bystanders more content to watch the unfolding chaos than assist in resolving it, no light show followed the gel's pathway across the field.

Amy herself needed a quick recharge before deciding how to proceed, but the 'Green Mimic', as Eric had called it, was the mystery player in this battle. How well they would be able to resolve this issue was going to depend largely on how much of a nuisance it was capable of being; only time could answer that question.

-------------------------

= BATTLE #2 POST-GAME INTERMISSION =
Rewards:
Zenny: +1000 (1020 >>> 2020)
Bugfrags: +12 (21 >>> 33)

= WE NOW RETURN TO YOUR REGULAR(?) BATTLE #3 PROGRAMMING =

Actions:
[A1] [Disruptor] ZapRing1 [40 Elec DMG] >>> Twisty A
[A2] [Disruptor] Shotgun [50 DMG, Spread1] >>> Twisty B
[L1] Ion Wave [30 Elec DMG] >>> Twisty B
[A3] Dodge preparation
[A4] Calming Spray {A} [40 Aqua DMG] >>> Grinner A
[L2] Ion Wave [30 Elec DMG] >>> Grinner A
[A5] Calming Spray {B} [40 Aqua DMG] >>> Grinner B
[A6] Dodge preparation

Cooldowns:
Calming Spray {A} [Used; 0/1 TCD; Recharging]
Calming Spray {B} [Used; 0/1 TCD; Recharging]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 230 HP
Liliana.SP: 70 / 70 HP [Equipped to Amity]

Despite a brief moment of panic and confusion, Amy and her allies responded to the suddenly dangerous situation as swiftly as they could. One quick ring of crackling electricity was all it took to eliminate the first Twisty before it could even release its lighting bit – the panel beneath it amplified Amy's attack enough to disrupt the virus right away.

She managed to dodge the thundering bolt of lighting that hammered down towards her from the second Twisty's bit, narrowly averting a nasty attack, but as she and Lily countered its attempt with a rapid shotgun blast, a green mist seemed to swirl around the virus just ahead of them and deflect the majority of the blast; The shotgun scattered the barrier, allowing the trailing ionised pulse form Lily to make it through, but the result was that the electrical virus still remained. An amused cackled echoed from the spinning diamond a the back of the area while the red eyes watched the navi and her SP with an alarming degree of cunning.

The crystal facets rotated and flexed into a new geometric pattern for a moment, as though it were re-configuring itself to do something, but the momentary distraction was enough to give a different virus an opportunity – one Grinner locked its face down with a clang, sliding a yellow steel mask over its front panel, while the other opened up. Inside the face, a brilliant solar panel shone, then launched a lancing beam of laser-like fire to blindside Amy and Lily – the piercing beam scorched them both in the moment of distraction.

As the laser passed, the mimic completed whatever reconfiguring it was doing and released a small, madly crackling ball of force that stuttered and glitched in small phasing bursts across the field towards the pair. Its movements were erratic and unpredictable, but at lest for the first time it attempted to make a pass on the pair, the corrupt ball missed them. It darted to one side, shot upwards, then arced around, flickering from place to place; it seemed it still had enough momentum to make another attempt at them soon.

Thrown off her rhythm in the moment, Amy's attempt at a retaliation against the first Grinner went wide, failing to connect. Lily's follow-up was more on target, fortunately, but on its own it wasn't enough to remove the heavy-duty threat. Off to one side, the remaining Twisty moved its hands and directed its floating bit to strike again, but this time the bolt was well off-target, blasting a hole in the panel just behind Amy.

Amy took a second shot, this time at the other masked panel virus, but though the shot was better aimed this time, the cleansing gel splattered against its closed mask and didn't seem to be able to penetrate the virus' outer shell – she'd need to get the gel onto the interior panel itself, it seemed. Almost as though taunting her, the two Grinners switched modes just after her shot cleared; the damaged one slammed its mask shut, covering over the delicate solar panel, while the one she'd just shot at opened up to launch a scorching solar beam of its own towards her. Fortunately, this time, Amy was ready for it and she manged to dodge away from the burning laser shot, which also missed Lily as well. At the back, the amused giggling sounded again; the red eyes watched through the seams in the glass facets, more like a predator, playing with prey, than a virus fighting for its life.

-=Shocking Revelation=-
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once. A: CLEANSED
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once. B: 50Hp [Normal][To Amy's Right]
GrinnerGrinner (Grinner)

The Grinner virus possesses a body consisting of only one large solar panel, coated in colored metal with a design like a stoic, robotic face. The color of its body varies according to its strength. (yellow/orange/red/purple/blue/green/black). The virus attacks by opening its "mouth" to reveal its panel, then firing a beam of refracted light towards its enemies. When other solar panels are nearby, its attack will magnify additional light and become even more powerful. The Grinner moves very slowly, but is entirely invulnerable to attacks while its mouth is closed. It has been described jokingly as "the energy efficient Dominerd" due to the similarities between the viruses. The virus itself is electric, but its beam burns like fire, so wood navis need be wary.

Area: NAXA, Electown, SciLab

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Fire Shot + Piercing + Solar Terrain Boost 10 + Self-Cancel Body Effects
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires a scorching beam of refracted, magnified light. The beam deals extra damage when fired by a Grinner floating over solar terrain. When using this attack, the Grinner voids all protection granted by its metallic body and remains vulnerable until it closes its mouth again.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 1 turn self IronBody
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Protects self using its metallic "face" encasing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): SolarShield1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes, cannot dodge A: 40Hp [Metal][IronBody][Forward and left of Amy]
GrinnerGrinner (Grinner)

The Grinner virus possesses a body consisting of only one large solar panel, coated in colored metal with a design like a stoic, robotic face. The color of its body varies according to its strength. (yellow/orange/red/purple/blue/green/black). The virus attacks by opening its "mouth" to reveal its panel, then firing a beam of refracted light towards its enemies. When other solar panels are nearby, its attack will magnify additional light and become even more powerful. The Grinner moves very slowly, but is entirely invulnerable to attacks while its mouth is closed. It has been described jokingly as "the energy efficient Dominerd" due to the similarities between the viruses. The virus itself is electric, but its beam burns like fire, so wood navis need be wary.

Area: NAXA, Electown, SciLab

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Fire Shot + Piercing + Solar Terrain Boost 10 + Self-Cancel Body Effects
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires a scorching beam of refracted, magnified light. The beam deals extra damage when fired by a Grinner floating over solar terrain. When using this attack, the Grinner voids all protection granted by its metallic body and remains vulnerable until it closes its mouth again.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 1 turn self IronBody
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Protects self using its metallic "face" encasing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): SolarShield1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes, cannot dodge B: 100Hp [Metal][Forward and right of Amy]

Green MimicGreen Mimic (Mimic)

A Mystery Data bisected horizontally, with a shadowy core binding the halves together. Two menacing red eyes leer out from the shadows in the crack between them, and a swirl of dark energy of the same color as the data whirls around the entire virus constantly. A Mimic only spawns if an MD is present, and the roll to check contents comes up as a Trap. The MD then becomes a single Mimic. Mimics do not ever appear otherwise. Once triggered, a Mimic either mass summons Viruses, Navis, or other Battle Programs for the next battle number, or mass teleports all allies to the location of the next battle (which is always within the same network area), and the battle begins immediately. These mass summon and mass teleport abilities are unique to Mimics, and cannot be emulated. When a Mimic is defeated, it reverts to MD form. At this point, it becomes ethereal, and cannot be damaged in any way.

Area: All

HP: 200
Primary Attack Description: Gathers the energy around it into a ball, then fires it all outward in a beam of green light.
Primary Attack Effect: 30 + Beam Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Swirls the energy surrounding it around an ally.
Secondary Attack Effect: 40 HP barrier to ally (Cannot be used on self)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Tertiary Attack Description: Spits a ball of glitchy data out from the crack in the Mystery Data, then sends it flying inside a guided shell of energy.
Tertiary Attack Effect: 15 + Glitch + Homing
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: C
Element: Null
Special: Omnishoes. Immobile.
Special: Gains a 20 HP barrier every turn it is not attacking. Does not stack.: 200Hp [Normal][Directly forward of Amy, about a movement away]

-=Incautious Looters=-
Amity.Exe: 210Hp [Metal] [Glitch Bolt Homing!]
Liliana.SP: 50Hp [Equipped to Amity]

-=Terrain=-
50% Metal

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

45% Normal

• No effects.

5% Broken

• Not bottomless.
• Reverts to Normal after a time, if no one is inside.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• 1-4 Movements actions to climb back out depending on method.

(Just behind Amy, where the Twisty missed her)

Terrain is a checkerboard pattern; any dodge or feint will move you to the opposite terrain, unless you deliberately aim for where you're going.

The mysterious ball of energy had moved past them on its first attempt to connect, but judging by its returning trajectory, the object wasn't yet finished with our ladies. Amy's eyes tracked its movements, trying to analyse its intentions, but just like its earlier movements it didn't seem like predicting its flight path would be any easier the second time around. The surviving Twisty had created a hazard behind the duo, and so it was imperative that the two jumped forward in their attempt to evade the attack, not backwards.

"Keep them coming! Cannon next!"

The operator did as instructed and uploaded the requested chip, but as his hand returned the recharging chip to its designated spot, his eyes briefly glanced over the PoisonBall chip. It hadn't yet had its chance to shine in battle, but as the ladies had been walking around the city earlier, Eric's recent desire to be a better operator had led him to do a quick read-up on their latest acquisition. It was slow and not as accurate as the gun-type chips they'd been favouring until now, but it did have one advantage over these. The PoisonBall could break through the Grinner's hard exterior where Amy's cleansing gel couldn't earlier.

"Sending you the PoisonBall chip as well," he added nervously, expecting another reprimand. "Use it on the weakened Grinner, maybe...?"

Was that a suggestion or an order...? It would have to wait; Amy felt the cannon take its place on her arm as she whirled it about towards the second Twisty. The first shot had been wide; with a bit more care, her attack would make its target this time. Missing a stationary target twice from this distance would be a little embarrassing, she reminded herself as the area around her was filled with cannon smoke and another loud boom echoed.

The PoisonBall formed in midair and dropped into her arm with perfect timing as the silvery-bluish barrel of the Cannon disappeared once again. It had an unusual sticky feeling to it; similar to her own gels, but perhaps a little more thicker. If it had the power to break defences then it stood to reason it would be more viscous than her own gel, but surely it would need to be much thicker than this...? Stop thinking, just throw the turded thing, she needed to order herself as her arm was wound back, shortly followed by an overarm swing to lob the ball towards the damaged Grinner.

Lily's wings were taking on their patterned style again, the leaves of autumn theming her body as she took the opportunity to buffer her own defenses. This Green Mimic was the cause of all these problems, and despite Amy's earlier protests, if she'd done what Lily said then they could have been home by now. Just need to keep an eye on you, she sneered as her attention focused on the green crystal. That needed to be their next focus - why Amy hadn't started on it first was a concern to the butterfly, but that conversation could wait for later.

"FireHit1 please!" Thankfully, Amy's body language suggested that she too was thinking the same thing; two fists of fire swelled from both of her closed palms as her gaze turned toward the crystal. With most of their enemies starting to fall in battle, Amy needed to start focusing her attention on the remaining problem. Lily was grateful to see both fiery orbs be launched towards the larger of their foes, one swing after the other, as their glow reflected off the panels they flew above. It was clear that the two charges wouldn't be enough to rid them of its presence; if anything, this partial assault might only anger it further. If it was angry at all, that is; Amy watched for a retaliation as she took stock of the field and started determining what would be their next course of action, once again taking note of the hole behind them.

-------------------------

Actions:
[A1] Tactical Dodge
[L1] Ion Wave [30 Elec DMG] >>> Grinner B
[A2] [Disruptor] Cannon [60 DMG + Knockback] >>> Twisty B
[A3] [Disruptor] PoisonBall [50 DMG + Break + Small Terrain Change (Poison)] >>> Grinner A
[L2] Autumn Leaves [40 HP Casing] >>> Liliana
[A4] [Disruptor] FireHit1 [60 Fire DMG + Impact - 1/2] >>> Green Mimic
[A5] [Disruptor] FireHit1 [60 Fire DMG + Impact - 2/2] >>> Green Mimic
[A6] Reactionary Dodge

Cooldowns:
Calming Spray {A} [+1 TCD; 1/1 TCD; Ready!]
Calming Spray {B} [+1 TCD; 1/1 TCD; Ready!]
Autumn Leaves [Used; 0/1 TCD; Recharging]

Party:
Amity.EXE: 210 / 230 HP
Liliana.SP: 50 / 70 HP [40 / 40 HP Casing] [Equipped to Amity]

As the unexpected battle continued, Amy kept a careful eye on the erratic ball of glitched energy that was chasing them, and dodged away from it easily as it attempted another diving pass at the pair. As she dodged away, however, a searing bolt of rending light and force blindsided her and Lily, almost as though they had dodged into the attack. The beam scorched through them both, leaving an afterimage of light, and a deeply amused, sinister chuckle of corrupt laughter from the mimic at the end of the area – it seemed to have timed to shot to line up with its earlier projectile, in an attempt to catch Amy out, and worse, it seemed to delight in its success with a dark cunning.

Undefeated, however, the due persevered as Lily battered at the currently exposed Grinner with an ion wave that arced through it and down to the panel it was hovering above, dealing significant damage to the virus' outer form. Another bolt of lightning hammered down towards the pair from the Twisty's remote bit, but this one stuck a short way to their left, blasting another hole in the panels, but fortunately missing its mark.

Before the other Grinner had a chance to start attacking again, Lily received a new chip from her operator, and put the thicker, heavier slime ball to use; unlike her previous gel shot, this one impacted against the closed plat and sunk through it, seemingly to melt the metal outer shell a way and send a tracery of cracks through the solar panel beneath. A moment later, a tinkling of glass sounded the interior panel rupturing and a scattered swarm of data shards blossomed into the air while the rest of the viral form disintegrated.

As the pale blue fragments of data drifted in the air, there was a brief moment of respite across the battlefield. The other Grinner slammed its metal plate shut, closing off its own solar panel from sight, while Lily protected herself with a defence of her own. At the same time, a swirling green mist enshrouded the remaining Grinner, further bolstering its defence, as the mimic watched the pair to see what they'd do next.

What Amy planned, at least, was a dose of comeuppance for the crystalline mastermind, and she used the short moment to launch a pair of fiery attacks towards the dangerous foe; the first struck it, scattering fire, and a sound like cracking glass, or maybe a screech of indignation, followed. Amy's second shot didn't manage to connect while the mimic spun itself about, shaking off the lingering flames and fixing both with a gaze that smouldered red in the blackness of its internal smoke; it still seemed quite sturdy, and now far less amused.

As though sensing an opportunity amidst this showdown, the Grinner slipped its panel open again, relying on the defence it had been provided, and launched a quick laser shot at Amy and Lily again. Seemingly on instinct, Amy dodged away from the shot, but not fast enough to protect her partner fully as well; Lily was clipped, just barely, by the beam. Fortunately for the tiny SP, her protective barrier diverted the glancing ray and saved her from any further harm.

-=Shocking Revelation=-
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once. A: CLEANSED
TwistyTwisty (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 80
Attack: 20 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit1, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once. B: CLEANSED
GrinnerGrinner (Grinner)

The Grinner virus possesses a body consisting of only one large solar panel, coated in colored metal with a design like a stoic, robotic face. The color of its body varies according to its strength. (yellow/orange/red/purple/blue/green/black). The virus attacks by opening its "mouth" to reveal its panel, then firing a beam of refracted light towards its enemies. When other solar panels are nearby, its attack will magnify additional light and become even more powerful. The Grinner moves very slowly, but is entirely invulnerable to attacks while its mouth is closed. It has been described jokingly as "the energy efficient Dominerd" due to the similarities between the viruses. The virus itself is electric, but its beam burns like fire, so wood navis need be wary.

Area: NAXA, Electown, SciLab

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Fire Shot + Piercing + Solar Terrain Boost 10 + Self-Cancel Body Effects
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires a scorching beam of refracted, magnified light. The beam deals extra damage when fired by a Grinner floating over solar terrain. When using this attack, the Grinner voids all protection granted by its metallic body and remains vulnerable until it closes its mouth again.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 1 turn self IronBody
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Protects self using its metallic "face" encasing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): SolarShield1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes, cannot dodge A: CLEANSED
GrinnerGrinner (Grinner)

The Grinner virus possesses a body consisting of only one large solar panel, coated in colored metal with a design like a stoic, robotic face. The color of its body varies according to its strength. (yellow/orange/red/purple/blue/green/black). The virus attacks by opening its "mouth" to reveal its panel, then firing a beam of refracted light towards its enemies. When other solar panels are nearby, its attack will magnify additional light and become even more powerful. The Grinner moves very slowly, but is entirely invulnerable to attacks while its mouth is closed. It has been described jokingly as "the energy efficient Dominerd" due to the similarities between the viruses. The virus itself is electric, but its beam burns like fire, so wood navis need be wary.

Area: NAXA, Electown, SciLab

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Fire Shot + Piercing + Solar Terrain Boost 10 + Self-Cancel Body Effects
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Fires a scorching beam of refracted, magnified light. The beam deals extra damage when fired by a Grinner floating over solar terrain. When using this attack, the Grinner voids all protection granted by its metallic body and remains vulnerable until it closes its mouth again.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 1 turn self IronBody
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Protects self using its metallic "face" encasing.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): SolarShield1, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes, cannot dodge B: 40Hp [Metal][Barrier: 40/40Hp][Forward and right of Amy]

Green MimicGreen Mimic (Mimic)

A Mystery Data bisected horizontally, with a shadowy core binding the halves together. Two menacing red eyes leer out from the shadows in the crack between them, and a swirl of dark energy of the same color as the data whirls around the entire virus constantly. A Mimic only spawns if an MD is present, and the roll to check contents comes up as a Trap. The MD then becomes a single Mimic. Mimics do not ever appear otherwise. Once triggered, a Mimic either mass summons Viruses, Navis, or other Battle Programs for the next battle number, or mass teleports all allies to the location of the next battle (which is always within the same network area), and the battle begins immediately. These mass summon and mass teleport abilities are unique to Mimics, and cannot be emulated. When a Mimic is defeated, it reverts to MD form. At this point, it becomes ethereal, and cannot be damaged in any way.

Area: All

HP: 200
Primary Attack Description: Gathers the energy around it into a ball, then fires it all outward in a beam of green light.
Primary Attack Effect: 30 + Beam Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Swirls the energy surrounding it around an ally.
Secondary Attack Effect: 40 HP barrier to ally (Cannot be used on self)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Tertiary Attack Description: Spits a ball of glitchy data out from the crack in the Mystery Data, then sends it flying inside a guided shell of energy.
Tertiary Attack Effect: 15 + Glitch + Homing
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: C
Element: Null
Special: Omnishoes. Immobile.
Special: Gains a 20 HP barrier every turn it is not attacking. Does not stack.: 140Hp [Normal][Directly forward of Amy, about a movement away]

-=Incautious Looters=-
Amity.Exe: 180Hp [Metal]
Liliana.SP: 20Hp [Equipped to Amity][Casing: 20/40Hp]

-=Terrain=-
40% Metal

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

35% Normal

• No effects.

15% Poison

• -10 HP/action standing, -20 HP/action submerged.
• Zombie nullifies damage, heals 10 HP/action on contact.
• Cannot be in Sigs.
• PanelShot: Poison(20).

(Forward and left of Amy, where Grinner A was)
10% Broken

• Not bottomless.
• Reverts to Normal after a time, if no one is inside.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• 1-4 Movements actions to climb back out depending on method.

(Just behind Amy, and off to the left, where the Twisty missed her)

Terrain is a checkerboard pattern; any dodge or feint will move you to the opposite terrain, unless you deliberately aim for where you're going.